A curated collection of podcasts that sometimes venture into science or philosophy, among many other topics. Also see the Science Podcast Collection and the Philosophy Podcast Collection.
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Updated: 2024-Nov-05 18:10 UTC. Podcasts listed: 31. Ordered by date of most recent episode (newest to oldest). AI-generated content is based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions.
Collection summary covering past 30 days of combined episodes (AI-generated):
These podcasts explore a wide variety of themes and subjects, with a strong emphasis on intellectual dialogue, current events, and cultural analysis. Many episodes delve into philosophical discussions, covering both historical and contemporary thought, including explorations of logic and morality. Topics such as AI, neuroscience, and information theory are explored, reflecting ongoing discussions about technology's role in shaping modern life.
A recurring theme across the episodes is the intersection of culture, politics, and history. Some discussions analyze the political landscape, including U.S. democracy, global political dynamics, and the implications of rising political ideologies, such as fascism. Others examine historical events and figures to draw lessons applicable to the present day.
Social and cultural movements are also focal points, with episodes discussing the concept of "wokeness," race, identity, and the evolving communication landscape within journalistic practices. Conversations about art, literature, and creativity often highlight the human experience, exploring how these elements reflect and influence societal changes.
Episodes focusing on science and nature discuss topics like consciousness, evolution, and environmental issues. The podcasts explore innovative thinking in these fields, reflecting broader questions about humanity’s relationship to the natural world and the universe.
Also prevalent are discussions on personal growth and social responsibilities, looking at how individuals can navigate complex cultural and societal landscapes. These podcasts often bring together diverse experts and thinkers, fostering conversations that challenge conventional wisdom and provide a deeper understanding of the multifaceted world we live in.
Podcasts: |
Ideas
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 203 episodes 2023 to 2024 Median: 54 minutes Collection: SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): Contemporary thought • Intellectual history • Political ideologies • Social issues • Cultural insights • Science and technology • Environmental topics • Historical analysis • Art and creativity Description (podcaster-provided): IDEAS is a deep-dive into contemporary thought and intellectual history. No topic is off-limits. In the age of clickbait and superficial headlines, it's for people who like to think. Latest episode (2024-Nov-05 13:10 UTC): Do Dogs Feel Guilt? Animal Cognition Discoveries |
The Gray Area with Sean Illing
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 684 episodes 2016 to 2024 Median: 65 minutes Collections: Philosophy • SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): Philosophy and politics • Technology and AI • Culture and creativity • Mental health and human experience • History and societal change Description (podcaster-provided): The Gray Area with Sean Illing takes a philosophy-minded look at culture, technology, politics, and the world of ideas. Each week, we invite a guest to explore a question or topic that matters. From the the state of democracy, to the struggle with depression and anxiety, to the nature of identity in the digital age, each episode looks for nuance and honesty in the most important conversations of our time. New episodes drop every Monday. Latest episode (2024-Nov-04 09:00 UTC): Does being "woke" do any good? |
Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 527 episodes 2014 to 2024 Median: 68 minutes Collections: SciPhi-Adjacent • Science Themes (AI-generated): Science communication • Ethics in healthcare • Understanding animal behavior • History and social issues • Climate change • Language diversity • Technology and robots • Public health and aging • Space exploration Description (podcaster-provided): Cara Santa Maria is a science communicator, television host, producer, and journalist. She is excited to present "Talk Nerdy," a place for conversations with interesting people about interesting topics. Latest episode (2024-Nov-04 08:00 UTC): Fierce Desires w/ Rebecca L. Davis |
Intelligence Squared
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 1243 episodes 2013 to 2024 Median: 53 minutes Collection: SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): Diverse debates • Modern politics • Historical narratives • Technology and AI • Cultural analysis • Gender and power dynamics • Economic insights • Prominent global figures • Social issues • Science and innovation Description (podcaster-provided): Intelligence Squared is the home of lively debate and deep-dive discussion. Follow Intelligence Squared wherever you get your podcasts and enjoy four regular episodes per week taking you to the heart of the issues that matter in the company of the world’s great minds. We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be. Send us an email or voice note with your thoughts to [email protected] or Tweet us @intelligence2. Latest episode (2024-Nov-04 00:10 UTC): Jeremy Bowen: Making Sense of the Modern Middle East, Part Two |
