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 tendency reveals about our minds. In this episode, you’ll learn: *Why there’s often a surge of interest in scary entertainment after a violent or tragic incident in the real

If you’re a parent or a teacher, you’ve probably wondered how to balance play and safety for the kids in your care. You don’t want to put children in danger, but you also don’t want to rob them of the joy of exploration. This week, we talk with psychologist Peter Gray about how this balance has changed — for parents and children alike — and what we can do about it.

It turns out that we routinely underestimate the friendliness of the people around us.

Try Arthur's protocol for a happy start to the day and see what works for your own well-being.

How your brain recovers quietly after trauma.

We can’t assume friendships will just happen — we have to make them happen.

Self-esteem is overrated. The better path to enlightenment is through contemplating one’s insignificance.

Engagement with technology, far from contributing to “brain rot,” may offer cognitive benefits to older adults.

There’s a tradition around many Thanksgiving dinner tables that’s as consistent as pumpkin pie: the family stories that get told year after year. Sometimes these stories are funny; sometimes they make us roll our eyes. No matter how we feel about them, we rarely pause to consider how these stories shape who we are and how we view the world. This week, we revisit a favorite 2024 conversation about family storytelling with psychologist Robyn Fivush. Then, in a new installment o

This week, we search for the answer to a deceptively simple question: why is the brain divided? Psychiatrist Iain McGilchrist explains why popular distinctions between the “left brain” and “right brain” aren’t supported by research. He argues that one hemisphere has come to shape Western society — to our detriment.

We need physical spaces for serendipitous, productivity-free conversation.

We control nothing, but we influence everything.

What do people ask the popular chatbot? We analyzed thousands of chats to identify common topics discussed by users and patterns in ChatGPT’s responses.

The Telepathy Tapes claims that autistic children have the ability to read minds. It's also one of the most popular podcasts in America, with a surprisingly robust audience in tech. Where do their claims come from — and why do so many people believe them? Excerpt: " ... . I’ve found myself vexed by the tight grip these psychic notions have, particularly on otherwise skeptical individuals and organizations. When something strikes so close to your heart, you have no choice bu

Rosalía’s new album mirrors the modern quest for salvation, in all its thrilling and frustrating contours. Somewhat related: the subdued American Papacy

Recent studies have shown new antibody drugs to slow cognitive decline among people with early-onset Alzheimer's – a critical finding, given that the disease as of now has no cure. CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook visits Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, which is conducting important research into treating the disease before symptoms arise. Related thoughts from Bill Gates

Marion Nestle’s blunt nutrition advice, sharp criticism of food companies and popular books have made her one of the most recognizable names in nutrition.

The social-media era is over. What’s coming will be much worse.

Norman Rosenthal uses light in his home to help with seasonal affective disorder. Spoiler alert: He has a lot of light boxes. Somewhat related

We’ve known intuitively for centuries that spending time in nature can give us a boost. But it’s only recently that scientists have begun to identify exactly what it is about the outdoors that has such a powerful effect on our mood and our minds. This week, psychologist Marc Berman explores how spending time in nature can actually undo some of the harmful effects of our modern lives.