Brett Staniland

In Breaking beliefism, behavioural scientist Prof Paul Dolan picks up the thread from his previous explorations of divisive issues. This new podcast is a deliberate and personal expedition into the trenches of our most entrenched opinions. Dolan frames these conflicts through the lens of ‘beliefism’-a form of discrimination based not on who you are, but on what you hold to be true. Each conversation is an active attempt to dismantle this bias, moving beyond debate into genuine, often challenging, dialogue. You’ll hear from guests across the spectrum of science, business, culture, and society, not to score points but to understand the human experiences and reasoning behind opposing stances. The core of this podcast is the practice of listening as a radical, constructive act. Dolan doesn’t promise easy answers or reconciliation, but instead offers a model for engagement that questions our own certainties. It’s about finding the mechanisms and the patience to hear what lies beneath a contrary view, arguing that this skill is fundamental for any meaningful progress in how we live and work together. By stepping into these conversations, the series builds a case for curiosity over conviction, making the act of listening itself the central subject and tool for change.