Can science and religion be reconciled to provide a deeper understanding of the universe? How do modern scientific discoveries, like quantum mechanics and cosmology, relate to ancient religious texts? And what role do consciousness and language play in bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and spiritual belief? Here today, to challenge conventional narratives about the relationship between science and religion is host of the Young Heretics podcast, Spencer Klavan! Spencer is an acclaimed...
Oct 15, 2024•2 hr
In 2022, I had the honor of delivering the commencement address at Brown University. I used this incredible opportunity to talk about a personal hero of mine: Galileo Galilei. Galileo was a scientist like no other. He boldly challenged the status quo through his discoveries and relentlessly pursued the truth, even when persecuted for doing so. His journey offers timeless lessons for scientists today, especially for graduate students who will shape the future of science. My goal with this lecture...
Oct 12, 2024•1 hr 10 min
What is the cosmic microwave background (CMB), and why is it essential in cosmology? What role do instruments like BICEP and the Simons Observatory play in studying the early universe? And is the multiverse real? I had the absolute pleasure of discussing these questions with Dr. Hugh Ross, astrophysicist and founder of Reasons to Believe. In our conversation, Hugh and I discuss my research on polarization signals in the cosmic microwave background (CMB), focusing on my work with the BICEP, POLAR...
Oct 11, 2024•1 hr 14 min
A few weeks ago, I released a video about whether string theory’s biggest competitor, Loop Quantum Gravity, might have suffered a fatal blow. The video sparked a lively debate across YouTube, with creators like Sabine Hossenfelder and Phil Halpern making reaction videos and Carlo Rovelli even reaching out to me personally, asking me to take it down. Now, I want to clarify the situation and share my perspective on whether Loop Quantum Gravity is truly on its last legs—or if there’s more to the st...
Oct 08, 2024•17 min
Discrepancies between different measurements of the Hubble constant have caused a major crisis in cosmology. Our guest today, the incredible Wendy Freedman, is at the forefront of efforts to resolve this tension. Known for her pioneering work on the Hubble Key Project and her important contributions to the measurement of the Hubble constant, Wendy is now using the James Webb Space Telescope to bring clarity to this debate. With decades of experience and a deep understanding of the complexity of ...
Oct 06, 2024•52 min•Season 1Ep. 461
Is string theory actually science? Many argue that string theory cannot be proven and should therefore be abandoned. For them, string theory is not science at all. But are they right? I had the pleasure of discussing this with none other than Cumrun Vafa! Cumrun is a Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in the Department of Physics at Harvard University, where he has been researching and teaching theoretical physics since 1985. His primary area of research is string theory. In our int...
Oct 01, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Have we been completely wrong about the Higgs boson? What if it’s not what we think but something far more elusive? And what does the origin of mass in the universe have to do with music? Here today to explore these mind-bending questions is theoretical physicist Matt Strassler. Matt is known for his work in particle physics, particularly in the context of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and quantum field theory. He has been involved in research on the Higgs boson, supersymmetry, and other topic...
Sep 29, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 460
Are we alone in the universe? I had the great pleasure of discussing this fundamental existential question with astrophysicist Dr. Luke Barnes and philosopher Dr. Jay Richards! In this exciting discussion, we dove headfirst into the implications of the SETI project, the Rare Earth hypothesis, and the possibility of habitable planets in other solar systems. Together, we explored the probabilities and challenges of the search for extraterrestrial life, taking into account the vastness of the unive...
Sep 26, 2024•1 hr 15 min
Is the universe hiding extra dimensions we can’t see? Could a graviton – a particle we haven’t even proven to exist – change everything we know about the cosmos? And what does the future of physics hold if the standard model fails? Today, I sit down with the renowned cosmologist Dan Hooper to discuss some of the most complex and exciting theories in modern cosmology. Dan is a leading theoretical physicist at Fermilab and a professor at the University of Chicago, specializing in the mysteries of ...
Sep 22, 2024•30 min•Ep. 459
Will we ever find the theory of everything? What’s the real difference between artificial intelligence and artificial wisdom? And do experimental physicists really need a deeper understanding of theory than the theorists themselves? I had the incredible pleasure of diving into these profound questions with Curt Jaimungal, host of the popular podcast and YouTube channel Theories of Everything. In our insightful conversation, we explored the nature of theoretical physics, the role of experimental ...
