Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchThe Psychology of Conspiracy Theories
Season 3 Episode 53
Are conspiracy theories more popular than ever? Are Americans more conspiratorial than ever? Are conservatives more conspiratorial than liberals? Jos…
1 year, 10 months ago
"Exercise May Be the Single Most Potent Medical Intervention Ever Known"
Season 3 Episode 52
Exercise is a conundrum. On the one hand, physical activity is clearly one of the best interventions for preventing physical disease and mental suffe…
1 year, 10 months ago
Democrats Are Euphoric. But This Election Is Much Closer Than They Think.
Season 3 Episode 51
Derek offers a short but sweet review of the Democratic National Convention, the science of post-convention bounces, and the reality of the 2024 poll…
1 year, 11 months ago
The Four Biggest Myths About Political Persuasion
Season 3 Episode 50
Today's episode is about how we change our minds—and what political science tells us about the best ways to change the minds of voters. Our guest is …
1 year, 11 months ago
How to Be Happy and the Science of Cognitive Time Travel
Season 3 Episode 49
Laurie Santos is a superstar in the crowded field of happiness research. She is a cognitive scientist at Yale University whose course on the psycholo…
1 year, 11 months ago
Market Meltdown FAQ: Recession Fears, Global Stock Wipeout, and the Case for Calm
Season 4 Episode 48
In a special emergency-ish episode, Bloomberg's Conor Sen joins the show to discuss a buffet of economic and financial fears, including a disappointi…
1 year, 11 months ago
Why Are Robocalls So Hard to Stop? (Plus: Kamala and the Gender Wars.)
Season 3 Episode 47
Derek offers his thoughts on Kamala Harris, the new 2024 reality, and gender polarization in the "boys vs. girls" election. Then we talk about the sp…
1 year, 11 months ago
Why Are Conservatives Happier Than Progressives?
Season 3 Episode 46
It is a general rule of thumb that richer societies are happier societies. This is true across countries, as GDP and life satisfaction are highly cor…
1 year, 11 months ago
Harsh Truths About 2024 and the Future of the U.S. Economy
Season 3 Episode 45
On today's episode: the state of American politics and the future of America's economy. Derek discusses a media myth in the aftermath of the failed T…
2 years ago
"The Weirdest Housing Market in Recent History"
Season 3 Episode 44
Skyrocketing rates, shrinking affordability: The U.S. housing market is a mess. It's also a bit of a mystery. Why are prices still sky-high, even tho…
2 years ago