The Psychology Podcast

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.

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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?

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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. 

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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

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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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. 

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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!

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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. 

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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

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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

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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

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 

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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

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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 

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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?

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Today we welcome Roland Griffiths and David Yaden. 

Dr. Roland Griffiths is a professor of neuroscience, psychiatry, and behavioral science, and director of the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He has authored over 400 scientific publications and has trained more than 60 postdoctoral research fellows. His initial 2006 publication on psilocybin is often attributed as the catalyst for the re-initiation of psychedelic research after decades of halted drug research.

Dr. David Yaden is an Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine working in The Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research. His research focus is on transformative experiences that can result in long-term changes and how they temporarily alter consciousness and self. His work has been covered by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, and NPR.

In this episode, I talk to Roland Griffiths and David Yaden about the latest research on psychedelics. They answer some of my burning questions such as: What are the common characteristics of a mystical experience? Are hallucinations necessary for a transformative experience? How do psychedelics affect our brain? We also touch on the topics of mindfulness, religion, mental illness, and creativity as they share about the latest developments in the field. 

Website: griffithsfund.org

Twitter: @ExistWell

Topics

02:36 Roland’s background in psychopharmacology 

09:44 Roland’s meditation practice

13:57 David’s mystical experience

18:35 Roland’s mystical experience

22:02 Common characteristics of mystical experiences

27:48 Transformative experience or mental illness?

39:15 Was Timothy Leary right about psychedelics?

46:05 The future of psychedelic research 

48:39 The neuroscience of psychedelics

53:14 Creativity and therapeutic use of psychedelics

56:33 Are hallucinations needed for transformation?

1:02:50 Roland’s cancer diagnosis

1:13:41 The Griffiths Professorship Fund

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Ali Smith, Andrés González, and Atman Smith. Brothers Ali and Atman met Andrés at the University of Maryland College Park. During their last semester, the trio spent a lot of time reading books on spirituality, philosophy, history, politics, and other related topics. At the same time, they began their yoga practice and developed it under the guidance of Ali and Atman’s godfather. Months of hard work and planning ensued before they finally co-founded the Holistic Life Foundation. Together, they tell their story of how yoga and mindfulness have transformed countless communities in Let Your Light Shine.

In this episode, I talk to Ali Smith, Andrés González, and Atman Smith about mindfulness in education. For 20 years, they have been teaching yoga and wellness to underserved kids, resulting in a decrease in suspensions and fights and an increase in attendance and grades. But it’s not just about the numbers. For Ali, Andrés, and Atman, what matters even more is changing the school’s culture to become a loving and empathetic space for all by teaching stillness and introspection.

Website: letyourlightshinebook.com

Twitter: @HLFINC

Topics

2:31 Introducing Ali Smith

4:24 Introducing Atman Smith

7:31 Introducing Andrés González

12:45 Hope through mindfulness

17:05 Creating an oasis in schools 

20:39 The impact of the Mindful Moment Program

26:16 Reciprocal teaching model

28:00 Involution: tapping into our universal centers

33:37 Sharon Salzberg’s and Rhonda Magee’s work

36:52 Bringing fun and humor to learning 

38:11 Making yoga and mindfulness accessible

45:46 Love and empathy need to be consistent and reliable

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Neil Pasricha who is an author, entrepreneur, podcaster, and public speaker characterized by his advocacy of positivity and simple pleasures. He is best known for his The Book of Awesome series, and "The Happiness Equation" which are international bestsellers. His first TED talk “The 3 A’s of Awesome” is ranked one of the 10 Most Inspiring of all time. Neil hosts an Apple “Best of” award-winning podcast called 3 Books. His most recent book is called Our Book of Awesome.

In this episode, I talk to Neil Pasricha about how to live an awesome life. The levels of depression and anxiety are its highest today. Now, more than ever, is when we need hope and positivity. According to Neil, the key to living a happier life is appreciating the little things. Awe and gratitude should not be reserved for big moments, but they should be cultivated in the everyday. We also touch on the topics of social media, motivation, confidence, and authenticity. 

Website: www.neil.blog

Twitter: @NeilPasricha

Topics

[02:51] Neil’s life and background 

[06:49] The Book of Awesome

[11:42] Noticing tiny pleasures

[17:23] The infinite scroll 

[22:14] The confidence matrix

[24:57] The Nature of the Fun

[27:44] The Happiness Equation

[32:22] Never retire

[35:59] Overvalue you

[37:16] Create space

[42:24] Have everything

[45:03] Don’t take advice

[50:35] Our Book of Awesome

[55:44] Savoring and healthy selfishness

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re re-releasing one of our favorite episodes from the past year with Lisa Feldman Barrett.

Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett is among the top one percent most cited scientists in the world for her revolutionary research in psychology and neuroscience. She is a University Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Northeastern University. She also holds appointments at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, where she is Chief Science Officer for the Center for Law, Brain & Behavior.

