The Re-engineered You

207 – Habituation Can Ruin or Save Your Relationship

17 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Your brain is biologically wired to stop noticing the people around you, so why do self-help gurus pretend it's a willpower problem?

206 – The Hypocrite Values of Parents According to Harvard

24 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Do kids really listen when parents preach values? Or is "monkey see, monkey do" the only real rule?

205 - AI Grief Bots

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Are “Grief Bots” an A.I. skip-button for feeling bad after a death? Or are they just another A.I. grift?

204-Teaching Curiosity to the iPad Generation

13 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Can curiosity be trained, or is it something you’re born with?

203 – The Surprising Benefit of Emotional Self-Distancing

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Can talking about yourself in the third person re-wire your brain to be more stoic, and more self-aware?

202 – How Toxic Lovers Use Intermittent Reinforcement

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Toxic lovers will “neg” you, tease you, lovebomb you, and act surprised when you demand attention. So why does inconsistency keep us “hooked”...

201 - What The Biggest Loser Documentary Forgets About Weight Loss

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Biggest Loser did permanent harm to its contestants, allegedly. But it’s okay, because the show producers were trying to save the lives of o...

200 - What Peak Human Accomplishment Actually Looks Like

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What does it really mean to be the best version of yourself? Lambos? Tigers? Cigars and women?

199 - Picking Sides In Your Everyday Life Is Costing You

26 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When every decision is framed like a war, how can we decide what’s important?

198 - The Rotting Influencer Economy

05 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If being famous on the internet pays less than minimum wage, why are millions still chasing it?

Episode 65 - Private Detectives & Little Details

23 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sherlock has his ‘Memory Palace’ and Mike Ross from Suits has his photographic memory. But what’s the real-life equivalent to these skills, ...

Episode 66 - ‘Molly’ Sampson & Bravery

16 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why are we evolved to be brave, especially if being too brave could get you pruned from the evolutionary tree? And who was the gritty ‘Mulan’ of...

197 - The Most Satisfying Jobs in America

08 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone wants a job with meaning that also pays the bills. Is that even possible in the current economy?

Episode 64 - Crip Camp & Belonging

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As humans we need each other...desperately. Yet we can’t help rank each other, measure each other, and compare each other. Today we’ll dig into ...

Episode 63 - The ‘We Quit” Movement & American Wages Part 3

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Last week a Burger King in Lincoln Nebraska became internet-famous when the entire staff walked out. Then it happened again, at a Hardees. And again...

196 - The Total Life Effect of Emotional Infidelity

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If your partner never touches another person—but shares their secrets and their soul—is it still cheating?

Episode 62 - Cognizant & Screen Anxiety - Part 2

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are human minds capable of coping with social media? Political polarization, teen bullying, rising depression...no wonder our ability to ‘social net...

Episode 61 - Cognizant & Screen Anxiety - Part 1

04 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are human minds capable of coping with social media? Political polarization, teen bullying, rising depression...no wonder our ability to ‘social...

195 - America's Childless Future Part 2 - The Price of Children

28 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Having a child in America is the most expensive it’s ever been, historically, and state populations are shrinking for the first time. So why can...

194 - America's Childless Future Part 1 - Lost Grandparents

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Half of all adults say they can’t have children… So what happens to the boomers who realize they’ll never have grandkids?

Episode 60 - Butch O’Hare & Legacy - Part 2

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What can we pass on to our kids? What leaves a lasting effect, statistically? Money? Reputation? Reasoning skills…?

Episode 59 - Eddie O’Hare & Legacy - Part 1

30 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What can we pass on to our kids? What leaves a lasting effect, statistically? Money? Reputation? Reasoning skills…?

Episode 58 - Entitlement & Affluenza Kid

23 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Did you grow up with a gaming console and a ton of games? A cellphone? Ever borrow your folks’ car? Well, so did Affluenza Kid. So what’s the ...

193 - Val Kilmer's Unique Mastery of the Arts

16 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you spent your whole life chasing greatness, would you recognize it when you finally caught it?

Episode 57 - Elon Musk & College Degrees

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is being “street smart” enough to earn a living these days? Or do you need a bachelor’s degree to not end up in an Amazon warehouse?

192 - The Doom and Gloom Episode

02 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Enough of these ‘basic bitch’ concerns about the government or economy. Here are the real existential threats facing humanity, ranked by how t...

191 - Helicopter Parenting vs Free Ranging

26 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If hovering over your kids turns them into model citizens, then why do so many helicoptered adults turn out fragile and anxious?

Episode 56 - Qatar & International Sports - Part 2

19 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Migrant workers are dying by the thousands in Qatar to prepare for the FIFA World Cup. Is the thrill of a game worth their sacrifice? Are internatio...

190 - Maslow's Hierarchy is Burning

12 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ideally we all reach ‘self actualization’ at the top of the pyramid. But what happens if our lower blocks get sabotaged by our job? Or addiction...

