Here We Are

Nina works as a Gestalt Life Coach in private practice in Southern California. This week we talk about Gestalt Therapy, self-awareness, and why we sometimes get stuck.

Gary Lupyan is an Assistant Professor of Cognitive Psychology at the UW Psychology department. This week we talk about the inner workings of language and how it can change over time.

Jono Zalay is a stand-up comic with a PhD in Neuroscience. This week we talk about cocaine, rats, and habit forming in the brain.

Professor Sherman’s research investigates the cognitive processes underlying social psychology and behavior. In particular, he is interested in how people perceive themselves, other people and groups of people. This week we talk about social cognition, how we acquire stereotypes, and the extent to which these biases can sometimes become automatic.

Bob Provine is a neuroscientist and Professor of Psychology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, studies the development and evolution of the nervous system and behavior, including human social behavior. This week we talk about the science of laughter and it's distinction from humor. We also touch on hiccups, coughs, yawns, and sneezes.

Andy Puddicombe is a meditation and mindfulness expert. An accomplished presenter and writer, Andy is the voice of all things Headspace. This week we talk about mindfulness and meditation with Headspace founder, Andy Puddicombe.

Forrest Shaw became a comic after a decade of life as a marine biologist. Saving manatees and counting seagrass by day, at night, he dedicated himself to comedy, quickly working his way into regular club work and eventually having to retire from his career as a biologist. This week we talk marine biology, manatees, and the environment.

Gad Saad is an evolutionary behavioral scientist at the John Molson School of Business (Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada) who is known for applying evolutionary psychology to marketing and consumer behavior. This week we talk about how ruminative thinking, money, and the motivation of gift giving and how it relates to gender.

Gad Saad is an evolutionary behavioral scientist at the John Molson School of Business (Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada) who is known for applying evolutionary psychology to marketing and consumer behavior. This week we talk about how evolutionary psychology relates to marketing and the biological mechanisms that drive human consumption.

Rebecca Ratner is Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs - Undergraduate Programs and Professor of Marketing at the Robert H. Smith School of Business. This week we talk about procrastination, decision-making, and the psychology of motivation.

Dr. Peter McGraw returns with Erin Percival to talk about the science of laughter, the challenge of reaching an audience, and what's been going on at the Humor Research Lab (aka HuRL).

James W. Pennebaker is the Regents Centennial Professor of Liberal Arts in the Psychology Department at the University of Texas at Austin, where he received his Ph.D. in 1977. This week we talk about words and what you can infer about someone's status and behavior through their use of pronouns.

Foster's research focuses on the neurobiology of drug addiction and alcoholism. The ultimate goals of the research program are to further understand how drugs “re-wire” the brain to perpetuate continued drug use despite adverse consequences, and to characterize new pharmacological compounds that may potentially be of use as aids in the treatment of drug addiction.

Bertram Jacobs is currently serving as School of Life Sciences Director and as a professor of virology. As part of ASU’s Biodesign Institute, his research is focused on developing a vaccine for HIV — one that prevents infection or extends the lives of HIV patients. Jacobs also leads a group of students every summer to sub-Saharan Africa to teach AIDS prevention to the international community.

Michael Angilletta is an evolutionary biologist who studies adaptation to changing environments. Every animal relies on behavior and physiology to avoid stress, but these solutions aren't free. Behavioral and physiological strategies consume energy or impose risk—costs that must be weighed against the potential benefits.