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The Michael Shermer Show

Michael Shermer
Artificial Intelligence
Consciousness
Nuclear Weapons
Evolution
Free Speech
Philosophy
Mental Health
UFO Sightings
Morality
Neuroscience
Truth
Cold War
Climate Change
Israel-Palestine Conflict
Ufos
Natural Selection
Psychology
Happiness
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 weeklyEpisodes639Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Natural SciencesScience

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Artwork for The Michael Shermer Show

Latest Episodes

Most of us think of ourselves as honest. But would we still tell the truth if lying got us what we wanted—and nobody would ever find out? Philosopher Christian Miller joins Michael Shermer to discuss his new book The Honesty Crisis and the uncomforta... more

What if uncertainty isn't a temporary problem science will eventually solve, but a fundamental feature of reality? Neuroscientist Stuart Firestein joins Michael Shermer to make the case that the universe may be far less deterministic—and the future f... more

YouTube

UFOs were once the stuff of tabloids and conspiracy theories. Today they're the subject of congressional hearings, Pentagon investigations, mainstream news coverage, and a new wave of claims about government cover-ups and alien technology. Adam Kirsc... more

YouTube

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

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Recent Guests

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
Adam Kirsch
Author of poetry and literary criticism; Guggenheim Fellow; former Wall Street Journal contributor; senior editor at The Atlantic
The Atlantic
Episode: Why We Want to Believe in Aliens and Why We Still Haven't Found Them
Robert Hazen
Geoscientist at the Carnegie Institution for Science, co-author of Time's Second Arrow
Carnegie Institution for Science
Episode: Is There a Second Arrow of Time? A New Law of Evolution, Information, and Complexity
Michael L. Wong
Planetary scientist and astrobiologist at the Carnegie Institution for Science
Carnegie Institution for Science
Episode: Is There a Second Arrow of Time? A New Law of Evolution, Information, and Complexity
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)

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 Statesa month ago
  • Breath of Fresh Air

    I enjoy the variety of guests and topics.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cynzylla
    United Statesa month 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 States3 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 Kingdom4 months ago
  • Great intelligent podcast

    Real thinking regarding fundamental human nature discussion, I love it

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    A leaf in the fall
    United States4 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 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.
Why We Want to Believe in Aliens and Why We Still Haven't Found Them
Q: What did you think of Spielberg's Disclosure Day, and did it feel like a turning point?
It felt like a reflection on a long cycle of hope and disappointment regarding disclosure, signaling how popular culture formats can shape public expectation without delivering concrete evidence.
Is There a Second Arrow of Time? A New Law of Evolution, Information, and Complexity
Q: What potential applications do they see for their framework outside biology?
They see broad applicability—from interpreting cancer progression with an evolutionary lens to guiding the search for life on other worlds through patterns shaped by selection for function, not merely by persistence.
Is There a Second Arrow of Time? A New Law of Evolution, Information, and Complexity
Q: How do the authors address the appearance of design in nature?
They argue that apparent design arises from bottom-up, mechanistic processes of selection and functional optimization, not from top-down design; complexity emerges through funneling and adjacent possible states rather than intentional guidance.
Is There a Second Arrow of Time? A New Law of Evolution, Information, and Complexity
Q: What is the core claim of Time's Second Arrow regarding the evolution of complexity?
The core claim is that while the second law governs entropy, there is an additional layer—selection for function and ratcheting through successive configurations—that explains the rise of complex, functional structures across chemistry, biology, and beyond.

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?

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. Within Reason

How many episodes of The Michael Shermer Show are there?

The Michael Shermer Show launched 9 years ago and published 639 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. Stuart Firestein
2. Adam Kirsch
3. Robert Hazen
4. Michael L. Wong
5. Audun Dahl
6. Robert Wright
7. Larry Sanger
8. Marlene Laruelle

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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