Keep Talking

Stephen Kinzer is a historian, a Senior Fellow in International and Public Affairs at Brown University, and the author of various books including, "Poisoner in Chief: Sidney Gottlieb and the CIA Search for Mind Control."------------Book a meeting with Dan------------Keep Talking SubstackSpotifyApple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------(00:00) Intro(01:00) What was MK-Ultra? Who was Sidney Gottlieb?(08:55) The U.S.'s collaboration with Nazi and Japanese torturers(14:43) The historical context that justified MK-Ultra(24:25) Examples of torture from the MK-Ultra program(30:53) LSD and MK-Ultra(39:14) The eventual conclusion from the MK-Ultra program(43:21) Speculating on the full scope and details of the MK-Ultra program(49:13) Stephen's ethical judgments on Gottlieb(53:25) Has Stephen received pushback for his revelations?(57:04) Is something like MK-Ultra happening now?(59:47) Why do so few Americans know about MK-Ultra?

Helen Fisher was an anthropologist, a professor, an author, and was one of the world's experts on the science of love.This is the final summer rebroadcast of 2024, episode 47 of "Keep Talking," the most-downloaded audio episode from this show. Helen sadly died on Saturday, August 17, 2024. She was charming, brilliant, and a gem of a human being, and I wanted to honor her by reposting her episode as the final summer rebroadcast of this year.During our conversation, Helen talks about her background interest in love, the role that love plays in human existence, the evolutionary purpose of love, how the subconscious influences who we fall in love with, how to know if you aren't in love, and wisdom she would provide to improve one's probability for healthy romance and a compatible mate choice.------------Book a meeting with Dan------------Keep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------(00:00) Intro (01:05) How Helen got interested in studying love (05:18) Trailblazing the academic study of love (06:22) What is love? (11:01) Love and love decisions are life's most important choices (12:46) Understanding "love maps" and the unconscious as it relates to love (22:15) Millennials and "slow love" (27:56) When are you not in love? When is it time to end a relationship? (37:58) Identifying great compatibility matches (41:53) Mitigating the risks of neuroticism from torpedoing a relationship (48:30) Attachment styles and compatibility (54:46) Identifying the root cause of depression (56:46) Ending a relationship when indifference is present (01:08:00) Designing a lifestyle that makes you a better and authentic partner (01:11:27) The role of marriage in human life (01:15:30) Helen getting married in her mid-70's

Richard Reeves is a writer, a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution and the author of "Of Boys and Men."This is a rebroadcast of episode 67 of "Keep Talking," one of the most important conversations from this show. Richard presents data detailing how boys and men are falling behind in education and employment, that men represent three out every four "deaths of despair," and the confusion over what is good about being a man and what it means to be a man as gender roles have significantly changed.------------Book a meeting with Dan------------Keep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------(00:00) Intro (01:06) How Richard realized men are falling behind (04:42) The data re: men falling behind in education (08:02) The structure of education helps women's natural abilities (12:26) A response to the indifference of male decline (17:06) Stories of suffering of modern men (20:30) Men are "opting out" not "acting out" (25:42) What would men be doing without porn and video games? (27:19) Big stats and small stats that reveal the decline of men (30:56) A sense of agency is crucial for men who are struggling (37:31) Jim Hollis' work for men (38:46) Jordan Peterson is a gigantic listening ear for men (44:06) The Andrew Tate phenomenon (51:31) Jordan Peterson's rage and empathy (57:09) Divorce and its effect on men (01:02:44) What is the evolutionary purpose of men? (01:06:46) Children need positive relationships with their fathers; married parents less so (01:15:39) Solutions to increase male flourishing

