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Robin Dunbar is a professor, an evolutionary psychologist, and the author of many books, including "Friends: Understanding the Power of Our Most Important Relationships." During our conversation, Robin talks about how and why he became interested in evolutionary psychology, what evolutionary psychology is, and its explanatory power.He also talks about human social dynamics, and our "circles of friendship." These concentric circles include the universal findings of how, on average, human numerically structure their social lives: intimate friends (1.5), close friends (5), best friends (15), good friends (50), friends (150), acquaintances (500), and known names (1,500). "Dunbar's number" of 150 is really just one of these tiers.Finally, Robin discusses why humans have friends, the "seven pillars of friendship," how people vet others for their appropriate tier early in friendship, and the loneliness people often experience when their "inner circles" are not robust and strong. The health and endorphin benefits of real friends, Robin notes, is often better than any therapy or medicine, and is free to all. I loved talking to this fascinating, friendly, and funny scholar, and hope to have him back on the show not too far down the road.------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------Rate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------00:00 Intro02:51 Why evolutionary psychology? 07:16 Rethinking evolutionary arguments to benefit genes. 15:43 Humanities are actually proper sciences applying evidence. 18:32 Evolution shapes behavior, but brain allows freedom. 26:07 Social groups crucial for primate survival. 29:47 Close friendships crucial for psychological and physical health. 37:16 Research found commonalities in social media posting. 42:27 Club membership based on beer, social interaction. 48:18 In hunter-gatherer societies, 150 descendants are common. 54:40 Friends book explores universal categories for human friendships. 58:41 Close friends can help you live longer.01:01:39 Building friendships

James Hollis, a renowned Jungian psychoanalyst and author, shares profound insights from his latest book, "A Life of Meaning." He explores the significance of confronting one’s shadow and its impact on personal and societal wellbeing. Hollis also discusses the concept of the numinous, encouraging listeners to heed their calling. He warns against lethargy and cultural distractions that hinder meaningful engagement with life. Through his reflections on fear and authenticity, he inspires a courageous approach to life’s challenges.

Paul Conti is a psychiatrist, a trauma expert, the former Chief Resident at Harvard, and the author of "Trauma: The Invisible Epidemic." During our conversation, Paul talks about the precise definition of trauma: something that overwhelms one's coping mechanisms and changes the brain, his own personal experience with trauma, the state of mental healthcare in America, how we know one has experienced trauma, how trauma often leads to hidden shame that prevents healing, what trauma is not, how he has stepped outside of mainstream healthcare practices to help his patients, and suggestions for mitigating the negative effects and suffering caused by trauma.Paul is extraordinarily open and informed about the subject of trauma. It is his view that having a holistic approach to treatment and taking the time necessary to establish rapport with patients is key in understanding and addressing the root-cause of his patients' ailments. This was one of my favorite conversations in a long time, and it ends on a note of hope: by providing some tools that are already available for those in need and noting tools that may come in the near future to help human beings become well.------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------Show notesRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------(00:00) Intro02:26 Defining trauma07:29 How do we know someone has experienced trauma?11:06 Paul's personal experience with trauma.17:49 Quote about addressing symptoms in medicine system.18:13 How Paul knew he needed help addressing his own trauma.26:32 What isn't trauma?28:56 Scientific evidence of trauma.30:39 What commonly causes trauma?34:13 The relationship of trauma and shame.40:16 Hope for addressing trauma in modernity, particularly for men.46:56 Failing to seek help due to social conditioning.52:00 Paul working outside the medical system and creating rapport with patients.01:00::08 Tactics for overcoming trauma and suffering01:06:31 Where we are in our understanding of the mind and brain01:11:29 MDMA therapy and what Paul is hopeful about in the future

