Rephonic
Artwork for On Humans
Human Evolution
Consciousness
Hunter-Gatherers
Neanderthals
Homo Sapiens
Evolution
Natural History
Symbolic Thought
Parenting
Social Support
Australopithecus
Homo Ergaster
Language
Marmosets
Chimpanzees
Perception
Anthropology
Childhood Development
Philosophy
Dietary Shifts

Where do we come from? How did we get here? And what kinds of creatures are we? On Humans features conversations with leading scholars about human nature, human condition, and the human journey. From the origins of war to the biology of love, each episode brings fresh insights into perennial questions about our self-understanding. The show now unfolds in series of episodes built around a chosen th... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes97Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Science

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Artwork for On Humans

Latest Episodes

We are a movable species. In less than 50 thousand years, Homo sapiens has penetrated practically all corners of humanity. And the story started long before trains and airplanes.

This is an episode about thoese epic migrations, with a focus on the ... more

YouTube

European thinkers once divided humanity into distinct "races". The idea stuck, even if the science moved on. The shape of humanity, it turned out, is far messier than the old race theorists ever imagined.

This much is well known.

Still , genetics d... more

YouTube

Genetics is rewriting the human story. This week, On Humans takes you behind the scenes of this rapidly evolving frontier via three live-recordings, captured at the Salk Institute's CARTA symposium on ancient DNA.

The first episode explores the dif... more

YouTube

The science of human origins keeps producing new theories. But are we any closer to telling a true story of human origins? Or are we simply drowning in data?

Earlier this November, the chair of UCSD’s Department of Anthropology invited me to explor... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Andrés Moreno-Estrada
Mexican geneticist and expert in Latin American genetics
Episode: Restless Humanity: The Epic Migrations Into the Americas, Polynesia, and... Beyond? ~ Andrés Moreno-Estrada
Diyendo Massilani
Professor at Yale Medical School specializing in genetics and human evolution.
Yale Medical School
Episode: Beyond Race: A New Outlook on the Shape of Humanity ~ Diyendo Massilani
David Gokhman
Professor at Weizmann Institute of Science
Weizmann Institute of Science
Episode: The Neanderthal Mirror: Latest Findings About the Lines Between Us ~ David Gokhman
Matthew Cobb
Neuroscientist and author of The Idea of the Brain.
Episode: Can the Brain Understand Itself? The Glories and the Limits of Neuroscience ~ Matthew Cobb
Judy Grisel
Neuroscientist and author
Author of Never Enough
Episode: From Alcohol to Antidepressants: What Drugs Teach Us About Brain Chemistry ~ Judy Grisel
Pria Anand
An American neurologist and author of the book "Mind Electric."
Episode: Inside the Brain: A Journey Through the Halls and the Songs of Consciousness ~ Pria Anand
Dean Falk
Neuroscientist and neuroanatomist known for her work in human evolution
Episode: Not So Simple After All? Apes, Einstein, and the Many Mysteries of the Human Brain ~ Dean Falk
Suzana Herculano-Houzel
Brazilian neuroscientist known for her work on brain evolution and human cognition.
Episode: Prologue: The (Very Simple) Story of the Human Brain ~ Suzana Herculano-Houzel
Professor Tirthankar Roy
Professor at the London School of Economics specializing in the economic history of colonialism
London School of Economics
Episode: Climate, Water, and the Origins of Colonialism ~ Tirthankar Roy

Host

Ilari Mäkelä
Ilari is the primary host, celebrated for his engaging discussions with scholars on diverse topics related to human nature and history, encouraging critical thought and exploration.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 199 ratings
  • Great podcast

    Really well researched and thoughtful interviews. Also enjoy his voice and accent, which are quite soothing. Definitely recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bilays
    United States2 months ago
  • Excellent!!

