Lives Well Lived

Daniel Gilbert is an American social psychologist, author, and professor at Harvard University best known for his research on affective forecasting. His bestselling book Stumbling on Happiness (2006) explores why humans are often poor judges of what will make them happy. Daniel discusses the role of external factors in determining happiness. He debates whether living entirely in the present is ben...

Bishop Mariann Budde is the first woman to lead the Episcopal Diocese of Washington DC, known for her progressive leadership and outspoken advocacy on social justice and persistently standing for truth and compassion amid political challenges. Bishop Budde speaks about her role as a spiritual leader who blends faith with activism to advocate for unity, justice, and mercy, especially for marginalis...

Julia & Sjir are dedicated to making a global impact. Sjir describes how a 2015 TED Talk by Peter on effective altruism inspired his involvement with organisations like Giving What We Can, which promotes effective philanthropy. Julia shares her journey to co-founding the School for Moral Ambition, and aligning her career with her values. Their discussion explores how to balance personal life w...

Christine Webb is a primatologist and scholar. In her new book 'The Arrogant Ape,' she challenges the notion of human exceptionalism. Christine shares insights from her work in primatology including the ethical implications of understanding animals' mental lives, and the broader impact of unlearning human superiority on our coexistence with nature. read Christine's book The Arrogant Ape Keep...

Jane Goodall died this week at the age of 91. To mark her exceptional life we are re-releasing our truly fantastic episode that was recorded at her family home in England over a year ago.. Jane recounts her journey from a curious child to activist, and her lifelong dedication to understanding and reshaping scientific views on animal behaviours. Jane's legacy will continue to inspire future generat...

Barry Jones is an Australian polymath, politician, writer, lawyer and public intellectual. He gained fame in the 1960s by appearing in over 200 episodes of the quiz show 'Pick-a-Box'. His passion for humanitarian issues, inspired by witnessing poverty and suffering, led him to pursue a career in politics, where he played a significant role in abolishing the death penalty in Victoria. He served in...

philosopher Martha Nussbaum discusses the themes of human vulnerability, stoicism, and her capabilities approach to justice which extends to both humans and animals, advocating for broader perspectives in political and ethical considerations. Nussbaum also details the emotional and philosophical journey surrounding her daughter's illness and death, emphasising the inherent limits of control in tra...

Stephen Fry shares his personal evolution from a troubled youth to a celebrated intellectual and artist. His candid discussion covers his youthful indiscretions, and his journey towards self-acceptance during a time when being gay in England was fraught with stigma. Fry details his profound connection to literature, having been inspired by figures like Oscar Wilde, and how books shaped his underst...

Anna Machin is an evolutionary anthropologist and researcher at the University of Oxford, specialising in human relationships, fatherhood, and the science of love and bonding. Anna discusses the biological roots of attraction, the neurochemistry behind falling in love, and the evolutionary reasons for our romantic instincts. The conversation unpacks the differences between lust, attraction, and ex...

Ellen Langer is an influential American psychologist and social scientist who bridges mindfulness, aging, health, and decision-making. Dr. Langer's insights challenge conventional views on aging, health, and personal capabilities, promoting a more mindful and engaged approach to life & happiness. Ellen emphasises the importance of active engagement and choice, and how our beliefs and perceptio...

Wayne Hsiung is an animal‑rights and environmental activist. He co‑founded Direct Action Everywhere and focuses on “open rescue” efforts - publicly removing suffering animals from factory farms to provide them medical aid. Wayne recounts various direct action efforts and the legal battles stemming from these actions. Learn more about Wayne subscribe to his substack Learn more about Anima Internati...

Dasho Dechen Wangmo is a prominent Bhutanese public health leader and former Minister of Health, she has championed universal health coverage, mental health, and disease prevention, and gained international recognition as President of the 74th World Health Assembly, advocating for vaccine equity and global health solidarity. Dechen  played a pivotal role in navigating Bhutan through the COVID-19...

