Best Dan Webber Podcasts (2025)

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Will psychedelics revolutionize mental health treatment? | Matthew Johnson, Shayla Love, and Kevin Sabet 49:34

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3d ago49:34

49:34

The psychedelic revolution Will LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA, and Ketamine treatments live up to the hype? For decades, psychedelics were derided as dangerous recreational drugs; now many claim they have the potential to revolutionise the treatment of mental health. With hundreds of clinical trials now taking place, the psychedelic therapeutic market is p…

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S4 E7 Beer's Of The World - USA 34:50

4d ago34:50

34:50

This week the lads crack open an American brew and dive deep into the legendary mockumentary Spinal Tap - from the iconic amp that goes to 11 to the brilliant performances that fooled half the world into thinking they were a real band. But things get serious (well, as serious as we get) when we discuss the minefield of modern workplace culture and …

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The illusion of separation | Jessica Frazier on the Monism of Hindu philosophy 24:39

6d ago24:39

24:39

Indian philosophy and the search for unity In our everyday lives we act as though we are all separate individuals, but is this really the case? Jessica Frazer argues that reality is ultimately unified, and that this shift in perspective can change the way we live our lives. It can help you lose your isolated ego and escape feelings of alienation fr…

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S4 E6 Beer's Of The World - Australia 38:31

11d ago38:31

38:31

G'Day Mate! Today we crack open a cold one and chat about 80's films that wouldn't fly today, the challenges of Live TV, and the endless subscriptions we all juggle. Beer of choice is Sparkling Ale by Coopers.By Martin Bell & Dan Webber

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The limits of nothingness | Peter van Inwagen 27:44

12d ago27:44

27:44

From philosophy to science, metaphysics to psychology, the idea of 'nothing' is central to the universe, existence and experience as a whole. But the nature of 'nothing' is even more bewildering than we might first imagine. Parmenides argued that non-being is impossible because thinking about nothing is still something. Join philosopher Peter van I…

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S4 E5 Beer's Of The World - Japan 38:31

18d ago38:31

38:31

Japan is the beer destination and we also discuss Bass guitar, The Village People and who we would like to kick in the head. Beer is Hitachino Nest.By Martin Bell & Dan Webber

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Is free will an illusion? The chemistry of freedom | Patrick Haggard, George Ellis, Jennifer Hornsby 40:10

20d ago40:10

40:10

The question of free will - and whether we have it or not - is age-old across philosophy, religion, and human thought in general. Having free will allows us to have meaning, responsibility, reward and punishment. Yet discoveries in neuroscience have put our ability to choose, outside of a set of neuronal reactions, in question. Do we have free will…

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S4 E4 Beer's Of The World - Poland 37:09

25d ago37:09

37:09

This week our beer is from Poland. We mourn the death of 2 Icons and talk about swingers on cruises and dog bags (bags for dogs). Beer is APA by Browar Amber.By Martin Bell & Dan Webber

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Has the world gone to Hell? | Slavoj Žižek on fascism, shame, and dirty jokes 41:11

27d ago41:11

41:11

Žižek: "Trump did what The Left couldn't" As we look around at the state of the modern world, it's very easy to get disheartened - and that's putting it lightly! From pointless wars and endless suffering to the decline of social bonds and trustworthy institutions, there really is a lot to get you down. Fortunately, maverick philosopher Slavoj Žižek…

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S4 E3 Beer's Of The World - Germany 31:29

1M ago31:29

31:29

Back into the beer's of the world and this week it's Germany. We also discuss dog ownership and a ghost pepper challenge gone wrong. Beer is Erdinger Weissbier.By Martin Bell & Dan Webber

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Video games and the meaning of life | James Tartaglia 27:49

1M ago27:49

27:49

Video games are changing how we think. Many are so realistic that some argue they are becoming reality. In this talk by philosopher James Tartaglia, he uncovers the relationship between games and reality. James Tartaglia is Professor of Metaphysical Philosophy at Keele University. His latest book is Inner Space Philosophy: Why the Next Stage of Hum…

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The philosophy of literature SPECIAL | George Orwell, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Aldous Huxley, and more 44:01

1M ago44:01

44:01

How literature helps us to understand morality, totalitarian politics, and the life of Jesus Christ. Join the team at the IAI for four articles about great, classic literature, covering world-renowned authors such as George Orwell, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Clarice Lispector, to name but a few. These articles were written by Michael Marder, Emrah Atasoy, …

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S4 E2 Beer's Of The World - Wales 34:28

