Staying Human with Dr. Vivek Murthy

About Staying Human with Dr. Vivek Murthy

What if, instead of looking for quick fixes or life hacks, we asked: what does it take to live a fulfilling life? Like so many people, trusted physician Dr. Vivek Murthy grapples with what it means to live well. As U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy (https://vivekmurthy.com/) started a groundbreaking public conversation around loneliness and the importance of connection. Now, he’s inviting listeners to join him as he explores what makes life meaningful, even when that means going against the grain. Through warm, provocative conversations with people from all walks of life, Dr. Murthy takes on topics that profoundly affect our health and well-being, but that most people don’t really talk about, let alone with a doctor: What if we redefined success not in terms of money or status but in terms of meaning? How do we find our sense of purpose? Can we center our lives around connection and community? Can technology help us be more human instead of taking away from our humanity? In a world that can feel harsh and isolating, Staying Human (https://vivekmurthy.substack.com/) is a show about finding better, more human ways to live, together. Substack vivekmurthy.substack.com/ (https://vivekmurthy.substack.com/) IG @drvivekmurthy (https://www.instagram.com/drvivekmurthy/)

Publisher

Vivek Murthy

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

19 May 2026

Latest episode

27 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

9 of 13 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   27 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Michael Pollan: Are You Losing the Ability to Think for Yourself?

   Host Dr. Vivek Murthy interviews author Michael Pollan about maintaining independent thought and the value of human experience in an AI-driven world.

2. 

   13 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Robin Wall Kimmerer: What is nature teaching us that we’re too distracted to see?

   Host Dr. Vivek Murthy interviews botanist and author Robin Wall Kimmerer about nature's lessons on slowing down and perceiving the living world as a "someone."

3. 

   29 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Ayad Akhtar: How Do We Stay Open to Life’s Mysteries?

   Dr. Vivek Murthy interviews Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Ayad Akhtar about embracing life's mysteries and finding connection beyond easy explanations.

4. 

   15 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Remembering Dr. Rachel Remen: What is the Secret to True Healing?

   Dr. Vivek Murthy and Dr. Akil Palanisamy honor Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen's wisdom on healing, connection, and living with uncertainty in this interview.

5. 

   1 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Angela Duckworth: What Situations Bring Out the Best in Us?

   Dr. Vivek Murthy interviews Angela Duckworth about how environments shape our best selves and redefine true success.

6. 

   18 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Robert Putnam: What Does It Mean To Be a Social Capitalist? (and how does it affect our health?)

   Dr. Vivek Murthy interviews Harvard professor Robert Putnam about building community and the vital importance of social capital for health and democracy.

7. 

   4 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Maya Shankar: What Happens When Life Changes Our Plans?

   Dr. Vivek Murthy interviews Maya Shankar, author and podcast host, about navigating life's unexpected changes and finding hope through uncertainty and reinvention.

8. 

   21 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Dr. Robert Waldinger: What does 85 years of research reveal about a Good Life?

   Dr. Vivek Murthy interviews Dr. Robert Waldinger, Harvard psychiatrist, about 85 years of research revealing that strong relationships, not achievement, cultivate a good life.

9. 

   7 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Jennifer Wallace: Why Don’t We Feel Like We Matter?

   Host Dr. Vivek Murthy interviews journalist Jennifer Wallace about why many feel invisible and how to cultivate a deeper sense of mattering in a culture of individual success.

10. 

    23 Jun 2026

    Atul Gawande: What Dying Teaches Us About How to Live

    Dr. Vivek Murthy interviews Dr. Atul Gawande about how understanding death illuminates the path to a meaningful life.

11. 

    9 Jun 2026

    June 9, 2026

    Dr. Vivek Murthy interviews David French, a New York Times columnist, about forging connections across disagreements to strengthen democracy and personal well-being.

12. 

    26 May 2026

    Kate Bowler: Is Joy Possible When Things Are Difficult?

    Dr. Vivek Murthy interviews author and professor Kate Bowler about finding authentic joy amidst life's difficulties and the pitfalls of constant optimization.

13. 

    19 May 2026

    Announcing Staying Human with Dr. Vivek Murthy

    Dr. Vivek Murthy, 19th and 21st U.S. Surgeon General, interviews diverse individuals to explore the essence of a fulfilling human life.

Inside a recent episode

Michael Pollan: Are You Losing the Ability to Think for Yourself?

Published 27 Oct 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] Yeah, which I'm hoping they will, which is why I like to do drop off and pick up as much as I can because that's the time in the car when you have an opportunity to see if they'll talk. The car is the best for conversations because there's no eye contact. You're both looking straight ahead. No, it's true. […]

Who has been a guest on Staying Human with Dr. Vivek Murthy

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

• Michael Pollan
• Robin Wall Kimmerer
• Ayad Akhtar
• Dr Akil Palanisamy
• Angela Duckworth

Reach and audience

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

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

83 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

26 ratings

Contact Staying Human with Dr. Vivek Murthy

Guest appearances

Books guests

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

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Questions about Staying Human with Dr. Vivek Murthy