The Michael Shermer Show Archives
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Jon Mills — Inventing God: Psychology of Belief and the Rise of…
Jon Mills — Inventing God: Psychology of Belief and the Rise of…
About this podcast
Examining Extraordinary Claims and Promoting Science Since 1992
Episodes
The newest 20 of 29 episodes
- Jon Mills — Inventing God: Psychology of Belief and the Rise of Secular SpiritualityMichael Shermer interviews Jon Mills on psychoanalysis, therapeutic dynamics, and the psychological roots of aggression and trauma. Mills discusses Freud’s influence, the moral…
- 2024 Election PostmortemIn this special solo episode, Michael Shermer reflects on the 2024 election.
- Ben Westhoff — Fentanyl and the Opioid EpidemicIn 2023, over 107,000 Americans died from overdoses, with fentanyl responsible for more than 75,000 of these deaths—a staggering toll almost double that of car accidents or gun…
- Dr. Warren Hern: Stories From the Front Lines of Abortion CareDr. Warren Hern delves into the complexities of abortion care from pre-Roe to today’s tumultuous landscape. He shares first-hand experiences of defending women’s health…
- The Most Important Election of My Lifetime … AgainIn this solo episode, Michael Shermer discusses the upcoming election, reflecting on the historical context of past elections and the political polarization that has intensified…
- Edward Goldberg — The Future of Global Order and America’s InfluenceShermer and Goldberg discuss: the historical factors that led to America’s rise as a global leader, including its economy and political culture. They explore the future of U.S…
- Faith, Politics, and Power: Talia Lavin on the Christian Right’s AmericaShermer and Lavin discuss historical phenomena like the Satanic Panic and Recovered Memory Movement, as well as contemporary issues such as the movement’s influence on societal…
- Mark Weinstein — The Social Reset: Big Tech, Mental Health, and the Future of ConnectionShermer and Weinstein discuss AI’s impact on social media platforms and personal relationships, solutions to combat teen mental health issues, and strategies for parental…
- Neal Stephenson on Predicting the Metaverse, Crypto, and AI Decades AheadShermer and Stephenson discuss various topics including professional and science fiction writing, the interplay of genetics, environment, and luck in shaping lives, historical…
- From ChatGPT to AGI: Terrence Sejnowski on the Future of AITerrence Sejnowski, a leading cognitive neuroscientist, delves into the evolving world of AI, focusing on large language models like ChatGPT. Explore AI’s intelligence…
- Words, Actions, and Liberty: Tara Smith Decodes the First AmendmentExplore the complexities of free speech with First Amendment scholar Tara Smith. Delve into historical perspectives, contemporary challenges, and the nuanced distinctions between…
- Michael Bernstein on Psychogenic Illness and the Nocebo EffectExplore how the power of belief can make you feel sick in this intriguing episode. Michael Bernstein delves into the nocebo effect, where negative expectations create the…
- Competing for Souls: Paul Seabright Explores Religion’s Economic PowerExplore how religions compete like businesses, accumulating wealth and power as platforms for communities. Economist Paul Seabright discusses the economic aspects of religious…
- Max Boot — Why Ronald Reagan Wanted to Abolish Nuclear WeaponsShermer and Boot discuss Reagan’s early life, his political evolution from a liberal to a conservative, his presidency, and the impact of his policies on modern conservatism…
- Adam Kirsch — Settler Colonialism: Ideology, Violence, and JusticeShermer and Kirsch discuss settler colonialism and its implications for current events, particularly in Israel. Kirsch explains the ideology behind labeling Israel a settler…
- Colin Wright — Biology vs. Gender Ideology: The Science Behind the DebateAt FreedomFest 2024, Michael Shermer interviews biologist Colin Wright on the contentious topic of biological sex and gender. Wright, an expert in animal behavior and…
- Taming Silicon Valley: Gary Marcus on AI’s Perils and PromiseIn this thought-provoking episode, AI expert Gary Marcus and Michael Shermer delve into the complex world of AI, from ChatGPT to AGI. They explore AI’s threats, Silicon Valley’s…
- Matt Ridley, Steven Pinker, and Michael Shermer Challenge Conventional NarrativesSteven Pinker, Matt Ridley, and Michael Shermer discuss global challenges and progress at FreedomFest 2024. They analyze impacts of COVID-19, DEI initiatives, and AI, while…
- Matthew Stewart on Slavery, Enlightenment, and America’s RefoundingJoin independent philosopher and historian Matthew Stewart as he delves into the heretical roots of the American republic. Explore the influence of Enlightenment thinkers on the…
- Jeffrey Kripal — How to Think About Souls, UFOs, Time, Belief, and EverythingMichael Shermer and Jeffrey Kripal discuss Kripal's new book How to Think Impossibly, which explores so-called impossible phenomena like precognitive dreams, telepathic visions…
