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Making Sense with Sam Harris

Sam Harris
Ukraine
Russia
Effective Altruism
Israel
Misinformation
Sam Bankman-Fried
Hamas
Gaza
Social Media
Volodymyr Zelensky
Free Will
Moral Landscape
Sebastian Junger
Consciousness
Islamophobia
Moral Philosophy
Orthodox Church
War Crimes
NATO
Habituation

Join neuroscientist, philosopher, and five-time New York Times best-selling author Sam Harris as he explores important and controversial questions about the mind, society, current events, moral philosophy, religion, and rationality—with an overarching focus on how a growing understanding of ourselves and the world is changing our sense of how we should live. Sam is also the creator of the Waking U... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes474Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Making Sense

Latest Episodes

Sam Harris speaks with David Edmonds about moral philosophy and effective altruism. They discuss Edmonds's book Death in a Shallow Pond, Peter Singer's famous drowning child thought experiment, arguments for and against thought experiments, "trolleyo... more

Sam Harris speaks with Peter Zeihan about Trump's second term and its economic and geopolitical consequences. They discuss Zeihan's failed 2024 election prediction, the unprecedented unraveling of American power, Trump's tariff policies, the AI bubbl... more

Sam Harris speaks with Michael Plant about the philosophy of happiness and effective altruism. They discuss the nature of well-being, Nozick's "Experience Machine" thought experiment, the validity of self-reported happiness data, the conflict between... more

In this latest episode of the More From Sam series, Sam and Jaron talk about current events and answer some of the questions you all submitted on Substack. They discuss Marjorie Taylor Greene's recent apology for her role in divisive politics, the Tr... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Peter Zeihan
A geoeconomic strategist who specializes in demography and geopolitics.
Episode: #447 — The Unraveling of American Power
Michael Plant
Philosopher and global happiness researcher, former student of Peter Singer
Episode: #446 — How to Do the Most Good
George Packer
Author, journalist, and contributing writer for The Atlantic
The Atlantic
Episode: #444 — America's Zombie Democracy
Stephen Marsh
Journalist and author, known for his latest book about civil conflict in America.
Episode: #441 — The Threat of Civil War
Robert Kaplan
Author and journalist known for his insights on geopolitics and global issues
Episode: #440 — A World in Crisis
Damon Linker
Political commentator and author of 'Notes from the Middle Ground', senior lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania.
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: #439 — How to Lose a Democracy
Michael Osterholm
Epidemiologist and author of The Big One, How We Must Prepare for Future Deadly Pandemics
Episode: #436 — A Crisis of Trust
Dan Carlin
Pioneering podcaster known for Hardcore History
Episode: #433 — How Did We Get Here?
David French
New York Times columnist and podcaster
The New York Times
Episode: #432 — The Undoing of America

Host

Sam Harris
Host of engaging discussions on philosophy, science, and current events, with a focus on rationality and critical inquiry.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 51.1k ratings
  • A must listen.

    The one podcast I follow 'religiously' and even pay a price for. Probably that I am little biased towards SH, but I find it to be a reliable source of modal clarify in a world punctuated with confusion.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Avijh
    India17 days ago
  • If that blue water in the portaloo talked

    This fellow is insufferable to the highest order, don’t know how I stumbled across this but I do wish I could get those 20 mins back. It’s like listening to a punchable face.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    HurricaneBrax
    United States18 days ago
  • CULT like and makes no sense

    Super cult-like. You sound just as dumb as Jazzy Crockett. 😂

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    BraeBrae22
    United States20 days ago
  • TDS

    Sam Harris has drank the Lefty Lunacy Kool-Aid

    Unfounded bias talk based on fake news.

    Wake up America.

    Stop listening to this B. S.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    SSSlartibartfast
    Australia25 days ago
  • To White Christians I say

    “Many people in this world are always looking to science to save them from something. But just as many, or more, prefer old and reputable belief systems and their sectarian offshoots for salvation. So they trust in the deity of the Old Testament, an incontinent dotard who soiled Himself and the universe with His corruption, a low-budget divinity passing itself off as the genuine article. (Ask the Gnostics.) They trust in Jesus Christ, a historical cipher stitched together like Frankenstein’s mon... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Prometheus---
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Many enjoy the diverse array of knowledgeable guests, although some feel that the podcast could benefit from including a broader spectrum of viewpoints.
Listeners appreciate the intellectual depth and range of topics covered, often finding discussions enlightening and thought-provoking.
There are criticisms related to perceived biases, particularly regarding political discussions, with mixed opinions on the host's stance on certain issues.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Spotify
#10
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#10
United States/Science
Spotify
#12
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#237
Canada/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#9
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#11
United Kingdom/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#446 — How to Do the Most Good
Q: What do you think about the comparisons of suffering in more affluent societies versus those in extreme poverty?
It's plausible that the mental suffering of the homeless in San Francisco may be worse than that of the extremely poor elsewhere due to contextual comparisons.
#446 — How to Do the Most Good
Q: How do you define utilitarianism, and do you differentiate it from consequentialism?
Classical utilitarianism views maximizing happiness as the ethical goal, while consequentialism allows for other definitions of 'good' beyond happiness and takes the outcomes of actions into account.
#443 — What Is Christian Nationalism?
Q: How do you see Christian Nationalism fitting into the current religious-political landscape?
Wilson suggests Christian Nationalism reflects a desire for a collective moral direction in society, responding to perceived failures of secularism.
#443 — What Is Christian Nationalism?
Q: What is dominionism and how does it relate to your beliefs?
Dominionism is based on the cultural mandate in Genesis for Christians to exercise moral authority, cultivating the world productively, rather than exploiting it.
#443 — What Is Christian Nationalism?
Q: What is the difference between pre-millennialism and post-millennialism?
Pre-millennialists believe Christ returns before the millennium, while post-millennialists, like Wilson, believe the gospel will succeed in discipling nations before Christ returns.

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 Making Sense

What is Making Sense about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The podcast features thought-provoking discussions led by a prominent neuroscientist and philosopher, focusing on a range of critical topics including morality, current events, and the complexities of human psychology and society. Conversations frequently explore the intersections of science, politics, and ethics, as guests from various fields share their insights into pressing issues. Noteworthy is the host's emphasis on rational discourse, inviting listeners to challenge their perspectives and consider different viewpoints. The podcast serves as a platform for delving into controversial subjects, often with a blend of personal reflection and philosophical inquiry, making it a unique addition to the landscape of modern intellectual dialogu... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Making Sense?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Making Sense:

1. Honestly with Bari Weiss
2. The Ezra Klein Show
3. The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
4. Call Me Back - with Dan Senor
5. Conversations With Coleman

How many episodes of Making Sense are there?

Making Sense launched 12 years ago and published 474 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 Making Sense?

Recent guests on Making Sense include:

1. Peter Zeihan
2. Michael Plant
3. George Packer
4. Stephen Marsh
5. Robert Kaplan
6. Damon Linker
7. Michael Osterholm
8. Dan Carlin

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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