Best Richard Wiseman Podcasts (2024)

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459. From Moon Landings to Magic: Exploring Quirky Psychology feat. Richard Wiseman 53:21

3h ago53:21

53:21

How does drawing from experiments and scientists on the fringes of science help all of science and strengthen the core? How does luck actually work? How did the early members of NASA treat scientists who made mistakes in the quest to reach the moon? Richard Wiseman is a professor of the public understanding of psychology at the University of Hertfo…

1
Joe Stilgoe and Gabriella Swallow on Beethoven, Doo-wop and Mambo 42:35

44m ago42:35

42:35

Cellist Gabriella Swallow and singer, pianist and songwriter Joe Stilgoe join Anna Phoebe and Jeffrey Boakye as they add the next five tracks, taking us from a pioneering use of a vocoder for a Stanley Kubrick soundtrack to a Grace Jones synth hit, via some early American Doo-wop. Producer: Jerome WeatheraldPresented with musical direction by Jeffr…

1
460. Unraveling Start-Up Success with Mike Maples, Jr. and Peter Ziebelman 1:15:43

14h ago1:15:43

1:15:43

Is there a secret recipe for start-up success? Probably not. But if you take a close enough look at some of the massive success stories like Twitter and Lyft, patterns start to emerge. Venture capitalists Mike Maples, Jr. and Peter Ziebelman pull back the curtain and examine how start-ups go from seedling ideas to billion-dollar companies in their …

1
The Skeptic Zone #830 - 1.September.2024 1:01:47

15m ago1:01:47

1:01:47

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:08 You Can Count on Adrienne The Travels of a Skeptic Zone Reporter Adrienne interviews Andras Pinter from The European Skeptics Podcast and Coleman Watts, a former conspiracy theorist turned science communicator, on her travels to the Rocky Mountains and then onto Iceland. Join her for these informal but…

1
Dinara Klinton and Nicky Spence on the mysteries of the masked singers 43:12

8m ago43:12

43:12

Ukrainian-British pianist Dinara Klinton and Scottish operatic tenor Nicky Spence join Anna Phoebe and Jeffrey Boakye, taking us from a cheeky 1980s boy band from Birmingham via Domenico Scarlatti to the famous French duo behind the mask as they add the next five tracks. Producer: Jerome WeatheraldPresented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye …

1
458. The Economics of Addiction with David Courtwright 1:01:40

10h ago1:01:40

1:01:40

Are we a more addicted society now than ever before in history? And if that’s the case, is it because there are more things to be addicted to or has the thinking around addiction simply shifted in the last century? David Courtwright is an emeritus professor of history at the University of North Florida. His books like, The Age of Addiction: How Bad…

1
457. The Origins and Spread of Democracy feat. David Stasavage 55:21

2h ago55:21

55:21

What factors influenced the development of early democracies, the role of technology in governance? Who came up with the concept of fairness in taxation, and the evolution of democratic institutions over time? David Stasavage is in the department of Politics at New York University, and also the author of several books. His latest book is titled The…

1
The Skeptic Zone #829 - 25.August.2024 51:13

1h ago51:13

51:13

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:02:50 Kate & Allie Folklore or Future Quiz Join Kate this week as she challenges Allie with a quiz. Kate will uncover a mysterious array of treatments and Allie will have to unravel the enigma of whether these practices hail from folklore of old or persist in the modern day. Play along to test your knowledge…

1
Amy Harman and Roderick Williams head for The Village 42:43

5d ago42:43

42:43

Baritone Roderick Williams and bassoonist Amy Harman kick off with a famous four-letter acronym as they add the next five tracks to the playlist with Anna Phoebe and Jeffrey Boakye as they go on their latest international musical journey. From the cop, the cowboy and the construction worker in Greenwich Village, the show drops in on Brahms, visits …

1
456. Economic Growth in the Age of Automation with Carl Benedikt Frey 1:05:48

19h ago1:05:48

1:05:48

The fear of AI taking our jobs has been buzzing for years, but it’s not a new conversation. Technology has been shaking up industries and displacing workers since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution. In this episode, Greg sits down with Carl Benedikt Frey, the Dieter Schwarz Associate Professor of AI & Work at the Oxford Internet Institute, to di…

