
183. Does Free Will Exist, and Does It Matter?
Does anyone have any real agency? What do McDonald’s and Oxford University have in common? And why did Angela give up on philosophy? SOURCESSam Harris, neuroscientist, philosopher, author, and podcast...
18 Feb 202441min

182. Is It Good or Bad to Keep Secrets?
Should you shout your sins from the rooftops? How many skeletons are in the average person’s closet? And what has Angela been hiding? SOURCES:Maya Angelou, memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist.S...
11 Feb 202440min

181. What’s So Great About Meritocracy?
Do you really deserve the credit for your accomplishments? Should college admissions be determined by lottery? And how did Mike’s contribution to a charity auction change his life? SOURCES:Warren Buf...
4 Feb 202434min

180. What Makes Some Objects Feel Special?
Where does sentimental value come from? Why did Angela throw out her childhood journals? And would Mike wear Hitler’s sweater? SOURCES:Jeffrey Galak, professor of marketing at Carnegie Mellon Univers...
28 Jan 202438min

179. Can You Really “Manifest” Success Through Positive Visualization?
Is there any scientific basis for the law of attraction? Are people who believe in “cosmic collaboration” more successful? And what happens when you write yourself a check for $10 million? SOURCES:Rho...
21 Jan 202436min

178. Do Kids Need More Independence?
Are modern parents too protective? Why do we worry so much about things that almost never happen? And how did Mike learn about bus stops? SOURCES:David Bjorklund, professor of psychology at Florida At...
14 Jan 202436min

177. What Does Success Look Like?
What matters more: meeting our own ambitions, or winning fame and glory? What’s it like to earn a gold medal at the Olympics? And why didn’t Mike’s grandfather get a watch? SOURCES:Alain de Botton, wr...
7 Jan 202437min

63. How Contagious Is Behavior? With Laurie Santos of “The Happiness Lab.” (Replay)
Why do we mirror other people’s accents? Does DJ Khaled get tired of winning? And also: life is good — so why aren’t you happy? SOURCES:Albert Bandura, professor emeritus of psychology at Stanford Uni...
31 Des 202336min






















