Episodios

  • What I Learnt Filming Shamans & Ayahuasca Ceremonies In the Amazon Rainforest: Victoria Lynn Carroll
    Mar 29 2026

    Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/K1w1fVk0GMg

    In this episode, I interview Victoria Lynn Carroll, the director of the award-winning 'She Is A Shaman' - a meditative documentary that follows an ayahuasca shaman who balances hallucinatory rituals and her unusual daily. The film explores the difference between the idolized shamanic figure and who they really are.

    Watch 'She Is A Shaman': https://youtu.be/Lra4c4LwCBw?si=Y0twCfZs_30ZrT8m

    The Human Podcast explores stories & ideas about being human.

    Timestamps

    0:00 - What is 'She Is A Shaman'?

    3:12 - The History of Ayahuasca

    3:46 - Why People Take It

    6:14 - Shamans Believe Ayahuasca Is Sentient

    6:58 - What Are Shamans Like?

    9:19 - The Paradox About Ordinary Shamans

    11:33 - Experience Filming Ayahuasca Ceremonies

    13:03 - Why Make This Film?

    15:56 - My Ayahuasca Experience

    17:21 - Science vs. Spirituality Explaining Ayahuasca

    21:16 - DMT vs. Ayahuasca

    24:49 - Was The Film A Healing Process?

    27:05 - Why Watch This Film?

    28:30 - Who Should & Should NOT Take It?

    30:12 - Psychedelics Helping Society

    32:20 - Voice Acting Career

    35:08 - Why I Took Ayahuasca

    37:47 - Ayahuasca Helped My Trauma

    41:55 - Next Film: 'O God'

    44:03 - What Makes a Good Life?

    Guest - Victoria Lynn Carroll

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/incertaspecie

    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6IxClbWJ8X6yKQIwQTeITw

    Website - https://www.victorialynncarroll.com/

    Substack - https://substack.com/@victorialynncarroll

    IMDb - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3055998/

    The Human Podcast

    𝕏 - https://twitter.com/heyhumanpodcast

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thehumanpodcastinsta

    Support the show - https://buymeacoffee.com/thehumanpodcast

    Audio License

    MB01ISGEO0XN8EK"

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    45 m
  • How I Founded Wired, Lived Fully, & Discovered What Technology Wants - Kevin Kelly
    Mar 26 2026

    Watch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/i2KTV4G7iUw

    In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Kelly — co-founder of Wired magazine, author of "1000 True Fans," editor of the Whole Earth Review, futurist, and one of the most influential voices on technology. Kevin is the author of various books, including "What Technology Wants" and "Excellent Advice for Living".

    The Human Podcast explores stories & ideas about being human.

    Timestamps

    0:00 - Most interesting moments of your life

    0:57 - I'm a recovering hippy

    2:01 - How psychedelics shaped Silicon Valley

    3:32 - The future belongs to optimists

    5:27 - Backpacking around Asia

    8:22 - Whole Earth Catalog

    11:19 - Meeting Steve Jobs

    11:59 - Co-founding Wired Magazine

    16:10 - Book: What Technology Wants

    19:35 - What is the 'Technium'?

    21:40 - Book: Excellent Advice For Living

    25:36 - What have you changed your mind on?

    26:32 - Book: Vanishing Asia

    28:32 - 1000 True Fans

    34:00 - Living as if you'll die in 6 months

    36:02 - The Amish's relationship with tech

    38:38 - Why are you so interested in tech?

    42:08 - Thoughts on the future

    46:44 - Advice for writers

    48:10 - What is a good life?

    Guest - Kevin Kelly

    Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Kelly_(editor)

    Website - https://kk.org/

    X - https://x.com/kevin2kelly

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kevin2kelly/

    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Kevin2Kelly/

    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/KevinKelly

    Book: Excellent Advice For Living: Wisdom I Wish I'd Known Earlier - https://amzn.to/4lUDY0f

    Book: What Technology Wants - https://amzn.to/41xYAln

    Book: The Inevitable: Understanding the 12 Technological Forces That Will Shape Our Future - https://amzn.to/4rT871i

    Article: Thousand True Fans - https://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/

    The Human Podcast

    𝕏 - https://twitter.com/heyhumanpodcast

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thehumanpodcastinsta

    Support the show - https://buymeacoffee.com/thehumanpodcast

    Audio License

    MB01ISGEO0XN8EK"

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    51 m
  • The Mind Of A World-Class Magician - Alex Hansford
    Feb 18 2026

    Watch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/Ic7waaBcUm8

    In this episode, I sit down with world-class magician and creator of The Neat Review, Alex Hansford. Alex has performed internationally in card magic, including at The Magic Castle, earning global recognition. He's also a highly respected designer and publisher, creating beautifully crafted magic magazines and designing Derren Brown's latest book, Notes From a Fellow Traveller.

