Here’s the notes for episode #10 of The Meaning of Everything show. We all know that the “East” and “West” are different--but just how deep do these differences reach? This week Stefani chats with fellow Oxford PhD candidate Mari Ovsepan about her personal experiences...

Here’s the notes for episode #9x of The Meaning of Everything show. Which is more important, nature, or nurture? In this episode Stefani explains the debate, weighs the pros and cons of each, and explains why each is ultimately wrong. What are we left with, then?...

Here’s the notes for episode #9 of The Meaning of Everything show. We often talk about the brain like a computer, but is that really how it works? This week Stefani chats with philosopher Nat Barrett who argues that most cognitive scientists completely...

Here’s the notes for episode #8x of The Meaning of Everything show. Did you know there are more than 190 biases that plague every one of us? Try as you might to be objective, it is impossible. To even THINK you are unbiased is itself a bias. In this episode Stefani...

Here’s the notes for episode #8 of The Meaning of Everything show. Bias is arguably the biggest problem facing the modern West. As the world globalizes and political divisions intensify, it becomes easier and easier for us to become entrenched in our biases. In this...

Here’s the notes for episode #7x of The Meaning of Everything show. Admittedly, there are a lot of dark sides of science. But today, Stefani discusses one important way we completely misunderstand science that has given rise to problematic cultural phenomena such as...

Here’s the notes for episode #7 of The Meaning of Everything show. Usually we think of ignorance as a bad thing--but what if appreciating and cultivating ignorance is the key to our success? Stefani chats with Columbia neurobiologist and best-selling author Stuart...

Here’s the notes for episode #6x of The Meaning of Everything show. How do you cope when you lose religious faith? How do you live in times of ambiguity or despair? In this podcast Stefani shares what she’s learned working with religious people and groups over time...

Here’s the notes for episode #6 of The Meaning of Everything show. Can you have religious ideas and feelings without God? Stefani chats with philosopher Eric Steinhart who believes you can have wonder, morality, spirituality, and even immortality without God. He does...

Here’s the notes for episode #5x of The Meaning of Everything show. Popular culture today focuses on science as a source of wonder--but is that enough? What else is wonderful in our world, and how can you experience it? In this episode Stefani briefly adds context to...