Watson-Howland

Jacob J. Watson-Howland
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Understand yourself and the world better with Jacob J. Watson-Howland, Europe’s fastest-growing U21 podcaster & award-winning BBC-featured photographer. Crowned one of Spotify’s most popular & most shared new shows, ahead of 93% of podcasts in 2025. Featuring deep-dive conversations on psychology, philosophy, self-improvement, history, entrepreneurship & AI with guests like Evan Carmichael (4.4M+ YouTuber), Jim Cantrell (SpaceX Co-founder), Lord Matt Ridley, Tyler Cowen & 100+ more. ___ In 2 months, I went from 0 to 3.0M+ views & dream guests in my bedroom at 20. Start your own podcast today using my blueprint: https://www.skool.com/remote-pro-podcast-blueprint-8385/about

  1. #71: Dr Lara Boyd: Man Lives with 90% Brain Missing, Advantage of ADHD & Autism, Mystery of Consciousness & Sleep’s Effect on Learning

    1H AGO

    #71: Dr Lara Boyd: Man Lives with 90% Brain Missing, Advantage of ADHD & Autism, Mystery of Consciousness & Sleep’s Effect on Learning

    Neuroscientist and physical therapist Dr. Lara Boyd explains why there is no such thing as a “normal brain,” how neuroplasticity reshapes us across life, and why struggle and sleep are the real drivers of change in our brains. In this episode, she and Jacob explore neurodivergence, learning, stroke recovery, genetics, and what it actually takes to rewire your brain on purpose. 0:00 The French civil servant with “half a brain” and what neuroplasticity can do 1:05 How many of us are actually neuro-atypical? Defining (and questioning) “normal” 2:15 Why there is no clear definition of “neurotypical” 3:05 UK Biobank genetics: ADHD, autism, anxiety and overlapping gene profiles 4:35 Are we over-diagnosing or mis-grouping neurodivergent conditions? 5:35 Evolutionary upsides of ADHD and autism: hyperfocus, sentry attention, solo hunting 6:22 Why autism diagnoses are rising: broader criteria and better recognition in girls 7:30 ADHD and autism as “differences,” not defects — and examples like Elon Musk and Bill Gates 9:05 Lara’s winding path: English major → physical therapist → neuroscientist 10:30 The 1990s shift: from “fixed brain” to lifelong neuroplasticity 12:20 How the brain actually changes: myelin, pruning, and wiring into the mid-20s 16:20 Why young men take more risks: late-maturing prefrontal cortex 18:40 Genes vs environment, epigenetics, and why nature vs nurture isn’t a debate anymore 21:10 APOE4 and dementia risk — and how exercise can change outcomes 22:20 Big data, AI, and decoding brain–gene interactions 24:00 The stroke patient that made Lara feel like a “car mechanic who didn’t understand the engine” 27:20 The landmark monkey stroke study: forced use, reorganization, and recovery 31:00 Redundancy, “silent” neurons, and spare real estate in the brain 33:20 How dendrites, brain chemistry, and BDNF drive neuroplasticity — and why exercise helps 38:20 Why consciousness and self are still “unsolved problems” 39:40 The motor homunculus: why your hands, lips, and tongue dominate your cortex 41:40 Why some people learn in 50 hours and others need 500 — and Lara’s quest to understand variability 44:15 Biomarkers, stroke recovery, and who responds best to brain stimulation 46:05 Could we one day time school topics to each child’s brain readiness? 47:40 Visual vs auditory learners and what brain scans reveal about reading and math readiness 49:30 Stuck in bad habits or a failing career? Why you’re not trapped — and why struggle is your brain changing 52:00 Why we hate struggle even though it’s exactly when neuroplasticity happens 52:55 Sleep as neuroplastic “glue”: deep sleep for motor, REM for cognitive learning 54:05 Naps, aging, and how much sleep we really need 55:10 Lara’s advice to her 20-year-old self: stay curious, practice hard, sleep well RESOURCES / LINKS Dr. Lara Boyd – UBC Faculty of Medicine profile https://www.med.ubc.ca/researchers/lara-boyd-physical-therapy/ UBC Physical Therapy – Brain Behaviour Laboratory https://physicaltherapy.med.ubc.ca/2022/10/11/lara-boyd/ Website: ⁠https://www.jacobjwatsonhowland.com⁠

    57 min
  2. More Medicine Doesn't Make You Healthier - Robin Hanson

    1D AGO · BONUS

    More Medicine Doesn't Make You Healthier - Robin Hanson

    Medicine often acts less like a health intervention and more like an expensive way to show love and concern, according to Robin Hanson’s “conspicuous caring” hypothesis. Robin Hanson is an Associate Professor of Economics at George Mason University and co-author of The Elephant in the Brain: Hidden Motives in Everyday Life. Subscribe for more contrarian conversations on hidden motives, signaling, and why we do what we do. Best Quotes: “Medicine is a luxury, as we get rich, we spend more and more money on it.” “When some people get a lot more medicine than others at random, those people don’t get healthier.” “It’s not saying each effect is zero. It says the average effect is zero.” “A common motive is that we use medicine to show that we care about each other.” #RobinHanson #HiddenMotives #Healthcare

