Many Americans feel an obligation to keep up with political news. But maybe we should be focusing our energies elsewhere. In this episode from 2020, political scientist Eitan Hersh says there's been a rise in "political hobbyism" in the United States. We treat politics like entertainment, following the latest updates like we follow our favorite sports teams. ... Show More
Jul 6
Waking Up Your Spiritual Brain: Part 2
Last week, we talked with psychologist Lisa Miller about the science of spirituality. Today, we explore what those ideas can look like in everyday life. Miller explains why moments of connection, spiritual practices, and even periods of suffering can sometimes open the door to de ... Show More
1h 33m
Jun 29
Waking Up Your Spiritual Brain: Part 1
Food, safety, and strong relationships are essential to our survival. Psychologist Lisa Miller says our brains also crave something else: transcendence. She suggests that spirituality is a universal human capacity, and that feeling connected to something larger than ourselves may ... Show More
50m 5s
Feb 2020
Electing the Muppet in Chief
On the Gist, the missed opportunities of the South Carolina debates. In the interview, Mike talks with Eitan Hersh, professor of Political Science at Tufts University, about his new book Politics is for Power: How to Move Beyond Political Hobbyism, Take Action, and Make Real Chan ... Show More
31m 33s
Nov 2024
Monday Mini: SMNTY Picks Up a Hobby
In times of stress, many people turn to hobbies. Science shows there are reasons (and benefits) to this, but turns out, women don't have as much time for them. Not only that, our hobbies are often questioned, in one way or another. We look into why and share our own hobbies.See o ... Show More
16m 22s
Feb 2023
Make Them See You As The Prize: The Power Of Sending Mixed Signals
Life can be tedious and boring, so the last thing we want is to engage with someone who is predictable. What people crave most is excitement and entertainment; we want to escape our realities, but escapism is only an illusion… Learn to become their escape, so they never want to b ... Show More
19m 16s
Jun 2021
Hobbies: do they change your brain?
<p>Whether it’s reading, birdwatching, painting, or stargazing, we all have a hobby. In this week’s episode, we discuss what happens in the brain when you’re doing a hobby, their impact on your mental health, and the difference between scientific and artistic creativity.&nbs ... Show More
52m 33s