Human Nature with Roni Fouks

In this episode featuring Gal Sheppes, we delved into the intricate world of managing emotions. We discussed the difference between emotion generation and regulation, highlighting the importance of tailored interventions for each aspect. We explored the flexibility of emotion regulation strategies, examining their continuum from disengagement to engagement across various contexts. Gal shared insights into the stages of emotion regulation, shedding light on their significance across different time frames.We continued on to the intersection of emotion regulation with conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction. Gal also provided insights on fostering healthy emotion regulation in children and navigating emotions during relational conflicts for healthier relationships. Tune in to learn more about how our emotions work and how we can manage them more consciously.--- Gal Sheppes is a professor of clinical psychology at Tel Aviv University, and his research focuses on the underlying mechanisms of emotion regulation and self-regulation among healthy and clinical populations. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ronifouks.substack.com/subscribe

Join me in a thought-provoking conversation with Prof. Roy Baumeister as we delve into the pages of his book "Is There Anything Good About Men: How Cultures Flourish by Exploiting Men". In this episode, we explore the roots of male motivation, uncovering the profound impact of sexual competition on both men and women. Prof. Baumeister offers insights into the intricate relationship between men's sex drive and their drive for success, and how these drives have influenced the building and shaping of culture. Our discussion challenges prevailing misconceptions, shedding light on the complex reasons behind the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles and the anti-male narrative that prompted Roy to write this book. We navigate potential pathways for the future of monogamy, acknowledging the innate differences between men and women (even if our proposed solutions slightly differ!). Prof. Roy Baumeister is an esteemed figure in social psychology and professor at the University of Queensland. His influential research has focused on self-esteem, the need of belongingness, sexuality, sex differences, and willpower. Tune in to unravel the layers of male psychology, guided by the expertise of Prof. Roy Baumeister. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ronifouks.substack.com/subscribe

Unveiling the Secrets of Male Evolution: What Drives Deeper Voices in Men? In our latest podcast episode, I had an engaging discussion with Dr. David Puts, an evolutionary anthropologist renowned for his insights into the evolution of men. We explore the intriguing question: Are lower male voices designed to allure women or intimidate rival men? Dr. Puts shared surprising findings, revealing that male dominance competition has had a more profound impact on shaping masculine traits than previously believed, outweighing the influence of female selection. Our conversation explored the intricate role of hormones during prenatal development and their effect on shaping our personalities and sexual characteristics. We also busted some 'no sex differences' myths and challenged the notion that male and female brains are identical. As a distinguished professor of anthropology at Penn State, Dr. Puts specializes in unraveling the complexities of human sexuality, examining how sex hormones shape our sexual psychology, behavior, and anatomy. Join us in uncovering the fascinating journey of how these traits were intricately shaped by the forces of sexual selection and competition.@YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBiggerPicturePodcast@Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biggerpicturepodbyroni/@Website: https://thebiggerpicturepod.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ronifouks.substack.com/subscribe

This episode was recorded 3 months before the tragic events of October 7th.Join me for an eye-opening podcast episode with Prof. Eran Halperin, as we dive into the realm of emotions within intergroup conflicts. Eran's extensive research illuminates how emotions drive and shape conflict dynamics, exploring the profound impact of emotions such as hatred, anger, fear, hope, despair, guilt, and empathy in these contentious conflicts. We discuss the power of emotions as engines of human behavior within social contexts, and their influence on decision-making processes both at the government level and among the public. Eran illustrates the unique nature of discrete intergroup emotions and their concrete implications for conflict resolution dynamics. We shed light on the potential for emotional change and its capacity to transform political processes, emphasizing the need for understanding and managing collective emotional climates. Throughout our conversation, we unravel the complexities of emotions like hatred, anger, fear, hope, despair, guilt, and empathy, exploring their destructive and constructive roles in conflicts. From the chronic nature of fear to the contrasting effects of hope and despair, we examine how these emotions perpetuate conflicts and hinder reconciliation efforts. Eran's insights offer a glimmer of hope, revealing that the majority of both Jews and Arabs in Israel oppose violence. As we conclude, we delve into potential pathways for meaningful change through emotion regulation, drawing from Eran's research to understand how altering the collective emotional climate could pave the way for reconciliation between conflicting groups. Eran Halperin is a professor of social psychology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, with expertise in peace and conflict studies. His research focuses on the role of emotions in intergroup conflicts, offering valuable insights into the dynamics that influence decision-making processes and conflict resolution strategies.@YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBiggerPicturePodcast@Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biggerpicturepodbyroni/@Website: https://thebiggerpicturepod.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ronifouks.substack.com/subscribe

