Plato
Mentioned in 29 analyzed podcast episodes across 10 shows
Ancient Greek philosopher whose works on ethics, politics, love, and epistemology are frequently referenced across podcasts to explore contemporary issues ranging from moral philosophy and procrastination to democracy and artificial intelligence. His ideas—including the allegory of the cave, the concept of philosopher-kings, and teachings on love from the Symposium—serve as intellectual frameworks for modern discussions, though his writings on sexuality have also drawn controversy. Podcasters cite him as a foundational figure in Western intellectual tradition representing the pursuit of truth and reason, while simultaneously critiquing some of his concepts as problematic by modern standards.
Appears On
Episode Appearances
The LRB Podcast · Apr 8, 2026
The philosophy of Virginia Woolf’s ‘To the Lighthouse’
“Major influence on Woolf's thinking, particularly cave allegory and dialogue structure”
AREA52 - DEBRIEFED With Chris Ramsay · Apr 3, 2026
Aliens, Angels and Daemons - Michael Phillip | DEBRIEFED ep. 82
“Analyzed as likely experiencer of higher consciousness through Eleusinian mysteries; hid esoteric doctrines in dialogues”
A Beginner's Guide to AI · Mar 22, 2026
The Extended Mind: Why AI Might Make Humans More Creative
“Ancient philosopher who worried writing would destroy human memory, paralleling modern AI concerns”
Boring History for Sleep · Mar 21, 2026
Fall Asleep to the Entire Story of Atlantis 🌊 | Boring History for Sleep
“Author of the only surviving accounts of Atlantis in his dialogues Timaeus and Critius, written in 4th century BCE.”
Miracle Mentality with Tim Storey (Motivation, Self Help, and Mental Health) · Mar 16, 2026
Beyond Belief: Nir Eyal's Proven Guide to Tapping Into Your Hidden Potential | Mindset | E31
“Greek philosopher cited for discussing akrassia (distraction) 2,500 years ago, showing distraction is not new”
All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg · Mar 3, 2026
Ray Dalio: Our System Is in Jeopardy - Debt, AI & the Cycle That Destroyed Rome
“Ancient philosopher who wrote about cycles of democracies and threats to democratic systems”
Breaking Bread with Tom Papa · Feb 25, 2026
Episode 308 - Craig Ferguson
“Ferguson discussed reading Plato's Republic and critiqued his philosopher-king concept as cultish”
Old School with Shilo Brooks · Feb 19, 2026
‘Lolita,’ Jeffrey Epstein, and the Real Meaning of a Challenging Classic
“Ancient philosopher referenced regarding historical pederasty and erotic longing in classical texts”
I Can’t Sleep · Feb 18, 2026
Alarm Clocks | Calm Bedtime Reading for Sleep
“Ancient Greek philosopher said to possess a large water clock with alarm signal for lecture scheduling”
10% Happier with Dan Harris · Feb 16, 2026
The Science of Happiness: Five Simple Strategies for Reducing Anxiety and Increasing Connection | Sonja Lyubomirsky and Harry Reis
“Quoted definition of love as 'to will the good of the other'”
The Daily Stoic · Feb 12, 2026
Do Not Delay | Dan Harris & Ryan Holiday on The Pursuit of Wisdom
“Ancient philosopher mentioned as example of intelligent person drawn into service of problematic figures”
Philosophize This! · Feb 11, 2026
Episode #244 ... After Virtue - Alasdair MacIntyre (why moral conversations feel unsatisfying)
“Ancient Greek philosopher whose concept of universal good is discussed as a reaction to moral ambiguity in Greek tragedy”
SOLVED with Mark Manson · Feb 11, 2026
Solved Highlight: The Real Reason You Procrastinate
“Ancient philosopher referenced for incomplete but foundational understanding of procrastination as value conflict”
10% Happier with Dan Harris · Feb 11, 2026
Stoic Practices for Getting Rid of Mental Junk, Your Morning Routine, and Talking to the Dead | Ryan Holiday
“Ancient philosopher who, like Seneca, was drawn to serve a profoundly bad person (Dionysius)”
The Tucker Carlson Show · Feb 9, 2026
Ray Dalio: How to Survive the Coming Civil War and Plot to Use Debt and CBDCs to Enslave You
“Ancient philosopher cited for writings on democratic cycles and evolution toward autocracy”
Office Hours with Arthur Brooks · Feb 9, 2026
How to Find Love in 2026
“Ancient Greek philosopher whose Symposium describes Socrates' teachings on love as pathway to life's meaning”
Economist Podcasts · Feb 9, 2026
Snap judgement: Japan PM’s electoral landslide
“Ancient philosopher whose work Symposium was banned from Texas A&M curriculum due to gender/sexuality content.”
The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg · Feb 9, 2026
Don Robby Corleone | Interview: Robert P. George
“Ancient Greek philosopher representing Athens stream of Western tradition emphasizing truth and reason”
The Daily Stoic · Feb 7, 2026
The Philosopher Who Didn’t Care What Anyone Thought
“Ancient philosopher who disagreed with Diogenes over self-sufficiency; example of hypocrisy Diogenes critiqued”
The Quanta Podcast · Feb 3, 2026
Do AI Models Agree On How They Encode Reality?
“Ancient Greek philosopher whose allegory of the cave provides theoretical framework for AI representation research”
Sleepy History · Jan 25, 2026
Hypatia of Alexandria
“Classical Greek philosopher whose Timaeus and other works formed the foundation of Hypatia's Neoplatonist teaching.”
The Daily Stoic · Jan 25, 2026
Feeling Scared and Overwhelmed? Start Here
“Referenced through his Republic as idealized vision that Cato wrongly preferred to actual reality”
The Best of Coast to Coast AM · Jan 24, 2026
Atlantis - Best of Coast to Coast AM - 1/23/26
“Author of Timaeus and Critias texts containing the Atlantis narrative discussed throughout the episode”
Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life · Jan 23, 2026
Sex and the End of Loneliness
“Historical philosopher whose dualistic view of body as bad and soul as good influenced Western sexual repression”
Machine Learning Street Talk (MLST) · Jan 23, 2026
Why Every Brain Metaphor in History Has Been Wrong [SPECIAL EDITION]
“Ancient philosopher; Chiramuta notes Chollet's kaleidoscope hypothesis mirrors Platonic belief in hidden mathematical reality beneath appearances”
Office Hours with Arthur Brooks · Dec 8, 2025
The 3 Macronutrients of Happiness, and How to Measure Yours
“Referenced as classical philosopher discussing human tendency to seek happiness”
TED Radio Hour · Nov 14, 2025
How the creator economy is making you talk like the internet
“Historical reference for concerns about technology (writing) causing 'brain rot,' paralleling modern algorithm concerns”
The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk · Sep 7, 2025
652: Arthur Brooks - The Power of Teaching, The Arrival Fallacy, The Mad Scientist Profile, Lifting Heavy Weights, & The Two Best Practices To Be Happy
“Ancient philosopher; referenced concept that 'the key to the treasure is the treasure'”
Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas · Jun 23, 2025
319 | Bryan Van Norden on Philosophy From the Rest of the World
“Ancient Greek philosopher whose work is foundational to Western tradition but suggested philosophy existed in Africa”