The Psychology Podcast
Science
iHeartPodcasts
In each episode, we talk with inspiring scientists, thinkers, and other self-actualized individuals who will give you a greater understanding of yourself, others, and the world we live in. Scott Barry Kaufman explores the depths of human potential and tries to get a glimpse into human possibility in every episode.
How to Make It to the End With No Regrets w/Jodi Wellman
This week Scott is joined by Jodi Wellman. Jodi is an author, executive coach, and expert on resiliency. Scott and Jodi discuss living well with no regrets, and learning to embrace the bright side of your limited time on Earth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
49:5931/10/2024
Is Toxic Productivity Ruining Your Life? w/Israa Nasir
This week Scott is joined by author, speaker and therapist, Israa Nasir. Scott and Israa discuss toxic productivity, the connection between productivity and self-worth, and how to transform shame into curiosity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
39:5424/10/2024
How Tribalism Can Unite Us w/ Dr. Michael Morris
This week Scott is joined by author and professor of leadership at the Columbia Business School, Dr. Michael Morris. Scott and Dr. Morris discuss the upsides of tribalism— from uniting different tribes to practical implications for workplace inclusion to how tribal psychology may be our best hope for social change. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
53:5117/10/2024
Personality, Creativity, and Well-being || The Human Potential Lab
In this solo episode of The Human Potential Lab, Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman shines a light in the intersection of personality, well-being, and creativity. After describing each of the major personality traits on offer among humans, he then discusses how personality is related to creative achievement and which traits are related to which forms of well-being. He concludes with a hopeful message about the important of accepting your traits.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
45:0010/10/2024
The Man Behind The Mind Reader w/ Banachek
This week Scott is joined by "The World's Greatest Mind Reader", Banachek. Scott and Banachek discuss criticisms of self-described psychics, the link between psychology and magic, and Banachek's successful attempts to fool professional paranormal psychologists. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
01:07:4403/10/2024
From Prison To Social Impact w/ Wallo 267
This week Scott is joined by activist, podcaster and author, Wallo 267. Scott and Wallo discuss Wallo's early life of crime and incarceration, what he did after his release to change his path in life for the better, his impact on the youth and hip hop community, and his mission to show the world that there are no straight lines to healing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
35:1626/09/2024
The Upside of OCD w/ Michael Alcee
This week Scott has a chat with clinical psychologist Michael Alcee, where they have a humanistic discussion about obsessive compulsive disorder. Michael is critical of the standard medical model of OCD and points out the upsides of OCD. He argues that people with OCD have a unique temperament, which includes heightened existential sensitivity and a richer imagination. While people with OCD certainly have their struggles, and tend to be obsessed about causing harm or receiving harm, Michael also points us to all the ways that OCD have historically been channeled into some of the greatest works of art and literature, and how everyone with OCD can have a healthier relationship with their OCD.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
54:5719/09/2024
How To Make Magic With Your Partner w/ The Cosmic Romantics
This week, Scott is joined by The Cosmic Romantics— the husband and wife magic team consisting of Eric Thirsting and Elizabeth Messick! Scott talks to the couple about balancing a romantic and professional relationship, Elizabeth’s own struggles with mental health, and the different kind of magic archetypes. They even do magic for each other!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
44:4112/09/2024
Hope For Cynics w/ Dr. Jamil Zaki
This week Scott is joined by author and professor of psychology at Stanford University, Dr. Jamil Zaki. Scott and Dr. Zaki discuss tribal cynicism, how hopeful skepticism is different from naive optimism, and the importance of countering “social shark attacks”. Dr. Zaki's website- https://www.jamil-zaki.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
45:1105/09/2024
Transform Your Relationship with Food to Become Your Healthiest Self w/ Kim Shapira
This week Scott is joined by Kim Shapira, a celebrity dietician, author and nutritional therapist. Scott and Kim discuss the rules of the “Kim Shapira Method”, the psychology behind losing weight (and keeping it off) as well as the fact that a craving is not a hunger. Kim shows how changing your relationship to food can truly change your entire life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
52:1729/08/2024
Reimagining Boyhood & Masculinity w/ Ruth Whippman
This week Scott is joined by author and cultural critic, Ruth Whippman. Scott and Ruth discuss what it's like being a mother raising boys in modern society, the role of "masculinity influencers”, and what healthy masculinity looks like. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
