{"podcast":{"title":"First Principles","slug":"first-principles-7708985","podcast_index_feed_id":7708985,"rss_url":"https://feeds.megaphone.fm/PODAGEN4765221373","website_url":null,"image_url":"https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/06eebd2a-0779-11f1-826e-37926ac18342/image/fca7c8febd1441fc3b0d54084418b06d.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress","author":"Adrian Wells","episode_count":324,"summary":"First Principles isn't another business podcast recycling the same startup stories. Adrian Wells takes the fundamentals that actually matter and breaks them down like you're having coffee with the smartest professor you ever had. Wells spent twelve years teaching philosophy and critical thinking before ditching the lecture hall for the microphone. Turns out, the same principles that help you think clearly about ancient Greek ethics also work pretty well for modern business decisions. Who knew? Every episode strips away the latest trends and buzzwords to focus on the core ideas that don't change. How to actually evaluate evidence when everyone's throwing around statistics. Why most \"revolutionary\" business advice is just old wine in new bottles. The thinking patterns that separate smart decisions from lucky guesses. You won't get hyped-up success stories or flavor-of-the-month strategies. Instead, you'll learn how to think through problems the way philosophers have for centuries, applied to the stuff that matters in your work and life right now. Multiple new episodes drop daily, so there's always something fresh when you need it. Follow now if you're ready to think better, not just…","last_synced_at":"2026-07-23T16:19:48.696188+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/first-principles-7708985"},"episode":{"title":"Brian Keating: I'm Spending $200 Million To Prove God Exists Through Science","slug":"brian-keating-i-m-spending-200-million-to-prove-god-exists-through-science","published_at":"2026-07-19T21:48:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/first-principles-7708985/brian-keating-i-m-spending-200-million-to-prove-god-exists-through-science","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/first-principles-7708985","url":"https://traffic.megaphone.fm/PODAGEN4541357836.mp3?updated=1776258530","audio_url":"https://traffic.megaphone.fm/PODAGEN4541357836.mp3?updated=1776258530","summary":"What if a $200 million telescope project could answer humanity's biggest question: are we alone in a universe that seems perfectly designed for life? Astrophysicist Brian Keating thinks it can, and his approach to blending rigorous science with spiritual curiosity might surprise you. In this episode, Adrian Wells sits down with the scientist leading one of the most ambitious cosmic research projects ever attempted. 🎯 What You'll Learn: • How the Simons Observatory's advanced telescopes will map cosmic background radiation with unprecedented precision • Why the BICEP2 gravitational waves discovery (and retraction) taught Keating more about science than any success • The fine-tuning argument: how physical constants seem suspiciously perfect for supporting life • Keating's framework for exploring spiritual questions through scientific methods without compromising either 👤 Perfect for: lifelong learners and anyone passionate about personal growth who've wondered how science and spirituality actually fit together in the modern world. 📍 Chapters: [00:00] Adrian Wells introduces the $200 million cosmic question [02:15] Inside the Simons Observatory project and what it's really searching for [05:30] The BICEP2 story: how getting it wrong taught Keating to think better [08:45] Fine-tuning physics: why our universe seems built for life [11:00] Bridging science and spirituality without losing intellectual honesty [13:30] What this means for how we think about existence and purpose Keating's research isn't just about distant galaxies. It's about asking fundamental questions with the intellectual tools we have, whether they come from telescopes or philosophy. His willingness to engage seriously with both scientific evidence and spiritual questions offers a refreshing alternative to…","meta_description":"What if a $200 million telescope project could answer humanity's biggest question: are we alone in a universe that seems perfectly designed for life? 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