Kevin Kelly is a photographer, a futurist, an editor, and the author of multiple books, including "Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I'd Known Earlier," the subject of our conversation.This is a rebroadcast of episode 75 of "Keep Talking," one of my favorite episodes. On his 68th birthday, Kevin wrote "68 Bits of Unsolicited Advice" for his children - an essay that went viral. He wrote two more birthday advice essays for years 69 and 70. Now, after cleaning those nuggets up and adding 150 more, he has written a treasure-trove of wisdom, created and given to the world by one of America's most perceptive thinkers.This is my favorite kind of book, and Kevin has created a masterpiece that I will consult for the rest of my life. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to become just a little bit wiser, a little bit better, a little bit more thoughtful.------------Book a meeting with Dan------------Keep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------(00:00) Intro (00:55) Why Kevin began sharing advice (03:21) "68 Bits of Unsolicited Advice" popularity (05:27) 10 pieces of advice (07:42) You are what you do (12:00) Character is about how you deal with power (18:55) Look back 25 years from today to decide (22:20) The three things you need (36:15) Cultivate 12 people who love you (40:35) Money is to allow you to do great work (41:51) A perfect day to Kevin Kelly (44:15) Success and wealth (45:46) What's the point of obtaining wisdom?

Traver Boehm is an entrepreneur, a speaker, the author of "Today I Rise" and "Man UNcivilized," and the founder of the UNcivilized Movement, "dedicated to ending the unnecessary suffering in men to end the suffering caused by men."------------Book a meeting with Dan------------Keep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------00:00 Intro 00:31 How Traver got into men's work 05:40 Living as an unconscious man for 40 years 10:53 Integrity and the book "How To Be A Man" by Robert Masters 16:26 Advice for men who feel out of integrity 28:04 Asking men: what do you want? 39:32 Shame, and how men can ask for what they need 55:22 Selecting women and the importance of male tribe 01:06:52 Male isolation and how to find good men 01:13:18 Vulnerability and how much Traver has changed

Orna Donath is a professor at Tel Aviv University and is the author of the landmark book "Regretting Motherhood." During our conversation, Orna talks about the lessons from her research, her own "silent knowing" that she didn't want to be a mom, the importance of knowing oneself, and her new research of elderly, childless women in Israel. Orna also talks about the role of fear in pressuring women to become a mom, her yearly dialogue with a dozen women who are trying to decide whether to have kids, healthy models for childless women, and her interviews with childless men.------------Book a meeting with Dan------------Keep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------00:00 Intro00:36 Stories of women who have regretted having kids05:08 What has been traumatic to women about becoming mothers?10:04 The role of fear in pressuring women to have kids16:41 The lack of healthy models for women without kids23:31 Lessons from elderly, childless women28:51 Lessons from women who are wrestling with whether to have kids35:57 Meaning and purpose in life without kids42:27 Quotes in praise or Orna and her work44:18 Men who don't want to have kids54:46 Addressing questions Orna wants to answer

Roy Baumeister is a professor and a prolific author of many books, including "Willpower" and "Is There Anything Good About Men?" During our conversation, Roy talks about men as nature's "play things," his thinking on how homosexuality persevered through evolution, the truth about men in society, lessons from the book "Self-Made Man" by Norah Vincent, the importance of male cooperation in creating civilization, free will, how he's changed his mind, and more.------------Book a meeting with Dan------------Keep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------00:00 Intro00:32 Men are nature's "play-things"05:04 There are more men at the extremes07:23 How do gay people exist?11:29 Lessons from "Self-Made Man" by Norah Vincent15:48 Men and women were "designed" with different skills21:01 What is good about men?31:02 Why are men wired for cooperation?37:12 Quotes from "Is There Anything Good About Men?"38:37 The tragedy of the male sex drive46:24 What is interesting to Roy right now?54:26 In what ways has Roy changed his mind?01.01:52 Who does Roy go to for information and truth?

