291 episodes

Ever wanted to know how music affects your brain, what quantum mechanics really is, or how black holes work? Do you wonder why you get emotional each time you see a certain movie, or how on earth video games are designed? Then you’ve come to the right place. Each week, Sean Carroll will host conversations with some of the most interesting thinkers in the world. From neuroscientists and engineers to authors and television producers, Sean and his guests talk about the biggest ideas in science, philosophy, culture and much more.

Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas Sean Carroll | Wondery

    • Science
    • 4.8 • 3.6K Ratings

Ever wanted to know how music affects your brain, what quantum mechanics really is, or how black holes work? Do you wonder why you get emotional each time you see a certain movie, or how on earth video games are designed? Then you’ve come to the right place. Each week, Sean Carroll will host conversations with some of the most interesting thinkers in the world. From neuroscientists and engineers to authors and television producers, Sean and his guests talk about the biggest ideas in science, philosophy, culture and much more.

    Rosemary Braun on Uncovering Patterns in Biological Complexity

    Rosemary Braun on Uncovering Patterns in Biological Complexity

    I talk with biologist Rosemary Braun about how to think about the collective behavior that defines biological organisms.

    • 1 hr 11 min
    Brendan Nyhan on Navigating the Information Ecosystem

    Brendan Nyhan on Navigating the Information Ecosystem

    I talk with political scientist Brendan Nyhan about information, misinformation, and how to deal with them both.

    • 57 min
    Peter Godfrey-Smith on Sentience and Octopus Minds

    Peter Godfrey-Smith on Sentience and Octopus Minds

    I talk with philosopher Peter Godfrey-Smith about what we can learn about minds by thinking about cephalopods.

    • 1 hr 28 min
    AMA | September 2023

    AMA | September 2023

    Ask Me Anything episode for September 2023.

    • 4 hr 3 min
    Yejin Choi on AI and Common Sense

    Yejin Choi on AI and Common Sense

    I talk with computer scientist Yejin Choi about how AI models can be simultaneously very smart and kind of stupid.

    • 1 hr 12 min
    Samuel Bowles on Economics, Cooperation, and Inequality

    Samuel Bowles on Economics, Cooperation, and Inequality

    I talk with economist Samuel Bowles about human nature and the origin of inequality.

    • 1 hr 20 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
3.6K Ratings

3.6K Ratings

Merwyn P. Parperbarr ,

A wonderful, wonderful podcast

I’m embarrassed not to have written a review, yet, having listened for over a year now. It’s one of my favorite podcasts. I love the interviews, the variety of guests and changing subject matter, and I love the AMAs as well.

Nickname Creater ,

Wonderful Host

I truly don’t understand how Sean has the time to do all the things he does, but I am delighted that he squeezes in the podcast! Although is a physicist, his interests and guests are wide ranging. He is a great interviewer and asks questions that show a genuine interest in trying to understand his guests (and make sure we listeners understand his guests, too).

Thanks from a Patreon Patron!

Gabriel Isaac Samara ,

Reminds me of the Teacher that uses big words rather than teaches

I chose the episode 200 on the Multiverse, and instead of getting an episode that grabbed my attention and was interesting I found myself listening to multiple tangents that couldn't seem to follow one consistent strain of thought. Instead of making the topic digestible for someone to understand it felt like the host was rather using as many complicated words as they could to the point where I almost wondered if they actually WANTED to make the listener feel like falling asleep. I rated it 1 star because it reminded me of being in my honors college class with teachers that were more concerned with impressing students with the vast content of their vocabulary rather than actually teaching us anything.

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