Making Sense with Sam Harris
Join neuroscientist, philosopher, and five-time New York Times best-selling author Sam Harris as he explores important and controversial questions about the mind, society, current events, moral philosophy, religion, and rationality—with an overarching focus on how a growing understanding of ourselves and the world is changing our sense of how we should live. Sam is also the creator of the Waking Up app. Combining Sam's decades of mindfulness practice, profound wisdom from varied philosophical and contemplative traditions, and a commitment to a secular, scientific worldview, Waking Up is a resource for anyone interested in living a more examined, fulfilling life—and a new operating system for the mind. Waking Up offers free subscriptions to anyone who can't afford one, and donates a minimum of 10% of profits to the most effective charities around the world. To learn more, please go to WakingUp.com. Sam Harris received a degree in philosophy from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from UCLA.
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Recent Episodes
#488 — Ego, Ecstasy, and Equanimity
Aug 04, 2026Sam Harris speaks with Neal Brennan about the experiences that shaped his life and work. They discuss Sam's mother's television career, growing up with an absent father, his struggles with perfectioni...
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Sam Harris discusses his unconventional upbringing as the son of Susan Harris, legendary television writer and creator of iconic shows like Golden Girls and Soap. He reflects on his mother's remarkable journey from single motherhood to becoming one of the most successful sitcom writers in television history, all while raising him largely on her own and taking him on transformative travels around the world.
- Sam Harris's Professional Identity
- Susan Harris: From Single Mom to TV Legend
#487 — Is AI Already Conscious?
Jul 31, 2026Sam Harris speaks with Cameron Berg about whether AI systems are or could become conscious. They discuss self-reports in LLMs, what models say when deception is switched off, the "bliss attractor" sta...
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#486 — Luck All the Way Down
Jul 22, 2026Sam Harris speaks with Kathryn Paige Harden about behavioral genetics, moral luck, and the problem of blame. They discuss Harden's book Original Sin, the controversy over Charles Murray and Ezra Klein...
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Sam Harris and behavioral geneticist Kathryn Paige Harden revisit their contentious history from six years ago, when Harden co-authored a Vox piece criticizing Harris's podcast with Charles Murray about race and IQ. They discuss how both have since faced similar attacks for their work in behavioral genetics, the evolution of political discourse around wokeness, and dive into Harden's new book on genetics, vice, blame, and forgiveness. The conversation explores why behavioral genetics remains controversial, the nature-nurture debate, and the future implications of genetic science for society.
- Revisiting the Charles Murray Controversy
- Harden's Reflection and Apology
#485 — The New Science of Cancer
Jul 14, 2026Sam Harris speaks with Siddhartha Mukherjee about the science of cancer. They discuss the updated edition of The Emperor of All Maladies, whether cancer is one disease or many, why prevention is so ha...
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Siddhartha Mukherjee discusses the updated edition of his Pulitzer Prize-winning book 'The Emperor of All Maladies,' exploring major developments in cancer prevention, detection, and treatment over the past 15 years. He covers the challenges of prevention science, the promise and pitfalls of early detection technologies like liquid biopsies and full-body MRIs, breakthrough treatments including immunotherapy and CAR-T therapy, and the transformative potential of AI in drug discovery. The conversation also addresses the concerning impact of the current administration's policies on medical science and innovation.
- Understanding Cancer as a Disease
- The Challenges of Cancer Prevention
#484 — Artificial Intimacy
Jul 08, 2026Sam Harris speaks with Paul Bloom about our relationships with AI and the future of human connection. They discuss the surprising pace of AI progress, AI companions as a remedy for loneliness, the imp...
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Sam Harris and Paul Bloom discuss the rapid advancement of AI technology, exploring its implications for consciousness, human relationships, loneliness, and the future. They examine how quickly society has adapted to AI capabilities that seemed impossible just years ago, including passing the Turing test. The conversation delves into the psychological and social dimensions of AI companions, the nature of mattering and attention, and both the potential benefits and risks of AI relationships, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly and young people.
- Opening Reflections on AI's Surprising Progress
- The Westworld Problem: AI Consciousness and Moral Consideration
#483 — The Knots We Tie Ourselves Into
Jul 01, 2026Sam Harris speaks with Alain de Botton about the psychology of unhappiness, the secular world's discomfort with ecstasy and ritual, psychedelics as a tool for self-discovery, Freud's legacy, AI as the...
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Alain de Botton discusses his work exploring the psychological sources of human unhappiness and the gaps left by religion's decline in modern secular society. He examines how religious frameworks once provided structure for emotional and psychological development through ritual, community, and engagement with profound experiences. The conversation explores how secular culture struggles to address ecstasy, transcendence, and self-exploration, touching on the potential of psychedelics, the importance of ego attenuation, and the dangers of regressing to childlike hero worship in political contexts.
- The Decline of Religious Frameworks and Modern Society
- Culture as Incomplete Replacement for Religion
In this latest episode of the More From Sam series, Sam and Jaron talk about current events. They discuss topics from Making Sense Community, including one-world government, the value of a degree as A...
