Hold That Thought

Becca Havian and Taylor Lord

On this podcast, we investigate those lingering questions stuck in a faraway corner of your mind, or currently collecting dust in your notes app.

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    The US Postal Service: The Hidden Backbone of American Life and Democracy

    The new Postmaster General said that the USPS is a beautiful ballet that nobody understands. It’s a machine that chugs behind the scenes to connect us from coast to coast, but the mechanics are a mystery.  In this episode of Hold That Thought hosts Taylor and Becca peek behind the curtain to understand how USPS works. They discuss the nostalgia of letter writing and the symbolism of USPS’ service mandate. They explore the postal service’s history, from the first post office in the 13 colonies to the pivotal role mail played in the American Revolution and building the political ethos of the US. They unpack how the voting power of millions relies on USPS, and the sobering fact that that right is in jeopardy today.  Topics: USPS, Postal Service, United States History, Mail, In Plain Sight, Universal Service Mandate, Democracy, Politics Resources: Quadruple increase in rejected California mail-in ballots signals problems with Trump meddling in future elections How we generated a response rate of 63% by ignoring the brand guidelines MIT Election Lab Why the Short-Lived Pony Express Still Fascinates Us Voting by Mail: Center for Election Confidence On mail, meaning and the artwork that appears on US postage The Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee How the US Post Office Has Delivered the Mail Through the Decades BBC: Denmark postal service to stop delivering letters USPS: Postal Facts The US Postal Service's Fiscal Crisis

    37 min

  2. 3 APR

    Invisible Women: How the Gender Data Gap Shapes Everyday Life

    We accept as reality (and even forget to recognize) the everyday ways our modern world has been built for men. But as soon as you peek under the hood,  the perniciousness of the male default emerges in plain sight.  In this episode of Hold That Thought hosts Taylor and Becca discuss the role of the gender data gap in creating this inequity. From healthcare practices and medication, to automobile development and snow clearing practices, they unpack how a dearth of data on women impacts our policies, innovations and daily life.  Topics: Gender data gap, data bias, inequity, bias, clinical trials, modern day, inequity, circadian rhythms, infradian rhythms, human biology Resources: Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado-Perez “If men didn’t exist, who would protect you?” AT,TP x The Dish: Cycle Syncing Infradian Rhythms: What They Are and Why They Matter How Period Tracking Birthed the Calendar Buckle Up Women; Cars Still Aren’t Built For You Why we know so little about women’s health Barriers to Accessing Effective Treatment and Support for Menopausal Symptoms: A Qualitative Study Capturing the Behaviours, Beliefs and Experiences of Key Stakeholders Dr. Paula Johnson Is Breaking Down the Barriers to Better Health Dr. Paula Johnson: When Does Medicine Leave Women Behind Are Cars More Dangerous for Women? Understanding the Risks and How to Protect Yourself Podcast 186: The Gender Gap in Research – And How It's Affecting Women’s Health Life-Saving Intel: Amanda's Breast Cancer Surgeon Dr. Lucy De La Cruz How Sex and Gender Bias Skews Medical Research with Dr. Kate Womersley

    47 min

  3. 27 MAR

    Why Airplanes Make Us Weird: Etiquette and Myths

    Airplanes, airports, airtravel: it’s all anyone can talk about these days.  In this episode of Hold That Thought hosts Taylor and Becca chat through the rules, regulations and human idiosyncrasies that dictate flying. They discuss the history of the first air travel and consider how airplanes and travel expose fundamental elements of human behavior and social interaction. They dive into the roots of one of our most common fears and how news today has us questioning timeless protocol. Topics: Plane etiquette, Social norms, The social contract, Boeing Whistleblower, Behavioral psychology, Travel culture  Resources: This Is Your Captain Speaking Boeing 737 Max Factory Was Plagued With Problems, Whistle-Blower Says How To Avoid The Dreaded Post-Flight Breakout Air Travel: CDC Portable Electronic Devices Presser Air Rage: What Factors Influence Airline Passenger Anger? Stuff You Should Know: A Brief History of Air Travel  It's been 20 years since smoking was completely banned on all US flights. Here's how smoking on planes went from normal to banned. Why do we put seatbacks up for landing? An aviation expert explains. WKYC Channel 3 TikTok Delta is replacing engines on Airbus aircraft to address toxic fumes issue Why Boeing’s Problems with the 737 MAX Began More Than 25 Years Ago

    53 min

  4. 20 MAR

    Why Their Moods Feel Like Your Problem (Codependency)

    What is codependency? Who experiences it? Where does it come from? And how do you make it better?  In this episode of Hold That Thought hosts Taylor and Becca explore these questions and more, unpacking the origins, critiques, nuances and power of the psychological model of codependency. In the end, they discuss how doing your homework on codependency can help you not only understand your relationship to others, but also help you understand yourself.  Topics: Codependency, relationships, family systems, addiction, psychology, relationships Resources: The Lived Experience of Codependency: an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Living with Addicted Men and Codependency: The Moderating Effect of Personality Traits An Overview of the Historical and Empirical Antecedents in the Development of the Codependency Concept Diagnostic Criteria for Codependency What Is Codependency? And What Does This Buzzword Really Mean? Mental Health America: Codependency TikTok: Relational Alchemy We Can Do Hard Things: Breaking Codependency and Letting LIfe Happen with Melody Beattie The dopaminergic reward system underpins gender differences in social preferences 16 Codependent Traits That Go Beyond Being a People Pleaser Codependency A Helpful Concept Turned Toxic: A Lesson from Our Own History

