Best John Stephens Matt Russell Podcasts (2025)

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#997 - Bonnie Blue & Louise Perry - The Modern Sex Work Debate 2:13:37

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1h ago2:13:37

2:13:37

Louise Perry is a writer, Press Officer for the campaign group We Can’t Consent To This and an author. Bonnie Blue is a British pornographic actress and online content creator. Louise is the author of The Case Against The Sexual Revolution and Bonnie is the world’s most extreme example of the sexual revolution in action, so I figured it might make …

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#996 - Stephen J. Shaw - Why Population Collapse is Closer Than You Think 2:53:10

2d ago2:53:10

2:53:10

Stephen J. Shaw is a data scientist and filmmaker. Birth rates in Western countries are collapsing, a trend even Elon Musk calls an existential threat. But what’s the true cause? Is it economics, fear of the future, cultural shifts, or something deeper? And more importantly, can anything actually reverse the decline? Sponsors: See me on tour in Ame…

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For The Love Of Bagpuss (ft. guests Sean Penn; Cillian Murphy & Tim Mielants) 1:36:42

2d ago1:36:42

1:36:42

With Chris off on the fairway, taking his first proper holiday in approximately 20 years, its up to Helen O’Hara and James Dyer — the newly appointed Archbishop of Nerdbury — to hold down the fort, ably assisted by Empire news editor and former Pilot TV stalwart Beth Webb. Between the three of them, they do their level best not to refer to Cillian …

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Episode 207: V IS FOR VINO 1:02:19

5h ago1:02:19

1:02:19

This week on Pod Have Mercy, we sit down with Vince and Lisa of V is for Vino, the number one wine show on the internet. What began as Vince’s transition from musician and bartender to certified sommelier, and Lisa’s background in TV production, has grown into a worldwide platform bringing accessible, entertaining wine education to millions.In this…

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#995 - Lionel Page - Born to Lie: How Humans Deceive Ourselves & Others 1:43:13

4d ago1:43:13

1:43:13

Lionel Page is a professor at the University of Queensland and an author. Why is human communication so complicated? For something we rely on every day, you’d think it would be simple, but language, tone, and context make it one of the most complex skills we have. So what makes communication so difficult, and what are some practical ways to get bet…

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A Pastoral Response to Tragedy 16:49

1h ago16:49

16:49

Today, John and Matt pause to reflect on a week filled with heartbreaking tragedies. Together they wrestle with the question: How should Christians respond when the weight of evil and suffering feels overwhelming? Drawing on Scripture, pastoral wisdom, and their own experiences, they discuss the call to embody Jesus in times of division and pain. T…

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#994 - Sam Sulek - The Endless Pursuit of Progress 2:10:19

7d ago2:10:19

2:10:19

Sam Sulek is a professional bodybuilder and YouTuber. From zero to millions of fans, Sam Sulek’s rise has been nothing short of explosive. In just a few years, he’s become one of social media’s most-watched and talked-about creators. Sit back as we dive into the story of the man behind some of the internet’s most beloved vlogs, fueled by hefty scoo…

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#993 - Katie Herzog - A Controversial New Cure for Alcohol Dependence 1:35:35

9d ago1:35:35

1:35:35

Katie Herzog is a journalist, podcaster, and writer. What does it take to get sober in today’s world? From traditional paths like AA to the grit of going cold turkey, the old methods of sobriety may no longer be enough. But what if counterintuitive, cutting-edge approaches, backed by modern science, offer new ways to manage alcohol use? And what do…

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A Clint In The Eye (ft. guests Sam Riley; Hugh Bonneville & Allen Leech) 1:49:03

10d ago1:49:03

1:49:03

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast might just go ahead, make your day, as Chris Hewitt (having recovered from a colleague-inflicted mischief) invites Helen O'Hara and James Dyer into the podbooth for a discussion of the best films directed by Clint Eastwood. Amazingly, The Rookie is given short shrift. Then, our intrepid trio take a look at …

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Episode 206: SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE CHURCH 29:58

2d ago29:58

29:58

This week on Pod Have Mercy, we dive into some fascinating cultural and spiritual trends shaping younger generations. From the viral “Jesus Glow Up” trend on TikTok to new research from Barna showing Gen Z as the most churchgoing generation today, the conversation explores how faith, community, and authenticity intersect in a digital world.We refle…

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The Shameless Plug #7: The Running Mag 41:30