    The Human Podcast explores stories & ideas about being human.

    Timestamps

    0:00 - Incredible card trick performance

    4:02 - How much practice is needed

    5:46 - Why people obsess over magic

    8:36 - Personality of a magician

    11:05 - Different areas of magic

    12:18 - How to master magic

    14:35 - Magic community around world

    16:29 - Psychology secrets behind magic

    22:02 - Working with my idol, Derren Brown

    25:17 - Derren Brown's influence on me

    26:34 - What is 'The Neat Review'?

    32:55 - Creating Derren Brown's book

    34:35 - Learning great design skills

    37:13 - Future plans in magic

    39:20 - Rare magician-designer combination

    44:02 - What makes a good life?

    Guest - Alex Hansford

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/watchalexander

    Instagram (The Neat Review) - https://www.instagram.com/neatrvw

    The Neat Review - https://theneatreview.com

    Derren Brown Book (Notes From A Fellow Traveller) - https://derrenbrown.co.uk/books

    Magic Tricks - https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/magician/Alex-Hansford

    The Neat Review (Store) - https://theneatreview.com/collections/all

    The Human Podcast

    𝕏 - https://twitter.com/heyhumanpodcast

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thehumanpodcastinsta

    Support the show - https://buymeacoffee.com/thehumanpodcast

    Music License

    SyncID - MB01JIHRGHQFBB8

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    48 m
  • Why AI May Solve Mathematics’ Hardest Problems - Yang Hui-He (Mathematical Physicist)
    Feb 11 2026

    Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xOpnvk7XIyE

    In this episode, I sit down with Professor Yang Hui-He, a mathematical physicist who is a Fellow at the London Institute for Mathematical Sciences (LIMS) and a lecturer at Merton College, Oxford.

    I ask Yang about his work on AI-guided mathematics and whether AI will solve the hardest mathematical problems, the basics of string theory, his career journey, who LIMS are, why he's working in Michael Faraday's apartment, and more!

    The Human Podcast explores stories & ideas about being human.

    Timestamps

    0:00 - Working in Faraday's apartment

    3:30 - $1million problems AI could solve

    7:38 - Does AI make you sad or excited?

    10:54 - What AI can already do

    14:57 - What AI struggles with

    17:18 - How I became a mathematical physicist

    19:57 - AI will replace your calculator

    20:40 - What is string theory?

    25:33 - Does string theory mess with your mind?

    27:24 - Mathematics can literally drive people mad

    30:27 - Lecturing at the Royal Institution

    33:10 - What is algebraic geometry?

    37:20 - What I most love about mathematics

    39:47 - Princeton, Cambridge & MIT PhD

    42:34 - How I plan years of research

    44:14 - Does your work practically matter?

    46:19 - One question for a superintelligence

    47:53 - What is a good life?

    Guest - Yang Hui-He

    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/yang-hui-he-22b3ab/

    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/yanghui.he.9

    Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yang-Hui_He

    London Institute for Mathematical Sciences (LIMS) - https://lims.ac.uk/

    Oxford Physics (Yang) - https://www.physics.ox.ac.uk/our-people/he

    LIMS (Yang) - https://lims.ac.uk/yang-hui-he/

    Royal Institution Lecture (The Search for a Theory of Everything) - https://youtu.be/llGvkEgXnAQ?si=FYBDjwcd6JsMlYYO

    Royal Institution Lecture (How geometry created modern physics) - https://youtu.be/z8jdndd-x7w?si=i_4wdBzUyCawK12j

    Royal Institution Lecture (Mathematics: The rise of the machines) - https://youtu.be/oOYcPkBaotg?si=NrAGlzIWitSU9vlo

    The Human Podcast

    𝕏 - https://twitter.com/heyhumanpodcast

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thehumanpodcastinsta

    Support the show - https://buymeacoffee.com/thehumanpodcast

    Music License

    SyncID - MB01JIHRGHQFBB8

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    52 m
  • Why People Do "Evil" Things (The Psychology of Empathy) - Dr. Simon Baron-Cohen
    Feb 4 2026

    Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MloFCML_Y7E

    In this episode, I sit down again with Professor Simon Baron-Cohen of Cambridge University - one of the world's leading psychologists, and author of Zero Degrees of Empathy.

