The Psychology Podcast

This week Scott is joined by author and professor of psychology at the University of North Carolina, Dr. Kurt Gray. Scott and Dr. Gray discuss why Americans seem so divided at this point in time, the psychology of self-righteous indignation, how we all share harm-based moral minds, and what we can do to find common ground.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by Jodi Wellman. Jodi is an author, executive coach, and expert on resiliency. Scott and Jodi discuss living well with no regrets, and learning to embrace the bright side of your limited time on Earth. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by author, speaker and therapist, Israa Nasir. Scott and Israa discuss toxic productivity, the connection between productivity and self-worth, and how to transform shame into curiosity.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by author and professor of leadership at the Columbia Business School, Dr. Michael Morris. Scott and Dr. Morris discuss the upsides of tribalism— 

from uniting different tribes to practical implications for workplace inclusion to how tribal psychology may be our best hope for social change. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this solo episode of The Human Potential Lab, Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman shines a light in the intersection of personality, well-being, and creativity. After describing each of the major personality traits on offer among humans, he then discusses how personality is related to creative achievement and which traits are related to which forms of well-being. He concludes with a hopeful message about the important of accepting your traits.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by "The World's Greatest Mind Reader", Banachek. Scott and Banachek discuss criticisms of self-described psychics, the link between psychology and magic, and Banachek's successful attempts to fool professional paranormal psychologists. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by activist, podcaster and author, Wallo 267. Scott and Wallo discuss Wallo's early life of crime and incarceration, what he did after his release to change his path in life for the better, his impact on the youth and hip hop community, and his mission to show the world that there are no straight lines to healing. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott has a chat with clinical psychologist Michael Alcee, where they have a humanistic discussion about obsessive compulsive disorder. Michael is critical of the standard medical model of OCD and points out the upsides of OCD. He argues that people with OCD have a unique temperament, which includes heightened existential sensitivity and a richer imagination. While people with OCD certainly have their struggles, and tend to be obsessed about causing harm or receiving harm, Michael also points us to all the ways that OCD have historically been channeled into some of the greatest works of art and literature, and how everyone with OCD can have a healthier relationship with their OCD.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Scott is joined by The Cosmic Romantics— the husband and wife magic team consisting of Eric Thirsting and Elizabeth Messick! Scott talks to the couple about balancing a romantic and professional relationship, Elizabeth’s own struggles with mental health, and the different kind of magic archetypes. They even do magic for each other!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by author and professor of psychology at Stanford University, Dr. Jamil Zaki. Scott and Dr. Zaki discuss tribal cynicism, how hopeful skepticism is different from naive optimism, and the importance of countering “social shark attacks”.

Dr. Zaki's website- https://www.jamil-zaki.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by Kim Shapira, a celebrity dietician, author and nutritional therapist. Scott and Kim discuss the rules of the “Kim Shapira Method”, the psychology behind losing weight (and keeping it off) as well as the fact that a craving is not a hunger. Kim shows how changing your relationship to food can truly change your entire life.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by author and cultural critic, Ruth Whippman. Scott and Ruth discuss what it's like being a mother raising boys in modern society, the role of "masculinity influencers”, and what healthy masculinity looks like. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by true crime and morbid curiosity psychologist, Dr. Coltan Scrivner. Scott and Dr. Scrivner discuss how to determine your level of interest in morbid curiosity, why some people have a higher level of tolerance (and even attraction) to scary things, and how to spot a “bleeding-heart" horror fan. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by NYU professor and expert on social identity, Dr. Jay Van Bavel. Dr. Kaufman and Dr. Van Bavel discuss how to escape your echo chambers and overcome your biases, the role social media plays in creating a funhouse mirror, and how to make connections with fellow humans even if they're in your out-group. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by consultant, coach, speaker, and author Africa Brooke. In this lively conversation, Scott and Africa discuss the importance of diversity of thought, expressing yourself in an age of intolerance, and why sometimes it's important to listen to people that you don't necessarily agree with.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by NYU professor and author Dr. Tessa West. Scott and Dr. West discuss how to find a fulfilling job, how to deal with jerks in the workplace, five common sources of career frustration, and how to make a resume more appealing. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by evolutionary biologist and author, Dr. Marc Hauser. Scott and Marc discuss adverse child experiences and why it's important to distinguish them from trauma. They also discuss Marc's framework for thinking about childhood adversity and how to help all kinds of vulnerable minds.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by author and social health expert Kasley Killam. Scott and Kasley discuss the importance of prioritizing social health and why cultivating relationships is as important as diet, exercise and sleep.  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by NYU social psychologist and author Dr. Jonathan Haidt. Scott and Jonathan discuss the "great rewiring of childhood" and how it is negatively affecting the mental health of teenagers. They also discuss why a return to play based childhoods are better for kids in the long run and review the criticism of his research with an eye toward nuance and the recommendation of better studies to address one of the most pressing issues of our time.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined  by author and podcaster, Cory Allen. Scott and Cory discuss how to live better through teachings on mindfulness, mental clarity, facing reality, and personal growth through the lens of Buddhism.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by standup comedian and co-host of the critically acclaimed "Guys We F**ed: The Anti Slut Shaming Podcast", Krystyna Hutchinson. Scott and Krystyna discuss the psychology of standup comedy, psychological theory about relationships, and what to do when you find out your father isn't actually your father.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by author, former monk, spiritual mindfulness guide, and friend Cory Muscara. Scott and Cory discuss the value of self-connection, whether or not there is a "true self", and the role of mindfulness in the self actualization journey.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by author and neuroscientist, Dr. James Doty. Scott and James discuss whether there is any science behind the law of attraction, the importance of "value tagging", and the neuroscience behind manifestation. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by clinical psychologist and author Dr. Ramani Durvasula. Dr. Durvasula is one of the world’s leading experts on narcissism. In this episode, they the common myths about narcissism, the warning signs of narcissism to look for when a new person enters your life, and how to heal and move on with your life after you've been hurt by a narcissistic person. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by Dr. Agnieszka Golec, the world’s expert on collective narcissism. Scott and Agnieszka dive deep into this relevant and rich topic, touching on the effects that this thinking has on broader society, how it has fanned the flames of populism around the world, and how it can be curbed to bring people closer together and foster more peace.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by developmental psychologist Ellen Winner. Scott and Ellen discuss Ellen's views on IQ and giftedness, the myth that gifted children are gifted in all subject areas, and the importance of artistic giftedness. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by NY Times bestselling author, A.J Jacobs, who spent a year living his life living like a founding father down to every single detail— quill pens and all. A.J. reveals what he learned using his adopted colonial mindset, how the constitution affects our lives as well as ways we can interpret it, and the best ways to pursue happiness. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by happiness researcher and best selling author, Dr. Emma Seppala. Scott and Dr,. Seppala discuss the concept of “sovereign", an emancipation from all the ways you subjugate yourself in your own existence. Emma teaches us all how to reconnect with yourself in a healthy way. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by sociologist and psychologist, Corey Keyes. Scott and Corey discuss the pervasiveness of languishing in our society today and how to feel alive again. Dr. Keyes explains the 5 psychological vitamins we should all be taking to live life to avoid depression and live life to the fullest.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by clinical psychologist Lisa Damour where they have a nuance and compassionate discussion about the emotional and social lives of teenagers. In this episode they dispel many myths, including the idea that emotional means fragile. Lisa also offers the best evidence-based ways to support teens through their emotional and social journeys and help them thrive.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by Pulitzer Prize winning reporter and best selling author, Charles Duhigg. Scott and Charles discuss why some conversations succeed while others fail, the 3 main types of conversations, and how to be a supercommunicator. 

Timestamps

2:15- How’d Charles Think of The Cover of his book?

3:33- Are there super communicator prodigies

6:40- When did Charles get interested in this topic?

8:29- What are the three types of conversations?

10:50- How can we apply super communication to politics?

18:23- People who disagree historically come together

20:36- Common mistakes people make when talking with each other

23:12- Are great therapists great super communicators?

25:01- What’s going on in “The Big Bang Theory” writer’s room?

33:51- How can you improve connection if you’re shy?

37:25- How can people who have trouble with social cues improve connection?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by one of the world's foremost sports psychologists, Michael Gervais. Scott and Michael discuss FOPO (Fear of People's Opinions), the importance of grounding your actions in authenticity, and the dangers of performance-based identities. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by Assistant Principal Cellist of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Yumi Kendall. They discuss classical music's role in human flourishing and human transcendence, how life changes once you're a mother, and the sublime coincidence of Yumi occupying the same chair as Scott's grandfather in the Philadelphia Orchestra. 

2:01-The Suzuki Method

7:53-What Is A Waldorf Education?

12:19-Yumi's Crystalizing Experience With The Cello

15:59-What Does Talent Mean?

25:33-What Are The Characteristics Of A Creative Musician?

32:28-What Are Tiers Of Transcendence?

40:32-The Importance of Self Compassion

42:12-How Can We Cultivate Healthy Organizations?

