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You Are Not So Smart

You Are Not So Smart
Quit
Decision-Making
Visual Thinking
Grit
Engineering
Autism
Sunk Cost Fallacy
Science
Education
Animal Behavior
Jonestown Mass Suicide
Critical Thinking
Conspiracy Theories
Mental Health
Richard Thaler
Daniel Kahneman
Hands-On Learning
Neurodiversity
Cognitive Styles
Language Evolution

You Are Not So Smart is a show about psychology that celebrates science and self delusion. In each episode, we explore what we've learned so far about reasoning, biases, judgments, and decision-making.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes332Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureScienceSocial Sciences

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Artwork for You Are Not So Smart

Latest Episodes

Therapist, teacher, speaker, and trauma specialist Britt Frank tells us all about her new book, Align Your Mind, an all-access pass to understanding, befriending, and leading the multiple voices within yourself.

Grounded in the latest research on P... more

In this episode, the story of Clever Hans, the horse who changed psychology for the better. We also sit down with psychologist and magician Matt Tompkins. Matt is the author of The Spectacle of Illusion, a book about the long history of the manipulat... more

How can two people watch the same video yet see two different things? How can two people witness the same event but arrive at two different truths about what they witnessed? How can the same evidence lead people to drastically different realities? In... more

In this episode, we sit down with three disinformation researchers whose new paper found something surprising about both our resistance and our susceptibility to both true news we wish was fake and fake news we wish was true.

Our guests are three of... more

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Recent Guests

Matt Tompkins
Psychologist and magician, author of The Spectacle of Illusion
Lund University / Choice Blindness Lab
Episode: 334 - Magical Thinking - Matt Tompkins (rebroadcast)
Jay Van Bavel
Professor of psychology and neuroscience at New York University and the director of the Center for Conflict and Cooperation.
New York University
Episode: YANSS 333 - Selective Perception - Jay Van Bavel
Samuel Woolley
Professor at the University of Pittsburgh specializing in disinformation studies
University of Pittsburgh
Episode: 332 - Concordance Over Truth Bias (rebroadcast)
Katie Joseff
Researcher interested in social decision-making and psychology of misinformation
Episode: 332 - Concordance Over Truth Bias (rebroadcast)
Michael Schwalbe
Post-doctoral fellow in psychology, studying polarization and misinformation
Stanford University
Episode: 332 - Concordance Over Truth Bias (rebroadcast)
Dr. Martin Carcasson
Director of The Center for Public Deliberation at Colorado State University
Colorado State University
Episode: 331 - Wicked Problems - Martin Carcasson
Warren Berger
Author and questionologist known for his work on the art and science of questioning.
WarrenBerger.com
Episode: 330 - A More Beautiful Question - Warren Berger (rebroadcast)
Steven Franconeri
Cognitive scientist and professor at Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Episode: 329 - Point Taken - Steven Franconeri
Dr. Joshua Greene
An experimental psychologist, neuroscientist, and philosopher teaching at Harvard University.
Harvard University
Episode: 327 - The Trolley Solution - Joshua Greene

Host

David McRaney
Host focusing on psychology and human behavior, exploring biases, decision-making, and self-delusion.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 3.4k ratings
  • What a great trip this pod cast has been

    This podcast enriches my life. It’s been a voice of sanity in a crazy world. It’s taught me to be compassionate and humble when faced with adversarial conversations. I’ve learned a bit of resilience against the seemingly impossibly divided world.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BlueHeatherBlue
    Canadaa month ago
  • But You Will Be Smarter For Listening

    David does a fantastic job of illuminating many aspects of the way the human brain works and doesn’t work. Some listeners are critical of his left H political comments, but compared to other academics I have listened to and read, he keeps politics out of it except when the topic is closely tied to politics or United States culture. I personally enjoyed and benefitted greatly from the episodes which discuss logical fallacies. David makes learning fun

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NutellaOnMelbaToast
    United States5 months ago
  • Everybody should listen

    This honestly is one of my favorite podcasts! I’m a psych nerd too but I wish more people would listen and learn about these concepts. The topics are pertinent and really helps me make sense of the people around me.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Crazykrizzy
    United States6 months ago
  • Always learning how not do smart I am

    Great show, always love it, always entertained, always enlightened, always impressed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    goorooo
    Canada7 months ago
  • Can’t recommend More Highly

    David McRaney is a genius. Even better, he’s a humble genius who asks great questions toward the goal of making us all wiser.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Moshe b Abraham
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some critiques mention a perceived political bias, but many find the overall content enlightening regardless.
A sense of community and connection is fostered, with many finding the content enlightening and thought-provoking.
Listeners appreciate the psychological insights and engaging discussions of human behavior.
The podcast is considered a valuable resource for understanding cognitive biases and misinformation.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

YANSS 333 - Selective Perception - Jay Van Bavel
Q: What did it feel like for you when you noticed how people were watching the same thing but not seeing the same thing?
I saw that video probably the first time it flashed through my social media feed and I knew instantly that this was going to be one of those they saw a game moments.
331 - Wicked Problems - Martin Carcasson
Q: Is there a cause for optimism in this difficult time in world democracy?
Yes, because we know how to create discussions that bring people together, despite toxic polarization and other challenges.
331 - Wicked Problems - Martin Carcasson
Q: How did this become your life's work?
It started with my frustration in analyzing how presidents talk about complex issues and realizing that we need better ways of having conversations about contentious topics.
327 - The Trolley Solution - Joshua Greene
Q: How does the structure of the brain affect moral decision-making?
The brain's emotional responses and cognitive functions interact during moral dilemmas, where conditions like emotional damage or extensive meditation can change how individuals perceive and respond to these moral questions.
327 - The Trolley Solution - Joshua Greene
Q: What inspired you to research the trolley problem and its implications for moral psychology?
Dr. Greene's interest in moral dilemmas began during his undergraduate studies and was further deepened by his exposure to neuroscience, leading him to explore how moral judgments are influenced by cognitive processes in the brain.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About You Are Not So Smart

What is You Are Not So Smart about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on psychology and human behavior, this podcast uniquely explores themes such as cognitive biases, reasoning errors, and decision-making processes. Listeners are treated to a variety of thought-provoking discussions, often featuring experts who provide insights into the psychological complexities of perception, misinformation, and moral judgment. One standout aspect is the blend of academic research with relatable real-world applications, which makes complex psychological concepts accessible and engaging for a broad audience. The exploration of topics such as misinformation and social dynamics in digital spaces sets it apart, offering valuable lessons in an increasingly polarized society.

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Which podcasts are similar to You Are Not So Smart?

These podcasts share a similar audience with You Are Not So Smart:

1. Hidden Brain
2. Freakonomics Radio
3. People I (Mostly) Admire
4. Radiolab
5. 99% Invisible

How many episodes of You Are Not So Smart are there?

You Are Not So Smart launched 14 years ago and published 332 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on You Are Not So Smart?

Recent guests on You Are Not So Smart include:

1. Matt Tompkins
2. Jay Van Bavel
3. Samuel Woolley
4. Katie Joseff
5. Michael Schwalbe
6. Dr. Martin Carcasson
7. Warren Berger
8. Steven Franconeri

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.

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