Werner Herzog, renowned filmmaker, discusses his identity as a writer, his role in The Mandalorian, and his experience as a rodeo clown. Other topics include his poverty-stricken childhood during World War II, the forgotten golden age of German cinema, the challenges of filmmaking, and his unique approach to running the Rogue Film School.

Economist Michael D. Smith discusses the unsustainability of higher education and the need for transformation. Topics include access to faculty experts, inequality in top selective schools, financial challenges, rising college tuition prices, the limitations of traditional business models, disruptive technologies, and the impact of online courses. The podcast ends with a discussion on the rising cost of universities and reduction in graduate students.

Computer scientist Fei-Fei Li explains her groundbreaking work in artificial intelligence, including creating the ImageNet dataset and the significance of neural networks in computer vision. She also discusses the responsibility of using AI ethically and the potential benefits of collaborative data use with Google.

Data scientist Nate Silver discusses making good decisions with data, his predictions and the misconceptions surrounding his 2016 election predictions. He also explores the correlation between political orientation and COVID deaths, the impact of vaccination on death rates in Red and Blue states, and the challenges of making accurate predictions in politics. The chapter also touches upon the acquisition of Nate Silver's website 538 by Disney and the downsizing of the team.

Abraham Verghese, a physician and best-selling author, discusses the importance of spending more time with patients, the difference between curing and healing, and the need for systemic changes in medicine. He also shares his journey from being a physician to becoming a writer and explores the intersection of medicine and writing.

Nobel Laureate Claudia Goldin discusses the gender wage gap and the impact of inflexible jobs and family responsibilities. They explore topics such as greedy work, unequal distribution of work hours, gender inequality within households, parental leave policies, and the scarcity of women in economics.

Rick Doblin, advocate for MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD, discusses the potential benefits and challenges of using psychedelics for therapy. He explores the success rates of clinical trials using therapy and MDMA, the structure of MDMA-assisted therapy, and the concept of neuroplasticity. Doblin also reflects on his journey in the field of psychedelics and the impact of vulture decline on human health.

Psychologist Thomas Curran discusses the negative impact of perfectionism on education, the economy, and mental health. Different types of perfectionism and their effects are explored. The podcast also delves into the connection between perfectionism and decision-making, as well as the disagreements and societal implications surrounding economics and economic growth. Listener responses to previous episodes and survey results are addressed.

Avi Loeb, Harvard astronomer, discusses the possibility of encountering extraterrestrial technology, including autonomous probes and interstellar objects like Oumuamua. They explore the resistance to this hypothesis within the scientific community and society, and the recent congressional hearings on unidentified anomalous phenomena and UFOs.

Reginald Dwayne Betts, a former prisoner turned Yale Law graduate and poet, discusses the importance of rehabilitation and mentors in the prison system. The podcast explores the efforts of Freedom Reads in building libraries in prisons and the transformative power of literature. It delves into the impact of support organizations in prisons, the societal lack of forgiveness, and personal experiences in different prisons. The speaker reflects on hope, ambition, and overcoming challenges, and the hosts discuss imposter syndrome and tease a future episode on alien life.