11d ago41:30

41:30

The Shameless Plug — the show in which Chris Hewitt sits down with Empire editor, Nick de Semlyen, to shamelessly plug the new issue of Empire magazine — is back back back, folks, and comes with a lovely slice of Brisket. Not the meat, mind you, but Glen Powell's dog, who somehow wound up on Chris' lap during one of his forays to the set of Edgar W…

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#992 - Dr Sarah Hill - The Period Brain: How Hormones Change Women’s Behaviour 1:39:28

11d ago1:39:28

1:39:28

Dr Sarah Hill is a professor at TCU, a research psychologist, expert in women’s hormones and brain science, and an author. Each month, women experience hormonal changes that go far beyond the clichés of PMS. These shifts can influence mood, stress response, and even how women relate to others. So how can recognizing these patterns make it easier fo…

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#991 - Dr John Delony - The Blueprint for Better Relationships & a Peaceful Life 1:48:10

14d ago1:48:10

1:48:10

Dr. John Delony is a mental health expert, author, YouTuber, and speaker. How you we build a thriving relationship in the modern world? With constant distractions and endless options at our fingertips, trust between partners can feel harder than ever. So what does it really take to create a relationship rooted in trust, intimacy, and growth in toda…

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#990 - Dr Tara Swart - How to Use Your Intuition as a Superpower 1:24:39

16d ago1:24:39

1:24:39

Dr Tara Swart is a neuroscientist, senior lecturer at MIT Sloan, and an author. What is intuition? We’ve all heard the phrase “trust your gut,” but where does that feeling actually come from? Is it grounded in neuroscience or something more mysterious? And most importantly, can you rely on it, and how do you get better at listening to it? Expect to…

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Gleesons Vs Skarsgårds: Dawn Of Clint Howard (ft. guests MJ Bassett; Sean Ellis & Orlando Bloom) 1:49:05

17d ago1:49:05

1:49:05

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast asks perhaps the biggest question ever tackled on this show: who would win in a fight between the Gleesons and the Skarsgårds? Join Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Amon Warmann, as they tackle that scenario and more. Is the world truly ready for the Coppola clan kicking bottom? Elsewhere, our in…

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Episode 205: GISELA KREGLINGER (The Spirituality of Wine) 1:07:19

14d ago1:07:19

1:07:19

In this episode of Pod Have Mercy, we welcome theologian and author Gisela H. Kreglinger, whose work invites us to rediscover wine as a gift from God, encouraging hospitality, joy, and spiritual attentiveness. Growing up on her family’s winery in Franconia, Germany, Gisela blends the sensory intimacy of winemaking with deep theological reflection. …

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#989 - James Kimmel Jr. - Why Violence & Revenge Fantasies Feel Good 1:38:57

18d ago1:38:57

1:38:57

James Kimmel Jr. is a professor at Yale, a psychiatrist, and an author. Why are we drawn to revenge? From playground grudges to epic betrayals, the urge to strike back is universal. But is it a survival mechanism, or an ancient drive that no longer fits the modern age? Expect to learn why the feeling of revenge exists and how it is adaptive, what t…

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#988 - Dr Rahul Jandial - Brain Surgeon: Inside The Dreaming Brain 2:05:09

21d ago2:05:09

2:05:09

Dr Rahul Jandial is a brain surgeon, neuroscientist, and an author. Why do we dream? For centuries, people have debated their meaning. Are they hidden messages, random brain activity, or something else entirely? Today, modern neuroscience is uncovering how the brain creates, processes, and remembers dreams, and what they may reveal about the inner …

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#987 - Dr Lisa Feldman Barrett - The New Science Of Emotions, Anxiety & Brain Health 1:29:07

23d ago1:29:07

1:29:07

Lisa Feldman Barrett is a professor at Northeastern University, psychologist, and a neuroscientist. Why do we feel emotions? From happiness and joy to anger, anxiety, and sorrow, emotions shape how we experience life. But what purpose do they serve, and how can we learn to manage them more effectively? Expect to learn the unique way each of us expe…

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The Life Of Chuck/Charles/Charlie (ft. guests Eva Victor; Olivia Colman & Jay Roach; Sir Ben Kingsley) 1:58:18

24d ago1:58:18

1:58:18

This week's Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt sit down, on Zoom and in person, with a cavalcade of cracking guests. There's Eva Victor, star/writer/director of the excellent Sorry, Baby, who talks about cats, directing themselves, and people who look like yams. [23:05 - 39:05 approx] Then there's Olivia Colman and Jay Roach, star and director of The…