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In this episode of Making Sense, Sam Harris and his producer explore various philosophical and practical questions submitted by members of their online community. They discuss topics ranging from global governance and consciousness to the value of philosophy degrees, the meaning of life, wealth inequality, and the future of professional careers in an AI-dominated world. Harris challenges conventional framings of existential questions while offering pragmatic perspectives on education and society.
- One World Government and Global Unity
- Consciousness and the Hard Problem of Materialism
Richard Dawkins presents Sam Harris with the 2026 Richard Dawkins Award at a live Center for Inquiry event. After the tribute, the two friends discuss consciousness and epiphenomenalism, AI and the Tu...
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This is the 2026 Richard Dawkins Award presentation honoring Sam Harris. Richard Dawkins delivers a tribute celebrating Sam's contributions to reason, science, and secular values, followed by a wide-ranging conversation between the two covering consciousness, morality, AI, Trump's presidency, and the challenges facing democracy and rational discourse in the modern age.
- The Nature of Consciousness and Epiphenomenalism
- AI, Consciousness, and the Future of Deception
#480 — The Economics of Everything
Jun 12, 2026Sam Harris speaks with economist and Substack writer Noah Smith about the U.S. national debt, wealth inequality, and the economic consequences of AI. They discuss the mechanics of debt and inflation, ...
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Noah Smith discusses the growing U.S. national debt crisis and its implications for the economy. The conversation explores how America has transformed into a high-debt country, the mechanics of government borrowing, the dangers of fiscal instability, and potential solutions including austerity measures, tax increases, and spending cuts. Smith explains the psychological nature of debt crises, why there's no clear threshold for when debt becomes dangerous, and critiques Modern Monetary Theory while warning about the catastrophic consequences of losing global confidence in U.S. debt.
- The U.S. Debt Crisis: From Low to High Debt Nation
- The Debt Spiral Mechanics: How Borrowing Becomes a Trap
#479 — When Robots Take Over
Jun 04, 2026Sam Harris speaks with Vinod Khosla about AI, economic disruption, and political risk. They discuss the prospect of mass job displacement, a trillion-dollar policy framework to redistribute AI's gains...
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In this conversation, Sam Harris speaks with Vinod Khosla, a technology entrepreneur and investor who focuses on the impact of emerging technologies. They discuss AI's rapid advancement and its profound implications for employment, the economy, and society. Khosla predicts that AI will be capable of performing virtually any human cognitive task within the next decade, potentially leading to 50% unemployment by 2035. His primary concern isn't the technology itself, but rather the political resistance that could slow AI adoption due to job displacement fears. He envisions a future with massive deflation in utility goods and services, fewer traditional corporate jobs, but potentially 50 million more micro-entrepreneurs in the US who provide human-preferred goods and services.
- Introduction and Vinod Khosla's Approach to Technology
- Political Risk: The Greatest Threat to AI Progress
#478 — The Psychedelic Mind
May 29, 2026Sam Harris speaks with Robin Carhart-Harris about psychedelic research and its therapeutic potential. They discuss the current state of the field, the FDA denial of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD, the...
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Robin Carhart-Harris, researcher at UCSF, discusses the current state of psychedelic research, including recent setbacks and ongoing progress toward FDA approval. The conversation covers therapeutic applications, quality control concerns, safety considerations, and the critical importance of context in psychedelic-assisted therapy. They explore success rates across various conditions, contraindications for use, and the differences between classic psychedelics and MDMA.
- The Current State of Psychedelic Research
- Quality and Scale of Psychedelic Research
#477 — More From Sam: Iran's Unraveling, The Gaza Information War, AI-Generated Music, and More
May 26, 2026Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence against civilians during the October 7 attacks (33:49 - 34:35). Listener discretion is advised. In this latest episode of the More Fro...
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In this episode of Making Sense, Sam Harris and his team discuss recent tour events, the new subscriber community launch, and then dive into major geopolitical issues including the Iran conflict and the Trump administration's handling of foreign policy. Harris provides his characteristically direct analysis of American military posture, the problematic nature of corruption in the current administration, and controversial reporting on Israeli detention facilities. The conversation reveals Harris's deep concerns about American credibility on the world stage and the erosion of institutional norms.
- Tour Wrap-Up and Community Launch
- The Iran Conflict: A Strategic Disaster
#476 — The Bittersweet Age
May 20, 2026Sam Harris speaks with Susan Cain about writing, creativity, and what AI means for human culture. They discuss the future of books and reading, the tells AI inherits from good writers, why the advent ...
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Susan Cain, author of 'Quiet' and 'Bittersweet', discusses the evolution of reading culture, the impact of AI on creative work, and the irreplaceable human element in art and music. She explores her Substack community 'The Quiet Life', shares insights on attention spans in the digital age, and reflects deeply on why human authorship matters, even when AI can produce indistinguishable results. The conversation delves into the psychology of authenticity, the value of the humanities in an AI-dominated future, and what it means to connect with art knowing a human soul created it.
