Sam Harris

Sam Harris

philosophyneurosciencemeditation

Neuroscientist, philosopher, and author. Host of the Making Sense podcast exploring the mind, society, and current events.

Website @SamHarrisOrg

Latest Episodes

#461 — Dictators Always Tell You What They'll Do

29:09

Sam Harris and Garry Kasparov discuss the current erosion of American democracy under Trump's leadership, drawing parallels to authoritarian regimes worldwide. They examine Trump's relationship with Putin and Russia, the Republican Party's moral capitulation, and the strategic importance of Ukrainian victory for the free world. The conversation emphasizes the urgency of the 2026 midterms as a critical inflection point and argues that Putin's nuclear threats should be recognized as bluffs designed to paralyze Western action.

Dictators openly telegraph their authoritarian intentions and should be taken at their word before it's too lateThe 2026 midterms represent a decisive moment that could determine whether American democratic institutions survive or further erodePutin's nuclear threats are strategic bluffs designed to intimidate the West into inaction on Ukraine

Feb 25, 2026

#460 — When the Center Cannot Hold

21:38

Sam Harris and Jonah Goldberg engage in a deep discussion about the fracturing of American conservatism under Trump, examining how traditional conservative principles have been abandoned in favor of nationalist populism. They explore the politicization of federal institutions, the erosion of legal norms, and the growing divide between Never Trump conservatives and the MAGA movement. The conversation also touches on key political figures like J.D. Vance and Tucker Carlson, as well as broader implications for American democratic institutions.

The traditional conservative movement has splintered irreparably between principled Never Trumpers and those who have embraced nationalist populismFederal institutions and legal norms are being eroded through deliberate politicization, threatening the structural foundations of American governanceFigures like Tucker Carlson and J.D. Vance reveal the opportunistic and ideologically flexible nature of the new American right

Feb 20, 2026

#459 — More From Sam: Corruption, Immigration, The End of White-Collar Work, and More

09:56

Sam Harris and Jaron discuss a range of current events, focusing on Trump's cryptocurrency dealings with the UAE and their potential national security implications, as well as AI's approaching impact on white-collar employment. They also explore immigration policy effects on U.S. demographic trends, potential military action against Iran, and various cultural and political controversies.

Trump's cryptocurrency dealings with UAE raise serious corruption and national security concernsAI advancement is accelerating the timeline for displacement of white-collar knowledge workersTrump's immigration crackdown could exacerbate U.S. population decline with long-term economic consequences

Feb 13, 2026

#458 — The Bulwark Against MAGA

58:59

Sam Harris speaks with Sarah Longwell and Tim Miller of The Bulwark about the psychology of Trump's base, the failures of media and political institutions in confronting MAGA, and the future landscape of American politics. They explore how January 6th has been memory-holed by many voters, why Kamala Harris was a flawed candidate, and what Democrats need to do differently heading into 2028. The conversation delves into the distinction between America First nationalism and the MAGA cult of personality, and who might emerge as viable candidates on both sides.

The memory-holing of January 6th reveals how tribal loyalty overrides factual reality for much of Trump's baseThe broken media ecosystem and collapse of shared truth have made traditional political accountability nearly impossibleDemocrats need to distinguish between opposing America First policy positions and opposing the authoritarian MAGA personality cult around Trump

Feb 11, 2026

#457 — More From Sam: The Epstein Files, The Newsom Factor, Don Lemon's Arrest, AI Market Disruption, and More

16:10

Sam Harris and Jaron discuss a range of current events including Sam's surprising mention in the Epstein files, the political prospects of Gavin Newsom for 2028, and Don Lemon's arrest. They also explore the broader societal implications of AI-driven job displacement and market disruption, as well as lighter topics like what makes Sam's family laugh.

The Epstein files reveal revolting behavior by public figures and raise questions about accountabilityAI-driven job displacement poses significant and underappreciated societal challengesCelebrity political statements often lack the nuance and wisdom needed for productive discourse

Feb 5, 2026

Get Sam Harris's insights in your inbox

Subscribe and follow Sam Harris to receive weekly AI-curated digests.