In this episode of Roots of Reality Experiences, historian Ben Baumann talks with Ben Radford, Deputy Editor of Skeptical Inquirer magazine and Research Fellow at the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. Together, they discuss Radford’s experiences investigating ghosts, the psychological and cultural roots of ghost beliefs, and how these beliefs persist and evolve despite modern technology.

From ancient ghost stories to modern UFO sightings, historian Ben Baumann explores humanity’s enduring fascination with the supernatural, why people believe, how those beliefs reflect our fear of death, and what they reveal about the very nature of being human.

In this episode of Roots of Reality Experiences, historian Ben Baumann talks with Sabrina Schaeffer, Vice President of Public Affairs at the R Street Institute about how freedom in America has changed, whether Americans still truly value freedom today, and the challenges of defending freedom in a polarized time.

From roaming hunter-gatherers to modern democracies, historian Ben Baumann traces how freedom has evolved across thousands of years of human history and why knowledge and critical thinking are key to preserving freedom today.

In this episode of Roots of Reality Experiences, historian Ben Baumann talks with musician Plumes about his experiences playing music for animals, the connection between humans and animals, and why people need to show greater care and compassion for them.

Historian Ben Baumann talks about the historical relationship between humans and animals, as well as the modern risks animals face.

In this episode of Roots of Reality Experiences, historian Ben Baumann speaks with Rep. Don Bacon about his approach to crafting bipartisan legislation, the challenges he’s faced in a divided Congress, and why cooperation still matters for America’s future.

Historian Ben Baumann examines whether bipartisanship is still possible in America, tracing America’s history of compromise from its founding to today’s era of deep political polarization.

In this episode of Roots of Reality Experiences, historian Ben Baumann speaks with astrophysicist Dr. Ethan Siegel about the origins of the universe, why scientific skepticism matters, and how our understanding of the cosmos may evolve in the future.

Historian Ben Baumann explores the timeless question of why the universe exists, challenging the belief in certainties, and encouraging listeners to embrace the unknown by creating their own meaning in a mysterious cosmos.