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Harvard Thinking

Harvard University
Artificial Intelligence
Mental Health
Education
Critical Thinking
Democracy
Liberal Arts Education
Social Media
Literacy Rates
Cognitive Development
Teen Mental Health
Self-Regulation
College Tuition
Covid-19 Impact On Education
Learning Loss
Forgiveness
Job Market
Cognitive Flexibility
Cell Phone Use
Safety Concerns
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 monthlyEpisodes29Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Harvard Thinking

Latest Episodes

We all make mistakes. Sometimes we’re able to brush off these experiences, but other times we’re left with regrets. We regret that thing we said, how we handled that situation, or the choice we made. In this episode, host Samantha Laine Perfas, palli... more

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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

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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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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Leslie John
Behavioral scientist and professor
Harvard Business School
Episode: Breaking the regret cycle
Liz Phelps
Pershing Square Professor of Human Neuroscience
Harvard University
Episode: Breaking the regret cycle
Susan Block
Professor of psychiatry and medicine
Harvard Medical School
Episode: Breaking the regret cycle
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

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 States5 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
#192
Indonesia/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#218
Philippines/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#36
Philippines/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#47
South Korea/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#56
Indonesia/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#130
India/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Breaking the regret cycle
Q: Leslie, could you explain the balancing act of sharing too much versus sharing too little and how people navigate that risk-reward dynamic?
The guests discuss a framework like a two-by-two analysis for revealing versus not revealing and considering both risks and rewards; they emphasize that oversharing can often yield benefits and that under-sharing can lead to missed opportunities, with personal experimentation and self-compassion guiding the line between TMI and TLI.
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.

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 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 IdeaCast
2. The Economics Show
3. Global News Podcast
4. Economist Podcasts
5. World Business Report

How many episodes of Harvard Thinking are there?

Harvard Thinking launched 2 years ago and published 29 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. Leslie John
2. Liz Phelps
3. Susan Block
4. Will Mair
5. Alexandra Touroutoglou
6. Suzanne Salamon
7. Ed Glaeser
8. Amy Tomasso

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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