48:59-How Motherhood Has Enriched Yumi's Life

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined Modern Elder Academy Founder and best selling author, Chip Conley. Scott and Chip discuss the joys of living in midlife, the importance of being a part of something bigger than yourself, and why life gets better with age.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by author and creator of Farnham Street blog Shane Parrish. Scott and Shane discuss mastering the skill of clear thinking, taming emotions and one's ego, and practical tips for strength and resilience.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by Columbia business professor Dr. Shena Lyengar on how we make choices and innovate. Scott and Sheena discuss the essential tools of becoming a good chooser, the neuroscience of creativity and innovation, and how outsiders can come into a field and become an expert in it. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by author of "The Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well". Scott and Amy discuss the encouragement of taking smart risks, reframing one's thinking to expect and accept more failure to gain greater success, and how to have a little fun when something doesn't work out. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by “The Holistic Psychologist ”, Dr. Nicole LePera, author of the new book "How To Be The Love You Seek". They discuss the importance of being emotionally connected to yourself, healing personal traumas, and expressing your emotions authentically to others.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by authors of the new book "The Cancelling of The American Mind", Greg Lukianoff and Rikki Schlott. The three discuss cancel culture's effect on human psychology and how to course correct a society intent on cancelling itself. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by therapist and creator of Internal Family Systems (IFS), Richard Schwartz. Dr. Schwartz offers his latest thoughts on IFS, personal burdens, and the 8 C's of Self-Energy. He even helps Scott make contact with a part of himself that's been buried since childhood summer camp during an impromptu therapy session. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Scott is joined by Author and American Mountain climbing legend, Alison Levine, to discuss pushing through fatigue to find your inner strength, turning personal moments of “no” into moments of “yes”, and tapping into your fullest potential whatever mountain you are climbing.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Scott is joined by Psychiatrist and Author of "The Matter with Things", Iain McGilchrist, for a wide-ranging conversation spanning the main differences between left brain and right brain functions, the creative brain, intelligence, the source of truth, and the metaphysical realm of human existence. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy 2024 Psychology Podcast listeners. It's a new year and it's time to finally change your personality. Forget the fluff-- Scott is here to bring you some science-backed tips to actually become a new you. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy 2024 listeners! A heads up that we'll be dark to start the year but will be back and better than ever in 2 weeks!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today it’s a real honor to have Carol Dweck on the podcast. Dr. Dweck is a leading researcher in the field of motivation and is the Lewis and Virginia Eaton Professor of Psychology at Stanford. Her research examines the role of mindsets in personal achievement and organizational effectiveness. Dr. Dweck has also held professorships at Columbia and Harvard Universities, has lectured to education, business, and sports groups around the world, has addressed the United Nations, has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences, and has won 12 lifetime achievement awards for her research. Her best-selling book Mindset has been widely influential and has been translated into over 25 languages. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Dr. Antonio Damasio. He is an internationally recognized neuroscientist whose extensive research has shaped the understanding of neural systems and consciousness. With over a hundred journal articles and book chapters, he has earned many prestigious awards throughout his career. Currently, he serves as University Professor, the David Dornsife Professor of Neuroscience, Psychology, and Philosophy, and director of the Brain and Creativity Institute at the University of Southern California. His books Descartes’ Error, Looking for Spinoza, Self Comes to Mind, The Strange Order of Things, and Feeling & Knowing, have been published in translation and are taught in universities throughout the world. In this episode, I talk to Antonio Damasio about consciousness. People often think that the mind and consciousness are the same thing, but Dr. Damasio disputes this notion. He argues that it’s the complex relationship of both our brains and bodies that makes sentient thought possible. Homeostatic feelings like hunger and pain developed before emotions; and along with it came consciousness. We also touch on the topics of perception, mental illness, evolution, panpsychism, AI and machine learning. Website: dornsife.usc.edu/bc Twitter: @damasiousc

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today it’s great to have the legendary Noam Chomsky on the podcast. Noam is a public intellectual, linguist, and political activist. He’s the author of many influential books, including Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media, and his latest book with Robert Pollin called Climate Crisis and The Green New Deal: The Political Economy of Saving The Planet. Chomsky is also known for helping to initiate and sustain the cognitive revolution. He’s the Laureate Professor of Linguistics at The University of Arizona and Institute Professor Emeritus at MIT. Topics [02:06] The cognitive revolution of the ‘50s and ‘60s [03:49] Noam’s first encounter with behaviorism [12:41] What it was like to be part of the cognitive revolution [17:49] Implicit learning and artificial grammar [26:30] Noam’s view on modern-day behavioral genetics [28:05] Noam's thoughts on intelligence [32:02] Noam’s take on creativity [38:41] Chomsky's view vs. Foucault's view [42:49] Noam’s thoughts on modern-day social justice movements [45:50] Is there such a thing as human nature? [49:06] Identity vs. human nature [54:54] Noam’s views on race consciousness in America [59:16] Why Noam thinks Trump is the worst criminal in human history [1:00:34] How can democrats appeal to Trump supporters? [1:03:47] Cancel culture [1:05:10] The complexities of the slogan "defund the police" [1:08:36] Noam reflects on his life regrets [1:10:17] Chomsky's life advice

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome David Epstein, the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, and of the bestseller The Sports Gene, both of which have been translated in more than 20 languages. His TED Talks on performance science have been viewed more than 11 million times. He has master's degrees in environmental science and journalism and has worked as an investigative reporter for ProPublica and a senior writer for Sports Illustrated. In this episode, I talked to David Epstein about greatness. If there's one thing we know for sure about greatness, it's that there is no linear path to it. David and I discuss the complex relationship of talent and hard work in specific domains. Although there is no formula, we can both agree that persistent effort and fierce determination are necessary ingredients—but so is talent. We have a nuanced discussion of the dance between nature and nurture on the path to talent. It’s a very delicate dance. We also touch on the topics of self-actualization, creativity, fulfillment and moral greatness. Website: davidepstein.com Twitter: @DavidEpstein

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I talk to George Bonanno about trauma and resiliency. We start off by discussing what people get wrong about trauma and how this led to the invention of the PTSD diagnosis. George defines what resilience is, how it’s different from growth, and its paradoxical correlation to individual differences. Finally, he elaborates on how the flexibility mindset and sequence help us get through personal traumatic events or global tragedies like 9/11 or the COVID-19 pandemic. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode of The Psychology Podcast, we continue the "Best of Series" with Angela Duckworth. Angela Duckworth researches self-control and grit, which is defined as passion and perseverance for long term goals. Her research has demonstrated that there are factors that can be more predictive of success than IQ. In this episode we cover some of her findings on grit, including academic and popular misconceptions of this work. We also discuss research on standardized testing, self-control and more.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode of The Psychology Podcast, we continue the "Best of Series" with Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman.Our conversation revolves around judgment and decision-making. According to Kahneman, noise and bias are everywhere but we don't tend to notice it. We talk about how to reduce noise and bias, and what it means to think fast and slow.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I talk to renowned neuroscientist Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett about emotions and the brain. She reveals what the true function of the brain is⎯and it’s not for thinking. We also discuss the impact of past experiences on our cognition and what we can do to overcome our own detrimental patterns. Further into our discussion, Dr. Lisa challenges the traditionally held view that emotions are universal. In her own theory of constructed emotion, she argues that variability in emotional expression exists due to socialization and language differences. We also touch on the topics of hallucinogens, culture, education, relationships, and authoritarianism.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Robert Waldinger to the podcast. Robert is a psychiatrist, psychoanalyst and Zen priest. He is Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, where he directs the Harvard Study of Adult Development. His TEDx talk on this subject has received nearly 44 million views, and is the 9th most watched TED talk of all time. He is the co-author of The Good Life with Dr. Marc Schulz.In this episode, I talk to Robert Waldinger about the secret to a happy life. Robert shares with us the recent findings of The Grant Study, which is the longest scientific study of happiness ever conducted. It’s been ongoing for more than 80 years now, and has had high profile participants like US President John F. Kennedy. Robert and I get into the details of how they continue to conduct research and how to make sense of both the new and old data. Sure enough, what the study has found consistent is the power of connection. We also touch on the topics of psychodynamic therapy, defense mechanisms, attachment, and psychological research.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Orin Davis to the podcast. Orin Davis earned the first doctorate in positive psychology, and is a self-actualization engineer who enables people to do and be their best. As the Principal Investigator of the Quality of Life Laboratory, he conducts research on flow, creativity, hypnosis, and mentoring. Dr. Davis consults for companies from startups to multinationals on hiring strategies, culture, innovation, and employee well-being. He is the author of Team Flow: The psychology of optimal collaboration. 

In this episode, I talk to Orin Davis about the new science of flow. A lot of people are familiar with the concept of flow, but according to Dr. Davis, the experience of it is not very common. We discuss Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s work and how Dr. Davis is expanding the research of flow by studying it at a group level. He talks about how we can increase the chances of experiencing flow for both individuals and teams. We also touch on the topics of microflow, hypnosis, absorption, positive psychology, and self-actualization. 

Website: https://qllab.org/

Twitter: @DrOrinDavis

Topics

02:11 Orin’s dissertation

03:18 What is the flow experience?

09:01 Neuroscience of flow

11:57 Team flow

18:53 The whole team needs to be in flow

20:32 Flow is rare

22:07 How to increase flow

28:42 Democratizing flow

31:00 Microflow 

35:14 How to spark team flow

36:43 Hypnosis and absorption

44:59 The autotelic personality

47:03 Modern-day positive psychology

51:44 Know thyself 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Michael Slepian to the podcast. Michael is the Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. Associate Professor of Leadership and Ethics at Columbia University. A recipient of the Rising Star Award from the Association for Psychological Science, he is the leading expert on the psychology of secrets. He’s authored more than fifty articles on secrecy, truth, and deception. Michael’s research has been covered by The New York Times, The Atlantic, NPR, BBC, The Wall Street Journal and more. He is the author of The Secret Life of Secrets. 

In this episode, I talk to Michael Slepian about the psychology of secrets. Everyone has secrets that they keep from others—how does this affect our relationships and well-being? According to Michael, maintaining privacy is not the most burdensome aspect. Carrying a secret all by ourselves is what weighs us down. Michael and I explore the different categories of secrets and we talk about when to reveal the deepest parts of ourselves and who to reveal them to. We also touch on the topics of personality, morality, trauma, developmental psychology and communication. 

Website: michaelslepian.com

Twitter: @michaelslepian

Topics

02:04 Michael’s family secret

05:38 Defining secrecy

11:12 Correlation of personality with secret keeping

13:01 Revealing secrets

18:56 Categories of secrets

24:31 Healthy communication with children

29:50 Morality of secret keeping

34:20 Jamie Kunz and Dale Coventry's secret

36:27 Journaling and emotional support

40:25 Three dimensions of secrets

44:09 How to deflect direct questions

46:05 Sharing secrets anonymously

47:46 Secret joys

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Monica Parker to the podcast. Monica is the founder of global human analytics and change consultancy HATCH, whose clients include blue-chip companies such as LinkedIn, Google, Prudential, and LEGO. Her career has been nothing short of colorful, having been an opera singer, a museum exhibition designer, a policy director, a Chamber of Commerce CEO, and a homicide investigator. She is also a world-renowned speaker, writer, and the author of The Power of Wonder.

