Training Without Conflict Podcast

Episode Five: Dr. Doug Lisle and Dr. Jen Howk

May 18, 2021

Join clinical psychologist Dr. Doug Lisle and political scientist Dr. Jen Howk as they delve into the fascinating intersection of evolutionary psychology and dog training. They challenge traditional views on personality, emphasizing inherent traits over mere experiences. Discover how understanding canine genetics improves training methods, while critiquing outdated practices that rely on punishment. Their engaging discussion highlights the importance of nurturing individual strengths in both dogs and humans, and they share insights into the balance between ambition and realism in training.

02:06:45

Creator website

Episode guests

Jen Howk

Doug Lisle

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

The podcast discusses how evolutionary psychology reveals the significant impact of genetics on personality traits, challenging the belief that experiences alone can drive change.

Dr. Lisle and Dr. Howk emphasize the importance of creating supportive environments tailored to an individual's or dog's inherent traits for optimal well-being.

They debunk common misconceptions in dog training by highlighting the ineffectiveness of outdated behavioral models that ignore a dog's genetic makeup.

The speakers encourage setting realistic expectations in personal development and dog training to foster healthier relationships and greater satisfaction.

Deep dives

The Origins of Interest in Evolutionary Psychology

The discussion highlights the journey of one of the speakers into the field of evolutionary psychology, which began with a TED Talk by Dr. Doug Lyle in 2012. This initial exposure sparked an exploration into how evolutionary principles influence human behavior and thought processes. The speakers emphasize the significance of understanding genetics and its implications on personality, suggesting that many societal beliefs disregard the innate genetic makeup of individuals. This conversation serves as a prelude to the broader ideas of how evolutionary psychology can inform various disciplines, including dog training and personal development.

Intro

2min

Revisiting Psychology Through Evolution

11min

Evolving Perspectives on Dog Training

36min

Understanding Canine Behavior and Training

20min

Balancing Ambition and Realism in Dog Training

18min

The Genetics of Personality

33min

Beyond Basic Dog Training: Understanding Behavior and Education

2min

Exploring Evolutionary Psychology in Podcasts and Literature

3min

Exploring Genetics, Nutrition, and the Importance of Diet in Training

3min

Training Without Conflict™ Podcast Episode Five: Dr. Doug Lisle & Dr. Jen Howk

In this episode of the Training Without Conflict™ Podcast, Ivan Balabanov interviews two of his biggest inspirations, Dr. Doug Lisle and Dr. Jen Howk.

Dr. Lisle and Dr. Howk are the hosts of the very popular Beat Your Genes Podcast.

Dr. Doug Lisle received his undergraduate education from the University of California, San Diego (summa cum laude). He completed his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Virginia, where he was awarded the Presidents Fellowship and was a DuPont Scholar. He was then appointed Lecturer in Psychology at Stanford University, and worked on the research staff at the Department of Veterans Affairs at the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Palo Alto, California. His research and clinical interests have broadened to include health and wellness, self-esteem, relationship satisfaction, the treatment of anxiety disorders and depression, and optimizing achievement motivation. In addition to his work with Esteem Dynamics, he is currently the Director of Research for the TrueNorth Health Center and also serves as the psychologist for the McDougall Wellness Program, both located in Santa Rosa, California.

Dr. Jen Howk earned her B.A. with honors from the University of Washington, and her M.A. and Ph.D. from Harvard University.

Her academic research explores how state-society relations shape vulnerability, resilience, and social well-being. Her Ph.D. dissertation, “Too Dysfunctional to Govern: Trauma Capital and State Retreat in Rural Alaska,” explains how claims of historical and ongoing trauma, distress, and vulnerability in communities that lack alternative markers of status and success can become a stable source of social capital that paradoxically reinforces underdevelopment and inequality.

Dr. Lisle and Dr. Howk are now in the process of co-authoring a book based on Dr. Lisle's new method of approaching human psychology and wellbeing. He describes this approach as Esteem Dynamics – its core insights adapted from a revolutionary biological approach to psychology. Central figures having major influence on Dr. Lisle’s thinking include Richard Dawkins, John Tooby and Leda Cosmides, David Buss, Steven Pinker, and Geoffrey Miller. All of these individuals are considered academic A-list thinkers in evolutionary theory and human psychology. Somewhat surprisingly, insights from these trailblazers has yet to reach mainstream clinical psychology, and thus major advances stemming from some of the world’s greatest thinkers have yet to be systematically applied to problems of helping people improve their lives. Esteem Dynamics is the first such effort – born of Dr. Lisle’s 25-years of clinical experience wedded to the deep insights into human nature now available via evolutionary psychology.

Check out Dr. Lisle and Jen Howk's Esteem Dynamics

Check out the Beat Your Genes Podcast

Dr. Jen Howk's Podcast Howk Blocked Podcast

Dr. Lisle's TedX Talk about The Pleasure Trap

Dr. Lisle's Book "The Pleasure Trap: Mastering the Hidden Force that Undermines Health & Happiness"

Ivan Balabanov is a 2-time World...