LAST MEAL with Tom Nash

Recently I sat down with Gary Stevenson: former trader, author of The Trading Game, and the man behind Gary's Economics — to ask the question that drives everything he does: how much is enough? Gary grew up poor in East London, got expelled from school at 16, and went on to become one of the most profitable traders in Citibank's history — making $12 million for the bank at 22 years old, be...

This week I sit down with Steven Pinker — cognitive scientist, Harvard professor, and one of the most consequential public intellectuals alive — for a conversation that ranged from the architecture of power to the nature of free will, from the hard data on human progress to why changing your mind might be the bravest thing you can do. What struck me most about Steven is that his optimism is more o...

Kenneth "Taco" Cockrell is a five-time space shuttle astronaut, retired US Navy fighter pilot, and cancer survivor who has confronted mortality more than once — and come out the other side smiling. In this conversation, Taco and I explore what happens to a man's sense of purpose, faith, and priorities when he's spent a career dancing with the edge of human existence. From earning...

Bill Perkins joins us on this episode of Last Meal to challenge everything you thought you knew about personal finance and life optimisation. As a successful trader, high-stakes poker player, and author of the groundbreaking book Die with Zero, Bill argues that our obsession with hoarding wealth often comes at the expense of our most valuable resource: time. This conversation dives deep into how t...

Tim Urban — creator of Wait But Why and the mind behind one of the most-watched TED Talks of all time — reveals why courage might be the most underrated skill for living a fulfilling life. Tim takes us on a journey from his transformative solo trip to Thailand at age 20 to the systems he's built to trick himself into being productive, exploring how the habits we fall into can either expand or...

In this episode of Last Meal, I’m in Montmartre, Paris, sitting down with a thinker I’ve long admired: author and Atlantic staff writer Thomas Chatterton Williams. Thomas is someone who fundamentally refuses to be pinned down. Whether we’re discussing the "artificial intimacy" of our digital age or the weight of an inherited name, our conversation always returns to a central theme: the c...

What does it mean to live a meaningful life when we know our time is limited? In this profound yet light-hearted conversation, world-renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson explores the deepest questions of human existence, from the power of curiosity to the courage required to face mortality with purpose. This isn't a typical interview about black holes and distant galaxies. Instead, we d...

What happens when one of the world’s leading physicists sits down for the final meal of his life? In this episode of Last Meal, I share a dish chosen by Brian Greene—bestselling author, Columbia University professor, and one of the most influential voices in modern physics—as we dive into the ideas, experiences, and turning points that shaped his extraordinary life. From the nature of reality to t...

In this episode of Last Meal, I sit down with philosopher and author Peter Boghossian for a live dinner conversation at Franklin Salon in New York City. Over his chosen final dish, we explore how beliefs are formed, the role of discomfort in personal growth, and what it really means to live an honest life. Peter’s known for having “impossible conversations” around the world, but here, he opens up...

Scott Barry Kaufman: Psychologist on Self-Actualization, Victim Culture & The Stories We Tell Ourselves | Last Meal What happens when a kid labeled "slow" in special education becomes a Yale PhD and Columbia professor? Scott Barry Kaufman's journey challenges everything we think we know about human potential, rejection, and the narratives that shape our lives. In this raw and provocative conve...

Yale happiness expert Dr. Laurie Santos reveals why everything you think about happiness is wrong - and what actually works. In this live conversation from SXSW Austin 2025, psychology professor and Happiness Lab podcast host Laurie Santos breaks down the biggest myths keeping you miserable: 1) Why money stops making you happier at $100k (not $10 million) 2) How spending on others beats spending o...

Join Rebecca Newberger Goldstein, a renowned philosopher and author, as she sits down for an enlightening conversation on 'Last Meal.' Delve into her journey from teaching philosophy to writing accessible philosophical books and fiction. Rebecca discusses her complex relationship with food, particularly her hypothetical last meal, which she wouldn't regularly eat due to her love for the animal. Ex...

What do rock stars and scientists have in common? In this episode of Last Meal, I sit down with Howard Bloom—music publicist turned theoretical thinker—to explore the deep connections between storytelling, science, and human progress. We talk about his time working with music icons, his theories on collective intelligence, and why he believes ideas, not individuals, are what truly shape history. W...