In this episode, I talk to Monica Parker about the power of wonder. In today’s fast-paced world, most people fail to notice the richness of life. To become more wonder-prone, Monica encourages us all to slow down and pursue meaningful exploration. When we pay more careful attention to the world, we become more empathetic, resilient, and exuberant. Monica shares with us her cycle of wonder framework and how we can be more open and present in our daily lives. We also touch on the topics of personality, post-traumatic growth, mindfulness, and education. 

Website: www.monica-parker.com

Instagram: @monicacparker

Topics

02:06 Monica’s background and expertise

03:26 The Power of Wonder

06:41 Cycle of Wonder

17:22 The wandering mind

22:18 Wonder shifts our perception

27:15 Slow thought and quality sleep

30:21 Wonder-prone mindset

32:28 Wonderstruck during crisis

36:26 Wonder bringers

39:14 Teaching wonder in schools

45:29 There’s more to life

47:37 Take a daily wonder walk

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Robert Sapolsky to the podcast. ​​Robert is professor of biology and neurology at Stanford University and a research associate with the Institute of Primate Research at the National Museum of Kenya. His research has been featured in the National Geographic documentary "Stress: Portrait of a Killer". At age 30, Robert received the MacArthur Foundation's "genius" grant. He is author of Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers, A Primate's Memoir, The Trouble with Testosterone and Monkeyluv. His latest book is called Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will.

In this episode, I talk to Robert Sapolsky about life without free will. Humans like the idea of having control over their lives, but Robert asserts that free will is just an illusion. Life beyond free will may sound unpleasant, but Robert explains the profound consequences of this belief in reforming the justice system, meritocracy, and education. We also touch on the topics of philosophy, quantum physics, mindfulness, grit, and responsibility.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/robertsapolsky/

Topics

02:38 Robert’s background and upbringing

05:43 Life without free will

13:16 Believing in free will

24:05 Responsibility and punishment

33:14 The future cannot be determined

43:45 Mindfulness - a form of free will?

48:37 The human experience

53:41 Abolish the justice system and meritocracy

1:04:03 Statistical guilt

1:07:21 Effort, grit and taking credit

1:16:40 Nobody is more “worthy” 

1:23:29 Life is worth living

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Bob Mankoff to the podcast. For over 40 years, Bob Mankoff has been the driving force of comedy and satire at some of the most honored publications in America, including The New Yorker and Esquire. He is the founder of Cartoon Collections, parent company to CartoonStock.com, the world’s most successful cartoon licensing platform. For twenty years as Cartoon Editor for The New Yorker,  Bob pored over thousands of submissions each week, analyzing, critiquing, and selecting each cartoon. In 2005, he helped start the “New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest.” Bob is the author of numerous books, including his New York Times bestselling memoir, How About Never – Is Never Good For You?: My Life In Cartoons.

In this episode, I talk to Bob Mankoff about the psychology of humor. Looking back at his illustrious career as a cartoonist, Bob talks about his early beginnings and the people he's mentored in the field. He explains the anatomy of a joke and reveals his all-time favorite cartoons. While humans are creative creatures, Bob believes that using AI and technology can further augment our intelligence and humor by opening up worlds of possibilities. 

Website: www.bobmankoff.com/

Twitter: @BobMankoff

Topics

02:14 Bob’s childhood & upbringing

10:42 Personality of cartoonists and comedians

19:54 Types of humor

23:44 The grand scheme of time

26:28 Augmenting intelligence and creativity

38:30 Cartoon Bank

44:24 All-time favorite cartoons

52:17 Theory of humor

57:49 Censorship & cancel culture

01:01:24 Bob Mankoff’s legacy

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Joseph Goldstein to the podcast. Joseph is a co-founder and the guiding teacher of the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) along with Jack Kornfield and Sharon Salzberg. He is one of the first American vipassana teachers and has been teaching Buddhist meditation worldwide since 1974. A contemporary author of numerous popular books on Buddhism, his publications include Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening, One Dharma, Insight Meditation and others.

In this episode, I talk to Joseph Goldstein about Buddhism and the impermanence of life. Being too attached to the self can bring suffering. However, this doesn’t mean that we need to forego our identities or self-care. Joseph explains that enlightenment can be achieved when the mind is free from clinging. He talks about the different states that can help us realize the insight of impermanence and selflessness. We also touch on the topics of mindfulness, compassion, creativity, and wisdom.

Website: www.dharma.org/

Twitter: @onedharma

Topics

03:01 Joseph’s background and expertise

09:31 Enlightenment

15:11 Balance of mind

24:15 Noticing per minute

31:02 Mindfulness and flow

35:38 Wisdom is insight

38:00 Creativity

41:20 Different mind states

49:51 The tales of Sisyphus and Icarus

55:29 Skillful means

58:53 Flow of being

1:02:04 Unprompted mindfulness 

1:04:42 Equanimity

1:09:24 Compassion and connection

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Dan Siegel to the podcast. Dr. Siegel is a clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine and the founding co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA. Dr. Siegel is also the Executive Director of the Mindsight Institute. He’s authored numerous articles, chapters, and books including the New York Times bestsellers Mind: A Journey to the Heart of Being Human and Aware: The Science and Practice of Presence.His latest book is called IntraConnected: MWe (Me + We) as the Integration of Self, Identity, and Belonging.

In this episode, I talk to Dr. Dan Siegel about expanding the notion of the self. Modern culture has taught us that the self is all about individual identity and personal experiences. But Dr. Siegel posits that who we are is not limited to the brain or body. He argues that the self is not isolated, it’s composed of our relationships to other living beings and to the natural world. This expanded view of the self has important implications for the trajectory of humanity. We also touch on the topics of consciousness, neuroscience, quantum physics, and the flow state.

Website: drdansiegel.com

Instagram: @DrDanSiegel

Topics

02:20 Me + We

06:08 Expand your self 

12:58 The self, the mind, and consciousness

42:15 Integrating all brain networks

59:43 Different styles of daydreaming

1:02:08 Wheel of awareness 

1:08:38 We’re IntraConnected

1:11:21 Widening the window of tolerance

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Nick Holton to the podcast. Nickis an international speaker, consultant, trainer, and coach. His work focuses on helping individuals become better versions of themselves through the application of the cutting-edge science of human flourishing, a synergistic development of both peak performance and overall well-being and fulfillment. He works with individuals, teams, businesses, and organizations ranging from professional athletes, NCAA programs, educational institutions, first responders and Fortune 100 executives. He is co-founder of The Antifragile Academy and he also co-hosts the podcast, FlourishFM which is sponsored by the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard and the Department of Education at Oxford. Nick has worked with clients, given talks, and delivered training across the U.S., Europe, India, Australia, Uganda, Singapore, Mexico, and South America.

In this episode, I talk to Nick Holton about human flourishing. Our current education system is primarily concerned with teaching academic subjects. While building knowledge is essential, this  is not enough to allow students to self-actualize. Nick points out that young people’s need to matter should be addressed as well. To facilitate human flourishing, we need to embed the different principles of positive psychology both inside and outside of the classroom. Nick and I believe that education can transform society for the better, and we exchange ideas on how we can build an ecosystem that fosters holistic development. 

Website: www.nickholton.com

Twitter: @dr_nickholton

Topics

02:23 Nick’s background and expertise

11:16 Coaching each individual 

13:35 The need for mattering

21:49 What is human flourishing?

25:21 Education can transform society

29:56 Positive education

38:59 The Shipley School 

42:40 Holistic development

51:38 FlourishFM

55:41 Flourishing outside the classroom

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Jeffrey Hull to the podcast. Jeffrey is a highly sought-after facilitator, keynote speaker and executive coach to both nonprofit and for-profit global organizations. 

He is the Executive Director of the Institute of Coaching, based at McLean Hospital. Jeffrey is also a clinical instructor in psychology at Harvard Medical School and an adjunct professor of leadership at New York University. His latest book is called Flex: The Art and Science of Leadership in a Changing World. 

In this episode, I talk to Jeffrey Hull about the new landscape of leadership. The world is changing, and alpha leadership is not the only way to manage a team. Jeffrey highlights the importance of beta leadership, a style that values emotion and collaboration. According to him, the most effective leaders know which style to lead with, depending on the situation. In addition to learning other ways of being, Jeffrey believes we need to leverage perspectives from the indigenous and neurodiverse communities. We also touch on the topics of emotional intelligence, coaching, creativity, and authenticity.

Website: www.jeffreyhull.com

Twitter: @JeffreyHullPhD

Topics

02:18 The beta boss

09:07 Inclusivity in all ways

12:50 Flexible communication

18:29 Emotional intelligence and vulnerability

25:48 Physical energy of being

28:27 Engagement: productivity or creativity

30:35 Collaboration occurs in safe spaces

33:01 Self-coaching

37:49 The future of coaching

43:46  We all have unique gifts

46:40 Dialogue, not disagreement

49:08 Age of convergence

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome back Arthur Brooks to the podcast. ​​Arthur is the Parker Gilbert Montgomery Professor of the Practice of Public and Nonprofit Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School, and Professor of Management Practice at the Harvard Business School. He is also a columnist at The Atlantic, where he writes the popular weekly “How to Build a Life” column. A world-renowned speaker, he talks about human happiness, and works to raise well-being within private companies, universities, public agencies, and community organizations. His latest book, which he co-authored with Oprah Winfrey, is called Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier. 

In this episode, I talk to Arthur Brooks about building the life you want. People often think that happiness is a static end goal. But in reality, life will always have its ups and downs. According to Arthur, we can make choices that can improve our well-being despite the presence of challenges. He talks about how to find satisfaction through family, friends, meaningful work, and faith. Arthur also shares actionable steps around managing emotions and habits that can help us create a better life. We also touch on the topics of neuroscience, transcendence, evolutionary psychology, and love.

