Today we welcome Debra Soh, Marco Del Giudice, and Buck Angel.Dr. Debra Soh is a neuroscientist who specializes in gender, sex, and sexual orientation. She holds a PhD in neuroscience with scientific expertise in paraphilias, hypersexuality, and child sexual abuse prevention. As a journalist, her writing has appeared in several publications like the New York Post, the Wall Street Journal, and many more. In 2020, she published her first book called “The End of Gender”.Dr. Marco Del Giudice is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. He received his bachelors in psychology and doctorate in cognitive science from the University of Turin in Italy. He has over a hundred scientific publications on personality, motivation, attachment styles, psychopathology, sex differences, and other topics. In 2016 he was granted the Early Career Award of the Human Behavior and Evolution Society (HBES).Buck Angel is an adult-film producer, performer and motivational speaker who also works as an advocate, educator, lecturer and writer. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance from 2010 to 2016. Born as a biological female, Buck conquered a lifetime of adversity to undergo his transformation to become the healthy, happy, self-confident man that he is today. Buck created the first FTM adult website in 2003, and became the first FTM adult entertainer and film producer. In 2007, Buck made history again as the first transexual man to ever win the AVN transexual performer of the year award. In this episode, I talk to Debra, Marco, and Buck about the scientific realities of biological sex. There is considerable opposition against the idea that sex is binary. But denying science because it doesn’t seem to fit our gender beliefs can be dangerous. As ironic as it seems, when we acknowledge biology, we can accommodate more variation better than our preconceived, rigid social norms.Website: drdebrasoh.com , marcodg.net , buckangel.comTwitter: @DrDebraSoh & @BuckAngel Topics04:08 Dr. Marco’s background and expertise 06:41 Dr. Debra’s background and expertise07:48 Buck’s background and expertise10:02 Shift from ‘transexual’ to ‘transgender’ 12:35 The separation of sex and gender21:33 Why feminists reject biology27:27 “It is transphobic to deny biology”30:51 Extreme trans activism 40:00 Transgenders vs TERFs43:07 Being gender fluid is trendy44:18 Losing the nuances in gender47:49 The evolutionary perspective of traits55:05 Dismantling the definition of woman58:46 De-transitioning and safe healthcare1:07:03 The construction of gender identity1:14:25 Social transitioning through pronouns1:22:32 Non-binary and non-specific labels1:28:42 Prioritizing truth over feelingsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Dr. Carole Hooven. For the past six years, she served as a lecturer and co-director of undergraduate studies at Harvard’s department of Human Evolutionary Biology. She has received numerous teaching awards, and her popular Hormones and Behavior class was named one of the Harvard Crimson’s “top ten tried and true.” Currently, Dr. Hooven has moved to the Psychology department where she works as an associate at Steven Pinker’s lab. Her latest book is called T: The Story of Testosterone, the Hormone that Dominates and Divides Us.In this episode, I talked to Dr. Carole Hooven about the science of testosterone. Why do males have higher rates of physical violence, take on more risk, and desire more sexual partners? Dr. Hooven’s research points to testosterone as the answer. Although sex differences may stem from biology, variations in behavior may be better explained by genetics interacting with culture. We also touch on the topics of evolutionary biology, gender dysphoria, gender-affirming care, and academic freedom.Website: carolehooven.comTwitter: @hoovlet Topics02:49 Dr. Carole’s background and expertise09:26 Sex differences in mental rotation21:38 How hormones work24:47 The uses and effects of testosterone28:00 Testosterone, risk, and violence31:23 Genetic and cultural differences35:33 Trans women’s athletic advantages38:51 Let scientists conduct research44:22 Side effects of puberty blockers49:31 Evidence-informed view of transitioning56:30 There is no trans phenotype59:22 The TERFs vs trans debates1:03:28 Suppression of academic freedom1:06:48 Untangle science from politics1:09:15 Can we modify our chromosomes?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Aaron Rabinowitz and Callie Wright. Aaron is a lecturer in philosophy at Rutgers University. He hosts the Embrace The Void and Philosophers in Space podcast. He specializes in ethics, metaethics, and problems surrounding AI and personhood. He earned his M.A. in Philosophy from Colorado State University.Callie is a freelance audio producer and the host of the Queersplaining podcast. They are non-binary trans person.In this episode, I talk to Aaron and Callie about gender and trans issues. When it comes to transgendered folk, we tend to focus on extreme examples that are far removed from reality. Some people think being transgender is a social contagion, while others reject the reality of gender altogether. Callie shares how transitioning has allowed them to become their most authentic self. Aaron sheds light on the issues of consent, autonomy, identity, and medical ethics. Both Callie and Aaron recognize that specific topics can negatively skew public opinion, which is why addressing misconceptions and highlighting the lived experiences of trans men, women, and non-binary individuals are crucial to the conversation.Website: voidpod.com & queersplaining.comTwitter: @ETVPod & @calliegetsit Topics03:15 Introducing Callie05:14 Introducing Aaron08:27 Callie coming out as trans17:06 Ideology over science 23:32 Transphobia is real25:28 Social contagion and moral