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Are We Doomed?

NPR Network
Artificial Intelligence
Nuclear War
Internet
Nuclear Weapons
Geoengineering
Vaccines
Gene Drives
Roman Empire
Louisville, United States
Lexington, United States
New York, United States
Miami, United States
United States
Supervolcano
Climate Change
AI Risks
Global Civilization
Yellowstone National Park
Tambora
Malaria

Is the world ending, or does it just feel like it? "Are We Doomed?" investigates the greatest risks facing society, the planet, and our species. What’s real? What’s hype? And how do we actually make it out alive? Nukes. Asteroids. Autocracy. Rogue AI. Climate-driven pandemics. Angry hippopotamuses. Teeth clenched, curiosity engaged, quips ready, this “slightly narrative” podcast explores everythin... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes21Founded5 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Are We Doomed?

Latest Episodes

In 1859, the sky turned blood-red, telegraph machines sparked and chattered, and some of their batteries exploded. Then humanity responded by building a civilization that runs on electricity, satellites, GPS, internet cables, credit cards, and cellph... more

From mild runny noses to savage pandemics, viruses and other pathogens have tormented humans for all of history. We are locked in a perpetual race against tiny shapeshifting enemies that mutate, spread, and occasionally butcher us. Can we ever win?

more

A dark blue wound across the bottom of the world — that’s what NASA images showed in the 1980s. It was a hole in the ozone layer, eight million square miles across. Human activity and convenience had quietly, but rapidly, eaten away  Earth’s crucial ... more

The best defense against nuclear weapons is nuclear weapons, according to the logic of deterrence. It has guided US defense policy for nearly 80 years. So, shouldn’t more nukes prevent nuclear war even more?

For the first time since the Cold War, th... more

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Recent Guests

Carl Zimmer
Science writer and New York Times columnist
The New York Times /Science writer
Episode: The Everything Vaccine
Juliet Morrison
Immunologist
UC Riverside
Episode: The Everything Vaccine
Susan Solomon
Atmospheric chemist, MIT professor and key figure in ozone depletion research
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Episode: What Ever Happened to the Ozone Hole?
Vipin Narang
Nuclear policy expert, MIT professor
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Episode: More Nukes!
Roman Yampolskiy
Computer scientist and professor at the University of Louisville
University of Louisville
Episode: Did AI Just Escape?
Adam Gleave
AI safety researcher
University/Institute (as referenced in episode)
Episode: Did AI Just Escape?
Davi Adenheimer
Computer security specialist
Independent security expert (as discussed)
Episode: Did AI Just Escape?
Laura Cabrera
Bioethics and philosophy of technology researcher at Penn State
Penn State
Episode: Now I'm Scared of Cyborgs
Emily Mullin
Science and biotechnology reporter at WIRED
WIRED
Episode: Now I'm Scared of Cyborgs

Host

Ben Bradford
Host of Are We Doomed?

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 497 ratings
  • Ummm

    Ummm

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Solar system gauging
    United States21 days ago
  • Are we doomed if it end

    It’s a great podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Revocar 1234
    United States22 days ago
  • Narrator’s Speech

    It’s very difficult to listen to because the narrator sounds like a.i. He speaks quickly in “spurts”with stops after every few words. The podcast itself is wonderful. I wish I could focus on the information instead of trying to decipher. each. few words. he says.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Aquena71
    United States22 days ago
  • So good

    So good my kids like it

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Aidestroyer gufyv
    United Statesa month ago
  • Scifi Writer Gold

    Absolutely a wonder of science-based fodder for writing. Excellent, high-end research with realistic outcomes. Highly recommend this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ZeusThorHammerhand
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

High production values and credible expert guests.
Thoughtful, well researched and engaging.
Listeners appreciate practical takeaways and grounded discussion.
Accessible yet rigorous explorations of complex risks.
Some episodes are dense and long, requiring focused attention.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Spotify
#47
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#23
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#19
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#79
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#47
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#139
France/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Everything Vaccine
Q: Are we ever going to solve disease with one universal vaccine?
The guests and host agree that it's unlikely to ever fully eradicate disease with a single universal vaccine due to biology and evolution, but there is potential for broad, cross-protective immunity that could dramatically reduce impact and change how we respond to future pandemics.
Now I'm Scared of Cyborgs
Q: What do these companies want from brain implants beyond medical restoration?
Experts suggest they are pursuing enhancement and AI integration, aiming to merge human capability with machine processing, not just restore lost function; regulatory and ethical questions loom as this shifts from therapy to augmentation.
Our Vision of the Post-Apocalypse Is Wrong
Q: Can you tell me about fortress prepping and the violence math you mention?
Chris explains fortress-style survival is flawed because violence is unpredictable and histories of past collapses show collaboration and community resilience are far more effective than isolated, violent defense.
Is Geoengineering A Good Idea?
Q: What are the biggest governance challenges?
There is no comprehensive international framework yet; risk of a power vacuum where no single body can enforce rules, leading to potential unilateral actions by nations or private actors without consensus.
Are We Going the Way of the Roman Empire?
Q: What did you find makes political collapse occur?
Monty Marshall found that polarization grows into factionalism, political instability, and ultimately either autocratization or the collapse of central authority, with two typical pathways through history.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Are We Doomed?

What is Are We Doomed? about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show blends science, history, and policy to unpack existential risks and big questions about civilization, technology, and the future. Across episodes it often centers on plausible, science-grounded threats—nuclear war, space and planetary defense, climate intervention, AI, and systemic vulnerabilities—while foregrounding human decision-making, governance, and resilience. A distinctive thread is using narrative storytelling, expert interviews, and compelling demos to separate credible risks from hype, offering practical takeaways for listeners who want to think clearly about doomsday scenarios without being overwhelmed. The format tends to bring in diverse viewpoints—from scientists and policymakers to historians and writers—creating a... more

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1. Unexplainable
2. Science Vs
3. Paper Trail
4. Radiolab
5. This American Life

How many episodes of Are We Doomed? are there?

Are We Doomed? launched 5 months ago and published 21 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Are We Doomed??

Recent guests on Are We Doomed? include:

1. Carl Zimmer
2. Juliet Morrison
3. Susan Solomon
4. Vipin Narang
5. Roman Yampolskiy
6. Adam Gleave
7. Davi Adenheimer
8. Laura Cabrera

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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