What’s the difference between being popular and being cool? How has social media changed the trend cycle? And what do Taylor Swift and Walmart have in common? SOURCES: Anette Asp , project manager and research coordinator at the California Institute of Technology. Lalin Anik , professor of marketing at Vrije University Amsterdam. Marc Bain , journalist. Judy Blume , young adult author. Colin Camerer , professor of behavioral economics at the California Institute of Technology. James Dean , 20th-...
Jun 02, 2024•40 min•Ep. 198
Why do we tell kids that a fairy will give them cash in exchange for their teeth? How should we talk to them about scary things in the world? And is Mike one of the greatest operatic tenors of all time? SOURCES: Laura Wheatman Hill , journalist. George Lin , Ph.D. student in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Melinda Wenner Moyer , journalist and author. Luciano Pavarotti , Italian operatic tenor. Amy Stoeber , clinical psychologist. Jacqueline Woolley , professor of psychology at the...
May 26, 2024•39 min•Ep. 197
WaitWhat C.E.O. Jeff Berman interviews Angela about “grit-scaling” and her unlikely path to academic celebrity.
May 23, 2024•34 min
Is there any upside to negative emotions? What can comedians teach us about dealing with pain? And why did Angela eat off of a stranger’s plate at a sushi bar? SOURCES: Ludwig van Beethoven , 18th-19th century composer and pianist. Jen Christensen , reporter and producer at CNN. Lauren Eskreis-Winkler , professor of management & organizations at Northwestern University. Sigmund Freud , neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis. Shirley MacLaine , actor. George Vaillant , professor of psychia...
May 19, 2024•39 min•Ep. 196
Where is the line between a good guy and a doormat? Do people with sharp elbows make more money? And why did Angela’s mother give away her birthday present? Take the Big Five inventory: freakonomics.com/bigfive SOURCES: Kristen Bell , actor. Jeff Bezos , founder and executive chairman of Amazon. Harry Connick Jr. , singer, pianist, and actor. Juli Fraga , psychologist and writer. Adam Grant , professor of management and psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Allison Sweet Grant , writer. ...
May 12, 2024•39 min•Ep. 195
What’s the difference between being introverted and being shy? What are extroverts so cheerful about? And does Angela’s social battery ever run out? Take the Big Five inventory: freakonomics.com/bigfive SOURCES: Susan Cain , author. Will Fleeson , professor of psychology at Wake Forest University. Sigmund Freud , neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis. Adam Grant , professor of management and psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Carl Jung , psychiatrist and psychoanalyst. Donald Kame...
May 05, 2024•36 min•Ep. 194
Is it really that important to make your bed? What’s the benefit of hiring a lazy person? And how many cups of spinach can Mike fit in a red Solo cup? Take the Big Five inventory: freakonomics.com/bigfive SOURCES: David Barack , philosopher and neuroscientist at the University of Pennsylvania. Randall Bell , socio-economist and C.E.O. of Landmark Research Group. Julia Cameron , author, poet, songwriter, filmmaker, and playwright. Charles Duhigg , journalist and author. Guy Kawasaki , author and ...
Apr 28, 2024•39 min•Ep. 193
What do the most creative people have in common? How open-minded are you, really? And what’s wrong with ordering eggs Benedict? Take the Big Five inventory: freakonomics.com/bigfive SOURCES: Max Bennett , co-founder and C.E.O. of Alby. David Epstein , author and journalist. Ayelet Fishbach , professor of behavioral science and marketing at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Alison Gopnik , professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. Steve Jobs , co-founder...
Apr 21, 2024•40 min•Ep. 192
Are you the same person you were a decade ago? Do we get better as we age? And is your sixth-grade class clown still funny? SOURCES: Aaron (Tim) Beck , professor emeritus of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. Daniel Gilbert , professor of psychology at Harvard University. Olga Khazan , staff writer at The Atlantic. Brian Little , professor of psychology at the University of Cambridge. Jordi Quoidbach , professor of people management and organisation at ESADE, University Ramon Llull. C...
Apr 14, 2024•39 min•Ep. 191
Is it dangerous to live in the past? Why is Disney remaking all of its classic movies? And why does Angela get sentimental over a cup of soup and a free roll? SOURCES: Julie Beck , senior editor at The Atlantic . Danielle Campoamor , freelance writer and reporter. Kyle Chayka , staff writer at The New Yorker. Amelia Dennis , research associate in psychology at the University of Bath. Erica Hepper , lecturer in personality/social psychology at the University of Surrey. Lucy Hone , director of the...
Apr 07, 2024•35 min•Ep. 190
Does instinct trump expertise? Can playing poker improve your intuition? And why did Angela jump off of a moving trolley car? SOURCES: Tom Brady , former quarterback for the New England Patriots. Daniel Kahneman , professor emeritus of psychology and public affairs at Princeton University. Gary Klein , cognitive psychologist and pioneer in the field of naturalistic decision making. Brock Purdy , quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. Josh Waitzkin , former chess player, martial arts competitor...
