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 25, 2025 • 1h 12min
(RE-RELEASE) A.J. JACOBS: experimenting with life
A.J. Jacobs, an author and humorist, shares his journey as a 'human guinea pig' experimenting with life in immersive, year-long projects. He discusses radical honesty and its social repercussions, his critiques of biblical literalism through a year of living by 700 rules, and the practice of gratitude that transformed his outlook. A.J. also explores creativity rituals, moral obligations in philanthropy, and the challenges of navigating modern democracy, all while revealing the joys and absurdities of his unique life experiments.
14 snips
Dec 18, 2025 • 1h 2min
MARION NESTLE: the politics of food
Marion Nestle, a prominent nutritionist and public health advocate, dives into the complexities of food politics and health. She critiques ultra-processed foods and discusses their harmful effects on health and calorie intake. Marion shares her personal dietary habits and the importance of avoiding artificial foods. She highlights the challenges of plant-based meat adoption and the influence of lobbying on U.S. dietary guidelines. With insights into corporate influence on eating habits, she emphasizes the need for cooking skills and the joy of growing your own food.
Dec 11, 2025 • 1h 15min
PAUL SIMON: beyond the sound of silence
In this insightful discussion, legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon reflects on his iconic career, sharing the story behind 'The Sound of Silence' and its evolving meanings. He explores the creative journey of his 33-minute piece 'Seven Psalms' and the impact of collaboration, particularly with South African musicians on 'Graceland.' Paul addresses the nuances of cultural appropriation, his coping mechanisms for criticism, and the personal significance of his lesser-known works. He concludes with musings on happiness, love, and the essence of music in our lives.
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.
