Huberman fans aren't leaving the show behind, despite the recent revelations about his personal life in the New York Magazine article. The piece, which spanned 8,000 words, delved into Huberman's complicated romantic relationships, alleging that he maintained multiple relationships simultaneously and deceived the women he was seeing. It also questioned his expertise on wellness topics.
However, the article seems to have had little impact on his overall listenership. Huberman's podcast continues to rank in the top 15 on both Apple Podcasts and Spotify, indicating that his audience remains loyal. Among the readers of this newsletter, who are likely more engaged with the podcasting industry, the responses have been more varied.
Some readers have come to Huberman's defense, particularly regarding his approach to scientific subjects. Ioakim Boutakidis, a professor of child and adolescent studies at California State University at Fullerton, emphasized that Huberman's training as a research scientist at the PhD level has equipped him with valuable skills that are transferable to other fields within his discipline. Boutakidis noted that Huberman's apparent narrow research focus doesn't negate his ability to digest scientific literature, evaluate its rigor, and explain it to others better than most people.
Other readers, pointed out that Huberman doesn't claim to know everything and often invites experts or knowledgeable individuals to discuss topics on his podcast. it is up to the listeners to decide what to take away from the information provided and Huberman's personal flaws should not be the focus of attention, given the many people who benefit from his podcast.
Others argued against the notion that Huberman attempts to influence his audience's behaviors, stating that he merely relays scientific information and its relation to the human experience. Huberman has explicitly stated multiple times that he does not intend to recommend protocols or tell people how to behave.
On the other hand, some readers found Huberman's personal conduct troubling. Some Think that all celebrities are fair game and that Huberman would definitely lose listeners, particularly women. One Reader pointed out the discrepancy between Huberman's pursuit of excellence in his personal journey, which he shares on the podcast and his treatment of women in his life. One couple even decided to stop following Huberman, stating that they had no time for liars and misogynists.
Despite the mixed reactions among newsletter readers, the overall impact on Huberman's podcast seems minimal. The majority of his audience appears to be sticking with the show, focusing on the value they derive from the content rather than Huberman's personal life. As the podcast continues to rank highly on major platforms, it is evident that Huberman's fans are not abandoning him en masse, even in the face of the New York Magazine article's revelations. Thanks for listening to Quiet Please. Remember to like and share wherever you get your podcasts.