Stress, Culture, and Determinism with Dr. Robert Sapolsky

Stress, Culture, and Determinism with Dr. Robert Sapolsky

November 19, 2025 · 1h 3m

About this episode

Dr. Robert Sapolsky discusses the intersections of stress, culture, and determinism in mental health.

Welcome back! Today, we are hosting the highly accomplished Dr. Robert Sapolsky, PHD, a professor of professor of biology, neurology, and neurosurgery at Stanford University. He has had extensive research particularly in the field of neuroendocrinology and chronic stress, which has acted as one of the foundations of modern psychoneuroendocrinology. He is also a research associate at the Institute of Primate Research in Kenya, with over 30 years of field research in Africa. He is also a renowned author, with major works including but not at all limited to Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers , Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst , and most recently, Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will , which challenges us to reconsider free will, morality, and mental health itself through a scientific lens. More about Dr. Sapolsky: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Sapolsky Dr. Sapolsky's Open Stanford Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PpDq1WUtAw&list=PL848F2368C90DDC3D Dr. Sapolsky's Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B000APOCFE Dr. Sapolsky's Own Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0wDrkkznSB8S84kKuK9HCo Apple…

People in this episode

Hosts: Dr. Tanner Hewitt, Dr. Larry Wang, Dr. Bradley Miller

Guest: Dr. Robert Sapolsky

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Stanford University, Institute of Primate Research

Books & works: Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst, Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will

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