Season finale

Season finale

Author: Prof Paul Dolan January 24, 2025 Duration: 5:56
The first season of ten episodes of Breaking Beliefism is complete and thanks to my amazing guests. You can listen to my quick reflections in this short wrap-up. I've learned a lot but naturally changed my mind about very little, including Coldplay.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 46

Breaking beliefism
Podcast Episodes
Geoff Norcott [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:57
In this episode, Professor Paul Dolan talks to comedian Geoff Norcott. They discuss teaching, class, taxation and whether trance is the best music genre. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
James Marriott [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:59
In the opening episode to series 3, Professor Paul Dolan talks to Times columnist James Marriott, discussing organised fun, posh restaurants and political shifts among younger generations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/…
Season 2 finale [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:54
That's it - the second season of ten episodes of Breaking Beliefism is complete. You can listen to my thoughts on the terrific guests in this bonus clip. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Brett Staniland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:55
In this episode, Prof Paul Dolan talks to Dr. Brett Staniland, a model and advocate for sustainable fashion. They explore the complexities of fast fashion, and the impact of identities on the clothes we buy. Brett shares…
David Goodhart [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:58
In this episode, Professor Paul Dolan talks to David Goodhart, a prominent broadcaster and journalist. They discuss identity, immigration, and family dynamics. They agree on the importance of empathy and understanding in…
Dr. Cahal Moran [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:17
In this episode, Prof Paul Dolan talks to behavioural economist Dr. Cahal Moran to explore the complexities of economics and its real-world implications. They discuss the impact of the 2008 financial crisis, and the impo…
Mary Harrington [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:33
In this episode, Prof Paul Dolan talks to journalist Mary Harrington, the author of Feminism Against Progress and a contributing editor at Unherd. They discuss counterculture, the complexities of human nature, and the im…
Prof Danny Dorling [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:54
In this episode, Prof Paul Dolan talks to Prof Danny Dorling, a professor of Human Geography at the University of Oxford. They discuss freedom of speech, social class, inequality, and education. They agree on many things…
Simon Mundie [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:48
In this episode, Prof Paul Dolan talks to former sports reporter Simon Mundie, the host of the podcast A New Way Of Being. They discuss mental toughness in sport, particularly tennis, and disagree about the impact of tri…
Vicky Reynal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:30
In this episode, Professor Paul Dolan talks to psychotherapist Vicky Reynal about the complex relationship individuals have with money. They explore why money is often a taboo subject, the psychological implications of f…