Website: arthurbrooks.com

Twitter: @arthurbrooks

Topics

02:50 Build the Life You Want

03:55 Writing the book with Oprah

10:14 Extremes are unhealthy

15:35 Unhappiness is not your enemy

17:38 Faith and transcendental experiences

21:22 Look for real friends, not deal friends 

25:09 Work is love made visible

27:27 Love your enemies

37:28 Conflict is not hatred

39:59 Patterns of happiness vs individual variation

44:04 Family as a source of growth

47:36 The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS)

49:07 Emotional substitution

51:13 Overcoming the negativity bias

55:40 Keep it simple

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Troy Carter to the podcast. Troy is the co-founder and CEO of Venice Music, a technology and media company focused on powering the business of music via distribution, services, and data analytics. Formerly, Troy was the founder and CEO of Atom Factory, where he rose to prominence, nurturing the careers of global superstars including Lady Gaga and John Legend. He most recently served at Spotify as its Global Head of Creator Services, overseeing the company's growth strategy for artists and record labels.

In this episode, I talk to Troy Carter about spotting creative potential. Working in the entertainment industry has given Troy an eye for talent, but that’s not all it takes to become successful. Hard work, determination, and letting your personality shine through are also key components. Troy and I talk about musical geniuses and the future of the music industry with the advent of sophisticated AI tools. 

Website: www.venicemusic.co/

Twitter: @justcallmetroy

Topics

02:21 The golden age of hip hop

06:50 Spotting creative potential

13:26 East coast VS West coast hip hop

19:16 Discovering Lady Gaga 

26:35 Be willing to bet on yourself

29:50 Musical geniuses 

36:00 The creative process

41:59 How AI is changing music

49:36 Discovering new artists

53:19 Helping independent labels

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Maya Shankar to the podcast. Maya is a cognitive scientist and the creator and host of the podcast, “A Slight Change of Plans”. It was awarded as the Best Show of 2021 by Apple and received an Ambie award from the Podcast Academy in 2022. Maya has a postdoctoral fellowship in cognitive neuroscience from Stanford and a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from Oxford. She's a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music's pre-college program, where she was a private violin student of Itzhak Perlman.

In this episode, I talk to Maya Shankar about change. Humans have a desire to attach roles to identities. But when events disrupt that, we may feel unsure of who we are. Having gone through huge shifts herself, Maya shares with us ways in which we can reconfigure our identities and pivot to pursue our goals in different ways. Change can be disorienting, but it affords us a deeper understanding of ourselves. Maya also believes it’s also an opportunity to re-examine our long held beliefs and values. We also touch on the topics of cognitive science, mindfulness, awe, and hope.

Website: mayashankar.com

Twitter: @MayaUmaShankar

Topics

02:43 Maya as a violinist

06:00 Identity paralysis

13:02 Reconfiguring identity

18:08 A blind cook becomes a master chef

21:10 Post ecstatic growth

24:07 It’s okay to change values

28:38 Mindfulness and awe 

34:15 Re-examining our values 

38:29 Embracing a flexible mindset

40:49 Cognitive closure

44:51 Maya’s Slight Change of Plans

48:31 Pivot your goals

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Seth Gillihan to the podcast. Seth is a licensed psychologist who specializes in mindful cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). He received his doctorate in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. Seth is also a therapy advisor with the self-therapy app Bloom, a medical reviewer for Everyday Health, and host of the Think Act Be podcast. Over the years, he’s authored multiple books on mindfulness and CBT. His latest book is called Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Simple Path to Healing, Hope, and Peace.

In this episode, I talk to Seth Gillihan about mindful CBT. Cognitive behavioral therapy is often used to address mental health issues. Although proven to be helpful, Seth Gillihan believes that adding the component of mindfulness will not only improve our well-being, but can also help us find meaning, purpose, and peace. He shares with us the Think Act Be paradigm and ways we can be more in tune with ourselves. We also touch on the topics of alignment, spirituality, suffering, and openness to experience.

Website: https://sethgillihan.com/

Instagram: @sethjgillihan

Topics

02:30 Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

11:11 Finding spiritual peace

17:17 Think Act Be paradigm

21:56 Connect with yourself

28:06 Saying yes to life

34:59 Work in alignment

40:53 Alignment practice

44:50 Coming home to yourself

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Dr. Robert L. Leahy, the Director of The American Institute for Cognitive Therapy NYC and clinical professor of psychology in psychiatry at Weill-Cornell University Medical School. Dr. Leahy serves on a number of scientific committees for international conferences on cognitive behavioral therapy and is a frequent keynote speaker throughout the world. He has authored 27 books about CBT, depression, worry, anxiety, and emotion regulation, which have been translated in 20 languages. His latest book is called If Only...: Finding Freedom from Regret.

In this episode, I talked to Dr. Robert Leahy about finding freedom from regret. Regret is an unpleasant emotion that can motivate us to learn and grow, but there are times when it can keep us frozen in place. According to Dr. Leahy, this is why it’s important to make a distinction between productive and unproductive rumination. He shares the cognitive biases we have about loss and opportunity as well as strategies on how to let go of regret when it no longer serves us. 

Website: cognitivetherapynyc.com

LinkedIn: Robert Leahy

Topics

02:12 Why do we feel regret?

07:30 Regret is tied to expectations

12:57 Affective forecasting, coping, resilience

18:31 Existential perfectionism

20:45 The free lunch myth

24:19 Inaction inertia

26:58 Hindsight bias

28:32 Adaptive humility

32:39 Letting go of regret

36:36 The boredom technique

40:01 Productive guilt

43:45 The 8 habits of highly regretful people

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Caroline Leaf to the podcast. Dr. Caroline Leaf is a communication pathologist and cognitive neuroscientist with a Masters and PhD in Communication Pathology and Logopaedics. Since the early 1980s, she has researched the mind-brain connection, the nature of mental health and the formation of memory. Dr. Leaf is also the bestselling author of Switch on Your Brain, Think Learn Succeed, and Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess. Her latest book is called How to Help Your Child Clean Up Their Mental Mess. 

In this episode, I talk to Dr. Caroline Leaf about managing the mind. The world is a crazy place and our minds can get disorderly trying to keep up with it! But according to Dr. Leaf, to have a messy mind is to be human. We don’t have to pathologize our emotions and thoughts. Instead, we can embrace them and implement strategies that allow us to better direct ourselves. Dr. Leaf shows us how to make sense of the messy mind and the scientific research behind those steps. We also touch on the topics of self-compassion, consciousness, trauma, and neuroplasticity. 

Website: drleaf.com & mentallyresilientkids.com

Instagram: @drcarolineleaf

Topics

02:10 Dr. Leaf’s background and expertise

08:23 Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess

16:14 Managing the mind

23:47 Emotions are warning signals 

30:26 Intrusive rumination

34:40 Detox from trauma

42:24 The Neurocycle 

46:22 Where CBT works best 

49:13 Dr. Leaf’s research 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Gabe Howard to the podcast. Gabe is an award-winning podcast host, author, and sought-after speaker. He hosts the Inside Mental Health podcast and is the author of Mental Illness is an Asshole and Other Observations. He’s been featured in numerous publications including Bipolar Magazine, WebMD, Healthline.com, and the Stanford Online Medical Journal. Among his many awards, he is the recipient of Mental Health America’s Norman Guitry Award and received a resolution from the Governor of Ohio naming him an “Everyday Hero.” 

In this episode, I talk to Gabe Howard about living with bipolar disorder, an illness that is characterized by emotional highs and lows. Gabe shares what phases of mania and depression are really like and how the sudden shifts feel so jarring. Even though the disorder has its own set of challenges, Gabe is a staunch believer in taking responsibility for his actions. He opens up about his journey of recovery and the coping strategies that have benefited him. We also talk about the common misconceptions about people with bipolar disorder and public figures who may have had this mental illness.

Website: gabehoward.com

Twitter: @gabehoward29

Topics

03:22 Gabe’s childhood and diagnosis

05:36 Experiencing a wide range of moods

11:31 True mania is not productive 

14:47 Bipolar disorder does not control me

22:03 Hypersexuality 

30:28 Feeling dead inside

32:49 Mania changes what you see

36:07 Working on coping skills

39:53 Everyday mindfulness

42:03 Perception is reality

45:09 The dangers of bipolar disorder

48:01 Public figures with bipolar disorder

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Eric Zimmer to the podcast. Eric works as a behavior coach and has done so for the past 20 years. He has coached hundreds of people from around the world on how to make significant life changes that serve them well in achieving the goals they’ve set for themselves. He also hosts the award-winning podcast, The One You Feed. With over 30 million downloads, the show features conversations with experts across many fields of study about how to create a life that has less suffering and more fulfillment and meaning. His story and his work have been featured in the media including TedX, Mind Body Green, Elephant Journal, the BBC and Brain Pickings.

In this episode, I talk to Eric Zimmer about how to have a meaningful engagement with life. When we feel connected to what matters, it becomes easier to create an action plan that gets us moving in the right direction. At times, our emotions can get in the way but Eric believes that focusing on behavior changes can help us re-train our thoughts while leading us to our desired outcomes. Eric combines principles from religion, philosophy, and psychology to give us tips on how we can live out our values more mindfully day by day. We also touch on the topics of spirituality, agency, self-love, addiction, and emotions. 

Website: oneyoufeed.net

Twitter: @oneyoufeed

Topics

02:35 Eric’s background and expertise

06:25 Behavioral activation

11:47 Be on your own side

17:54 Recovering from addiction

21:15 Spirituality is connection

26:02 Victimhood and agency

33:43 The Middle Way

40:00 The emotional storm model

45:06 Creating feels spiritual

49:00 Kenshō awakening

51:44 Spiritual direction 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Niall Breslin to the podcast. Niall is one of Ireland’s most formidable and inspiring mental health advocates and public speakers. He is the lead singer and songwriter for “The Blizzards”, and was a coach on “The Voice of Ireland”. His award-winning mental health charity “A Lust for Life” teaches young people to be effective guardians of their own minds. He works with a diverse range of clients, including Apple, Google, international NGOs, and The European Parliament. Niall hosts the ‘Where Is My Mind’ and “Wake Up Wind Down” podcasts, both of which are regularly in the UK and Ireland’s top podcast charts. 

In this episode I talk to Niall Breslin about mental health. During his early days as an entertainer and athlete, Niall has always tried to put his best foot forward. But behind this confident exterior, he was silently suffering. It was only after he came forward about his struggles that he sought the help he needed. Instead of avoiding negative emotions, Niall encourages us to face them bravely, either through therapy or mindfulness. We also touch on the topics of education, introspection, resilience, community, and empowerment.

