198. Enlightenment and the Righteous Mind | Steven Pinker and Jonathan Haidt

In this narrative analysis, Dr. Jordan B. Peterson breaks down the Grimm Brothers’ “Hansel and Gretel,” revealing the psychological and symbolic dimensions hidden within the classic tale. From the selfishness of weak fathers and malevolent stepmothers to the false promises of hyper-solicitous care, Peterson explores how the abandonment of children into the unknown mirrors moral failure at home—and how faith, courage, and sibling love can redeem it. With echoes of biblical stories and and all too modern warning about overprotective parenting, this fairy tale becomes a rich allegory for navigating betrayal, scarcity, and emerging maturity.   This episode was filmed on July 5th, 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

21 Juli 202557min

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson interviews Stanford professor and prolific biotech entrepreneur Dr. Garry Nolan, covering the cutting-edge of cancer research and atomic-level imaging as well as his work with the U.S. government on anomalous health effects linked to unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs). Nolan explains how his scientific curiosity—and integrity—led him from debunking the infamous Atacama “alien” mummy to analyzing bizarre materials and biological effects tied to UAP encounters. Artificial intelligence, intuition, consciousness, and the blurry line between science fiction and scientific frontier, culminate in Nolan’s provisional belief: “something non-human has been here a long time.”   This episode was filmed on July 7th, 2025     | Links |   For Dr. Garry Nolan:   On X https://x.com/garrypnolan?lang=en  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

17 Juli 20251h 35min

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson speaks with psychologist and autism researcher Dr. Simon Baron-Cohen about the nature of empathy, systemizing, and the neurological basis of autism. This needed conversation explores how humans develop theory of mind, the differences between cognitive and affective empathy, and why some individuals gravitate toward systems over social interaction. They discuss the evolutionary roots of invention, gender differences in cognition, and how autistic traits relate to creativity and pattern recognition. Unflinchingly, they also discuss the darker side of empathy deficits—including psychopathy and cruelty—raising urgent questions about compassion, human development, and our capacity for evil.   Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge, Simon Baron-Cohen is Director of the Autism Research Centre and a global leader in autism research. He pioneered the 'mindblindness' and 'empathizing-systemizing' theories, has authored over 770 scientific papers, and was knighted in 2021 for his contributions to autism understanding. His work spans clinical practice, public education, and cutting-edge research on cognitive sex differences, empathy, and neurodiversity.   This episode was filmed on July 5th, 2025     | Links |   For Simon Baron-Cohen:   On X https://x.com/sbaroncohen?lang=en Read Dr. Baron-Cohen’s most recent book, as discussed in the show, “The Pattern Seekers: How Autism Drives Human Invention” https://a.co/d/9hsG5MR  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

14 Juli 20251h 43min

In this deeply personal interview, Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down with Scott Adams, cartoonist and creator of Dilbert, to explore the unlikely paths that shape a life—from illustrating a nationally syndicated hit comic to fatal illness and facing the metaphysical. Adams shares stories of coincidence and perseverance, including how affirmations, setbacks, and sheer optimism propelled him from obscurity to national fame. The conversation dives into themes of malicious envy, systems versus goals, American culture, simulation theory, and the power of narrative perception. Both reflect on trauma, purpose, and survival—making this episode a profound meditation on how we author meaning in a truly absurd world.   This episode was filmed on July 7th, 2025     | Links |   For Scott Adams:   On X https://x.com/scottadamssays?lang=en   On Youtube, watch or listen to the “Real Coffee With Scott Adams” podcast https://www.youtube.com/@RealCoffeewithScottAdams/videos   Website https://dilbert.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10 Juli 20251h 24min

Sparked by French’s recent New York Times article, “The Democrats’ $20 Million Man Problem,” he and Jordan Peterson discuss the societal failures contributing to male alienation—fatherlessness, loss of purpose, overmedication, and a culture that increasingly pathologizes masculinity. French shares personal insights as a father, veteran, and conservative commentator (Who is regularly published in Liberal outlets), and the two expand on themes of demoralization, the need for intentional rites of passage, and the psychological appeal of figures like Andrew Tate. The conversation closes with a stark agreement—we urgently need to reach young men with empathy, structure, and a meaningful vision for life.   This episode was filmed on July 2nd, 2025     | Links |   For David French:   On X https://x.com/davidafrench?lang=en   Read David’s work on the New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/by/david-french#latest   Read David’s most recent book, “Divided We Fall: America's Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation” https://a.co/d/1Ne3VBS  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

7 Juli 20251h 12min

Member of European Parliament Christine Anderson joins Jordan Peterson to explain the cultural, political, and economic unraveling of Germany and the EU. Mass immigration, rising crime, deindustrialization and elite-driven climate policies—Anderson argues that Europe is collapsing under the weight of its own ideological delusions. She shares her personal experience growing up near East Germany, her awakening during the 2008 financial crisis, and why the "far-right" label no longer works. If you want to understand what's really happening behind Europe's polite facade—watch or listen.   This episode was filmed on June 25th, 2025     | Links |   For Christine Anderson:   On X https://x.com/AndersonAfDMdEP   On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/christine._anderson/?hl=en  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

3 Juli 20251h 40min

Dr. Jordan Peterson offers a psychological and cultural analysis of the Grimm Brothers' Snow White, using it as a lens to explore evolutionary biology, female status hierarchies, fertility suppression, and the pathology of the “evil queen” archetype. Drawing on research in primatology and cultural commentary, Peterson connects ancient folklore to modern dynamics—critiquing contemporary feminist ideologies, careerism, and generational envy, while upholding the redemptive power of masculine responsibility in narrative tradition (and real life). Part myth, part science, part cultural autopsy—this is the synthesis of one of Peterson’s most impactful tenants: stories matter, and fundamental stories reiterate across time. This episode was filmed on June 24th, 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

30 Juni 20251h 26min

Riley Gaines returns to speak with Dr. Jordan Peterson about marriage, pregnancy, and what it means to pursue both motherhood and mission in a culture that tells women they must choose. Riley shares how her decision to keep fighting for women’s sports and biological reality has only deepened since becoming pregnant with a daughter—and why she refuses to slow down. The fight was already personal. Now—it’s as deep as lineage.   This episode was filmed on June 23rd, 2025     | Links |   For Riley Gaines:   On X https://x.com/riley_gaines_?lang=en   Watch or listen to “Gaines For Girls” on Outkick https://www.outkick.com/shows/gaines-for-girls?_gl=1*2dhubm*_ga*NDY5NDY0Nzc2LjE3NTAxODQ0NjM.*_ga_4PQFY920BX*czE3NTA5NTg0NzMkbzIkZzEkdDE3NTA5NTg0NzQkajU5JGwwJGgw   Read “Swimming Against the Current: Fighting for Common Sense in a World That’s Lost its Mind” https://a.co/d/hQOceSV   Website https://www.rileygaines.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

26 Juni 20251h 33min