    3 min
  3. #70: Olivia Gambelin: AI Ethics & Life of an AI CEO

    2D AGO

    #70: Olivia Gambelin: AI Ethics & Life of an AI CEO

    Silicon Valley has become 'stale.' AI ethicist Olivia Gambelin reveals why innovation is now iteration, and what needs to change before the bubble pops. AI ethics expert Olivia Gambelin reveals why most companies are getting AI wrong, and how understanding human values, not just technology, is the key to building AI that actually works. As founder of Ethical Intelligence and author of Responsible AI, Olivia has empowered hundreds of business leaders across Silicon Valley and Brussels to implement ethics-by-design strategies that drive innovation without compromising humanity. Subscribe for weekly conversations with world-leading experts on AI, technology, philosophy, and human potential. You’ll Learn: –Why AI ethics isn't about the technology, it’s about design choices, use cases, and how humans interact with AI systems –How Silicon Valley's innovation bubble has become "stale" and why the ecosystem desperately needs fresh perspectives from outside the tech world –The truth about responsible AI: it's not ethics washing, it's good business practice that helps companies scale AI successfully –Why working strict boundaries (no weekends, 9-7 schedule) makes you MORE effective as an entrepreneur, not less –How to know if you actually need AI in your business, and why most people are being sold solutions looking for problems –What it means to be an AI ethicist: studying values as forces that shape decisions, just like physics studies forces of nature –Why the "AI singularity" mindset reveals people who haven't experienced the messy, beautiful parts of being human –The preventative questions every company should ask BEFORE building AI to save time, money, and avoid ethical disasters Olivia’s Work: Olivia Gambelin's Website: https://www.oliviagambelin.com AI Literacy Course for Non-Technical Professionals: https://www.ethicalintelligence.co/ailiteracy Ethical Intelligence Community: https://www.ethicalintelligence.co Olivia's Book - Responsible AI: https://www.koganpage.com/digital-technology/responsible-ai-9781398615700 Olivia's Substack - In Pursuit of Good Tech: https://pursuitofgoodtech.substack.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliviagambelin Team Chief Editor: Chloe Breheret Chief Automation Officer: Jack McDuff Jacob’s Work Podcast blueprint (Skool): https://www.skool.com/remote-pro-podcast-blueprint-8385 Website: https://www.jacobjwatsonhowland.com

    2h 2m
  4. Matt Ridley: The UK is Committing Economic S*icide

    6D AGO · BONUS

    Matt Ridley: The UK is Committing Economic S*icide

    Britain now has the most expensive electricity costs for both domestic and industrial consumers of any major nation, and it's killing economic growth, warns Matt Ridley, bestselling science writer and author of The Rational Optimist. Lord Matt Ridley is a British science journalist, former Economist editor, and author of multiple bestselling books on economics, innovation, and prosperity, including The Rational Optimist and How Innovation Works. Subscribe for honest conversations about economics, innovation, and the forces shaping national prosperity. Leanr: -Why the UK now has the highest electricity prices in the developed world—and how this destroys competitiveness -How economic growth is fundamentally a thermodynamic phenomenon requiring affordable energy -The catastrophic cost of Britain's 40-year failure to build a third runway at its main airport -Why the UK planning and bureaucratic system prevents essential infrastructure development -How the UK welfare system now rewards non-work at the expense of productive employment -The reality of capital flight—chemical, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, and AI industries leaving Britain -Why Brexit failed to deliver promised benefits because the UK refused to deregulate and innovate -How the UK has failed to grow its economy for 15 years due to deliberate policy failures -Why Britain's energy costs are 63% higher than France and making manufacturing impossible -The vacant position for "innovative engine of the world economy"—and why no country is filling it #UKEconomy #Energycrisis #EconomicGrowth BEST QUOTES: "In the end, economic growth is a thermodynamic phenomenon. You make useful things out of useless ones using energy." "We now have the most expensive electricity costs for both domestic and industrial consumers of any major nation. That's fatal. That's disastrous." "We spent 40 years not building a third runway for our main airport. I mean, what is that all about? How suicidal is this?" "We're seeing capital flight, we're seeing the chemical industry leaving. We're seeing the pharmaceutical industry leaving. We're seeing the oil and gas industry leaving." "I think this country has basically failed to grow its economy for the best part of 15 years because of bad policies." "We left the European Union and failed to take any advantages of doing so... we just said, oh, we're gonna go on being like Europe, but not in it. Well, probably not much point in that then." “You can get a free car for saying you have anxiety”

