Want to get better at work? At managing others? Managing yourself? Gayle Allen interviews experts who take your performance to the next level. Each episode features a book with insights to help you achieve your goals.
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Opportunities for human connection are all around us. When we’re in a café. At a restaurant. In a checkout line. Each instance is an opportunity for small talk with a stranger. And these interactions can yield big benefits. Unfortunately, most of us are missing out. We’re not aware of how powerful these experiences can be. And that’s where researchers are sharing some incredible findings. University of Sussex psychology professor Gillian Sandstrom is one of these researchers. Gillian has spent decades studying how these kinds of connections work and what they give us. More recently, she’s been
Most of us ruminate. We get caught in a loop of thoughts that replay over and over again. It’s as if our brain is stuck in a place we don’t want to be, yet we can’t break free. Over time, those repetitive thoughts can become the lens through which we see ourselves, other people, and the world—and that lens is often shaped more by fear than reality. Donna Jackson Nakazawa can help us break the cycle. An award-winning science journalist, Donna is the author of Mind Drama: The Science of Rumination and How to Outwit Your Inner Defeatist. She spent years talking with researchers and clinicians to
Most of what we hear about the middle part of our lives is untrue. It’s focused on the myth of the midlife crisis rather than the realities of these years. This can create a sense of dread for a period of time with tremendous upside. Margie Lachman has spent her career studying midlife. She's author of the book, Primetime: A New Vision for Midlife, Professor of Psychology at Brandeis University, and an expert in adult development and aging. Margie also directs the Brandeis University's Lifespan Lab. This is a conversation about the complexities of midlife. In it Margie shares how to navigate t
There are times in our lives where we feel stuck, be it personally or professionally. It might be in our career. It might in a relationship. We’re smart, so we try to think our way out of it. But when we’re really stuck, thinking can turn into ruminating. And the more we think, the more we stay stuck. That’s when the labeling kicks in. The voice in our head labels us lazy, or crazy, or just plain unmotivated. Today’s guest, Britt Frank, is a licensed specialist clinical social worker (LSCSW). She’s written the book, The Science of Stuck: Breaking Through Inertia to Find your Path Forward. Brit
No one wants to feel like a sucker. In fact, the very thought of being one – of playing the fool – shapes our behavior in powerful ways. But what if our fear causes us to make choices that aren’t good for us? Or worse, what if people weaponize our fear in order to dominate or disempower us? Tess Wilkinson-Ryan has written a stunning book on the topic called, Fool Proof: How Fear of Playing the Sucker Shapes Our Selves and the Social Order and What We Can Do about It. A psychologist and law professor, Tess helps us understand what this fear is, why we have it, and how it plays out in law, polit
Runners have pacers to help them manage their energy throughout a race. They couple that with a training program that balances extreme and moderate effort with rest. Research shows that this balanced approach ensures a stronger performance. Like professional athletes, we, too, seek high performance. But we may not realize that, like runners, we need to manage the pace of our lives. That’s where science journalist Elizabeth Svoboda comes in. Curious about the way athletes build rest into their workouts, she wondered if their recovery plans could help the rest of us. This research informs her bo
There’s a lot to be said for the excitement we feel when we first set a goal for ourselves. The sense of exhilaration can give us the momentum we need to get started. But when the exhilaration wears off – and it usually does – we’re faced with a choice. Will we revert to old habits or develop new ones? These moments are what Jonathan Rhodes calls choice points, and the decisions we make can really add up. Ultimately, how we manage ourselves in these moments can be the difference between the life we have and the life we want. That’s why I wanted to interview Jonathan Rhodes, author of the book,
We think we need complete freedom to achieve our goals. But maybe freedom is the problem. What if, instead, constraints are what we really need? That’s the question David Epstein was curious about. David Epstein is author of the bestselling books, Range and The Sports Gene. In his latest book, Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better, he combs through the research and tracks down the stories of just how powerful constraints can be. David shares these lessons with us in his book. He also shares how he applied these lessons to the process of writing this book. In a world of overwhelm, Davi