1M ago34:28

34:28

Continuing our beer's of the world we head to Wales and try: Tiny Rebel What's Cooler than Being Cool NEIPA. We also discuss fashion and bagpipes.By Martin Bell & Dan Webber

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How other species challenge our idea of consciousness | Peter Godfrey-Smith 21:13

1M ago21:13

21:13

In this IAI Studio interview, philosopher and science writer Peter Godfrey-Smith explores the evolution of consciousness and the enduring mystery of the mind–body problem. Drawing on his work with octopuses and other animals, he argues that consciousness emerged gradually through increasingly complex forms of sensory-motor interaction, rather than …

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S4 E1 Beer's Of The World - Belgium 32:22

2M ago32:22

32:22

Welcome back. We continue to Season 4. This time we are going international starting off with Belgium. We discuss heatwaves and Garden Centres. Beer is Bacchus Framboise. Proost!By Martin Bell & Dan Webber

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Utopia and human nature | Paul Bloom 27:15

2M ago27:15

27:15

Human nature and the possibility of utopia The idea of utopia - of a perfect society devoid of suffering and inequality - is planted firmly in the human imagination and psyche. From pre-biblical times to Thomas More and communism and beyond, widely disparate groups have attempted to plan or create a utopia. But is it achievable? And if not, why not…

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More choice means less freedom | Psychologist Barry Schwartz 18:32

2M ago18:32

18:32

Why more is less We're surrounded by choice - an endless sea of possible paths we might take. However, does the overwhelming range of choices leave us better off or worse? In general, we tend to think that more is better, but Barry Schwartz, author of the ground-breaking book 'The Paradox of Choice', argues that this view is mistaken. More can lead…

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Live - Independence Day 41:21

2M ago41:21

41:21

Our first ever Live episode (recorded on 4th July). We talks about fitness injuries and what to expect in Season 4. Beers are Buzzkill by Mad Squirrel and Power Move by Neon Raptor.By Martin Bell & Dan Webber

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The limits of logic: Should we embrace the irrational? |Iain McGilchrist, Beatrix Campbell, Simon Blackburn 43:28

2M ago43:28

43:28

Our culture prizes logic and rationality, if not above all else, as two of the most fundamental social traits. But are we missing out by overlooking the irrational? Can logic explain everything, or what is it missing? And is it possible to live (and enjoy) a life led by logic? Logic, in philosophy and beyond, seems to always to be self-evidently ri…

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Consciousness begins in the body | Antonio Damasio 30:56

2M ago30:56

30:56

We tend to believe consciousness is purely mental. And since Descartes' "I think therefore I am", we've privileged the mind as the centrepiece of thought and consciousness. But such a view is mistaken argues award-winning neuroscientist Antonio Damasio. Feelings, long dismissed as secondary to thinking, are where consciousness begins, and are deepl…

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The Selfish and The Selfless SPECIAL | JD Vance, Pope Francis, and the 10 Commandments 45:09

2M ago45:09

45:09

What can JD Vance's arguments with Pope Francis teach us about selfishness, altruism, and the morality of the modern world? Join the team at the IAI for four articles about egoism, self-sacrifice, and everything in between, analysing a range of subjects, including: Friedrich Nietzsche and his rivalry with former maestro Arthur Schopenhauer; the 10 …

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Being mindful in a mindless world | Ellen Langer 22:46

2M ago22:46

22:46

The mindful body with Ellen Langer Can mindfulness be contagious? Ellen Langer's research certainly seems to suggest that's the case. As Professor of Psychology at Harvard University and the author of 'The Mindful Body', Ellen has racked up decades of experience and numerous awards during her investigations into the impact of mindful living. In thi…

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The beautiful in philosophy | Babette Babich, Paul Ernest, Ankhi Mukherjee, Sarah Wilson 42:00

2M ago42:00

42:00

The good, the bad, and the beautiful What is beauty? Why are we so drawn to it? And should we be - or is it a distraction? The philosophy of aesthetics and beauty has a long and fascinating history. Over the millennia, while we mostly agree on the essential nature of this ephemeral thing, "beauty", we disagree on the reasons why it is important, on…

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A world without values | Janne Teller, Dale Turner, Robin van den Akker, Isabel Hilton 44:37

3M ago44:37

44:37

Once values such as justice and equality were agreed upon by all. Now they are identified by some as vehicles to entrench or overturn power. On the left, 'justice' as a means to sustain and impose privilege, 'truth' as an attempt to claim enduring authority. On the right, 'diversity' and 'equality' as means to undermine the status quo in favour of …

