We're deviating from our usual format for a "Behind the Scientist" episode where we ask scientists about their research careers. Dr. Kathryn Macapagal is a clinical psychologist and faculty at the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine. In our conversation we talk about how she evolved from someone who "swam the academic seas" to a champion of Community Based Participatory Research. Her groundbreaking research centers the voices of the participants in her studies and I've admired her work for years - ever since she sat in front of me in my 7th grade homeroom class. 

You'll memorize this unforgettable episode where we discuss memory and suggestibility with Dr. Kamala London. Go down some marvelous side streets as discover why we all need to bring notes when we go to the doctor, why preschool kids are so confident about what they know, and how to remember the things that are most important to us. 

Dive into this ocean of big data with Dr. Friedrich Götz and Sakshi Sahakari as we talk about the relationship between geography and personality! We discuss why big data is such a game changer for social science, how the Rocky Mountains are linked to personality traits, how the different drinking ages across India today are related to events that happened more than 80 years ago, and why the crops grown in China are the key to regional differences in personality. So grab your compass and your Time Machine as we explore the relationship between where we live and who are are. 

The Beyhive. Swifties. Disney Adults. Is being a super-fan good for you? Join this conversation with Dr. Cynthia Vinney as we discuss her work in media psychology. We'll cover parasocial relationships, STANS, which aspects of being a fan predict well-being, and how following your curiosity can lead you back to your first love. 

What are the 4 attachment styles? How do we get a specific style? Are they fixed or can we change them? Are there benefits to insecure attachments? Join this delightful conversation with Dr. Judy Ho, tenured Associate Professor at Pepperdine University. Dr. Judy, as she likes to be called, is a licensed clinical and forensic neuropsychologist, author of the book "Stop Self-Sabotaging", two time recipient of the National Institute of Mental Health Services Research award, and level four trapeze artist. Come learn with us about coregulation, balancing intimacy and autonomy, and how our attachment styles shape the way we think about the past, present, and future. 

You can check out Dr. Judy’s TED Talk here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ibM6ANA5c4Q

What's brain fertilizer? Can doing laundry help our brains? Join the conversation with Dr. Leigh Leasure - Psychology professor at the University of Houston with the Developmental, Cognitive, and Behavioral Neuroscience department. Dr. Leasure is also the director of the Brain Health and Neuroplasticity Lab and she speaks with us about how moving our bodies can help keep our brain healthy and even help it heal. 

Dr. Jess introduces the human skills podcast. On this season we'll talk about: