Into the Impossible With Brian Keating

Latest Episodes:

The Scientists Ep. 4: Carl Sagan's Five Principles Jun 08, 2025

Show notes

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Brian Keating deep dives into the remarkable life and legacy of Carl Sagan—one of history’s greatest science communicators. In this special episode of "The Scientist," Brian explores how a kid from Brooklyn rose to become the voice of science for a generation, making the universe both vast and intimately personal for millions.

This episode blends firsthand accounts, critical biographies, and personal reflections to extract five powerful principles from Sagan’s career—offering insights into how we, too, might inject more wonder, rigor, and responsibility into our own journeys. Whether you’re a scientist, a dreamer, or simply curious about your place in the cosmos, this episode promises an inspiring look at an imperfect but extraordinary man who changed how we see our universe.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Reflections on Carl Sagan's Legacy

03:13 Young Sagan Challenges Venus Theories

07:10 Carl Sagan: Public Engagement Advocate

10:26 Carl Sagan's Influential Responsibility

14:31 "Overview Effect: A Vision for Humanity"

16:59 Embracing Change and Courage in Science

22:13 "Challenging Sagan: Science vs. Optimism"

25:20 Galileo's Earth Observations Legacy

26:21 Demand Evidence, Keep Wondering

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My tell-all cosmic memoir Losing the Nobel Prize: http://amzn.to/2sa5UpA

The first-ever audiobook from Galileo: Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems: Ptolemaic and Copernican https://a.co/d/iZPi9Un

📺 Watch my most popular videos:📺

Neil Turok https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt5cFLN65fI

Frank Wilczek https://youtu.be/3z8RqKMQHe0?sub_confirmation=1

Eric Weinstein vs. Stephen Wolfram https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI0AZ4Y4Ip4?sub_confirmation=1

Sir Roger Penrose: https://youtu.be/AMuqyAvX7Wo

Sabine Hossenfelder: https://youtu.be/g00ilS6tBvs

Avi Loeb: https://youtu.be/N9lUceHsLRw

Follow me to ask questions of my guests:

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Answering Your Cosmic Questions: The Multiverse, the Big Bang and Life on Exoplanets Jun 05, 2025

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In this electrifying episode, recorded live at UC San Diego, Brian pulls back the cosmic curtain to explore some of the deepest mysteries in science—and what they might mean for our understanding of everything.

You'll learn how scientists use the mysterious property of light called polarization to uncover secrets from the dawn of the universe, chase evidence for the Big Bang, and even perform your own light experiment along the way. The conversation ventures into the origins of our universe, the search for other forms of life, and the tantalizing possibility that our universe might be just one among countless others in a sprawling multiverse.

But it doesn't stop at science. Brian and his audience wrestle with the blurry boundaries where facts confront faith: Can scientific discovery ever answer the big metaphysical questions, such as the existence of God or consciousness after death? What does the intersection of cosmology and religion tell us about our place in reality?

With detours into modern cosmological theories, debates about inflation, the search for life on other planets, and even the role AI might play in future discoveries, this episode keeps curious minds on their toes.

00:00 "Polarization: Unlocking Cosmic Secrets"

04:36 Wave Polarization Explained

09:11 Questioning the Big Bang Singularity

10:52 Detecting Gravitational Waves' Cosmological Impact

15:39 Pope Endorses Science-Bible Alignment

18:52 Gene's Role in Evolutionary Drive

19:55 Deepak Chopra: Preparing for Death

26:03 "Universe vs. Multiverse Debate"

26:50 Debating Multiverse in Astronomy

31:39 "Geometric Social Commentary Revealed"

34:24 Extraterrestrial Life Evidence: Near Zero

36:54 "Expensive Material Suggests Earth-Mars Connection"

39:29 "AI-Powered Creativity and Research"

45:11 "Choosing Enrichment Over Leisure"

45:49 "Never Stop Learning"

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📚 Get a copy of my books: Think Like a Nobel Prize Winner, with life changing interviews with 9 Nobel Prizewinners: ⁠https://a.co/d/03ezQFu⁠

