Rephonic
Artwork for Wonder Cabinet
Mental Health
Psychedelics
Climate Change
Depression
Consciousness
Capitalism
Cultural Appropriation
Feminism
Neuroscience
Witchcraft
Bad River Band
Data Privacy
African Jazz
World Music
Philosophy
Tribal Sovereignty
Journalism
Ethiopian Music
Cultural Identity
Corporate Greed

Wonder Cabinet is an independent podcast from Anne Strainchamps and Steve Paulson, Peabody Award-winning creators of public radio's To The Best Of Our Knowledge. For 35 years, that show brought long-form conversations to 200+ stations nationwide; its interviews are now archived in the Library of Congress.

Episodes feature intimate, long-form conversations with scientists, philosophers, writers, a... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes708Founded15 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PhilosophySociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Wonder Cabinet

Latest Episodes

We all know our attention is being competed for — but historian of science D. Graham Burnett calls it something more alarming: a "civilizational biohack." In this episode, we talk with Burnett, a Princeton historian of science and co-founder of "The ... more

What happens when one of the world’s leading neuroscientists has a mystical experience that upends his understanding of reality?

In the 1990s, Christof Koch helped launch the modern science of consciousness, searching for the neural basis of subject... more

Sharon Blackie is one of our foremost fairy tale interpreters.  In her new book, “Ripening: Why Women Need Fairy Tales Now,” she reclaims the subversive fairy tale heroines of the past.  Not passive, well-behaved princesses — think Tatterhood instead... more

Can capitalism save the world it's destroying?

Rebecca Henderson thinks so. An economist at Harvard Business School and author of Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire, she has advised some of the world's biggest corporations and argues that cap... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Radiolab
RadiolabWNYC Studios
This American Life
This American LifeThis American Life
Hidden Brain
Hidden BrainHidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam
Science Friday
Science FridayScience Friday and WNYC Studios

Recent Guests

Sharon Blackie
Folklorist, fairy tales scholar, feminist psychotherapist; author of Ripening and other works
The Art of Enchantment (substack); Ripening
Episode: Why We Need Fairy Tales Now — with Sharon Blackie
Rebecca Henderson
Author of Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire; Harvard Business School professor; climate activist
Harvard Business School
Episode: Rebecca Henderson: Can Capitalism Save the World It’s Destroying?
Caroline Winterer
Stanford historian
Stanford University
Episode: Caroline Winterer: Dinosaurs, Deep Time and the American Soul
Mary Jane Rubenstein
Philosophy and religion professor at Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University
Episode: Mary-Jane Rubenstein: Pantheism and the Godness of Nature
Dekila Chungyalpa
Environmental scientist and conservationist; founder of the LOKA Initiative
Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Episode: Dekila Chungyalpa on the Sacred Feminine and the Living Earth
Manvir Singh
Anthropologist, UC Davis; contributor to The New Yorker
UC Davis; The New Yorker
Episode: Manvir Singh: Was Shamanism the First Religion?
David George Haskell
Biologist and author of How Flowers Made Our World; explores contemplative natural observation
Author and biologist
Episode: David George Haskell: Flowers and the Revolutionary Power of Beauty
Robert Macfarlane
Nature writer and explorer
Cambridge, England-based writer
Episode: Robert Macfarlane: The Soul of Rivers and the Rights of Nature
Renee Bergland
Emily Dickinson scholar and author of Natural Magic
Simmons University
Episode: Renee Bergland: The Enchanted Science of Emily Dickinson and Charles Darwin

Hosts

Anne Strainchamps
Co-founder of To The Best Of Our Knowledge, host and producer, known for her thoughtful questions and deep engagement with guests on varied themes.
Steve Paulson
Co-founder of To The Best Of Our Knowledge, host of Luminous, and a prominent figure in discussing science and philosophy, particularly related to psychedelics.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.3k ratings
  • Great new podcast!

    I’ve been listening to a number of episodes of Wonder Cabinet and am overall quite impressed by the host’s thoughtful choice of subjects and guests, and overall engaging production values. A show of interesting ideas and philosophical viewpoints. While I will miss ‘To the Best of our Knowledge’, Wonder Cabinet is a worthy evolution of that concept, and in my opinion worth spending the time and effort to check it out and see if it resonates with you. Highly recommended.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    bjfabb04
    United States21 days ago
  • New favorite

    I love this podcast. It’s philosophical and ecocentric view is so interesting, and the guests always add so much knowledge and new ways of looking at things

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Yaelpedroza
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great new podcast

    So far I have only listened to the deep time episode.It is fantastic. I have been a dinosaur fan since childhood, but this podcast brought up perspectives and intersections with other topics that I have not encountered previously. I hope they keep up this great work so us podcast listeners will have new thought experiences for years to come

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MishaS
    United Statesa month ago
  • Faaaaantastic!