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Episode 204: CHRISTIANS, CONFLICT AND COMPASSION 41:47

21d ago41:47

41:47

As Christians, we are called to be people of compassion and justice but in a world full of polarization, it’s easy to get swept into extremes or let politics shape our ideology. Together, we explore how to meet people where they are in their grief, how to care for the hurting without rushing to take sides, and how to let the gospel guide us toward …

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#986 - Esther Perel - How Love Dies: The Psychology of Cheating & Attraction 1:24:50

25d ago1:24:50

1:24:50

Esther Perel is a psychotherapist, podcaster, and New York Times bestselling author. Why do modern relationships feel so difficult? Even the happiest couples on the outside often hide unspoken rules and silent expectations that slowly erode intimacy. Resentment grows, trust fractures, and love feels harder to sustain. So how can men and women build…

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#985 - Dr David Spiegel - Hypnosis, Brain Hacking, & Mental Mastery 1:33:36

28d ago1:33:36

1:33:36

Dr. David Spiegel is a psychiatrist, Stanford professor, and leading authority on hypnosis and stress-related health. What exactly is hypnosis? Most of us picture it as a magician’s trick, when someone dangles a watch, your eyes get heavy, and suddenly you’re suggestible. But that barely scratches the surface. The real question is, what’s the true …

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#984 - Coltan Scrivner - Why We’re Drawn to Death, Crime, & Danger 1:06:47

1M ago1:06:47

1:06:47

Coltan Scrivner is a behavioral scientist, an expert on morbid curiosity in horror and true‑crime media, and an author. Why are humans so curious about death? From car accidents to scary stories, roller coasters, and horror movies, some people are fascinated while others are repulsed. What draws us toward the very things we should naturally want to…

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The Life Of Custard (ft. guests Joaquin Phoenix; Tom Hiddleston & Chiwetel Ejiofor; Samara Weaving & Karl Glusman) 1:58:53

1M ago1:58:53

1:58:53

In one of those bumper-sized guest-filled jamborees in which we specialise, this week's Empire Podcast sees John Nugent sit down on Zoom to interview Eddington star, Joaquin Phoenix... or does Joaquin Phoenix interview John Nugent? All will be revealed. [18:52 - 35:59 approx] Elsewhere, Chris Hewitt has a lovely chat about The Life of Chuck with co…

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Episode 203: CHATGPT AND FALL KICKOFF 30:26

28d ago30:26

30:26

John and Matt are back from summer break, and Pod Have Mercy is kicking off a brand-new season! In this episode, they catch up on everything that’s happened over the summer and share a preview of the exciting things coming this fall at Chapelwood. From new guests to meaningful conversations and big moments in the life of the church, this season is …

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#983 - Gay Hendricks - Deeply Connected Relationships 1:32:04

20d ago1:32:04

1:32:04

Gay Hendricks is a psychologist, teacher, and an author renowned for his work on relationship transformation. Conscious loving is about more than just romance, it’s about clarity, commitment, and growth. With endless advice on the internet on how to optimize your love life, what if the real answer is aligning your expectations and evolving together…

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#982 - Jesse Michels - UFOs, Aliens, Antigravity & Government Secrets 2:10:23

1M ago2:10:23

2:10:23

Jesse Michels is a YouTuber and show host, exploring subjects like UFOs, consciousness, and reality. For nearly a century, UFOs have captured our imagination as one of humanity’s greatest mysteries. Are they secret technology, alien visitors, or something else entirely? Who is behind them, what has been concealed, and what has been revealed about t…

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#981 - MacKenzie Price - Alpha School: A New Approach To Education 1:11:21

1M ago1:11:21

1:11:21

MacKenzie Price is an entrepreneur, podcaster, and co-founder of Alpha Schools. Just how broken is education? For fifty years, lofty promises in education have yielded dismal results. Now, with AI, infinite knowledge at our fingertips, and personalized one-on-one learning, how radically different could the school of the future look? Expect to learn…

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Kruegersplaining (ft. guests Celine Song, Dave Franco & Alison Brie) 1:42:37

1M ago1:42:37

1:42:37

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast will haunt your nightmares, but in a good way, as Chris Hewitt returns to the host chair, just in time to tackle, with Beth Webb and Amon Warmann, a Mount Rushmore question about the best Final Girls in horror movies. Their final choices may shock you, but that's nothing compared to the bit where Chris expl…

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Episode 202: HOW TO PROCESS GRIEF 58:20

