Send us a text What if your memory's "flaws" are actually its most powerful features? The startling truth is your memory was never designed to function like a perfect recording—it's a creative, adaptive system built to help you survive and thrive. Those moments when you confidently recall something that never happened exactly as you remember? That's not a glitch—it's your brain doing exactly what it evolved to do. In this fascinating exploration, we unpack why your memories slip, warp, and even ...
Jun 20, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Send us a text We explore why organizations rush toward new tech, convinced that shiny equipment will solve their deepest problems when often the issues are fundamentally about training, judgment, and decision-making. • The Boeing 737 MAX case study demonstrates how technological "fixes" without proper training led to catastrophic failures • Most resource decisions are reactive, not strategic, with organizations buying gear instead of investing in people • Tools are the default solution because ...
Jun 03, 2025•1 hr 8 min
Send us a text Mental errors don't just lead to embarrassing moments—they can be fatal. When your brain categorizes something as familiar and routine, it filters out critical information that could save your life. The duck versus platypus problem perfectly captures this dangerous cognitive trap. Both creatures share remarkably similar features—broad bills, webbed feet, semi-aquatic lifestyles—but only one has venomous spurs that could put you in the hospital. When you mistake a platypus for a du...
May 13, 2025•57 min
Send us a text Support the show Website: https://thehumanbehaviorpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHumanBehaviorPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehumanbehaviorpodcast/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ArcadiaCognerati More about Greg and Brian: https://arcadiacognerati.com/arcadia-cognerati-leadership-team/...
Apr 29, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Send us a text Gary Klein, renowned cognitive psychologist and pioneer of the Recognition-Primed Decision Model, takes us deep into the minds of experts operating under the most demanding conditions. Drawing from decades studying firefighters, law enforcement officers, and military personnel, Klein reveals the surprising truth about expertise - it's not about comparing options or following procedures, but rather recognizing patterns developed through years of experience. What makes this conversa...
Apr 15, 2025•1 hr 21 min
Send us a text The sciences behind human behavior are complex, yet the practical applications are what truly matter in our daily lives. In this illuminating discussion, we peel back the layers of scientific theory to reveal how concepts like gestalt psychology, emergence, and reification shape the way we perceive and interact with the world around us. Our brains are constantly working to create order from chaos, organizing visual information into patterns that make sense to us. This natural tend...
Apr 01, 2025•59 min
Send us a text What if you could spot danger before it materializes? What if your decision-making advantage wasn't about reacting faster, but about seeing what others miss entirely? The gift of time and distance isn't just tactical jargon—it's a profound cognitive framework that separates reactive individuals from those who shape outcomes. This episode dives deep into how early detection of critical cues combined with expanded decisional space creates a powerful cognitive edge in both high-stake...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr
Send us a text Are you overwhelmed by uncertainty? In our latest episode, we tackle the intricate relationship between uncertainty, risk, and the anxiety they provoke. As we explore the brain science behind these emotions, we break down how they influence our decision-making and daily lives. The discussion also emphasizes the crucial distinction between uncertainty—the unknowns we face—and risk—the measurable implications of those unknowns. Listeners will discover practical strategies for managi...
Mar 04, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Send us a text Today, we have a truly special guest: John A Dailey —a retired Marine Corps Force Recon sniper, founding member of MARSOC, the Marine Corps’ first official unit under SOCOM, and author of Tough Rugged Bastards . If you’re curious about how an elite group of Marines forged a brand-new special operations detachment at the height of the post-9/11 conflicts, then this episode is for you. John will share what it took to create and lead a pioneering special operations team—one that had ...
Feb 18, 2025•1 hr 23 min
Send us a text What if fear, rather than fairness or loyalty, is the ultimate compass guiding our moral judgments? On this episode of the Human Behavior Podcast, we explore this provocative question inspired by Elizabeth Colbert's article in the New Yorker. Joining us is moral psychologist Kirk Gray, whose compelling theory suggests our ethical decisions are deeply rooted in the fear of harm, a vestige of our evolutionary history. We contrast this with Jonathan Haidt's Moral Foundations Theory, ...