panic33:29 Pushing the anti-trans agenda 35:56 “Have a trans child or a dead child”41:13 Extreme trans activists47:13 The gender critical movement44:47 The world operates on gender, not sex51:29 What does it feel like to be a trans woman?55:50 Subjectivity of gender and identity1:02:06 Why we gatekeep identities1:06:30 Trans people in sports1:23:58 Sex and gender differences1:32:47 Gender-affirming care1:39:44 Puberty blockers and transitioning 1:42:38 Medical ethics and barriers to access1:49:21 Parental consent vs child autonomy1:52:17 There is harm in waiting and seeing2:07:55 Irreversible changes in puberty2:11:43 Teaching gender in school2:15:26 Wokeness is misappropriated2:17:42 Final thoughtsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Steven Kotler, the Executive Director of the Flow Research Collective. He is an award-winning journalist and one of the world’s leading experts on human performance. Steven is the author of eleven bestsellers including The Art of Impossible, The Rise of Superman, Bold, and Abundance. His work has been nominated for two Pulitzer Prizes, translated into over 50 languages, and has appeared in over 100 publications. His latest book is called Gnar Country: Growing Old, Staying Rad.Our moderator for this live discussion was Dr. Torrie Higgins, the Head Coach of the Flow Research Collective. Dr. Higgins is a deeply passionate, empathetic peak performance coach, consultant and educator whose coaching philosophy is rooted in the deep-seated belief that everyone has the potential to achieve success and growth. In her private practice, she has had the opportunity to coach a diverse range of clientele, from mountaineers preparing to summit Mount Everest and K2 to business leaders of Fortune 500 companies.In this live discussion, I talked to Steven Kotler about creativity, skill-mastery, and aging. Our society views aging as a process of decline, with our physical and mental capabilities worsening over time. Steve Kotler invites us to challenge our preconceived notions about aging by engaging in “impossible” activities that cultivate mastery and creativity. When we are able to incrementally push past our limits, we change our mindset about growing old which ultimately prolongs our longevity.  We also touch on the topics of exploration, play, social connection, flow, neuroscience, wisdom, and embodied cognition.Website: stevenkotler.comTwitter: @steven_kotler Topics04:55 Gnar Country: Growing Old, Staying Rad10:46 Challenging our limiting beliefs16:12 Narcissism vs mastery19:40 Curiosity and exploration as motivators22:24 Approach fear incrementally27:18 Why we need “replacement friends”38:44 Finding a training partner42:54 Creativity and Aging: What We Can Make With What We Have Left49:38 Intelligence, expertise, giftedness52:31 “The pursuit of wisdom thrives on joy”1:02:13 Dynamic deliberate play1:11:25 Learning through embodied cognition1:17:06 Flow and peak experiences1:23:45 Creativity as a way of beingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Eli Finkel. He is a professor at Northwestern University, where he has appointments in the psychology department and the Kellogg School of Management. In his role as director of Northwestern’s Relationships and Motivation Lab (RAMLAB), he has published more than 160 scientific papers and is a guest essayist for The New York Times. The Economist declared him “one of the leading lights in the realm of relationship psychology.” His latest book is called The All-Or-Nothing Marriage.In this episode, I talked to Eli Finkel about how the best marriages work. The institution of marriage has evolved throughout the decades. People used to tie the knot for socioeconomic purposes, but nowadays we seek to fulfill our higher need for self-actualization in relationships. According to Eli, higher expectations are not necessarily bad for marriages if people can use them strategically. Eli also shares love hacks we can implement to improve our relationships with our partners. Website: elifinkel.comTwitter: @EliJFinkel Topics02:54 Pleasure vs meaning in romance05:49 There’s no rule for marriages08:15 The pre-industrial mindset of marriage10:39 Vertical integration of needs in a relationship13:55 Expectations, goals, & fulfillment17:53 The evolution of marriage 22:30 The All or Nothing Theory of Marriage25:21 Mate evaluation theory and other studies34:48 The value of love hacks38:21 Positive attribution bias 39:36 Third-party reappraisal on conflictSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this live recording from The Comedy Cellar, Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman has a discussion with Jonathan Haidt, Greg Lukianoff, and Rikki Schlott about why so much in America seems to be so messed up: Things like Gen Z, universities, social media, American democracy, and our sense of humor, grace, and decency. How can we lighten up, toughen up, and get less stupid?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to The Human Potential Lab! In this special series of The Psychology Podcast, I will be doing solo episodes answering your burning questions about the mind, brain, human behavior, and human potential.In the first episode of this series, I will be tackling a question I’ve been obsessed with virtually my entire life: What is Intelligence?Ever since I was a kid, I’ve wondered what it means to be smart. Does it simply mean high IQ? Are there other ways of being intelligent? Do multiple intelligences exist? What does it mean to be generally intelligent? As a kid I was placed into special education due to an auditory learning disability which I eventually outgrew. I would look around and see greater potential among all my friends in special ed than other people gave them credit for. This ignited my passion for understanding