logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2022
56m 35s

Impossible (?) Conversations: The Best a...

THE THINKING ATHEIST
About this episode
Psychologists Dr. Hector Garcia and Dr. Valerie Tarico join us for a complex, nuanced, and thoughtful conversation about the dying of discourse in a hyper-divided world. When should we speak, and when should we shout? Are we picking the right battles? When should we declare war on awful agents? And are good people sometimes getting an unfair shake?

This is a discussion about discussions.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.
Up next
Yesterday
The Cat, the Candle, and F@#K Alzheimer's
Seth's monologue deals with subjects both light and heavy. Plus plenty of listener calls in this longer-length episode.VIDEOBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support. 
2h 18m
Jul 4
A Flag on Fire: The United States Turns 250
On this Fourth of July, Americans are divided on the stars and stripes, the word "patriotism," and the idea of national pride.In light of our national crisis at the 250 marker, Seth shares an article by Dr. Kristin Du Mez and the words of the late civil rights icon Frederick Doug ... Show More
38m 13s
Jun 30
"I'm Farting Carrots:" Misheard Lyrics and the Mind
Why do our brains sometimes misinterpret song lyrics, and what can brain science tell us about human pattern-seeking? In this (fun!) show filled with familiar song clips, we get musical and mental. New Yorker ArticleBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/pod ... Show More
45m 12s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2020
80: Can We Talk? (Dialogue)
The world is grappling with a lot of tough issues. Issues that are nuanced and layered. Issues that don't necessarily have a right or wrong answer. Issues that demand dialogue for progress. And yet we seem to mostly be doing something else. This week we are talking about talking. ... Show More
34m 24s
Apr 2021
#245 — Can We Talk About Scary Ideas?
Sam Harris speaks with Peter Singer, Francesca Minerva, and Jeff McMahan about the newly launched Journal of Controversial Ideas. They discuss the ethics of discussing dangerous ideas, the possibility of having a market in vaccines, the taboo around the topic of race and IQ, the ... Show More
42m 48s
May 2020
#204 — A Conversation with Jonathan Haidt
Sam Harris speaks with Jonathan Haidt about the maintenance of a healthy society. They discuss the problem of orthodoxy, the history of political polarization in the US, the breakdown of public conversation, remaining uncertainty about Covid-19, motivated reasoning, the 2020 elec ... Show More
1h 5m
Nov 2023
How to Make Impossible Conversations Possible | Spotlight Convo
<p>In an era of polarization, we’ve lost the art of gathering, listening, and connecting across divides. How can we rediscover the power of discourse to build mutual understanding? </p><br><p>Priya Parker, Anand Giridharadas, and Jonah Berger reveal simple but transformative tool ... Show More
58m 7s
Nov 2024
How to Have Difficult Conversations in a Polarized World
In a world marked by war and political polarization, it can certainly feel at times like we have all lost touch with the art of compromise – the wisdom to recognize that real progress demands sacrifice. Except, that’s not entirely true. Dr. Sanjay Gupta sits down with social psyc ... Show More
40m 41s
Dec 2023
A strange discussion about Masculine and Feminine energy and the way its viewed
This is just a strange conversation where we hash out terms, perceptions of things and try to find a new understanding. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/2-be-better--5828421/support. 
52m 30s
Sep 2025
Sunday Pick: How to have curious conversations in dangerously divided times (w/ Mónica Guzmán) | How to Be a Better Human
When was the last time you really connected with someone who disagrees with you? Or saw a post on social media that challenged your views? Or listened to a newscast from across the political aisle? Modern life places us in all kinds of echo chambers – so what happens when these d ... Show More
39m 31s
May 2021
#250 — Broken Conversations
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sam Harris speaks with Jesse Singal about a variety of controversial topics. They discuss fragmentation in the media, bad incentives in journalism, Jesse's encounters with cancel culture, transgender activism, the case of J.K. Rowling, the captu ... Show More
45m 24s
Aug 2017
#92 — The Limits of Persuasion
Sam Harris speaks with David Pizarro and Tamler Sommers about free speech on campus, the Scott Adams podcast, the failings of the mainstream media, moral persuasion, moral certainty, the ethics of abortion, Buddhism, the illusion of the self, and other topics. If the Making Sense ... Show More
1 h