Is it true that opposites attract. After all you sometimes see couples that seem to prove the point. So just how common or rare is it for opposites to really attract? This episode starts by explaining some of the research on the topic. http://www.livescience.com/5351-truth-opposites-attract.html
Can you really tell what someone else is thinking or what they ... Show More
Yesterday
Why We Buy Cheap Stuff - Then Regret It & Important Clues About Your Health
There’s an art — and a surprising amount of psychology — behind giving a great compliment. When done well, flattery can strengthen relationships, build trust, and make people more receptive. When done poorly, it can feel awkward or manipulative. This episode begins with what rese ... Show More
47m 30s
Feb 2
The Human Need to Matter & The Enduring Appeal of Cats
You’ve probably been told to be grateful for what you have — but that advice isn’t just feel-good wisdom. Research shows that intentionally expressing gratitude can actually change how your brain functions, influencing mood, focus, and emotional resilience. This episode begins wi ... Show More
49m 46s
Jun 2023
the ocean is literally eating the rich
Did you hear about the submarine on a Titanic expedition that went missing this week?! Fear not, Ben is here with the details! This week Ben talks about tourist adventures that take it too far, analyzes people's fears of the ocean, and broadens the discussion to all phobias and t ... Show More
32m 1s
Aug 2025
#984 - Coltan Scrivner - Why We’re Drawn to Death, Crime, & Danger
Coltan Scrivner is a behavioral scientist, an expert on morbid curiosity in horror and true‑crime media, and an author. Why are humans so curious about death? From car accidents to scary stories, roller coasters, and horror movies, some people are fascinated while others are repu ... Show More
1h 6m
Jun 2025
The Psychology of Curiosity at Cheltenham Science Festival
Is curiosity good for us, or should we learn a lesson from what curiosity did to the cat? And why does curiosity drive some people to explore the ends of the earth and beyond, while others just really aren’t very curious at all? As a journalist and author, Claudia Hammond has tur ... Show More
29m 17s
Nov 2022
This Conversation About the 'Reading Mind' Is a Gift
<p>Every day, we consume a mind-boggling amount of information. We scan online news articles, sift through text messages and emails, scroll through our social-media feeds — and that’s usually before we even get out of bed in the morning. In 2009, a team of researchers found that ... Show More
1h 9m