

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

302 snips
Oct 16, 2024 • 1h 17min
How to be productive without burning out (with Anne-Laure Le Cunff)
Anne-Laure Le Cunff, an award-winning neuroscientist and the founder of Ness Labs, discusses mindful productivity and its relationship to burnout. She delves into the concept of an 'experimental' mindset, encouraging listeners to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. The conversation touches on the distinction between habits and routines, the importance of self-experimentation, and practical strategies for efficient time use. Anne-Laure also addresses the psychological impacts of imposter syndrome and how personal values can guide productivity.

15 snips
Oct 9, 2024 • 60min
Does simply giving people money truly enable them to escape poverty? (with Miriam Laker)
In this engaging discussion, Miriam Laker, Director of Research at GiveDirectly, advocates for unconditional cash transfers as a means to alleviate poverty. She dispels myths about financial irresponsibility, showcasing empowering case studies from Kenya and Uganda. Laker explores how cash transfers impact community dynamics and individuals' well-being, from boosting happiness to fostering entrepreneurship. The conversation also delves into the long-lasting benefits of cash assistance and emphasizes the importance of trust and communication in effectively implementing these programs.

50 snips
Oct 2, 2024 • 1h 17min
Who really controls US elections? (with Bradley Tusk)
Bradley Tusk, a venture capitalist and political strategist, dives into the intricacies of U.S. elections. He discusses gerrymandering's significant impact, revealing how both parties play a role in skewing representation. Tusk advocates for mobile voting as a game changer for voter engagement. He also addresses the challenges posed by big tech monopolies, calling for reforms in accountability and regulation. With insights on political motivations and the necessity for balanced governance, this conversation highlights the future of democracy and civic participation.

97 snips
Sep 25, 2024 • 1h 35min
Communities of belief vs. communities of chemistry (with Tyler Alterman)
Tyler Alterman, a cognitive science researcher and co-founder of FractalU, dives into the importance of community in our lives. He discusses the differences between 'communities of belief' and 'communities of chemistry', shedding light on how trust forms in each. Tyler examines the psychological toll of effective altruism, questioning whether its ideals may promote burnout. He also explores the balance of rationality and emotion in social settings, advocating for authentic connections and the transformative power of stepping outside social norms.

127 snips
Sep 19, 2024 • 1h 21min
Everyone — including you! — should host more events (with Nick Gray)
Nick Gray, an entrepreneur and best-selling author of 'The 2-Hour Cocktail Party,' shares his insights on the power of hosting events to build connections. He discusses overcoming hosting anxiety, perfect RSVP strategies, and the importance of timing. Gray emphasizes creating memorable experiences through small group dynamics and effective icebreakers. He also shares practical follow-up tips for maintaining relationships post-event and redefines networking as a means to enjoy genuine connections rather than transactional interactions.

66 snips
Sep 11, 2024 • 1h 21min
What do we know for sure about human psychology? (with Simine Vazire)
Simine Vazire, a renowned professor and editor-in-chief of Psychological Science, dives into the evolution and challenges in psychology. She discusses the Big Five personality traits, emphasizing issues with self-reporting and the need for diverse data. The conversation highlights the replication crisis, questioning the integrity of research and the importance of transparent methodologies. Vazire also advocates for a cultural shift towards more rigorous practices in academia, addressing the ethical dilemmas in research publishing.

61 snips
Sep 4, 2024 • 1h 18min
Pattern-breaking ideas, and startups that change the world (with Mike Maples)
Mike Maples, co-founder of FLOODGATE and a key player in seed-stage investing, shares insightful thoughts on startup dynamics. He explores how successful founders often challenge the status quo and the psychology behind their resilience to criticism. Maples discusses the importance of storytelling in startups, revealing the balance between engaging narratives and authenticity. He also highlights the contrasting innovative landscapes of countries like Singapore and Israel, unpacking what they do right to cultivate successful startups.

29 snips
Aug 28, 2024 • 1h 10min
Decision-making and play-testing (with Dan Epstein)
Dan Epstein, a practicing medical doctor and PhD specializing in decision-making and game design, shares insights on how unconscious choices shape our lives. He discusses the complex interplay of personal values in healthcare decisions and the concept of 'playtesting' as a path to self-awareness. Highlighting the necessity of diverse perspectives and feedback, he emphasizes practical strategies like tabletop exercises for honing decision-making skills. Dan also unpacks the challenge of creating engaging educational games that effectively merge fun with learning.

19 snips
Aug 24, 2024 • 1h 4min
The path to utopia (with Nick Bostrom)
Nick Bostrom, a renowned philosopher and AI expert, dives deep into the challenge of visualizing utopian futures amidst our penchant for dystopia. He discusses the complexities of human desire and the impact of AI on our sense of purpose, questioning what work means in an abundant society. Bostrom also ponders the nature of human connections in an AI-driven world and the ethical dilemmas of technology governance. He explores global coordination strategies essential for steering humanity towards a more hopeful future, while debating the startling idea of us living in a simulation.

27 snips
Aug 14, 2024 • 1h 44min
Physical limits and the long-term future (with Anders Sandberg)
Anders Sandberg, a researcher from the Institute for Futures Studies, dives into fascinating topics. He explores the relationship between energy use and economic growth, pondering how civilization might have advanced differently without fossil fuels. The conversation touches on exciting concepts like faster-than-light travel and the heat death of the universe, while also addressing the complexities of quantum physics. Anders discusses the potential for advanced alien civilizations and the importance of moral evolution in humanity. Don’t miss this intriguing blend of science and philosophy!