Afleveringen
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No one wants to feel like a sucker. In fact, the very thought of being one – of playing the fool – shapes our behavior in powerful ways.
But what if our fear causes us to make choices that aren’t good for us? Or worse, what if people weaponize our fear in order to dominate or disempower us?
Tess Wilkinson-Ryan has written a stunning book on the topic called, Fool Proof: How Fear of Playing the Sucker Shapes Our Selves and the Social Order and What We Can Do about It. A psychologist and law professor, Tess helps us understand what this fear is, why we have it, and how it plays out in law, politics, and everyday life. She also shares how to overcome it and make the decisions that are aligned with our goals.
It’s a book you’ll keep thinking about long after you’ve read it.
Episode Links
Breach is for Suckers
Transferring Trust: Reciprocity of Norms and Assignment of Contract
Moral Judgment and Moral Heuristics in Breach of Contract
Njinga of Angola: Africa’s Warrior Queen by Linda Heywood
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Runners have pacers to help them manage their energy throughout a race. They couple that with a training program that balances extreme and moderate effort with rest. Research shows that this balanced approach ensures a stronger performance.
Like professional athletes, we, too, seek high performance. But we may not realize that, like runners, we need to manage the pace of our lives.
That’s where science journalist Elizabeth Svoboda comes in. Curious about the way athletes build rest into their workouts, she wondered if their recovery plans could help the rest of us. This research informs her book, The Art of Pacing: A Guide to Balancing Short-Term Demands with Long-Term Thriving. In it, she shares a range of effective tips that include personal storytelling, modulation, and much more.
Related Links
How to Find Inner Resolve in Times of Upheaval
An Athletic Coach for the Mind?
Interview with Malissa Clark
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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There’s a lot to be said for the excitement we feel when we first set a goal for ourselves. The sense of exhilaration can give us the momentum we need to get started.
But when the exhilaration wears off – and it usually does – we’re faced with a choice. Will we revert to old habits or develop new ones?
These moments are what Jonathan Rhodes calls choice points, and the decisions we make can really add up. Ultimately, how we manage ourselves in these moments can be the difference between the life we have and the life we want.
That’s why I wanted to interview Jonathan Rhodes, author of the book, The Choice Point: The Scientifically Proven Method to Push Past Mental Walls and Achieve Your Goals. His Functional Imagery Training provides a concrete roadmap to help us stay the course.
Episode Links
Tokyo 2020: Simone Biles’ Withdrawal is a Sign of Resilience and Strength
How to Overcome Self-Limiting Beliefs
The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz
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We think we need complete freedom to achieve our goals. But maybe freedom is the problem. What if, instead, constraints are what we really need?
That’s the question David Epstein was curious about.
David Epstein is author of the bestselling books, Range and The Sports Gene. In his latest book, Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better, he combs through the research and tracks down the stories of just how powerful constraints can be. David shares these lessons with us in his book. He also shares how he applied these lessons to the process of writing this book.
In a world of overwhelm, David’s book is a comforting oasis and a powerful guide.
Related Links
Five Rules for Getting out of Your Own Way
Why Your Best Ideas Aren’t Original
Interview with Gloria Mark on Focus and Attention
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We live in a world of markets. The ones we can easily see, like grocery stores or restaurants. And the ones that are less obvious, like college admission, waitlists, even your schedule.
Yet these less obvious markets play an important role in our lives. That’s why I wanted to speak with University of Pennsylvania economist, Judd Kessler, author of the book, Lucky by Design: The Hidden Economics You Need to Get What You Want. He not only helps us recognize these hidden markets, but he also arms us with the knowledge we need to succeed in them.
This is a book that will help you see the world with fresh eyes. You’ll not only understand how these less obvious markets work, but you’ll gain tips on more effectively designing your own.
Related Links
Is There a More Fair Way to Sell World Cup Tickets?
The Hidden Economy Deciding Who Gets into Your Favorite Concert, Restaurant, and Theme Park
‘AI Killed the Cover Letter.’ This Wharton Economist Says the Hiring Ritual’s Days Are Numbered
The Team
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It would be great if we could gain success overnight. In a matter of hours, we’d be happier, smarter, maybe even wealthier. But when we step back and assess how much time success actually takes, we can feel overwhelmed.
Those are the feelings Eric Zimmer certainly had. Faced with his own challenges, he knew he needed to change. And, over time, his curiosity about what change actually requires led him to the field of behavioral science.
The lessons Eric’s learned from his research – and his own life experience – are what he writes about in his masterful book, How a Little Become a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life. And there are insightful nuggets and how-tos in every chapter.
Related Links
Wendy Wood on the Science of Habits
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When life gets hard, humor can feel like a luxury. Like an indulgence we don’t deserve or have time for. But science tells a different story.
Researchers have learned that humor can help with healing and grief, and it can improve our social connections. And innovators often call out the role fun plays in getting curious and acting on their ideas.
One of these innovators is Chris Duffy, a stand-up comedian, TV writer, and host of TED’s hit podcast, How to Be a Better Human. Chris sees humor as a powerful life practice, an argument that lies at the heart of his book, Humor Me: How Laughing More Can Make You Present, Creative, Connected, and Happy.
