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The Michael Shermer Show

Michael Shermer
Artificial Intelligence
Consciousness
Nuclear Weapons
Evolution
Philosophy
Free Speech
Mental Health
UFO Sightings
Morality
Neuroscience
Truth
Cold War
Climate Change
Israel-Palestine Conflict
Natural Selection
Psychology
Happiness
Ufos
Social Media
Language

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 weeklyEpisodes636Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Natural SciencesScience

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Artwork for The Michael Shermer Show

Latest Episodes

Why does the universe produce ever more elaborate forms, from atoms and minerals to cells, organisms, brains, technology, and civilization? The familiar laws of physics can explain much of what happens in nature, but Robert Hazen and Michael Wong arg... more

YouTube

Why do reasonable people disagree so strongly about right and wrong? And why are we so quick to assume that people on the other side of a moral or political issue are irrational, selfish, ignorant, or simply bad?

Michael Shermer speaks with Cornell... more

YouTube

Robert Wright joins Michael Shermer to discuss his new book, The God Test: Artificial Intelligence and Our Coming Cosmic Reckoning, and why he thinks the AI revolution may be moving much faster than most people realize. Wright argues that deep learni... more

YouTube

Michael Shermer speaks with Wikipedia co-founder Larry Sanger shortly after Sanger was permanently banned from editing the site he helped create.

Sanger tells the story of Wikipedia's founding, how its ideal of open collaboration hardened into a sy... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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

Recent Guests

Audun Dahl
Associate Professor of Psychology, Cornell University
Cornell University
Episode: Why Good People Disagree About Right and Wrong
Robert Wright
New York Times best-selling author, editor and commentator; author of The Evolution of God and The God Test
BloggingHeads.tv / Meaning of Life TV (as co-founder/editor)
Episode: Are We Building a God? AI, Superintelligence, and the Coming Singularity
Larry Sanger
Co-founder of Wikipedia; founder of WikiProject Intellectual Diversity
Knowledge Standards Foundation / Wikipedia involvement
Episode: Can You Trust Wikipedia? Co-Founder Larry Sanger on Wikipedia's Bias and Why He Was Banned
Marlene Laruelle
Historian, sociologist, and political scientist at LUISS University
LUISS University
Episode: How to Think Clearly About a World in Crisis: Iran, China, Russia, and the West's Economic Pessimism
Steve Stewart-Williams
Professor of Psychology at the University of Nottingham, Malaysia
University of Nottingham, Malaysia
Episode: The Truth About Sex Differences (Steve Stewart-Williams)
Lawrence Douglas
Grosfeld Professor of Law, Jurisprudence and Social Thought at Amherst College
Amherst College
Episode: When History Goes on Trial: Demjanjuk, Eichmann, and Justice After Atrocity
Massimo Pigliucci
Author, philosopher, and evolutionary biologist; KD. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York
Episode: Massimo Pigliucci on Doubt, Moral Courage, and Living Without Illusions
Cathy Young
Writer at The Bullwork; columnist and editor with a long career in journalism
The Bullwork, Newsday, Reason Magazine
Episode: Cathy Young: Why Free Societies Need Free Speech
Eddie McNamara
Author of Zodiactually; former 9-11 first responder, police officer, Penthouse columnist
Author of Zodiactually; Brooklyn Hardcore
Episode: The Zodiac Killer Wasn't Real

Host

Michael Shermer
Host of the long-running, idea-driven interview series focused on science, philosophy, and culture.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 2.2k ratings
  • Long time follower

    I really enjoy the broad spectrum of topics and the international view points (as Michael ‘s wife is German). There’s a hint of sarcasm at times that fits my Eastern European perspective. I am always interested

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cind'rella
    United States11 days ago
  • Breath of Fresh Air

    I enjoy the variety of guests and topics.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cynzylla
    United States19 days ago
  • Great show and…

    Michael! Thank you for your brilliant insights and open-minded curiosity. I love your show. Please, for the love of God, turn down the volume of the ads on your podcast. They ring out seemingly two times louder than your voice audio.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MuthaFcuak
    United States2 months ago
  • Silent war in IR

    Please talk about our future in Iran. Because “now” doesn’t have any meaning. I am a young person who doesn’t know what should l do about my job ,my education and my life. We have many subjects to study and learn about and let the world to improve anthropology problems. Think about “people” problems in Iran in these days.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    nazaninash
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Great intelligent podcast

    Real thinking regarding fundamental human nature discussion, I love it

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    A leaf in the fall
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some criticisms center on perceived bias or alignment toward particular ideological perspectives.
Fans appreciate guests who challenge assumptions and the host's ability to steer nuanced debates.
Listeners praise the depth and breadth of conversations, noting thoughtful, evidence-based discussions.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why Good People Disagree About Right and Wrong
Q: What do you see as the core driver of moral development beyond innate tendencies?
Audun Dahl suggests that morality arises from a continuous co-action of genes, development, environment, and culture, rather than a single 'natural' component, and that understanding this interaction helps explain moral variation across societies.
How to Think Clearly About a World in Crisis: Iran, China, Russia, and the West's Economic Pessimism
Q: Can democracy be exported and implemented through external intervention?
Exporting democracy through troops or top-down interventions has often failed or backfired; true democratization tends to be endogenous, arising from within a society rather than imposed from outside.
How to Think Clearly About a World in Crisis: Iran, China, Russia, and the West's Economic Pessimism
Q: What is liberalism, and how do you distinguish it from liberal democratic frameworks?
Liberalism can be understood as an abstract political philosophy focused on individual rights, while liberal democracy refers to the practical, lived system that protects those rights within institutions; the gap between philosophy and practice varies across countries.
Why We Cling to Certainty, Conspiracies, and Bad Predictions
Q: What do you mean by uncertainty?
Uncertainty is a sense of doubt that prevents progress; it can paralyze people, but reframing it as a precursor to learning allows us to move forward and adapt.
Not Monsters. Not Madmen. Just Men.
Q: What else is going to ask you about some of this stuff?
The discussion moves toward comparisons with Milgram and Zimbardo, the psychology of followers versus leaders, and how that informs our understanding of obedience, ethics, and how societies resist autocracy.

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 The Michael Shermer Show

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

This show features long-form conversations with scientists, philosophers, historians, and writers about core questions spanning morality, cognition, technology, and society. Episodes frequently explore how science and philosophy intersect with culture and public policy, including morality and education, artificial intelligence, free speech, and the forces shaping contemporary politics. Noteworthy is the breadth of guests—from evolution and psychology to law and ethics—creating a thoughtful, evidence-driven dialogue that often challenges common assumptions while inviting diverse viewpoints. The format tends to favor deep, nuanced discussions over quick takes, making it a potential fit for listeners who enjoy rigorous, idea-driven conversatio... more

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How many episodes of The Michael Shermer Show are there?

The Michael Shermer Show launched 8 years ago and published 636 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 The Michael Shermer Show?

Recent guests on The Michael Shermer Show include:

1. Audun Dahl
2. Robert Wright
3. Larry Sanger
4. Marlene Laruelle
5. Steve Stewart-Williams
6. Lawrence Douglas
7. Massimo Pigliucci
8. Cathy Young

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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