Decoding the Gurus
Christopher Kavanagh and Matthew BrowneAn 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
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 256 | Founded | 6 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Society & CultureScienceSocial Sciences | |||
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We endure the ravages of time to deliver you this exhausted Supplementary Material. Bowed but never broken, the decoders persist.
The full episode is available to Patreon subscribers (Full Episode: 2hr 20 mins)
Join us at: www.patreon.com/D... more
Two absolutely shattered academic heroes heroically drag themselves through yet another supplementary episode to bring you the important guru news in between their restorative breaks.
The full episode is available to Patreon subscribers (Full Episod... more
In this Decoding Academia episode, we venture into comparative psychology, focusing on a fascinating line of work by Fumihiro Kano and colleagues on social intelligence and theory of mind in great apes. By showing apes short videos and tracking where... more
We return for Part 2 of our coverage of “Professor” Jiang, the internet’s favourite new geopolitical prophet, secondary-school sage, and proud owner of an ever-expanding box of educational props. Having already treated us to multiple maps, chess piec... more
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- addictive
I have discovered these two only recently, thanks to an appearance on Flint Dibble. Now I have a lot of listening to do because I don’t want to miss any of the old episodes! Careful, they are addictive!
Apple Podcasts5Ela123445
Spain21 days ago - Fact checking
Keith Raniere was found hy authorities in MX, not Brasil. A quite cursory understanding of NXIVM would reveal this fact. It’s NXIVM 101.
Apple Podcasts2Portlander from Louisiana
United Statesa month ago - Wearing thin
This is amusing for a while but wearing thin rather quickly. While the basic criticism of the secular gurusphere is sound, Kavanagh and Browne have perfected the art of preaching to the choir and walloping in smugness - hardly a formula for winning over those who have lost faith in the scientific enterprise and its institutions. What is worse, in some ways they fall foul of what they criticise in their targets, including instances of shockingly sloppy argument. As a STEM academic I have very lit... more
Apple Podcasts2Boogie Moscovitch
United Kingdom2 months ago - Decoding or just disagreeing?
What gives these two academics the intellectual and conceptual high ground? From another academic also a left-leaning liberal, I’m not convinced these guys go on for hours but there’s not much self-reflection on their own epistemological position - which is sort of what scholars are supposed to do. A bit of self-reflection please otherwise this is just a left version of the manosphere (and interestingly, they rarely discuss women and ideas).
Apple Podcasts3RedbucherUnited Kingdom3 months ago - Frustrating cynicism
They have total blinders as to the fact that they indeed, have a very specific worldview and are not arbiters of any sort of “truth” beyond this worldview.
Apple Podcasts2Jakobd1212United States4 months ago
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Apple Podcasts | #242 |  South Africa/Society & Culture |
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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?
A critical, debate-driven dive into self-help icons, gurus, and fringe thinkers. The show interrogates claims from prominent figures and online cultures, unpacking how rhetoric, science, and media influence belief. With dry humor and rigorous critique, it consistently examines the ethics of documenting controversial figures, the politics of open science, and the line between genuine insight and grift. Listeners can expect thoughtful skepticism, interdisciplinary references, and a penchant for pushing back against sensational narratives while keeping the conversation accessible and entertaining.
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Which podcasts are similar to Decoding the Gurus?
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1. Conspirituality
2. Very Bad Wizards
3. Knowledge Fight
4. QAA Podcast
5. Robert Wright's Nonzero
How many episodes of Decoding the Gurus are there?
Decoding the Gurus launched 6 years ago and published 256 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. Professor Jiang
2. Lafayette Ron Hubbard
3. Alex O'Connor
4. Ian McGilchrist
5. Stevie Baskin
6. Michael Inzlicht
7. Ken Wilber
8. Teal Swan
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