Many Minds podcast
@manymindspod.bsky.social
Exploring our world's diverse forms of mind—human, animal, machine—from diverse perspectives. A project of @divintelligence.bsky.social, @kensycoop.bsky.social, @laukas.bsky.social
www.disi.org/manyminds/
www.disi.org/manyminds/
New episode!! 🎙️🎉
A conversation w/ @erinhecht.bsky.social about the diversity and evolution of canine brains.
We've lived and worked with dogs for 15,000+ years, sculpting their brains and bodies along the way. What can we learn from their singular story?
Listen: disi.org/of-breeds-an...
A conversation w/ @erinhecht.bsky.social about the diversity and evolution of canine brains.
We've lived and worked with dogs for 15,000+ years, sculpting their brains and bodies along the way. What can we learn from their singular story?
Listen: disi.org/of-breeds-an...
November 8, 2025 at 2:14 PM
New episode!! 🎙️🎉
A conversation w/ @erinhecht.bsky.social about the diversity and evolution of canine brains.
We've lived and worked with dogs for 15,000+ years, sculpting their brains and bodies along the way. What can we learn from their singular story?
Listen: disi.org/of-breeds-an...
A conversation w/ @erinhecht.bsky.social about the diversity and evolution of canine brains.
We've lived and worked with dogs for 15,000+ years, sculpting their brains and bodies along the way. What can we learn from their singular story?
Listen: disi.org/of-breeds-an...
How have monsters changed over history? Do they morph with shifting cultural anxieties? Or do they mostly stay the same, sprung from primal, timeless fears?
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, w/ @drsurekhadavies.bsky.social & Natalie Lawrence!
Listen: disi.org/monsters-and...
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, w/ @drsurekhadavies.bsky.social & Natalie Lawrence!
Listen: disi.org/monsters-and...
October 30, 2025 at 5:41 PM
How have monsters changed over history? Do they morph with shifting cultural anxieties? Or do they mostly stay the same, sprung from primal, timeless fears?
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, w/ @drsurekhadavies.bsky.social & Natalie Lawrence!
Listen: disi.org/monsters-and...
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, w/ @drsurekhadavies.bsky.social & Natalie Lawrence!
Listen: disi.org/monsters-and...
New episode!! 🎉😱
A conversation with @drsurekhadavies.bsky.social & Natalie Lawrence about monsters of all kinds.
Monsters seem to be everywhere—our myths, our maps, our children's books, our political discourse. What do these creatures tell us about ourselves?
Listen: disi.org/monsters-and...
A conversation with @drsurekhadavies.bsky.social & Natalie Lawrence about monsters of all kinds.
Monsters seem to be everywhere—our myths, our maps, our children's books, our political discourse. What do these creatures tell us about ourselves?
Listen: disi.org/monsters-and...
October 24, 2025 at 1:52 PM
New episode!! 🎉😱
A conversation with @drsurekhadavies.bsky.social & Natalie Lawrence about monsters of all kinds.
Monsters seem to be everywhere—our myths, our maps, our children's books, our political discourse. What do these creatures tell us about ourselves?
Listen: disi.org/monsters-and...
A conversation with @drsurekhadavies.bsky.social & Natalie Lawrence about monsters of all kinds.
Monsters seem to be everywhere—our myths, our maps, our children's books, our political discourse. What do these creatures tell us about ourselves?
Listen: disi.org/monsters-and...
Digital lovers, robot caretakers, chatbot teachers—to many this sounds utterly dystopian. But is there an optimistic scenario for the future of social AI? What would that look like?
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, w/ Dr. Henry Shevlin!
Listen: disi.org/the-age-of-s...
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, w/ Dr. Henry Shevlin!
Listen: disi.org/the-age-of-s...
October 21, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Digital lovers, robot caretakers, chatbot teachers—to many this sounds utterly dystopian. But is there an optimistic scenario for the future of social AI? What would that look like?
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, w/ Dr. Henry Shevlin!
Listen: disi.org/the-age-of-s...
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, w/ Dr. Henry Shevlin!
Listen: disi.org/the-age-of-s...
Many fear that AI companions will lead to widespread social "deskilling," particularly in young people. But could we harness these bots for "upskilling" instead?
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, w/ Dr. Henry Shevlin!
Listen: disi.org/the-age-of-s...
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, w/ Dr. Henry Shevlin!
Listen: disi.org/the-age-of-s...
October 15, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Many fear that AI companions will lead to widespread social "deskilling," particularly in young people. But could we harness these bots for "upskilling" instead?
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, w/ Dr. Henry Shevlin!
Listen: disi.org/the-age-of-s...
