Conversations with Tyler
Society & Culture
About
Tyler Cowen engages today's deepest thinkers in wide-ranging explorations of their work, the world, and everything in between. New conversations every other Wednesday. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Episodes
- Craig Newmark on Institutional Maintenance, Giving Away Control, and the Internet We Were Promised (Live at 92NY)
Tyler Cowen interviews Craig Newmark about his approach to philanthropy, business, and his career at Craigslist. The discussion covers topics ranging from webpage design and customer service to his personal interests like music, literature…
- Kim Bowes on the Economic Lives of Rome's Ninety Percent
Archaeologist Kim Bowes joins Tyler Cowen to discuss her book, Surviving Rome: The Economic Lives of the Ninety Percent. They explore how archaeological evidence of items like clothing and coins reveals the economic history of ordinary Rom…
- Arthur Brooks on Reinvention, Religion, and the Science of Happiness
Arthur Brooks joins Tyler Cowen to discuss his career, the science of happiness, and his book, The Meaning of Your Life. The conversation explores habits for happiness, the role of mortality, genetic influences on well-being, and broader c…
- Paul Gillingham on Why Mexico Stays Together
Historian Paul Gillingham joins Tyler Cowen to discuss his book, Mexico: A 500-Year History. They cover themes including Mexican political stability, land reform, regional autonomy, violence, economic development, and cultural history.
- Harvey Mansfield on Machiavelli, Straussianism, and the Character of Liberal Democracy
Scholar Harvey Mansfield joins Tyler Cowen to discuss his book "The Rise and Fall of Rational Control," Machiavelli’s legacy, and the state of contemporary philosophy. They also examine the character of liberal democracy, the role of manli…
- Henry Oliver on Measure for Measure, Late Bloomers, and the Smartest Writers in English
Literary critic Henry Oliver joins Tyler Cowen to discuss Shakespeare's Measure for Measure, the characteristics of late bloomers, and broader themes in English literature, including the work of Jane Austen, Jonathan Swift, and Ayn Rand.
- Joe Studwell on Africa, Asia, and What Development Actually Requires
Joe Studwell discusses his research on development in Africa and Asia, covering topics such as industrial policy, population density, manufacturing, and the economic outlook for various nations. He also addresses the challenges of infrastr…
- Andrew Ross Sorkin on Market Bubbles, Banking Rules, and the Real Lessons of 1929
Tyler Cowen and Andrew Ross Sorkin discuss the economic history of 1929, banking regulations, and contemporary financial issues. The conversation also covers Sorkin's career at the New York Times, his work on the show Billions, and his vie…
- Diarmaid MacCulloch on Christianity, Sex, and Unsettling Settled Facts
Historian Diarmaid MacCulloch joins Tyler Cowen to discuss his extensive body of work, covering topics such as the history of Christianity, the Reformation, the evolution of views on sexuality, and the role of the historian in examining es…
- Brendan Foody on Teaching AI and the Future of Knowledge Work
Brendan Foody, founder of Mercor, joins Tyler Cowen to discuss the future of AI training and knowledge work. They cover topics such as the importance of evaluation rubrics, the evolution of human labor in AI development, and the impact of…
- Conversations with Tyler 2025 Retrospective
Tyler Cowen and producer Jeff Holmes review the past year of Conversations with Tyler, discussing popular episodes, the impact of AI on the show, and listener questions. The episode also revisits Tyler's 2015 pop culture picks and includes…
- Alison Gopnik on Childhood Learning, AI as a Cultural Technology, and Rethinking Nature vs. Nurture
Psychologist and philosopher Alison Gopnik discusses how children learn, the limitations of the nature-versus-nurture framework, and her view of AI as a cultural technology rather than true intelligence. She and host Tyler Cowen also explo…
- Gaurav Kapadia on New York City, Investing, and Contemporary Art
Investor Gaurav Kapadia joins Tyler Cowen to discuss his approach to concentrated investing, his firm XN, and his perspectives on New York City, urban planning, and contemporary art. They also explore his career path, arts philanthropy, an…
- Dan Wang on What China and America Can Learn from Each Other
Dan Wang joins Tyler Cowen to discuss his perspective on the differences between China and the United States, focusing on engineering versus legal frameworks. They cover topics including infrastructure, healthcare, Chinese culture, and pol…
- Cass Sunstein on Liberalism and Rights in the Age of AI
Legal scholar Cass Sunstein joins Tyler Cowen to discuss the challenges facing liberalism, the implications of AI for law and free speech, and various philosophical perspectives on rights and freedom. Their conversation covers topics rangi…
- Blake Scholl on Supersonic Flight and Fixing Broken Infrastructure - Live at the Progress Conference
Boom Supersonic founder and CEO Blake Scholl discusses the future of supersonic commercial flight, innovations in infrastructure, and strategies for solving systemic dysfunctions. This live conversation from the Progress Conference covers…
- Donald S. Lopez Jr. on Buddhism
Tyler Cowen speaks with Buddhist scholar Donald S. Lopez Jr. about his academic work, the historical Buddha, and various theological and historical aspects of Buddhism, including its global influence and diverse traditions.
