I’m Launching A Podcast!

Lives Well Lived will launch on May 16

I am excited to announce the launch of the "Lives Well Lived" podcast that I am doing with Kasia de Lazari-Radek, the Polish philosopher with whom I have co-authored two books, The Point of View of the Universe and Utilitarianism: A Very Short Introduction.  Both Kasia and I believe that philosophy isn’t just about big, abstract ideas; it’s about real life, the choices we make every day and the values that guide us.  

We have our own ideas about what it is to live well, but our plan for this podcast is to talk to interesting guests and ask them about their own lives, whether they believe that they have lived well, and about the values by which they have reached this judgment. We have already recorded some fascinating interviews.

Our first conversation was with Daniel Kahneman, a Nobel Prize winner whose work has revolutionised our understanding of human thought. Sadly, Daniel died only a few days after speaking with us. In the interview he discusses his life’s work, and his research about what makes people happy, as well as speaking about what gave him most joy and fulfilment in his own life.

Our interview with Ingrid Newkirk, the founder of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) begins with an account of why she recently found herself hanging, stark naked, from a hook, alongside dead pigs at London’s Smithfield Meat Market. That leads us to explore the challenges and ethical dilemmas she has faced while pushing for change in the way we treat animals. Ingrid’s candidness offers a glimpse into the complexities of leading a major advocacy organisation, as well as a discussion of whether a life can be well lived when there is always an awareness of the vast amount of suffering that continues, despite one’s best efforts to end it.

Then there’s Dui Toledo, who grew up in a home with no books. His parents’ education stopped at elementary school, but Dui’s thirst for knowledge led him to a library, and that opened new worlds to him. He became a leader in the digital tech industry, and his life attests to the power of education and self-determination. Dui shares with us the principles that have guided him through challenges and successes, and the personal rules he’s developed for living well.

We also had a fascinating discussion with Robert Wright, an American journalist known for his books on evolutionary psychology, social progress, and Buddhism. Robert’s exploration of how evolution impacts our ethical decisions and interpersonal relationships prompts us to think about the biological foundations of our moral instincts and how understanding these, and the importance of interactions that are not zero-sum, can lead to a better world.

Another highlight was our conversation with Judy Collins, the legendary singer/songwriter with “the sweetest voice I ever heard.”  Her music has touched the hearts of many over the decades. Judy discusses how her art has intertwined with her personal and political convictions, offering insights into how art can force social change and personal fulfilment.

As of this writing, we are planning to speak to Neil de Grasse Tyson, the celebrated astrophysicist and bestselling author, and with Kate Grant, CEO of the Fistula Foundation, who has dedicated her life to providing surgery for young women whose lives would otherwise have been ruined by a devastating injury incurred during an obstructed labour without medical assistance.

New episodes of the podcast will be released every Thursday. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever else podcasts are available. We hope that "Lives Well Lived" will become a weekly touchstone for listeners eager to explore the ethical dimensions of their lives.