Dean Spears is an economic demographer and development economist, co-author of After the Spike: Population, Progress, and the Case for People. Dean explores the future of global population trends, noting that depopulation is now the most likely scenario, and the inherent ethical considerations of reducing the population and the practical implications for global challenges like climate change. Lear...

Meg Smaker is an American documentary filmmaker known for her immersive storytelling and exploration of complex global issues. Meg shares the impactful experiences from her life, including being kidnapped in Colombia, interacting with Somali pirates, and exploring motivations behind terrorism. Her most notable work is the 2022 feature documentary The UnRedacted (formerly known as 'Jihad Rehab'), w...

Cognitive neuroscientist Tali Sharot explores the role of optimism in our lives, examining why individuals often maintain personal hope despite collective anxiety. She explains the concept of optimism bias, how anticipation shapes happiness and memory. Learn more about the Digital Diet and download the chrome plug-in Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! If you would l...

Joshua Greene is an experimental psychologist and neuroscientist, and Professor of Psychology at Harvard University. Joshua shares insights into how evolutionary psychology underpins group cooperation and the challenges of expanding moral circles. Josh also reflects on his personal feelings of hope and commitment towards fostering a more unified and cooperative society. Learn more about Josh and r...

Cyan Banister is an angel investor and entrepreneur renowned for her early investments in transformative tech companies such as Uber, SpaceX, DeepMind, and Postmates. Banister's path to success was unconventional, she experienced homelessness as a teenager and dropped out of high school. Through self-education and determination, she became a self-taught engineer, holding key roles at a cybersecuri...

Slavoj Žižek is a Slovenian philosopher and cultural theorist known for his provocative blend of Marxism, Hegelian philosophy, and Lacanian psychoanalysis, he remains one of the most influential and polarising intellectuals in contemporary thought. Slajov gets into the catastrophe of love, and ultimately whether the pursuit of happiness should be the goal in life. Keep up to date with Peter on Sub...

Cass Sunstein is a prominent American legal scholar, behavioural economist, and professor at Harvard Law School. Cass explores the concept of nudging and libertarian paternalism, addressing ethical concerns around manipulation and autonomy. He reflects on climate justice, the moral duties of high-emission countries, and global accountability in climate policy. Learn more about Cass and read his bo...

Lawrence Krauss is a theoretical physicist and cosmologist renowned for his work in particle physics, cosmology, and science communication. Krauss explores the idea of cosmic insignificance and the absence of inherent meaning in the universe, emphasising the importance of appreciating the rarity of life, whilst exploring fundamental questions about the universe and human existence. Learn more abou...

Rutger Bregman is a Dutch historian, author, and public intellectual renowned for his progressive ideas on social and economic reform. Rutger advocates for channeling ambition into social impact, encouraging career shifts toward solving major problems. He promotes ideas like universal basic income, effective altruism, and combating factory farming. Watch the Profit For Good conference live stream...

Elizabeth Barnes is an author and Professor of philosophy at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, she reflects on her unconventional journey into philosophy, and her experience living with disabilities. Learn more about Elizabeth and read her books! Donate to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research Donate to The Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson's Keep up to date with...

Thomas Nagel is an American philosopher known for exploring consciousness, ethics, and the limits of scientific explanation. He is best known for his essay "What Is It Like to Be a Bat?" . Thomas discusses the challenge of understanding the subjective experience, and calls for a broader view of reality that encompasses both mental and physical dimensions.  Beyond philosophy of mind, Nagel dis...

Arthur C. Brooks is an American social scientist, author, and speaker known for his research on happiness, philanthropy, and public policy, and for his work as a former president of the American Enterprise Institute. Arthur leads this discussion exploring the concept of happiness from interdisciplinary perspectives, bridging philosophy, neuroscience, and behavioural science. Read Arthur's column i...

Antonio Damasio is a Portuguese-American neuroscientist and author renowned for his research on the brain, emotions, and consciousness. Antonio reflects on his groundbreaking work on the brain, the impact of brain injuries on behaviour, and the connection between physical states and mental processes. Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Executive Producer: Rachel Barr...