• The Mind Of A World-Class Magician - Alex Hansford
    Feb 18 2026

    Watch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/Ic7waaBcUm8

    In this episode, I sit down with world-class magician and creator of The Neat Review, Alex Hansford. Alex has performed internationally in card magic, including at The Magic Castle, earning global recognition. He's also a highly respected designer and publisher, creating beautifully crafted magic magazines and designing Derren Brown's latest book, Notes From a Fellow Traveller.

    The Human Podcast explores stories & ideas about being human.

    Timestamps

    0:00 - Incredible card trick performance

    4:02 - How much practice is needed

    5:46 - Why people obsess over magic

    8:36 - Personality of a magician

    11:05 - Different areas of magic

    12:18 - How to master magic

    14:35 - Magic community around world

    16:29 - Psychology secrets behind magic

    22:02 - Working with my idol, Derren Brown

    25:17 - Derren Brown's influence on me

    26:34 - What is 'The Neat Review'?

    32:55 - Creating Derren Brown's book

    34:35 - Learning great design skills

    37:13 - Future plans in magic

    39:20 - Rare magician-designer combination

    44:02 - What makes a good life?

    Guest - Alex Hansford

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/watchalexander

    Instagram (The Neat Review) - https://www.instagram.com/neatrvw

    The Neat Review - https://theneatreview.com

    Derren Brown Book (Notes From A Fellow Traveller) - https://derrenbrown.co.uk/books

    Magic Tricks - https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/magician/Alex-Hansford

    The Neat Review (Store) - https://theneatreview.com/collections/all

    The Human Podcast

    𝕏 - https://twitter.com/heyhumanpodcast

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thehumanpodcastinsta

    Support the show - https://buymeacoffee.com/thehumanpodcast

    Music License

    SyncID - MB01JIHRGHQFBB8

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    48 Min.
  • Why AI May Solve Mathematics’ Hardest Problems - Yang Hui-He (Mathematical Physicist)
    Feb 11 2026

    Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xOpnvk7XIyE

    In this episode, I sit down with Professor Yang Hui-He, a mathematical physicist who is a Fellow at the London Institute for Mathematical Sciences (LIMS) and a lecturer at Merton College, Oxford.

    I ask Yang about his work on AI-guided mathematics and whether AI will solve the hardest mathematical problems, the basics of string theory, his career journey, who LIMS are, why he's working in Michael Faraday's apartment, and more!

    The Human Podcast explores stories & ideas about being human.

    Timestamps

    0:00 - Working in Faraday's apartment

    3:30 - $1million problems AI could solve

    7:38 - Does AI make you sad or excited?

    10:54 - What AI can already do

    14:57 - What AI struggles with

    17:18 - How I became a mathematical physicist

    19:57 - AI will replace your calculator

    20:40 - What is string theory?

    25:33 - Does string theory mess with your mind?

    27:24 - Mathematics can literally drive people mad

    30:27 - Lecturing at the Royal Institution

    33:10 - What is algebraic geometry?

    37:20 - What I most love about mathematics

    39:47 - Princeton, Cambridge & MIT PhD

    42:34 - How I plan years of research

    44:14 - Does your work practically matter?

    46:19 - One question for a superintelligence

    47:53 - What is a good life?

    Guest - Yang Hui-He

    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/yang-hui-he-22b3ab/

    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/yanghui.he.9

    Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yang-Hui_He

    London Institute for Mathematical Sciences (LIMS) - https://lims.ac.uk/

    Oxford Physics (Yang) - https://www.physics.ox.ac.uk/our-people/he

    LIMS (Yang) - https://lims.ac.uk/yang-hui-he/

    Royal Institution Lecture (The Search for a Theory of Everything) - https://youtu.be/llGvkEgXnAQ?si=FYBDjwcd6JsMlYYO

    Royal Institution Lecture (How geometry created modern physics) - https://youtu.be/z8jdndd-x7w?si=i_4wdBzUyCawK12j

    Royal Institution Lecture (Mathematics: The rise of the machines) - https://youtu.be/oOYcPkBaotg?si=NrAGlzIWitSU9vlo

    The Human Podcast

    𝕏 - https://twitter.com/heyhumanpodcast

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thehumanpodcastinsta

    Support the show - https://buymeacoffee.com/thehumanpodcast

    Music License

    SyncID - MB01JIHRGHQFBB8

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    52 Min.
  • Why People Do "Evil" Things (The Psychology of Empathy) - Dr. Simon Baron-Cohen
    Feb 4 2026

    Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MloFCML_Y7E

    In this episode, I sit down again with Professor Simon Baron-Cohen of Cambridge University - one of the world's leading psychologists, and author of Zero Degrees of Empathy.

