Join Olga Khazan, a Staff writer for The Atlantic and author of "Me But Better," as she dives into the science of personality change, revealing that it's possible to transform who we are at any age. She shares practical strategies for personal growth. Meanwhile, journalist Alexander Clapp, author of "Waste Wars," uncovers the shocking realities of our trash's journey, especially plastic waste, challenging common recycling myths and advocating for significant changes to combat the plastic crisis. Together, they explore self-improvement and the complex recycling landscape.
48:47
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Traits of Lucky People
Lucky people tend to be less anxious and more observant, noticing opportunities others miss.
They also cultivate serendipitous encounters and maintain a positive, proactive attitude.
insights INSIGHT
Fixed Personality Belief
Many people believe their personality is fixed and resistant to significant change.
They feel they are who they are, and attempts to alter core traits are futile.
insights INSIGHT
Personality Change is Possible
Newer research suggests personality change is achievable with effort, not just by age 30.
Studies show changes are possible through consistent daily actions aligning with desired traits.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
In 'Me, But Better', Olga Khazan embarks on a year-long experiment to change her personality, delving into the science of personality change. The book offers evidence-backed techniques to help readers transform their lives by adopting behaviors that align with their desired traits, leading to greater happiness, health, and success.
Some people just seem to have more luck. Things seem to go their way. When you look closer, those lucky people often have some interesting traits in common. If you want to become luckier in life, listen to the beginning of this episode. https://www.popsci.com/luck-real/
Are you stuck being who you are – or can you change your personality – or at least parts of it? The evidence is clear that not only is personality change possible but also, the people who do make changes are generally happy they did. Joining me to discuss the science of personality change and how to implement it is Olga Khazan. She is a staff writer for The Atlantic and has also written for The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post and other publications. She is author of the book ME BUT BETTER: The Science and Promise of Personality Change (https://amzn.to/3DJhcGT).
After the truck comes and picks up your trash, where does it all go? It’s hard to answer because it can go to a lot of different places. And your recyclables, particularly the plastic – that can end up on the other side of the world. In fact, plastic has become a big problem because it isn’t as recyclable as people think. The journey your trash takes is a fascinating one and one worth understanding. Here to explain it is Alexander Clapp. He is a journalist and author of the book Waste Wars: The Wild Afterlife of Your Trash (https://amzn.to/4kSv3vh).
Something You Should Know 
