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The Michael Shermer Show

Michael Shermer
Public Health
Liberal Values
Mental Health
Healthcare Reform
Cancel Culture
Health Inequities
Covid-19
Individual Autonomy
Socio-Economic Factors
Vaccines
Free Speech
Personal Growth
Meaning Of Life
Diversity and Inclusion
Tax Incentives
Identity Politics
Philanthropy
Luck
Imagination
Educational Practices

The Michael Shermer Show is a series of long-form conversations between Dr. Michael Shermer and leading scientists, philosophers, historians, scholars, writers and thinkers about the most important issues of our time.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes566Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceNatural Sciences

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Artwork for The Michael Shermer Show

Latest Episodes

A former senior intelligence officer explains how espionage is evolving in the age of AI and amid rising global tensions with China, and why the mass harvesting of data affects not just nation-states, but all of us.

The discussion also explores the... more

YouTube

Archaeologist Ken Feder sheds light on how archaeology separates evidence from wishful thinking and entertaining storytelling. He explains what rock art, radiocarbon dating, and DNA can really tell us about the first peoples of the Americas, and talk... more

YouTube

Michael Shermer sits down with Charles Murray (author of The Bell Curve, Coming Apart, and now Taking Religion Seriously) for a riveting 100-minute conversation about Murray's late-life turn from Harvard-bred agnosticism ("Smart people don't believe ... more

YouTube

In this episode, Harvard primatologist Christine Webb challenges one of our deepest beliefs: that humans stand apart from the rest of nature. She traces the roots of human exceptionalism from Aristotle and Descartes to modern science, and explains wh... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Anthony Vinci
Former Chief Technology Officer at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security.
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
Episode: A Former Spy Explains How AI is Changing Espionage
Charles Murray
Policy analyst and Hayek Emeritus Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, known for his works on social policy and intelligence.
American Enterprise Institute
Episode: Charles Murray: Why I'm Taking Religion Seriously
Christine Webb
Broadly trained primatologist at Harvard's Department of Human Evolutionary Biology
Harvard University
Episode: The Myth of Human Exceptionalism: Why Humans Aren't as Special as We Think
Caroline Fraser
Author of 'Murderland, Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers' and winner of the Pulitzer Prize
Independent Author
Episode: The Serial Killer Era of the 70s/80s: Lore, Patterns, and Plausible Explanations
James Kimmel Jr.
Lawyer turned science writer and researcher, expert on revenge
Yale School of Medicine
Episode: The Science of Revenge: Why Getting Even Feels So Good
Ashlen Hilliard
Cult intervention specialist and founder of People Leave Cults, her work involves helping individuals exit destructive groups.
People Leave Cults
Episode: Why No One Thinks They're in a Cult
Mark Skousen
Doti-Spogli Chair of Free Enterprise at Chapman University and an eighth-generation descendant of Benjamin Franklin.
Chapman University
Episode: Was Benjamin Franklin America's First Scientist?
Dr. Michael Osterholm
Regents Professor, McKnight Presidential Endowed Chair in Public Health, and the founding director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
Episode: COVID-19: What We Learned (and Didn't) About Masks, Lockdowns, and Vaccines
Steven Pinker
Johnstone Professor of Psychology at Harvard University and author of several influential books on language and cognition.
Harvard University
Episode: The Power of Common Knowledge: Steven Pinker on Language, Norms, and Punishment

Host

Michael Shermer
Host of in-depth conversations with leading thinkers in science, philosophy, and cultural issues, fostering a platform for skeptical inquiry.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 2k ratings
  • Peeza82 review nails it

    Confirmation bias at the expense of critical thinking. The nuclear energy episode was a perfect example of this.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    TheArtfulBadger
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Does not respect experts in humanistic fields

    Michael and the rest of the IDW figures he associates himself with often draw heavily on knowledge from the human sciences and vague humanistic truisms about literature and art that completely ignore the rigorous and highly expert scholarship of those with advanced degrees in fields such as English and Philosophy. Worse yet, Michael seems to actively REFRAIN from interviewing folks who are not disgruntled former humanities scholars to provide “perspectives” on cultural and aesthetic experience. ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Mousetrap Subscriber
    United States4 months ago
  • Sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought…

    Shermer’s persona fears much and understands little beyond the finite centre of his immediate experience. Seeking the validation of men above his station and loathe to face the bogeyman he constructs, Shermer cuts an antipathetic figure that towers in an echo chamber of astounding resonance. Taken as tragicomedy, the Michael Shermer show is satisfactory entertainment.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Mousetrap Subscriber
    United States5 months ago
  • It’s hard to listen to your 2 Rep guests

    I had to bail out after 20 minutes because Phil Gramm and the other guy just trotted out old tired, republican talking points. As if being able to buy more cheap stuff in a shorter amount of time makes up for the lack of real wage growth in the past 50 years. I mean the minimum wage is still what, $7.50 an hour?

    Hearing them talk about how, hey, everyone’s driving a shiny car, nobody even knows the difference between an expensive car and a cheap one. Everyone’s living the good life, stop compl... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Andiobe
    United States5 months ago
  • The Best!

    One of the best, most original voices of intelligent and kind skepticism. Like an immensely more like able Sam Harris!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sooner443
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the intelligent discourse and unique perspectives offered by various experts.
Some critiques mention perceived biases from the host that may detract from balanced discussions.
The variety of topics keeps the content engaging and appealing to a diverse but intellectually-oriented audience.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Did Lost Civilizations Really Exist? An Archaeologist Explains
Q: How do we know about the population of Native Americans at the time of Columbus?
The population was likely in the tens of millions, influenced heavily by diseases brought by Europeans.
Did Lost Civilizations Really Exist? An Archaeologist Explains
Q: What happened to the Ancestral Puebloans?
Climate change caused a mega-drought, leading to the coalescing of smaller groups and migrations south.
The Serial Killer Era of the 70s/80s: Lore, Patterns, and Plausible Explanations
Q: What is the significance of your thesis connecting toxins to crime?
It aims to help people understand the potential neurological and behavioral impacts of environmental pollutants.
The Serial Killer Era of the 70s/80s: Lore, Patterns, and Plausible Explanations
Q: What started your interest in discussing environmental toxins related to violent crime?
Growing up during the rise of the serial killer phenomenon made me relate personally to the impact of these toxins in my own community.
Why No One Thinks They're in a Cult
Q: What should families do when they suspect a loved one is involved in a cult?
Consult with experts and approach the situation with benign curiosity instead of judgment.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Michael Shermer Show

What is The Michael Shermer Show about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Engaging deeply with contemporary scientific, social, and philosophical issues, this series features conversations with esteemed experts across various disciplines. Topics explored range from the evolution of language and the implications of social media on mental health to polarized political environments and the future of space exploration. The series is likely to resonate with listeners who appreciate a blend of intellectual discourse and thought-provoking discussions that challenge mainstream narratives and delve into complex societal themes.

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How many episodes of The Michael Shermer Show are there?

The Michael Shermer Show launched 8 years ago and published 566 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 The Michael Shermer Show?

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What guests have appeared on The Michael Shermer Show?

Recent guests on The Michael Shermer Show include:

1. Anthony Vinci
2. Charles Murray
3. Christine Webb
4. Caroline Fraser
5. James Kimmel Jr.
6. Ashlen Hilliard
7. Mark Skousen
8. Dr. Michael Osterholm

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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