Templeton Ideas Podcast

The Templeton Ideas Podcast is a show about the most awe-inspiring ideas in our world and the people who investigate them. We sit down with thinkers like Gretchen Rubin, Ethan Kross, and David Brooks to explore how their work has transformed their lives — and how it may transform yours. These thoughtful conversations will take listeners on a journey through psychology, philosophy, physics, and more.The Templeton Ideas Podcast is a project of the John Templeton Foundation.

Robin Dunbar (Origins of Religion)
Jun 5, 2025 – 37:17
Damon Centola (Social Change)
May 22, 2025 – 35:42
David Brooks (Human Connection) | From the Archive
May 8, 2025 – 42:33
Olga Khazan (Enhancing Personality)
Apr 24, 2025 – 32:20
Ross Douthat (The Importance of Belief)
Apr 9, 2025 – 32:59
Brian Greene (Ultimate Reality)
Mar 27, 2025 – 38:22
Tanya Luhrmann (Divine Encounter)
Mar 13, 2025 – 28:26
David Goyer (Heroes)
Feb 27, 2025 – 27:18
Meghan Sullivan (The Good Life)
Feb 13, 2025 – 34:09
Larry Temkin (Altruism)
Jan 30, 2025 – 36:55
Michael Muthukrishna (Laws of Life)
Jan 16, 2025 – 35:38
Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela (Forgiveness)
Jan 2, 2025 – 33:28
David Reich (Human Ancestry)
Dec 19, 2024 – 33:49
Tyler VandeerWeele (Human Flourishing)
Dec 5, 2024 – 32:32
Chip Colwell (Stuff)
Nov 21, 2024 – 36:31
Shadi Hamid & Samuel Kimbriel (Viewpoint Diversity)
Nov 7, 2024 – 40:44
Helen De Cruz (Wonder)
Oct 24, 2024 – 30:55
Dacher Keltner (Awe) | From the Archive
Oct 10, 2024 – 28:57
Francis Collins (Wisdom)
Sep 26, 2024 – 37:59
Yujin Nagasawa (The Problem of Evil)
Sep 12, 2024 – 31:46
Sara Walker (Origins of Life)
Aug 29, 2024 – 30:14
Ann Merchant (Science & Entertainment)
Aug 15, 2024 – 27:21
Gretchen Rubin (Happiness) | From the Archive
Aug 1, 2024 – 33:39
Shannon Vallor (Artificial Intelligence)
Jul 18, 2024 – 31:21
Andy Crouch (Effortless Power)
Jul 2, 2024 – 34:38
Anil Seth (Consciousness)
Jun 20, 2024 – 36:37
Scott Shigeoka (Curiosity)
Jun 6, 2024 – 29:25
Shep Doeleman (Black Holes)
May 23, 2024 – 34:34
Liane Young (Morality)
May 9, 2024 – 33:12
Jim Al-Khalili (Quantum Biology)
Apr 25, 2024 – 34:26
Shai Held (Judaism)
Apr 11, 2024 – 34:48
Nick Holton (Anti-Fragility)
Mar 28, 2024 – 38:02
Tyler Cowen (Economics)
Mar 14, 2024 – 31:39
Jeffrey Rosen (Virtue)
Feb 29, 2024 – 33:25
Jennifer Murtazashvili (Cooperation and Conflict)
Feb 15, 2024 – 32:56
Philip Ball (Metaphors in Science)
Feb 1, 2024 – 34:24
Talithia Williams (Democratizing Mathematics)
Jan 18, 2024 – 32:07
Michael Levin (Regenerative Medicine)
Jan 4, 2024 – 31:55
Bruce Feiler (Meaningful Work)
Dec 21, 2023 – 31:19
Kevin Mitchell (Free Will)
Dec 7, 2023 – 34:58
Maggie Jackson (Uncertainty)
Nov 20, 2023 – 32:15
David Brooks (Human Connection)
Nov 9, 2023 – 42:55
Sara Algoe (Love)
Oct 26, 2023 – 30:24
Bill Courtney (Football)
Oct 12, 2023 – 34:59
Eboo Patel (Activism)
Sep 28, 2023 – 29:03
David Sloan Wilson (Evolution)
Sep 14, 2023 – 29:15
Jennifer Wallace (Toxic Achievement)
Aug 31, 2023 – 35:21
Tara Isabella Burton (Self-Making)
Aug 17, 2023 – 22:42
Mona Siddiqui (Hospitality)
Aug 3, 2023 – 27:51
Ethan Kross (Inner Voice)
Jul 21, 2023 – 30:34

Recent Reviews

littlegale

Helpful and Inspiring

The various topics and guests keeps me engaged and continuing to listen. The sound quality is also excellent which helps those of us with listening challenges. Thanks to all participate in the production of each episode.
Zhuyunchi

Inspired by curiosity, wonder

How refreshing it is to hear discussions here! The hosts voices are clear, succinct and background music delightful! The content is uplifting and inspiring! Thanks!
aedundy

Insightful conversations

I love the variety of guests on this show. They interview natural scientists, psychologists, philosophers, and others who all have unique perspectives and insights about living a meaningful life. You can tell that the host Tom Burnett reads the guests’ books ahead of time and asks really good questions. I look forward to each episode.
Clary's Mom

Gretchen Rubins chat

6-2-23 I generally can’t listen to her as she talks too fast and still did today but it was broken up by the fact she was being interviewed…and that helped. She has had an incredible life and has certainly contributed her ideas… the new book sounds wonderful and I’ll will be buying I’m interested to know if she did concede and get a dog for her family. I sincerely hope she did. JAM
glimadoll

Excellent and thought-provoking podcast!

Topics and guests are timely and informative. Can’t wait to listen to the additional episodes as they are posted. I love what the Templeton Foundation represents.
Tom12hours

“How I Built This” for academics

Some of my favorite, most life-changing conversations took place as an undergraduate during my professors’ office hours. That was long before podcasts came into existence, but I always wondered if those conversations were recorded, what they would sound like. That is what I hope Templeton Ideas can achieve.