Best The Hard Problem Of Consciousness Podcasts (2025)

1
Einstein’s Crumbs with Janna Levin 52:17

2d ago52:17

52:17

How did Einstein’s work influence the world we know today? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Harrison Greenbaum team up with astrophysicist Janna Levin, PhD, to explore Einstein’s physics and its resulting discoveries, from Walmart laser pointers to black holes and wormholes. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: htt…

1
#439 - How to Understand Americans 100% When They Speak Fast — 5 Speech Patterns You Must Know, Real Clip Analysis, and a Deep Reflection on Global Consciousness 27:09

3d ago27:09

27:09

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. Are you ready to transform your English listening and speaking skills? 🚀 In today’s episode, we dive deep into the magic of connected speech — the secret weapon that fluent English speakers use every day without even thinking about it. You’ll listen to an authentic American speaker w…

1
551- Hidden Fears, Quiet Shame: Social Anxiety in Middle School to College Students 58:54

9d ago58:54

58:54

Thomas E. Brown, Ph.D., discusses a form of social anxiety common in teens and young adults with ADHD — a fear of being embarrassed in social situations, or anxiety about how others may perceive them. Learn how to recognize and support teens who harbor such fears. Social Anxiety: Additional Resources Free Download: Social Anxiety Facts and Falsehoo…

1
Explosive Science with Kate the Chemist 54:29

9d ago54:29

54:29

What are chemical reactions like in space? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice team up with Kate the Chemist to explore how cesium helps us tell time, the elusive quest for the periodic table’s “island of stability,” how AI is revolutionizing chemistry, and more! NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https:/…

1
#438 - 5 Ways to Improve Your English Speaking Alone by Reading Books — The Strategies Used by the Best Learners, Essential Lessons for Life, and Why You Should Focus on Discoveries Rather Than Outcomes ... 17:50

10d ago17:50

17:50

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. In this episode, Ethan gets real about a common challenge many English learners face — feeling intimidated by reading in English. He shares five personal, practical strategies that can help you improve your speaking skills simply by picking up a book, even if you're learning on your …

1
Changing the World (Literally) 58:27

13d ago58:27

58:27

Could we create an atmospheric sun shield to halt the effects of global warming? Should we? Neil deGrasse Tyson, Chuck Nice, and Gary O’Reilly are joined by climate scientist Daniele Visioni and sociologist Holly Jean Buck to explore the science and ethics of deliberately altering Earth’s climate. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire e…

1
550- “Solve My Problem!” – Live Q&A Session on 3/28/25 40:18

16d ago40:18

40:18

Listen to a recording of a real-time Q&A session held on 3/28/25. Sharon Saline, Psy.D., responds live to questions from adults living with ADHD and parents raising neurodivergent children. Life with ADHD: Additional Resources Sign Up! Free ADHD Parenting Class Download: The ADHD Healthy Habits Handbook eBook for Adults: The Adult’s Guide to Strong…

1
Cosmic Queries – Dimensional Waterfall 42:00

16d ago42:00

42:00

What happens when two black holes' event horizons overlap? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-host Chuck Nice answer fan questions about higher dimensions, the north side of the magnet, the internal structure of other planets, and more. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/cosmic-que…

1
#437 - 5 Great Songs to LEARN Phrasal Verbs in ENGLISH — Let's Sing, Analyze the Lyrics, and Learn (with Dua Lipa, Taylor Swift, Guns N' Roses, Lady Gaga & More!) 34:23

17d ago34:23

34:23

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. Join Ethan and Izzy in this musical English lesson where learning phrasal verbs becomes fun and unforgettable! 🎶 This episode features five hit songs from top artists like Dua Lipa, Taylor Swift, Guns N' Roses, and Lady Gaga. Together, you'll listen to catchy lyrics, discover dozens …

1
Consciousness as the Ground of Being 25:20

18d ago25:20

25:20

By Glenn Ostlund

51
Cosmic Queries – Dark Matter, Aliens, End of the Universe 46:30

20d ago46:30

46:30

Could it be that another universe’s gravity is bleeding into our universe? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice answer grab bag questions ranging from dark matter to the end of the universe. (Originally Aired February 8, 2021) NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/cosmic-queries…

1
Quaila upon Quaila upon Qu-AI-lia? 48:41

20d ago48:41

48:41

Episode Description: Quail upon Quail upon Qu-AI-lia Inspired by the reflective insights of Annaka Harris in Lights On, this meditation invites you on a soulful journey into the origins of felt experience. Explore “The Pattern That Made You,” where the union of opposites—the first spark of attraction between mother and father—gives rise to life, ec…