We live in a world of markets. The ones we can easily see, like grocery stores or restaurants. And the ones that are less obvious, like college admission, waitlists, even your schedule. Yet these less obvious markets play an important role in our lives. That’s why I wanted to speak with University of Pennsylvania economist, Judd Kessler, author of the book, Lucky by Design: The Hidden Economics You Need to Get What You Want. He not only helps us recognize these hidden markets, but he also arms us with the knowledge we need to succeed in them. This is a book that will help you see the world wit
It would be great if we could gain success overnight. In a matter of hours, we’d be happier, smarter, maybe even wealthier. But when we step back and assess how much time success actually takes, we can feel overwhelmed. Those are the feelings Eric Zimmer certainly had. Faced with his own challenges, he knew he needed to change. And, over time, his curiosity about what change actually requires led him to the field of behavioral science. The lessons Eric’s learned from his research – and his own life experience – are what he writes about in his masterful book, How a Little Become a Lot: The Art
When life gets hard, humor can feel like a luxury. Like an indulgence we don’t deserve or have time for. But science tells a different story. Researchers have learned that humor can help with healing and grief, and it can improve our social connections. And innovators often call out the role fun plays in getting curious and acting on their ideas. One of these innovators is Chris Duffy, a stand-up comedian, TV writer, and host of TED’s hit podcast, How to Be a Better Human. Chris sees humor as a powerful life practice, an argument that lies at the heart of his book, Humor Me: How Laughing More
Anthony Klotz believes we’re just one event away from quitting our jobs. Anthony is a professor of organizational behavior at University College London’s School of Management and the person who coined the phrase, “the Great Resignation.” He’s also author of the book, Jolted: Why We Quit, When to Stay, and Why It Matters. Anthony’s research shows just how much leaders and employees need to learn about quitting. Employees, you have more options than you think. And leaders, you can pick up some important tips on how to manage employee resignations a whole lot better. Interviewing, hiring, and onb
In those moments when we want to disagree, why do we often stay silent? At those times when we want to opt out, why do we often just go along? A key reason is that it’s hard to defy. It’s hard to question the way something’s always been done. To challenge comments, behaviors, and systems. Yet it’s in those moments of defiance that we flex our values and craft an identity. That’s why I wanted to talk to Sunita Sah, organizational psychologist at Cornell University and author of the book, Defy: The Power of No in a World that Demands Yes. Her research reveals the importance of defiance and the s
When it comes to our health and well-being, something’s missing from the checklist. Sure, we’ve got to get enough sleep, eat healthfully, exercise, and socialize. But one thing rarely makes the list – the arts. Singing. Dancing. Drawing. Visiting a museum. Going to a concert. Researchers are finding that these activities are not only entertaining, but they impact health and longevity in incredibly positive ways. One of the most important researchers behind this work is Daisy Fancourt, author of the book, Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Save Lives. She shares powerful research findings, a
Relationships that thrive have characteristics that rarely appear by accident. Instead, their design is often intentional, even if the designers are unaware of the formula. That’s where Dan Coyle comes in. Curious about how some leaders craft strong relationships and successful outcomes, he spent time studying their methods. Dan shares what he learned in his latest book, Flourish: The Art of Building Meaning, Joy, and Fulfillment. One part inspiration and one part playbook, this is a resource for flourishing in all kinds of spaces. Episode Links Why Fulfilled People Make Time for Nothing at Al
Most of us long to connect and, as social creatures, it makes sense that we not only want this but need human relationships to live a healthy life. With numbers on loneliness and polarization continuing to climb, I wanted to speak with someone who’s focused on the antidote, that is, connection. It led me to speak with Kate Murphy, author of the book, Why We Click: The Emerging Science of Interpersonal Synchrony. Kate’s done a deep dive on the importance of connection from multiple perspectives: individuals, teams, even pets. She shares behaviors that create connection, along with those that do
