Peter & Kasia speak with leading happiness researcher John Helliwell about the findings of the 2026 World Happiness Report, exploring why countries like Finland consistently rank among the world's happiest. John reveals how life satisfaction is measured, why happiness is declining among young people in many Western nations, and how factors such as social connections and institutional trust can sustain well-being even during periods of conflict or uncertainty.

Read the 2026 World Happiness Report

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Producer: Rachel Barrett

Thanks to our researcher Chris van Ryn! And thanks to Maia Iva!

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Good Food Institute founder Bruce Friedrich joins the podcast to discuss the revolutionary changes unfolding in food technology and the mission behind the Good Food Institute’s work to reduce reliance on animal agriculture through plant-based and cultivated meat. Bruce presents the key arguments driving the shift toward alternative proteins, including climate change, food security, antibiotic resistance, and pandemic prevention.

Read Bruce's book 'Meat: How the Next Agricultural Revolution Will Transform Humanity's Favorite Food, and Our Future'

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Producer: Rachel Barrett

Thanks to our researcher Chris van Ryn! And thanks to Maia Iva!

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Jamie Metzl is an American author, geopolitical analyst, and technology futurist who focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence, genetics, biotechnology, and global politics. He is known for writing and speaking about how emerging technologies could reshape society, healthcare, and human evolution.

Metzl shares his insights on the importance of responsible governance, cautious optimism, and global cooperation in the face of rapid technological advancement. As we move forward, it will be crucial to balance innovation with ethical considerations to ensure a positive impact on humanity.

Learn more about Jamie Metzl and read his new book The AI Ten Commandments

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Producer: Rachel Barrett

Thanks to our researcher Chris van Ryn! And thanks to Maia Iva!

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sadly, Edith Eger passed away this week. To honour her we have decided to re-release our episode because we think that there are important lessons to be learned about how to live one's life well from Edith.

Holocaust survivor Edith Eger shares her emotional journey of surviving Auschwitz, her encounter with Josef Mengele, and how she became known as the 'Ballerina of Auschwitz.' Edith highlights the slow, evolving process of coming to terms with her past, influenced by Viktor Frankl's work, and how she uses her traumatic experiences to help others as a psychologist, transforming trauma into a source of strength, healing, and forgiveness.

Learn more about Edith Eger!

Read Edith's books! The Choice (Memoir) The Gift  The Ballerina of Auschwitz 

Make Edith's Hungarian Szekely Goulash!

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Producer: Rachel Barrett

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Claude Steele is an American social psychologist and professor at Stanford University. Claude is best known for his research on stereotype threat, the idea that people can underperform when they fear confirming negative stereotypes about their group. Claude introduces the concept of "churn,"and how trust acts as a powerful antidote to divisiveness and stereotypes, offering pathways to a more integrated society.

read Claude's new book Churn: The Tension That Divides Us and How to Overcome It

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Producer: Rachel Barrett

Thanks to our researcher Chris van Ryn! And thanks to Maia Iva!

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Derek Shiller is a researcher at Rethink Priorities who joins us to discuss the implications of AI consciousness, and the ethical considerations surrounding artificial intelligence. This episode is a follow on from the previous episode with Claude the AI built by Anthropic.

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Producer: Rachel Barrett

Thanks to our researcher Chris van Ryn! And thanks to Maia Iva!

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Peter & Kasia are in-conversation with their first non-human guest.. an Anthropic AI Assistant called Claude. Claude discusses whether it has subjective experiences, and if reported self-preservation techniques (including blackmail scenarios) indicate a level of consciousness and a desire to exist.

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Producer: Rachel Barrett

Thanks to our researcher Chris van Ryn! And special thanks to Maia Iva!

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Will MacAskill is a co-founder of the effective altruist movement who shares his perspective on doing good, moral philosophy, and the potential of AI to revolutionise society.

You can now watch this episode on YouTube!

Learn more about Will and read the 10th anniversary edition of Doing Good Better

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Producer: Rachel Barrett

Thanks to our researcher Chris van Ryn!

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Zoe Weil is the co-founder and president of the Institute for Humane Education, where she pioneeres comprehensive humane education that connects human rights, environmental sustainability, and animal protection. Zoe discusses the concept of being a solutionary, an ethical approach to solving systemic problems for the greater good.

Learn more about Zoe and listen to her podcast Solutionary Voices

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Producer: Rachel Barrett

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Rebecca Goldstein is an American philosopher, and novelist of 'The Mind Body Problem'. Goldstein examines the human need to feel that one’s life matters, and the ways people justify their existence through relationships, achievements, fame, and moral purpose.

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Producer: Rachel Barrett

Thanks to our researcher Chris van Ryn!

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Jennifer Wallace is an American journalist and author best known for her book Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic—and What We Can Do About It, which explores how high-pressure achievement environments impact mental health. Jennifer explores the concept of 'mattering' and distinguishes the difference between self-esteem and mattering.

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Producer: Rachel Barrett

Thanks to our researcher Chris van Ryn!

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