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Send us a text This episode explores the complex relationship between violence and communication, positing that violence can be a maladaptive language used by individuals when they feel unheard or powerless. The hosts discuss behavioral distinctions, the significance of feeling heard, and how effective communication can prevent violent escalations while providing insights from real-world examples. • Exploring the concept of violence as a language • Understanding maladaptive coping mechanisms and...
Jan 08, 2025•1 hr 8 min
Send us a text Have you ever wondered how our brains transform chaotic sensory inputs into meaningful information that guides our actions and decisions? Tune in to uncover the fascinating mechanisms behind human perception and orientation, and how these processes are essential for navigating our complex world. We promise you'll gain insights into how our senses seamlessly align to enhance situational awareness, improve decision-making, and empower personal and professional success. Join us as we...
Dec 24, 2024•1 hr 27 min
Send us a text What if building a genuine connection could be the key to cracking complex intelligence operations? This episode features Doug Laux, a former CIA case officer and bestselling author of "Left of Boom," who lifts the veil on his secretive world. Doug shares stories from his time working undercover in perilous environments like Afghanistan and Syria, where he learned the indispensable value of human connection and relationship-building. He also discusses his unexpected journey from f...
Dec 17, 2024•1 hr 45 min
Send us a text Hello everyone and welcome back to The Human Behavior Podcast ! After a brief hiatus filled with some exciting projects, I'm thrilled to jump into a topic that's both timeless and timely—the concept of time itself. In this episode, Greg and I unravel the complexities of how we perceive time and how it shapes our experiences, decisions, and behaviors. Drawing from ancient Greek philosophies, we distinguish between Kronos (quantitative, chronological time) and Kairos (qualitative, e...
Nov 19, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Send us a text This week, we're debunking the myth that "anything can happen." In today's episode, we'll explore how adopting this mindset can increase uncertainty and cognitive load—especially in high-risk environments—and how it might set us up for failure. Instead of believing that "anything can happen," we'll focus on reducing uncertainty by deepening our understanding of human behavior and utilizing practical tools like game theory, probability, and Bayes’ theorem. Join us as we dive into w...
Oct 22, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Send us a text In this week's podcast episode, we are joined by one of our Advisory Board members, Dr. Joan Johnston, to talk about why high functioning teams fail. With over 30 years of experience working with the Department of Defense, Dr. Johnston is an expert on decision making and simulation training. Throughout her career she has made a significant impact on advancing the science of Learning, Team Training, Decision Making under Stress, Performance Measurement, and Organizational Developme...
Oct 08, 2024•1 hr 21 min
Send us a text Join us this week us for an eye-opening conversation with Dr. Kenneth Trump, a renowned authority in school safety with a distinguished career spanning more than 40 years. Dr. Trump takes us on a compelling journey from his early days tackling gang issues in Cleveland schools to becoming a pivotal figure in school safety consulting. Learn how his academic background in social services and public administration laid the foundation for his relentless commitment to integrity and prac...
Sep 24, 2024•1 hr
Send us a text This week we are “unmasking” a landmark case from New York that challenges our views on policing, legislation, and the balance between security and civil liberties. During the episode we explore the arrest of an 18-year-old under a new mask ban law, delving into the legal and social implications of this contentious issue and how this legislation provides the police with a new method for establishing reasonable suspicion, and what it means for our rights and protections under the C...
Sep 03, 2024•56 min
Send us a text Did you know that mastering the art of small talk could change your life? Join us for a fascinating journey into the world of effective communication and information gathering, where Greg and I bring our contrasting styles to the forefront. From hostage negotiations to courtroom dramas, you'll discover how leveraging the power of small talk can transform your communication skills. During the episode we explain the power of building trust through common ground as we share valuable ...
Aug 27, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Send us a text Humans are great at pattern recognition, but we often fail at the analysis portion because we have to rely primarily on subjective interpretations of events. So, this week, we are talking about the difficulty in determining when a situation has met a threshold for action, and we give you some basic takeaways that you can use to determine when it’s time to intervene. During the episode we break down various real-life scenarios, including a mayor's criminal actions, a chilling famil...
