Wiser Than Yesterday: Book club
Claim This Podcastby Book Nerds Sam Harris & Nicolas Vereecke
Podcast Authority
Beta
Podcast Overview
<p>Wiser than Yesterday hosts open-ended discussions, breakdowns, and summaries of the world's most thought-provoking and inspiring books.</p><br><p>Our hosts, Nicolas Vereecke and Sam Harris digest non-fiction books from all centuries and genres. They discuss the biggest philosophical insights and practical lessons for health, wealth, wisdom, and happiness.</p><br><p>This podcast is here to help listeners become smarter. To learn about new ideas and to gain more perspectives on the books and ideas they are familiar with.</p><br><p>Each season we tackle a new field and read the best books on a given topic such as racism, startups, stoicism, or personal finance. We cast a wide net to summarise all sides of opinions in an area to come to a wider understanding of the topic at large as well as help listeners navigate the different opinions and ideas they haven't heard of.</p><br><p>We dive into topics such as philosophy, business, equality, psychology, politics, economics, and who knows what else. Our goal is to simply explore the best ideas and learn new things. You're most welcome to join us for the ride.</p><p><br></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
3/5/2020
Unlock The Full Podcast Authority Score Report
See how your podcast performs across key metrics
Podcast Authority
BetaRecommendations available
Unlock the full report to see detailed tips
Recommendations available
Unlock the full report to see detailed tips
Unlock comprehensive insights including:
- • YouTube presence analysis
- • Social media reach metrics
- • RSS compliance scoring
- • Podcast 2.0 features
- • Technical standards
Detailed Analytics
- Complete breakdown of all 19 authority metrics
- Personalized recommendations for each metric
- Industry benchmarks and comparisons
- Technical RSS feed analysis and compliance scoring
Growth Strategies
- Step-by-step action plans for improvement
- Quick wins to boost your score immediately
- Pro tips from successful podcasters
See how your show performs across every key metric
High authority scores make your podcast more attractive to industry leaders and influencers who want to appear on credible shows.
Sponsors look for podcasts with proven authority and engagement. Your score demonstrates your podcast's value to potential partners.
Understanding your strengths and weaknesses helps you make data-driven decisions to expand your listener base effectively.
2 verified contact emails on file for Wiser Than Yesterday: Book club
Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.
Recent Episodes
March 3, 2026
The Language Puzzle: How we talked our way out of the Stone Age - Steven Mithen
<p>The relationship between language, thought and culture is of concern to anyone with an interest in what it means to be human.</p><br><p>The Language Puzzle by Steven Mithen explains how the invention of words at 1.6 million years ago began the evolution of human language from the ape-like calls of our earliest ancestors to our capabilities of today, with over 6000 languages in the world and each of us knowing over 50,000 words.</p><br><p>Out of interest in correctness, Sam investigates cultural ideas across other books from Richard Wrangham, Christopher Boem and Yuval Noah Harari to create this tour de force episode on what the hell was going on.</p><br><p>Drawing on the latest discoveries in archaeology, linguistics, psychology, and genetics, this episode reconstructs the steps by which language evolved; how it transformed the nature of thought and culture, and how we talked our way out of the Stone Age into the world of farming and swiftly into today's Digital Age.</p><br><p>- - -</p><p><strong>About Wiser Pod</strong></p><p>Nico and Sam set out to read the world's best books, from philosophy to sci-fi, economics to who knows what.</p><br><p><strong>Sam Webster Harris</strong></p><p>👋 LinkedIn - <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sam Harris</a></p><p>🧠 Psychology Pod - <a href="https://www.growthmindsetpodcast.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Growth Mindset Psychology</a></p><p>🚀 New Pod - <a href="https://www.changetheworldpod.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How to Change the World</a></p><br><p><strong>Nicolas Vereecke</strong></p><p>👋 LinkedIn - <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolasvereecke/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nico Vereecke</a></p><p>🤖 AI world domination -<strong> </strong><a href="https://evilplaninc.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Evil Plan Inc</a></p><br><p>- - -</p><br><p><a href="https://www.changetheworldpod.