Life Examined

The science of friendship and the value of listening

10 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Science journalist and author Lydia Denworth explains the value of friendship and what we can learn from primates about the value of social bonds. Aut...

‘It’s just part of my identity’: Narratives and misconceptions surrounding disability

03 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Philosopher and writer Chloé Jones explains how recognizing and appreciating moments of beauty in the world around her helped her come to terms with ...

What’s meditation really about? Specialist Sharon Salzberg explains.

26 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Bastian talks with Sharon Salzberg  educator, co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society, and author of several best selling books includi...

Autism “it’s not a disease, it’s a different way of being”

12 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Psychologist and Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at King's College in London Francesca Happe talks about the progress in autism diagnosis especial...

Where does our individuality come from?

05 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We all have characteristics unique to ourselves, from our intelligence and sexual orientation to our height, weight and food preferences. Where do the...

Inciting joy: Poet Ross Gay on gardening, grief, and basketball

29 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Bastian talks with Ross Gay, poet, essayist, and professor of English at Indiana University. Author of “The Book of Delights,” Gay’s la...

Carl Safina: Wolves, whales and the wonders of nature

22 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Bastian talks with Carl Safina, naturalist, marine ecologist, and founding president of The Safina Center at Stony Brook University in New Yo...

Dopamine Nation: Living in an addicted world

08 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Bastian talks with Dr. Anna Lembke, director and chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic, about the role of dopamine i...

Nutrition and mental health: Exploring the surprising science of food and emotion

30 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Clinical Psychologist Julia Rucklidge discusses the role of nutrition in treating and preventing mental health disorders. Author Michael Moss talks ab...

Kieran Setiya: A philosopher’s guide to life’s hardships

24 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Bastian talks with Kieran Setiya, professor of philosophy at Massachusetts Institute of Technology about some best practices when it comes to...

Alain de Botton on the complexity of modern love

17 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Philosopher Alain de Botton shares his thoughts on love and relationships. Psychologist Tracy Dennis-Tiwary explains why  anxiety is on the rise. Get...

Effective altruism and our collective human heritage

10 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Philosopher Will MacAskill argues that protecting the future of humanity is the moral priority of our time. Historian Tyrone McKinley Freeman explains...

How to find a therapist — and why it can be so hard

03 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Psychiatrist Wesley Boyd talks about the challenges of accessing mental health care. Writer Charlotte Cowles describes her own experience seeking ther...

Big life decisions and uncertainty: a toolkit

27 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Economist Russ Roberts discusses the challenges of using rationality when facing big life decisions. Entrepreneur Susannah Furr discusses navigating a...

How culture creates emotions — and how technology decodes them

20 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Bastian talks with cultural psychologist Batja Gomes de Mesquita, author of “Between Us: How Culture Creates Emotions” who makes the case...

The search for our psyches: A new path forward in treating mental disorders

13 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Bastian talks with Daniel Bergner, contributing writer for the New York Times, about his brother’s struggle with bipolar disorder and how t...

How animal senses reveal the hidden world around us

06 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ed Yong explores the hidden realms and senses of the animal kingdom. David Peña-Guzmán discusses the dream world of animals and what goes on when th...

Global loneliness and the wonders of human touch

30 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the wake of the pandemic, there is much to be done to restore human connectivity, but loneliness is hardly a new phenomena. Long periods of isolate...

The philosophy of middle age: From projects to process

23 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Bastian talks with philosopher Kieran Setiya, author of “Midlife: A Philosophical Guide”  about the meaning and feeling of hitting midli...

Predicting the future: The true story of the Premonitions Bureau

16 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Bastian talks with Sam Knight, staff writer for the new Yorker, about his latest book, “The Premonitions Bureau: A True Account of Death Fo...

Behind the front lines of drug legalization and harm reduction

09 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s Life Examined, we’re teaming up with KCRW’s Bodies podcast. In “Do Less Harm,” the second episode of the new season, producer...

Robert Macfarlane on nature, language, and music

02 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Bastian talks with Robert Macfarlane, fellow at Emmanuel College at Cambridge University, about his love of the mountains and his latest fasc...

The weaponization of shame

25 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cathy O’Neil talks about the increase and profiteering in public shaming. Siva Vaidhyanathan asks whether shame is an effective tool against racism ...

Is gender innate?

18 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Primatologist Frans de Waal examines the significance of biology and culture on gendered behavior, and neuroscientist Lise Eliot debunks the theory th...

Dogs: The science behind their success

11 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Bastian talks with Clive Wynne, psychologist and founder of the Canine Science Collaboratory at Arizona State University, about the science b...