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, w/ Dr. Henry Shevlin!
Listen: disi.org/the-age-of-s...
New episode!! 🎙️🎉
A conversation with Dr. Henry Shevlin about the emerging world of "social AI."
Digital lovers. AI coaches and tutors. Griefbots and artificial friends. What will this mean for our relationships, our social skills, and our society as a whole?
Listen: disi.org/the-age-of-s...
A conversation with Dr. Henry Shevlin about the emerging world of "social AI."
Digital lovers. AI coaches and tutors. Griefbots and artificial friends. What will this mean for our relationships, our social skills, and our society as a whole?
Listen: disi.org/the-age-of-s...
October 10, 2025 at 6:07 PM
New episode!! 🎙️🎉
A conversation with Dr. Henry Shevlin about the emerging world of "social AI."
Digital lovers. AI coaches and tutors. Griefbots and artificial friends. What will this mean for our relationships, our social skills, and our society as a whole?
Listen: disi.org/the-age-of-s...
A conversation with Dr. Henry Shevlin about the emerging world of "social AI."
Digital lovers. AI coaches and tutors. Griefbots and artificial friends. What will this mean for our relationships, our social skills, and our society as a whole?
Listen: disi.org/the-age-of-s...
Incorporating AI into scientific research may well boost productivity. But it could also leave scientists vulnerable to illusions.
Just one of the topics discussed in our recent episode, w/ @mjcrockett.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/science-ai-a...
Just one of the topics discussed in our recent episode, w/ @mjcrockett.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/science-ai-a...
October 8, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Incorporating AI into scientific research may well boost productivity. But it could also leave scientists vulnerable to illusions.
Just one of the topics discussed in our recent episode, w/ @mjcrockett.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/science-ai-a...
Just one of the topics discussed in our recent episode, w/ @mjcrockett.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/science-ai-a...
Bird brains aren't the same as mammal brains. They took their own twisty evolutionary path. So what can they teach us about brains in general?
A lot, it turns out.
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, w/ @evoneuro.bsky.social & Georg Striedter!
Listen: disi.org/brains-of-a-...
A lot, it turns out.
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, w/ @evoneuro.bsky.social & Georg Striedter!
Listen: disi.org/brains-of-a-...
October 2, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Bird brains aren't the same as mammal brains. They took their own twisty evolutionary path. So what can they teach us about brains in general?
A lot, it turns out.
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, w/ @evoneuro.bsky.social & Georg Striedter!
Listen: disi.org/brains-of-a-...
A lot, it turns out.
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, w/ @evoneuro.bsky.social & Georg Striedter!
Listen: disi.org/brains-of-a-...
New episode!! 🎉🎙️
A chat w/ @evoneuro.bsky.social & Georg Striedter about their new book, 'Bird Brains and Behavior.'
Birds do some astonishing things. They sing, fly, migrate, cache food, and hunt in total darkness. How do their brains make all this possible?
Listen: disi.org/brains-of-a-...
A chat w/ @evoneuro.bsky.social & Georg Striedter about their new book, 'Bird Brains and Behavior.'
Birds do some astonishing things. They sing, fly, migrate, cache food, and hunt in total darkness. How do their brains make all this possible?
Listen: disi.org/brains-of-a-...
September 26, 2025 at 5:49 PM
New episode!! 🎉🎙️
A chat w/ @evoneuro.bsky.social & Georg Striedter about their new book, 'Bird Brains and Behavior.'
Birds do some astonishing things. They sing, fly, migrate, cache food, and hunt in total darkness. How do their brains make all this possible?
Listen: disi.org/brains-of-a-...
A chat w/ @evoneuro.bsky.social & Georg Striedter about their new book, 'Bird Brains and Behavior.'
Birds do some astonishing things. They sing, fly, migrate, cache food, and hunt in total darkness. How do their brains make all this possible?
Listen: disi.org/brains-of-a-...
Nature is good for us. It can lift our spirits, reset our attention, even help us heal. But what is it—specifically—about nature that does this? Can we isolate the active ingredients?
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, with Dr. Marc Berman!
Listen: disi.org/how-nature-r...
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, with Dr. Marc Berman!
Listen: disi.org/how-nature-r...
September 24, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Nature is good for us. It can lift our spirits, reset our attention, even help us heal. But what is it—specifically—about nature that does this? Can we isolate the active ingredients?
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, with Dr. Marc Berman!
Listen: disi.org/how-nature-r...
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, with Dr. Marc Berman!
Listen: disi.org/how-nature-r...
Why do we smile?
What makes pulling back the lip corners a fundamentally positive act? Why don’t we beam out good vibes by blinking our eyes or wrinkling our noses?
