New Research on The Evolution of Intelligent Life
The guests today are co-authors of a new paper in Science Advances titled: "A reassessment of the 'hard-steps' model for the evolution of intelligent life." Jennifer Macalady is a Professor of Geoscie...
2 Mar 20251h 12min
Sex Work, Ethics, and Evolutionary Psychology: What REALLY Happens on Sugar Daddy Websites?
What is a sugar daddy, really? The answer might disturb you. Brook Urick takes us into the shadowy world of sugar dating, where young women are lured into dangerous situations under the guise of finan...
18 Feb 20251h 45min
Half a Thousand Episodes: Still Chasing Truth
In our 501st episode, Michael Shermer takes a moment to reflect on his long journey with skepticism and what he learned recording half a thousand episodes of this podcast. He shares his thoughts on wh...
11 Feb 202537min
The Faith Deficit: Does America Need a Spiritual Backbone?
What happens to American democracy if Christianity is no longer able, or no longer willing, to perform the functions on which our constitutional order depends? Jonathan Rauch—a lifelong atheist—reckon...
4 Feb 20251h 29min
The Psychology of Serial Killers
Dr. Rachel Toles, a licensed forensic psychologist, delves into the psychology of criminals, addressing the motivations behind some of the world's most notorious killers. Her expertise spans trauma, a...
28 Jan 20251h 59min
What if Death Isn't the End? The Science of Forever
Just as surgeons once believed pain was good for their patients, some argue today that death brings meaning to life. But given humans rarely live beyond a century (while certain whales can thrive for ...
21 Jan 20251h 30min
What Are We Really Fighting Over? Understanding Outrage Through Moral Psychology
In this episode, Kurt Gray offers a groundbreaking perspective on the moral mind, challenging the assumption that liberals and conservatives have radically different moral foundations. Drawing on the ...
14 Jan 20251h 49min
How to Start a New Country
It's clear states, borders, and countries constantly evolve. But how do countries form? And what does it take to start a new one? In this episode, Michael interviews Erick Brimen, founder of Prospera,...
7 Jan 20251h
