Best Mindless Conversation Podcasts (2025)

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Why liberalism has failed | John Gray on civilisation, morality, and the illusion of progress 36:18

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10d ago36:18

36:18

Why is the world moving away from liberalism and towards conservatism? One of Britain’s most provocative thinkers, John Gray is a political philosopher known for dismantling liberalism and exposing the illusions of human progress. Former Professor of European Thought at the London School of Economics, Gray has challenged orthodoxy across the politi…

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Analytic or Continental philosophy | Christoph Schuringa, Genia Schönbaumsfeld, Babette Babich 49:07

17d ago49:07

49:07

The future of European thought What is analytic philosophy and what is continental philosophy? And, perhaps most importantly, does this distinction make any sense? The division between these two branches has divided Western philosophy for decades now, with the Anglo-Saxon world largely associated with the analytical school, and the European contine…

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How Words Warp Reality | Nick Enfield 32:53

22d ago32:53

32:53

Language shapes how we think, remember, and reason. But does it help us to uncover the fundamental nature of reality? Join the author of Language vs. Reality and linguistic anthropologist, Nick Enfield, as he explores why language excels at persuasion but falters at faithfully representing reality. From media spin to courtroom rhetoric, he reveals …

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Consciousness and psychedelics: In conversation with Rupert Sheldrake 31:33

28d ago31:33

31:33

Philosophers cannot stop talking about consciousness - what are its limits? What is it made of? What does it allow us? This podcast is part of that conversation, but from a more experimental perspective. Join biologist and researcher Rupert Sheldrake as he discusses consciousness with philosopher Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes from the lens of psychedelics.…

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The philosophy of religion and love with Alain de Botton and Alex O'Connor 26:11

1M ago26:11

26:11

Why we worship without knowing it What should be included within the remit of philosophy? Religion? Love? Hair? Join well-known public speakers and writers Alain de Botton and Alex O'Connor as they talk through what philosophy can offer us, why we should study love, and what the role of religion is in philosophy and in our lives. See Privacy Policy…

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Mazes of the mind: The philosophy of neuroscience | Iain McGilchrist, Colin Blakemore, Bryan Appleyard 47:58

1M ago47:58

47:58

Over the past decades, neuroscience has blossomed, positioning itself as a kind of master discipline over everything else. For who understands the brain surely understands all of human activity and creation? Or not? Neuroscience's reach has extended past its scientific remit and into the world of philosophy and its major questions. What is a human?…

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In search of nothing | David Deutsch, Amanda Gefter, Lee Smolin 1:00:17

2M ago1:00:17

1:00:17

What is nothing? Can it be defined, either philosophically or scientifically? Or will the exploration of nothing bring, ultimately, to nothing? The philosophical exploration of nothingness is an ancient one, from the mysterious number zero through theological understandings of the absence of God right to modern physics and ideas of the void. Join l…

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Halloween SPECIAL | The philosophy of the apocalypse 44:25

2M ago44:25

44:25

Why are we fascinated by apocalyptic stories? Join the team at the IAI for a reading of four Halloween-themed articles, written by historian and philosopher Natalie Lawrence, professor of political philosophy Matthew Festenstein, and professor of comparative literature Florian Mussgnug. From the allure of the end times to the symbolic value of mons…

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The importance of giving up | Adam Phillips 27:14

2M ago27:14

27:14

Einstein was called “slow” at school, J. K. Rowling collected a dozen rejections, and Walt Disney was once fired for “lacking imagination.” We love stories of perseverance—but what’s the cost of never letting go? In this conversation, psychoanalyst Adam Phillips argues that our obsession with endurance can have hidden, corrosive effects. He invites…

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Slavoj Žižek on philosophy today | The madness of reality 38:03

2M ago38:03

38:03

Slavoj Žižek is back in a new interview where he takes us through his thoughts on the role of philosophy, the future of sex, his fear and love of AI and, as always, so much more. Tune in to hear one of contemporary philosophy's most original and darkly comedic minds expose his thoughts on the present and where we are heading - though that is imposs…

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How to fathom timelessness | Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes 31:23