My tell-all cosmic memoir Losing the Nobel Prize: ⁠http://amzn.to/2sa5UpA⁠

The first-ever audiobook from Galileo: Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems: Ptolemaic and Copernican ⁠https://a.co/d/iZPi9Un⁠

📺 Watch my most popular videos:📺

Neil Turok https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt5cFLN65fI

Frank Wilczek https://youtu.be/3z8RqKMQHe0?sub_confirmation=1

Eric Weinstein vs. Stephen Wolfram https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI0AZ4Y4Ip4?sub_confirmation=1

Sir Roger Penrose: https://youtu.be/AMuqyAvX7Wo

Sabine Hossenfelder: https://youtu.be/g00ilS6tBvs

Avi Loeb: https://youtu.be/N9lUceHsLRw

Follow me to ask questions of my guests:

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Should Creationism Be Taught Alongside Evolution? [Ep. 496] Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

In a world increasingly shaped by science and technology, how do we determine what constitutes truth? What role does society play in shaping scientific knowledge consensus? And what are the implications for the future of research and innovation?

In this episode, I sit down with Steve Fuller, a renowned sociologist of science from the University of Warwick in the UK, for a thought-provoking conversation. Steve and I explore the deep connections between science and sociology, discussing how science can learn from sociology and vice versa. Steve challenges conventional wisdom and invites us to critically examine the complex interplay between science, society, and the pursuit of knowledge.

With a passion for exploring the philosophical underpinnings of science, he shares his insights on social epistemology, the philosophy of science, and the evolving role science should play in society, especially in an increasingly polarized world.

—

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Key Takeaways:

00:00:00 Intro
00:00:33 Steve’s origin story
00:04:14 Philosophy of science
00:08:47 Thomas Kuhn and the nature of scientific revolutions
00:17:23 DeleteMe
00:18:59 The Science Wars Conference and the role of social agendas
00:28:20 The Kitzmiller vs. Dover case
00:39:44 Intelligent design and peer review
00:51:55 The future of higher education
00:57:41 Scientific iconoclasm vs. conspiracy thinking
01:00:56 Outro

—

Additional resources:

➡️ Learn more about Steve Fuller:

✖️ Twitter: https://x.com/ProfSteveFuller/
💻 Website: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/sociology/staff/sfuller/

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

✖️ Twitter:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

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Richard Dawkins: The God Delusion: Atheism & AI Jun 01, 2025

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In this thought-provoking installment, host Brian Keating sits down with legendary evolutionary biologist and author Richard Dawkins for an electrifying conversation that spans the wonders of science, atheism, artificial intelligence, and the tapestry of human existence.

A live audience in Vancouver brings their best questions, challenging Dawkins on topics from the acceleration of evolution to the place of hope in a godless universe. Throughout, Dawkins reminds us of the beauty and privilege of being alive—and the imperative to embrace science not just as a source of practical utility, but as a thing of wonder in itself.

Get ready for a lively, no-holds-barred exploration of reason, mortality, memes, and meaning with one of the most acclaimed public intellectuals of our time.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 "Dawkins: Legacy of Rationality"

10:18 "Unveiling Life's Lottery"

16:29 AI and the Turing Test Debate

19:55 Altman Teases with "Project Strawberry"

27:16 Parasites Manipulate Host Behavior

31:16 Unique Oxford Tutorial System

36:34 Improbability of Life's Uniqueness

41:45 Darwinian Sleep Theory Explained

49:13 Molecular Genetics of Aquatic Mammals

55:40 "Shifting Moral Zeitgeist"

01:00:09 "Scientific Discoveries: Nature's Script"

01:04:25 Biological vs. Personal Life Meaning

01:14:20 Gene Purpose: A Misconception

01:19:31 Beyond Selfish Genes

01:20:58 Belief vs. Faith: A Civilizational Challenge

01:30:54 "Miller's Experiment on Life's Origins"

01:37:15 Creationism vs. Evolution: Missing Link Argument

01:38:58 "Evolution's Certainty Comparable to Orbit"

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Get a copy of my books:

