The Michael Shermer Show

A.J. Jacobs, author of The Year of Living Biblically, embarks on a journey to live by the original meaning of the Constitution. From writing opinions on parchment in Times Square to becoming a legal pirate through a Letter of Marque, Jacobs explores originalism and living constitutionalism. The podcast delves into historical practices, the evolution of civil rights, gun ownership debates, interpretations of the Constitution, judging term limits, and the balance between states' rights and federal intervention.

Discover the history of Lemuria, from a theoretical land bridge for lemurs to a hub of alternative ideas about race, spirituality, science, and the paranormal. Explore challenges faced in discussing human origins, racial hierarchies, lost civilizations like Atlantis, mystical abilities of Lemurians, and the romanticized past. Delve into utopias, dystopias, eschatological scenarios, blending evolutionary theory with ancient spiritualism, and fictional themes surrounding Jesus and Mary Magdalene.

Michelle Dowd, a professor of journalism born into a cult, shares her upbringing in 'The Field' and struggles with cult dynamics. She discusses trauma, body image pressures, and the importance of education and access to birth control in preventing unwanted pregnancies. The podcast also explores the interpretation of religious stories and the impact of cult experiences on familial relationships.

Robert Powell, a UFO expert, discusses the history of UFOs, characteristics of sightings, government footage of UFOs near USS Roosevelt, extraterrestrial life implications, and societal reactions to UFOs. The podcast explores topics like alien evolution, interstellar meteorites, UFO technology, government secrecy, and historical UFO sightings.

Neuroscientist and philosopher Neil Van Leeuwen discusses the unique cognitive epistemology of religious beliefs, contrasting them with factual beliefs. He explores how religious credence functions as a form of imagination to define group identity and values. The podcast delves into the interplay of sacred values, conflicts between religious beliefs and scientific claims, and the complexities of maintaining religious faith while experiencing doubts.

Discover how childhood trauma impacts mental and physical development, leading to lifelong struggles. Neurobiologist Dr. Hauser introduces the five Ts framework to understand and intervene in traumatic experiences. Explore the potential of resilience-building interventions, including neurofeedback and psychedelics, to help children thrive despite adversity.

Dr. Einat Wilf, an intellectual and former Israeli Parliament member, discusses anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism, accusations against Netanyahu, IDF's struggle against Hamas, options for Gaza, Zionism, Judaism, Palestine, and Hamas in a deep dive into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with Michael Shermer.

Exploring the new Cold War dynamics between China, Russia, and America, emphasizing the role of artificial intelligence in global power struggles. Discussing the significance of Taiwan's democratic system and semiconductor industry in the geopolitical landscape. Analyzing the technological divide and implications of economic sanctions, highlighting the importance of protecting Taiwan for shared democratic values.

Neuroscientist Charan Ranganath reframes memory, discussing its transformative power, daily tasks, and aging challenges. He explores memory's influence on identity, trauma healing, bias shedding, and self-awareness growth. The podcast delves into neuroscience, memory complexities, prediction behavior, false memories, PTSD impacts, wrongful accusations, deja vu phenomenon, and memory enhancement techniques.

Tricia Rose, Brown University Prof. of Africana Studies, dives into systemic racism in America, exposing how policies connect to oppress black people. She discusses root causes of inequality, stop-and-frisk policies, and reimagining law enforcement. Rose challenges color-blind narratives and calls for meaningful change in academia, policing, and beyond.