Why We Do What We Do

Abraham
  • 4.5 (88)
  • Social Sciences
  • Updated Weekly

We explain popular and weird, little-known ideas in psychology. Whether you are a little curious about psychology, or a student, or even a professional, we have something for everyone. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

  1. 4d ago

    Ectoplasm: Ghost Goo

    What happens when you regurgitate items out of your esophagus for a magic trick? A lot of digestive juices on the stuff you just regurgitated. But, if you don't want your audience to know, you might tell them that it goo left over from a ghost! In Biology, ectoplasm is a real thing. In paranormal investigations it has been appropriated in an attempt to bring paranormal entities into normal activities. We'll unpack the science and history of the concept of "ectoplasm" in this discussion.  RecommendationsAbraham: “Rock the Plank” - Mad Caddies (https://madcaddies.bandcamp.com/album/rock-the-plank)Shane: Geoff John's run on Green Lantern (Blackest Night; https://www.amazon.com/dp/1401291198?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback) Holidays (10/14/2026):Be Bald and Be Free DayBullying Prevention DayEmergency Nurses DayInternational Day for Natural Disaster ReductionInternational Top Spinning DayNational Chocolate Covered Insects DayNational Dessert DayNational Fossil DayNational lowercase DayNational Pet Obesity Awareness DaySpider-Man DayStem Cell Awareness DayThank Your Cleaner DayWorld Standards DayBiology WeekBone and Joint Health Action WeekEarth Science WeekMediation WeekMeditation WeekNational Case Management Week Links and References: https://www.biologyonline.com/dictionary/ectoplasmhttps://www.popsci.com/whats-deal-paranormal-ectoplasm/https://www.grunge.com/665457/the-strange-truth-about-ectoplasm-explained/https://www.americanhauntingsink.com/ectoplasmhttps://medium.com/the-shortform/is-ectoplasm-really-a-thing-77a7b83a0ef7https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1057/9781137027252_6https://www.cabinetmagazine.org/issues/12/warner.phphttps://daily.jstor.org/ectoplasm-and-the-last-british-woman-tried-for-witchcraft/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support. Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

  2. 6d ago

    Mini: Traditions of Samhain

    We did an episode about the history of halloween a while back. This mini explores more of the myths, legends, ideas, and traditions of the tradition that eventually became Halloween. This is all about the traditions of Samhain (no mention of St. Swithuns).  Tell us your thoughts: info@wwdwwdpodcast.com Links and References:  https://www.history.com/articles/samhainhttps://druidry.org/druid-way/teaching-and-practice/druid-festivals/samhain-festivalhttps://www.hawthornandhoney.com/journal/samhain-ritualshttps://www.museum.ie/en-ie/collections-research/folklife-collections/folklife-collections-list-(1)/religion-and-calendar-customs/hallowe-en-samhain https://heritageireland.ie/2023/09/samhain-the-roots-of-halloween/  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support. Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

  3. Oct 7

    Ghost Ships

    We are kicking off this spooky season with a discussion about the spectres of the ocean: ghost ships! We tell a few of the both lesser and more well-known stories of ghost ships. We also talk about why they happen and how they influence our behavior. Have you seen a ghost ship? Recommendations Abraham: Saosin (Just Be Honest; https://saosin.com/)Shane: Hellboy comics (Mike Mignola) Holidays (10/5/2026): Blue Shirt Day World Day of Bullying PreventionChic Spy DayChild health DayDay of UnityDo Something Nice DayGlobal James Bond DayInternational Day of No ProstitutionNational Apple Betty DayNational Consignment DayNational Kiss a Wrestler DayNational Storytelling DayWorld Day of ArchitectureWorld Habitat DayWorld Teacher’s DayActive Aging WeekAnimal Welfare WeekBanned Books WeekDeath Penalty Focus WeekMystery Series WeekNational Vegetarian WeekNational Chili Week Links:  https://explorersweb.com/exploration-mysteries-ghost-shipshttps://www.surfline.com/surf-news/ocean-oddities-ghost-ships/78374https://www.hms-resolute.co.uk/the-nutshell/https://www.adn.com/alaska-life/2023/10/29/the-mysterious-fate-of-the-baychimo-the-ghost-ship-that-haunted-the-arctic-for-decades/ https://www.worldofcruising.co.uk/editors-corner/mv-lyubov-orlova-ghostship-sunk https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/abandoned-ship-the-mary-celeste-174488104/ https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/horrifying-final-voyage-cruise-boat-22044077 https://skybrary.aero/articles/fata-morgana  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support. Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

  4. Oct 5

    Mini: Centralia

    We are kicking off this year's spooky seasons mini with a brief history of the town on fire. This is a real place in the United States that has become unlivable since the town accidentally set a gigantic, subterranean coal reserve. This inspired the video game and movie franchise, "Silent Hill." Have you been to Centralia?  Support us on Patreon! Tell us your favorite memories of the show: info@wwdwwdpodcast.com Links and References: https://www.abc27.com/digital-originals/history-of-centralia-a-pennsylvania-ghost-town/https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/centralia-pennsylvania-rebirthhttps://www.history.com/articles/mine-fire-burning-more-50-years-ghost-town Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support. Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

