People I (Mostly) Admire

• 151. Neurobiologist, Philosopher, and Addict

  Owen Flanagan's newest book details his 20-year dependence on alcohol and pills — and outlines his research on what addiction can tell us about the nature of consciousness. SOURCES:Owen Flanagan, philosopher, neurobiologist, and professor emeritus at Duke University. RESOURCES:What Is It Like to Be an Addict?: Understanding Substance Abuse, by Owen Flanagan (2025).Consciousness Reconsidered, by Owen Flanagan (1993).Against Happiness, by Owen Flanagan, Joseph E. LeDoux, Bobby Bingle, Daniel M. Haybron, Batja Mesquita, Michele Moody-Adams, Songyao Ren, Anna Sun, and Yolonda Y. Wilson. (2023).The Bodhisattva's Brain: Buddhism Naturalized, by Owen Flanagan (2013).The Really Hard Problem: Meaning in a Material World, by Owen Flanagan (2009).Big Book, by Alcoholics Anonymous."Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 Changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health," by Cristie Glasheen, Kathryn Batts, Rhonda Karg, Jonaki Bose, Sarra Hedden, and Kathryn Piscopo (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2016). EXTRAS:"Professor Carl Hart Argues All Drugs Should Be Legal — Can He Convince Steve?" by People I (Mostly) Admire (2021).Drug Use for Grown-Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear, by Carl Hart (2021).

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• Jane Goodall Changed the Way We See Animals. She’s Not Done. (Replay)

  The primatologist discusses the thrill of observing chimpanzees in the wild, the value of challenging orthodoxy, and why dying is her next great adventure. SOURCES:Dr. Jane Goodall, GBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and U.N. Messenger of Peace. RESOURCES:The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times, by Jane Goodall, Douglas Abrams, and Gail Hudson (2021).Jane, by Brett Morgen (2017).“Remembering My Mentor: Robert Hinde,” by Jane Goodall (2017).The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness, by Sy Montgomery (2015).Dr. Spock On Parenting: Sensible, Reassuring Advice for Today’s Parent, by by Benjamin Spock, M.D. (2001).The Mentality of Apes, by Wolfgang Kohler (1976).“Miss Goodall and the Wild Chimpanzees,” (1965). EXTRAS:Roots and Shoots.Jane Goodall Hopecast.The Jane Goodall Institute.Grameen Foundation.“A Cross Between Sherlock Holmes and Indiana Jones,” by People I (Mostly) Admire (2022).“‘No One Can Resist a Jolly, Happy Pig,'” by People I (Mostly) Admire (2022).

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• 150. His Brilliant Videos Get Millions of Views. Why Don’t They Make Money?

  Hank Green is an internet phenomenon and a master communicator, with a plan to reform higher education. He and Steve talk about the video blog that launched Hank’s career, the economics of the internet, and how a cancer diagnosis prompted him to become a stand-up comedian. SOURCES:Hank Green, founder of Complexly and science communicator RESOURCES:ComplexlyCrashCourse YouTube ChannelSciShow YouTube ChannelVlogbrothers YouTube ChannelThe Show with Ze FrankStudy Hall"An Absolutely Remarkable Thing," by Hank Green (2018)"A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor," by Hank Green (2020)"So, I've got cancer," by Vlogbrothers (2023)"My Cancer Press Tier List," by Vlogbrothers (2023)"Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted" by Suleika Jaouad (2021)"The Impact of Legalized Abortion on Crime," by John Donohue III and Steve Levitt (The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 2001)"Hoodwinked?" by Stephen Dubner and Steve Levitt (New York Times, 2006)"An Ancient Roman Shipwreck May Explain the Universe," by SciShow (2024) EXTRAS:"John Green’s Reluctant Rocket Ship Ride," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2022)"Suleika Jaouad’s Survival Mechanisms," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2024)

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• 149. Stanford’s President Knows He Can’t Make Everyone Happy

  Jonathan Levin is an academic economist who now runs one of the most influential universities in the world. He tells Steve how he saved Comcast a billion dollars, why he turned down Steve’s unusual pitch to come to the University of Chicago, and why being a nice guy makes him a better college president. SOURCE:Jonathan Levin, president of Stanford University.   RESOURCES:"Income Segregation and Intergenerational Mobility Across Colleges in the United States," by Raj Chetty, John N Friedman, Emmanuel Saez, Nicholas Turner, and Danny Yagan (The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 2020)."Jonathan Levin: The Most Recent John Bates Clark Medal Winner," by Steve Levitt (Freakonomics Blog, 2011)."Winning Play in Spectrum Auctions," by Jeremy Bulow, Jonathan Levin, and Paul Milgrom (NBER Working Paper, 2009)."Information and Competition in U.S. Forest Service Timber Auctions," by Susan Athey and Jonathan Levin (Journal of Political Economy, 2001). EXTRAS:Vintage Pokémon card pack Instagram video, by Tyler Thrasher (2025)."Higher Education Is Broken. Can It Be Fixed?" by People I (Mostly) Admire (2023)."How Much Are the Right Friends Worth?" by People I (Mostly) Admire (2022).

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• Why Numbers are Music to Our Ears (Update)

  Sarah Hart investigates the mathematical structures underlying musical compositions and literature. Using examples from Monteverdi to Lewis Carroll, Sarah explains to Steve how math affects how we hear music and understand stories.    SOURCE:Sarah Hart, professor emerita of mathematics at the University of London. RESOURCES:Once Upon a Prime: The Wondrous Connections Between Mathematics and Literature, by Sarah Hart (2023)."Ahab's Arithmetic: The Mathematics of Moby-Dick," by Sarah B. Hart (Journal of Humanistic Mathematics, 2021)."Online Lecture: The Mathematics of Musical Composition," by Sarah Hart (Gresham College, 2020).Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, film (2018).The Luminaries: A Novel, by Eleanor Catton (2013).Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure, edited by Rachel Fershleiser and Larry Smith (2008).Les Revenentes, by Georges Perec (1972).A Void, by Georges Perec (1969).Cent Mille Milliards de Poèmes, by Raymond Queneau (1961).Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There, by Lewis Carroll (1871).Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll (1865).OuLiPo. EXTRAS:"The Joy of Math With Sarah Hart," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2023)."Mathematician Sarah Hart on Why Numbers are Music to Our Ears," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2021).

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