In this book, Lisa Feldman Barrett demystifies the brain through seven short essays and a brief story on its evolution. She explains where brains came from, their structure, and how they function in tandem with other brains. The book dispels myths such as the 'lizard brain' and the battle between thoughts and emotions or nature and nurture. Barrett highlights the brain's primary role in controlling the body, discusses brain development, and emphasizes the social and cultural aspects of cognition and consciousness.
In this book, Joseph Campbell explores his theory of the 'monomyth', a universal pattern found in the mythological narratives of various cultures. He details the stages of the 'hero's journey', which include departure from the ordinary world, initiation into a supernatural world, and return with a boon. Campbell draws on a wide range of mythological sources and integrates insights from psychology, particularly from Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud, to illustrate the common elements of heroic myths across different cultures.
The Undoing Project by Michael Lewis chronicles the intellectual and personal relationship between Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, two Israeli psychologists whose research fundamentally changed our understanding of human decision-making. Their studies, conducted from the late 1960s to the 1980s, exposed systematic errors in human judgment under uncertainty and laid the foundation for behavioral economics. The book delves into their extraordinary lives, including their careers in the Israeli military, and how their personal differences and eventual estrangement affected their work. Lewis's narrative makes complex psychological concepts accessible through engaging storytelling, highlighting the profound impact of Kahneman and Tversky's work on various fields, including economics, medicine, and government regulation[3][4][5].
In this book, Damasio argues that emotions are essential to rational thinking and normal social behavior. He challenges René Descartes' mind-body dualism by presenting case studies, particularly the famous case of Phineas Gage, to demonstrate how brain damage can affect decision-making and personality. Damasio introduces the 'somatic marker hypothesis,' which posits that emotions guide behavior and decision-making, and that rationality requires emotional input. The book is divided into three parts, exploring case studies, explanations for the effects of brain injuries, and testing the somatic marker hypothesis[2][4][5].
In 'The Art of Choosing,' Sheena Iyengar examines the complex nature of choice and its impact on our personal and professional lives. The book addresses questions such as whether the desire for choice is innate or culturally bound, why we sometimes make choices against our best interests, and how much control we have over our decisions. Iyengar draws on extensive research in psychology, behavioral economics, and neuroscience to provide insights into how choices are influenced by cultural and environmental factors. The book also offers practical advice on improving decision-making by setting constraints and prioritizing meaningful choices[1][3][4].
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Recorded in front of an audience at the CFA Institute’s global conference (CFA Live), I’m joined by behavioral finance expert Brian Portnoy to dive deep into Behavioral Finance 2.0. This conversation goes well beyond the basic definitions of Behavioral Finance 1.0, letting storytelling, empathy, and emotional intelligence take center stage in helping people live more meaningful financial lives.
Whether you’re an advisor, investor, or simply curious about the psychology of money, this conversation offers a fresh and thought-provoking perspective on what it truly means to build wealth wisely.
Listen now and learn:
► Why classical behavioral finance may be too narrow—and what’s replacing it
► A powerful five-step framework for guiding clients through market stress
► How storytelling can transform financial advice into something truly personal
► What the rise of AI means for the future of human-centered advising
Visit www.TheLongTermInvestor.com for show notes, free resources, and a place to submit questions.
(07:28) Navigating Today's Investor Mindset: Uncertainty and Storytelling
(12:36) Beyond Behavioral Finance 1.0: Moving from Flaws to Flourishing
(19:49) The Power of Asking Better Questions in Financial Advising
(28:50) Using the LASER Protocol for Client Conversations During Volatility
(42:30) Practical Applications: Storytelling in Financial Advice
(47:57) How Behavioral Insights Improve Investment Decisions
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