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>How to Change the World: The History and Future of Innovation</strong></a></p><br><p>Available on all podcast players:</p><ul><li>SPOTIFY - <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT</a></li><li>APPLE - <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649</a></li><li>YOUTUBE - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast</a></li></ul><p><br></p><p>Can't find it on your player?</p><p>RSS feed - <a href="https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8</a></p><br><p>----</p><br><p>CHAPTERS</p><p>00:00 Little Miracles and Airplanes</p><p>02:26 Wiser pod Introduction</p><p>03:32 Framing the Four-Part Journey</p><p>05:49 The Compression Problem</p><p>09:30 Act 1 – Cognitive Basis of Language</p><p>09:30 Biological History of Languages</p><p>14:27 The Interconnected Brain</p><p>18:03 Complex Words and Abstract Ideas</p><p>21:50 Ad Break</p><p>22:13 Words, Planning, and Teamwork</p><p>23:10 Act 2 – Gossip, Myths & Religion</p><p>23:10 Gossip and the Glue of Society</p><p>26:48 Myths and Shared Delusions</p><p>31:42 Early Religions, Animism and Cave Art</p><p>34:39 Act 3 – Self-Domestication</p><p>34:45 Shame, Blushing, and Human Civility</p><p>38:10 Invitation to Continue on How to Change the World</p><p><br></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
February 17, 2026
Bruce Lee: Artist of life - The 6 habits of power and wisdom from a legend
<p><br></p><p>Bruce Lee was an intense man with such sheer concentration of energy that no one who encountered him, on screen or in person, could help but be drawn to him and his enthusiasm for life and knowledge.</p><p>Bruce Lee: Artist of Life explores the development and fruition of Bruce Lee's thoughts about gung fu (kung fu), philosophy, psychology, poetry, jeet kune do, acting, and self-knowledge.</p><br><p>Imagine being so annoyingly good at punching people that your dad has to ship you to another continent. That, more or less, is where our story with Bruce Lee begins.</p><br><p>Bruce Lee wasn’t born a legend. He built one, habit by habit.</p><br><p>This episode breaks down six simple, brutal habits that turned a skinny Hong Kong troublemaker into the most recognisable martial artist on earth. It’s surprisingly copy‑and‑pasteable into a normal life:</p><ul><li>Turn failure into a feedback loop instead of an identity crisis.</li><li>Build a simple notebook ritual that actually shapes your decisions.</li><li>Design one “Bruce Lee hour” a day to practice your craft like it matters.</li></ul><p>Hit play, and steal Bruce’s operating system, not just his quotes.</p><br><p><br></p><p>- - -</p><p><strong>About Wiser Pod</strong></p><p>Nico and Sam set out to read the world's best books, from philosophy to sci-fi, economics to who knows what.</p><br><p><strong>Sam Webster Harris</strong></p><ul><li>LinkedIn - <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sam Harris</a></li><li>History of Innovation Pod -<strong> </strong><a href="https://www.changetheworldpod.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How to Change the World</a></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Nicolas Vereecke</strong></p><ul><li>LinkedIn - <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolasvereecke/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nico Vereecke</a></li><li>AI world domination -<strong> </strong><a href="https://evilplaninc.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Evil Plan Inc</a></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>- - -</strong></p><br><p><a href="https://www.changetheworldpod.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>How to Change the World</strong></a></p><p><br></p><ul><li>SPOTIFY - <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT</a></li><li>APPLE - <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649</a></li><li>YOUTUBE - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast</a></li></ul><p><br></p><p>Can't find it on your player?</p><p>RSS feed - <a href="https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8</a></p><br><p>----</p><br><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p>00:00 Bruce Lee’s First Boxing Match</p><p>01:55 Determined to Succeed in Acting</p><p>02:23 Bruce Lee’s Habits of Success</p><p>02:57 #1 – Embrace Failure on the Path to Success</p><p>04:49 #2 – Carry a Notebook Everywhere</p><p>05:48 #3 – Repeat Goals to Yourself</p><p>08:41 #4 – Practice Your Craft Constantly</p><p>10:12 #5 – Constantly Read a Variety of Subjects</p><p>11:45 #6 – Research and Adapt</p><p>15:01 Bruce Lee’s Influence After 50 Years</p><p>15:22 Send Off</p><br><p><br></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
September 8, 2025
Catching Fire: How Cooking Made Us Human - Richard Wrangham
