PLAY PODCASTS
Ross and Ezra Klein Discuss Trump, Mysticism and Psychedelics

Ross and Ezra Klein Discuss Trump, Mysticism and Psychedelics

This week, we’re sharing a great conversation Ross had on “The Ezra Klein Show” this past spring. Ezra asks Ross about his most recent book, “Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious.” But along the way, they debate not just how religion influences the Trump administration but also their own lives. Come for their seeking and stay for their thoughts on ayahuasca and mystical encounters.

Interesting Times with Ross Douthat

August 21, 20251h 36m

Audio is streamed directly from the publisher (dts.podtrac.com) as published in their RSS feed. Play Podcasts does not host this file. Rights-holders can request removal through the copyright & takedown page.

Show Notes

This week, we’re sharing a great conversation Ross had on “The Ezra Klein Show” this past spring. Ezra asks Ross about his most recent book, “Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious.” But along the way, they debate not just how religion influences the Trump administration but also their own lives. Come for their seeking and stay for their thoughts on ayahuasca and mystical encounters.

  • 02:39 - Trump: man of destiny?
  • 19:55 - Political power, cruelty and Godliness
  • 36:13 - Religion and spirituality in the modern world
  • 42:53 - The mysteries of the universe…
  • 48:38 - Aliens! Fairies! (and some Catholic history)
  • 56:51 - Contending with uncertainty and evil
  • 1:05:24 - Psychedelic experiences
  • 1:20:56 - Official knowledge
  • 1:38:58 - Book recommendations

Thoughts? Email us at [email protected]. Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel, Interesting Times with Ross Douthat.

A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.