  5. Sep 30

    Happiness

    One of the most enduring values, mottos, or goals is the pursuit of happiness. We strive for it implicitly or explicitly for much of our lives. So, what is happiness? How do we achieve it? Why can't you just be happy? Because it depends :D  Recommendations Abraham: Fix My Frankenhouse (seasons 1-2; https://www.hgtv.com/shows/fix-my-frankenhouse)Shane: A Short Stay In Hell by Steven Peck  Holidays (9/30/2026): My mom’s birthday! Happy birthday, P-Nut!Banned Websites Awareness DayBlasphemy DayChewing Gum DayExtra Virgin Olive Oil DayInternational Podcast DayInternational Translation DayNational Hot Mulled Cider DayNational Love People DayNational Microcephaly Awareness DayNational Mud Pack DayNational Women’s Health and Fitness DayOrange Shirt DayTime for YogaThunderbirds DayWorld School Milk DayNational Chimney Safety WeekNational Dog WeekNational Fall Foliage Week Links and References:  Harris, R. (2022). The happiness trap: Stop struggling, start living (2nd ed.). Robinsonhttps://ndpr.nd.edu/reviews/the-quest-for-the-good-life-ancient-philosophers-on-happiness/https://www.weforum.org/stories/leadership/13-great-philosophers-on-the-secret-of-happiness/ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/278667273_EMOTIONS_AND_EMOTIONAL_BEHAVIOR_A_CONSTRUCTIONAL_APPROACH_TO_UNDERSTANDING_SOME_SOCIAL_BENEFITS_OF_AGGRESSION https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3160511/https://arnoldspumpclub.com/blogs/newsletter/why-chasing-happiness-makes-you-miserable-and-what-science-says-to-do-instead?srsltid=AfmBOornkPKnjN9wQWbXZB8QQh_5fHqMbgEbdpiVJkW6kGlSi9jONIuMhttps://ls.berkeley.edu/news/stop-worrying-about-being-happy-new-berkeley-psychology-research-suggests-doing-so-makes-peoplehttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10224953/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3546638/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1279874/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1284106/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support. Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

  6. Sep 28

    Mini: This is the End-ish

    An important announce and brief explanation. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support. Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

  7. Sep 23

    How to Lie With Math

    The title maybe a little misleading. This is about how we delude ourselves into adopting information as factual becuase it is presented using real math. Math is extremely important and valuable and a necessity for most sciences. However, like any other tool, math can give the illusion of knowledge while actually tricking us into believing things that are not correct. We primarily focus on averages and how problematic this concept can be, but extrapolate this into other forms of math that can be used to lie and mislead even the ones who are executing the computations.  RecommendationsAbraham: Cross Purposes: Christianity’s Broken Bargain With Democracy (Jonathan Rauch (https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300273540/cross-purposes/)Shane: Chat Pile - Who Loves The Sun (https://open.spotify.com/album/2ITnf8HOokOJxjv483Dszk?si=3v175T9iRP2BY8aTU8XPqw) Holidays (9/23/2026):Celebrate Bi-Sexuality DayDogs in Politics DayInternational Day of Sign LanguagesNational Checkers DayNational Great American Pot Pie DayNational Snack Stick DayRestless Legs Syndrome Awareness DaySee You at the PoleTeal Talk DayChild Passenger Safety Awareness WeekConstitution WeekDeaf Dog Awareness WeekInternational Clean Hands WeekInternational Deaf Awareness WeekInternational Interpreters and Translators WeekNational Adult Day Services Week Click here to join our Patreon club! Links and References: https://www.toddrose.com/endofaveragehttps://99percentinvisible.org/episode/on-average/ https://www.anecdote.com/2023/03/179-there-is-no-average/https://austraffic.com.au/aba/us-air-force-finds-averages-can-kill  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support. Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

  8. Sep 21

    Mini: Do We Need Privacy?

    We have many mechanisms in place to protect our privacy. Some people care less about this and some people have taken this to tremendous extremes. Of course, many want unambiguous rules about privacy, but there is a lot of room for nuance. So, we ask the question about whether or not we need privacy and share some of the reasons people have given. The short answer is: until we can trust each other, we need privacy.  Click here to join our Patreon crew of cool people Links and References: https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/internet-ethics/resources/why-we-care-about-privacy/https://www.privacyguides.org/en/basics/why-privacy-matters/https://www.teamim.com/insights/why-privacy-matters-even-if-you-have-nothing-to-hide  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support. Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

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4.5
out of 5
88 Ratings

About

We explain popular and weird, little-known ideas in psychology. Whether you are a little curious about psychology, or a student, or even a professional, we have something for everyone. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Information

  • Creator
    Abraham
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    625
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Context Media
  • Show Website
    Why We Do What We Do

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