Making Sense with Sam Harris

#442 — More From Sam: Public Speaking, Nuclear War, & Christian Nationalism

102 snips
Nov 3, 2025
In this discussion, Sam reveals how he conquered his fear of public speaking through exposure techniques. They explore the alarming threat of nuclear war, critiquing the current doctrine and highlighting a new Netflix film as a crucial awareness tool. The conversation also touches on the recent surge of right-wing intellectuals embracing Christianity. Lastly, a lightning round of questions adds a fun twist, keeping the dialogue both engaging and thought-provoking.
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ADVICE

Overcome Stage Fright By Doing It

  • Do repeatedly expose yourself to the thing you fear to let your nervous system learn it's safe.
  • Combine exposure with CBT-style reframing rather than relying solely on meditation or therapy.
ADVICE

Pair CBT With Exposure For Fear

  • Use cognitive behavioral techniques to reframe and approach feared situations deliberately.
  • Pair those techniques with repeated exposure rather than relying solely on meditation.
ANECDOTE

Valedictorian Speech He Refused

  • Sam declined being his high-school valedictorian to avoid giving a speech.
  • He later forced himself to speak during grad school and rapidly overcame the fear through high-stakes practice.
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