Creativity scholar Michele Root-Bernstein discusses her work exploring the playful imaginative worlds of children and their correlation with creativity. Scott and Michele tease out the implications of imaginary worlds on education, giftedness, vocation, self-perception and more. Some other topics include the importance of play, technology’s effects on self-expression and high-level creative achievement. In this episode […]
The Psychology Podcast
Peter Sims on how “little bets” spur big creative successes
Award-winning author Peter Sims shares some heartening research on how people like Steve Jobs, Chris Rock and Frank Gehry use small experiments to lay the groundwork for big creative successes. It’s an encouraging episode for all the creative types out there thinking they have to have it all figured it out from the get go. […]
How to change your habits with Dr. Art Markman
Dr. Art Markman discusses tools, tips and tricks for editing our behaviors and achieving our goals. It’s an incredibly practical episode for those of us who want to lose that weight, write that book and change our lives. Topics include why we tend to fail with habit change, how to live a good life and […]
The science of raising happily productive kids with Dr. Dona Matthews
Expert Dona Matthews presents ample research regarding how to help children flourish into happy and successful adults. Scott guides the interview across a wide array of vital domains including creativity, flow, standardized testing, growth mindsets and the many myths about intelligence. In this episode you will hear about: A more comprehensive definition of intelligence How […]
Modern rudeness in Stone Age minds with Amy Alkon
Advice columnist and science writer Amy Alkon sheds light on the evolutionary roots of modern impoliteness. She shares research on how to cure rudeness and make the world a friendlier place. Scott and Amy get personal as they cover topics like living with ADHD, being a starving artist, how to live a good life and […]
“What is it like to be a psychopath?”
Cognitive neuroscientist Kent Kiehl discusses his research and personal experience working with “those without conscience.” Scott and Kent demystify the historically fascinating illness as it relates to criminal activity, genius, evil, flourishing, the brain, gender and treatment. In this episode you will hear about: Why there’s been so much interest in psychopathy What it means […]
Todd Kashdan on dancing with the dark side of your personality
Psychologist Dr. Todd Kashdan shares some unconventional research on how we can harness “negative” psychological characteristics to live whole, successful and fulfilling lives. Topics include the dark triad, emotional experimentation, mindfulness, education, evolution and what it means to live well. In this episode you will hear about: How feelings like anxiety, jealousy and selfishness can […]
Adam Grant on givers, takers, matchers and fakers
University of Pennsylvania Wharton School Professor and bestselling author Adam Grant presents some heartening research on how being a giver can lead to success. He and Scott chat about a plethora of topics, including the meaning of friendship, introversion, takers, and fakers, and the importance of challenging dogmatic science. In this episode you will hear: […]
Discussing the origins of extraordinary athletic performance with David Epstein
Bestselling author David Epstein discusses research on the complex interplay of nature and nurture in sports, how mentality propels success, how we assess potential, sex differences in sport, and why getting older doesn’t mean we can’t achieve greatness. In this episode you will hear about: Baselines abilities vs. trainability Common mistakes we make when judging potential Genetic […]
Talking Mastery and Social Intelligence with Author Robert Greene
Five time international bestselling author Robert Greene shares his thoughts on creativity, finding your calling, social intelligence and his latest book about what it means to be a master of your craft. In this episode you will hear about: How to become a master of your craft Robert’s own struggle to find his uniqueness that […]
Daydreaming and Mental Contrasting for Goal-Fulfillment with Gabriele Oettingen
Psychologist Gabrielle Oettingen’s research on goal-setting and self-regulation animates discussion of some incredibly practical tools to help with constructive daydreaming, hurdling obstacles, implementation intentions and goal-fulfillment. In this episode you will hear about: The ‘WOOP’ framework for goal-setting and goal-realization How simply thinking positively about goals can actually hinder efficacy The right way to use prospection […]
The Science of Growing Smarter with Annie Murphy Paul
Science writer Annie Murphy Paul’s fresh perspective on intelligence and personality prompt a heart-to-heart about learning, intelligence assessments, growth mindsets and rethinking intelligence. In this episode you will hear about: Nature vs. nurture and the dynamic nature of personal identity How intelligence/personality are more situationally influenced than we tend to think The follies of IQ testing […]