Preconceived

Something that a lot of men think about, but don't necessarily talk about, is their hair. And one thing most men probably aren't particularly eager to discuss is hair loss, let alone hair transplants. But why do some men go bald while others seem to keep a full head of hair well into old age? What's actually happening when we lose our hair, and how do we distinguish normal changes as we get older from true male pattern baldness? What can medications do to slow or reverse the process? How do hair transplants actually work? And perhaps most importantly, should we be approaching hair transplants with a degree of hesitation, or are they something more men should be considering? Dr. Jeff Donovan joins the podcast.

Learn more about Dr. Donovan at https://donovanmedical.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can you really change someone’s mind — and should you even try? Philosopher Colin Marshall joins Preconceived to explore the art, science, and ethics of persuasion. Why do some people change their deeply held beliefs while others seem completely immune to reason? Can people truly change, or are we more set in our ways than we’d like to believe? And when does persuasion cross the line into manipulation? Drawing on philosophy and real-world examples, Colin explains why changing minds requires something very different from winning an argument — including patience, empathy, and a willingness to genuinely listen. But are respectful conversations enough to overcome our biases, or is a little manipulation sometimes justified?

Learn more about Colin's latest book on persuasion - Hear Me Out - at https://www.amazon.ca/Just-Hear-Me-Out-Compromise/dp/0226842002

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores why superheroes are more than disposable pop culture: they reflect our hopes and anxieties about power, morality, identity, and justice. Zale is joined by Danny Fingeroth, a comic book historian, former Marvel editor, and author of Superman on the Couch and A Marvelous Life. Together, they discuss why flawed heroes like Spider-Man resonate, how superhero stories blur the line between heroism and vigilantism, and what these enduring characters reveal about our search for hope and meaning.

Learn more about Danny Fingeroth at https://dannyfingeroth.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most of us assume that great actors are just born with it — some natural gift that lets them inhabit a character and move us in ways we can't quite explain. But what actually goes into the performances we love? Is it raw talent, or is there a craft behind it that most of us never get to see? This episode pulls back the curtain on what acting really is, and how the best performers in the world have learned to do what they do.

Cynthia Ashperger is a Canadian actress, director, and acting teacher whose work spans stage, screen, and the classroom, with a particular focus on the Meisner technique and the psychophysical dimensions of performance.

In this conversation, Zale and Cynthia dig into the training, techniques, and inner work that shape great performances — and what it really takes to move an audience.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is about why fantasy football is so addictive and why so many people love it. Adam Aizer from CBS Sports joins the podcast to talk about the fantasy football industry, what makes a good manager, and the balance between skill and luck. We also get into what fantasy football reveals about how people think, compete, and make decisions under uncertainty.

CBS Fantasy Football Today Podcast - https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/fantasy-football-today-podcast/

Watch Adam and the CBS Crew on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/FantasyFootballToday

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the wake of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, there has been enormous interest in Homer’s ancient Greek epic—and in Odysseus, the hero at its center.

Who was Odysseus, why has The Odyssey remained relevant for nearly 3,000 years, and what does this story have to say about human nature today?

We also explore what Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is trying to tell us, how it compares with Homer’s original story, and whether Nolan has captured what makes Odysseus such a fascinating and enduring character. Classicist and Homer expert Joel Christensen joins the podcast to explore The Odyssey, Greek mythology, Odysseus, and why this ancient story still resonates today.

Learn more about Joel Christensen and his books: Joel Christensen | Why Odysseus? | The Oxford Critical Guide to Homer’s Odyssey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Preconceived Podcast is you on YouTube @preconceivedpodcast. If you prefer watching over listening to your podcasts, you can check out all new episodes on your new and revamped YouTube channel.

Be sure to subscribe at https://www.youtube.com/@preconceivedpodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Zale discusses with Dr. Barry Schwartz, a renowned psychologist and author, how modern society's abundance of choices impacts our happiness, decision-making, and regret. They explore how too many options can lead to paralysis, the role of social comparison, and the importance of setting "good enough" standards for a more satisfying life.

Main Topics:

• The concept of counterfactual thinking and its influence on regret
• How choice overload affects decision-making and happiness
• The balance between freedom and constraints in societal decision-making
• The psychological impact of social media on comparison and micro-decisions
• Practical strategies for embracing "good enough" to reduce paralyzing perfectionism
• The historical shift from normative life paths to individual choice

Learn from Barry

• The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz
• Choosing Wisely by Barry Schwartz
• Barry Schwartz - TED Talks

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What really separates elite performers from everyone else? In this episode of Preconceived, Zale sits down with former Navy SEAL officer Rich Diviney to challenge the myth of the "superhuman" SEAL and explore what truly drives performance under pressure. Rich explains the difference between skills and attributes, why SEAL training is designed to push candidates to their limits, and how qualities like resilience, adaptability, situational awareness, and compartmentalization determine success in uncertain environments. He also discusses the emotional impact of falling short of a goal and what failure can teach us about growth and identity.

Should we judge ourselves by how we perform in our toughest moments, or is that too simplistic? This conversation explores performance, self-awareness, and why the way we respond to adversity can shape who we become.

Learn more about Rich Diviney and explore his books - https://theattributes.com/

Want to learn about your own attributes? Take this Assessment - https://learn.theattributes.com/mastering-uncertainty

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.