Rephonic
Artwork for On Humans
John Bowlby
Consciousness
Hunter-Gatherers
Neanderthals
Father Time
Human Evolution
Homo Sapiens
Evolution
Natural History
Symbolic Thought
Social Support
Parenting
Homo Ergaster
Australopithecus
Language
Chimpanzees
Marmosets
Perception
Anthropology
Childhood Development

Where do we come from? How did we get here? And what kinds of creatures are we? On Humans features conversations with leading scholars about human nature, human condition, and the human journey. From the origins of war to the biology of love, each episode brings fresh insights into perennial questions about our self-understanding. The show now unfolds in series of episodes built around a chosen th... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes93Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Science

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Artwork for On Humans

Latest Episodes

Science has learned much about the brain. But how well do we understand this organ of the mind? Are we even close to cracking the neural code? Is a groundbreaking theory of consciousness just around the corner?

In this final episode of the brain sci... more

YouTube

Dopamine. Serotonin. Endorphins. We have all heard these terms. And these are not just scientific curiosities. Few are those who have never wondered if their brain chemicals are "just off balance".

So how accurate are the popular theories about the... more

YouTube

Our brains can feel remote and abstract. Hidden behind Latin names and textbook diagrams, they rarely feel as personal to us as our hearts and stomachs.

In this episode, neurologist and author Pria Anand helps us get a little more intimate with tha... more

Here is a simple story about the origins of the human brain: All primate brains are good at packing neurons into a small space—they are neural supercomputers. The human brain is just what you’d expect from a monkey of our size: big, packed with neuro... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Judy Grisel
Neuroscientist and author
Author of Never Enough
Episode: From Alcohol to Antidepressants: What Drugs Teach Us About Brain Chemistry ~ Judy Grisel
Pria Anand
An American neurologist and author of the book "Mind Electric."
Episode: Inside the Brain: A Journey Through the Halls and the Songs of Consciousness ~ Pria Anand
Suzana Herculano-Houzel
Brazilian neuroscientist known for her work on brain evolution and human cognition.
Episode: Prologue: The (Very Simple) Story of the Human Brain ~ Suzana Herculano-Houzel
Andrea Matranga
An economic historian with a theory on the transition to agriculture.
Episode: Encore | Why Agriculture? Climate Change and the Origins of Farming ~ Andrea Matranga
Professor Tirthankar Roy
Professor at the London School of Economics specializing in the economic history of colonialism
London School of Economics
Episode: Climate, Water, and the Origins of Colonialism ~ Tirthankar Roy
Jessica Thompson
Professor at Yale University and researcher at the Peabody Museum.
Yale University
Episode: How Climate Crafted Humanity (Or Did It?) ~ Jessica Thompson
Agustin Fuentes
Professor of Biological Anthropology at Princeton University
Princeton University
Episode: An Essential Difference? Males, Females, and the Spaces In Between ~ Augustín Fuentes
Johannes Krause
Director of the Max Planck Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology
Max Planck Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology
Episode: A Human Like No Other: The Rise of Homo Sapiens ~ Johannes Krause
Dean Falk
Distinguished Professor of Anthropology and expert on human brain evolution
University of Florida
Episode: An Unusual Ape: The Deep Origins of Our Human Oddities ~ Dean Falk

Host

Ilari Mäkelä
Ilari is the primary host, celebrated for his engaging discussions with scholars on diverse topics related to human nature and history, encouraging critical thought and exploration.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 176 ratings
  • Good topics

    I really enjoy the information, but my brain has a hard time understanding his accent. That’s on me, not him. I wish I could keep listening.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Helpersonety
    United States2 months ago
  • Moderator interrupts too much

    Very interesting topics. It’s unfortunate that the moderator frequently interrupts his guests instead of letting them develop their thoughts. Some episodes, like the one on why agriculture, are particularly bad with Ilari talking more than his guest. I am coming here for the excellent guests, not the moderator’s layman knowledge and stories.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    hahdeaaaa
    United States2 months ago
  • Good interview

    Very interesting episode on the origins of farming and climate change with Andrea Matranga. He gave a convincing explanation of how and why it developed simultaneously in numerous locations around the globe, all backed up by scientific evidence which he explained in understandable language.

    5 stars

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ladybird166
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Humanoids

    From Homonoids

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    blueranger52
    United States3 months ago
  • Excellent Podcast

    This show is a new find for me and already feels essential. The interviews are incredibly good, with thoughtful questions that show a deep level of understanding and research on the part of the host. The guests and topics are deeply interesting and thought provoking.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    J Hession
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall, the podcast is seen as a valuable resource for those interested in the complexities of human evolution and behavior.
Listeners enjoy the intellectual depth of conversations and the variety of topics, appreciating the thoughtful questions posed by the host.
Occasional critiques target the host's tendency to interrupt guests, suggesting a desire for deeper discussions.
Some express difficulty in following the host's accent, though the content remains compelling.
The quality of guests and their expertise is frequently praised, highlighting the academic rigor of the series.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#185
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#222
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#81
Finland/Science
Apple Podcasts
#86
Colombia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#120
Indonesia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#139
Ireland/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

From Alcohol to Antidepressants: What Drugs Teach Us About Brain Chemistry ~ Judy Grisel
Q: What are the ways that you can create meaning in your life to overcome addiction?
Grisel suggests identifying what you deeply want in life—whether it be studying philosophy, flying, or engaging in art—as a way to redirect one's focus positively.
From Alcohol to Antidepressants: What Drugs Teach Us About Brain Chemistry ~ Judy Grisel
Q: What would have been your strongest moment when you saw something in the science that really spoke to you from experience?
Grisel shares her 'aha' moments as she connected her personal experiences with dopamine and endorphins, especially the surprising effects of alcohol on individuals with sensitivity to endorphins.
Climate, Water, and the Origins of Colonialism ~ Tirthankar Roy
Q: How did the British East India Company evolve from trade to governance?
The British East India Company shifted from being a trading body to a governing power as the Mughal Empire weakened, allowing them to expand inland.
Climate, Water, and the Origins of Colonialism ~ Tirthankar Roy
Q: What is the significance of climate in understanding colonialism?
The climate creates a high output, high risk situation that influences the political and economic dynamics during colonial times.
Climate, Water, and the Origins of Colonialism ~ Tirthankar Roy
Q: Why did the emergence of European empires start from the sea?
The British East India Company was a body of merchants, which took over power from an Indian state in the late 18th century in Bengal region of India, though it initially had no military power.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About On Humans

What is On Humans about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on illuminating the complexities of the human experience, this series features engaging discussions with prominent scholars on the nature of humanity. Listeners can expect to explore a variety of profound topics, including the origins of love and conflict, the role of culture and environment in shaping human behavior, and the evolutionary threads that connect us to our ancestors. By blending insights from anthropology, psychology, archaeology, and philosophy, this collection seeks to answer age-old questions about human existence and development while also fostering a deeper understanding of our shared humanity.

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How many listeners does On Humans get?

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How many subscribers and views does On Humans have?

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Which podcasts are similar to On Humans?

These podcasts share a similar audience with On Humans:

1. Hidden Brain
2. Radiolab
3. Throughline
4. This American Life
5. The Moth

How many episodes of On Humans are there?

On Humans launched 3 years ago and published 93 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 On Humans?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on On Humans?

Recent guests on On Humans include:

1. Judy Grisel
2. Pria Anand
3. Suzana Herculano-Houzel
4. Andrea Matranga
5. Professor Tirthankar Roy
6. Jessica Thompson
7. Agustin Fuentes
8. Johannes Krause

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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