
Shane Smith Has Questions
Shane Smith Has Questions is a dynamic, apolitical podcast hosted by Shane Smith dedicated to getting to the bottom of prominent instances of misinformation and disinformation while revealing the fascinating fundamental truths (if there are any?) of the most interesting and convoluted social and political issues of our time.For advertising opportunities please email PodcastPartnerships@Studio71us.com We want to make the podcast even better, help us learn how we can: https://bit.ly/2EcYbu4 Privacy Policy: https://www.studio71.com/terms-and-conditions-use/#Privacy%20Policy
Latest episodes

Jun 26, 2025 • 1h 29min
The Spiritual Journey Behind Creativity & Art ft. Rick Rubin | Shane Has Questions | Vice News
Rick Rubin dives deep into the essence of creativity, exploring its spiritual roots and the role of sensitivity in artistic expression. From his reflections on nature as the perfect balance to his thoughts on art as a universal language, Rick discusses how every piece of art — whether it’s music, painting, or writing — connects us to something greater.
He also touches on how the power of creativity transcends barriers, overcoming propaganda and biases, and opens the door to greater understanding and connection.
The episode also dives into Rick’s anti-surgery health journey, his relationship with red light, circadian rhythm, and diet, and how even a burst appendix led to a spiritual insight at a Barnes & Noble. They discuss AI, propaganda, post-pandemic polarization, and how the greatest danger to truth is our inability to sit with complexity. Part deep dive, part meditative retreat, this is not just a podcast—it’s a portal into how Rick Rubin sees, feels, and listens to the world.
Themes Explored:
The Source, creativity, and the unseen field
Why true art starts by not knowing
Healing through nature, intuition, and red light
The cost of propaganda and loss of nuance in modern society
Why AI may never truly replace human creativity
Rick’s perspective on RFK Jr., media slander, and open dialogue
Childhood trauma and artistic sensitivity
How to live in wonder without needing answers
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Jun 12, 2025 • 1h 27min
Jordan Peterson on Academia, the New Right, & Saving the West | Shane Has Questions
Join clinical psychologist and author Jordan Peterson as he dives deep into the pitfalls of modern academia and the rise of groupthink. He shares his personal journey through a life-threatening health crisis and the importance of family support. The conversation touches on geopolitics, with a frank discussion on China's influence and the West’s identity crisis. Peterson contrasts sacrifice against hedonism, offering insights on meaningful living, and examines the shifting landscape of U.S. politics, challenging conventional conservatism.

May 29, 2025 • 47min
ICE, Asylum, and Why the Border Crisis Isn’t What You Think
John Sandweg, former acting director of ICE under President Obama, explains why both Republican and Democratic leaders have struggled to manage the border, why immigration reform keeps hitting roadblocks, and what real, workable solutions could actually look like. This conversation goes beyond politics — it reveals the human stories and the complex systems behind immigration.
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May 22, 2025 • 59min
My Life as an Economic Hitman with John Perkins
John Perkins was once an economic hitman — a chief economist helping powerful corporations and governments entrap resource-rich countries in massive debt. Loans disguised as development aid ended up enriching the elite, while ordinary people paid the price.He shares the moment that made him question everything, the “death economy” fueled by short-term greed, and how China is now leading this global game with a new twist. This isn’t just history — it’s the story of how economic power shapes today’s world and what it means for our planet’s future.
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Mar 30, 2025 • 1h 44min
Who will win the Space Race? w/ Ashlee Vance & Jonathan McDowell | Shane Smith Has Questions
Shane Smith sits down with three of the brightest minds pushing humanity’s
final frontier, space. Astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell, author and space
reporter and documentarian Ashlee Vance, and in-orbit manufacturing pioneer Delian Asparouhov pull back the curtain on the new era of private spaceflight, from cutting-edge rocket tech to factories floating above Earth. It’s a riveting look at how commercial actors, visionary entrepreneurs, and global superpowers are reshaping everything we know—and don’t yet know—about life beyond our planet.
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Mar 24, 2025 • 60min
What are the Next Moves for the Left w/ Faiz Shakir | Shane Smith Has Questions
In a lively discussion, Faiz Shakir, Bernie Sanders' former campaign manager and executive director of More Perfect Union, dives into the rebuilding of the Democratic party. He emphasizes the need for grassroots support and authenticity, while critiquing the big-money influence in politics. They explore the shift from economic justice to identity politics and the significance of media narratives. With a call for new, relatable leadership, Shakir advocates for a movement that prioritizes the working class rather than mere fundraising.