1
The Hidden Light of Experience 25:20

21d ago25:20

25:20

Experience the secret realm of sensation in “The Hidden Light of Experience.” In this meditation, inspired by Annaka Harris, you journey inward to rediscover your sense of touch, taste, and sight. Feel every breath, each sensation unfolding into the unseen realm of qualia. Science explains the neurons, yet it cannot capture the soulful colors of yo…

1
549- Eating with ADHD: Improving Your Relationship with Food 59:31

23d ago59:31

59:31

Nicole DeMasi Malcher, MS, RD, CDCES delves into the connection between ADHD and disordered eating. Learn why traditional diets often fail — and why intuitive eating may work — and come away with practical strategies for ADHD-friendly eating habits. ADHD and Nutrition: Additional Resources Free Download: Health & Fitness — Lifestyle Changes for Adu…

1
Things You Thought You Knew – Head in the Clouds 45:26

23d ago45:26

45:26

Why are there different types of clouds? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice break down things you thought you knew about twilight, how clouds are made, and why Earth’s coastlines change. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/things-you-thought-you-knew-head-in-the-clo…

1
The Self as a Song 25:20

23d ago25:20

25:20

Step into an immersive meditation experience led by therapist Glenn Ostlund as he guides you through a deep, contemplative exploration inspired by Annaka Harris' provocative inquiries into the nature of the self. In this session, Glenn invites you to gently question where your true identity begins and ends, challenging the conventional notion of a …

1
#436 - How to Get Fluent in English WITHOUT Studying Grammar — What You Should Focus On Instead, Why Natives Don't Know Grammar, and How I Learned Verb Tenses in English 22:51

24d ago22:51

22:51

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. In today’s episode, Izzy dives into one of the most debated questions in language learning: Is grammar actually necessary to become fluent? If you’ve ever felt guilty for not remembering all the grammar rules, this one’s for you. Oh — and we’ll tackle the ultimate question: Is colleg…

1
The Bucket Brigade of Hearing — A Meditation on the Felt Experience of Sound 1:09:01

26d ago1:09:01

1:09:01

Episode Title: The Bucket Brigade of Hearing — A Meditation on Felt Experience of Sound In this episode of Lights In: The Unofficial Direct Felt Experience Meditation Study Guide for Annaka Harris’s Lights On, we follow a single ripple of sound from its first whisper in the air to its final transformation into meaning and memory within the human mi…

101
Astrobotany & Plant Intelligence with Simon Gilroy 55:14

27d ago55:14

55:14

Are plants more aware than we think? Do they have feelings? Neil deGrasse Tyson, Gary O’Reilly, and Harrison Greenbaum explore the intelligence of plants with astrobotanist Simon Gilroy. From venus flytraps to space farming, we dig deep into the secret world of plants. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: …

1
When Feelings Point to Facts 27:01

28d ago27:01

27:01

Episode Title: When Feelings Point to Facts In this meditation, we explore the tension between intuition and truth—where gut feelings feel like knowing, but may mislead us in the face of deeper mysteries. Guided by Annaka Harris’s insight that many of our intuitions about consciousness and reality are unreliable, we enter a reflective meditation th…

1
The Feeling Experience of Unseen Awareness 27:01

29d ago27:01

27:01

Episode Description: Meditation: The Feeling Experience of Unseen Awareness In this contemplative episode, Annaka Harris’s questions from Lights On point us toward an inward journey to explore the elusive feel of sonically altered states of consciousness. With a gentle invitation to pause, breathe, and feel the body, we explore the very markers of …

1
548- How to Heal from Trauma Using Internal Family Systems (IFS) 1:00:09

1M ago1:00:09

1:00:09

Children with ADHD face more trauma and attacks on self-esteem than their neurotypical peers. Susan Bauerfeld, Ph.D., explains why, and introduces a type of therapy that's especially helpful to people who experience trauma: Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. ADHD and Trauma: Additional Resources How Trauma and Chronic Stress Affect Developing B…

1
When Black Holes Collide with Nergis Mavalvala 45:42

1M ago45:42

45:42

How do we detect ripples in spacetime? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Harrison Greenbaum explore black hole collisions, quantum tricks, and how gravitational waves can help us uncover the early universe with MIT physicist and LIGO researcher Nergis Mavalvala. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://…

1
What is it Like to Be? 24:14

1M ago24:14

24:14

Episode Description: What Is It Like to Be…? In this evocative meditation, Annaka Harris gently guides you to settle into the present moment and turn your attention inward. Drawing on philosopher Thomas Nagel’s profound idea—that an organism is conscious if there is something it is like to be that organism—you are invited to explore the very essenc…

1
The Mystery of Feeling 23:58

1M ago23:58

23:58

Episode Description: The Mystery of Feeling In this meditative journey, you are invited to settle into a state of stillness where your breath gently guides you inward. As you listen, you will be led to explore a profound and timeless mystery: the nature of feeling. Drawing inspiration from Annaka Harris, this meditation weaves together the awe-insp…

