We tell ourselves that meaning comes from impact, passion, or finding the “one right path.” But these beliefs can leave us feeling stuck — even when our lives look perfectly fine on paper. Behavioral scientist Dave Evans describes a new approach, borrowed from design thinking, to help us build lives that feel more alive, flexible, and real. […]
Designing a Life that Matters Read More »
What’s the difference between being loved and feeling loved?
Do You Feel Loved? Read More »
We like to think that good financial decisions come down to discipline and basic math. But the psychology of money turns out to be deeply complicated.
Should you tell a harsh truth if it will only cause pain? Or is it sometimes kinder to keep someone in the dark?
When It’s Okay to Lie Read More »
What’s the point of disgust? We talk with psychologist David Pizarro about the evolutionary role of this emotion, and how it’s used to persuade and divide us.
Yuck! The Science of Disgust Read More »
Charismatic leaders can inspire devotion and give people a powerful sense of meaning. They can also make us vulnerable.
The Secret of Charisma Read More »
What does it do to a person to feel overlooked? This week, psychologist Gordon Flett examines how the absence of “mattering” can fuel loneliness, depression, and even violence. He outlines how feeling valued serves as a psychological buffer, and how simple gestures can rebuild a sense of meaning in ourselves and others. Then, in the second half
Do You Feel Invisible? Read More »
From the time we’re schoolchildren, we’re ranked and sorted based on how smart we are. But what if our assumptions about intelligence limit our potential? This week, psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman proposes a more expansive notion of what it means to be “smart.”
Why You’re Smarter Than You Think Read More »
Today, we talk with psychologist Greg Walton, who studies how our minds get trapped in negative thought spirals — and how we can begin to break free.
You 2.0: Stop Spiraling! Read More »
Why are so many of us drawn to horror, gore, and true crime? Why do we crane our necks to see the scene of a crash on the highway? Psychologist Coltan Scrivner says that our natural morbid curiosity serves a purpose. We talk with Coltan about our fascination with tales of murder and mayhem, and what this
