Why Am I Unhappy?
We often imagine that feelings of unhappiness come from outside us — in our circumstances or the difficult people in our lives. But what if the forces that erode our happiness come from within?
psychology
How to Make a Difference: Part 1
Why do some people act on the possibilities before them, while others come to believe that nothing they do will make a difference? Psychologist Martin Seligman talks with us about his research on learned helplessness.
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Why Conversations Go Wrong
Do you ever struggle to communicate with your mom? Or feel like you and your spouse sometimes speak different languages?
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Out Of The Rabbit Hole
Cognitive scientist Nafees Hamid studies the minds of people drawn to radical or fringe ideas. This week, he takes us on a deep dive into the motivations of people on the brink of extremism — and those who have already been radicalized. We examine what prompts people to turn to violence, and how to pull them back from the seductive appeal of extremist ideas.
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The Things We Don’t Say
From childhood, we’re taught that honesty is the best policy. Yet in everyday life, we hedge, soften our words, and leave things unsaid.
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How to Be a Better Partner
When we look at the people we love, how clearly do we really see them? This week, how our fears, desires, and insecurities can shape our perceptions of our partners — sometimes creating the very reality we expect.
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How Feelings Make Us Smarter
Some people are remarkably good at reading the emotional temperature of a situation. What’s their secret?
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Making the Most of Your Mistakes
When we’re learning, or trying new things, mistakes are inevitable. Some of these mistakes provide us with valuable information, while others are just harmful. This week, we kick off the new year with researcher Amy Edmondson, who explains the difference between constructive failures and those we should try to avoid.
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Changing Our Mental Maps
Our brains navigate the world by coming up with mental maps. These maps act like an autopilot system. But sometimes, they can lead us astray.
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Waking Up Your Spiritual Brain: Part 2
Last week, we talked with psychologist Lisa Miller about the science of spirituality. Today, we explore what those ideas can look like in everyday life.
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