Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchDid Lost Civilizations Really Exist? An Archaeologist Explains
Episode 558
Archaeologist Ken Feder sheds light on how archaeology separates evidence from wishful thinking and entertaining storytelling. He explains what rock art, radiocarbon dating, and DNA can really tell u…
Published on 21 hours ago
Charles Murray: Why I'm Taking Religion Seriously
Episode 557
Michael Shermer sits down with Charles Murray (author of The Bell Curve, Coming Apart, and now Taking Religion Seriously) for a riveting 100-minute conversation about Murray's late-life turn from Har…
Published on 1 week, 1 day ago
The Myth of Human Exceptionalism: Why Humans Aren't as Special as We Think
Episode 556
In this episode, Harvard primatologist Christine Webb challenges one of our deepest beliefs: that humans stand apart from the rest of nature. She traces the roots of human exceptionalism from Aristot…
Published on 1 week, 5 days ago
Shermer Says: Why Secularists Are Turning to Religion, The Substitution Hypothesis, Sleep Paralysis
Episode 555
Are we entering a Fifth Great Awakening—a cultural swing back toward religion?
An increasing number of books and articles are calling for a religious revival.
"We need religion to keep our society fu…
Published on 2 weeks, 1 day ago
The Serial Killer Era of the 70s/80s: Lore, Patterns, and Plausible Explanations
Episode 554
Pulitzer-winner Caroline Fraser maps the lives and crimes of Ted Bundy and his infamous peers—the Green River Killer, the I-5 Killer, the Night Stalker, the Hillside Strangler, and even Charles Manso…
Published on 2 weeks, 4 days ago
Shermer Says: Debate Skills, 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, Autism, Vaccines, ANTIFA, Bari Weiss & CBS News
Episode 553
First installment of our new series Shermer Says.
Topics covered:
Debate Skills Nobel Peace Prize 2025 Autism & Tylenol COVID Vaccines & Myocarditis ANTIFA Bari Weiss & CBS News New Skeptic Researc…Published on 2 weeks, 6 days ago
When Rationality Becomes Irrational
Episode 552
For many decision scientists, their starting point—drawn from economics—is a quantitative formula called Rational Choice Theory, allowing people to calculate and choose the best options.
The problem …
Published on 3 weeks, 1 day ago
The Science of Revenge: Why Getting Even Feels So Good
Episode 551
Why do we crave revenge? And why can't we stop? In this episode, James Kimmel explains the neuroscience behind one of our most destructive urges. Drawing from his new book, The Science of Revenge: Un…
Published on 3 weeks, 5 days ago
Why No One Thinks They're in a Cult
Episode 550
What really defines a cult—and why do smart, well-intentioned people get caught up in them? In this episode, Michael Shermer sits down with cult intervention specialist Ashlen Hilliard to explore the…
Published on 4 weeks ago
Was Benjamin Franklin America's First Scientist?
Episode 549
Michael Shermer sits down with economist and Franklin descendant Dr. Mark Skousen to explore the wit, wisdom, and modern relevance of Benjamin Franklin, the man who bridged science, politics, and phi…
Published on 1 month ago