Think Like a Nobel Prize Winner, with life changing interviews with 9 Nobel Prizewinners: https://a.co/03ezQFu

My tell-all cosmic memoir Losing the Nobel Prize: http://amzn.to/2sa5UpA

The first-ever audiobook from Galileo: Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems: Ptolemaic and Copernican https://a.co/d/iZPi9Un

📺 Watch my most popular videos:📺

Neil Turok https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt5cFLN65fI

Frank Wilczek https://youtu.be/3z8RqKMQHe0?sub_confirmation=1

Eric Weinstein vs. Stephen Wolfram https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI0AZ4Y4Ip4?sub_confirmation=1

Sir Roger Penrose: https://youtu.be/AMuqyAvX7Wo

Sabine Hossenfelder: https://youtu.be/g00ilS6tBvs

Avi Loeb: https://youtu.be/N9lUceHsLRw

Follow me to ask questions of my guests:

🏄‍♂️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating

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The Scientists BONUS EPISODE: The Giving Valve (inspired by Richard Dawkins' Selfish Gene) May 29, 2025

Show notes

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In this special bonus audio essay, Brian shares personal reflections inspired by his recent experience hosting evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins on the final North American stop of Dawkins' legendary speaking tour. After a career filled with interviewing Nobel laureates and deep thinkers—from Sam Harris to Peter Thiel's Venice conferences—Brian turns inward to explore a fresh idea: the "giving valve."

Drawing on Dawkins' groundbreaking work "The Selfish Gene" and the concept of genetic legacy, Brian challenges us to look beyond biology and consider what truly endures when we’re gone: our values. Is passing on knowledge or wisdom more significant than our genetic code? How do our choices, beliefs, and ethical frameworks shape the future long after our genes are forgotten? Brian blends personal anecdotes, thoughtful musings, and lessons from philosophy and faith to make a compelling case for prioritizing the transmission of meaning over mere survival.Whether you’re fascinated by science, philosophy, or what it means to leave a lasting impact, this episode sets the stage for a heartfelt conversation—and a deep dive into what really makes us human.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 "Comparing Dawkins and Clavin Experiences"

03:45 Intellectual Gatherings Funded by Peter Thiel

07:22 Professor's Perspective: Podcasting & Preparation

11:31 "Knowledge vs. Wisdom Exploration"

16:50 Two Contrasting Adams Explained

19:11 Immortal Legacy Through Contribution

23:45 Legacy Beyond Biology

25:21 "Passing Down Our Values"

Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmXH_moPhfkqCk6S3b9RWuw/join

Get a copy of my books: Think Like a Nobel Prize Winner, with life changing interviews with 9 Nobel Prizewinners: https://a.co/d/03ezQFu

My tell-all cosmic memoir Losing the Nobel Prize: http://amzn.to/2sa5UpA

The first-ever audiobook from Galileo: Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems: Ptolemaic and Copernican https://a.co/d/iZPi9Un

📺 Watch my most popular videos:📺

Neil Turok https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt5cFLN65fI

Frank Wilczek https://youtu.be/3z8RqKMQHe0?sub_confirmation=1

Eric Weinstein vs. Stephen Wolfram https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI0AZ4Y4Ip4?sub_confirmation=1

Sir Roger Penrose: https://youtu.be/AMuqyAvX7Wo

Sabine Hossenfelder: https://youtu.be/g00ilS6tBvs

Avi Loeb: https://youtu.be/N9lUceHsLRw

Follow me to ask questions of my guests:

🏄‍♂️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating

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Astrobiologist Says We’ve Been Searching for Aliens the Wrong Way with Nathalie Cabrol [Ep. 495] May 28, 2025

Show notes

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What if alien life is everywhere, but we’ve been looking for it in all the wrong places?

We assume life needs water, carbon, a warm little pond—just like Darwin said. But what if life doesn't care about what we assume to be necessary?

Today, we’re joined by Dr. Nathalie Cabrol, director of the Carl Sagan Center at the SETI Institute. Cabrol has spent her career exploring Earth’s most extreme environments—boiling lakes that freeze at night, toxic salt flats, and places where life should be impossible. And yet, it finds a way.