Her books include Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain and How Emotions are Made. She has published over 240 peer-reviewed, scientific papers appearing in Science, Nature Neuroscience, and other top journals. Dr. Barrett has been called “the most important affective scientist of our time”. 

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. 

Website: lisafeldmanbarrett.com

Twitter: @LFeldmanBarrett

Topics

00:01:42 Lisa’s interest in clinical psychology

00:03:53 A biological approach to emotions

00:06:29 Why do we have a neocortex? 

00:14:49 The default mode network

00:21:47 The brain is not for thinking

00:25:06 Authoritarianism during economic hardship

00:32:04 Psychological entropy

00:35:33 The brain weather forecast

00:44:16 The mind-brain problem

00:47:37 Relationships are reflexive

00:51:46 Emotional expression isn’t universal

00:58:35 Why you shouldn’t trust psychology textbooks / 6 universal emotions?

01:03:03 Reaching out to Paul Ekman 

01:10:42 The theory of constructed emotion

01:16:49 The role of socialization and language in emotions 

01:23:43 The never-ending domain-general vs domain-specific debate in cognitive science

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Today we welcome David McRaney. He is a science journalist fascinated with brains, minds, and culture. In 2012, he created the podcast You Are Not So Smart based on his 2009 internationally bestselling book of the same name and its follow-up, You Are Now Less Dumb.David is also an editor, photographer, voiceover artist, television host, journalism teacher, lecturer, and tornado survivor. His most recent book is called How Minds Change.

In this episode, I talk to David McRaney about the science of belief and persuasion. In this day and age of online tribes and echo chambers, changing people’s opinions seems like an impossible task. Instead of arguing over facts, David encourages us to use empathy to understand why we disagree. He explains Piaget's framework behind knowledge building and shares the use of technique rebuttal for sincere conversations.

Website: www.davidmcraney.com

Twitter: @davidmcraney

Topics

02:12 David’s interest in how minds change

08:41 Piaget's Genetic Epistemology

13:49 Focus on motivations, not conclusions

16:35 Why do people see the viral 2015 dress differently? 

23:44 How we produce and evaluate arguments

28:36 We’re living in a post trust world

32:32 How to change minds in large groups

44:33 Cults and conspiratorial communities

52:57 Technique rebuttal

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Today we welcome Neal Brennan. He is a director, writer, actor, and comedian most known for co-creating and co-writing the Comedy Central series Chappelle's Show with Dave Chappelle and cult movie classic Half Baked.  

Neal received three Emmy nominations for Chappelle’s Show; one for directing, and the other two for writing and producing. He has also performed stand-up on Last Call with Carson Daly, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Lopez Tonight, and Conan. Recently, his comedy special called Blocks was released on Netflix. 

In this episode, I talk to Neal Brennan about his comedy and upbringing. As early as 8 years old, Neal has been interested in comedy for its “fairness”. He reveals who his early influences were and what it was like working with Dave Chappelle. In this episode I gave Neal some impromptu psychological tests to help us both understand more about his unique mind. We also touch on the topics of relationships, mindfulness, cognitive distortions, and neurodiversity.

Website: www.nealbrennan.com

Twitter: @nealbrennan

Topics

02:31 Neal’s family background

09:44 When Neal discovered comedy 

15:48 Meeting Dave Chappelle

18:00 The aftermath of Half Baked

21:26 The highs and lows of  Chappelle’s Show

26:06 “We contain multitudes”

28:20 Neal’s relationships and reality dysmorphia

36:04 Vulnerable narcissism test

44:46 How vulnerable narcissism develops

48:16 Cognitive distortions

55:46 Mindfulness, drugs, and therapy

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Today we welcome Dr. Becky Kennedy. She is a clinical psychologist and mom of three, recently named “The Millennial Parenting Whisperer” by TIME Magazine. She specializes in parenting and child development, with an emphasis on anxiety and resilience. Dr. Becky received her BA in Psychology and Human Development from Duke University and her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Columbia University. Her latest book is called Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be.

In this episode, I talk to Becky Kennedy about good parenting. Raising children is no easy task. As a mom herself, Dr. Becky knows what that’s like. Her parenting philosophy revolves around seeing the good inside every child and seeing the sturdy leader in every parent. She shares actionable advice on how to repair emotional connection after conflict, how to reduce shame, and how we can break unhealthy generational patterns. We also touch on the topics of genetics, resilience, attachment, and self-care.

Website: www.goodinside.com

Instagram: @drbeckyatgoodinside

Topics

02:20 Dr. Becky’s interest in parenting

06:00 The Good Inside Approach

10:22 Maximizing for attachment safety

17:32 Raising children with empathy 

23:18 The most generous interpretation

28:49 “Two things are true” mode 

33:34 How to make up with our kids after a fight

38:21 Dr. Becky’s recommended resources 

39:27 Prioritize resilience over happiness

43:49 How to detect and reduce shame

48:04 Self-care for exhausted parents

50:25 Tips for cycle breakers

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Today we welcome Whitney Johnson, CEO and co-founder of the tech-enabled talent development company Disruption Advisors. Whitney is a globally recognized thought leader, keynote speaker, executive coach, and consultant. She is a frequent lecturer at Harvard Business Publishing’s Corporate Learning division. She is also the bestselling author of Disrupt Yourself and Build an A Team. Her latest book is called Smart Growth: How to Grow Your People to Grow Your Company.