2M ago31:23

31:23

What should time mean to us? Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes is a philosopher of mind who specialises in the thought of Alfred North Whitehead, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Benedict de Spinoza, and in fields pertaining to panpsychism and altered states of mind. In this talk, he combines insights from psychedelic experiences with an intriguing view put forward by…

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After postmodernism | Hilary Lawson, Robin van den Akker, Abby Innes, Sophie Scott-Brown 47:13

3M ago47:13

47:13

Hugely influential in the latter decades of the 20th century, postmodernism transformed many academic disciplines and culture at large. Associated with an attack on objective truth and the uniqueness of meaning, it called into question the whole edifice of knowledge which Western culture had previously glorified. But it left many lost, and in the w…

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The language of the unconscious: Pyschoanalysis and AI | Alenka Zupančič 29:46

3M ago29:46

29:46

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The Enlightenment is racist (and why) | Kehinde Andrews 20:38

3M ago20:38

20:38

The Enlightenment has faced a lot of criticism in recent years - its defenders and detractors often come head to head, scrambling to articulate its ultimate value or lack thereof to contemporary society. This podcast contributes to this wider debate and question facing all those interested in philosophy and politics: Are Enlightenment ideas salvage…

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The struggle for the good life | Massimo Pigliucci on ancient philosophy for the modern era 29:29

3M ago29:29

29:29

We all want to live the good life. But how many of us can claim to be truly content? Join philosopher and evolutionary biologist Massimo Pigliucci as he argues that pleasure, character, and a healthy dose of doubt, form the basis of the good life, and that purpose in life is crucial to realising our potential. Massimo Pigliucci is a renowned philos…

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Psychedelics and the structure of reality | Julian Baggini, Eileen Hall, and James Rucker 46:51

3M ago46:51

46:51

Truth, delusion and psychedelic reality Do psychedelics reveal hidden layers of reality, or are we simply tripping? Psychedelics are back in the cultural zeitgeist, this time as a treatment for mental health issues. However, critics argue that psychedelics only work by replacing mental illness with a distorted view of reality - but, is this an accu…

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The unconscious mind: Is the unconscious real? 48:58

4M ago48:58

48:58

The unconscious has become a well-known feature of our human lived experience since Freud. We often refer to unwanted impulses, suppressed thoughts, unconscious desires, and the like. But what IS the unconscious? Is it just an easy excuse for our behaviour? Or is it a necessary piece of what it means to be human? Join our diverse and rich panel as …

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A landscape of consciousness | Robert Lawrence Kuhn and Hilary Lawson 41:19

4M ago41:19

41:19

Will we ever reach a conclusive, agreed-upon theory of consciousness? Over the millennia of recorded history, countless stories, theories, and arguments have emerged to explain the origins of consciousness. And yet, here we are in 2025 - post-Plato, post-Descartes, post-scientific revolution - and still we don't understand the phenomenon of conscio…

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

4M 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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How to set boundaries with your phone 22:39

4M ago22:39

22:39

Our phones are taking up wayyyy to much of our time, so here’s a way to help you set some boundaries. Hope this helps ya! xoxo, ellie 💋 ✨Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verbalthoughtspod/ ✨Pinterest: https://pin.it/27n5D7PKlBy Ellie Strike

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

4M 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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Age 18-29 Temporaries 20:30

4M ago20:30

20:30

Here as a reminder that this time in life is filled with so many temporary things. Not everything is meant to last forever and that’s okay! Just enjoy being! xoxo, ellie 💋 ✨Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verbalthoughtspod/ ✨Pinterest: https://pin.it/27n5D7PKl ✨Current Obsession: paddle boarding…

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The limits of nothingness | Peter van Inwagen 27:44

4M 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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23 learned lessons from a 23 year old 30:09

4M ago30:09

30:09

some fun, some serious, all worth listening to 😉 xoxo, ellie 💋 ✨Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verbalthoughtspod/ ✨Pinterest: https://pin.it/27n5D7PKlBy Ellie Strike

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

5M 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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Our Thoughts on Hacking ADHD 46:09

