Professor P with Dr.Peykar

Parsa Peykar

What does it take to be influential in today's world? Dr. Parsa Peykar -psychologist, university professor, and author- joined by world-class experts from diverse fields explore practical lessons on leadership, influence, and service.Each episode of the Professor P Podcast is designed like a mini research project, built around a central “research question” tied to the theme. Every episode unfolds in three parts: 1.Book Review or Art Analysis – exploring ideas that set the stage.2. Expert Conversation – insights from leading voices across diverse fields. 3. Student Reflections – real feedback and fresh perspectives from university students. Across all episodes, one theme remains constant: every guest leaves listeners with at least one simple act of kindness to put into practice. The Professor P Podcast is a fun, engaging “university” for everyone—delivering both educational and experimental lessons to inspire you to grow, lead, and make an impact in your chosen field. More than a podcast, it’s a movement to add value to your life—and to encourage you to add value to others. 📩 We’d love to hear from you! Share your comments, ideas, or just say hi: contact@parsapeykar.com

  1. 1D AGO

    Human 360 Mini Episode 04 | Mental Reset: 3 Tools to Strengthen Belief Before Results Appear

    Self-efficacy is not confidence. It’s not optimism. It’s not hype. It’s your brain’s belief about one specific question: “Can I execute the actions required in this situation?” And that belief determines everything. When self-efficacy is strong: • Effort increases • Persistence rises • Emotional regulation improves • Recovery from failure accelerates When it weakens: • Avoidance grows • Anxiety spikes • Identity feels threatened In this Mental Reset episode of Human Performance 360, Dr. Parsa Peykar breaks down the psychology of self-efficacy and gives you three structured tools to rebuild belief — especially when results are delayed. 🔑 Tool 1: Shrink the Target Why mastery — not motivation — builds belief, and how small executable wins rewire your brain for momentum. 🔁 Tool 2: Separate Outcome from Capability How high performers protect identity by distinguishing data from ego. 🧭 Tool 3: Borrow Belief Strategically The science of modeled success — and how to use it without falling into comparison traps. This episode is for you if: • You’re procrastinating despite caring • A recent setback shook your confidence • Anxiety feels louder than execution • You feel capable — but hesitant Self-efficacy does not collapse all at once. It erodes through interpretation. This reset rebuilds it through structure. Because before performance improves, belief must stabilize. And belief stabilizes through action. 🎙️ This is Human Performance 360.

    9 min
  2. FEB 21

    Human Performance 360 Episode 04 | The Power of Self-Efficacy: Believing You Can — Before You Act (Podcast with Dr. Feltz, Pioneer in Self-Efficacy Research in Sport)

    What separates two equally talented performers under pressure? Often, it’s not skill. It’s not preparation. It’s belief. In this episode of Human Performance 360, Dr. Parsa Peykar sits down with Deborah Feltz, distinguished professor at Michigan State University and one of the foremost authorities on self-efficacy in sport and exercise psychology. Building on the foundational work of Albert Bandura, Dr. Feltz has spent decades researching how belief influences performance — from individual athletes to entire teams. Together, we explore: What self-efficacy truly is — and how it differs from confidence or self-esteem The four scientifically validated sources of belief How athletes can use failure to strengthen — not weaken — efficacy The role of physiological interpretation (nerves, adrenaline, fatigue) in performance Coaching efficacy — and how a leader’s belief shapes team outcomes The difference between calibrated confidence and dangerous over-belief How self-efficacy applies beyond sport — into leadership, entrepreneurship, and life This episode moves beyond motivational language and into evidence-based performance science. You’ll learn why self-efficacy predicts: Effort Persistence Emotional regulation Resilience under pressure And ultimately, results Whether you’re an athlete, coach, executive, student, or creator — this conversation will challenge you to examine a powerful question: Where is your belief coming from — and is it strong enough to support your next level? 🔥 Reflection Prompt Think of one area in your life where you hesitate — not because you lack skill, but because you lack belief. What would change if you acted as if you could?

    42 min
  3. FEB 8

    Human 360 Episode 03 | Thriving Through Adversity: Character, Emotion Regulation & Growth (Podcast with Dr.Schnitker, World-Leading Researcher on Patience and Human Thriving)

    What if adversity wasn’t the enemy of greatness—but the training ground for it? In this episode of Human Performance 360, Dr. Parsa Peykar sits down with Dr. Sarah Schnitker—a leading researcher on virtues, patience, resilience, and thriving—to unpack what science reveals about growing stronger because of hardship, not just surviving it. Together, they explore how high performers can reframe struggle as a catalyst for character development, how emotion regulation becomes a performance advantage under pressure, and why even strengths like perseverance and patience can become liabilities when they’re out of balance. You’ll learn the difference between suppression vs. regulation, how micro-habits like reframing and gratitude shape stability in chaotic moments, and what leaders can do to build cultures that promote virtue-based resilience—not just output recovery. You’ll also take away a simple but powerful practice for anyone going through a setback right now: keep asking “why” until you uncover the bigger purpose behind the adversity. 🧠 In this conversation, you’ll discover: How to reframe suffering as a context for growth and meaning Why patience is an active virtue, not passive waiting The line between healthy grit and burnout-driven persistence How emotion regulation can be trained like a muscle The “double-edged sword” of virtues—and how strengths can sabotage performance How teams and organizations can turn shared adversity into collective moral growth What to practice when you’re in the middle of an injury, setback, or emotional valley If you’re a high performer, leader, athlete, or ambitious builder navigating pressure and setbacks—this episode gives you a clear, grounded blueprint for turning adversity into endurance, wisdom, and growth.

