138 episodes

This is a podcast about deciphering human behavior and understanding why people do the things they do. I, Zach Elwood, talk with people from a wide range of fields about how they make sense of human behavior and psychology. I've talked to jury consultants, interrogation professionals, behavior researchers, sports analysts, professional poker players, to name a few. There are more than 135 episodes, many of them excellent (although I may be biased). To learn more, go to PeopleWhoReadPeople.com. Reviews: "Consistent interesting and smart and humane and insightful."  - Scott Stossel, National Editor of The Atlantic"Intriguing topics weaved into a tapestry of insight into the human condition."  - from an Apple Podcasts review"Probably the best podcast I've come across... Very intelligent."  - from an Apple Podcasts review

People Who Read People: A Behavior and Psychology Podcast Zachary Elwood

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.7 • 20 Ratings

This is a podcast about deciphering human behavior and understanding why people do the things they do. I, Zach Elwood, talk with people from a wide range of fields about how they make sense of human behavior and psychology. I've talked to jury consultants, interrogation professionals, behavior researchers, sports analysts, professional poker players, to name a few. There are more than 135 episodes, many of them excellent (although I may be biased). To learn more, go to PeopleWhoReadPeople.com. Reviews: "Consistent interesting and smart and humane and insightful."  - Scott Stossel, National Editor of The Atlantic"Intriguing topics weaved into a tapestry of insight into the human condition."  - from an Apple Podcasts review"Probably the best podcast I've come across... Very intelligent."  - from an Apple Podcasts review

    How a bus driver predicts the behavior of drivers and passengers, with Brendan Bartholomew

    How a bus driver predicts the behavior of drivers and passengers, with Brendan Bartholomew

    A talk with Brendan Bartholomew, who's a professional bus driver in San Francisco. We talk about the role understanding and predicting human behavior can play when driving a city bus. Topics discussed include: the importance of thinking ahead about potential pedestrian/traffic dangers; how bus drivers know who’s waiting for a bus and who’s not; thoughts on handling unruly and/or mentally ill passengers; how modern rideshare and scooter traffic have changed things for bus drivers. 

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    Discover The Power of Sound!Keeping a consistent sound in how you present your company really is the "hidden gem"...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify
    Support the Show.
    To get ad-free episodes, and more, get a premium subscription. To learn more about the show, go to behavior-podcast.com. I'm on Twitter at @apokerplayer. See a summary of my work.

    • 39 min
    To reduce polarization, is it optimal to work on systemic change or cultural change?, with David Foster

    To reduce polarization, is it optimal to work on systemic change or cultural change?, with David Foster

    A talk with David Foster, who writes about polarization and media at knowthesystem.org and is the author of "Moderates of the World Unite!: Reworking the Political Media Complex." Topics discussed include: the optimal approach for reducing toxic political polarization (cultural change vs systemic changes); defining the word 'moderate' and examining some of the negative connotations it has; the difficulty of making changes in a polarized, high-animosity environment; why some conservatives dislike the idea of making systemic changes; the ideas in David's book for improving the media environment and political discourse.
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    Discover The Power of Sound!Keeping a consistent sound in how you present your company really is the "hidden gem"...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify
    Support the Show.
    To get ad-free episodes, and more, get a premium subscription. To learn more about the show, go to behavior-podcast.com. I'm on Twitter at @apokerplayer. See a summary of my work.

    • 51 min
    Do simplistic ideas of power (e.g., oppressed/oppressor framings) reduce empathy? with Elizaveta Friesem

    Do simplistic ideas of power (e.g., oppressed/oppressor framings) reduce empathy? with Elizaveta Friesem

    Elizaveta Friesem writes about media and about social power (i.e., the power people exert over other people).  I first interviewed her about media and polarization in 2021 about her book "Media Is Us." Topics we discuss here include: Michel Foucault’s ideas about power (often referenced in liberal academic world); the oppressed/oppressor framework (also often referenced); how simplistic views of social power can be divisive and result in a reduction in people's empathy; how the free will debate ties into these ideas; political polarization related to some of these ideas. 
    Discover The Power of Sound!Keeping a consistent sound in how you present your company really is the "hidden gem"...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify
    Support the Show.
    To get ad-free episodes, and more, get a premium subscription. To learn more about the show, go to behavior-podcast.com. I'm on Twitter at @apokerplayer. See a summary of my work.

    • 1 hr 4 min
    What's life like when you don't believe in free will?, with physicist Daniel Whiteson

    What's life like when you don't believe in free will?, with physicist Daniel Whiteson

    A talk with Daniel Whiteson, a professor of physics and astronomy, about free will, with a focus on what the effects in one's life are when one doesn't believe in free will. Topics discussed: Our thoughts on why we think free will is unlikely to exist; psychological and emotional aspects of living without a belief in free will; the anxiety and even anger that some people can have about the idea that we lack free will; the idea that a lack of belief in free will can be part of a spiritual, positive way of experiencing the world; and more. 
    Discover The Power of Sound!Keeping a consistent sound in how you present your company really is the "hidden gem"...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify
    Support the Show.
    To get ad-free episodes, and more, get a premium subscription. To learn more about the show, go to behavior-podcast.com. I'm on Twitter at @apokerplayer. See a summary of my work.

    • 56 min
    News media tends to deepen our divides. Does Isaac Saul have a solution?

    News media tends to deepen our divides. Does Isaac Saul have a solution?

    A talk with journalist Isaac Saul, founder of Tangle News (readtangle.com), which shares takes from across the political spectrum. I think Tangle is doing amazing work. I think the more Americans there are who read Tangle, the less toxically polarized we'll be. Topics we discuss include: aspects of Tangle News that make it depolarizing and anger-reducing; how Isaac conceives of the problem of political polarization; his work debunking "the election was stolen" narratives in 2020, and more.
    Discover The Power of Sound!Keeping a consistent sound in how you present your company really is the "hidden gem"...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify
    Support the Show.
    To get ad-free episodes, and more, get a premium subscription. To learn more about the show, go to behavior-podcast.com. I'm on Twitter at @apokerplayer. See a summary of my work.

    • 30 min
    The allure of deciphering behavior, with Rounders screenwriter Brian Koppelman

    The allure of deciphering behavior, with Rounders screenwriter Brian Koppelman

    A talk with screenwriter/producer Brian Koppelman, known for many TV and film projects, including the poker movie Rounders, the show Billions, and the series Super Pumped: The Battle For Uber. Topics discussed: how he decided to create Rounders; poker tells in Rounders; the excitement of reading people and their behaviors; the difficulty of reading behaviors in most real-world situations; and the anxiety-reducing benefits of transcendental meditation. 
    Discover The Power of Sound!Keeping a consistent sound in how you present your company really is the "hidden gem"...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify
    Support the Show.
    To get ad-free episodes, and more, get a premium subscription. To learn more about the show, go to behavior-podcast.com. I'm on Twitter at @apokerplayer. See a summary of my work.

    • 51 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
20 Ratings

20 Ratings

AlexanderATFA ,

Fabulous

Probably the best podcast I’ve come across so far. Very intelligent style of interviewer who seems to support his guests getting into flow state consistently. Thank you Zachary!

TrueD30 ,

Great stuff

Some excellent podcasts. Highly intelligent and thoughtful.

Saul Albert ,

Great podcast

Thoughtful, well researched, excellent presentation and guests. No nonsense - really enjoy this one. Would love to see an interview on ethnomethodology/conversation analysis.

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