In this episode, we talk about the intricacies of the search for extraterrestrial life and question whether Earth might be a cosmic accident after all. We explore whether civilizations out there may stay silent on purpose—and what it would take for humanity to survive its own future, based on what we know about the deep secrets of the universe.

—

Key Takeaways:

00:00:00 Intro
00:01:55 What is life?
00:05:17 Exploring extreme environments
00:08:51 Agnostic biosignatures
00:13:57 Judging a book by its cover
00:17:33 The shadow biosphere
00:22:27 Errors in the search for extraterrestrial life
00:37:31 The Rare Earth Hypothesis
00:40:41 Should we stop broadcasting our location?
00:52:00 The impact of discovering extraterrestrial life
01:00:06 Are we worth saving?
01:06:46 Outro

—

Additional resources:

➡️ Learn more about Nathalie Cabrol:

🛸 SETI Institute: https://www.seti.org/our-scientists/nathalie-cabrol
📚 The Secret Life of the Universe: https://a.co/d/dzdzcD9

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

✖️ Twitter:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

Make sure to follow so you never miss an episode!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did Eric Weinstein Just Delete Einstein’s Cosmological Constant - Confirmed by DESI? [Ep. 493] May 23, 2025

Show notes

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Can geometric unity actually solve the deepest mysteries of our universe, or will it join the many others that have tried unsuccessfully in the past to create a new unified theory?

Eric Weinstein is one of the most revered thinkers of our generation. Though not an academic physicist, he proposed a unified theory of physics in 2013, which is supposed to have the potential to explain phenomena that string theory cannot. In a lecture held live at UCSD in April 2025 at the prestigious Astrophysics and Cosmology Seminar, Eric presented an update to his groundbreaking theory. Today, we’re sharing his fascinating lecture with you!

Eric is an investor, financial executive, and host of The Portal. He and his brother, Bret Weinstein, coined the term Intellectual Dark Web to refer to an informal group of pundits. Eric is a vocal critic of modern academic hierarchies and advocates for advances in scientific theory over an emphasis on experimental results. He proposed a new unified theory of physics in 2013 and has been an active member of the physics community.

—

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Intro
01:58 Cosmological sector and geometric unity
03:57 The Poincaré group
08:31 Quantum gravity and the standard model
14:41 Torsion and gauge invariance
28:13 Spinor group and 14-dimensional space
38:24 Grand unification and spinors
42:34 The Higgs is an illusion
50:08 Outro

—

Additional resources:

➡️ Learn more about Eric:

🎙️ Website: https://ericweinstein.org/

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

✖️ Twitter:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating⁠⁠⁠⁠

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📝 Join my mailing list:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://briankeating.com/list⁠⁠⁠⁠

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🎙️ Follow my podcast:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://briankeating.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

—

Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

Make sure to follow so you never miss an episode!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Scientists Ep. 3: Isaac Asimov -- Atomic Habits May 22, 2025

Show notes

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Brian Keating takes us on a journey through the fascinating life and legacy of Isaac Asimov—but not as the sci-fi visionary you might expect. Instead, Brian explores Asimov the scientist: the prolific chemist, professor, and master storyteller who wrote more nonfiction science books than anyone in history. Discover how Asimov made chemistry come alive—turning even the most complex topics into vibrant, page-turning tales that inspired generations (including Brian himself!) to pursue science.

From tales of the periodic table and the drama of scientific discovery to the human stories behind elements like carbon and nitrogen, Brian shares his favorite five Asimov books and explains why they still outshine almost everything else in science writing. Along the way, you’ll hear about the power of storytelling in science education, the unexpected tragedies behind groundbreaking chemical discoveries, and why Asimov’s work remains a hidden gem for anyone passionate about learning.

