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. 12/13/2025

    [Mini Series] Episode 28: John Locke in Today's World: The Architect of the Mind and Liberty

    What if every human being was born not with fate written in stone—but with a blank page waiting to be filled? This was the radical vision of John Locke, the English philosopher whose ideas about knowledge, freedom, and equality helped ignite revolutions and redefine what it means to be human. John Locke reshaped how humanity understands the mind, freedom, and government. In this episode, we explore how his belief in experience, education, and consent changed philosophy—and how his lessons can still shape our personal and civic life today. From the idea of the blank slate to the foundations of democracy, Locke teaches us that liberty is not inherited—it’s built through reason, growth, and responsibility. --------------------------------------------------------- John Locke (1632–1704) was an English philosopher, physician, and political theorist often called the Father of Liberalism. Born in Somerset, England, he studied at Oxford and later served as a physician and advisor. His writings on human understanding and government laid the groundwork for modern democracy and psychology. In his Essay Concerning Human Understanding, Locke argued that the mind is a tabula rasa—a blank slate shaped by experience, not innate ideas. His Two Treatises of Government championed individual rights, equality, and the idea that governments exist by the consent of the governed. His thought inspired Enlightenment leaders, the American Revolution, and remains at the core of Western ideas of freedom and reason. --------------------------------------------------------- Fun Fact: John Locke’s writings were so influential that Thomas Jefferson referred to him as one of the “three greatest men who ever lived,” placing him alongside Bacon and Newton. His ideas literally helped draft the DNA of freedom.

    8 min
  2. 12/06/2025

    Episode 49: Global Healthcare Innovation: Lessons and the Path Forward (Podcast with Professor Emeritus at Harvard & Pioneering Leader in Health Technology, Dr.Blumenthal) [INFLUENCE SERIES]

    In this episode, we dive into the transformative world of global healthcare innovation with Dr. David Blumenthal, an expert in health policy and international collaboration. Together, we explore how different healthcare systems across the globe address common challenges, the lessons they offer, and the role of groundbreaking technologies in driving change. Dr. Blumenthal shares insights into how countries are reimagining care delivery, the importance of collaboration in tackling global health crises, and what the future holds for international healthcare partnerships. Whether you're a policymaker, healthcare professional, or just curious about the future of health, this episode will leave you inspired by the possibilities of global innovation and reform. ----------------------------- Dr. David Blumenthal is a prominent health policy expert, physician, and thought leader in healthcare innovation. He is currently the President of The Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation dedicated to advancing a high-performing healthcare system that achieves better access, quality, and equity, particularly for society's most vulnerable. Dr. Blumenthal previously served as the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology under President Barack Obama, where he played a pivotal role in implementing the HITECH Act, which spurred widespread adoption of electronic health records across the United States. A primary care physician by training, Dr. Blumenthal is also a former faculty member at Harvard Medical School and has held senior leadership positions at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Institute for Health Policy. He has authored several books and over 300 scholarly articles on health policy, healthcare innovation, and the intersection of technology and health systems. Dr. Blumenthal’s expertise lies in bridging clinical practice, policy, and technological innovation to improve healthcare equity and efficiency worldwide. ----------------------------- *Act of Kindness suggested by our guests: Caring for friends, encourage others

    47 min
  3. 11/29/2025

    [Mini Series] Episode 27: Baruch Spinoza in Today's World: The Freedom of Thought

    What if true freedom wasn’t about doing whatever you want—but about understanding reality so deeply that nothing could control your mind? This was the life’s work of Baruch Spinoza, the 17th-century philosopher who dared to question dogma, merge science with spirituality, and teach that peace comes not from power, but from understanding. Baruch Spinoza lived quietly, but thought boldly. Excommunicated, misunderstood, and ahead of his time, he gave the world a vision of freedom rooted in understanding. In this episode, we explore how his ideas—reason over passion, knowledge over fear, and harmony with nature—still shape science, psychology, and spirituality today. Discover how clarity, compassion, and curiosity can free your mind—and help you live with deeper peace in a chaotic world. --------------------------------------------------------- Baruch Spinoza (1632–1677) was a Dutch philosopher of Portuguese-Jewish descent, born in Amsterdam. Excommunicated from his Jewish community for his radical ideas, he lived modestly as a lens grinder while writing some of the most revolutionary works in modern philosophy. In his masterpiece Ethics, Spinoza described a universe governed by natural laws rather than divine will, where God and Nature were one and the same. His ideas on reason, freedom, and tolerance laid the groundwork for Enlightenment thought and modern democracy. He died at only 44 from lung illness caused by glass dust—but his vision of intellectual and spiritual freedom lives on. --------------------------------------------------------- Fun Fact: Spinoza polished lenses for microscopes and telescopes, helping others see clearly—a perfect metaphor for his philosophy. He literally crafted the tools that expanded human perception.

