logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2022
58m 34s

A scientist's case for "woo-woo"

Vox
About this episode
Sean Illing talks with David Hamilton, a scientist and former research chemist turned author, about his new book Why Woo-Woo Works, in which he offers a scientifically-grounded defense of alternative practices like meditation, crystals, and the law of attraction. They discuss the placebo effect and its far-reaching consequences for our understanding of the m ... Show More
Up next
Nov 17
How to survive awkward encounters
We all know what awkwardness feels like. It's that jolt of discomfort when the social script breaks down, and no one knows what to do next. But what if awkwardness isn’t a flaw to fix but a window into how we live together?  Sean’s guest today is Alexandra Plakias, associate p ... Show More
56m 52s
Nov 10
Truth in an age of doublethink
We use “Orwellian” to describe everything from campus dust-ups to authoritarian crackdowns. But what did George Orwell actually stand for, what did he get wrong, and what can we learn from him about our age of surveillance capitalism and distraction? Sean’s guest is Laura Beers, ... Show More
52m 16s
Nov 3
The case against free will
We all think of ourselves as authors of our lives. The difference between our happy ending and someone else’s tragic one are the choices we each make. But what if none of that’s true? Sean’s guest today is Robert Sapolsky, a biologist and neuroscientist at Stanford University and ... Show More
58m 50s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2021
Why Woo Woo Works: The Science behind Holistic Therapies with Dr. David Hamilton
In this episode of The HEAL Podcast I sit down with Dr. David Hamilton to talk about his new book, Why Woo Woo Works. We break down the science behind holistic therapies, the placebo effect and the incredible healing power of kindness.    Dr. Hamilton is a writer, columnist, spea ... Show More
1h 5m
Jan 2024
5 Psychology Terms You’re Probably Misusing (Replay)
<p>We all like to throw around terms that describe human behavior — “bystander apathy” and “steep learning curve” and “hard-wired.” Most of the time, they don’t actually mean what we think they mean. But don’t worry — the experts are getting it wrong, too.</p><p> </p><ul><li><str ... Show More
49m 12s
Oct 2021
#101: When Doctors Were Scientists (Bret Weinstein & Heather Heying DarkHorse Livestream)
<p>In this 101st in a series of live discussions with Bret Weinstein and Heather Heying (both PhDs in Biology), we discuss the state of the world through an evolutionary lens.<br/><br/>Beginning with a discussion of Room 101 from Orwell’s 1984, we then share excerpts from Ross Do ... Show More
1h 43m
Feb 2023
#183 Why Woo Woo works with Dr David Hamilton
🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for free“Humans have become like tuning forks that vibrate sweetly to the sounds of nature.”Sometimes, when the spirit is soothed with a little extra care, the body returns to balance all by itself. And that ... Show More
1h 20m
Dec 2023
175. Why Is Astrology So Popular?
<p>Why does your horoscope seem so accurate? Is it possible to believe and not believe in something at the same time? And is Mike a classic Gemini?</p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/true-story-pt-barnum-greatest-hu ... Show More
37m 32s
Dec 2023
63. How Contagious Is Behavior? With Laurie Santos of “The Happiness Lab.” (Replay)
<p>Why do we mirror other people’s accents? Does DJ Khaled get tired of winning? And also: life is good — so why aren’t you happy?</p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://news.stanford.edu/2021/07/30/psychology-professor-albert-bandura-dead-95/">Alber ... Show More
36m 30s
Jan 2024
179. Can You Really “Manifest” Success Through Positive Visualization?
<p>Is there any scientific basis for the law of attraction? Are people who believe in “cosmic collaboration” more successful? And what happens when you write yourself a check for $10 million?</p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://www.rhondabyrne.com ... Show More
36m 29s
Jun 2024
133. Pay Attention! (Your Body Will Thank You)
<p>Ellen Langer is a psychologist at Harvard who studies the mind-body connection. She’s published some of the most remarkable scientific findings Steve has ever encountered. Can we really improve our physical health by changing our mind?</p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCE:</stron ... Show More
59m 30s
Dec 2023
173. How Important Is Your Choice of Words?
<p>What happens when three psychologists walk into a magic show? What’s Angela’s problem with the word “talent”?  And why does LeBron James refer to himself in the third person?</p><p> </p><p>SOURCES:</p><ul><li><a href="https://psychology.yale.edu/people/john-bargh">John Bargh</ ... Show More
35m 28s
Sep 2023
Andrew Huberman: Forest Bathing in Negative Ions
<p>We are back with a moderate-sized Decoding that focuses on Andrw Hubernman a baritone podcaster and neuroscientist at the Stanford University School of Medicine. </p><p>Huberman is a broad-shouldered, big-bearded... science communicator. Extremely popular with the tech-bro opt ... Show More
2h 10m
Listen to millions of songs and podcasts on Anghami