Best Chris Rucker Podcasts (2025)

1
Spin Doctors Confidential: Chris Barron Looks Back on His Band's Ups and Downs 1:09:21

5d ago1:09:21

1:09:21

Spin Doctors have their first album out in 12 years, Face Full of Cake — and it's quite good. Lead singer Chris Barron joins host Brian Hiatt to go deep on the band's Nineties triumphs and mistakes, why he doesn't envy Phish, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

1
Episode 105: Michael Levin's Unseen World of Cell Cognition 1:51:55

10d ago1:51:55

1:51:55

This week Bruce speaks about the work or Michael Levin, who is a biologist know for his work on cell cognition and collective intelligence or the idea that electrical signals between cells influence the formation of biological systems. His work has potentially massive implications in cancer research and other fields. Though rarely identified with 3…

1
Pop Update! Gaga Triumphs, Selena Gets Raunchy, Chappell Goes Country and More 53:21

12d ago53:21

53:21

Brittany Spanos and Rob Sheffield join host Brian Hiatt for a look at some of the latest developments in pop, from Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco's collaborative album to Lady Gaga's Mayhem Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Rolling Stone | Cumulus Podcast Network

1
The Hidden History of Nineties Lollapalooza 57:16

19d ago57:16

57:16

A new book, Lollapalooza: The Uncensored Story of Alternative Rock's Wildest Festival, is full of fascinating unearthed stories about the most important festival of the 1990s. Authors Richard Bienstock and Tom Beaujour join host Brian Hiatt to break down some of the book's best moments: Eddie Vedder joining the freak show, Sinead O'Connor freaking …

1
Metallica Secrets and More: Kirk Hammett Tells All 1:03:39

26d ago1:03:39

1:03:39

Kirk Hammett, author of the new book The Collection: Kirk Hammett, looks back at his years in Metallica, hanging out with Kurt Cobain and Lou Reed, and much more in an interview with host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Rolling Stone | Cumulus Podcast Network

1
Episode 104: 3rd Way Evolution vs the Critics 1:57:37

1M ago1:57:37

1:57:37

How well do the collection of assertions called “3rd way evolution” stand up to criticism? Here, in our second of at least 3 episodes on this topic, Bruce considers the criticisms of Denis Noble and James Shapiro by YouTuber and evolutionary biologist Zach Hancock in his epic video on the subject. Perhaps the role of epigenetics is overstated, Lama…

1
Questlove on the Mysteries of Sly Stone and Much More 51:55

1M ago51:55

51:55

Questlove, director of the excellent new documentary Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius), dissects the greatness of Sly Stone, while also going deep on D'Angelo, Michael Jackson, and his own life Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Rolling Stone | Cumulus Podcast Network

1
50 Terrible Songs on Great Albums 1:08:17

1M ago1:08:17

1:08:17

Andy Greene joins host Brian Hiatt to break down his list of terrible songs on great albums, from "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" to "Drunk and Hot Girls" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Rolling Stone | Cumulus Podcast Network

1
My Life with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Mike Campbell Looks Back 55:05

2M ago55:05

55:05

Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell, author of the great new book Heartbreaker: A Memoir, shares untold stories from his collaborations with Tom Petty and much more in an interview with host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Rolling Stone | Cumulus Podcast Network

1
Episode 103: Neo-Darwinism vs Post-Darwinism 1:53:36

2M ago1:53:36

1:53:36

This week we discuss neo-Darwinism vs post-Darwinism. Neo-Darwinism meaning a gene centric view of evolution, which is also called the great synthesis since it unifies natural selection with genetics and paleontology and perhaps even human psychology. Post-Darwinism is a view that emphasizes factors outside random mutation, like epigenetics or the …

1
Lady Gaga to the Rolling Stones: Andrew Watt's Studio Secrets 51:46

2M ago51:46

51:46

Super-producer Andrew Watt shares behind-the-scenes tales of working with Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, the Rolling Stones, Pearl Jam, Paul McCartney, and many more in an interview with host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Rolling Stone | Cumulus Podcast Network

1
Why Was Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Halftime Show So Controversial? 44:01

2M ago44:01

44:01

We dig into Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show, and try to figure out why a great performance got some mixed reactions, with Brittany Spanos and Rob Sheffield joining host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Rolling Stone | Cumulus Podcast Network

1
Dr. Ariel Ekblaw: How We Might Live in Space 40:56

2M ago40:56

40:56

What would it take for humanity to truly live and thrive in space? Not just surviving, but creating a life worth living—complete with culture, comfort, and connection. And how might those innovations in space transform life here on Earth? To answer these questions, few people are better to ask than Dr. Ariel Ekblaw. I am confident you’ve never met …

