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Artwork for Human Nature Odyssey

Human Nature Odyssey

Alex Leff
Civilization
Artificial Intelligence
Climate Change
Human Origins
Egalitarianism
Zombies
Capitalism
Apocalypse
French Revolution
Earth Abides
Political Psychology
Communism
Consumerism
Connection
Community
Community Engagement
Democracy
Tradition
Cognition
Societal Decay

Human Nature Odyssey explores the myths, systems, and stories shaping our unraveling world. Blending history, mythology, philosophy, ecology, and cinematic audio storytelling, the show uses the past to better understand the present — and the possible futures we're creating. You are living the latest chapter in a 10,000-year human story. Join documentary filmmaker and storyteller Alex Leff on a cin... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes35Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PhilosophySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Human Nature Odyssey

Latest Episodes

This episode originally aired in October of 2024.

Gather around the campfire for a ghost story about the most destructive monster in history: civilization itself.

In this episode, we delve into the countercultural writings of Fredy Perlman, whos... more

How did humans go from living in small-scale communities where everyone knew each other to building a massive civilization filled with billions of strangers? And what the heck holds those societies together?

In this episode, philosopher C. Thi Nguy... more

You might think that you are not a forager. But what if no matter our lifestyle or job title, we are forever hunter gatherers in this world: of food, of love, of meaning. In this immersive episode, join Alex on a walk through an ancient forest as you... more

What if the crises of our time are not just ecological or political, but also mythological?

Poet and author Sophie Strand joins Human Nature Odyssey for a wide-ranging conversation about stories, illness, ecology, and transformation. Drawing from m... more

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Recent Guests

C. Thi Nguyen
Philosopher and author of The Score, How to Stop Playing Somebody Else's Game
University of Utah
Episode: 26 - Can Games Save The World From Bureaucracy? With C. Thi Nguyen
Sophie Strand
Writer and author focused on ecology, mythology, and animism
Author of The Flowering Wand, The Madonna Secret, The Body is a Doorway
Episode: 24 - Stories That Create or Destroy: Myth, Death, and Animism with Sophie Strand
Hajar Tazi
Poet, writer, facilitator, and self-described ecosystem weaver
Resilience mini-series collaborator (In the Rising Tide)
Episode: Hajar Tazi: Weaving Our Way Back Home
Tom Murphy
Astrophysicist, writer, Do The Math blogger
Do The Math / Tom Murphy's blog
Episode: 21 - Earth Abides (Part 1): Life After Civilization
Jess Serrante
Climate activist and co-creator of the We Are The Great Turning podcast
Campaigner/Activist for climate justice
Episode: 20 - Joanna Macy & The Great Turning — with Jess Serrante
Daniel J. Clark
Documentary filmmaker
Behind the Curve filmmaker
Episode: 19 - Modern Myths: Flat Earth, Space Colonization, and the Stories We Tell to Escape Reality
Rob Deitz
Post Carbon Institute expert (ecological economics)
Post Carbon Institute
Episode: 18 - Time Machine 2126 (Part 2): Techno-Utopia Or Apocalypse?
Asher Miller
Post Carbon Institute expert (transition engineering)
Post Carbon Institute
Episode: 18 - Time Machine 2126 (Part 2): Techno-Utopia Or Apocalypse?
Jason Bradford
Post Carbon Institute expert (agroecology, rural futures)
Post Carbon Institute
Episode: 18 - Time Machine 2126 (Part 2): Techno-Utopia Or Apocalypse?

Host

Alex Leff
Host and storyteller guiding conversations on civilization, culture, and ecology.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 155 ratings
  • Podcast

    Alex’s podcast is for every human being; It’s a love story for humanity. Alex is a raconteur. He distills the essences of what it means to be human in the age of disruption. He’s witty, thoughtful, and charismatic. He asks the listener to think critically, to ask themselves the big and small questions that we ignore at our own peril. I might not always agree with his solutions, but he is often measured in explaining the political and social contradictions of the 21st century. Keep going, Alex!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dtbr
    United States2 months ago
  • Finally!