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455. How Meritocracy Has Become the New Aristocracy feat. Daniel Markovits 58:08

9h ago58:08

58:08

Discover how the American dream of meritocracy, rather than being a ladder to success, may actually be fueling inequality, eroding the middle class, and even harming the elites it was meant to reward. Our guest today is Daniel Markovits, the Guido Calabresi Professor of Law at Yale Law School and the Founding Director of the Center for the Study of…

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The Skeptic Zone #828 - 18.August.2024 52:58

12d ago52:58

52:58

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:03:22 Beyond Belief Bob Nixon tunes in and finds an old aquaintance up to his old tricks - very old tricks. "Like Deja vu all over again" In this report from 'The Skeptic Magazine' in 2001, a former investigator of Australian Skeptics the late Bob Nixon, reviews a farcical TV special about the paranormal, st…

1
Isata Kanneh-Mason and Richard Stilgoe launch a new series 42:48

12d ago42:48

42:48

Pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason and lyricist and musician Richard Stilgoe join Anna Phoebe and Jeffrey Boakye as they add the first five tracks in the new series, taking us from a pop/disco banger from 2001 to Nina Simone, via a heartfelt countertenor revival. Producer: Jerome WeatheraldPresented with musical direction by Jeffrey Boakye and Anna Phoebe …

1
454. American Childhood From the Frontier to Helicopter Parenting feat. Paula S. Fass 57:05

21d ago57:05

57:05

Why have historians often overlooked childhood despite its significance in shaping culture and political views? How did trends in family demographics and child-raising change across the country as new research became popular or new technology became widely adopted? Paula S. Fass is an emerita professor of history at UC Berkeley and also the author …

1
453. Financial Deals that Shaped the World feat. Paolo Zannoni 49:06

20d ago49:06

49:06

How was the financial world changed by the structured use of wooden sticks with dents in them? Why did silver coins disappear from England as soon as they were minted? How did one country that aimed to eliminate money ultimately end up creating the most stable currency in Europe? Paolo Zannoni is Executive Deputy Chairman at Prada, and the author o…

1
452. The Groundbreaking Case That Changed Sovereign Debt Law with Gregory Makoff 1:06:16

1d ago1:06:16

1:06:16

The thing about sovereign debt is that if a country defaults on its loan, there are no international bankruptcy laws in place to ensure the creditors get their money back. So what happens then? Gregory Makoff, a physicist turned banker, is a fellow at Harvard Kennedy School and the author of the book, Default: The Landmark Court Battle over Argenti…

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The Skeptic Zone #827 - 11.August.2024 1:00:02

16d ago1:00:02

1:00:02

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders With a short tribute to skeptical journalist Jane Hansen. 00:04:12 Vale Mark Edward We are saddened to hear of the death in the past week of Mark Edward, skeptic, magician, mentalist, author and partner to Susan Gerbic. Tributes from Adrienne Hill and Susan Gerbic. Mark Edward Wilson, who was known by his stage…

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451. Reckoning with Imperial History feat. Sathnam Sanghera 50:19

21d ago50:19

50:19

In what ways is England’s imperial past connected to its present? What of that past is reflected in the schools and schoolwork of students? Are there ways to acknowledge and repair things from the past in a way that moves society forward? Sathnam Sanghera is a journalist for The Times of London and the author of several books. His latest two are ti…

1
450. The Founding Fathers’ Tireless Pursuit of Virtue with Jeffrey Rosen 51:07

22d ago51:07

51:07

How did the teachings of the great Greek and Roman moral philosophers shape America and its founders? How has the shift away from studying those teachings had an impact on the modern political landscape? Jeffrey Rosen is the CEO of the National Constitution Center, a law professor at George Washington University, and the host of the podcast We the …

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449. The Pains of Legal Micromanagement with Philip K. Howard 1:08:35

