Rephonic
Artwork for Decoding the Gurus
Vaccines
Jordan B. Peterson
Jordan Peterson
Climate Change
Hasan Piker
Sam Harris
Public Health
Conspiracy Theories
Autism
Covid-19
New Atheism
Bret Weinstein
Philosophy
Artificial Intelligence
Podcasting
Political Commentary
Andrew Huberman
Decoding the Gurus
Yuval Noah Harari
Human Rights

An exiled Northern Irish anthropologist and a hitchhiking Australian psychologist take a close look at the contemporary crop of 'secular gurus', iconoclasts, and other exiles from the mainstream, offering their own brands of unique takes and special insights. Leveraging two of the most diverse accents in modern podcasting, Chris and Matt dig deep into the claims, peek behind the psychological curt... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes238Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureScienceSocial Sciences

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Artwork for Decoding the Gurus

Latest Episodes

In our never-ending quest to alienate all potential online audiences, we finger-wag about rampant Epstein conspiracism and explain why we are, on balance, anti-murder.

The full episode is available to Patreon subscribers (2 hours, 42 minutes).

Join... more

In Part 2, Matt and Chris return to Blindboy, now broadcasting from a solar-powered podcast and therefore morally unimpeachable. The darkness, however, remains. Having established in Part 1 that the global elite are a vampiric class of depraved black... more

In this episode, Matt and Chris turn their attention to Blindboy Boatclub, the Irish podcaster, satirist, and former member of the Rubberbandits. Blindboy is recognisable for his plastic-bag headwear, which has transitioned from a comedy prop into so... more

Another episode where the guest is not a sense-making prophet or a galaxy-brained guru, as we engage in academic dialogos with Oxford psychologist Andrew Przybylski. This is a preview of our Decoding Academia series on Patreon (now 30+ episodes deep)... more

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Recent Guests

Andrew Przybylski
Professor, University of Oxford, Human Behavior and Technology group
University of Oxford
Episode: Decoding Academia: Moral Entrepreneurs, Measurement Issues, & Screentime with Andrew Przybylski (Patreon Preview)
Sam Gregson
Physics PhD with a focus on popularizing science through humor and engagement
Episode: The Rise of the Science Populists with Sam Gregson and Tim Henke
Julia Rohrer
An academic working in the Wilhelm Wund Institute for Psychology at Leipzig University and active in the open science movement, focusing on causal inference.
Leipzig University
Episode: Open Science, Psychology, and the Art of Not Quite Claiming Causality with Julia Rohrer
Alexander Biener
Founder of Kainos and previously involved with Rebel Wisdom
Episode: Right to Reply: A Dialogos about Sensemaking with Alexander Beiner
Al Murray
Comedian and historian
We Have Ways of Making You Talk
Episode: Discussing Nazis and Gurus with Al Murray
Dr. Philipp Markolin
Biochemist and author specializing in the lab leak theory and its implications.
Episode: Lab Leak Fever with Philipp Markolin
James Bloodworth
British journalist and author
Episode: Exploring the Manosphere with James Bloodworth
Sabine Hossenfelder
Physicist known for her critiques of mainstream physics and science communication via YouTube
YouTube Channel
Episode: Mini Decoding: Sabine's Contrarian Outrage- How Dare You Criticise Eric!
Eric Weinstein
Conspiratorial theorist and commentator, often discussing complex social issues
Episode: Supplementary Material 33: Weinstein Enigmas, The Epstein Conspiracies, and Dwarves punching ducks

Hosts

Chris Kavanagh
A cognitive anthropologist from Northern Ireland, he brings a unique perspective to the discussions, often questioning socio-cultural narratives and their implications.
Matthew Browne
A psychologist from Australia, he offers deep insights and critiques on contemporary psychological issues and their broader societal implications.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 3.6k ratings
  • Please invest in audio quality

    Your audio is distorted and peaking. Please review your microphones and digital audio workstation. Poor audio quality on a podcast in 2026 is readily fixable.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Codypurdie
    Australiaa month ago
  • Strong and necessary criticism of IDW etc.