🧠 Delve into the fascinating nuances of cognitive differences between sexes with Prof. David Geary in our latest episode! We navigate through controversial yet intriguing findings on how gender disparities widen in liberal societies. Join us as we decipher evolutionary roots behind men's math prowess and women's verbal excellence.🎙️ Prof. Geary, a distinguished psychologist, shares insights on intra-individual strengths, their impact on career choices, and the evolving landscape of education. Uncover the evolutionary bases of cognitive abilities, debunking myths around gender stereotypes and stereotype threats.📚 Dive into the academic achievement gap, understanding its complex origins in educational design and societal perceptions. Explore brain disparities, hormonal influences, and vulnerability to stressors, shedding light on the varied aspects of masculinity and femininity.🌟 We challenge misconceptions by exploring variability within sexes, while addressing prevalent Woke arguments against acknowledging inherent sex differences. Prof. Geary's forward-thinking vision for education promises an inclusive future empowering both boys and girls to excel in school.This episode promises an insightful journey into the depths of cognitive science and psychology—don't miss out! 🚀David Geary is a distinguished professor of psychology at the University of Missouri. He is a cognitive scientist and evolutionary psychologist with interests in educational psychology and the biological bases of sex differences in cognition.@YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBiggerPicturePodcast@Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biggerpicturepodbyroni/@Website: https://thebiggerpicturepod.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ronifouks.substack.com/subscribe

🎙️ Unveiling Evolutionary Insights into Male and Female Survival Strategies with Joyce Benenson🔍 Dive into the evolutionary strategies that shaped our sexes in this thought-provoking podcast episode featuring Dr. Joyce Benenson, esteemed Harvard University lecturer in Human Evolutionary Biology and author of the enlightening book "Warriors and Worriers: The Survival of the Sexes."🌱 In this conversation, we explore the primal origins behind men and women's distinctive behaviors. We discuss the reality of inherent sex differences—far more biologically rooted than socialized—revealing that acknowledging these distinctions doesn't imply superiority or inferiority. Instead, it illuminates how each sex evolved distinct survival strategies, shedding light on our natural tendencies and instincts to foster a more humane existence.🚀 We challenge misconceptions! Discover that masculinity isn't innately toxic; it embodies virtues such as ambition, specialization, and an unparalleled ability to cooperate within groups. Men, your masculinity is not something to apologize for—let's reframe the narrative!🔬 Delve into the complex world of female competition, unveiling the reality behind women's subtle yet potent competitive strategies. Understand that societal barriers are often reinforced by women themselves, not solely by men—an eye-opening revelation reshaping the narrative of the glass ceiling.🌐 Our discussion navigates the mechanics of evolution, exploring why and how sex differences emerged. We spoke about young boys’ fascination with "the enemy" and their inclination towards tools and weapons, both rooted deeply in evolutionary history. Joyce explained how the innate competitive drive in men fuels innovation and progress when harnessed positively.🔍 Joyce shed light on women's worry-centric and health-conscious behavior, as well as the intricate web of female competition, addressing the dynamics that drive exclusion, gossip, and antisocial behavior among ‘mean girls’.🌟 Join us as we dissect these evolutionary concepts and strive to foster a deeper understanding of our natural inclinations, ultimately aiming to empower individuals to embrace their differences and to cultivate healthy relationships.@YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBiggerPicturePodcast@Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biggerpicturepodbyroni/@Website: https://thebiggerpicturepod.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ronifouks.substack.com/subscribe