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S3 E27 Full Kit W*nker 42:40

3M ago42:40

42:40

Last episode of Season 3. Martin goes full kit, we talk about Metroland, live TV going wrong and what is in store for Season 4. Beers are Watermelon Ale by The Hop Foundry and McEwans Champion.By Martin Bell & Dan Webber

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The challenge to optimism | Angus Deaton 21:34

3M ago21:34

21:34

The economy is a vital part of the way we understand our lives and our politics more generally. But after years of growth, development, and progress, on the surface everything is rosy. But as Nobel Laureate Angus Deaton argues, behind the big picture many people have been left behind by the modern economy, and this is precisely because of the blind…

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S3 E26 Posh Nosh 28:47

3M ago28:47

28:47

In this one we dive into the world of fancy dining, navigate the chaos of Lake District traffic, and taste test the citrusy goodness of Duvel Citra. From fine dining etiquette fails to brewery discoveries - we're serving up laughs with a side of hops!By Martin Bell & Dan Webber

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Searching for the purpose of life |Babette Babich, Frank Tallis, Jonathan Webber, Sandra Laugier 45:53

3M ago45:53

45:53

The journey in search of the destination Does life have a purpose? Is that what gives life meaning? Or is it the journey that matters the most? Join our four speakers - Nietzschean philosopher Babette Babich, clinical psychologist Frank Tallis, existentialist philosopher Jonathan Webber, and linguist philosopher Sandra Laugier - as they explore the…

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Nietzsche, the birth of tragedy, and the technology trap | Babette Babich 24:19

3M ago24:19

24:19

Nietzsche, the birth of tragedy, and the technology trap with Babette Babich Babette Babich discusses Nietzsche, the importance of tragedy, and the danger of technology interfering with our judgement. Babette Babich is a world renowned Professor of Philosophy at Fordham University in New York. In this in-depth interview, she looks to Nietzsche's Bi…

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S3 E25 Going Live (By Mistake) 34:33

3M ago34:33

34:33

Today the lad's talk about road rage, birthdays and accidentally go live. Beer is Apple Crema Sour by Pastore.By Martin Bell & Dan Webber

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S3 E24 The Boys Of Summer 35:30

3M ago35:30

35:30

Beer is Liqourice stout.By Martin Bell & Dan Webber

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The philosophy of fun | Myriam François, Freya India, James Tartaglia 50:35

3M ago50:35

50:35

The essential philosophy of fun Do we need to have fun or is it an unnecessary excess? Are we living in an age of fun's decline, what with the moralism and strictures of Gen Z, or is there something else going on? On this panel, our three guests - philosopher James Tartaglia, film-maker Myriam François, and writer Freya India - dive into the idea o…

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Neoliberalism: A Soviet nightmare | Abby Innes 31:25

4M ago31:25

31:25

There is an old Soviet joke, ‘Capitalism is the exploitation of man by man. Communism is its exact opposite.’ On the surface, neoliberalism, with its emphasis on free markets, competition and privatisation, is as far removed as possible from the Soviet Union. But behind the policies, could they be guided by the same false utopianism? Abby Innes, pr…

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S3 E23 One For Sorrow... 33:18

4M ago33:18

33:18

In this episode we discuss the new Pope, Everyman Cinema and Dan's love of cloths and get heckled by a bird. Beer is Crush Depth by Otherworld Brewing!By Martin Bell & Dan Webber

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The dark side of chasing rewards | Paul Bloom, Nancy Sherman, and Dan Ariely 46:48

4M ago46:48

46:48

Something for nothing Do rewards and incentives damage our humanity? In much of our personal and professional lives, we receive rewards for good behaviour and carrying out our responsibilities. But, evidence now suggests there are risks to this approach. Studies show rewards can damage wellbeing, fostering dependence and undermining our own sense o…

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S3 E22 Hoof Hearted 32:05

4M ago32:05

32:05

In this episode we discuss our favourite YouTube channels, going on a cruise and Martin talks about his latest posh restaurant visit. Beer is Raspberry Ripple sour by Yonder.By Martin Bell & Dan Webber

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Rethinking the Enlightenment | Historian Aviva Chomsky 26:24

4M ago26:24

26:24

The spectre of the Enlightenment What the Enlightenment a net positive or a net negative? Or is that the wrong question, and should we look at it simply as a historical period? Join Professor of History Aviva Chomsky as she dissects one of the most important periods in modern history from the lens of a critical historian. The Enlightenment was not …

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Was Karl Marx misunderstood? | Terry Eagleton on the forgotten ideals of Marxism 24:23

