Dan Ariely didn’t just accept the hand life dealt him. He turned it into something powerful. After a traumatic burn accident that scarred 70% of his body, he struggled to find his place in the world. This journey led him to study human psychology and behavior, focusing on how people cope with pain and trauma. Later, when false rumors spread about him on social media, Dan chose to understand and empathize with the “misbelievers.” In this episode, Dan joins Ilana to share his journey from personal trauma to professional triumph, exploring how lies, rumors, and "misbelief" take root and affect lives, and what he’s learned by going through it all firsthand.
Dan Ariely is a three-time New York Times bestselling author and Professor of Psychology & Behavioral Economics at Duke University. His personal experience as a burn survivor has influenced his approach to understanding human behavior. His latest book, Misbelief, explores how false beliefs form and how to challenge them.
In this episode, Ilana and Dan will discuss:
(00:00) Introduction
(00:28) The Story Behind the Iconic Half Beard
(04:46) Turning Personal Pain into Professional Purpose
(09:07) From Burn Victim to Social Scientist
(14:49) Confronting Death Threats and Conspiracy Theorists
(17:54) How Stress Fuels Misbelief
(25:05) How Online Hate Turns to Moral Outrage
(31:50) Navigating Trust, Risk, and Failure in Leadership
(37:51) How Technology Is Making Us Worse
(41:07) Dan’s 45-Minute Work Ritual for Better Productivity
(43:43) Life Lessons on Finding Your True Strengths
Dan Ariely is a three-time New York Times bestselling author and Professor of Psychology & Behavioral Economics at Duke University. Known for his research on irrational behavior and decision-making, he’s advised companies like Google, Apple, and governments worldwide. His books Predictably Irrational, The Upside of Irrationality, and The Honest Truth About Dishonesty, have been translated into 30+ languages, and his work inspired NBC’s The Irrational. As a burn survivor, Dan’s personal experience has influenced his approach to understanding human behavior. His latest book, Misbelief, explores how false beliefs form and how to challenge them.
Connect with Dan:
Dan’s Website: https://danariely.com
Dan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danariely
Resources Mentioned:
Dan’s Book, Misbelief: What Makes Rational People Believe Irrational Things: https://www.amazon.com/Misbelief-Rational-People-Believe-Irrational/dp/0063280426
Dan’s Book, The Honest Truth About Dishonesty: How We Lie to Everyone--Especially Ourselves: https://www.amazon.com/Honest-Truth-About-Dishonesty-Everyone-Especially/dp/0062183613
NBC Show: The Irrational: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16288838/
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Surviving Lies, Rumors, and Digital Hate: Dan Ariely’s Guide to Thriving Online | Leap Academy with Ilana Golan podcast - Listen or read transcript on Metacast
