The Psychology Podcast

Today it’s a great honor to chat with the legendary Paul Wong on the podcast. Dr. Wong is Professor Emeritus of Trent University. He’s a fellow of APA and CPA and president of the International Network on Personal Meaning and the Meaning-Centered Counselling Institute Inc. Editor of the International Journal of Existential Positive Psychology, he’s also edited two influential volumes on The Human Quest for Meaning. A prolific writer, he is one of the most cited existential and positive psychologists. The originator of Meaning Therapy and International Meaning Conferences, he has been invited to give keynotes and meaning therapy workshops worldwide. Dr. Wong is the recipient of the Carl Rogers Award from the Society for Humanistic Psychology. Topics: · Dr. Wong’s childhood and upbringing · Animal learning research: optimism vs. helplessness · Locus of control is not a dichotomy · The unheard cry of a successful Asian psychologist · Positive Psychology 2.0 · Embracing the dark side to enhance well-being · Dual

Today it’s great to chat with Kristin Neff on the podcast. Kristin is currently an associate professor of educational psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. She’s a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research, conducting the first empirical studies on self-compassion almost 20 years ago. In addition to writing numerous academic articles and book chapters on the topic, she’s the author of the book, Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself. In conjunction with her colleague Dr. Chris Germer, she has developed an empirically supported training program called Mindful Self-Compassion which is taught by thousands of teachers worldwide. They co-authored The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook and Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program: A Guide for Professionals. Her newest work focuses on how to balance self-acceptance with the courage to make needed change. Her latest book is called Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power, and Thrive

Today it’s great to chat with Daniel Goleman on the podcast. Daniel is an internationally known psychologist who lectures frequently to professional groups, business audiences, and college campuses. As a science journalist, Goleman reported on the brain behavioral sciences for the New York Times for many years. His 1995 book Emotional Intelligence was on the New York Times bestseller list for a year and a half with more than five million copies in print worldwide in 40 languages and has been a bestseller in many countries. Apart from his books on emotional intelligence, Goleman has written books on topics including self-deception, creativity, transparency, meditation, social-emotional learning, ecoliteracy, and the ecological crisis. Topics: · Daniel’s current research · Does IQ outweigh emotional intelligence? · Competency modeling for emotional intelligence · Correlation between general intelligence and social-emotional intelligence · Cognitive control and social-emotional learning · Daniel’s interest in m

Today it’s great to have Dean Keith Simonton on the podcast. Dean is distinguished professor emeritus of psychology at the University of California Davis. His well over 500 single author publications focus on topics such as genius, creativity, aesthetics, and leadership. In 2018, MIT Press published his book The Genius Checklist but he has also published many other books on these various topics of genius, leadership, and aesthetics. I just want to personally say his book, Greatness: Who Makes History and Why, is one of the major books that inspired me to go into the field that I’m in today. Topics: · Dean’s interest in genius, creativity, and leadership · The historiometic approach · Child prodigies and the savant syndrome · Dean’s schooling years · Can late bloomers become geniuses? · Fame and creativity in the age of social media · Using the equal odds rule to create a masterpiece · Grit and openness to experience predict genius · Dean’s solo publications and collaborations · Re-analysis of Cox’s data on g

Today it’s great to have Robert Sternberg on the podcast. Robert is a psychology professor at Cornell University. Among his major contributions to psychology are the triarchic theory of intelligence and several influential theories relating to creativity, thinking styles, love, and hate. A Review of General Psychology survey ranked Sternberg as the 60th most cited psychologist of the 20th century. He’s authored and co-authored over 1,500 publications including articles, book chapters, and books. Topics · Robert’s childhood experience with IQ tests · Robert’s passion for psychometrics · Development of the Triarchic Theory of Intelligence · How the Triarchic Theory of Intelligence relates to Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences · The world’s fixation on general intelligence · How society and the environment create correlations with intelligence · Expanding college admissions’ metrics of intelligence · Is psychological testing still valuable today? · Real world problems VS academic problems · Rethinking a

