We’re speaking with Alex Hutchinson about his new book The Explorer’s Gene: Why We Seek Big Challenges, New Flavors, and the Blank Spots on the Map.Michael asked Alex 17 questions about exploration—why humans are driven to explore, the benefits of exploration, how exploration is changing, and how we can explore more today.Michael gained so much insight into my own life from Alex’s book and our exchange below, and I hope you will, too.You’ll learn:* Why exploration is critical to being a human.* Why humans are hardwired to seek the unknown.* The truth about dopamine and how it factors into exploration.* Whether humans are unique in our ability to explore.* Another (surprising) animal that is a badass explorer.* How a wild occurrence 50,000 years ago allowed humans to conquer the globe.* Why living well requires pushing yourself into new experiences.* How exploration is changing, and why that’s not necessarily a good thing.* The downsides of technology and how it’s altering the rewards we get from exploration.* Why Alex thinks I should change “Burn The Ships” to “Eat The Camels.”* How endurance and exploration are related (overlaps between Alex’s books).* How writing the book changed Alex’s everyday behaviors (and why those changes led his children to complain about his driving).* How we can explore cities for better experiences.* How you can explore every single day. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twopct.com/subscribe
No persons identified in this episode.
This episode hasn't been transcribed yet
Help us prioritize this episode for transcription by upvoting it.
Popular episodes get transcribed faster
Other recent transcribed episodes
Transcribed and ready to explore now
Trump $82 Million Bond Spree, Brazil Tariffs 'Too High,' More
16 Nov 2025
Bloomberg News Now
Ex-Fed Gov Resigned After Rules Violations, Trump Buys $82 Mil of Bonds, More
16 Nov 2025
Bloomberg News Now
THIS TRUMP INTERVIEW WAS INSANE!
16 Nov 2025
HasanAbi
Epstein Emails and Trump's Alleged Involvement
15 Nov 2025
Conspiracy Theories Exploring The Unseen
New Epstein Emails Directly Implicate Trump - H3 Show #211
15 Nov 2025
H3 Podcast
Trump Humiliates Himself on FOX as They Call Him Out
15 Nov 2025
IHIP News