Understanding anxiety —and its surprising upside

04 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Bastian talks with Tracy Dennis-Tiwary, professor of psychology and neuroscience and director of the Emotion Regulation Lab at Hunter College...

Rabbi Steve Leder: Uvalde shooting, navigating grief, and ‘ethical wills’

28 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Bastian talks with Steve Leder, the senior Rabbi of Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles about tragedy, grief, and the loss of a child in...

Schizophrenia: A new day in diagnosis and treatment

21 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For hundreds of years, doctors and scientists have grappled with  understanding schizophrenia. It’s a mysterious mental illness characterized by de...

Bittersweet: Susan Cain on the joy of sweet sorrow

14 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Bastian talks with writer, lecturer, and author Susan Cain about the sweet joy of sadness. Cain, author of “Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Lo...

The science behind heartbreak: How to move on, and is there a cure?

07 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Bastian talks with Florence Williams, science writer and author of “Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey,” about the pain that c...

Interrupted and distracted: Johann Hari wants you to regain your attention

30 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Bastian talks with writer Johann Hari about our diminishing ability to focus. Hari, author of “Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention ...

Psychedelic spirituality: Ketamine and the future of mental health

23 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Psychedelic drugs can induce profound spiritual and mystical connections. We explore how these experiences positively impact mental health and the the...

Accidental gods and our desire to deify

09 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

History is full of examples of mortals unintentionally mistaken for gods. So why do we see godliness in others, and what if we had a divine counterpar...

Silent suffering: Living with long COVID and mystery illnesses

02 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Bastian talks with Meghan O’Rourke, writer, poet, and author of “The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness,” about her 11-year...

Less is more: The science and skills behind saying ‘no’

26 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

KCRW’s Jonathan Bastian talks with behavioral scientist Leidy Klotz about his new book ‘Subtract: The Untapped Science of Less.’ Klotz explains ...

Looking for happiness in all the wrong places

19 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Delve deeper into life, philosophy, and what makes us human by joining the Life Examined discussion group on Facebook.Jonathan Bastian talks with Laur...

Xenophobia and why people love to hate

12 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Bastian talks with George Makari, historian and author of “Of Fear and Strangers: A History of Xenophobia,” about the origins of xenophob...

Why do we war?

05 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Bastian talks with Margaret MacMillan, historian and author of “War: How Conflict Shaped Us,” about how war has defined our lives and our...

Bringing Buddhism to the therapist’s couch

26 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Bastian talks with Mark Epstein, psychiatrist, psychologist, and author of “The Zen Of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life,” ab...

Why minimalism: A history, practice and industry

19 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Minimalism is enjoying a resurgence, but can a minimalistic lifestyle and aesthetic bring peace and calm? Does having less stuff bring happiness? Get ...

Alain de Botton and the complexity of modern day love

12 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Bastian talks with philosopher Alain de Botton about gaining a better understanding of love and relationships. Author of “Why You Will Marr...

Jack Kornfield and Katy Butler remember Thich Nhat Hanh

05 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Remembering the life and legacy of Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Buddhist monk, Zen master, poet, and influential peace activist. Get full access to...

Addiction: disease or choice?

29 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Carl Erik Fisher and journalist Shayla Martin reflect on the history and meaning of addiction and the challenges for people of color seeking recov...

Outside in: Voyages beneath the skin

22 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Bastian talks with Dr. Jonathan Reisman about his passion for adventure and fascination with the human body chronicled in his book  “The U...

Prospects for optimism, with Pico Iyer and Vrajaprana

15 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As we enter the new year, is this an opportunity to embrace some new ideas and gain a better understanding of who we are and the world around us? Jona...

COVID: A booster shot for medicine and science

07 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Amidst the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic, two years of fighting the coronavirus has produced transformative advances in medicine, science, and ...

Awestruck: Why a daily dose of wonder might benefit your mental and physical health

27 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s Life Examined, psychologist and co-author of “Born to Be Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life” and “The Compassionate Instinc...

The simple wisdom of doing nothing

23 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Bastian talks with Josh Cohen, a psychoanalyst and professor of modern literary theory at Goldsmiths, about the cultivation of healthy aimles...

The most impactful ways to give back this holiday season

18 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The season of giving upon us — but what are the best, and most impactful, ways to bestow your generosity? Jonathan Bastian talks with professor Rola...

Can pain and suffering sweeten our lives?

11 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Bastian talks with psychologist Paul Bloom about the role that hardship and pain play in living a good life. Bloom, author of  “The Sweet ...

Language, style, and Machiavelli for women

04 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Despite increasing attention to equity, diversity, and inclusivity, the pay gap for women has not shifted much over the last 15 years. According to on...

