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The Michael Shermer Show

Michael Shermer
Public Health
Liberal Values
Mental Health
Healthcare Reform
Cancel Culture
Individual Autonomy
Health Inequities
Covid-19
Vaccines
Socio-Economic Factors
Free Speech
Meaning Of Life
Personal Growth
Tax Incentives
Diversity and Inclusion
Identity Politics
Luck
Philanthropy
Creativity
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 weeklyEpisodes561Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Natural SciencesScience

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Artwork for The Michael Shermer Show

Latest Episodes

Pulitzer-winner Caroline Fraser maps the lives and crimes of Ted Bundy and his infamous peers—the Green River Killer, the I-5 Killer, the Night Stalker, the Hillside Strangler, and even Charles Manson—and explores an intriguing hypothesis: might envi... more

YouTube

First installment of our new series Shermer Says. 

Topics covered:

• Debate Skills

• Nobel Peace Prize 2025

• Autism & Tylenol

• COVID Vaccines & Myocarditis

• ANTIFA

• Bari Weiss & CBS News

• New Skeptic Research Center Study

YouTube

For many decision scientists, their starting point—drawn from economics—is a quantitative formula called Rational Choice Theory, allowing people to calculate and choose the best options.

The problem is that this framework assumes an overly simplist... more

YouTube

Why do we crave revenge? And why can’t we stop? In this episode, James Kimmel explains the neuroscience behind one of our most destructive urges. Drawing from his new book, The Science of Revenge: Understanding the World’s Deadliest Addiction, Kimmel... 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

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
Nicholas Wade
Legendary science writer and author
The New York Times
Episode: The Fate of Nations: Why Ignoring Human Nature Dooms Politics
Jean Twenge
Professor of psychology at San Diego State University and author of several works on generational issues.
Episode: How to Protect Children from Social Media and AI
Alan Stern
Planetary scientist, flown commercial astronaut, and aerospace consultant
Episode: The Future of Space Exploration Amid NASA Mission Shutdowns
Dr. Dean Spears
Economist, demographer, and associate professor at the University of Texas
University of Texas at Austin
Episode: Depopulation: The Silent Global Emergency

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 Kingdoma month 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 States3 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 States4 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.

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.
Why No One Thinks They’re in a Cult
Q: How would you know if somebody is in a cult?
There isn't one agreed upon definition of what a cult actually is; it's often based on how individuals experience the group.
COVID-19: What We Learned (and Didn’t) About Masks, Lockdowns, and Vaccines
Q: What do you think the future pandemics might look like, and how should we prepare?
Dr. Osterholm stressed the importance of investing in vaccine development and preparedness now to be ready for potential future pandemics that could be much more deadly than COVID-19.
COVID-19: What We Learned (and Didn’t) About Masks, Lockdowns, and Vaccines
Q: What are the mistakes that were made early in the pandemic regarding COVID-19 responses?
Dr. Osterholm highlighted that the misconception that COVID would be over quickly led to policies like lockdowns that could not be practically maintained. He suggested a more measured approach akin to snow days based on hospital capacities.
The Fate of Nations: Why Ignoring Human Nature Dooms Politics
Q: What's your evolutionary story? How did you get into all of this?
Nicholas Wade described his journey from studying Latin and Greek to choosing science, which led him into journalism and ultimately to writing about evolutionary theory.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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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?

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 561 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. James Kimmel Jr.
2. Ashlen Hilliard
3. Mark Skousen
4. Dr. Michael Osterholm
5. Steven Pinker
6. Nicholas Wade
7. Jean Twenge
8. Alan Stern

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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