In this episode, I talk to Whitney Johnson about business growth. According to Whitney, the development of the individual comes first before the company’s. Growth can be better understood using the S Curve of Learning which has three phases: the Launch Point, the Sweet Spot, and Mastery. By comprehending the cycle of growth, we can find ways to move forward when we feel stuck in both our professional and personal lives. We also touch on the topics of flow, creativity, transcendence, success, and leadership.

Website: www.whitneyjohnson.com

Twitter: @johnsonwhitney

Topics

01:35 Disruption Advisors

07:55 The S Curve of Learning

11:13 Optimize your team for growth

14:23 Mastery and transcendence

16:18 Peak experience and peak performance

21:26 The S Curve as a retention tool

25:00 Excavating your shadow values

28:13 Grow your people to grow your company

33:53 Create the conditions for growth

37:19 The S Curve is a dopamine management exercise

40:20 When to quit and change careers 

42:51 Changing the metrics of success

47:16 Disrupt yourself a little bit everyday

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Today we welcome Dan Tomasulo who is a counseling psychologist, professor, and the Academic Director at the Spirituality Mind Body Institute (SMBI), Teachers College, Columbia University. He holds a Ph.D. in psychology, an MFA in writing, and a Masters of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. Dan is also the author of several books, including American Snake Pit and Confessions of a Former Child: A Therapist's Memoir. His latest book is called Learned Hopefulness.

In this episode, I talk to Dan Tomasulo about psychodrama and learned hopefulness. Interventions have always focused on helping people recover from trauma but Dan believes we can do more than that through psychodrama. When we re-enact difficult experiences, we can process and integrate trauma in a way that facilitates growth. It also teaches us to perceive obstacles differently, which is integral to learning hopefulness. 

Website: www.dantomasulo.com

Twitter: @drdantomasulo

Topics

01:27 Dan as a stand-up comedian

04:58 Meeting Andy Kaufman

08:33 Dan’s interest in psychology

14:36 American Snake Pit 

21:35 Interactive Behavioral Therapy (IBT)

27:10 What is psychodrama?

34:15 Learned Hopefulness

41:00 Hope activating exercises

45:49 Spiritual psychology

51:55 Hope, optimism, faith

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Today we welcome Sonja Lyubomirsky who is a distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Riverside. Originally from Russia, she received her A.B., summa cum laude, from Harvard University and her Ph.D. in Social/Personality Psychology from Stanford University. Her research has been featured in hundreds of magazines, newspapers, shows and documentaries in North America, South America, Asia, Australia, and Europe. Dr. Lyubomirsky’s best-selling books The How of Happiness and The Myths of Happiness have been published and translated in over 16 countries.

In this episode, I talk to Sonja Lyubomirsky about happiness. Across all of her research, Dr. Lyubomirsky has found that connection is what makes people happy. So then, how do we form high-quality connections? Dr. Lyubomirsky gives us insight on how to use kindness, reciprocity, and gratitude to maintain and strengthen our relationships. We also touch on the topics of psychedelics, interpersonal chemistry, and social media.

Website: drsonja.net

Twitter: @slyubomirsky

Topics

01:38 Sonja’s interest in happiness research

03:56 The Happiness Pie Chart

07:55 The Set-point Theory of Happiness

10:42 Connection is the key to happiness

15:19 Are extroverts happier? 

20:12 Psychedelic social psychology

25:25 The Happiness Boomerang Effect

29:58 What makes for great conversation?

34:16 High-quality connections

36:47 How to create interpersonal chemistry

42:44 Can you count too many blessings?

45:27 Apps that make us happy and unhappy 

51:39 Kindness boosts immunity

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Today we welcome Martha Beck, who is a New York Times bestselling author, life coach, and speaker. She holds three Harvard degrees in social science. Oprah Winfrey has called her “one of the smartest women I know.” Martha is a passionate and engaging teacher, known for her unique combination of science, humor, and spirituality. Her newest book is calledThe Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self.

In this episode, I talk to Martha Beck about integrity. According to her, we are all born true to ourselves, with our integrity intact. But then we lose sight of who we are because we try so hard to fit into our society. Martha shares advice on how to live authentically in a culture that doesn't necessarily share the same values as you. We also touch on the topics of neurodiversity, emotions, coaching, and transcendence.

