

Two Guys on Your Head
KUT & KUTX Studios, Dr. Art Markman & Dr. Bob Duke
Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke explain how our brain works.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 18, 2025 • 0sec
Learned Apathy
When life feels like a nonstop barrage of problems we can’t fix, it’s natural to want to shut down. But apathy doesn’t make the problems go away, and it can leave us feeling even more stuck.
In this episode—the first in our Two Guys on Your Head series on the psychology of apathy—Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke explore the concept of learned apathy, why it takes hold, and how we can start to build the confidence and motivation to re-engage with the world around us.
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Apr 11, 2025 • 7min
Spring
Spring is in the air in Austin, Texas, and on this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Art Markman and Bob Duke talk about why–psychologically–it’s important to enjoy the beauty of this moment.
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Apr 4, 2025 • 0sec
Conversation
Conversations change our minds. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Art Markman and Bob Duke explore the psychology of why and how that happens.
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Mar 28, 2025 • 0sec
Embodied Emotions (Rebroadcast)
Emotions are sometimes good to listen to when you’re trying to make a decision, but sometimes, they’re not so good. However, as Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke explore in this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, the more you know about how your brain works and what certain feelings may indicate, the more tools you have to act.
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Mar 21, 2025 • 0sec
Bypassing
There is a lot of misinformation out there, and we might think that we just need more correct and factual information to combat it. While that can be true, it turns out that how and when we get information plays a huge role in what we believe. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Art Markman and Bob Duke explore the psychological concept of “bypassing.”
Bypassing versus correcting misinformation: Efficacy and fundamental processes. by Javier Granados Samayoa and Dolores Albraracín.
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Mar 15, 2025 • 8min
Meritocracy
When it comes to deciding what is valued and what is not, we often proceed with an illusion of objectivity instead of an evaluation system that can showcase expertise and quality. So, what does it really mean to be “the best,” and who gets to decide? In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Art Markman and Bob Duke explore how culture shapes our understanding of merit, fairness, and success and why it matters.
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Mar 7, 2025 • 8min
Giving Up and Agency
One misconception about giving up is that it takes less energy, motivation, or stamina than sticking to something. However, in this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Art Markman and Bob Duke discuss the agency and energy it takes to stop doing something and change course.
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Feb 28, 2025 • 8min
Giving Up
When we hear someone say they’re giving up, it’s not usually met with congratulations. However, on this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Art Markman and Bob Duke explore why perhaps it should be.
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Feb 21, 2025 • 8min
Celebration (Rebroadcast)
Why do we wait for big milestones to celebrate when the little wins matter just as much? In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke explore the psychology behind celebration, gratitude, and achievement—revealing why our brains are wired to thrive on recognizing progress along the way.
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Feb 14, 2025 • 8min
The Word Love
Our producer, Rebecca McInroy, spent a lot of time in Greece as an undergraduate studying and living there; she adores the country and the language. On one of her first trips there, a Greek man accused her of being from a country of “barbarians” because in the English language, there is only one word for love, whereas in Greek, there are at least eight words that express different kinds of love.
This prompted a question: what is the importance of having words to express our feelings? On this special Valentine’s Day edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Art Markman and Bob Duke explore the psychology of words.
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