Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchThe 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 tra…
6 months, 1 week 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…
6 months, 2 weeks 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 Stalk…
6 months, 2 weeks 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 & Myocarditi…6 months, 2 weeks 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 c…
6 months, 3 weeks 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. Dra…
6 months, 3 weeks 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 inte…
6 months, 3 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 Frankl…
7 months ago
COVID-19: What We Learned (and Didn't) About Masks, Lockdowns, and Vaccines
Episode 548
The COVID-19 pandemic was a devastating global event, killing more than seven million people, straining the fabric of societies, and shaking the foun…
7 months ago
The Power of Common Knowledge: Steven Pinker on Language, Norms, and Punishment
Episode 547
Common knowledge is necessary for coordination, for making arbitrary but complementary choices like driving on the right, using paper currency, and c…
7 months, 1 week ago