5M ago46:09

46:09

Our first guest episode on the podcast!! My sister and I both experience ADHD symptoms and today we are chatting about how it affects our lives and how we try and hack it. hope you enjoy!! xoxo, ellie 💋 ✨Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verbalthoughtspod/ ✨Pinterest: https://pin.it/27n5D7PKlBy Ellie Strike

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

5M 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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The Season Finale: What 2025 Is Teaching Us About Love, Boundaries, and Burnout 14:17

5M ago14:17

14:17

In this final episode of season three, I’m reflecting on the biggest dating shifts we’ve witnessed in 2025 - and what they’re revealing about where we’re headed when it comes to love, connection, and self-worth. From the rise of boundaries and values-based dating to the growing role of AI, dating burnout, and the return of in-person connection, thi…

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

5M 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

5M 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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Boundaries or Buzzwords? Rethinking ‘Therapy Talk’ in Relationships 7:32

5M ago7:32

7:32

Have you ever caught yourself labeling someone a narcissist after one bad date? Or said you were “setting a boundary” when really, you were just avoiding an uncomfortable conversation? In today’s episode, we dive into the rise of therapy speak in modern dating - and what might be getting lost in translation. From gaslighting to attachment styles, t…

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

5M 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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Assume Less, Love More: Breaking the Pattern 12:05

5M ago12:05

12:05

If you’ve ever spiraled into anxiety over something your partner might be thinking… or held back from speaking your truth because you were “pretty sure” how they'd react - this episode is for you. Today we explore how assumptions quietly sabotage our relationships. These stories we tell ourselves - often shaped by past wounds and incomplete informa…

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Utopia and human nature | Paul Bloom 27:15

5M 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

6M 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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The Pressure to Perform: Why Women Struggle to Just Be 9:58

6M ago9:58

9:58

If you’ve ever felt like your worth is tied to how much you get done, how well you perform, or how "together" you appear - this episode is for you. In today’s episode I open up about a recent realization during a season of stillness - brought on by literally losing my voice. What began as physical silence became a deep invitation to examine the pre…

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

6M 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

6M 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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Feeling Alone While Everyone Else Seems Connected? You're Not Broken 12:37

6M ago12:37

12:37

If weekends feel heavier, lonelier, or just plain harder - this episode is for you. Today, we’re talking about the kind of loneliness that creeps in when everyone else seems connected, partnered, or surrounded by people... and you’re not. Let's explore why this feeling often peaks on weekends, and how that quiet space can amplify emotions we usuall…

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

6M 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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Swipe Culture & Safety: The Hidden Message Behind That Height Filter 10:50

6M ago10:50

10:50

If you’ve ever found yourself swiping left over something as simple as height, this episode is for you. Today, we’re diving into Tinder’s new height filter - but more importantly, what our dating preferences really say about us. Is it just a preference, or is it a way to avoid vulnerability, risk, or disappointment? Let's unpack how physical “requi…

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

6M 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

6M 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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Attachment, Polarity & the Real You: A Conversation with Jack Bohannan 49:38

6M ago49:38

49:38

Have you ever wondered why certain dating dynamics feel so familiar, or so frustrating? Why you keep attracting the same kinds of partners, or why true connection still feels out of reach even when you're doing all the “right” things? In today's episode, I'm joined by relationship coach Jack Bohannan for a deep dive into the inner workings of attra…

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

6M 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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Dating Fatigue is Real: Why You're Tired - and What to Do About It 10:02

7M ago10:02

10:02

If dating has started to feel more draining than exciting, you’re not alone. In this episode, we’re unpacking the very real (and very common) experience of dating fatigue - what causes it, how it shows up, and what you can do to move through it with more clarity and self-compassion. From the addictive nature of dating apps to the pressure to “keep …

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The challenge to optimism | Angus Deaton 21:34

7M 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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Breaking the Cycle: From Toxic Dating to Self-Love with Phoebe Rogers 42:33

7M ago42:33

42:33

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in the same painful dating patterns, emotionally unavailable partners, one-sided connections, chasing love while abandoning yourself - you’re not alone. And more importantly, you’re not broken. On today's episode, I'm joined by clinical psychologist, couples therapist, and author Phoebe Rogers, who is a returning…

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

7M 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

7M 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…