Making Sense with Sam Harris
Sam Harris
Join neuroscientist, philosopher, and five-time New York Times best-selling author Sam Harris as he explores important and controversial questions about the mind, society, current events, moral philosophy, religion, and rationality—with an overarching focus on how a growing understanding of ourselves and the world is changing our sense of how we should live.
Sam is also the creator of the Waking Up app. Combining Sam's decades of mindfulness practice, profound wisdom from varied philosophical and contemplative traditions, and a commitment to a secular, scientific worldview, Waking Up is a resource for anyone interested in living a more examined, fulfilling life—and a new operating system for the mind.
Waking Up offers free subscriptions to anyone who can't afford one, and donates a minimum of 10% of profits to the most effective charities around the world. To learn more, please go to WakingUp.com.
Sam Harris received a degree in philosophy from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from UCLA.
Sam is also the creator of the Waking Up app. Combining Sam's decades of mindfulness practice, profound wisdom from varied philosophical and contemplative traditions, and a commitment to a secular, scientific worldview, Waking Up is a resource for anyone interested in living a more examined, fulfilling life—and a new operating system for the mind.
Waking Up offers free subscriptions to anyone who can't afford one, and donates a minimum of 10% of profits to the most effective charities around the world. To learn more, please go to WakingUp.com.
Sam Harris received a degree in philosophy from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from UCLA.
Episodes
Mentioned books
198 snips
Jan 27, 2025 • 1h 16min
#399 — The Politics of Catastrophe
Sam Harris hosts Rick Caruso, a businessman and former Los Angeles mayoral candidate, discussing the aftermath of the Los Angeles fires. They dissect the role of mismanagement in the severity of the crisis and explore the controversial practice of private firefighting. The conversation delves into wealth inequality, the responsibilities of the ultra-wealthy in philanthropy, and the need for competency in governance. Caruso emphasizes the importance of proactive disaster preparedness and critiques the current political landscape's inefficiencies.
407 snips
Jan 21, 2025 • 25min
#398 — Thoughts Without a Thinker
The host shares urgent insights from recent wildfires, underscoring the role of meditation in turbulent times. Discover the powerful misconception that mental improvement is out of reach. The transformative potential of mental training reveals how meditation can clarify the illusory nature of the ego. Delve into the relationship between thoughts and consciousness, illustrating how our sense of control over thoughts may be an illusion. This exploration invites a deeper understanding of self and the transient nature of our experiences.
297 snips
Jan 1, 2025 • 18min
#397 — A New Year's Message from Sam
The discussion begins by reflecting on the dramatic shifts expected as 2025 approaches, particularly concerning political tensions. The challenges of democracy are critiqued, focusing on the ethical lapses of leaders. A deep dive into the January 6 insurrection reveals the dangers of mob mentality and potential consequences of failure. Philosophical insights explore what truly constitutes a meaningful life, emphasizing love, creativity, and mindfulness as vital components of fulfillment.
218 snips
Dec 20, 2024 • 33min
#396 — The Way Forward
Sam Harris is joined by Matthew Yglesias, a journalist known for his political insights at Vox.com and his Substack, Slow Boring. They dissect the Democratic Party's failures, particularly the pitfalls of identity politics. Yglesias argues for a race-blind approach to wealth inequality and discusses Biden's presidency compared to his campaign promises. The talk also ventures into the future of Trumpism, examining the implications of a possible second Trump term and the complexities of immigration policy in American politics.
412 snips
Dec 11, 2024 • 31min
#395 — Intellectual Authority and Its Discontents
A thought-provoking discussion unfolds around the erosion of trust in institutions and the complexities of intellectual authority. The dangers of misinformation, especially fueled by figures like Trump and Elon Musk, are scrutinized. There's a critique of how political pressures corrupt scholarship, particularly in academia. The podcast also addresses the challenge of discerning genuine expertise in a polarized landscape, emphasizing the responsibility of public platforms in fostering reliable discourse. True expertise faces an uphill battle against a tide of conspiracy thinking.
85 snips
Dec 3, 2024 • 23min
#394 — Bringing Back the Mammoth
In this enlightening discussion, Sam Harris talks with Ben Lamm, a tech entrepreneur and co-founder of Colossal Biosciences, focusing on the ambitious goal of de-extincting species like the woolly mammoth. Lamm explains the innovative use of AI and CRISPR technology in his company's efforts and contrasts these with the fictional portrayal in Jurassic Park. They delve into the potential ecological benefits of bringing back these species, the ethical implications, and how this work could impact human health and biodiversity.
187 snips
Nov 26, 2024 • 38min
#393 — Is History Repeating Itself?
Simon Sebag Montefiore, a renowned historian focused on Russian and Middle Eastern history, joins Sam Harris to discuss pressing geopolitical issues. They explore the unsettling parallels between history and today's events, especially post-9/11. Montefiore sheds light on the significance of Jerusalem and the interplay between faith and conflict. The conversation also addresses the fragility of liberal democracies in light of rising global antisemitism and internal crises, urging a deeper understanding of historical patterns and their contemporary relevance.
211 snips
Nov 19, 2024 • 53min
#392 — Technology & Culture
Christine Rosen, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and columnist for Commentary Magazine, dives deep into the interplay between technology and culture. She discusses the decline of handwriting in schools and its cognitive implications. The conversation delves into the trade-offs of technology use, especially in information consumption. Rosen also examines the impact of social media on identity and trust, while calling for a revival of local journalism to combat misinformation. Ayaan Hirsi Ali's courage and the political landscape under Trump add further intrigue.
341 snips
Nov 11, 2024 • 40min
#391 — The Reckoning
The podcast delves into the political fallout of the 2024 presidential election and the Democratic Party's missteps. It highlights the shifting dynamics of identity politics, especially regarding trans rights and voter sentiment. A critical examination of media credibility reveals concerns over political correctness distorting facts. The discussion also warns about the dangers to American democracy posed by misinformation and ethical erosion. Lastly, it explores how podcasting influences political discourse and raises questions about future engagement.
174 snips
Nov 1, 2024 • 1h 14min
#390 — Final Thoughts on the 2024 Presidential Election
Mark Cuban, entrepreneur and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, joins the discussion on the 2024 presidential election. They delve into Trump's ethics, his political resilience, and the impact of figures like Elon Musk on public perception. Cuban offers insights on immigration policies, economic implications of taxation, and wealth inequality. The conversation also contrasts Harris's campaign strategies with Trump's, while examining the potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy depending on the election outcome.
