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14 Sept

A Neuroscientist’s Guide to Changing Your Brain with Dr. Richard Davidson

Your brain is changing all the time, whether you realize it or not. Everything from your hobbies and chores to the media you consume can physically shape it. So how can you make sure it’s changing in ways that actually serve you? Laurie speaks with neuroscientist Dr. Richard Davidson, whose decades of work with the Dalai Lama helped pioneer the scientific study of meditation. Drawing on research with Buddhist monks, stressed-out school teachers, and others, Richie explains why psychological flourishing is a skill we can train, and how simple practices involving awareness, connection, insight, and purpose can help us become more resilient, focused, and fulfilled. His new book, Born to Flourish, is out now. Experts Mentioned: Richard Davidson, Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry and Founder and Director of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin–Madison Cortland Dahl, Contemplative Scientist at the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin–Madison 14th Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism Matthieu Ricard, Buddhist monk François Jacob, Nobel Prize-winning biologist Resources Mentioned: Born to Flourish: How New Science and Ancient Wisdom Reveal a Simple Path to Thriving, by Richard Davidson and Cortland Dahl (2026) “Neurogenesis in the adult brain: death of a dogma,” by Charles Gordon Gross (Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 2000) “The book of neurogenesis,” by Matthew Sloan (Harvard Health Publishing, 2021) “In pursuit of resilience: stress, epigenetics, and brain plasticity,” by Bruce McEwen (Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2016) “The plasticity of well-being: A training-based framework for the cultivation of human flourishing,” by Cortland Dahl, Christine Wilson-Mendenhall, and Richard Davidson (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2020) “Navigation-related structural change in the hippocampi of taxi drivers,” by Eleanor Maguire, David Gadian, Ingrid Johnsrude, Catriona Good, John Ashburner, Richard Frackowiak, and Christopher Frith (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2000) “Training induces changes in white-matter architecture,” by Jan Scholz, Miriam Klein, Timothy Behrens, and Heidi Johansen-Berg (Nature Neuroscience, 2009) “Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice,” by Antoine Lutz, Lawrence Greischar, Nancy B. Rawlings, Matthieu Ricard, Richard Davidson (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2004) “A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Smartphone-Based Well-Being Training in Public School System Employees During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” by Matthew Hirshberg, Corrina Frye, Cortland Dahl, Kevin Riordan, Nathan Vack, Jane Sachs, Robin Goldman, Richard Davidson, and Simon B Goldberg (Journal of Educational Psychology, 2022) “Altered anterior insula activation during anticipation and experience of painful stimuli in expert meditators,” by Antoine Lutz, Daniel McFarlin, David Perlman, Tim Salomons, and Richard Davidson (Neuroimage, 2013) Healthy Minds Program (meditation app) “Integrating mindfulness and connection practices into preservice teacher education results in durable automatic race bias reductions,” by Matthew Hirshberg, Lisa Flook, Evan Moss, Robert Enright, and Richard Davidson (Journal of School Psychology, 2022) “Sitting and Active Meditation Practice: Utilization and Associations with Outcomes in Naturalistic and Clinical Trial Data,” by Simon B Goldberg, Zishan Jiwani, Cortland J Dahl, Raquel Tatar, John D Dunne, Richard J Davidson, Matthew J Hirshberg (Mindfulness, 2026) Related Episodes: “How to Find Your Purpose” “The Power of Awe… and Where to Find It” “Happiness Lessons of The Ancients: Socrates and Self-Knowledge” “How to Adopt a Growth Mindset” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2 Oct

The Mummy's Curse (Halloween Classic)

This October, Cautionary Tales is going all out for Halloween. We've got four brand new spooky episodes coming your way throughout the month, plus a fifth over on the Cautionary Club on Patreon. If you have your own Halloween-themed Cautionary Tale or have any questions about belief and the paranormal we'd love to hear from you - contact tales@pushkin.fm To begin the month, we're revisiting one of our favourite episodes, about the grizzly fates of the archaeologists who disturbed the resting place of Tutankhamun. For a list of sources, see the show notes at timharford.com To join the Cautionary Club head to Patreon.com/cautionaryclub See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
25 Sept · Bonus

Small Steps to Happiness: The Science of Mindful Living with Laurie Santos | From The One You Feed

Today we're sharing author Eric Zimmer’s interview with Dr. Laurie on The One You Feed podcast. In this episode, Dr. Laurie Santos discusses the importance of taking small steps to happiness and the science of mindful living. She reminds us that happiness is not a destination, but a practice. By understanding the science behind well-being and implementing small, consistent changes, we can learn how to apply these insights to our own lives to find greater joy and fulfillment. Key Takeaways: Embrace the power of small, consistent actions in shaping our happiness Understand how our environment and social connections influence our behavior Learn the common misconceptions about what truly makes us happy Discover strategies for overcoming loneliness and building meaningful connections If you like what you hear, find The One You Feed wherever you get podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
5 Oct