Website: marthabeck.com

Twitter: @TheMarthaBeck

Topics

02:38 Martha’s interest in coaching

04:17 Martha’s Harvard degrees

06:55 Science and eastern philosophy

13:31 Writing for Oprah’s magazine

15:13 Regaining our wildness

20:19 The Way of Integrity

25:08 Duplicity is people pleasing

31:32 Inspiration from Dante’s Divine Comedy

34:55 Enlightenment through surrender

39:25 Personal effectiveness

47:11 Suffering is a guidance mechanism 

52:27 How Martha left the LDS Mormon Church

56:27 Hold true to your integrity

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Today we welcome Dr. Laurie Santos, psychology professor and Head of Silliman College at Yale University. Her course, “Psychology and the Good Life,”is Yale’s most popular course in over 300 years and has been adapted into a free Coursera program that has been taken by over 3.3 million people to date. Dr. Santos is a winner of numerous awards both for her science and teaching from institutions such as Yale and the American Psychological Association. She is also the podcast host of The Happiness Lab.

In this episode, I talk to Dr. Laurie Santos about happiness. People are unhappy not for lack of trying, but it’s because they’re applying ineffective strategies. Dr. Santos identifies some of the cognitive biases that can hinder our happiness. There is no magical antidote to our problems, but there are ways to boost well-being in small but significant ways. We also discuss resilience, social justice and mindfulness.

Website: drlauriesantos.com

Twitter: @lauriesantos

Topics

03:04 Laurie’s interest in well-being

06:54 Our expectations about happiness 

09:44 Defining and measuring happiness

13:59 Predictors of resilience 

15:43 Laurie’s happiness score

17:39 “Self-care is a political act”

22:39 The Feel Good, Do Good Effect

24:11 The role of culture, environment, genes

27:55 Contributions to the science of happiness

32:13 The impact of Laurie’s research

35:19 Cognitive biases that influence happiness

38:16 Do mindfulness interventions work?

44:37 The Happiness Lab’s new season

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In celebration of our first year anniversary with Stitcher, we’re re-releasing one of our favorite episodes from the past year with Esther Perel.

Esther Perel is a psychotherapist and a New York Times bestselling author, recognized as one of today’s most insightful and original voices on modern relationships. Fluent in nine languages, she hones a therapy practice in New York City and serves as an organizational consultant for Fortune 500 companies around the world. Her best-selling books Mating in Captivity and The State of Affairs have been translated into nearly 30 languages. Esther is also an executive producer and host of the popular podcast Where Should We Begin? and How’s Work? Her latest project is Where Should We Begin − A Game of Stories with Esther Perel. 

In this episode, I talk to renowned psychotherapist and author Esther Perel about love and relationships. We tackle the true essence of the words “eros” and “freedom”. Esther offers her perspective on marriage and affairs, getting to the root cause of why people cheat. We also touch on the topics of soulmates, masculinity, how to keep passion alive during a global pandemic, and Esther’s practice as a cross-cultural therapist.

Website: www.estherperel.com

Instagram: @estherperelofficial

Topics

02:02 Adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic

04:33 Social connection during the pandemic 

10:04 “The erotic is the antidote to death”

17:02 True freedom in relationships

22:05 Soulmates don’t exist 

26:38 Why people in happy marriages cheat

29:46 Can an affair be good for a marriage?

34:54 Where Should We Begin?

39:00 Redefining marriage, fidelity, and sexuality

46:25 Esther’s cross-cultural approach to therapy

49:31 Esther’s interest in cultural transitions, identity, and relationships

54:56 The masculine obsession with power 

01:00:08 The Great Adaptation

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Today we welcome Dr. Jim Fadiman. Jim is a psychologist, writer, and lecturer who has been pioneering psychedelic research since the 1960s. He is recognized as “America’s wisest and most respected authority on psychedelics and their use.” Jim received his bachelor and doctorate degrees from Harvard and Stanford respectively. Apart from psychedelics, he has also been involved in researching healthy multiplicity for over 20 years. His newest book with Jordan Gruber is called Your Symphony of Selves: Discover and Understand More of Who We Are.

In this episode, I talk to Dr. Jim Fadiman about multiple selves. The DSM says that having multiple personalities is a disorder, but Dr. Fadiman challenges this notion. In fact, he believes that the opposite is true: the multiplicity of selves is both normal and healthy. It’s not about having one “super self”, but unifying the different parts of who we are. We also discuss psychedelics, its effects on mental health, and how Abraham Maslow would have viewed these mind-altering substances.

Website: jamesfadiman.com

Twitter: @jfadiman

Topics

04:54 Modern microdosing

06:49 Microdosing for physical and mental health 

10:00 Healthy vs pathological multiplicity

14:14 What would Maslow think of psychedelics?

23:24 No single self 

26:42 Taking responsibility for all yourselves

30:13 Harmonizing selves

34:28 Is it possible to create a super self?

37:58 All your parts are you

42:07 Unified self is healthy 

44:08 Being in the right mind at the right time

51:17 Practice selves work

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Today we welcome Dr. Gabor Maté. A physician, renowned speaker, and bestselling author, Gabor is highly sought after for his expertise on addiction, stress, and childhood development. For his groundbreaking medical work and writing, he has been awarded the Order of Canada, his country’s highest civilian distinction. He is also a co-developer of Compassionate Inquiry, a therapeutic approach for deep healing and transformation. His newest book is called The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness & Healing in a Toxic Culture.

