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
7 snips
Nov 12, 2025 • 1h 49min
What is psychosomatic illness? (with Suzanne O'Sullivan)
Suzanne O'Sullivan, an Irish physician and neurologist, delves into the complexities of long COVID and psychosomatic illnesses. She discusses four explanations for long COVID, emphasizing the real physical nature of psychosomatic symptoms. The conversation highlights how societal factors inflamed these conditions during the pandemic and addresses misconceptions perpetuated through social media. O'Sullivan suggests effective recovery techniques, including distraction and reframing symptoms, while unpacking the challenges of diagnosing chronic pain and unexplained illnesses.
14 snips
Nov 5, 2025 • 1h 21min
What causes mass shootings? (with Ragy Girgis)
In this insightful discussion, Dr. Ragy Girgis, a Psychiatry Professor at Columbia University and expert on mass violence, delves into the complex causes of mass shootings. He explores how media coverage can amplify the fame-seeking motives of perpetrators, the limited role of severe mental illness, and the societal factors driving public mass murders. Girgis emphasizes the need for targeted prevention efforts, such as specific psychiatric profiling and robust gun regulations, to effectively address the underlying issues of violence.
57 snips
Oct 29, 2025 • 1h 11min
Contempt-free public discourse (with Robert Rosenkranz)
Robert Rosenkranz, a philanthropist and founder of Open to Debate, dives into the nuances of fostering contempt-free public discourse. He discusses the importance of debate formats in changing opinions and the decline of meaningful political discussions. Rosenkranz explores the impact of social media and identity on public polarization, emphasizing the need for open dialogue on controversial topics. He also addresses the philosophy of philanthropy, advocating for value-driven approaches that prioritize impact and the cultivation of critical thinking skills.
57 snips
Oct 22, 2025 • 1h 22min
Beyond the assumption that humans are rational (with Barry Schwartz)
Barry Schwartz, an emeritus psychology professor and author, discusses the limitations of rational choice theory and the complexities of decision-making. He critiques how quantification often overshadows important values that can't be easily measured, suggesting that relying on numbers can mislead us. Schwartz emphasizes the importance of framing decisions correctly and acknowledges the interplay between intuition and reflection. He also highlights how diverse perspectives can expose blind spots, ultimately advocating for a richer definition of rationality.
80 snips
Oct 15, 2025 • 1h 24min
Will AI superintelligence kill us all? (with Nate Soares)
Nate Soares, an executive at the Machine Intelligence Research Institute and co-author of *If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies*, explores the existential risks posed by superhuman AI. He discusses how AI's alien drives can create unpredictable behaviors, complicating our control over these systems. The conversation delves into the differences between AI's training and future actions, with critical insights on AI hallucinations and the notion that kindness in training doesn't guarantee safe outcomes later. Soares emphasizes the urgent need for awareness and regulation to mitigate potential catastrophic scenarios.
44 snips
Oct 8, 2025 • 1h 16min
Do facts have an expiration date? (with Samuel Arbesman)
In this insightful discussion, guest Samuel Arbesman, a Scientist in Residence at Lux Capital and author, explores the evolving nature of knowledge. He introduces the idea of treating facts as drafts that change over time rather than immutable truths. Arbesman dives into how measurement tools shape our understanding and the importance of scientific humility. He also discusses the balance between skepticism and trust in science, the role of interdisciplinary connections, and how AI can democratize creativity. Ultimately, he encourages a sense of wonder in our approach to science and technology.
55 snips
Oct 1, 2025 • 1h 17min
From prisoner to escaping inner prisons (with Shaka Senghor)
Shaka Senghor, a resilience expert and author, transformed his life after spending 19 years in prison. In an insightful conversation, he discusses how trauma, fear, and shame often drive violence, challenging societal narratives around crime and accountability. Shaka highlights the importance of respectful policing and community engagement, contrasts solitary confinement with productive alternatives for rehabilitation, and shares his journey towards emotional freedom. His insights pave the way for understanding and overcoming psychological barriers.
74 snips
Sep 24, 2025 • 1h 27min
A new paradigm for psychology research (with Slime Mold Time Mold)
In this engaging discussion, the Slime Mold Time Mold collective sheds light on their innovative cybernetic approach to psychology. They challenge conventional traits, insisting on identifying entities and rules for understanding behavior. Dive into how hunger and fear operate as internal governors, plus their fascinating research linking obesity and environmental factors like lithium. Expect to learn how emotions fit into this paradigm, why the Big Five might mislead, and the future directions for a richer, more mechanistic psychology.
37 snips
Sep 17, 2025 • 1h 12min
Beyond saving lives: happiness and doing good (with Michael Plant)
In this engaging discussion, Michael Plant, Founder of the Happier Lives Institute and post-doctoral researcher at Oxford, dives into the realms of happiness and charity evaluation. He examines the balance between moment-to-moment happiness and life satisfaction when guiding philanthropic efforts. Michael critiques traditional metrics like QALYs/DALYs and reveals gaps in charity effectiveness focused on wellbeing. He also delves into the moral complexities of prioritizing interventions, such as treating depression versus providing clean water, urging donors to consider happiness-based strategies.
26 snips
Sep 10, 2025 • 1h 18min
Darwinian Demons: Climate Change and the AI Arms Race (with Kristian Rönn)
Kristian Rönn, an entrepreneur and author of The Darwinian Trap, discusses the urgent existential risks posed by AI, comparing them to historical threats like nuclear weapons. He emphasizes the need for global governance to mitigate these dangers and explores the complexities of climate change in relation to technology. Rönn raises critical questions about balancing innovation with caution and whether collaborative efforts can ensure emerging technologies uplift humanity. His insights into the interplay of competition and ethical dilemmas in AI development are thought-provoking.