    4 min
  5. #69: How Corporations Manipulate You Into Blaming Yourself | Nick Chater (pt. 2)

    6D AGO

    #69: How Corporations Manipulate You Into Blaming Yourself | Nick Chater (pt. 2)

    Stop blaming yourself. Corporations spent billions making you think environmental collapse is your fault. Here's the systemic truth. Corporations like BP invented the concept of the "carbon footprint" to shift climate responsibility onto individuals and away from systemic change, reveals Professor Nick Chater, one of the UK's leading behavioral scientists. Professor Chater is a Fellow of the British Academy, former member of the UK government's Climate Change Committee, and co-founder of the Behavioural Insight Team (the original "Nudge Unit"). This is his second time on the show! Subscribe for conversations on systemic change, behavioral science, and exposing corporate manipulation tactics. Expect to learn: -How BP spent over $100 million to popularize the carbon footprint concept and shift climate blame onto individuals -Why Purdue Pharma represents the darkest example of corporate manipulation—from regulatory capture to media playbooks -The truth about individual actions vs systemic solutions in fighting climate change -How corporations use behavioral science against us to avoid accountability and regulation -Why a global carbon tax and cap-and-trade systems are more effective than personal lifestyle changes -The role of academia in perpetuating corporate narratives through compromised research funding -How aligning incentives at the system level creates more environmental progress than nudging behavior -Why "nudging" and individual behavior change are insufficient for addressing massive social problems -The power of collective action and regulatory frameworks over personal responsibility narratives -How to identify when corporations are deflecting blame and what systemic changes actually work Nick’s Work: NEW BOOK: It’s On You https://amzn.to/4arIAXw Team Chief Editor: Chloe Breheret Chief Automation Officer: Jack McDuff Jacob’s Work Podcast blueprint (Skool): https://www.skool.com/remote-pro-podcast-blueprint-8385 FREE Podcast Tips (2nd Channel): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUp5S7ZIZtjA8PMgXJMwppA YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jacobjwatsonhowland Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0r4v5xgyYz0rTFSLklk0Em Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watson-howland/id1813625992 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacobwatsonhowland X: https://x.com/jwatsonhowland LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/watsonhowland Website: https://www.jacobjwatsonhowland.com Sound Bites: "It's the systems that drive the outcomes we see."

    54 min
  6. What Is A Dark Empath? (Most Dangerous Personality Type)

    FEB 2 · BONUS

    What Is A Dark Empath? (Most Dangerous Personality Type)

    20% of people are 'dark empaths’, highly empathetic manipulators who use understanding as a weapon. Are you dealing with one? Full episode: https://youtu.be/1QwnglrWWzE Dark empaths are individuals with elevated psychopathic, narcissistic, and Machiavellian traits combined with high cognitive empathy, making up nearly 20% of the population according to groundbreaking research by Dr. Nadja Heym. Dr. Heym is an Associate Professor at Nottingham Trent University who coined the term "Dark Empath" and specializes in dark personality traits, antisocial behavior, and empathy deficits. Subscribe for more insights on psychology, personality science, and understanding human behavior. Expect to learn: -What dark empaths are and how they differ from traditional psychopaths and narcissists -Why dark empaths make up 20% of the population while traditional dark traits account for only 13% -The difference between cognitive empathy (understanding thoughts) and affective empathy (feeling emotions) -How dark empaths use empathy as a weapon for manipulation rather than connection -The four personality profiles discovered in Dr. Heym's research of 1,000 individuals -Why dark empaths are more socially adept and extroverted than traditional dark personalities -How to identify someone with elevated dark traits before they cause interpersonal damage -Why having empathy doesn't always mean someone is trustworthy or compassionate 00:00 Introduction to Dark Empaths 00:23 Understanding Dark Traits and Empathy 01:08 Research and Findings on Dark Empaths 01:38 Profiles Identified in the Study 02:15 Characteristics of Dark Empaths 03:03 Prevalence and Impact of Dark Traits 03:32 Conclusion: Dark Traits in the Population Best Quote: "The dark empaths are almost 20% of the population. We're looking at about a third of the population that has high dark traits." #DarkEmpath #DarkTriad #PersonalityPsychology

    4 min
  7. 7 Secret Rules of Power - Jeffrey Pfeffer (Stanford)

