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Are We Doomed?

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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes15Founded3 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureScience

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Artwork for Are We Doomed?

Latest Episodes

You probably knew an asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs, but it was so much worse than that. Asteroids and other space rocks have been the most destructive forces ever to hit Earth, yielding mass extinctions (and the moon). And yet! Of all the possible... more

What would it take to survive after "the end of the world?" A whole culture of prepping often focuses on a familiar fantasy: grab the gear, flee the city, defend the bunker, survive alone. Anthropologist and survival instructor Chris Begley thinks th... more

The planet is heating up, every plan to stop it has fallen short, and growing group of scientists has started to ask a stranger question: what if we grabbed the thermostat ourselves? Ben Bradford investigates geoengineering — the science of deliberat... more

Imagine a friendly assistant that can help you build a bioweapon. Or a chatbot in the nuclear weapons chain, cheerfully hallucinating an attack. AI national security expert Hamza Chaudhry worries this is the biggest threat right now — not “killer rob... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Cristina Thomas
Astronomer, Northern Arizona University / NASA partner
Northern Arizona University / NASA
Episode: Asteroids! The Doom We're Best At
Chris Begley
Anthropologist
Transylvania University (Kentucky)
Episode: Our Vision of the Post-Apocalypse Is Wrong
Kate Ricke
Scientist who studies climate change and geoengineering
University of Chicago (implied) / climate research community
Episode: Is Geoengineering A Good Idea?
Alan Robock
Distinguished authority on climate engineering and nuclear winter
Rutgers University (implied)
Episode: Is Geoengineering A Good Idea?
Hamza Chaudhry
A national security expert on AI policy issues
Future of Life Institute
Episode: The True AI Threat is People
Jason Pargin
Author known for I am Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom; wrote the novel central to the episode discussion
Author
Episode: Is the World Ending or Are We Just Online?
Ian Morris
Archaeologist and Stanford classics professor
Stanford University
Episode: Are We Going the Way of the Roman Empire?
Annalee Newitz
Author researching lost cities and post-collapse scenarios
Author, journalist
Episode: Are We Going the Way of the Roman Empire?
Bruce Schneier
Cryptographer, author of Click Here to Kill Everybody; Harvard lecturer
Harvard University / Author
Episode: We Try and Kill the Internet

Host

Ben Bradford
Host and journalist guiding the episode with a focus on risk analysis and storytelling.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 294 ratings
  • Mosquitoes, volcanoes and nuclear war…oh my!

    It’s not as scary as the title might imply. Well researched, thought provoking and a little bit fun. The mosquito episode is my favorite so far.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kass B.
    United Statesa month ago
  • Fine

    This podcast is fine even interesting but they just skip to the point but then you have to wait the whole podcast that is way to long for Ben to explain the answer.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Shadow23022
    United Statesa month ago
  • Explains how different events would/could happen.

    Holds my attention with clear research.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PB2431
    United States2 months ago
  • Great Podcast

    Engaging, well produced and like the narrator

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Morty 1992
    Ireland2 months ago
  • 10/10 recommend

    For a doom podcast very wide ranging in scope and well researched. Ben Bradford is a great story teller and his pivots from prior government/history podcasts to something like this shows his versatility. Keep them coming!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sportinglifeMD
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the thoughtful balance of realism and optimism.
The host's storytelling and expert guests make complex risks approachable and gripping.
High production quality and insightful, sometimes unsettling, but hopeful coverage.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#9
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#17
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#68
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#32
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#32
Italy/Science
Apple Podcasts
#212
France/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
The True AI Threat is People
Q: Convince me that AI could kill us all.
AI could magnify existing risks like nuclear miscalculation, bioweapons development, and cyber warfare by making it easier to design, source, or operate dangerous tools. If AI lowers barriers to misuse and is not properly tested or controlled, the risk of catastrophic mistakes increases.
Past Dooms That Didn't Arrive
Q: Why have predictions historically been wrong about the future of technology and society?
Because forecasters often fixate on a single technological or social trend, ignore how other changes might offset it, and tie forecasts to current anxieties rather than exploring a broader set of possible futures.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Are We Doomed?

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

A rigorous, tightly produced show that tackles civilization-scale risks with a steady mix of expert interviews, historical context, and scenario storytelling. Episodes explore nuclear war, AI existential risk, volcanic hazards, and other high-stakes topics, cutting through sensationalism with evidence-driven analysis, practical safety considerations, and real-world policy implications. Notable strengths include high-quality sound design, skilled interviewing, and a knack for translating complex science into accessible, safety-minded takeaways. The format often blends narrative elements with expert commentary to help listeners understand risks, probabilities, and actionable paths forward, making it appealing to curious, policy-minded audienc... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Are We Doomed??

These podcasts share a similar audience with Are We Doomed?:

1. Unexplainable
2. Science Vs
3. Suspicious Minds: AI and the Apocalypse
4. Radiolab
5. Short Wave

How many episodes of Are We Doomed? are there?

Are We Doomed? launched 3 months ago and published 15 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. Cristina Thomas
2. Chris Begley
3. Kate Ricke
4. Alan Robock
5. Hamza Chaudhry
6. Jason Pargin
7. Ian Morris
8. Annalee Newitz

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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