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Performance Initiative Podcast

Performance Initiative Podcast

Written by: Dr. Grant Cooper & Dr. Zinovy Meyler
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About this listen

The Performance Initiative Podcast was born out of the conviction that we all have room to improve. We all have boundless potential if we have the will and the tools to unlock it. At the Performance Initiative, we are dedicated to finding those tools, sharing them with you, and trying them out for ourselves. A few weeks after each episode, Zinovy and Grant report their experiences trying to put into practice what they have learned from each guest. We invite you to share your experiences -- the good and the bad -- as well. Research and life experience show us that we thrive by sharing our life experiences with each other and learning from them. Each day is a new chance to be better and we welcome you into our community to share and grow with us.

© 2024 Performance Initiative Podcast
Science Social Sciences
Episodes
  • #38: Unmasking Scams and Cognitive Biases with Daniel Simons & Christopher Chabris
    Sep 10 2024

    In this episode, hosts Dr. Grant Cooper and Dr. Zinovy Meyler engage with renowned cognitive psychologists Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons to unravel the intricacies of memory, deception, and decision-making. They discuss how vivid but often inaccurate memories form, explore real-life scams including impersonators of the French Minister of Defense, and tackle psychological shortcuts like survivorship bias and confirmation bias. The conversation highlights the influence of AI and deepfakes on deception and offers practical advice to protect against scams, such as the use of family passwords for combating voice cloning. Additionally, they delve into decision-making traps, illustrated through examples like doctors' varied information processing. Through engaging anecdotes and their collaborative research from 'Nobody's Fool,' the episode provides insights into human cognition’s limitations and the importance of recognizing and mitigating biases.

    (00:00) Introduction
    (04:20) Exploring the Mandela Effect
    (06:43) The Fallibility of Memory
    (16:15) Survivorship Bias in Decision-Making
    (19:58) The Possibility Grid: Understanding Success and Failure
    (26:36) Confirmation Bias and Scientific Errors
    (38:50) The Time Reversal Heuristic
    (39:50) Bias in Scientific Findings
    (40:51) The Appeal of Counterintuitive Results
    (42:45) Challenges in Replicating Studies
    (43:46) The Reality of Social Priming
    (46:28) Subliminal Perception and Its Limits
    (47:34) Cognitive Training and Its Efficacy
    (55:17) Chess Strategies Applied to Life
    (57:09) The Importance of Asking Questions
    (59:42) Avoiding Deception and Making Better Decisions
    (01:04:27) The Role of Information in Decision Making
    (01:09:04) Conclusion

    Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris are renowned cognitive psychologists best known for their groundbreaking research on attention, perception, and cognitive illusions. Simons, a professor at the University of Illinois, and Chabris, a professor at Geisinger Health System, co-authored the influential book *The Invisible Gorilla*, which explores how our minds can overlook significant details, leading to surprising misconceptions. Their famous "invisible gorilla" experiment demonstrates how people can fail to notice obvious things when focused on specific tasks, revealing the limits of human attention and perception. Both researchers continue to investigate the fascinating ways in which our minds shape our experiences.

    #podcast #memory #decisionmaking #psychology #deception #mandelaeffect #interview #experts #brainscience #research #mind #cognitivescience #mentalhealth #MemoryStudy #SurvivorshipBias

    Thanks For Watching

    Socials:
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKPNCI1-HBSZmiHNAlAjiIw
    Website: https://www.performanceinitiativepodcast.com/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performanceinitiative

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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • #37: Happiness and Human Behavior: Daniel Gilbert Unveils the Science
    Aug 27 2024

    In this engaging episode of the Performance Initiative Podcast, hosts Dr. Grant Cooper and Dr. Zinovy Meyler sit down with renowned Harvard psychologist Professor Daniel Gilbert to explore the complexities of happiness and how our choices affect our well-being. Delving into the psychology behind happiness, they discuss the common misconceptions about activities like volunteering, raising children, and owning pets. The conversation uncovers the significant role of social connections, the impact of sleep, and the importance of taking decisive actions in life. Through compelling examples and studies, Professor Gilbert sheds light on the counterintuitive nature of happiness, guiding listeners to understand what truly brings lasting satisfaction and joy.

