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The Michael Shermer Show

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

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 weeklyEpisodes603Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Natural SciencesScience

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Artwork for The Michael Shermer Show

Latest Episodes

What do gaslighting, bullying, cults, and coercion have in common? In this episode, Michael Shermer speaks with Jennifer Fraser about the psychology and neuroscience of manipulation, the recurring structure of abuse cultures, and the way authority ca... more

How much of what we call "basic morality" is actually inherited from Christianity? Bart Ehrman joins Michael Shermer for a wide-ranging conversation about one of the biggest moral questions in history: why do we feel obligated to care for strangers a... more

Michael Shermer sits down with novelist and essayist Lionel Shriver for a wide-ranging conversation about what happens when old political labels stop making sense. Shriver reflects on the strange moral and political confusions that now shape debates ... more

YouTube

Zion Lights used to be deep inside the environmental movement: protests, arrests, road blockades, the whole thing. Then she started looking closely at the evidence around nuclear power and found that much of what she'd been told about energy, risk, a... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Zion Lights
Science communicator and activist; founder of Emergency Reactor; former Extinction Rebellion spokesperson
Emergency Reactor; Extinction Rebellion
Episode: The Biggest Blind Spot of the Climate Movement: Nuclear Energy
Jeremy Jones
Co-founder of Rhetor, AI-powered intelligence and strategy company for campaigns, advocacy orgs, and government departments
Rhetor
Episode: DOGE, Government Fraud, and AI Audits
Matt Kaplan
Science correspondent at The Economist
The Economist
Episode: Heretics: The Scientists Who Were Mocked But Later Proven Right
Jay Belsky
Scientist focused on effects of early life experiences on development
UC Davis (retired)
Episode: Why the Same Childhood Doesn't Affect Everyone the Same Way
Adam Szetela
PhD in English; author of Dangerous, How Moral Panic, Social Media and the Culture Wars Are Remaking Publishing
Cornell University / Publishing industry
Episode: Who Gets to Edit Culture? Sensitivity Readers & Censorship in Book Publishing
Marcie Hume
Documentary filmmaker focused on human behavior and immersive storytelling.
Episode: Filming Corey Feldman & "Corey's Angels": The Weird World Behind the Curtain
Christopher Beha
Former editor of Harper's Magazine and author of 'Why I Am Not an Atheist.'
Episode: Can a Skeptic Believe in God?
Dr. Justin Garcia
An evolutionary biologist and sex researcher, currently the executive director of the Kinsey Institute.
Kinsey Institute
Episode: The Evolutionary Roots of Love, Sex, and Jealousy
Kent Heckenlively
Attorney, science teacher, and New York Times bestselling author
Episode: Government Transparency & UFOs: Inside Military Programs and Classified Briefings

Host

Michael Shermer
Host with a background in skepticism, science communication, and promoting rational inquiry. Known for engaging conversations with various thought leaders and scholars on contemporary issues.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 2.1k ratings
  • Odd

    Poor Shermer. He has to try and drum up attention for himself by linking himself to Epstein.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    seesaw70
    United States2 months ago
  • What went wrong indeed?

    Michael, your last Shermer Says was a gut punch. Your take on what transpired was shallow and out of touch. What do you think is at stake Michael? It’s democracy, it is all that is good and promising about this country. ICE is NOT conducting a legitimate law enforcement operation. Alex Pretti’s last words were, “are you OK”. Our nation is not OK and your squinty appraisal is not OK. I’m unsubscribing from your podcast and won’t be able to hear the sound of your voice for some time to come.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Paul 1460
    United States2 months ago
  • Great show

    Good on you MS for the new book. & thanks for your clear and engaging words. 👍

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pajawa
    Australia2 months ago
  • Nope

    Couldn’t make it through this most recent podcast after the victim blaming of man who was shot by BP in Minneapolis. Shame. On. You. Making excuses such as “Maybe the agent was hungry.” As if that excuses shooting a man who has done nothing wrong except exercise his first and 2nd amendment rights? Do you want masked men on the streets enforcing laws with guns to be justified in killing an unarmed American citizen because they can’t handle a stressful situation (which they should be TRAINED TO DE... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    CABA-22
    United States2 months ago
  • Victim Blaming in Minnesota

    Heard this guy on The Glenn Show blaming Renee Good for being murdered, while at the same time claiming to be a non-partisan libertarian calling balls and strikes. Nope.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    jski94
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The episodes are generally well-received for their depth and complexity, appealing to intellectually curious audiences.
Listeners appreciate the thought-provoking and intelligent discussions that challenge conventional viewpoints.
There is a divide in opinions regarding the host's political biases, with some critics feeling it leans too far right.
The variety of guests brings valuable insights, but some listeners wish for a broader representation of perspectives.

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 the Same Childhood Doesn't Affect Everyone the Same Way
Q: How do you redefine nature and nurture in light of epigenetics and environment ?
He emphasizes a three-way integration of evolution, genetics, and environmental factors, arguing that a modern developmental synthesis is necessary to move beyond simplistic nature-versus-nurture debates.
Who Gets to Edit Culture? Sensitivity Readers & Censorship in Book Publishing
Q: What is the history behind sensitivity readers and their current role in publishing?
Sensitivity readers started in Christian publishing to weed out offensive material for that audience and have since migrated into children's, young adult, nonfiction, and even peer-reviewed journals, becoming a standard tool for risk assessment in many houses.
Can a Skeptic Believe in God?
Q: So as a Catholic now, do you believe pretty much the same doctrines of the Catholic Church?
It depends on the day; sometimes I believe all of it, other times I struggle with it.
Can a Skeptic Believe in God?
Q: What is the meaning of life?
The meaning of life is love, and we are meant to love this created world and our fellow creatures in it.
Government Transparency & UFOs: Inside Military Programs and Classified Briefings
Q: What would be catastrophic about it? Is it that the oil companies don't want this new form of energy that the aliens are going to bring us?
Heckenlively elaborates on claims that aliens could offer free energy, posing a threat to the existing oil economy.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Michael Shermer Show

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

Conversations center around engaging discussions with prominent scientists, philosophers, and thought leaders, exploring significant issues ranging from skepticism, human behavior, and the dynamics of belief to topics like celebrity culture and the importance of truth. Each episode typically interweaves personal anecdotes with empirical research to offer listeners diverse perspectives on the complex relationship between society, science, and philosophy. Uniquely, episodes also tackle contemporary debates on morality, identity, and personal responsibility, making it a platform for critical thinking and open discourse.

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How many listeners does The Michael Shermer Show get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Michael Shermer Show?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Michael Shermer Show:

1. The Origins Podcast with Lawrence Krauss
2. Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas
3. Into the Impossible With Brian Keating
4. Making Sense with Sam Harris
5. Within Reason

How many episodes of The Michael Shermer Show are there?

The Michael Shermer Show launched 8 years ago and published 603 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?

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 The Michael Shermer Show?

Recent guests on The Michael Shermer Show include:

1. Zion Lights
2. Jeremy Jones
3. Matt Kaplan
4. Jay Belsky
5. Adam Szetela
6. Marcie Hume
7. Christopher Beha
8. Dr. Justin Garcia

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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