Life Examined

Jonathan Bastian talks with Florence Williams , science writer and author of “ Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey ,” about the pain that comes with a breakup and why it’s so hard to move on. Later, Sandra Langeslag , associate professor of psychological sciences at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and Aimee Lutkin , writer, performer, and the author of “ The Lonely Hunter: How Our S...

Jonathan Bastian talks with writer Johann Hari about our diminishing ability to focus. Hari, author of “ Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention — and How to Think Deeply Again ,” shares how our modern lifestyle, from phones and food to sleep and technology, is impacting our levels of concentration, with research showing that juggling from one task to another comes at a cost. Get full access to...

Psychedelic drugs can induce profound spiritual and mystical connections. We explore how these experiences positively impact mental health and the therapeutic value of ketamine. Get full access to Life Examined at lifeexamined.substack.com/subscribe

History is full of examples of mortals unintentionally mistaken for gods. So why do we see godliness in others, and what if we had a divine counterpart within ourselves?  Get full access to Life Examined at lifeexamined.substack.com/subscribe

Jonathan Bastian talks with Meghan O’Rourke , writer, poet, and author of “ The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness ,” about her 11-year search to find out what was wrong with her. Later, David Agus , professor of medicine and CEO of the Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine at the University of Southern California, explains autoimmune disease, long COVID, and what t...

KCRW’s Jonathan Bastian talks with behavioral scientist Leidy Klotz about his new book ‘ Subtract: The Untapped Science of Less .’ Klotz explains why we need to re-examine our human desire for more, more, more, and why it often prevents us from seeing the easier and more effective solutions. We also hear from Vanessa Patrick, professor of marketing at the University of Houston, on the art and lang...

Delve deeper into life, philosophy, and what makes us human by joining the Life Examined discussion group on Facebook . Jonathan Bastian talks with Laurie Santos , cognitive scientist and professor of psychology at Yale University and host of “ The Happiness Lab ” podcast about her research into the science of happiness. Later, Will Davies , professor of political economy at Goldsmiths University...

Jonathan Bastian talks with George Makari , historian and author of “ Of Fear and Strangers: A History of Xenophobia ,” about the origins of xenophobia and why people get gratification from hate. Later, Alexis Okeowo , staff writer at The New Yorker and author of “ A Moonless, Starless Sky ,” and Danish documentary filmmaker Simon Lereng Wilmont discuss the reality of refugee camps and children st...

Jonathan Bastian talks with Margaret MacMillan , historian and author of “ War: How Conflict Shaped Us ,” about how war has defined our lives and our culture. Later, Edward Tick , psychotherapist, poet and author of “ Warrior's Return: Restoring the Soul After War ,” and Rabbi Steve Leder speak about the invisible wounds of war, the feeling of helplessness in the presence of evil, and building res...

Jonathan Bastian talks with Mark Epstein , psychiatrist, psychologist, and author of “ The Zen Of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life ,” about the role of Buddhism in his practice of psychotherapy. Modern psychotherapy, he says, has stepped into the void left by the abandonment of religious rituals.  Epstein shares stories and anecdotes about his patients, illustrating the links between...

Minimalism is enjoying a resurgence, but can a minimalistic lifestyle and aesthetic bring peace and calm? Does having less stuff bring happiness? Get full access to Life Examined at lifeexamined.substack.com/subscribe

Jonathan Bastian talks with philosopher Alain de Botton about gaining a better understanding of love and relationships. Author of “ Why You Will Marry the Wrong Person ,” “ How Proust Can Change Your Life ,”and founder of The School of Life , de Botton shares his recipe for love, fulfillment, and what dating apps get wrong when it comes to finding the ideal partner. Get full access to Life Examine...