- Sam Altman on Trust, Persuasion, and the Future of Intelligence - Live at the Progress Conference
Sam Altman discusses the growth of OpenAI, AI's role in future research and commerce, and his views on energy constraints and societal impacts at the Progress Conference. This live episode also covers his perspectives on hiring, freedom of…
- Jonny Steinberg on South African Crime and Punishment, the Mandelas' Marriage, and the Post-Apartheid Era
Jonny Steinberg discusses his book on Winnie and Nelson Mandela's marriage, the complexities of South African policing and prison culture, the history of the ANC, and his upcoming biography of Cecil Rhodes.
- George Selgin on the New Deal, Regime Uncertainty, and What Really Ended the Great Depression
George Selgin joins Tyler Cowen to discuss his book False Dawn, examining the economic impact of the New Deal, the Great Depression, and various monetary policy topics, including the Federal Reserve and stablecoins.
- John Amaechi on Leadership, the NBA, and Being Gay in Professional Sports
Former NBA player and leadership expert John Amaechi joins Tyler Cowen to discuss his new book, leadership skills, his career in professional basketball, and his personal experiences. They explore topics ranging from team culture and coach…
- Steven Pinker on Coordination, Common Knowledge, and the Retreat of Liberal Enlightenment
Steven Pinker joins Conversations with Tyler to discuss the role of common knowledge in human coordination. They also explore topics including liberal enlightenment, rational agreement, academic standards, language models, and personal int…
- David Commins on Saudi Arabia, Wahhabism, and the Future of the Gulf States
David Commins, author of Saudi Arabia: A Modern History, joins Tyler Cowen to discuss the kingdom's history, the role of Wahhabism in its formation, ongoing regional instability, and the prospect of a post-oil future for Gulf states.
- Seamus Murphy on Photographing Patterns Across Cultures
Photographer and filmmaker Seamus Murphy joins Tyler Cowen to discuss his career documenting life in diverse regions, including Afghanistan, Nigeria, Russia, and Ireland. The conversation covers his artistic process, his collaborations wit…
- David Brooks on Audacity, AI, and the American Psyche (Live at 92NY)
David Brooks joins Tyler Cowen to discuss the state of American culture, sociological challenges, and the impact of technology. Topics include the loss of community, the influence of AI, generational trends, and the legacy of mentors like…
- Nate Silver on Life's Mixed Strategies
Nate Silver returns to Conversations with Tyler to discuss risk, prediction, and expected utility theory. The conversation covers topics ranging from sports analytics and electoral systems to his shifting personal beliefs and observations…
- Annie Jacobsen on Nuclear War, Intelligence Operations, and Conspiracy Realities
Annie Jacobsen discusses her book Nuclear War: A Scenario and explores topics ranging from nuclear doctrine and intelligence operations to conspiracy theories and government research projects. She and host Tyler Cowen examine the risks of…
- Helen Castor on Medieval Power and Personalities
Historian Helen Castor discusses her narrative approach to medieval history, focusing on the individual power dynamics of Richard II and Henry IV. The conversation covers 14th-century English government, constitutional precedents, and the…
- David Robertson on Conducting, Pierre Boulez, and Musical Interpretation
Conductor David Robertson discusses his career, his work with the St. Louis Symphony, and the musical legacy of Pierre Boulez with host Tyler Cowen. They cover topics ranging from conducting techniques and orchestration to the influence of…
- Austan Goolsbee on Central Banking as a Data Dog
Austan Goolsbee, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, joins Tyler Cowen to discuss monetary policy, inflation, the Fed's structure, housing, and the impact of AI on the economy. They also explore his background in academia and…
- Chris Arnade on Walking Cities
Chris Arnade discusses his transition from Wall Street to urban exploration and street-level sociology. He and Tyler Cowen cover his observations on global cities, the importance of walking, and how he captures human stories.
- Any Austin on the Hermeneutics of Video Games
YouTube creator Any Austin discusses his analytical approach to video game infrastructure, aesthetic appreciation, and the broader implications of his work. Tyler Cowen and Austin explore topics including AI-generated art, game history, an…
- John Arnold on Trading, Energy, and Evidence-Based Philanthropy
John Arnold discusses his transition from an energy trading career to evidence-based philanthropy. He and Tyler Cowen cover topics including his trading philosophy, energy policy challenges, and the complexities of reforming social policy.
