Explain It Like I’m Smart

Explain It Like I’m Smart

Even the smartest people benefit from more context. These experts are here to provide just that.
Latest episode
The illusion of self and the illusion of free will, explained
“Many people get stuck in feeling responsible for their psychological state, and there's a way in which simply being with whatever uncomfortable emotions rather than believing that you are controlling them can be extremely beneficial for psychological wellbeing.”

Annaka Harris

Silhouette of a person against a vibrant background with radiating light beams in blue, white, and orange hues.
4mins
A productivity expert explains how you can be creative and a powerhouse of productivity.
5mins
Why does time move forward but not backward? Physicist Sabine Hossenfelder explains.
7mins
Humans are musical animals four million years in the making, explained by music expert Michael Spitzer.
7mins
How the Big Bang gave us time, explained by theoretical physicist.
3mins
Here’s what job interviewers are testing you for, according to economist Tyler Cowen.
8mins
Strategy advisor Roger Martin explains how 2,000 year old military thinking is useful in modern business strategy.
5mins
How to defeat debaters who deal in distractions, according to a two-time world debate champion.
7mins
This scientist collected thousands of secrets. They all had 3 things in common.
4mins
Futurist Ari Wallach shares how to become future-conscious.
How psychedelics work
5mins
Psychedelic medicines are surging in popularity. Here’s how they work.
war technology
The U.S. military once used Google’s tech without their employees knowing. Anna Butrico explains the complicated history behind “Project Maven.”
Metaverse games
Who will lead humanity in the Metaverse? Roblox and Minecraft gamers.
4mins
What the ‘decade of the brain’ taught us about drug addiction. (Hint, we had it all wrong before.)
Catfish taste with their whole bodies - and that’s just one way animals sense the world totally differently than us.
exercise myths
Exercise culture is crazy. But what you need to do is exceedingly simple.
toxic work culture
3mins
Good culture is more than just liking each other. Here’s the key way to build great culture at work.
4mins
Rituals come as much from religion as they do from the way Earth spins around the Sun.
Close-up image of a green leaf showing detailed vein structure and texture, capturing the intricate design that highlights the essence of nature versus nurture.
4mins
“If 90% of children had ADHD and only 10% of children could sit still at a desk, how would we design school?”
John Templeton Foundation