The Psychology Podcast

In this engaging conversation, Daniel Kahneman shares his extraordinary journey as a psychologist and Nobel laureate. He reflects on his harrowing childhood in Nazi-occupied France and how those experiences shaped his understanding of human behavior. Kahneman discusses key concepts like System 1 and System 2 thinking, the importance of adversarial collaboration in research, and his shift toward hedonic psychology. He also offers insights into well-being research, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of happiness and suffering.

Jesse Singal, a contributing writer at New York Magazine and author of The Quick Fix, dives into the pitfalls of fad psychology. He critiques the validity of popular self-help trends like 'power posing' and the Implicit Association Test, questioning their scientific grounding. Singal explores why we hold scientists to a higher standard than self-help gurus and discusses the complexities of concepts like grit and self-esteem. His insights reveal the challenge of discerning credible psychology from fleeting fads, urging a more critical perspective.

Today it’s great to have Ayaan Hirsi Ali on the podcast. Ayaan is a research fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, and founder of the AHA Foundation. She has written several books including Infidel (2007), Nomad: from Islam to America, a Personal Journey through the Clash of Civilizations (2010), Heretic: Why Islam Needs a Reformation Now (2015) and The Challenge of Dawa (2017). Her latest book Prey was published by Harper Collins in 2020. In 2005, Ayaan was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world Topics [1:58] Ayaan’s early childhood experiences [4:47] Ayaan’s personal experience with female genital mutilation [7:39] Which values are moving humanity in a better or worse direction? [14:02] Ayaan’s relationship with Islam and why she left [18:41] Ayaan’s current feelings about religion in general [20:29] Ayaan’s response to critics who doubt her story [22:19] Ayaan’s conceptualization of Islam and the classifications of Muslims [28:43] Ayaan’s thoughts on Islam and Western values [32:39] Ayaan’s response to individuals who call her an "Islamaphobe" [38:35] Ayaan’s first impressions of the Netherlands [40:38] Ayaan’s thoughts on modern American feminism [44:15] Ayaan discusses her own views of feminism [45:44] Why Ayaan focuses on Muslim migrants in her book [49:01] How to sidestep vilification of two vulnerable populations Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-psychology-podcast/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today it’s great to have Michael Murphy on the podcast. Michael is co-founder of Esalen Institute, a pioneer of the Human Potential Movement, and author of many influential books on extraordinary human potential. Topics [1:38] Michael’s early life [4:09] Michael’s connection with religion [8:00] How Michael and Dick Price met and founded the Esalen Institute [14:34] Michael’s connection to Abraham Maslow [19:07] Michael’s guest list for Esalen [27:12] How Michael built Esalen [33:00] Michael’s thoughts on black-white encounter groups [40:53] How Esalen Institute's geography informs its practices [43:59] Integral Transformative Practice (ITP) [47:40] How Michael defines heart & soul [53:48] What is our deepest birthright? [56:28] Where Michael sees humanity going [1:06:14] How to carry on the Human Potential Movement Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-psychology-podcast/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today it’s great to chat with Nedra Glover Tawwab. Nedra is a licensed therapist and sought-after relationship expert. She has practiced relationship therapy for 13 years and is the founder and owner of the group therapy practice, Kaleidoscope Counseling. Nedra has been featured recently in The New York Times, The Guardian, Psychology Today, Self, and Vice, and has appeared on numerous podcasts. She runs a popular Instagram account where she shares practices, tools, and reflections for mental health and hosts weekly Q&As. Topics [2:20] Why Nedra wrote a book on boundaries [3:24] What is a boundary? [4:22] What is “enmeshment”? [5:55] Signs you need to set boundaries [8:52] Why we’re afraid of setting boundaries [11:16] Is there hope for chronic people-pleasers? [12:07] Nedra’s personal journey with boundaries [21:23] How to set professional boundaries [27:34] Nedra’s experiences with setting professional boundaries [34:43] The benefits of having healthy boundaries [36:36] How mental health impacts your physical health [40:31] How to help people without burning out [43:40] The importance