Why We Do What We Do

Abraham
  • 4.5 (83)
  • 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. 1D AGO

    Mini: Top 100

    This is our 100th mini! So, we spend the mini talking about the number 100! Things that humans, make, some facts about non-human animals... and human animals. A random smorgasbord of things about 100. Enjoy! Become our 100th patron by signing up 99 friends and then joining yourself. www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast Links and References: https://lionel-kesztenbaum.site.ined.fr/en/everything_about_population/demographic-facts-sheets/focus-on/the-inexorable-rise-of-centenarians-and-supercentenarians#:~:text=Until%20the%20mid%2D20th%20century,in%202070%20(Blanpain%202023).https://www.bu.edu/articles/2022/why-do-people-live-to-100-and-how/#:~:text=Takeaways,to%20much%20later%20in%20life.https://www.nathab.com/blog/animals-that-live-to-100 https://oceanconservancy.org/blog/2021/12/29/7-longest-living-ocean-animals/ https://www.threads.com/@podcastingbusinessschool/post/DTquU6vDgF7/only-of-podcasters-make-it-to-episodes-this-is-unfortunate-because-your-first https://www.theigc.org/sites/default/files/2024-09/Yeo%20Thompson%20et%20al.%20Working%20Paper%20September%202024_0.pdf https://qz.com/994937/on-average-it-now-takes-at-least-four-different-writers-to-craft-a-hit-pop-song https://www.billboard.com/lists/every-artist-with-100-hot-100-chart-hits-drake-taylor-swift/ https://blogs.baylor.edu/soe/2019/08/08/fun-facts-about-the-number-100-08-08-2019/  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

    17 min

  2. 6D AGO

    Inside Out 2: A Commentary

    Why We Do What We Do goes back to the movies! Last week, we reviewed Disney + Pixar's Inside Out, so we are taking on the sequel. In many ways, this film exceeds its predacessor in the way it portrays psychological functions, and in some ways it detracts. Either way, it is a fantastic film. We once again critique some of the portrayals of psychological processes and also praise the beautifully constructed metaphors. Let us know what you thought about the movies or our reactions to the movies. Recommendations Abraham: Wingspan: Americas Expansion (https://stonemaiergames.com/games/wingspan/wingspan-americas-expansion/)Shane: The Help (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1454029/) Holidays (3/4/2026): Brain Injury Awareness DayCourageous Follower DayDiscover What Your Name Means DayEqual Pay DayGlobal Day of the EngineerMarch Forth Do Something DayNational Dance the Waltz DayNational Grammar DayNational Pound Cake DayNational Snack DayOld Inauguration DayWorld Obesity DayChocolate Chip Cookie WeekEndometriosis WeekNational Cheerleading WeekNational Dental Assistants Recognition WeekNational Ghostwriters Week Links and References:  https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-ec9f9fa3-fbae-4a25-b722-12c3b8ab0ef4https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/making-the-whole-beautiful/202406/insights-on-inside-out-2 https://www.psychiatrypodcast.com/psychiatry-psychotherapy-podcast/episode-225-inside-out-2-adolescent-emotions-psychology-analysis  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

    1h 14m

  3. MAR 2

    Mini: LARP

    Humans love to play. Some of us are willing to be more immersed in that play than others. Those who live for the immersion will often dress up for their character and stage elaborate scenarios with other players. They call this Live Action Role Playing, or LARPing. We discuss a brief history, what it is, and why people do it. Tell us your LARP stories! Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast Links and References:  https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Larpinghttps://www.goerie.com/story/entertainment/arts/2022/06/02/larping-community-erie-fantasy-live-action-role-playing-game-escapism-players-society-creative-sca/65354683007/ 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

    16 min

  4. FEB 25

    Inside Out: A Commentary

    Why We Do What We Do goes to the movies! A couple of movies have directly taken on representing the inner world of our behavior, and we finally decided that we'd weigh in on these movies. So, we summarize the film and describe what they get wrong and what they get right. Join us in a fun trip to the movies. Let us know what you think about our commentary on the film. Recommendations Abraham: Greatfull Gardens (https://www.greatfullgardens.com/)Shane: JD Salinger - Nine Stories (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4009.Nine_Stories) Holidays (2/25/2026): Inconvenience Yourself DayLet’s All Eat Right DayNational Chocolate Covered Nuts DayNational Pistol Patent DayPink Shirt DayQuiet DayRubber Ducky DayAmerican Council on EducationBird Health Awareness WeekNational Chip Week (UK)National Eating Disorders Awareness WeekNational Invasive Species Awareness Week Links and References:  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2096673/https://www.traitify.com/blog/the-psychology-of-inside-outhttps://vcresearch.berkeley.edu/news/psychologists-talk-about-science-emotions-inside-outhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-colors-of-contemporary-psychiatry/202403/pixars-inside-out-and-plutchiks-theory-of 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