1
EXCLUSIVE: Inside the 2025 Grammys with Exec Producer Ben Winston 1:07:11

2M ago1:07:11

1:07:11

Ben Winston, executive producer of the Grammy Awards, goes deep on backstage secrets from this year's show with host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Rolling Stone | Cumulus Podcast Network

1
Episode 102: Is IQ a Bit Scientifically Valid? 1:25:51

2M ago1:25:51

1:25:51

This time we discuss Nassim Nicholas Taleb's article "IQ is Largely a Pseudoscientific Swindle" -- a title whose compliment is that he's claiming IQ is a bit scientifically valid. But which bits does he claim are valid? We use this article as a springboard to consider: Do the numbers produced by an IQ test say something meaningful or useful about h…

1
The Secret History of R.E.M. 1:06:33

3M ago1:06:33

1:06:33

We look back at the singular story of a great American band, with Peter Ames Carlin, author of the new book The Name of This Band Is R.E.M.: A Biography, joining host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Rolling Stone | Cumulus Podcast Network

1
Where Do Music Biopics Go After 'A Complete Unknown'? 53:43

3M ago53:43

53:43

We discuss the success of A Complete Unknown, look forward at the upcoming Bruce Springsteen and Beatles movies, and contemplate what might be next, from Fleetwood Mac to Prince, with Andy Greene joining host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Rolling Stone | Cumulus Podcast Network

1
Conversation: Dan Perry of 'Ask Questions Later' on Israel-Hamas 35:10

3M ago35:10

35:10

Here is a recording from my live video with Dan Perry of “Ask Questions Later”. About Dan Perry: As regular CRN readers and listeners know, among other roles, Dan led the Associated Press coverage of Israel and the Middle East — from Pakistan through north Africa — for much of the 2010s, and before that he led AP in Europe and Africa. Today Dan liv…

1
Episode 101: Wolfram, Rucker, and the Computational Nature of Reality 2:16:27

3M ago2:16:27

2:16:27

Bruce takes a deep dive into Stephen Wolfram’s ideas regarding computational universality, which may go further than the Church-Turing-Deutsch thesis in that Wolfram’s theories imply that all of nature could be simulated even by relatively simple systems, so even nature itself may be computational rather than something that can just be simulated on…

1
How De La Soul Changed the World 46:04

3M ago46:04

46:04

Author Marcus J. Moore, author of a new book on De La Soul, breaks down the Long Island hip-hop legends' story with host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Rolling Stone | Cumulus Podcast Network

1
The Making of "A Long December" 58:48

4M ago58:48

58:48

Counting Crows' Adam Duritz looks back at the making of "A Long December" and much more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Rolling Stone | Cumulus Podcast Network

1
Episode 100: Interview with David Deutsch 2:27:25

4M ago2:27:25

2:27:25

Our Christmas gift to you this year is episode 100: an interview with The Man (TM) himself! Bruce stumbles over himself fan-boying as he asks all his burning (but geeky) questions about cosmology, the omega point, and probability. How do Deutsch and Tipler differ on optimistic end-time cosmology? Is the Omega point refuted by observation (Deutsch) …

1
My Life in Radiohead: Bassist Colin Greenwood on His New Book, the Band's Future and Much More 52:11

4M ago52:11

52:11

Radiohead bassist Colin Greenwood — whose excellent photo book, How to Disappear: A Photographic Portrait of Radiohead, is out now — looks back at his time in Radiohead, ponders the band's future and much more in our new interview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Rolling Stone | Cumulus Podcast Network

1
Episode 99: Critical Rationalism and Solipsism 1:31:31

4M ago1:31:31

1:31:31

AKA "David Deutsch DESTORYS the Simulation Hypothesis" Bruce take a deep dive into solipsism in the form of the brain in a vat thought experiment, Nick Bostrom’s simulation hypothesis, and related ideas. Does the Church-Turing-Deutsch thesis suggest we could live in a simulation? What does critical rationalism say about these theories? Support us o…

1
Sabrina Carpenter Collaborator Amy Allen on the Art of Pop Songwriting 41:11

4M ago41:11

41:11

Amy Allen, who co-wrote every track of Sabrina Carpenter's Short n' Sweet — and has a strong album of her own — breaks down the art of modern pop songwriting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Rolling Stone | Cumulus Podcast Network

1
Episode 98: Objectively Beautiful Flowers? 1:58:05

5M ago1:58:05

1:58:05

This week we discuss the chapter “Why are Flowers Beautiful?” from the book Beginning of Infinity by David Deutsch. Through our discussion we consider: Does relativism make any sense? Is preferring Mozart to a child banging on a piano really just an arbitrary preference? If progress in art is real, will human minds ever stop increasing the level of…

