Changed My Mind

Freddie deBoer is a writer, academic, and former teacher whose research and experience challenge one of society’s most deeply held beliefs: that education is the great equaliser. After teaching students at every level - from special education classrooms to college lecture halls - Freddie had a change of heart. He came to believe that intelligence is largely inherited, that academic ability is far more stable than we like to admit, and that expecting every child to succeed in the same system can actually be cruel.We explore the moment that led Freddie to question the promise of education, why well-funded interventions and elite schools rarely change outcomes, and what a more humane and realistic approach to schooling could look like.📘 Check out The Cult of Smart — Freddie’s book on meritocracy, inequality, and the myth of potential📰 Read his essays on education, politics, and culture at freddiedeboer.substack.comThom 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

In this engaging discussion, Josh Greene, a Harvard psychologist and philosopher, shares his transformation from theorist to 'moral engineer.' He introduces innovative projects like the Giving Multiplier, which enhances charitable giving through matching funds, and a trivia game designed to bridge political divides. Greene delves into the complexities of moral decision-making and the impact of collaboration in reducing polarization. His insights challenge us to reflect on our beliefs and foster cooperation in an increasingly divided world.

Jamie Woodhouse is the leading advocate of Sentientism, a worldview that's about: (1) Using naturalistic evidence and reason to figure out what's real, and (2) Giving compassion for all sentient beings. We explore how Jamie changed his mind from Christianity to Sentientism, what it’s like to question your deepest beliefs and why staying intellectually flexible might be the greatest change anyone can make.Want more Jamie Woodhouse or Sentientism?Check out the Sentientism podcast, which has over 200 episodes (also available on Spotify and YouTube)Check out the Sentientism website and communityAbout 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

In this conversation with Joe Walker, host of The Joe Walker Podcast, he shares his unique approach to preparing for interviews with world-renowned thinkers. Joe reveals his extensive research methods, including flashcards and immersive study environments, which allow him to tackle complex topics effectively. He discusses how engaging with experts has reshaped his views on nuclear risks and the dynamics of belief formation. The discussion emphasizes the power of conversations in fostering personal growth and understanding diverse perspectives.

We're joined by Noah Smith, an economist, former Bloomberg Opinion writer and now influential economic commentator through his blog Noahpinion.In this conversation, we explore how Noah has changed his mind to be far less hopeful about making political progress and how he came to think — even before Trump’s election — that we were entering a decade of conservatism. We also discuss Noah’s unusual ability to change his mind in public and admit where he thinks he’s got a call wrong. Want more Noah?Check out his post What remains of the progressive project?Check out his ⁠blogThoughts? Feedback? Guest recommendations? Email us at hello@changedmymindpod.com or fill out this form.About 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.

We're joined by Mark Bittman, whose career has taken him from America's most beloved cookbook author to one of our most outspoken food system critics, arguing that the modern food system is degrading human and planetary health. We'll be discussing how Mark changed his mind from seeing the problem with the food system as primarily a matter of individual consumer choices to recognizing them as deeply embedded in corporate power and government policy. We’ll explore how this fundamentally changed his approach to fixing our food system: pivoting from a focus on teaching people how to cook well, to focusing on the structures and systems that make eating well hard for so many people.Want more Mark Bittman?Check out his website The Bittman ProjectCheck out his cookbooksCheck out his writing for the New York TimesCheck out his podcast Food with Mark BittmanAbout 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

Josh Szeps is a seasoned broadcaster who left traditional media to start Uncomfortable Conversations, a project which aims to create a space for people who disagree on sensitive issues to engage in good-faith dialogue where participants and listeners can understand different perspectives, potentially change their minds, and discover common ground.In this episode, we explore how Josh's views have evolved on how to create an information ecosystem that promotes understanding and mutual respect, rather than confusion and division. We'll discuss the different roles that traditional and new media play, and the roles they ought to play given their comparative advantages. We’ll discuss the value of public disagreement, the craft of doing it constructively, and its limits for actually changing our minds. We'll also discuss the boundaries of free speech and how to navigate a world where attention, not truth, is often the currency that matters most.About 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

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.