1
#435 - The Key to Changing Your Life's Destiny — How to Get Unstuck, Take Control of Your Life, and Find Joy 30:45

1M ago30:45

30:45

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. Feeling stuck in life? In this powerful episode, Izzy invites Ethan to uncover the key to breaking free from autopilot living. Discover how defining your personal values and beginning with the end in mind can transform your mindset, help you take control of your future, and bring mor…

1
Where Consciousness Begins? 23:46

1M ago23:46

23:46

Episode 1: Where Consciousness Begins? In this opening meditation from the Lights In series—sparked by Annaka Harris’s Lights On—you’re invited to slow down and gently explore the layers of consciousness that exist beneath thought. With the support of soothing binaural tones designed to encourage neural entrainment and inner stillness, this reflect…

1
547- A Parenting Toolkit for Moms and Dads with ADHD 1:01:57

1M ago1:01:57

1:01:57

Christina Danko, Ph.D., discusses why parenting can be more challenging when parents have ADHD and shares neurodivergent-specific parenting skills — including the specific strategies that mothers vs. fathers with ADHD have reported as being the most helpful. Parenting with ADHD: Additional Resources 19 Authoritative Parenting Tips for Raising Neuro…

151
Asteroids Headed Towards Earth with Rick Binzel 46:59

1M ago46:59

46:59

How likely is an asteroid to impact Earth? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice sit down with planetary scientist Rick Binzel, the creator of the Torino Scale, to discuss asteroid hazards, the results of the asteroid sample return, and the search for Planet 9. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://sta…

1
#434 - Discover the ORIGIN of Words in English — Learn Vocabulary More Easily 33:37

1M ago33:37

33:37

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. Have you ever wondered why English words are the way they are? In this episode, Izzy and Ksenia dive into the fascinating world of etymology—the study of word origins! Understanding where words come from can make them easier to learn, remember, and use in real life. Boost your vocabu…

151
The Gut-Brain Connection with Emeran Mayer 51:05

1M ago51:05

51:05

Is your gut controlling your brain? Neil deGrasse Tyson, Gary O’Reilly, & Chuck Nice dive into the gut-brain connection, GLP-1, and how this connection plays a role in conditions like anxiety, IBS, and even neurodegenerative diseases with gastroenterologist Emeran Mayer. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here…

1
Risk is Our Business with William Shatner & Scott Kelly 57:35

1M ago57:35

57:35

What happens when you put Captain Kirk, a NASA astronaut, and Neil deGrasse Tyson on a ship to Antarctica? Recorded on board with William Shatner and Scott Kelly, this episode explores the thrill of discovery — from rough seas to deep space — and what it means to boldly go. This episode of StarTalk, recorded live from Drake Passage during the Space…

1
#433 - How to Stop Using the Same Basic English Words — Speak with a Rich Vocabulary (Like a Native) 30:05

1M ago30:05

30:05

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. Do you ever feel like your English sounds too simple? In this episode, we’ll show you how to express yourself more naturally — so instead of saying “The movie was good,” you can describe it in a way that truly reflects your feelings! Plus, we have a special guest who will help you un…

1
Cosmic Queries– Multiverse Madness with Max Tegmark 47:08

2M ago47:08

47:08

Do we live in one of many universes? On this episode of StarTalk, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice investigate the theory of the multiverse with physicist, author, and professor Max Tegmark. (Originally Aired March 22, 2021) NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/sho…

1
546- Living with ADHD: It’s Different for Women – an Expert Roundtable 1:30:30

2M ago1:30:30

1:30:30

Five experts — Lotta Borg Skoglund, M.D., Ph.D.; Ellen Littman, Ph.D.; Andrea Chronis-Tuscano, Ph.D.; Diane Miller, Psy.D., M.Ed.; and Maggie Sibley, Ph.D. — discuss ADHD in women, including different symptom presentation, stigma, barriers to treatment, the impact of hormones, and much more. ADHD in Women: Essential Resources Free Newsletter: Essen…

1
Cosmic Queries – Before the Big Bang 42:42

2M ago42:42

42:42

What does it really mean for us to be made of stardust? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-host Paul Mecurio answer fan questions about particle colliders, time travel, and what existed before the Big Bang. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/cosmic-queries-before-the-big-bang/ Than…

1
#432 - Why Some People Have SUCCESS Speaking English... and Others Don't 15:01

2M ago15:01

15:01

Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. Why do some people succeed in speaking English fluently while others struggle, even after years of effort? 🤔 In this episode, we uncover the #1 reason why some learners achieve confidence while others feel stuck. If you’ve ever felt like you’re trying and trying but not making real p…

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The Hard Problem Of Consciousness Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen