Lives Well Lived
Peter Singer & Kasia de Lazari Radek
Lives Well Lived is hosted by Peter Singer & Kasia de Lazari Radek. Episodes consist of interviews with remarkable guests who have lived well, both in the sense of living an ethical life, but also in that they are fulfilled and happy with what they have achieved in their lives. Some of these guests will be well-known figures, but others who are doing extraordinary things will be unfamiliar to almost all of our listeners. The conversations will often cover ground that involves ethics, how to live well, and how to make a positive difference in the world. It will inspire and empower its audience to change their own lives for the better.Executive Producer - Rachel Barrett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 4, 2025 • 1h 13min
TIM MINCHIN: moral melodies
Tim Minchin, an Australian comedian and musician, discusses the heart and humor behind his iconic songs. He reflects on fatherhood's impact on his identity and addresses the social implications of his protest song 'Come Home, Cardinal Pell.' Minchin dives into the ethics of public shaming and criticizes church privilege, while sharing his views on happiness as a byproduct of meaningful work. With a unique blend of scientific realism and romantic perspective, he offers insights on living purposefully and the dangers of automation on meaningful labor.
Nov 27, 2025 • 1h 13min
SHERMIN KRUSE: the art of stoic empathy
Shermin Kruse, an Iranian-born lawyer and author of *Stoic Empathy*, shares her impactful journey from navigating cultural exile to advocating for empathy in conflict resolution. She discusses her mother’s negotiation with morality police in Tehran, contrasting cognitive and emotional empathy’s roles in understanding emotions and preventing wrongdoing. Shermin connects Stoicism with personal resilience, suggesting practical exercises like ice plunges and meditation to enhance emotional strength. Her insights on migration and cultural dialogue illuminate the path to living well.
28 snips
Nov 20, 2025 • 1h 1min
BRIAN HARE & VANESSA WOODS: the evolution of friendliness
Brian Hare, an evolutionary anthropologist at Duke University, and Vanessa Woods, a researcher on animal behavior, share insights from their book, 'Survival of the Friendliest.' They discuss how friendliness, rather than aggression, has driven human success and cooperation. The duo contrasts the social structures of bonobos and chimpanzees, emphasizing empathy's dark side and how dehumanization emerges from it. They also explore the fascinating links between dog behavior and human emotions, revealing how friendliness can be a powerful life strategy in both animal and human societies.
10 snips
Nov 13, 2025 • 1h 1min
STEPHEN WEST: transformation through philosophy
Stephen West, creator and host of the renowned podcast Philosophize This!, shares his transformative journey from foster care to philosophy. He dives into how teenage anger led him to seek wisdom and the pivotal role Plato played in reshaping his outlook on life. The conversation touches on the value of lived experience over theory, the balance between philosophy and action, and the impact of AI on consciousness. West also reveals plans for his upcoming book, exploring themes of love and technology while pondering the sacrifices necessary for global good.
10 snips
Nov 6, 2025 • 51min
MERCEDES & ANASTASIA KORNGUT: small bits of happiness
Mercedes and Anastasia Korngut, Canadian teen sisters and co-founders of Small Bits of Happiness, share their mission to enhance teen and family well-being. They discuss the decline of teen happiness post-COVID and how social media negatively impacts well-being. The sisters emphasize the importance of offline time, sharing insights from a sailing trip with limited Wi-Fi. They offer relatable strategies for building daily happiness habits and creating resources, like games and journaling, to encourage connection and fulfillment in life's small moments.
52 snips
Oct 30, 2025 • 1h 6min
DANIEL GILBERT: predicting happiness
Daniel Gilbert, a Harvard social psychologist and bestselling author of 'Stumbling on Happiness,' delves into the complexities of predicting happiness. He shares insights on the impact of external factors and whether living in the moment is truly beneficial. Gilbert discusses the phenomenon of surrogation—using others’ experiences to gauge one's potential happiness—and the paradox of too many choices leading to unhappiness. He also reflects on life planning and highlights the importance of social relationships and the surprising joy children bring.
31 snips
Oct 23, 2025 • 54min
BISHOP MARIANN BUDDE: we can be brave
Bishop Mariann Budde, the first female leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, combines faith and activism in her progressive ministry. She discusses the importance of courage aligned with love, sharing moving stories of everyday bravery from her life. Budde explores how relationships can reshape views and emphasizes the moral duty of leaders to advocate for marginalized communities. She also reflects on navigating personal doubts while maintaining faith, and the shared responsibility for social justice and climate action.
17 snips
Oct 16, 2025 • 53min
WORKING TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE with Julia van Boven & Sjir Hoeijmakers
Join Sjir Hoeijmakers, CEO of Giving What We Can, and Julia van Boven, co-founder of the School for Moral Ambition, as they explore how to make a global impact through effective giving. Sjir shares how a TED Talk ignited his passion for charity evaluation and the powerful 10% pledge. Julia discusses her transition from banking to influence ethics in businesses. They examine the role of community, moral ambition, and how individuals can spark meaningful change, all while balancing personal lives with high-impact work.
Oct 9, 2025 • 57min
CHRISTINE WEBB: challenging human exceptionalism
Christine Webb, a primatologist and author of 'The Arrogant Ape,' dives into the complexity of primate cognition and the implications for human exceptionalism. She shares a transformative encounter with a baboon that shifted her perspective on animal minds. The conversation explores how empathy develops in children, critiques lab research ethics, and challenges the categorization of human intellect. Webb emphasizes the importance of connecting with animals and unlearning narratives of superiority to foster a deeper relationship with nature.
Oct 2, 2025 • 57min
(re-release) JANE GOODALL: recognising the animal as an individual
Jane Goodall, renowned primatologist and conservationist, discusses her transformative journey from a curious child to a leading figure in animal behavior studies. She shares insights on the maternal bonds of chimpanzees and their striking similarities to humans. Goodall reflects on her shift towards activism after a pivotal conference, highlighting the importance of ethical treatment of animals. She emphasizes the role of youth in conservation through her Roots & Shoots initiative, urging listeners to embrace activism for personal fulfillment and global change.
