Beat Your Genes Podcast

BeatYourGenes

Evolutionary Psychology

Relationships

Marriage

Love Instinct

Romantic Relationships

Happiness

Social Anxiety

Attractiveness

Infidelity

Workplace Dynamics

Genetics

Divorce

Narcissism

Male-Female Dynamics

Parenting

Self-Confidence

Emotional Stability

Motivation

Plant-Based Diet

Big Five Personality Traits

Evolutionary psychology with Dr. Doug Lisle, PhD and Nathan Gershfeld, D.C. Most psychology advice treats your brain like a broken machine. Beat Your Genes starts somewhere different: your instincts aren't broken. They're just optimized for a Stone Age environment that no longer exists. Dr. Lisle - Evolutionary psychologist, former Stanford lecturer, and co-author of The Pleasure Trap - has spent ... more

775 ratings

Publishes	Twice monthly	Episodes	404	Founded	10 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	Mental HealthHealth & Fitness

Listen to this Podcast

Guests Hosts Reviews Charts Talking Points

Latest Episodes

388: Why Can't I Let Go When He Sends Me Mixed Messages?

A listener has spent a year chasing a high-profile CEO who disappears for weeks, resurfaces warmly, and never quite commits. She knows the math doesn't add up, so why can't she walk away? Dr. Doug Lisle breaks down the evolutionary psychology behind ... more

12 Aug 2026 • 51 min • Most popular

387: The Black Sheep of a Genius Family

She grew up in a family of surgeons, a Google computer scientist, and a NASA astrophysicist, and she became a flight attendant who wanted to be a housewife. Now her genius-level family calls her the failure. Dr. Doug Lisle breaks down why esteem, not... more

22 Jul 2026 • 33 min

386: How to Handle Bad Advice Without a Fight

What do you say when a friend or family member recommends horse-assisted coaching, family constellations therapy, or the latest protein fix for your problems? Evolutionary psychologist Dr. Doug Lisle explains why arguing back is like trying to pee up... more

10 Jul 2026 • 45 min

385: It's Not the Men. It's Who You Keep Choosing.

A listener who knows evolutionary psychology well asks Dr. Doug Lisle a painful question. If men seem satisfied once they have food and sex, and never care about her inner life, is she fighting a losing battle against biology? His answer flips it. Th... more

26 Jun 2026 • 1 hr 12 min

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors

Contact Information

Podcast Host

Number of Listeners

Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

The Exam Room by the Physicians CommitteePhysicians Committee

PLANTSTRONG PodcastRip Esselstyn

Eat to LiveJenna Fuhrman, Dr. Fuhrman

Nutrition Facts with Dr. GregerMichael Greger, M.D. FACLM

Huberman LabScicomm Media

Recent Guests

Doug Lisle

PhD, psychologist and author featured as a guest on the episode

Episode: 377: Dr. Lisle ESCAPES Dubai … to talk about Acceptance/Commitment therapy

Douglas Lisle

Evolutionary psychologist

Beat Your Genes Podcast

Episode: 365: Hustle Culture, Burnout, and the Evolution of Self Esteem

Hosts

Nathan Gershfeld

Co-host guiding the discussion and framing questions; contributes systems thinking.

Douglas Lisle

Clinical psychologist and evolutionary psychologist providing core EP frameworks; discusses mating, behavior, and therapy.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 775 ratings

A truly tranformative podcast
I’ve been listening to this podcast for years, and it continues to amaze me. Dr. Lisle has opened my eyes in so many ways. The insights I’ve gained about psychology, human behavior, and how people really work have been nothing short of life-changing.
Every episode teaches me something new and deepens my understanding of others — and of myself. The clarity, wisdom, and calm logic Dr. Lisle brings to even the most complex topics is extraordinary!
I’m genuinely grateful for everything I’ve learne... more
Apple Podcasts
5
MashaBiely
Germany9 months ago
Eye opening and practical
The podcast does a fantastic job of making evolutionary psychology engaging and useful. The episode on the evolutionary roots of procrastination really resinated with me – it gave me a new perspective on why we put things off and how to work with, not against, our brains. Every episode helps me better understand human behavior and apply those insights to daily life. Highly recommend!
Apple Podcasts
5
Elizabeth_Toth
Netherlandsa year ago
Fantastic podcast!
My favourite podcast I could listen to an episode every day, so interesting and informative. I love the discussions between the presenters and appreciate the humour.
Apple Podcasts
5
Cathy McIntyre
United Kingdoma year ago
What happened to this podcast?
Why were all sides removed?
Apple Podcasts
5
amwteach
United Statesa year ago
Absolutely outstanding!
I found this podcast by total chance. I have always been very interested in human nature, for example I’ve always wondered how did someone like Eminem, who was very clearly abused make it all the way to the top in life…? He’s not lying down in the gutter crying, he’s a millionaire! The answer: he was born with exceptional genes that lead him down his path! WOW! I particularly have had more of an interest in figuring out myself, like a driving force that’s been encoded and I can’t escape it. And ... more
Apple Podcasts
5
Sandeebriggs
United States2 years ago

Embed These Reviews on a Website

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners feel the content veers into politics but still find the EP framing valuable.

