Changed My Mind

Psychologist and author Melanie Joy joins us to explore how unconscious belief systems shape our behavior. While known for developing the concept of 'Carnism' - the invisible belief system conditioning people to eat certain animals - her work extends to examining psychological dynamics behind various forms of oppression and dysfunction. After decades in academia and activism, Joy is now turning to fiction writing, believing storytelling may be more effective at helping people recognize and transform harmful belief systems.Want more Melanie Joy?Check out her new novel, A Half-Hearted Death WishCheck out her TED talkCheck out her websiteAbout the hosts:Thom and Aidan left boring, stable careers in law and tech to found ⁠⁠⁠FarmKind⁠⁠⁠, a donation platform that helps people be a part of the solution to factory farming — regardless of their diet. While the podcast isn’t about animal welfare, it’s inspired by their daily experience grappling with a fundamental question: Why do people so rarely change their minds, even when confronted with compelling evidence? This curiosity drives their exploration of intellectual humility and the complex factors that enable (or prevent) meaningful belief change.Thoughts? Feedback? Guest recommendations? Email us at hello@changedmymindpod.com

Rick Hanson, a clinical psychologist and New York Times best-selling author, dives deep into the brain's remarkable plasticity. He explains how our neural connections adapt in response to experiences and the challenges we face in changing entrenched beliefs. The conversation highlights the effects of trauma and stress on mindset, the vital role of social influences in shaping our values, and the importance of emotional well-being in fostering openness to change. Listeners will discover how compassion and small individual actions can also drive meaningful personal and societal growth.

Rutger Bregman, a historian and celebrated author, shifts the conversation on human nature from selfishness to optimism. He explores how environments can enhance our kindness and cooperation. The discussion dives into Universal Basic Income, contrasting mixed results in the US with successes in other countries. Bregman emphasizes the importance of pursuing work that meaningfully impacts society and harnessing moral ambition to create global change. He also highlights the need for better storytelling to align narratives with the truth about humanity.

What would it be like to believe something strongly enough to get arrested for it 11 times, but then change your mind? This episode features James Ozden, a former leading member of Extinction Rebellion and Animal Rising - groups known for disruptive protests and non-violent civil disobedience advocating for climate justice and animal rights. We discuss James's journey from deep involvement in disruptive protest, to questioning its efficacy, and deciding to found a research organization to get to the bottom of what makes some social movements succeed and others fail.Want more from James?Check out his blog, Understanding Social Change, on SubstackLearn about the movement to fix factory farming on the podcast he hosts, called How I Learned to Love ShrimpAbout the hosts:Thom and Aidan left boring, stable careers in law and tech to found ⁠⁠⁠⁠FarmKind⁠⁠⁠⁠, a donation platform that helps people be a part of the solution to factory farming — regardless of their diet. While the podcast isn’t about animal welfare, it’s inspired by their daily experience grappling with a fundamental question: Why do people so rarely change their minds, even when confronted with compelling evidence? This curiosity drives their exploration of intellectual humility and the complex factors that enable (or prevent) meaningful belief change.Thoughts? Feedback? Guest recommendations? Email us at hello@changedmymindpod.com

Peter Singer, a leading philosopher renowned for his work in practical ethics, reflects on 50 years of evolving ideas. He delves into the interplay of emotion and reason in animal advocacy and discusses how personal and societal ethics can shift over time. Singer shares insights on the influence of Buddhist philosophy on altruism and effective giving, encouraging listeners to reconsider their moral beliefs. The conversation touches on contentious issues like animal rights and the ethics of dying, highlighting the potential for transformative belief change.

Changed My Mind will be launching at the beginning of May, with guests such as the historian and author Rutger Bregman, the philosopher Peter Singer and the psychologist Melanie Joy