- Theodore Schwartz on Neurosurgery, Consciousness, and Brain-Computer Interfaces
Theodore Schwartz joins Tyler Cowen to discuss his career in neurosurgery, the demanding nature of the field, and his book, Gray Matters: A Biography of Brain Surgery. They explore topics including brain-computer interfaces, the future of…
- Jack Clark on AI's Uneven Impact
Jack Clark, co-founder of Anthropic, joins Tyler Cowen to discuss the economic and societal impact of artificial intelligence. They explore the limitations of AI, the future of the LLM sector, and how AI may influence cities, law, and glob…
- Kenneth Rogoff on Monetary Moves, Fiscal Gambits, and Classical Chess
Harvard economist and chess grandmaster Kenneth Rogoff joins Tyler Cowen to discuss global economics, including fiscal policy, inflation, and the future of currency. They also cover international economic dynamics and the state of classica…
- Chris Dixon on Blockchains, AI, and the Future of the Internet
General partner Chris Dixon discusses the evolution of the internet, the role of blockchain technology in restoring creator autonomy, and the impact of AI on digital infrastructure and venture capital.
- Ian Leslie on McCartney, Lennon, and the Greatest Creative Partnership of All Time
Ian Leslie joins Tyler Cowen to analyze the creative partnership between John Lennon and Paul McCartney. They discuss their differing songwriting processes, individual influences, the evolution of the Beatles, and the breakdown of their co…
- Jennifer Pahlka on Reforming Government
Jennifer Pahlka joins Tyler Cowen to discuss government reform, bureaucratic dysfunction, and the impact of digital technology on public policy. They talk about her experience with Code for America and the US Digital Service, alongside top…
- Sheilagh Ogilvie on Epidemics, Guilds, and the Persistence of Bad Institutions
Sheilagh Ogilvie joins Tyler Cowen to discuss her research on institutional structures in European economic history. The conversation covers the economic impact of pandemics, the history of guilds, the European marriage pattern, and factor…
- Ezra Klein on the Abundance Agenda
Ezra Klein joins Tyler Cowen to discuss the 'Abundance Agenda,' focusing on housing, infrastructure, clean energy, and innovation. They explore its relationship with political polarization, healthcare, fertility rates, AGI policy, and othe…
- Carl Zimmer on the Hidden Life in the Air We Breathe
Science writer Carl Zimmer joins Tyler Cowen to discuss his book "Air-Borne: The Hidden History of the Life We Breathe," covering topics ranging from the history of airborne disease transmission and respiratory health to aerobiology, the d…
- Gregory Clark on Social Mobility, Migration, and Assortative Mating (Live at Mercatus)
Economist Gregory Clark joins Tyler Cowen to discuss his research on long-term social mobility, surname analysis, and the impact of assortative mating. They examine why social mobility rates have remained stable over centuries and explore…
- Ross Douthat on Why Religion Makes More Sense Than You Think
Ross Douthat returns to discuss his book, Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious. The conversation covers the simulation hypothesis, UFO sightings, religious debate, and his upcoming novel.
- Joe Boyd on the Birth of Rock, World Music, and Being There for Everything
Music producer Joe Boyd joins Tyler Cowen to discuss his career, including his work with Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, and R.E.M., as well as the themes in his new book, 'And the Roots of Rhythm Remain,' which explores the connections between glo…
- Scott Sumner on Monetary Rules, Blooming Late, and the Death of Cinema
Economist Scott Sumner joins the podcast to discuss his unconventional academic career, monetary policy, and his interest in cinema. Topics covered include his views on NGDP targeting, historical economic analyses, and reflections on film…
- Conversations with Tyler 2024 Retrospective
In this year-in-review episode, host Tyler Cowen and producer Jeff Holmes reflect on the past year of the podcast. They discuss popular and underrated episodes, answer listener questions, revisit Tyler's 2014 pop culture picks, and explore…
- Paula Byrne on Thomas Hardy's Women, Jane Austen's Humor, and Evelyn Waugh's Warmth
Biographer and therapist Paula Byrne joins Tyler Cowen to discuss the literary works of Thomas Hardy, Jane Austen, and Evelyn Waugh. The conversation covers the intersection of their personal lives and creative output, as well as a range o…
- Stephen Kotkin on Stalin, Power, and the Art of Biography
Stephen Kotkin joins Tyler Cowen to discuss his biography of Stalin, his experiences in Soviet-era Magnitogorsk, and various topics ranging from Russian history and culture to his personal academic career. They explore themes of power, Sov…
- Russ Roberts on Vasily Grossman's Life and Fate
Tyler Cowen and Russ Roberts discuss Vasily Grossman's novel Life and Fate, exploring its themes of war, totalitarianism, and morality. The conversation covers the book's historical context, literary influences, and its enduring relevance…