Remembering the life and legacy of Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Buddhist monk, Zen master, poet, and influential peace activist. Get full access to Life Examined at lifeexamined.substack.com/subscribe

Dr. Carl Erik Fisher and journalist Shayla Martin reflect on the history and meaning of addiction and the challenges for people of color seeking recovery in AA. Get full access to Life Examined at lifeexamined.substack.com/subscribe

Jonathan Bastian talks with Dr. Jonathan Reisman about his passion for adventure and fascination with the human body chronicled in his book  “ The Unseen Body: A Doctor's Journey Through the Hidden Wonders of the Human Anatomy .” Going beneath the skin, from blood and urine to the liver and kidneys, Reisman shares his unique perspective with the human body and the natural world. Get full access to...

As we enter the new year, is this an opportunity to embrace some new ideas and gain a better understanding of who we are and the world around us? Jonathan Bastian talks to Buddhist scholar Pico Iyer about the prospects for optimism and what author Graham Greene has taught him about human frailty and vulnerability. And Vedanta nun Pravrajika Vrajaprana shares wisdom and hope from the writings of Sw...

Amidst the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic, two years of fighting the coronavirus has produced transformative advances in medicine, science, and the practice of healthcare. Jonathan Bastian talks with Dr. David Agus about the future of medicine and with Dr. Daniela Lamas about advanced care planning and insight into end of life care.  Get full access to Life Examined at lifeexamined.substack....

On this week’s Life Examined, psychologist and co-author of “Born to Be Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life” and “The Compassionate Instinct”  Dacher Keltner  talks about the science of awe and why we need a daily dose. We also talk with cultural psychologist Dr.  Yuria Celidwen  about how the practices of Indigenous communities enhance prosocial behavior, and how the appreciation of awe also h...

Jonathan Bastian talks with Josh Cohen, a psychoanalyst and professor of modern literary theory at Goldsmiths, about the cultivation of healthy aimlessness. Cohen’s recent book, “ Not Working: Why We Have to Stop ,” explores why doing nothing and seeking solitude — whether at home or at work — can provide balance needed for a healthy life. Get full access to Life Examined at lifeexamined.substack....

The season of giving upon us — but what are the best, and most impactful, ways to bestow your generosity? Jonathan Bastian talks with professor Roland Geyer about the best types of sustainable and environmentally friendly holiday gifts, and with Luke Freeman, director of charitable community “ Giving What We Can ,” about the most effective ways of giving.   Get full access to Life Examined at life...

Jonathan Bastian talks with psychologist Paul Bloom about the role that hardship and pain play in living a good life. Bloom, author of  “ The Sweet Spot ,” explores why — from running a marathon to eating spicy food — suffering helps us to thrive and gives us satisfaction. Get full access to Life Examined at lifeexamined.substack.com/subscribe

Despite increasing attention to equity, diversity, and inclusivity, the pay gap for women has not shifted much over the last 15 years. According to one study of the median hourly earnings for full and part time workers in 2020, women earned 84% of what men earned. Jonathan Bastian talks with NPR host and author Stacey Vanek Smith about empowering women in the workplace and how Machiavelli’s “ The...

Jonathan Bastian talks with Susan Orlean about our love and relationship with animals. Orlean, staff writer for the New Yorker and acclaimed author of several books, discusses her latest collection of essays, “ On Animals ,” in which she explores her fascination and curiosity with all creatures, both feathered and four legged, and asks what our interaction with animals tells us about ourselves.  G...

Host Jonathan Bastian talks with ethnobotanist Dr. Cassandra Quave about the amazing medicinal potential of plants and her global search for natural compounds — long known to traditional healers — that could help save us from the looming crisis of untreatable superbugs. We also hear from Dr. Marion Nestle, New York University professor emeritus of nutrition, food studies, and public health, on the...

Host Jonathan Bastian talks with David Whyte about the power of the written and spoken word. Whyte, a poet, philosopher, and speaker, discusses his latest collection of poems, “ Still Possible ,” in which he continues to explore vulnerability, relationships, and “the conversational nature of reality.” Get full access to Life Examined at lifeexamined.substack.com/subscribe