Saying no to someone who asks for something is often easier said than done. Maybe it's a boss who wants you to take on a new assignment. Or your kid's teacher, seeking volunteers for a field trip. Or a friend who asks you to lend her money. How should we respond to these demands on our time, energy, and resources? This week, psychologist Vanessa Patrick expl ... Show More
Today
What Art Does For Your Brain
Think about the last time a piece of music stopped you in your tracks, or a novel kept you up late at night. Why do these experiences feel so powerful? Psychobiologist Daisy Fancourt says engagement with the arts can help to regulate our emotions, build resilience, and support lo ... Show More
49m 18s
Aug 17
How to Be A Better Partner
When we look at the people we love, how clearly do we really see them? This week, we talk with psychologist Edward Lemay about how our fears, desires, and insecurities can shape our perceptions of our partners — sometimes creating the very reality we expect. He explains how we ca ... Show More
1h 26m
Aug 10
How Feelings Make Us Smarter
Some people are remarkably good at reading the emotional temperature of a situation. They can pick up on what others are feeling, manage their own emotions, and respond skillfully. What's their secret? This week, we explore the science of emotional intelligence with psychologist ... Show More
48m 7s
Aug 2023
S28 E1: Why Do You Say “Yes” When You Want to Say “No”? (Vanessa Patrick)
Too often, we say "yes" to friends, bosses, and even strangers when what we really want to say is "absolutely not." Why do we do this? Vanessa Patrick, a marketing professor at the University of Houston, has spent years researching this question. The answer she's come up with cou ... Show More
15m 56s
Sep 2025
How to say NO without guilt at work I The Psychology of Approval-Seeking
You say yes to another task. Even though your plate is already full. You stay late, again. You avoid pushing back, just in case it makes you seem less committed.In this episode, Martin Wolf and Dr. Verena Seibert-Giller unpack the psychology behind our struggle to say “no” at wor ... Show More
15m 42s
Aug 2021
7 Steps On How To Say NO, Stop People Pleasing & Prioritize Yourself
Perhaps the hardest word you can say to someone is NO. Saying YES to something, even if it’s half-heartedly meant, is easier because you aren’t obliged to justify it. The pressure is less, and so it’s easier to say so. Whereas, if you say NO, there is this need to justify why you ... Show More
33m 33s
May 2025
How to say no (from WorkLife with Adam Grant)
In a world filled with requests, many of us are struggling to stay afloat. Even if you’re not a people-pleaser, the desire to maintain a positive reputation can make it hard to turn others down. In this episode, Adam explores the art and science of delivering an effective “no.” H ... Show More
36m 11s