50:2922/08/2024
The Science of Morbid Curiosity w/ Dr. Coltan Scrivner
This week Scott is joined by true crime and morbid curiosity psychologist, Dr. Coltan Scrivner. Scott and Dr. Scrivner discuss how to determine your level of interest in morbid curiosity, why some people have a higher level of tolerance (and even attraction) to scary things, and how to spot a “bleeding-heart" horror fan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
01:00:3715/08/2024
The Psychology of Identity and Fostering Social Harmony w/ Dr. Jay Van Bavel
This week Scott is joined by NYU professor and expert on social identity, Dr. Jay Van Bavel. Dr. Kaufman and Dr. Van Bavel discuss how to escape your echo chambers and overcome your biases, the role social media plays in creating a funhouse mirror, and how to make connections with fellow humans even if they're in your out-group. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
49:5108/08/2024
The Third Perspective w/ Africa Brooke
This week Scott is joined by consultant, coach, speaker, and author Africa Brooke. In this lively conversation, Scott and Africa discuss the importance of diversity of thought, expressing yourself in an age of intolerance, and why sometimes it's important to listen to people that you don't necessarily agree with.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
53:5901/08/2024
Finding Work That Leaves You Fulfilled w/ Dr. Tessa West
This week Scott is joined by NYU professor and author Dr. Tessa West. Scott and Dr. West discuss how to find a fulfilling job, how to deal with jerks in the workplace, five common sources of career frustration, and how to make a resume more appealing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
50:0825/07/2024
Vulnerable Minds and the Hope of Resilience w/ Marc Hauser
This week Scott is joined by evolutionary biologist and author, Dr. Marc Hauser. Scott and Marc discuss adverse child experiences and why it's important to distinguish them from trauma. They also discuss Marc's framework for thinking about childhood adversity and how to help all kinds of vulnerable minds.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
58:4118/07/2024
Why Social Health Is the Missing Key to Living Longer, Healthier, and Happier w/ Kasley Killam
This week Scott is joined by author and social health expert Kasley Killam. Scott and Kasley discuss the importance of prioritizing social health and why cultivating relationships is as important as diet, exercise and sleep. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
53:3311/07/2024
The Anxious Generation w/ Jonathan Haidt
This week Scott is joined by NYU social psychologist and author Dr. Jonathan Haidt. Scott and Jonathan discuss the "great rewiring of childhood" and how it is negatively affecting the mental health of teenagers. They also discuss why a return to play based childhoods are better for kids in the long run and review the criticism of his research with an eye toward nuance and the recommendation of better studies to address one of the most pressing issues of our time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
01:04:3104/07/2024
What Would the Buddha Do? w/ Cory Allen
This week Scott is joined by author and podcaster, Cory Allen. Scott and Cory discuss how to live better through teachings on mindfulness, mental clarity, facing reality, and personal growth through the lens of Buddhism.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
55:2727/06/2024
Are All Comedians Narcissists? W/ Krystyna Hutchinson
This week Scott is joined by standup comedian and co-host of the critically acclaimed "Guys We F**ed: The Anti Slut Shaming Podcast", Krystyna Hutchinson. Scott and Krystyna discuss the psychology of standup comedy, psychological theory about relationships, and what to do when you find out your father isn't actually your father.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
52:2220/06/2024
On Being Human w/ Cory Muscara
This week Scott is joined by author, former monk, spiritual mindfulness guide, and friend Cory Muscara. Scott and Cory discuss the value of self-connection, whether or not there is a "true self", and the role of mindfulness in the self actualization journey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
01:09:0713/06/2024
The Neuroscience of Manifestation w/ Dr. James Doty
This week Scott is joined by author and neuroscientist, Dr. James Doty. Scott and James discuss whether there is any science behind the law of attraction, the importance of "value tagging", and the neuroscience behind manifestation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
56:1506/06/2024
How To Spot a Narcissist and Heal From Them w/ Dr. Ramani Durvasula
This week Scott is joined by clinical psychologist and author Dr. Ramani Durvasula. Dr. Durvasula is one of the world’s leading experts on narcissism. In this episode, they the common myths about narcissism, the warning signs of narcissism to look for when a new person enters your life, and how to heal and move on with your life after you've been hurt by a narcissistic person. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
52:3230/05/2024
Collective Narcissism is Everywhere w/ Agnieszka Golec