Mar 15, 2025 • 1h 24min
Stock Market Wipe Out Explained | Shane Smith Has Questions
Shane dives deep into today’s economic turbulence with two of the most respected voices in the field: former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and global affairs strategist Ian Bremmer. Together, they unpack how tariffs, shifting global alliances, and stock market jitters are reshaping our economic landscape.
Summers offers an inside view of why tariffs have become such a flashpoint—shedding light on who really pays the price when countries impose or retaliate with higher trade barriers. Bremmer broadens the lens to explain how America’s trade disputes and political brinkmanship ripple across Europe, Asia, and beyond, hinting at bigger power shifts on the horizon. From concerns about inflation and job security to questions over national debt and diplomatic trust, this conversation peels back the layers of political theater to reveal what’s really at stake.
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Mar 5, 2025 • 1h 37min
Bryan Johnson | Shane Smith Has Questions
Shane Smith and tech entrepreneur and biohacker Bryan Johnson—the mastermind behind the burgeoning “Don’t Die” movement and hit Netflix documentary— dissect one of humanity’s oldest obsessions: longevity and the possibility of extending life indefinitely. As Johnson lays out his plan to build a radical new ideology, part religion and part nation-state, he pushes beyond standard ideas about health and longevity. Think hyperbaric oxygen therapy, societal re-engineering, and yes, even measuring the one metric nobody ever talks about—because, according to Johnson, every data point counts when you’re determined to rewrite life’s expiration date.And it’s not just longevity. They also explore reinventing political systems and orchestrating trillion-dollar investments to the ancient mythological warnings against eternal life. Equal parts fearless and futuristic, this episode examines one man’s quest to reshape not only personal health and wellness, but also the framework of society—all in the name of one deceptively simple command: Don’t Die.Subscribe to VICE News here: http://bit.ly/Subscribe-to-VICE-NewsCheck out VICE News for more: http://vicenews.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10 snips
Feb 14, 2025 • 1h 27min
Covid-19 Report Examined | Shane Smith Has Questions
Congressman Brad Wenstrup, who led a two-year House investigation into COVID-19, discusses the missteps of public health institutions and the erosion of public trust. Dr. Robert Malone, a pioneer of mRNA research, raises concerns about concealed vaccine risks, while Dr. Paul Offit defends vaccines' core value despite acknowledging communication flaws. They explore the impact of misinformation, the lab-leak theory, and the need for transparency in public health messaging. The conversation highlights critical lessons for future pandemic preparedness.

Feb 5, 2025 • 1h 41min
Marc Andreessen | Shane Smith Has Questions
Shane and Internet pioneer Marc Andreessen unpack how a Chinese open-source AI breakthrough could mark a “Sputnik moment” for the West, why governments are bent on crushing emerging technologies, and what recent events mean for the future of startups, freedom of speech, and global innovation. From exposing how AI can be deliberately taught to lie, to dissecting the ongoing U.S.–China rivalry and the far-reaching impacts of open-source software, Andreessen offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at political maneuvering, corporate self-interest, and the moral questions that will define the next wave of technological progress. Marc shares his candid takes on crypto, central bank digital currencies, and the possibility of a new Cold War over AI. This is the most crucial conversation shaping our world right now and you have a front row seat.
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