Sep 20, 2024•1 hr 3 min
What are tardigrades, and how did they end up on the moon? I had the pleasure of exploring the evolution, resilience, and potential use cases of these microscopic creatures that can survive in extreme environments with Daniel Whiteson and Jorge Cham from Daniel and Jorge Explain the Universe. Enjoy! — Key Takeaways: 00:00 Intro 01:52 Are tardigrades colonizing the moon? 04:12 A little bit about myself 08:37 Ask the wrong expert 15:03 Why are tardigrades so terrifying? 16:50 Their extreme surviva...
Sep 20, 2024•36 min
I’m a scientist. But every time someone says to “follow the science,” I worry. Why? Find out in my conversation with Georgia Howe from The Daily Wire. The Daily Wire is a news website and media company founded in 2015 by political commentator Ben Shapiro and film director Jeremy Boreing. Enjoy! Key Takeaways: 00:00 Intro 01:08 Knowledge vs. wisdom 02:42 Follow the science 08:42 Politics and science 11:23 Integrity in science 14:07 Outro Additional resources: ➡️ Check out PragerU: 🔔 YouTube: htt...
Sep 19, 2024•17 min
What if everything you know is just a simulation? In 2022, I was joined by the one and only Nick Bostrom to discuss the simulation hypothesis and the prospects of superintelligence. Nick is a Professor at Oxford University, where he heads the Future of Humanity Institute as its founding director. He is the most-cited professional philosopher in the world aged 50 or under and is the author of some 200 publications, including Anthropic Bias (2002), Global Catastrophic Risks (2008), Human Enhanceme...
Sep 17, 2024•1 hr 4 min
What do our genes reveal about our past? Richard Dawkins, one of the world’s most influential and thought-provoking scientists, explored the most profound principles of evolutionary history in his new book, The Genetic Book of the Dead. Dawkins is a renowned evolutionary biologist, zoologist, and author. He is also a prominent figure in New Atheism alongside Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett, and Christopher Hitchens and is well known for his criticisms of creationism and intelligent design. I had the ...
Sep 17, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 458
I was recently invited on Coast to Coast AM to discuss topics ranging from cosmic origins and the simulation hypothesis to religion and the Nobel Prize. Enjoy! Coast to Coast AM is a late-night radio talk show covering various topics. Most often, the topics relate to paranormal phenomena or conspiracy theories. It was hosted by its creator, Art Bell, from its inception in 1988 until 2003 and is now hosted by George Noory. — Key Takeaways: 00:00 Intro 01:02 Simulation hypothesis 05:36 The multive...
Sep 13, 2024•49 min
Does life exist beyond Earth, or is our planet genuinely unique? Can we recreate the origins of life in a lab? And what role does Mars play in the quest for cosmic life? I had the extraordinary honor of discussing this with two outstanding scientists, Mario Livio and Jack Szostak. Mario and Jack just released their new book, Is Earth Exceptional?, which seeks to answer whether life is a freak accident or a chemical inevitability. Tune in and join us for this mesmerizing exploration! Mario Livio ...
Sep 10, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 457
What is the connection between the origin of life on Earth and the search for extraterrestrial life? Could a revolutionary new theory guide us in our search for aliens? And is consciousness an inevitable outcome of life’s complexity, or is it something more mysterious? I had the pleasure of discussing these fascinating issues with the incredible astrobiologist and theoretical physicist Sara Walker. Sara has greatly contributed to our understanding of how life emerges from non-living matter and h...
Sep 01, 2024•2 hr 30 min•Ep. 456
Do we need new laws of physics to explain the origins of life? I had an amazing discussion about this with the one and only Lee Cronin on Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal. We talked about life, consciousness, physics, chemistry, assembly theory, the Drake equation, and more! Lee Cronin is a chemist and the Regius Chair of Chemistry in the School of Chemistry at the University of Glasgow. His research focuses on synthetic life forms, the self-assembly of molecules, and the origin of lif...
Aug 30, 2024•3 hr 40 min
What is the current state of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI)? Why do scientists often raise their eyebrows at UFO sightings? And what might the future of SETI look like with ongoing technological advancements? I had the privilege of diving into these fascinating topics with the professional alien hunter Seth Shostak! Seth Shostak is an astronomer and author who directs the search for extraterrestrials at the SETI Institute in California—trying to find evidence of intelligent ...
Aug 27, 2024•47 min
Will physics ever be able to explain consciousness? What if our entire understanding of reality is just an illusion shaped by evolution? Could the universe be a sophisticated virtual reality created by our own minds for our own good? And does free will exist after all? Joining me today to explore these profound questions is none other than Donald Hoffman! Donald Hoffman is a renowned philosopher, famous TED talk speaker, cognitive scientist, and deep thinker. He is a professor in the Department ...
