The Psychology Podcast

Whitney Goodman, a radically honest psychotherapist and author of 'Toxic Positivity,' discusses the downside of forced cheerfulness. She emphasizes that positivity can become harmful when we ignore hardships. Whitney explains how to support ourselves and others authentically, advocating for a balance of emotions rather than suppressing negative feelings. The conversation also touches on the role of social media in shaping our views on happiness, the need for realistic affirmations, and the value of complaints in communication.

Mollie West Duffy, a leadership coach and author of 'Big Feelings', discusses the struggle of navigating complex emotions in a society that tends to shy away from them. She shares insights on how big feelings can lead to self-discovery and resilience. The conversation explores the challenges of anxiety, social comparison, and the myths surrounding emotional expression. Mollie emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, self-compassion, and embracing our emotions as pathways to personal growth and understanding.

John Kaag, Chair and Professor of Philosophy at UMass Lowell and author of "Sick Souls, Healthy Minds," explores profound themes like existential anxiety and the meaning of life. He reflects on William James' philosophy and shares a personal near-death experience that reshaped his understanding of existence. The conversation dives into metaphysics, the balance between hope and resignation, and the importance of authentic living. Kaag also tackles the concept of spiritual narcissism and stresses the value of connection amidst life's challenges.

Frans de Waal, a Dutch-American primatologist and professor known for his insights into primate behavior, explores the interplay of gender and biology. He discusses how non-binary acceptance exists among great apes, challenging human norms around gender. The conversation reveals the complexities of alpha dynamics and female agency in primate social structures. Additionally, Dr. de Waal delves into the learned nature of gender roles and highlights the importance of empathy and altruism, calling for greater inclusivity and understanding in human society.

In this engaging discussion, Todd Rose, co-founder and president of Populace and best-selling author, delves into the concept of collective illusions. He highlights how conformity can distort our understanding of majority opinions, impacting our identities and relationships. Todd discusses the influence of social media on perceived consensus and the dangers of political polarization. He emphasizes living authentically, aligning our private beliefs with public expressions, and mitigating the effects of gender bias in politics. This thought-provoking conversation encourages listeners to challenge societal norms and embrace individuality.

In this engaging conversation, Todd Rose, co-founder of Populace and best-selling author, challenges the traditional views on intelligence. He critiques standardized testing and emphasizes the importance of recognizing unique, jagged profiles of individual abilities over mere IQ scores. Todd shares his personal journey as a high school dropout and advocates for a more flexible education system that nurtures diverse skills. He argues that everyone is capable of excellence when given the right opportunities and environments to thrive.

Dan Pink, a New York Times bestselling author known for his insights on motivation and behavior, joins the conversation to explore the often-ignored emotion of regret. He shares fascinating findings from over 15,000 personal regrets, categorizing them into four main types. The discussion spans the importance of reframing regrets to enhance authenticity and purpose, the differences in regrets across demographics, and the significant interplay between regrets and happiness. Pink also dives into themes of mortality and personal growth, advocating for viewing regret as a catalyst for meaningful living.

In this enlightening discussion, Dr. Lisa Miller, the founder of the Spirituality Mind Body Institute, delves into the science of spirituality. She reveals that humans have an inherent capacity for spiritual connection, which can enhance resilience and creativity. The conversation bridges personal narratives with research, showcasing how spirituality and science complement each other. Topics include the neuroprotective benefits of spirituality, its relation to mental health, and the transformative potential of spiritual experiences. Mindfulness and existential questions round out this fascinating exploration.

Today we welcome Carl Hart. He is the Ziff Professor of Psychology in the Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry at Columbia University. He is known for his research on neuropsychopharmacology and his advocacy for the decriminalization of recreational drugs. Carl is the author of High Price and has co-authored the introductory textbook Drugs, Society, and Human Behavior with Charles Ksir. His most recent book is called Drug Use for Grown-Ups.In this episode, I talk to Carl Hart about drug use and addiction. Society is quick to judge all drug users as addicts but Carl’s research found that the majority of drug users do not meet the criteria for pathology. Recreational drugs, when used responsibly, can have positive effects on people.  Instead of waging a war on drugs, Carl advocates for laws that better regulate the production and sale of substances. We also touch on the topics of health, law, racism, cognition, and sociology.Website: drcarlhart.comTwitter: @drcarlhart Topics02:32 Carl’s interest in neuropsychopharmacology06:12 The brain disease model of addiction11:22 Should we talk about drugs with kids?13:47 Responsible drug use for grown-ups17:08 Drugs in pursuit of happiness22:54 The Harrison Narcotics Tax Act 29:28 Scott’s experience with edibles33:21 Why we need drug checking facilities37:01 The drug user tropes in media 41:59 Predictors of drug abuse and addiction 46:42 Drug overdose and safety50:09 Personal responsibility in drug addiction52:45 Our moralism is killing us55:06 Coming out as a heroin user57:52 Bob Marley and James Baldwin See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Susan Cain, author of 'Quiet' and 'Bittersweet', dives deep into the beauty of bittersweet emotions. She explores how melancholy and existential longing foster creativity and deeper connections. Cain highlights the significance of spiritual longing and how acknowledging imperfections enriches our relationships. The conversation also touches on inherited grief, the science of emotions, and the paradox of tragedy, prompting listeners to embrace life's fleeting moments. Through personal reflections, she encourages finding meaning in sorrow and longing.