Something You Should Know

Daniel Pink, author and speaker on work and human behavior, explains what really drives motivation. He discusses why autonomy, mastery, and purpose matter. He shares practical stories and small steps organizations and individuals can use to spark creativity and sustain effort. The conversation highlights research that challenges reward-and-punishment approaches.

Jennifer Breheny Wallace, an award-winning journalist on relationships and well-being, and Jerry Moore, an archaeologist who writes about human-animal history, join to discuss why feeling significant matters and how cats became enduring companions. They explore when mattering falters, a simple nightly practice to notice it, cats’ surprising domestication story, ancient bonds, and the signals people often miss.

Viv Groskop, writer, comedian and executive coach who trains people to access authentic confidence. Eve Herold, award-winning science writer who studies human-robot interaction. They discuss why we treat robots like people and the risks that creates. They explore practical social robots, how lifelike features sway us, and simple ways to access and project confidence in high-pressure moments.

Kate Murphy, journalist exploring why people click, explains interpersonal synchrony and what sparks effortless connection. Brad Stulberg, performance coach and author, breaks down true excellence versus pseudo-excellence and how to pursue mastery without burnout. They also discuss phone presence, physiological signs of syncing, focus, vulnerability, and smart prioritization for long-term satisfaction.

Michael Morris, cultural psychologist at Columbia University who studies tribal instincts. Paul Sloane, innovation expert who studies serendipity and accidental breakthroughs. They discuss how unexpected discoveries and deliberate randomness spark big ideas. They explore why people cluster with similar others, how tribes shape cooperation and conflict, and how noticing anomalies leads to innovation.

Natalia Petrzela, historian and fitness instructor who studies America’s exercise obsession. Marcus Collins, marketing professor who researches how culture shapes behavior. They define what culture is and how it spreads. They explain why fitness became a craze yet many stay inactive. They trace cultural moments, show how ideas tip into the mainstream, and offer ways people form lasting habits.

Dr. Ashley Alker, an emergency medicine physician and author, reveals shocking common causes of serious injuries and practical tips to avoid them, like the dangers of untreated strep throat and everyday household risks. Meanwhile, tribology expert Jennifer R. Vail, founder of DuPont's first tribology lab, dives into the science of friction, explaining how it influences everything from walking to energy efficiency. She highlights its critical role in safety and innovation, offering surprising insights into this invisible force.

In this engaging discussion, Maya Shankar, a cognitive scientist and former Obama advisor, shares insights on navigating life's unpredictable changes and the power of resilience. She emphasizes how our brains thrive on predictability but can adapt through tough experiences. Meanwhile, Sten Odenwald, an astronomer from NASA, delves into the intricate nature of time, explaining why it feels different at various life stages and its links to entropy. Together, they unravel profound truths about change and time, offering listeners strategies for personal growth.

Join Sharrona Pearl, an expert in face recognition, as she delves into the intricacies of how we identify faces, discussing everything from super recognizers to the nuances of prosopagnosia. Meanwhile, entrepreneur Shane Parrish shares insights on clear thinking and decision-making, emphasizing the importance of habitual rules to avoid mental traps. Together, they explore how our environments affect perception and decision quality, offering practical strategies for everyday life.

Christopher Moore, a professor of psychology and author of *The Power of Guilt*, discusses the essential role of guilt in fostering empathy and repairing relationships. He explains how guilt evolved as a social emotion and offers insights on self-forgiveness. Roger Kreuz, an associate dean and author of *Strikingly Similar*, delves into the complexities of plagiarism, revealing that it can happen unintentionally and spans various domains, including music and literature. Together, they explore the psychological intricacies of guilt and the murky waters of copyright.