Michael Stevens
Self - Host
Series SeasonSeason 0 episodes2017
Mind Field
Specials
No season overview available.
Episodes
Each episode has its own detail page.
Episode 13 min2017-10-06
Grayson Brulte Interview
I get candid with Grayson Brulte, autonomous vehicle expert, as we discuss the potential ethical issues associated with driverless cars.
Episode 217 min2017-12-06
Uncut Shaman Song
Watch as a Peruvian Shaman performs his icaro—or healing chant—in its entirety, from my Ayahuasca ceremony.
Episode 32 min2017-12-06
A Few Personal Questions
With just seven days until my Ayahuasca ceremony, I fill out a recommended personality survey—which becomes a little revealing.
Episode 46 min2017-12-06
Gail Thomas Interview
I explore how psychedelics can improve mental health in my interview with cancer survivor Gail Thomas, as we discuss her experience in a study involving psilocybin--or mushrooms.
Episode 53 min2017-12-06
Digital Drugs
Is there a way to experience the effects of psychedelic drugs without having to ingest anything? Watch as I test out a few of these unconventional audio and visual files to see if their claims are true.
Episode 614 min2017-12-06
Uncut False Confession
Expert Melissa Russano elicits a false confession from one of our test subjects in this fascinating, uncut session.
Episode 75 min2017-12-06
False Confession Victim
I sit down with Jeffrey Deskovic, a real-life victim of a false confession conviction.
Episode 86 min2017-12-06
The Human Lab Rat
Check out this extended cut of my challenging experience as a human lab rat in a giant, 60-foot real-world maze.
Episode 93 min2017-12-13
Hero in the Sky
I interview Shirley Dygert, a first time skydiver, and her tandem skydiving instructor, Dave Hartsock, about a treacherous skydive they both miraculously survived.
Episode 102 min2017-12-13
Mr. Xtreme
In San Diego, real-life superheroes walk the streets as part of the Xtreme Justice League. I chat with Mr. Xtreme, one of the league’s most visible members, to discuss what it means to be a hero in today’s society.
Episode 115 min2017-12-20
Thought Implant
Check out the final stage of our power of suggestion test, where we try to convince our subjects that a brain scanner can implant a number in their minds.
Episode 121 min2017-12-20
Sham Acupuncture
I go deeper into accessory-assisted placebos by discussing sham acupuncture—and getting stuck with a few needles in the process.
Episode 131 min2017-12-20
Unleashed
I attempt to discuss placebos, but my furry co-star keeps stealing the scene.
Episode 141 min2017-12-27
Hearing Test
Let’s do a little test. I’ll play two tones and you see if you’re one of the few people who can notice a difference between them.
Episode 154 min2017-12-27
The Musical Savant
Derek Paravicini, a blind, autistic pianist and musical savant, sits down with me at the keyboard and shows off his incredible range of musical styles.
Episode 164 min2017-12-27
Dynamic Duet
Jazz pianist Dave O’Brien and his student Derek Paravicini play an impressive piano duet for me.
Episode 171 min2018-01-03
Marcie Bockbrader Interview
Research Physiatrist Marcie Bockbrader talks to me about a brain-computer interface project that is helping a paralyzed man move his arm.
Episode 185 min2018-01-03
Sending a Signal
I interview principal research statistician David Friedenberg about his role in analyzing all the data collected in a project aimed at helping a paralyzed man move again.
Episode 1913 min2018-12-05
The Origins of Disgust
With the help of Cecile Sarabian, Dr. Andrew MacIntosh and some fake poop, Michael observes levels of disgust among Japanese Macaques.
Episode 204 min2018-12-05
Rock, Paper, Scissors
Kyoto University Ph.D. candidate Jie Gao shares her research involving Chimpanzees and the schoolyard game “Rock, Paper, Scissors.”
Episode 213 min2018-12-05
Brains and Language
Michael and Dr. Terrence Deacon discuss the connection between language and the physical brain.
Episode 221 min2018-12-05
The Park PSA
We edited the fake Los Angeles parks PSA from our Moral Licensing demonstration!
Episode 237 min2018-12-05
Virtual Dilemmas
Michael wrestles with two moral dilemmas in VR, designed by researchers Dr. Erick Ramirez and Dr. Scott LaBarge.
Episode 243 min2018-12-12
Coin Toss
Michael uses a series of coin flips and a large group of people to demonstrate the “wisdom of the crowd.”
Episode 253 min2018-12-12
Q & A
Michael recruits local Vsauce fans for his Brain experiment, and fields questions in a Q&A setting.
Episode 262 min2018-12-12
Memory Lane
Michael shares memories with his mom, who has saved everything from his childhood - from report cards to his space camp jacket.
Episode 271 min2018-12-12
Fast Times at Blue Valley High
Michael takes Dr. Chris Eliasmith on a tour through his high school, including his forensics team’s wall of fame.
Episode 282 min2018-12-12
Jelly Bean Experiment
Michael conducts his own version of the famous “jelly bean jar” experiment and reveals the statistical significance of the results.
Episode 293 min2018-12-19
A Great Performance
Michael learns the true story behind Stanford Prison Experiment guard Dave Eshleman’s “John Wayne” moniker.
Episode 302 min2018-12-19
Personal Responsibility
Michael learns more about Ben Blum’s cousin Alex and his personal transformation after participating in an armed bank robbery
Episode 312 min2018-12-26
A Death Positive World
Michael meets with Caitlin Doughty and learns about a death-positive culture in Indonesia, where relatives keep their dead loved ones in their homes.
Episode 323 min2018-12-26
World Views
Michael meets with psychologists Dr. Jeff Greenberg and Dr. Sheldon Solomon to discuss how death affects our world views.
Episode 332 min2018-12-26
A Frozen Pioneer
Michael visits Alcor life extension and learns about the first person to ever be frozen using cryonics.
Episode 342 min2018-10-26
A Family Affair
Michael visits Alcor life extension and learns about the family behind – and preserved by – cryonics.
Episode 356 min2018-12-26
Philosophizing About Death
Michael discusses the philosophy of death, and its changing definition, with Dr. Max More, CEO of Alcor life extension.
Episode 363 min2019-01-02
Barnard's Star
Michael and Dr. Douglas Vakoch discuss Barnard’s Star, the closest star to our solar system, within the context of sending messages into space.
Episode 373 min2019-01-02
The Golden Record
Michael and Dr. Steven Vance discuss the famous “Golden Record”, which was sent aboard NASA’s Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft.
Episode 3830 min2019-10-24
What Is The Scariest Thing?
Stevens talks about fear and if there exists an innate fear of which all people are afraid.
Episode 3930 min2019-10-14
I Watch 3 Episodes of Mind Field With Our Experts & Researchers
I asked a group of colleagues who worked with me on the series to sit down at Vsauce HQ and watch through three entire episodes. We go behind the scenes, elaborate on topics in the episodes, and dig in to what impact working on Mind Field has had on their current research.