15d ago1:08:35

1:08:35

Does modern society have too many laws? Have we complicated legal codes to the point where we’re suffocating under them and grinding the government to a screeching halt? Lawyer and author Philip K. Howard is the founder of the nonpartisan coalition, Common Good, which works toward legal and government reform. He’s the author of numerous books like,…

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The Skeptic Zone #826 - 4.August.2024 1:05:59

10d ago1:05:59

1:05:59

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:03:42 The Loons from Canada In part 1 of a 2 part series, Kate and Allie take a look at the phenomena of Access Consciousness and Access Bars. Part one: What is access consciousness and its "Ten Keys to Freedom" and how much does it cost? https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/critical-thinking/rasputin-phrenolog…

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448. Living Your Best Epicurean Life with Catherine Wilson 45:11

27d ago45:11

45:11

Out of all the ancient moral philosophies, which one feels most applicable to how we live our lives in the modern world? As today’s guest would say, we are all Epicureans now. Catherine Wilson is an emerita professor of philosophy at the University of York. She’s written many books on the subject of ethics and philosophy, including How to Be an Epi…

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447. Weaponizing Shame and Algorithms feat. Cathy O'Neil 54:13

1M ago54:13

54:13

Shame and the classification of people have always been with us, but new technology can amplify the harmful effects of both. What can be learned from a careful study of algorithms at play in pivotal places in society? Cathy O’Neil is the founder of an algorithmic auditing company called Orca, a research fellow at Harvard University, and the author …

1
446. The Science of Success with Albert-László Barabási 58:06

17d ago58:06

58:06

In order to study the science of success, you have to also study the science of failure. How much is performance connected to success? How do you leverage networks in your domain successfully? Albert-László Barabási is a professor of network science at Northeastern University and the author of books like, Linked: The New Science Of Networks Science…

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The Skeptic Zone #825 - 28.July.2024 52:58

17d ago52:58

52:58

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders Also a look at the current nominations and past winners of the Australian Skeptics Bent Spoon Award. https://www.skeptics.com.au/about/activities/bent-spoon 00:09:24 For Crying Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod This week Kat gives us an overview of the first ever 'Global Skeptics in the Pub', held as part of the Skepti…

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445. How and When To Think Like a Scientist with Saul Perlmutter, John Campbell, and Robert MacCoun 1:02:48

1M ago1:02:48

1:02:48

In a world challenged by the politicization of data, contradicting evidence, and an onslaught of information, could the key to more effective and informed decision-making be as simple as, thinking like a scientist? Professor of physics Saul Perlmutter, professor of philosophy John Campbell, and professor of psychology and law Robert MacCoun combine…

1
444. From Isolation to Connection in Modern Work Environments feat. David Bradford 58:33

1M ago58:33

58:33

Can you truly build exceptional relationships in a professional setting? What are the secrets to effective communication and the role of social psychology in fostering strong connections? David Bradford is a Senior Lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business, having taught the legendary “touchy feely course for decades, and the author or co-au…

1
443. Uncovering COVID-19’s Origin with Alina Chan 1:00:18

22d ago1:00:18

1:00:18

More than four years after the pandemic began, a source for COVID-19 still eludes scientists and public health officials. The mystery has given rise to a slew of hypotheses ranging from natural zoonotic transmission to lab leaks. But to get to the bottom and find the real source of the virus, you have to start with the evidence. Alina Chan is a sci…

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The Skeptic Zone #824 - 21.July.2024 1:09:47

26d ago1:09:47

1:09:47

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:03:42 The Book of Tim. With Tim Mendham Challenging Times By Barry Williams Over 20 years ago, one Victor Zammit, a retired Sydney solicitor, apparently decided to take the skeptics on at their own game and has issued a challenge of his own. "$1 Million Challenge to Disprove Evidence of Life After Death." - A…

1
442. Enhancing Community and Connection with Rituals feat. Michael Norton 49:42

1M ago49:42

49:42

What if the key to managing stress and finding meaning lies in the simple rituals we perform daily? How can engaging in rituals can be a potent tool for combating anxiety and fostering a sense of community? Michael Norton is the Harold M. Brierley Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School and an author. His latest book is …

