Jim Jones was so charismatic he convinced hundreds of his followers to commit a mass murder-suicide. This episode we look at how the Big Five trait Extraversion is linked to charismatic speakers, as well as the 3 persuasion techniques commonly used.

LAFM #12: People high in the Big Five trait Extraversion and its Assertiveness aspect can seem very captivating and persuasive even when they are wrong, and being aware of this, as well as the 3 persuasion techniques, can help me recognise if I'm being manipulated.

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lafm.substack.com

Narcissism exists on a spectrum from health to unhealthy, and this episode I discuss the two types of unhealthy narcissism using the Big Five or OCEAN theory of personality.

LAFM #11: Using the Big Five Aspects theory of personality can help me better understand and identify the two types of narcissists: grandiose and vulnerable.

https://www.lafm.blog

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lafm.substack.com

People who tend to be too nice are actually high in Agreeableness, one of the Big Five personality traits (OCEAN), and I go into a bit more detail about the problems that can arise because of that.

LAFM #10: Being too nice and avoidant of conflict in the short term can lead to a build up of resentment that causes more problems in the long term.

https://www.lafm.blog

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lafm.substack.com

I like OCEAN as a metaphor for personality because my everyday actions are always influenced by underlying psychological forces, and I briefly describe the 'Big Five' model as a way to better understand how and why.

LAFM #9: My personality plays a big part in why I do what I do, and understanding my strengths and weaknesses through the Big Five can help me better navigate myself to where I want to be.

https://www.lafm.blog

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lafm.substack.com

Ever heard of the very popular MBTI or 16personalities test that categorises people as 4 letter types (I'm an ENFP)? The Barnum effect shows why the most popular test might not be the most accurate, so what's really the best theory?

LAFM #8: The 'Big Five' model is currently the best theory to understand myself and other people, and the Barnum effect shows why sometimes the most popular personality test might not be the most accurate.

https://www.lafm.blog

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lafm.substack.com

When you get good at something, you naturally start to become more confident in yourself. And taking this idea a bit further in this episode is where I think true self-confidence can be found.

LAFM #7: Improving on my abilities while comparing myself to who I was yesterday can help me develop my self-confidence.

https://www.lafm.blog

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lafm.substack.com

What comes to mind when you think of high status? Money, mansions and luxury brands? How about giant yams? This episode I explore why status seems to be such a fundamental human motivation.

LAFM #6: I have to accept the uncomfortable truth that status motivates a lot of the things I do, but I can then focus on playing the best status games which bring collective benefit to all.

https://www.lafm.blog

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lafm.substack.com

I explore the interesting science of how something abstract like my socioeconomic status could affect the way I handle stress: drugs and monkey brains can help to explain.

LAFM #5: Increasing my perceived status will make me more emotionally stable and better at handling stress. I'm also a lot more like a monkey than I had thought.

https://www.lafm.blog

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lafm.substack.com

By all accounts I have a pretty good life, and there are times I've felt guilty for the good things happening to me. Why is that? I explore the experiences I've had that might have lead me to feel that way.

LAFM #4: Practice gratitude by reframing my perspective around how fortunate I actually am compared to many others.

https://www.lafm.blog

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lafm.substack.com

I'm the type of person with too many interests and hobbies, but if I had to pick one passion it would probably be music. I talk about why I chose not to actively pursue it, and what success in music would mean for me personally; what I actually want from success is financial and creative freedom.

LAFM #3: Don’t think too much about what-if scenarios from the past, take advice with a grain of salt, and be clear with what I actually want to achieve.

https://www.lafm.blog

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lafm.substack.com