Sostieni il Podcast
Contatti
Info
We explain popular and weird, little-known ideas in psychology. Whether you are a little curious about psychology, or a student, or even a professional, we have something for everyone.
Sostieni il Podcast
Episodi & Post
Episodi
Post
Trascritto
7 OTT 2026 · We are kicking off this spooky season with a discussion about the spectres of the ocean: ghost ships! We tell a few of the both lesser and more well-known stories of ghost ships. We also talk about why they happen and how they influence our behavior. Have you seen a ghost ship?
Recommendations
- Abraham: Saosin (Just Be Honest; https://saosin.com/)
- Shane: Hellboy comics (Mike Mignola)
Holidays (10/5/2026):
- Blue Shirt Day World Day of Bullying Prevention
- Chic Spy Day
- Child health Day
- Day of Unity
- Do Something Nice Day
- Global James Bond Day
- International Day of No Prostitution
- National Apple Betty Day
- National Consignment Day
- National Kiss a Wrestler Day
- National Storytelling Day
- World Day of Architecture
- World Habitat Day
- World Teacher’s Day
- Active Aging Week
- Animal Welfare Week
- Banned Books Week
- Death Penalty Focus Week
- Mystery Series Week
- National Vegetarian Week
- National Chili Week
Links:
- https://explorersweb.com/exploration-mysteries-ghost-ships/
- https://www.surfline.com/surf-news/ocean-oddities-ghost-ships/78374
- https://www.hms-resolute.co.uk/the-nutshell/
- https://www.adn.com/alaska-life/2023/10/29/the-mysterious-fate-of-the-baychimo-the-ghost-ship-that-haunted-the-arctic-for-decades/
- https://www.worldofcruising.co.uk/editors-corner/mv-lyubov-orlova-ghostship-sunk
- https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/abandoned-ship-the-mary-celeste-174488104/
- https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/horrifying-final-voyage-cruise-boat-22044077
- https://skybrary.aero/articles/fata-morgana Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
Trascritto
5 OTT 2026 · We are kicking off this year's spooky seasons mini with a brief history of the town on fire. This is a real place in the United States that has become unlivable since the town accidentally set a gigantic, subterranean coal reserve. This inspired the video game and movie franchise, "Silent Hill." Have you been to Centralia?
Links: https://www.abc27.com/digital-originals/history-of-centralia-a-pennsylvania-ghost-town/ https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/centralia-pennsylvania-rebirth https://www.history.com/articles/mine-fire-burning-more-50-years-ghost-town
Tell us your favorite memories of the show: info@wwdwwdpodcast.com
Links and References:
- https://www.abc27.com/digital-originals/history-of-centralia-a-pennsylvania-ghost-town/
- https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/centralia-pennsylvania-rebirth
- https://www.history.com/articles/mine-fire-burning-more-50-years-ghost-town Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
Trascritto
30 SET 2026 · One of the most enduring values, mottos, or goals is the pursuit of happiness. We strive for it implicitly or explicitly for much of our lives. So, what is happiness? How do we achieve it? Why can't you just be happy? Because it depends :D
Recommendations
- Abraham: Fix My Frankenhouse (seasons 1-2; https://www.hgtv.com/shows/fix-my-frankenhouse)
- Shane: A Short Stay In Hell by Steven Peck
Holidays (9/30/2026):
- My mom’s birthday! Happy birthday, P-Nut!
- Banned Websites Awareness Day
- Blasphemy Day
- Chewing Gum Day
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil Day
- International Podcast Day
- International Translation Day
- National Hot Mulled Cider Day
- National Love People Day
- National Microcephaly Awareness Day
- National Mud Pack Day
- National Women’s Health and Fitness Day
- Orange Shirt Day
- Time for Yoga
- Thunderbirds Day
- World School Milk Day
- National Chimney Safety Week
- National Dog Week
- National Fall Foliage Week
Links and References:
- Harris, R. (2022). The happiness trap: Stop struggling, start living (2nd ed.). Robinson
- https://ndpr.nd.edu/reviews/the-quest-for-the-good-life-ancient-philosophers-on-happiness/
- https://www.weforum.org/stories/leadership/13-great-philosophers-on-the-secret-of-happiness/
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/278667273_EMOTIONS_AND_EMOTIONAL_BEHAVIOR_A_CONSTRUCTIONAL_APPROACH_TO_UNDERSTANDING_SOME_SOCIAL_BENEFITS_OF_AGGRESSION
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3160511/
- https://arnoldspumpclub.com/blogs/newsletter/why-chasing-happiness-makes-you-miserable-and-what-science-says-to-do-instead?srsltid=AfmBOornkPKnjN9wQWbXZB8QQh_5fHqMbgEbdpiVJkW6kGlSi9jONIuM
- https://ls.berkeley.edu/news/stop-worrying-about-being-happy-new-berkeley-psychology-research-suggests-doing-so-makes-people
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10224953/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3546638/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1279874/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1284106/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
Trascritto
28 SET 2026 · An important announce and brief explanation. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
23 SET 2026 · The title maybe a little misleading. This is about how we delude ourselves into adopting information as factual becuase it is presented using real math. Math is extremely important and valuable and a necessity for most sciences. However, like any other tool, math can give the illusion of knowledge while actually tricking us into believing things that are not correct. We primarily focus on averages and how problematic this concept can be, but extrapolate this into other forms of math that can be used to lie and mislead even the ones who are executing the computations.
