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The Michael Shermer Show

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

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 weeklyEpisodes645Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Natural SciencesScience

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Artwork for The Michael Shermer Show

Latest Episodes

Why does being alive feel like something? Neuroscientist Antonio Damasio argues that the answer begins with the body's need to stay alive. Hunger, thirst, pain, and pleasure tell us how we're doing and push us to act. These basic feelings, he says, a... more

YouTube

Can fighting racism end up reinforcing it? Shelby Steele grew up under segregation and became a Black militant in the 1960s. Today, he argues that White guilt has created a different racial problem: treating Black Americans as permanent victims who c... more

YouTube

What do you make of an experience you can't explain? A strange light in the sky, a book flying off a desk, a coincidence that feels too improbable to be chance? Social psychologist Barry Markovsky joins Michael Shermer to discuss his new book Everyda... more

YouTube

If we could explain everything happening in your brain, would there still be something left to explain about you? Physicist Avshalom Elitzur thinks so—and argues that accounting for consciousness may require changing the laws of physics. In this live... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Antonio Damasio
Neuroscientist and David Dornsife Professor of Neuroscience, Psychology and Philosophy
University of Southern California
Episode: Why Consciousness Needs a Body
Shelby Steele
Author, documentary filmmaker, and senior fellow at the Hoover Institution
Hoover Institution
Episode: Racism and White Guilt: Has America Changed More Than We Admit? | Shelby Steele & Eli Steele
Eli Steele
Filmmaker and writer who has made more than 20 documentaries
Episode: Racism and White Guilt: Has America Changed More Than We Admit? | Shelby Steele & Eli Steele
Barry Markovsky
Social psychologist; author of Everyday Extraordinary
University of Iowa; University of South Carolina; National Science Foundation
Episode: Would You Want to Know If You Were Wrong?
Avshalom Elitzur
Israeli physicist and philosopher
Israeli Institute for Advanced Research (senior lecturer) / Chapman University (Visiting Scholar)
Episode: Does Consciousness Break the Laws of Physics?
Jared Diamond
Professor of geography, UCLA; author of Guns, Germs, and Steel and Profits, Prophets, Coaches, and Kings
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Episode: Jared Diamond: How Much Can One Person Change History?
Gerald Posner
Author and journalist
Independent author/journalist
Episode: Why America Failed to Stop 9/11 | Gerald Posner & Michael Shermer
Christian Miller
Reid Professor of Philosophy at Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University
Episode: Why Be Honest When Cheating Pays?
Stuart Firestein
Professor of Neuroscience at Columbia University and Santa Fe Institute member
Columbia University; Santa Fe Institute
Episode: Is the Future Unknowable? Uncertainty, Free Will, and the Limits of Science

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 States2 months ago
  • Breath of Fresh Air

    I enjoy the variety of guests and topics.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cynzylla
    United States3 months 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 States4 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 Kingdom5 months ago
  • Great intelligent podcast

    Real thinking regarding fundamental human nature discussion, I love it

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    A leaf in the fall
    United States5 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.

Racism and White Guilt: Has America Changed More Than We Admit? | Shelby Steele & Eli Steele
Q: Could we say affirmative action was a good idea at the time? It seemed like it was. Okay. Yeah, fine. But enough is enough. We're done now. Would you go that far?
Shelby Steele says he opposed affirmative action because it could make people question whether he earned his place at a university, and he describes it as a form of white guilt that gives institutions a role in granting redemption.
Racism and White Guilt: Has America Changed More Than We Admit? | Shelby Steele & Eli Steele
Q: How would you look back over the past half to three quarters of a century and assess where we are now in America in terms of race relations?
Shelby Steele says the country has made enormous progress since the Civil Rights Movement, contrasting the racism he experienced growing up with a society he now considers much more open and accommodating.
Why Consciousness Needs a Body
Q: Could a computer ever have consciousness, and would uploading a brain preserve a person?
Damasio says a form of AI consciousness may be possible, but human consciousness depends on life, a body, and homeostatic feelings. A computer without those conditions would not have consciousness like ours.
Why Consciousness Needs a Body
Q: What is consciousness, and how does it differ from sentience?
Damasio defines consciousness as the ability to know one's own existence and recognize a world containing others. He treats sentience and consciousness as synonymous and says consciousness requires a nervous system.
Why We Want to Believe in Aliens and Why We Still Haven't Found Them
Q: What would convince scientists that a UFO is of extraterrestrial origin?
A tangible, reproducible piece of evidence—a clear image, spectrum, or material that can be studied and verified independently by many scientists.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Location
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Age Range
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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?

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 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. Quillette Podcast

How many episodes of The Michael Shermer Show are there?

The Michael Shermer Show launched 9 years ago and published 645 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. Antonio Damasio
2. Shelby Steele
3. Eli Steele
4. Barry Markovsky
5. Avshalom Elitzur
6. Jared Diamond
7. Gerald Posner
8. Christian Miller

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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