You’ve likely experienced an awkward moment or two in your life. You say or do something that’s out of social sync, leaving the person you’re interacting with bemused, and you feeling like running and hiding under a rock. While awkwardness is an uncomfortable feeling and can hurt us socially, my guest today argues that there is some upside to it too. His nam ... Show More
Oct 27
The New Dark Ages: The Death of Reading and the Dawn of the Post-Literate Society
You can't help but notice, in yourself and in others, how much less people are reading these days. When it comes to content consumption, we're often replacing articles and books with videos and, well, podcasts.My guest says that this shift is having consequences, not only for our ... Show More
55m 34s
Oct 20
The Lost Art of Mingling: How to Talk to Anyone, Anywhere
It's always been intimidating to enter a room where you don't know everyone, or anyone, and to initiate conversation with people at a wedding, holiday party, or work event. But it's never felt more potentially awkward and anxiety-generating than in an age dominated by screen-medi ... Show More
41m 52s
Oct 13
Brandon Flowers, Frontman of the Killers, on Family, Faith, and Becoming a Thrasher
If you’ve been following the Art of Manliness for a while, you know that I typically interview the authors of books on this podcast. But,if you’ve been following the Art of Manliness for a while, you’ll know why I had to make an exception for today’s guest.Brandon Flowers is my v ... Show More
39m 25s
Apr 2024
The Advantages of a Socially Awkward Brain with Ty Tashiro
Can the traits that make you feel socially awkward actually be the key to unlocking extraordinary success? We’ve all experienced a time when we felt like an outsider looking in. But for some, this isn’t a rare occurrence, but a constant struggle. In fact, research shows 10 – 15% ... Show More
20m 49s
Apr 2025
Life can be so awkward. Here's how to embrace the embarrassing
Forgetting a name, a poorly executed hug, the 7th grade — awkwardness is part of our lives whether we like it or not. But what if we put the embarrassment aside and embraced our awkward selves? Guests include social scientist Ty Tashiro, cartoonist Liana Finck, journalist Melissa ... Show More
49m 35s
Apr 2024
So Awkward: How to embrace the embarrassing
Forgetting a name, a poorly executed hug, the 7th grade — awkwardness is part of our lives whether we like it or not. But what if we put the embarrassment aside and embraced our awkward selves? Guests include social scientist Ty Tashiro, cartoonist Liana Finck, journalist Melissa ... Show More
50m 21s
Nov 2024
Life can be so awkward. Here's how to embrace the embarrassing
Forgetting a name, a poorly executed hug, the 7th grade — awkwardness is part of our lives whether we like it or not. But what if we put the embarrassment aside and embraced our awkward selves? Guests include social scientist Ty Tashiro, cartoonist Liana Finck, journalist Melissa ... Show More
49m 35s
Sep 2024
Awkwardness with Alexandra Plakias
Clogged toilets, odious jokes, difficult condolences… awkward moments are everywhere you look. In episode 113 of Overthink, Ellie and David invite philosopher Alexandra Plakias to talk through her research on awkwardness. They discuss everything from hasty clean-ups to snap decis ... Show More
55 m