    Unique stuff. So many angles covered, and not just Q&A, more like a convo. Learned tons listening to this!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Iaem2593
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Good topics

    I really enjoy the information, but my brain has a hard time understanding his accent. That’s on me, not him. I wish I could keep listening.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Helpersonety
    United States4 months ago
  • Moderator interrupts too much

    Very interesting topics. It’s unfortunate that the moderator frequently interrupts his guests instead of letting them develop their thoughts. Some episodes, like the one on why agriculture, are particularly bad with Ilari talking more than his guest. I am coming here for the excellent guests, not the moderator’s layman knowledge and stories.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    hahdeaaaa
    United States4 months ago
  • Good interview

    Very interesting episode on the origins of farming and climate change with Andrea Matranga. He gave a convincing explanation of how and why it developed simultaneously in numerous locations around the globe, all backed up by scientific evidence which he explained in understandable language.

    5 stars

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ladybird166
    United Kingdom4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall, the podcast is seen as a valuable resource for those interested in the complexities of human evolution and behavior.
Listeners enjoy the intellectual depth of conversations and the variety of topics, appreciating the thoughtful questions posed by the host.
Occasional critiques target the host's tendency to interrupt guests, suggesting a desire for deeper discussions.
Some express difficulty in following the host's accent, though the content remains compelling.
The quality of guests and their expertise is frequently praised, highlighting the academic rigor of the series.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#96
Singapore/Science
Apple Podcasts
#191
Philippines/Science
Apple Podcasts
#192
India/Science
Apple Podcasts
#231
New Zealand/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Beyond Race: A New Outlook on the Shape of Humanity ~ Diyendo Massilani
Q: How has all your research shaped your outlook on humanity?
It has deepened the understanding that despite differences, humans are fundamentally one due to shared ancestry and historical mixing.
Beyond Race: A New Outlook on the Shape of Humanity ~ Diyendo Massilani
Q: What does the term out of Africa mean in human evolution?
It describes the idea that modern humans emerged in Africa and a subset migrated out, colonizing the rest of the world.
The Neanderthal Mirror: Latest Findings About the Lines Between Us ~ David Gokhman
Q: How has all your work shaped your outlook on humanity?
David Gokhman finds it inspiring to see how differences between human lineages, including the intermixing with Neanderthals, contributed to modern humans.
Can the Brain Understand Itself? The Glories and the Limits of Neuroscience ~ Matthew Cobb
Q: How has all your work shaped your outlook on humanity?
Cobb reflects on the cleverness of humanity and notes that advancements in understanding might make future generations question why we missed certain insights.
From Alcohol to Antidepressants: What Drugs Teach Us About Brain Chemistry ~ Judy Grisel
Q: What are the ways that you can create meaning in your life to overcome addiction?
Grisel suggests identifying what you deeply want in life—whether it be studying philosophy, flying, or engaging in art—as a way to redirect one's focus positively.

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 On Humans

What is On Humans about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on illuminating the complexities of the human experience, this series features engaging discussions with prominent scholars on the nature of humanity. Listeners can expect to explore a variety of profound topics, including the origins of love and conflict, the role of culture and environment in shaping human behavior, and the evolutionary threads that connect us to our ancestors. By blending insights from anthropology, psychology, archaeology, and philosophy, this collection seeks to answer age-old questions about human existence and development while also fostering a deeper understanding of our shared humanity.

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How many subscribers and views does On Humans have?

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Which podcasts are similar to On Humans?

These podcasts share a similar audience with On Humans:

1. Throughline
2. Unexplainable
3. Radiolab
4. The Gray Area with Sean Illing
5. Hidden Brain

How many episodes of On Humans are there?

On Humans launched 3 years ago and published 97 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 On Humans?

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What guests have appeared on On Humans?

Recent guests on On Humans include:

1. Andrés Moreno-Estrada
2. Diyendo Massilani
3. David Gokhman
4. Matthew Cobb
5. Judy Grisel
6. Pria Anand
7. Dean Falk
8. Suzana Herculano-Houzel

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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