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 | 255 | Founded | 6 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Society & CultureSocial SciencesScience | |||
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Latest Episodes
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
On Decoding the Gurus, we regularly get to hear a lot of truly “high-level” ideas, but the much-requested subject of this episode’s decoding is up there with the best of them. We are talking, of course, about “Professor” Jiang, the internet’s favouri... more
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- 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 Podcasts3Redbucher
United Kingdom2 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 Podcasts2Jakobd1212
United States3 months ago - Not for me
A lot of wasteful chatter at the beginning. When they finally get to it, the format is short, selective clips of whoever is being “decoded” followed by some snippy comments. I was hoping for something more substantial and in depth, but this wasn’t it.
Apple Podcasts1Econ InterestedUnited States3 months ago - Pompous with no substance
Came here for the decoding and just got a bunch of ego instead. You lost me in the latest episode when the (Irish? Scottish??) guy pretended not to know how to pronounce "Epstein" as if it's like yesterdays news or something unimportant. Very weird behavior and judging by the reviews, I'm not the only one that feels this way. Neeeeext.
Apple Podcasts1ReviewconoeUnited States4 months ago - Keeping it real…
Love listening to these guys dissecting these ‘gurus’ who’s ultimate goal is all the same…$$’s
Apple Podcasts5Rowdy2026
Australia4 months ago
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Apple Podcasts | #215 |  Poland/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
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3. Robert Wright's Nonzero
4. QAA Podcast
5. Better Offline
How many episodes of Decoding the Gurus are there?
Decoding the Gurus launched 6 years ago and published 255 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. Lafayette Ron Hubbard
2. Alex O'Connor
3. Ian McGilchrist
4. Stevie Baskin
5. Michael Inzlicht
6. Ken Wilber
7. Teal Swan
8. Scott Galloway
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