    Is evil the best way to explain people who do cruel things? Simon argues that what we call "evil" is actually rooted in low empathy, not some inherent darkness. We explore the science behind empathy, examine the minds of psychopaths, narcissists, and those with borderline personality disorder (BPD), discuss what causes empathy to break down, and explore how we should respond to those behaving badly.

    The Human Podcast explores stories & ideas about being human.

    Timestamps

    0:00 - Do evil people exist?

    Watch Previous Episode with Simon: https://youtu.be/fwC1rzgmPtw

    Guest - Simon Baron-Cohen

    𝕏: https://twitter.com/sbaroncohen

    Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Baron-Cohen

    Zero Degrees of Empathy Book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zero-Degrees-Empathy-Simon-Baron-Cohen/dp/0141017961

    The Science of Evil: On Empathy and the Origins of Cruelty Book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Science-Evil-Empathy-Origins-Cruelty/dp/0465031420/

    Uni of Cambridge Bio - https://www.psychol.cam.ac.uk/people/simon-baron-cohen

    Autism Research Centre (ARC) - https://www.autismcentreofexcellence.org

    The Human Podcast

    𝕏 - https://twitter.com/heyhumanpodcast

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thehumanpodcastinsta

    Support the show - https://buymeacoffee.com/thehumanpodcast

    Music License

    SyncID - MB01JIHRGHQFBB8

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    47 m
  • What I Learned Running a Marathon in Every Country | The Human Podcast
    Jun 15 2025

    WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/qp-41ZOHt94?si=Q9YSFgkrUvqEW4No

    Today, I speak to Nick Butter, the first person to ever run a marathon in every single country in the world. I ask about this incredible adventure, what motivates him, another adventure running Britain, his life story, starting a charity, running tips, and more!

    The Human Podcast explores the life stories of humans, known and unknown. Subscribe for a new interview every week!

    You can donate to Nick's charity, The 196 Foundation, here: https://www.the196foundation.com/

    🕒 TIMESTAMPS

    0:00 – Intro

    0:05 – Running a Marathon in Every Country

    5:41 – What I’ve Learned About Myself

    8:20 – The Psychological Experience

    11:10 – Marathons vs. Countries

    12:48 – Next Challenge: 1,000 Marathons

    16:26 – Nick’s Top Running Tips

    20:40 – Life Story & Background

    25:49 – Becoming Obsessed with Running

    28:20 – What Is “Suffering”?

    30:19 – Are You Addicted?

    33:11 – Being Misunderstood

    35:02 – Running Britain & The Italian Grand Tour

    37:40 – Starting a Charity

    41:38 – Hosting My ‘Run Weekends’

    43:31 - CLOSING QU: What is a good life?

    👤 NICK

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nickbutterrun

    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nickbutterun

    Linktree - https://linktr.ee/nickbutterrun

    Website - https://www.nickbutter.com/

    Book (Running The World) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Running-World-World-Record-Breaking-Adventure/dp/1787631729

    Book (Run Britain) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Run-Britain-Record-Breaking-Adventure-Coastline-ebook/dp/B0B7W7FP5X?ref_=ast_author_dp

    📱 SOCIAL

    𝕏 - https://twitter.com/heyhumanpodcast

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thehumanpodcastinsta

    Email - heythehumanpodcast@gmail.com

    ☕️ SUPPORT THE SHOW

    https://buymeacoffee.com/thehumanpodcast

    It's just me working on this, and so any support is hugely helpful and greatly appreciated! ❤️

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    47 m
  • Co-Founder of Centre For British Progress, Julia Willemyns | The Human Podcast
    Apr 27 2025

    WATCH EPISODE HERE: https://youtu.be/w8OkYrWKBqM

    In this episode, I speak to Julia Willemyns, a co-founder of The Centre for British Progress, a new non-partisan think tank researching and producing concrete ideas for an era of British growth and progress. Julia is an entrepreneur and studied at the University of Oxford and LSE.