In this conversation we talk about how to build our humor muscle, what to avoid when going for a laugh, and why humor is really about the other person. Chris has written a book that is fun to read and fun to talk about. Talking to Chris, I can already feel my humor muscle getting stronger.
Related Links
How to Be a Better Human podcast with Chris Duffy
Chris Duffy on Substack
How to Find Laughter Anywhere, Chris Duffy’s TED Talk
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Anthony Klotz believes we’re just one event away from quitting our jobs. Anthony is a professor of organizational behavior at University College London’s School of Management and the person who coined the phrase, “the Great Resignation.” He’s also author of the book, Jolted: Why We Quit, When to Stay, and Why It Matters.
Anthony’s research shows just how much leaders and employees need to learn about quitting. Employees, you have more options than you think. And leaders, you can pick up some important tips on how to manage employee resignations a whole lot better.
Interviewing, hiring, and onboarding are a key part of an employee’s success and a leader’s responsibilities. And this book shares tips on all of it.
Related Links
New Research on How to Get Workplace Rituals Right
Research: To Retain Employees, Promote Them Before the Job Market Heats Up
Interview with Annie Duke, author of the book, Quit
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In those moments when we want to disagree, why do we often stay silent? At those times when we want to opt out, why do we often just go along?
A key reason is that it’s hard to defy. It’s hard to question the way something’s always been done. To challenge comments, behaviors, and systems. Yet it’s in those moments of defiance that we flex our values and craft an identity.
That’s why I wanted to talk to Sunita Sah, organizational psychologist at Cornell University and author of the book, Defy: The Power of No in a World that Demands Yes. Her research reveals the importance of defiance and the skills we need to do it well. In her book – and in this conversation – she shares ways we can practice it and support others doing the same.
Related Links
Interview with Vanessa Patrick, author of The Power of Saying No
Speak up at Thanksgiving. Your Health Demands It.
America Thinks It’s a Country of Free Thinkers. But We’re Actually Compliant
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When it comes to our health and well-being, something’s missing from the checklist. Sure, we’ve got to get enough sleep, eat healthfully, exercise, and socialize. But one thing rarely makes the list – the arts.
Singing. Dancing. Drawing. Visiting a museum. Going to a concert. Researchers are finding that these activities are not only entertaining, but they impact health and longevity in incredibly positive ways.
One of the most important researchers behind this work is Daisy Fancourt, author of the book, Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Save Lives. She shares powerful research findings, along with steps we can take to inject more of the arts into our lives.
Daisy introduces us to a new frontier for improved health and longevity – the arts. For too long overlooked and underestimated.
Episode Links
Is 2026 the ‘Seatbelt Moment’ for the Arts?
Art Could Save Your Life! Five Creative Ways to Make 2026 Happier, Healthier and More Hopeful
Interview with Julia Hotz, author of The Connection Cure
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Relationships that thrive have characteristics that rarely appear by accident. Instead, their design is often intentional, even if the designers are unaware of the formula.
That’s where Dan Coyle comes in. Curious about how some leaders craft strong relationships and successful outcomes, he spent time studying their methods. Dan shares what he learned in his latest book, Flourish: The Art of Building Meaning, Joy, and Fulfillment.
One part inspiration and one part playbook, this is a resource for flourishing in all kinds of spaces.
Episode Links
Why Fulfilled People Make Time for Nothing at All
11 Rules for Betting Writing
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Most of us long to connect and, as social creatures, it makes sense that we not only want this but need human relationships to live a healthy life.
With numbers on loneliness and polarization continuing to climb, I wanted to speak with someone who’s focused on the antidote, that is, connection. It led me to speak with Kate Murphy, author of the book, Why We Click: The Emerging Science of Interpersonal Synchrony.
Kate’s done a deep dive on the importance of connection from multiple perspectives: individuals, teams, even pets. She shares behaviors that create connection, along with those that don’t. I’m seeing connection in a whole new way – thanks Kate!
Episode Links
You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters by Kate Murphy
Interview with Zach Mercurio, author of The Power of Mattering
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Decisions tax our brains. Whether it’s deciding which shows to watch or which products to buy, the choices are endless and can feel exhausting.
That’s where status comes in.
Researchers have learned that status is a mental short-cut we turn to when we’re feeling stuck. It’s an invisible force that guides decision-making and drives our choices.
And it comes at a cost.
Toby Stuart has written a book on status called Anointed: The Extraordinary Effects of Social Status in a Winner-Take-Most World. Given how important status is in our society and how invisible of a force it can be, I wanted to talk to him about what he’s learned and what role he thinks AI might play in dismantling it.
Episode Links
The Extraordinary Effects of Status on Society by Vikas Shah
Where Success Really Comes From by Guy Kawasaki
When Status Outranks Skills at Work by Freda L. Thomas
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Each day, millions of doctors write prescriptions for drugs intended to help their patients. But what if many of our modern health ailments, like depression, anxiety, and chronic pain, would benefit as much, if not more, from a social prescription?
