The Psychology Podcast

George Bonanno, an expert in trauma and resilience, discusses the misconceptions about trauma and the invention of the PTSD diagnosis. He defines resilience and its correlation to individual differences. George explores the flexibility mindset and sequence for navigating personal traumatic events and global tragedies like 9/11 or the COVID-19 pandemic.

Angela Duckworth, researcher and author on grit and perseverance, discusses her background in psychology and her interest in studying the relationship between talent and effort. They also delve into the genetic influence on human behavior and characteristics, the concept of equifinality in achieving goals, and measuring grit while acknowledging criticism in the field of science.

Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman discusses judgment, decision-making, reducing noise and bias, and thinking fast and slow. Personal experiences during World War II, collaboration research on intuition and expertise, system one and system two processing, measuring and defining emotions, wealth and happiness connection, role of bias and noise in decision making, growth and wisdom, and cognitive biases are explored.

Renowned neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett challenges traditional views of emotions and discusses her theory of constructed emotion. They cover topics such as the impact of past experiences on cognition, hallucinogens, culture, education, relationships, and authoritarianism. They also explore the new frontier of researching the human brain, the role of metabolism and body budgeting in perception, and the predictive nature of the brain. They discuss the relationship between mind and brain, variations in emotion perception based on cultural differences, and the need for diverse research on emotions. They also delve into individual differences, social awkwardness, and the importance of gaze in regulating attention and learning.

Robert Waldinger, psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and Zen priest, discusses the findings of the longest scientific study of happiness, highlighting the power of connection. Topics covered include psychodynamic therapy, defense mechanisms, attachment, and psychological research.

In this episode, Orin Davis, a self-actualization engineer, discusses the new science of flow. He explores Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's work, studying flow at a group level. Topics include increasing flow, microflow, hypnosis, positive psychology, and self-actualization.

Michael Slepian, an expert on the psychology of secrets, discusses how secrets affect relationships and well-being. He shares a personal story of discovering a family secret and explores different categories of secrets. The podcast also covers topics like personality, morality, trauma, developmental psychology, and communication.

Monica Parker, founder of global human analytics and change consultancy HATCH, talks about the power of wonder in today's fast-paced world. She discusses her cycle of wonder framework, the importance of slowing down and pursuing meaningful exploration, and how wonder can make us more empathetic, resilient, and exuberant. They also touch on topics like personality, post-traumatic growth, mindfulness, and education.

Robert Sapolsky, a professor of biology and neurology, discusses life without free will and its consequences for the justice system and education. Topics include responsibility, punishment, mindfulness, and the illusion of agency. Sapolsky challenges the idea of meritocracy and advocates for a self-actualization focused education system.

Bob Mankoff, a renowned cartoonist and author famous for his work with The New Yorker, dives into the psychology of humor. He shares anecdotes from his creative journey and discusses the unique personality traits that shape comedians. The conversation touches on the anatomy of jokes and the impact of AI on humor and creativity. Mankoff also highlights his all-time favorite cartoons and addresses the nuances of cancel culture, showcasing how humor can foster connection while navigating societal sensitivities.