Ian Marcus Corbin is an essayist and a philosopher at Harvard Medical School who works on loneliness in society. During our conversation, Ian defines loneliness, discusses Robert Putnam's book Bowling Alone, the importance of close social relationships, the decline in civic participation in America, the risk of isolation to human beings and society, and the recent assassination attempt of Donald Trump.------------Book a meeting with Dan------------Keep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------00:00 Intro00:21 Defining loneliness05:12 Growing evidence of modern loneliness07:12 Robert Putnam's work in "Bowling Alone"19:00 Advice for combating loneliness22:31 What causes loneliness?27:13 The Harvard study on happiness - good relationships are most important31:20 How to prioritize a wise, flourishing life38:19 Trade-offs between working for money and having meaningful work44:05 Loneliness and the threat of totalitarianism46:00 The assassination attempt of Donald Trump51:35 Loneliness and modern men58:05 The lack of a script for men today1:00:14 What communities or societies are flourishing today?

Joe Henrich is a professor and the author of multiple best-selling books, including The Secret of Our Success and The WEIRDest People in the World. During our conversation, Joe talks about the interplay of genes and culture in human evolution, the importance of our "collective brains," what we misunderstand about human nature, what he's learned from visiting other indigenous cultures, how culture influences testosterone levels in men, how we might help modern, struggling western men, what we've learned about menopause from grandmother killer whales, the frontier of knowledge in human nature, and more.------------Book a meeting with Dan------------Keep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------00:00 Intro00:44 We're not individually intelligent02:56 The reason for green and blue eye color in humans06:08 A unique psychological aspect of status and prestige in humans09:02 Human's competitive superpower: our ability to sweat12:00 A story from Joe's experience with the Machiguenga in the Amazon16:44 The variability and stability of human nature18:44 What Westerners misunderstand about human nature21:30 The link between prestige, good information, and human survival23:48 Ideas to help modern men28:28 Where Joe thinks our culture is heading with dating and mating32:25 We have far more female ancestors as male ancestors34:14 Testosterone in men in monogamous and non-monogamous cultures37:09 Big 5 personality traits are not found in non-WEIRD cultures41:00 Gerontocracy mating cultures in Africa44:03 What we learn about menopause from grandmother killer whales46:46 Joe's views on cultural relativism 51:30 Why Joe is so interested in human nature56:26 What is our best understanding of what it means to be human?59:17 Joe's forthcoming new book

David Blankenhorn is an author, an activist, a community organizer, and the co-founder and President of Braver Angels. During our conversation, David talks about polarization in the United States, the workshops that Braver Angels puts together to bring together politically opposed Americans for conversation and common ground, the threat of division to the future of the country, the receding of a "civil religion" in the U.S., the importance of approaching disagreements with a sense of goodwill, and having hope in this dark time.------------Book a meeting with Dan------------Keep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------00:00 Intro00:28 The state of civic friendship in America04:18 The growth of Braver Angels11:13 What motivates Braver Angels' members?16:37 The work and mission of Braver Angels23:20 We're less polarized than we've been told27:25 Who is benefiting from social division?33:19 Habits to maintain one's humanity40:14 Politics replacing civic virtues in modern times49:28 George Kennan's threat of internal division55:25 The example of Daryl Davis

Robert Glover is a therapist, a speaker, and the author of multiple books, including his best-seller, No More Mr. Nice Guy. During our conversation, Robert talks about choosing a woman who chooses you, the importance of male tribe for men, being open-hearted, and his newest venture: integration nation.------------Book a meeting with Dan------------Keep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------00:00 Intro 00:25 "Choose a woman who chooses you" 20:27 Marriage, relationships, and male purpose 25:00 Being open-hearted as a man and red pill 34:00 The importance of male tribe to men 53:00 Integration nation and Robert's legacy

Shawn T. Smith is a clinical psychologist and the author of various books, including his best-seller, The Tactical Guide to Woman. During our conversation, Shawn talks about green flags in women, depression as a symptom rather than an illness, advice for men who are depressed, shame and love, the importance of tribe and purpose in a man's life, and the lack of scripts for healthy men in modern culture.------------Book a meeting with Dan------------Keep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------00:00 Intro01:14 Green flags in women03:45 Prioritizing the long-term over the short-term05:49 The importance of habits08:23 Love and shame in a man's life17:00 The importance of having a male tribe20:40 Men's hunger for talking honestly about relationships23:21 Depression in men26:20 Causes of depression in men29:29 Depression is like a fever - a symptom, not the cause33:11 Vetting women with no optionality36:44 Purpose in a man's life43:43 The role of men and fathers in society50:32 Dealing with pushback while striving toward goals52:52 Advice Shawn would give to his young daughter

