In a special role-reversal episode of The Psychology Podcast, Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman is interviewed by renowned social psychologist Dr. Jonathan Haidt to discuss Scott’s brand-new book, Rise Above: Overcome a Victim Mindset, Empower Yourself, and Realize Your Full Potential . This powerful conversation explores how modern culture can reinforce limiting beliefs and emotional fragility, and how we can instead reclaim agency, resilience, and meaning in our lives. Scott opens up about t...
Apr 24, 2025•48 min
This week Scott is joined by Robert Biswas-Diener and Christian van Nieuwerburgh, pioneers in positive psychology coaching and co-authors of the new book Radical Listening: The Art of True Connection . Together, they share powerful insights on how to deepen our conversations and relationships through the transformative practice of radical listening. Robert and Christian explore their framework for truly listening, which includes the practices of noticing, quieting, accepting, acknowledging...
Apr 10, 2025•54 min
In this special episode, Scott welcomes the legendary Dr. Howard Gardner, a developmental psychologist and professor at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. Best known for his groundbreaking Theory of Multiple Intelligences , Dr. Gardner’s 1983 book Frames of Mind challenged the traditional view of intelligence as a singular ability measured by IQ tests. Scott and Dr. Gardner explore the impact of his theory on education and psychology, discussing its strengths, ...
Mar 27, 2025•1 hr 7 min
This week, Scott is joined by Dr. Richard Wiseman, a psychologist renowned for his work on magic, illusion, deception, luck, and self-development. As the UK's only Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire, Dr. Wiseman has published over 100 academic papers and authored bestselling books such as The Luck Factor , Paranormality , Quirkology , and Rip It Up . Dr. Wiseman’s research bridges science and everyday life, offerin...
Mar 13, 2025•1 hr 6 min
This week, Scott is joined by Dr. Diane Hennacy Powell—an integrative medical doctor, neuropsychiatrist, and researcher of extraordinary states of consciousness. Dr. Powell's research explores the neuroscience behind psychic phenomena, telepathy, and the incredible abilities of autistic savants. She is the author of " The ESP Enigma: The Scientific Case for Psychic Phenomena" and has been featured in " The Telepathy Tapes" podcast for her groundbreaking work with children who a...
Feb 27, 2025•1 hr 2 min
In this special episode, Scott is joined by two legendary figures in social psychology: Dr. Elliot Aronson and his son, Dr. Joshua Aronson. At 93, Elliot Aronson remains a towering influence in psychology, known for pioneering the Jigsaw Classroom—a groundbreaking cooperative learning technique that reduces interethnic hostility and enhances learning. He is the only person in American Psychological Association history to receive all three of its major awards for research, teaching, and wri...
Feb 13, 2025•1 hr 18 min
This week Scott is joined by Barnard College Professor Dr. Tovah Klein. Scott and Dr. Klein discuss her groundbreaking research on child development including the importance of being a safe anchor for your children by providing them safety in their worst moments, accepting them for who they are, and being there for them no matter what. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 30, 2025•58 min
This week Scott is joined by Stanford Psychiatrist and addiction expert, Dr. Anna Lembke. Scott and Dr. Lembke discuss how to reset your dopamine system to take back control of your life and turn the things that you really want into their own reward. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 16, 2025•55 min
Happy New Year! As we prepare for the new season of the Psychology Podcast, here's one of our favorites to get you through the holidays. 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...
Jan 03, 2025•47 min
Happy New Year! As we prepare for the new season of the Psychology Podcast, here's one of our favorites to get you through the holidays. 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 inf...
Jan 01, 2025•1 hr 1 min
This week Scott is joined by author, speaker and pioneer in the global happiness movement, Karen Guggenheim. Scott and Karen discuss overcoming trauma with happiness, how happiness can be learned by making small daily changes, and how to use compassion to overcome diversity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 19, 2024•48 min
This week Scott is joined by author, philosopher, and professor at Durham University, Philip Goff. Scott and Philip discuss evidence for the existence of god, whether the universe has any purpose, and the function of religion in society. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 12, 2024•56 min
This week Scott is joined by author, businessman and public speaker, Stedman Graham. Scott and Stedman discuss the importance of identity leadership, centering your worth around your own strengths and talents, and self actualization. Stedman's Book--> https://www.amazon.com/Identity-Leadership-Others-First-Yourself/dp/1546083375 Stedman's Website--> stedmangraham.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Dec 05, 2024•39 min
This week Scott is joined by one of Australia's foremost practitioners of acceptance and commitment therapy, Dr. Russ Harris. Scott and Russ discuss Dr. Harris'' "Happiness Trap” cards, which are designed to invigorate one's mental health with ideas to boost self-esteem and challenge intrusive thoughts among other mental health practices. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 28, 2024•58 min
This week Scott is joined by best-selling author and former dating coach Mark Manson about what women really want in a man. In addition to writing multiple bestselling books such as “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck” and “Everything is Fucked”, Mark put a lot of his insights into dating and seduction in his 2011 book “Models: Attract Women through Honesty”. In this episode Scott and Mark discuss whether nice guys really finish last and the importance of authenticity in attracting a mate. From...
Nov 21, 2024•54 min
For this special 10th anniversary episode of The Psychology Podcast, Scott draws on science to answer the age-old question: Do nice guys really finish last? First, Scott pinpoints exactly what women mean when they use terms such as “bad boy” and “nice guy.” Then he discusses the psychology of individuals who are primarily driven by selfish desires, and how they go about obtaining their mating goals. Then, Scott looks at what women actually want, including what some women want, and what some wome...
Nov 14, 2024•1 hr 8 min
This week Scott is joined by author and professor of psychology at the University of North Carolina, Dr. Kurt Gray. Scott and Dr. Gray discuss why Americans seem so divided at this point in time, the psychology of self-righteous indignation, how we all share harm-based moral minds, and what we can do to find common ground. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 07, 2024•49 min
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.
Oct 31, 2024•50 min
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.
Oct 24, 2024•40 min
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.
Oct 17, 2024•54 min
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....
Oct 10, 2024•45 min
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.
Oct 03, 2024•1 hr 8 min
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.
Sep 26, 2024•35 min
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...
Sep 19, 2024•55 min
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.
Sep 12, 2024•45 min
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.
Sep 05, 2024•45 min
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.
Aug 29, 2024•52 min
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.
Aug 22, 2024•50 min
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.
Aug 15, 2024•1 hr 1 min
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.
Aug 08, 2024•50 min