- The Digital Attention Crisis and Reading Culture
- Substack as Community Rather Than Just Writing
#475 — The Hard Problem of Consciousness
May 12, 2026Sam Harris speaks with Michael Pollan about consciousness, the mind, and the self. They discuss Pollan's new book, the relationship between sentience and intelligence, the evolutionary case for consci...
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Sam Harris and Michael Pollan reunite for the first time since 2018 to explore consciousness, building on Pollan's new book 'A World Appears.' Their wide-ranging conversation examines fundamental questions about the nature of consciousness, the hard problem of explaining subjective experience, the role of psychedelics in consciousness research, and concerns about AI. They discuss how meditation and psychedelics offer complementary approaches to understanding consciousness—not just through intellectual analysis but through direct experience. The conversation blends rigorous philosophical inquiry with practical insights from neuroscience and contemplative traditions.
- Defining Consciousness and Related Concepts
- The Hard Problem of Consciousness
In this latest episode of the More From Sam series, Sam and Jaron talk about current events. They discuss the launch of Making Sense Community, Sam's Ben Shapiro conversation, the New York Times's emb...
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This AMA episode covers Sam Harris's reflections on recent podcast conversations and dives deep into controversial political topics, particularly focusing on anti-Semitism, the Israel-Gaza conflict, and concerning trends in progressive politics. Harris critiques his conversation with Ben Shapiro, discusses the launch of a new community platform, and delivers a scathing analysis of progressive figures like Hassan Piker who he believes are spreading dangerous moral confusion about genocide and Hamas.
- New Community Platform Launch and Reddit Alternative
- Reflecting on the Ben Shapiro Conversation
#473 — Money, Power, and Moral Failure
Apr 29, 2026Sam Harris speaks with Lloyd Blankfein about finance, politics, and the state of American society. They discuss Blankfein's memoir, Goldman Sachs and its role as a market maker, the 2007-2008 financia...
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Sam Harris interviews Lloyd Blankfein, former CEO of Goldman Sachs, about his memoir 'Streetwise' and discusses the 2008 financial crisis, current economic challenges, wealth inequality, and the disconnect between markets and the real economy. Blankfein shares insights from steering Goldman through the financial crisis, explains how financial markets work, and offers perspective on current economic risks including Middle East tensions, market volatility, and the challenges of wealth distribution.
- Understanding Goldman Sachs and Its Role in Finance
- The John Paulson Trade and Market-Making Controversy
#472 — Strange Days on the Right
Apr 24, 2026Sam Harris speaks with Ben Shapiro about their pre-election debate and the fractures on the right. They discuss Trump's second term surprises, familial corruption, tariff policy, the ideological world...
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Sam Harris and Ben Shapiro engage in a detailed postmortem discussion about Trump's second term, examining predictions made before the election and how they've played out. The conversation covers Trump's tariff policies, personnel decisions, family corruption concerns, the reframing of January 6th, and their fundamental disagreement about what makes Trump 'disqualifying.' They also touch on foreign policy and the situation in Iran, revealing deep philosophical differences about presidential character versus policy outcomes.
- Opening and Setting the Stage
- Tariffs and Economic Policy Predictions
#471 — The End of History, Revisited
Apr 16, 2026Sam Harris speaks with Francis Fukuyama about liberal democracy, American politics, and global order. They discuss the misunderstood thesis of "The End of History," how conservatism has mutated into e...
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Francis Fukuyama joins Sam Harris to discuss the state of liberal democracy, examining his famous 'End of History' thesis and its relevance today. They explore how liberalism can become self-defeating when taken to extremes, the challenges facing American democracy, the rise of authoritarian alternatives like China, and the problems with identity politics on both left and right. Fukuyama reflects on how conservatism has transformed from Reagan-era classical liberalism into ethno-nationalism, and warns about threats to democratic norms both domestically and in Israel.
- The End of History Thesis Explained
- Liberal Democracy vs Chinese Authoritarianism
#470 — Democrats at a Crossroads
Apr 13, 2026Sam Harris speaks with Rahm Emanuel about American politics, the state of the Democratic Party, and the 2028 presidential race. They discuss Emanuel's possible presidential run, identity politics and ...
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Former Chicago Mayor and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel discusses his potential 2028 presidential run, addressing critical challenges facing America including declining education standards, the Democratic Party's cultural missteps, anti-Semitism, and foreign policy concerns. Emanuel emphasizes the need to focus on future-oriented solutions rather than nostalgic politics, advocating for accountability in education through proven models like Mississippi's reading reforms, and critiques both domestic political direction and international strategy, particularly regarding Israel and China.
- Foreign Policy Challenges: China and the Indo-Pacific
- Rahm Emanuel's Political Experience and Potential 2028 Run
#469 — Escaping an Anti-Human Future
Apr 10, 2026Sam Harris speaks with Tristan Harris about the dangers of AI and the race to build it. They discuss the new documentary The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist, the lessons of The Social Dilemm...
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