Converging Dialogues
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 382 episodes 2020 to 2024 Median: 95 minutes Collection: SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): Diverse dialogues on philosophy, psychology, politics, and society • Civil discourse • Experts and authors • Wide-ranging topics • Civility and open-mindedness Description (podcaster-provided): Converging Dialogues is a podcast that is designed to have honest and authentic conversations with a diversity of thoughts and opinions. Wide-ranging topics include philosophy, psychology, politics, and social commentary. A spirit of civility, respect, and open-mindedness is the guiding compass. Latest episode (2024-Nov-03 23:22 UTC): #382 - Erasing History: A Dialogue with Jason Stanley |
Arts & Ideas
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 2000 episodes 2012 to 2024 Median: 44 minutes Collection: SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): Discussions on culture and ideas • Historical insights • Philosophy debates • Literature and art analysis • Social and political commentary • Academic perspectives • New research exploration Description (podcaster-provided): Leading thinkers discuss the ideas shaping our lives – looking back at the news and making links between past and present. Broadcast as Free Thinking, Fridays at 9pm on BBC Radio 4. Presented by Matthew Sweet, Shahidha Bari and Anne McElvoy. Latest episode (2024-Nov-01 22:17 UTC): Ghosts, death and ecstatic states |
Making Sense with Sam Harris
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 416 episodes 2013 to 2024 Median: 45 minutes Collection: SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): Neuroscience • Philosophy • Politics • Society • Religion • Ethics • Current events • AI • Rationality • Mindfulness • Meditation • Technology • Economics • War • Antisemitism Description (podcaster-provided): Join neuroscientist, philosopher, and five-time New York Times best-selling author Sam Harris as he explores important and controversial questions about the mind, society, current events, moral philosophy, religion, and rationality—with an overarching focus on how a growing understanding of ourselves and the world is changing our sense of how we should live. Latest episode (2024-Nov-01 21:08 UTC): #390 — Final Thoughts on the 2024 Presidential Election |
80,000 Hours Podcast
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 259 episodes 2017 to 2024 Median: 138 minutes Collection: SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): AI and existential risk • Effective altruism • Mental health • Evolutionary psychology • Scientific progress • Biosecurity • Environmental issues • Parenting and education economics • Space exploration • Alternative proteins Description (podcaster-provided): Unusually in-depth conversations about the world's most pressing problems and what you can do to solve them. Latest episode (2024-Nov-01 17:22 UTC): #206 – Anil Seth on the predictive brain and how to study consciousness |
Moral Maze
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 229 episodes 2015 to 2024 Median: 42 minutes Collections: Philosophy • SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): Moral debates • Societal issues • Ethical questions • Politics • Justice • Identity • Human nature • Culture • Global challenges • Social change Description (podcaster-provided): Combative, provocative and engaging live debate examining the moral issues behind one of the week's news stories. #moralmaze Latest episode (2024-Oct-31 15:49 UTC): The morality of sending offenders to prison. |
Within Reason
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 86 episodes 2019 to 2024 Median: 76 minutes Collections: Philosophy • SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): Philosophy • Religion • Politics • Science • Atheism • History • Prominent thinkers and authors • Existential questions • Current events • Social issues • Guest interviews • Logical analysis Description (podcaster-provided): For the curious. Latest episode (2024-Oct-31 13:44 UTC): #86 Pre-Election Podcast - Destiny on Immigration, Trump, and Voter ID |
Lex Fridman Podcast
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 452 episodes 2018 to 2024 Median: 144 minutes Collection: SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): Science and technology • Philosophy and consciousness • Politics and history • Notable personalities and interviews • Society and culture • AI and robotics • Current events and controversies Description (podcaster-provided): Conversations about science, technology, history, philosophy and the nature of intelligence, consciousness, love, and power. Lex is an AI researcher at MIT and beyond. Latest episode (2024-Oct-30 21:30 UTC): #451 – Rick Spence: CIA, KGB, Illuminati, Secret Societies, Cults & Conspiracies |
Conversations with Tyler
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 236 episodes 2015 to 2024 Median: 57 minutes Collection: SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): In-depth interviews with experts • Intellectual exploration • Economics • Politics • History • Culture • Technology • Media • Philosophy • Science Description (podcaster-provided): Tyler Cowen engages today’s deepest thinkers in wide-ranging explorations of their work, the world, and everything in between. New conversations every other Wednesday. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Latest episode (2024-Oct-30 11:30 UTC): Christopher Kirchhoff on Military Innovation and the Future of War |