Finding the Magic in Everyday Life with Thoreau and Eric Weiner

As we move through our busy lives, it’s easy to stop noticing the tiny, beautiful things all around us. But rediscovering the sense of wonder we had as children might not only bring us more joy — it could also help us better navigate life’s hardest moments. Dr. Laurie explores that idea with traveling philosopher and former NPR correspondent Eric Weiner, author of The Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers. Eric shares what he’s learned from walking in the footsteps of Henry David Thoreau, including how the 19th-century philosopher can help us live better in the modern day and see beauty in the things we usually overlook. Experts Mentioned: Eric Weiner, journalist, author, and philosophical traveler Henry David Thoreau, 19th-century American philosopher, poet, environmental scientist, and political activist Socrates, ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus, ancient Greek philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, 19th-century German philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19th-century essayist, poet, and philosopher Confucius, ancient Chinese philosopher Nathaniel Hawthorne, 19th-century American novelist and short-story writer Leslie Perrin Wilson, author and former curator of the Special Collections at the Concord Free Public Library Henry Miller, American novelist, short-story writer, and essayist Resources Mentioned: The Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers, by Eric Weiner (2020) Walden, by Henry David Thoreau (1854) “Walking,” by Henry David Thoreau (1862) Bhagavad Gita (second or first century BCE) The Journal of Henry David Thoreau “The playful mediator, moderator, or outcome? An integrative review of the roles of play and playfulness in adult-centered psychological interventions for mental health,” by Xiangyou Shen and Leland Masek (The Journal of Positive Psychology, 2024) Related Episodes: “Happiness Lessons of The Ancients: Confucius” “The Science of Attention and Distraction” “The Power of Awe… and Where to Find it” “Sight and Sound: How to Joyfully Awaken Your Senses” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6 Oct

Why We Crave Closeness — and Run From It

Neuroscientist Amir Levine studies attachment styles – how comfortable we feel with emotional intimacy and how sensitive we are to disruptions in our relationships. For decades, scientists have believed that this wiring is fixed and largely determined by our early childhood experiences. But research by Amir and others in the field has upended this view. This week Amir shares with Maya how we can learn to shift our attachment orientation no matter our starting point and bring out our most secure selves. Check out Amir’s latest book, “Secure: The Revolutionary Guide to Creating a Secure Life,” and take this quiz on attachment styles to learn more about your own. Also, A Slight Change of Plans wants to hear from you! What helps you navigate moments of uncertainty? Maybe it was advice someone gave you, a mantra you now repeat, or something surprising you discovered in your own moment of transition. Share your reflections with us in a voice memo and tell us why those lessons have stayed with you. You can email your voice memo to slightchange@pushkin.fm or leave us a voicemail at (646)397-8557. You may be featured in an upcoming episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6 Oct · Bonus

The American Way of Killing: The Invention of an Epidemic | Malcolm Gladwell's New Audiobook

The United States has far more homicides than any of its peers around the world. Why? In his new audiobook book, The American Way of Killing: The Invention of an Epidemic, Malcolm Gladwell explores the American “peculiarity” — how the world’s wealthiest country came to suffer from a problem typically only seen in the world’s poorest countries. Drawing on original interviews, archival and social science research, and his trademark insight, Gladwell approaches the American paradox through a series of stories. What can we learn from the miracle of a young gunshot victim in Washington, D.C.? How have the legal troubles of a seventeenth-century English knight influenced American attempts at gun control? Why would a European police chief be baffled by the graduation ceremony at any American police academy? In a sweeping narrative, Gladwell travels from a shooting range in North Carolina, to the South Side of Chicago, to an old plantation house in Alabama, painting a picture of a country that does not understand its most pressing social problem, and as result, does not understand how to fix it. Here's a preview. Get the full audiobook at pushkin.fm/audiobooks or wherever you get audiobooks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 1, Episode 1

Episode 1: Porn Meets the Internet

Stoya is a porn star who saw first-hand how a firehose of free porn online transformed the adult industry. She sends hosts Alex Barker and Patricia Nilsson a quest: Find out who is in charge, and get to the bottom of how the business of porn really works. If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts be sure to sign up for our email list at Pushkin.fm. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 3, Episode 2

Episode 2: The Friendship Society

As Sam arrives in Vienna, a political bomb explodes. A secretly recorded video exposes ties between the far right and Russia, plunging the Austrian government into crisis and revealing a world where people like Jan Marsalek can thrive. Get ad-free access to the entire season of Hot Money: Agent of Chaos by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm. Access ad-free episodes, exclusive binges, full audiobooks, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows with Pushkin+. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9 Oct

When Aliens Landed in Wiltshire | Halloween Season

In 1980s Southern England, intricate crop circles are appearing overnight, and people are desperate for an explanation. Could humans really create something so complex without anyone spotting them? The truth is out there! Actually, the truth is right here. The problem is getting people to believe it. For a list of sources, see the show notes at timharford.com Cautionary Tales is celebrating Halloween with a full month of paranormal themed episodes! If you have a spooky story or a skeptical question, get in touch at tales@pushkin.fm. If you want access to an extra Halloween episode - about the strange world of radio telepathy - alongside plenty of other benefits, check out the Cautionary Club on Patreon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
20 Jul

Men Don’t Just Need Friends. They Need Bromance.

