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Making Sense with Sam Harris

Sam Harris
Ukraine
Russia
Effective Altruism
Israel
Misinformation
Sam Bankman-Fried
Hamas
Gaza
Social Media
Volodymyr Zelensky
Free Will
Moral Landscape
Consciousness
Moral Philosophy
Islamophobia
NATO
War Crimes
Orthodox Church
Habituation
Political Polarization

Join neuroscientist, philosopher, and five-time New York Times best-selling author Sam Harris as he explores important and controversial questions about the mind, society, current events, moral philosophy, religion, and rationality—with an overarching focus on how a growing understanding of ourselves and the world is changing our sense of how we should live. Sam is also the creator of the Waking U... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes460Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureScience

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Artwork for Making Sense

Latest Episodes

Sam Harris introduces the first episode of The Last Invention, a new podcast series on the hype and fear about the AI revolution, reported by Gregory Warner and Andy Mills.

Gregory Warner was a foreign correspondent in Russia and Afghanistan, and t... more

Sam Harris speaks with Eliezer Yudkowsky and Nate Soares about their new book, If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies: The Case Against Superintelligent AI. They discuss the alignment problem, ChatGPT and recent advances in AI, the Turing Test, the possi... more

Sam Harris speaks with Dan Carlin about the decades-long buildup to our current political moment. They discuss the growing powers of the presidency, executive orders, different factions within the Republican Party, the fragmentation of our society, L... more

Sam Harris speaks with David French about Trump’s assault on American democracy. They discuss Trump’s persecution of political opponents, abuse of the pardon power, Congress’s ineffectiveness, David’s proposed change to Article II of the Constitution... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Dan Carlin
Pioneering podcaster known for Hardcore History
Episode: #433 — How Did We Get Here?
David French
New York Times columnist and podcaster
The New York Times
Episode: #432 — The Undoing of America
Michael Roth
President of Wesleyan University and frequent contributor to The New York Times
Wesleyan University
Episode: #431 — What Is Happening on College Campuses?
Anne Applebaum
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and journalist, known for her expertise in Eastern European politics and history.
The Atlantic
Episode: #429 — The New World Order
Marc Lipsitch
Infectious disease epidemiologist and microbiologist at Harvard's Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics
Harvard
Episode: #425 — Are We Prepared for the Next Pandemic?
Ritchie Torres
Congressman representing the Bronx, focusing on political reform and social issues.
United States Congress
Episode: #418 — A Future for Democrats
Jake Tapper
Television anchor and author, known for his political coverage
CNN
Episode: #415 — The Cover-Up
Rutger Bregman
Historian and author, known for exploring themes of moral responsibility and societal progress.
Episode: #412 — Better Things & Better People
Scott Barry Kaufman
Psychologist and author focused on human potential and emotional resilience.
Columbia University
Episode: #411 — The Victimhood Pandemic

Host

Sam Harris
Host of engaging discussions on philosophy, science, and current events, with a focus on rationality and critical inquiry.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 50.9k ratings
  • Always fascinating

    Harris is a very bright guy, and I find that his interests are usually interesting to me. I also agree with him on nearly all issues, including the one he gets criticized the most about: He feels the left--which he largely agrees with-- does not appreciate the existential danger Islamic extremism represents, arguing that while most Muslims are not taking up arms against the West, majorities of them hold very illiberal ideas (re a woman's place, etc.) Because of this, the left should be at the fo... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Beldar88
    United States15 days ago
  • No

    Sam does not validly address the current situation. He uses old talking points and does not address the real motivations of the leadership. “Amalek” “real estate bonanza”? Never Again to genocide.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Iguhp80
    United States16 days ago
  • Can we survive AI ?

    Probably the worst of Sam’s podcasts that I’ve listened to. This sounds like guests who spend too much time reading The Lord of the Rings, caught up in their own fantasy worlds.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Trijack
    United States16 days ago
  • Hit the wall

    Sam makes great points on many things but seems there is a wedge/bias/wall when it comes to what’s happening (and why) in Palestine. It’s fascinating how a smart guy can walk around the facts but not name them. I was finding it difficult to take his podcasts seriously. So many talking heads just like this. Unsubscribed

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    miss gelly
    United States23 days ago
  • Why So Expensive?

    Dear Sam, The two star markdown is due to your elimination of a scholarship option below $59/year. $60 a year is simply not affordable for some. In essence what you are doing is creating a platform for people with greater discretionary income. How much do you really need to make this a meaningful project?

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    SLO Independent
    United States25 days ago

Listeners Say

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

Many enjoy the diverse array of knowledgeable guests, although some feel that the podcast could benefit from including a broader spectrum of viewpoints.
Listeners appreciate the intellectual depth and range of topics covered, often finding discussions enlightening and thought-provoking.
There are criticisms related to perceived biases, particularly regarding political discussions, with mixed opinions on the host's stance on certain issues.

Chart Rankings

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

Spotify
#20
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#13
United States/Science
Spotify
#19
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#137
Canada/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#3
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#18
United Kingdom/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#434 — Can We Survive AI?
Q: What is the problem in building superhuman AI?
The intrinsic problem is that modern AIs are grown rather than crafted, leading to unexpected emergent behaviors that may not align with human values and could pose significant risks.
#432 — The Undoing of America
Q: What is the worst thing so far that has happened?
French points out the distortion of the Department of Justice and the public targeting of political enemies as significant indicators of governmental abuse under Trump.
#432 — The Undoing of America
Q: How has the second Trump term struck you?
David French describes it as an assault on the Republican form of government, emphasizing the escalating accumulation of power by the presidency and the detrimental impact on legal norms.
#425 — Are We Prepared for the Next Pandemic?
Q: How would you describe the unraveling of institutional trust?
The communication from the government during the pandemic was confusing and lacked scientific validity which led to further loss of trust in public health institutions.
#425 — Are We Prepared for the Next Pandemic?
Q: What did we learn from Covid?
We learned the importance of public trust, the need for an upgraded public health system, and the necessity to revisit policies regularly based on new information.

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 Making Sense

What is Making Sense about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The podcast features thought-provoking discussions led by a prominent neuroscientist and philosopher, focusing on a range of critical topics including morality, current events, and the complexities of human psychology and society. Conversations frequently explore the intersections of science, politics, and ethics, as guests from various fields share their insights into pressing issues. Noteworthy is the host's emphasis on rational discourse, inviting listeners to challenge their perspectives and consider different viewpoints. The podcast serves as a platform for delving into controversial subjects, often with a blend of personal reflection and philosophical inquiry, making it a unique addition to the landscape of modern intellectual dialogu... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Making Sense?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Making Sense:

1. Honestly with Bari Weiss
2. The Ezra Klein Show
3. The Michael Shermer Show
4. Conversations With Coleman
5. Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps

How many episodes of Making Sense are there?

Making Sense launched 12 years ago and published 460 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 Making Sense?

Recent guests on Making Sense include:

1. Dan Carlin
2. David French
3. Michael Roth
4. Anne Applebaum
5. Marc Lipsitch
6. Ritchie Torres
7. Jake Tapper
8. Rutger Bregman

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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