Lives Well Lived

Sigal Samuel is a writer, editor, and journalist known for her work on religion, technology, and ethics. Sigal shares her value-driven approach to life, offering insights into moral decision-making, ethical giving, and the complexities of modern ethical dilemmas. Got an ethical dilemma? reach out to Sigal at her advice column Your Mileage May Vary Read Future Perfect Keep up to date with Peter on...

David Duchovny is an actor, writer, director, and musician, best known for his iconic role as FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder in The X-Files. David explores the fine line between conspiracy and reality, the ethics of innovation, and the spiritual dimensions of human existence. Listen to David's Podcast! Fail Better with David Duchovny Read David's Book! Holy Cow Listen to David's Album! Gesture Land...

Michael Plant is the founding director of the Happier Lives Institute, he discusses the concept of happiness, its definitions, and global wellbeing. Michael shares insights from the newly released 2025 World Happiness Report, highlighting effective charities and the role of global happiness in public policy. Read the 2025 World Happiness Report Learn more about the Happier Lives Institute Learn ab...

Anna Lembke is an American psychiatrist, addiction expert, and author known for her research and clinical work on substance use, behavioural addictions, and the impact of opioids on the brain. Learn more about Anna Lembke and read her books! Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett Thanks to our volunteer researchers Hendrik Dahlmeier an...

Robert Sapolsky is an academic, author, neuroscientist, and primatologist, who has studied wild baboons in Kenya over a 25 year period. Robert explores how stress and social hierarchies affect baboon health and behaviour and how these findings parallel human experiences in societal structures. Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett Tha...

Safeena Husain is the founder of Educate Girls, a non-profit organisation that is focussed on mobilising communities for girls’ education in India’s rural areas. Safeena discusses the critical importance of combating deep-rooted cultural and patriarchal biases in favour of girls' educations, and the widespread issue of 122 million girls globally not in school and the dire consequences th...

Adam McCurdie and Josh Ross, founders of Humanitix, and Alex Amouyel, CEO of Newman's Own Foundation talk about whether the example their companies set can transform capitalism. Find out more about Newman's Own Find out more about Humanitix Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett Thanks to our volunteer researchers Hendrik Dahlmeier and...

Moby is a musician, songwriter, author, and animal rights activist. Moby explores the intersection of making groundbreaking music, and the philosophical & ethical implications of animal rights activism, offering a profound look at how personal experiences and cultural paradigms shape our choices and advocacy. Find out more about Moby Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with...

Richard Layard is a British Labour Economist, a member of the House of Lords, and co-editor of the World Happiness Report. Layard highlights the role of life satisfaction and wellbeing in government policy, and the importance of addressing mental health through public initiatives. He speaks to his research findings on wellbeing, including the the influence of genetic, environmental, and cultural d...

Kakenya Ntaiya is a Maasia Woman and Kenyan advocate for girls' education and women's rights. Kakenya discusses her fight against female genital mutilation (FGM), early marriage, and her quest for education. Learn more about Kakenya's Dream and ways you can support this organisation. Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett Thanks to our...

Adam Grant is an organisational psychologist and bestselling author who explores the science of motivation, generosity, rethinking, and potential. He is a leading expert on how we can find motivation and meaning, rethink assumptions, and live more generous and creative lives. Adam Grant reflects upon his early years as a magician to his accomplishments in academia. He shares insights into the diff...

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 the slow, evolving process of coming to terms with her past, influenced by Viktor Frankl's work, and how she uses her traumatic experiences to help others as a psychologist, transforming trauma into a source...

Steven Pinker is a Canadian-American cognitive psychologist, linguist, and author known for his research on language, the mind, and human nature, as well as his books arguing that humanity is becoming less violent over time. Pinker is frequently cited as one of the most influential thinkers of his time. Pinker discusses the role of nuclear weapons in maintaining global peace, and the moral and eth...

Charlie Bresler is an American former business executive and co‑founder of the nonprofit The Life You Can Save , where he helps promote effective philanthropy and efforts to alleviate extreme global poverty. If you are interested in donating this giving season, consider these nonprofits: Development Media International (The Life You Can Save) Unlimit Health (end parasitic disease) Keep up to date...

Joyce Carol Oates is an American author and professor known for her prolific and versatile writing, including novels, short stories, and essays that often explore themes of identity, violence, and the darker aspects of American life, and she has been a finalist for the Pulitzer for Fiction five times. Joyce presents a unique view and challenges the core themes of this podcast, noting her focu...

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...

Murali Doraiswamy is a prominent Indian‑trained physician and neuroscientist who is a professor of psychiatry and medicine at Duke University School of Medicine, in his work he advises governments, biotech companies, and global health organisations on neuroscience and aging research. Murali explores the complex definitions and criteria for diagnosing mental illness and its prevalence worldwide, al...

Sam Harris is an American philosopher, neuroscientist, author, and host of Making Sense. Sam discusses his profound ethical realisations under the effects of MDMA, the illusion of self, and the ethical implications of free will. Learn more about Sam Harris Listen to Sam's Podcast MAKING SENSE Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett Than...

Paul Bloom is a Canadian psychologist and author known for his research on human morality, empathy, and how pleasure and suffering shape our lives. Paul gets into the intricacies of morality, and debates the importance of reason over emotion in making moral decisions, he argues for the power of reason to help distinguish between rational and irrational reactions. Learn more about Paul Bloom Keep u...

Ximena Abogabir is a Chilean journalist, environmentalist, and social activist. Ximena discusses how society needs to reshape its cultural perceptions, and overcome stereotypes around ageing. Learn more about Ximena! Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett Thanks to our volunteer researchers! Mihika Chechi and Hendrik Dahlmeier Spe...

Jonathan Haidt is a social psychologist and author of New York Times  bestsellers ' The Righteous Mind' , and ' The Coddling of the American Mind'. His latest book ' The Anxious Generation' , argues that the rise of smartphones and overprotective parenting have led to a "rewiring" of childhood and a rise in mental illness. Haidt discusses legislative accountability of the social media co...

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...

Matthieu Ricard is often referred to as the "world's happiest man. Since 1989, he has acted as the French interpreter for the 14th Dalai Lama. Ricard shares insights from his life as a Buddhist monk, including his rigorous meditation practices, his experiences with spiritual masters, and his thoughts on living a meaningful life through the interconnectedness of all beings.  Learn more about M...

Frances Kissling is an American bioethicist and longtime reproductive rights advocate, best known for her leadership of Catholics for Choice and her work on ethics, religion, and women’s health. Kissling discusses her work as a pro-choice activist, and the complexities of balancing Catholic values with her advocacy for women's rights and reproductive freedom. Keep up to date with Peter on Substack...

Tyler Cowen is an American economist, writer, and public intellectual best known for his work on cultural economics, economic growth, and for co-hosting the podcast Conversations with Tyler . Tyler gets into speculation around the existence and visitation of aliens to Earth, AI's impact on future technology, climate change, and animal welfare. Learn more about Tyler at Marginal Revolution If you a...