You Are Not So Smart

David McRaney

Booking Overview

This is a psychology and science interview show focused on reasoning, cognitive biases, self-delusion, judgment, and decision-making, typically featuring researchers, professors, science communicators, and authors with relevant books or research. Agencies could credibly pitch psychologists, neuroscientists, behavioral scientists, skeptical science communicators, and authors with evidence-based work on cognition or belief; booking difficulty is medium because guests generally need strong academic or publishing credentials.

Metrics

Episodes: 346

Frequency: Every two weeks

Rating: 4.5/5.0

Estimated listeners: 10,000 - 100,000

Listener location: USA

YouTube: 16.5k subscribers

Contact Information

Publicly listed emails

davidmcraney@gmail.com

Looking for the right person? Join Podseeker to find direct host and producer contacts and manage your podcast outreach.

Host

David McRaney - Journalist, author, and science communicator known for explaining psychology, reasoning, cognitive biases, and belief formation.

Booking Intelligence

Booking Requirements

medium

Typical Credentials:

Psychologists, neuroscientists, behavioral scientists, astronomers, historians of science, and science communicators with recognized research expertise, academic credentials, or a relevant published book.

Required Achievements:

Published academic research, Authored a relevant book, University professorship or research position, Established science communication work

Recent Guest Discussions

Phil Plait - The Physical Experience Of Traveling To Saturn, Mars, Asteroids, And Distant Stars; UFO Sightings And Astronomy.

Helen Pilcher - The Nocebo Effect, How Expectations And Thoughts Can Contribute To Symptoms, And The Relationship Between Psychology And Illness.

Tenelle Porter - Intellectual Humility, How It Can Be Measured, And The Factors That Influence Or Limit It.

Thomas Levenson - The History Of Vaccine Hesitancy And Recurring Patterns Behind Antivaccine Beliefs.

Recent Topics

Science, Psychology, Cognitive Biases, Decision Making, Reasoning

Episodes

Here's the recent few episodes on

You Are Not So Smart

349 - AI Risk - Jesse Richardson

September 28, 2026

Jesse Richardson wants to improve our critical thinking about AI risk through the gamification of our rampant speculation. In this episode he explains AI safety isn't just one thing, there are a bunch of different risk profiles and each needs to be considered critically.Previous EpisodesHow Minds ChangeIs It Game OverSchool of ThoughtJesse Richardson’s WebsiteYour Bias IsYour Fallacy IsMelanie Mitchell on AI IntelligenceDavid McRaney’s TwitterDavid McRaney’s BlueSkyYANSS TwitterYANSS Facebook...

348 - The Dress - Decoder Ring

September 14, 2026

We return to The Dress and the psychological lessons offered by one of the most viral moments in the history of the internet via an episode of Decoder Ring in which David McRaney shares some insights from his book, How Minds Change, with Willa Paskin, the host of Decoder Ring.Decoder RingDecoder Ring's The Dress PageWilla Paskin's TwitterCBC Interview with Willa PaskinIs It Game Over?How Minds ChangeDavid McRaney’s TwitterYANSS TwitterShow NotesNewsletterPatreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWi...

347 - Under Alien Skies - Phil Plait

August 31, 2026

Astronomer Phil Plait joins us to discuss his new book, Under Alien Skies, in which he describes what it would be like (through human eyes and real physical experiences) to actually travel to Saturn, Mars, asteroids, and distant stars. Also, we discuss the recent surge in UFO sighting as well as his famous talk at The Amazing Meeting. Previous Episodes How Minds Change Under Alien Skies Phil Plait's Newsletter Phil Plait's Substack David McRaney’s Twitter David McRaney’s BlueSky YANSS Twitter...

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You Are Not So Smart

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Frequently asked questions

Here's some frequently asked questions for

You Are Not So Smart

How do I get in touch with You Are Not So Smart?

You Are Not So Smart is hosted by David McRaney. Its publicly listed email is davidmcraney@gmail.com. For guest bookings, the host or producer is usually the best person to reach. Podseeker helps you find direct host and producer contacts and pitch from your own inbox.

What is the email for You Are Not So Smart?

The publicly listed email for You Are Not So Smart: davidmcraney@gmail.com.

How many listeners does You Are Not So Smart have?

Podseeker estimates You Are Not So Smart reaches 10,000 to 100,000 listeners per episode. Only the publisher has exact numbers.

Who is an ideal guest for You Are Not So Smart?

You Are Not So Smart typically books rising experts. Typical guest background: Psychologists, neuroscientists, behavioral scientists, astronomers, historians of science, and science communicators with recognized research expertise, academic credentials, or a relevant published book. Common among recent guests: Published academic research; Authored a relevant book; University professorship or research position. Recent guests include Phil Plait, Helen Pilcher, and Tenelle Porter.

How hard is it to get booked on You Are Not So Smart?

Medium. Guests usually need solid credentials in the topic and an idea that fits the show.

What topics does You Are Not So Smart cover?

Recent episodes cover Science, Psychology, Cognitive Biases, Decision Making, and Reasoning. Pitch an idea tied to one of these topics and mention a recent episode.

Publicly listed emails

davidmcraney@gmail.com

Looking for the right person? Join Podseeker to find direct host and producer contacts and manage your podcast outreach.

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