Website: niallbreslin.com

Instagram: @bressie

Topics

02:07 Niall’s background and upbringing 

09:12 Surviving a panic attack on TV 

14:41 Opening up about mental health

18:40 You can run, but you can't outrun

27:36 Buddhist meditation practice

33:57 Re-conceptualizing masculinity 

39:09 Community values

42:31 Living bravely with mindfulness

50:33 Vitamin P

54:01 The Chill Skill

58:44 Where is My Mind?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris to the podcast. 

Daniel Simons is a professor of psychology at the University of Illinois where he heads the Visual Cognition Laboratory. His research explores the limits of awareness and memory, the reasons why we often are unaware of those limits, and the implications for our personal and professional lives.

Christopher Chabris is professor and co-director of the Behavioral and Decision Sciences Program at Geisinger Health System. He is also faculty co-director of Geisinger's Behavioral Insights Team. From 2014 to 2017, he wrote a monthly column called GAME ON for The Wall Street Journal. His essays have been published in several media outlets.

Daniel and Christopher met at Harvard University in 1997, where they began to collaborate on research. In 2004 they shared the Ig Nobel Prize in Psychology, awarded for The Invisible Gorilla experiment. Together, they co-authored the New York Times bestselling book of the same name. Their latest book is called Nobody's Fool: Why We Get Taken In and What We Can Do About It.

In this episode I talk to Daniel and Christopher about scams and how NOT to get scammed! With enough information and persuasion, anybody can fall for a scheme. According to Daniel and Christopher, certain cognitive biases can make us vulnerable to deception. To help us outsmart con artists, they elaborate the different types of scams and how they work, all the while giving us tools to navigate shady situations. 

Website: dansimons.com & chabris.com

Twitter: @profsimons & @cfchabris

Topics

03:20 Nobody’s Fool

07:54 Using AI for deception

10:13 The truth bias

12:42 Fixed belief bias

16:40 The possibility grid

22:27 Scamming through social media

24:21 The Nigerian email scam

27:19 Scam baiting

29:01 Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme 

35:16 Are mediums scammers?

36:47 Why do people ignore red flags?

38:59 The Tinder Swindler and romance scams

44:05 Highly successful people get scammed too

47:17 When to be skeptical

54:37 Accept less, check more

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome George Mumford to the podcast. George is a globally recognized speaker, teacher, and coach. Since 1989, he’s been honing his gentle, but groundbreaking mindfulness techniques with people from locker rooms to boardrooms. Michael Jordan credits George with transforming his on-court leadership, helping the Bulls to six NBA championships. George has also worked with Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, and countless other NBA players, Olympians, executives, and artists. He is the author of The Mindful Athlete and Unlocked. 

In this episode, I talk to George Mumford about peak performance. How does one consistently perform at a high level? Whether it be work, sports, art or any other craft, George believes that everyone has the potential to excel. To unlock greatness, we must cultivate mental toughness, love, and learn to stay in the flow state. George talks about his experience coaching the Chicago Bulls, helping the team thrive on and off the court. We also touch on the topics of mindfulness, resilience, forgiveness, and joy.

Website: georgemumford.com

Twitter: @gtmumford

Topics

01:47 George’s background & expertise

06:53 Basketball with Julius Erving 

09:36 Performance whisperer

14:01 Being unlocked

23:55 Coaching the Chicago Bulls 

31:01 Staying in the flow state

35:04 Mental toughness, love, forgiveness

36:56 The Mamba Mentality

41:02 Being breathed

45:37 No struggle, no swag

49:58 Recover your true self

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Jean Twenge to the podcast. Jean is professor of psychology at San Diego State University. She frequently gives talks and seminars on generational differences and technology based on a dataset of 39 million people. Her audiences have included college faculty and staff, parent groups, military personnel, camp directors, and corporate executives. Her work has been repeatedly featured by the media. She has authored more than 180 scientific publications and books including iGen, Generation Me, and The Narcissism Epidemic. Her latest book is called Generations. 

In this episode, I talk to Jean Twenge about the real differences between the generations. Did you know that our current time has the most number of living generations to co-exist? Unfortunately, there is often conflict and miscommunication between them. According to Jean, this is largely due to how the advancement of tech has shaped major life experiences. She shares interesting statistics about each cohort and debunks common misconceptions about baby boomers, millennials, gen z, and others. We also touch on the topics of narcissism, polarization, mental health, gender identity, and compassion. 

Website: jeantwenge.com

Twitter: @jean_twenge

Topics

01:38 The real differences between generations

05:50 The silent generation

09:08 Conflict between cohorts

13:33 Narcissism in different generations

21:09 Generation Z

27:34 The income inequality between boomers and millennials

30:42 Are we coddling students?

36:38 The political trajectory of generations

42:10 The Greatest Generation 

43:49 Generation Alpha

45:05 Uniting all generations

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Ken Wilber to the podcast. Ken is the developer of Integral Theory. He is also the founder of the Integral Institute, which was formed in collaboration with over 200 scholars and experts, specializing in education, politics, business, medicine, psychology, spirituality, law and criminal justice. His 25 books have been translated into 30 foreign languages, making Ken one of the most widely translated academic writers in America. At age 74, he is still very much active as a philosopher, author, and teacher, with all of his major publications still in print.

In this episode, I talk to Ken Wilber about his Integral Theory. Instead of trying to tackle it in all its complexity, Ken hones in on the application of his theory to intelligence, consciousness and transcendence. He believes that development in these areas follows a predictable path, such as in the case of enlightenment. Borrowing from Zen Buddhism, Ken talks about what it’s like to awaken to the truth of reality. We also touch on the topics of psychological research, diversity, artificial intelligence, and social media. 

Website: https://integrallife.com/

Twitter: @TheKenWilber

Topics

03:17 Integral Theory and its applications

09:50 Components of spiritual intelligence

17:41 Maslow’s influence on Ken

21:41 Critique of stage theories 

30:49 Spiritual narcissism

44:12 The process of enlightenment

48:42 Individual differences in unitive consciousness

58:09 Integral Theory research

1:03:44 Is society progressing?

1:09:39 Diversity beyond physical attributes

1:13:03 Improving modern-day psychology research

1:18:06 Is life just a test run?

1:22:22 What would an integral social media look like?

1:26:36 Addressing Integral Theory critiques

1:33:00 Does objective reality exist?

1:38:52 Development of artificial intelligence

1:43:08 Awakening to reality

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Alisa Cohn to the podcast. Alisa is an executive coach who has worked with C-suite executives at prominent startups such as Venmo, Etsy, and The Wirecutter, as well as Fortune 500 companies such as Microsoft, Google and Pfizer. Her clientele also includes leaders from around the world, including the first female minister of the transition state of Afghanistan and the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. She is the author of From Start-up to Grown-up, which won the 2022 Independent Press Award, and the creator and host of a podcast of the same name. 

In this episode, I talk to Alisa Cohn about the journey of leadership. Before we can guide others, Alisa believes we need to lead ourselves first. There are days when we don’t feel up to the task, but Alisa gives us practical advice on how to show up on those difficult days. Drawing on her coaching experience with executives, she shares with us that even the most successful entrepreneurs experience imposter syndrome and negative self-talk—but these can be overcome with the right management tools.   

Website: www.alisacohn.com/

Twitter: @AlisaCohn

Topics

02:59 What is executive coaching?

06:17 What makes a great master coach?

09:45 Managing your self 

15:33 Combat negative self-talk

18:12 Deal with imposter syndrome

26:33 Leadership is an unnatural act

30:59 The co-founder prenup

33:23 The journey of entrepreneurship

36:42 Three questions for productive meetings

39:17 From Start-up to Grown-up Podcast

42:25 Lead yourself

45:18 The experiences of different leaders

53:04 Alisa’s leadership journey

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Hal Hershfield to the podcast. Hal is a Professor of Marketing, Behavioral Decision Making, and Psychology at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management. The recipient of numerous teaching awards, Hal was named one of “The 40 Most Outstanding B-School Profs Under 40 In The World” by business education website Poets & Quants. He publishes in top academic journals and also contributes op-eds to the New York Times, Harvard Business Review, the Wall Street Journal, and other outlets.  His latest book is called Your Future Self: How to Make Tomorrow Better Today.

In this episode I talk to Hal Hershfield about meeting your future self. Decisions are trade-offs between the present and the future. Oftentimes, it's easier to choose what feels gratifying now, than to choose what's more beneficial in the years to come. Hal believes this is because we feel disconnected to our future selves. Hal shows us the mental mistakes we commit when thinking about the future. He shares with us how to visualize who we want to become, so we can make choices that are better for us now and later. 

Website: www.halhershfield.com

Twitter: @HalHershfield

Topics

03:21 Hal’s expertise and background

05:40 Your Future Self

13:12 How much do we change over time?

17:25 Mental mistakes when thinking about the future 

24:20 Productive prospection 

28:48 Why do we fail in our long-term goals?

34:33 Time travel mistakes

40:35 Visualizing your future self

42:53 Making present sacrifices feel easier

45:42 How to get people to follow through 

47:37 The future selves of organizations

50:17 Facing an uncertain future 

54:03 The collective self

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Dan Lerner to the podcast. As an in-demand speaker, author, strengths-based performance coach and instructor of one of the most popular undergraduate courses at New York University, Dan’s expertise in positive psychology helps people lead thriving, successful lives. He works with students, artists, athletes and numerous Fortune 500 companies and executives around the world. Whether it is speaking, coaching, teaching or writing, Dan injects intellect with motivation, science with compassion and makes change both exciting and fun.  

In this episode, Dan and I talked about several topics that were of mutual interest. As positive psychologists, we both have a deep interest and appreciation for human potential and how we can cultivate it through education. We also discussed the important components for long-lasting friendship, and how to find a healthy community in this day and age of echo chambers. We hope you enjoy the conversation about personality, leadership, self-help, and mental health as much as we did.

Website: daniellerner.com

Twitter: @DanLernerTweets

Topics

03:02 Dan’s assertiveness and enthusiasm

08:50 Cultivating unique human potential

16:02 Redefining intelligence

22:01 Helping people thrive

24:30 Are students today more fragile?