intelligence, which carried me through to college where I started to scientifically study this fascinating topic, and I have been studying this topic ever since. I understand that the science of intelligence can be a controversial topic, but in today’s episode I’m just going to focus on the facts and the science, and attempt to show you why this topic is so fascinating and so important to study for a broader understanding of how to unlock the potential of all people.Website: scottbarrykaufman.comTwitter: @psychpodcast & @sbkaufman Topics01:28 What is intelligence?02:43 History of IQ tests05:06 The g factor11:40 IQ and academic achievement15:21 Theory of Multiple Intelligences27:17 Theory of Successful Intelligence30:06 Talent or intelligence?32:46 Emotional intelligence39:26 External factors affecting achievement40:31 Gifted education41:29 Theory of Personal Intelligence45:45 There are infinite intelligencesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome the Shadow Expert, Dr. Connie Zweig. She is a retired therapist, writer, Climate Reality Leader, and Citizens Climate Lobbyist. She is the co-author of Meeting the Shadow and Romancing the Shadow and the author of Meeting the Shadow of Spirituality. Her latest book is called The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul, which has won both the 2021 American Book Fest Award and the 2021 Best Indie Book Award for best inspirational non-fiction.In this episode, I talked to Dr. Connie Zweig about embracing the shadow. We often associate the shadow with negativity, but it’s not necessarily bad or sinister. The shadow is composed of repressed feelings and messages in our unconscious, which can erupt out of control. According to Dr. Zweig, we must develop a conscious relationship with our shadow by doing inner work - especially as we age. As we near the end of our lives, it’s crucial that we conduct a life review to help us repair emotionally and spiritually.Website: conniezweig.comTwitter: @innerworkofage Topics02:33 Dr. Connie’s interest and expertise 06:17 What is “the shadow”? 12:54 How to confront the shadow14:22 The inner ageist18:44 Letting go of “doing” 24:01 Elder is a stage, not an age28:00 The purpose of a life review32:09 Emotional repair34:37 Depth psychology39:50 Spiritual repair47:12 From role to soulSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Gabriella Kellerman, the chief innovation officer at BetterUp and the head of BetterUp Labs. She is also a Harvard-trained physician with expertise in behavioral and organizational change, digital health, well-being, and AI. As a thought leader, Gabriella has been published in The Atlantic, Scientific American Mind, JAMA, and the Harvard Business Review. Her first book is Tomorrowmind, which she co-authored with Professor Martin Seligman.In this episode, I talked to Gabriella Kellerman about prospection and future-proofing the workplace in the 21st century. According to Gabriella, the world is always changing. She argues that we can plan for uncertainty by cultivating creative leadership, building rapid rapport, and learning resilience. We also touch on the topics of imagination, kindness, and positive behavioral science.Website: gabriellarosenkellerman.comTwitter: @grkellerman Topics01:44 Collaborating with Martin Seligman03:54 What is prospection? 08:00 Creativity: ways of being divergent10:36 Creativity hygiene14:05 Creative strength spotting16:42 The safety to matter and to innovate23:59 Positive behavioral science27:21 Key drivers of resilience30:48 Instill resilience in the workplace34:38 Gabriella’s background and expertise38:37 Building rapid rapport43:05 Positivity resonance46:24 Accepting and coping with change See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we welcome Perry Zurn and Dani Bassett. Dr. Perry Zurn is Associate Professor of Philosophy at American University. He is the author or coauthor of more than 75 publications in philosophy, political theory, trans studies, and network science and has given hundreds of talks at local, national, and international venues. His work has been generously funded by organizations like the American Philosophical Association, the Center for Curiosity, the Lee Somers Fund and more. Dr. Dani S. Bassett is the J. Peter Skirkanich Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, with appointments in the Departments of Bioengineering, Electrical & Systems Engineering, Physics & Astronomy, Neurology, and Psychiatry. They authored more than 390 peer-reviewed publications, which have garnered over 38,000 citations. Dr. Bassett has received multiple prestigious awards from the American Psychological Association, Sloan Foundation, and MacArthur Foundation among others. They often collaborate on research about neuroscience, curiosity, and the humanities. Recently, they co-wrote Curious Minds: The Power of Connection.In this episode, I talk to Perry Zurn and Dani Bassett about curiosity. For them, curiosity is not just about gaining knowledge, it’s about connecting to the world and to each other. Each individual has their own style of connecting - they can be busybodies, hunters, or dancers at any given time. Perry and Dani also weigh in on how social media affects curiosity and how their network model of curiosity can improve education.Website: perryzurn.com & danisbassett.comTwitter: @perryzurn & @danisbassett Topics02:27 Perry and Dani’s interest in curiosity06:26 Curiosity is connection12:45 Network science 15:18 Archetypes of curiosity20:22 Deprivation vs interest-based curiosity 23:56 Social curiosity29:47 Cycling through the different styles of curiosity 37:25 Is social media making us more curious? 40:51 Consciously practicing curiosity 42:32 Curiosity and learning See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.