    Wonderfully produced, incredibly interesting, always engaging, easy to access, stimulating…

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gr2323
    United States2 months ago
  • Medicine for the Heart!

    First time listening to this podcast, and the interview with David George Haskell was absolutely brilliant. Grateful for those who point us to more beauty and possibility amidst the sensation of chaos and darkness. Keep expanding my awareness so more can be included in this moment. Blessings for a successful endeavor. The world needs this medicine for the heart!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sil_mindful
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the intellectual depth and unique perspectives offered, often highlighting the long-term impact the conversations have on their thinking.
The podcast is recognized for its high-quality production and commitment to exploring profound and sometimes challenging topics, creating a space for personal reflection.
Criticism includes occasional dissatisfaction with the heavy production elements, with some preferring a more straightforward format for the 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 Need Fairy Tales Now — with Sharon Blackie
Q: What distinguishes your approach from traditional Jungian analyses of fairy tales?
I prioritize the idea that archetypes and images can exist outside the individual psyche, tapping into an imaginal world, and I argue for listening to the image as a living, morally meaningful presence rather than simply projecting inner psychology onto it.
Why We Need Fairy Tales Now — with Sharon Blackie
Q: Sharon, why are these stories so important to you?
Because fairy tales saved me in childhood by reflecting the harsh realities I faced, and they offer a realistic, non-sugarcoated framework for endurance, resilience, and finding a path through difficult circumstances.
Dekila Chungyalpa on the Sacred Feminine and the Living Earth
Q: What did you learn about working with Christian and evangelical communities, and how did that shape your approach to bridging science and religion?
She describes initial distrust from evangelical communities toward scientists, the importance of trust, and finding meeting points where disaster response and climate concerns align with faith-driven compassion, ultimately highlighting the value of respectful dialogue and shared goals.
Dekila Chungyalpa on the Sacred Feminine and the Living Earth
Q: Thank you. I'm talking with Dekila Chungyalpa, and I want to pick up her story with her experience of working in conservation science, which ultimately led her to found the LOKA Initiative. How did that path unfold?
Dekila explains the split between being a scientist by day and a practicing Buddhist by night, the challenge of integrating faith into science, and how personal burnout and climate anxiety pushed her toward faith-based collaboration, culminating in the LOKA Initiative to unite faith leaders and scientists for climate action.
Caroline Winterer: Dinosaurs, Deep Time and the American Soul
Q: Why did dinosaurs become part of our national identity in the United States?
Dinosaurs and deep time offered a way for Americans to imagine a history that predates European civilization, which in turn helped construct a sense of American distinctiveness, progress, and power, while also being co-opted to justify policies like westward expansion and the removal of Native peoples.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Wonder Cabinet

What is Wonder Cabinet about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast aims to explore the intricate and fascinating relationship between humanity and the natural world through deep, intimate conversations. Featuring a diverse array of guests including scientists, philosophers, writers, and artists, it seeks to challenge conventional understandings and embrace a more holistic approach to knowledge. Topics discussed range from quantum physics and black holes to ecological storytelling and the cultural significance of food, highlighting the interconnectedness of all life forms. The emphasis on wonder and curiosity reflects a commitment to reviving older ways of knowing and understanding reality, much in the spirit of historical cabinets of curiosities, while also addressing contemporary shifts in pe... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Wonder Cabinet?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Wonder Cabinet. 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 Wonder Cabinet and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Wonder Cabinet get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Wonder Cabinet, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Wonder Cabinet?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Wonder Cabinet, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Wonder Cabinet have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Wonder Cabinet has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Wonder Cabinet?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Wonder Cabinet:

1. Radiolab
2. This American Life
3. Hidden Brain
4. Science Friday
5. Throughline

How many episodes of Wonder Cabinet are there?

Wonder Cabinet launched 15 years ago and published 708 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 Wonder Cabinet?

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.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Wonder Cabinet?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Wonder Cabinet from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Wonder Cabinet?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Wonder Cabinet. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Wonder Cabinet?

Recent guests on Wonder Cabinet include:

1. Sharon Blackie
2. Rebecca Henderson
3. Caroline Winterer
4. Mary Jane Rubenstein
5. Dekila Chungyalpa
6. Manvir Singh
7. David George Haskell
8. Robert Macfarlane

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days