    37 min
  4. JAN 25

    Human 360 Episode 02 | Nutrition Wars: What Science Actually Agrees On (With Dr. Chris Gardner, Stanford Professor & Lead Researcher of the DIETFITS Study)

    Is nutrition science settled — or is it all just one big food fight?  From keto to vegan, low-carb to plant-based, we’re bombarded with diet headlines that seem to contradict each other every week. But where does real scientific consensus actually exist… and where are we still locked in controversy? In this episode of the Human 360 Performance Series, Dr. Parsa Peykar sits down with Dr. Chris Gardner, Stanford professor and world-renowned nutrition scientist, to cut through the noise. Dr. Gardner has led groundbreaking studies like DIETFITS, revealing why one-size-fits-all diets often fail — and why personalization, culture, and behavior matter just as much as nutrients. 🔥 What you’ll discover in this episode: The three core principles of nutrition that nearly all experts agree on. Why carbs and protein are still at the center of heated debate. The truth about supplements — science vs. marketing hype. How athletes and high performers can apply evidence-based nutrition without getting lost in diet wars. The future of food: where research is headed, and how it may change how we fuel our bodies. If you’ve ever felt confused, overwhelmed, or frustrated by the endless “do this, don’t do that” of nutrition advice — this episode is your reset. Get ready for clarity, grounded science, and practical takeaways to help you fuel your health, energy, and performance.

    46 min
  5. JAN 10

    Human 360 Episode 01 | Unbreakable Under Pressure: The ACT Blueprint for Identity, Values, and Elite Performance ( Dr.Hayes, Podcast with Acceptance Commitment Therapy's Co-Founder)

    What if peak performance didn’t require controlling your thoughts, eliminating fear, or forcing motivation? In the first-ever episode of the Human Performance 360 series, we lay the foundation for a radically different approach to excellence—one built on psychological flexibility, values, and identity beyond results. This episode unfolds in two powerful parts: Part I — The ACT Performance Framework Host Dr. Parsa Peykar introduces Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as a practical mental performance system for athletes, leaders, and high performers operating under pressure. You’ll learn how the six core processes of ACT function as trainable skills—helping you stay present, open, and values-driven when anxiety, doubt, and high stakes inevitably show up. This is not about feeling confident. It’s about performing well in the presence of whatever you feel. Part II — In Conversation with Steven C. Hayes In an in-depth conversation, the co-founder of ACT shares how psychological flexibility—not motivation or mental toughness—is the true foundation of sustainable high performance. Together, we explore: Why tying identity to achievement creates fragility How values anchor resilience when results fluctuate What elite performers do differently under pressure How ACT is shaping the future of sport psychology and leadership development This episode reframes success—not as an outcome to chase, but as a way of showing up. 🎯 What You’ll Learn The 6 ACT processes as a complete performance toolkit How to perform effectively without waiting to feel confident Why values-driven action outlasts motivation and grit How to separate self-worth from results—without losing ambition One daily practice that keeps performance aligned under pressure 🧠 Core Insight Sustainable excellence doesn’t come from controlling the mind— it comes from relating to it differently. When identity is rooted in values rather than outcomes, pressure stops being a threat—and performance becomes an expression of who you are. 🔑 Reflection for Listeners Who am I when performance dips or results disappear? What values do I want my actions to express—regardless of the scoreboard? How would I show up differently this week if I acted from values instead of outcomes? This is not just an episode. It’s the philosophical and psychological foundation of Human Performance 360. 🎧 Press play—and step into performance that lasts.

    45 min

About

What does it take to be influential in today's world? Dr. Parsa Peykar -psychologist, university professor, and author- joined by world-class experts from diverse fields explore practical lessons on leadership, influence, and service.Each episode of the Professor P Podcast is designed like a mini research project, built around a central “research question” tied to the theme. Every episode unfolds in three parts: 1.Book Review or Art Analysis – exploring ideas that set the stage.2. Expert Conversation – insights from leading voices across diverse fields. 3. Student Reflections – real feedback and fresh perspectives from university students. Across all episodes, one theme remains constant: every guest leaves listeners with at least one simple act of kindness to put into practice. The Professor P Podcast is a fun, engaging “university” for everyone—delivering both educational and experimental lessons to inspire you to grow, lead, and make an impact in your chosen field. More than a podcast, it’s a movement to add value to your life—and to encourage you to add value to others. 📩 We’d love to hear from you! Share your comments, ideas, or just say hi: contact@parsapeykar.com