Psychology Takeaway Podcast

Sleep - It's essential

Why sleep is important   In this remote podcast Jim and Ralph discuss:  Importance of sleep  What are the signs of excessive sleepiness?  Amount of sleep needed  What causes sleep problems?  How…

LET THEM Part Two

No, the world will not melt into chaos if we embrace the LET THEM theory!!! Here is what Jim and Ralph think.

LET THEM Part One

Jim and Ralph have moved from the hospital, where they were last week, to Ralph’s living room where he continues to mend. The boys have been reading Mel Robbins book Let Them. In their discussion…

Happiness Index of Countries

Jim and Ralph are back together podcasting after Ralph’s accident. They analyze the latest published Happiness Index and learn (no surprise here) that Social Media is negatively correlated with…

The Healing Power of the Natural World

Jim is joined by his wife Sheila Carroll to look at how the natural world helps us to notice, focus, and heal. We look at the lives of famous people (and some not so famous – like Ralph) and see the…

Be Less Thin-Skinned

ENCORE PRESENTATION!!! We are on break this week.

Why Do People Persist in Weird Beliefs

Consider these recent news breakers: Y2K and the end of the world as we know it. UFO’s , we are not alone. Vaccines cause Autism. While there is no objective evidence for these concerns, they have…

Is dating dead in 21st-century America?

Is dating dead in 21st-century America? With guest Alex Graziano It can certainly feel that way. Swiping has replaced chance encounters, “situationships” have replaced steady courtship, and apps like…

CURIOSITY – an essential life skill

In 1665, Isaac Newton was sent home from school because of the plague. For most people, that would’ve been a time of survival, of just getting through. But Newton? He started wondering about why…

The Psychology of Play and Laughter

In an era marked by chronic workload pressure, social fragmentation, and rising rates of burnout, play and laughter are not optional extras. They are essential processes that support psychological…

CRISPR and TIGR and Bears Oh My!

There is a new Tiger out there   Jim and Ralph revisit CRISPR to see if it has become the tool that will eliminate illness forever. They answer that question and point to new developments using…

New Years Resolutions Continued with Guest Andrea Assaf

Jim and Ralph are joined by international jet-setter Andrea Assaf. They continue to look at the downside of making New Years Resolutions while Andrea comes up with her own brilliant solution. They…

2026 Anxiety Part Two

2026 Anxiety Part One

Jim and Ralph take the emotional pulse of the campus outward and find a high level of negative affect. People express personal and global concerns freely. We talk about Jim’s new book, OVERCOMING…

Annual New Year’s Resolution Show

Yes, by now you have made and broken your resolutions. It happens every year! If you want a reset Ralph and Jim suggest the SMART approach. The guys look at the psychology of some numbers – not 67…

Beating the Christmas Blues

After the decorations come down and the gatherings end, many people experience a surprising emotional drop. In this episode, Jim and Ralph explain why post-Christmas sadness is so common—and how to…

Psychology of Christmas

Why does Christmas feel so emotionally powerful—for better and worse? In this episode, Jim and Ralph explore the psychology behind Christmas: why it amplifies joy, stress, nostalgia, generosity, and…

Human-ish The Anthropomorphize Episode

Why do we name ours and that our pets think lofty thoughts? In this episode, Jim and Ralph look at this strange behavior. Don't forget to give that certain one on your gift list a copy of Overcoming…

Final Exams!

Ralph and Jim talk about preparing for final exams.

The Thanksgiving Show: : Gratitude Without the Sugarcoat

Jim and Ralph break down the real psychology of gratitude and how to practice it without slipping into toxic positivity. As Thanksgiving approaches, the hosts explore why genuine thankfulness boosts…