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Beat Your Genes Podcast

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11 snips
Feb 5, 2025 • 50min

351:  What is Transference and Counter-transference in a Psycho-therapeutic relationshiop? Is this Freudian concept out-dated?

Evolutionary psychologist, Doug Lisle, PhD discusses listener questions with co-host, Nathan Gershfeld.  In today's show, Dr. Lisle discusses a listener’s question about transference and counter-transference.    0:00 Intro 0:57 Question #1 2:46 A synopsis of psycho-dynamic thinking 9:36 Psycho-dynamic thinking is naïve and bizarre 11:21 What is a therapeutic relationship 20:10  Attraction can occur in a therapeutic relationship 26:50 ‘Transference’ from therapist’s past experiences 33:43 Therapeutic dynamic is usually not a burden or threat 37:36 Warning sign that something is out of line 45:38 What drew Dr. Lisle to be a psychologist   X: @BeatYourGenes Web: www.beatyourgenes.org Doug Lisle, PhD www.esteemdynamics.com Nathan Gershfeld, DC www.fastingescape.com Intro & outro song: City of Happy Ones • Ferenc Hegedus Licensed for use Copyright Beat Your Genes Podcast
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Jan 22, 2025 • 57min

E350: Are women delusional,humble, or just right about how hot they are? What is “the Magic 10%”? Listener wants to know why she fantasizes about women while with boyfriend, Listener is puzzled by choices of family member with aggressive cancer

Evolutionary psychologist, Doug Lisle, PhD discusses listener questions with host, Nathan Gershfeld.  In today's show, we discuss a recent survey reported by survey artist, @Aella_Girl (on X).  This survey reveals some interesting deductions about human mating difficulties in finding our “Magic 10%”. Dr. Lisle explains what the term “Magic 10%” means, and we then go over 2 listener questions – the first is whether sexuality is learned or conditioned, specifically bisexual fantasies, and then our last question is about a family member whose recent cancer diagnosis has caused them to act in a puzzling way.  0:00 Teaser Clips & Intro 2:05 Aella_Girl has conducted a survey with very interesting results 15:32 Attractiveness rating 2D vs 3D 22:32 Innate delusion makes it hard to find a mate, but when you do it feels amazing 28:05 What is “the Magic 10%”? 41:05 Identifying as a heterosexual woman but still being aroused by women I identify as heterosexual but I find myself to be more sexually aroused by women’s bodies than men’s, even though I only date men in a romantic setting. Even when I’m with my boyfriend, I have to fantasize about naked women in order to orgasm, but I could not imagine courting or being courted by a woman. Am I so attracted to the female body because as a society we have been conditioned to view the female body as a sexual object regardless of our sexual orientation? Ever since I was a child, all I saw on tv was sexy females in movies advertisements, etc. Could this have affected my sexual orientation, like if I was born straight, could media influence have skewed me a bit toward homosexuality? I know it is common especially for women to be aroused by both sexes. Or am I just a closeted bisexual? 51:33 Family member with aggressive cancer making rash decisions My family member was recently diagnosed with an aggressive cancer and has less than 6 months to live. She is young (in her 30s) but appears to have made peace with this reality and is happier than I have ever seen her. She wants to continue to live her life normally, but in the last few weeks she has made some rash decisions (like ending the relationship she was in, her boyfriend was planning to propose and was left extremely confused).  I am very shocked by her reaction and her peace with everything, as I am struggling. Many other family members and her close friends feel the same way. We want to be more present in her life but she insists on keeping us at a distance and continuing to live just as she did before. How can I change my perspective and also make peace with not treating her differently? 56:28 End   X: @BeatYourGenes Web: www.beatyourgenes.org Doug Lisle, PhD www.esteemdynamics.com Nathan Gershfeld, DC www.fastingescape.com Intro & outro song: City of Happy Ones • Ferenc Hegedus Licensed for use Copyright Beat Your Genes Podcast  
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Jan 9, 2025 • 1h 11min

E349: "Going crazy” after cheating on husband, Are there limitations to Personality or Intelligence tests? Are problematic/disagreeable co-workers less estrogenized? Follow-up question from E347

