Lives Well Lived
Peter Singer & Kasia de Lazari Radek
Lives Well Lived is hosted by Peter Singer & Kasia de Lazari Radek. Episodes consist of interviews with remarkable guests who have lived well, both in the sense of living an ethical life, but also in that they are fulfilled and happy with what they have achieved in their lives. Some of these guests will be well-known figures, but others who are doing extraordinary things will be unfamiliar to almost all of our listeners. The conversations will often cover ground that involves ethics, how to live well, and how to make a positive difference in the world. It will inspire and empower its audience to change their own lives for the better.Executive Producer - Rachel Barrett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
12 snips
Mar 19, 2026 • 43min
WILL MACASKILL says we are not prepared for the intelligence explosion
Will MacAskill, moral philosopher and co-founder of the effective altruism movement, shares his journey from founding Giving What We Can to shaping high-impact giving. He talks about saving to give, career choices like earning to give, and how AI could compress decades of progress into years. He warns about power concentration from AI and suggests practical steps to limit catastrophic risks.
12 snips
Mar 5, 2026 • 53min
ZOE WEIL has a solutionary idea to change the world
Zoe Weil, co-founder of the Institute for Humane Education and author of The Solutionary Way, is an educator and activist blending human rights, animal protection, and environmental sustainability. She explains the solutionary mindset and why education fuels systemic change. Short practical steps, bridge-building conversation techniques, and staying hopeful while acting for large-scale impact are highlighted.
18 snips
Feb 19, 2026 • 1h 2min
REBECCA GOLDSTEIN thinks we are all attention seeking
Rebecca Goldstein, philosopher and novelist known for The Mind-Body Problem, explores why humans crave to matter. She describes life as resisting entropy and outlines four mattering strategies. Conversations range from fame and religion to relationships, competition, and personal integrity. Short, sharp ideas on how people justify their existence and seek attention.
Feb 5, 2026 • 52min
forget happiness, JENNIFER WALLACE thinks mattering is the key to a life well lived
Jennifer Wallace, journalist and bestselling author who studies achievement culture and mattering, explores why being valued and adding value matters more than chasing happiness. She tells stories from her career turning points, how to rebuild a sense of mattering after transitions, gender and caregiving dynamics, raising children with unconditional worth, and how schools, workplaces and technology shape opportunities to matter.
10 snips
Jan 22, 2026 • 1h 14min
(RE-RELEASE) LISA FELDMAN BARRETT: everything you know about the brain is wrong!
Lisa Feldman Barrett, a trailblazing neuroscientist and author, dives into her revolutionary research on how emotions are constructed by the brain. She reveals how reframing arousal can alleviate anxiety, especially in public speaking, and discusses the brain's predictive processing to shape our experiences. Lisa challenges the notion of free will, explaining how our choices and environments continuously reshape our neural pathways. With insights on social constructs and finding meaning in life, she encourages deliberate choices to avoid future regrets.
54 snips
Jan 15, 2026 • 56min
(RE-RELEASE) Why YUVAL NOAH HARARI thinks modern society is on the brink of collapse
Yuval Noah Harari, a renowned historian and author of Sapiens, dives into profound topics like the essence of happiness through self-awareness and meditation. He critiques traditional philosophical views, emphasizing the primacy of sensation over thought. Harari also discusses the plight of domesticated animals in history, societal shifts away from warfare toward healthcare, and the need for balanced ethics. He champions love as a cornerstone of well-being and warns against extremist ideologies that can distort moral perspectives. His insights challenge us to reflect deeply on modern life.
Jan 8, 2026 • 1h 21min
(RE-RELEASE) INGRID NEWKIRK: the dark side of animal rights
Ingrid Newkirk, author and cofounder of PETA, shares her insights into animal rights activism. She discusses high-profile campaigns, such as the provocative Smithfield Meat Market protest, and addresses the nuances of nudity in advocacy. Ingrid also reflects on the moral considerations of suffering across species, the strategic focus of PETA's campaigns, and the importance of engaging children's empathy toward animals. With candid stories, she highlights significant victories and ongoing challenges in the pursuit of animal welfare.
13 snips
Jan 1, 2026 • 1h 4min
(RE-RELEASE) DANIEL KAHNEMAN: understanding how we make decisions
Daniel Kahneman, a Nobel laureate in Economic Sciences and pioneer in decision-making psychology, shares profound insights from his life. He reflects on his Parisian childhood during wartime, contemplating the balance between optimism and pessimism shaped by genetics. Kahneman discusses how institutions can be improved, the challenges posed by noise in decision-making, and how AI might help mitigate these issues. He emphasizes the importance of relationships over success for well-being and concludes with thoughts on collaboration as a cornerstone of a fulfilling life.
Dec 25, 2025 • 1h 12min
(RE-RELEASE) A.J. JACOBS exposes why living biblically means stoning adulterers!
A.J. Jacobs, an author and humorist, shares his journey as a 'human guinea pig' experimenting with life in immersive, year-long projects. He discusses radical honesty and its social repercussions, his critiques of biblical literalism through a year of living by 700 rules, and the practice of gratitude that transformed his outlook. A.J. also explores creativity rituals, moral obligations in philanthropy, and the challenges of navigating modern democracy, all while revealing the joys and absurdities of his unique life experiments.
20 snips
Dec 18, 2025 • 1h 2min
MARION NESTLE exposes the dark truth about ultra processed foods
Marion Nestle, a prominent nutritionist and public health advocate, dives into the complexities of food politics and health. She critiques ultra-processed foods and discusses their harmful effects on health and calorie intake. Marion shares her personal dietary habits and the importance of avoiding artificial foods. She highlights the challenges of plant-based meat adoption and the influence of lobbying on U.S. dietary guidelines. With insights into corporate influence on eating habits, she emphasizes the need for cooking skills and the joy of growing your own food.
