logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2024
48m 40s

The joy of uncertainty

Vox
About this episode
For much of her life, author Maggie Jackson disliked uncertainty and thought of it as something to eradicate as quickly as possible. But when she began to explore the uncertain mind, she discovered new scientific findings showing that uncertainty is critical for astute problem-solving and creativity.  She joins Sean to talk about what she learned and how bei ... Show More
Up next
Aug 3
The vanishing pleasures of daily life
Sean talks with writer and philosopher Ian Bogost about his new book The Small Stuff. They discuss what modern life has lost in its pursuit of convenience, efficiency, and optimization. From stick shifts to coffee cups, lawnmowers, and smartphones, Bogost argues that many of the ... Show More
47m 31s
Jul 31
How Google broke the internet
The internet is changing. For years our primary gateway to the internet has been search engines: we ask a question, a list of websites pops up, and we choose which ones to click on. But we are rapidly headed towards a different model, one in which AI-generated answers to our ques ... Show More
41m 3s
Jul 27
The illusion of the ‘self’
Sean Illing talks with neuroscientist Gregory Berns, author of The Self Delusion. Berns claims that the idea of a unified, persistent self is a kind of illusion, and that we are better understood as multiple selves at different moments in time, tied together by a story — which is ... Show More
43m 38s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2025
Uncertainty
Anne McElvoy and guests discuss the issue of uncertainty from scientific discovery and the space race to the shifting geopolitical landscape and how it can act as a catalyst for creativity. She's joined by the entrepreneur and author of Embracing Uncertainty, Margaret Heffernan, ... Show More
56m 58s
Dec 2024
Ep 39: Why it's worth embracing uncertainty
There's no question that we find ourselves in uncertain times. Looking at current events and wondering about what the future may hold can leave us feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and stressed, to say the least. But uncertain times aren't always the ominous force we make them out to ... Show More
31m 5s
Mar 2024
Are You Good at Embracing Uncertainty?
Uncertainty and anxiety are highly linked in our brains: when we aren’t sure what will happen, we often go into planning, defensive mode, trying to come up with every possible scenario and ensure a good outcome. Author Maggie Jackson looks at the ways that better managing uncerta ... Show More
46m 53s
Sep 2024
Sitting With Uncertainty
<p>It can sometimes be exciting when we don't know what's coming next. Other times, the unknown can be deeply troubling. This week, we talk with researcher <a href="https://www.udel.edu/faculty-staff/experts/dannagal-young/">Dannagal Goldthwaite Young</a> about how we respond to ... Show More
50m 50s
Oct 2024
192 - Embracing Uncertainty
In this episode, I explore the topic of uncertainty and how embracing life’s unpredictability can lead to greater peace and freedom. From everyday frustrations to life’s biggest challenges, groundlessness is a shared human experience. Drawing on stories, metaphors, and Buddhist t ... Show More
39m 55s
Mar 2023
Sam Conniff (Replay): How To Deal With Uncertainty
This is a replay episode. I have two very exciting guests for you today, the brilliant Sam Conniff and Katherine Templar Lewis, who are here to talk all about uncertainty, a theme that feels especially prominent right now. Life is uncertain and it feels so difficult to deal with. ... Show More
31m 23s
Aug 2025
How to Handle Uncertainty
When life feels uncertain, our instinct is often to fix it. But what if the most powerful thing we can do is pause? In today’s episode, Dora shares a personal story about a time when everything felt up in the air, and what happened when she stopped trying to force clarity. Instea ... Show More
4m 39s
Oct 2024
Allowing Uncertainty To Show Us The Way
<p class="MsoNormal">I've had an incredible few months—delivering a TEDx talk, launching my book, and publishing articles in a major online outlet. But then, everything slowed down last week. Book sales dipped, no interviews were scheduled for that week, and I grappled with the e ... Show More
10m 8s
Oct 2025
Why change is so scary — and how to unlock its potential | Maya Shankar (re-release)
Unexpected change like an accident, an illness or a relationship that suddenly ends is inevitable -- and disorienting. With a heartfelt and optimistic take on life's curveballs, cognitive scientist Maya Shankar shares how these challenging moments can inspire transformation, offe ... Show More
15m 45s