From Ponzi schemes to email phishing identity thieves, the world can seem full of people who want to deceive us. Daniel Simons, PhD, and Christopher Chabris, PhD, co-authors of Nobody’s Fool: Why We Get Taken In and What We Can Do About It, talk about the cognitive habits that put us at risk of believing lies; famous frauds and cons from the worlds of busine ... 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
Aug 1
Scams: What to Look Out For, Recovery, AI, and How to Protect Yourself
From VA Imposter Scams to “Free Piano” Scams, scammers will stop at nothing to lure you in and take your money. With the introduction of AI into our everyday lives, scammers have used this as a tool to deceive individuals, leaving victims penniless or even stealing their identity ... Show More
34m 34s
Jan 2025
#885 - Adam Grant - How To Overcome Your Fear Of Failure & Unlock Your Potential
Adam Grant is an organizational psychologist, professor at the Wharton School and an author.
Success is multi-layered. It involves challenges like overcoming nervousness, developing an appetite for risk-taking, and dealing with failures both privately and publicly—the list goes o ... Show More
1h 13m
Jul 2025
Stop Believing Everything You Think
In this episode from 2021, organizational psychologist and bestselling author Adam Grant joins Gwyneth Paltrow to explore what it really takes to change your mind—about your work, your worth, and even your identity. They unpack the hidden cost of certainty, the surprising upside ... Show More
49m 32s
Oct 2024
#847 - Derek Sivers - The Unstoppable Power Of Reframing Your Experiences
Derek Sivers is an entrepreneur, author, and speaker.
Things are not what they are, things are what we think they are. The power of reframing and changing your perspective is a kind of alchemy, and today we get to hear some of Derek's best principles for altering the way you see ... Show More
2h 2m
Jun 2023
John L. Rudolph, "Why We Teach Science (and Why We Should)" (Oxford UP, 2023)
Today I talked to John L. Rudolph about his book Why We Teach Science (and Why We Should) (Oxford UP, 2023).
Few people question the importance of science education in American schooling. The public readily accepts that it is the key to economic growth through innovation, develop ... Show More
36m 54s
Jan 2025
#887 - Dr Rangan Chatterjee - The Key Strategies Of Behaviour Change
Rangan Chatterjee is a physician, author, and podcaster.
Breaking old habits can be just as challenging as building new ones. As we step into a new year, what does the latest science say are the best strategies for forming positive habits and letting go of the old ones?
Expect t ... Show More
1h 39m
Mar 2025
Magic, Skepticism, and Success w/ Dr. Richard Wiseman
This week, Scott is joined by Dr. Richard Wiseman, a psychologist renowned for his work on magic, illusion, deception, luck, and self-development. As the UK's only Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire, Dr. Wiseman has published ov ... Show More
1h 6m
Jul 2025
From Victim to Victor: Rise Above Trauma with Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman
What if the biggest obstacle holding you back isn’t your past but your mindset? Psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman, PhD, challenges everything you think you know about trauma, resilience, and personal growth. In this episode, you’ll discover why labeling every setback as “trauma” c ... Show More
17m 30s
Sep 18
#995 - Lionel Page - Born to Lie: How Humans Deceive Ourselves & Others
Lionel Page is a professor at the University of Queensland and an author. Why is human communication so complicated? For something we rely on every day, you’d think it would be simple, but language, tone, and context make it one of the most complex skills we have. So what makes c ... Show More
1h 43m