Evolutionary psychologist, Doug Lisle, PhD discusses listener questions with host, Nathan Gershfeld.  In today's show, Dr. Lisle discusses the idea of “going crazy”, a question about personality and intelligence testing, a question about disagreeable co-workers, and a follow-up from episode 347. 0:00 Teaser Clips 1:23 Question 1: Woman cheats on her husband then snaps 9:57 Can it be induced by psychiatric medications 12:22 Question 2 – Are there errors/biases in personality or intelligence testing? 23:40 What are some limitations to personality or intelligence testing? 30:02 Do personality or intelligence tests change throughout life? 34:58 What is an IQ test? 38:50 Question 3: Are my problematic/disagreeable female co-workers less estrogenized? 47:47 Question 4: Follow-up from past episode 1:10:45 End   X: @BeatYourGenes Web: www.beatyourgenes.org Doug Lisle, PhD www.esteemdynamics.com Nathan Gershfeld, DC www.fastingescape.com Intro & outro song: City of Happy Ones • Ferenc Hegedus Licensed for use Copyright Beat Your Genes Podcast
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Dec 26, 2024 • 50min

348: Dr. Lisle’s Book Update, Friend acting unbothered following his wife’s death

Evolutionary psychologist, Doug Lisle, PhD discusses listener questions with host, Nathan Gershfeld.  In today's show, Dr. Lisle gves us an update on his upcoming book, and we take a question from a listener who is rethinking a friendship with their friends’ husband following the death of his wife. 0:00 Teasers and Intro 0:23 Year in Review and Book Update 23:42  Friend acting unbothered following his wife’s death – what might be going on?    1.  My wife had a best friend since 5yrs old up until last year when she got an extremely aggressive cancer at the age of 42 which unfortunately took her life in only a few shorts months since diagnosis. As you can imagine it caused a great deal of sadness for my wife, myself, and her friends and family. Her husband on the other hand at least from outside seems to have a totally different response to this situation. At her funeral there was not any look of sadness or not even one tear on his face. No one took much notice as of course people have different reactions to bad situations. However in the coming few months we learned that he was already on dating apps and not long after that found another girlfriend and it’s like nothing happened. It’s like he lost a business partner and just got another. This culminated when he rang my wife to ask her if this new girlfriend can come to my son’s communion to which she was put on the spot and found it hard to say no. The event was very awkward and I was angry that he put her in that position.  My question is this, what should I make of this person? My feelings towards him have changed. I no longer want his kids and mine playing together as I don’t want to interact with the new girlfriend neither does my wife. How does someone move on so fast after a near 20 yr marriage? I’m confused and angered by all of this. It feels like a betrayal of her memory. Can you share your opinion of this situation?   Web: www.beatyourgenes.org Doug Lisle, PhD www.esteemdynamics.com Nathan Gershfeld, DC www.fastingescape.com Intro & outro song: City of Happy Ones • Ferenc Hegedus Licensed for use Copyright Beat Your Genes Podcast
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Dec 11, 2024 • 1h 9min

347: Do husbands just want sex and food? Are good looking people the only ones that can find love?

Evolutionary psychologist, Doug Lisle, PhD discusses listener questions with host, Nathan Gershfeld.  In today's show, Dr. Lisle discusses our first question in which a wife feels like she’s sometimes just being used for sex and food. Question #2 is from a listener wondering if some people are just doomed to never find love. 0:00 Teasers and Intro 1:21 Question 1: Wife admires husband but sometimes feels like all he wants is sex and hot meal 36:29 Question 2: Are some people (in the middle of bell curve) not able to find romantic love?   1.  I've heard you say that in a good relationship, the man finds the woman attractive while the woman admires the man's character. This describes my marriage. My husband and I have been together for 30 years. He still wants sex a lot, and I admire his work ethic and dedication as a father.  The problem is, I can't help but feel I'm being "used." I often feel like all he wants from me is sex and a hot meal.  He seems to pour 99% of his energy into his job and career advancement, leaving my emotional needs completely neglected. He works long hours, rarely has time for me, and doesn't share in parenting duties. He's constantly stressed and often snaps at me when he's in a bad mood. When I get upset, he always says he didn't mean it and that he only lashed out because he was at his limit.  I know I can't change who he is, and I can't change my own feelings about his attitude. What can I do to improve our situation? 2. Are some people, who are otherwise normal or middle of the bell curve, just not meant to ever find romantic love? If they are reasonably attractive, intelligent, and have good character is it possible for them to still end alone? What would cause this? Is there any truth to the saying that love comes when you are not looking or when you least expect it?   Web: www.beatyourgenes.org Doug Lisle, PhD www.esteemdynamics.com Nathan Gershfeld, DC www.fastingescape.com Intro & outro song: City of Happy Ones • Ferenc Hegedus Licensed for use Copyright Beat Your Genes Podcast  
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Nov 29, 2024 • 1h 9min