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441. Breaking Free From Emotional Habituation with Tali Sharot 59:33

27d ago59:33

59:33

Humans are creatures of habit. It’s even wired that way in our brains. But what impact does habituation have on personal happiness? Tali Sharot is a professor of neuroscience at University College London and researches habituation, adaptation, and other cognitive biases. Her latest book, Look Again: The Power of Noticing What Was Always There co-au…

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440. Whistleblowing in Medical Research with Carl Elliott 1:04:36

1M ago1:04:36

1:04:36

Despite the Hippocratic Oath of “do no harm” that all physicians take, a dark side exists in the medical field. Carl Elliott is a professor of philosophy who teaches bioethics at the University of Minnesota. His latest book, The Occasional Human Sacrifice: Medical Experimentation and the Price of Saying No, shares the stories of some of the most eg…

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The Skeptic Zone #823 - 14.July.2024 1:08:19

2M ago1:08:19

1:08:19

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:00 Astrology Trash is Bad News We report on a bizarre situation in Australia where it is proposed to run a regular astrology segment in the evening TV news bulletin. Is this an act of desperation to gain more viewers? What has been the reaction from other media? https://www.skynews.com.au/business/media/c…

1
439. The Psychology Behind Misbelief and Conspiracy Theories feat. Dan Ariely 59:57

2M ago59:57

59:57

What if you could understand why rational people sometimes believe the most irrational things? Dan Ariely is a Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics at Duke University, the Center for Advanced Hindsight, and is also the author of several books including his most recent work, Misbelief: What Makes Rational People Believe Irrational Things…

1
438. Exploring Medicine’s Moral and Ethical Questions with Travis Rieder 1:02:58

1M ago1:02:58

1:02:58

Travis Rieder, a professor of bioethics at Johns Hopkins University, is fascinated by the world’s ethical dilemmas. His work sits at the intersection of medicine and philosophy, but also draws from his own life experiences like in his book, In Pain: A Bioethicist's Personal Struggle with Opioids. His latest book, Catastrophe Ethics: How to Choose W…

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437. Aligning Data Science and Machine Learning for Business Success feat. Eric Siegel 50:54

1M ago50:54

50:54

Ever wondered how to truly bridge the gap between technical expertise and practical business implementation? How did the terminology shift from "data mining" to "predictive analytics" and revolutionize the business world? Eric Siegel, Ph.D., is a leading consultant and former Columbia University professor who helps companies deploy machine learning…

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The Skeptic Zone #822 - 7.July.2024 1:07:08

1M ago1:07:08

1:07:08

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:06:52 Ben Radford talks UFOs Once again we welcome the world renowned skeptical investigator, author, podcaster, and deputy editor of Skeptical Inquirer magazine, the one and only Ben Radford. In a wide ranging interview Ben talks about the Roswell UFO incident, cryptozoology, and his upcoming visit to Sydne…

1
436. What the History of Economic Growth Says About the Future of Work with Daniel Susskind 1:03:13

2M ago1:03:13

1:03:13

The study of economic growth is a modern phenomenon. In fact, economists didn’t get serious about measuring it until the mid-20th century. So what brought growth into focus and are the ways we measure it today adequate for a technologically-advanced world? Daniel Susskind is an economics professor at King's College London and a senior research asso…

1
435. What the Past Can Tell Us About Our Climate Future with Brian Fagan 44:53

1M ago44:53

44:53

Humans have lived with a changing climate since we’ve been on this planet. But what archaeology and anthropology is able to reveal now, is how well civilizations have adapted to changing climates over the course of human history. Brian Fagan is an emeritus professor of anthropology at UC Santa Barbara and the author of more than 50 books including,…

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The Skeptic Zone #821 - 30.June.2024 1:00:55

2M ago1:00:55

1:00:55

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 00:04:14 Cold and Hot Reading We play a clip of a recent radio appearance by Richard Saunders (ABC Australia), where he discusses so-called psychics and some of their tricks. Also the reading of a report by Ian Bryce, from the pages of 'The Skeptic', when he, Saunders and Alynda Brown tested a 'Palm Reader' in …

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