    Is evil the best way to explain people who do cruel things? Simon argues that what we call "evil" is actually rooted in low empathy, not some inherent darkness. We explore the science behind empathy, examine the minds of psychopaths, narcissists, and those with borderline personality disorder (BPD), discuss what causes empathy to break down, and explore how we should respond to those behaving badly.

    The Human Podcast explores stories & ideas about being human.

    Timestamps

    0:00 - Do evil people exist?

    Watch Previous Episode with Simon: https://youtu.be/fwC1rzgmPtw

    Guest - Simon Baron-Cohen

    𝕏: https://twitter.com/sbaroncohen

    Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Baron-Cohen

    Zero Degrees of Empathy Book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zero-Degrees-Empathy-Simon-Baron-Cohen/dp/0141017961

    The Science of Evil: On Empathy and the Origins of Cruelty Book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Science-Evil-Empathy-Origins-Cruelty/dp/0465031420/

    Uni of Cambridge Bio - https://www.psychol.cam.ac.uk/people/simon-baron-cohen

    Autism Research Centre (ARC) - https://www.autismcentreofexcellence.org

    The Human Podcast

    𝕏 - https://twitter.com/heyhumanpodcast

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thehumanpodcastinsta

    Support the show - https://buymeacoffee.com/thehumanpodcast

    Music License

    SyncID - MB01JIHRGHQFBB8

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    47 Min.
  • What I Learned Running a Marathon in Every Country | The Human Podcast
    Jun 15 2025

    WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/qp-41ZOHt94?si=Q9YSFgkrUvqEW4No

    Today, I speak to Nick Butter, the first person to ever run a marathon in every single country in the world. I ask about this incredible adventure, what motivates him, another adventure running Britain, his life story, starting a charity, running tips, and more!

    The Human Podcast explores the life stories of humans, known and unknown. Subscribe for a new interview every week!

    You can donate to Nick's charity, The 196 Foundation, here: https://www.the196foundation.com/

    🕒 TIMESTAMPS

    0:00 – Intro

    0:05 – Running a Marathon in Every Country

    5:41 – What I’ve Learned About Myself

    8:20 – The Psychological Experience

    11:10 – Marathons vs. Countries

    12:48 – Next Challenge: 1,000 Marathons

    16:26 – Nick’s Top Running Tips

    20:40 – Life Story & Background

    25:49 – Becoming Obsessed with Running

    28:20 – What Is “Suffering”?

    30:19 – Are You Addicted?

    33:11 – Being Misunderstood

    35:02 – Running Britain & The Italian Grand Tour

    37:40 – Starting a Charity

    41:38 – Hosting My ‘Run Weekends’

    43:31 - CLOSING QU: What is a good life?

    👤 NICK

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nickbutterrun

    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nickbutterun

    Linktree - https://linktr.ee/nickbutterrun

    Website - https://www.nickbutter.com/

    Book (Running The World) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Running-World-World-Record-Breaking-Adventure/dp/1787631729

    Book (Run Britain) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Run-Britain-Record-Breaking-Adventure-Coastline-ebook/dp/B0B7W7FP5X?ref_=ast_author_dp

    📱 SOCIAL

    𝕏 - https://twitter.com/heyhumanpodcast

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thehumanpodcastinsta

    Email - heythehumanpodcast@gmail.com

    ☕️ SUPPORT THE SHOW

    https://buymeacoffee.com/thehumanpodcast

    It's just me working on this, and so any support is hugely helpful and greatly appreciated! ❤️

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    47 Min.
  • Co-Founder of Centre For British Progress, Julia Willemyns | The Human Podcast
    Apr 27 2025

    WATCH EPISODE HERE: https://youtu.be/w8OkYrWKBqM

    In this episode, I speak to Julia Willemyns, a co-founder of The Centre for British Progress, a new non-partisan think tank researching and producing concrete ideas for an era of British growth and progress. Julia is an entrepreneur and studied at the University of Oxford and LSE.

    The Human Podcast explores the life stories of humans, known and unknown. Subscribe for a new interview every week!

    ☕️ SUPPORT THE SHOW

    https://buymeacoffee.com/thehumanpodcast It's just me (Joe) working on this, and so any support is hugely helpful and greatly appreciated! ❤️

    🕒 TIMESTAMPS

    0:00 - Intro

    0:32 - Overview of the Centre for British Progress

    1:17 - What is a (non-partisan) think tank?