Aug 25, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 455
What does it mean to live a fulfilling life? Why should we commit to one person? Why are we as a society so obsessed with wealth? And why do I consider being a parent the most important role in my life? I had the pleasure of chatting about these profound topics with Candy Ken on his show. Enjoy! Candy Ken is an Austrian rapper, model, and social media personality known for his flamboyant, colorful style and hyper-masculine persona that challenges traditional gender norms. He gained popularity on...
Aug 23, 2024•2 hr 33 min
What’s it like to almost win and then lose the Nobel Prize? In 2014, using the BICEP2 telescope, we believed we had caught a glimpse of the spark that ignited the universe. Millions watched our announcement live from Harvard, sparking rumors of a Nobel Prize. But were we truly seeing the cosmic prologue, or were we deceived by a galactic mirage? I had the pleasure of discussing BICEP2's discovery, the intense scientific drama that followed, and what I learned from the whole experience with Jorda...
Aug 22, 2024•49 min
If we can censor one person, we can censor everyone. Our freedom is strongly linked to other people's freedom ... Even those with whom we disagree. This idea has been explored in great detail by Dr Michael Shermer in his book Giving the Devil His Due. I had the pleasure of reading the book and discussing it with Michael in the early days of the pandemic. So here is a little throwback episode for you! Enjoy. — Key Takeaways: 00:00:00 Intro 00:05:01 Abducted by aliens 00:11:51 Judging a book by it...
Aug 20, 2024•2 hr 53 min
Why are men's sex drives so strong? Can genetic information be destroyed? And why does the desert lizard have such intricate patterns? I had the extraordinary privilege of exploring these topics with Richard Dawkins, one of the world’s most influential and thought-provoking scientists! Dawkins is a renowned evolutionary biologist, zoologist, and author. He is also a prominent figure in New Atheism alongside Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett, and Christopher Hitchens and is well known for his criticisms...
Aug 18, 2024•59 min•Ep. 454
What does it take to achieve great breakthroughs in science? What makes Galileo’s approach to science still relevant today? And why is it essential for scientists to communicate their work to the general public? Last month, I was invited to Rick Walker's podcast to give his listeners insight into the mind of a scientist. We also discussed the cosmic microwave background, unifying the laws of gravity and quantum mechanics, and more. Tune in! — Key Takeaways: 00:00 Intro 01:18 Science, curiosity, ...
Aug 16, 2024•55 min•Ep. 453
Getting it right is the hallmark of any great scientist. And when we don’t, we should be able to say we were wrong. In part 2 of debunking all the claims Terrence Howard made on the Joe Rogan Experience, I start by first apologizing for misrepresenting the number of patents Howard has. Even though he doesn’t have the 97 patents he claimed to have, he does hold quite a few, contrary to my earlier assertions. But this episode is not all sunshine and rainbows. I actually go through 17 different new...
Aug 15, 2024•57 min
Have you ever wondered what’s happening inside the US government’s UFO program? How far has our hunt for aliens come? Are they hiding evidence of alien life or alien technology? And how should we deal with all the misinformation surrounding these subjects? Here today to speak out on the intricacies of our national (and amateur) hunt for aliens is none other than Sean Kirkpatrick, Pentagon’s former UFO chief. Primarily a laser and materials physicist, Kirkpatrick became the first director of the ...
Aug 11, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 451
Are we any closer to understanding the fundamental nature of reality? Experimental evidence for any current Theory of Everything is, at best, inconclusive. This is perhaps the greatest fundamental challenge facing physics. That lack of progress has opened up a sea of controversy. In this thought-provoking episode, I joined forces with Matt O’Dowd to debate some of the brightest minds in theoretical physics on the complexities surrounding the quest for a Theory of Everything. We were joined by Er...
Aug 08, 2024•1 hr 26 min
Did you know that most STEM graduates don't end up working in STEM fields? This surprising fact isn’t due to a lack of demand—tech companies dominate our landscape, from AI to smartphones, yet up to 70% of STEM graduates choose different paths. Why is that? Are we failing our STEM graduates? I sat down with John Skrentny, a renowned sociologist and professor at UCSD. John recently explored this issue in his thought-provoking book Wasted Education. We unpack why many STEM graduates feel undervalu...
Aug 04, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 448
In this episode, I interview renowned theoretical physicist Sean Carroll to discuss his book Something Deeply Hidden. Sean breaks down complex ideas in quantum mechanics and cosmology in his popular science books. His research involves theoretical physics and astrophysics, especially cosmology, field theory, and gravitation. Sean takes us on a journey through the Many Worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics, a theory that suggests every possible outcome of a quantum event actually occurs in i...
Aug 01, 2024•1 hr 7 min
