The podcast explores consciousness through Integrated Information Theory (IIT) and Dr. Barrett’s view that science can support a form of spirituality. Dr Barrett explains the notion of eternalism, the idea that past, present, and future all equally exist, and discusses how these ideas relate to meditation, death, illusionism, panpsychism, and broader questions about the nature of the universe and consciousness.

In this episode, we explore chaos and nonlinearity in biological systems with Professor Leon Glass. We discuss what it means for a system to be nonlinear, how differential equations and oscillations help model complex biological behaviour, and how to distinguish deterministic chaos from randomness. Professor Glass shares insights from his journey in nonlinear dynamics, explains how mathematical models reveal hidden structure in physiology, and reflects on education, curiosity-driven exploration, and the patterns that emerge in living systems.

In this episode, Prof. Gerard J. Milburn explores the foundations of quantum mechanics—wave function collapse, measurement, and the meaning of the observer—before connecting these ideas to spacetime, irreversibility, and the relational nature of time. The conversation then moves into quantum technologies, revealing how quantum computers differ fundamentally from classical machines, why they can achieve dramatic efficiency gains, and what entirely new possibilities they may unlock. Prof. Milburn closes by discussing his work on quantum gravity and quantum learning machines, and reflects on how grappling with quantum theory reshaped his understanding of reality itself—offering powerful advice for the next generation of physicists stepping into one of the deepest intellectual frontiers of our time.

Professor James Yorke is a pioneer in Chaos theory and coined the term chaos in Mathematics. In this episode, he explains the importance of asking questions and creating original problems to solve, as a way to provide worldwide impact in the age of AI. He explains Chaos Theory by inviting everyone to play a simple game and shares his views on how to better education.

How do you change the world without making things worse somewhere else?

In this episode, Finn and I discuss Thinking in Systems by Donella H. Meadows and explore how systems thinking can create maximum positive impact. After reading the book, we make our own attempt at building a system, applying ideas like feedback loops and leverage points to something real.

We reflect on why quick fixes fail, how complex systems behave, and what ethical, meaningful change might actually look like.

Dr. Matthews is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Southampton, studying the relationship between virtue epistemology, scepticism, and conspiracy theories as part of the Ethics of Doubt project. Join us for a conversation about knowledge, courage, and much more.

Finn and I explore the Myth of Sisyphus, a man punished to push a rock up a mountain for eternity, only to fall down when he reaches the top. We talk about the double marathon I ran to put my self into the shoes of Sisyphus. 

Finn and I continue our talk on artificial intelligence. We talk about Ian Banks’s novels of a future world that integrates AI well, we touch on what brings meaning to us in a world where AI does most jobs, and question if humans will date AI robots.  Join us!

Finn and I talk about Artificial Intelligence.