The Great Simplification with Nate Hagens

Pella Thiel: "Criminalizing Ecocide: The Rights of Nature"

01 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by maverick ecologist Pella Thiel to discuss the legal frameworks behind the Ecocide and Rights of Nature Movements. O...

7 Thought Experiments for Earth Day | Frankly #62

26 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded April 22 2024   Description   For this Earth Day in 2024 Frankly, Nate walks through 7 thought experiments geared towards imagining scenari...

Tom Chi: "Net Positive for the Planet – from Beavers to Bionics"

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by inventor and investor Tom Chi to take a broad look at the principles guiding innovation and capital - and how we mi...

The Strait of Hormuz and 'the Spice' | Frankly #61

19 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded April 17 2024   Description In this week's Frankly, Nate focuses on the importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a geographic location within a 7...

Luther Krueger: "Goldilocks Tech? A Solar Oven Overview"

17 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by Solar Oven collector and educator Luther Krueger to discuss the ins and outs of solar cooking. In the western world...

The 17 Things I Am 100% Certain About | Frankly #60

12 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded April 8 2024   Description In this week's Frankly, Nate offers a list of things he is absolutely certain of… or as certain as any human ca...

Michael Every: "The Many -Isms of the Metacrisis"

10 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by financial analyst Michael Every to discuss global macro trends in economics, politics, and social movements. By tak...

7 Meta Questions About Our Global Metabolism | Frankly #59

04 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded April 4 2024   Description   Based on this week's podcast episode with Geoffrey West, which covered how biological scaling applies to human...

Geoffrey West: "Metabolism and the Hidden Laws of Biology"

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, physicist Geoffrey West joins Nate to discuss his decades of work on metabolic scaling laws found in nature and how they apply to hum...

The Fellowship of the Ring - 'Bend Not Break' Version | Frankly 58

29 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this Frankly, Nate recasts his favorite book series, the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien, with some speculative "archetypes" of our...

Riane Eisler: "Domination and Partnership in Society"

27 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by systems scientist Riane Eisler to discuss her decades of work studying 'domination' and 'partnership' societies thr...

Information Bifurcation | Frankly #57

22 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded March 19 2024   Description   In this Frankly, Nate reflects on ten dichotomies that he sees prevalent in our current culture of informatio...

Patrick Knodel: "Question Everything - Towards Cooperation & Change"

20 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by impact investor Patrick Knodel to discuss how philanthropy and non-profit work might make positive change beyond th...

Chuck Watson: "NATO in Ukraine: from Proxy to Participants"

15 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this special episode, risk analyst Chuck Watson returns to discuss the current state of the conflict in Ukraine and the potential for escalation. W...

Lyn Alden: "The Myth of Frictionless Finance"

13 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by investment strategist Lyn Alden to discuss how energy and technology have shaped our monetary system and current fi...

Peak Oil, AI, and the Straw | Frankly #56

08 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded March 5 2024   Description  In this Frankly, Nate shares his perspective on the new all-time high in oil production in the context of AI's ...

Samantha Sweetwater: "Life at the Center"

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, thought leader and ceremonial guide Samantha Sweetwater joins Nate to share her journey through mysticism and guiding others through ...

7 Key Interventions for the Future | Frankly #55

01 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded February 26 2024   Description   In this Frankly, Nate shares insights on his personal/organizational priorities as a lead up to outlining ...

Sandra Faber: "The Universe and Our Place in It"

28 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, astrophysicist Sandra Faber joins Nate for a wideview cosmological conversation on the development of the known-universe and the mora...

John Robb: "Networked Tribalism, AI, and Asteroids"

21 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by author and technology analyst John Robb to discuss how geopolitics, information warfare, and technology are shaping...

Reflections From India | Frankly #54

16 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded February 13 2024   Description   Returning from his first visit to India for a six-week limbic reset, Nate shares insights on both his pers...