Recommendations
- Abraham: Cross Purposes: Christianity’s Broken Bargain With Democracy (Jonathan Rauch (https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300273540/cross-purposes/)
- Shane: Chat Pile - Who Loves The Sun (https://open.spotify.com/album/2ITnf8HOokOJxjv483Dszk?si=3v175T9iRP2BY8aTU8XPqw)
Holidays (9/23/2026):
- Celebrate Bi-Sexuality Day
- Dogs in Politics Day
- International Day of Sign Languages
- National Checkers Day
- National Great American Pot Pie Day
- National Snack Stick Day
- Restless Legs Syndrome Awareness Day
- See You at the Pole
- Teal Talk Day
- Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week
- Constitution Week
- Deaf Dog Awareness Week
- International Clean Hands Week
- International Deaf Awareness Week
- International Interpreters and Translators Week
- National Adult Day Services Week
https://patreon.com/wwdwwpodcast
Links and References:
- https://www.toddrose.com/endofaverage
- https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/on-average/
- https://www.anecdote.com/2023/03/179-there-is-no-average/
- https://austraffic.com.au/aba/us-air-force-finds-averages-can-kill Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
Trascritto
21 SET 2026 · We have many mechanisms in place to protect our privacy. Some people care less about this and some people have taken this to tremendous extremes. Of course, many want unambiguous rules about privacy, but there is a lot of room for nuance. So, we ask the question about whether or not we need privacy and share some of the reasons people have given. The short answer is: until we can trust each other, we need privacy.
https://patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
Links and References:
- https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/internet-ethics/resources/why-we-care-about-privacy/
- https://www.privacyguides.org/en/basics/why-privacy-matters/
- https://www.teamim.com/insights/why-privacy-matters-even-if-you-have-nothing-to-hide Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
Trascritto
16 SET 2026 · Creating content can be very effortful. Particularly when that creating entails a lot of writing. And in pursuit of that endeavor, writers sometimes find themselves stuck and unable to produce ideas to further their writing task. What is going on behaviorally and psychologically? We'll discuss some of the research behind writer's block and what you can do to get over the block. Do you have any tricks to overcome writer's block?
Recommendations
- Abraham: A Short Stay in Hell (Steven Peck: https://www.strandbooks.com/a-short-stay-in-hell-9780983748427.html)
- Shane: The Pleasures of the Damned by Charles Bukowski (https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-pleasures-of-the-damned-charles-bukowski?variant=32130591162402)
Holidays (9/16/2026):
- Ann Bradstreet Day
- National Guacamole Day
- Trail of Tears Commemoration Day
- National GED Day
- International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
- National Cinnamon Raison Bread Day
- National Collect Rocks Day
- National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of Hurricane Katrina
- National Play-Doh Day
- National Rehabilitation Day
- National Stay Away from Seattle Day
- National Stepfamily Day
- National Tattoo Story Day
- Teenager Workout Day
- Working Parents Day
- Wrinkled Raincoat Day
- World Barber Day
Links and References:
- https://centerforfiction.org/writing-tools/the-truth-about-writers-block/
- https://girlspring.com/4-ways-to-combat-writers-block/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22638809757&gbraid=0AAAAADRYq5RcbP7MWvHMjjH7eQosNAYwC&gclid=Cj0KCQjwv4XUBhDBARIsAE6bQUSaMqun3ksA9P5BQfl2c-2ajwULeR_gv3rCLRMQhPcIEN-r7zMv9xsaAlYAEALw_wcB
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7965145/
- https://writers.com/writers-block-what-causes-writers-block-and-how-to-overcome-it
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.2190/69g4-6ycm-n11h-eeew
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psychology-yesterday/202001/a-brief-history-of-writers-block
- https://www.laurenpalphreyman.com/post/4-types-of-writer-s-block-and-how-to-combat-them
- https://escholarship.org/uc/item/50t6h6kd
- https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/authors/10-cases-extreme-writers-block
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1311997/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2277565/
- https://www.emerald.com/et/article-abstract/59/6/605/91658/A-phenomenological-research-study-on-writer-s?redirectedFrom=fulltext Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
Trascritto
14 SET 2026 · We use the term snake oil to refer any fradulant product, service, or claim that is not what it says it is and lies or misconstrues what it does. You might already know that this comes from a real product that had those exact qualities. You might not know what that product was actuallly based on. We discuss the history of snake oil and why that term stuck around.
