CogNation

About CogNation

CogNation is a podcast by Rolf Nelson and Joe Hardy, two cognitive psychologists interested in the future of brain science and technology. We explore relevant topics in the areas of cognitive science, technology, AI, and philosophy. Although we dabble with dystopian implications of new technologies (such as the impending robopocalypse), we are led by our curiosity and try to keep it light and fun. https://www.facebook.com/CognationPodcast/ email: cognationpodcast@gmail.com

Publisher

CogNation Media

Category

science · society & culture · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

20 Jan 2019

Latest episode

20 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

12 of 70 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   20 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   AI and Consciousness: The Turing Test

   Host Rolf and guest Joe explore the Turing Test's relevance to modern AI, discussing if LLMs passing the test signifies true artificial intelligence.

2. 

   25 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Balazs Szigeti: Unblinding Effects in Psychedelic Research

   For the third time, Joe and Rolf talk to Dr. Balazs Szigeti about psychedelics for the treatment of depression. This time, Balazs discusses his recent paper that shows an equivalence between psychedelics and traditional medications in effectiveness for treating depression. This is surprising, given the size of effects that have been demonstrated in some early psychedelic trials, and can be accounted for, in part, by patient expectations. Williams ZJ, Barnett H, Szigeti B. Psychedelic Therapy vs Antidepressants for the Treatment of Depression Under Equal Unblinding Conditions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Psychiatry. Published online March 18, 2026. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2025.4809

3. 

   13 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Dr. Valerie Bonnelle: The autonomic nervous system and peak experience

   Cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Valerie Bonnelle discusses with Rolf and Joe how autonomic nervous system activity correlates with peak psychedelic experiences, offering insights into well-being.

Inside a recent episode

AI and Consciousness: The Turing Test

Published 20 Sept 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] I mean, that's very early 1950 to be thinking about AI and intelligence and machines. But he, you know, came from a background that was well suited to that. You know, he was a truly genius mathematician. who was really one of the inventors of the computer itself. So in 1935, at the age of 22, he published a paper called On Computable Numbers. And this was a paper just about a basic problem in mathematical logic, which was just to define what a essentially what a computing machine would be like. What would be the definition of a computing machine? And it turns out that his definition of that and his description of that went on to be essentially the basis for what we know now as the modern computer. […]

Who has been a guest on CogNation

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Valerie Bonnelle
• Bradley Cooke
• Dr Steve Levine
• Balasz Szigeti
• Joshua Miele

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

147

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

23 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 32 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

18

Social presence

0

YouTube

66

Engagement

51

Contact CogNation

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about CogNation