1M ago58:20

58:20

Grief touches every life, but knowing how to navigate it—especially alongside friends and family—can feel overwhelming. In this episode, we’re joined by grief expert and therapist Sasha Coles for an honest, compassionate conversation about loss. Together, we explore healthy ways to process grief, support one another, and create space for healing in…

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The Shameless Plug #6: Two Days With James Cameron 42:04

1M ago42:04

42:04

Or 42 minutes with Chris Hewitt and Nick de Semlyen. Which would you prefer? Don't answer that. Anyway, that's what you've got with the latest episode of The Shameless Plug, as Chris and Nick sit down to talk about Nick's extraordinary adventures in New Zealand, shadowing James Cameron for two days as he put the finishing touches to this month's co…

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#980 - David Pinsof - This is Your Brain on Bullsh*t 1:12:26

1M ago1:12:26

1:12:26

David Pinsof is a research scientist at UCLA, co-creator of Cards Against Humanity, and an author. Everything is bullshit. Your opinions, your arguments, even your thoughts. Most of it’s manufactured, borrowed, or absorbed without question. So if all that’s fake, what’s real? And if we can’t trust our own minds, or anyone else’s, what can we trust?…

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Alien Earth: An Empire Podcast Special ft. Noah Hawley, Timothy Olyphant & Sydney Chandler 42:21

1M ago42:21

42:21

In space, no-one can hear you pod. Thankfully, we're not on space, we're on Earth, so you will be able to hear this wonderful Empire Podcast special dedicated to Noah Hawley's excellent Alien prequel, Alien Earth, which dropped its first two episodes today on Disney+. Here, you will hear Chris Hewitt sit down with Hawley, the show's creator and sho…

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#979 - Dwarkesh Patel - AI Safety, The China Problem, LLMs & Job Displacement 2:45:59

1M ago2:45:59

2:45:59

Dwarkesh Patel is a writer, researcher & podcaster. The rise of AI marks the next great technological revolution, one that could reshape every aspect of our lives in just a few years. But how close are we to its golden age? And what warnings does the global AI race hold about the double-edged nature of progress? Expect to learn what Dwarkesh has re…

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#978 - Spencer Greenberg - How Much Does IQ Matter? 1:28:59

1M ago1:28:59

1:28:59

Spencer Greenberg is a mathematician, founder, CEO & creator of ClearerThinking.org How much does IQ really matter? Most of us have met people on both ends of the spectrum and wondered where we stand and what that means for our future. But is IQ truly fixed, or can it be shaped in some very surprising ways? Expect to learn how much IQ matters in al…

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The Not-So-Difficult Second Movie (ft. guests Guy Pearce and Benedict Wong) 1:45:04

1M ago1:45:04

1:45:04

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Helen O'Hara slip into the host's chair in Chris Hewitt's absence, and use her endless reservoir of patience to corral James Dyer, Alex Godfrey and Ben Travis in a discussion of the best second movies by notable directors (and yes, we know that we didn't mention [INSERT BLINDINGLY OBVIOUS CHOICE HERE])…

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#977 - Dr Robert King - Why Does The Female Orgasm Exist? 1:32:32

2M ago1:32:32

1:32:32

Dr Robert King is a psychologist, professor at University College Cork, and researcher on the evolutionary function of female orgasm. What makes the female orgasm so mysterious? For generations, men across the globe have sought to decipher it, and many women share their curiosity as well. So why does the female orgasm even exist? What’s its evoluti…

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#976 - Ray Dalio - The Changing World Order: How Countries Go Broke 1:26:09

2M ago1:26:09

1:26:09

Ray Dalio is the founder of Bridgewater Associates, billionaire investor, philanthropist and an author. How do countries actually go broke? In a world of abundance, it’s easy to think the good times will last. But with global debt soaring, we may be nearing an unprecedented economic reckoning. History shows these cycles repeat; the question is, can…

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#975 - James Bloodworth - The Manosphere, Pickup Culture & Male Loneliness 1:18:16

2M ago1:18:16

1:18:16

James Bloodworth is a journalist reporting on working-class life and society, podcaster, and an author. The manosphere isn’t what you think. Even though it is often labeled as toxic and extreme, the truth is a bit more complicated. So what’s really going on with men, dating, and masculinity as of today? Expect to learn what the current state of the…

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Hey, It's Enrico Pazuzu! (ft. guests Akiva Schaffer and James Gunn) 1:45:49

