Life Examined

Life Examined

KCRW's Life Examined is a one-hour weekly show exploring science, philosophy, faith — and finding meaning in the modern world. The show is hosted by Jonathan Bastian. Please tune in Sundays at 9 a.m., or find it as a podcast.

Sharon McMahon and Michael Morris delve into the importance of history and elections, tribalism, and hope — addressing why they are often misunderstood.

Breaking beyond tribalism and apathy: The brighter side of politics

Sharon McMahon and Michael Morris delve into the importance of history and elections, tribalism, and hope — addressing why they are often misunderstood.

This week Oliver Burkeman journalist and author of “Meditations for Mortals” discusses the complexities of trying to be perfect in an imperfect world.

Midweek Reset: The Art of the Imperfect

This week Oliver Burkeman journalist and author of “Meditations for Mortals” discusses the complexities of trying to be perfect in an imperfect world.

“Meditations for Mortals” author Oliver Burkeman discusses the complexities of happiness, well-being, and productivity.

Oliver Burkeman and the art of imperfectionism

“Meditations for Mortals” author Oliver Burkeman discusses the complexities of happiness, well-being, and productivity.

This week Kate Murphy, journalist and author of “ You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters,” sheds some light on the value of true friendships, why quality is often…

Midweek Reset: On Friendship

This week Kate Murphy, journalist and author of “ You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters,” sheds some light on the value of true friendships, why quality is often…

Lawrence Kramer and Carolyn Korsmeyer take us on a philosophical and sensual journey exploring sound, taste, and touch.

The senses: A philosophical and sensual exploration of sound, taste, and touch

Lawrence Kramer and Carolyn Korsmeyer take us on a philosophical and sensual journey exploring sound, taste, and touch.

This week Judson Brewer psychiatrist, neuroscientist at Brown University and author of “Unwinding Anxiety: New Science Shows How to Break the Cycles of Worry and Fear to Heal Your…

Midweek Reset: On Anxiety

This week Judson Brewer psychiatrist, neuroscientist at Brown University and author of “Unwinding Anxiety: New Science Shows How to Break the Cycles of Worry and Fear to Heal Your…

Cailtin O’Connell, author of “Wild Rituals: 10 Lessons Animals Can Teach Us About Connection, Community, and Ourselves,” shares insights into the ways in which elephants relate.

Here’s what ‘Wild Rituals’ author Caitlin O’Connell learned from the elephants

Cailtin O’Connell, author of “Wild Rituals: 10 Lessons Animals Can Teach Us About Connection, Community, and Ourselves,” shares insights into the ways in which elephants relate.

This week Peter Wohlleben , renowned German forester and author of “The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate,” talks about the age-old connection between humans…

Midweek Reset: On Trees

This week Peter Wohlleben , renowned German forester and author of “The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate,” talks about the age-old connection between humans…

James Danckert, psychologist and author of “Out of My Skull: The Psychology of Boredom,” explains the meaning of boredom and why being bored can be beneficial.

What does boredom do for us… and to us?

James Danckert, psychologist and author of “Out of My Skull: The Psychology of Boredom,” explains the meaning of boredom and why being bored can be beneficial.

This week Jamil Zaki, professor of Psychology at Stanford University and author of “Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness,” talks about our need to rebrand hope as…

Midweek Reset: Rebranding Hope

This week Jamil Zaki, professor of Psychology at Stanford University and author of “Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness,” talks about our need to rebrand hope as…

Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience Francesca Happe talks about what she has learned over the course of 30 years researching and working with autism.

Autism is a different way of being, not a disease

Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience Francesca Happe talks about what she has learned over the course of 30 years researching and working with autism.

Podcast host and executive producer of The Loudest Girl In The World Lauren Ober chronicles her later-in-life autism diagnosis and how it changed her life.

Discovering your autistism later in life

Podcast host and executive producer of The Loudest Girl In The World Lauren Ober chronicles her later-in-life autism diagnosis and how it changed her life.

Lorraine Besser, philosophy professor and author of  “The Art of the Interesting,” explores what it means to cultivate and live a good life.

Leading a good life doesn’t always mean leading an easy one

Lorraine Besser, philosophy professor and author of “The Art of the Interesting,” explores what it means to cultivate and live a good life.

This week Esther Perel, psychotherapist, bestselling author and the host of the podcast “ Where Should We Begin? ” talks about a sexual recession.

Midweek Reset: Sexual Recession

This week Esther Perel, psychotherapist, bestselling author and the host of the podcast “ Where Should We Begin? ” talks about a sexual recession.

Jamil Zaki, Stanford professor of psychology/author, explains the science and appeal of cynicism while Tania Israel, professor of counseling psychology/author, talks about how to build…

Positivity and hope: How to navigate society away from cynicism

Jamil Zaki, Stanford professor of psychology/author, explains the science and appeal of cynicism while Tania Israel, professor of counseling psychology/author, talks about how to build…

This week Robin Stern , psychoanalyst, and author of “ The Gaslight Effect: How to Spot and Survive the Hidden Manipulation Others Use to Control Your Life,” talks about gaslight…

Midweek Reset: Gaslight

This week Robin Stern , psychoanalyst, and author of “ The Gaslight Effect: How to Spot and Survive the Hidden Manipulation Others Use to Control Your Life,” talks about gaslight…

Esther Perel, psychotherapist and host of the podcast “Where Should We Begin?”, explores sexual intimacy in modern relationships.

Rediscovering sexual desire and eroticism with Esther Perel

Esther Perel, psychotherapist and host of the podcast “Where Should We Begin?”, explores sexual intimacy in modern relationships.

Dr. Robert Waldinger, director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, unlocks some of the secrets discovered via 80 years of research on happiness.

In search of happiness: The secrets and science behind leading a good life

Dr. Robert Waldinger, director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, unlocks some of the secrets discovered via 80 years of research on happiness.

Welcome to the Midweek Reset from Life Examined, where host Jonathan Bastian takes a small pause for a new perspective.

Midweek Reset: Life: less itinerary - more flow

Welcome to the Midweek Reset from Life Examined, where host Jonathan Bastian takes a small pause for a new perspective.

Devin Sean Moss is a chaplain, writer, and podcaster who explores the culture and mystery of death.

Can contemplating death inform a better life

Devin Sean Moss is a chaplain, writer, and podcaster who explores the culture and mystery of death.