Ashley Hodgson: "The New Enlightenment and Behavioral Economics"

14 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by Ashley Hodgson, a professor in behavioral economics, where she offers a perspective on the superorganism and what s...

Steve Keen: "On the Origins of Energy Blindness"

07 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, economist Steve Keen offers a deep forensic history of why modern economic theory has neglected the role of energy in productivity - ...

Mario Giampietro: "Models with Meaning - Changing Social Practices"

31 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by biophysical analyst Mario Giampietro to unpack his decades of research on a wide-lens view of the challenges facing...

Alexa Firmenich: "Biodiversity, Beauty, and Being"

24 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by Alexa Firmenich, whose work spans biodiversity advocacy, ESG investing, wilderness excursion facilitating, and podc...

The Haves & The Have-Nots | Frankly #53

19 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded December 18 2023   Description   In this Frankly, Nate follows up the recent Reality Roundtable on poverty with a wider perspective on the ...

Leon Simons: "Aerosol Demasking & Global Heating"

17 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by climate researcher Leon Simons to unpack recent trends in global heating during 2023 and potential explanations and...

Jane Muncke: "Perils of Plastic Packaging"

10 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, toxicology scientist Dr. Jane Muncke joins Nate to discuss the current state of food production and the effects of ultra processed fo...

The Behavioral Stack | Frankly #52

05 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded December 18 2023   Description   In this Frankly, Nate offers a personal reflection on his learnings about 'awareness' vs 'focus' and how t...

Peter Brannen: "Deep Time, Mass Extinctions, and Today"

03 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by Peter Brannen, science journalist and author specializing in Earth's prior mass extinctions, to unpack our planet's...

Bill McKibben: "Climate, Movements, and Power"

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, environmental activist and author Bill McKibben joins Nate for a reflection on the last few decades of climate education and movement...

Systemic Themes for 2024 | Frankly #51

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded December 17 2023   Description   In this final Frankly of 2023, Nate outlines some global themes that are worth keeping an eye on in 2024. ...

Arthur Berman: "Shale Oil and the Slurping Sound"

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Arthur Berman returns to unpack the complexity underpinning the oil trends of the last 75 years and what new data can tell us about a...

Stephanie Hoopes, Peter Kilde, Marc Perry, Dalitso Sulamoyo: "Poverty Blind" | Reality Roundtable #7

10 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this Reality Roundtable, Nate is joined by four professionals with decades of experience working with low-income communities, Stephanie Hoopes, Pet...

COP 28 and the Smoke Under the Door | Frankly #50

08 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's Frankly, we join Nate in a fascinating thought experiment imagining participants in this week's COP 28 in Dubai are liberated from the ...

Nate Hagens: "Episode 100 - The Great Simplification" (Interviewed by Kate Raworth)

06 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this special 100th episode, Nate is interviewed by his friend and colleague in the metacrisis space, Kate Raworth. The conversation is a reflection...

Jeremy Grantham: "Pollution, Population & Purpose"

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by co-founder of GMO Financial Holdings, Jeremy Grantham, to discuss how finance, human population, ecology, and pollu...

Artificial Intelligence vs Real Ecology | Frankly #49

17 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this Frankly, a follow up to "One Ring to Rule Them All", Nate unpacks the common misconception that AI is the answer to all our energy and ecologi...

Helen Thompson: "The Complex History of Energy & Geopolitics"

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, political economist Helen Thompson and Nate discuss how energy and geopolitics have interconnected over the past century, building to...

Fossil Free Food Systems: Jason Bradford, Andrew Millison, Vandana Shiva, Daniel Zetah | Reality Roundtable #06

12 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Show Summary:    On this Reality Roundtable, Nate is joined by small-scale farmer Jason Bradford, permaculturist and documentarian Andrew Millison, ...

Chuck Watson: "The Nuclear Wild West"

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

(Conversation recorded on November 2nd, 2023)     Show Summary:    On this episode, Nate is re-joined by risk expert Chuck Watson for a candid di...