4M ago24:23

24:23

Why Marx was right Having fallen out of favour around the turn of the century, Marxism is now back in fashion, often playing the role of an alternative to the increasingly right-wing politics of the modern world. Once the guiding ideology of Korean guerillas and Hampstead screenwriters alike, Marxism is back and taking universities and intellectual…

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S3 E21 Good Friday, Bad Sunday. 28:45

4M ago28:45

28:45

Dan talks about his Easter mishaps, Martin apologise for his. Beer is A Sheep Named Su by BaaBaa Brewhouse.By Martin Bell & Dan Webber

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The power and the pitfalls of narrative | Matthew Beaumont, Ruth Padel, and Theodore Dalrymple 42:34

4M ago42:34

42:34

Lost in stories Is life a story or a sequence of events? Our narratives enable us to make sense of the complex, often confusing, world that we live in. And yet there is a risk that rather than helping us to truly understand this world, narratives can hide reality from us, providing delusional states of mind in its place. From witch hunts to cults, …

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S3 E20 North East Special - Part 2 43:04

4M ago43:04

43:04

Part 2 of our North East Special. This time we have Tirimasu from Donzoko and Black Wave from Vaux.By Martin Bell & Dan Webber

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Reflections on mental health today | Interview | Susie Orbach 23:02

4M ago23:02

23:02

The dark side of 'mental health' with Susie Orbach Why are psychotherapy, psychology, psychoanalysis, therapy so popular today? Do these respond to a new need in our society or are they evolutions of age-old human approaches to resolution and knowing oneself? Join psychotherapist and psychoanalyst (famously Princess Diana's therapist!) Susie Orbach…

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S3 E19 North East Special - Part 1 37:23

5M ago37:23

37:23

Part 1 of a 2 part North East UK Beer special. Beer is Stottie Beer and Tormit Heed by Firebrick Brewery.By Martin Bell & Dan Webber

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The life and philosophy of Peter Singer | In conversation with Myriam François 25:56

5M ago25:56

25:56

Peter Singer is one of the world's leading philosophers, renowned for his challenging and often controversial views. From animal ethics to effective altruism, Singer has shaped the philosophical landscape. In this episode we uncover the key events in his life that led to his ideas, and hear him answer his critics and defend the convictions that hav…

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The price of everything, value of nothing | Politics series | Daniel Susskind, Abby Innes, Will Hutton, Richard Kibble 51:30

5M ago51:30

51:30

Under capitalism, it can be hard to disentangle an idea of 'value' from that which the market sets as 'valuable' - that is to say, expensive items. Is the price mechanism in any way a useful or accurate way of representing value, or are we unable to measure what we really value through it? Join our panel of four diverse social scientists to make se…

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S3 E18 Wasabi Peas 32:33

5M ago32:33

32:33

In this episode we discuss wasabi peas, being a psychic and chopped onions. Beer is Imperial Jakehead by Wylam.By Martin Bell & Dan Webber

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The crisis of the new | Stanley Fish, Claire Hynes, and Martin Puchner 59:13

5M ago59:13

59:13

Is genuine originality a realistic goal for artists? From fashion to fantasy, entertainment to enterprise, we seek the 'new' as the means to originality, change, and creativity. And for the most part, we imagine the new is always identifiable as a radical break from the past. But the nature of the new is more elusive and unknown than it first appea…

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S3 E17 Totally Nude Sunbathing 38:02

5M ago38:02

38:02

After a short break the lads are back with tales from Benidorm, Dentists and Teemu. Beer is Rivington Barley wine 2024.By Martin Bell & Dan Webber

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Sartre vs Baldwin | Joanna Kavenna, Jonathan Webber, and Marie-Elsa Bragg 44:30

5M ago44:30

44:30

We take it for granted that through language and communication we can learn about the experience of others. But it remains unknown whether we can fully know what it is like to be another human being. James Baldwin and Jean-Paul Sartre take radically different approaches. For Sartre, the experience of others is unknown to us. Fundamentally, we are a…

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The philosophy of geopolitics SPECIAL | Donald Trump, Homer's Odyssey, and Korean Web Novels 43:55

5M ago43:55

43:55

What do Friedrich Nietzsche, the Korean War, and Homer's Odyssey have in common? Join the team at the IAI for four articles about the history and philosophy of geopolitics, ranging from Nietzsche's impact on Russia's imperialist strategies to the importance of Ancient Greek tragedies during the decline of the West. Written by Slavoj Žižek, John Mil…