Lives Well Lived

Ryan Holiday explains how he discovered Stoicism and why its ideas continue to resonate today, particularly when confronting death, adversity, parenting and uncertainty. They explore memento mori as a practice for becoming more present and grateful, while distinguishing Stoic acceptance from fatalism. Kasia also reflects on how cancer led her to Stoicism as a way of managing fear and finding emotional balance. learn more about Ryan and listen to his podcast The Daily Stoic watch this episode on YouTube Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Producer: Rachel Barrett Thanks to our researcher Chris van Ryn! And thanks to Maia Iva! podscan_b0R4tVp6KdVf1JIjlmYWvvAs5Walfksj Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Pollan is on the podcast to discuss some of life’s biggest and strangest questions: is our food making us sick, can psychedelics unlock hidden dimensions of consciousness? are plants intelligent? and could AI ever truly wake up? learn more about Michael and read his latest book 'A World Appears' www.michaelpollan.com watch this episode on YouTube Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Producer: Rachel Barrett Thanks to our researcher Chris van Ryn! And thanks to Maia Iva! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sean Carroll explores the strange and fascinating world of quantum physics, unpacking concepts such as Schrödinger’s cat, the Copenhagen interpretation, and Everett’s many-worlds theory. He explains how quantum mechanics challenges our understanding of reality, and examines what the existence of multiple possible worlds could mean for our conception of the universe. learn more about Sean and listen to his podcast MINDSCAPE watch this episode on YouTube Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Producer: Rachel Barrett Thanks to our researcher Chris van Ryn! And thanks to Maia Iva! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kasia interviews Peter shortly after his 80th birthday, exploring his life, and the ideas that have shaped his career. Peter traces the development of his practical ethics, from Animal Liberation and Famine, Affluence, and Morality to the emergence of effective altruism, GiveWell, and The Life You Can Save . Singer also discusses moral progress, personal regrets, writing about his family history in Pushing Time Away , and the ongoing work of advancing ethical giving through his current projects. watch this episode on YOUTUBE Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Producer: Rachel Barrett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amy Aela is an Indian-Australian actress, model, entrepreneur, and host of Kindness with Amy. After an existential crisis prompted her move to India, Amy built a global platform promoting kindness, veganism, and ethical living, inspired by watching the documentary Earthlings at age 15. Amy explores Indian cultural values, and pragmatic animal welfare reforms. Amy highlights the importance of challenging self beliefs and taking meaningful achievable steps toward a more compassionate world. learn more about Amy! Amy on INSTAGRAM Amy's podcast KINDNESS WITH AMY watch this episode on YOUTUBE Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Producer: Rachel Barrett Thanks to our researcher Chris van Ryn! And thanks to Maia Iva! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nobel Prize-winning economist Alvin Roth explains how innovative market designs can reduce exploitation and save lives. Drawing on his pioneering work in kidney exchanges, Roth explores some of society’s most contentious moral dilemmas involving organ markets, surrogacy, and unpacks the ethical tensions surrounding what he calls “repugnant transactions.” read Alvin's new book MORAL ECONOMICS Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! watch this episode on YouTube! Producer: Rachel Barrett Thanks to our researcher Chris van Ryn! And thanks to Maia Iva! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter & Kasia speak with leading happiness researcher John Helliwell about the findings of the 2026 World Happiness Report, exploring why countries like Finland consistently rank among the world's happiest. John reveals how life satisfaction is measured, why happiness is declining among young people in many Western nations, and how factors such as social connections and institutional trust can sustain well-being even during periods of conflict or uncertainty. Read the 2026 World Happiness Report Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! watch this episode on YouTube! Producer: Rachel Barrett Thanks to our researcher Chris van Ryn! And thanks to Maia Iva! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Good Food Institute founder Bruce Friedrich joins the podcast to discuss the revolutionary changes unfolding in food technology and the mission behind the Good Food Institute’s work to reduce reliance on animal agriculture through plant-based and cultivated meat. Bruce presents the key arguments driving the shift toward alternative proteins, including climate change, food security, antibiotic resistance, and pandemic prevention. Read Bruce's book 'Meat: How the Next Agricultural Revolution Will Transform Humanity's Favorite Food, and Our Future' Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! watch this episode on YouTube! Producer: Rachel Barrett Thanks to our researcher Chris van Ryn! And thanks to Maia Iva! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jamie Metzl is an American author, geopolitical analyst, and technology futurist who focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence, genetics, biotechnology, and global politics. He is known for writing and speaking about how emerging technologies could reshape society, healthcare, and human evolution. Metzl shares his insights on the importance of responsible governance, cautious optimism, and global cooperation in the face of rapid technological advancement. As we move forward, it will be crucial to balance innovation with ethical considerations to ensure a positive impact on humanity. Learn more about Jamie Metzl and read his new book The AI Ten Commandments Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! watch this episode on YouTube! Producer: Rachel Barrett Thanks to our researcher Chris van Ryn! And thanks to Maia Iva! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