What can death teach us about life? In this episode of Last Meal, I sit down with Barbara Butcher—former forensic investigator—to discuss her extraordinary career working crime scenes in New York City. We dive into the psychology of forensic work, the emotional impact of facing death daily, and the lessons she’s learned about life, grief, and resilience. Barbara Butcher shares her personal journey...

Join Tom as he sits down with the extraordinary Chris Do. Dive deep into the mind of this 'loud introvert,' as Chris shares insights on his journey from a shy, introverted kid to a prominent entrepreneur and educator. Discover how a reluctant leap into YouTube transformed his life, and explore his philosophies on design, contrast, and the unified self. Learn about his values on altruism, the urgen...

Tonight, I sit down with Taryn Southern — futurist, storyteller, and all-round clever-cookie — for a conversation that’ll take you from the dizzy heights of curiosity to the quiet moments of meaning. Taryn talks candidly about her battle with breast cancer, the paradoxes that shape a life well-lived, and the strange comfort of the meal she’d choose if it were her last. Along the way, we touch on a...

From law school to late-night comedy—Tom Delgado’s career path has been anything but ordinary. In this episode of Last Meal, we dive into his love for history, his unique take on storytelling, and why he left the legal world behind. We discuss New York’s unpredictable charm, the fine line between comedy and education, and how embracing uncertainty led him to a more fulfilling life. Join Tom Delgad...

Join us on this soul-stirring episode of 'Last Meal' featuring the distinguished professor and behavioral economist Dan Ariely. Dive deep into a heartfelt conversation where Dan shares his transformative journey from a severe burn injury to his groundbreaking research on pain management and self-acceptance. Discover the profound lessons he's learned about happiness, human resilience, and the signi...

What if you could speak from the grave? In this episode of Last Meal, I sit down with Bill Edgar, the Coffin Confessor, to talk about his extraordinary job—revealing the final wishes and secrets of the dead at their own funerals. We discuss the unexpected truths people take to the grave, the ethics of exposing secrets, and how facing mortality changes our perception of life and honesty. Bill share...

How do we break free from social conditioning? In this episode of Last Meal, I sit down with Aella—writer, data analyst, and internet provocateur—to discuss belief systems, personal autonomy, and the psychology of risk. We explore her journey from growing up in a strict religious environment to challenging societal norms through extreme experiences and data-driven self-experimentation. An intimate...

Is personal freedom under threat? In this episode of Last Meal, I sit down with journalist and libertarian thinker Nick Gillespie to discuss free speech, the future of media, and why he believes individualism is more important than ever. We explore the risks of groupthink, the power of open debate, and the tension between personal liberty and collective responsibility. From philosophical musings t...

Is free speech under attack? In this episode of Last Meal, I sit down with Greg Lukianoff—lawyer, author, and president of FIRE—to discuss the rise of cancel culture, the psychology of censorship, and why free expression is critical to a functioning democracy. We talk about the impact of ideological conformity, the growing fragility in institutions, and what happens when we silence dissent instead...

Why do smart people believe weird things? In this episode of Last Meal, I sit down with Michael Shermer—founder of The Skeptics Society and author of "Why People Believe Weird Things" — to explore ideological certainty, cognitive biases, and how skepticism can lead to a more fruitful life. We discuss free speech, the dangers of dogmatism, and how to stay intellectually open while still being skept...

What does it take to stand up to a dictatorship? In this episode of Last Meal, I sit down with Masih Alinejad—journalist, activist, and dissident—to talk about her fight against Iran’s oppressive regime. We discuss her exile, the threats to her life, and the cost of speaking out against tyranny. From her early days under compulsory veiling in Iran to becoming a powerful voice for freedom in exile,...

If the world were ending tomorrow, and you could have one Last Meal, what would it be? This simple question provides a platform from which to tackle life’s big questions. The conversations we rarely hear, but need to be having. Standing firmly in the impasse between food and philosophy, Last Meal explores the deeper discourse of our lives — wisdom, legacy, regret, ethics, beliefs, and the experien...