Best Sabine Hossenfelder Podcasts (2025)

1
#113 Sabine Hossenfelder - Superdeterminism: Why Are Physicists Scared of It? 1:02:36

1d ago1:02:36

1:02:36

Sabine Hossenfelder is a German theoretical physicist, author, science communicator, and YouTuber. She is the author of Existential Physics: A Scientist’s Guide to Life’s Biggest Questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Alex J O'Connor

1
How other species challenge our idea of consciousness | Peter Godfrey-Smith 21:13

10h ago21:13

21:13

In this IAI Studio interview, philosopher and science writer Peter Godfrey-Smith explores the evolution of consciousness and the enduring mystery of the mind–body problem. Drawing on his work with octopuses and other animals, he argues that consciousness emerged gradually through increasingly complex forms of sensory-motor interaction, rather than …

1
Weekly Digest: The Cosmology Crisis Just Got Even Worse and more 15:55

1d ago15:55

15:55

This is our weekly compilation of science news00:00 - The Cosmology Crisis Just Got Even Worse5:19 - More Evidence That We Live In A Giant “Hole” In Space10:14 - New Experiment Rules out Bohmian Mechanics. It’s Serious.

1
Supplementary Material 33: Weinstein Enigmas, The Epstein Conspiracies, and Dwarves punching ducks 39:40

4d ago39:40

39:40

In this packed supplementary episode, we tackle all of the urgent global issues, ranging from Epstein file conspiracies to Matt’s immense love of a fantasy game where dwarves punch ducks for fun. Along the way, we’re joined by a stellar cast of commentators, including some old favourites. Strap in… it’s a long one. Supplementary Material 33 00:00 I…

1
Utopia and human nature | Paul Bloom 27:15

7d ago27:15

27:15

Human nature and the possibility of utopia The idea of utopia - of a perfect society devoid of suffering and inequality - is planted firmly in the human imagination and psyche. From pre-biblical times to Thomas More and communism and beyond, widely disparate groups have attempted to plan or create a utopia. But is it achievable? And if not, why not…

1
Weekly Digest: Has One Man Just Saved String Theory? and more 22:46

9d ago22:46

22:46

This is our weekly compilation of science news00:00 - Strange New Observations Reveal Major Clue About Dark Matter5:20 - These People Believe They Made AI Sentient11:51 - Has One Man Just Saved String Theory?17:05 - This Experiment Just Ruled Out The Many Worlds Theory, Physicists Claim

1
#112 Rick Alan Ross - Do Cult Leaders Believe Their Own Lies? 1:58:28

9d ago1:58:28

1:58:28

Rick Alan Ross is an American deprogrammer, cult specialist, and founder and executive director of the non-profit Cult Education Institute. Frequently appearing in the news and other media, discussing groups some consider cults. Ross has intervened in more than 500 deprogramming cases in various countries. (Wikipedia)Get Rick's book, "Cults Inside …

1
More choice means less freedom | Psychologist Barry Schwartz 18:32

11d ago18:32

18:32

Why more is less We're surrounded by choice - an endless sea of possible paths we might take. However, does the overwhelming range of choices leave us better off or worse? In general, we tend to think that more is better, but Barry Schwartz, author of the ground-breaking book 'The Paradox of Choice', argues that this view is mistaken. More can lead…

1
The limits of logic: Should we embrace the irrational? |Iain McGilchrist, Beatrix Campbell, Simon Blackburn 43:28

14d ago43:28

43:28

Our culture prizes logic and rationality, if not above all else, as two of the most fundamental social traits. But are we missing out by overlooking the irrational? Can logic explain everything, or what is it missing? And is it possible to live (and enjoy) a life led by logic? Logic, in philosophy and beyond, seems to always to be self-evidently ri…

1
#111 Helen Bond - The Forgotten Female Disciples of Jesus 1:27:25

16d ago1:27:25

1:27:25

Helen Bond is Professor of Christian Origins at the New College, University of Edinburgh, and former head of the School of Divinity there. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. In 2023, she co-authored a book with Joan Taylor called Women Remembered: Jesus’ Female Disciples. Watch the documentary version here. Learn more about you…

1
Weekly Digest: AI’s Breakthrough on 125 Year-Old Physics Problem and more 21:31

16d ago21:31

21:31

This is our weekly compilation of science news00:00 - Breakthrough on 125 Year-Old Physics Problem5:43 - Using AI Makes Your Brain Lazy, Even After You Stop Using It, New Study Shows10:45 - Americans Scared By Chinese Quantum Computing Progress15:48 - Physicists Just Invented a New Particle Accelerator!…

