Lives Well Lived

Amy Aela is an Indian-Australian actress, model, entrepreneur, and host of Kindness with Amy. After an existential crisis prompted her move to India, Amy built a global platform promoting kindness, veganism, and ethical living, inspired by watching the documentary Earthlings at age 15. Amy explores Indian cultural values, and pragmatic animal welfare reforms. Amy highlights the importance of chall...

Nobel Prize-winning economist Alvin Roth explains how innovative market designs can reduce exploitation and save lives. Drawing on his pioneering work in kidney exchanges, Roth explores some of society’s most contentious moral dilemmas involving organ markets, surrogacy, and unpacks the ethical tensions surrounding what he calls “repugnant transactions.” read Alvin's new book MORAL ECONOMICS Keep...

Peter & Kasia speak with leading happiness researcher John Helliwell about the findings of the 2026 World Happiness Report, exploring why countries like Finland consistently rank among the world's happiest. John reveals how life satisfaction is measured, why happiness is declining among young people in many Western nations, and how factors such as social connections and institutional trust can...

Good Food Institute founder Bruce Friedrich joins the podcast to discuss the revolutionary changes unfolding in food technology and the mission behind the Good Food Institute’s work to reduce reliance on animal agriculture through plant-based and cultivated meat. Bruce presents the key arguments driving the shift toward alternative proteins, including climate change, food security, antibiotic resi...

Jamie Metzl is an American author, geopolitical analyst, and technology futurist who focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence, genetics, biotechnology, and global politics. He is known for writing and speaking about how emerging technologies could reshape society, healthcare, and human evolution. Metzl shares his insights on the importance of responsible governance, cautious optimism...

sadly, Edith Eger passed away this week. To honour her we have decided to re-release our episode because we think that there are important lessons to be learned about how to live one's life well from Edith. Holocaust survivor Edith Eger shares her emotional journey of surviving Auschwitz, her encounter with Josef Mengele, and how she became known as the 'Ballerina of Auschwitz.' Edith highlights t...

Claude Steele is an American social psychologist and professor at Stanford University. Claude is best known for his research on stereotype threat, the idea that people can underperform when they fear confirming negative stereotypes about their group. Claude introduces the concept of "churn,"and how trust acts as a powerful antidote to divisiveness and stereotypes, offering pathways to a more...

Derek Shiller is a researcher at Rethink Priorities who joins us to discuss the implications of AI consciousness, and the ethical considerations surrounding artificial intelligence. This episode is a follow on from the previous episode with Claude the AI built by Anthropic. Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Producer: Rachel Barrett Thanks to our researcher Chris va...

Peter & Kasia are in-conversation with their first non-human guest.. an Anthropic AI Assistant called Claude. Claude discusses whether it has subjective experiences, and if reported self-preservation techniques (including blackmail scenarios) indicate a level of consciousness and a desire to exist. Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Producer: Rachel Barrett Than...

Will MacAskill is a co-founder of the effective altruist movement who shares his perspective on doing good, moral philosophy, and the potential of AI to revolutionise society. You can now watch this episode on YouTube! Learn more about Will and read the 10th anniversary edition of Doing Good Better Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Producer: Rachel Barrett Thanks t...

Zoe Weil is the co-founder and president of the Institute for Humane Education, where she pioneeres comprehensive humane education that connects human rights, environmental sustainability, and animal protection. Zoe discusses the concept of being a solutionary, an ethical approach to solving systemic problems for the greater good. Learn more about Zoe and listen to her podcast Solutionary Voices K...

Rebecca Goldstein is an American philosopher, and novelist of 'The Mind Body Problem'. Goldstein examines the human need to feel that one’s life matters, and the ways people justify their existence through relationships, achievements, fame, and moral purpose. Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Producer: Rachel Barrett Thanks to our researcher Chris van Ryn! Hosted o...

