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Michael Pollan

Mentioned in 29 analyzed podcast episodes across 10 shows

A bestselling science writer and author known for works on food, nutrition, and consciousness. He frequently appears on podcasts to discuss his recent book 'A World Appears,' which explores consciousness, AI, and human evolution, as well as his earlier influential books on dietary habits and the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. His expertise spans science writing, food culture, and emerging research on consciousness and human awareness.

Episode Appearances

Making Sense with Sam Harris

Making Sense with Sam Harris · May 29, 2026

#478 — The Psychedelic Mind

Author of 'How to Change Your Mind' which contributed to psychedelic research hype cycle

Psychedelic therapy protocolsFDA drug approval processClinical trial design
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The Resetter Podcast with Dr. Mindy

The Resetter Podcast with Dr. Mindy · May 13, 2026

The 'F' in FDA Is Silent" — The State of Food Policy with Helena Bottemiller-Evich

Long-time food system reform advocate whose work influenced consumer awareness of food policy issues

FDA Food Regulation and GRAS LoopholeGlyphosate Liability Protection and Supreme Court CaseSynthetic Food Dyes Regulation and Phase-Out
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The Dr. Hyman Show

The Dr. Hyman Show · May 13, 2026

Women Are Not Small Men! Why Fitness Advice Is Failing Half the Population | Dr. Stacy Sims

Coined term 'nutritionism' describing food industry manipulation of processed foods to match diet trends

Sex differences in exercise physiology and training responsePerimenopause and hormonal transitions in women's fitnessProtein requirements and anabolic resistance with aging
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Making Sense with Sam Harris

Making Sense with Sam Harris · May 12, 2026

#475 — The Hard Problem of Consciousness

Guest discussing his new book 'A World Appears: A Journey Into Consciousness' and previous work on psychedelics

Hard Problem of ConsciousnessNeural Correlates of ConsciousnessPsychedelic-Assisted Therapy
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Good Life Project

Good Life Project · Apr 27, 2026

The Science Behind Why Religion Actually Works | David DeSteno

Discussed importance of feeling supremely safe during psychedelic experiences and need for integration support

Spiritual Technologies and Ritual DesignReligious Engagement vs. Belief: Health OutcomesMeditation and Breathing Physiology
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Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard · Apr 15, 2026

Rachel Zoffness (on pain)

Mentioned as recent guest discussing mind-body paradigm similar to pain science; author of 'Unconsciousness'

Chronic Pain Neuroscience and Brain-Based Pain GenerationBiopsychosocial Pain Model vs. Biomedical ModelPhantom Limb Pain and Mirror Therapy
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Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard · Apr 1, 2026

Michael Pollan Returns (on consciousness)

Guest discussing his new book on consciousness, psychedelics, and contemplative philosophy

Consciousness definition and the hard problem of subjective experienceEvolution of consciousness and theory of mind in social primatesPlant sentience and neurobiology of plants
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The Telepathy Tapes

The Telepathy Tapes · Apr 1, 2026

S2E23: It’s Never Too Late | Talk Tracks

Author of 'How to Change Your Mind'; Joe listened to audiobook and became interested in psilocybin therapy.

Spelling-based communication for non-speaking autistic individualsPresumed competence framework in autism education and careTelepathy and shared consciousness in caregiver-child relationships
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Science Weekly

Science Weekly · Mar 24, 2026

What sets human consciousness apart from AI?

Guest discussing his new book on consciousness and human awareness

Consciousness studiesAI consciousness and machine sentienceInner experience and thought patterns
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How to Be a Better Human

How to Be a Better Human · Mar 23, 2026

How to understand your own consciousness (w/ Michael Pollan)

Guest discussing his book 'A World Appears' on consciousness, psychedelics, plants, and the nature of self

Consciousness definition and measurementPlant sentience and plant neurobiologyPsychedelic therapy and consciousness research
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Good Life Project

Good Life Project · Mar 5, 2026

Michael Pollan: Wake Up & Reclaim Your Attention

Author of 'A World Appears: A Journey into Consciousness' discussing consciousness, attention, and reclaiming mental space

Consciousness Definition and NeuroscienceAttention Economy and Digital DistractionMeditation and Contemplative Practice
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Chasing Life

Chasing Life · Feb 27, 2026

The Miracle and Mystery of Consciousness

Science writer and author of 'A World Appears: A Journey into Consciousness'; primary guest discussing consciousness research

Definition and nature of consciousnessNeuroscience of consciousness and brain localizationPsychedelic therapy and consciousness research
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Big Technology Podcast

Big Technology Podcast · Feb 25, 2026

Can AI Achieve Consciousness? — With Michael Pollan

Author discussing AI consciousness and his new book 'A World Appears'

AI consciousnessHard problem of consciousnessLarge language models
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10% Happier with Dan Harris

10% Happier with Dan Harris · Feb 25, 2026

Michael Pollan On: Reducing Rumination, Reclaiming Your Attention From the Machines, and MDMA-Assisted Therapy

Author and journalist discussing consciousness, meditation, psychedelics, and technology's impact on human awareness

Consciousness definition and hard problem of consciousnessMeditation practice and rumination interruptionPsychedelic-assisted therapy and MDMA therapy
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Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark

Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark · Feb 24, 2026

How to Heal Eczema Naturally & Brainwash Your Man to Be Healthy | Dr. Ana-Maria Temple, MD

Author of 'In Defense of Food'; audiobook recommended as influence on Dr. Temple's husband's dietary perspective shift

