Breaking beliefism

Here’s a quick look back on season 4 of Breaking Beliefism: we covered the power of the medical profession, the nature of consciousness, outrage and silence in organisations, and some very personal stories about pain and addiction. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Professor Paul Dolan talks to Joanna Moncrieff, Professor of Critical and Social Psychiatry at University College London. They question the long-held belief that depression is caused by a serotonin deficit. They discuss the behavioural interventions that could prove to be much more effective than medication. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Professor Paul Dolan chats to his long-time collaborator, Dr Laura Kudrna. They reflect on their collaboration on his happiness books, the importance of social connection, and how making mistakes is an important part of learning. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Professor Paul Dolan talks to Lee Willows, the founder of Community Care Gaming. Lee shares his personal journey from never gambling to a gambling addiction to becoming an advocate for safer gambling. They discuss why people don’t ‘get’ gambling addiction and the importance of support networks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Professor Paul Dolan discusses the nature of consciousness with Professor Anil Seth. They discuss free will and the case of the multi-coloured dress.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Professor Paul Dolan chats to Elaine Lin Hering, a specialist in negotiation and dispute resolution and author of  Unlearning Silence . They discuss how staying silent can get in the way of effecitve decision-making and the benefits of having diverse perspectives in the workplace.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Professor Paul Dolan talks to Professor Karthik Ramanna from the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford. They discuss the increasing sense of outrage in today’s society, and the challenges for managing polarisation through respectful dialogue - in organisations and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Professor Paul Dolan talks to political psychologist and neuroscientist Dr Leor Zmigrod about how neuroscience can shed light on our beliefs and the extremes we sometimes cling to. Leor believes that ideologies restrict our capacity to be free but Paul is not so sure.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Professor Paul Dolan talks to Sami Tamimi, a child and adolescent psychiatrist. They discuss Sami’s childhood in Iraq, explore the complexities of mental health diagnoses, and whether mental health has been commodified.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Professor Paul Dolan talks to Professor Dan Ariely from Duke University. Dan explains how his recovery from serious burns informed his research into pain management. They discuss what it means to live fully even in the face of terminal illness and disagree about the importance of legacy.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Professor Paul Dolan opens season four of Breaking Beliefism by talking to Anneliese Dodds, Labour MP for Oxford East and a former Government minister. They discuss the importance of nuanced political discourse versus performative politics, and consider why wellbeing isn’t taken more seriously by policymakers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Looking back on season 3, where I spoke to scientists, academics, journalists, and a comedian. We discussed themes such as the shifting political landscape among young people, the decline of democracy, the significance of narratives, and why we hate the narrative of randomness so much. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Professor Paul Dolan talks to Dr. Paul Sagar, a Reader in Political Theory at King's College London. The two Pauls discuss philosophy and, in the context of Dr Sagar's tetraplegia from a climbing accident, why we don't like "shit happens" as an explanation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Professor Paul Dolan talks to neuroscientist Professor Tali Sharot to explore beliefs, emotions, and decision-making. They discuss why changing our habits could help us appreciate the small things more, and why lying becomes easier the more we do it.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Professor Paul Dolan talks to Professor Adam Kucharski, a mathematician and epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. They discuss how data can be used to understand epidemics, why evidence isn’t enough to persuade others, and how poker is the perfect gateway to maths.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Professor Paul Dolan talks to Professor Tom Davenport, a leading authority on AI and author of the book  All Hands On Tech: The AI Powered Citizen Revolution . They explore the implications of AI, the importance of critical thinking, and why there's few better careers than plumbing.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Professor Paul Dolan talks to anthropologist Dr. Chris Kavanagh about secular gurus, how online platforms have amplified their influence, and how easily confidence can be mistaken for knowledge.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Professor Paul Dolan talks to Professor Cass Sunstein, the father of the “nudge” theory, who served as part of the Obama administration. They discuss why adaptation is part of the human condition, and how we could all become famous. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Professor Paul Dolan talks to author Chloe Combi, an expert on Generations Z and A. They discuss generational differences, the impact of social media on young people's lives, and gender differences in beliefs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Professor Paul Dolan talks to journalist Fraser Nelson, the Times columnist and former editor of The Spectator. They discuss religion, the impact of family structure on child outcomes, the obsession with formal education, and how Covid changed our relationship with the state. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Professor Paul Dolan talks to comedian Geoff Norcott. They discuss teaching, class, taxation and whether trance is the best music genre. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the opening episode to series 3, Professor Paul Dolan talks to Times columnist James Marriott, discussing organised fun, posh restaurants and political shifts among younger generations.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

That's it - the second season of ten episodes of Breaking Beliefism is complete. You can listen to my thoughts on the terrific guests in this bonus clip. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Prof Paul Dolan talks to Dr. Brett Staniland, a model and advocate for sustainable fashion. They explore the complexities of fast fashion, and the impact of identities on the clothes we buy. Brett shares his journey from academia to the cat walk, and why he appeared on Love Island.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Professor Paul Dolan talks to David Goodhart, a prominent broadcaster and journalist. They discuss identity, immigration, and family dynamics. They agree on the importance of empathy and understanding in political discourse, but disagree about the importance of a traditional two-person family structure and how to protect cultural diversity in the presence of social mobility. ...