Aug 13, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Send us a text This week we are joined by a very special guest, Board Certified Behavior Analyst Kendall Rindak-Samuel. Kendall joined us to talk about the fascinating world of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), showing how it can transform fields like education, sports, and corporate systems. Join us as we debunk common myths and gain an enriched understanding of human behavior, all while Kendall shares her dual expertise in behavioral sports psychology and dissemination. During the episode Kenda...
Aug 06, 2024•1 hr 17 min
Send us a text This week, we bring you an analysis of one of the most alarming events in recent history: the attempted assassination of Donald Trump by Thomas Crooks. We dive deep into the psychological profile of Crooks, examining how his actions challenge our preconceived notions of what drives someone to commit such violent acts. By comparing his behaviors and planning to those of school shooters, we uncover a chilling quest for notoriety and historical infamy. Our discussion also reveals the...
Jul 30, 2024•1 hr
Send us a text Historically, in-person communal gatherings met our needs for social validation and even stress relief. But today, those needs are met through rapid online interactions that fail to provide many of the important elements that are necessary for appropriate feedback. In this week’s episode we are using the assassination attempt on Donald Trump to unpack the psychological and sociological imperatives that drive UNINFORMED commentary. During the episode we combine the science of human...
Jul 23, 2024•1 hr 14 min
Send us a text Are you in a profession where being up-to-date on your certifications isn’t enough to guarantee success in high-stakes situations? This week, we delve into the often-overlooked difference between currency and true proficiency in training. Inspired by a thought-provoking article from an aviation association, we draw fascinating parallels between the rigorous training standards of aviation and the essential skills needed for everyday life. Greg shares compelling personal anecdotes, ...
Jul 16, 2024•58 min
Send us a text This week we are talking about curiosity, and it isn't just for kids! Imagine how your life could change if you harnessed the power of curiosity in understanding human behavior. This episode explains how we cultivate curiosity amidst the distractions of our tech-driven world. During the episode we tackle the challenge of staying curious in a society rife with distractions, offering practical strategies to counteract intellectual laziness. We share some personal stories, and give s...
Jun 25, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Send us a text Today, we are dissecting the complexities and unintended consequences of zero tolerance policies through real-life examples, starting with the recent tragic shooting at Benito Juarez High School in Chicago. This incident exposes the bureaucratic hurdles and miscommunication that can arise between institutions like Chicago Public Schools and law enforcement, showcasing how rigid policies can delay justice and exacerbate violence instead of preventing it. We'll explore the rationale...
Jun 18, 2024•55 min
Send us a text This week we are discussing some of the common myths about gender differences in communication. From the misconception that women talk more than men to the reality of who interrupts more frequently, we sift through scientific studies and personal anecdotes to bring clarity to these contentious topics. With references to various studies, we reveal how both men and women speak approximately the same number of words per day, proving that context is crucial in interpreting communicati...
Jun 11, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Send us a text This week we are stepping into the shadows of the past as we uncover the chilling realities and patterns behind one of America's darkest days, the 1927 Bath Township School Massacre. But this isn't just a history lesson; it's an urgent call to foster vigilance and critical thinking. During the episode we'll dissect the actions of individuals like Andrew Kehoe, who sought notoriety through devastation, and we draw parallels to modern-day threats that could be lurking in the most fa...
May 28, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Send us a text This week we are jumping into the world of everyday lie detection, where even seasoned professionals grapple with biases and contextual cues. Through a blend of anecdotes and psychological insights, we illuminate the complex interplay between deceivers and those in pursuit of honesty. Whether it's in professional settings, personal relationships, or the tension-filled rooms of interrogations, understanding the nuances of human behavior unlocks a new perspective about deception det...
May 14, 2024•1 hr
Send us a text This week we are unpacking the mysterious forces of instinct and intuition and explaining how these twin navigators steer our survival strategies as well as our everyday choices. During the episode we reveal how primal behaviors and nuanced judgments not only coexist but often compete for the driver's seat in high-stakes scenarios. In order to explain how this complex interaction between instinct and intuition, we share some compelling stories of heroism and survival that highligh...
May 07, 2024•1 hr 1 min