https://patreon.com/wwdwwdpldcast
Links and Refrences:
- https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/opinion/the-history-of-snake-oil
- https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2013/08/26/215761377/a-history-of-snake-oil-salesmen
- https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/how-snake-oil-became-a-symbol-of-fraud-and-deception-180985300/
- https://www.si.edu/object/clark-stanleys-snake-oil-liniment%3Anmah_1298331
- https://www.historytoday.com/archive/history-matters/rise-and-fall-snake-oil
- https://www.natepedersen.com/quackery Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
Trascritto
9 SET 2026 · This is the final discussion in which we "break our silence" as the click-bait headlines like to call it, on our final thoughts about diagnoses and why we believe that they have caused more harm than good. Due to the nature of separating an entire discussion into two parts after the fact, this episode jumps into the discussion pretty quickly.
Recommendations (Part 2)
- Abraham: Flip 7 (https://theop.games/products/flip-7?srsltid=AfmBOope-f-q_QElBRFFD56xiHxlsBbWULVkkXJHpef6OiYa02WlmfZW)
- Shane: Show Me the Body - Alone Together (https://open.spotify.com/album/2itfvUrApVCygurzgNzXJg?si=miioVowrRBSO26h1soi8lw)
- Stu: https://www.youtube.com/@jetlagthegame, Call out Purple Hat DBT theses and dissertations, The Orphans of Davenport (https://wwnorton.com/books/9781631494680), genArete (https://genarete.org/)
Holidays (09/09/26):
- Teddy Bear Day
- Sudoku Day
- Wienerschnitzel Day
- Weirdos Day
- Falsely Accused Day
- International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Spectrum Awareness Day
- International Box Wine Day
- Day to Protect Education From Attack
- Emergency Services Day
References:
- Barlow, D. H., & Nock, M. K. (2009). Why can’t we be more idiographic in our research? Perspectives on Psychological Science, 4(1), 19–21.
- Beck, A. T., & Alford, B. A. (2009). Depression: Causes and treatment. University of Pennsylvania Press.
- Beck, A. T., Davis, D. D., & Freeman, A. (Eds.). (2015). Cognitive therapy of personality disorders. Guilford Publications.
- Beck, A. T., Emery, G., & Greenberg, R. L. (2005). Anxiety disorders and phobias: A cognitive perspective. Basic Books.
- Beltz, A. M., & Gates, K. M. (2017). Network mapping with GIMME. Multivariate behavioral research, 52(6), 789-804.
- Birkhoff, G. D. (1931). Proof of the ergodic theorem. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 17, 656-660.
- Brown, T. A., Campbell, L. A., Lehman, C. L., Grisham, J. R., & Mancill, R. B. (2001). Current and lifetime comorbidity of the DSM-IV anxiety and mood disorders in a large clinical sample. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 110(4), 585–599. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-843X.110.4.585
- Clark, L. A., Watson, D., & Reynolds, S. (1995). Diagnosis and classification of psychopathology: Challenges to the current system and future directions. Annual Review of Psychology, 46, 121–153. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ps.46.020195.001005
- Fried, E. I. (2015). Problematic assumptions have slowed down depression research: why symptoms, not syndromes are the way forward. Frontiers in psychology, 6, 309.
- Fried, E. I., & Cramer, A. O. (2017). Moving forward: challenges and directions for psychopathological network theory and methodology. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 12(6), 999-1020.