    1h 5m

  5. FEB 23

    Mini: Rock, Paper, Scissors

    Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot! This 5-second two-player game to settle disputes began in ancient China and quickly spread throughout the world. Some research has also attempted to use game theory to understand decisions in this game and were surprised by the results, but we weren't! You'll see why.  Join our supporters' club: www.patreon.com/wwdwwpodcast Links and References: https://www.annarahmanan.com/the-history-of-rock-paper-scissors-gamehttps://www.playworks.org/game-library/ro-sham-bo-or-rock-paper-scissors/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00107514.2015.1026556 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

    17 min

  6. FEB 18

    N-Rays

    Not to be confused with Neutron Imaging, which is also sometimes called N Rays, N-Rays were a scientific discovery at the turn of the 1900s that promised a bright future for humanity... except that that didn't really exist. In the flurry of ground-breaking discoveries around radiation, N-Rays emerged as the elusive new-kid-on-the-block that could only be seen out of the corner of your eye in an extremely dark room. Red flag. But, science quickly correct course as science does and this phenomeon died out. It stands as a cautionary tale about human bias and a triumphant demonstration of the self-correcting nature of science.  Recommendations Abraham: The ‘Burbs (season 1; https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-burbs)Shane: Converge - Love Is Not Enough  (https://www.epitaph.com/news/article/converge-release-long-awaited-new-lp-love-is-not-enough)Holidays (2/18/2026): Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane DayCrab-Stuffed Flounder DayDrink Wine DayEat Ice Cream for Breakfast DayNational Battery DayNational Hate Florida DayPluto DayThumb Appreciation DayAlzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Staff Education WeekBuild a Better Trade Show Image WeekLove Teaching WeekNational Condom WeekNational Date Week (Fruit)National Green WeekNational Pancake WeekRamadan Links and References:  https://www.aps.org/archives/publications/apsnews/200708/history.cfmhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N-rayhttps://www.aps.org/apsnews/2007/08/robert-wood-debunks-nrays https://www.phoenixneutronimaging.com/insights-and-updates/n-rays-vs-n-rays-will-the-real-n-ray-please-stand-uphttps://www.wired.com/2014/09/fantastically-wrong-n-rays/ https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/what-is-radiation#:~:text=Radiation%20is%20energy%20that%20can%20be%20described,and%20science**%20Nuclear%20techniques%20and%20materials%20production  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

    50 min

  7. FEB 16

    Mini: Red Light Therapy

    Shining red lights on our bodies is all the rage in the "wellness" space. Red lights are purported to do a hole host of incredible things, which raised our skeptical hackles. We discuss what red lights are, what they do, and where we think this trend is going.  Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast Links and References: https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/red-flags-for-red-light-therapy/https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2025/02/red-light-therapy-skin-hair-medical-clinics.htmlhttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13643-025-02902-3 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

    17 min

  8. FEB 11

    Guess Who..?

    In a departure from our standard episode format, Abraham will profile three people and see if Shane can guess who they are. You can play along! Send us in your guesses by emailing us or post them to us on social media.  Recommendations Abraham: The Naked Gun (2025) https://www.paramountplus.com/movies/video/61gdvpY7mURqcXbL67yYKiiQzEuRQZwW/ Shane: Pet Semetary by Stephen King (https://stephenking.com/works/novel/pet-sematary.html)Holidays (2/11/2026): Be Electrific DayDaytona Pole DayDon’t Cry Over Spilled Milk DayGet Out Your Guitar DayGrandmother Achievement DayInternational Day of Women & Girls in ScienceMake a Friend’s DayNational Inventor’s DayNational Make a Friend DayNational Shut-In Visitation DayPeppermint Patty DayPromise DayWhite T-Shirt DayWorld Day of the SickCelebration of Love Week Links and References:  https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/the-complex-legacy-of-saddam-hussein https://youtu.be/aD7-VRqR_d0?si=5umLrI1o5b0-kcTNhttps://www.reuters.com/article/world/saddam-hussein-rise-and-fall-of-a-strongman-idUSL30809867/ https://www.aei.org/articles/kim-jong-il-road-to-ruin/https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/keeping-kim-how-north-koreas-regime-stays-powerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Dj8G72pUgc https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/how-did-adolf-hitler-happenhttps://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/the-nazi-rise-to-powerhttps://www.annefrank.org/en/anne-frank/go-in-depth/germany-1933-democracy-dictatorship/https://www.history.com/articles/adolf-hitler  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

    59 min
See All (562)

4.5
out of 5
83 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
    562
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Context Media
  • Show Website
    Why We Do What We Do

You Might Also Like