This week Scott is joined by Dr. Agnieszka Golec, the world’s expert on collective narcissism. Scott and Agnieszka dive deep into this relevant and rich topic, touching on the effects that this thinking has on broader society, how it has fanned the flames of populism around the world, and how it can be curbed to bring people closer together and foster more peace.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
58:2123/05/2024
What Does it Mean to Be Gifted? w/ Ellen Winner
This week Scott is joined by developmental psychologist Ellen Winner. Scott and Ellen discuss Ellen's views on IQ and giftedness, the myth that gifted children are gifted in all subject areas, and the importance of artistic giftedness. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
01:00:4416/05/2024
What It’s Like to Live Constitutionally w/ A.J. Jacobs
This week Scott is joined by NY Times bestselling author, A.J Jacobs, who spent a year living his life living like a founding father down to every single detail— quill pens and all. A.J. reveals what he learned using his adopted colonial mindset, how the constitution affects our lives as well as ways we can interpret it, and the best ways to pursue happiness. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
41:3809/05/2024
Reclaim Yourself w/ Emma Seppala
This week Scott is joined by happiness researcher and best selling author, Dr. Emma Seppala. Scott and Dr,. Seppala discuss the concept of “sovereign", an emancipation from all the ways you subjugate yourself in your own existence. Emma teaches us all how to reconnect with yourself in a healthy way. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
46:4402/05/2024
How to Feel Alive Again in a World That Wears Us Down w/ Corey Keyes
This week Scott is joined by sociologist and psychologist, Corey Keyes. Scott and Corey discuss the pervasiveness of languishing in our society today and how to feel alive again. Dr. Keyes explains the 5 psychological vitamins we should all be taking to live life to avoid depression and live life to the fullest.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
01:00:5825/04/2024
Helping Teens Thrive Emotionally and Socially w/ Lisa Damour
This week Scott is joined by clinical psychologist Lisa Damour where they have a nuance and compassionate discussion about the emotional and social lives of teenagers. In this episode they dispel many myths, including the idea that emotional means fragile. Lisa also offers the best evidence-based ways to support teens through their emotional and social journeys and help them thrive. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
47:2618/04/2024
How To Be A Supercommunicator W/ Charles Duhigg
This week Scott is joined by Pulitzer Prize winning reporter and best selling author, Charles Duhigg. Scott and Charles discuss why some conversations succeed while others fail, the 3 main types of conversations, and how to be a supercommunicator. Timestamps 2:15- How’d Charles Think of The Cover of his book? 3:33- Are there super communicator prodigies 6:40- When did Charles get interested in this topic? 8:29- What are the three types of conversations? 10:50- How can we apply super communication to politics? 18:23- People who disagree historically come together 20:36- Common mistakes people make when talking with each other 23:12- Are great therapists great super communicators? 25:01- What’s going on in “The Big Bang Theory” writer’s room? 33:51- How can you improve connection if you’re shy? 37:25- How can people who have trouble with social cues improve connection? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
43:5311/04/2024
Stop Worrying about What People Think of You w/ Michael Gervais
This week Scott is joined by one of the world's foremost sports psychologists, Michael Gervais. Scott and Michael discuss FOPO (Fear of People's Opinions), the importance of grounding your actions in authenticity, and the dangers of performance-based identities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
01:06:0504/04/2024
Play Is Learning w/ Yumi Kendall
This week Scott is joined by Assistant Principal Cellist of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Yumi Kendall. They discuss classical music's role in human flourishing and human transcendence, how life changes once you're a mother, and the sublime coincidence of Yumi occupying the same chair as Scott's grandfather in the Philadelphia Orchestra. 2:01-The Suzuki Method 7:53-What Is A Waldorf Education? 12:19-Yumi's Crystalizing Experience With The Cello 15:59-What Does Talent Mean? 25:33-What Are The Characteristics Of A Creative Musician? 32:28-What Are Tiers Of Transcendence? 40:32-The Importance of Self Compassion 42:12-How Can We Cultivate Healthy Organizations? 48:59-How Motherhood Has Enriched Yumi's LifeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
51:4028/03/2024
Learning to Love Midlife w/ Chip Conley
This week Scott is joined Modern Elder Academy Founder and best selling author, Chip Conley. Scott and Chip discuss the joys of living in midlife, the importance of being a part of something bigger than yourself, and why life gets better with age.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
51:4621/03/2024
Mastering Clear Thinking w/ Shane Parrish