In this episode, I talk to Gabor Maté about The Myth of Normal. Healthcare in Western societies tend to focus on physical health, without accounting for an individual’s lived experience. The tension between authenticity and attachment and the pressures of a capitalist culture puts undue stress on our minds and bodies. Dr. Maté invites us to rethink trauma and disease, by emphasizing holistic well-being and the role of agency. We also touch on the topics of early childhood, epigenetics, and self-improvement. 

Website: drgabormate.com

Twitter: @drgabormate

Topics

02:36 The Myth of Normal

06:14 Maslow’s Metagrumbles

10:25 From individual to global well-being

13:25 Authenticity vs attachment

20:48 No separation of psyche and soma

28:05 Trauma is what happens inside you

33:34 Dr. Gabor Maté’s early childhood 

37:20 Trauma denial and victimhood mentality

41:05 Disease is a long term process

45:21 Epigenetics and the role of environment

50:24 Screening for special and gifted education

52:45 Pathways to wholeness

58:01 The four A’s of healing 

1:06:44 Compassionate Inquiry

1:10:16 Authentic satisfaction

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Today we welcome to the show Jordyn Feingold, resident physician in psychiatry, co-founder of the Positive Medicine Program, and co-author with me of the new book Choose Growth!

Jordyn graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with her BA and Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP). At present, she is a psychiatry resident at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Jordyn is deeply involved in research, curriculum development, and advocacy work pertaining to clinician well-being, locally, nationally, and globally. Together, we wrote Choose Growth: A Workbook for Transcending Trauma, Fear, and Self-Doubt.

In this episode, I talk to Jordyn Feingold about positive medicine and the importance of choosing growth. As a physician and positive psychology practitioner, Jordyn is on a mission to shift the focus of medicine from treatment to well-being. As much as our physical health can influence our mental health, the reverse is also true. She talks about the impact and practical applications of positive psychology in healthcare. We also touch on the topics of resilience, relationships, communication, growth, and transcendence.

Website: positivepsychologyforphysicians.com

Twitter: @jordynfeingold

Topics
 

04:52 Positive Medicine

12:08 Embodied cognition

14:06 The REVAMP model of well-being

18:10 Positive interventions

21:39 Choose Growth

28:28 Who’s in your boat?

32:08 Active vs passive constructive responding

35:53 High-quality connections 

40:01 Jordyn as chief extrovert

42:41 “Yes, and” transcendence

48:34 Integrate your dark side

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Today we welcome Tara Well, who is an associate professor of psychology at Barnard College of Columbia University where she has taught Personality Psychology, Health Psychology, and Psychology of Leadership for over 20 years. Her research on motivation, perception, and cognition has been funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). She outlines the research and benefits of her meditation program in her latest book Mirror Meditation.

In this episode, I talk to Tara Well about mirror meditation. What is the first thing you think of when you look in the mirror? For a lot of us, our initial instinct is to nitpick at our flaws. Using mirror meditation, Tara teaches people how to use one’s reflection to promote self-acceptance and inner knowing. The mirror can help us become kinder not just to ourselves, but to the people around us as well. We also touch on the topics of narcissism, compassion, and attachment. 

Website: mirrormeditation.com

Twitter: @tarawell88

Topics

01:36 Tara’s expertise in psychology 

05:33 Mirror Meditation 

12:22 Reflecting on identities

14:39 Sit with yourself

18:59 Unfreeze yourself

21:28 Neuroscience of narcissists 

26:08 Compassion for narcissists

32:42 Anxious and avoidant self-attachment

36:31 Be there for yourself

39:20 Look at others in the eyes of love

42:07 Reclaiming your projections

43:28 How to see the best in others

45:45 Self-talk in third person

46:51 Meditation practice

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Today we welcome Eric Barker, the author of The Wall Street Journal bestseller Barking Up the Wrong Tree. His book has sold over half a million copies and has been translated into 19 languages. It was even the subject of a question on “Jeopardy!” Eric is also a sought-after speaker, having given talks at MIT, the Aspen Ideas Festival, Google, the United States Military Central Command (CENTCOM), and the Olympic Training Center. His newest book is called Plays Well with Others.

In this episode, I talk to Eric Barker about relationships. We tackle the misconceptions on loneliness, marriage, and body language. Eric shares practical tips that we can apply in our own relationships such as how to keep passionate love alive and how to catch liars. We also touch on the topics of communication, vulnerability, community and health. 

Website: bakadesuyo.com

Twitter: @bakadesuyo

Topics

02:18 Plays Well with Others

05:11 Loneliness is perception

08:38 Marriage requires crazy love and work 

10:57 Gottman’s Four Horsemen of Divorce

15:26 Keeping passionate love alive 

19:02 Emotional endings and love maps 

24:28 The Scary Rule 

28:14 Dunbar’s number

30:49 Parasocial relationships 

35:32 Body language is overrated

39:04 How to catch a liar

42:11 Story of connection

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Today we welcome philosopher Skye Cleary. She is a lecturer at Columbia University and the City College of New York. Skye is the author of Existentialism and Romantic Love and co-editor of How to Live a Good Life. Her writing has appeared in The Paris Review, Aeon, Business Insider, TED-Ed, and The Los Angeles Review of Books, among other outlets.