E346: Applied Evolutionary Psychology, Young woman dating wealthy man, Dietary disagreement in raising child, Women may feel secure when mate is right more often

Evolutionary psychologist, Doug Lisle, PhD discusses listener questions with host, Nathan Gershfeld.  In today's show, Dr. Lisle discusses the concept of Beating Your Genes and applying evolutionary psychology as a therapist, and then he answers listener questions on dating, dietary disagreement, and mutual decision making in relationships.  0:00 Teasers and Intro 1:56 Applying evolutionary psychology in a therapy practice 25:05  Beating your Genes 28:05 Young woman dating a wealthy man but feeling guilty from all of the gifts 50:34 Husband and Vegan Wife have a great relationship but there is strain around what food to feed their baby 59:10  Women may feel more secure with their mate when he’s right 70% of the time 1. Three months ago, I started dating a very rich man. I am not at all a gold digger and I was not looking for a man at all when I met him. He treats me well and spoils me. However, I feel guilty accepting his gifts and money and not giving him anything in return. I’m 25 years old and a student. For my birthday he bought me thousands of dollars worth of jewelry while I bought him a tie. I felt so bad for not being able to buy him something more expensive. I feel like our relationship is unbalanced and feel guilty every time he spends money on me. I know lots of girls who would love to be in my situation and they definitely wouldn’t feel guilty. What’s wrong with me? How can I stop feeling guilty and just enjoy my time with him? 2. My husband and I are in a magic 10% relationship and we have a one year old baby. I am plant based vegan and he is not. I never thought this would be a problem before we had kids but now it’s putting a huge strain on our relationship. I’m the one who does the most child rearing and so our baby started eating 100% whole foods plant based like me. My husband however thinks that veganism is not healthy for babies so he insists on giving her eggs, meat etc for her brain development. Maybe I have OCD when it comes to healthy eating but I am in such emotional pain when I see him feeding the baby meat. We fight all the time over this and if we continue like this we will end up divorced, which I don’t want to happen because I know I was so in love with him before we had a baby. What should I do? How can I save my marriage? 3. When it comes to females feeling more secure when their males make better decisions 70% of the time - does this apply to all decisions? Like: raising children, cooking, the finances, car repair, household operations, cleaning, travel planning, etc? Are males most comfortable when their female partners make better decisions than them 30% of the time? What about work environments? Should females feel their male bosses and peers make better decisions than them 70% of the time? If so, how can females ever be leaders in the workplace?   Web: www.beatyourgenes.org Doug Lisle, PhD www.esteemdynamics.com Nathan Gershfeld, DC www.fastingescape.com Intro & outro song: City of Happy Ones • Ferenc Hegedus Licensed for use Copyright Beat Your Genes Podcast
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Nov 28, 2024 • 14min

E346: Our Last Episode, BYG is Moving on...to X

Evolutionary psychologist, Doug Lisle, PhD discusses listener questions with host, Nathan Gershfeld. In today's show, we discuss our last episode 345 being removed for 'medical misinformation' even though we have video proof of what was referenced in the offending episode. After an appeal, our video was re-instated, but the creepy feeling of censorship remains. So we are moving to the X platform. We hope to see you there for our normal BYG content. Follow us: X: @beatyourgenes Web: www.beatyourgenes.org Doug Lisle, PhD www.esteemdynamics.com Nathan Gershfeld, DC www.fastingescape.com Intro & outro song: City of Happy Ones • Ferenc Hegedus Licensed for use Copyright Beat Your Genes Podcast
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Nov 14, 2024 • 1h 9min

345: Psychologist, Doug Lisle, PhD, weights in on the US Election… What is Morality?

