Episode 140 - The Secret Link Between Humility and Mastery Behavior
In an era of shameless self-promoting, how can practicing humility put us ahead of the narcissists at work?
Hitler Youth & Approval
We’re born seeking approval from our parents. We go through elementary school trying to get approval from our peers. And as teens we play stupid, dangerous games to win our friend’s approval.
Why do we need it? Where does the drive for approval come from? Are we hard-wired by evolution to impress our friends when we’re teenagers? On today’s episode we’ll answer these questions by exploring the behavioral science of approval, and we’ll talk about how far some people will go to get that all-important ‘upvote’ or ‘like’.
We’ll also look at the indoctrination system of a youth organization that weaponized peer approval; The Hitler Youth. And we’ll ask ourselves; how could anyone join an obviously evil organization?
MLK & Procrastination
In this episode we expose the fundamental truth behind procrastination, and we explain how your brain goes to war with itself whenever you’re faced with a boring task. We also dig into Martin Luther King Jr’s speech to discuss the potential benefits of procrastination. And we offer you scientifically proven techniques to beat procrastination, fool your brain into enjoying tedious tasks, or even turn procrastination into a secret weapon.
139 - 3 Ways The Cult Of “Reality Shifting” On TikTok Is Grounded In Science
Are ‘Reality Shifters’ secretly tapping into meditation? Lucid Dreaming? Physics? Or is this just a way for young girls to legitimize their sexy daydreams?
Byron & Toxic Relationships
How much criticism should we accept from our partner? When do we really know the relationship is unsalvageable? And what gross stalker momento did Lady Caroline mail to Lord Byron?
Episode 139 - Did A German Shepherd Really Inherit $500 Million?
Why do humans toss money at pets? Cavemen fed bones to wolf pups in exchange for protection. Whereas Gunther the dog was given Madonna’s mansion
Episode 138 - Debunking Fear and Hype Over ChatGPT (and Other Job-Stealing AI)
The promise of artificial intelligence that can do all our menial paperwork has finally arrived. Is it worth the hype?
Episode 137 - Bad Boys and Good Boys - Why Prisoners Train Service Dogs
Criminals raising service dogs for war veterans - it’s a story of redemption on all sides. But is it a moral story?
Episode 136 - The Mirror Test and Self Awareness
New studies show that meditation doesn’t always lead to self awareness. So what does?
Episode 135 - The Hidden Dark Side of Helper's High
What is Helper’s High? And how did Goodwill use “Helper’s High” to get away with paying disabled workers 22 cents an hour in 2011?
Episode 134 - International Sports Scandals Part 2 - Redux
Between human rights violations, economic damage, and displacement…is it worth it for any city to host a major event like the Olympics of FIFA?
133 - Qatar Migrant Deaths and International Sports Scandals - Redux
The World Cup chief Hassan Al-Thawadi admitted to hundreds of migrant deaths, building the Qatar Fifa stadiums. Is the thrill of a game worth their sacrifice?
Episode 132 - The Storytelling Trick That Can Hack People’s Brains
The ‘Value Change’ is used in the best speeches in history, the best jokes in standup, and the best persuasive arguments. So…how do we steal it?
Episode 131 - I Learned Gratitude From The Sex Criminal Who Stopped A Mass Shooting
If you’re forced to fight for every penny it’s hard to feel grateful - even for your health. So today we’ll train ourselves to practice gratitude step-by-step, like it’s an olympic sport.
Episode 129 - The Universal Law Of Fairness (As Demonstrated By Pirates)
Pirates had health coverage, wage transparency, and fair voting within the company. What about your job?
Episode 128 - How Pranking Became The Domain Of Internet Sociopaths
Is it healthy to want to prank our kids? Our bosses? Or is there something fundamentally flawed with the brain of a serial prankster?
Episode 127 - How Large-Scale Humiliation Could Become Society’s Duct Tape
What forms of government-approved humiliation have actually changed people for the better? Have any? What about the war on drugs? Or making CEOs testify before congress?
Episode 126 - The Secret Alchemy Of Transforming Humiliation Into Humbleness
How is it some people are utterly crushed by humiliation, whereas others use it like Miracle Growth for personal development?
Episode 125 - Bonus Episode: Walmart’s Anti-Union Training Video (And Our Reactions)
Want to hear two self-made assholes heckle a union-busting video? Produced by the wealthiest store in the world, and shot by exhausted employees?
Episode 124 - The Secret To Utilizing People As A Resource - Part 2
Successful millionaires keep a tight grip on their money, but an even tighter grip on their people.