Podcast Episodes
Back to Search90. If America Is a Train Wreck, Why Am I Doing Fine?
Episode 90
Why do so many Americans say they’re satisfied with their own lives but upset about the way the country is going? Why don’t other countries experienc…
4 years, 7 months ago
89. How Valuable Is Enthusiasm?
Episode 89
What’s the difference between willpower and eagerness? Is there a lifehack that can make you zestier? And could it help Stephen improve his golf game…
4 years, 8 months ago
88. Is Self-Improvement Too Selfish?
Episode 88
Is it more important to help society or to help yourself? Does the self-improvement movement do any good for the world? And which podcast episode doe…
4 years, 8 months ago
87. What’s So Great About Retirement?
Episode 87
How do you know when it’s the right time to retire? What does a “good” retirement look like? And will Stephen and Angela ever really hang up their ha…
4 years, 8 months ago
86. Should We All Be Taking More Long Shots?
Episode 86
What’s the difference between dispositional optimism and agentic hope? Are there benefits to taking a long shot, even if it turns out to be an air ba…
4 years, 8 months ago
85. Is Emotional Intelligence Really So Important?
Episode 85
Can you quantify emotional intelligence? Who should you hire — someone smart, or someone good with people? And how did Angie do on an online emotiona…
4 years, 9 months ago
84. Why Do We Find So Much Meaning in Meaningless Coincidences?
Episode 84
Why are humans so fascinated by coincidences? What do Carl Jung and an album by The Police have in common? And what did Stephen win in a bar mitzvah …
4 years, 9 months ago
83. Can You Change Your Mind Without Losing Face?
Episode 83
What is the cost of admitting you’re wrong? How can intellectual humility make you more open minded? And will Stephen finally persuade Angela that ru…
4 years, 9 months ago
82. Which Is More Powerful: Reward or Punishment?
Episode 82
How is “negative reinforcement” different from punishment? Could positive reinforcement encourage prosocial behavior on a national scale? And what’s …
4 years, 9 months ago
81. Why Is It So Hard to Talk About Money?
Episode 81
What’s the connection between conversations about money and financial literacy? Could the taboo against talking about your salary be fading? And why …
4 years, 9 months ago