Mar 31, 2024•40 min•Ep. 189
Is grade inflation on the rise? How much does your G.P.A. matter in the long run? And when did M.I.T., of all places, become “the cool university”? SOURCES: Scott Hugo , housing justice attorney at Oakland City Attorney’s Office. Bob Ladouceur , former head football coach at De La Salle High School. Jon Marcus , writer at The Hechinger Report. Amelia Nierenberg , Connecticut correspondent for The New York Times. James Pennebaker , professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Texas at Au...
Mar 24, 2024•42 min•Ep. 188
How can you summon courage when you’re terrified? Is hiking more dangerous than skiing? And what is the stupidest thing that Mike has ever done? SOURCES: Albert Bandura , professor of psychology at Stanford University. Marc Brackett , founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and professor in the Child Study Center at Yale School of Medicine. Lisa Damour , clinical psychologist and senior advisor to the Schubert Center for Child Studies at Case Western Reserve University. C...
Mar 17, 2024•39 min•Ep. 187
Would you be more adventurous if you had more structure? Do you multitask while brushing your teeth? And what would Mike’s perfect brother Peter do? SOURCES: David Brooks , opinion columnist for The New York Times. Colin Camerer , professor of economics at the California Institute of Technology. James Clear , writer. Mason Currey , author. David Goggins , ultra-endurance athlete and retired U.S. Navy SEAL. Jesse Itzler , entrepreneur and author. Katy Milkman , professor of operations, informatio...
Mar 10, 2024•39 min•Ep. 186
What’s the best way to carry out random acts of kindness? What’s wrong with making an “Irish exit”? And why is Mike secretly buying lottery tickets? SOURCES: Roy Baumeister , social psychologist and visiting scholar at Harvard University. Daniel Gilbert , professor of psychology at Harvard University. John Gottman , professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Washington. Kurt Lewin , 20th-century German-American psychologist. E. J. Masicampo , professor of psychology at Wake Forest Uni...
Mar 03, 2024•38 min•Ep. 185
How can you strive for excellence without overworking yourself? Why is perfectionism on the rise? And is Angela part of the problem? SOURCES: Kristin Andrus , philanthropist. Aaron (Tim) Beck , professor emeritus of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. Thomas Curran , professor of psychological and behavioral science at the London School of Economics. Julia DiGangi , neuropsychologist. Zac Efron , actor. Scott Hugo , housing justice attorney at Oakland City Attorney's Office. RESOURCES:...
Feb 25, 2024•41 min•Ep. 184
Does anyone have any real agency? What do McDonald’s and Oxford University have in common? And why did Angela give up on philosophy? SOURCES Sam Harris , neuroscientist, philosopher, author, and podcast host. Brian Galla , associate professor of health and human development at University of Pittsburgh. Robert Sapolsky , professor of biology at Stanford University. Harry Emerson Fosdick , founding minister of Riverside Church in New York City. Martin E. P. Seligman , professor of psychology at th...
Feb 18, 2024•41 min•Ep. 183
Should you shout your sins from the rooftops? How many skeletons are in the average person’s closet? And what has Angela been hiding? SOURCES: Maya Angelou , memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist. Stephen Baum , postdoctoral researcher at Olin Business School at Washington University. Clayton Critcher , professor of marketing, cognitive science, and psychology at Berkeley Haas School of Business. John Legend , singer-songwriter and pianist. Kareem Abdul Jabbar , former professional basketba...
Feb 11, 2024•40 min•Ep. 182
Do you really deserve the credit for your accomplishments? Should college admissions be determined by lottery? And how did Mike’s contribution to a charity auction change his life? SOURCES: Warren Buffett , investor and philanthropist. James Flynn , political philosopher at the University of Otago. Robert Frank , professor emeritus of management at Cornell SC Johnson College of Business. Rogé Karma , staff writer at The Atlantic . Nicholas Lemann , professor of journalism and dean emeritus at Co...
Feb 04, 2024•34 min•Ep. 181
Where does sentimental value come from? Why did Angela throw out her childhood journals? And would Mike wear Hitler’s sweater? SOURCES: Jeffrey Galak , professor of marketing at Carnegie Mellon University. John Irving , author. Marie Kondo , professional organizer and consultant. Paul Rozin , professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Yang Yang , research scientist at the Institute of Behavioral Research at Texas Christian University. RESOURCES: " Experiences Endure ," by Angela ...
Jan 28, 2024•38 min•Ep. 180
Is there any scientific basis for the law of attraction? Are people who believe in “cosmic collaboration” more successful? And what happens when you write yourself a check for $10 million? SOURCES: Rhonda Byrne , writer and TV producer. Jim Carrey , actor. Christopher Clarey , sports journalist and author. Peter Gollwitzer , professor of psychology at New York University. Dave Levin , co-founder and executive director of KIPP Public Charter Schools. Gabriele Oettingen , professor of psychology a...
