unSILOed with Greg LaBlanc

In this enlightening discussion, astrophysicist Saul Perlmutter, philosopher John Campbell, and psychologist Robert MacCoun delve into their book, exploring how to apply scientific thinking to societal issues. They emphasize the importance of separating facts from values, advocate for probabilistic thinking, and discuss the emotional toll on scientists facing challenges to their work. The conversation also touches on the dangers of prioritizing individual genius in tech innovation and highlights the need for collaboration and critical dialogue in community decision-making.

David Bradford, Senior Lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business, discusses building relationships in professional settings. They explore effective communication, conflict resolution, feedback, curiosity in bridging communication gaps, and the importance of vulnerability in leadership.

Scientific advisor Alina Chan discusses COVID-19's origin, highlighting natural zoonotic transmission and lab leak hypotheses. She explores challenges in identifying virus origins and debates on studying high-risk pathogens. The podcast delves into prior bias in investigations, the role of bats in virus transmission, biosafety level protocols, and the need for transparency in virus research.

Michael Norton, a Harvard Business School professor, discusses the power of rituals in managing stress and fostering community. He explores the distinctions between rituals, habits, and compulsions, and how companies can use rituals to strengthen unity and core values. Norton also highlights the correlation between shared rituals and relationship success, emphasizing mutual participation.

Neuroscience professor Tali Sharot and host Greg LaBlanc discuss habituation, optimism bias, and the impact of bad news. They explore breaking free from emotional habits, the human desire for control, escalating dishonesty, and emotional habituation in social change and harmful actions.

Carl Elliott, a philosophy professor, discusses unethical medical experiments and whistleblowers. Topics include protecting vulnerable populations, challenges faced by whistleblowers, the evolution of healthcare perception, and the implications of seeking authenticity through interventions.

Dan Ariely, a Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics, delves into the psychology behind misbelief and conspiracy theories. He discusses his experience with conspiracy theories during the pandemic, the significance of language as a social marker, and the role of transparency in scientific communication. They explore the impact of misinformation on society and the challenge of discerning facts in a polarized world.

Travis Rieder, a bioethics professor, discusses societal attitudes towards opioids, his personal struggle with opioid withdrawal, and the ethical challenges in medicine and climate change. He explores the historical shifts in opioid perception and emphasizes the importance of individual decision-making in addressing structural issues like healthcare and climate change.

Eric Siegel, machine learning expert, discusses bridging technical expertise with business needs. He highlights challenges in deploying ML projects, emphasizing collaboration for success. The conversation explores cost analysis, managing buy-in, and utilizing ML for business improvement. Strategies for executives' upskilling are also covered.

Economics professor Daniel Susskind and Greg LeBlanc dive into the history of economic growth, the limitations of GDP, the impact of technology on work, and the need to redefine work's value in an automated world.