<p>In this stunningly original book, Richard Wrangham argues that it was cooking that caused the extraordinary transformation of our ancestors from apelike beings to Homo erectus. At the heart of Catching Fire lies an explosive new idea: the habit of eating cooked rather than raw food permitted the digestive tract to shrink and the human brain to grow, helped structure human society, and created the male-female division of labour. As our ancestors adapted to using fire, humans emerged as "the cooking apes".</p><br><p>Covering everything from food-labelling and overweight pets to raw-food faddists, Catching Fire offers a startlingly original argument about how we came to be the social, intelligent, and sexual species we are today.</p><br><p>- - -</p><p><strong>About Wiser Pod</strong></p><p>Nico and Sam set out to read the world's best books, from philosophy to sci-fi, economics to who knows what.</p><br><p><strong>Sam Webster Harris</strong></p><p>👋 LinkedIn - <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sam Harris</a></p><p>🧠 Psychology Pod - <a href="https://www.growthmindsetpodcast.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Growth Mindset Psychology</a></p><p>🚀 New Pod - <a href="https://www.changetheworldpod.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How to Change the World</a></p><br><p><strong>Nicolas Vereecke</strong></p><p>👋 LinkedIn - <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolasvereecke/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nico Vereecke</a></p><p>🤖 AI world domination -<strong> </strong><a href="https://evilplaninc.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Evil Plan Inc</a></p><br><p>- - -</p><br><p><a href="https://www.changetheworldpod.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>How to Change the World: The History and Future of Innovation</strong></a></p><br><p>Available on all podcast players:</p><ul><li>SPOTIFY - <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT</a></li><li>APPLE - <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649</a></li><li>YOUTUBE - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast</a></li></ul><p><br></p><p>Can't find it on your player?</p><p>RSS feed - <a href="https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8</a></p><br><p>----</p><br><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p>00:00 The Role of Fire in Civilization</p><p>02:20 Introduction: Who is in control</p><p>03:55 Fire's Impact on Predators and Prey</p><p>05:59 First Fire - 500 million years ago</p><p>09:24 Humans and fire - ~2 million years ago</p><p>11:36 The Discovery of Fire</p><p>13:07 When did we discover Fire</p><p>13:48 Stadium of Grandmothers</p><p>14:51 Fire's Influence on Human Biology</p><p>17:22 Fire and Human Digestion</p><p>19:43 Light and Campfires</p><p>21:52 Mealtimes</p><p>23:00 Fire's Role in Human Birth and Survival</p><p>24:51 Why Only Humans Mastered Fire</p><p>27:22 Fire, Social Structures & Gender Roles</p><p>32:42 Role Change in the Information Age</p><p>34:45 Fire's Role in Human Expansion - 70,000 years ago</p><p>35:11 Second half of the episode on the new show</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
84 total episodes available
Recent guests on Wiser Than Yesterday: Book club
Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.
Brad Stone
Guest
Similar Podcasts
Discover related shows you might enjoy
Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee
Dr Rangan Chatterjee: GP & Author
People I (Mostly) Admire
Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
Founders
David Senra
The Ezra Klein Show
New York Times Opinion
Pivot
New York Magazine
Ask Haviv Anything
Haviv Rettig Gur
Blocks w/ Neal Brennan
Neal Brennan
Jesse Michels
Jesse Michels
Deep-dive analytics for Wiser Than Yesterday: Book club
Frequently asked questions
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- What is Wiser Than Yesterday: Book club?
<p>Wiser than Yesterday hosts open-ended discussions, breakdowns, and summaries of the world's most thought-provoking and inspiring books.</p><br><p>Our hosts, Nicolas Vereecke and Sam Harris digest non-fiction books from all centuries and genres. They discuss the biggest philosophical insights and practical lessons for health, wealth, wisdom, and happiness.</p><br><p>This podcast is here to help listeners become smarter. To learn about new ideas and to gain more perspectives on the books and ideas they are familiar with.</p><br><p>Each season we tackle a new field and read the best books on a given topic such as racism, startups, stoicism, or personal finance. We cast a wide net to summarise all sides of opinions in an area to come to a wider understanding of the topic at large as well as help listeners navigate the different opinions and ideas they haven't heard of.</p><br><p>We dive into topics such as philosophy, business, equality, psychology, politics, economics, and who knows what else. Our goal is to simply explore the best ideas and learn new things. You're most welcome to join us for the ride.</p><p><br></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates bi-weekly.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 10 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
Legal Disclaimer
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.