What if nature, art, movement, and service could reduce our symptoms, decrease doctor visits, and improve our health?
These are questions Julia Hotz set out to answer. Julia is author of the book, The Connection Cure: The Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art, Service, and Belonging. By sharing research findings, as well as people’s stories from around the world, we get to see a whole other side of medicine.
After reading her book, I’m more convinced than ever we need to seek out and prioritize healthy social time.
Episode Links
New Horizons in Medicine: Why Art, Service, and Nature Might Be What the Doctor Orders
What If Your Doctor Could Prescribe Fishing Trips or Art Classes? Social Prescribing on the Rise
Doctor’s Orders: A Social Prescription for Health
Interview with Geoffrey Cohen
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I have a confession to make. I enjoy talking to people I don't know. I like learning about them and hearing their stories. I'm sure it explains why I started this podcast over ten years ago.
Yet I know a lot of people who avoid talking to strangers. And if, for any reason, they have to, they dread it. But these feelings of dread work against us. Study after study shows that when we talk to strangers, we nearly always feel good afterwards.
And in a time where people feel more isolated and lonely than ever, the good feeling that comes from talking to strangers may be just the thing we need to bring us closer together.
That's why I reached out to Joe Keohane to talk to him about his incredibly entertaining and enlightening book, The Power of Strangers: The Benefits of Connecting in a Suspicious World. He explains how we got to be so suspicious of strangers and what it's cost us. And for anyone who avoids talking to strangers because they don't know what to say, he's got you covered. Joe shares things he's learned from workshops he attended while writing the book.
Episode Links
Why Talking to Strangers Can Make Us Smarter
'The Assignment Made Me Gulp': Could Talking to Strangers Change My Life?
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In today’s hyper-connected world, when you want to communicate, you’ve got so many alternatives to talking. But before you spend another minute drafting a text or email, consider how essential it is for us to talk to others.
Talking – whether self-talk, sign language, or in-person speaking – is a process we need for learning, setting goals, and managing our emotions. That’s because talking is a multi-step process, and to do it well, we can’t skip a step.
Maryellen MacDonald is a Professor of Psychology and Language Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her book, More Than Words: How Talking Sharpens the Mind and Shapes Our World, gives us many reasons to prioritize talking in our lives. It’s a key component of a healthy life.
Episode Links
How Can You Get Better at Learning a Foreign Language?
Good-Enough Production: Selecting Easier Words instead of More Accurate Ones
Interview with Alison Wood Brooks on her book, Talk
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How we think about toughness needs a reset. Too often, it’s been associated with brute forcing our way through things. Ignoring our feelings. Making an outward show of confidence and dominance.
The problem is it just doesn't work.
Performance coach and bestselling author, Steve Magness, offers another way. He’s done a deep dive on the latest research on toughness and performance. In his book, Do Hard Things: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and The Surprising Science of Real Toughness, he discusses the misconceptions of our current model. Then he offers a new one informed by the latest in neuroscience and psychology research. Along the way, he translates research findings into practical steps we can take to make the shift.
If you’re a performance junkie, you’ll gain a lot from this interview. You can also apply his ideas to managing your teams. If you enjoy Steve’s approach, check out my previous interview with him on finding your passion at work and in life, episode 142.
Episode Links
How to be More Resilient, According to an Elite Performance Coach
The Secret to Developing Resilient Teams and Organizations
Changing This 1 Word in Your Thoughts Can Boost Mental Toughness and Resilience, Psychologists Say
Steven Callahan
Atlas Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders by Joshua Foer, Dylan Thuras, and Ella Morton
The Team
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You’re days into a work project, staring at a screen, feeling anxious about your tight deadline. Mid-afternoon your phone lights up with a call from a friend. You want to connect, but you feel like you don’t have a minute to spare. You let the call go into voicemail.
On the surface, this decision may seem inconsequential. But what if you knew that a decision like this, centered on an opportunity for social connection, could make a difference in the health of your brain? Would you make time for the call?
Ben Rein is author of the book, Why Brains Needs Friends: The Neuroscience of Social Connection. He studies the impact of social interactions on brain health and helps us understand, at a cellular level, the biological importance of human relationships.
After listening to this interview, you may find yourself picking up the phone a whole lot more.
Episode Links
Wired for Connection, Cursed by Computers: How Social Media May Be Affecting Our Empathy
The Sci-Fi Hypothesis that Explains Why You Click with Certain People
Interview With Kasley Killam
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Digital exhaustion is real. We’re working across more apps than ever before, and since they’re always accessible, work-life boundaries have disappeared. Combine this with our personal tech, and we’ve got a recipe for burnout.
Paul Leonardi is a Professor of Technology Management at the University of California, Santa Barbara. After decades of business consulting, he’s had a front-row seat to employees’ digital burnout. What he saw led him to create concrete solutions, which he outlines in his latest book, Digital Exhaustion: Simple Rules for Reclaiming Your Life.
These are smart and sensible strategies leaders can put into practice to improve employees’ quality of life – and work.
Episode Links
Developing a Digital Mindset
Are Collaboration Tools Overwhelming Your Team
Interview with Gloria Mark
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