    I’ve only started listening, but can already say that this is my favorite podcast. Finally, someone who can put these ideas to words that may help wake us up.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Woodslore
    United States2 months ago
  • a compelling listen

    this podcast provides thought provoking interviews. alex presents his perspectives with nuance, extracting insight from history and contextualizing these ideas in relatable, reflective, and captivating ways.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    gray__sea
    United States3 months ago
  • Great!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    nimbus111
    6 months ago
  • Very succinct and makes you think

    This podcast is a really good example of how discussions on climate change, politics, etc. can make you think more about societal issues as a collective. Really beautifully done and well formatted.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    plevy12
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Fans note the immersive sound design and the host's ability to connect history, myth, and current events in a meaningful way.
Many appreciate the accessible yet rigorous exploration of big ideas.
Listeners praise the show for thoughtful, nuanced interviews and strong storytelling craft.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

26 - Can Games Save The World From Bureaucracy? With C. Thi Nguyen
Q: How do games and bureaucracies differ in shaping our values?
Both use scoring and rules, but games offer pliability and opportunities to modify systems, while institutions tend to codify rigid metrics that shape what people care about, sometimes at the expense of subtler values.
24 - Stories That Create or Destroy: Myth, Death, and Animism with Sophie Strand
Q: How does Penelope's weaving inform our approach to storytelling in contemporary times?
Penelope embodies the practice of weaving and unweaving to keep stories alive and flexible, ensuring we don't close the door on Odysseus returning but keep space for new possibilities and survival.
24 - Stories That Create or Destroy: Myth, Death, and Animism with Sophie Strand
Q: What is the framework you use for retelling myths to address ecological and social crises?
Reroute, rewild, and retell—pulling myths back into their ecological roots, tectonically reshaping empire-influenced narratives into stories that foster community resilience and mutual flourishing.
20 - Joanna Macy & The Great Turning — with Jess Serrante
Q: How does the intergenerational baton pass influence your work today?
Jess explains that aging into elder responsibility means carrying forward Macy's teachings, mentoring others, and ensuring the next generations inherit both the wisdom and the motivation to continue the work, rather than remaining passive observers.
20 - Joanna Macy & The Great Turning — with Jess Serrante
Q: What are the three faces of the Great Turning and how do they interact?
The three faces are blocking harm, building new systems, and shifting consciousness. Macy's framework shows that effective transformation requires protest and policy work, the creation of alternative institutions, and a paradigmatic change in how we understand our relationship to each other and the Earth, all working together.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Human Nature Odyssey

What is Human Nature Odyssey about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program curates deep conversations at the intersection of history, philosophy, ecology, and storytelling to explore how myths, systems, and narratives shape modern civilization and its future. Recent episodes examine bureaucratic incentives, human–nature relationships, and apocalyptic or post-collapse worldviews through thinkers, writers, scientists, and activists. The show consistently pairs rigorous ideas with imaginative storytelling—using literature, climate justice, and ecological economics to illuminate how we got here and where we might go next. A standout quality is its ability to translate complex theories into accessible, sonically rich conversations that invite listeners to rethink progress, belonging, and responsibility in ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Human Nature Odyssey?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Human Nature Odyssey:

1. Planet: Critical
2. The Great Simplification with Nate Hagens
3. Breaking Down: Collapse
4. Accidental Gods - The Thrutopian Podcast
5. Team Human with Douglas Rushkoff

How many episodes of Human Nature Odyssey are there?

Human Nature Odyssey launched 4 years ago and published 35 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Human Nature Odyssey?

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What guests have appeared on Human Nature Odyssey?

Recent guests on Human Nature Odyssey include:

1. C. Thi Nguyen
2. Sophie Strand
3. Hajar Tazi
4. Tom Murphy
5. Jess Serrante
6. Daniel J. Clark
7. Rob Deitz
8. Asher Miller

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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