The Great Simplification with Nate Hagens
Nate Hagens
The Great Simplification is a podcast that explores the systems science underpinning the human predicament. Through conversations with experts and leaders hosted by Dr. Nate Hagens, we explore topics spanning ecology, economics, energy, geopolitics, human behavior, and monetary/financial systems. Our goal is to provide a simple educational resource for the complex energetic, physical, and social constraints ahead, and to inspire people to play a role in our collective future. Ultimately, we aim to normalize these conversations and, in doing so, change the initial conditions of future events.
Episodes
Mentioned books
109 snips
Oct 3, 2025 • 22min
Peak Oil, Ponzi Pyramids, and Planetary Boundaries
Fresh from NYC Climate Week, reflections bring to light the clash between economic narratives and ecological realities. With record highs in gold and silver, it underscores the declining health of our planet. Dive into Peak Oil insights, revealing that supply constraints are imminent. As energy systems wobble, Nate critiques cultural blindness towards ecological limits and highlights global oil supply dynamics. Urgency builds as seven out of nine planetary boundaries are breached, hinting at interconnected crises. A call for resilience and adaptive responses emerges amidst the chaos.
72 snips
Oct 1, 2025 • 1h 16min
Moral Ambition: Redefining Success for the Global Good with Rutger Bregman
Rutger Bregman, a Dutch historian and author renowned for his works like Humankind, joins the discussion. He argues for redefining success to prioritize collective well-being over personal gain. Bregman introduces the concept of moral ambition, blending activism with entrepreneurship, and outlines seven principles to foster altruism. He critiques GDP as a measure of success and emphasizes the importance of perseverance in social movements. By urging a shift in cultural norms, he envisions a future where moral actions take precedence, inspiring a new generation to tackle global challenges.
86 snips
Sep 26, 2025 • 22min
The Influence of Psychopaths: Why Humanity Is Better Than We Think
Dive into the complexities of human behavior shaped by both cooperation and competition. Discover how psychopathy influences societal norms and the shift towards anti-social values. Learn about the historical impact of agriculture on social hierarchies and the emergence of predatory behaviors. Explore fascinating chicken experiments that illustrate the balance of aggression and cooperation. Finally, uncover strategies to steer humanity back toward prosocial values and the importance of empathy in driving positive change.
304 snips
Sep 24, 2025 • 2h 16min
The Past and Future of Societal Collapse: Why Civilizations Fall and What We Can Learn From It with Luke Kemp
In this enlightening discussion, Luke Kemp, an existential risk researcher and author, delves into why civilizations, which he calls 'Goliaths,' rise and fall. He explores dominance hierarchies, resource control, and how factors like inequality can lead to societal collapse. Luke also addresses modern challenges like nuclear threats and AI surveillance. Through historical insights, he suggests that understanding our past may help avert future crises and advocates for reforms to redistribute power, emphasizing the importance of collective values over conspicuous consumption.
189 snips
Sep 17, 2025 • 1h 24min
Dark Triad Personality Traits: How Psychopathy, Narcissism, and Machiavellianism Impact Our Cultures & Social Systems | RR 19
Dr. Reid Meloy, a forensic psychologist, and Dr. Nancy McWilliams, a distinguished psychoanalyst, delve into the Dark Triad personality traits—psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism. They discuss how these traits influence leadership and societal structures, revealing their surprising prevalence in positions of power. The conversation highlights the dangers of these traits in governance and therapy, emphasizing the need for community engagement and truth-seeking to counterbalance their dark influence. They also explore the personal narratives that shape these complex behaviors.
41 snips
Sep 12, 2025 • 17min
This Week's Learnings: Gold Holdings, Political Divides, and the DOE Climate Report | Frankly 107
Central banks are stockpiling gold, signaling a shift in financial stability amid rising interest rates. Political divisions in the U.S. grow deeper as energy partnerships between Russia and China reshape global power dynamics. A critique of a recent climate report reveals troubling claims about CO2 benefits, highlighting agricultural risks and systemic oversight. The emotional weight of a tragic refugee story urges a reconsideration of media narratives, pushing for community engagement and a focus on local living.
10 snips
Sep 10, 2025 • 2h 2min
Why We Need Forests: Their Vital Role in Climate Dynamics, Rain, and The Biotic Pump with Anastassia Makarieva
Anastassia Makarieva, a Russian atmospheric physicist renowned for her biotic pump theory, discusses the revolutionary idea that forests actively influence rainfall rather than merely receiving it. She highlights the critical role of forests in maintaining ecological balance, challenges conventional climate models, and emphasizes the dangers of deforestation. Makarieva argues for a paradigm shift in our understanding of forests and their irreplaceable role in climate stabilization, urging a deeper connection to nature as vital for humanity's future.
34 snips
Sep 5, 2025 • 16min
10 Things Worth More Than a Pound of Gold | Frankly 106
Dive into a thought-provoking discussion on what truly holds value beyond mere gold. Explore the significance of relationships, freedom, and integrity as essential components of wealth. The conversation urges listeners to reflect on their personal definitions of worth in a complex modern world. It questions whether wealth can be tangible or if it exists in the more intangible miracles of human life and connection with nature. This intriguing exploration challenges conventional notions of value in our lives.
42 snips
Sep 3, 2025 • 1h 15min
How Water Shapes Our Planet: The Undervalued Resource that Supports Everything We Do | Reality Roundtable 18
Heather Cooley, Director of the Pacific Institute’s Water Program, Zach Weiss, founder of Elemental Ecosystems, and Mike Joy, Senior researcher at Victoria University, dive deep into the intricate relationship between water and our planet. They discuss the growing water crisis influenced by climate change and pollution, exploring innovative water management strategies. From the environmental costs of livestock farming to the importance of localized governance, the conversation sheds light on how understanding the water cycle could foster healthier ecosystems and communities.
84 snips
Aug 27, 2025 • 1h 21min
Where Will Humanity Move When the World Gets Too Hot? Mass Climate Migration & The Rise of Uninhabitable Regions with Sunil Amrith
Sunil Amrith, a migration historian at Yale, delves into the staggering projections of climate-related displacement affecting over a billion people in the coming decades. He explores the historical context of migration, emphasizing its constant presence in human life and the need for compassionate policies. The discussion navigates the emotional impacts of leaving home, the vital role of water in migration patterns, and the importance of integrating new communities. Amrith advocates for a welcoming mindset to transform challenges into opportunities for resilience and shared growth.