Eric Jorgenson is an investor, the CEO of Scribe Media, and the author of "The Anthology of Balaji: A Guide to Technology, Truth, and Building the Future." During our conversation, Eric talks about what drew him to Balaji Srinivasan as a subject, the overlap between Balaji and the subject of Eric's first book, Naval Ravikant, and the major themes of his new book: technology, truth, and the future.Marc Andreessen famously remarked that Balaji has "the highest output per minute of new ideas of anybody (he's) ever met." Eric's book documents some of his best and evergreen ideas. Expect to learn Balaji's thoughts on wealth creation, what to prioritize in life, and the importance of risk-taking, independence, and building something valuable.I think anyone who is interested in seeing the world more clearly, becoming more imaginative about our potential future, and being a better version of themselves will treasure this book.------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------Show notesRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------(00:00) Intro(03:01) Why Balaji was chosen as a book subject(07:25) What excited Eric about Balaji(12:48) Balaji's biography(18:28) Technology(26:58) How to avert technological stasis and decline(38:35) Truth(47:05) Philosophy and the future(55:05) How Eric has changed after writing this book

Peter Levine is a lecturer, a psychotherapist, and the author of various best-selling books including "Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma." During our conversation, Peter talks about how our culture deals with and talks about trauma, the oneness of the mind and the body, and viewing trauma from a naturalistic perspective.Peter has been revolutionary in reframing trauma as something physical, something within the body. His somatic experiencing techniques have been created with this outlook, and aim to help those who are suffering to have a way to release trauma and to reconnect with themselves.Peter has written that "traumatized people are not suffering from a disease in the normal sense of the word - they have become stuck in an aroused state." His work, begun many decades ago, has improved our understanding of the nature of trauma and has helped many to live happier, healthier lives.------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------Show notesRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------(00:00) Intro(02:02) How America approached trauma 50 years ago(04:13) Nancy and somatic experiencing(16:14) Changing our understanding of trauma(25:38) Trauma being viewed as a moral failing(36:42) Peter's childhood trauma(42:57) The wounded healer(47:52) Recommendations to work through trauma(50:16) A quote about trauma from Peter(57:07) Viewing trauma from a naturalist perspective(57:49) Various tools for approaching trauma(01:03:53) What individuals can do to improve the world

Barry Schwartz is a TED speaker, a professor, a social scientist, and the author of "The Paradox of Choice." During our conversation, Barry talks about decision paralysis, the downsides of having too many options, and the difference between what calls a "maximizer" and a "satisficier." He also talks about his view that modern depression is in part caused people feeling overwhelmed by choice, how social media and modernity have exacerbated the paradox of choice, and the importance of individuals to intentionally limit their choices.Barry writes in his book: “There’s no question that some choice is better than none, but it doesn’t follow from that that more choice is better than some choice.” "The Paradox of Choice" is nearly 20 years old, and its message, to me, is both counterintuitive and evergreen. It flies in the face of the most American of ideals: the value of freedom, the value of endless optionality.To my mind, Barry's ideas are worth considering. He's right that endless choice can lead to “paralysis rather than liberation" - an observation that our culture, increasingly, would do well to heed.------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------Show notesRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------(00:00) Intro(00:31) The genesis of "The Paradox of Choice"(06:11) The relevance of "The Paradox of Choice" today(10:37) The ideal of freedom of choice in Western Civilization(13:32) "Maximizer" vs "Satisficer"(17:28) Is it ever wise to be a "Maximizer"?(24:16) Depression caused by excess choice(26:00) How can Maximizers be persuaded to change?(29:20) Placing intentional limits on yourself(32:36) What else is causing the negativity of excess choice? (40:22) Insatiability and workaholism in America(47:26) Increasing choice decreases economic activity(52:00) Dating, choice, and how to change