In 2021, she was a MacDowell Fellow and In 2017, she won the New Philosopher Writers’ Award. Her latest book is called How to Be Authentic. 

In this episode, I talk to Skye Cleary about Simone de Beauvoir’s life and how it has informed her existentialist philosophy. As a feminist during the forties, Simone was passionate about freedom of choice. It's not a surprise then that her definition of authenticity also revolves around self-determination. Authenticity is not about finding a true self, but rather a process of creating who we want to be. We also touch on the topics of gender, power, social justice, narcissism, and fulfillment.

Website: skyecleary.com

Twitter: @Skye_Cleary

Topics

01:54 French existentialist philosophy

04:05 “One is not born, but rather becomes, woman”

09:58 Creating our essence

12:46 Transcending our impulses

18:01 Creative rebellion

22:19 Skye’s Critique of Simone de Beauvoir

24:03 Authenticity is responsible freedom

27:33 Power and freedom

32:00 Skye’s background in philosophy

33:15 Intersubjectivity: the foundation of ethical relations

34:48 Inauthenticity, social media, narcissism

38:37 Windows of freedom, genetics, motherhood

41:38 Fulfillment is embracing life 

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Today we welcome Colin Seale, the founder and CEO of thinkLaw. Colin was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, where his struggles gave birth to his passion for educational equity. Using lessons from his experience as a math teacher, attorney, and keynote speaker, he helps educators teach critical thinking to all students, regardless of race or achievement through his award-winning organization thinkLaw. Colin is also the author of Thinking Like a Lawyer. His latest book is called Tangible Equity. 

In this episode, I talk to Colin Seale about tangible equity in education. For Colin, real equity work should help reduce the predictive power of demographics on outcomes. In order to do that, we need to teach kids how to think for themselves, so they learn to question instead of comply with unfair systems. Colin shares concrete actions that educators can take to contribute towards tangible equity. We also touch on the topics of privilege, race, bias, and gifted education. 

Website: thinklaw.us

Twitter: @ColinESeale

Topics

02:55 What is tangible equity?

05:28 Reforming the pathways to success

09:33 Why equity has become a challenge 

16:42 The pressure of success and compliance

18:56 Critical race theory in schools

25:01 Understanding race and privilege 

30:53 Colin as a keynote speaker 

35:15 Leveraging privilege for equity

36:39 We all have power 

41:50 Disrupting gifted education

49:24 Shatter the ceiling of education

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Today we welcome Josh Szeps who is a television, radio and podcast host who shakes up the status quo with his fierce intellect and infectious sense of humor. Josh's interviews with prominent figures and celebrities like Jane Goodall, Ron Howard, Russel Brand, and Neil Patrick Harris have attracted billions of online views and sold out event tickets. Currently, he can be heard on ABC Radio Sydney and on his award-winning podcast Uncomfortable Conversations.

In this episode, I talk to Josh Szeps about what it means to think freely. In this social media age, it's become increasingly challenging to become an independent thinker. Our tribal nature and online echo chambers tend to reinforce ideologies we already believe in. Even the way we talk sounds scripted! Josh and I discuss how to genuinely search for truth so we can broaden our worldviews. We also touch on the topics of intersectionality, wokeism, ethics, and racism.

Website: linktr.ee/joshszeps

Twitter: @joshzepps

Topics

02:35 Are we living in a simulation?

10:39 The clique of provocateurs

16:58 Compromise through conversation

23:27 The excess of wokeism

27:01 Moral foundations and disgust

31:36 Racism in the gay community

35:11 Reverse racism

37:00 Respecting individual identity over group identity

43:16 Should we be proud of intrinsic attributes? 

49:08 Scripted ideologies

51:40 How to overcome binary thinking 

58:01 Pushing limits through radical curiosity

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Today we welcome Hitendra Wadhwa, Professor of Practice at Columbia Business School where he teaches Columbia’s most popular leadership course, the award-winning “Personal Leadership & Success.” Hitendra is also the founder of Mentora Institute, which is at the forefront of creating a new model of leadership that is agile, authentic, and attainable. Hitendra’s research and teaching on personal leadership have been covered by Forbes, Fortune, CNN, Psychology Today, Wall Street Journal and others. He is the author of Inner Mastery, Outer Impact.

In this episode, I talk to Hitendra Wadhwa about personal development. Growth is often associated with the mastery of skills. But Hitendra reminds us that inner work is also growth. The internal battles we face lead us to become more attuned to our most authentic selves. In order to unlock our full potential, Hitendra shares with us Five Core Energies and how to activate them. We also touch on the topics of leadership, service, purpose, and transcendence. 