Eczema root cause analysis and natural healing protocolsDupixent and biologic immunosuppressants: safety concerns and alternativesMicronutrient deficiencies (vitamin D, zinc, iron, B12) in chronic childhood illness
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Mark Levin Podcast

Mark Levin Podcast · Feb 21, 2026

The Best Of Mark Levin - 2/21/26

Author of 'In Defense of Food'; quoted for advice to avoid processed foods, which Levin disputes

Iran Nuclear Weapons Program and Military ResponseWealth Tax Policy and ImplementationProperty Tax Increases in New York City
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On Purpose with Jay Shetty

On Purpose with Jay Shetty · Feb 16, 2026

Michael Pollan: The Hidden Cost Of Constant Distraction (Use THIS Practice To Reclaim Your Attention, Clarity, And Inner Freedom)

Award-winning journalist and author discussing consciousness, psychedelics, meditation, and technology's impact on human attention

Consciousness and subjective experiencePsychedelic-assisted therapy and mental health treatmentMeditation and contemplative neuroscience
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Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark

Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark · Feb 13, 2026

The Heart Disease Lie: It’s Not Genetic & Cholesterol Isn’t the Enemy | Dr. Jack Wolfson, DO

Author cited for principle 'you are what the animal you eat ate' regarding nutritional quality of food sources

Statin drug efficacy and safety profileCholesterol's essential biological functionsGrass-fed vs. conventional meat nutritional differences
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The Daily

The Daily · Feb 7, 2026

'The Interview': Michael Pollan Says Humanity Is About to Undergo a Revolutionary Change

Best-selling author discussing consciousness, AI, and ethics; author of 'A World Appears' and 'How to Change Your Mind'

The Hard Problem of ConsciousnessEmbodiment and Feelings as Basis of ConsciousnessAI Consciousness and the Turing Test
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The Daily

The Daily · Feb 7, 2026

'The Interview': Michael Pollan Says Humanity Is About to Undergo a Revolutionary Change

Author discussing his new book on consciousness and previous work on food and psychedelics

Hard problem of consciousnessAI consciousness and machine sentiencePanpsychism and consciousness theories
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The Interview

The Interview · Feb 7, 2026

Michael Pollan Says Humanity Is About to Undergo a Revolutionary Change

Bestselling author discussing his new book 'A World Appears' on consciousness, evolution, AI, and the nature of human identity

The Hard Problem of ConsciousnessEmbodied Cognition and ConsciousnessArtificial Intelligence and Machine Consciousness
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The Interview

The Interview · Feb 3, 2026

Rev. James Martin on Our Moral Duty in Turbulent Times

Science writer featured in upcoming episode of The Interview discussing consciousness and AI

Catholic Church leadership and unity under Pope LeoLGBTQ inclusion and acceptance in Catholic institutionsImmigration policy and Catholic social teaching
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The Oprah Podcast

The Oprah Podcast · Feb 3, 2026

Discover AWE Daily with Oprah and Dacher Keltner

Author discussed on Oprah's podcast regarding psychedelics and their connection to awe experiences

Awe and Wonder as EmotionMoral Beauty and Human VirtueNature-Based Mental Health Interventions
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The Bill Simmons Podcast

The Bill Simmons Podcast · Jan 30, 2026

An NBA Mailbag, Belichick’s Snub, Pats Disrespect, and Half-Baked Ideas With Zach Lowe, Kevin Wildes, and Joe House

Author/researcher whose coffee study on 30-day caffeine cessation is discussed regarding tolerance and dependency

NFL Playoff Strategy and Weather AdvantageHall of Fame Selection Process ReformQuarterback Performance Under Pressure
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The Dr. Hyman Show

The Dr. Hyman Show · Jan 12, 2026

Office Hours: How to Choose the Best Diet for Your Body

Food writer quoted for his principle: 'If it grows on a plant eat it; if made in a plant, don't'

Ketogenic diet for type 2 diabetes and metabolic healthPaleo diet and autoimmune disease managementVegan diet supplementation requirements and nutrient deficiencies
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Pivot

Pivot · Dec 12, 2025

Disney's OpenAI Investment, Nvidia Chip Deal, and Australia’s New Social Media Ban

Discussed caffeine and creatine as 'free lunch' supplements; author of book on psychedelics and substances

Disney-OpenAI Strategic PartnershipNvidia H-200 China Export PolicyWarner Bros Discovery Acquisition Battle
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Maintenance Phase

Maintenance Phase · Jun 3, 2025

Ultra-Processed Foods

Food writer whose early 2000s work popularized processed food critique, though he didn't use the term ultra-processed

Ultra-Processed Foods Definition and ClassificationNOVA Food Classification SystemNutrition Research Methodology Flaws
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Maintenance Phase

Maintenance Phase · Dec 20, 2024

BONUS: What's New With RFK Jr.?

Food writer who tweeted support for article defending RFK Jr., later clarified he wasn't endorsing him

RFK Jr. HHS Secretary Nomination and Senate Confirmation ProcessAnti-Vaccine Advocacy and Public Health PolicyFDA Deregulation and Nutraceutical Marketing
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Maintenance Phase

Maintenance Phase · Sep 12, 2023

"Soy Boys"

Author of 'The Omnivore's Dilemma' (2006) whose food politics became target of Rush Limbaugh's conservative backlash

Phytoestrogens and plant-based protein science vs. public perceptionGynecomastia (enlarged breast tissue in men) and actual medical causesSoy consumption trends in US diet and formula feeding practices
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