Know Time
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 103 episodes 2020 to 2024 Median: 73 minutes Collection: SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): Diverse topics • Interviews with experts • Science, philosophy, and technology • Arts and entertainment • Culture and history • Well-being and personal development Description (podcaster-provided): For the ones curious about the world and everything in it, but have know time. Latest episode (2024-Oct-25 22:57 UTC): #94: Dance, Movement Therapy & Wellness ft. Swarali Karulkar |
Bridging the Gaps: A Portal for Curious Minds
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 80 episodes 2014 to 2024 Median: 55 minutes Collection: SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): In-depth conversations with researchers and thought leaders • Cutting-edge scientific research and original ideas • Philosophy and ethics of technology • Evolution, AI, and neuroscience • Science communication and societal impact Description (podcaster-provided): In-depth conversations with researchers, explorers and thought leaders from around the world, on cutting edge research and original ideas. Latest episode (2024-Oct-19 16:37 UTC): “The Network of Life: A New View of Evolution” with Professor David Mindell |
Good Is In The Details
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 155 episodes 2019 to 2024 Median: 46 minutes Collections: Philosophy • SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): Philosophy • Sociology • Self-improvement • Relationships • True Crime • Ethics • Arts in Education • Diversity and Inclusion • Business Success • Psychology • Journalism • Media Analysis Description (podcaster-provided): Good Is In The Details is hosted by Gwendolyn Dolske, Ph.D and Rudy Salo. We believe that being curious and satisfying your curiosity is the key to happiness. Every episode is a discussion with an expert where we are learning what we didn't know we didn't know. Join us in gaining a bit of wisdom, health tips, lessons on self-improvement, and some laughter in between. Latest episode (2024-Oct-18 23:11 UTC): The Public Square Post Covid |
Lives Well Lived
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 22 episodes 2024 Median: 68 minutes Collections: Philosophy • SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): Ethics and philosophy • Interviews with influential figures • Neuroscience and psychology • Personal development and fulfillment • Social and environmental issues • Well-being and happiness Description (podcaster-provided): Lives Well Lived is hosted by Peter Singer & Kasia de Lazari Radek. Episodes consist of interviews with remarkable guests who have lived well, both in the sense of living an ethical life, but also in that they are fulfilled and happy with what they have achieved in their lives. Some of these guests will be well-known figures, but others who are doing extraordinary things will be unfamiliar to almost all of our listeners. The conversations will often cover ground that involves ethics, how to live well, and how to make a positive difference in the world. It will inspire and empower its audience to change their own lives for the better. Latest episode (2024-Oct-03 06:44 UTC): JOYCE CAROL OATES: reflections on life and art |
Dwarkesh Podcast
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 76 episodes 2020 to 2024 Median: 91 minutes Collection: SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): AI advancements • semiconductor industry • historical analyses • longtermism and ethical discussions • technological and economic impacts • prominent guest interviews Description (podcaster-provided): Deeply researched interviews Latest episode (2024-Oct-02 14:19 UTC): Dylan Patel & Jon (Asianometry) – How the Semiconductor Industry Actually Works |
New Frontier
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 57 episodes 2020 to 2024 Median: 57 minutes Collection: SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): Economists • Political Scientists • Philosophers • Society • Technology • Economy • Conflicts • Innovation • Defense • History • Culture • Religion • Policy • Trade • Philosophy Description (podcaster-provided): Patrick Blumenthal (@PatrickJBlum) interviews some of the world's leading economists, political scientists, and philosophers to discuss their ideas and what they mean for society, technology, and the economy. Latest episode (2024-Oct-02 12:00 UTC): Corporal Dmytro on Serving on the Frontlines of Ukraine |
Paradigm
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 30 episodes 2023 to 2024 Median: 84 minutes Collection: SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): Philosophy • Science • Technology • Time management • Artificial intelligence • Consciousness • Cosmology • Ethics • Evolution • Quantum physics • Misinformation • Free market economics • Neuroscience Description (podcaster-provided): Conversations with the world's deepest thinkers in philosophy, science, and technology. A global top-ranked podcast by Matt Geleta. Latest episode (2024-Sep-23 15:00 UTC): Oliver Burkeman: Shortness of Life | Paradox of Productivity | Rethinking Time Management |