Website: www.hitendra.com

Twitter: @HitendraWadhwa

Topics

02:31 Hitendra’s background and upbringing 

06:16 Personal leadership

09:23 Public leadership

13:44 Ashoka the Great

18:01 Dominion over yourself

21:30 Authenticity and our real selves

27:05 Core Energy: Purpose

29:33 Core Energy: Wisdom

30:48 Core Energy: Growth

32:04 Core Energy: Love

33:33 Core Energy: Self-Realization

37:34 Conceptualizing the Five Core Energies

39:50 Living vs leading 

43:41 The mystic in all of us

48:22 From inner dominance to inner surrender

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Today we welcome Kristi Nelson, the executive director of A Network for Grateful Living. Her life’s work in the non-profit sector has focused on leading, inspiring, and strengthening organizations committed to progressive social and spiritual change. Being a long-time stage IV cancer survivor moves her every day to support others in living and loving with great fullness of heart. She is the author of Wake Up Grateful: The Transformative Practice of Taking Nothing for Granted. 

In this episode, I talk to Kristi Nelson about gratefulness. She differentiates gratefulness from gratitude by describing the former as an orientation towards life, without being dependent on internal or external circumstances. Kristi shares with us the practice of Stop, Look, Go and her five guiding principles that can inspire you to live a life of gratefulness. We also touch on the topics of positive psychology, mindfulness, play, and self-compassion.

Website: gratefulness.org

Topics

03:01 Kristi’s cancer diagnosis 

04:17 Gratitude vs gratefulness

08:50 Gratefulness during hard times

12:37 Reclaim play, curiosity, courage

15:58 Life is a gift

18:08 Everything is a surprise

20:41 The ordinary is extraordinary

23:48 Appreciation is generative

26:55 Say yes to your life

32:46 Love is transformative

34:35 Stop, Look, Go

38:18 Befriending our full selves

40:43 Leaving a grateful legacy

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Today we welcome three-time #1 New York Times bestselling author Mark Manson. Before becoming an author, he was a blogger. His blog started in 2007 and within a few years it was being read by more than a million people each month. Today, his site is read by more than 15 million people each year. Mark’s books have sold over 14 million copies worldwide and have been translated into more than 65 languages. According to Amazon Charts, his book The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck was the most-read non-fiction book worldwide in 2017. 

For this episode, we did something a little different. Mark Manson and I had an unstructured chat about issues that we both care deeply about. We tackled all sorts of questions like: What makes social media so polarizing? Why are self-help quotes so cheesy? Are all pick-up artists narcissists? Does free will exist? We hope you enjoy the conversation about relationships, politics, self-esteem, and neurodiversity as much as we did.

Website: markmanson.net

Twitter: @IAmMarkManson

Topics

02:03 Mark and Scott as adolescents 

04:30 Online discourse in a hyper-connected world   

11:36 Troll behavior and non-verbal cues

17:18 Extreme curiosity and criticism of politics

25:00 Mark hates Tiny Buddha?

29:59 The self-help industry 

33:24 Neurodiversity and empathy 

39:30 Are all traits double-edged swords? 

46:26 Co-dependency of grandiose and vulnerable narcissists

54:48 Scott’s unique value proposition

57:08 The bachelor life vs the married life

1:04:22 Co-writing Will Smith’s biography

1:08:53 Free will, law and punishment

1:12:53 Overrated or underrated: meditation

1:15:49 Overrated or underrated: twin studies

1:18:31 Overrated or underrated: self-esteem

1:21:22 Overrated or underrated: social media

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Today we welcome Michael Bungay Stanier, the Founder of Box of Crayons. He is the author of the best-selling book The Coaching Habit, with over a million copies sold. He was a Rhodes Scholar and in 2019 was named the #1 thought leader in coaching. Michael has a masters degree in Philosophy from Oxford, a law degree and a BA with highest honors from the Australian National University. His latest book is called How to Begin. 

In this episode, I talk to Michael Bungay Stanier about how to begin. When we set goals, the most popular framework that often comes to mind is the idea of SMART goals. Instead of starting with what’s measurable, Michael urges us to start with what’s important. He shares his criteria for identifying what a worthy goal is, as well as advice on how to stay committed to that worthy goal. We also touch on the topics of coaching, empathy, change, and community.

Website: www.mbs.works

Twitter: @mbs_works

Topics

02:22 About Box of Crayons

03:20 Michael’s interest and expertise in coaching

07:15 The Coaching Habit

12:20 “SMART goals are dumb”

16:32 What is a worthy goal?

23:19 The magic is in the drafting

25:50 Before action, learn to commit

30:27 Adaptive change vs technical change

33:01 Calling in the directions

37:51 Stick with the journey

43:20 Celebrate the journey

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Today we welcome back Steve Magness who is a world-renowned expert on high performance. He has been a consultant on mental skills development for professional sports teams, including some of the top teams in the NBA. Steve is the co-author of Peak Performance, The Passion Paradox, and the author of The Science of Running. Collectively, his books have sold more than a quarter-million copies in print, ebook, and audio formats. His latest book is called Do Hard Things. 

