Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jordan Peterson

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Jordan Peterson made an impact.

Jordan Peterson is a Canadian psychologist, author, and media commentator known for his conservative-leaning views on cultural and political issues. While often described as conservative, Peterson identifies as a classical liberal and traditionalist. He gained prominence in the late 2010s, sparking significant debate and discussion.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

July 1993: Teaching and Research at Harvard University

From July 1993, Peterson taught and conducted research at Harvard University as an assistant professor in the psychology department.

June 1998: Departure from Harvard University

In June 1998, Peterson concluded his time at Harvard University and returned to Canada to become a professor at the University of Toronto.

1998: Return to Canada and Professorship at University of Toronto

In 1998, Jordan Peterson returned to Canada after researching and teaching at Harvard University and became a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto.

1999: Publication of Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief

In 1999, Peterson published his first book, Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief, which became the basis for many of his subsequent lectures. The book combined psychology, mythology, religion, literature, philosophy and neuroscience to analyze systems of belief and meaning.

Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief

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2003: Appearance on Big Ideas

In 2003, Peterson appeared on TVOntario's "Big Ideas", speaking on subjects from a psychological perspective.

2004: Lecture series based on Maps of Meaning

In 2004, a 13-part lecture series based on Peterson's book "Maps of Meaning" aired on TVOntario.

2006: Second appearance on Big Ideas

In 2006, Peterson appeared for a second time on TVOntario's "Big Ideas".

2007: Commentary in BBC Horizon documentary

In 2007, Peterson provided commentary in the BBC Horizon documentary, "Mad but Glad", discussing the connection between pianist Nick van Bloss' Tourette syndrome and his musical talent.

2011: Appearance on The Agenda

From 2011, Peterson was featured as an essayist and panelist on TVOntario's "The Agenda", discussing psychologically relevant cultural issues.

2013: Registration of JordanPetersonVideos YouTube Channel

In 2013, Peterson registered a YouTube channel named JordanPetersonVideos, and immediately began uploading recordings of lectures and interviews.

2014: Uploading Recordings of University of Toronto Classes

From 2014, uploads to JordanPetersonVideos include recordings from two of his classes at University of Toronto ("Personality and Its Transformations" and "Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief").

March 2016: Interest in Improving YouTube Content

In March 2016, Peterson announced an interest to clean existing content and improve future content on his YouTube channel, JordanPetersonVideos.

January 2017: Increased funding through Patreon

In January 2017, Jordan Peterson's Patreon funding increased to $14,000 per month, enabling him to propose a number of projects and lecture series.

2017: Clinical Practice on Hold

In 2017, Peterson decided to put his clinical practice on hold due to new projects.

January 2018: Publication of 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos

In January 2018, Penguin Random House published Peterson's second book, 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, which appeared on several best-seller lists.

12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos

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June 2018: Debate with Sam Harris

In June 2018, Bret Weinstein moderated a debate between Peterson and Sam Harris at the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver regarding religion and God.

August 2018: YouTube Channel Growth

As of August 2018, Peterson's YouTube channel, JordanPetersonVideos, gathered more than 1.8 million subscribers and his videos received more than 65 million views.

2018: Temporary Stop to Teaching

As of 2018, Peterson temporarily stopped teaching.

2018: Publication of 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos

In 2018, Peterson paused his clinical practice and teaching duties and published his second book, 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, which became a bestseller.

12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos

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March 2019: Cambridge University Rescinds Fellowship Invitation

In March 2019, Cambridge University rescinded a visiting fellowship invitation to Jordan Peterson, citing concerns over his association with a man wearing an Islamophobic shirt and the university's commitment to inclusivity.

April 2019: Debate with Slavoj Žižek

In April 2019, Peterson debated Slavoj Žižek at the Sony Centre in Toronto over happiness under capitalism versus Marxism.

March 2021: Release of Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life

On 2 March 2021, Peterson's third book, Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life, was released.

Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life

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2021: Publication of Beyond Order, Resignation from University of Toronto, Return to Podcasting

In 2021, Jordan Peterson published his third book, Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life, resigned from the University of Toronto, and returned to podcasting.

Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life

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2021: Retirement from the University of Toronto

In the fall of 2021, Peterson retired from the University of Toronto and became professor emeritus.

January 2022: Interview on The Joe Rogan Experience

In January 2022, Jordan Peterson was interviewed by Joe Rogan on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, where he made controversial statements about climate modeling.

May 2022: Chancellor of Ralston College

In May 2022, Peterson became chancellor of the newly launched Ralston College, an unaccredited liberal arts education project.

June 2022: Deal with The Daily Wire

In June 2022, Jordan Peterson signed a deal with The Daily Wire, granting them distribution rights to his video and podcast library, with plans to produce bonus content for DailyWire+.

November 2022: Book of Exodus Lecture Series Released

In November 2022, Jordan Peterson released a second series of lectures on the Book of Exodus on DailyWire+.

2022: Chancellor of Ralston College

In 2022, Peterson became chancellor of the newly launched Ralston College, a private, unaccredited, liberal arts college in Savannah, Georgia.

June 2023: Founding of Alliance for Responsible Citizenship

In June 2023, Peterson, along with Baroness Stroud and John Anderson, founded the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship.

November 2023: Alliance for Responsible Citizenship Conference

In November 2023, the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship, an organization affiliated with Peterson, held a three-day conference. Peterson stated that "We do not believe that humanity is necessarily and inevitably teetering on the brink of apocalyptic disaster." The conference hosted several speakers who downplayed the extent of anthropogenic climate change and promoted the use of fossil fuels. Attendee and biologist Jennifer Marohasy characterized the conference as a platform for spreading climate change denialism.

2023: Published A Conservative Manifesto

In 2023, Jordan Peterson published "A Conservative Manifesto", further solidifying his association with conservative ideology.

November 2024: Publication of We Who Wrestle with God: Perceptions of the Divine

Peterson's fourth book, We Who Wrestle with God: Perceptions of the Divine, was published on 19 November 2024, again by Penguin Random House.

2024: Launched Peterson Academy

In 2024, Jordan Peterson launched the Peterson Academy, an online education platform offering pre-recorded lectures.

2024: Publication of "We Who Wrestle with God"

In 2024, Peterson published "We Who Wrestle with God", an analytical reading of the Bible. The book received mixed reviews, with Christianity Today praising its exegesis but noting its slipperiness on theological truth, while The Times criticized it as unreadable and paranoid and The Guardian criticized Peterson's contempt for nuance and disagreement.

We Who Wrestle with God: Perceptions of the Divine

Check it on Amazon

May 2025: Debate with Atheists

In May 2025, Peterson engaged in a debate with 20 atheists hosted by Jubilee Media. The debate, originally titled "1 Christian vs. 20 atheists", went viral on social media. During the debate, Peterson refused to identify as a Christian, leading to a title change to "Jordan Peterson vs. 20 atheists".