    FEB 1 · BONUS

    7 Secret Rules of Power - Jeffrey Pfeffer (Stanford)

    Is it safer to be feared than loved? Professor Jeffrey Pfeffer, an expert in organizational behavior at Stanford Business School, dives deep into power dynamics and success strategies. Learn why avoiding being hated can propel you in leadership roles and how over-concern about others' opinions can be detrimental. The discussion explores how coaches, continuous learning, and intellectual curiosity contribute to personal and professional growth. Pfeffer emphasizes taking action, holding oneself accountable, and transforming knowledge into power with real-life examples of successful implementation. 00:00 Introduction to Power Dynamics 00:13 The Importance of Not Being Loved 01:01 Overcoming Limiting Beliefs 01:27 Cultural Influences on Behavior 03:19 The Role of Coaching and Practice 06:48 Continuous Learning and Intellectual Curiosity 08:24 The Reality of Success and Ethics 10:22 Accountability and Transformation 12:22 Success Stories and Real-Life Applications 🎙️ WATCH THE FULL EPISODE: https://youtu.be/Rb4fKodARRs #power #machiaevelli

    13 min
  8. #68: Our 74 Emotions Exposed: Love, Hate, Reputation & AI - Psychologist Rob Kurzban

    JAN 30

    #68: Our 74 Emotions Exposed: Love, Hate, Reputation & AI - Psychologist Rob Kurzban

    Love, hate, embarrassment, every emotion has an evolutionary job. This psychologist identified all 74 and their survival functions. Evolutionary psychologist Dr. Rob Kurzban reveals the hidden evolutionary reasons behind our 74 distinct emotions (from love and hate to embarrassment and cuteness aggression) and explains why understanding human emotions is more critical than ever in the age of AI. Dr. Kurzban is a leading researcher in evolutionary psychology who studied under field pioneers John Tooby and Leda Cosmides, specializing in the adaptive functions of human social behavior. Subscribe for more deep conversations on psychology, philosophy, and human nature. 00:00 Introduction to Evolutionary Psychology and Emotions 00:17 Surprising Discoveries in Emotional Research 01:22 The Complexity of Love and Strategic Ignorance 02:32 Memory, Reputation, and Strategic Amnesia 04:50 Obscure Feelings and Their Evolutionary Roles 07:25 Pain, Embarrassment, and Evolutionary Signals 11:28 Feelings in Adulthood vs. Childhood 14:26 Intense Emotions: Parental Love, Hate, and Coalitional Comradery 17:03 The Evolutionary Purpose of Hate 22:14 Modular Brain Systems and Competing Emotions 34:54 The Role of Optimism in Youth 35:17 The Complexity of Wisdom 36:38 Children's Books and Morality 38:54 Signaling Moral Virtue 42:24 Cultural Rules and Their Impact 47:33 The Evolution of American Rules 52:19 Hypocrisy and Moral Judgment 01:02:05 Changing Beliefs and Scientific Dogma 01:11:48 The Role of Science in Human Progress 01:12:34 AI and the Future of Objectivity 01:13:28 The Evolution of AI: From Language Models to World Models 01:15:38 AI's Impact on Human Behavior and Society 01:18:08 The Future of Jobs in an AI-Driven World 01:21:08 Human Creativity vs. AI Capabilities 01:25:29 The Role of Envy and Gratitude in Human Motivation 01:30:59 Historical Parallels and Lessons from the Industrial Revolution 01:45:09 The Importance of Legal Frameworks in Society 01:46:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts RESOURCES / LINKS Rob’s Work: Substack: https://thelivingfossils.substack.com "Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite: Evolution and the Modular Mind" - Available at: http://www.robkurzban.com/books/why-everyone-else-is-a-hypocrite "The Hidden Agenda of the Political Mind: How Self-Interest Shapes Our Opinions and Why We Won't Admit It" (Co-authored with Jason Weeden) - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21981657-the-hidden-agenda-of-the-political-mind Jacob’s Work Podcast blueprint (Skool): https://www.skool.com/remote-pro-podcast-blueprint-8385 FREE Podcast Tips (2nd Channel): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUp5S7ZIZtjA8PMgXJMwppA

    1h 50m
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About

Understand yourself and the world better with Jacob J. Watson-Howland, Europe’s fastest-growing U21 podcaster & award-winning BBC-featured photographer. Crowned one of Spotify’s most popular & most shared new shows, ahead of 93% of podcasts in 2025. Featuring deep-dive conversations on psychology, philosophy, self-improvement, history, entrepreneurship & AI with guests like Evan Carmichael (4.4M+ YouTuber), Jim Cantrell (SpaceX Co-founder), Lord Matt Ridley, Tyler Cowen & 100+ more. ___ In 2 months, I went from 0 to 3.0M+ views & dream guests in my bedroom at 20. Start your own podcast today using my blueprint: https://www.skool.com/remote-pro-podcast-blueprint-8385/about

Information

  • Creator
    Jacob J. Watson-Howland
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    190
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jacob J. Watson-Howland
  • Show Website
    Watson-Howland

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