Ethan Gilsdorf, a writer and performer, shares how Dungeons & Dragons helped him navigate life’s hurdles and find empowerment. David Fajgenbaum, a physician and Castleman disease advocate, discusses his battle with illness and the transformative power of storytelling in healing. Kurt Gray, a psychology professor, delves into the hero's journey as a framework for personal growth, encouraging listeners to reshape their narratives. Together, they explore how embracing life's challenges can create meaning and resilience through our own heroic tales.

Francis Kelly, President and CEO of CEOVIEW Branding and former leader of the Truth anti-smoking campaign, teams up with Christopher Bryan, a professor at UT Austin specializing in psychological reactance. They discuss how rebellion can be harnessed to encourage healthier choices, particularly among adolescents. Kelly shares insights on the groundbreaking Truth campaign that effectively reduced youth smoking by tapping into teens' resistance to authority. Bryan introduces creative strategies to promote healthy eating, making rebellion a tool for positive change.

Maurice Schweitzer, a behavioral science expert, and Matthew Polly, acclaimed author of "Bruce Lee: A Life," dive into the quirks of memory. They explore how our recollections are shaped by the most intense moments, the peak-end effect. Polly shares insights into Bruce Lee's complex legacy, shedding light on the myths surrounding him. Schweitzer discusses how organizations can use memory distortion to enhance employee experiences and retention. Together, they unravel the power of memory in shaping our perceptions and experiences.

Tania Lombrozo, an expert in cognitive science, joins Toby Ball, a social science researcher, to delve into our love for simple explanations amid complex realities. They discuss the infamous Rendlesham Forest incident, where mysterious phenomena led to various speculations. Toby highlights the battle between straightforward narratives and the nuanced truth behind UFO sightings. Tania explores how our cognitive biases push for simplicity, often at the expense of deeper understanding, reminding us to embrace complexity in our reasoning.

David Dunning, a prominent psychologist who identified the Dunning-Kruger effect, joins Andrew Flack, co-researcher and opera writer, to discuss the quirks of self-assessment. They recount the amusing yet poignant story of Cecilia Jimenez, an amateur artist whose restoration attempt of a fresco went hilariously awry, unexpectedly boosting local tourism. The duo explores how we often overestimate our abilities and the importance of being humble about our knowledge gaps, shedding light on the cognitive biases that influence our everyday decisions.

Francis Kelly, former CEO of Arnold Worldwide, shares insights on harnessing rebellion for positive change in children and adults. He discusses the success of the "Truth" campaign, which cleverly used teenage defiance to lower smoking rates. Christopher Bryan, an academic at UT Austin, dives into his research on motivating healthier eating among adolescents by leveraging their rebellious nature. Together, they explore how understanding resistance can transform decision-making for better choices.

Historian Mary Stockwell discusses American Revolutionary War strategies of retreat and regrouping. Behavioral scientist Alex Imas explains risk-taking after realizing losses. The podcast explores the impact of loss realization on decision-making and the benefits of taking breaks to reset risk preferences.

Guests James Korris, Carey Morewedge & Jack Soll discuss a video game designed to reduce decision errors for intelligence analysts. They explore debiasing techniques through game design and share practical strategies for improving decision-making skills, emphasizing the importance of seeking diverse viewpoints and challenging assumptions.

Two experts in human behavior discuss how judgments of one trait can spill over to another unrelated trait, using examples from a reality TV show. They explore the impact of appearances on decision-making and strategies to mitigate biases, emphasizing the importance of impartial evaluations and the effects of first impressions.

Chef Simon Rogan and cross-cultural psychology expert Michele Gelfand discuss the impact of strict and relaxed cultures on decision-making. Simon shares his journey in changing kitchen culture, while Michele explores the concept of tight and loose cultures. They highlight the importance of finding the balance between following rules and breaking norms in different contexts.