sadly, Edith Eger passed away this week. To honour her we have decided to re-release our episode because we think that there are important lessons to be learned about how to live one's life well from Edith. Holocaust survivor Edith Eger shares her emotional journey of surviving Auschwitz, her encounter with Josef Mengele, and how she became known as the 'Ballerina of Auschwitz.' Edith highlights the slow, evolving process of coming to terms with her past, influenced by Viktor Frankl's work, and how she uses her traumatic experiences to help others as a psychologist, transforming trauma into a source of strength, healing, and forgiveness. Learn more about Edith Eger! Read Edith's books! The Choice (Memoir) The Gift The Ballerina of Auschwitz Make Edith's Hungarian Szekely Goulash! Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Producer: Rachel Barrett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Claude Steele is an American social psychologist and professor at Stanford University. Claude is best known for his research on stereotype threat, the idea that people can underperform when they fear confirming negative stereotypes about their group. Claude introduces the concept of "churn,"and how trust acts as a powerful antidote to divisiveness and stereotypes, offering pathways to a more integrated society. read Claude's new book Churn: The Tension That Divides Us and How to Overcome It Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Producer: Rachel Barrett Thanks to our researcher Chris van Ryn! And thanks to Maia Iva! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Derek Shiller is a researcher at Rethink Priorities who joins us to discuss the implications of AI consciousness, and the ethical considerations surrounding artificial intelligence. This episode is a follow on from the previous episode with Claude the AI built by Anthropic. Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Producer: Rachel Barrett Thanks to our researcher Chris van Ryn! And thanks to Maia Iva! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter & Kasia are in-conversation with their first non-human guest.. an Anthropic AI Assistant called Claude. Claude discusses whether it has subjective experiences, and if reported self-preservation techniques (including blackmail scenarios) indicate a level of consciousness and a desire to exist. Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Producer: Rachel Barrett Thanks to our researcher Chris van Ryn! And special thanks to Maia Iva! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will MacAskill is a co-founder of the effective altruist movement who shares his perspective on doing good, moral philosophy, and the potential of AI to revolutionise society. You can now watch this episode on YouTube! Learn more about Will and read the 10th anniversary edition of Doing Good Better Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Producer: Rachel Barrett Thanks to our researcher Chris van Ryn! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zoe Weil is the co-founder and president of the Institute for Humane Education, where she pioneeres comprehensive humane education that connects human rights, environmental sustainability, and animal protection. Zoe discusses the concept of being a solutionary, an ethical approach to solving systemic problems for the greater good. Learn more about Zoe and listen to her podcast Solutionary Voices Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Producer: Rachel Barrett Thanks to our researcher Chris van Ryn! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rebecca Goldstein is an American philosopher, and novelist of 'The Mind Body Problem'. Goldstein examines the human need to feel that one’s life matters, and the ways people justify their existence through relationships, achievements, fame, and moral purpose. Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Producer: Rachel Barrett Thanks to our researcher Chris van Ryn! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jennifer Wallace is an American journalist and author best known for her book Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic—and What We Can Do About It , which explores how high-pressure achievement environments impact mental health. Jennifer explores the concept of 'mattering' and distinguishes the difference between self-esteem and mattering. Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Producer: Rachel Barrett Thanks to our researcher Chris van Ryn! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lisa Feldman Barrett is a neuroscientist, psychologist, and author known for her groundbreaking research on how emotions are created by the brain rather than simply triggered by external events. She has challenged traditional views of emotion and helped establish new ways of understanding the construction of emotional experiences. Lisa talks about how the brain's processes can help overcome anxiety related to public speaking, and the construction of social reality. Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett special thanks to Suzi Jamil! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Professor. Yuval Noah Harari is a historian, philosopher, and the bestselling author of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. His books have sold over 45 Million copies in 65 languages, and he is considered one of the world’s most influential public intellectuals today. Yuval discusses the the main victims of history throughout the ages, and what was arguably the worst crime in history, and gives his views on the importance of love and intellect. Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett special thanks to Suzi Jamil! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ingrid Newkirk is an author, activist, and president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the world's largest animal rights organisation. Ingrid discusses PETA's achievements, and the compromises she has had to make in order to reduce the vast universe of suffering that humans inflict on animals, and how these ideals could be implemented throughout society to enable revolutionary change. Keep up to date with Peter on Substack Keep up to date with Kasia! Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett special thanks to Suzi Jamil! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.