

Clearer Thinking with Spencer Greenberg
Spencer Greenberg
Clearer Thinking is a podcast about ideas that truly matter. If you enjoy learning about powerful, practical concepts and frameworks, wish you had more deep, intellectual conversations in your life, or are looking for non-BS self-improvement, then we think you'll love this podcast! Each week we invite a brilliant guest to bring four important ideas to discuss for an in-depth conversation. Topics include psychology, society, behavior change, philosophy, science, artificial intelligence, math, economics, self-help, mental health, and technology. We focus on ideas that can be applied right now to make your life better or to help you better understand yourself and the world, aiming to teach you the best mental tools to enhance your learning, self-improvement efforts, and decision-making. • We take on important, thorny questions like: • What's the best way to help a friend or loved one going through a difficult time? How can we make our worldviews more accurate? How can we hone the accuracy of our thinking? What are the advantages of using our "gut" to make decisions? And when should we expect careful, analytical reflection to be more effective? Why do societies sometimes collapse? And what can we do to reduce the chance that ours collapses? Why is the world today so much worse than it could be? And what can we do to make it better? What are the good and bad parts of tradition? And are there more meaningful and ethical ways of carrying out important rituals, such as honoring the dead? How can we move beyond zero-sum, adversarial negotiations and create more positive-sum interactions?
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 27, 2025 • 1h 48min
The most important century (with Holden Karnofsky)
Holden Karnofsky, a Member of Technical Staff at Anthropic and co-founder of GiveWell, dives into provocative topics about our future. He questions if we've hit 'peak progress' and whether ongoing economic growth is sustainable. Karnofsky discusses the risks of stagnation in innovation, the paradoxes of AI development, and parallels drawn between agricultural shifts and quality of life. He also reflects on the ethical complexities of aligning AI with human values, emphasizing the importance of responsible scaling in this transformative era.

15 snips
Aug 22, 2025 • 1h 14min
Should we try to live forever? (with Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston)
In this captivating discussion, neuroscientist Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston shares insights on human longevity and how it compares to other species. He examines the fascinating evolutionary trade-offs in lifespan and reproduction, while speculating on future technologies like stasis and cryonics. The conversation delves into the fluid concept of death, questioning traditional definitions and addressing consciousness and identity in light of technological advancements. Zeleznikow-Johnston challenges us to rethink our relationship with life and death, raising intriguing philosophical questions along the way.

40 snips
Aug 13, 2025 • 1h 29min
Trying to convince Spencer to be a utilitarian (with Tyler John)
Tyler John, a Visiting Scholar at the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence and expert on AI ethics, dives into the evolution of utilitarianism from ancient to modern times. He discusses the delicate balance between personal values and the utilitarian principle of maximizing overall happiness. Listeners learn about the 'veil of ignorance' and its implications for ethical decision-making. Tyler also tackles the intersection of utilitarianism with AI ethics, prompting reflections on how technology shapes our moral landscape.

75 snips
Aug 6, 2025 • 1h 35min
A conversation with an autistic person (with Megan Neff)
In a thought-provoking conversation with Megan Neff, a clinical psychologist and founder of Neurodivergent Insights, they delve into the nuances of autism. Neff shares insights from her journey of self-discovery and discusses empathy in autism, challenging the misconception that autistic individuals lack emotional understanding. The duo explores the complexities of special interests, social dynamics, and the significance of stimming. They also address the intersection of autism with gender and ADHD, and highlight the need for a more inclusive understanding of neurodiversity.

22 snips
Jul 30, 2025 • 1h 31min
AI: Autonomous or controllable? Pick one (with Anthony Aguirre)
Anthony Aguirre, Executive Director of the Future of Life Institute and a professor at UC Santa Cruz, dives into the paradox of superintelligent AI. He explores whether AI can be both autonomous and controllable, and discusses the ethical ramifications of rapid AI development. Aguirre advocates for regulatory frameworks to mitigate risks and reflects on the dangers of simplistic optimization in AI metrics. He even ventures into philosophical territory by contemplating if our reality could be a simulation, raising vital questions about our future and the moral alignment of advanced technologies.

63 snips
Jul 23, 2025 • 1h 8min
How much does global population decline matter? (with Dean Spears)
Dean Spears, an economic demographer from the University of Texas at Austin and co-founder of a nonprofit for children's health, dives into the intricacies of global population decline. He discusses the critical replacement rate, the fallacy of overpopulation fears, and the socio-cultural factors affecting birth rates. Spears highlights how economic growth ties to population size and explores the potential impacts of financial incentives on family planning. The conversation also touches on the intersection of birth rates, culture wars, and technology's limited role in reversing demographic trends.

51 snips
Jul 16, 2025 • 1h 19min
Is AI going to ruin everything? (with Gabriel Alfour)
Gabriel Alfour, a co-founder of the AI safety start-up Conjecture, dives into the existential risks posed by rapid AI advancements. He argues for the urgent need to rethink and strengthen our institutions amidst the technological upheaval. The conversation covers the decay of trust in institutions, the dangers of unregulated social media, and the complexities of aligning AI with human values. Alfour also discusses the necessity of balanced information markets and the profound implications of AI on society, urging for proactive strategies to mitigate potential threats.

70 snips
Jul 10, 2025 • 1h 26min
What listeners think Spencer's wrong about: steel-manning critiques
What defines a cult? The hosts explore whether there can be good cults and their implications. They critically evaluate the rationality tools offered to improve decision-making, addressing concerns about their relevance and research validity. AI text watermarking is scrutinized for its feasibility and integrity, highlighting the need to detect generated content. The conversation also touches on the nuances of language, intrinsic values, and Spencer’s philosophy of valuism, posing thought-provoking questions about life and individual beliefs.

202 snips
Jul 3, 2025 • 1h 21min
What do we know about psychology that matters? (with Paul Bloom)
Join Paul Bloom, a renowned psychology professor, as he dives into fascinating discussions about the replication crisis in psychology. He unpacks the complexities of human memory, questioning why we trust eyewitness testimony despite its faults. Bloom examines the impact of academic pressures on research and the nuances of psychological methodologies. The conversation even touches on the role of AI in therapy, exploring its transformative potential while cautioning against over-reliance. Get ready for a thought-provoking exploration of psychology's quirks and challenges!

125 snips
Jun 25, 2025 • 1h 20min
Bringing your "A-game" to your relationships (with Annie Lalla)
Annie Lalla, a relationship coach specializing in long-term romance, joins the discussion to unpack the essence of bringing your "A-game" to relationships. She explores emotional fitness, the balance of attraction and conflict, and how relationships serve as a gym for personal growth. The conversation touches on the intricacies of self-absorption versus codependency, along with the critical role of self-awareness in nurturing healthy dynamics. Annie also offers strategies for overcoming trauma, empowering listeners to regain agency and transform their relational experiences.