We've all been there. Maybe you fumbled a line in a presentation. Or tripped on a shoelace. Or suffered a bad hair day. It can feel like the whole world is watching you—and judging you—in those embarrassing moments. But are people paying as much attention to you as you think?

In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we explore why we tend to blow our own missteps out of proportion.

We go behind the scenes of some of the most consequential speeches of World War II. Speeches given by a man who was consumed with fear about how his stutter would be received by the public. Author and historian Adrian Phillips gives us new insights about King George VI's struggles with his diction and the effect his addresses had on the people of Great Britain during the darkest days of the war.

We also hear from Seth Tichenor, an assistant professor and program director at the Duquesne University Stuttering Clinic, who helps us understand what it's like to navigate a public role with a stutter.

Finally, Katy speaks with Cornell psychologist Tom Gilovich about how he and his fellow researchers demonstrated that—more often than not—our mistakes and foibles barely register with those around us.

Choiceology is an original podcast from Charles Schwab. For more on the show, visit schwab.com/podcast.

If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts.

Important Disclosures

The comments, views, and opinions expressed in the presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of Charles Schwab.

Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed.

All corporate names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. 

The policy analysis provided by the Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party.

Investing involves risk including loss of principal.

The books How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, The King Who Had to Go, From Churchill to Eden , The Wisest One in the Room and How We Know What Isn't So are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.). Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.) has not reviewed the books and makes no representations about its content.

(0825-1UGU)

You've probably been in situations where multiple friends recommend the same product. It must be great, if everyone is talking about it, right? But then you find out that those friends had all just seen the same product on a popular TV show. What seemed like independent recommendations really came from a single source.

In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we consider the consequences of missing out on the true source of information when we're exposed to that information through multiple channels.

Joe Schwarcz tells the story of two-time Nobel laureate Linus Pauling and his obsession with the healing powers of vitamin C. Pauling was a venerated and accomplished chemist, so when he wrote the book Vitamin C and the Common Cold, the world took note. His claims about the health benefits of vitamin C were echoed innumerable times by health writers and influential figures in books and magazines and TV commercials. The problem was, there was little evidence to support those claims.

Joe Schwarcz is the director of the Office for Science and Society at  McGill University, where he is also a professor of chemistry.

Next, Katy speaks with Florian Zimmermann about the dangers of mistaking multiple sources of information as independent.

 Florian Zimmerman is a professor of economics at the University of Bonn who, along with Harvard economist Benjamin Enke, uncovered the problem of correlation neglect.

Choiceology is an original podcast from Charles Schwab. For more on the show, visit schwab.com/podcast.

If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts.

Important Disclosures

The comments, views, and opinions expressed in the presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of Charles Schwab.

Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed.

All corporate names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. 

The policy analysis provided by the Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party.

Investing involves risk including loss of principal.

The book How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.). Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.) has not reviewed the books and makes no representations about its content.

0825-VH6M

It's a new season of Choiceology, an original podcast from Charles Schwab. New episodes arrive every two weeks, so please follow us in your favorite podcasting app.

Important Disclosures

The comments, views, and opinions expressed in the podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of Charles Schwab.

Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable source. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed and Charles Schwab & Co. expressly disclaims any liability, including incidental or consequential damages, arising from errors or omissions in this publication. 

All corporate names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. 

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

The book How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.). Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.) has not reviewed the books and makes no representations about its content.

0725-PKW2

Were you the kind of kid who devoured all your Halloween candy in one sitting—or savored it daily until, somehow, it was Easter? And when it comes to bad news, do you prefer it all at once or with some time in between? Turns out, the way we bundle or separate life's highs and lows can influence our happiness. 

In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we consider a mental accounting trick that can help maximize joy and minimize pain. 

You'll hear from Sally Millington of York, U.K., who set out to try 52 new things in a year. From the silly to the daring, Sally shares how shifting from saving fun for vacations to spreading it throughout the year transformed her outlook—and boosted her well-being. Her story shows the power of intentionally pacing pleasure—and why we might want to do the opposite with unpleasant experiences.

Then, Katy speaks with Ellen Evers, Associate Professor of Marketing at the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, whose research touches on how the way we categorize experiences can make everyday life feel a little better. 

Choiceology is an original podcast from Charles Schwab. For more on the show, visit schwab.com/podcast.

If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts.

Important Disclosures

The comments, views, and opinions expressed in the presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of Charles Schwab.

Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable source. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed and Charles Schwab & Co. expressly disclaims any liability, including incidental or consequential damages, arising from errors or omissions in this publication. 

All corporate names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. 

The policy analysis provided by the Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party.

Investing involves risk including loss of principal.

The book How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be isnot affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.). Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.) has not reviewed the books and makes no representations about its content.

0625-1RA3

Would you pay more for a car with 29,999 miles than one with 30,000? The answer should be no—it's a negligible difference, after all—but research shows that people often do pay more than they should for cars that are just short of certain odometer thresholds.

In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we look at why a price or an age or a test score that falls just under a round number has an outsized impact on our decisions. 

We hear from Melina Palmer, author of The Truth About Pricing, as she unpacks how the launch of iTunes—and its iconic per-song price—reshaped the music industry. Joshua Freedman, host of the Rapaport Diamond Podcast, explains why stones just shy of round carat weights are in high demand. And Bapu Jena, the host of the podcast Freaknomics M.D. and co-author of the book Random Acts of Medicine, reveals how deeply numbers shape medical decisions—and what that means for patients. 

Next, Katy speaks with Devin Pope, the Steven G. Rothmeier Professor of Behavioral Science and Economics at the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago. Devin researches a variety of topics at the intersection of economics and psychology. In this episode, he shares his research involving cars–what we'll pay for them, what we pay to ride in them, and why. 

Important Disclosures

The comments, views, and opinions expressed in the presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of Charles Schwab.

Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable source. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed and Charles Schwab & Co. expressly disclaims any liability, including incidental or consequential damages, arising from errors or omissions in this publication. 

All corporate names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. 

The policy analysis provided by the Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party.

Investing involves risk including loss of principal.

The books How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, The Truth About Pricing, and Random Acts of Medicine are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.). Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.) has not reviewed the books and makes no representations about its content.

(0525-WRWH)

Streaks have long been logged in the world of sports. And for tracking habits, like daily writing. But now apps encourage us to keep streaks going for just about anything. Messaging friends, learning new languages, meditating, exercising, you name it. 

In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we explore the motivational power of streaks. And we look at ways to alleviate the demotivating effects of breaking a streak. 

We speak with journalist Chloë Hamilton, who wrote a story for The Guardian about how a daily ritual can enrich your life or become an unhealthy obsession. Chloë heard from a range of people logging streaks—from daily language practice to simply kissing their partner each morning. One of the more extreme examples included runner Tom Vickery, who has run every day since August 2019. And not just in rain or shine, but after 200 mile runs, in sickness and health, even on a vacation, which included laps on a ferry boat. 

Next, Katy speaks with Jackie Silverman, an assistant professor of marketing at the University of Delaware, where she studies consumer behavior and streaks. Her research shows that people often adopt a "streak-keeping" goal in addition to their original motivation for an activity. Breaking a streak can be demotivating due to the feeling of goal failure and loss aversion. Silverman suggests that apps and individuals should emphasize intact streaks, downplay broken ones, and offer opportunities for "streak repair"—or flexibility to help people recover and stay motivated. 

Choiceology is an original podcast from Charles Schwab. For more on the show, visit https://schwab.com/Choiceology.

If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts.

Important Disclosures

The comments, views, and opinions expressed in the presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of Charles Schwab.

Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable source. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed and Charles Schwab & Co. expressly disclaims any liability, including incidental or consequential damages, arising from errors or omissions in this publication. 

All corporate names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. 

Automatic investing strategies do not ensure a profit and do not protect against losses in declining markets.

Investing involves risk including loss of principal.

The books How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Beis not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.). Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.) has not reviewed the book and makes no representations about its content.

Apple, the Apple logo, iPad, iPhone, and Apple Podcasts are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

Spotify and the Spotify logo are registered trademarks of Spotify AB.

0525-PM4V

First-born children tend to believe that their parents were harder on them than their siblings are willing to grant. Football fans take disproportionate note of the challenging games on their team's schedules. We're wired to interpret our challenges as bigger than our advantages, even if the reality is more balanced.

In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we consider our tendency to focus more attention on our negative or challenging experiences than on our positive or easy ones. This asymmetry also appears in how we remember the lives and experiences of other people. 

Daniella McCahey is co-author of Antarctica: A History in 100 Objects and an assistant professor in history at Texas Tech University. She shares the harrowing adventures of one of Antarctica's most famous explorers, Richard E. Byrd. Byrd is credited with being the first to fly over the North and South Poles in the 1920s. He led five expeditions to Antarctica, including one where he nearly died. Byrd was truly a remarkable polar explorer and aviation pioneer, but also someone born into many advantages. 

