The Michael Shermer Show

Author and founder of The Skeptics Society, Michael Shermer, explores the conspiracy theories surrounding the Trump assassination attempt. They discuss reasons why such theories gain traction, cognitive factors like proportionality bias and patternicity, and emphasize the Conspiracism Principle. Reflecting on historical assassination attempts and examining rationality vs. irrational beliefs.

Guest Jay Bhattacharya and Michael Shermer discuss loss of trust in medical institutions, effectiveness of lockdowns and masks, COVID-19 Lab Leak vs. Zoonomic hypothesis, hydroxychloroquine & ivermectin, anti-vaxxers, RFK, Jr., myocarditis, mRNA vaccines, economic impact, and global responses to the pandemic.

John Mackey, Cofounder and CEO of Whole Foods Market, shares the incredible journey of building the iconic brand. Topics include the evolution of food culture, market dynamics, impact of unions, conscious capitalism, and employee ownership. Mackey also discusses his spiritual growth through ultra marathon hiking and the creation of a holistic healthcare business for preventive care and longevity.

Aella, a former conservative Christian turned successful cam girl on OnlyFans, discusses her upbringing, feminism, male-female sexual dynamics, BDSM, and the debate on decriminalizing sex work. Topics include differences in sexual psychology, virtual sex, and the complexities of pornography.

Nathan Law, a young Hong Kong activist and exiled political leader, discusses the history of Hong Kong, the impact of the National Security Law, and his experiences as a political prisoner and exiled advocate. The conversation also explores issues of political freedom, freedom of speech, China's influence, family harassment, extreme surveillance practices in China, and the challenges faced by overseas Chinese students.

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.