Jon Kostas (hello@apollopact.org) is an activist, a former alcoholic, and the first study participant in the NYU psilocybin clinical trials. During our conversation, Jon talks about his years of alcohol abuse, his attempts to rid himself of the addiction, his doctor's belief that, in his mid-20's, his quantity of alcohol consumption would likely kill him within a few years, and his eventual experience of a medically-supervised "heroic dose" of psilocybin - the psychoactive ingredient in magic mushrooms - at New York University.Jon discusses what his trip was like, how it cured him of his alcohol cravings, the efficacy rates of such treatments, and how it has motivated him to dedicate his life to help others get access to professionally-supervised psychedelic experiences to address addiction and other aspects of human suffering.Jon is the first person on this show who was a friend before the interview. His story is an incredible one and offers hope to many who are battling severe addiction. It takes courageous people like Jon to step forward and share honest, open, and very personal stories to effect real change. It was an honor to do this one.------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------Show notesRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------(00:00) Intro(03:16) Drinking and early life in New York City(09:58) Did Jon view his drinking as a problem?(14:18) What are mornings like as an alcoholic?(20:10) Drunk life was better than sober life(21:48) Alcoholism rooted in anxiety(25:52) Alcohol providing relief from pressure(29:57) When Jon knew he had a real problem(32:32) AA, specialists, pharmaceuticals, and counselors didn't work(37:27) Jon's trajectory prior to the NYU trial(49:32) The NYU psilocybin for addiction trial(57:30) Jon's psychological state prior to the NYU trial(59:55) The first psychedelic trip(01:17:49) How did this experience cure his alcoholism?(01:24:17) Is the word "cured" appropriate?(01:29:37) What would Jon say to current addicts?(01:35:10) Advocating for doing this work in a clinical setting

Leidy Klotz is a professor at the University of Virginia and is the author of "Subtract: The Untapped Science of Less." During our conversation, Leidy talks about why humans are so wired to add to, rather than subtract from, their life, how addition is a signal of competence that we are hard-wired to display, and the downsides of this natural tendency.Leidy also talks about the many ways in which subtracting can be beneficial: from quitting smoking and high-sugar diets, to removing modern addictions like excessive social media use, to getting rid of work meetings to create slack for creativity and focus.The power of subtraction can't be unseen once it's glimpsed. Evolution operates by removing what doesn't work, the "via negativa" concept notes that we know what is wrong with more clarity than what is right, that knowledge grows by subtraction, and human wellbeing is often best boosted by removing a toxic relationship, a toxic boss, or toxic stress. There is a humility in this approach, and as Leidy notes, perhaps we all need to be more-often prompted to tweak our life goals and New Years' resolutions to include habits that need to be subtracted, in addition to those we want to add.------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------Show notesRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------(00:00) Intro(01:23) How "Subtract" came to be(03:56) Coming to the theme of subtraction(07:03) Why humans are so wired to add(11:13) Subtraction as a proactive act(19:15) Cultural differences regarding subtraction(27:28) "Via negativa"(33:30) Evolution is an act of subtraction(35:20) Quotes about subtraction(45:34) Subtraction to fight modern addictions(55:08) Subtraction in New Year's Resolutions

Clinical psychologist Shawn T. Smith discusses modern dating, relationship issues, dating apps, evolutionary psychology, and the 'red pill' community. He emphasizes the importance of properly vetting women for long-term relationships, recognizing red and green flags, and the impact of time in making life-changing decisions. Smith provides insights into borderline personality disorder, male-female dynamics, and themes of a healthy relationship. He also explores the controversies surrounding the Red Pill community and the importance of wide reading and individual decision-making.

Brent W. Roberts is a professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and specializes in human personality. During our conversation, Brent talks The Big Five personality traits, what personality is, the differences between the Big Five and the Myers-Briggs personality test, diversity in human personality, the role of genes and sex differences in personality, evolutionary psychology, the stability of one's personality over time, how to decrease trait neuroticism, and practical applications of personality research.I've been fascinated by the Big Five ever since I learned about it a few years ago. It's clear to me that there's a massive public hunger to learn about human personality: what it is, how we know what we know, and how it can better illuminate who we are as a species and as individuals.------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------Show notesRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------(00:00) Intro(02:07) What is personality? (08:23) Differences between Myers-Briggs and The Big Five (12:48) The wide differences in human personalities (17:29) Sex differences in neuroticism (19:27) Ev psych and sex differences in personality (25:17) Describing The Big Five personality traits (30:41) The Big Five and political beliefs (36:28) How to reduce neuroticism (41:20) Why does therapy help to reduce neuroticism? (46:34) Why does knowledge of human personality matter?