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Lives Well Lived
DAVID DUCHOVNY: the mystery of life
David Duchovny is an actor, writer, director, and musician, best known for his iconic role as FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder in The X-Files, a sci-fi series that became a cultural phenomenon in the 1990s.
David explores the fine line between conspiracy and reality, the ethics of innovation, and the spiritual dimensions of human existence. How do we balance pleasure and meaning in a fulfilled life? What role do failure, empathy, and compassion play in shaping who we become? From personal philosophies to the influence of family heritage and the deeper meaning behind success, this episode is a thought-provoking journey through art, intellect, and the mysteries of being human.
Listen to David's Podcast! Fail Better with David Duchovny
Read David's Book! Holy Cow
Listen to David's Album! Gesture Land
Keep up to date with Peter on Substack
Keep up to date with Kasia!
Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett
Audio Producer: Stuart Buckland
Thanks to our volunteer researchers Hendrik Dahlmeier and Mihika Chechi
And special thanks to Suzi Jamil
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11. MICHAEL PLANT: insights on happiness
51:05||Season 2, Ep. 11Michael Plant is the founding director of the Happier Lives Institute, he discusses the concept of happiness, its definitions, and global wellbeing. Michael shares insights from the newly released 2025 World Happiness Report, highlighting effective charities and the role of global happiness in public policy.Read the 2025 World Happiness ReportLearn more about the Happier Lives InstituteLearn about Action for HappinessKeep up to date with Peter on SubstackKeep up to date with Kasia!Executive Producer: Rachel BarrettThanks to our volunteer researchers Hendrik Dahlmeier and Mihika Chechi10. ANNA LEMBKE: the dopamine dilemma
01:01:14||Season 2, Ep. 10Dr. Anna Lembke is professor of psychiatry at Stanford University and author of Dopamine Nation.Anna explores the intricacies of addiction, compulsive overconsumption, the role of dopamine in pleasure and motivation, and the ethical considerations surrounding free will and responsibility in addiction.Learn more about Anna Lembke and read her books! Keep up to date with Peter on SubstackKeep up to date with Kasia!Executive Producer: Rachel BarrettThanks to our volunteer researchers Hendrik Dahlmeier and Mihika Chechi9. ROBERT SAPOLSKY: biological determinism
01:04:05||Season 2, Ep. 9Robert Sapolsky is an academic, author, neuroscientist, and primatologist, who has studied wild baboons in Kenya over a 25 year period. Robert explores how stress and social hierarchies affect baboon health and behaviour and how these findings parallel human experiences in societal structures. Sapolsky discusses the philosophical implications of biological determinism, free will, and moral responsibility.Keep up to date with Peter on SubstackKeep up to date with Kasia!Executive Producer: Rachel BarrettThanks to our volunteer researchers Hendrik Dahlmeier and Mihika Chechi8. SAFEENA HUSAIN: the movement to educate girls
50:48||Season 2, Ep. 8Safeena Husain is the founder of Educate Girls – a non-profit organisation that is focussed on mobilising communities for girls’ education in India’s rural areas.Safeena discusses the critical importance of combating deep-rooted cultural and patriarchal biases in favour of girls' educations, and the widespread issue of 122 million girls globally not in school and the dire consequences this has, including early marriage, increased maternal mortality, and intergenerational cycles of poverty.Find out more at The Life You Can Save & support Educate Girls Keep up to date with Peter on SubstackKeep up to date with Kasia!Executive Producer: Rachel BarrettThanks to our volunteer researchers Hendrik Dahlmeier and Mihika Chechi7. PROFIT FOR GOOD: building businesses that donate 100% of their profits to charity
01:12:55||Season 2, Ep. 7Adam McCurdie and Josh Ross, founders of Humanitix, and Alex Amouyel, CEO of Newman's Own Foundation talk about whether the example their companies set can transform capitalism.Find out more about Newman's OwnFind out more about HumanitixKeep up to date with Peter on SubstackKeep up to date with Kasia!Executive Producer: Rachel BarrettThanks to our volunteer researchers Hendrik Dahlmeier and Mihika Chechi6. MOBY: the path to punk rock activism
01:04:46||Season 2, Ep. 6Moby is a musician, songwriter, author, and animal rights activist. Moby explores the intersection of making groundbreaking music, and the philosophical & ethical implications of animal rights activism, offering a profound look at how personal experiences and cultural paradigms shape our choices and advocacy. Find out more about MobyKeep up to date with Peter on SubstackKeep up to date with Kasia!Executive Producer: Rachel BarrettThanks to our volunteer researchers Hendrik Dahlmeier and Mihika ChechiSpecial Thanks to Suzi Jamil!5. RICHARD LAYARD: the science of wellbeing
01:05:11||Season 2, Ep. 5Richard Layard is a British Labour Economist, a member of the House of Lords, and co-editor of the World Happiness Report.Layard highlights the role of life satisfaction and wellbeing in government policy, and the importance of addressing mental health through public initiatives. He speaks to his research findings on wellbeing, including the the influence of genetic, environmental, and cultural determinants of happiness.Keep up to date with Peter on SubstackKeep up to date with Kasia!Executive Producer: Rachel BarrettThanks to our volunteer researchers Hendrik Dahlmeier and Mihika ChechiSpecial Thanks to Suzi Jamil!4. KAKENYA NTAIYA: the fight against FGM
50:54||Season 2, Ep. 4Kakenya Ntaiya is a Maasia Woman and Kenyan advocate for girls' education and women's rights. She has dedicated her life to creating lasting change both in rural communities in Kenya and across Africa.Kakenya discusses her fight against female genital mutilation (FGM), early marriage, and her quest for education. Now, as a PhD holder and the founder of Kakenya's Dream, she works tirelessly to ensure girls in her community have better opportunities and futures. Her work has modified lives for thousands of girls and aims to create a future filled with stronger, educated women leaders.Learn more about Kakenya's Dream and ways you can support this organisation.Keep up to date with Peter on SubstackKeep up to date with Kasia!Executive Producer: Rachel BarrettThanks to our volunteer researchers Hendrik Dahlmeier and Mihika Chechi