🧠 In this episode, join me in a thought-provoking conversation with Mark Leary, an esteemed psychology and neuroscience professor at Duke University. Together, we unravel the intricate layers of the self, exploring the nuanced differences between self-esteem and self-respect and the crucial role of self-compassion in our internal narratives. 🔍 Mark Leary, with his wealth of research, navigates the complexities embedded in terms like 'self' and 'ego,' offering profound insights into their meanings within our personal experiences. He challenges conventional perceptions of self-esteem, revealing its nature as a gauge reflecting our relational value rather than a mere internal feeling. 🌱 Through our discussion, we delve into the limitations of direct self-esteem boosting initiatives, delving into the unintended consequences they may provoke, such as fostering self-obsession and narcissism. Instead, we discuss the concept of self-respect as a more reliable path to cultivating a stronger sense of self-worth and confidence. 💡 Moreover, our conversation touches upon the delicate balance between self-compassion and self-complacency, shedding light on fostering healthier and more empowering relationships with ourselves, without letting ourselves slip. 🎙️ Tune in for a deep dive into the intricate dimensions of the human psyche, as Mark Leary shares his expertise, offering profound insights into the intricate dynamics of self-perception and personal growth. Check out Mark’s book, The Curse of the Self: https://www.amazon.com/Curse-Self-Self-Awareness-Egotism-Quality/dp/0195325443@YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBiggerPicturePodcast@Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biggerpicturepodbyroni/@Website: https://thebiggerpicturepod.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ronifouks.substack.com/subscribe

In today's episode, I spoke with Adam Lane Smith, an attachment specialist and personal coach emphasizing the important role of attachment for our well-being and relationships. We talked about how attachment issues are at the core of many common mental issues, such as depression and anxiety. We spoke about modern dating and apps, hookup culture and how it preys on anxiously attached individuals - especially women, and how we can optimize our dating lives to find a committed partner who is aligned with our values and long-term life goals. We also spoke a few important differences between men and women, such as how modern therapy is better geared towards helping women - and what men actually need when seeking therapy,  as well as the differences between how men and women bond - and the important role that the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin play in this regard.  For more information on Adam's coaching services and online courses: https://adamlanesmith.com/For Adam's book 'Slaying Your Fear': https://adamlanesmith.com/books/@YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBiggerPicturePodcast@Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biggerpicturepodbyroni/@Website: https://thebiggerpicturepod.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ronifouks.substack.com/subscribe

Prof. Uriel Reichman | Founding President & Chairman of the Board, Reichman UniversityIn today's episode, Uriel and I discussed the current state of affairs in Israel, the judicial reform that is threatening Israel's democracy and has caused millions of Israelis to organize in massive protests weekly. We spoke about the ideologies that are driving the harmful policies of the current extremist government - and what true democracy, based on Zionist humanistic values, really means.For more information on Uriel Reichman's legacy founding the first private university in Israel and his vision for a Jewish democratic state, visit his website here: https://www.urielreichman.com/en/@YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBiggerPicturePodcast@Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biggerpicturepodbyroni/@Website: https://thebiggerpicturepod.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ronifouks.substack.com/subscribe

In today's episode, I spoke with Anna Lembke, a psychiatrist, author of Dopamine Nation, Chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic at Stanford University, and an expert on the opioid crisis. We spoke about the 'pain-pleasure' mechanism of the dopaminergic systems, how they can induce addictive behaviors through over stimulation, and how understanding these mechanisms can help us lead a healthy, balanced life that is free of addiction. We also zoomed in on cannabis addictions and workaholism, and how to distinguish when these behaviors become problematic.@YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBiggerPicturePodcast@Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biggerpicturepodbyroni/@Website: https://thebiggerpicturepod.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ronifouks.substack.com/subscribe