We humans love novelty. We seek it out. While that can be good, it can also get us in trouble. This episode begins by exploring why we seek out new things, places and experiences and what happens after we do. Source: Winifred Gallagher author of the book New (https://amzn.to/3XsAxRb)
Did you know that one of the reasons we gesture with our hands when we ta ... Show More
Today
SYSK TRENDING - How to Improve Your Focus
It seems like paying attention should be easy. Yet for many of us, it has become one of the hardest things to do. We start reading an article and suddenly we're checking email. We pick up our phone to do one thing and, twenty minutes later, we've forgotten why we picked it up in ... Show More
24m 4s
Yesterday
Inside Amazon's Empire & How Social Media Is Rewriting Your Life
Have you ever caught yourself saying, "It smells like rain"? It turns out that distinctive scent is very real—and it's not your imagination. Scientists know exactly where it comes from, why some people notice it more than others, and why it can signal that rain is on the way. htt ... Show More
50m 10s
Mar 2024
‘Re-sparkling’: The science behind embracing variety and rejecting habituation
While good habits and rituals are beneficial, brain scientists and psychologists also say the key to a fulfilling and happy life is novelty, variety, and disruption from our routines. In her book Look Again; The Power of Noticing What Was Always There, co-author and MIT neuroscie ... Show More
51m 59s
Sep 2021
You Can’t Always Want What You Like
We might love gruelling hikes, trips to see far-flung relatives or super hard crossword puzzles, but often we lack the motivation needed to embark on these fun things. How can that be? They make us happy, right?Dr Laurie Santos explores why our brains don't encourage us to do thi ... Show More
39m 47s
May 2023
More Happier: A Great Icebreaker Question, a Startling Realization About Where We Live, and How to Know When Work Is an Escape
We talk about a fun, thought-provoking question to pose when we’re trying to make conversation, we discuss an astonishing fact about where we each live, and share a useful framework to decide whether we’re taking refuge in work when we should be dealing with the challenges of per ... Show More
23m 23s
May 2025
How To Rewire Your Brain To Take More Risks - Alex Hutchinson - #936
Alex Hutchinson is a science journalist, former physicist, and an author. Why are humans wired to explore? We’re naturally drawn to the unknown, but that curiosity can sometimes lead us off course. So how do you design a life that channels exploration and dopamine in the right di ... Show More
1h 8m
<p><em>New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers.</em></p> <p>---</p> <p>An acclaimed science writer on how to upgrade your mind by using more than your head.</p> <p><br /></p> <p>When you think about thi ... Show More
