Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan

713 - Jesse Bering on The Incredible Afterlives of Dr. Stevenson

In this episode of Tangentially Speaking, host Chris Ryan chats with experimental psychologist Jesse Bering about Bering's new biography, *The Incredible Afterlives of Dr. Ian Stevenson*, which chronicles the life and rigorous research of the controversial psychiatrist who studied reincarnation. They explore the challenges Stevenson faced in presenting paranormal research within mainstream science, and discuss broader issues of scientific communication, such as confirmation bias, the replication crisis, and the tension between storytelling and nuance. Bering shares his perspective as a science writer, emphasizing the need for balanced, engaging narratives that respect methodological complexity while reaching a wide audience. The conversation also touches on how commercial pressures shape the topics scientists and writers choose to pursue.