Human Potential Lab

This week Scott speaks with journalist and Atlantic staff writer Olga Khazan about her latest book, Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change.

Olga shares her personal journey experimenting with ways to reshape her own personality—armed with insights from the latest psychological research. Together, she and Scott explore whether personality traits like introversion, neuroticism, and even antagonism can truly change over time, and what science says about how we can become better versions of ourselves.

This episode dives into the surprising plasticity of personality, why certain traits are harder to shift than others, and the real-life tools that can help spark meaningful, lasting transformation.

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This week, Scott sits down with acclaimed journalist and Atlantic staff writer Helen Lewis to explore her latest book, The Genius Myth: A Curious History of a Dangerous Idea.

Together, they examine how society defines—and often distorts—the concept of genius. Helen argues that there’s no universal, objective definition of genius, and that the people we anoint as such often reflect what a culture values, rather than any absolute measure of brilliance. This “genius” label, she suggests, grants select individuals undue latitude and props up misleading narratives about creativity, intelligence, and individual achievement.

Scott and Helen also dig into the misuse and limitations of IQ, shared myths about extraordinary minds, and the social consequences of genius worship.

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This week, Scott sits down with English comedian, author, and BBC radio host Robin Ince. Known for co-presenting The Infinite Monkey Cage alongside physicist Brian Cox, Robin brings his signature wit and wisdom to a deeply personal and socially relevant conversation.

The episode centers around Robin’s new book, Normal Weird and Weirdly Normal: Adventures of Neurodiversity, in which he champions the beauty of embracing one's authentic self. Together, Scott and Robin explore the rigid social norms that often stifle creativity, connection, and individuality—and how celebrating neurodiversity can open the door to a richer, more inclusive world.

This episode is a tribute to the magic that happens when we let go of “normal” and celebrate what makes us weirdly wonderful.

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This week, Scott welcomes Dr. Adam Galinsky, Professor at Columbia Business School and author of Inspire: The Universal Path for Leading Yourself and Others.

Together, they explore what makes a truly inspiring leader—and how anyone, regardless of title or position, can develop the qualities to lead with vision, courage, and impact. Dr. Galinsky shares powerful insights on the "leader amplification effect," the importance of expanding the "status pie," and how leaders can empower others while staying grounded in authenticity.

This timely and energizing conversation is packed with research-backed wisdom and practical strategies for cultivating influence and purpose in your personal and professional life.

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This week, Scott welcomes Dr. Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, senior research scientist at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and Director of the Creativity and Emotions Lab.

They dive into Dr. Pringle’s new book, The Creativity Choice: The Science of Making Decisions to Turn Ideas Into Action, which offers research-backed guidance on transforming imagination into reality. The conversation explores the intersection of creativity, emotional intelligence, and motivation, providing actionable insights to help you overcome internal barriers and pursue your goals with clarity and purpose. 

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This week, Scott sits down with Sahil Bloom—investor, creator, and New York Times bestselling author of The Five Types of Wealth: A Transformative Guide to Design Your Dream Life.

Sahil shares his powerful philosophy that the most meaningful transformations in life come not from finding the right answers, but from asking the right questions. Together, they explore practical tools, ideas, and frameworks for achieving not just financial success, but a well-rounded life enriched by health, wisdom, time, and relationships.

If you’re looking to reframe your understanding of success and take actionable steps toward a more intentional and fulfilling life, this conversation is a must-listen.

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This week, Scott is joined by the multitalented Mayim Bialik and Jonathan Cohen. You might know Mayim as the star of Blossom and The Big Bang Theory, or as the former host of Jeopardy!, but she’s also a neuroscientist with a PhD from UCLA and the creator of the popular mental health podcast Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown.

Jonathan Cohen, her co-host and co-creator, is a writer, poet, and futurist with a passion for storytelling, technology, and mindfulness. Together, they share a deep commitment to shifting the conversation around mental health and emotional well-being.

The three explore their shared journey, the power of authentic storytelling, and their mission to break down the stigma surrounding mental health. This conversation dives into everything from neuroscience to pop culture, offering a fresh perspective on what it means to thrive in today’s world.

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In a special role-reversal episode of The Psychology Podcast, Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman is interviewed by renowned social psychologist Dr. Jonathan Haidt to discuss Scott’s brand-new book, Rise Above: Overcome a Victim Mindset, Empower Yourself, and Realize Your Full Potential. This powerful conversation explores how modern culture can reinforce limiting beliefs and emotional fragility, and how we can instead reclaim agency, resilience, and meaning in our lives. Scott opens up about the myths of self-esteem, the emotional toll of victimhood culture, and the surprising strengths that come from sensitivity. Together, Scott and Jonathan unpack the cultural narratives that hold us back and offer practical strategies for developing emotional strength and personal empowerment in an age of anxiety.

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Robert and Christian explore their framework for truly listening, which includes the practices of noticing, quieting, accepting, acknowledging, questioning, and interjecting. This conversation is a masterclass in co-creating meaning and cultivating empathy in our interactions. They also provide guidance through the science and art of connection—something the world deeply needs right now.

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In this special episode, Scott welcomes the legendary Dr. Howard Gardner, a developmental psychologist and professor at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. Best known for his groundbreaking Theory of Multiple Intelligences, Dr. Gardner’s 1983 book Frames of Mind challenged the traditional view of intelligence as a singular ability measured by IQ tests.

Scott and Dr. Gardner explore the impact of his theory on education and psychology, discussing its strengths, limitations, and evolution over time. This conversation is both a deep dive into human intelligence and a personal one as Scott shares how Dr. Gardner’s work shaped his own journey into psychology.

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