The right song can make us feel chills, help pull us out of a bad mood, or take us back in time to the first time we heard it. Elizabeth Margulis, PhD, director of the Music Cognition Lab at Princeton University, talks about how music, memory, emotion and imagination intertwine; why people are especially attached to music from their teen years; whether there ... Show More
Nov 19
When sounds are unbearable: Understanding misophonia, with Heather Hansen, PhD
For people with misophonia, certain sounds – like chewing, coughing or pen clicking – can trigger strong emotional reactions including anxiety, disgust and rage. Heather Hansen, PhD, director of the Misophonia Research Network, talks about scientists’ evolving understanding of mi ... Show More
36m 35s
Nov 12
Navigating the mental health impact of GLP-1s, with Rachel Goldman, PhD
Over the past several years, the rise of GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy has changed the conversation around weight and obesity in the U.S. Rachel Goldman, PhD, talks about how GLP-1s work; the effects they can have on mental health; what questions to ask if you’re conside ... Show More
37m 21s
Nov 5
Why humblebragging is never a good idea, with Övül Sezer, PhD
We all want to be liked and respected. But sometimes, our intuitions about how to make a good impression lead us astray. Övül Sezer, PhD, talks about common mistakes, including humblebragging and hiding our accomplishments; whether the rules of making a good impression are differ ... Show More
43m 3s
Oct 2021
The Healing Power of Pop with Esperanza Spalding
It. Has. Been. A. Year. We’ve felt it; you’ve felt it. Sometimes, it’s comforting to consider how universal that overwhelming sense of blah is. Other days, woof, it can be tough to see the light. That’s the subject of today’s episode, brought to you by our producer Megan Lubin. W ... Show More
35m 27s
Sep 2023
How to Use Music to Boost Motivation, Mood & Improve Learning
In this episode, I describe how your brain and body are fundamentally wired to perceive and respond to music and how those responses can be leveraged to improve your mood, allow for processing sad emotions and enhance learning and performance. I explain the data showing how music ... Show More
1h 41m