In this episode, I talk to Steve Magness about real toughness. The prevailing narrative around achievement extols the merits of unrelenting resolve. To show vulnerability is to show weakness. According to Steve, the hyperfocus on external bravado is detrimental to performance and mental health. He outlines his four core pillars of resilience to replace our broken model of toughness. We also touch on the topics of stoicism, self-esteem, emotions, mindfulness, and sports psychology.

Website: stevemagness.com

Twitter: @stevemagness

Topics

04:49 Why machismo is so popular 

08:47 UFC vs artistic swimming 

14:15 Ditch the facade, embrace reality

19:31 Accept what you’re capable of

24:24 Know when to grit and when to quit

26:38 Listen to your body

31:34 Do hard things more efficiently

35:17 Steve’s 4 minute mile

39:42 Personal wins

43:12 Respond, instead of react

47:12 Transcend discomfort

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Today we welcome Alexi Robichaux who is the co-founder and CEO of BetterUp, a mobile platform that brings together world-class coaching, AI technology, and behavioral science to deliver sustainable positive change. Alexi is also the Chairman of Youth Leadership America (YLA). They have collaborated with leading companies including Disney, Google, and Hilton Hotels to coach and mentor future leaders. Alexi holds a B.A. in political science and non-profit management with summa cum laude distinction from the University of Southern California.

In this episode, I talk to Alexi Robichaux about the future of coaching. There are countless ways to practice coaching, but Alexi believes coaching must be rooted in science-backed techniques for reliable outcomes—which is precisely what they do at BetterUp. Coaching is not a replacement for therapy, but it can help individuals become more resilient and purposeful in their daily lives. We also touch on the topics of self-actualization, flow, languishing, imagination, and Alexi’s vision for the future of coaching.

Website: www.betterup.com

Twitter: @arobichaux

Topics

04:06 What is coaching?

07:30 Better Up’s coaching model

10:26 Coaching vs therapy 

14:37 What good coaching looks like 

19:40 Peak experiences and dichotomy transcendence

25:22 Research and innovation as a for-profit business

30:39 Humanistic coaching philosophy

32:45 How to overcome languishing

37:10 Better Up Labs

41:40 Alexi’s current coaching practice

44:30 The future of coaching

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Today we welcome Christine Robinson who is an executive coach, consultant, facilitator, and strategist whose expertise lies in building pathways to policy and systems change. She has worked as a consultant to the White House, the Ford Foundation, Harvard Medical School, the Lumina Foundation and other notable organizations. Christine studied at Vassar College, Brandeis University, and the University of Pennsylvania, and is trained as a developmental and community psychologist.

In this episode, I talk to Christine Robinson about community psychology. In order to nurture a culture of well-being, Christine says it’s crucial to acknowledge the multifaceted identities of individuals. Instead of seeing marginalized groups as “others”, she encourages us to view diversity as a valuable asset to society. We need to listen to everyone’s perspective before we can bring forth social change and co-create an inclusive and equitable community. 

Website: christinerobinsonconsulting.com

Topics

02:44 What is community psychology?

06:59 Urie Brofenbenner’s ecological systems theory

13:58 Community well-being and collective efficacy

18:24 Intersectionality of social identities 

24:41 Socialization and meaning making

27:30 Othering - a barrier to well being

34:25 Intersectional equity

40:53 The paradox of differences

50:20 Inclusive society psychology 

55:28 Co-creation and capacity building

58:41 Negative impacts of discrimination

1:01:56 Cultural intelligence and competence

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Today we welcome Dr. Jim Tucker who is a child psychiatrist and the Bonner-Lowry Professor of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the University of Virginia. He is Director of the UVA Division of Perceptual Studies, where he is continuing the work of Dr. Ian Stevenson on reincarnation. He has been invited to speak about his research on Good Morning America, Larry King Live, and CBS Sunday Morning. He recently published BEFORE: Children's Memories of Previous Lives, a 2-in-1 edition of his previous books.

In this episode, I talk to Dr. Jim Tucker about the science of reincarnation. We delve into his research findings and methodology on children who claim to remember their previous lives. Dr. Tucker notes that these children don’t just recall biographical details of their past, but they also retain feelings and emotions. His findings have important implications for how we understand consciousness. We also touch on the topics of mortality, trauma, quantum physics, and panpsychism. 

Website: www.uvadops.org

Facebook: /jimbtuckermd

Topics

02:15 Dr. Ian Stevenson’s research

04:59 Psychophore

06:39 Dr. Jim Tucker’s interest in reincarnation 

10:01 Past life statements and unusual play

18:34 Announcing dreams, predictions, birthmarks

25:13 Fraud, self-deception, fantasy

30:18 Genetic memory 

34:21 Transfer of consciousness 

39:07 Why are past memories so fleeting?

41:10 Are we all reincarnated?

42:20 Death, trauma, and growth across lifetimes

48:08 Panpsychism and multiverses

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