Today it’s great to chat with Andrew Huberman on the podcast. Andrew is an associate professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford. His lab is focused on brain function, development, and repair with emphasis on regeneration to prevent and cure blindness. He also studied the neural circuits that control visual fear and are developing tools to re-map them and to treat anxiety disorders. Additionally, Huberman is the host of the popular podcast called Huberman Lab. Topics · The Huberman Lab Podcast · Andrew’s interest in neurobiology and his current work · Emotions and the autonomic nervous system · How visual focus and respiration alters internal states · Spiegel eye roll hypnosis test · The amygdala as the dynamic link between internal and external cues · How to increase motivation · Chronotype management and the optimal routine · Flow state and further research Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-psychology-podcast/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today it’s great to chat with Lori Gottlieb and Guy Winch on the podcast. Lori Gottlieb is a psychotherapist and New York Times bestselling author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, which has sold over a million copies and is currently being adapted as a television series. In addition to her clinical practice, she writes The Atlantic’s weekly “Dear Therapist” advice column and is co-host of the popular “Dear Therapists” podcast produced by Katie Couric. She contributes regularly to The New York Times and many other publications and in 2019, her TED Talk was one of the Top 10 Most-Watched of the Year. A member of the Advisory Council for Bring Change to Mind, she is a sought-after expert in media such as The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, CNN, and NPR’s “Fresh Air.” Learn more at LoriGottlieb.com or by following her on Twitter @LoriGottlieb1 and Instagram @lorigottlieb_author. Internationally renowned psychologist Guy Winch advocates for integrating the science of emotional health into o

Today we have David Buss on the podcast. David is a professor of psychology at University of Texas, Austin, and is one of the founders of the field of evolutionary psychology. His primary research focus is on strategies of human mating, particularly the dark side of human mating nature, including conflict between the sexes, jealousy, stalking, intimate partner violence, and murder. David is author of a number of books on mating, including The Evolution of Desire and most recently, Why Men Behave Badly: The Hidden Roots of Sexual Deception, Harassment, and Assault. Topics · What is "mating"? · Why David became interested in evolutionary psychology · David's response to critics of evolutionary psychology · David and Scott discuss the replication crisis · How evolutionary psychology research can combat gender violence · What gave rise to the #MeToo movement? · "The bad boy paradox" · How dark triad traits manifest in women · David's thoughts on the "pickup artist" community · David and Scott discuss the "light

Today it’s great to chat with Dr. Robert Cialdini. Dr. Cialdini is the author of Influence and Pre-Suasion and is recognized as the foundational expert in the science of influence. His Principles of Persuasion have become a cornerstone for any organization serious about ethically and effectively increasing their influence. Dr. Cialdini has earned a global reputation for his ability to translate his scientific research into valuable and practical actions. He is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author, with over seven million copies sold in 44 different languages. He is the president and CEO of INFLUENCE AT WORK. As a popular keynote speaker, he helps organizations in the US and abroad. Topics · Why Robert updated Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion · The “universal principles" of influence · How Robert became interested in the world of persuasion · How people react to figures of authority · The problem with the law of proportionality · How influence research has withstood t

Today it’s great to chat with Amy Chan on the podcast. Amy is the Founder of Renew Breakup Bootcamp, a retreat that takes a scientific and spiritual approach to healing the heart. She is also the Editor-in-Chief of Heart Hackers Club - an online magazine that focuses on the psychology behind love, lust and desire. The Observer calls her "A relationship expert whose work is like that of a scientific Carrie Bradshaw" and her company has been featured across national media including Good Morning America, Vogue, Glamour, Nightline and the front page of The New York Times. Her book, Breakup Bootcamp - The Science of Rewiring Your Heart, was published by Harper Collins on December 1, 2020. Topics · How heartbreak can be a bridge to self-actualization · Understanding our relationship patterns · Love vs. familiarity · Amy’s Breakup Bootcamp · The stages of a breakup · Amy explains “love addiction” · The habit of over-giving · Feeling vs. feeding your emotions · How to alleviate excessive rumination · How we should d

