MOST POPULAR EPISODES

MAN OF SCIENCE, MAN OF FAITH

with FRANCIS COLLINS, MD, PhD

The leader of the Human Genome Project and former Director of the NIH shares his spiritual journey and the moral mission of his scientific work.

THE BEAUTY OF IMPERMANENCE

with SUNITA PURI, MD

A palliative care physician and acclaimed author shares how the recognition of the limits of medicine and of our impermanence allows us to unearth meaning amid some of life’s most troubled moments.

LOVE AND MERCY IN THE ICU

with WES ELY, MD

An ICU physician and writer shares his fight to restore humanity in the ICU by “finding the person in the patient, using touch first and technology second.”

THE PHYSICIAN WHO CURED HIMSELF

with DAVID FAJGENBAUM, MD

An immunologist describes his multiple near-death experiences as a patient with Castleman disease, shares how he found his own cure through self-experimentation, and discusses his current efforts in discovering treatments for rare diseases.

ON READING THE BODY

with ABRAHAM VERGHESE, MD

A physician and bestselling author discusses why the human touch still matters for healing in our increasingly digital age.

PAIN, PLEASURE, AND FINDING THE BALANCE

with ANNA LEMBKE, MD

The Director of Stanford’s Addiction Medicine Service discusses how we can renew meaning and connectedness in our lives by moderating overconsumption in a dopamine-overloaded world.

INSIDE A SUICIDAL MIND

with CLANCY MARTIN

A philosopher and survivor of more than 10 suicide attempts explores the suicidal mind and shares advice on finding hope amid life’s bleakest moments.

HOW PUBLIC HEALTH SAVED YOUR LIFE

with LEANA WEN, MD, MS

A former Baltimore City Health Commissioner shares how she went from an immigrant childhood to leading the oldest health department in the US — along with insights on mentorship, the politicization of public health, and crisis leadership.

TRANSCENDENCE IN THE AGE OF SCIENCE

with ALAN LIGHTMAN, PhD

A celebrated theoretical physicist and humanist explores the role of faith and reason in modern science, the source of awe in life’s most transcendental moments, and the mysteries of human consciousness.

EVERYDAY WONDER IN MEDICINE AND BEYOND

with DACHER KELTNER, PhD

A leading researcher on human emotion shares where we can find awe in everyday life and how this renewed sense of wonder can help us live more fulfilling lives.