1
Consciousness begins in the body | Antonio Damasio 30:56

20d ago30:56

30:56

We tend to believe consciousness is purely mental. And since Descartes' "I think therefore I am", we've privileged the mind as the centrepiece of thought and consciousness. But such a view is mistaken argues award-winning neuroscientist Antonio Damasio. Feelings, long dismissed as secondary to thinking, are where consciousness begins, and are deepl…

1
Required Readings: Buddhism - A Journey Through History 28:53

20d ago28:53

28:53

In this episode of "Decoding Academia: Required Readings", Chris and Matt take a joint stroll through the history of Buddhism through Donald S. Lopez Jr.'s latest book, 'Buddhism: A Journey Through History.' We discuss the unexpected historical and cultural facets of Buddhism, how modern interpretations can often romanticise ancient practices, and …

1
Mind, Culture & Visual Illusions: Dorsa Amir and Chaz Firestone on Visual Illusions 1:06:48

20d ago1:06:48

1:06:48

In this academic-themed interview episode of Decoding the Gurus, Matt and Chris sit down to chat with Dorsa Amir and Chaz Firestone (@chazfirestone) about their recent paper 'Is Visual Perception WEIRD? The Müller-Lyer Illusion and the Cultural Byproduct Hypothesis.' In a conversation that serves as a welcome tonic to the endless lamentations of th…

1
#110 The Cultural Tutor - Why Modern Love Fails and How to Rescue It 1:18:02

21d ago1:18:02

1:18:02

Sheehan Quirke is The Cultural Tutor. A writer on history, art, and architecture with millions of followers, he is also the author of the forthcoming The Cultural Tutor: Forty-Nine Lessons You Wish You’d Learned at School, which is currently available for preorder here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

1
Weekly Digest: AI’s “Intelligence Explosion” Is Coming and more 28:09

23d ago28:09

28:09

This is our weekly compilation of science news00:00 - Is the Cosmic Microwave Background a Huge Mistake?5:27 - AI’s “Intelligence Explosion” Is Coming. Here’s What That Means.11:11 - The Mystery Just Got Bigger: What are those particles in the Antarctic?16:36 - That’s Big: Natural Hydrogen Could Power World for 100,000 Years, Survey Finds22:08 - AI…

1
Supplementary Material 32: A Shower of Bastards 37:24

24d ago37:24

37:24

We wallow in the mud with some of the worst gurus of the gurusphere. Join us and lament the guru paradise that we all live in. Supplementary Material 32 00:00 Introduction and Banter 01:22 Old Squeaky and Daily Life 03:53 Matthew McConaughey Episode Recap 08:13 The Liver King Controversy 16:14 Nazi Propaganda on YouTube 21:11 Historical Revisionism…

1
The Selfish and The Selfless SPECIAL | JD Vance, Pope Francis, and the 10 Commandments 45:09

25d ago45:09

45:09

What can JD Vance's arguments with Pope Francis teach us about selfishness, altruism, and the morality of the modern world? Join the team at the IAI for four articles about egoism, self-sacrifice, and everything in between, analysing a range of subjects, including: Friedrich Nietzsche and his rivalry with former maestro Arthur Schopenhauer; the 10 …

1
Being mindful in a mindless world | Ellen Langer 22:46

28d ago22:46

22:46

The mindful body with Ellen Langer Can mindfulness be contagious? Ellen Langer's research certainly seems to suggest that's the case. As Professor of Psychology at Harvard University and the author of 'The Mindful Body', Ellen has racked up decades of experience and numerous awards during her investigations into the impact of mindful living. In thi…

1
Matthew McConaughey: Selling is Love! 3:30:12

29d ago3:30:12

3:30:12

In this episode, Matt and Chris try to get from where they are to where they want to be, accepting their hidden strengths and dismantling their egos as they immerse themselves fully in the wild world of Matthew McConaughey's burgeoning self-help empire. Join them as they uncover the true Art of Livin’ and learn how it is that an Academy Award-winni…

1
Weekly Digest: Does AI Already Have Free Will? and more 29:45

30d ago29:45

29:45

This is our weekly compilation of science news00:00 - Surprise Progress in Quantum Computing5:29 - Gold Mystery Finally Solved?11:24 - Does AI Already Have Free Will?17:09 - Gamechange: Theories Of Everything Can’t Exist, Physicists Show.22:42 - Is Our Universe Inside a Black Hole? This Makes it Plausible…