Decisions tax our brains. Whether it’s deciding which shows to watch or which products to buy, the choices are endless and can feel exhausting. That’s where status comes in. Researchers have learned that status is a mental short-cut we turn to when we’re feeling stuck. It’s an invisible force that guides decision-making and drives our choices. And it comes at a cost. Toby Stuart has written a book on status called Anointed: The Extraordinary Effects of Social Status in a Winner-Take-Most World. Given how important status is in our society and how invisible of a force it can be, I wanted to tal
Each day, millions of doctors write prescriptions for drugs intended to help their patients. But what if many of our modern health ailments, like depression, anxiety, and chronic pain, would benefit as much, if not more, from a social prescription? What if nature, art, movement, and service could reduce our symptoms, decrease doctor visits, and improve our health? These are questions Julia Hotz set out to answer. Julia is author of the book, The Connection Cure: The Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art, Service, and Belonging. By sharing research findings, as well as people’s stories fr
I have a confession to make. I enjoy talking to people I don't know. I like learning about them and hearing their stories. I'm sure it explains why I started this podcast over ten years ago. Yet I know a lot of people who avoid talking to strangers. And if, for any reason, they have to, they dread it. But these feelings of dread work against us. Study after study shows that when we talk to strangers, we nearly always feel good afterwards. And in a time where people feel more isolated and lonely than ever, the good feeling that comes from talking to strangers may be just the thing we need to br
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In today’s hyper-connected world, when you want to communicate, you’ve got so many alternatives to talking. But before you spend another minute drafting a text or email, consider how essential it is for us to talk to others. Talking – whether self-talk, sign language, or in-person speaking – is a process we need for learning, setting goals, and managing our emotions. That’s because talking is a multi-step process, and to do it well, we can’t skip a step. Maryellen MacDonald is a Professor of Psychology and Language Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her book, More Than Words: How
How we think about toughness needs a reset. Too often, it’s been associated with brute forcing our way through things. Ignoring our feelings. Making an outward show of confidence and dominance. The problem is it just doesn't work. Performance coach and bestselling author, Steve Magness, offers another way. He’s done a deep dive on the latest research on toughness and performance. In his book, Do Hard Things: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and The Surprising Science of Real Toughness, he discusses the misconceptions of our current model. Then he offers a new one informed by the latest in neuroscie
You’re days into a work project, staring at a screen, feeling anxious about your tight deadline. Mid-afternoon your phone lights up with a call from a friend. You want to connect, but you feel like you don’t have a minute to spare. You let the call go into voicemail. On the surface, this decision may seem inconsequential. But what if you knew that a decision like this, centered on an opportunity for social connection, could make a difference in the health of your brain? Would you make time for the call? Ben Rein is author of the book, Why Brains Needs Friends: The Neuroscience of Social Connec
Digital exhaustion is real. We’re working across more apps than ever before, and since they’re always accessible, work-life boundaries have disappeared. Combine this with our personal tech, and we’ve got a recipe for burnout. Paul Leonardi is a Professor of Technology Management at the University of California, Santa Barbara. After decades of business consulting, he’s had a front-row seat to employees’ digital burnout. What he saw led him to create concrete solutions, which he outlines in his latest book, Digital Exhaustion: Simple Rules for Reclaiming Your Life. These are smart and sensible s
We spend a lot of our lives in groups. Whether it’s at work. With friends. Even with family. Yet we tend to focus on everyone as individuals. We rarely think about things from the group’s perspective. Colin Fisher is an expert in organizational behavior and an associate professor at University College London, and he wants to change that. His book, The Collective Edge: Unlocking the Secret Power of Groups, is his insightful attempt at sharing the latest insights on high-performing teams and how to lead them. Episode Links Top Six Tips for Terrific Teams 5 Secrets for Getting the Most out of Wor
