Fela Kuti: Enter the Shrine
Radiolab hosts Latif Nasser and Lulu Miller welcome back Jad Abumrad, who explains how he became obsessed with Nigerian musician and Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti and turned that obsession into a 12-part podcast series called "Fela Kuti, Fear No Man." They play Chapter 3, "Enter the Shrine," which explores Fela's Lagos club the Shrine, the sensory and social atmosphere around it, and how the structure of his long, hypnotic songs leads listeners into a trance-like state that makes his political messages land deeply. The episode closes with a preview of the series' upcoming installment about Fela's mother and her own extraordinary, music-fueled activism.
BTC255: Bitcoin Is For Everyone w/ Natalie Brunell (Bitcoin Podcast)
Host Preston Pysh interviews journalist and educator Natalie Brunel about her book "Bitcoin Is for Everyone" and how her immigrant family's experience with the American dream and the 2008 financial crisis shaped her worldview. They discuss why the current fiat-based financial system feels broken, how inflation and debt erode savings and opportunity, and why Natalie believes Bitcoin is a hopeful, apolitical form of money that can restore property rights, enable low time preference, and counter systemic wealth concentration. The conversation also covers the challenge of explaining Bitcoin simply, its relationship to energy and human rights, and broader geopolitical and industrial vulnerabilities in the US.
Cold War Santa with Sarah Archer
Host Sarah Marshall and historian Sarah Archer explore how Santa Claus and American Christmas traditions evolved from the 19th century through the Cold War, focusing on consumerism, design, and media. They trace Santa from a tiny artisan figure in Victorian illustrations to a postwar, space-age and domesticated icon wrapped in department stores, aluminum trees, and televised specials like Miracle on 34th Street, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Throughout, they examine how Christmas has always been bound up with retail, nostalgia, gender roles, and changing ideas about patriotism and the future.
X's Foreign Trolls, Google's AI Wins, and MTG's Resignation
Hosts Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway discuss foreign-operated troll accounts on X, broader Russian and other foreign influence operations on U.S. politics, and the GOP's shifting stance on Russia, including Marco Rubio's role in a controversial Ukraine peace plan. They analyze Google's new Gemini 3 model and Alphabet's AI strategy versus OpenAI, evaluate market jitters around the AI boom and crypto, and cover Marjorie Taylor Greene's announced resignation, Eli Lilly's GLP-1-fueled valuation, elite wealth and political power, and the importance of competent public servants and everyday gratitude practices.
BTC254: Bitcoin & Macro Overview w/ Luke Gromen Q4 2025 (Bitcoin Podcast)
Host Preston Pysh interviews macro analyst Luke Gromen about growing financial stress in the U.S. and globally, focusing on the Treasury's heavy reliance on short‑term funding, strain in repo and funding markets, and the fiscal math of interest plus entitlements nearly consuming all tax receipts. They discuss how Bitcoin acts as an early warning signal for tightening liquidity, why gold is increasingly favored by sovereigns, the contradictory policy push around stablecoins, and how AI capex, energy constraints, geopolitical shifts, and rare earth dependencies further complicate the outlook. Gromen argues policymakers are trapped between preserving the bond market and reindustrializing the U.S., and that some form of sharp market "whoosh down" may be needed before large‑scale liquidity support returns.
Quantum Refuge
Radiolab host Lulu speaks with 28-year-old Gazan physicist Qasem Walid about how quantum physics has become both a language and an inner refuge for him while living through war, displacement, and loss in Gaza. Over months of conversations, he describes daily life under bombardment, the deaths of his professor and relatives, and his experience of feeling like Schrödinger's cat-trapped in a box where his survival is uncertain and unseen by the outside world. He uses concepts like superposition, quantum tunneling, and harmonic oscillators to make sense of his own existence and to plead for the world to "open the box" and truly look at what is happening in Gaza.
#2411 - Gavin de Becker
Joe Rogan talks with criminologist Gavin about historical and modern government operations, pharmaceutical industry behavior, and public health policy. They discuss CIA covert programs like Project Gladio, patterns of propaganda and information control, and parallels between the AIDS crisis and the COVID-19 response. Gavin argues that citizens must adopt deep skepticism toward government, media, and pharmaceutical narratives, using examples from vaccine policy, Agent Orange, baby powder litigation, population control documents, and the war in Ukraine.