33:30 The need for empathetic leadership

37:08 The secret to long-lasting friendship

42:16 How to find your community

48:13 The problem with the self-help industry

52:55 Real change is hard

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome back Ken Sheldon to the podcast. Ken is a Curator's Distinguished Professor of Psychological Science at the University of Columbia, Missouri. He has written and edited over 200 academic books, scholarly articles, and book chapters. Among these, some of his most notable work include Optimal Human Being and Self-determination Theory in the Clinic. His latest book is called Freely Determined: What the New Psychology of the Self Teaches Us About How to Live.

In this episode, I talk to Ken Sheldon about free will. Instead of questioning its existence, Ken is concerned with how we might use free will to help us reach our goals. Each person has the capacity to make good and bad choices, and to learn from the past. Although we are unable to know everything about ourselves, we can still make informed decisions. Believing that we have the ability to choose directly affects our well-being and values. We also touch on the topics of neuroscience, self-determination, and responsibility.  

Website: sheldonk.mufaculty.umsystem.edu/home

Topics

03:09 Freely Determined

07:23 System 1 and System 2 

09:02 Cybernetic freewill

12:12 Choices are not predetermined

17:36 Self-determination theory

20:20 The feeling of freedom 

24:57 The evolution of the symbolic self

32:47 The default mode network in goal setting

40:57 The “Rewind the tape” argument

45:05 The problem of too much freedom

46:51 Determinism is detrimental

50:45 Living well together 

53:28 Free will is an adaptation

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Joshua Fields Millburn, Ryan Nicodemus, and T.K. Coleman, known collectively as The Minimalists. Joshua and Ryan are Emmy-nominated Netflix stars and New York Times–bestselling authors. Alongside their podcast co-host, T.K., they help millions of people live meaningful lives with less. The Minimalists have been featured in Time, Architectural Digest, and GQ, and they have spoken at Harvard, Apple, and Google. Their podcast has more than 100 million downloads, making it one of the most popular podcasts in the world.

In this episode I talk to Joshua, Ryan, and T.K. about minimalism. All too often, we are preoccupied with amassing wealth and possessions in an attempt to fill the void. Soon, we find that accumulating stuff doesn’t make us feel whole. Instead of turning to objects, the minimalists ask us to ponder “How do we live more with less?” When we can get rid of clutter in our homes, digital spaces, and relationships, we make room for what’s truly important. Joshua, Ryan, and T.K. talk about how minimalism has changed their lives, allowing them to feel more content, mindful, and generous.

Website: www.theminimalists.com

Twitter: @TheMinimalists

Topics

01:46 Why minimalism?

08:27 Integrity and hypocrisy

13:05 Abundance begins from within

19:55 Minimalistic being

23:17 The “hell yes!” rule

27:20 Slow down to go faster

30:59 Confronting the void

42:38 Advertisements suck

48:21 Keep what brings joy and value

53:55 The secret to organization

1:01:03 The spontaneous combustion rule

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome John Vervaeke. John is an award-winning professor at the University of Toronto in Psychology, Cognitive Science and Buddhist Psychology. His academic interests include wisdom, mindfulness, meditation, relevance realization, general intelligence, and rationality. He is the author ofAwakening from the Meaning Crisis Youtube series and co-author of Zombies in Western Culture: A 21st Century Crisis.

In this episode I talk to John Vaervaeke about the meaning crisis. There is a growing number of people who are struggling to find purpose in life. Society seems to be losing touch of its humanity. John argues that we can address the meaning crisis by appreciating and grounding ourselves in reality. We can find relevance by deepening our relationship with the world and the people around us. In turn, this reverence affords us peace of mind, while recognizing the interconnection of all things. We also touch on the topics of transcendence, mattering, narcissism, spirituality and artificial intelligence. 

Website: patreon.com/johnvervaeke

Twitter: @vervaeke_john

Topics

03:30 Meaning and mattering

07:25 Relevance realization

13:33 Grounding and peace of mind

17:30 Horizontal and vertical transcendence

25:45 Wisdom is overcoming dichotomy

29:42 Measuring rationality

34:17 Zen Neoplatonism and Daoism

41:16 Spirituality is what remains

45:43 Care is essential to being human

49:20 The next Buddha is the Sangha

51:33 Reverence realization

58:45 The meaning crisis

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Dr. Dacher Keltner, one of the world’s foremost emotion scientists. He is a professor of psychology at UC Berkeley and the director of the Greater Good Science Center. Fun fact: he was the scientific advisor behind the beloved Pixar movie, Inside Out! He has over 200 scientific publications and six books, including Born to Be Good, The Compassionate Instinct, and The Power Paradox. His latest book is called Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life.

In this episode I talk to Dacher Keltner about the new science of awe. Emotions like fear and disgust have been extensively researched because of their roles in human survival. But Dr. Keltner argues that awe is also essential for well-being and community. Music, art, and nature are some of the antecedents that can induce a sense of wonder, inspiring us to be better by recognizing that we’re parts of a greater whole. We also touch on the topics of transcendence, neuroscience, evolutionary psychology, and creativity.

Website: dacherkeltner.com

Twitter: @GreaterGoodSC

Topics

02:19 The science of awe

09:59 What triggers awe?

12:31 The neuroscience and physiology of awe

17:06 The essential features of awe

19:26 A prosocial approach to evolutionary psychology

25:16 Dr. Keltner’s personal search for awe

32:24 Nature and connectivity

36:16 Are we depriving children of awe?

38:20 Awe is a life detector

40:54 Awe and creativity

42:44 The dark side of awe

45:09 Cultivating the awe mindset

53:41 The unifying purpose of awe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to The Human Potential Lab! In this special series of The Psychology Podcast, I will be doing solo episodes answering your burning questions about the mind, brain, human behavior, and human potential.

In the second episode of this series, I will be talking about creativity and how it differs from intelligence.

Creativity can come in many different forms. It can be expressed through artistic compositions, through ingenious solutions to problems, or even through the combination of seemingly paradoxical ideas. Over the years, there’s been a large number of scientific studies which have sought to measure creativity. Not only that, but researchers have been able to identify what predicts divergent thinking and its association with certain personality traits. Other fascinating areas of investigation include the link between mental illness and creativity and the neuroscience behind the creative process. Today we will touch on all of these exciting areas. 

Website: scottbarrykaufman.com

Twitter: @psychpodcast & @sbkaufman

Topics

01:57 Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking

08:24 “Beyonder” characteristics

12:39 Personality traits associated with creativity

18:07 Ego strength of creative individuals 

22:06 Creative people have messy minds

25:53 Neuroscience of creativity

32:39 The link between creativity and mental illness

34:59 Flow and the creative process

37:55 Combining originality and relevance

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Gretchen Rubin, one of today’s most influential and thought-provoking observers of happiness and human nature. She’s a highly acclaimed writer, having sold millions of copies of her New York Times bestselling books. Her podcast, Happier with Gretchen Rubin, has more than 220 million downloads. As the founder of The Happiness Project, Gretchen has helped create an ecosystem of imaginative products and tools to help people become happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative. Her latest book is called Life in Five Senses.

In this episode I talk to Gretchen Rubin about connecting to the world through our five senses. Our fast-paced, modern world keeps us constantly moving, making us feel disconnected from other people and our surroundings. Gretchen shares unconventional ways we can re-experience the world through seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, and touching. She believes that tuning into life’s simple pleasures allows us to live each day with more appreciation and vitality. We also touch on the topics of mindfulness, creativity, learning, and individual differences.

Website: gretchenrubin.com

Twitter: @gretchenrubin

Topics

01:57 The Five-Senses Quiz

08:25 The more we know, the more we notice

11:09 Life in Five Senses

14:34 We all have unique sensory worlds

19:21 Gretchen’s daily visits to the MET 

24:40 The longing for immersive experiences

27:50 COVID has taught us to value our senses

32:10 The magic of ketchup

36:50 Connecting through sensory experiences

40:04 What is your ideal sensory surrounding?

50:21 The muse machine

55:19 Different ways of being and sensing

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Sharon Salzberg, who is a meditation pioneer, world-renowned teacher, and New York Times bestselling author. She is the co-founder of The Insight Meditation Society. Her podcast, The Metta Hour, has amassed six million downloads and features interviews with thought leaders from the mindfulness movement and beyond. Her latest book is called Real Life: The Journey from Isolation to Openness and Freedom. 

In this episode, I talk to Sharon Salzberg about navigating real life. When we are faced with trials and tribulations, it feels as if we're alone. On top of that, our underlying assumptions about the world and ourselves can make us feel worse. Sharon shares with us useful tips that can help us deal with overwhelming emotions and pain. She believes that by cultivating these loving-kindness practices, it can help us feel more open and free, allowing our inner lights to shine forth.

Website: www.sharonsalzberg.com

Twitter: @SharonSalzberg

Topics

02:17 From isolation to openness and freedom

05:36 Suffering from our unexamined assumptions

07:33 “Shaking hands” with our emotions

11:35 Looking within with love

15:38 Guilt, shame, and remorse

19:23 Loving-kindness exercises

23:33 “When we connect with others, we find ourselves”

27:07 The light within us all

30:34 The Dalai Lama’s visit to insight meditation society

33:15 Widening our window of tolerance

39:11 Allow yourself to feel joy

40:57 Dealing with illness and physical pain

48:00 Aspiration powers our journey

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Dr. Anil Seth. He is the Professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience at the University of Sussex, where he is also Co-Director of the Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science. His research has been supported by the European Research Council, the Wellcome Trust, and the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. Dr. Seth’s 2017 main-stage TED talk is one of the most popular science TED talks, with more than 13 million views. His latest book, which has received numerous accolades, is called Being You: A New Science of Consciousness.

In this episode, I talk to Dr. Anil Seth about the new science of consciousness. Although we don’t exactly know how or why consciousness exists, Dr. Seth thinks this shouldn’t stop us from exploring its properties. One of the things he explores in his research is the conditions for consciousness. Everyone has their own way of perceiving the world. Perceptual diversity exists and we would be misguided to try and standardize consciousness on a single dimension. We also touch on the topics of intelligence, panpsychism, free will, AI technology, and the after life. 