Next, Katy speaks with Tom Gilovich, the Irene Blecker Rosenfeld Professor of Psychology at Cornell University. Gilovich identified what is now known as the headwinds/tailwinds asymmetry. He's also the author of the books The Wisest One in the Roomand How We Know What Isn't So. 

Choiceology is an original podcast from Charles Schwab. 

If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts.

Important Disclosures

The comments, views, and opinions expressed in the presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of Charles Schwab.

Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable source. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed and Charles Schwab & Co. expressly disclaims any liability, including incidental or consequential damages, arising from errors or omissions in this publication. 

All corporate names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. 

The policy analysis provided by the Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party.

Investing involves risk including loss of principal.

The books How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, Alone: The Classic Polar Adventure, The Wisest One in the Room and How We Know What Isn't So are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.). Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.) has not reviewed the books and makes no representations about its content.

(0425-KDX9)

Is it ever possible to see the world objectively, as it is? Turn on the news, open social media, engage with that family member at Thanksgiving, and it appears to some the answer is yes. But what if our biggest blind spot is thinking we don't have a blind spot? 

In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we look at how we can easily be fooled into believing that our subjective experience of the world is objective, and believing that anyone who disagrees with us must be biased or wrong.

We consider how this was part of the interaction between world leaders Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev at a high-stakes nuclear summit in 1986. Ken Adelman was the arms control director in the Reagan administration at the time and was with Reagan at this historic summit. His book Reykjavik: Forty-Eight Hours That Ended the Cold War details how these politicians with opposing world views came together as men. 

Next, Katy speaks with Julia Minson, an associate professor of public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She is a decision scientist with research interests in conflict management, negotiations, and judgment and decision-making. Her main line of research addresses the "psychology of disagreement"—how do people engage with opinions, values, and judgments that conflict with their own?

Important Disclosures

The comments, views, and opinions expressed in the presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of Charles Schwab.

Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable source. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed and Charles Schwab & Co. expressly disclaims any liability, including incidental or consequential damages, arising from errors or omissions in this publication. 

All corporate names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. 

The policy analysis provided by the Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party.

Investing involves risk including loss of principal.

The books How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be and Reykjavik: Forty-Eight Hours That Ended the Cold War are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.). Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.) has not reviewed the books and makes no representations about its content.

(0425-DLMP)

Workplaces often rely on numerical ratings for performance reviews. Election debates focus on poll numbers and approval ratings. Your watch counts your steps in a day. Numbers increasingly influence our decisions.

In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we look at our very human tendency to fixate on digits even when words or graphs represent the very same information. 

Stephen M. Colbert writes about movies and the film industry and shares the heated story of when the DC Extended Universe came up against some unfavorable Rotten Tomatoes scores. You'll hear about a battle of wills between a famous director, some powerful studio executives, and a legion of fans, proving that numbers don't tell the whole story. 

Next, Katy speaks with Linda Chang, a behavioral scientist at the Toyota Research Institute and former MindCORE post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Pennsylvania. Katy and Linda, together with University of Chicago Professor Erika Kirgios and MIT Professor Sendhil Mullainathan, worked on the paper "Does Counting Change What Counts? Quantification Fixation Biases Decision-Making."

Important Disclosures

The comments, views, and opinions expressed in the presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of Charles Schwab.

Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable source. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed and Charles Schwab & Co. expressly disclaims any liability, including incidental or consequential damages, arising from errors or omissions in this publication.

All corporate names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Supporting documentation for any claims or statistical information is available upon request.

Investing involves risk including loss of principal.

The book How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.). Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.) has not reviewed the book and makes no representations about its content.

(0325-8K30)

It’s a new season of Choiceology, an original podcast from Charles Schwab. New episodes arrive every two weeks, so please follow us in your favorite podcasting app.

Important Disclosures

The comments, views, and opinions expressed in the presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of Charles Schwab.

Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable source. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed and Charles Schwab & Co. expressly disclaims any liability, including incidental or consequential damages, arising from errors or omissions in this publication. 

All corporate names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Supporting documentation for any claims or statistical information is available upon request.

Investing involves risk including loss of principal.

The book How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.). Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.) has not reviewed the book and makes no representations about its content.

(0325-43AS)