    The Human Podcast explores the life stories of humans, known and unknown. Subscribe for a new interview every week!

    ☕️ SUPPORT THE SHOW

    https://buymeacoffee.com/thehumanpodcast It's just me (Joe) working on this, and so any support is hugely helpful and greatly appreciated! ❤️

    🕒 TIMESTAMPS

    0:00 - Intro

    0:32 - Overview of the Centre for British Progress

    1:17 - What is a (non-partisan) think tank?

    2:46 - What progress are you focused on?

    4:07 - Turning ideas into real results

    6:08 - How do you conduct research?

    9:03 - How are politicians influenced?

    10:23 - What is movement building?

    12:38 - How to encourage ambitious individuals

    13:59 - Analysing Britain's progress

    19:04 - How are you funded?

    19:40 - Story co-founding the think tank

    22:01 - Why are you passionate about this?

    25:52 - Daily life at work

    27:21 - Vice President of Oxford University Debating Society

    29:08 - Studying Public Policy at LSE

    30:00 - Developing three mobile apps

    31:41 - Career highlights so far

    34:45 - Value of learning about fundraising

    36:08 - What have you learnt about people's ambitions?

    37:47 - What do you do to unwind?

    38:23 - Proust is an inspiration to me

    43:28 - CLOSING QU: What is a good life?

    👤 JULIA WILLEMYNS

    𝕏 - https://x.com/jujulemons

    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-garayo-willemyns-baba111b0

    👤 CENTRE FOR BRITISH PROGRESS

    𝕏 - https://x.com/britishprogress

    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/britishprogress/

    Substack - https://britishprogress.substack.com/

    Website - https://britishprogress.org/

    📱 SOCIAL

    𝕏 - https://twitter.com/heyhumanpodcast

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thehumanpodcastinsta

    Email - heythehumanpodcast@gmail.com

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    44 m
  • Conjecture Co-Founder & ControlAI Advisor, Gabe Alfour | AI SAFETY SERIES #4
    Apr 13 2025

    WELCOME TO THE AI SAFETY SERIES, FEATURING FILMED INTERVIEWS WITH INDIVIDUALS WORKING IN THE AI SAFETY FIELD, ABOUT THEIR LIVES & WORK.

    In this episode, I speak to Gabe Alfour, a co-founder and the CTO of Conjecture, and an advisor to ControlAI. Conjecture is an AI Safety organisation, based in London. ControlAI is a non-profit organisation that works to reduce the risks to humanity from artificial intelligence.

    The Human Podcast explores the lives and ideas of inspiring individuals. Subscribe for new interviews every week.

    ☕️ BUY ME A COFFEE

    https://buymeacoffee.com/thehumanpodcast

    It's just me (Joe) working on this so any support is hugely helpful and greatly appreciated! ❤️

    🕒 TIMESTAMPS:

    0:00 - Intro

    0:15 - What are Conjecture & ControlAI?

    1:22 - Why are you starting to speak out?

    2:45 - Working in crypto

    4:23 - GPT-3 caused me to pivot into AI safety

    7:30 - What is alignment?

    9:45 - What is AI alignment?

    12:57 - Story of co-founding Conjecture

    14:52 - What has Conjecture worked on?

    18:13 - Why run Conjecture as a for-profit?

    20:02 - Publishing 'The Compendium'

    21:25 - How could AI cause human extinction?

    25:21 - What do ControlAI do?

    28:09 - Transitioning to policy work from technical

    30:04 - Dissecting the 'AI safety community' into 4 groups

    32:59 - Personal impact of belief in AI causing extinction

    35:01 - Biggest lesson learnt: people are too cynical

    39:06 - Believing great change is possible

    42:00 - CLOSING QU: What is a good life?

    👤 GABE ALFOUR:

    X - https://x.com/gabe_cc

    Conjecture - https://www.conjecture.dev/about

    ControlAI - https://controlai.com/

    'The Compendium' - https://www.thecompendium.ai/

    'A Narrow Path' - https://www.narrowpath.co/

    📱 SOCIAL:

    𝕏 - https://twitter.com/heyhumanpodcast

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heythehumanpodcast/

    Email - heythehumanpodcast@gmail.com

    🎵 MUSIC:

    Music by penguinmusic - Better Day from Pixabay

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    44 m