Conversations With Coleman
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 181 episodes 2019 to 2024 Median: 67 minutes Collection: SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): Honest conversations • Race, politics, and culture in the West • Intellectual discussions • Polarized issues • Debates on contemporary topics • Interviews with experts • Critiques of progressive ideologies • Philosophical insights Description (podcaster-provided): Conversations with Coleman is home to honest conversations with leading intellectuals on polarised issues in the realm of race, politics and culture in the West. Latest episode (2024-Sep-07 12:00 UTC): Live in Melbourne w/Josh Szeps |
MULTIVERSES
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 34 episodes 2023 to 2024 Median: 88 minutes Collection: SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): Philosophy & science intersections • Quantum mechanics interpretations • AI & ethics • Animal consciousness • Language & evolution • Carbon capture & climate change • Genomics & genetics ethics • Poetry & thought experiments Description (podcaster-provided): Coffee table conversations with people thinking about foundational issues. Multiverses explores the limits of knowledge and technology. Does quantum mechanics tell us that our world is one of many? Will AI make us intellectually lazy, or expand our cognitive range? Is time a thing in itself or a measure of change? Join James Robinson as he tries to find out. Latest episode (2024-Aug-27 06:00 UTC): 34| Animal Minds — Kristin Andrews on why assuming consciousness would aid science |
Point of Inquiry
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 650 episodes 2005 to 2024 Median: 36 minutes Collection: SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): Science • Religion • Atheism • Secularism • Politics • Critical thinking • Skepticism • Social issues • Interviews with authors, scientists, and activists • Conspiracy theories • Historical perspectives Description (podcaster-provided): Point of Inquiry is the Center for Inquiry's flagship podcast, where the brightest minds of our time sound off on all the things you're not supposed to talk about at the dinner table: science, religion, and politics. Latest episode (2024-Jul-19 16:03 UTC): Steve Hill on Point of Inquiry |
The Neuromantics
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 24 episodes 2019 to 2024 Median: 47 minutes Collection: SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): Neuroscience and psychology discussions • Literature and poetry analysis • Interdisciplinary dialogues on human behavior • Exploration of art, music, and culture • Scientific and philosophical themes • Academic and literary insights Description (podcaster-provided): Welcome to The Neuromantics – a monthly podcast for writers, psychologists, neuroscientists, poets, philosophers, comedians, musicians, and anyone interested in the exchange of ideas. The idea: a free-ranging conversation between Professor Sophie Scott (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/icn/people/sophie-scott and @sophiescott) of the Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience at UCL and Will Eaves about the brain, the mind, language, gesture, and communication as a fundamental property of science, literature and the arts. The format: roughly 30 mins of chat with musical stings in the punning style of the podcast title by Michael Caines. Sophie shares a bit of research. Will brings along a poem, story, speech, or essay. There will be guests in the future. There will be events. Latest episode (2024-Jun-24 15:37 UTC): The Neuromantics – S3, Ep 4 |
Futuremakers
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 50 episodes 2018 to 2023 Median: 49 minutes Collection: SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): Academic debates • Future societal issues • Mental health • Pandemics • Climate change • Artificial Intelligence • Quantum computing • Expert discussions Description (podcaster-provided): Welcome to Futuremakers, from the University of Oxford, where our academics debate key issues for the future of society. Latest episode (2023-Sep-21 13:30 UTC): S4 Ep9: Evidence-based strategies for suicide and self-harm prevention with Professor Seena Fazel |
Context with Brad Harris
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 31 episodes 2018 to 2023 Median: 35 minutes Collection: SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): Historical analysis • Modern world development • Science and philosophy • Cultural and social change • Influential books • Notable historians • Civilization rise and fall • Political and educational issues Description (podcaster-provided): What led to the rise of the modern world? How have we made so much progress, and what are its consequences? What are humanity's best ideas? Join award-winning historian Brad Harris as he engages these fundamental questions and interprets the biggest historical forces that shape their answers, from the rise of civilization and the development of modern science to the spread of disease and the growth of globalization. Latest episode (2023-May-17 15:24 UTC): Into the Trenches Once More |
Four Thought