The Biophysical Taxman Cometh | Frankly #48

03 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded October 31 2023   Description In this Frankly, Nate expands on our conventional definition of "taxes" to highlight nine other categories tha...

David Holmgren: "Small and Slow Solutions - Permaculture Design"

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by 'permaculture' author and educator David Holmgren to discuss his experience within the movement and what it might l...

Frankly Re: Franklys | Frankly #47

27 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded October 27 2023   Description   In this forty-seventh Frankly, Nate reflects on…..Franklys. As real time global events move faster and fa...

Sir David King: "Global Heating: The Science and the Response"

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by climate scientist and policy ambassador Sir David King to unpack the current situation regarding Earth's climate sy...

Chuck Watson: "War, Rumours of War, and Governance"

20 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this Special episode Nate speaks once again with risk expert Chuck Watson for a critical assessment of the unfolding situation around Israel which ...

Joris van der Schot: "Oil Refining 101 and Other Energy Stories"

18 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by energy industry professional Joris van der Schot to explain the basics of oil refineries, their limitations, and ot...

Food & Community in the Ruins: Dougald Hine, Chris Smaje, Pella Thiel | Reality Roundtable #05

15 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this Reality Roundtable, philosopher and writer Dougald Hine, social scientist and farmer Chris Smaje, and ecologist and farmer Pella Thiel join Na...

The Middle East: Stormwatch | Frankly #46

13 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this Frankly, Nate shares his perspective on the recent events in the Middle East and how they could lead to a shortening of the timeline to The Gr...

Arthur Berman: "BRICS+, Strategic Petroleum Reserve & Metaphysics"

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Art Berman returns to give a broad update on the state of global oil - from BRICS+ and shale oil to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve a...

One Ring to Rule Them All | Frankly #45

06 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this Frankly, Nate refers to a favorite timeless book series, The Lord of the Rings, to describe 'the nine rings for mortal men' - behavioral tende...

Luke Gromen: "Peak Cheap Oil and the Global Reserve Currency"

04 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, financial analyst Luke Gromen joins Nate to discuss how the availability of cheap energy has underpinned our current financial archit...

Nick Haddad: "Insects - A Silent Extinction"

27 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by Professor Nick Haddad, a conservation scientist with a focus on butterflies and other insects. Nick unpacks what de...

Sian Sutherland: "Innovating the Business of Plastics"

20 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by Sian Sutherland, a leader in the movement towards reducing the overconsumption of plastic and its waste. The modern...

Robert Sapolsky: "The Brain, Determinism, and Cultural Implications"

13 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, neuroscientist and author Robert Sapolsky joins Nate to discuss the structure of the human brain and its implication on behavior and ...

Titanic Oceans: Daniel Pauly, Antonio Turiel, Peter Ward | Reality Roundtable #04

10 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this Reality Roundtable, marine biologist Daniel Pauly, ocean physicist Antonio Turiel, and paleobiologist Peter Ward join Nate to discuss the nume...

The Many Shapes of the Carbon Pulse | Frankly #44

08 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this Frankly, Nate describes the Carbon Pulse - a one time massive consumption of fossil hydrocarbons at a pace millions of times faster than they ...

Graham Palmer: "Energy Storage and Civilization: A History"

06 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by Graham Palmer, a scholar and engineer in the field of energy. While this show frequently covers the importance of e...

Fossil Energy Subsidies: The Bottom Line | Frankly #43

01 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's Frankly, Nate reacts to recent analysis by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) critical of 2022 subsidies to fossil fuel. These subsi...

Lisi Krall: "Agriculture, Surplus, and the Economic Superorganism"

30 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, 'Superorganisms' converge as Nate is joined by economist and anthropologist Lisi Krall to discuss the evolutionary origins of our cur...

Running the 'Systems Discourse' Gauntlet | Frankly #42

25 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's Frankly, Nate considers 7 different continuums of perspectives people use when taking part in a "systems" discourse, such as The Great ...

