Rob Henderson

Join best-selling author and psychologist Rob Henderson, an Air Force veteran who rose from a tumultuous foster care background to attend Yale and Cambridge. He shares insights from his memoir, exploring the concept of 'luxury beliefs' and their impact on social class. Henderson discusses the challenges of a controversial book tour, the importance of stability in childhood, and the pitfalls of elitism in academia. He highlights how personal responsibility and family structures shape success, while also critiquing societal disconnect between classes.

Rob Henderson, a PhD candidate at Cambridge and US Air Force veteran, dives into the psychology behind social behavior and perception. He discusses the friendship paradox and its surprising effects on our social lives. Rob explores how social media fosters feelings of isolation, despite its illusion of connectivity, and the dynamics of male friendships. He dives into the challenges faced by foster youth and addresses modern dating ideologies, particularly around political beliefs. Additionally, he shares insights on resilience and the importance of documenting personal struggles.

Rob Henderson, a PhD graduate from Cambridge and former US Air Force veteran, discusses the impact of 'luxury beliefs' on society. He delves into how these status-driven ideas from elites affect the lower class, especially in education. Rob shares personal insights from his journey through various social classes and critiques the disconnect between privilege and societal issues like crime and identity. Additionally, he offers advice on personal development, the importance of community, and cultivating a meaningful reading habit.

Rob Henderson, author of the best-selling memoir "Troubled," shares his journey from foster care to Yale and the intricacies of memoir writing. He discusses the importance of honesty, emotional resonance, and how to balance personal truths with empathy. Henderson delves into navigating childhood trauma, overcoming coping mechanisms, and the emotional toll of revisiting painful memories. He emphasizes the significance of maintaining authenticity, simplicity in storytelling, and the hard work that fuels creativity in memoir writing.

Rob Henderson, a PhD candidate at the University of Cambridge and a US Air Force veteran, dives into the fierce dynamics of male competition for status. He shares how men's evaluations of physical ability predict relationship success better than women's views on attractiveness. Henderson also explores the intriguing 'dad bod' phenomenon and why men might bristle at it. He highlights the contrast between male overt aggression and female indirect strategies in competition, and discusses the biological roots of these behaviors, shedding light on our complex social interactions.

Rob Henderson, a developmental psychologist and author of the bestselling book 'Troubled,' discusses thought-provoking ideas about how elites exploit the poor through luxury beliefs. He highlights the crucial role of marriage in enhancing social mobility and critiques the value of traditional college degrees. The conversation touches on the challenges faced by first-generation college students and the evolving dynamics of relationships in modern society. Additionally, Henderson emphasizes the need to reevaluate conventional wisdom and recognize opportunity costs for better decision-making.

Rob Henderson, an author who overcame a challenging upbringing in foster care, discusses 'Luxury Beliefs'—the social status indicators prevalent among the affluent. He reveals how such beliefs, like dismissing traditional marriage and advocating laissez-faire parenting, can destabilize poorer communities. Henderson emphasizes the need for empathy across social classes to address the disconnect between privilege and reality. He draws on his life experiences to explore how upbringing shapes our beliefs, ultimately advocating for positive societal change.

In this engaging discussion, Rob Henderson, a Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute and author of 'Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class', shares his journey from foster care to elite academia. He dives into the concept of luxury beliefs—ideas that privilege the wealthy while impacting the less fortunate. Topics include the decline of two-parent families, intra-elite hypocrisy, and the societal ramifications of academic ideologies. Henderson also critiques how affluent opinions often disconnect from the struggles of marginalized communities, especially in food security and cultural narratives.

Is this the greatest crossover event in history? Fresh from their individual appearances on Infinite Loops, Trung Phan and Rob Henderson join forces to discuss TV, film, and why Rob still hasn’t seen Apocalypse Now. Important Links: Rob’s Substack Rob’s Twitter Trung’s Substack Trung’s Twitter Show Notes: Hearts of Darkness: one of the craziest stories in Hollywood history The beginning of TV’s golden age Breadth or depth? The two paths to prestige TV What TV can teach you about elite America The two ways of watching prestige TV How TV shows program us The decline of event TV Recurring themes and HumanOS Succession and signalling The Great Reshuffle and Substack The 70s: one of the worst American decades of all time What will TV be like in 10 years’ time? Challenge yourself with art Broaden your content horizons Books Mentioned: Heart of Darkness; by Joseph Conrad Unflattening; by Nick Sousanis The Iliad; by Homer The Odyssey; by Homer The Da Vinci Code; by Dan Brown Infinite Jest; by David Foster Wallace TV Shows and Films Mentioned: Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse Apocalypse Now The Shield The Godfather The Sopranos Seinfeld All In The Family The Wire The Simpsons The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Mad Men Game of Thrones The West Wing Roseanne Power Rangers The O.C. Breaking Bad Better Call Saul The Truman Show Back to the Future I Love Lucy Succession Will and Grace Severance House of Cards Stranger Things Office Space Euphoria Avengers: End Game Top Gun Maverick The Office Parasite

In this conversation, Rob Henderson, a US Air Force veteran and PhD student in evolutionary and social psychology, delves into the complexities of dating apps and luxury beliefs. He discusses how platforms like Tinder can promote short-term gratification and exacerbate psychopathic traits. Henderson also explores the social dynamics of dating among different socioeconomic classes, revealing how luxury beliefs shape relationships and societal norms. The pair debate modern issues like monogamy, sexual freedom, and the influence of elite beliefs on lower classes.