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Closer To Truth

Closer To Truth
Consciousness
Artificial Intelligence
Cosmology
Philosophy
Quantum Mechanics
Mathematics
Evolution
Neuroscience
Physics
Buddhism
God
Biology
Hinduism
Natural Selection
Philosophy Of Religion
Philosophy Of Biology
Islam
Free Will
Panpsychism
Christianity

Closer To Truth presents the world’s greatest thinkers exploring humanity’s deepest questions in Cosmos, Life, Consciousness, and Meaning. Engage new and diverse ways of thinking. Appreciate intense debates. Seek your own answers.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes300Founded16 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationPhilosophySociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Closer To Truth

Latest Episodes

What might humanity look like decades, millennia—or even millions of years—from now?

Science-fiction author and futurist David Brin joins Robert Lawrence Kuhn to explore humanity’s possible futures. They discuss artificial intelligence, genetic engi... more

Could a single theory explain the fundamental workings of the universe?

Theoretical physicist Michio Kaku joins Robert Lawrence Kuhn to discuss The God Equation and the quest for a Theory of Everything. They explore string theory, the multiverse, hi... more

Can your theory of consciousness determine your answers to the biggest questions in philosophy, science, and religion — AI sentience, life after death, free will, personal identity?

Robert Lawrence Kuhn presents his landmark taxonomy of consciousnes... more

Everything we know, everything we think, comes from our brain. Are brains our window to reality, seeing what truly exists? Or are we bound by brains, mental slaves of the meat in our heads? Featuring interviews with Christopher Evans, Kelsey Martin, ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Max Moore
Philosophy student/researcher
Independent
Episode: Woodenfish Forum on Buddhism, Science & Future — Landscape of Consciousness — Robert Lawrence Kuhn
John Leslie
Philosopher known for questions about existence
Independent scholar/Philosophy of existence
Episode: What is Nothing?
Victor Stenger
Physicist and atheist
University of Hawaii (retired)
Episode: What is Nothing?
John Hawthorne
Oxford philosopher
University of Oxford
Episode: What is Nothing?
Richard Swinburne
Oxford philosopher of religion
University of Oxford
Episode: What is Nothing?
Robert Spitzer
Jesuit priest and philosopher
Formatting as guest in the discussion of God and nothing
Episode: What is Nothing?
Peter Forrest
Philosopher
University of California? (noted as philosopher in discussion)
Episode: What is Nothing?
Saleem Ali
Author of Earthly Order, Professor focusing on environmental policy and planning
University of Delaware
Episode: Saleem Ali on Natural Laws and Human Life
Mario Livio
Astrophysicist and author of Galileo and the Science Deniers
University of the Way? (context not explicit in transcript)
Episode: Mario Livio on Galileo, Science Denial, and the Future of the Universe

Host

Robert Lawrence Kuhn
Host of Closer To Truth

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 654 ratings
  • Amazing

    I love this podcast so much and am always looking forward to new episodes - really interesting, insightful thoughtful and intelligent conversations. Find myself wishing episodes lasted 5 hours!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    emineeeeeeeeeeeee
    United Statesa year ago
  • Nothing gets Closer to this Podcast

    Thank you Robert for giving yourself completely to your quest and sharing the process with all of us seekers of the truth. Your program is not only inspirational but a source of knowledge, smarts and great people. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MainiDell
    Argentina2 years ago
  • Strange

    Why doesn’t Philip Goff just say he’s going to church & blindly believing because he wants to feel the sense of belonging? All these words he saying, when it just comes down to this. Kind of like the Mormon sheep. The cultural aspect of Mormonism is extremely strong.

    And then the womens story of justifying the afterlife for a pelican. Try justifying a severely disabled child who has to go through this life suffering and then just HOPING for some grand saving. Rubbish. Why’d god make the child li... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Flameonyou
    United States2 years ago
  • Ads are ruining me

    This is my absolute fav philosophy podcast but please the pod beam ads have got to go. Maybe an option to pay for ad free?

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    nrslv
    Australia2 years ago
  • Great podcast

    Not sure how I found this show, very highly insightful and thought provoking. Asks questions and makes the listener think about subjects such as science, philosophy and our place in the universe. I mainly listen to physics podcasts, but study philosophy and psychology as well.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Groucho the man
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Some episodes are described as too long or densely academic for casual listening.
Listeners value the breadth of perspectives across science and philosophy.
Fans appreciate the rigorous yet accessible treatment of big questions.
Quality of guests and host's interviewing style are frequently highlighted.
Listeners praise the show for its thoughtful, open-minded discourse and high-level guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#126
United Kingdom/Education
Apple Podcasts
#40
Finland/Education
Apple Podcasts
#92
Ireland/Education
Apple Podcasts
#209
New Zealand/Education
Apple Podcasts
#239
South Korea/Education

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Woodenfish Forum on Buddhism, Science & Future — Landscape of Consciousness — Robert Lawrence Kuhn
Q: Could you say a little bit more about how you conceptualize the Buddhist view of identity and continuity?
The Buddhist approach to consciousness is different from Hindu or Abrahamic views; consciousness is not primary and is empty of intrinsic value, yet it is part of the changing fabric of reality, which differentiates it from the more essentialist positions in other traditions.
Mario Livio on Galileo, Science Denial, and the Future of the Universe
Q: What role might a multiverse play in our understanding of physics?
It remains controversial because testability is challenging, but if predictions emerge that can be observed within our universe, it could become scientifically meaningful.
Mario Livio on Galileo, Science Denial, and the Future of the Universe
Q: Why is science denial still a vital issue today?
Because misunderstanding the nature of science—its provisional status and reliance on data—leads to resistance against evidence, which can have serious consequences for public health and policy.
Mario Livio on Galileo, Science Denial, and the Future of the Universe
Q: What made Galileo one of the founders of modern science?
He championed patient observations and experiments as the path to truth, then used those results to inform theory, a process that underpins the scientific method.
Thomas Hertog on the Origin of Time
Q: What exactly is the no boundary hypothesis and how does it differ from the multiverse approach?
The no boundary hypothesis posits that, when you trace the universe back to its origin, time effectively becomes a spatial dimension and the universe doesn't have a singular beginning in time. This is opposed to the multiverse idea, which posits many universes with varying laws and histories. The no boundary view emphasizes initial conditions and holographic descriptions, reducing reliance on a landscape of separate universes and instead focusing on a single emergent history shaped by boundary conditions.

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 Closer To Truth

What is Closer To Truth about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show features deep, interdisciplinary conversations with leading philosophers, scientists, and thinkers who explore existence, consciousness, cosmology, and the nature of reality. Episodes frequently pair analytic philosophy with cutting-edge science, yielding rigorous debates about nothingness, time, evolution, and the future of intelligence, often featuring high-profile guests from Oxford, Berkeley, and major research institutes. A standout trait is the host's ability to guide complex topics—from metaphysics to cosmology—into accessible, thought-provoking dialogue that invites listeners to form their own conclusions. The format often balances historical perspectives with contemporary research, making it valuable for listeners who enjo... more

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How many episodes of Closer To Truth are there?

Closer To Truth launched 16 years ago and published 300 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 Closer To Truth?

Recent guests on Closer To Truth include:

1. Max Moore
2. John Leslie
3. Victor Stenger
4. John Hawthorne
5. Richard Swinburne
6. Robert Spitzer
7. Peter Forrest
8. Saleem Ali

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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