Brave New World
by Evening Standard
Welcome to Brave New World, hosted by Evgeny Lebedev, for the London Standard. We dive deep into the ideas of thought leaders, scientists, and intellectuals who are shaping the future and transforming our culture. Tune in each week for interviews with some of the brightest minds of our time, and explore the realms of longevity, neuroscience, biohacking, and psychedelics. Join Evgeny as he leads thought-provoking conversations with guests such as Dame Helen Mirren, Wim Hof, Deepak Chopra and Sam Harris – and others who are driving change, thoughtful debate, and challenging our views and preconceptions. Whether you're curious about the secrets to longer life, the mysteries of sleep, or the future of medical technology, it’s all here in Brave New World.
Episodes
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Michael Pollan on Consciousness, Psychedelics and the Fight for Free Thought
For Episode Nine, Evgeny is joined by Michael Pollan, journalist, author, and one of the leading voices exploring the human mind. Drawing on his new book A World Appears, Pollan makes an impassioned case for consciousness as something precious, private, and increasingly under threat. Together…
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Carl Pei on Futurism, AI and the Prospect of Civil War
For Episode Eight, Evgeny is joined by Carl Pei, founder and CEO of Nothing, the London-based consumer tech company trying to make devices feel fun. Carl explains how Nothing evolved from earbuds to smartphones, why he believes design and “focus-first” features can counter distraction, and what…
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Dr Sabine Donnai on Mapping the Microbiome and the Secrets to Longevity
For this episode of Brave New World, Evgeny is joined by Dr Sabine Donnai, a physician specialising in precision medicine, preventive health and the founder of Viavi Healthcare. Together, they explore brain health beyond standard scans, discussing how gut function, inflammation, environmental...
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Dr Jim Fadiman: The 'Father of Microdosing' on Psychedelics’ Second Act
For this episode of Brave New World, Evgeny is joined by psychologist, author, and researcher Dr Jim Fadiman, a central figure in the modern understanding of psychedelics, who also goes by the “father of microdosing”. Drawing on decades of research and thousands of user reports, the conversation...
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Ben Lamm on Colossal's De-Extinction Mission — From Dire Wolves to Woolly Mammoths
Did you ever think you’d live to see woolly mammoths return? For Episode Five of Brave New World, Evgeny is joined by Ben Lamm, CEO and co-founder of the most forward thinking de-extinction company on the planet, Colossal Biosciences. Since Ben co-founded the Austin based biotech start-up with...
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Gary Brecka on What's Wrong with Modern Medicine and the Secrets to a Longer Life
For Episode Four, Evgeny is joined by human biologist, longevity science monolith and founder of The Ultimate Human, Gary Brecka. Together, they explore why so many people feel stuck at a “six out of ten,” what Gary believes to be the cause of fatigue, brain fog, poor sleep, soreness, low mood…
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Will Ahmed on Perfecting Your Sleep Routine and Analysis Paralysis
In Episode Three of Brave New World, Evgeny is joined by Will Ahmed, founder and CEO of WHOOP. Together, they explore recovery, sleep, and the idea that “you can’t manage what you don’t measure.” Ahmed explains how overtraining as a Harvard athlete led him to build his own wearable, identifying a...
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ZOE's Dr Federica Amati and Professor Tim Spector Debunk the Biggest Food Myths
In this episode, Evgeny sits down with Professor Tim Spector and Dr Federica Amati - two of the leading scientific voices behind personalised nutrition company ZOE - to rethink everything we’ve been told about food. From the myth of “good” and “bad” fats to calorie-counting obsessions, Tim and...
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Steven Bartlett on How to Supercharge Your Company and Why He's Scared of an AI Apocalypse
Welcome to the first episode of Season 4 of Brave New World. This time, Evgeny is joined by Steven Bartlett to talk about mindset, ambition and the future. He shares how he manages “a million tabs” without burning out, why self-empathy boosts performance, and how a humiliating paddle match taught...
