Alive with Steve Burns
Alive with Steve Burns
There are a thousand podcasts you can listen to. This one listens back. Alive with Steve Burns continues the conversation you began all those years ago. Back then it was letters and numbers and graham crackers. Now it’s death, sex, taxes, and all the big, messy questions of being alive. Why does money stress us out? Is the American dream dead? What’s the future of truth? Each week, a new guest d…Social links:
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Is Play the New Work with Cas Holman
Steve and Cas get silly as they discuss the serious work of play and how it shapes and enriches our lives. Cas Holman is a toy designer, writer, and expert on design. She developed the renowned Rigamajig line of toys. Cas was previously a professor at Syracuse University and the Rhode Island Schoo…
49:15
Faith and the Purpose of Life with Rainn Wilson
Steve catches up with the amazing Rainn Wilson as they do a deep dive on faith, meaning, and a higher power. Rainn Wilson is an actor, comedian, and director. He is best known as Dwight Schrute on NBC’s The Office (2005-2013). He won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Serie…
58:48
Listen Now: Steve Burns on Fail Better with David Duchovny
This week, we’re taking a short breath and sharing Steve’s recent conversation with David Duchovny from his guest appearance on Fail Better. The two talk about their shared admiration for Samuel Beckett and the surprising amount of common ground between them. They explore Steve’s two-decade retrea…
56:11
Adam Savage on Critical Thinking and Truth in a Post-Truth World
Adam Savage sits down with Steve to discuss the future of facts, the scientific method, busting myths, and he gives us a peek inside his legendary workshop. Adam Savage is a veteran special-effects artist and maker whose early film work led him to co-host MythBusters, where his blend of engineeri…
47:06
Dr. Desiree Jones on Neurodivergence: Who Decides What’s “Normal”?
Steve wonders what the difference between “normal” and “not normal” is. His friend Desi drops by to help him out! Dr. Desiree Jones is an Assistant Professor of Psychology and director of the SHINE Lab (Stigma, Human Interaction, and Neurodivergent Experiences) at the University of Maryland. Sh…
42:21
The Emotionally Awkward Cost of Money with Reema Khrais
Reema swings by Steve’s window to share what she’s learned about money and why it’s so emotionally awkward. Reema is the host of the Marketplace podcast, This is Uncomfortable. The show focuses on life and how money messes with it. Reema is an experienced audio journalist with an emphasis on pe…
55:03
Paul Ford Eases Steve's Real Panic About Artificial Intelligence
Steve checks in with his tech whiz friend, Paul Ford, to share his hopes and concerns about artificial intelligence. Paul Ford is the co-founder of Aboard, an AI startup. Previously, he was an advisor to the White House Office of Digital Strategy during the Obama Administration. He has written …
1:13:15
Maitland Ward on Sex
Steve speaks with Maitland about why it’s so difficult to talk about sex. Maitland Ward is an author, actress, and adult film star. She began her career on CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful. Maitland is the author of the best-selling title, My Escape from Hollywood: Unapologetic, Unfiltered, and …
36:48
Why Do We God? with Professor Leela Prasad
Leela chats with Steve as he wonders about the different ways humans worship. Leela Prasad is St. Purandar Das Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies at Brown University. In 2024, she was elected as the first South Asian female president of the American Academy of Religion. She has receiv…
47:29
What Does Success Look Like? with Wayne Coyne
Steve catches up with his good friend, Wayne Coyne, to chat about what it means to be successful. Wayne Coyne is an American musician known primarily as the founder, lead vocalist, and songwriter for the Flaming Lips, a psychedelic rock band from Oklahoma. The celebrated band has found acclaim …
49:02