Iain McGilchrist: "Wisdom, Nature, and the Brain"

23 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, literary scholar and psychiatrist Iain McGilchrist joins Nate to discuss the way modern culture teaches and encourages us to use - an...

Jean-Marc Jancovici: "Our Global Energy Predicament"

16 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by well-known French educator Jean-Marc Jancovici to discuss the critical importance of energy to modern economies. To...

Unlearning Economics: Jon Erickson, Josh Farley, Steve Keen, & Kate Raworth | Reality Roundtable #03

13 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this Reality Roundtable, Nate is joined by Jon Erickson, Josh Farley, Steve Keen, and Kate Raworth - all of whom are leading thinkers and educators...

Just Stop Oil !? Part 4 - The Intersection | Frankly #41

11 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In Part 4 of this Frankly mini-series, Nate concludes the deep dive into the nexus between "just stopping oil" and "just pumping oil" with 10 guidepos...

Doomberg: "Our Fragile Energy Economy"

09 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by Doomberg - the anonymous energy/finance analyst team (visually presenting as a talking chicken icon) who uses an en...

Just Stop Oil !? Part 3 - 10 Pathways to Post-Growth | Frankly #40

04 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In Part 3 of this Frankly Series, Nate (just after watching the movie Oppenheimer!) breaks down the logic of how we COULD arrive at a post-growth futu...

Kevin Anderson: "The Uncomfortable Link between Climate and Equity"

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by climate scientist Kevin Anderson to discuss the possible paths of averting severe climate outcomes and how this is ...

Just Stop Oil !? Part 2 - Oil is the Economy | Frankly #39

28 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In Part 2 of this Frankly Series, Nate breaks down why energy - and specifically oil - is currently the central foundation of our entire modern econom...

Roger Pielke Jr: "Understanding the Origins of Climate Models"

26 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by climate and policy scientist Roger Pielke Jr. to discuss the progression of climate research and modeling. The clim...

The 7 Things That Scare Me Most | Frankly #38

21 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's Frankly, Nate expands upon something he finds himself saying more frequently these days; "what scares me the most is…".  From the li...

Taimur Ahmad: "Energy Inequality in the Polycrisis"

19 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by recent Stanford graduate and biophysical researcher Taimur Ahmad to discuss energy inequality within and across nat...

Just Stop Oil !? Part 1 - Gasoline | Frankly #37

14 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this must watch Frankly, Nate illustrates how a reduction in the demand for gasoline will not - as commonly believed  - result in a 1:1 reduction ...

Anne Biklé & David Montgomery: "Nourishing the Land and Ourselves"

12 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by "free range biologist" Anne Biklé and "broad-minded geologist" David Montgomery - a married duo who have been educ...

Deep(er) Ecology: William Rees, Nora Bateson & Rex Weyler | Reality Roundtable #02

09 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this segment of Reality Roundtable, Nate is joined by William Rees, Nora Bateson, and Rex Weyler to discuss the purpose of ecology and what it migh...

Cool Privilege | Frankly #36

07 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this steamy Frankly, Nate shares how his broken office air conditioner reminds him of the discomforts and dangers being faced by those living in hi...

Iñigo Capellán Pérez: "Net Energy Analysis: Through a Systems Lens"

05 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, global systems researcher Iñigo Capellán Pérez joins Nate to discuss net energy analysis, and its use as a tool in analyzing the f...

10 Things That Bring Me Joy | Frankly #35

30 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this very personal Frankly, Nate speaks from the heart about ten things which bring him joy and, despite the accelerating polycrisis, will likely s...

Kate Raworth: "The Superorganism V. The Doughnut"

28 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by the creator of Doughnut Economics, Kate Raworth, to discuss alternative economies that measure more than just the m...

The Limits to Podcasting About Limits

23 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this Frankly, Nate shares a personal reflection on the challenges of creating and broadcasting content focused on biophysical limits to growth.  I...

