Episodes

  • GIVING WHAT WE CAN with Julia van Boven & Sjir Hoeijmakers
    Oct 16 2025

    Julia & Sjir are dedicated to making a global impact. Sjir describes how a 2015 TED Talk by Peter on effective altruism inspired his involvement with organisations like Giving What We Can, which promotes effective philanthropy. Julia shares her journey to co-founding the School for Moral Ambition, and aligning her career with her values. Their discussion explores how to balance personal life with meaningful work and how to inspire others toward effective giving.


    • 10% Pledge: https://www.givingwhatwecan.org/pledge
    • Trial Pledge: https://www.givingwhatwecan.org/get-involved/trial-pledge
    • Comparing charities (100x multiplier): https://www.givingwhatwecan.org/charity-comparisons
    • The School for Moral Ambition: https://www.moralambition.org/
    • Moral Ambition Community: https://www.moralambition.org/community
    • Profit for Good: https://www.moralambition.org/profit-for-good


    Keep up to date with Peter on Substack

    Keep up to date with Kasia!


    Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett


    Thanks to our volunteer researcher Chris van Ryn! And special thanks to Suzi Jamil!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    53 mins
  • CHRISTINE WEBB: challenging human exceptionalism
    Oct 9 2025

    Christine Webb is a primatologist and scholar. In her new book 'The Arrogant Ape,' she challenges the notion of human exceptionalism. Christine shares insights from her work in primatology including the ethical implications of understanding animals' mental lives, and the broader impact of unlearning human superiority on our coexistence with nature.


    read Christine's book The Arrogant Ape


    Keep up to date with Peter on Substack

    Keep up to date with Kasia!


    Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett


    Thanks to our volunteer researcher Chris van Ryn! And special thanks to Suzi Jamil!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    57 mins
  • (re-release) JANE GOODALL: recognising the animal as an individual
    Oct 2 2025

    Jane Goodall died this week at the age of 91. To mark her exceptional life we are re-releasing our truly fantastic episode that was recorded at her family home in England over a year ago..


    Jane recounts her journey from a curious child to activist, and her lifelong dedication to understanding and reshaping scientific views on animal behaviours.


    Jane's legacy will continue to inspire future generations to make a positive impact on the world.


    Keep up to date with Peter!

    Keep up to date with Kasia!


    Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett


    Special Thanks to Suzi Jamil!


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    57 mins
  • BARRY JONES: champion of humanity
    Sep 25 2025

    Barry Jones is an Australian polymath, politician, writer, lawyer and public intellectual. He gained fame in the 1960s by appearing in over 200 episodes of the quiz show 'Pick-a-Box'. His passion for humanitarian issues, inspired by witnessing poverty and suffering, led him to pursue a career in politics, where he played a significant role in abolishing the death penalty in Victoria. He served in the Australian Parliament for 22 years, focusing on issues such as science, climate change, and public infrastructure. Now in his nineties, he remains an active voice in national debates on science, education, democracy and climate change.


    Keep up to date with Peter on Substack

    Keep up to date with Kasia!


    Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett


    Thanks to our volunteer researcher Chris van Ryn! And special thanks to Suzi Jamil!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    49 mins
  • MARTHA NUSSBAUM: the intersection of philosophy & justice
    Sep 18 2025

    philosopher Martha Nussbaum discusses the themes of human vulnerability, stoicism, and her capabilities approach to justice which extends to both humans and animals, advocating for broader perspectives in political and ethical considerations. Nussbaum also details the emotional and philosophical journey surrounding her daughter's illness and death, emphasising the inherent limits of control in tragic circumstances.


    Keep up to date with Peter on Substack

    Keep up to date with Kasia!


    Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett


    Thanks to our volunteer researcher Chris van Ryn! And special thanks to Suzi Jamil!


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • STEPHEN FRY: from rebellion to reverence
    Sep 11 2025

    Stephen Fry shares his personal evolution from a troubled youth to a celebrated intellectual and artist. His candid discussion covers his youthful indiscretions, and his journey towards self-acceptance during a time when being gay in England was fraught with stigma. Fry details his profound connection to literature, having been inspired by figures like Oscar Wilde, and how books shaped his understanding of his own sexuality.


    Keep up to date with Peter on Substack

    Keep up to date with Kasia!


    Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett


    Thanks to our volunteer researcher Chris van Ryn! And special thanks to Suzi Jamil!



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • ANNA MACHIN: the evolution of love
    Sep 4 2025

    Anna Machin is an evolutionary anthropologist and researcher at the University of Oxford, specialising in human relationships, fatherhood, and the science of love and bonding.


    Anna discusses the biological roots of attraction, the neurochemistry behind falling in love, and the evolutionary reasons for our romantic instincts. The conversation unpacks the differences between lust, attraction, and examines how culture shapes our understanding of monogamy, polyamory and the psychology of jealousy.


    Learn more about Anna and read her books!


    Keep up to date with Peter on Substack

    Keep up to date with Kasia!


    If you would like to support the podcast please consider our Patreon


    Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett

    Thanks to our volunteer researcher Chris van Ryn!

    And special thanks to Suzi Jamil!



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • ELLEN LANGER: question everything
    Jul 31 2025

    Ellen Langer is an influential American psychologist and social scientist who bridges mindfulness, aging, health, and decision-making. Dr. Langer's insights challenge conventional views on aging, health, and personal capabilities, promoting a more mindful and engaged approach to life & happiness. Ellen emphasises the importance of active engagement and choice, and how our beliefs and perceptions can significantly affect physical health.


    Learn more about Ellen and read her books!


    Keep up to date with Peter on Substack

    Keep up to date with Kasia!


    If you would like to support the podcast please consider our Patreon


    Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett


    Thanks to our volunteer researchers Hendrik Dahlmeier and Mihika Chechi, and Chris van Ryn!


    And special thanks to Suzi Jamil!


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 hr and 20 mins