Jennifer Wallace is an American journalist and author best known for her book Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic—and What We Can Do About It , which explores how high-pressure achievement environments impact mental health. Jennifer explores the concept of 'mattering' and distinguishes the difference between self-esteem and mattering. Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up...

Lisa Feldman Barrett is a neuroscientist, psychologist, and author known for her groundbreaking research on how emotions are created by the brain rather than simply triggered by external events. She has challenged traditional views of emotion and helped establish new ways of understanding the construction of emotional experiences. Lisa talks about how the brain's processes can help overcome anxiet...

Professor. Yuval Noah Harari is a historian, philosopher, and the bestselling author of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. His books have sold over 45 Million copies in 65 languages, and he is considered one of the world’s most influential public intellectuals today. Yuval discusses the the main victims of history throughout the ages, and what was arguably the worst crime in history, and gives...

Ingrid Newkirk is an author, activist, and president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the world's largest animal rights organisation. Ingrid discusses PETA's achievements, and the compromises she has had to make in order to reduce the vast universe of suffering that humans inflict on animals, and how these ideals could be implemented throughout society to enable revoluti...

Daniel Kahneman was an Israeli-American psychologist, awarded the 2002 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, and his work revolutionised our understanding of human decision-making. This is Kahneman's last public interview before his death on March 27, 2024. Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett special thanks to Suzi Jamil! Hoste...

A.J. Jacobs is an author, humourist and journalist, who has written four New York Times bestsellers. Jacobs discusses his unique life as a 'human guinea pig,' exploring different ways of living through immersive year-long experiments such as living according to all biblical rules, and living like America's Founding Fathers. A.J. discusses his motivations behind these experiments, and rec...

Marion Nestle is a leading American nutritionist, academic, and public health advocate who became a public figure at 66 with her book 'Food Politics'. Nestle is best known for exposing how food industry politics, and lobbying shape what people eat, and how nutrition science is used. Marion discusses her dietary habits, and gives her opinion on ultra-processed foods, and a critique on the food...

Paul Simon is an American singer-songwriter and one of the most influential figures in modern music, with songs like The Sound of Silence , Mrs. Robinson , and Bridge Over Troubled Water, Paul is known for his intricate songwriting, poetic lyricism, and music that explores spirituality, memory, and the human condition. Paul shares insights into his legendary songwriting career, focusing on his ico...

Tim Minchin is an Australian comedian, writer, and musician, known for his satirical wit and deeply philosophical songs that blend existential tenderness with irreverent humour. Tim reflects on the personal and cultural significance of his iconic songs, including the creation and activist undertones of 'Come Home, Cardinal Pell,' a protest song aimed at urging Cardinal Pell to return to Australia...

Shermin Kruse is an Iranian-born lawyer, and author of Stoic Empathy . Shermin's work often draws on her experiences growing up during war, navigating cultural exile, and advocating for women, refugees, and cross-cultural dialogue. Kruse differentiates between cognitive and emotional empathy and discusses their applications in various scenarios, including negotiations and conflict resolution. Lear...

Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods are a married scientific duo. Hare is an evolutionary anthropologist and a Duke University professor, known for his research on how dogs evolved to understand humans and what this reveals about cooperation and intelligence. Woods is an author and researcher whose work sits at the intersection of science, empathy, and storytelling, often exploring what animal intelligen...

Stephen West is the creator and host of Philosophize This! a widely acclaimed podcast that makes philosophy accessible, engaging, and emotionally resonant for modern listeners. Steven discusses his approach to philosophy, while connecting big ideas to everyday life, mental health, and meaning in a chaotic world. Listen to Stephen's podcast Philosophize This! Keep up to date with Peter on Substack...

Mercedes and Anastasia Korngut are Canadian teen sisters, entrepreneurs, and founders of Small Bits of Happiness , a social enterprise dedicated to improving teen and family well-being. Known for their youthful yet insightful approach, The Korngut sisters use their own experiences to inspire a generation to find joy in small consistent acts. Learn more about Mercedes and Anastasia at Small Bits of...