1
Chappell Roan and Olivia Rodrigo's Super-Producer, Daniel Nigro, Tells All 52:14

5M ago52:14

52:14

Daniel Nigro, who just scored a Producer of the Year Grammy nomination, shares studio secrets behind Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan's biggest hits, and much more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Rolling Stone | Cumulus Podcast Network

1
How Taylor Swift Transformed Pop 1:00:32

5M ago1:00:32

1:00:32

Rob Sheffield breaks down his new book, Heartbreak Is the National Anthem: How Taylor Swift Reinvented Pop Music, in a conversation with Brittany Spanos and host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Rolling Stone | Cumulus Podcast Network

1
Episode 97: Karl Popper On Conservatism in Music (w/Chris Johansen) 1:31:41

5M ago1:31:41

1:31:41

We take a deep dive into Karl Popper’s philosophical ideas about music that he outlines in four chapters in this intellectual autobiography Unended Quest: “Music,” Speculations about the Rise of Polyphonic Music,” “Two Kinds of Music,” and “Progressivism in Art, Especially in Music.” We are joined by Peter’s brother, Chris Johansen, who is a straig…

1
How Greenwich Village (and Bob Dylan) Created the Sixties 47:49

6M ago47:49

47:49

Even before the Beatles hit the U.S., the 1960s really got started when Bob Dylan hit the pop charts in 1963 — via Peter, Paul, and Mary's cover of "Blowin' in the Wind." David Browne, author of the new book Talkin’ Greenwich Village: The Heady Rise and Slow Fall of America’s Bohemian Music Capital, sits down with host Brian Hiatt to talk about the…

1
Episode 96: Kenneth Stanley on the Pursuit of What’s Interesting 1:28:33

6M ago1:28:33

1:28:33

Here we interview AI researcher Kenneth Stanley, who makes the case that in complex systems, pursing specific objectives can actually be counterproductive. Instead, whether in machine learning, business, science, education, or art, we should pursue what is interesting. It is in this search for novelty—fueled by curiosity—where innovation and open-e…

1
Bruce Springsteen Meets Zach Bryan 29:06

6M ago29:06

29:06

Two great American songwriters get together in New Jersey and go deep on songwriting secrets and much more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Rolling Stone | Cumulus Podcast Network

1
Episode 95: On Morality, Moralizing, and Elephant Jockeys (Round Table) 2:48:50

6M ago2:48:50

2:48:50

This time we invited some of the coolest and smartest people we know to have a freewheeling discussion on morality loosely centered on Jonathan Haidt's “rider and the elephant” metaphor. We take a deep dive into this idea that moral reasoning is a slave to our passions. Guests: • Lulie Tanett (https://open.spotify.com/show/6OPFnEt6uTOTGeSpnZ1YDp?si…

1
Chappell Roan: A Star Is Born 49:55

6M ago49:55

49:55

We tell the entire story of Chappell Roan's wild rise — and explain why her current controversies won't end up defining her career. Brittany Spanos — who wrote Rolling Stone's recent Chappell Roan cover story — joins host Brian Hiatt for the discussion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

1
Episode 94: Stephen Hicks on Critical Rationalism vs Objectivism 1:01:44

7M ago1:01:44

1:01:44

This episode we interview Professor of Philosophy Stephen Hicks. In his excellent books Explaining Postmodernism and Nietzsche and the Nazis it becomes clear that the history of bad and good ideas—which he sees through the lens of Enlightenment and counter-Enlightenment philosophers—is more than an academic issue but something with monumental impor…

1
Keith Urban on Working with Taylor Swift, Loving Springsteen, and His Confessional New Songs 57:57

7M ago57:57

57:57

Keith Urban talks about his work with Taylor Swift, his Bruce Springsteen fandom, the art of lead guitar, the making of his new album, High, and much more in an interview with host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Rolling Stone | Cumulus Podcast Network

1
The Wonder of Stevie 58:18

7M ago58:18

58:18

Sharing a preview of a new podcast called The Wonder of Stevie. You might think you know Stevie Wonder. You might think you know his music. But you’ve never heard it like this. Host Wesley Morris is taking you on a deep-dive through Stevie's Classic Period: five legendary albums back-to-back in just four years. Hear about the record deal that start…

1
David Gilmour on His New Album and Why Pink Floyd Drama is “Totally Irrelevant” 33:12

7M ago33:12

33:12

Gilmour previews his new tour, reveals songwriting secrets, explains why he’s over his “old pop group,” ponders baby-boomer mortality, and much more in a conversation with Rolling Stone's Andy Greene Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Rolling Stone | Cumulus Podcast Network