Men today are spending less time with friends, and many have no close friendships at all. Research shows that this lack of social connection can lead to serious long-term consequences for men's mental and physical health. The answer isn’t just more social interaction. Guys need something deeper: bromance. Dr. Laurie speaks with actor, director, and author Andrew McCarthy about his book, Who Needs Friends: An Unscientific Examination of Male Friendship Across America, and what he learned after reconnecting with the men who shaped his life. She also talks with Harvard behavioral scientist Todd Rogers about why sports fandom can be a surprisingly powerful way for men to build deeper relationships. Experts Mentioned: Andrew McCarthy, actor, director, and author Todd Rogers, Professor of Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience and Director of the Social Connection & Health Lab at Brigham Young University Michael Norton, Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School Sara Algoe, Professor of Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Resources Mentioned: Who Needs Friends: An Unscientific Examination of Male Friendship Across America, by Andrew McCarthy (2026) The Fandom and Social Connection Initiative Harvard Study of Adult Development The Ritual Effect: The Transformative Power of Our Everyday Actions, by Michael Norton (2024) “Positive Interpersonal Processes,” by Sara Algoe (Current Directions in Psychological Science, 2019) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Happiness Lab is serving up scientifically-backed takes this summer that are so hot, even your SPF 50 won’t protect you. With the help of behavioral scientists, historians, and cultural critics, Yale psychologist Dr. Laurie Santos challenges some of our biggest assumptions about what it takes to live a good life. Dr. Laurie explores topics like why we should forget about TMI and lean into oversharing, how dumping small talk makes for better conversations, why the kids these days are actually doing just fine, and how men can establish strong bromances. Each episode unpacks a bold, counterintuitive claim — using research, data, and expert insight to question the conventional wisdom around happiness and wellbeing.

5.0 (1)

Society & Culture
We tell our children unsettling fairy tales to teach them valuable lessons, but these Cautionary Tales are for the education of the grown ups – and they are all true. Tim Harford (Financial Times, BBC, author of “The Data Detective”) brings you stories of awful human error, tragic catastrophes, and hilarious fiascos. They'll delight you, scare you, but also make you wiser. New episodes every Friday.

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History
McCartney: A Life in Lyrics offers listeners the opportunity to sit in on conversations between Paul McCartney and poet Paul Muldoon dissecting the people, experiences, and art that inspired McCartney’s songwriting. These conversations were held during the past several years as the two collaborated on the award winning book, “The Lyrics: 1965 to Present.” Over two seasons and 24 episodes of “McCartney: A Life in Lyrics”, you’ll hear a combination master class, memoir, and improvised journey with one of the most beloved figures in popular music. Each episode focuses on one song from McCartney’s iconic catalog – spanning early Beatles through his solo work. Season 2 premieres on February 7th. “McCartney: A Life in Lyrics” is a co-production between iHeart Media, MPL and Pushkin Industries. Cover Portrait © 1967 Paul McCartney / Photographer: Linda McCartney

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Arts
Longtime Car and Driver editor Eddie Alterman thinks all cars are great, even the awful ones. But some cars, he says, transcend their "car-ness” and have a story to tell. On Car Show!, Alterman tells those stories. Stories of the vital cars — the ones that have changed how we drive and live, whose significance lies outside the scope of horsepower or miles per gallon. Because some cars are more than just a pile of metal, glass, and rubber. Some cars are rolling anthropology. Launches May 18, with new episodes on Wednesdays. To hear the show ads free, as well as exclusive bonus content, subscribe to Pushkin+ in Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus. iHeartMedia is the exclusive podcast partner of Pushkin Industries. If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts be sure to sign up for our email list at Pushkin.fm.