Two US governors - a Democrat and a Republican - on why there's hope for democracy | Matt Meyer and J. Kevin Stitt
Democratic Governor of Delaware Matt Meyer and Republican Governor of Oklahoma J. Kevin Stitt interview each other on stage at TED Next 2025 about the health and future of American democracy. They discuss restoring trust in government through effective service delivery and federalism, navigating polarized information ecosystems, leveraging AI and apprenticeships in education, and preserving the American dream through integrity-driven, bipartisan leadership. The conversation emphasizes shared values, personal rapport, and practical reforms over partisan point-scoring.
From Medal of Honor: Showing Up On Veterans Day
Host J.R. Martinez reflects on Veterans Day, encouraging listeners to move beyond a simple "thank you" by having real conversations with veterans and allowing them to share as much or as little as they wish. He recounts his own journey from enlisting after 9/11, surviving a devastating combat injury, and losing his identities as both soldier and young man, to rediscovering purpose through serving fellow patients, vulnerability, and storytelling. Martinez connects these experiences to the themes of the Medal of Honor podcast, emphasizing the power of simply showing up, the humanity behind acts of heroism, and the importance of veterans telling their stories in their own way.
#623 - Gary Sinise
Actor and musician Gary Sinise discusses his decades-long mission to support military service members, veterans, first responders, and their families through visits, performances, and the Gary Sinise Foundation. He explains how his experiences with Vietnam veterans, his role as Lieutenant Dan, and the post-9/11 wars led him into deep service work, including hospital visits, base tours, mental wellness initiatives, and programs for families of the fallen. Sinise also shares the story of his son Mac's rare cancer, profound faith, and musical legacy, and how Mac's compositions now support the foundation's work and help the family process their grief.
"Tom Freston"
The hosts talk with media executive Tom Freston about his unconventional path from advertising into years of travel across North Africa and Asia, building a clothing business in India and Afghanistan, and eventually helping launch MTV and other major cable brands. Freston recounts the creation and impact of MTV, the birth of Comedy Central, his tumultuous years leading Viacom under Sumner Redstone, early views on platforms like YouTube and MySpace, and his later work in philanthropy and Afghan media. The conversation also explores his philosophy on travel, risk-taking, and using media for social change, plus colorful anecdotes involving Jimmy Buffett, Bangkok sex clubs, and a desert music festival near Timbuktu.
#2406 - Russell Crowe
Joe Rogan talks with Russell Crowe about Crowe's new film "Nuremberg" and the psychological, historical, and moral questions raised by portraying Hermann Göring and the Nazi leadership at the post‑war trials. They range across topics including gambling and addiction, alcohol and social media use, war and political polarization, Crowe's intense recent work schedule and burnout, and his long‑term project restoring and rewilding his Australian farm. The conversation also examines invasive species and land management, media consolidation and propaganda, healthcare systems, and the need for nuance when understanding both historical figures and contemporary issues.
#622 - Miles Teller
Theo Von sits down with actor Miles Teller for a wide-ranging conversation about his life, career, and new film "Eternity." They talk about growing up in Florida and moving frequently as a kid, his family background and early injuries, and how experiences with illness and loss in his family shaped his empathy and outlook. They also dive into the themes of love, mortality, and the afterlife in "Eternity," discuss military service and veterans' mental health, and reflect on prioritizing relationships and normal life over constant work.
#484 - Dan Houser: GTA, Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar, Absurd & Future of Gaming
Lex Fridman speaks with game writer and Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser about his creative process, influences, and the design of story-driven open world games like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption. Dan explains how films, literature, and war stories shaped his approach to world-building and character creation, including the tragic arcs of Niko Bellic, John Marston, and Arthur Morgan. He also discusses his new company Absurd Ventures, its universes such as A Better Paradise and American Caper, his views on AI and large language models, and reflects on mortality, family, and advice for young people.
651. The Ultimate Dance Partner
This episode explores the past and present of horses, from their central role in ancient empires and industrial America to their modern status as high-value sport animals in disciplines like dressage. Economist-equestrians and historians explain how horses evolved from "living machines" that powered cities to luxury goods shaped by opaque markets, billionaires, and specialized breeding. The host then visits a New Jersey dressage barn to see training up close and even rides a high-level sport horse himself to experience the human-horse partnership.
