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Artwork for Harvard Thinking

Harvard Thinking

Harvard University
Artificial Intelligence
Democracy
Social Media
Liberal Arts Education
Education
Teen Mental Health
Alcohol Consumption
Mental Health
Forgiveness
Covid-19 Impact On Education
Learning Loss
Cell Phone Use
Student Distractions
Safety Concerns
College Tuition
Job Market
Cognitive Flexibility
Loneliness
U.S. Constitution
Polarization

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 monthlyEpisodes25Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureScience

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Artwork for Harvard Thinking

Latest Episodes

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

Marriage has evolved a lot through the years – and so have the problems and rewards that come with it. Research suggests it benefits our physical and mental health, but it might not seem like it when conflict arises and couples struggle to co-manage ... more

Generative AI tools are here to stay. There’s a debate around whether or not they should be embraced in spaces of learning. Recent reports suggest that the risks of using these tools might outweigh the benefits, threatening cognitive development by d... more

YouTube

Many people hold themselves to extremely high standards, but when the scales tip to the pursuit of perfection, it can result in anxiety, depression, and other serious mental health issues. In this episode, host Samantha Laine Perfas talks with journa... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Debora Spar
Professor at Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School
Episode: Is marriage worth saving?
Richard Schwartz
Associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School
Episode: Is marriage worth saving?
Eve Rodsky
New York Times bestselling author of Fair Play
Author, Harvard Law School graduate
Episode: Is marriage worth saving?
Michaela Kerrissey
Associate professor of management at the Harvard TH. Chan School of Public Health.
Harvard TH. Chan School of Public Health
Episode: The perils of perfectionism
Ellen Hendriksen
Clinical assistant professor at Boston University's Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders and author of How to Be Enough.
Boston University
Episode: The perils of perfectionism
Jennifer Wallace
Journalist and author of two books, including Never Enough.
Episode: The perils of perfectionism
James Wood
Professor of the practice of literary criticism at Harvard and author of How Fiction Works.
Harvard University
Episode: How to tell a story
Sam Marks
Senior lecturer in the English department focused on playwriting and TV writing.
Harvard University
Episode: How to tell a story
Lauren Groff
Novelist and short story writer, owner of a bookstore in Gainesville, Florida.
Episode: How to tell a story

Host

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

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 41 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 States3 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
#41
Colombia/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#103
Mexico/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#108
Ukraine/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#108
South Korea/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#175
India/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#178
Ireland/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
The perils of perfectionism
Q: Jennifer, you've actually in your book Never Enough, which I love, talk about achievement pressure. Could you talk about that a little bit?
Achievement pressure can create turmoil within young people when their self-worth is tied to their achievements.
The perils of perfectionism
Q: Ellen, in your book, you argue perfectionism itself is an imperfect word or kind of a misnomer. Could you explain?
Perfectionism often manifests as a feeling of failure and inadequacy rather than the pursuit of flawlessness.
Why you should give the Mediterranean diet a try
Q: How feasible is it to make the switch to the Mediterranean diet?
It's important to break down the principles of the Mediterranean diet and adapt it to individual preferences, starting with simple changes like using olive oil instead of unhealthy fats and increasing vegetable intake gradually.
Are you getting enough sleep? Probably not.
Q: How do our sleep needs ebb and flow throughout the course of our lifetimes?
Sleep needs change significantly from infancy through older adulthood, often requiring changes in routine as factors like brain development and life circumstances evolve.

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. HBR On Leadership
3. TED Talks Daily
4. The McKinsey Podcast
5. Coaching Real Leaders

How many episodes of Harvard Thinking are there?

Harvard Thinking launched 2 years ago and published 25 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. Debora Spar
2. Richard Schwartz
3. Eve Rodsky
4. Michaela Kerrissey
5. Ellen Hendriksen
6. Jennifer Wallace
7. James Wood
8. Sam Marks

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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