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Automotive
With Pushkin+ audiobooks, you'll get access to a new Pushkin+ audiobook every other month—six free audiobooks a year! From September 1 to October 31 get Douglas Adams: The Ends of the Earth by Arvind Ethan David. Pushkin+ subscribers also get access to ad-free listening, exclusive bonus episodes of podcasts like Cautionary Tales, full binges to our top shows like Revisionist History and Death of an Artist, and more. Sign up now on the Douglas Adams: The Ends of the Earth show page or at pushkin.com/plus. Douglas Adams, the legendary author of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency is one of the most beloved authors of all time. Twenty-five years after his death, his books continue to be read by new generations and his creations along with his ultimate answer to life, the universe, and everything being “42”, have seeped deep into public consciousness. Adams was also someone who thought deeply about the biggest problems in the world, from the internet, to artificial intelligence, to space exploration, politics, and conservation—he was a sharp critic and a profoundly disruptive thinker of the way we do things. When Adams passed away in 2001, he left behind a treasure trove of recordings from his personal archive—many of which have never been heard before. Now, thanks to the Adams Estate, for the first time, these rare materials are available to his fans and are featured in Douglas Adams: The Ends of the Earth. Along with interviews with some of his personal friends, collaborators, and admirers, including actors and comedians like Stephen Fry, David Baddiel, Griff Rhys Jones, Sanjeev Bhaskar, and zoologists Lucy Cooke and Mark Carwardine, this archival material combined with readings and reenactments of his work come together to form an immersive journey through the mind of one of the most beloved and visionary writers of our time. This celebration of Adams’s work reveals a side of his genius that has never been heard before. The result is a truly one-of-a-kind audiobook that offers fans a deeper connection to Douglas Adams while showcasing his timeless genius.Written and narrated by Arvind Ethan David, Adams’s former protégé and chart-topping Audible author, this is a must-listen for fans old and new and is a celebration of a mind that continues to inspire and challenge us all.

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Books
What happens when life doesn’t go according to plan? In this award-winning podcast, cognitive scientist Dr. Maya Shankar explores how we experience change and strategies we can use to better navigate moments of upheaval. Maya’s life took a dramatic turn when an injury ended her career as a violinist and inspired her to study the science of change. Named Apple Podcasts’ Best Show of the Year, A Slight Change of Plans features deeply personal stories and scientific insights about who we are and who we become in the face of a big change. Past guests include Kacey Musgraves, Brené Brown, Ruby Bridges, Amanda Knox, Adam Grant, Angela Duckworth and more. Whether it’s a sudden pivot or a slow transformation, each episode reveals how change can give us an opportunity to reimagine who we are and unlock greater possibility. You can follow Maya on instagram @DrMayaShankar and read her free newsletter at changewithmaya.com. Get early, ad-free access to episodes of A Slight Change of Plans by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm. Pushkin+ subscribers can access ad-free episodes, full audiobooks exclusive binges, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plus

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Society & Culture

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There’s a world class thinker behind every show with Pushkin Industries, an award-winning audio network producing work that challenges listeners, encourages their curiosity and inspires joy. In other words: Good, Smart, Fun. Our podcasts range across many genres, including history, true crime, and music, and include founder Malcolm Gladwell’s hugely successful Revisionist History, Jonathan Goldstein's Heavyweight, Against the Rules from Michael Lewis, The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos, Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford, Broken Record, Deep Cover, Paul McCartney’s A Life in Lyrics, and Apple’s 2021 Show of the Year, A Slight Change of Plans with Dr. Maya Shankar. Pushkin also produces audiobooks, including Steve Martin’s So Many Steves, Inside Voice by Lake Bell, the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Netanyahus by Joshua Cohen, Liar’s Poker by Michael Lewis, Heartbreak by Florence Williams, and Malcolm Gladwell’s Miracle and Wonder: Conversations with Paul Simon, The Bomber Mafia, and Talking to Strangers. Pushkin+ subscribers receive full series binges, bonus episodes, audiobooks, ad-free listening, and more. For more information visit pushkin.fm or follow us on social @pushkinpods.

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A Neuroscientist’s Guide to Changing Your Brain with Dr. Richard Davidson

The Mummy's Curse (Halloween Classic)

Small Steps to Happiness: The Science of Mindful Living with Laurie Santos | From The One You Feed

Finding the Magic in Everyday Life with Thoreau and Eric Weiner

Why We Crave Closeness — and Run From It

The American Way of Killing: The Invention of an Epidemic | Malcolm Gladwell's New Audiobook

Episode 1: Porn Meets the Internet

Episode 2: The Friendship Society

When Aliens Landed in Wiltshire | Halloween Season

Men Don’t Just Need Friends. They Need Bromance.

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Extended Cut: Beastie Boys

Subscriber Exclusive: Treacle Tears: The Boston Molasses Disaster

15 - Chapter Ten: Remote Control

Introducing Spotlight: Snitch City

“Ketchup Packet Mystery” from Richard’s Famous Food Podcast

The Last Archivist: The Arizona Queer Archive

The Paradox of Grief

7 - Chapter 3: Everything Is Connected: The Internet We Didn’t Get

9 - Aside the Third: Space Is Big. Really Big.

Subscriber Exclusive: Dumm und Dümmer: Hitler Invades Florida

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