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 380 episodes 2011 to 2023 Median: 19 minutes Collection: SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): Diverse personal stories • Cultural reflections • Social justice issues • Mental health challenges • Creative and artistic explorations • Environmental concerns • Philosophical discussions • Historical insights • Innovative ideas Description (podcaster-provided): Series of thought-provoking talks in which the speakers air their thinking on the trends, ideas, interests and passions that affect culture and society Latest episode (2023-Feb-22 20:45 UTC): What I've Learned from Four Thought |
Rationally Speaking Podcast
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 263 episodes 2010 to 2021 Median: 51 minutes Collection: SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): Skeptical analysis of science and pseudoscience • Philosophy and ethics discussions • Economic theories and social issues • Political analysis and strategy • Insights into technology and AI • Exploring human psychology and morality Description (podcaster-provided): Rationally Speaking is the bi-weekly podcast of New York City Skeptics. Join host Julia Galef and guests as they explore the borderlands between reason and nonsense, likely from unlikely, and science from pseudoscience. Any topic is fair game as long as we can bring reason to bear upon it, with both a skeptical eye and a good dose of humor! Latest episode (2021-Dec-23 16:02 UTC): Is cash the best way to help the poor? (Michael Faye) |
MeaningofLife.tv
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 31 episodes 2021 Median: 60 minutes Collection: SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): Philosophy • Science • Religion • Spirituality • Cognitive biases • Rationality • Quantum mechanics • Evolutionary psychology • Free will • Meditation practices • Social issues • Determinism • Consciousness Description (podcaster-provided): Conversations about philosophy, science, religion and spirituality Latest episode (2021-Nov-29 18:35 UTC): Kant Stop Critiquin' (Aryeh Cohen-Wade & David Ottlinger) |
Talking Politics: HISTORY OF IDEAS
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 27 episodes 2020 to 2021 Median: 46 minutes Collections: Philosophy • SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): Exploration of political philosophy • Influential thinkers and ideas • Historical and modern political contexts • Political crises and their impacts • Episodes covering a variety of subjects Description (podcaster-provided): A new series of talks by David Runciman, in which he explores some of the most important thinkers and prominent ideas lying behind modern politics – from Hobbes to Gandhi, from democracy to patriarchy, from revolution to lock down. Plus, he talks about the crises – revolutions, wars, depressions, pandemics – that generated these new ways of political thinking. From the team that brought you Talking Politics: a history of ideas to help make sense of what’s happening today. Latest episode (2021-May-08 23:00 UTC): History of Ideas Q and A |
The Big Idea
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 42 episodes 2018 to 2020 Median: 10 minutes Collection: SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): Exploring influential ideas • Science, economics, and psychology • Interviews with experts • Social, environmental, and ethical issues • Human behavior and emotions • Challenges of modern society Description (podcaster-provided): What are the big ideas shaping our world now? Latest episode (2020-Dec-19 08:50 UTC): Fighting pandemics |
Think Again - a Big Think Podcast
Profile • Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts 237 episodes 2015 to 2020 Median: 50 minutes Collection: SciPhi-Adjacent Themes (AI-generated): Intellectual conversations • Surprising ideas • Diverse guests • Philosophy and creativity • Social issues • Science and technology • Literature and storytelling • Personal experiences • Thought-provoking discussions Description (podcaster-provided): We surprise some of the world's brightest minds with ideas they're not at all prepared to discuss. With host Jason Gots and special guests Neil Gaiman, Alan Alda, Salman Rushdie, Mary-Louise Parker, Richard Dawkins, Margaret Atwood, Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett, Saul Williams, Henry Rollins, Bill Nye, George Takei, Maria Popova, and many more . . . You've got 10 minutes with Einstein. What do you talk about? Black holes? Time travel? Why not gambling? The Art of War? Contemporary parenting? Some of the best conversations happen when we're pushed outside of our comfort zones. So each week on Think Again, we surprise smart people you've probably heard of with hand-picked gems from Big Think's interview archives on every imaginable subject. The conversation could go anywhere. SINCE 2008, BIG THINK has captured on video the best ideas of the world’s leading thinkers and doers in every field, renowned experts including neurologist Oliver Sacks, physicist Stephen Hawking, behavioral psychologist Daniel Kahneman, authors Margaret Atwood and Marylinne Robinson, entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, painter Chuck Close, and philosopher Daniel Dennett. Latest episode (2020-May-13 09:00 UTC): [SPECIAL] Clever Creature with Jason Gots - Episode 1: DESERT |