Every January, we promise ourselves this will be the year we finally change. Better habits, bigger goals, stronger willpower. And yet, by February, most of those resolutions are already gone. So what’s really going on? 

We are joined this week by Dr. E.J. Masicampo of Wake Forest University to talk about the psychology behind why New Year’s resolutions fail, and the surprisingly simple strategies that actually make change stick. If you’ve ever wondered why motivation fades or how to work with your brain instead of against it, this conversation is for you.

Dr. Robert Haley of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, has spent years researching the unexplained illnesses affecting veterans of the first Gulf War.

For more than 30 years, many veterans have reported persistent symptoms including fatigue, cognitive problems, vertigo, and chronic pain, often without a clear medical explanation. Early theories struggled to solve the mystery, but advances in brain imaging are now providing new clues.

In this episode, I’m joined by Roger Johnson, the founder of Newswise. Roger launched Newswise in the early days of personal computing with a simple but powerful idea: make credible science and research news easier for journalists to find and use.

We explore the origins of Newswise, the role of curiosity in journalism and science, and how early technology reshaped the way information is shared. We also talk about creativity, asking better questions, and what the future may hold for science communication in an evolving media landscape.

Dr. Jessica Troilo of West Virginia University, Associate Professor in Child Development and Family Studies and Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Affairs in the College of Applied Human Sciences, studies how families build healthy relationships and navigate everyday challenges.

During the holidays, families often connect in more ways than just gathering around the table. Quality time can create opportunities for meaningful interaction and shared experiences, but it can also bring stress, expectations, and sometimes tension.

Dr. Edward Yoon of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, Chief of Interventional Radiology, is working on new ways to treat chronic back pain using advanced imaging and minimally invasive procedures.

For millions of people who suffer from back pain, finding lasting relief can be an ongoing struggle. Traditional treatments like epidural injections often provide only temporary relief and don’t always address the root cause of the problem.

Dr. Yoon explains how combining high-tech imaging with minimally invasive techniques can offer a more effective approach to treatment, helping patients find longer-lasting relief while considering the broader landscape of musculoskeletal care.

Professor Parke Wilde of Tufts University, Professor of Nutrition Policy and Food Economics, studies the economics of nutrition assistance programs and how food affordability affects communities.

Questions about food prices have become increasingly urgent for many Americans, especially during the holidays. As families make decisions about how to stretch their grocery budgets, food insecurity becomes a growing concern.

Dr. Cory Haltman, Assistant Professor of Marketing at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, studies the psychology behind gift-giving and how people make decisions when choosing presents.

Gift-giving can be enjoyable, but it can also become stressful when we start overthinking it. Many people worry about finding the “perfect” gift, giving it at the right time, or making sure it feels meaningful enough.

Dr. Haltman explains what research reveals about the psychology of gift-giving, why people often worry about the wrong things, and what actually matters most to the person receiving the gift.

Dr. Pooja Budhiraja, Transplant Nephrologist and Living Donor Medical Director at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, focuses on protecting the health and well-being of living organ donors while expanding access to transplantation.

Every day, thousands of people are waiting for a life-saving transplant, and for many, that wait can last years. While the demand for organs continues to grow, one of the most powerful solutions comes from living donors, individuals who choose to donate a kidney or part of their liver to someone in need.

Dr. Chen Wang, Associate Professor of Computer Science at Southern Methodist University, studies privacy and security in modern communication technologies.

Video calls have become part of everyday life, and most of us assume we’re safe when the camera is turned off. But Dr. Wang’s research shows that even small sounds during a call can reveal surprising details about a person’s surroundings.

Dr. Wang explains how audio signals from platforms like Zoom and Teams can expose information about where someone is located, and why stronger privacy protections may be needed as virtual communication becomes more common.

Dr. Tiana Woolridge, Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician at the Hospital for Special Surgery, studies how factors like sleep, stress, and mindset influence injury risk and recovery in young athletes.

When it comes to sports injuries, recovery isn’t just physical. Mental health, rest, and emotional resilience also play a critical role in how athletes heal and return to play.

Dr. Woolridge discusses how the connection between physical health and mental well-being can shape recovery, and why helping athletes build resilience both on and off the field can lead to stronger, healthier outcomes.