Hold That Thought

Becca Havian and Taylor Lord

“Hold That Thought” is something you say when you don’t want the conversation to rush ahead but still want to see where the idea leads. This podcast lives in the pause: the space between reaction and reflection, focus and exploration, where ideas stretch and change. Blending research, storytelling, and reflection, each episode examines the forces that shape how we think, relate, and make meaning of ourselves and the world around us. Episodes are organized into mini-series that explore a concept from multiple angles, creating space for deeper and more connected conversation.

  1. 1D AGO

    The Town Crier: From Medieval Rumors to Modern Misinformation

    Oyez, Oyez! In this episode of Hold That Thought, hosts Becca and Taylor continue their fourth mini-series “Archetypes of a Village,” this time following the infamous ‘Town Crier’. From his origins in ancient Greece, his heyday in medieval Europe and his presence in Colonial America they chat through the many (often sordid) hats this town-person has worn across time. Becca and Taylor end the episode by exploring elements of our modern day news that are similar to characteristics of the Town Crier’s time. Topics: Town Crier, News Cycle, Social Media, News, Gossip, Society, Psychology, Village Archetypes, Ancient Greece, Roman Empire References: Town Criers Were the Original Social Media The Town Crier American Guild of Town Criers Fact-checking misinformation about the Correspondents' Dinner shooting How Propaganda Shaped History The Guelphs vs. Ghibellines Feud That Turned Italian Cities Into Battlefields The Tree of Fertility in Massa Marittima Column: Why a correspondents’ dinner at a White House ballroom could endanger press freedomApril 27, 2026: White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting suspect charged with attempting to assassinate the president

    35 min

  2. MAY 8

    The Wounded Healer: Caregiving and Its Costs

    What does it mean to be a caregiver, and what does it mean to receive care? In this episode of Hold That Thought, hosts Becca and Taylor continue their fourth mini-series “Archetypes of a Village.” This week’s episode focuses on the Healer/Caregiver and explores the patterns, character traits and origins of the archetype. It explores the concept of the Wounded Healer and shares stories of people who use their personal experiences to better administer care to others. Becca and Taylor challenge the ways in which our current models make caregiving harder but also explore and celebrate the alternative models of care and community that can make all the difference. Topics: Healing, Caregiving, Care, Illness, Community, Village, Modalities of Healing Resources: The Healer Archetype Explained The Wounded Healer Wounded Healer The Wounded Healer Project The International Center for Reiki Training Tai-Chi For Health Institute How I Survived Caregiving PBS: Caregiving Surviving the Unthinkable: My Journey Back From Jumping Off The Golden Gate Bridge Lessons from Traditional Societies on Raising Children, Caring for the Elderly I Knew the Data on Caregivers. My Stroke Made It Real Valuing the Invaluable 2026

    39 min
  3. The Sage: The Difference Between Wisdom and Intelligence

    MAY 1

    The Sage: The Difference Between Wisdom and Intelligence

    "Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom." — Aristotle In this episode of Hold That Thought, hosts Becca and Taylor kick off their fourth mini-series ‘Archetypes of a Village’, where they will be exploring and celebrating the different character motifs that make up our proverbial village. The first episode focuses on the archetype of the Sage, exploring teachings, perspectives and philosophies on wisdom, how we acquire it, and the people who portray it best. They also discuss wise teachers they’ve experienced in their own lives and reflect on ways to bring knowledge of self, and by extension wisdom, into our village each day.  Topics: Wisdom, sage, archetypes, philosophy, spirituality, motifs, characters, learning Resources: The Sage Archetype (and why our world needs it) 5 Techniques To Develop Wisdom Over Time What is an Archetype? Richard Rohr: Center for Action and Contemplation Tara Brach: Accessing Innate Wisdom

    35 min
  4. Paying Attention: Capturing Small Moments in Mental Snapshots

    APR 24

    Paying Attention: Capturing Small Moments in Mental Snapshots

    “I don’t know exactly what a prayer is. I do know how to pay attention”. -Mary Oliver In this episode of Hold That Thought hosts Taylor and Becca explore the power of paying attention. They admire artists and authors who bring the practice of noticing alive through their work and capture micro-moments themselves by sharing three mental snapshots from their own lives. They share the stories and follow the ideas sparked by the act of noticing.  Topics: Mindfulness, Journaling, Art, Noticing, Stillness, Friendship, Meditation, Sonder, Photography, Ross Gay, Poetry   Resources: The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows It’s the 1970s Again. Democrats Should Study Up on Reagan. Why Is Everyone Talking About Brown? How Ross Gay Finds Joy In The Smallest of 'Delights' How to Strengthen Your Happiness Muscle How Can We Break the Cycle of Focusing on Negative Experiences? STILL: The Art of Noticing with Mary Jo Hoffman After the Fire: Rebuilding After Loss and Making Life a Total Work of Art with Steve & Mary Jo Hoffman Pursuit of Happiness: Martin Seligman

    38 min
  5. You’re Playing a Rigged Game: How Algorithms and Incentives Stack the Odds Against You

    APR 17

    You’re Playing a Rigged Game: How Algorithms and Incentives Stack the Odds Against You

    At the intersection between outcome and agency is a hidden world of untold factors: Dating app algorithms. Sport betting odds. Consumer finance incentives. They impact our lived experience, but we often don’t know they exist at all.  In this episode of Hold That Thought hosts Taylor and Becca explore everyday situations where hidden mechanics and misaligned incentives are rigging the odds and changing outcomes, right under our noses without us even knowing. From the matches we see on Hinge, to stock prices traded on the NYSE, the devil is in the factors behind the scenes.  Topics: Algorithms, Odds, Stacked Odds, Sports Betting, Dating Apps, Ticketmaster, Stock Exchange, CFBP, Consumer Finance  Resources: The Algorithms of Dating Apps, Explained Legal Issues to Know Before Offering a Sale or Coupon Hinge’s CEO insists the app doesn’t have an ‘attractiveness score’ after users’ frustration. Here’s how he says the algorithm works—and why the free version is ‘sacred’ FTC Sues Live Nation and Ticketmaster for Engaging in Illegal Ticket Resale Tactics and Deceiving Artists and Consumers about Price and Ticket Limits Justice Department and Live Nation reach settlement over Ticketmaster illegal monopoly case Who Benefits from Trump’s Move to Shut Down Consumer Financial Protection Bureau? Trump administration attempts to close the CFPB, block agency’s work Against the Rules: The Seven Minute Rule Against the Rules: The Magic Shoebox “Who Is Government? The Untold Story of Public Service” by Michael Lewis

    42 min
  6. The US Postal Service: The Hidden Backbone of American Life and Democracy

    APR 10

    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
  7. Invisible Women: How the Gender Data Gap Shapes Everyday Life

    APR 3

    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
  8. Why Airplanes Make Us Weird: Etiquette and Myths

    MAR 27

    Why Airplanes Make Us Weird: Etiquette and Myths

    Airplanes, airports, air travel: 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
See All (18)

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

“Hold That Thought” is something you say when you don’t want the conversation to rush ahead but still want to see where the idea leads. This podcast lives in the pause: the space between reaction and reflection, focus and exploration, where ideas stretch and change. Blending research, storytelling, and reflection, each episode examines the forces that shape how we think, relate, and make meaning of ourselves and the world around us. Episodes are organized into mini-series that explore a concept from multiple angles, creating space for deeper and more connected conversation.

Information

  • Creator
    Becca Havian and Taylor Lord
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Becca Havian and Taylor Lord
  • Show Website
    Hold That Thought

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