2M ago1:45:49

1:45:49

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast adds insults to injury, as the team — Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, Alex Godfrey, and Ben Travis — share their favourite movie insults. And, yes, misquote at least one of them horribly. Also, nothing on this earth will prepare you for Alex Godfrey's Pazuzu impression. We can only apologise in advance. Elsewhe…

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#974 - Joe Folley - Existential Philosophy, Nietzsche, Suffering & Self-Awareness 1:25:56

2M ago1:25:56

1:25:56

Joe Folley is a philosopher, writer, and host of the Unsolicited Advice YouTube channel. Philosophy has a way of finding us in one form or another, sometimes in a book, sometimes in a moment of crisis. Thinkers like Nietzsche and Camus have helped shape how we see life, death, and everything in between. But can these ideas truly help us live better…

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#973 - Rory Sutherland - Waymo, Texas Culture, Airline Lounges, OpenAI & Uber Eats 1:53:14

2M ago1:53:14

1:53:14

Rory Sutherland is one of the world’s leading consumer behaviour experts, the Vice Chairman of Ogilvy Advertising and an author. The world is evolving at an unprecedented pace. With the rise of AI, we're witnessing a collision between the old world and the new. As technology advances, the question becomes: how can innovation repair outdated systems…

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#972 - 3.7M Q&A - Fatherhood Plans, Medical Update & New Hairstyle 1:32:21

2M ago1:32:21

1:32:21

I hit 3.7 million Subscribers on YouTube!! To celebrate, I asked for questions from YouTube, X, and Instagram, so here’s another 90 minutes of me trying to answer as many as possible. Expect to learn all about my new hairstyle, how to best deal with procrastination, which people are up next on my "Mount Rushmore" of podcast guests, what the current…

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Movie News Mews (ft. guests, Matt Shakman and Sam Rockwell) 1:40:40

2M ago1:40:40

1:40:40

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast is all kinds of fantastic. Guest-wise, Chris Hewitt sits down (in person, and on Zoom) with Matt Shakman, director of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, to discuss the FF's debut in the MCU [24:33 - 40:07 approx]; and Sam Rockwell, the cool cat who's Mr. Wolf in The Bad Guys 2. [1:07:02 - 1:19:28 approx] Then…

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#971 - Adam Lane Smith - 13 Semi-Controversial Truths About Masculinity 1:25:44

2M ago1:25:44

1:25:44

Adam Lane Smith is a psychotherapist and an author. Are men the problem? In a time when blame is easily assigned, it’s worth asking whether men need to re-examine how they show up in the world, including their values, behavior, & accountability. In doing so, they might uncover surprising ways to help heal much of what’s broken. Expect to learn why …

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#970 - Dr Mike Israetel - Exercise Scientist’s Masterclass On Motivation, Habits & Discipline 2:19:39

2M ago2:19:39

2:19:39

Dr Mike Israetel is a Professor of Exercise and Sport Science at Lehman College and the Co-Founder of Renaissance Periodization. How do you boost motivation and actually follow through on the things you know you should do, but don’t feel like doing? The answer isn’t more stimulants, thankfully, it’s something far more grounded in neuroscience and b…

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#969 - Dr Michael Eisenberg - How To Protect & Improve Your Fertility As A Man 1:04:37

2M ago1:04:37

1:04:37

Dr Michael Eisenberg is a professor of Urology at Stanford, a urologic surgeon, and a leading expert in male fertility and reproductive medicine. It's no secret that global population decline is accelerating, but what's driving it? Male fertility might be a major piece of the puzzle. So why are so many men struggling with infertility and low testos…

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Bobby Omelettes And The Dolby Rumbler (ft. guests Alex Cox and Ralph Ineson) 1:43:52

2M ago1:43:52

1:43:52

Do not adjust your speakers, or your headphones. Yes, Ralph Ineson's voice really is that deep and sonorous. And in this week's Empire Podcast, Chris Hewitt sits down with the actor who plays the planet-eating entity, Galactus, in next week's The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and talks about how his voice is his passport. [1:04:38 - 1:20:16 approx] …

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The Shameless Plug #5: Tron Ares, Light-Up Covers, And More 43:45

2M ago43:45

43:45

This month's episode of The Shameless Plug sees Chris Hewitt sit down with Empire editor, Nick de Semlyen, for a deep dive into the latest issue of Empire magazine, which just happens to have a limited edition light-up cover to commemorate our latest cover movie, Tron Ares. Together, our dynamic duo discuss the art of the cover line, their favourit…