Origins would be a much better podcast if the guests were allowed to speak more. The host is constantly talking over his guests. It’s very annoying not to mention rude.
I was a bit astonished when I listened to Mr. Krauss interview Sabine Hossenfelder then Cormac McCarthy.He acted with Sabine (her book is Lost in Beauty)as if it was rare to hear talk of beauty re mathematical equations in physics. He sounded somewhat sceptical of her premise, while admitting that perhaps the notion was present but was largely unspoken.
Yet while attempting to chat up Cormac McCarthy, a tough sled,one entered a veritable beauty pageant.
He and CC both sounded like blurbs for her book.A very different take indeed! Contrast and compare listeners -see what you think.
When you speak of “woke” you sound like old men out of touch with young people. Do you ask why they are so sensitive? Do you talk to colleagues about how to address this with students? What steps are you taking to make young people tougher and more resilient and curious. Believe me, it is not interesting to listen to two old white guys complain about this. Particularly when one listens for quality SCIENCE content, not Boomer ranting hour.
Fascinating guests, and I welcome the robust debates between them and the host, I just wish that Krauss would learn to let guests finish their sentences/thoughts instead of constantly speaking over them. This makes it difficult for guests to give the best expression of their ideas, which should surely be a goal for any podcast host.
There are some great guests on this show but they become minor characters as they are dominated by Krause’s inordinate interest in himself. It is called perorating. What a shame. Krause does not know how to ask a simple question and let his guests shine.
Before listening to the Woody Allen episode, I recommend finding out more about Allen’s background in Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist Ronan Farrow’s podcast, Allen vs. Farrow. Slow clap for one of the greatest dirtbags in Hollywood history and pop culture!!! Lawrence Kraus was removed from his flagship program at Arizona State after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, so sexual harassment and misconduct are something both Kraus and Allen share in common. After seeing Allen’s name in the list of episodes, I decided to spend my time doing something other than checking out this podcast. Hard pass, especially on matters of substance and science. Try Sean Carroll’s podcast, Mindscape, Conversations at the Perimeter, or This Week in Science, with Dr. Kiki, for some better podcasts on science and physics.
As many have already mentioned, he constantly interrupts guests mid-sentence. Either by steering the conversation to himself or with annoying "oh yeah", and "umm yes", "I know, I know".
It is his personality so it is something he won't be able to fix any time soon. Just can't stomach it. Not for me.
I had very high hopes and I truly respect the host and guests but the conversations are so meandering and tedious (Douglas Murray episode for example) before getting to the meat that I just can’t take it. Sorry.
Krause has great guests, however his interviewing skills leave much to be desired. It’s as if he is is compensating for his insecurities by interjecting uhs, and yeah, yeahs, as well as referring himself. And PLEASE leave out the politics and stay with the science.
Lawrence K - Encourage you to listen back to your podcasts. You’re talking way too much. You’re smart, you have some good thoughts. You should be judicious in sharing them and talk maybe 40% of the time. Not 90.
As a white heterosexual male, I guess I should feel terribly aggrieved by the oppression of those scary feminists, at least according to Professor Flamengo’s worldview. I don’t know, I seem to be doing just fine, as are most of the other men I know. The whole “anti-feminist” pose just seems a bit silly.
Lawrence Krauss is a brilliant insightful and gracious host in this excellent podcast. He clearly does his homework to make the most of the interviews with some of the most important and interesting guests you will find it in any podcast. Highest recommendation!!!!!
This is a podcast with a host who has zero interviewing skill. He should focus on being a guest on other podcasts; either that or buy a book on broadcasting.
He talks over his guest all the time. He is awful.
I like Lawrence Krauss because he is a smart theoretical physicist. But I just can’t listen to his show anymore. I understand that interjections are a normal part of conversation when you talk to your friends, with an occasional “uh-huh” to show that you are listening, understand, and/or agree with your friend. Lawrence does it so frequently that it’s absolutely distracting; especially on a podcast when you’re trying to pay attention to what his guests are saying. This guy is constantly saying “um-um-yeah-yeah-uh-huh-uh-huh”. Sometimes he literally talks over his guest and makes complete sentences so that I have a hard time hearing what either are saying.
He also outright interrupts his guests frequently and side-tracks the conversation with trivial tangents.
I want to say “You have brilliant guests saying really enlightening stuff... let them speak!”
I can’t believe that with around SIX producers on the show, not one of them have pointed out that this minor flaw is keeping this podcast from the professional caliber of NPR or Joe Rogan.
Please remember: podcasts are not just about content. Presentation can make all the difference.
Dr. Krauss is a brilliant physicist with a big public profile for both good and bad reasons. Because of his reputation as a scientist he has managed to get some very smart, fascinating, and famous guests to appear on this podcast. However, his skill as an interviewer is poor. He’s impatient, his mind wanders, and he talks over his guests and interrupts them with exclamations. If you’ve heard Alec Baldwin’s interview show on NPR called Here’s The Thing, you have heard a worse interviewer than Lawrence Krauss, so that’s something. But, end of the day, it’s frustrating and infuriating to listen to an interview show where the guest is consistently sabotaged by the host’s need to talk. Krauss should study the interview styles of Preet Bharara and Terry Gross for examples of how it’s meant to be done...not that he will. And I guess I won’t know if he does, because after listening to a couple of episodes, I have no intention of tuning in again.
Kraus’ towering intellect and curiosity more than make up for his arrogance and super abundant awkwardness.
He’s brings great minds and contributors to the table and has the heft and power to engage them fully and energetically.
Essential content.
Just listening to Daniel Schrag interview. I find myself shouting at the host to Shut up and let the guest make his points without interruption. Very good guest in spite of the annoying interruptions
I don't deny Krauss is a great scientist and communicator. However, prior to Epstein's death, Krauss is on the record ardently defending Epstein's actions. Add on to that, ample evidence of Krauss's sexual harrasment of women and I think that should be ample reason to consider an alternative podcasts. There are a never ending supply out there.
It’s a great podcast with amazing guests and good topics, but the host takes over way too much! It feels like he has to constantly show he knows as much as his guests (regardless of the topic) and very often interrupts them. I do enjoy those moments where I can hear the guests express their thoughts though, and would give 5 star to those. Hoping that Prof Lawrence learns some humbleness and stops telling us all the time he went to Harvard or Yale or that he’s the head of this or that faculty, and maybe puts himself in the role of a journalist and truly gives the stage to his wonderful guests! Ah, and one more thing: more prominent FEMALE guests would be nice too.
Please, less is more when interviewing. The host often talks over his guest and interjects needlessly. That, in combination with the constant unintelligible acknowledgement groans, make these almost unlistenable. I do think there is potential but again, less talking more listening.
Kraus has great guests and great subject matter. I’m very happy to be receiving this podcast, but...
there’s a strong tendency by Dr. Krauss to interrupt and take over the conversation from the guests. I’m hoping that Larry will learn to step back and let the speaker run. I know that he needs to steer the conversation in order to cover a lot of territory however he’s not doing that when he is taking over the subject.
Lawrence Krauss is a beautiful human. His contributions and way of explaining the “big” questions and concepts is what makes him such a special person. Recently misunderstood, he continues to pursue knowledge in an open and thoughtful way, in public long form discussion.
Cheers Dr Krauss.