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Breaking beliefism

Learning to embrace difference with Professor Paul Dolan

Following on from his Duck/Rabbit series, where he discussed issues that divide us, Professor Paul Dolan is now seeking out people with different views to tackle ‘beliefism’ - his term for discriminating against people w

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  • 7. Mary Harrington

    28:33||Season 2, Ep. 7
    In this episode, Prof Paul Dolan talks to journalist Mary Harrington, the author of Feminism Against Progress and a contributing editor at Unherd. They discuss counterculture, the complexities of human nature, and the implications of assisted dying legislation. They disagree on the public policy challenge of a“slippery slope” but agree on why the best piece of personal advice might be “consider trying to be normal”. 

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  • 6. Prof Danny Dorling

    29:54||Season 2, Ep. 6
    In this episode, Prof Paul Dolan talks to Prof Danny Dorling, a professor of Human Geography at the University of Oxford. They discuss freedom of speech, social class, inequality, and education. They agree on many things apart from the importance of measuring happiness. Danny thinks he has a way for Paul to tolerate Coldplay fans - but he's surely wrong about that.

  • 5. Simon Mundie

    26:48||Season 2, Ep. 5
    In this episode, Prof Paul Dolan talks to former sports reporter Simon Mundie, the host of the podcast A New Way Of Being. They discuss mental toughness in sport, particularly tennis, and disagree about the impact of tribalism in football. 

  • 4. Vicky Reynal

    27:30||Season 2, Ep. 4
    In this episode, Professor Paul Dolan talks to psychotherapist Vicky Reynal about the complex relationship individuals have with money. They explore why money is often a taboo subject, the psychological implications of financial habits, and the societal norms that shape our perceptions of wealth. 

  • 3. Prof Micael Dahlen

    27:39||Season 2, Ep. 3
    In this episode, Prof Paul Dolan talks to Prof Micael Dahlen, a happiness expert from the Stockholm School of Economics. They have plenty in common, including their approach to research subjects and their love of tattoos. They discuss Micael’s research on serial killers and how judging them reflects the human inclination to look for moral absolutes. 

  • 2. Prof Mark Rowlands

    24:14||Season 2, Ep. 2
    In this episode, Prof Paul Dolan chats to philosopher Prof Mark Rowlands about whether dogs have found the key to happiness in life - by not reflecting on their actions. As a new dog owner, Paul agrees that we could learn from dogs who are always up for anything. They discuss (the lack of) free will and how the human tendency to overthink can lead to troubled beliefs. 

  • 1. Oliver Burkeman

    28:11||Season 2, Ep. 1
    To start the new series of Breaking Beliefism, Prof Paul Dolan talks to Oliver Burkeman, the author of "4000 Weeks" and "Meditations for Mortals". They discuss how small tangible actions can be more purposeful and make us happier than big dreams, and the need to accept the inevitability of ageing and death. They agree on most things, apart from the value of self-help culture.
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