    (00:00) Introduction
    (03:06) The Paradox of Choice
    (07:42) Medical Decision-Making and Heuristics
    (16:07) The Art and Science of Medicine
    (21:19) The Role of Psychology in Medicine
    (24:31) The Fallibility of Human Imagination
    (45:21) Gratitude and Perspective in Life
    (50:06) The Big Sort: Communities of Like-Minded Individuals
    (50:47) Political Ideologies and Media Siloing
    (52:12) Shared Experiences and the Melting Pot of America
    (53:03) The Challenge of Modern Isolation
    (54:42) The Paradox of Wealth and Happiness
    (56:50) Social Connections vs. Wealth: What Truly Brings Happiness?
    (59:21) Purpose and Happiness: Are They Interconnected?
    (01:01:34) The Role of Social Interaction in Fulfillment
    (01:09:41) Children and Happiness: A Complex Relationship
    (01:18:33) The Importance of Sleep and Health in Happiness
    (01:26:34) Action vs. Inaction: Regrets and Life Choices
    (01:30:36) Concluding Thoughts and Takeaways

    Professor Daniel Gilbert is a renowned social psychologist and a faculty member at Harvard University, best known for his research on affective forecasting, happiness, and decision-making. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller Stumbling on Happiness, which explores the quirks of human cognition and how we often mispredict our own emotional responses to future events. Gilbert’s work has significantly influenced the field of psychology, offering profound insights into how people perceive happiness and the choices that lead to a fulfilling life. In this episode, he shares his expertise on the psychology of happiness, challenging common beliefs and providing a deeper understanding of what truly contributes to well-being.

    Thanks For Listening

    Socials:
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKPNCI1-HBSZmiHNAlAjiIw
    Website: https://www.performanceinitiativepodcast.com/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performanceinitiative

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    1 hr and 32 mins
  • #36: Nurturing Resilience: Tools for Modern Parenting with Lael Stone, Speaker, Educator & Author
    Aug 13 2024

    Join Dr. Grant Cooper and Dr. Zinovy Meyler on the Performance Initiative Podcast as they unravel effective parenting strategies with Lael Stone. This episode explores raising resilient children, impacts of parental mental health, balancing discipline and connection, and understanding children's behaviors as reflections of their needs. Learn practical solutions for handling tantrums, building trust, fostering emotional intelligence, and nurturing long-lasting family connections. Historical practices like nurturing Spartan warriors are compared, offering insights into fostering resilience and success. Tune in for essential tools to become a mindful and compassionate parent.

    (00:00) Introduction
    (02:00) Parenting Challenges and Insights
    (02:40) The Importance of Parental Mental Health
    (03:51) Understanding Children's Behavior
    (06:57) Balancing Expectations and Authenticity
    (13:23) Managing Parental Reactions
    (19:07) Identifying and Addressing Repression
    (32:24) Building Resilience in Children
    (46:39) Dealing with Children's Anger
    (47:14) Teaching Emotional Awareness
    (47:37) Children's Intuition and Parental Emotions
    (48:20) Contradictory Parenting Advice
    (50:18) Shaming vs. Connection in Parenting
    (51:25) Understanding Children's Behavior
    (54:58) Punishments vs. Consequences
    (57:23) Repairing Relationships After Mistakes
    (01:02:21) Balancing Control and Freedom
    (01:16:57) Creating a Safe and Nurturing Environment
    (01:25:40) Encouraging Exploration and Growth
    (01:28:30) Closing Thoughts and Reflections

    Lael Stone is an Australian educator, author, and parenting expert known for her compassionate approach to raising and understanding children. With a background in childbirth education, parenting, and trauma work, she co-founded the Woodline Primary School, a nature-based school that focuses on emotional intelligence and well-being. Lael is passionate about helping parents connect with their children through empathy and emotional awareness, advocating for respectful and conscious parenting practices. She is also a sought-after speaker, podcaster, and co-author of "Raising Resilient and Compassionate Children," a book that provides practical tools for fostering healthy child development.

    #parentingtips #resilience #podcastepisode #mentalhealth #parentingadvice #raisingkids #parentinghacks #podcast #emotionalwellbeing #childdevelopment #parentingjourney

    Thanks For Watching

    Socials:
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKPNCI1-HBSZmiHNAlAjiIw
    Website: https://www.performanceinitiativepodcast.com/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performanceinitiative

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    1 hr and 29 mins
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