This week Scott is joined by author and creator of Farnham Street blog Shane Parrish. Scott and Shane discuss mastering the skill of clear thinking, taming emotions and one's ego, and practical tips for strength and resilience.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
01:01:0314/03/2024
Think Bigger and Innovate w/ Sheena S. Iyengar
This week Scott is joined by Columbia business professor Dr. Shena Lyengar on how we make choices and innovate. Scott and Sheena discuss the essential tools of becoming a good chooser, the neuroscience of creativity and innovation, and how outsiders can come into a field and become an expert in it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
43:1607/03/2024
Failing Well w/ Amy Edmondson
This week Scott is joined by author of "The Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well". Scott and Amy discuss the encouragement of taking smart risks, reframing one's thinking to expect and accept more failure to gain greater success, and how to have a little fun when something doesn't work out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
01:00:3029/02/2024
How To Be The Love You Seek w/ Dr. Nicole LePera
This week Scott is joined by “The Holistic Psychologist ”, Dr. Nicole LePera, author of the new book "How To Be The Love You Seek". They discuss the importance of being emotionally connected to yourself, healing personal traumas, and expressing your emotions authentically to others.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
01:01:5022/02/2024
Cancelling Cancel Culture w/ Greg Lukianoff & Rikki Schlott
This week Scott is joined by authors of the new book "The Cancelling of The American Mind", Greg Lukianoff and Rikki Schlott. The three discuss cancel culture's effect on human psychology and how to course correct a society intent on cancelling itself. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
55:0515/02/2024
No Bad Parts w/ Richard Schwartz
This week Scott is joined by therapist and creator of Internal Family Systems (IFS), Richard Schwartz. Dr. Schwartz offers his latest thoughts on IFS, personal burdens, and the 8 C's of Self-Energy. He even helps Scott make contact with a part of himself that's been buried since childhood summer camp during an impromptu therapy session. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
01:06:0908/02/2024
Climbing The Mountains of Life and Fulfilling Your Maximum Potential w/ Alison Levine
This week Scott is joined by Author and American Mountain climbing legend, Alison Levine, to discuss pushing through fatigue to find your inner strength, turning personal moments of “no” into moments of “yes”, and tapping into your fullest potential whatever mountain you are climbing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
58:0601/02/2024
Right Brain, Creativity, and Meaning in Life w/ Iain McGilchrist
This week, Scott is joined by Psychiatrist and Author of "The Matter with Things", Iain McGilchrist, for a wide-ranging conversation spanning the main differences between left brain and right brain functions, the creative brain, intelligence, the source of truth, and the metaphysical realm of human existence. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
01:01:2524/01/2024
New Year, New Personality: Science-Backed Tips to Actually Change Yourself
Happy 2024 Psychology Podcast listeners. It's a new year and it's time to finally change your personality. Forget the fluff-- Scott is here to bring you some science-backed tips to actually become a new you. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
16:3718/01/2024
A Message To Our Listeners
Happy 2024 listeners! A heads up that we'll be dark to start the year but will be back and better than ever in 2 weeks!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
00:4604/01/2024
Best of Series: The Latest science of Growth Mindset With Carol Dweck
Today it’s a real honor to have Carol Dweck on the podcast. Dr. Dweck is a leading researcher in the field of motivation and is the Lewis and Virginia Eaton Professor of Psychology at Stanford. Her research examines the role of mindsets in personal achievement and organizational effectiveness. Dr. Dweck has also held professorships at Columbia and Harvard Universities, has lectured to education, business, and sports groups around the world, has addressed the United Nations, has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences, and has won 12 lifetime achievement awards for her research. Her best-selling book Mindset has been widely influential and has been translated into over 25 languages. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
01:09:0828/12/2023
Best of Series: Inside Consciousness with Antonio DiMasio
