From getting lost in a novel to binge-watching a favorite TV show, we humans spend a lot of time in fictional worlds. Jennifer Lynn Barnes, PhD, a psychologist and novelist, talks about why we’re drawn to fictional worlds; the psychology of fandom and fan fiction; and how insights from psychology helped her write her best-selling series “The Inheritance Game ... Show More
Aug 20
Why numeracy counts in everyday life, with Ellen Peters, PhD
From deciding whether to buy a house to weighing the risks and benefits of taking a new medication, many important life decisions hinge on understanding numbers, statistics and probability. Ellen Peters, PhD, author of “Innumeracy in the Wild: Misunderstanding and Misusing Number ... Show More
35m 22s
Aug 13
Encore - How science can help you change your behavior for the better, with Katy Milkman, PhD
What can you learn from the science of behavior change that can help you make the changes you want to see in your life? Katy Milkman, PhD, a professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and author of the book How to Change: The Science of Getting From Where Y ... Show More
43m 42s
Aug 6
Encore -- Why we choose to suffer, with Paul Bloom, PhD
Why do people like to watch scary movies or listen to sad songs? Why do we run marathons and raise children, even though both of those pursuits come with struggle and pain? Paul Bloom, PhD, discusses why suffering is linked to meaning in life, the connection between pleasure and ... Show More
23m 18s
Aug 2022
The Integration of Psychotherapy as a Treatment Modality
In today’s episode of the podcast, I speak with Dr. Mary Jo Peebles, a renowned psychoanalyst, speaker and author, about the significance of psychotherapy from her most recent book, When Psychotherapy Seems Stuck. Dr. Peebles received her Bachelors of Psychology from Wellesley Co ... Show More
1h 12m
Sep 2021
#77: The Science of Compassion - Shauna Shapiro, PhD
Shauna Shapiro, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and an expert in mindfulness and self-compassion. She has spent two decades studying the benefits of mindfulness and compassion. Her TEDx Talk on this topic has been viewed over 2 million times. Dr. Shapiro is a ... Show More
41m 23s
Sep 2021
Managing mental health - maintaining your wellbeing in a post-pandemic world
In this episode, we speak with Dr Sophie Homer a Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Plymouth. Her research interests include clinical and applied psychology, and the role of negative, intrusive mental imagery in mental health and its potential as a target for interventio ... Show More
36m 12s
Aug 2023
381. Change Your Mindset, Your Health, Your Life | Dr. Ellen Langer
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson and “The mother of mindfulness,” Dr. Ellen Langer discuss her latest book, The Mindful Body: Thinking Our Way To Chronic Health. From this they explore how intentioned awareness paired with humility allows for a healthier mindset and body, how the perceptio ... Show More
1h 50m
Aug 2022
How to Create an Exercise Habit Without Driving Yourself Nuts | Kelly McGonigal
New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- In this episode from our archives, psychologist Kelly McGonigal dives into her book The Joy of Movement and practical steps on how to develop healthy habits. ... Show More
1h 4m