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 on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
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, they explore how social media and AI are not just competing for our attention, but beginning to shape attachment, emotion, and even our sense of self.
The conversation ranges from chatbots and “AI psychosis” to meditation, psychedelics, and the idea of “consciousness hygiene” - the habits and practices that might help us protect our inner lives. Pollan also reflects on why writing is a form of thinking, why boredom and mind-wandering matter, and how experiences of ego dissolution, art, and nature can deepen our understanding of consciousness. The episode ends on a wider question: whether the real challenge is not only understanding consciousness, but learning how to practise it.
This episode was produced by Message Heard and The Standard.
Producer: Florence de Schlichting
Production Coordinator: James Cox
Production Manager: Kirsty McLean
Video Editor: Nani Wenani
The Standard team:
Joe Bromley
Will Rogers-Coltman
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
10 Mar 2026
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 it means to build products with a distinct, instantly recognisable identity.
Evgeny and Carl also explore the psychological cost of always-on devices, the battle for attention and consciousness, and what it might mean to build technology that helps people stay intentional. The episode ends on a wider view of the AI era: enormous promise for medicine and science, but serious unanswered questions about jobs, governance, and whether society is ready for what comes next.
This episode was produced by Message Heard and The Standard.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
18 Feb 2026
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 exposure, and stress interact over time.
Drawing on Evgeny’s own test results, Sabine uses her trademark pragmatism to explain why she believes long-term cognitive resilience starts with fixing the basics - particularly the gut – and gives the listener some touchstone takeaways to improve their daily health. For anyone interested in practical measures you can install in your day-to-day, this episode is for you.
This episode was produced by Message Heard and The Standard.
Producer: Florence de Schlichting
Production Coordinator: James Cox
Production Manager: Kirsty McLean
Video Editor: Nani Wenani
The London Standard team:
Joe Bromley
Will Rogers-Coltman
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
8 ratings
Spotify
4.3 / 5
39 ratings
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