

Rutger Bregman
Historian and author of 'Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference', 'Utopia for Realists', and 'Humankind'. Known for his work on universal basic income and challenging conventional perspectives.
Top 10 podcasts with Rutger Bregman
Ranked by the Snipd community

546 snips
Jul 5, 2025 • 41min
You’re Not Wasting Time, You’re Wasting Your Life | Rutger Bregman (PT. 2)
Join historian and bestselling author Rutger Bregman as he challenges the conventional pursuit of success. He discusses how chasing the wrong goals can lead to a wasted life and emphasizes the importance of realigning our work with meaningful impact. Bregman argues for the necessity of taking action on neglected global issues like health crises and climate change. With a framework of moral ambition, he inspires listeners to engage deeply in activism and embrace altruism, fostering a culture of true societal change.

343 snips
Jul 2, 2025 • 46min
You’re Not Wasting Time, You’re Wasting Your Life | Rutger Bregman (PT. 1)
Rutger Bregman, a Dutch historian and bestselling author, delves into the deeper meaning of work and success. He challenges the value of prestigious careers that may offer little societal benefit. Bregman highlights the significance of moral ambition and how true impactful work often defies societal norms. Through historical examples, he illustrates how individual actions can lead to massive change, emphasizing that what truly matters is contributing to the greater good, not just climbing the corporate ladder.

260 snips
May 17, 2025 • 42min
'The Interview': Rutger Bregman Wants to Save Elites From Their Wasted Lives
Rutger Bregman, a historian and writer known for his thought-provoking views on utopian ideas, challenges elite individuals to abandon self-centered ambitions for morally significant work. He discusses redefining success from wealth to impactful contributions and highlights the need for ambitious activism to address societal issues like the tobacco industry. Bregman emphasizes the importance of moral ambition, collective action, and using one's talents for the greater good, pushing for a cultural shift towards altruism and meaningful change.

217 snips
May 2, 2025 • 27min
#412 — Better Things & Better People
Rutger Bregman, historian and author known for his groundbreaking ideas on universal basic income and societal change, joins for a thought-provoking discussion. They tackle wealth inequality and the urgent need for moral leadership in turbulent times. Bregman argues that altruism should be better rewarded and critiques the effectiveness of billionaire philanthropy. He also explores the concept of moral ambition and the potential for a modern countercultural movement that addresses today’s existential risks and societal challenges.

190 snips
Dec 15, 2025 • 2h
Let’s Make The World Wildly Better: Rutger Bregman On Moral Ambition
Rutger Bregman, a Dutch historian and bestselling author, dives into the concept of 'moral ambition'—a call to channel privilege into meaningful societal change. He discusses the alarming truth that many view their jobs as useless and highlights the ethical failures of factory farming. Bregman emphasizes coalition-building for social movements and advocates for making philanthropy aspirational. He also critiques performative charity while promoting practical reforms in food systems, urging listeners to engage in impactful causes.

155 snips
Oct 1, 2025 • 1h 16min
Moral Ambition: Redefining Success for the Global Good with Rutger Bregman
Rutger Bregman, a Dutch historian and author renowned for his works like Humankind, joins the discussion. He argues for redefining success to prioritize collective well-being over personal gain. Bregman introduces the concept of moral ambition, blending activism with entrepreneurship, and outlines seven principles to foster altruism. He critiques GDP as a measure of success and emphasizes the importance of perseverance in social movements. By urging a shift in cultural norms, he envisions a future where moral actions take precedence, inspiring a new generation to tackle global challenges.

151 snips
Mar 6, 2025 • 1h 21min
Human-Kind or Human Evil with Rutger Bregman
Rutger Bregman, a historian and author renowned for challenging our understanding of human nature, joins Trevor and Christiana for an insightful discussion. They debate the innate goodness versus selfishness of humanity, illustrating this with amusing anecdotes, like comparing a toddler's intelligence to that of a pig. The conversation highlights human cooperation during crises, explores the moral implications of wealth, and the evolving nature of societal norms, ultimately promoting a hopeful perspective on progress and kindness.

137 snips
Nov 25, 2025 • 58min
1. A Time of Monsters
Rutger Bregman, a Dutch historian and author, dives into moral decay among today's elites, comparing modern America to ancient Rome. He calls for small, committed groups to ignite moral revolutions, emphasizing the need for civic courage and integrity. Bregman critiques parts of the left for their retreat from building, while warning against resurgent fascism. He advocates for embracing privilege in service of the public and highlights technology's dual role in shaping culture. Ultimately, he inspires hope for a better future through concerted moral action.

137 snips
Aug 26, 2025 • 33min
ReThinking: How you can do more for others with Rutger Bregman
Rutger Bregman, a Dutch historian and author of 'Moral Ambition', discusses how to align idealism with entrepreneurship for social good. He emphasizes the importance of moral ambition to redefine success beyond wealth and suggests practical ways for individuals to contribute to societal change. The conversation covers fostering moral ambition in children, the importance of personal growth in effective altruism, and balancing ambition with compassion for impactful social change. Bregman also highlights the significance of community action in driving meaningful change.

110 snips
Jun 14, 2025 • 60min
Ep. #699: Sen. John Fetterman, Ian Bremmer & Rutger Bregman
Joining the discussion are John Fetterman, a progressive senator from Pennsylvania known for his bold style; Ian Bremmer, a global political risk expert; and historian Rutger Bregman, who tackles societal change. The trio dives into media narratives surrounding political unrest, critiques on Israel-Iran tensions, and the complexities of indigenous land rights. They humorously reflect on the chaotic landscape of activism, the future of work in an AI-driven world, and the urgent need for pro-democracy strategies amidst political absurdities.


