The availability bias is one of the most convincing mental shortcuts we use, and that is exactly what makes it so dangerous. In this episode, we explore how our brains confuse ease of recall with actual likelihood, causing us to overestimate vivid, emotional, or recent events while overlooking quieter but far more common risks. From shark attacks to vending machines, we unpack how the availability bias shapes fear, judgment, and attention. We close with practical strategies for resisting this bias and making decisions grounded in data rather than headlines.

Chapter Markers:

0:00 – What the Availability Bias Is (and Why We Use It)

1:40 – Sharks, Vending Machines, and Misjudging Risk

4:10 – Availability Bias as a Cognitive Illusion

6:25 – Public Spending, Fear, and Misplaced Priorities

7:00 – How to Protect Yourself from Availability Bias

8:15 – The Core Takeaway: Memory Is Not Probability