Dr. William Davis is the author of many best-selling books, including Wheat Belly and Super Gut. During his second appearance on this podcast, Bill talks about the potential benefits of adding probiotics like lactobacillus reuteri to one's microbiome, the benefits of fermented foods, the many negative side effects of wheat, how modern diets seem to contribute to various mental illnesses, and a diet that he would recommend to live a healthy life in modern times.------------Book a meeting with Dan------------Keep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------00:00 Intro00:38 What Bill has learned in the past two years07:51 Lactobacillus reuteri15:10 How to improve one's microbiome20:03 Fermented foods23:43 "Diseases of civilization"27:36 The modern diet and antibiotics31:29 Bill's views on a healthy diet and lifestyle47:48 The link between mental illness and diet55:10 Habits and supplements to increase health

Bill Wasik is the editorial director for the New York Times Magazine and the author of a variety of books, including his newest - co-written with his wife Monica Murphy - Our Kindred Creatures: How Americans Came to Feel the Way They Do About Animals. During our conversation, Bill talks about the dawn of the animal rights movement in post-Civil War America, the lives and work of Henry Bergh and George Angell, and the creation and mission of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals.Bill also talks about the industrialization of meat production, the invisibility of animal suffering today, and his own lifestyle related to animal rights.------------Book a meeting with Dan------------Keep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------00:00 Intro00:37 How Americans treated animals in the mid-19th century 03:54 Animal blood sport in the 19th century 07:28 Religious and philosophical outlooks on animals in the 19th century 12:25 Who was Henry Burgh? 16:16 The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals 22:22 The legal power of the ASPCA 28:21 Who was George Angell? 33:10 The goal: reduce suffering, not eliminate meat consumption 38:55 Industrializing meat production, and the invisibility of animals today47:20 How this book has influenced Bill and his lifestyle

Oliver Burkeman is a journalist and an author of multiple books, including his bestseller, Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. During our conversation, Oliver talks about being an insecure overachiever, his historic obsession with productivity, learning to say no to things you want to do, the 80/20 principle, and how modern life rewards winners with an unending, lifetime supply of intense work.He also discusses getting clear on what matters to you in life, the work and ideas of James Hollis, and, when facing a big life decision, asking the question, "does this choice diminish or englargen me?"------------Book a meeting with Dan------------Keep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------00:00 Intro00:49 Oliver's struggles with time management 03:58 "The mistaken belief that it can be cured"06:53 How Oliver has addressed his productivity addiction 12:29 The importance of saying no 16:57 Insecure overachievers and people pleasers 21:52 Today, the reward for winning is a lifetime of intense work 28:25 Human's concept of time over time 32:15 Time management in other cultures 37:33 When deciding, ask: "Does this choice englargen or diminish me?" 45:03 Quotes from James Hollis and Carl Jung 51:14 Closing comments about "Four Thousand Weeks"

Derek Sivers is an author, a TED speaker, a businessman, a musician, and one of my favorite thinkers on the planet. During our conversation, Derek talks about pursuing mastery, having enough, what success means to him, how he thinks about money, having and raising a kid, and more.Derek's book Hell Yeah or No is one of my all-time favorites, and his essays have had a huge influence on my life. I love Derek's originality, his enthusiasm for life and ideas, and most importantly, his generosity, kindness, and friendliness.------------Keep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodesBook a meeting with Dan------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------00:00 Intro00:32 Written off from an early age02:40 How Derek knew he wanted to be a musician08:50 Transitioning from a musician to a businessman15:40 Having enough22:28 Money28:15 The importance of quiet, journaling and solitude40:45 Freedom and children54:48 Giving away $22 million01:03:52 Lifestyle creep01:08:34 Why Derek chooses freedom01:11:14 Envy and maintaining minimalism01:19:25 Success01:21:21 Quotes from Derek's essays01:26:02 Dan's New Zealand story01:35:06 Small actions can have big consequences01:37:23 Reach out to Derek: https://sive.rs/contact

