Making Sense with Sam Harris - Subscriber Content
Sam Harris
Join neuroscientist, philosopher, and best-selling author Sam Harris as he explores important and controversial questions about the human mind, society, and current events. Sam Harris is the author of five New York Times bestsellers. His books include The End of Faith, Letter to a Christian Nation, The Moral Landscape, Free Will, Lying, Waking Up, and Islam and the Future of Tolerance (with Maajid Nawaz). The End of Faith won the 2005 PEN Award for Nonfiction. His writing and public lectures cover a wide range of topics—neuroscience, moral philosophy, religion, meditation practice, human violence, rationality—but generally focus on how a growing understanding of ourselves and the world is changing our sense of how we should live. Harris's work has been published in more than 20 languages and has been discussed in The New York Times, Time, Scientific American, Nature, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, and many other journals. He has written for The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Economist, The Times (London), The Boston Globe, The Atlantic, The Annals of Neurology, and elsewhere. Sam Harris received a degree in philosophy from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from UCLA.
Episodes
Mentioned books
63 snips
Jan 30, 2026 • 36min
#455 - More From Sam: Guns, Propaganda, AI, and Power Unbound
They dissect a controversial Minneapolis killing and the silence from gun culture. They examine Iran’s escalating humanitarian crisis and possible U.S. responses. They debate political propaganda, charged imagery around the current administration, and a pay-to-play documentary. They explore AI’s impact on jobs and whether art made by machines should be labeled.
84 snips
Jan 21, 2026 • 59min
#454 - More From Sam: Minnesota, Greenland, Iran, S**thole Countries, and More
In this insightful discussion, Sam and Jaron tackle the unsettling aftermath of the Renee Good tragedy in Minneapolis, critiquing governmental narratives. They explore Trump's incoherent strategy regarding Greenland and its implications for NATO. The duo reflects on the humanitarian crises in Iran and the need for a cautious yet supportive U.S. approach. They also address the dangerous radicalization of figures like Scott Adams and the Democrats' troubling messaging about transgender issues. Expect sharp analyses and intriguing predictions for future political candidates!
134 snips
Jan 16, 2026 • 1h 22min
#453 - AI and the New Face of Antisemitism
Judea Pearl, a Turing Award-winning computer scientist and advocate for Jewish identity, discusses profound connections between AI and antisemitism. He explains why current AI models fall short of achieving true AGI and explores the pressing cultural challenges surrounding alignment in AI. Drawing from his personal tragedy, Pearl addresses the alarming rise of anti-Zionism post-October 7, the historical roots of antisemitism, and the need for defending open societies against modern threats, all while promoting practical solutions for peace in the Middle East.
117 snips
Jan 7, 2026 • 1h
#452 - Is Wokeness Finally Dead?
In a compelling discussion, linguist John McWhorter analyzes the peaks and persistence of 'wokeness' with insights from his career at Columbia University. He critiques how moral panic is fueled by social media and reflects on the enduring impact of George Floyd's legacy. McWhorter also explores the complexities of race politics, the appeal of Trump's rhetoric, and the institutionalization of DEI. With wit and depth, he argues for a nuanced understanding of identity issues and advocates for returning to rational discourse in the face of cultural challenges.
19 snips
Dec 31, 2025 • 9min
#451 - The One Resolution That Matters Most
Explore the importance of prioritizing mental well-being as the foundation for all other goals. Discover how digital distractions fragment our attention and hinder meaningful experiences. Learn what mindfulness truly means and how it can help you observe your thoughts as transient patterns. Sam offers practical techniques to enhance focus and emotional regulation, including a brief guided mindfulness exercise. Start your mindfulness journey with just five minutes a day using the Waking Up app!
122 snips
Dec 30, 2025 • 1h 15min
#450 - More From Sam: Resolutions, Conspiracies, Demonology, and the Fate of the World
Sam reflects on his ambitious New Year's resolutions and the transformative power of meditation. The discussion shifts to the intriguing risks of AI and the urgent need for global cooperation on its governance. Sam critiques the unsettling rise of antisemitism on both sides of the political spectrum and warns against the dangers of conspiracy thinking. They delve into Tucker Carlson's bizarre encounter with a demon and explore societal fractures fueled by misinformation. Plus, Sam shares entertainment picks and his humorous ChatGPT experience.
86 snips
Dec 22, 2025 • 1h 47min
#449 - Dogma, Tribe, and Truth
Ross Douthat, a New York Times opinion columnist and author of 'Believe,' explores the intersections of faith and modernity. He shares insights on how cultural disembodiment and AI may threaten human purpose. Douthat debates the role of politics in ensuring social cohesion amid technological upheaval and warns against dogmatism in secular societies. He argues for the necessity of core moral convictions while highlighting religion's historical contributions to ethics and social justice, offering a nuanced view of faith in a polarized world.
107 snips
Dec 8, 2025 • 1h 31min
#448 - The Philosophy of Good and Evil
David Edmonds, a philosopher and author at the Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics at Oxford, dives into moral philosophy and effective altruism. He discusses the provocative nature of thought experiments like Peter Singer's drowning child scenario and the ethics behind consequentialism. Edmonds critiques the backlash against effective altruism, the psychological impact of identifiable victims, and Angus Deaton’s views on foreign aid. Their conversation also explores the balance between effective giving and personal attachments, reframing our moral obligations.
195 snips
Dec 4, 2025 • 56min
#447 - The Unraveling of American Power
In this engaging conversation, geopolitical strategist Peter Zeihan discusses America's waning power under Trump, reflecting on his unexpected prediction for the 2024 election. He critiques Trump’s tariffs and their impact on deindustrialization while forecasting inflation and supply chain risks. Exploring topics like China's demographic decline and military readiness, Zeihan warns of eroding U.S. advantages and envisions a chaotic political future. He intriguingly notes Melania Trump's role as Ukraine’s ambassador, adding unexpected depth to his analysis.
28 snips
Dec 1, 2025 • 1h 52min
#446 - How to Do the Most Good
Michael Plant, a philosopher and director of the Happier Lives Institute, discusses the science of well-being and effective altruism. He explores how self-reported happiness can vary and questions the utility of Nozick's 'Experience Machine.' The conversation covers the implications of AI on human flourishing, the importance of treating depression over cash transfers for improving lives, and the stark disparities in charitable impacts. Plant also emphasizes the role of genuine experiences versus memories in shaping happiness.
