The Gray Area with Sean Illing
VoxThe Gray Area with Sean Illing takes a philosophy-minded look at culture, technology, politics, and the world of ideas. Each week, we invite a guest to explore a question or topic that matters. From the the state of democracy, to the struggle with depression and anxiety, to the nature of identity in the digital age, each episode looks for nuance and honesty in the most important conversations of o... more
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 771 | Founded | 10 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | PoliticsSociety & CultureNewsPhilosophy | |||
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Latest Episodes
Sean talks with dream scientist Michelle Carr about what dreams are, why we have them, and what they might reveal about the mind. They discuss nightmares, lucid dreaming, memory, consciousness, and whether dreams are just random brain noise or a kind... more
Americans have absorbed the Protestant work ethic: the idea that our value as human beings – and our eventual salvation – is determined by how hard we work. Political philosopher Elizabeth Anderson explains how this evolved, why it pervades everythin... more
Sean talks with writer Christine Emba about the strange and increasingly anti-social world young people are inheriting online. They discuss the rise of “looksmaxxing,” the manosphere, Gen Z’s retreat from dating and sex, and how the internet has tran... more
Sean talks with University of Chicago psychologist Nicholas Epley about the strange gap between our need to be social and how social we choose to be. They explore why we underestimate how good conversations will feel, why awkwardness looms so large i... more
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Reviews
- Makes me think
He gets the most thought provoking authors. He is a generous interviewer. Most of my book purchases are inspired by Sean.
Apple Podcasts5Bicycle RN
United States5 days ago - Great topics, doomsday outlook.
I love the topics and the guests but find every episode has a very tragic outlook. In a typical episode, I find myself very interested and curious only to be hit with the host super doomsday outlook on most topics.
Apple Podcasts4Jason_o0United States7 days ago - great guests and topics my favourite podcast
Love the topics. i listen each week.. really good stuff.. don’t be put off by the psychology slant sometimes. Really interesting interviews and topics. Sometimes you get depressed hearing about some of the issues, but the host does a good job of balancing the conversation. My favourite podcast.
Apple Podcasts5Fluff e Katt
Canadaa month ago - 📚📚📚
My only issue with this podcast is I end up buying every book after hearing Sean talk to the author. My entire frickin’ book budget goes to this podcast. But I’m so grateful for the excellent reads and thought provoking conversations.
Apple Podcasts5r_k_aokayUnited Statesa month ago - Establishment propaganda
Defending the establishment with carefully constructed propaganda pieces
Apple Podcasts1zackyoung
United Kingdoma month ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #8 | United States/Society & Culture/Philosophy |
Apple Podcasts | #153 | United States/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #4 | United Kingdom/Society & Culture/Philosophy |
Apple Podcasts | #5 | Canada/Society & Culture/Philosophy |
Apple Podcasts | #146 | Canada/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #146 | United Kingdom/Society & Culture |
Talking Points
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Gray Area with Sean Illing
What is The Gray Area with Sean Illing about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A philosophically minded interview show exploring culture, technology, politics, and big ideas through nuanced conversations with cross-disciplinary guests. Episodes often wrestle with democracy, expertise, creativity, societal norms, and human psychology, weaving personal stories with research and current events. Notable hallmarks include thoughtful probing, a calm interview style, and guests ranging from academics to journalists and cultural critics, offering practical takeaways while unfurling complex perspectives. The show tends to attract listeners who value intellectual rigor, clarity, and perspectives that challenge conventional wisdom, with a willingness to grapple with difficult questions over simple answers.
Where can I find podcast stats for The Gray Area with Sean Illing?
Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Gray Area with Sean Illing. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Gray Area with Sean Illing and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.
How many listeners does The Gray Area with Sean Illing get?
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What are the audience demographics for The Gray Area with Sean Illing?
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How many subscribers and views does The Gray Area with Sean Illing have?
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Which podcasts are similar to The Gray Area with Sean Illing?
These podcasts share a similar audience with The Gray Area with Sean Illing:
1. The Ezra Klein Show
2. Explain It to Me
3. Today, Explained
4. Interesting Times with Ross Douthat
5. Unexplainable
How many episodes of The Gray Area with Sean Illing are there?
The Gray Area with Sean Illing launched 10 years ago and published 771 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 Gray Area with Sean Illing?
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What guests have appeared on The Gray Area with Sean Illing?
Recent guests on The Gray Area with Sean Illing include:
1. Nicholas Epley
2. Tom Nichols
3. David Epstein
4. Noam Scheiber
5. Rebecca Solnit
6. Dacher Keltner
7. Alison Gopnik
8. Ian Millhiser
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.