Introduction to The Life You Can Save Audiobook

Charlie Bresler, Ph.D., the Executive Director of The Life You Can Save organization, invites you to listen carefully to Peter Singer’s, celebrity-read audiobook by the same name.  Dr. Bresler suggests that if you “open your mind” to Singer’s words that show you how you can actually save lives, you can restore your sense of agency within a world that makes many of us feel helpless. To find out more about The Life You Can Save organisation: www.thelifeyoucansave.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-life-you-can-save/support

Michael Schur, the acclaimed executive producer and creator of the NBC series “The Good Place,” describes how the first edition of The Life You Can Save, sparked a change in his world view, leaving him with the realization that we each play a critical role in helping those less fortunate than ourselves.  Inspired? Act now: www.thelifeyoucansave.org/actnow --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-life-you-can-save/support

Professor Peter Singer, author of The Life You Can Save, introduces the 10th-anniversary edition. Reflecting on what has and hasn’t changed, he describes his intention to distil what he has learned over his forty-year career, about why we give or don’t give, and what we should do about it.  Honour Peter Singer’s goal: www.thelifeyoucansave.org/take-the-pledge --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-life-you-can-save/support

In this chapter–narrated by Kristin Bell, award-winning actress and star of the NBC series “The Good Place”–Professor Peter Singer asks; “If you saw a child drowning in a pond, would you jump in and save them?” He argues that the same instinct and moral obligation, which would lead most people to act without hesitation, should apply when deciding whether to help children living in poverty.   Want to save a child? www.thelifeyoucansave.org/best-charities --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-life-you-can-save/support

In chapter 2–narrated by award-winning singer-songwriter Paul Simon– Professor Peter Singer asks how far our moral obligation to help those living in poverty extends. Reflecting upon traditional views on helping the poor, he argues that there is nothing new in the idea that each of us has a strong moral obligation to help those in need.    Honour the tradition: www.thelifeyoucansave.org/take-the-pledge --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-life-you-can-save/support

Marc Evan Jackson–best known for his acting in the NBC series “The Good Place,” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”–narrates this Chapter which considers the validity of common objections to charitable giving. Examining global philanthropy, Professor Singer emphasizes that we are not yet doing as much as we should to effectively help those living in extreme poverty. He additionally highlights the vital role of evidence-based charity evaluators, such as the charity namesake of the book The Life You Can Save, the organization.  Explore the possibilities: www.thelifeyoucansave.org/best-charities --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-life-you-can-save/support

In this chapter–narrated by supermodel, philanthropist, and angel impact investor, Natalie Vodianova–Professor Singer considers the psychological factors underlying why people don’t give more, and what might change that. Drawing upon his experiences, he debunks the hypothesis that “It’s not in our nature,” to understand the moral necessity of giving to the distant poor.  Want to do more? www.thelifeyoucansave.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-life-you-can-save/support

Narrated by the acclaimed English author, actor, and comedian, Stephen Fry, Chapter 5 delves into proven approaches to creating a culture of giving. Describing the emergence of effective giving communities across the globe, Professor Singer outlines examples of how the actions of committed individuals, institutions, and groups can and is leading to a permanent change in how we give.  Want to spread the word? www.thelifeyoucansave.org/share-the-book --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-life-you-can-save/support

Narrated by actor and artist Nicholas D'Agosto, Chapter 6 debunks commonly held myths about how we should evaluate a charity’s performance and decide where to give. Drawing upon the emergence of charity evaluators who prioritize cost-effectiveness, Professor Singer  highlights how relatively small donations can do a huge amount of good when given to effective charities.   <![CDATA[ Want to help others explode the myths? www.thelifeyoucansave.org/share-the-book --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-life-you-can-save/support

This chapter delves into the criticisms of international aid, considers ways to objectively assess which types of aid program work, and examines how we can improve aid efficiency. Professor Singer argues that we can sharply reduce extreme poverty if we direct resources that match the problems addressed and choose to learn from our mistakes.     Join those who are doing more: www.thelifeyoucansave.org/best-charities --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-life-you-can-save/support