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Dr John Krystal: Why ketamine can solve a mental health epidemic
In today’s episode, Evgeny Lebedev talks about the remarkable potential of ketamine with Dr John Krystal, Professor of neuroscience at the Yale School of Medicine. Their discussion delves into the world of neurology, what ketamine actually does to our brain and the importance of glutamate…
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Dr Peter Attia: Medicine 3.0
In today’s episode, we are excited to be joined by Peter Attia: a longevity expert, physician, and bestselling author. Peter’s podcast, The Drive, is one of the most popular in the world. Through it, he’s brought cutting edge science to the masses, sharing tips and tricks, some of which are still...
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Dr. Aubrey de Grey: Why we don’t “have” to age
Evgeny Lebedev joins Dr. Aubrey de Grey, a visionary in biomedical gerontology and co-founder of the SENS Research Foundation. Known for his radical approach to ageing, Dr. de Grey discusses why some need to awaken from a "pro-ageing trance". What’s Aubrey’s biological age? In this episode: Why…
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Dame Helen Mirren: “Religion is a passport to violence and greed"
On today’s show Evgeny Lebedev is in conversation with the Oscar-winning actor, Dame Helen Mirren. They discuss everything from the evolution of fashion to the contemporary media landscape. “It’s so sad that Kurt Cobain died when he did, because he never got to see GPS” Also in this episode: The...
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NuCalm’s Jim Poole on anxiety: Why the brain ‘knows how to heal’
Evgeny Lebedev is joined by Jim Poole, chairman, president and chief executive of neuroscience company Solace Life Sciences. The company owns NuCalm, a technology designed to reduce stress and improve sleep without recourse to drugs. You may have even spotted the Duchess of Sussex wearing one of...
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Deepak Chopra: Why AI is the future of medicine
We’re joined by one of the most famous faces of alternative medicine on the planet, Deepak Chopra. The world-renowned author, health and wellness expert has been at the intersection of science and spirituality for nearly 50 years. Deepak sits down with host Evgeny Lebedev to mark the release of…
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The science of sleep with Professor Russell Foster
Is there such a thing as perfect sleep? Leading expert in circadian neuroscience from Oxford University, Professor Russell Foster, joins host Evgeny Lebedev, to explain the science behind nighttime slumber and why it's crucial to living our best lives awake. The pair discuss everything from sleep...
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Mark Effinger: Unlocking your brain with nootropics
On this episode of Brave New World, we’re turning our attention to nootropics and neuroscience. Nootropics are drugs and supplements which proponents say can boost alertness, increase focus, and improve memory. Today, Evgeny Lebedev meets Nootopia founder Mark Effinger, AKA Mr Noots. Since...
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Christian Angermayer: The Enhanced Games
In this episode of Brave New World, billionaire entrepreneur Christian Angermayer and Olympic athlete James Magnussen – who's been offered $1 million if he wins the competition's 100m freestyle swimming race – talk to Evgeny about taking part in the most radical sports event ever conceived; where...
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Jim Kwik: Top tips to boost your brain
In this episode of Brave New World, Evgeny talks to bestselling author and brain coach Jim Kwik. Kwik suffered a traumatic brain injury aged 5 and is now a world authority on brain optimisation. He shares his top tips on how to boost cognitive function. The two discuss: Why adding Omega 3s to…
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Mark Hyman: The rise of longevity medicine
In this episode of Brave New World, Evgeny talks to physician and longevity expert Mark Hyman. The two discuss the rise of functional medicine and what lifestyle changes we can make to enhance our healthspan. They cover: The paradigm shift happening in medicine today The underlying mechanisms…
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Ryan Holiday: What we can learn from Marcus Aurelius
In this episode of Brave New World, Evgeny talks to author and podcaster Ryan Holiday about the modern media landscape, echo chambers and the value of Stoic leadership. The two discuss: The common misunderstanding of stoicism as apathy Why we need stoicism now more than ever Why it's so hard to…
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Rhonda Patrick: Powerful health habits to delay ageing
In this episode of Brave New World, Evgeny talks to researcher and podcaster Rhonda Patrick. The two discuss anti-ageing, with Patrick sharing her unique insights. Together they cover: How experiments on genetic pathways in worms got Patrick interested in the science of anti-ageing in humans The...
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Bill Irvine: The truth about the Stoics
In the first episode of our second season, Evgeny talks to professor Bill Irvine, an expert on stoicism whose books have democratised the ancient wisdom of Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius for a new generation which, he says, can benefit from it greatly. The two discuss: · The unexpected success of...