    46 min

  5. 13 MAR

    Oversharing or Vulnerability? The Psychology of Being Seen Online

    Vulnerability is the key to connection. But social media confuses the line between true connection and oversharing. In this episode of Hold That Thought, hosts Becca and Taylor unpack the power of vulnerability through the work of researcher Brené Brown. They consider how social media has changed our perception of vulnerability and created a tension between finding connection and seeking validation. They explore the ubiquity of social media outrage and policing, and talk through their own experiences of vulnerability online. Topics: Vulnerability, connection, social media, Brené Brown, sharing, community, psychology, courage, moral outrage, validation  Resources: ‘Likes’ and ‘shares’ teach people to express more outrage online How to Nurse an Oversharing Hangover Doing Good or Feeling Good? Justice Concerns Predict Online Shaming Via Deservingness and Schadenfreude The Power of Vulnerability Oprah Super Soul Sunday: The Power of Vulnerability Understanding Social Media Addiction: A Deep Dive Vulnerability: Validation, Appreciation, and Reciprocation in Business, Personal, and Health Context

    43 min

  6. 6 MAR

    Jealousy vs Envy: The Psychology Behind Our Most Uncomfortable Emotions

    “Comparison is the thief of joy.” “Jealous is a green-eyed monster.” We’re so often told, subliminally and overtly, that jealousy and envy are emotions that we should avoid. But if we get close to jealousy and envy (and yes they’re slightly different), these emotions just might be teaching us something valuable.  In this episode of Hold That Thought, hosts Becca and Taylor explore the origins of Jealousy and Envy and unpack how these emotions that we’re often taught to fear can be powerful in their own way.  This episode is part of the Hold That Thought mini-series— Working Together: Elements of Interpersonal Relationships. Key Topics: Jealousy, Envy, Yearning, Motivation, Evolutionary Psychologists, Emotions, Vulnerability, Evil Eye Sources: On Our Best Behavior: The Seven Deadly Sins and the Price Women Pay to be Good by Elise Loehnen Choosing Wholeness Over Goodness: A Process for Reclaiming Your Full Self by Elise Loehnen The Evolutionary Psychology of Envy and Jealousy Robert Leahy || The Jealousy Cure Sibling Rivalry, A History Yearning: the ache at the center of our lives Jealous Vs. Envious Hard Won and Easily Lost: A Review and Synthesis of Theory and Research on Precarious Manhood Evil Eye Nazar: Energies Exchanged in a Glance

    38 min

  7. 27 FEB

    Why We Follow Rules: Social Contracts, Trust and Cooperation

    How can we be free and live together? What binds humans into a society? In this episode of Hold That Thought hosts Becca and Taylor explore these central questions and other foundational principles of Social Contract Theory. They unpack how The Social Contract may or may not be the underpinning that dictates our implicit following of ever-day-rules. They take it back to the early Social Contract theorists and critiques of their philosophy, exploring what may be the innate human instinct to follow rules to protect stability and each other, while interrogating what happens when they don’t.  This episode is part of the Hold That Thought mini-series— Working Together: Elements of Interpersonal Relationships. Key Topics: Social Contract Theory, Rule Following, Philosophy, Psychology, Joint Commitment, Political Theory, Politics, Democracy, Pro-Social, Anti-Social, Behavioral Economics     Resources: The Social Contract Explained Simply Psychopathic, Sociopathic, or Antisocial Personality? The Social Contract Only Works If It Protects People Evaluating social contract theory in the light of evolutionary social science Prospect Theory: How We Make Decisions Under Risk Study finds apes mind their manners much like humans A Big-Picture Look at Social Rules Social Contract Theory in Education: Rules, Rights and Responsibilities

    41 min

  8. 20 FEB

    How We Learn Language: Brain Science, Rhythm and Meaning Making

    In one of the most remarkable feats of the human brain we use language everyday to communicate, build relationships and craft realities using nothing but our own words. But have you ever stopped and wondered how language works? In this episode of Hold That Thought, hosts Taylor Lord and Becca Havian explore the principles of language and language learning. They start with a quick primer on the neurophysiology, the machinery on which our brains code the building blocks of language. They walk through a new way of teaching language that uses these principles and discuss the power of learning a new language on our brain health. Finally, they chat about how multiple languages can broaden and change our perception of the world and give quick tips if you’re looking to learn as an adult.    This episode is part of the Hold That Thought mini-series— Working Together: Elements of Interpersonal Relationships. Topics Include: language learning, language, neurophysiology, linguistics, language research, bilingulaism, polyglots Resources:  Does the Linguistic Theory at the Center of the Film ‘Arrival’ Have Any Merit? Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis Multilingual Education: A Key to Quality and Inclusive Learning Berkeley Voices: One brain, two languages Learning Language Changes Your Brain Language Shapes How We Perceive Time The positive lexicophy  Dr. Eddie Chang - Huberman Lab The Glottal Stop Real Fast Spanish Cuentame Podcast Babbel

    48 min
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About

On this podcast, we investigate those lingering questions stuck in a faraway corner of your mind, or currently collecting dust in your notes app.

Information

  • Creator
    Becca Havian and Taylor Lord
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Becca Havian and Taylor Lord
  • Show Website
    Hold That Thought

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