

PsycHacks
Orion Taraban
Presented by Orion Taraban, Psy.D. PsycHacks provides listeners with a brief, thought-provoking episode several days a week on a variety of psychological topics, inspired by my clinical practice. The intention is for the core idea contained within each episode to inspire listeners to see something about themselves or their world in a slightly different light.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 6, 2021 • 3min
Episode 77: Do you want your boss‘s job?
Exploring the importance of career trajectory and questioning if you aspire to have your boss's job. What factors should be considered before investing years towards a goal and how to assess if higher positions align with personal values and aspirations.

Dec 4, 2021 • 4min
Episode 76: Holiday safety planning

Dec 2, 2021 • 3min
Episode 75: If you‘ve done nothing wrong, don‘t apologize
As we move through life, it's almost inevitable that someone will become angry or upset with us in response to our behavior. However, hurt feels are not -- in and of themselves -- proof of transgression. If your own examination indicates that the behavior in question does not conflict with your moral or ethical beliefs, do not apologize. This can be taken as a confession of guilt and justify additional punishments from the aggrieved party.

Nov 30, 2021 • 2min
Episode 74: Offense is taken, not given
Delving into the concept that offense is taken, not given, the podcast explores individual agency in feeling offended. It discusses the power of controlling reactions to provocative situations, highlighting the role of judgment and complicity in perceiving offense.

Nov 28, 2021 • 4min
Episode 73: Compromise versus sacrifice
The podcast delves into the dynamics of compromise and sacrifice in relationships, emphasizing how sacrifice can lead to personal growth and a healthier dynamic without the expectation of reciprocity

Nov 26, 2021 • 5min
Episode 72: People want what other people want
People want what other people want. This is because the interest of others generally serves as a proxy validation of the variable under study. And to the extent that validation is delegated across a diverse and independent network, this is actually a pretty reliable heuristic. In this episode, I'll discuss an anecdote on the topic from my personal experience and explain its relevance in professional negotiations.

Nov 24, 2021 • 3min
Episode 71: Escaping approach-avoid conflicts
In this episode, they discuss the struggles of approach-avoid conflicts in relationships and how it can cause emotional distress. Two tips are shared: prioritizing present realities and making decisions 'for now'. This provides practical advice on resolving contradictory impulses.

Nov 22, 2021 • 4min
Episode 70: If you‘re in the park, you must have a ticket
Exploring existential uncertainty and the justification of existence, the podcast discusses the idea that if you're in the park, you must have a ticket. It highlights the notion that your existence is already justified by the mere fact of existing, similar to how it is hard to sneak into Disneyland.

Nov 20, 2021 • 2min
Episode 69: The importance of small wins
The podcast discusses the significance of embracing small wins during challenging times, encouraging listeners to appreciate even the smallest victories and maintain a positive mindset.

Nov 18, 2021 • 3min
Episode 68: Create the structure that you can surrender to
Explore the benefits of internally imposed structures over external ones, align values with goals, and treat commitments seriously for meaning and goal-directed activity.