

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

Dec 24, 2025 • 1h 35min
When voting fails (with Nicholas Gruen)
Nicholas Gruen, an economist and advocate for democratic reform, explores innovative ideas for governance. He discusses the contrast between electoral representation and random sampling, using the example of citizen juries. Gruen critiques party dynamics that contribute to mismanagement and polarization while emphasizing the need for impartial decision-making structures. He proposes citizen councils as a way to enhance representation and highlights the importance of shared values in democracy. Additionally, he examines how practical wisdom can improve policymaking.

51 snips
Dec 17, 2025 • 1h 22min
Why aren't we relying on nuclear power? (with Isabelle Boemeke)
In this conversation with Isabelle Boemeke, a passionate advocate for clean energy and founder of Save Clean Energy, listeners dive into the complexities of nuclear power. She discusses why the fear of nuclear energy often overshadows the deadly risks of fossil fuels. Boemeke demystifies storage challenges, energy costs, and the public perception surrounding nuclear accidents. She emphasizes the need for firm baseload power and better regulatory frameworks to encourage safer and more efficient nuclear deployment. Her insights aim to reshape attitudes toward this powerful energy source.

66 snips
Dec 10, 2025 • 1h 18min
A conversation with a person with OCD (with David Adam)
In this engaging discussion, David Adam, an acclaimed author and journalist, shares his journey with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and insights from his book, The Man Who Couldn't Stop. He delves into the intricate dynamics of obsessions and compulsions, and how intrusive thoughts can transform into debilitating OCD. David explains critical concepts like thought–action fusion and the impact of ego-dystonic thoughts. He also highlights effective treatment strategies such as exposure and response prevention (ERP) and the role of SSRIs, emphasizing the importance of resilience in managing the condition.

56 snips
Dec 3, 2025 • 1h 11min
What, if anything, will save the environment? (with Dan Stein)
Dan Stein, founder of Giving Green and a climate economist, tackles the pressing issue of climate change. He discusses the nuances of tree-planting efficacy and critiques the flawed carbon credit systems. Stein emphasizes the need for innovative technology over personal sacrifices, advocating for a combination of R&D and strategic policy to drive down costs. He also explores the potential of geothermal energy and the role of corporations in supporting systemic change in heavy industries. Urgency for action, especially regarding underfunded sectors, is a recurring theme.

33 snips
Nov 26, 2025 • 1h 16min
Are markets rational or is sentiment contagious? (with Alex Imas)
Joining the discussion is Alex Imas, a behavioral economist and professor at the University of Chicago, known for his work on decision-making and applied AI. He dives into whether markets are influenced by cash flows or crowd sentiments, using the GameStop phenomenon as a case study. The conversation reveals why bubbles persist despite smart investment strategies and discusses the implications of zero-commission trading platforms. Alex also examines how AI could either help us or exacerbate market manipulation, calling for regulation to safeguard against harmful practices.

47 snips
Nov 19, 2025 • 1h 23min
Can you do 100x more good? (with Sjir Hoeijmakers)
Sjir Hoeijmakers, CEO of Giving What We Can and a veteran advocate for effective charity, dives into the transformative idea of multiplying your charitable impact. He contrasts typical donations with high-leverage interventions like malaria prevention, and introduces five key principles for effective giving. Sjir discusses balancing personal passions with evidence-based choices and highlights the importance of independent evaluations. With insights on the 10% Pledge, he encourages listeners to embrace accountability and explore new ways to maximize their donations.

26 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.

31 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.

73 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.

58 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.