Hemant Mehta is an author, a YouTuber, and an atheist activist. During our conversation, Hemant talks about his journey to atheism, the threat of Christian nationalism to secular society, and the atheist and secular movements. He also addresses the loss of community felt by those who leave religion, and the life and legacy of Daniel Dennett, including his work with The Clergy Project.------------Keep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------00:00 Intro00:37 Hemant's personal and religious background 06:58 Hemant's experience losing his religious belief 08:40 Has Hemant's atheism changed him? 11:30 What persuaded Hemant to become an atheist? 14:49 Modern instances of religious overreach into secular society 20:37 Hemant's definition of atheism 22:57 What motivates Hemant's work 30:50 Christian nationalism in America 36:25 Reasons for optimism 42:19 The loss of community as people leave religion 46:58 Does Hemant have doubts about his atheist convictions? 49:22 Who does Hemant go to for information? 55:49 Dan Dennett and The Clergy Project

D.J. Taylor is a novelist, a literary critic, and the author of two biographies of George Orwell: Orwell: The Life, and Orwell: The New Life. During our conversation, D.J. talks about Orwell's life, why Orwell's books, particularly his two on totalitarianism, Animal Farm and 1984, have endured so many years after his death, and the relevance of his ideas and insights to modern times.------------Keep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------00:00 Intro00:49 Who was George Orwell? 03:03 Why is Orwell so intriguing to D.J. Taylor? 05:01 Orwell's relevance over the past 20 years 08:21 How did Orwell capture totalitarianism so clearly? 13:30 The totalitarian impulse in Orwell 18:06 Orwell's commitment to his beliefs 21:59 A power of facing unpleasant facts 26:47 The void filled by the decline of religion 30:15 What was Orwell for? 34:58 Orwell's final years on Jura 38:48 Criticisms of Orwell 45:19 How would Orwell view modern times? 52:07 Euphemism and Newspeak today 54:43 Famous quotes from Orwell 55:45 Why does Orwell endure?

Camilla Kring is an author, a global speaker, and is the founder of B-Society, an organization fighting for "chronotype equality." During our conversation, Camilla talks about night owls and morning birds, why humans have a wide spectrum of sleep cycles, our cultural bias towards early birds, the damage done to night owls who are asked to fit into a morning bird society, and how we might be able to provide greater time autonomy to people to live in accordance with their own rhythms.------------Camilla's org, B-SocietyKeep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------00:00 Intro00:41 An "A person" vs "B person"02:42 Social jet lag of night owls04:17 Evolutionary reasons for night owls11:17 How society became biased against night owls15:32 Are night owls lazy?21:02 The range of preferred sleeping cycles in humans26:29 The guilt of and bias against night owls32:14 Advice for night owls who can't control their schedule36:12 How AM sunlight and light exposure helps people37:22 The importance of sleep43:18 Chronotypes and a quote from "Why We Sleep"48:46 Can night owls turn into morning birds?54:32 Is our society chronically sleep-deprived?58:25 How does a sane society approach sleep?

Sarah Everts is a science journalist, an associate professor at Carleton University, and the author of "The Joy of Sweat: The Strange Science of Perspiration." During our conversation, Sarah talks about how sweating was an evolutionary superpower for humans, what sweat is, why some people sweat more than others, the history of the antiperspirant industry, and why we receive such psychological benefits from sauna exposure and exercise-induced sweating.------------Keep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------00:00 Intro 00:50 Sarah's interest in sweat 02:20 Sweating as an evolutionary advantage 13:08 Why do some people sweat more than others? 19:29 Is being able to easily sweat a sign of health? 24:30 Ethnic differences in sweating 29:05 How advertising created the antiperspirant industry 39:35 The benefits of heat and sweating 51:45 Forcing your heart to exercise