- Galizio, A., Frye, C. C., Haynes, J. M., Friedel, J. E., Smith, B. M., & Odum, A. L. (2018). Persistence and relapse of reinforced behavioral variability. Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior, 109(1), 210-237.
- Galatzer-Levy, I. R., & Bryant, R. A. (2013). 636,120 Ways to Have Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 8(6), 651-662.
- Glick, I. D., Murray, S. R., Vasudevan, P., Marder, S. R., & Hu, R. J. (2001). Treatment with atypical antipsychotics: New indications and new populations. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 35(3), 187–191. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3956(01)00020-6.
- Hayes, S. C., Wilson, K. W., Gifford, E. V., Follette, V. M., & Strosahl, K. (1996). Experiential avoidance and behavioral disorders: A functional dimensional approach to diagnosis and treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64(6), 1152-1168.
- Hofmann, S. G., Curtiss, J., & McNally, R. J. (2016). A complex network perspective on clinical science. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 11(5), 597-605.
- Hofmann, S. G., & Hayes, S. C. (2019). The future of intervention science: Process-based therapy. Clinical Psychological Science, 7(1), 37-50.
- Hofmann, S. G., Meuret, A. E., Rosenfield, D., Suvak, M. K., Barlow, D. H., Gorman, J. M., ... & Woods, S. W. (2007). Preliminary evidence for cognitive mediation during cognitive-behavioral therapy of panic disorder. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 75(3), 374.
- Kessler, R. C., Chiu, W. T., Demler, O., Merikangas, K. R., & Walters, E. E. (2005). Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of 12-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 617–627. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.62.6.617.
- Newman, C. F., Leahy, R. L., Beck, A. T., Reilly-Harrington, N. A., & Gyulai, L. (2002). Bipolar disorder: A cognitive therapy approach. American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/10442-000.
- Lenzenweger, M. F., Lane, M. C., Loranger, A. W., & Kessler, R. C. (2007). DSM-IV personality disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Biological Psychiatry, 62(6), 553–564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2006.09.019
- Molenaar, P. C. (2004). A manifesto on psychology as idiographic science: Bringing the person back into scientific psychology, this time forever. Measurement, 2(4), 201-218.
- Molenaar, P. C., & Campbell, C. G. (2009). The new person-specific paradigm in psychology. Current directions in psychological science, 18(2), 112-117.
- Meehl, P. E. (1978). Theoretical risks and tabular asterisks: Sir Karl, Sir Ronald, and the slow progress of soft psychology. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 46(4), 806–834.
- McNally, R. J. (2012). The ontology of posttraumatic stress disorder: Natural kind, social construction, or causal system? Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 19, 220–228.
- Piccirillo, M. L., & Rodebaugh, T. L. (2019). Foundations of idiographic methods in psychology and applications for psychotherapy. Clinical psychology review.
- Popa, A., & McDowell, J. J. (2016). Behavioral variability in an evolutionary theory of behavior dynamics. Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior, 105(2), 270-290.
- Sidman, M. (1952). A note on functional relations obtained from group data. Psychological Bulletin, 49(3), 263
- Volkovysskii, R. L. & Sinai, Y. G. (1971). Ergodic properties of an ideal gas with an infinite number of degrees of freedom. Functional Analysis and Its Applications (Funktsional'nyi Analiz i Ego Prilozheniya), 5(3), 185-185. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
Trascritto
7 SET 2026 · How we understand, talk about, and think about life expectancy is sometimes misunderstood by some flukes of math. Understanding how numbers work can illuminate a clearer picture of history and mortality. Long story short, (or short story shorter, this is a mini afterall), there have been old people who lived to be old (very old) for most or all of human history.
https://patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
Links:
- https://ourworldindata.org/life-expectancy
- https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/countries/usa/united-states/life-expectancy#google_vignette
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4861644/
- https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/lifeexpectancies/articles/howhaslifeexpectancychangedovertime/2015-09-09 Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
Unisciti al Supporters Club di "Why We Do What We Do"
Inizia a supportare questo podcast e entra a far parte della sua community.
We explain popular and weird, little-known ideas in psychology. Whether you are a little curious about psychology, or a student, or even a professional, we have something for everyone.
Informazioni
| Autore | Abraham |
| Organizzazione | Abraham |
| Categorie | Scienze sociali , Istruzione , Filosofia |
| Sito | www.spreaker.com |
| info@wwdwwdpodcast.com |
Copyright 2026 - Spreaker Inc. an iHeartMedia Company