#2398 - Francis Foster & Konstantin Kisin
Joe Rogan speaks with Francis and Constantine about censorship and hate-speech policing in the UK, the social and psychological aftermath of the pandemic and protest era, and how social media algorithms amplify outrage and extremism. They discuss protests, ideological labeling, gender and puberty-blocker debates, AI-generated music, ancient history and human nature, Middle East geopolitics, political violence, and the role of religion and myth in giving people meaning and moral frameworks.
How Russia's shadow fleet is sailing around oil sanctions
The episode investigates Russia's "shadow fleet" of aging oil tankers that has emerged to evade Western sanctions and the G7 oil price cap imposed after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. A Danish maritime pilot, Bjarne Cesar Skinnerup, describes guiding increasingly numerous, poorly maintained tankers carrying Russian oil through the Danish Straits, while maritime intelligence specialist Michelle V.C. Bachman explains how the fleet is structured using opaque ownership, fake insurance, and permissive or fraudulent flags. The hosts explore how this underground shipping network reshapes global oil flows, sustains Russian revenues, raises geopolitical tensions, and creates severe environmental and financial risks for coastal nations, while leaving individuals like Bjarne in a moral bind.
#2394 - Palmer Luckey
Palmer Luckey discusses his path from building virtual reality headsets as a teenager and founding Oculus to running the defense technology company Anduril. He and the host explore VR's impacts, robot combat and training, UFOs and government secrecy, U.S. defense waste and reform, China's industrial and military buildup, as well as Anduril's autonomous weapons like AI fighter jets and the Eagle Eye augmented-reality combat helmet. They also delve into media manipulation, interspecies communication, uplifted animals, simulation theory, nostalgia in product design, and the ethics of working on advanced weapon systems.
MALALA: The Story The World Hasn't Heard Until Now
Jay Shetty interviews Malala about her journey from a mischievous schoolgirl in Pakistan to a globally recognized girls' education activist after surviving a Taliban assassination attempt at age 15. She describes the loss of her old life, the pressure of being turned into a global symbol, her struggles with loneliness, PTSD, and therapy, and the long process of reclaiming her own identity, humor, and desires. Malala also explains her ongoing work through Malala Fund, the situation of girls in places like Afghanistan, and how she navigated love, self-image, and marriage while staying committed to girls' education.
#2392 - John Kiriakou
Former CIA officer and whistleblower John Kiriakou describes his career in U.S. intelligence, including counterterrorism work, the capture of Abu Zubaydah, and his refusal to participate in the CIA's post‑9/11 torture program. He explains how he went public about torture, the subsequent federal investigation and prosecution that led to his imprisonment, and his experiences inside federal prison and reentering society. The conversation broadens into critiques of the "deep state," FBI entrapment tactics, propaganda laws, U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and Ukraine, and the influence of Israel and AIPAC on American politics.
#2391 - Duncan Trussell
Joe Rogan and Duncan Trussell discuss contemporary political polarization, authoritarian drift, economic frustration, homelessness, immigration policy, and how social media algorithms fuel fear and division. They range into speculative territory on UFOs, possible alien involvement in human evolution, and the social impact of potential disclosure while also exploring spirituality, Christianity, evil, and the importance of family and individual responsibility. Throughout, they contrast large-scale systemic problems with the need to focus on personal action, compassion, and tending to one's immediate community.
#2390 - Jack Carr
Jack Carr discusses his new novel set in 1968 Vietnam, explaining the extensive historical research and immersive process he used to authentically capture the era and the experience of soldiers on the ground. He and Joe Rogan explore the Vietnam War, media influence on public perception, the decline of reading, the rise of AI in creative work, and the realities of Hollywood adaptations of his books like "The Terminal List" and "Dark Wolf." They also range into topics like stunt work, physical training, security concerns, political polarization, immigration, and the disturbing public reaction to the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
#615 - Ken Burns
Filmmaker Ken Burns discusses his career in historical documentary filmmaking, including the origin of the "Ken Burns effect" and how the early loss of his mother shaped his lifelong drive to "wake the dead" and keep the past alive. He dives deeply into his new six-part, 12-hour series "The American Revolution," arguing that the Revolution is the most important event since the birth of Christ, unpacking its ideas about equality, citizenship, virtue, and the pursuit of happiness, and correcting common myths about key events and figures. The conversation broadens into a reflection on American identity, media and social media, polarization, public institutions like PBS and the national parks, and the ongoing need for self-examination and civic responsibility to keep the American experiment from "dying by suicide."
