
Here We Are
Globetrotting and mind exploring comedian Shane Mauss interviews scientists each week on journey to answer the biggest questions about the meanings of life (as well as a bunch of other random stuff you never imagined you would care about). Favorite topics include: psychology, biology, evolution, cognitive biases, behavioral economics, mating, animal behavior, neuroscience, and the subconscious
Latest episodes

Aug 25, 2022 • 1h 14min
Happier Hour w/Cassie Holmes
Today I'm speaking with Cassie Holmes, professor at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management. We talk about her new book "Happier Hour: How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time, and Focus on What Matters Most" How can we use our time more wisely and accomplish the tasks we care about most? What's the difference between pickleball and tennis? Why is it easier to brainstorm in the shower or while driving across the country? Is multitasking a myth?
Check out Cassie's book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Happier-Hour/Cassie-Holmes/9781982148805

Aug 17, 2022 • 1h 2min
Human Factors w/Anne McLaughlin
Today I am speaking with Anne McLaughlin, who is a psychology professor at North Carolina State University. We discuss her book "All Too Human", which takes a look at applied Human Factors. Human Factors may be a lesser known field within psychology but its implications become obvious once realized.
Huge thanks to Chris of Hygge Production House for filming this episode.
Thank you for watching and being an inquisitive being.

Aug 4, 2022 • 1h 20min
Emotional Intelligence w/Hillary Anger Elfenbein
Today I'm speaking with Hillary Anger Elfenbein, who is a professor at the Olin School of Washington University. We discuss the parallels between stand up comedy and teaching at a university, cross cultural analysis of emotional intelligence, being overly self-aware, and much more!
Come and see the physical manifestation of Mind Under Matter and hang out with The WBBC™, the team, and all the other MUMies September 9 thru 11: https://mindunderpod.com/pages/campout

Jul 28, 2022 • 1h 2min
Set and Setting w/Cole Marta
Today I'm hanging out with my good friend, Cole Marta. Cole is the Co-founder, Medical Director, and Clinician at California Center for Psychedelic Therapy. We do a little catching up and discuss Cole's personal journey into psychedelic research and therapy as well as touch on ways you can get involved yourself.
Visit California Center for Psychedelic Therapy: https://psychedelictherapyca.com/
https://mindunderpod.com/pages/campout
Thank you for watching and being an inquisitive being.

Jul 21, 2022 • 1h 15min
Michael Garfield
In this episode, I catch up with my good friend, Michael Garfield. Michael is the host of the Future Fossils podcast and the Complexity podcast. In his 4th appearance on Here We Are, we discuss topics like fatherhood, lifestyle changes, and the ever-changing world we live in.

Jul 14, 2022 • 1h 7min
Nature vs Nurture? w/ Marlene Zuk
Today I'm speaking with one of my very first guests on the Here We Are podcast, Marlene Zuk. Marlene is a Professor of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior at the University of Minnesota. We talk about common misconceptions about evolution and comparing humans to other animals.
Check out Marlene's upcoming book, "Dancing Cockatoos and the Dead Man Test: How Behavior Evolves and Why It Matters" here:
https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324007227
And check out some of her other books here:
https://cbs.umn.edu/zuk-lab/books
Thank you for watching and being an inquisitive being.

Jul 8, 2022 • 1h 10min
Restrictive Mating Strategies w/Martie Haselton and Jaimie Krems
Today I'm speaking with Martie Haselton and Jaimie Krems. Martie is the world's leading researcher on how ovulatory cycles influence women's sexuality. She is a professor of psychology at UCLA and the Institute for Society and Genetics, and a really great friend of mine.
Jaimie is a professor of Social psychology focusing on female friendship, conflict, stereotypes, and prejudice.
We discuss the influence large social institutions, like religion, has on one's perspective of the sanctity of life, in and out group bias, the scientific reaction to the recent Supreme Court ruling, and much more!
Thank you for watching and being an inquisitive being.

Jun 22, 2022 • 1h 11min
Ancestral Cousins w/Steven E. Churchill
In this first ever in-person video episode of Here We Are I talk with human paleontologist, Steven E. Churchill in his lab at Duke University. We talk about the lingering Neanderthal DNA in modern humans, genetic diversity, the recent discovery of Homo naledi, and the Rising Star Expedition which is a part of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site in South Africa.
Learn more about Steven's work: https://scholars.duke.edu/person/churchy
Steven will also be coming to the MUM Campout so come meet him and check out some cool fossils! https://mindunderpod.com/pages/campout

May 26, 2022 • 1h 8min
Solo Travel w/ Peter McGraw
Today I'm talking with my very close friend, Peter McGraw. We talk about the pros and cons of being single vs being in a relationship, traveling as a single person, living with another person, and the strange, negative view society has on singlehood.
Get tickets to the Mind Under Matter Campout Festival here: https://mindunderpod.com/pages/campout
Check out Peter's podcast "Solo: The Single Person’s Guide To A Remarkable Life" here: https://petermcgraw.org/podcasts/solo/
Check out Peter's books on his site here: https://petermcgraw.org/books/
Thank you for watching and being an inquisitive being.

May 12, 2022 • 32min
Special Announcements | Solo Episode
I have a couple special announcements and updates to share with you in this short solo episode.
Check out the latest Mind Under Matter episode to hear Ramin and I share all the details about our campout/festival: https://youtu.be/z1gkwbUX2rg
Get tickets before they run out: https://mindunderpod.com/pages/campout
Stay tuned!
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:50 Campout Festival
05:19 Campout Location
06:37 Campout Events
21:36 Check out the latest MUM episode to learn more
24:01 Here We Are updates and improvements!
Thank you for watching and being an inquisitive being.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.