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Jonathan Haidt: What has social media done to our children?
Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt’s new book ‘The Anxious Generation’ argues we’re overprotecting our children in real life, and underprotecting them online. In this special episode he tells Evgeny why he believes smartphones and social media have led to rises in anxiety, depression and suicide...
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Bill Richards: Magic Mushrooms and Epic Poetry
In the final episode of our first season, Evgeny talks to psychologist and researcher Bill Richards, whose book Sacred Knowledge: Psychedelics and Religious Experiences is considered a seminal work in the field and is now in its 10th edition. In this discussion, they talk about: · Why science and...
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Wim Hof & Rita Ora: Braving the Ice
Evgeny meets Wim Hof to learn more about the Dutch athlete’s ‘Method’; a combination of breathing and cold-water immersion that he claims can have health and psychological benefits. Rita Ora also joins the show and talks about her own experience using Wim’s techniques as part of her wellness...
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Ben Greenfield & Davinia Taylor: The Human Guinea Pigs
What is biohacking and are you already doing it without realising? Evgeny spends a day with the ‘world’s fittest man’, Ben Greenfield, to learn how exercise, diet and light contribute to wellness. He also meets actress and author Davinia Taylor, who tells him how biohacking helped her get over…
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Bryan Johnson: Turning Back Time
Evgeny meets ‘anti-ageing poster boy’ Bryan Johnson, the entrepreneur whose ‘Project Blueprint’ aims to extend the human lifespan. He also talks to the 46-year-old’s doctor Oliver Zolman, who details how they’re approaching a controversial area of emerging science. In this episode we talk about…
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My Ayahuasca Journey
Evgeny Lebedev describes his experience at a psychedelic retreat in Costa Rica where he encountered Ayahuasca, a plant-based brew used by indigenous healers. Psychedelics researcher Professor David Nutt, psychologist Bill Richards and physician Gabor Maté return to the show to explain what’s...
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David Nutt and Amanda Feilding: The Psychedelic Renaissance
Could psychedelics be used to help tackle mental health issues like depression and addiction? In this episode of Brave New World, Evgeny Lebedev speaks to Professor David Nutt, one the leading researchers in this controversial field. His former student, now professor, Robin Carhart-Harris,...
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David Sinclair: How Not To Die (with special guests Stephen Fry and David Walliams)
Is it possible to live forever – and would you even want to? Evgeny Lebedev is joined by Stephen Fry and David Walliams to explore the science and ethics of age reversal. He also meets longevity pioneer Dr David Sinclair, who gives advice on how to extend lifespans - and tells David Walliams how…
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Sam Harris: Freedom of Speech
Sam Harris is an American philosopher, neuroscientist and host of the Making Sense podcast. His work touches on topics including rationality, ethics, psychedelics and artificial intelligence. In this episode of Brave New World, he and Evgeny talk about: Why free speech is the “best error…
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Gabor Maté: Tackling Trauma
Our first episode features Dr Gabor Maté, a renowned physician and best-selling author recognised for his ground-breaking work in the fields of addiction and mental health. In this conversation, he talks to Evgeny about: Trauma and resilience Self-limiting beliefs and how to overcome them Are...
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Introducing 'Brave New World'
Welcome to Brave New World, the groundbreaking podcast hosted by Evgeny Lebedev, for the Evening Standard. In this exhilarating series, we dive deep into the ideas of thought leaders, scientists, and intellectuals who are shaping the future and transforming our culture. Tune in each week for...
About this show
Welcome to Brave New World, hosted by Evgeny Lebedev, for the London Standard. We dive deep into the ideas of thought leaders, scientists, and intellectuals who are shaping the future and transforming our culture.
Tune in each week for interviews with some of the brightest minds of our time, and explore the realms of longevity, neuroscience, biohacking, and psychedelics.
Join Evgeny as he leads thought-provoking conversations with guests such as Dame Helen Mirren, Wim Hof, Deepak Chopra and Sam Harris – and others who are driving change, thoughtful debate, and challenging our views and preconceptions.
Whether you're curious about the secrets to longer life, the mysteries of sleep, or the future of medical technology, it’s all here in Brave New World.
Hosted by
Evening Standard