Today we welcome Dr. Antonio Damasio. He is an internationally recognized neuroscientist whose extensive research has shaped the understanding of neural systems and consciousness. With over a hundred journal articles and book chapters, he has earned many prestigious awards throughout his career. Currently, he serves as University Professor, the David Dornsife Professor of Neuroscience, Psychology, and Philosophy, and director of the Brain and Creativity Institute at the University of Southern California. His books Descartes’ Error, Looking for Spinoza, Self Comes to Mind, The Strange Order of Things, and Feeling & Knowing, have been published in translation and are taught in universities throughout the world. In this episode, I talk to Antonio Damasio about consciousness. People often think that the mind and consciousness are the same thing, but Dr. Damasio disputes this notion. He argues that it’s the complex relationship of both our brains and bodies that makes sentient thought possible. Homeostatic feelings like hunger and pain developed before emotions; and along with it came consciousness. We also touch on the topics of perception, mental illness, evolution, panpsychism, AI and machine learning. Website: dornsife.usc.edu/bc Twitter: @damasiouscSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
01:01:5721/12/2023
Best of Series: On Human Nature and Human Progress With Noam Chomsky
Today it’s great to have the legendary Noam Chomsky on the podcast. Noam is a public intellectual, linguist, and political activist. He’s the author of many influential books, including Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media, and his latest book with Robert Pollin called Climate Crisis and The Green New Deal: The Political Economy of Saving The Planet. Chomsky is also known for helping to initiate and sustain the cognitive revolution. He’s the Laureate Professor of Linguistics at The University of Arizona and Institute Professor Emeritus at MIT. Topics [02:06] The cognitive revolution of the ‘50s and ‘60s [03:49] Noam’s first encounter with behaviorism [12:41] What it was like to be part of the cognitive revolution [17:49] Implicit learning and artificial grammar [26:30] Noam’s view on modern-day behavioral genetics [28:05] Noam's thoughts on intelligence [32:02] Noam’s take on creativity [38:41] Chomsky's view vs. Foucault's view [42:49] Noam’s thoughts on modern-day social justice movements [45:50] Is there such a thing as human nature? [49:06] Identity vs. human nature [54:54] Noam’s views on race consciousness in America [59:16] Why Noam thinks Trump is the worst criminal in human history [1:00:34] How can democrats appeal to Trump supporters? [1:03:47] Cancel culture [1:05:10] The complexities of the slogan "defund the police" [1:08:36] Noam reflects on his life regrets [1:10:17] Chomsky's life adviceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
01:10:2914/12/2023
Best of Series: Where Does Greatness Come From? With David Epstein
Today we welcome David Epstein, the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, and of the bestseller The Sports Gene, both of which have been translated in more than 20 languages. His TED Talks on performance science have been viewed more than 11 million times. He has master's degrees in environmental science and journalism and has worked as an investigative reporter for ProPublica and a senior writer for Sports Illustrated. In this episode, I talked to David Epstein about greatness. If there's one thing we know for sure about greatness, it's that there is no linear path to it. David and I discuss the complex relationship of talent and hard work in specific domains. Although there is no formula, we can both agree that persistent effort and fierce determination are necessary ingredients—but so is talent. We have a nuanced discussion of the dance between nature and nurture on the path to talent. It’s a very delicate dance. We also touch on the topics of self-actualization, creativity, fulfillment and moral greatness. Website: davidepstein.com Twitter: @DavidEpsteinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
01:16:0507/12/2023
Best of Series: The New Science of Resilience With George Bonanno
In this episode, I talk to George Bonanno about trauma and resiliency. We start off by discussing what people get wrong about trauma and how this led to the invention of the PTSD diagnosis. George defines what resilience is, how it’s different from growth, and its paradoxical correlation to individual differences. Finally, he elaborates on how the flexibility mindset and sequence help us get through personal traumatic events or global tragedies like 9/11 or the COVID-19 pandemic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
58:4530/11/2023
Best of Series: The Power of Passion and Perseverance With Angela Duckworth
In this week's episode of The Psychology Podcast, we continue the "Best of Series" with Angela Duckworth. Angela Duckworth researches self-control and grit, which is defined as passion and perseverance for long term goals. Her research has demonstrated that there are factors that can be more predictive of success than IQ. In this episode we cover some of her findings on grit, including academic and popular misconceptions of this work. We also discuss research on standardized testing, self-control and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
49:4323/11/2023
Best of Series: A Remarkable Life, Fast and Slow With Daniel Kahneman
In this week's episode of The Psychology Podcast, we continue the "Best of Series" with Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman.Our conversation revolves around judgment and decision-making. According to Kahneman, noise and bias are everywhere but we don't tend to notice it. We talk about how to reduce noise and bias, and what it means to think fast and slow.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
01:53:5016/11/2023