    2:46 - What progress are you focused on?

    4:07 - Turning ideas into real results

    6:08 - How do you conduct research?

    9:03 - How are politicians influenced?

    10:23 - What is movement building?

    12:38 - How to encourage ambitious individuals

    13:59 - Analysing Britain's progress

    19:04 - How are you funded?

    19:40 - Story co-founding the think tank

    22:01 - Why are you passionate about this?

    25:52 - Daily life at work

    27:21 - Vice President of Oxford University Debating Society

    29:08 - Studying Public Policy at LSE

    30:00 - Developing three mobile apps

    31:41 - Career highlights so far

    34:45 - Value of learning about fundraising

    36:08 - What have you learnt about people's ambitions?

    37:47 - What do you do to unwind?

    38:23 - Proust is an inspiration to me

    43:28 - CLOSING QU: What is a good life?

    👤 JULIA WILLEMYNS

    𝕏 - https://x.com/jujulemons

    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-garayo-willemyns-baba111b0

    👤 CENTRE FOR BRITISH PROGRESS

    𝕏 - https://x.com/britishprogress

    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/britishprogress/

    Substack - https://britishprogress.substack.com/

    Website - https://britishprogress.org/

    📱 SOCIAL

    𝕏 - https://twitter.com/heyhumanpodcast

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thehumanpodcastinsta

    Email - heythehumanpodcast@gmail.com

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    44 Min.
  • Conjecture Co-Founder & ControlAI Advisor, Gabe Alfour | AI SAFETY SERIES #4
    Apr 13 2025

    WELCOME TO THE AI SAFETY SERIES, FEATURING FILMED INTERVIEWS WITH INDIVIDUALS WORKING IN THE AI SAFETY FIELD, ABOUT THEIR LIVES & WORK.

    In this episode, I speak to Gabe Alfour, a co-founder and the CTO of Conjecture, and an advisor to ControlAI. Conjecture is an AI Safety organisation, based in London. ControlAI is a non-profit organisation that works to reduce the risks to humanity from artificial intelligence.

    The Human Podcast explores the lives and ideas of inspiring individuals. Subscribe for new interviews every week.

    ☕️ BUY ME A COFFEE

    https://buymeacoffee.com/thehumanpodcast

    It's just me (Joe) working on this so any support is hugely helpful and greatly appreciated! ❤️

    🕒 TIMESTAMPS:

    0:00 - Intro

    0:15 - What are Conjecture & ControlAI?

    1:22 - Why are you starting to speak out?

    2:45 - Working in crypto

    4:23 - GPT-3 caused me to pivot into AI safety

    7:30 - What is alignment?

    9:45 - What is AI alignment?

    12:57 - Story of co-founding Conjecture

    14:52 - What has Conjecture worked on?

    18:13 - Why run Conjecture as a for-profit?

    20:02 - Publishing 'The Compendium'

    21:25 - How could AI cause human extinction?

    25:21 - What do ControlAI do?

    28:09 - Transitioning to policy work from technical

    30:04 - Dissecting the 'AI safety community' into 4 groups

    32:59 - Personal impact of belief in AI causing extinction

    35:01 - Biggest lesson learnt: people are too cynical

    39:06 - Believing great change is possible

    42:00 - CLOSING QU: What is a good life?

    👤 GABE ALFOUR:

    X - https://x.com/gabe_cc

    Conjecture - https://www.conjecture.dev/about

    ControlAI - https://controlai.com/

    'The Compendium' - https://www.thecompendium.ai/

    'A Narrow Path' - https://www.narrowpath.co/

    📱 SOCIAL:

    𝕏 - https://twitter.com/heyhumanpodcast

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heythehumanpodcast/

    Email - heythehumanpodcast@gmail.com

    🎵 MUSIC:

    Music by penguinmusic - Better Day from Pixabay

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    44 Min.
  • Host of 'Doom Debates' Podcast, Liron Shapira | AI SAFETY SERIES, Ep #3
    Mar 23 2025

    WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/0KmaotctziE

    WELCOME TO THE NEW AI SAFETY SERIES, FEATURING FILMED CONVERSATIONS WITH INDIVIDUALS WORKING IN THE AI SAFETY FIELD, ABOUT THEIR LIVES AND WORK.