So grab your curiosity and get ready to see why Isaac Asimov wasn’t just a legendary sci-fi writer—he was the greatest science storyteller atoms ever made.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Asimov's Essential Chemistry Books

04:53 "Impactful Chemistry Book, 1965"

08:59 Galileo's Captivating Scientific Discovery

12:08 "Simplified Communication" Podcast Strategy

16:26 Carbon: Backbone of Life's Chemistry

17:42 "Benzene Dream & Carbon's Impact"

22:26 Pursuer of Clarity in Education

Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmXH_moPhfkqCk6S3b9RWuw/join

📚 Get a copy of my books: Think Like a Nobel Prize Winner, with life changing interviews with 9 Nobel Prizewinners: https://a.co/d/03ezQFu

My tell-all cosmic memoir Losing the Nobel Prize: http://amzn.to/2sa5UpA

The first-ever audiobook from Galileo: Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems: Ptolemaic and Copernican https://a.co/d/iZPi9Un

📺 Watch my most popular videos:📺

Neil Turok https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt5cFLN65fI

Frank Wilczek https://youtu.be/3z8RqKMQHe0?sub_confirmation=1

Eric Weinstein vs. Stephen Wolfram https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI0AZ4Y4Ip4?sub_confirmation=1

Sir Roger Penrose: https://youtu.be/AMuqyAvX7Wo

Sabine Hossenfelder: https://youtu.be/g00ilS6tBvs

Avi Loeb: https://youtu.be/N9lUceHsLRw

Follow me to ask questions of my guests:

🏄‍♂️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating

🔔 Subscribe https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1

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How Black Holes Break Reality | Marcus Chown [Ep. 493] May 19, 2025

Show notes

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Could a black hole erase your past? Wipe out every memory, every detail, that makes you who you are?

That’s just one of the crazy questions we explore as we encounter the insane paradoxes of black holes.

Black holes don’t just trap matter. They trap information too. This is what makes them one of the greatest mysteries of our universe. They challenge our fundamental understanding of physics and our reality. Everything we know about our world breaks down when we confront their mystifying properties.

Today's guest, Marcus Chown, has spent years tracing the history of black holes—not just the science, but also the brilliant scientists who gave us the knowledge and insight into these marvels. From equations scribbled in the trenches of WWI to a vanishing dark star in the 1970s, Marcus takes us on a journey from discovery to understanding…of all that we know so far.

His latest book, A Crack in Everything, tells the astonishing story of how black holes went from absurd fantasy to perhaps the fundamental phenomenon that shapes our entire reality.

—

Key Takeaways:

00:00:00 Intro
00:01:09 The most terrifying object in the universe
00:03:05 Judging a book by its cover
00:05:10 Paradoxes and information in black holes
00:10:26 Historical figures and black holes
00:23:23 The future of black hole research
00:34:44 Are black holes responsible for our existence?
00:38:53 Do black holes create universes?
00:44:06 Human stories that didn’t make it into the book
00:59:37 Outro

—

Additional resources:

➡️ Learn more about Marcus Chown:

📚 A Crack in Everything: https://a.co/d/5KI9iZK

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

✖️ Twitter:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating⁠⁠⁠

🔔 YouTube:⁠⁠⁠ https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠⁠

📝 Join my mailing list:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://briankeating.com/list⁠⁠⁠

✍️ Check out my blog:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/⁠⁠⁠

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The Scientists Ep. 2: Pure Genius - The Feynman Method: How a Physicist Rewired the Way We Learn May 15, 2025

Show notes

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This conversation explores the life and legacy of Richard Feynman, exploring his pivotal role in the Manhattan Project, his unique personality, and his innovative teaching methods. Feynman's contributions to physics and his playful approach to science are highlighted, alongside the complexities of his character and the lasting impact he has had on future generations of scientists.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 The Call to Arms: Feynman's Early Involvement in WWII

03:08 Los Alamos: The Birthplace of the Atomic Bomb

06:01 Feynman's Playful Genius: Safe-Cracking and Curiosity

08:52 The Personal and Professional: Feynman's Complex Life

12:13 Feynman's Iconoclastic Nature and Humor

15:07 The Legacy of Richard Feynman: A Lasting Impact

18:01 Feynman's Approach to Learning and Teaching

20:49 The Man Behind the Genius: Feynman's Flaws and Foibles

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