The Big Think Interview

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Intimate interviews with the world's biggest thinkers.
Latest episode
The solar revolution turning sunlight into synthetic fuel
“10 years ago, my colleagues and I looked at the prognosis for climate change, and it looked pretty hopeless. There really was no way out. But something happened – something good.”

Casey Handmer

A detailed orange image of the Sun shows its surface texture and sunspots, against a black background.
Illustration depicting human evolution from a primate to an early human holding a spear, advancing from left to right.
8mins
Biological evolution in humans has slowed. Can AI, culture wars, and modern tech explain why?
A dark background with the words "Generative AI HYPE" written in flames.
8mins
Eric Siegel has been in the AI field since 1991. He’s “horrified” by the AI hype bubble, but not for the reason you think.
The Earth partially submerged in water, symbolizing climate change and rising sea levels, against a black background.
12mins
“You can find examples of really big environmental problems that we've already solved.” Climate change is solvable, argues Hannah Ritchie.
24mins
“It’s remarkable how weak the correlation between success and intelligence is.” Here’s what skills do matter, from 3 business experts.
6mins
“How is it possible to do work that you’re proud of and not feel like your job is encroaching on all parts of your life?” Cal Newport, Author of ‘Slow Productivity,’ explains.
10mins
“We control nothing but influence everything.” Political scientist Brian Klaas on how every decision we make - both massive and miniscule - shapes our futures.
10mins
Are humans naturally selfless? Psychologist Abigail Marsh is using studies on psychopathy and altruism to find out.
Text 'Period Myths' in bold white letters on a black background, surrounded by various-sized red spheres.
10mins
Dr. Jen Gunter debunks the most common myths about menstruation.
A mosaic of 36 square tiles, each showing a different fragment of various human faces, combined to create a composite image of diverse facial features.
12mins
Is “identity synthesis” the remedy for racial injustice? This political scientist says no.
A gradient bar titled "The Future" shows a range from "Apathy" in red on the left to "Fear" in red on the right, with green in the middle. An arrow points to the green area.
8mins
Wharton professor Ethan Mollick explains why “co-intelligence may be the future of AI.
A person sitting on a bench silhouetted against a colorful sunset sky.
23mins
Feeling lonely? So is everybody else. Here’s how to change that, according to three experts.
BetterHelp
A man with short gray hair and a serious expression is looking directly at the camera, wearing a blue shirt against a plain background.
6mins
Will Guidara, owner of iconic restaurants such as Eleven Madison Park, explains how hospitality is the number one thing that can help your business truly succeed.
A classical stone bust of a man with a broken top, isolated against a black background.
11mins
“Masculinity” has become synonymous with “toxic.” Journalist Christine Emba explains how that happened, and how it can change.
A detailed image contrasting a fiery asteroid on the left with a cool, intricate snowflake on the right against a dark background.
11mins
Humanity has two giant collisions to thank for its existence, explains biologist Sean B. Carroll.
24mins
Mating, monogamy, and maximizing your sexual potential explained by 3 sex experts.
A melting yellow smiley face on a black background.
15mins
Harvard has conducted an 85-year-long study on what makes humans happy. Psychiatrist Robert Waldinger explains what they found.
BetterHelp
A woman holding up a picture of a smiling mouth.
6mins
Pathologically busy people clamoring for happiness. Founder of HATCH Monica Parker explains how we can do so much better than that.
Mcdonald's mcdonald's mcdonald's mcdonald.
7mins
Marketing maverick Gary Vaynerchuk reveals how empathy, listening, and patience aren’t just virtues – they’re your ultimate advertising tools.
A close up of a man with curly hair.
9mins
Actor, author, and director Jesse Eisenberg demystifies the role of anxiety and self-doubt in leadership.