Daniel Zetah: "Regenerative Agriculture and Personal Sovereignty"

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by Daniel Zetah, who practices regenerative agriculture on his family farm in Minnesota. Daniel shares his experiences...

Kris De Decker: "Looking Back Towards a Human Powered Future"

14 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate welcomes back journalist, inventor, and low-tech expert Kris De Decker to take a deeper dive into a more human-powered system on...

"Electric Vehicles": Arthur Berman, Simon Michaux & Pedro Prieto | Reality Roundtable #01

11 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this inaugural episode of Reality Roundtable, Nate is joined by Art Berman, Simon Michaux, and Pedro Prieto to discuss the viability of scaling ele...

NATO/Ukraine: Playing Russian Roulette with Complex Life | Frankly #33

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded June 2nd, 2023   Description   On this Frankly, Nate unpacks his thoughts on the escalating situation between Russia and Ukraine. US and NA...

James Fleay: "What's The Deal with Nuclear Energy?"

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode energy systems expert James Fleay joins Nate to talk about the current state of nuclear energy and its potential applications in the f...

Joslin Faith Kehdy: "Lebanon - Beyond Resilience"

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by Joslin Faith Kehdy, a changemaker and citizen of Lebanon. Over the last 3 years, Lebanon has had a 50% drop in GDP ...

Alex Gladstein: "Debt Colonialism, The Petrodollar, and Bitcoin"

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Alex Gladstein of the Human Rights Foundation joins Nate to unpack how monetary policy and debt have increasingly extended the reach ...

Reflections on 'Beyond Growth' | Frankly #31

19 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this Frankly, Nate reflects on the Beyond Growth Conference held at the European Parliament, including the stunning public acknowledgement by EU Pr...

Daniel Schmachtenberger: "Artificial Intelligence and The Superorganism"

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Daniel Schmachtenberger returns to discuss a surprisingly overlooked risk to our global systems and planetary stability: artificial i...

Missing Words | Frankly #30

12 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Last Friday we released Nate's annual Earth Day presentation for 2023: a reflection on ~3 dozen common English words which are semantically disconnect...

John Kitzhaber: "What Makes a Healthy Society?"

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, former Governor of Oregon and ER Doctor John Kitzhaber joins Nate to discuss the shortcomings of the medical system in the United Sta...

The Words of Our Lives | Earth Day 2023

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For this year's Earth Day presentation, I highlight common terms in the English language - the meanings of which we've come to take for granted. These...

Robert Lustig: "Processed Food, Metabolism, and The Ills of Society"

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Dr. Robert Lustig joins Nate to dive into the metabolism of the micro level of human systems - the humans ourselves. Over the last ce...

Simon Michaux: "The Arcadian Blueprint"

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Simon Michaux returns to discuss his new paper "A Resource Balanced Economy", which outlines an alternative economic and social syste...

Edward Chancellor: "The Price of Time"

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, financial historian Edward Chancellor joins Nate to give a meta-history of interest rates and human societies. With recent news of gl...

Reality, Probability, and Perception | Frankly #29

14 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded April 10, 2023   Description  In this Frankly, Nate explains how he views the future from a probability perspective - a tool frequently use...

Kim Stanley Robinson: "Climate, Fiction, and The Future"

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Nate is joined by climate science fiction author Kim Stanley Robinson to discuss how he contributes to the discussion of climate and ...

The Real Global Macro | Frankly #28

06 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded April 4, 2023   Description   In this Frankly, Nate shares his early Wall Street experience of 'squawkboxes' summarizing the daily financia...

Antonio Turiel: "Deep Challenges: Oceans, Scarcity and Culture"

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, physicist Antonio Turiel joins me for a wide-ranging discussion from oceans and climate to energy and culture. Oceans are one of the ...

USA! (But wait, There's More) | Frankly #27

31 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded March 29, 2023   Description   In this Frankly, Nate reflects on the varying perspectives from which people perceive the meta-crisis relati...