From our archive, @kensycoop.bsky.social's essay about the (murky) origins of the smile: disi.org/dawn-of-the-...
What makes pulling back the lip corners a fundamentally positive act? Why don’t we beam out good vibes by blinking our eyes or wrinkling our noses?
From our archive, @kensycoop.bsky.social's essay about the (murky) origins of the smile: disi.org/dawn-of-the-...
September 22, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Why do we smile?
What makes pulling back the lip corners a fundamentally positive act? Why don’t we beam out good vibes by blinking our eyes or wrinkling our noses?
From our archive, @kensycoop.bsky.social's essay about the (murky) origins of the smile: disi.org/dawn-of-the-...
What makes pulling back the lip corners a fundamentally positive act? Why don’t we beam out good vibes by blinking our eyes or wrinkling our noses?
From our archive, @kensycoop.bsky.social's essay about the (murky) origins of the smile: disi.org/dawn-of-the-...
New episode!! 🎉🎉
A chat w/ Dr. Marc Berman about the emerging field of "environmental neuroscience."
Spending time in nature often leaves us feeling replenished. But why? What aspects of nature are most restorative? And what is it, really, that's being restored?
Listen: disi.org/how-nature-r...
A chat w/ Dr. Marc Berman about the emerging field of "environmental neuroscience."
Spending time in nature often leaves us feeling replenished. But why? What aspects of nature are most restorative? And what is it, really, that's being restored?
Listen: disi.org/how-nature-r...
September 19, 2025 at 7:58 PM
New episode!! 🎉🎉
A chat w/ Dr. Marc Berman about the emerging field of "environmental neuroscience."
Spending time in nature often leaves us feeling replenished. But why? What aspects of nature are most restorative? And what is it, really, that's being restored?
Listen: disi.org/how-nature-r...
A chat w/ Dr. Marc Berman about the emerging field of "environmental neuroscience."
Spending time in nature often leaves us feeling replenished. But why? What aspects of nature are most restorative? And what is it, really, that's being restored?
Listen: disi.org/how-nature-r...
You've heard of the human "cognitive revolution" around 40 kya—a moment when our species suddenly became "behaviorally modern." Have you also heard that this story is wrong?
From the archive, our episode w/ @elliescerri.bsky.social & @manuelwill.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/revisiting-t...
From the archive, our episode w/ @elliescerri.bsky.social & @manuelwill.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/revisiting-t...
September 9, 2025 at 4:48 PM
You've heard of the human "cognitive revolution" around 40 kya—a moment when our species suddenly became "behaviorally modern." Have you also heard that this story is wrong?
From the archive, our episode w/ @elliescerri.bsky.social & @manuelwill.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/revisiting-t...
From the archive, our episode w/ @elliescerri.bsky.social & @manuelwill.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/revisiting-t...
Where are memories stored in the brain? The textbook answer is that memories live in the synaptic connections between neurons. But there's long been a dissenting view, and it's showing signs of revival.
From the archive, our interview with @gershbrain.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/of-molecules...
From the archive, our interview with @gershbrain.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/of-molecules...
September 4, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Where are memories stored in the brain? The textbook answer is that memories live in the synaptic connections between neurons. But there's long been a dissenting view, and it's showing signs of revival.
From the archive, our interview with @gershbrain.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/of-molecules...
From the archive, our interview with @gershbrain.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/of-molecules...
We often treat religion and shamanism as fundamentally different. But the two are deeply enmeshed, and a push and pull between them has played out repeatedly across history.
Just one of the topics discussed in latest episode, with @manvir.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/the-shaman-w...
Just one of the topics discussed in latest episode, with @manvir.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/the-shaman-w...
August 7, 2025 at 5:20 PM
We often treat religion and shamanism as fundamentally different. But the two are deeply enmeshed, and a push and pull between them has played out repeatedly across history.
Just one of the topics discussed in latest episode, with @manvir.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/the-shaman-w...
Just one of the topics discussed in latest episode, with @manvir.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/the-shaman-w...
New episode!! 🎙️📣
A conversation with @manvir.bsky.social about the many faces of shamanism.
Shamanism is not a relic of the past or a curio from far-off lands—it's alive and well, all around the world. The roots of shamanism, after all, lie within us.
Listen: disi.org/the-shaman-w...
A conversation with @manvir.bsky.social about the many faces of shamanism.
Shamanism is not a relic of the past or a curio from far-off lands—it's alive and well, all around the world. The roots of shamanism, after all, lie within us.
Listen: disi.org/the-shaman-w...
