Podcast Episodes

The Future of Space Exploration Amid NASA Mission Shutdowns

Episode 542

In this episode of The Michael Shermer Show, Michael Shermer interviews Alan Stern, a prominent planetary scientist and astronaut. Stern discusses his recent suborbital flight, the differences betwee…

Published on 1 day, 6 hours ago

Why Do Humans Speak?

Episode 541

In a radical new story about the birth of our species, evolutionary biologist Madeleine Beekman argues that it was not hunting, fighting, or tool-making that forced early humans to speak, but the ine…

Published on 5 days, 7 hours ago

Depopulation: The Silent Global Emergency

Episode 540

Economist Dean Spears explains the forces driving global population change, from past fears of overpopulation to today’s concerns about declining birth rates.

He contrasts the perspectives of biologi…

Published on 1 week, 1 day ago

Brainwashing, Mind Control, and Hyper-Persuasion

Episode 539

Because brainwashing affects both the world and our observation of the world, we often don’t recognize it while it’s happening―unless we know where to look. As Rebecca Lemov writes in her new book Th…

Published on 1 week, 5 days ago

How Foreign Governments Influence U.S. Universities

Episode 538

In an era of globalized education, where ideals of freedom and inquiry should thrive, an alarming trend has emerged: foreign authoritarian regimes influencing American academia.

In her new book Autho…

Published on 2 weeks, 5 days ago

Can We Prevent Aging? Eric Topol on Genes, Lifestyle, and AI in Healthcare

Episode 537

In this conversation, Michael Shermer and Dr. Eric Topol discuss the realties of aging, with particular focus on the role of AI in enhancing patient care and disease prevention, the importance of lif…

Published on 2 weeks, 6 days ago

Is Nuclear Energy Our Best Shot at Saving the Planet?

Episode 536

Isabelle Boemeke explains how nuclear energy is our best option for ensuring the future of the planet—it can power cities, desalinate water, create carbon-free fertilizer, and heat homes, all with th…

Published on 3 weeks, 5 days ago

Why the Left Needs Its Own Reckoning

Episode 535

In his new book Coming Clean, Eric Heinze rejects the idea that we should be less woke. In fact, we need more wokeness, but of a new kind. Yes, we must teach about classism, racism, colonialism, patr…

Published on 3 weeks, 6 days ago

Is Traditional Religion Doomed?

Episode 534

Traditional religion in the United States has suffered huge losses in recent decades. The number of Americans identifying as “not religious” has increased remarkably. Religious affiliation, service a…

Published on 1 month ago

Drowning in Decisions: Do We Have Too Many Choices?

Episode 533

In this episode, Michael Shermer speaks with historian Sophia Rosenfeld about how modern notions of personal choice—from Amazon shopping to Tinder swipes—emerged from centuries of cultural, religious…

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago