Has it been so long? Abraham discusses his favorite discussion topic: Board games! Also ,there's been new research since that that further supports that board games are beneficial for cognitive and brain health. Prepare for fun, fun, fun, FUN. 

Recommendations

• Abraham: Fantastic Four: First Steps (https://movies.disney.com/the-fantastic-four-first-steps) 
• Shane: Happy Gilmore 2 (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31868189/)

Holidays (8/6/2025):

• Balloons to Heaven Day
• Corporate Baby Name Day
• Farmworker Appreciation Day
• Hiroshima Day
• National Fresh Breath Day
• National Gossip Day
• National Psychiatric Technician Appreciation Day
• National Root Beer Float Day
• Wiggle Your Toes Day
• Exercise with your Child Week
• Gallop International Tribal Indian Powwow
• International Assistance Dog Week
• International Clown Week
• International Lace Week
• Weird Contest Week
• National Dog Month
• National Hair Loss Awareness Month
• National Brownies at Brunch Month
• Black Business Month
• National Immunization Awareness Month

Links and References: 

1. https://bransonboardgamecafe.com/the-science-of-why-we-love-board-games/
2. https://medium.com/@cook.benjamin/the-psychology-of-board-games-why-we-love-to-play-a2ca695069e1
3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0969698921000722
4. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-full-picture/202412/word-puzzles-and-board-games-boost-brain-health 

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Do you ever feel an nearly uncontrollable urge to move your legs? If you do, you probably still don't have RLS, but it may be worth getting tested for a diagnosis. Please don't self-diagnose just because we talked about it. Restless Leg Syndome is mostly what it sounds like: A powerful urge to move your legs or get up and move around. Rather than just sitting for too long, this usually has a specific etiology and some specific treatments and tends to affect people's sleep. We'll explain the psychology involved here as well.

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Links and References: 

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/restless-legs-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20377168
2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9497-restless-legs-syndrome
3. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/restless-legs-syndrome
4. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/restless-legs-syndrome/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20377174
5. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/restless-legs-syndrome-rls

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SEX! Now that we have your attention, this episode reviews some of the paraphilias that exist. More importantly, we try to understand with a compassionate and critical lens. Some paraphilias are simply different than what might be considered "normal" sexual behavior, but in which no one is hurt, or exploited, and everything is consensual. However, there are paraphilias that include lack of consent, expoitation, or harm. There is no black and white way to classify this, so we need nuance and critical thinking. 

Recommendations

• Abraham: Jurassic World: Rebirth (https://www.jurassicworld.com/)
• Shane: BK Adventure Tours (https://www.bkadventure.com/)

Holidays (7/30/2025):

• Father In Law Day
• Health Care Now! Medicare’s Birthday
• International Day of Friendship
• National Cheesecake Day
• National Chicken and Waffles Day
• National Support Public Education Day
• National Whistleblowers Appreciation Day
• Paperback Book Day
• Share a Hug Day
• World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
• World Snorkeling Day
• Hepatitis Awareness Week
• International Listening Association Week

Links and References

•  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554425/2.
• https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/conditions/paraphilias3.
• https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/psychiatric-disorders/paraphilias-and-paraphilic-disorders/overview-of-paraphilias-and-paraphilic-disorders4
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S10564993183055225
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S00472352220010156
• https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/291419-overview7
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26941021/8
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S17436095153353239.
• https://www.nature.com/articles/s41443-024-00835-410
• https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Prevalence-of-Experience-at-Least-Once-in-Lifetime-With-Paraphilic-Behaviors-Among_tbl1_28936825411.
• https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1079063223119931812
• https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/psychiatric-disorders/paraphilias-and-paraphilic-disorders/overview-of-paraphilias-and-paraphilic-disorders13.
• https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/introduction-to-sexual-disorders

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You would think we would want a full length for this topic. Maybe we still will do one! But for now, we figured we can at least help clear up some misunderstandings or lack of understanding that some may have. 

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Links and References: 

1. What is Learning?
2. Donahoe, J. W., & Palmer, D. C. (2004). Learning and Complex Behavior. Ledgetop Publishing: Richmond, MA.
3. Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and Human Behavior. The Free Press: New York, NY.
4. Kantor, J. R., & Smith, N. W. (1975). The Science of Psychology: An Interbehavioral Survey. Principia Press: Chicago, IL.

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This second part completes the story of the tragedy of the murders at Jonestown. In addition, we expand on this conversation by unpacking the mentality of the participants, and dig a little bit into how charismatic leaders can develop a following that seems baffling from the outside. It is an analysis on where we were as a country, and as a species, as well as where we are now and where we are going. 

Recommendations:

• Abraham: Superman (2025); https://www.superman.com/
• Shane: Jimmy Eat World Live (https://www.jimmyeatworld.com/)

Holidays (7/23/2025):

• Gorgeous Grandma Day
• Hot Enough For ya Day
• Mosquito Day
• National Vanilla Ice Cream Day
• Peanut Butter and Chocolate Day
• Sprinkle Day
• World Sjorgren’s Day
• Yada, Yada, Yada Day
• Hemingway Look Alike Days
• National Independent Retailers Day
• National Moth Week
• National Parenting Gifted Children Week
• National Triathlon Week
• National Zoo Keeper Week
• Restless Leg Syndrome Education and Awareness Week

Links and References: 

1. https://adst.org/2012/11/the-jonestown-massacre/
2. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/november-18/mass-suicide-at-jonestown
3. https://www.annemergmed.com/article/S0196-0644(11)01340-0/fulltext
4. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/17/an-apocalyptic-cult-900-dead-remembering-the-jonestown-massacre-40-years-on
5. https://www.britannica.com/event/Jonestown
6. https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/yorklr2&div=6&id=&page=
7. https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bjso.12772
8. https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/jonestown.htm?s1sid=a48k3z9p1i7wvnlvcw1lrfbq&srch_tag=ben5nf7at4ksnp6j5hq3de3buxzfctat 

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We all hate it. Yet, some of us do it. We talk about why people do it, how recipients perceive it, and how passenger commentary/critique/analysis affects driving behavior and safety.

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Links and References: 

1. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/201005/field-guide-the-backseat-driver-pedal-the-meddle
2. https://www.foxnews.com/auto/20-reasons-why-you-may-be-a-backseat-driver
3. https://www.margietherapy.com/backseat-driver-plagued-one/#:~:text=Your%20brain%2C%20if%20it%20works,would%20a%20driver%20perceive%20criticism?
4. https://observer.case.edu/faccenda-put-the-brakes-on-backseat-driving/ 
5. https://www.kars4kids.org/hub/backseat-drivers-the-dangerous-karens-who-risk-our-lives/ 

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One of the largest mass murders of American citizens in history took place in 1978 in Guyana at the hands of cult leader, Jim Jones. This discussion delves into the circumstances that gave rise to Jones' power and influence of hundreds of people that lead to a tragic mass death of hundreds of people young and old. This first episode chronicles Jones' life as he rose to prominence and eventually moved his congregation to South America. The next episode will unravel the tragedy that took place in 1978, as well as an discussion about how this cult was so influential, whether this could happen again, and what we can do about it. 

Recommendations

• Abraham: Saosin by Saosin (https://open.spotify.com/album/2osTPStH5H7i4fMHS7eauR) 
• Shane: The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57693406-the-kaiju-preservation-society)

Holidays (7/16/2025):

• Guinea Pig Appreciation Day
• Hot Dog Night
• National Corn Fritters Day
• National Fresh Spinach Day
• National Personal Chef’s Day
• Take Your Poet to Work Day
• World Snake Day
• Captive Nations Week
• Coral Reef Awareness Week
• Every Body Deserves a Massage Week
• National Baby Food Week
• National Ventriloquism Week
• Operation Safe Driver Week
• Rabbit Week
• Sports Cliche Week

Links and References: 