August 1, 2025 at 1:47 PM
New episode!! 🎙️📣
A conversation with @manvir.bsky.social about the many faces of shamanism.
Shamanism is not a relic of the past or a curio from far-off lands—it's alive and well, all around the world. The roots of shamanism, after all, lie within us.
Listen: disi.org/the-shaman-w...
A conversation with @manvir.bsky.social about the many faces of shamanism.
Shamanism is not a relic of the past or a curio from far-off lands—it's alive and well, all around the world. The roots of shamanism, after all, lie within us.
Listen: disi.org/the-shaman-w...
Children are often cast as passive vessels into which we pour culture. But children create cultures of their own—vibrant ones with special properties.
Just one of the topics discussed in our recent episode with @dorsaamir.bsky.social & @sheinalew.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/varieties-of...
Just one of the topics discussed in our recent episode with @dorsaamir.bsky.social & @sheinalew.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/varieties-of...
July 24, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Children are often cast as passive vessels into which we pour culture. But children create cultures of their own—vibrant ones with special properties.
Just one of the topics discussed in our recent episode with @dorsaamir.bsky.social & @sheinalew.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/varieties-of...
Just one of the topics discussed in our recent episode with @dorsaamir.bsky.social & @sheinalew.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/varieties-of...
New episode!! 🎙️📣
A chat w/ @sheinalew.bsky.social & @dorsaamir.bsky.social about childhood across cultures.
Humans everywhere go through childhood—a time of learning, growth, and play. But this universal stage of life can look very different in different places.
Listen: disi.org/varieties-of...
A chat w/ @sheinalew.bsky.social & @dorsaamir.bsky.social about childhood across cultures.
Humans everywhere go through childhood—a time of learning, growth, and play. But this universal stage of life can look very different in different places.
Listen: disi.org/varieties-of...
July 17, 2025 at 2:10 PM
New episode!! 🎙️📣
A chat w/ @sheinalew.bsky.social & @dorsaamir.bsky.social about childhood across cultures.
Humans everywhere go through childhood—a time of learning, growth, and play. But this universal stage of life can look very different in different places.
Listen: disi.org/varieties-of...
A chat w/ @sheinalew.bsky.social & @dorsaamir.bsky.social about childhood across cultures.
Humans everywhere go through childhood—a time of learning, growth, and play. But this universal stage of life can look very different in different places.
Listen: disi.org/varieties-of...
New episode!! 🎙️🎙️
A conversation w/ @mjcrockett.bsky.social about AI and science!
We're in the midst of a major transformation, with AI reshaping the entire research pipeline. These changes may well boost scientific productivity. Will they also boost understanding?
Listen: disi.org/science-ai-a...
A conversation w/ @mjcrockett.bsky.social about AI and science!
We're in the midst of a major transformation, with AI reshaping the entire research pipeline. These changes may well boost scientific productivity. Will they also boost understanding?
Listen: disi.org/science-ai-a...
July 4, 2025 at 12:02 PM
New episode!! 🎙️🎙️
A conversation w/ @mjcrockett.bsky.social about AI and science!
We're in the midst of a major transformation, with AI reshaping the entire research pipeline. These changes may well boost scientific productivity. Will they also boost understanding?
Listen: disi.org/science-ai-a...
A conversation w/ @mjcrockett.bsky.social about AI and science!
We're in the midst of a major transformation, with AI reshaping the entire research pipeline. These changes may well boost scientific productivity. Will they also boost understanding?
Listen: disi.org/science-ai-a...
New episode!! 🎙️📣
A conversation w/ Dr. Gordon Burghardt about play across the tree of life.
It's not just kids, apes, and dogs that play. Play abounds—often in unexpected places. It takes different forms, has different functions, and still presents puzzles.
Listen: disi.org/the-primeval...
A conversation w/ Dr. Gordon Burghardt about play across the tree of life.
It's not just kids, apes, and dogs that play. Play abounds—often in unexpected places. It takes different forms, has different functions, and still presents puzzles.
Listen: disi.org/the-primeval...
June 17, 2025 at 4:00 PM
New episode!! 🎙️📣
A conversation w/ Dr. Gordon Burghardt about play across the tree of life.
It's not just kids, apes, and dogs that play. Play abounds—often in unexpected places. It takes different forms, has different functions, and still presents puzzles.
Listen: disi.org/the-primeval...
A conversation w/ Dr. Gordon Burghardt about play across the tree of life.
It's not just kids, apes, and dogs that play. Play abounds—often in unexpected places. It takes different forms, has different functions, and still presents puzzles.
Listen: disi.org/the-primeval...
New episode!! 📣🎙️
A conversation w/ @renemottus.bsky.social about the science of human personality.
The "Big Five" model of human personality has been enormously generative and influential. But what does it miss? What does it mask? Where should the field go next?
Listen: disi.org/the-big-five...
A conversation w/ @renemottus.bsky.social about the science of human personality.
The "Big Five" model of human personality has been enormously generative and influential. But what does it miss? What does it mask? Where should the field go next?
Listen: disi.org/the-big-five...
June 2, 2025 at 4:58 PM
New episode!! 📣🎙️
A conversation w/ @renemottus.bsky.social about the science of human personality.
The "Big Five" model of human personality has been enormously generative and influential. But what does it miss? What does it mask? Where should the field go next?
Listen: disi.org/the-big-five...
A conversation w/ @renemottus.bsky.social about the science of human personality.
The "Big Five" model of human personality has been enormously generative and influential. But what does it miss? What does it mask? Where should the field go next?
Listen: disi.org/the-big-five...
Psychedelics seem to reduce people's fear of death. But how do they do this, exactly? Is it in part by offering a "comforting delusion"?
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, a conversation w/ Dr. Chris Letheby!
Listen: disi.org/philosophers...
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, a conversation w/ Dr. Chris Letheby!
Listen: disi.org/philosophers...
May 23, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Psychedelics seem to reduce people's fear of death. But how do they do this, exactly? Is it in part by offering a "comforting delusion"?
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, a conversation w/ Dr. Chris Letheby!
Listen: disi.org/philosophers...
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, a conversation w/ Dr. Chris Letheby!
Listen: disi.org/philosophers...
New episode!! 🎙️
A conversation w/ Dr. Chris Letheby about the philosophy of psychedelics.
Psychedelics open up new questions—questions about the mind, belief, the self, moral enhancement, and the ethics of transformative experience. Philosophers have taken note.
Listen: disi.org/philosophers...
A conversation w/ Dr. Chris Letheby about the philosophy of psychedelics.
Psychedelics open up new questions—questions about the mind, belief, the self, moral enhancement, and the ethics of transformative experience. Philosophers have taken note.
Listen: disi.org/philosophers...
May 19, 2025 at 5:06 PM
New episode!! 🎙️
A conversation w/ Dr. Chris Letheby about the philosophy of psychedelics.
Psychedelics open up new questions—questions about the mind, belief, the self, moral enhancement, and the ethics of transformative experience. Philosophers have taken note.
Listen: disi.org/philosophers...
A conversation w/ Dr. Chris Letheby about the philosophy of psychedelics.
Psychedelics open up new questions—questions about the mind, belief, the self, moral enhancement, and the ethics of transformative experience. Philosophers have taken note.
Listen: disi.org/philosophers...
Cuttlefish are known for dynamic, kaleidoscopic displays—and yet they seem to be colorblind. How does an animal that can't see color project color out onto its skin?
Just one of the enigmas discussed in our latest episode, w/ @tessamontague.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/the-cuttlefi...
Just one of the enigmas discussed in our latest episode, w/ @tessamontague.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/the-cuttlefi...
May 7, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Cuttlefish are known for dynamic, kaleidoscopic displays—and yet they seem to be colorblind. How does an animal that can't see color project color out onto its skin?
Just one of the enigmas discussed in our latest episode, w/ @tessamontague.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/the-cuttlefi...
Just one of the enigmas discussed in our latest episode, w/ @tessamontague.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/the-cuttlefi...
New episode!! 🎙️📣
A conversation w/ @tessamontague.bsky.social about cephalopod camouflage.
Cuttlefish and other cephalopods can change their appearance—color, pattern, texture—with lightning speed. What's going on in their skin and brains that makes this possible?
Link: disi.org/the-cuttlefi...
A conversation w/ @tessamontague.bsky.social about cephalopod camouflage.
Cuttlefish and other cephalopods can change their appearance—color, pattern, texture—with lightning speed. What's going on in their skin and brains that makes this possible?
Link: disi.org/the-cuttlefi...
May 2, 2025 at 5:21 PM
New episode!! 🎙️📣
A conversation w/ @tessamontague.bsky.social about cephalopod camouflage.
Cuttlefish and other cephalopods can change their appearance—color, pattern, texture—with lightning speed. What's going on in their skin and brains that makes this possible?
Link: disi.org/the-cuttlefi...
A conversation w/ @tessamontague.bsky.social about cephalopod camouflage.
Cuttlefish and other cephalopods can change their appearance—color, pattern, texture—with lightning speed. What's going on in their skin and brains that makes this possible?
Link: disi.org/the-cuttlefi...