Today it’s great to chat with Loch Kelly on the podcast. Loch is an author, meditation teacher, psychotherapist, and founder of the non-profit, Open-Hearted Awareness Institute. Loch teaches in a non-sectarian human being lineage using an adult education style based in the earliest non-dual wisdom traditions, modern science and psychotherapy. Loch’s work is to help people access awakening as the next natural stage of human development. He offers in-person retreats, workshops, and online video and audio courses and he has served on the New York Insight Teachers Council. Topics · Loch’s spiritual journey · Loch discusses “awake awareness” · Absorbed vs. panoramic flow · Deliberate vs. effortless mindfulness · The neuroscience of meditation · How to tap into “pure being” · Mindfulness for individuals with ADD/ADHD · Loch discusses nondual theory · How Loch defines “identity” Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-psychology-podcast/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today it’s great to have Annaka Harris on the podcast. Annaka is an author whose work touches on neuroscience, meditation, philosophy of mind, and consciousness. She is author of two books: Conscious: A Brief Guide to the Fundamental Mystery of the Mind and the children’s book I Wonder. Annaka is also a volunteer for InnerKids, teaching mindfulness meditation to children in schools. Topics · The hard problem of consciousness · Why Annaka wrote Conscious · Annaka discusses "panpsychism" · How to think more creatively about consciousness · The function of consciousness · The experience of agnosia · What consciousness has to do with free will · Consciousness from an evolutionary perspective · Annaka’s thoughts on the free will debate · Annaka’s goals in writing I Wonder Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-psychology-podcast/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today it’s great to have Tal Ben Shahar on the podcast. Tal is a Best-Selling Author & Leadership Expert. He taught two of the largest classes in Harvard University’s history. Today, he consults and lectures around the world to executives in multinational corporations, the general public, and at-risk populations. The topics he lectures on include leadership, happiness, education, innovation, ethics, self-esteem, resilience, goal setting, and mindfulness. His books have been translated into more than twenty-five languages. Tal is the founder of Happiness Studies Academy, an online program that provides the knowledge and the tools to generate happiness for individuals and school communities. Topics · Tal’s former career as a squash player · How Tal ended up teaching happiness at Harvard · Tal’s definition of happiness · How deep learning affects our relationships · How happiness impacts creativity · Tal discusses various types of well-being · How different cultures define happiness · Is it possible to “achi

John McWhorter teaches linguistics, philosophy, and music history at Columbia University, and writes for various publications on language issues and race issues such as Time, the Wall Street Journal, the Daily Beast, CNN, and the Atlantic. He told his mother he wanted to be a "book writer" when he was five, and is happy that it worked out. Topics · Why John wrote a book on profanity · Why we call it “swearing” · Why people love the f-word · How profanity “lives in the right brain” · Why slurs sometimes become terms of affection · Why every culture has slurs · Why John thinks “the elect” is doing harm to society · How to balance contrasting perspectives on racism · John and Scott discuss the victim mentality · Discerning between fact and fiction in racial justice Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-psychology-podcast/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today it’s great to have Jud Brewer on the podcast. Dr. Brewer is a New York Times best-selling author, addiction psychiatrist and neuroscientist. He is an associate professor and the Director of Research and Innovation at the Center for Mindfulness at Brown University and the Executive Medical Director of Behavioral Health at Sharecare Inc. He has developed clinically proven app-based mindfulness trainings including those to help people with quitting smoking, emotional eating and anxiety. He is the author of The Craving Mind: from cigarettes to smartphones to love, why we get hooked and how we can break bad habits (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2017) and Unwinding Anxiety: New Science Shows How to Break the Cycles of Worry and Fear to Heal Your Mind (Avery/Penguin Random House, 2021). Topics · Why Jud practices mindfulness · How to break unhealthy habits and addictions · What “everyday addictions” are · Can addictions be reversed? · Why we prefer cake to broccoli · The shortcomings of willpower · Jud di