Why humans love, use, and abuse animals

27 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Bastian talks with Susan Orlean about our love and relationship with animals. Orlean, staff writer for the New Yorker and acclaimed author of...

Natural healing: Plant-based medicines and supplement skepticism

20 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Host Jonathan Bastian talks with ethnobotanist Dr. Cassandra Quave about the amazing medicinal potential of plants and her global search for natural c...

Poet David Whyte; on writing the unspeakable

12 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Host Jonathan Bastian talks with David Whyte about the power of the written and spoken word. Whyte, a poet, philosopher, and speaker, discusses his la...

Workplace burnout and the Great Resignation

11 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s Life Examined, how health organizations and employers are recognizing that workplace burnout is a real and growing problem. In 2019 t...

Racism and the Great White Outdoors

06 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s Life Examined, host Jonathan Bastian talks with avid outdoor enthusiast Jaqueline L. Scott about how she fell in love with nature and...

How extreme distance running can heal the mind

30 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Host Jonathan Bastian talks with J.M. Thompson about how running has been a personal voyage of discovery and healing from severe depression. Thompson,...

Vaccination status: How to have hard conversations with loved ones

23 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This holiday season, as we finally enjoy the ability to gather in person, the question on many people’s minds is how to respond when a family member...

The role of reason in a ‘post-truth’ world

02 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s Life Examined, we explore why rationality matters amidst a time of mass misinformation.  Host Jonathan Bastian talks with Steven Pin...

Why good listening matters — and how to get better at it

25 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

At a time of disconnection and distraction in the world, have we forgotten the importance of listening? Most of us are not shy about sharing our stori...

The science and benefits of deep sleep and vivid dreams

18 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Host Jonathan Bastian talks with Harvard psychologist Deirdre Barrett about our collective fascination with dreams and how COVID dreams have changed o...

‘Who needs God when we’ve got Google?’: Blurring the lines between technology and faith

11 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Host Jonathan Bastian talks with Meghan O'Gieblyn, author of “God, Human, Animal, Machine: Technology, Metaphor, and the Search for Meaning” about...

Human intelligence: Behind the brains of babies, children, and the elderly

04 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

KCRW’s Jonathan Bastian talks with cognitive scientist and philosopher Alison Gopnik about the minds of babies and children. What makes babies such ...

Searching for Utopia, Part 2: Utopian societies, sects, and cults in America

21 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is the second in a two-part series about utopian societies, exploring community living and America’s history with utopian ideas, sects, and cul...

Searching for Utopia, Part 1: The freedoms and failures of of an intentional community in India

14 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is the first in a two-part series about utopian societies exploring the benefits of community cooperation and its dark sides — how the rejectio...

‘Taken against our will’: the damaging legacy of ‘tough love’ boot camps

31 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kenneth Rosen, journalist and author of “Troubled: The Failed Promise of America’s Behavioral Treatment Programs,” takes a closer look at the “...

From club drug to love potion, how MDMA might help build a successful relationship

24 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Brian Earp, researcher and co-author of “Love Drugs: The Chemical Future of Relationships,” talks about the range of positive effects that MDMA, a...

Why getting old may be a thing of the past

17 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s Life Examined, scientist and author of “Ageless: The New Science of Getting Older Without Getting Old” Andrew Steele talks about ...

The mental and physical benefits of healthy breathing

10 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The average person takes about 25,000 breaths a day but the majority of us give little thought as to how the air actually goes in or goes out of our l...

Why is everyone reading the stoics?

02 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ancient stoic wisdom is having an unexpected modern day resurgence. Whether it’s daily Instagram quotes, blogs, or good old fashioned books — the ...

Renowned psychologist Tara Brach on the power of Buddhism in modern therapy

26 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

KCRW’s Jonathan Bastian talks with renowned Buddhist teacher and psychologist Tara Brach about meditation, mindfulness, and trusting our “inner go...

The art and historical legacy of Juneteenth

19 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For African Americans, June 19 (Juneteenth) is both a celebration of freedom and an occasion of somber remembrance. It marks the day in 1865 when ensl...

The human history and relationship to music

12 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Music has always played an important role in cultures across the globe and across the millenia. The discovery of a  40,000-year-old bone flute in a G...

The science of friendship and its lessons for post-pandemic life

05 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Friendship is one of the most important components and predictors for emotional and physical well being. A good friendship can last a lifetime, but it...

What trees teach us about community and collaboration

29 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Trees and forests have long been a source of inspiration for art and poetry. The modern environmental movement says forests and trees are on the front...

Does having children really make us happier?