    9 min
  4. 11/22/2025

    Episode 48: Subliminal Minds, Hidden Senses: How the Unconscious Shapes Your Reality (Podcast with Oxford University Professor, Dr.Charles Spence) [INFLUENCE SERIES]

    In this episode of Professor P Podcast, we unlock the invisible side of human behavior — the mental processes shaping your decisions, perceptions, and beliefs long before you’re aware of them. We begin with a deep-dive review of Leonard Mlodinow’s Subliminal, a groundbreaking book revealing that much of what we call free will is actually guided by unconscious forces. From snap judgments to distorted memories, we explore five core insights: You Are Not Aware of What You’re Not Aware Of — how tiny cues (like holding warm coffee) alter your perception without your permission. Your Senses Edit Reality — the brain constructs the world rather than recording it. First Impressions Form in 33 Milliseconds — and why they’re often wrong. Memory Is Reconstruction, Not Replay — and how your stories reshape themselves over time. Beliefs Aren’t as Rational as You Think — the mind prefers comfort over truth. With practical tools such as the Bias Log, Double-Take Challenge, and Belief Audit, listeners learn to spot unconscious patterns in real time. 🎧 Conversation with Dr. Spence: The Science of Crossmodal Perception Next, we sit down with the brilliant Dr. Charles Spence to explore one of psychology’s most fascinating topics: crossmodal perception — how your senses constantly interact, influence one another, and create illusions you don’t notice. We discuss: How brands design sensory illusions to shape emotions and choices The ethics of sensory manipulation in marketing How tuning into your senses can help you make smarter decisions Dr. Spence breaks down the science in a way that is practical, mind-bending, and immediately applicable. Finally, we’re joined by Mariam Marcy, one of my former students, who brings a fresh perspective on how unconscious processes and sensory illusions show up in everyday life — in habits, relationships, learning, and performance. Her insights bridge the science with lived experience, showing how understanding the unseen parts of the mind can transform self-awareness and elevate personal growth. ----------------------------- *Act of Kindness: Give gifts to others (Surprise gifts); Giving a compliment. ----------------------------- Dr. Charles Spence is a leading experimental psychologist and professor at the University of Oxford, specializing in multisensory perception—how our senses interact to shape experiences in areas like food enjoyment, product design, and consumer behavior. His work has pioneered the field of gastrophysics, revealing how sensory elements such as sound, color, and texture influence taste and dining experiences. Dr. Spence has collaborated with major brands like Unilever, Starbucks, and BMW to apply sensory science in marketing and product innovation. He is the author of Gastrophysics: The New Science of Eating and a recipient of the Ig Nobel Prize for his research demonstrating how the sound of a chip can alter its perceived freshness, solidifying his reputation for uncovering the subtle ways our senses shape behavior.

    1h 5m
  5. 11/15/2025

    [Mini Series] Episode 26: René Descartes in Today's World: The Doubter Who Built Certainty

    René Descartes, the “Father of Modern Philosophy,” taught us to doubt, to question, and to rebuild life on what is certain. In this episode, we explore his radical method of doubt, his famous “I think, therefore I am,” and his unshakable belief in the power of reason. From science and mathematics to personal growth, Descartes’s lessons remain as urgent today as they were in the 17th century. Discover how doubt can bring clarity, how self-awareness grounds identity, and how clarity itself can transform the way we live and lead. 🔎 Reflective Questions for Listeners 1.Doubt & Clarity What assumptions in my life am I accepting without question—and what might change if I applied Descartes’s method of doubt to them? 2.Identity & Self-Awareness Do I define myself by roles, possessions, or outcomes—or by the deeper awareness that I think, therefore I am? How might this shift my sense of self-worth? 3.Reason & Action When I face big decisions, am I letting impulse or habit guide me—or am I pausing to gather facts and apply reason? What decision in my life right now could benefit from clearer reasoning? --------------------------------------------------------- René Descartes (1596–1650) was a French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist often called the “Father of Modern Philosophy.” Born in La Haye en Touraine, he studied law but turned to a life of inquiry, traveling across Europe in pursuit of truth. In his Meditations on First Philosophy, he developed the method of doubt, famously concluding “Cogito, ergo sum”—“I think, therefore I am.” He also made groundbreaking contributions to mathematics, including Cartesian coordinates, and to physics. Descartes sought certainty in a world of confusion, and his work laid the foundation for both rationalism and the scientific revolution. --------------------------------------------------------- Fun Fact: Descartes often conducted his deepest thinking while lying in bed until late morning. He believed relaxed reflection was more valuable than rushing into action—a reminder that deep work often requires stillness.

    9 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