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A discussion about the nature of consciousness. What is it, exactly, and what is its relationship with the physical world? Dr. Philip Goff is one of world's leading proponents of a view called panpsychism, which suggests that all matter may have an element of consciousness, and in a sense, everything has experience. Dr Philip Goff is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Durham University. His research focuses on how to integrate consciousness into our scientific world view. He has authored an academic book with Oxford University Press – Consciousness and Fundamental Reality – and a book aimed at a general audience – Galileo's Error: Foundations for a New Science of Consciousness. Goff has published 45 academic articles as well as writing extensively for newspapers and magazines, including Scientific American, The Guardian, and the Times Literary Supplement. Goff's interview by Pulitzer Prize winning author Gareth Cook was one of the most viewed of the most viewed articles in Scientific American of 2020. https://twitter.com/Philip_Goff https://www.philipgoffphilosophy.com/ https://conscienceandconsciousness.com/

Human Beings. How did we become the creatures that we are? How did our bodies, and more importantly, our minds, evolve from the bodies and minds of simpler creatures? In this episode I speak with Dr William Von Hippel, a social psychologist, and author of the book The Social Leap, which is about this very subject. Join us as we learn the story of humanity. About Dr William Von Hippel: https://psychology.uq.edu.au/profile/3034/bill-von-hippel The Social Leap: https://www.amazon.com/Social-Leap-Evolutionary-Science-Where/dp/0062740393 A clip from Dr Von Hippel's appearance on the Joe Rogan Show: https://youtu.be/h6oF1CCupiE

How do we relate to our body? Do we treat our bodies like objects we possess? Is there a better way? These questions are at the heart of Jamie Lee Finch's work. In this episode we discuss her background in evangelical Christianity, her 2019 book You Are Your Own, and the work she does now as an embodiment coach.  Links to Jamie Lee Finch's work: Website https://jamieleefinch.com/ Her Course "Your Body Is A Person": http://www.jamieleefinch.com/wonder Her Book "You Are Your Own": https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Your-Own-Christianity-ebook/dp/B07TDNMK8K/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=you+are+your+own&qid=1628274596&sr=8-1 Social Media: http://www.instagram.com/iamjamieleefinch http://www.twitter.com/jamieleefinch

Is a secular society an atheist society? Hemant Mehta, the writer behind thefriendlyatheist.com, youtuber, and activist, would say a resounding "no". In this conversation we talk about his work advocating for a society that functions better for everyone, rather than catering to religious groups. Find out more about Hemant Mehta: http://www.friendlyatheist.com http://www.twitter.com/hemantmehta Mentioned in this episode: Conversation between Sean McDowell and Hemant Mehta hosted by Justin Brierley https://youtu.be/Hhuxq7wLpFc

Why is everyone talking about deconstruction? Why are hashtags like #exvangelical becoming so familiar? Are people leaving evangelical churches in droves? These are just a few of the questions that my guest Chrissy Stroop and I discuss in this week's episode of The Wonder and The Mystery of Being. Chrissy Stroop holds a Ph.D. in History and Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities from Stanford University. She filed her dissertation (as Christopher Stroop, pre-transition), "Providential Empire: Russia's Religious Intelligentsia and the First World War" in May 2012. Since that time Stroop has taught at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration in Moscow, Russia, and at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Chrissy has written for The New Republic, The Economist, The New York Times,  Foreign Policy, Political Research Associates, Religion Dispatches, The Moscow Times, Eurasianet, Playboy, or Dame Magazine, and co-edited a book called Empty the Pews: Stories of Leaving the Church with Lauren O'Neal. Follow Chrissy Stroop on twitter: https://twitter.com/C_Stroop Support Chrissy Stroop on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cstroop Empty the Pews on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XL2T2LD/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

"Good religion takes us deeper into our own humanity." This week Justin McRoberts and I discuss our perspectives on religious practices, whether they can be healthy and helpful, and what that might look like. Nietzsche, Heiddeger, and Camus are just a few names that come up over the course of this conversation. This is the first in-person interview for the show, filmed in the evening in front of my 1969 Airstream Trailer, The Curiosity. Justin McRoberts is a musician, writer, and speaker. His new book is called "It Is What You Make of It: Creating Something Great from What You’ve Been Given" The book on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/What-You-Make-Creating-Something-ebook/dp/B08L71Y5CY/ Learn more about Justin: http://www.justinmcroberts.com http://www.twitter.com/justinmcroberts

This week we're talking about the SOUL! What is it? Do we really HAVE a soul? How did we come to believe in the idea of a soul in the first place?  We also go down several incredible tangents such as simulation theory, solipsism, visual perception, and how our brains process information. Shannon is a regular host of the Atheist Experience, and The Line, two weekly youtube shows run by the Atheist Community of Austin (ACA). Shannon also has her own youtube channel. Links to all these are below! Shannon's Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0qhPJh8DeoR-3JhMrIvw0g The Atheist Experience: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheAtheistExperience The Line: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIv3LvN_0CNzMpSrTF9naNA

1 year ago I wrote an instagram post that changed my life.  In this special live episode of the show, I re-read the post, and talk about what feels the same, what feels different, and what I would have done differently. This is live, casual, and off-the-cuff. Aired on youtube live on May 20, 2021. Youtube link here: https://youtu.be/hl4fpJAw-8g I hope you enjoy!

No two people's process of religious deconstruction is the same. In getting to know C Davis, aka @deconstructingblack on Instagram, I've found that many of our experiences are similar, but some are quite different. In this conversation, C and I discuss those similarities and differences, and she shares with us what it's like to go through a process of deconstruction as a Black woman in America. Learn more about C: http://www.instagram.com/deconstructingblack http://www.instagram.com/deconstructingcolors

Sasha and I discuss the immense value of rituals, even for those of us with a much more secular, non-religious worldview. We get into how we make meaning, experience awe, and approach mystery. Some of my favorite topics! I'm thrilled to get this chance to speak with Sasha, for so many reasons. Her life, work, and family are so brilliantly interesting to me, and her father's book/movie "Contact" was so influential for me growing up. We talk about that story towards the end of our chat. Sasha is a writer, speaker, and filmmaker, and the book we discuss in this conversation is her 2019 release "For Small Creatures Such As We...", which is one of my top book recommendations. To learn more about Sasha Sagan: http://www.sashasagan.com http://www.twitter.com/sashasagan http://www.instagram.com/sashasagan "For Such Creatures Such As We..." on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Small-Creatures-Such-We-Unlikely-ebook/dp/B07N5JQXFK/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=for+such+creatures&qid=1620071000&sr=8-3