1
#109 David Pakman - The New Threat Donald Trump Poses to America 1:09:21

1M ago1:09:21

1:09:21

David Pakman is an American progressive political commentator and host of @thedavidpakmanshow . Buy David's book, The Echo Machine here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Alex J O'Connor

1
The beautiful in philosophy | Babette Babich, Paul Ernest, Ankhi Mukherjee, Sarah Wilson 42:00

1M ago42:00

42:00

The good, the bad, and the beautiful What is beauty? Why are we so drawn to it? And should we be - or is it a distraction? The philosophy of aesthetics and beauty has a long and fascinating history. Over the millennia, while we mostly agree on the essential nature of this ephemeral thing, "beauty", we disagree on the reasons why it is important, on…

1
A world without values | Janne Teller, Dale Turner, Robin van den Akker, Isabel Hilton 44:37

1M ago44:37

44:37

Once values such as justice and equality were agreed upon by all. Now they are identified by some as vehicles to entrench or overturn power. On the left, 'justice' as a means to sustain and impose privilege, 'truth' as an attempt to claim enduring authority. On the right, 'diversity' and 'equality' as means to undermine the status quo in favour of …

1
#108 Marcus du Sautoy - Do Numbers Exist? 1:07:29

1M ago1:07:29

1:07:29

Marcus du Sautoy is a British mathematician, Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science at the University of Oxford, Fellow of New College, Oxford and author of popular mathematics and popular science books. Buy Blueprints: How Mathematics Shapes Creativity here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

1
Weekly Digest: AI is becoming dangerous. Are we ready? and more 21:09

1M ago21:09

21:09

This is our weekly compilation of science news.00:00 - AI is becoming dangerous. Are we ready?5:34 - We Have an Aura Of Visible Light, Here is what it looks like10:30 - Is Everything Computer? New Calculation Supports Simulation Hypothesis15:25 - Bombshell Paper Shows AI Has Thinking Collapse. Or Does It?…

1
Decoding Academia 33: The Great Müller-Lyer Debate from Fish Tanks to Eye Operations Patreon Preview 1:02:48

1M ago1:02:48

1:02:48

Welcome to another enlightening episode of Decoding Academia. In this bonus preview of our highly secretive Patreon content, we are discussing a controversial paper by Dorsa Amir and Chaz Firestone that challenges the established notion of the Müller-Lyer illusion being a product of cultural environments. Prepare yourself for some high-level discus…

1
Supplementary Material 31: Aquatic Nightmares, Strategic Obliviousness, & Race Realists 46:16

1M ago46:16

46:16

We venture into the darker corners of the gurusphere and marvel at some very, very brave individuals, their valiant efforts to play devil's advocate, and some world-class discourse surfing skills. Join us, won't you? Supplementary Material 31: Aquatic Nightmares, Strategic Obliviousness, & Race Realists 00:00 Introduction & Ol Squeaky Cameo 02:57 M…

1
Weekly Digest: The Quantum Internet Is Real And Coming! and more 21:34

1M ago21:34

21:34

This is our weekly compilation of science news.00:00 - The Quantum Internet Is Real And Coming!5:06 - Stars Will Die Much Sooner Than We Thought, New Calculation Shows10:24 - Scientists Measure Qualia for First Time – It was thought to be impossible16:08 - New idea explains dark energy AND dark matter (maybe)…

1
#107 Dale Allison - Did Jesus Rise From the Dead? 1:28:01

1M ago1:28:01

1:28:01

Dale Allison is an American historian and Christian theologian. His areas of expertise include the historical Jesus, the Gospel of Matthew, Second Temple Jewish literature, and the history of the interpretation and reception of the Bible. Allison is the Richard J. Dearborn Professor of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary (2013- ). (Wiki…

1
The challenge to optimism | Angus Deaton 21:34

1M ago21:34

21:34

The economy is a vital part of the way we understand our lives and our politics more generally. But after years of growth, development, and progress, on the surface everything is rosy. But as Nobel Laureate Angus Deaton argues, behind the big picture many people have been left behind by the modern economy, and this is precisely because of the blind…

1
Shamanism and the Art of Charismatic Otherness with Manvir Singh 1:21:34

1M ago1:21:34

1:21:34

The Decoders welcome back cognitive anthropologist Manvir Singh for a continued exploration into the social and cognitive dimensions of shamanism. Building upon their earlier conversation, this episode involves further discussion of the psychological mechanisms and cultural patterns that make shamanic practices a recurring feature across human soci…