Jan 21, 2024•36 min•Ep. 179
Are modern parents too protective? Why do we worry so much about things that almost never happen? And how did Mike learn about bus stops? SOURCES: David Bjorklund , professor of psychology at Florida Atlantic University. Peter Gray , professor of psychology at Boston College. David Lancy , professor emeritus of anthropology at Utah State University. Lenore Skenazy , president of Let Grow and founder of the Free-Range Kids movement. RESOURCES: " Decline in Independent Activity as a Cause of Decli...
Jan 14, 2024•37 min•Ep. 178
What matters more: meeting our own ambitions, or winning fame and glory? What’s it like to earn a gold medal at the Olympics? And why didn’t Mike’s grandfather get a watch? SOURCES: Alain de Botton , writer and founder of The School of Life. Kirk Flatow , head coach of co-ed varsity track and field at Monta Vista High School. Katie Ledecky , competitive swimmer. Diana Nyad , long-distance swimmer. Michael Phelps , former competitive swimmer. Martin Seligman , professor of psychology at the Unive...
Jan 07, 2024•38 min•Ep. 177
Why do we mirror other people’s accents? Does DJ Khaled get tired of winning? And also: life is good — so why aren’t you happy? SOURCES: Albert Bandura , professor emeritus of psychology at Stanford University. John Bargh , professor of psychology and cognitive science at Yale University. Tanya Chartrand , professor of marketing at Duke University. Clay Cockrell , psychotherapist and founder of Walk and Talk Therapy. Iain Couzin , director of the department of collective behavior at the Max Plan...
Dec 31, 2023•37 min•Ep. 63
Why do we get overwhelmed when we have too many choices? Should we make our own decisions or copy other people's? And how can Angela manage her sock inventory? SOURCES: Arie Kruglanski , professor of psychology at the University of Maryland, College Park. Katy Milkman , professor of operations, information, and decisions at the University of Pennsylvania. Sylvia Plath , 20th-century American novelist and poet. Barry Schwartz , professor of social theory and social action at Swarthmore College. H...
Dec 24, 2023•40 min•Ep. 176
Why does your horoscope seem so accurate? Is it possible to believe and not believe in something at the same time? And is Mike a classic Gemini? SOURCES: P. T. Barnum , 19th-century American showman and businessman. David Brooks , New York Times Opinion columnist. Bertram Forer , 20th-century American psychologist. Daniel Kahneman , professor emeritus of psychology and public affairs at Princeton University. Irving Kirsch , associate director of the Program in Placebo Studies and lecturer in med...
Dec 17, 2023•38 min•Ep. 175
Are gifted and talented programs discriminatory? Why do so many adults still remember their SAT scores? And how did Angela transform from a party girl to an Ivy League psychologist? SOURCES: Alfred Binet , 19th-century French psychologist. Stefan Dombrowski , professor of psychology and director of the School Psychology Program at Rider University. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe , 18th- to 19th-century German author. Travis Kelce , tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs in the N.F.L. Robert O'Connell ...
Dec 10, 2023•36 min•Ep. 174
What happens when three psychologists walk into a magic show? What’s Angela’s problem with the word “talent”? And why does LeBron James refer to himself in the third person? SOURCES: John Bargh , professor of psychology at Yale University. Derren Brown , mentalist. Carol Dweck , professor of psychology at Stanford University. Daniel Kahneman , professor emeritus of psychology and public affairs at Princeton University. Ethan Kross , professor of psychology at the University of Michigan. Barbara ...
Dec 03, 2023•35 min•Ep. 173
How do friendships change as we get older? Should you join a bowling league? And also: how does a cook become a chef? RESOURCES: “ Social Support From Weak Ties: Insight From the Literature on Minimal Social Interactions ,” by Joshua Moreton, Caitlin S. Kelly, and Gillian Sandstrom ( Social and Personality Psychology Compass , 2023). Join or Die , documentary (2023). “ I Tried Bumble BFF for 30 Days — Here’s What Happened ,” by Beth Gillette ( The Everygirl, 2022). Platonic: How the Science of A...
Nov 26, 2023•53 min•Ep. 149
Can long-term relationships do more harm than good? Where is the line between intimacy and codependence? And should we all try to be more like Mike’s parents? RESOURCES: " A Record-High Share of 40-Year-Olds in the U.S. Have Never Been Married ," by Richard Fry ( Pew Research Center, 2023). " Divorce Skyrocketing Among Aging Boomers ," by Sharon Jayson ( AARP, 2023). " Don’t Let Love Take Over Your Life ," by Faith Hill ( The Atlantic, 2023). " Marriage Provides Health Benefits – and Here’s Why ...
Nov 19, 2023•37 min•Ep. 172
