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The Michael Shermer Show

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

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 weeklyEpisodes575Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceNatural Sciences

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Artwork for The Michael Shermer Show

Latest Episodes

For nearly two centuries, international relations have been premised on the idea of the "Great Powers." As the thinking went, these mighty states—the European empires of the nineteenth century, the United States and the USSR during the Cold War—were ... more

In this episode of The Michael Shermer Show, Michael sits down with two giants of mind and machine science: Jay McClelland, one of the founders of modern neural networks, and Gaurav Suri, computational neuroscientist and director of the RAD Lab.

Dr... more

YouTube

Astrobiologist Caleb Scharf joins Michael Shermer for a wide-ranging conversation about the past, present, and future of our relationship with space. Drawing on his new book The Giant Leap, Scharf explains why human expansion beyond Earth may be less... more

YouTube

In this episode, Michel-Yves Bolloré lays out his case for why modern cosmology, fine-tuning, and the limits of materialism point toward a creator. Drawing on physics, thermodynamics, probability, and philosophy, he argues that the Big Bang, the appa... 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

Caleb Scharf
Astrobiologist and Senior Scientist for Astrobiology at NASA Ames Research Center
NASA
Episode: Are We Meant to Leave Earth? Why Humanity May Have No Choice but to Go to Space
Simon Winchester
Legendary author of many acclaimed New York Times bestselling books including The Professor and the Madman and The Breath of the Gods.
Episode: Why Eastbound Flights Are Faster, and Other Strange Things About Wind (Simon Winchester)
Angus Fletcher
Professor of Story Science at Ohio State University and author
Ohio State University
Episode: Logic, Creativity, and the Limits of AI: How Humans Think in Ways Machines Never Will
Nicholas Wright
Dr. Nicholas Wright, member of the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Ph.D. Neuroscientist
University College London, Georgetown University, Center for Strategic and International Studies
Episode: The Psychology of War: Could YOU Make a Moral Choice in Wartime?
Dr. Colin Fisher
Associate Professor of Organizations and Innovation
University College London School of Management
Episode: Tribes, Teams, and Cults: How Groups Shape What We Believe
Anthony Vinci
Former Chief Technology Officer at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security.
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
Episode: A Former Spy Explains How AI is Changing Espionage
Charles Murray
Policy analyst and Hayek Emeritus Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, known for his works on social policy and intelligence.
American Enterprise Institute
Episode: Charles Murray: Why I'm Taking Religion Seriously
Christine Webb
Broadly trained primatologist at Harvard's Department of Human Evolutionary Biology
Harvard University
Episode: The Myth of Human Exceptionalism: Why Humans Aren't as Special as We Think
Caroline Fraser
Author of 'Murderland, Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers' and winner of the Pulitzer Prize
Independent Author
Episode: The Serial Killer Era of the 70s/80s: Lore, Patterns, and Plausible Explanations

Host

Michael Shermer
Host of engaging discussions focusing on science, skepticism, and critical thinking with leading experts.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 2.1k ratings
  • Annoying

    Ideologue posing as a rationalist as he spews half baked falsehoods. And his voice is so annoying.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Schuy1237
    United Statesa month ago
  • Like all libertarians there is bias

    I used to really enjoy Shermer’s podcast, however now I have noticed his right wing slant. I suppose this is the natural way of libertarians.

    I liked his discussions with academics but now he just has influencers and people of headlines. The show has been dumbed down.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    RobSub
    United States2 months ago
  • 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 Kingdom3 months 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 States5 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 States6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many enjoy the depth of conversations, acknowledging the unique blend of science and philosophy presented, though some express disappointment at the drift in content direction.
Critiques often focus on perceived biases from the host, with some expressing concern over a shift towards more right-wing perspectives.
Some listeners appreciate the show for its intellectual rigor and insightful discussions.
Guests are largely praised as being knowledgeable and thought-provoking, though there are calls for more diverse viewpoints.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Are We Meant to Leave Earth? Why Humanity May Have No Choice but to Go to Space
Q: What is your take on geoengineering the Martian environment?
Caleb is skeptical about the feasibility of radically altering Mars's environment, citing unforeseen consequences and the complexities of planetary climates.
Are We Meant to Leave Earth? Why Humanity May Have No Choice but to Go to Space
Q: To what extent is your book descriptive and prescriptive?
Scharf aims to provide a descriptive account of the current state of space exploration while avoiding prescriptive recommendations.
Are We Meant to Leave Earth? Why Humanity May Have No Choice but to Go to Space
Q: How did you get into space and astronomy and physics?
Caleb Scharf expresses a lifelong fascination with the cosmos and the scientific approach to life, influenced by childhood interests.
Cosmology, Creation, and the Evidence for God
Q: What evidence do you have for the existence of God?
Michel outlines three main lines of reasoning, including the beginning of the universe and the fine-tuning argument.
Cosmology, Creation, and the Evidence for God
Q: Would you stop being a Christian?
Michel expresses that science is paramount. He cannot accept faith if it contradicts science, and stresses the importance of evidence for belief.

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 The Michael Shermer Show

What is The Michael Shermer Show about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This series features in-depth discussions with a diverse array of experts including scientists, philosophers, and authors, tackling crucial contemporary issues that merge science with societal concerns. Episodes commonly explore themes like space exploration, artificial intelligence, epistemology, religious skepticism, morality, and historical narratives, often through the lens of intriguing and thought-provoking themes related to human cognition and societal evolution. The conversations are characterized by their intellectual rigor and a willingness to engage with complex ideas, inviting listeners to broaden their understanding of various disciplines and the interconnectedness of knowledge.

Notably, the series offers a unique platform for... more

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How many episodes of The Michael Shermer Show are there?

The Michael Shermer Show launched 8 years ago and published 575 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 The Michael Shermer Show?

Recent guests on The Michael Shermer Show include:

1. Caleb Scharf
2. Simon Winchester
3. Angus Fletcher
4. Nicholas Wright
5. Dr. Colin Fisher
6. Anthony Vinci
7. Charles Murray
8. Christine Webb

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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