1
Episode 93: Philosophical Theories vs Bad Explanations 2:07:05

7M ago2:07:05

2:07:05

Can philosophical theories be refuted? What is a bad explanation? Can all theories be made more empirical? In search of an answer to these questions, Bruce takes a deep dive into what he believes is the correct way to apply “Popper’s ratchet” to metaphysical or philosophical theories. Along the way, Bruce puts forward a generalization of testabilit…

1
Beyoncé, D'Angelo, the End of Tony! Toni! Toné!: Raphael Saadiq Tells All 1:04:04

7M ago1:04:04

1:04:04

Legendary artist, producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Raphael Saadiq talks about working on 'Cowboy Carter,' why the recent Tony! Toni! Toné! comeback tour is their last, and much, much more in an interview with host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

1
From Startup to Industry Leader: Kris Rudeegraap's Sendoso Journey 27:03

8M ago27:03

27:03

In this week's episode of B2Boring, the podcast for B2B marketers, the host welcomes Kris, the founder and CEO of Sendoso. Key Highlights: Kris discusses his journey since founding the direct mail and corporate gifting platform almost nine years ago touching on the challenges faced, especially during the COVID-19 period and subsequent economic shif…

1
Episode 92: Popper on Philosophical Theories 1:55:50

8M ago1:55:50

1:55:50

Continuing from episode 91, we continue our deep dive into Popper's Conjectures and Refutations Chapter 8 where Popper explains how to use his epistemology on philosophical theories that (by definition) can't be 'refuted'. Despite agreeing with most of Popper's specific arguments, we offer some considerable criticisms to Popper's approach to critic…

1
Inside the Oasis Reunion 38:36

8M ago38:36

38:36

With Oasis set to reunite for a huge tour, we discuss how it may have happened and what it all means, and hear clips from our previous interviews with Liam and Noel Gallagher. Andy Greene joins host Brian Hiatt for the discussion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Rolling Stone | Cumulus Podcast Network

1
The Making of Yes' 'Fragile' and Much More with Guitarist Steve Howe 41:30

8M ago41:30

41:30

"Too Twiddly Didn’t Exist For Us": Guitar legend Steve Howe on the making of Yes' Fragile, the birth of prog, why he loves Rush, and much, much more in an interview with host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Rolling Stone | Cumulus Podcast Network

1
Episode 91: The Critical Rationalist Case For Induction!? 1:45:46

8M ago1:45:46

1:45:46

Forgive the clickbait title. The episode should probably actually be called "The (Lack of) Problem of Induction" because we primarily cover Popper's refutation of induction in C&R Chapter 8. This episode starts our deep dive into answering the question "What is the difference between a good philosophical explanation and a bad explanation?" To answe…

1
Winning Big with ABM: B2Boring With Kristina Jaramillo 26:27

8M ago26:27

26:27

Join Chris as he sits down with Kristina Jaramillo, President of Personal ABM, to explore the current state and challenges of account-based marketing (ABM). They dive into the importance of personalizing ABM strategies, focusing on quality over quantity, and the critical role of a strong post-sale ABM strategy in driving customer loyalty and repeat…

1
The Best Music of 2024 So Far, Pt. 1 54:32

8M ago54:32

54:32

We look at some of the best R&B, hip-hop, and Afrobeats albums and songs of the year so far — from Beyoncé to Tems — with Mankaprr Conteh joining host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Rolling Stone | Cumulus Podcast Network

1
Prince's Long Road to 'Purple Rain' 56:26

9M ago56:26

56:26

How did Prince go from getting booed as a Rolling Stones opening act to conquering the world? And how did Michael Jackson's Thriller help inspire Purple Rain? We trace Prince's path with help from the Revolution's Bobby Z, in conversation with host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

1
Episode 90: Bayesianism for Critical Rationalists!? 2:55:47

9M ago2:55:47

2:55:47

Today our guest Ivan Phillips methodically explains what Bayesianism is and is not. Along the way we discuss the validity of critiques made by critical rationalists of the worldview that is derived from Thomas Bayes’s 1763 theorem. Ivan is a Bayesian that is very familiar with Karl Popper's writings and even admires Popper's epistemology. Ivan make…

1
Exclusive: Inside 'A Complete Unknown' — How Timothée Chalamet Became Bob Dylan 53:44

9M ago53:44

53:44

Director James Mangold takes us deep inside his upcoming Bob Dylan movie, joining host Brian Hiatt for his first in-depth interview on the film. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Rolling Stone | Cumulus Podcast Network

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Chris Rucker Podcasts

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