Evolutionary psychologist, Doug Lisle, PhD discusses listener questions with host, Nathan Gershfeld.  In today's show, Dr. Lisle discusses the US Presidential Election and what to consider if you are distraught or if you are celebrating the results of President Trump being elected. Also, Dr. Lisle discusses the concept of morality – what is it? Is it innate? Is it taught? 1. Dr. Lisle weighs in on what to consider about the US Presidential election 2. If morality requires us to act against our psychology, which is impossible, does morality exist? Teasers 0:00 Intro  1:38 Opening discussion 3:08 Dr. Lisle on whether your candidate won or lost: 4:15 You have specific relationships with individuals not government 7:52 An example of an oil wild-catter 13:07 The Group Trap 21:10 Opportunity and Adversity 33:41 Beating your genes 36:19 Some wins and some losses for your tribal psychology 43:04 Question # 2: What is morality?  48:13 Individual differences that are species-specific 56:28 In group/Out group behavior 1:02:00 Morality of the species is magnificent 1:06: 20 Life goes on, look for opportunity 1:07:38 Outro: 1:08:35   Follow us: YouTube: @beatyourgenes X: @beatyourgenes Insta: @Beatyourgenespodcast Web: www.beatyourgenes.org Doug Lisle, PhD www.esteemdynamics.com Nathan Gershfeld, DC www.fastingescape.com Intro & outro song: City of Happy Ones • Ferenc Hegedus Licensed for use   Copyright Beat Your Genes Podcast
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Oct 31, 2024 • 22min

E344 (343 Pt 2) How can Gay Genes stay in the population without offspring?

Evolutionary psychologist, Doug Lisle, PhD discusses listener questions with host, Nathan Gershfeld.  In today's Part 2 from episode 343, Dr. Lisle discusses a potential explanation for why homosexuality persists in the population despite homosexuals having fewer children.  1. I understand that the very basis of natural selection is transmission and expression of genes - basically we are all evolved to pass as many of our successful genes into the population, and that the characteristics and behavior of the organism is evolved to promote this goal. However, how does that explain the persistent existence of gay people. Their behavior does not work to pass genes into the population - in fact, quite the opposite. I've heard this expressed as a Darwinian Paradox. Is there other behaviors that are also Darwinian Paradoxes? Btw, I'm gay and this in no way is intended to imply that homosexuality is an aberration.  Intro 0:00 Question 1:  0:11 Dr. Lisle answers: 0:53 Final thoughts: 18:29 Outro: 21:20 Follow us:  YouTube: @beatyourgenes  X: @beatyourgenes  Insta: @Beatyourgenespodcast  Web: www.beatyourgenes.org  Doug Lisle, PhD www.esteemdynamics.com  Nathan Gershfeld, DC www.fastingescape.com  Intro & outro song: City of Happy Ones • Ferenc Hegedus Licensed for use Copyright Beat Your Genes Podcast
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Oct 31, 2024 • 56min

E343 Pt 1: Can you breed higher Intelligence into society?

Evolutionary psychologist, Doug Lisle, PhD discusses listener questions with host, Nathan Gershfeld.  In today's show, Dr. Lisle explains how genes are passed on through generations and just how complex and interdependent they are. However, sometimes this can lead to the mistaken belief that societies can easily breed certain traits into or out of their population.  1. Dr lisle you've often mentioned that we cannot get intelligent people to breed for generations and give rise to a population whose average IQ is higher than the current avg IQ i.e. china/singapore tried to experiment with this idea but they failed. But Dr Lisle you've also said that today's human is on average way more cooperative than the ancient human.. so if the average cooperation can be bred to a higher level, why can't the average IQ be bred to a higher level? Teasers 0:00 Intro  0:45 Opening discussion 1:42 Excerpt from past Episode 299: 4:55 Question #1 8:20 Dr. Lisle Answers: 9:08 Darker skin defends better against solar radiation near Equator 14:40 Survival advantages move evolution very very slowly 15:38 Eugenics is not possible because gene interactions are too complex 33:30 It’s troubling to discover your own constraints: 41:10 Individual human beings have individual differences:  50:00 Outro: 55:30 Follow us:  YouTube: @beatyourgenes  X: @beatyourgenes  Insta: @Beatyourgenespodcast  Web: www.beatyourgenes.org  Doug Lisle, PhD www.esteemdynamics.com  Nathan Gershfeld, DC www.fastingescape.com  Intro & outro song: City of Happy Ones • Ferenc Hegedus Licensed for use Copyright Beat Your Genes Podcast

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