Today it’s great to chat with Arthur Brooks on the podcast. Arthur is the William Henry Bloomberg Professor of the Practice of Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School and Professor of Management Practice at the Harvard Business School. Before joining the Harvard faculty in July of 2019, he served for ten years as president of the Washington, D.C.-based American Enterprise Institute (AEI), one of the world’s leading think tanks. Topics · Arthur’s relationship to music · Arthur’s experience with silent meditation retreats · Arthur’s unique spin on the science of happiness · The importance of suffering · Arthur’s conversation with the Dalai Lama · How to treat people like assets instead of liabilities · Being needed vs. objectifying oneself · How to cultivate dignity · The importance of having “useless” friends · Why fear is the opposite of love · The difference between empathy and compassion · How religion and spirituality impact human happiness · How creativity contributes to happiness Support this p

Today it’s great to chat with Noreena Hertz on the podcast. Noreena Hertz is a renowned thought leader, academic, and broadcaster, named by The Observer “one of the world’s leading thinkers” and by Vogue “one of the world’s most inspiring women.” Her previous bestsellers — The Silent Takeover, The Debt Threat, and Eyes Wide Open — have been published in more than twenty countries, and her opinion pieces have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, and Financial Times. She has hosted her own show on SiriusXM and spoken at TED, the World Economic Forum in Davos, and Google Zeitgeist. Topics · The impact of technology on our social lives · How to boost the health of our society · The importance of local communities · “The loneliness economy” · The healthcare burden of loneliness · Combating loneliness in the workplace · How to give and receive care · “Blue zones" · How creating community helps our wellbeing · How to create communities for the elderly · Innovati

Today it’s great to chat with Christian Jarrett on the podcast. A cognitive neuroscientist by training, Christian is Deputy Editor of Psyche, a global digital magazine that illuminates the human condition. Christian has written about psychology and neuroscience for publications across the world, including BBC Future, WIRED, New York magazine, New Scientist, GQ Italia and The Guardian. He was the founding editor and creator of the British Psychological Society's Research Digest, presenter of their PsychCrunch podcast, and an award-winning journalist on The Psychologist magazine. His books include The Rough Guide to Psychology and Great Myths of The Brain. His latest book is Be Who You Want: Unlocking The Science of Personality Change. Topics [1:48] How Christian burst out of his shell [4:32] The role of biology in temperament [6:52] How working on your physical health can influence your personality [8:11] How changing job roles can shape our personality [10:07] How our peers shape our personalities [12:

Today it’s great to have Tim Grover on the podcast. Tim is the CEO of Attack Athletics Inc. which he founded in 1989 and author of the international bestseller Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable. World renowned for his work with Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, and thousands of athletes and business professionals. He appears around the world as a keynote speaker and consultant to business leaders, athletes, and lead achievers in every field. His latest book is called Winning: The Unforgivable Race to Greatness. Topics [00:01:58] Tim’s childhood and upbringing [00:09:08] Choosing to become a professional trainer [00:11:50] From "fat kid" to competitive basketball player [00:16:26] "The most successful are the most coachable" [00:19:30] Victim Mentality vs. Victory Mentality [00:22:51] The early days of Tim’s career [00:25:46] Meeting and working with Michael Jordan [00:30:55] Michael Jordan’s feedback about Tim [00:33:54] Being a part of the Chicago Bulls Dynasty [00:41:50] Meeti

Bridget Phetasy is a writer and stand-up comedian. Bridget has contributed to a wide variety of publications such as SpectatorUSA, Huffington Post, Playboy, Tablet Magazine, The Washington Examiner, and more. As the owner and operator of Phetasy, Inc., she has built a digital media cul-de-sac, leveraging existing platforms such as Twitter, YouTube, and Locals to deliver insightful and compelling commentary and observations on current events. Her YouTube show Dumpster Fire is a satirical commentary on the ridiculousness of the 24-hour news cycle. Her weekly podcast, Walk-Ins Welcome, has become staple listening for many influencers in the social media space. Topics [5:16] The power and utility of humor [12:26] The usefulness of self-deprecating humor [14:22] Bridget’s thoughts on social media [21:21] Bridget discusses politics and values [28:00] Bridget’s thoughts on being “politically homeless” [31:31] The link between "commodified outrage" and histrionics [34:33] The issue of online "trauma-dumping" [36:21]