22 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The decision to have a child is quite possibly the most daunting and consequential any of us can make. But recent data and research on the well-being ...

MDMA, Ecstasy, Molly: Coming soon to a therapist near you

15 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

LSD and Ecstasy were once the hippy-trippy illegal substances for concerts, raves, and parties. Now these psychedelics are back in the news — this t...

What prison writing teaches us about US justice system and each other

08 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Repentance and reflection was once the utopian ideal of the penitentiary system. Back then, the ideal was not to punish but to provide a solitary spac...

Preparing for the apocalypse

01 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Throughout history, there have always been a small group of people who prepare for doomsday.  Today, according to a YouGov poll conducted in 2020, ro...

What does it mean to be authentic?

24 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Authenticity is a quality many of us admire and aspire to, but what does it mean to be truly yourself? Philosophers both ancient and modern have strug...

The failings and malleability of memory

17 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For much of the 20th century, the consensus was that our memories are fixed and stored in the brain as literal recordings of past events. Modern resea...

In a year of grief and stress, one writer discovers that her pen is her most valuable tool

03 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

KCRW’s Jonathan Bastian talks with acclaimed nature writer Terry Tempest Williams about the art and beauty of language, rebirth, and rediscovery. He...

Moments of Serenity: Pets

27 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hosted by KCRW DJ and iconic voice of Los Angeles, Garth Trinidad, and written & produced by KCRW On-Air Promo Director Adria Kloke; the Moments a...

Moments of Serenity: Ocean

27 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hosted by KCRW DJ and iconic voice of Los Angeles, Garth Trinidad, and written & produced by KCRW On-Air Promo Director Adria Kloke; the Moments a...

Moments of Serenity: Stretch

27 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hosted by KCRW DJ and iconic voice of Los Angeles, Garth Trinidad, and written & produced by KCRW On-Air Promo Director Adria Kloke; the Moments a...

Moments of Serenity: Do Nothing

27 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hosted by KCRW DJ and iconic voice of Los Angeles, Garth Trinidad, and written & produced by KCRW On-Air Promo Director Adria Kloke; the Moments a...

Moments of Serenity: Tea

27 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hosted by KCRW DJ and iconic voice of Los Angeles, Garth Trinidad, and written & produced by KCRW On-Air Promo Director Adria Kloke; the Moments a...

Moments of Serenity: Sleep

27 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hosted by KCRW DJ and iconic voice of Los Angeles, Garth Trinidad, and written & produced by KCRW On-Air Promo Director Adria Kloke; the Moments a...

Moments of Serenity: Music

27 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hosted by KCRW DJ and iconic voice of Los Angeles, Garth Trinidad, and written & produced by KCRW On-Air Promo Director Adria Kloke; the Moments a...

Moments of Serenity: Gratitude

27 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hosted by KCRW DJ and iconic voice of Los Angeles, Garth Trinidad, and written & produced by KCRW On-Air Promo Director Adria Kloke; the Moments a...

Food: The history, addiction, and ritual

27 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

From hunter gatherers and agrarian societies to colonialism and corporate conglomerates, the need to eat has played a pivotal role in shaping our evol...

Moments of Serenity: Calm in Chaos

27 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hosted by KCRW DJ and iconic voice of Los Angeles, Garth Trinidad, and written & produced by KCRW On-Air Promo Director Adria Kloke; the Moments a...

How to stop worrying and learn to break the anxiety loop

20 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Worry and anxiety are common problems for most of us, especially during a global pandemic. Stress produced by lockdowns, working from home, and caring...

Death with Dignity legislation offers compassion and control

27 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Nine states, including California, have enacted Medical Aid in Dying legislation, allowing those who are terminally ill to end their lives peacefully ...

The role of land and landownership in shaping our history

20 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

From Bronze Age farmers to New World colonialists, land ownership has been prized, sought after, inherited and fought over. The hunger for land has re...

How the work world will change post the pandemic?

13 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For the thousands of workers not on the front lines of COVID-19, the pandemic has ushered in a new era, not only in how we work but how we approach th...

The history of marriage and other forms of intimate relationships

06 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to intimate relationships one size does not fit all. Marriage and monogamy have a long history dating back thousands of years and even t...

What octopus and shrimp can tell us about workings of the animal mind

30 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you go back far enough in time our common ancestor might be a cuddle fish or an octopus. Though evolution has taken us on different paths, there is...

How the Church views a woman’s place in society

16 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Historically men have been the figureheads of our religious institutions but it has been women who have played a fundamental role in establishing and ...

Making sense of an unpeaceful transition of power

09 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The peaceful transition of power for the first time in US history appeared to hang in the balance this week. Americans around the country witnessed th...