of boundaries in achieving a work/life balance [46:57] The 6 types of boundaries [50:17] Nedra’s experience with writing her book [51:57] Nedra’s thoughts on growing her Instagram account [55:26] Porous vs rigid boundaries [57:09] How boundaries shift depending on the person [58:13] How to enforce a boundary [1:00:39] How to deal with depersonalization Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-psychology-podcast/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today the tables are turned on The Psychology Podcast as Andrew Yang interviews Scott Barry Kaufman! This is a really meaningful episode for Scott, as he was a big supporter of Andrew's presidential campaign, and is now a big supporter of his Mayoral NYC campaign. Andrew and Scott share a humanistic viewpoint, and it was great to finally get them together in a discussion. Andrew is the founder of Venture for America, a non-profit organization aiming to create economic opportunities in American cities. He is a former 2020 Democratic presidential candidate and is currently running for mayor of New York City on a Democrat ticket. In 2012, the Obama administration selected Andrew as a "Champion for Change" and later as a "Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship" in 2015. This episode originally appeared on Andrew's podcast, Yang Speaks. In this eagerly anticipated episode, Andrew and Scott discuss: [02:48] Scott’s journey into and out of special-education [05:45] Why Scott signed up for dance classes in college [06:30] How Scott accidentally discovered his singing talents [08:10] Why Scott decided to pursue psychology [15:30] The worrying trend of schools rewarding behavioral conformity and performance on thinly disguised intelligence tests [17:29] Scott’s "Dual-Process Theory of Human Intelligence" [20:23] Why academic psychologists are under pressure to come up with novel ideas [21:02] Scott’s encounter with creativity research [24:39] How Scott’s research on human intelligence opened doors for studying other research topics [26:31] Examples of human-centered schools [30:41] Andrew Yang’s take on humanistic and positive education [33:20] Why Americans need to incorporate humanity into their everyday lives [36:04] The difference between narcissism and healthy self-esteem [39:20] Scott’s revised hierarchy of needs [42:17] The distinction between deficiency motivation and growth motivation [48:04] The reception of Scott’s latest book Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization among psychologist My friend Andrew Yang is running for New York City Mayor, and he needs our help! Andrew maintains a huge lead in the polls and is dominating press coverage, and together, we can push him into first place in the fundraising race, too. This week, let's make sure Andrew receives more contributions than any other candidate. What's more: any New York City resident who contributes will get their contribution matched 8 to 1 by the City! To contribute, please go to y4ny.com/scott. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-psychology-podcast/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today it’s great to have Sam Harris on the podcast. Sam is the author of five New York Timesbest sellers, including The End of Faith, Letter to a Christian Nation, The Moral Landscape, Free Will, Lying, and Waking Up. The End of Faith won the 2005 PEN Award for Nonfiction. His writing and public lectures cover a wide range of topics—neuroscience, moral philosophy,religion, meditation practice, human violence, rationality—but generally focus on how a growing understanding of ourselves and the world is changing our sense of how we should live. He also hosts the Making Sense Podcast, which was selected by Apple as one of the “iTunes Best” and has won a Webby Award for best podcast in the Science & Education category. Topics [0:17] Sam and Scott discuss materialism and consciousness [2:59] Sam makes his case for determinism [11:08] Sam and Scott discuss “the self” and free will [24:50] Sam’s take on why determinism eases human suffering [29:23] Sam’s thoughts on the "responsibility paradox" [36:30] The link between the responsibility paradox, cancel culture, and politics [43:57] Sam’s thoughts on pride [48:17] Sam’s reflections on love, hate, and Trump [1:08:00] Sam’s defense of objective morality [1:15:51] Why we ‘should’ prevent suffering and promote collective wellbeing [1:30:23] What if reincarnation was real? [1:33:37] Would it be good to change someone’s intuition of right and wrong? [1:39:40] How emotions and values are linked [1:45:09] Why we need to scale values [1:48:12] Sam’s issue with the is-ought problem [1:56:49] Why Sam maintains that free will and determinism are incompatible [2:02:45] Why the self is an illusion [2:08:53] Sam’s exploration of mystery Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-psychology-podcast/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today it’s great to have Sam Harris on the podcast. Sam is the author of five New York Times best sellers, including The End of Faith, Letter to a Christian Nation, The Moral Landscape, Free Will, Lying, and Waking Up. The End of Faith won the 2005 PEN Award for Nonfiction. His writing and public lectures cover a wide range of topics—neuroscience, moral philosophy,religion, meditation practice, human violence, rationality—but generally focus on how a growing understanding of ourselves and the world is changing our sense of how we should live. He also hosts the Making Sense Podcast, which was selected by Apple as one of the “iTunes Best” and has won a Webby Award for best podcast in the Science & Education category. Topics [1:57] Sam’s reflections on his childhood [7:18] Sam’s interest in martial arts [8:04] Sam’s experience with MDMA [12:09] How Sam ended up on the Dalai Lama’s security detail [16:39] Sam’s experience with meditation teacher Sayadaw U Pandita [23:12] Dualistic vs Nondualistic mindfulness [24:34] Sam’s experience with Dzogchen meditation [28:27] Sam’s dream about Dilgo Khyentse [34:15] Sam’s experience with fiction writing [37:50] Scott questions Sam’s position on free will [41:33] Sam’s disagreement with Daniel Dennett [42:41] Sam’s take on free will and human interaction [46:38] Why Sam thinks we’re getting “free will” wrong Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-psychology-podcast/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this engaging discussion, Simon Baron-Cohen, a leading psychologist and director at Cambridge's Autism Research Centre, delves into the fascinating connection between autism and human invention. He shares insights on how autistic traits can spark creativity and systemizing abilities that contribute to significant innovations. Baron-Cohen also distinguishes between autism and psychopathy, discusses empathy's role, and highlights the importance of nurturing neurodiversity. His thoughts on language and the unique capacities of autistic individuals provide a fresh perspective on their contributions to society.

Today it’s great to chat with Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas on the podcast. Dr. Jennifer Aaker is the General Atlantic Professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a leading expert on how purpose and meaning shape individual choices and how technology can positively impact both human well-being and company growth. Her work has been widely published in lead in scientific journals and featured in The Economist, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, and Science. A recipient of the Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award and the MBA Professor of the Year, Aaker counts winning a dance-off in the early 1980s among her greatest feats. Naomi Bagdonas is a Lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and an Executive Coach. She helps leaders be more creative, flexible and resilient in the face of change by facilitating interactive sessions for Fortune 100 companies and coaching executives and celebrities for appearances ranging from Saturday Night Live to the Today Show. Formally trained at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, Bagdonas performs at comedy venues and teaches improv in San Francisco’s county jail. Her constant stream of foster dogs describe her as gullible and full of treats. Topics [3:15] Why the world needs more humor [6:06] Humor at the expense of others/4 Styles of humor [8:49] Origin story of “Humor, Seriously” [12:51] The bottom-line value of humor [18:19] How to infuse humor in the workplace [22:05] Jennifer’s thoughts on humorlessness [24:58] Cultivating the comedian’s toolbox [28:30] How to create your own signature joke [30:17] Scott and Naomi’s experiences at Upright Citizen’s Brigade [34:11] The link between humor and mental health [37:45] The relationship between status and humor [42:17] The value of self-deprecating humor [44:10] The importance of context in humor [50:22] One of Jennifer’s pranks on her students [51:21] Biological vs cultural dimensions of humor [54:58] How humor reflects elements of our society [58:27] Should there be moral rules for comedy? [1:03:13] Why truth and misdirection are at the core of comedy Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-psychology-podcast/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.