Season 1 of Lives Well Lived

A review of the last season of the Lives Well Lived Podcast, and what’s to come.

In this first season of Lives Well Lived, Kasia and I had the privilege of speaking with a remarkable group of individuals who are making the world a better place through their actions and ideas. In each conversation, we talk with our guests about the choices they’ve made and the lessons they’ve learned, offering insights into how we can all contribute to positive change.

The guests featured in this season include:

• Daniel Kahneman – Nobel laureate and psychologist on decision-making and human biases.

• Ingrid Newkirk – President of PETA, discussing the moral imperative of animal rights.

• Yuval Noah Harari – Historian reflecting on the meaning of self-awareness in today’s world.

• Judy Collins – Legendary singer-songwriter, sharing her journey through music and activism.

• Neil deGrasse Tyson – Astrophysicist offering a perspective on humanity’s place in the cosmos.

• Jane Goodall – World-renowned ethologist on animal behaviour and conservation.

• Robert Wright – Author, discussing evolutionary psychology and the reality of moral reasoning, as well as what Buddhism gets right.

• Kate Grant – CEO of the Fistula Foundation, focusing on her remarkable work giving young women their lives back after a devastating obstetric injury.

• Dui Toledo – Sharing insights on personal discipline and effective time management.

• Tyler Cowen – Economist on AI, productivity, the future of work, and reasons for optimism about the world.

• Frances Kissling – Advocate for reproductive rights, exploring ethical dilemmas.

• Matthieu Ricard – Buddhist monk on cultivating happiness and practicing altruism.

• A.J. Jacobs – Author experimenting with immersive life challenges and personal transformation.

• Jonathan Haidt – Social psychologist on political behaviour and the impact of smartphones on the mental health of teenagers.

• Ximena Abogabir – A long-time activist for peace, now focusing on living longer in a meaningful and worthwhile way.

• Paul Bloom – Psychologist on the role of reason in moral decision-making.

• Sam Harris – Podcaster, philosopher and neuroscientist on transcending the self, and the complexities of free will.

• Murali Doraiswamy – Psychiatrist addressing global mental health challenges.

• Lisa Feldman Barrett – Neuroscientist on the brain's influence on emotions and behaviour.

• Joyce Carol Oates – The prolific novelist gives her surprising view on the irrelevance of living well.

Each guest brought their own perspective to these thought-provoking discussions, helping us explore how personal decisions can shape a more just and compassionate world. You can listen to all episodes of the series here:

• Listen on Apple Podcasts

• Listen on Spotify