Website: www.anilseth.com

Twitter: @anilkseth

Topics

02:08 The hard problem of consciousness

07:02 The value of inner experiences

12:22 Experiencing is consciousness

15:51 Panpsychism 

19:01 The condition for consciousness

21:38 Neuroscience of consciousness

27:32 Perceptual diversity

37:09 Perception Census

43:00 Can we measure consciousness?

49:13 Individual differences in experiencing 

56:40 Experience of free will is not an illusion

1:09:24 Cybernetic free will

1:12:55 Can artificial intelligence produce consciousness? 

1:24:24 The desire to persist

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Kenneth Play and Madison Sloane Holland.

Kenneth Play is an international sex expert and sex educator. Named “the world’s greatest sex hacker” by GQ, he has been featured by more than one hundred media outlets, including The New York Times, Men’s Health, Cosmopolitan, and Huffington Post. He is the creator of the Sex Hacker Pro Series, and author of Beyond Satisfied. His work has helped millions of men gain lasting confidence and competence. 

Madison Sloane Holland is a sex and empowerment coach, intimacy expert, and co-host of the top-rated sex podcast, Pleasure Positive Living. 

In this episode, I talked to Kenneth and Madison about how to increase sexual pleasure. Most people fail to realize their full sexual potential, partly because sex education in America is fear and shame driven. As a result, people turn to different forms of media, which can create unrealistic expectations and insecurities. Kenneth and Madison dispel the most common sex myths and talk about how we can empower both men and women to take charge of their own pleasure.

Websites: kennethplay.com & www.pleasurepositiveliving.com/guide

Instagram: @Kenneth_Play & @sugar.sloane_madison

Kenneth’s E-book: https://bit.ly/ScottKennethPodcast

Kenneth’s free training on VICE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA3iQ1aR5IY

Topics

04:22 What is sex hacking?

06:05 Shortcomings of American sex education

09:37 How block ourselves from pleasure

13:05 Transcendent sexuality and peak experiences

22:27 Pleasure for healing and intimacy

26:04 The orgasm gap

32:33 Erotic context matters

37:48 Male sexual empowerment

45:52 Myths about sexual pleasure

54:36 Going after our deepest desires

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Dr. Anne Fausto-Sterling. She is the Nancy Duke Lewis Professor Emerita of Biology and Gender Studies in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Biochemistry at Brown University. Her books and scholarly articles are referenced widely in feminist and scientific inquiry. She has received grants and fellowships in both the sciences and the humanities. In 2020, she re-releasedSexing the Body: Gender Politics and the Construction of Sexuality with updated research.

In this episode, I talked to Anne Fausto-Sterling about gender/sex and the body. During the sixties, the term “gender” was introduced to make a distinction between a person’s biology and psychology. But Dr. Fausto-Sterling believes that these can never really be separate. Biology influences gender—and the opposite is also true. Culture and context can influence our hormones and body systems. We also touch on the topics of gender dysphoria, feminism, intersexuality, trans issues, and child development.

Website: annefaustosterling.com

Twitter: @Fausto_Sterling

Topics

02:52 Dr. Fausto-Sterling’s background and expertise

07:58 Sexual invert, eonist, & transvestite

14:42 Gender identity disorder in the DSM

19:47 Transgenderism and non-binaries

21:49 The Five Sexes

25:27 “Gender is always changing the biology”

30:08 Redefining sex 

34:54 Intersex inclusivity

40:29 Feminists labeled as TERFs

43:39 Sex should be functional

45:45 Moral panic about bathrooms, sports, jail

50:00 Addressing issues in context

55:50 Dynamic Systems Framework for Gender/Sex Development

57:54 Dr. Fausto-Sterling’s call to end sex differences research

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Debra Soh, Marco Del Giudice, and Buck Angel.

Dr. Debra Soh is a neuroscientist who specializes in gender, sex, and sexual orientation. She holds a PhD in neuroscience with scientific expertise in paraphilias, hypersexuality, and child sexual abuse prevention. As a journalist, her writing has appeared in several publications like the New York Post, the Wall Street Journal, and many more. In 2020, she published her first book called “The End of Gender”.

Dr. Marco Del Giudice is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. He received his bachelors in psychology and doctorate in cognitive science from the University of Turin in Italy. He has over a hundred scientific publications on personality, motivation, attachment styles, psychopathology, sex differences, and other topics. In 2016 he was granted the Early Career Award of the Human Behavior and Evolution Society (HBES).

Buck Angel is an adult-film producer, performer and motivational speaker who also works as an advocate, educator, lecturer and writer. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance from 2010 to 2016. Born as a biological female, Buck conquered a lifetime of adversity to undergo his transformation to become the healthy, happy, self-confident man that he is today. Buck created the first FTM adult website in 2003, and became the first FTM adult entertainer and film producer. In 2007, Buck made history again as the first transexual man to ever win the AVN transexual performer of the year award. 

In this episode, I talk to Debra, Marco, and Buck about the scientific realities of biological sex. There is considerable opposition against the idea that sex is binary. But denying science because it doesn’t seem to fit our gender beliefs can be dangerous. As ironic as it seems, when we acknowledge biology, we can accommodate more variation better than our preconceived, rigid social norms.

Website: drdebrasoh.com , marcodg.net , buckangel.com

Twitter: @DrDebraSoh & @BuckAngel

Topics

04:08 Dr. Marco’s background and expertise 

06:41 Dr. Debra’s background and expertise

07:48 Buck’s background and expertise

10:02 Shift from ‘transexual’ to ‘transgender’ 

12:35 The separation of sex and gender

21:33 Why feminists reject biology

27:27 “It is transphobic to deny biology”

30:51 Extreme trans activism 

40:00 Transgenders vs TERFs

43:07 Being gender fluid is trendy

44:18 Losing the nuances in gender

47:49 The evolutionary perspective of traits

55:05 Dismantling the definition of woman

58:46 De-transitioning and safe healthcare

1:07:03 The construction of gender identity

1:14:25 Social transitioning through pronouns

1:22:32 Non-binary and non-specific labels

1:28:42 Prioritizing truth over feelings

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Dr. Carole Hooven. For the past six years, she served as a lecturer and co-director of undergraduate studies at Harvard’s department of Human Evolutionary Biology. She has received numerous teaching awards, and her popular Hormones and Behavior class was named one of the Harvard Crimson’s “top ten tried and true.” Currently, Dr. Hooven has moved to the Psychology department where she works as an associate at Steven Pinker’s lab. Her latest book is called T: The Story of Testosterone, the Hormone that Dominates and Divides Us.

In this episode, I talked to Dr. Carole Hooven about the science of testosterone. Why do males have higher rates of physical violence, take on more risk, and desire more sexual partners? Dr. Hooven’s research points to testosterone as the answer. Although sex differences may stem from biology, variations in behavior may be better explained by genetics interacting with culture. We also touch on the topics of evolutionary biology, gender dysphoria, gender-affirming care, and academic freedom.

Website: carolehooven.com

Twitter:@hoovlet

Topics

02:49 Dr. Carole’s background and expertise

09:26 Sex differences in mental rotation

21:38 How hormones work

24:47 The uses and effects of testosterone

28:00 Testosterone, risk, and violence

31:23 Genetic and cultural differences

35:33 Trans women’s athletic advantages

38:51 Let scientists conduct research

44:22 Side effects of puberty blockers

49:31 Evidence-informed view of transitioning

56:30 There is no trans phenotype

59:22 The TERFs vs trans debates

1:03:28 Suppression of academic freedom

1:06:48 Untangle science from politics

1:09:15 Can we modify our chromosomes?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Aaron Rabinowitz and Callie Wright. 

Aaron is a lecturer in philosophy at Rutgers University. He hosts the Embrace The Void and Philosophers in Space podcast. He specializes in ethics, metaethics, and problems surrounding AI and personhood. He earned his M.A. in Philosophy from Colorado State University.

Callie is a freelance audio producer and the host of the Queersplaining podcast. They are non-binary trans person.

In this episode, I talk to Aaron and Callie about gender and trans issues. When it comes to transgendered folk, we tend to focus on extreme examples that are far removed from reality. Some people think being transgender is a social contagion, while others reject the reality of gender altogether. Callie shares how transitioning has allowed them to become their most authentic self. Aaron sheds light on the issues of consent, autonomy, identity, and medical ethics. Both Callie and Aaron recognize that specific topics can negatively skew public opinion, which is why addressing misconceptions and highlighting the lived experiences of trans men, women, and non-binary individuals are crucial to the conversation.

Website: voidpod.com & queersplaining.com

Twitter: @ETVPod & @calliegetsit

Topics

03:15 Introducing Callie

05:14 Introducing Aaron

08:27 Callie coming out as trans

17:06 Ideology over science 

23:32 Transphobia is real

25:28 Social contagion and moral panic

33:29 Pushing the anti-trans agenda 

35:56 “Have a trans child or a dead child”

41:13 Extreme trans activists

47:13 The gender critical movement

44:47 The world operates on gender, not sex

51:29 What does it feel like to be a trans woman?

55:50 Subjectivity of gender and identity

1:02:06 Why we gatekeep identities

1:06:30 Trans people in sports

1:23:58 Sex and gender differences

1:32:47 Gender-affirming care

1:39:44 Puberty blockers and transitioning 

1:42:38 Medical ethics and barriers to access

1:49:21 Parental consent vs child autonomy

1:52:17 There is harm in waiting and seeing

2:07:55 Irreversible changes in puberty

2:11:43 Teaching gender in school

2:15:26 Wokeness is misappropriated

2:17:42 Final thoughts

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Steven Kotler, the Executive Director of the Flow Research Collective. He is an award-winning journalist and one of the world’s leading experts on human performance. Steven is the author of eleven bestsellers including The Art of Impossible, The Rise of Superman, Bold, and Abundance. His work has been nominated for two Pulitzer Prizes, translated into over 50 languages, and has appeared in over 100 publications. His latest book is called Gnar Country: Growing Old, Staying Rad.