Many appreciate practical relationship guidance coupled with clear, sometimes provocative takes on politics.

Listeners praise the rigorous, engaging deep-dives into evolutionary psychology and real-life application.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts	#247	Australia/Health & Fitness/Mental Health
Apple Podcasts	#86	New Zealand/Health & Fitness/Mental Health
Apple Podcasts	#113	Poland/Health & Fitness/Mental Health
Apple Podcasts	#171	Denmark/Health & Fitness/Mental Health
Apple Podcasts	#226	Hong Kong/Health & Fitness/Mental Health
Apple Podcasts	#228	Saudi Arabia/Health & Fitness/Mental Health

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

388: Why Can't I Let Go When He Sends Me Mixed Messages?

Q: What is going on in your mind when you're evaluating whether to stay with someone who is intermittently available and seems to have a lot of resources?

The speaker explains that the mind runs ongoing probability estimates and virtual reality simulations to test different relationship scenarios, balancing the high upside of a wealthy, capable partner against the low reliability and potential competition from others. The key is to shift from passive hoping to gathering precise information about commitment and availability to avoid being misled by illusions of potential.

385: It's Not the Men. It's Who You Keep Choosing.

Q: I'm a 63-year-old married woman who's been feeling envious of peers who lose weight easily with GLP-1 drugs. How should I interpret this in terms of resource competition and self-esteem?

Weight and appearance are part of competitive signals that influence esteem within a social group. Rather than chasing a drug-induced shortcut, reassess your own social ecology and focus on sustainable, intrinsic signals of value like health habits, longevity, and genuine relationship dynamics to maintain self-esteem and reduce envy.

385: It's Not the Men. It's Who You Keep Choosing.

Q: Dear Dr. Lisle, I have followed your work for years, and I'm quite familiar with evolutionary psychology. In my relationships, men often seem to prioritize basic needs over inner beauty. Am I fighting a losing battle against biology?

Not a losing battle; it's a battle of understanding your own mating strategy and the trade-offs you're willing to make. Men may trade off depth for looks due to transgenerational priorities, but you can increase your chances by recognizing your own preferences, demanding greater depth upfront, and evaluating long-term compatibility beyond initial attraction.

When the Marriage Is Over, but the Mortgage Isn't

Q: Dear Dr. Lisle, my husband broke the implied contract of our marriage that we would both remain healthy. He has led me on for six years about his quitting marijuana and getting fit. Should I jump ship or is there another path?

The host explains that relationships are trades of resources driven by cost-benefit analyses; if the love instinct no longer activates, it's reasonable to reassess the relationship and consider redefining the arrangement, potentially separating if the core values and health concerns are not being met. He suggests evaluating whether the trade is still worth it and that a more business-like approach may be necessary, but warns that such decisions depend on long-term happiness and personal costs.

365: Hustle Culture, Burnout, and the Evolution of Self Esteem

Q: In Europe there seems to be a slower-paced, more content lived approach and less emphasis on wealth; in the US, goal achievement often appears tied to burnout. If meaningful achievement is the path to self-esteem, how should people navigate cross-cultural differences in pursuing success while maintaining happiness?

Happiness is not monolithic across cultures; it's about the fit between personal temperament, social ecology, and available opportunities. While high achievers may thrive in more dynamic, risk-taking environments, others benefit from stability and strong social support. The key is recognizing personal preference and ecological feedback—finding goals that are both meaningful and realistically attainable within one's environment, while maintaining sleep, relationships, and personal values.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Beat Your Genes Podcast

What is Beat Your Genes Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A practical exploration of human behavior through evolutionary psychology, with a focus on relationships, mating strategies, self-improvement, and how modern life interacts with Stone Age instincts. Episodes often blend clinical and behavioral frameworks with real-life scenarios, offering tools for decision-making, communication, and maintaining personal boundaries. Notable is the willingness to tackle controversial topics and translate complex theories into actionable guidance, making it appealing to listeners seeking rigorous, science-based insight into everyday life and relationships.

Where can I find podcast stats for Beat Your Genes Podcast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Beat Your Genes Podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Beat Your Genes Podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Beat Your Genes Podcast get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for four million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Beat Your Genes Podcast, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Beat Your Genes Podcast?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Beat Your Genes Podcast, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Beat Your Genes Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Beat Your Genes Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Beat Your Genes Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Beat Your Genes Podcast:

1. The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee
2. PLANTSTRONG Podcast
3. Eat to Live
4. Nutrition Facts with Dr. Greger
5. Huberman Lab

How many episodes of Beat Your Genes Podcast are there?

Beat Your Genes Podcast launched 10 years ago and published 404 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Beat Your Genes Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Beat Your Genes Podcast?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Beat Your Genes Podcast from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Beat Your Genes Podcast?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Beat Your Genes Podcast. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Beat Your Genes Podcast?

Recent guests on Beat Your Genes Podcast include:

1. Doug Lisle
2. Douglas Lisle

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.

Try it free for 7 days