The Science of Personality Podcast

In the latest episode of The Science of Personality, Ryne and Blake are joined by world-renowned author and journalist, Jack El-Hai, to discuss the personality of evil, with a specific focus on the personalities of authoritarians and fascists. This was the focus of his best-selling 2013 book, The Nazi and the Psychiatrist, which inspired the 2025 movie, Nuremberg, currently streaming on Netflix, which features not one, but two Academy Award winning actors. In the movie Russell Crowe plays the part of Nazi war criminal Hermann Göring and Rami Malek plays the role of Douglas Kelley, the US Army psychiatrist assigned to evaluate the personalities and mental capacities of high-ranking Nazis leading up to the Nuremberg trials. Again, this was all inspired by Jack’s book which Pulitzer Prize-winning author Gilbert King describes as “a harrowing narrative that brilliantly probes the depths of evil.” So, that begs the question: What is the personality of evil? Buy the Book: The Nazi and the Psychiatrist

A lively discussion about which human skills will stay valuable as AI transforms work. They explore critical thinking, judgment, and oversight versus AI decision-making. Personality traits and team roles that help people adapt get attention. The conversation covers AI in hiring, performance reviews, coding, creativity, and predictions for how work might look by 2050.

In the latest episode of The Science of Personality, Ryne and Blake are joined by Nigel Nicholson, PhD, author and Emeritus Professor of Organizational Behavior at London Business School, to talk about unique individuality, which is the focus of his new book, Unique You: How Individuality Works and Why It Matters. Although Nigel’s esteemed career as a business psychologist has focused on things like the application of evolutionary theory in business and management, educational innovation, and coaching political and business leaders, the topic of individual differences has fascinated him for much of his life, making him the perfect guest for this topic.Click here to buy Unique You: How Individuality Works and Why It Matters

In the latest episode of The Science of Personality, Ryne and Blake are joined by Peter Harms, PhD, a Frank Schultz Professor of Management at the University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Business, to talk about the history and psychology of underdogs. World history is littered with stories and legends of people or groups of people who have defied the odds in the face of almost sure defeat, making them the closest thing to immortal a human being can fathom outside of religion and deities. But how do they accomplish these incredible feats? How do they find a way to make the impossible possible? Peter and Ryne have been interested in the topic of underdogs for quite some time, and they unpack their thoughts and theories in this episode.

In the latest episode of The Science of Personality, Ryne and Blake are joined by Kevin Mitchell, PhD, the Talent and Organizational Development Manager at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory, to talk about developing technical experts into leaders. In theory, any high performer regardless of their area of expertise should at some point be rewarded with a leadership position. But sometimes what makes someone a great software developer or network engineer might not translate to success once they ascend to a managerial role. In this episode, Kevin, who has a wealth of experience in this area, talks about how to successfully develop these high performers into effective and strategic leaders.

Allison Howell, the new CEO of Hogan Assessments with a rich background in communications, dives into the intriguing world of workplace gossip. She explores how gossip, often seen as harmful, can actually foster connections and serve as a vital communication tool. The discussion examines the dual nature of gossip—highlighting its potential for reputational harm while also underscoring its role in building trust and community in organizations. Allison also emphasizes the importance of leaders creating safe spaces for discussion to harness gossip's constructive aspects.

In the latest episode of The Science of Personality, Ryne and Blake continue their annual tradition of breaking down the top derailers of the year. Who made the list in 2025? Give it a listen to find out.

The discussion dives into the concept of workplace freeloaders—those who contribute little but take much. They distinguish between ordinary freeloaders and toxic employees who complicate team dynamics. A coin game illustrates how freeloaders benefit at others' expense. The impact of remote work on freeloading risks is explored, along with personality traits that predict such behavior. They emphasize the importance of quickly addressing freeloaders to maintain team motivation and suggest effective strategies for detection and management.

In the latest episode of The Science of Personality, Ryne is joined by special guest host Valerie Stone, Hogan’s marketing director, who interviews Ryne to discuss his life, his role at Hogan, and his career journey. 

In the latest episode of The Science of Personality, Blake is joined by special guest host Valerie Stone, Hogan's marketing director, who interviews Blake to discuss his life, his role at Hogan, and his career journey. Many listeners probably noticed that there was not a new episode last week, and that was for a couple of reasons. The primary reason is that Ryne has had an extensive international travel schedule in the second half of 2025. The other reason is that this time of year is extremely busy at Hogan as we look to wrap up the year. But that got me thinking. How well do you, our listeners, know Ryne and Blake? In this special episode you get an in-depth look at Blake's life, and a similar episode featuring Ryne will be published in the coming weeks. Cheers!