Our moderator for this live discussion was Dr. Torrie Higgins, the Head Coach of the Flow Research Collective. Dr. Higgins is a deeply passionate, empathetic peak performance coach, consultant and educator whose coaching philosophy is rooted in the deep-seated belief that everyone has the potential to achieve success and growth. In her private practice, she has had the opportunity to coach a diverse range of clientele, from mountaineers preparing to summit Mount Everest and K2 to business leaders of Fortune 500 companies.

In this live discussion, I talked to Steven Kotler about creativity, skill-mastery, and aging. Our society views aging as a process of decline, with our physical and mental capabilities worsening over time. Steve Kotler invites us to challenge our preconceived notions about aging by engaging in “impossible” activities that cultivate mastery and creativity. When we are able to incrementally push past our limits, we change our mindset about growing old which ultimately prolongs our longevity.  We also touch on the topics of exploration, play, social connection, flow, neuroscience, wisdom, and embodied cognition.

Website: stevenkotler.com

Twitter: @steven_kotler

Topics

04:55 Gnar Country: Growing Old, Staying Rad

10:46 Challenging our limiting beliefs

16:12 Narcissism vs mastery

19:40 Curiosity and exploration as motivators

22:24 Approach fear incrementally

27:18 Why we need “replacement friends”

38:44 Finding a training partner

42:54 Creativity and Aging: What We Can Make With What We Have Left

49:38 Intelligence, expertise, giftedness

52:31 “The pursuit of wisdom thrives on joy”

1:02:13 Dynamic deliberate play

1:11:25 Learning through embodied cognition

1:17:06 Flow and peak experiences

1:23:45 Creativity as a way of being

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Eli Finkel. He is a professor at Northwestern University, where he has appointments in the psychology department and the Kellogg School of Management. In his role as director of Northwestern’s Relationships and Motivation Lab (RAMLAB), he has published more than 160 scientific papers and is a guest essayist for The New York Times. The Economist declared him “one of the leading lights in the realm of relationship psychology.” His latest book is called The All-Or-Nothing Marriage.

In this episode, I talked to Eli Finkel about how the best marriages work. The institution of marriage has evolved throughout the decades. People used to tie the knot for socioeconomic purposes, but nowadays we seek to fulfill our higher need for self-actualization in relationships. According to Eli, higher expectations are not necessarily bad for marriages if people can use them strategically. Eli also shares love hacks we can implement to improve our relationships with our partners. 

Website: elifinkel.com

Twitter: @EliJFinkel

Topics

02:54 Pleasure vs meaning in romance

05:49 There’s no rule for marriages

08:15 The pre-industrial mindset of marriage

10:39 Vertical integration of needs in a relationship

13:55 Expectations, goals, & fulfillment

17:53 The evolution of marriage 

22:30 The All or Nothing Theory of Marriage

25:21 Mate evaluation theory and other studies

34:48 The value of love hacks

38:21 Positive attribution bias 

39:36 Third-party reappraisal on conflict

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this live recording from The Comedy Cellar, Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman has a discussion with Jonathan Haidt, Greg Lukianoff, and Rikki Schlott about why so much in America seems to be so messed up: Things like Gen Z, universities, social media, American democracy, and our sense of humor, grace, and decency. How can we lighten up, toughen up, and get less stupid?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to The Human Potential Lab! In this special series of The Psychology Podcast, I will be doing solo episodes answering your burning questions about the mind, brain, human behavior, and human potential.

In the first episode of this series, I will be tackling a question I’ve been obsessed with virtually my entire life: What is Intelligence?

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve wondered what it means to be smart. Does it simply mean high IQ? Are there other ways of being intelligent? Do multiple intelligences exist? What does it mean to be generally intelligent? As a kid I was placed into special education due to an auditory learning disability which I eventually outgrew. I would look around and see greater potential among all my friends in special ed than other people gave them credit for. 

This ignited my passion for understanding intelligence, which carried me through to college where I started to scientifically study this fascinating topic, and I have been studying this topic ever since. I understand that the science of intelligence can be a controversial topic, but in today’s episode I’m just going to focus on the facts and the science, and attempt to show you why this topic is so fascinating and so important to study for a broader understanding of how to unlock the potential of all people.

Website: scottbarrykaufman.com

Twitter: @psychpodcast & @sbkaufman

Topics

01:28 What is intelligence?

02:43 History of IQ tests

05:06 The g factor

11:40 IQ and academic achievement

15:21 Theory of Multiple Intelligences

27:17 Theory of Successful Intelligence

30:06 Talent or intelligence?

32:46 Emotional intelligence

39:26 External factors affecting achievement

40:31 Gifted education

41:29 Theory of Personal Intelligence

45:45 There are infinite intelligences

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome the Shadow Expert, Dr. Connie Zweig. She is a retired therapist, writer, Climate Reality Leader, and Citizens Climate Lobbyist. She is the co-author of Meeting the Shadow and Romancing the Shadow and the author of Meeting the Shadow of Spirituality. Her latest book is called The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul,which has won both the 2021 American Book Fest Award and the 2021 Best Indie Book Award for best inspirational non-fiction.

In this episode, I talked to Dr. Connie Zweig about embracing the shadow. We often associate the shadow with negativity, but it’s not necessarily bad or sinister. The shadow is composed of repressed feelings and messages in our unconscious, which can erupt out of control. According to Dr. Zweig, we must develop a conscious relationship with our shadow by doing inner work - especially as we age. As we near the end of our lives, it’s crucial that we conduct a life review to help us repair emotionally and spiritually.

Website: conniezweig.com

Twitter: @innerworkofage

Topics

02:33 Dr. Connie’s interest and expertise 

06:17 What is “the shadow”? 

12:54 How to confront the shadow

14:22 The inner ageist

18:44 Letting go of “doing” 

24:01 Elder is a stage, not an age

28:00 The purpose of a life review

32:09 Emotional repair

34:37 Depth psychology

39:50 Spiritual repair

47:12 From role to soul

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Gabriella Kellerman, the chief innovation officer at BetterUp and the head of BetterUp Labs. She is also a Harvard-trained physician with expertise in behavioral and organizational change, digital health, well-being, and AI. As a thought leader, Gabriella has been published in The Atlantic, Scientific American Mind, JAMA, and the Harvard Business Review. Her first book is Tomorrowmind, which she co-authored with Professor Martin Seligman.

In this episode, I talked to Gabriella Kellerman about prospection and future-proofing the workplace in the 21st century. According to Gabriella, the world is always changing. She argues that we can plan for uncertainty by cultivating creative leadership, building rapid rapport, and learning resilience. We also touch on the topics of imagination, kindness, and positive behavioral science.

Website: gabriellarosenkellerman.com

Twitter: @grkellerman

Topics

01:44 Collaborating with Martin Seligman

03:54 What is prospection? 

08:00 Creativity: ways of being divergent

10:36 Creativity hygiene

14:05 Creative strength spotting

16:42 The safety to matter and to innovate

23:59 Positive behavioral science

27:21 Key drivers of resilience

30:48 Instill resilience in the workplace

34:38 Gabriella’s background and expertise

38:37 Building rapid rapport

43:05 Positivity resonance

46:24 Accepting and coping with change 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Perry Zurn and Dani Bassett. 

Dr. Perry Zurn is Associate Professor of Philosophy at American University. He is the author or coauthor of more than 75 publications in philosophy, political theory, trans studies, and network science and has given hundreds of talks at local, national, and international venues. His work has been generously funded by organizations like the American Philosophical Association, the Center for Curiosity, the Lee Somers Fund and more. 

Dr. Dani S. Bassett is the J. Peter Skirkanich Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, with appointments in the Departments of Bioengineering, Electrical & Systems Engineering, Physics & Astronomy, Neurology, and Psychiatry. They authored more than 390 peer-reviewed publications, which have garnered over 38,000 citations. Dr. Bassett has received multiple prestigious awards from the American Psychological Association, Sloan Foundation, and MacArthur Foundation among others. 

They often collaborate on research about neuroscience, curiosity, and the humanities. Recently, they co-wrote Curious Minds: The Power of Connection.

In this episode, I talk to Perry Zurn and Dani Bassett about curiosity. For them, curiosity is not just about gaining knowledge, it’s about connecting to the world and to each other. Each individual has their own style of connecting - they can be busybodies, hunters, or dancers at any given time. Perry and Dani also weigh in on how social media affects curiosity and how their network model of curiosity can improve education.

Website: perryzurn.com & danisbassett.com

Twitter: @perryzurn & @danisbassett

Topics

02:27 Perry and Dani’s interest in curiosity

06:26 Curiosity is connection

12:45 Network science 

15:18 Archetypes of curiosity

20:22 Deprivation vs interest-based curiosity 

23:56 Social curiosity

29:47 Cycling through the different styles of curiosity 

37:25 Is social media making us more curious? 

40:51 Consciously practicing curiosity 

42:32 Curiosity and learning 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome David Epstein, the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, and of the bestseller The Sports Gene, both of which have been translated in more than 20 languages. His TED Talks on performance science have been viewed more than 11 million times. He has master's degrees in environmental science and journalism and has worked as an investigative reporter for ProPublica and a senior writer for Sports Illustrated. 

In this episode, I talked to David Epstein about greatness. If there's one thing we know for sure about greatness, it's that there is no linear path to it. David and I discuss the complex relationship of talent and hard work in specific domains. Although there is no formula, we can both agree that persistent effort and fierce determination are necessary ingredients—but so is talent. We have a nuanced discussion of the dance between nature and nurture on the path to talent. It’s a very delicate dance. We also touch on the topics of self-actualization, creativity, fulfillment and moral greatness. 

Website: davidepstein.com

Twitter: @DavidEpstein

Topics

02:13 Talent: Is it nature or nurture? 

05:16 Does the 10,000 hour rule apply to creativity? 

10:14 Genetics and the rage to master 

16:46 Immediate feedback for growth 

22:04 Progress is not linear 

26:50 Self-actualization is where you “fit” 

39:06 The equal odds rule 41:11 Restriction of range 

47:55 Creativity and mental illness 

56:27 Incentivizing good vs great scientists 

1:00:13 Moral greatness 

1:06:10 The constraints of creativity 

1:12:25 The criteria of genius 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.