    In this episode, I speak to Liron Shapira,host of the 'Doom Debates' Podcast. Doom Debates' Mission is to raise mainstream awareness of imminent extinction from AGI and build the social infrastructure for high-quality debate.

    The Human Podcast explores the lives and ideas of inspiring individuals. Subscribe for new interviews every week.

    🕒 TIMESTAMPS:

    0:00 - Intro

    0:05 - What is 'Doom'?

    0:57 - How could AI cause doom?

    4:08 - What is P(doom)?

    6:02 - How do you determine P(doom)?

    8:16 - Hosting the 'Doom Debates' Podcast

    10:17 - Most people are worried about AI

    11:51 - Journey into AI safety

    14:25 - Liron's mind and life

    17:55 - Beliefs about AI

    20:14 - Best argument against AI doom

    22:49 - Who would you like to see debate AI?

    25:19 - Why do you believe we're doomed?

    28:48 - Other risks such as nuclear & virus doom

    31:05 - Rogue AI vs AI misuse risks

    31:54 - What can be done to stop AI doom?

    37:23 - Don't we need to build AGI because of bad actors?

    40:35 - Richard Feynmann painting

    41:15 - CLOSING QU: What is a good life?

    👤 LIRON SHAPIRA / DOOM DEBATES:

    Liron's X - https://x.com/liron

    Doom Debates YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@DoomDebates

    'Doom Debates' Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4v2mFQwcDa8vQvCnYceCfs

    'Doom Debates' Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/doom-debates/id1751366208

    'Doom Debates' Substack - https://lironshapira.substack.com/

    📱 SOCIAL:

    𝕏 - https://twitter.com/heyhumanpodcast

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heythehumanpodcast/

    Email - heythehumanpodcast@gmail.com

    🎥 EQUIPMENT:

    Provided by Kintek, who provide organisations with outstanding technology services - https://kintek.co.uk

    🎵 MUSIC:

    Music by penguinmusic - Better Day from Pixabay

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    44 Min.
  • Life Stories: World's Most Fun Psychologist & Magician, Professor Richard Wiseman
    Mar 16 2025

    WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/VTGBHcPnJXo

    Meet the world's most fun psychologist & magician, Professor Richard Wiseman, Britain's only Professor in the Public Understanding of Psychology. He's consulted for top magicians like Derren Brown, published a dozen influential books and over 100 papers, amassed an astonishing 800+ million YouTube views and helped shape the Edinburgh Fringe as a board member.

    The Human Podcast explores the lives and ideas of unique individuals. Subscribe for new interviews every week.

    🕒 TIMESTAMPS:

    0:00 - Intro

    0:19 - Richard's many achievements

    1:09 - How have you achieved so much?

    2:24 - Richard's research journey

    4:42 - Parapsychology research

    7:02 - Practising magic early on

    8:39 - Richard's supportive parents

    9:58 - Pursuing psychology instead of magic

    13:37 - Magic's psychology lessons

    15:28 - Edinburgh Fringe: Working on the board

    16:24 - World's funniest joke

    18:54 - Apollo moon landing research

    21:36 - 'in59seconds' YouTube channel

    22:36 - 59 second ideas that will change how you think

    24:10 - 'Quirkology' YouTube channel

    27:14 - Derren Brown: Helping as a creative consultant

    28:42 - Luck research: How to I be lucky?

    31:44 - Changing my mind at the last minute

    32:53 - Has your career been stressful?

    34:02 - Watching no TV

    35:31 - Taking no holidays as I love my work

    36:45 - How has your research impacted your life?

    38:24 - How would your friends and family describe you?

    39:37 - CLOSING QU: What is a good life?

    👤 PROFESSOR RICHARD WISEMAN:

    Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Wiseman

    Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B001IGSOSK?ingress=0&visitId=5aa7397a-318f-4298-9682-707c19bbd4fc&ref_=ap_rdr

    Website - https://richardwiseman.wordpress.com/

    X - https://x.com/RichardWiseman

    Quirkology - https://www.youtube.com/user/Quirkology

    In59seconds - https://www.youtube.com/@In59seconds

    📱 SOCIAL:

    𝕏 - https://twitter.com/heyhumanpodcast

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heythehumanpodcast/

    Email - heythehumanpodcast@gmail.com

    🎥 EQUIPMENT:

    Provided by Kintek, who provide organisations with outstanding technology services - https://kintek.co.uk

    🎵 MUSIC:

    Music by penguinmusic - Better Day from Pixabay

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    41 Min.