1. https://adst.org/2012/11/the-jonestown-massacre/
2. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/november-18/mass-suicide-at-jonestown
3. https://www.annemergmed.com/article/S0196-0644(11)01340-0/fulltext
4. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/17/an-apocalyptic-cult-900-dead-remembering-the-jonestown-massacre-40-years-on
5. https://www.britannica.com/event/Jonestown
6. https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/yorklr2&div=6&id=&page=
7. https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bjso.12772
8. https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/jonestown.htm?s1sid=a48k3z9p1i7wvnlvcw1lrfbq&srch_tag=ben5nf7at4ksnp6j5hq3de3buxzfctat 

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Do you bite your fingernails or know someone who does? Why do we do this weird, self-destructive thing? What can we do to stop it? We quickly explore the conditions under which we bite our fingernails and some strategies for reducing the frequency of this habit. Tell us your experiences with nail biting ([email protected]; ‪@wwdwwdpodcast.bsky.social‬)

Join our supporter's club: patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

Links: 

1. https://www.news-medical.net/health/The-Psychology-Behind-Nail-Biting.aspx
2. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/nail-biting-when-does-it-go-too-far
3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3004689/

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Tipping is another oddly American tradition that we all pretty universally hate. Perhaps you did not know that the modern conception of tipping arose during reconstruction as a means to not have to pay black people for their labor. We explore the origins of this strange, uniquely American tradition, why it persists, and what is probably going to make this problem much, much worse. 

Recommendations

• Abraham: Unconscious Mind (https://luckyduckgames.com/usa/?srsltid=AfmBOor3zWBbHAlhJyg2tsekDN2j6PpVGbsEfOw5nXwKAJYmT7PnPmJV)
• Shane: Hotline TNT - Raspberry Moon (https://open.spotify.com/album/3MVdeSmUl32TTzLy6dFFtZ?si=tD1AgdpJRkSxi6kRIekR6Q)

Holidays (7/9/2025):

• Call of the Horizon
• Fashion Day
• Martyrdom of the Bab
• National Don’t Put All your Eggs in One Omelet Day
• National No Bra Day
• National Sugar Cookie Day
• Durian Fruit Day
• National Dimples Day
• Argentina’s Independence Day
• Wimbledon
• Rabbit Week
• Air Conditioning Appreciation Days
• Be Nice to New Jersey Week
• Dog Days of Summer
• Freedom Week
• National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee Week
• National Farriers Week
• Shark Week

Links and References: 

1. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/33170/33170-h/33170-h.htm
2. https://www.7shifts.com/blog/history-of-tipping-restaurants/
3. https://www.povertylaw.org/article/the-racist-history-behind-americas-tipping-culture/
4. https://www.foodwoolf.com/2010/08/history-of-tipping.html
5. https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230606-how-to-tip-around-the-world
6. https://www.westernunion.com/blog/en/global-tipping-guide/?cust_src=organic_search
7. https://time.com/5404475/history-tipping-american-restaurants-civil-war/ 
8. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/tip-sheet/ 
9. https://www.paycor.com/resource-center/articles/minimum-wage-tipped-employees-by-state/
10. https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/wages/minimumwage 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Some people use this term incorretly, some don't know it at all. To help get everyone on the same page, we are going to review the history of research that first described this phenomenon. Then, we will give examples of what this might look like in real-life scenarios. 

Get ad-free and bonus content: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

Links and References: 

1. Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2020). Applied Behavior Analysis, 3rd Ed. Pearson.
2. Seligman, M. E., & Maier, S. F. (1967). Failure to escape traumatic shock. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 74(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0024514
3. Maier, S.F., Seligman, M.E.P., & Solomon, R.L. (1969). Pavlovian fear conditioning and learned helplessness: Effects on escape and avoidance behavior of (a) the CS-US contingency, and (b) the independence of the US and voluntary responding. In: Campbell BA, Church RM, editors. Punishment. New York, NY: Appleton-Century-Crofts; pp. 299–342

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.