1
Trump vs. Elon: The Gurusphere Reacts 25:32

2M ago25:32

25:32

There’s been a disturbance in the Gurusphere. Two of its central objects of worship are feuding. The guru’s guru, Elon Musk, and the MAGA God-King, Donald Trump, have finally turned on each other, trading blows on social media. In this mini supplementary episode, Matt and Chris survey the shockwaves rippling through the Gurusphere as these titanic …

1
Searching for the purpose of life |Babette Babich, Frank Tallis, Jonathan Webber, Sandra Laugier 45:53

2M ago45:53

45:53

The journey in search of the destination Does life have a purpose? Is that what gives life meaning? Or is it the journey that matters the most? Join our four speakers - Nietzschean philosopher Babette Babich, clinical psychologist Frank Tallis, existentialist philosopher Jonathan Webber, and linguist philosopher Sandra Laugier - as they explore the…

1
Weekly Digest: AI Slop Is Spreading In Science, Too and more 21:59

2M ago21:59

21:59

This is our weekly compilation of science news.00:00 - AI Slop Is Spreading In Science, Too 6:17 - Gravity Proves That We Live In A Simulation, Physicist Claims 11:11 - This New Laser Tech Might Be the Future of Computing 16:49 - China To Become First To Drill Through The Earth’s Crust

1
Supplementary Material 30: Decoding Irish Stew, Owl Hate, and Hypothetical Avoidance 44:41

2M ago44:41

44:41

Prepare for a hearty mix of culinary tips, avoidance of hypothetical scenarios, and the usual guru grievances. Will Jordan Peterson ever admit he's a Christian? Is it ever truly possible to understand Sam Harris AND still disagree with him? And where does Joe Rogan's primal hate for owls come in? Tune in for at least some of the answers to these pr…

1
Eric Weinstein vs. Sean Carroll: Pomp & Fury 2:08:22

2M ago2:08:22

2:08:22

In this medium-decoding episode, Matt and Chris turn their attention to an unlikely venue for cutting-edge theoretical physics: Piers Morgan Uncensored. There, Eric Weinstein, renegade genius and uber guru, squares off with Sean Carroll, an actual physicist and popular science communicator, in what might generously be called a “debate.” Eric brings…

1
#106 Diarmaid MacCulloch - Sex and Christianity: a Tumultuous History 59:03

2M ago59:03

59:03

Diarmaid MacCulloch is an English academic and historian, specialising in ecclesiastical history and the history of Christianity. Since 1995, he has been a fellow of St Cross College, Oxford; he was formerly the senior tutor. Buy Lower than the Angels: A History of Sex and Christianity here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch…

1
Nietzsche, the birth of tragedy, and the technology trap | Babette Babich 24:19

2M ago24:19

24:19

Nietzsche, the birth of tragedy, and the technology trap with Babette Babich Babette Babich discusses Nietzsche, the importance of tragedy, and the danger of technology interfering with our judgement. Babette Babich is a world renowned Professor of Philosophy at Fordham University in New York. In this in-depth interview, she looks to Nietzsche's Bi…

1
Weekly Digest: The USA is crumbling at the bottom and more 21:26

2M ago21:26

21:26

This is our weekly compilation of science news. 00:00 - New Nuclear Fusion Record at NIF! Can laser fusion break even? 5:28 - The USA is crumbling at the bottom and sinking 10:05 - Gravity might be a force after all 15:11 - Black Holes might turn into White Holes, and make up dark matter, physicists say…

1
Supplementary Material 29: Sensemaking Evolved Relationship Constellations, Woke Lucifer, and Cancerous Outrage 37:07

2M ago37:07

37:07

We enter the ontological in-between to try and spin up our paradigms to understand the next stage in relationship technology, the horrific damage of modern medicine, how Lucifer connects with wokeness, and the joys of bonding over outgroup hate. This one is a doozy... Supplementary Material 28 00:00 Introduction - On Dogs and Dough 04:37 Next Requi…

1
The All-In Podcast: How Tech Titans Besties Saved the World 3:00:53

2M ago3:00:53

3:00:53

Fresh from unbuckling their seatbelts on the Gliding Guru luxury jet and mooring the show’s mega-yacht, our decoders are feeling an unexpected surge of empathy for their last decoding subject, Gary Stevenson. It turns out that a bit of jet-lagged decadence really hones one's sensitivity to wealth inequality. Or maybe it’s just the natural response …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Sabine Hossenfelder Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide