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Harvard Thinking

Harvard University
Artificial Intelligence
Education
Mental Health
Critical Thinking
Democracy
Liberal Arts Education
Social Media
Literacy Rates
Cognitive Development
Teen Mental Health
Self-Regulation
College Tuition
Job Market
Cognitive Flexibility
Covid-19 Impact On Education
Learning Loss
Cell Phone Use
Safety Concerns
Forgiveness
Student Distractions

A podcast where the life of the mind meets everyday life. Hosted by Samantha Laine Perfas, produced by Harvard University. Visit harvard.edu/thinking.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes28Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureScience

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Artwork for Harvard Thinking

Latest Episodes

Just under half of households in the U.S. own dogs and say they view their dogs as members of their family. The love goes both ways. Dogs depend on us for their survival, just as humans benefit from their presence. Research shows that having a furry ... more

It’s common for our brains and bodies to atrophy with age. But some adults, those known as super-agers, have shown that we may be able to keep the sharpness of someone decades younger, even matching the cognitive abilities of a person in their 20s. I... more

Owning a home feels increasingly unattainable for many middle-class Americans. Last year, home prices surged to nearly five times the median income. Yet the pace of building new housing, which could create more affordability, remains slow. In this ep... more

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Different forms of adversity – like abuse, violence, and neglect – not only damage our physical and mental health but also change our cells. Scientific advances in the biology of adversity are showing us that in some cases, the harms of negative expe... more

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Recent Guests

Will Mair
Professor of molecular metabolism and director of a healthy aging initiative
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Episode: Secrets of super-agers
Alexandra Touroutoglou
Associate professor of neurology
Harvard Medical School
Episode: Secrets of super-agers
Suzanne Salamon
Geriatric physician
Harvard Medical School
Episode: Secrets of super-agers
Ed Glaeser
Fred and Eleanor Glymph Professor of Economics, Harvard University
Harvard University - Economics
Episode: Priced out of the American dream
Amy Tomasso
Vice President of Policy and Partnerships at Ivory Innovations
Ivory Innovations
Episode: Priced out of the American dream
Jason Furman
Aetna Professor of the Practice of Economic Policy at Harvard Kennedy School; former chair of the Council of Economic Advisers
Harvard Kennedy School / US Government (CEA)
Episode: Priced out of the American dream
Kate McLaughlin
Executive director, Balmer Institute for Children's Behavioral Health
University of Oregon; formerly Harvard
Episode: The things we carry
Jason Buenrostro
Professor, Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology; Director, Biology of Adversity Project
Harvard University; Broad Institute
Episode: The things we carry
Karestan Koenen
Professor of Psychiatric Epidemiology
Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health; Broad Institute
Episode: The things we carry

Host

Samantha Laine Perfas
Host of Harvard Thinking; Writer; Affiliated with Harvard University

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 46 ratings
  • One of My Favorite Podcasts!

    This is a podcast I’m so glad I found; every episode I listen to, I learn something valuable! The topics are fascinating and really gets you thinking. Both the host and guests have insightful information to share. Keep up the great work! :)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SamanthaW2005
    United States4 months ago
  • love these convos!

    hope to your team share in again soon!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bryanna17
    Canadaa year ago
  • love these convos!

    hope to your team share in again soon!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bryanna17
    Canadaa year ago
  • Hopeful this is a change in culture

    Hope this podcast can change current Harvard Culture

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    jd-atl1
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Some hope for broader cultural impact and mindset shifts in education and health.
The host and guests are praised for clarity and ability to connect ideas to everyday life.
Listeners describe the conversations as insightful and thought-provoking, with practical takeaways.
Guests are well-chosen and bring deep expertise to accessible discussions.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#191
Italy/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#68
Russia/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#203
Philippines/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#215
Brazil/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Secrets of super-agers
Q: What practical steps can individuals take today to support healthier aging?
Prioritize sleep, regular physical activity, healthy diet, social engagement, stress management, and maintaining muscle mass; use of trackers and precision tools can help tailor decisions, but should empower rather than overwhelm individuals.
Secrets of super-agers
Q: How much of aging is determined by luck versus biology and environment?
While stochastic events and luck play a role, the consensus is that aging results from complex interactions between genetics, environment, behavior, and psychosocial factors, making it a multifactorial process rather than a single cause.
Secrets of super-agers
Q: What defines a 'super-ager' beyond age alone, and how do their brains differ from non-super-agers?
Super-agers maintain memory and cognitive function through structural brain differences, including larger hippocampal volume and stronger network connections, and they tend to use effective cognitive strategies rather than simply relying on raw memory, suggesting a combination of brain architecture and approach to tasks.
Priced out of the American dream
Q: Why is it so difficult to buy a home in high-demand areas?
Because demand remains robust while supply is constrained by slower construction, regulatory hurdles, and higher financing costs, which together push prices higher and access lower for many would-be buyers.
Preserving learning in the age of AI shortcuts
Q: What should educators be thinking about when they think about their classrooms and incorporating tools?
They should be experimenting with AI tools to see what works and how they can measure student learning effectiveness.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About Harvard Thinking

What is Harvard Thinking about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, ideas-forward show that blends scholarly insight with everyday relevance, covering education, psychology, writing, and culture. Recent episodes often examine how research translates into practice—from AI in learning and the psychology of perfectionism to memory, sleep, and dietary well-being—featuring Harvard-affiliated researchers and literary writers. Notable strengths include a rigorous, interdisciplinary approach with accessible storytelling, a strong emphasis on human elements like vulnerability, metacognition, and mattering, and guests who bridge academia with real-world impact. Listeners are likely drawn to content that challenges conventional thinking while offering practical takeaways for educators, professionals, and... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Harvard Thinking?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Harvard Thinking:

1. HBR On Leadership
2. HBR IdeaCast
3. ReThinking
4. Fixable
5. HBS Managing the Future of Work

How many episodes of Harvard Thinking are there?

Harvard Thinking launched 2 years ago and published 28 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 Harvard Thinking?

Recent guests on Harvard Thinking include:

1. Will Mair
2. Alexandra Touroutoglou
3. Suzanne Salamon
4. Ed Glaeser
5. Amy Tomasso
6. Jason Furman
7. Kate McLaughlin
8. Jason Buenrostro

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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