    I’ve really been enjoying their critiques of the IDW, sensemaking, etc. Sure, they’re physicalists but nobody’s perfect.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    lloyddoppler
    United States3 months ago
  • Peak manosphere?

    In the beginning, there was a man talking to other men on a podcast. Then, all of those men had podcasts, and they talked to other men on their podcasts. And now we have these men, who have a podcast talking about those men talking on their podcasts. This has all become very silly now. Let’s stop.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    C_D535
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Two fine lads/blokes

    The finest sense making on the internet, and maybe ever.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dmillls
    United States4 months ago
  • Brilliant episode on Lab Leak Fever…

    …I’m off to buy a copy of what sounds like a gripping read. I think lay people will always be frustrated that science takes time to prove its conclusions, while on the other hand…their own feelings are instantaneous and unfettered by caution. Sometimes, to get the full picture takes time and patience. Thank you to Phillipp for waiting and giving us the patient, investigation based answers.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    funnibom
    United Kingdom5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

There are critiques about the podcast's sound quality, suggesting improvements are needed.
Many praise the podcast's unique ability to foster critical thinking and examine modern guru figures, making it a must-listen for those interested in social commentary.
Listeners find the hosts' humor and analytical depth engaging, often appreciating how they tackle complex topics with a blend of insight and entertainment.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#235
United Kingdom/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#184
Australia/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#108
Ireland/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#179
Norway/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#193
New Zealand/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#218
Finland/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Decoding Academia: Moral Entrepreneurs, Measurement Issues, & Screentime with Andrew Przybylski (Patreon Preview)
Q: So what did you actually find about screen time and well-being when you looked at these large datasets?
We found that the publicly available data, used responsibly, generally show small or mixed effects with internet access and well-being, and that self-reported screen time is a poor proxy for actual behavior, with many confounds and measurement issues reducing the strength of any observed relationships.
Stefan Molyneux, Part 1: A fun guy, who is here to help...
Q: What is the scariest, most frightening insight and philosophy that you've come across?
The refusal to think troubles me.
Lab Leak Fever with Philipp Markolin
Q: Can you give a summary of the evidence for the zoonotic origin vs lab leak?
While the lab leak is a reasonable hypothesis, all evidence strongly points towards a natural origin for the virus.
Lab Leak Fever with Philipp Markolin
Q: What drove you to write the book on the Lab Leak?
A social media interest and personal moral obligation to correct misinformation regarding the lab leak narrative and give scientists a voice.
Exploring the Manosphere with James Bloodworth
Q: What is the broad pitch about your book, Lost Boys?
It's basically a 30-year overview of the Manosphere, exploring anti-feminist subcultures and their evolution from pickup artistry to the current political and social implications.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Decoding the Gurus

What is Decoding the Gurus about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content encompasses a critical examination of various contemporary figures labeled as 'gurus,' including popular thinkers and influencers who challenge or uphold mainstream narratives. Frequent discussions revolve around topics like masculinity, political ideology, mental health, and the impact of social media on society. The hosts blend humor with rigorous analysis, often exploring the line between insightful critique and frivolous commentary. Unique for its combination of diverse accents and backgrounds, the show aims to both entertain and provoke thought, appealing to listeners seeking a deeper understanding of significant social and psychological trends.

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Which podcasts are similar to Decoding the Gurus?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Decoding the Gurus:

1. Conspirituality
2. Very Bad Wizards
3. QAA Podcast
4. Know Your Enemy
5. Knowledge Fight

How many episodes of Decoding the Gurus are there?

Decoding the Gurus launched 6 years ago and published 238 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 Decoding the Gurus?

Recent guests on Decoding the Gurus include:

1. Andrew Przybylski
2. Sam Gregson
3. Julia Rohrer
4. Alexander Biener
5. Al Murray
6. Dr. Philipp Markolin
7. James Bloodworth
8. Sabine Hossenfelder

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