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
41 snips
Oct 24, 2025 • 1h 6min
#440 - A World in Crisis
In this captivating discussion, bestselling author Robert D. Kaplan shares insights from his latest book, exploring the nature of a world in crisis. He delves into the profound implications of climate change, migration, and political extremism. Kaplan argues that order must precede freedom and analyzes the potential fallout from conflicts with Russia and China. He highlights the rise of right-wing populism in Europe and assesses the shifting geopolitical landscape, offering a sobering look at our future amidst growing global tensions.
27 snips
Oct 14, 2025 • 1h 24min
#439 - How to Lose a Democracy
Damon Linker, a political science lecturer and author, delves into the troubling state of American democracy. He discusses the rise of right-wing populism and its potential to distort democracy. The conversation highlights how Trump could exploit unrest via the Insurrection Act and the risks of authoritarianism. Linker critiques the rhetoric of power and fear that fuels division, while examining the intertwining of Christianity and politics in modern America. Together, they explore the dangers posed to democratic norms and the emerging threats from centralized state power.
38 snips
Oct 11, 2025 • 1h 3min
#438 - “More From Sam”: Israel-Hamas Deal, Qatari Air Force Base, Trump, Charlie Kirk, Ezra Klein, & Rapid Fire Questions
Current events take center stage as the hosts delve into the Israel-Hamas peace deal and why the reaction to it is mixed, even among activists. They discuss the implications of a Qatari air base in Idaho and Trump's questionable character traits revealed through a golfing lens. Political violence is examined through the lens of Charlie Kirk's assassination, igniting debates on media responsibility and societal tensions. Plus, reflections on Christopher Hitchens and the challenges of navigating modern journalism without social media.
33 snips
Oct 6, 2025 • 1h 28min
#437 - Two Years Since 10/7
Dan Senor, a foreign policy expert and author, discusses the aftermath of the October 7 attacks and the troubling rise of global antisemitism. He highlights the political calculations of European leaders, the challenges of integration, and campus antisemitism. The conversation also covers Trump's unexpected reliability as an ally to Israel, the significance of the U.S.-Israeli operation against Iran, and the pitfalls of Hamas's influence. Senor cautions against nationalist isolationism and reflects on the complexities of addressing antisemitism in contemporary media.
14 snips
Oct 3, 2025 • 1h 14min
#436 - A Crisis of Trust
Michael Osterholm, a prominent epidemiologist and director of CIDRAP, discusses his book, The Big One, focusing on pandemic preparedness. He highlights key lessons from COVID-19, including major public health failures like lockdowns and vaccine communication missteps. Osterholm emphasizes the risks of future pandemics, especially airborne viruses with high lethality. He advocates for better masks, universal vaccines, and improved public health communication to rebuild trust in institutions and prepare for what he calls 'The Big One'.
31 snips
Oct 2, 2025 • 37min
#435 - The Last Invention
Andy Mills, a seasoned reporter and co-creator of The Last Invention, joins Sam Harris to explore the dual-edged sword of AI. They discuss startling accusations of a Silicon Valley coup aiming to replace government with AI, and fears from insiders about AI's political dominance. The conversation shifts to the accelerationist mindset, where AI promises unprecedented breakthroughs, juxtaposed against alarmist views warning of existential risks. With predictions of human-level intelligence within years, they debate whether to curb AI development radically or prepare responsibly for its arrival.
70 snips
Sep 16, 2025 • 1h 49min
#434 - Can We Survive AI?
Sam Harris chats with Eliezer Yudkowsky, a leading voice in AI alignment, and Nate Soares, president of the Machine Intelligence Research Institute. They delve into their urgent concerns about superintelligent AI and its potential existential threats. The conversation ranges from the alignment problem and the unpredictability of AI behaviors to the myth of controlling advanced systems. They also contemplate the chilling analogy of an uncontrollable tiger cub and stress the need for responsible AI development and regulatory measures. A thought-provoking discussion on our future with AI!
95 snips
Sep 6, 2025 • 1h 21min
#433 - How Did We Get Here?
In a compelling discussion, journalist Dan Carlin explores the trajectory of America's political landscape. He delves into the increasing powers of the presidency, the fragmentation within the Republican Party, and the unsettling rise of political violence and scapegoating. Carlin highlights the challenges posed by misinformation, particularly in the age of social media, and raises concerns about historical revisionism, especially regarding the Holocaust. Their conversation offers a rich tapestry of insights into the complexities of governance and societal divisions today.
65 snips
Aug 27, 2025 • 1h 23min
#432 - The Undoing of America
David French, a New York Times columnist and constitutional lawyer, dives deep into Trump's impact on American democracy. He discusses Trump's manipulation of the justice system and the presidential pardon power. French suggests amending Article II to limit executive overreach. Conversations about immigration policy reveal tensions between security and empathy, while the militarization of law enforcement is critiqued for undermining community safety. French also highlights the division within the MAGA coalition and the alarming rise of Christian nationalism in politics.
30 snips
Aug 25, 2025 • 1h 5min
#431 - What Is Happening on College Campuses?
Michael Roth, President of Wesleyan University and an intellectual historian, dives into pressing issues in higher education. They discuss the balance between free speech and the need for order during campus protests. Roth emphasizes the importance of diversifying viewpoints and addressing the complexities of antisemitism and political dialogue on campuses. He reflects on government influence in education and the disconnect elites have with broader society. Finally, Roth explores how education can promote civic renewal and the role of AI in shaping a new learning landscape.