Inside the Gaza peace plan | Ian Bremmer
On the second anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, political scientist Ian Bremmer speaks with Helen Walters about a new 20‑point peace plan announced by U.S. President Trump to end the Gaza war. They examine the behind‑the‑scenes diplomacy with Gulf states, the leverage Washington is now exerting on Israel, the proposed interim governance structure for Gaza, and the fading prospects of a Palestinian state. Bremmer outlines what Hamas, Israel, and regional actors would need to agree to, as well as the risks, timelines, and political consequences that could cause the plan to collapse.
Why Would Anyone Want to Appease Hitler?
Josh and Chuck examine why Britain, France, and other powers pursued a policy of appeasement toward Hitler in the 1930s. They walk through key events from the Treaty of Versailles to the invasions of Czechoslovakia and Poland, explaining the political, economic, and emotional forces that made leaders reluctant to confront Nazi Germany. The hosts also explore counterfactual scenarios about how different choices might have changed the scale and course of World War II and draw parallels to contemporary debates over Russia and Ukraine.
#613 - Forrest Galante
Forrest Galante discusses growing up on a farm and safari operation in Zimbabwe, witnessing wildlife decline and later violent land seizures that forced his family to flee during the land reform era. He explains how that background led him into wildlife biology and television, covering his work on "Extinct or Alive," his new series "Animals on Drugs," and hands-on conservation projects like chemically and surgically castrating invasive hippos in Colombia. The conversation ranges through close calls with deadly snakes, the ethics of extinction and de‑extinction, invasive species, and why reconnecting with wild places can ground people in a hyperconnected world.
How refrigeration took over the world
The episode explores how refrigeration and the modern cold chain emerged, from Gustavus Swift's centralized meatpacking and refrigerated railcars to the scientific work of chemist M.E. "Polly" Pennington, who standardized safe temperatures and built public trust in chilled foods. Hosts and guest Nicola Twilley trace how continuous refrigeration reshaped agriculture, consumer expectations of freshness, women's household labor, and even geopolitical events like war logistics and Irish independence. They also examine the downsides of a cold-dependent food system, including diminished flavor, shifted food waste, and significant climate-warming emissions, along with potential efficiency improvements.
#2383 - Ian Edwards
Joe Rogan and Ian Edwards reflect on three decades in stand-up comedy, from New York and Boston club days to the current Austin and Kill Tony scene, breaking down how comics develop, sustain, or lose their edge. They also dive into boxing and MMA, brain damage and fighter longevity, historical boxing greats like Muhammad Ali, and broader issues of war, government deception, corporate greed, social media control, and how individuals can maintain independence and purpose in a corrupt system.
In Gaza, money is falling apart
Planet Money follows two best friends from Gaza, Alaldeen Sheikh Khalid in Belgium and Mohamed Awad still in Gaza, as they piece together an improvised financial pipeline to move usable Israeli shekels into Gaza despite a blockade on cash and a barely functioning banking and internet infrastructure. Through their project Impossible Light and the story of a young woman named Haya living in a tent camp, the episode shows how extreme cash shortages, destroyed infrastructure, and war-driven scarcity have turned money itself into a scarce and damaged commodity, inflating prices and spawning a market where people literally "buy money with money" just to obtain physical cash. The episode details how this system works in practice, from international donors to Palestinian bank accounts to cash brokers and cash repairers, and what that means for ordinary Gazans trying to secure basics like food, tents, diapers, and milk.
#481 - Norman Ohler: Hitler, Nazis, Drugs, WW2, Blitzkrieg, LSD, MKUltra & CIA
Lex Fridman talks with writer Norman Ohler about his research on drug use in Nazi Germany, including methamphetamine in the Wehrmacht and opioids in Hitler's inner circle. They discuss how overlooked pharmaceutical and illicit substances shaped military campaigns like the Blitzkrieg, Hitler's declining leadership, and postwar CIA programs such as MKUltra. The conversation also explores German resistance within the Third Reich, Berlin's postwar drug and club culture, and Ohler's broader project on the role of psychoactive drugs across human history.