Episode 54 -Doug Blevins & Mentorship

05 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

At best mentors get footnoted during award speeches. At worst they get forgotten. Yet 76% of professionals claim mentorship is vital to success.

189 - Hungry vs Happy

26 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Steve Jobs said “stay hungry”...but will staying hungry make you happy? Or are highly motivated people secretly miserable?

Episode 55 - Qatar & International Sports - Part 1

19 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Migrant workers are dying by the thousands in Qatar to prepare for the FIFA World Cup. Is the thrill of a game worth their sacrifice? Are internatio...

188 - Debating Your Way Into Greatness Part 3

12 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How do we counterpunch any argument? Is there a secret ‘finishing move’, linguistically, that we can use to win any debate?

187 - Debating Your Way Into Greatness Part 2

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How far can the power of persuasion take us? And does money win over substance every time?

186 - Debating Your Way Into Greatness Part 1

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if the ability to change hearts and minds could be cultivated into a superpower?

185 - The UnitedHealthcare Murder was Justified According To This Generation

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

According to polls, a shocking number of Americans support Luigi Mangione and the murder of Brian Thompson. What does that say about our shifting ...

Episode 53 - Lal Bihari & Errand Paralysis

08 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We have self-driving cars and AI assistants smart enough to manage our schedules. So why is Errand Paralysis so persistent? Because businesses nee...

Episode 52 - Laura Ingalls Wilder & Values

01 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are moral values given to us by our parents? Are they just arbitrary rules put on us by society? Or have morals “evolved” with us?

184 - Why Small Town Living Won't Heal Your Soul

25 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Clean air, low crime, and people who smile when you pass by…so if small towns are so great, why are people leaving?

Episode 51 - Winston Churchill & Encouragement

17 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What type of encouragement really motivates us, negative encouragement or positive? And which political figure was so good at encouragement he was ...

Episode 50 - Mark Twain & Humor

11 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Studies consistently list humor as the number one trait for desirability and attractiveness, regardless of gender. So...how do we get funny?

183 - Why Some States Are Giving Away Free College

04 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Colleges are still raising prices, even while faith in higher education plummets. So why are local governments offering free rides to these overpr...

Episode 49 - General Grant & Compassion Fatigue

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Numbers make us numb. But how big does a death count have to get before our eyes glaze over? What’s the optimum number of victims to make us care?

182 - Free Will Is A Myth (But We Need It Anyway)

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How much free will do we really have? Can we choose not to be angry at the news? To not eat or drink? Can we “choose” how we feel about our boss...

Episode 48 - Liu Guojiang & Love

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is it love we’re feeling, or is it lust? What’s the difference, chemically? More importantly, how long can love really last, and how do we keep ...

Episode 47-William Coltharp Hustle

06 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How do we push ourselves to start hustling? Vision boards? Goals? Motivational videos every morning? Well, we have some stats

Episode 46 - Google & Building the Perfect Team

30 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What does the perfect corporate team look like? Is it all introverts? All Extroverts? Is it a team full of all-stars? Google found the answer...and ...

Episode 45 - The Bee Gees & Recognizing Our Prime

23 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When is the prime of our life? Is it when we’re our healthiest? Our strongest? Our best-looking? Is it when we’re financially secure?

181 - Is Taking Ozempic A Moral Failing?

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Food companies, advertising, and the medical system are conspiring to make you fat. So is taking Ozempic cheating? Or is it merely evening the odds?

Episode 44 - Dan Fogelberg & Measuring Success

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We talk a lot about mega-success stories like Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos, but what about winners who measure success without using money as their y...

180 - Music and the Death of Storytelling pt2

02 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Most genres are drifting away from their storytelling roots. So who do we blame for convincing our artists to make poppy, empty-calorie music?

179 - Rap and the Death of Storytelling pt1

25 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is there any way to prove, with data, that rap is straying from its storytelling roots? What about Country music? Or Rock? Are all music genres le...

Episode 43 - Captain Fluckey & Entourages

18 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jim Rohn famously said “We are the average of the five people we spend the most time with.” - So how do we find the highest caliber people to fi...

178 - How To Self Mythologize Like A Gangster

11 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone tells themselves a story about how they got to be where they are. So what do successful people “mythologize” about themselves, and why ...

Episode - 42 Napoleon & Manipulation

04 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guilt, fear, and social obligation...these are the tools of the manipulator. So how do we spot skilled manipulators, and where do they hone their ...

177 - You vs Your Genetics Part 2

28 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Can you change your genetics through diet and discipline? What about your stress level? Your IQ? Your earning potential?

176 - You vs Your Genetics Part 1

21 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Epigenetics is a newborn field of science which claims we can change our genome…sort of. So how much can we actually alter?

Episode 41 Amazon & Wage Theft

14 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jeff Bezos has stepped down as the CEO of Amazon! But what legacy will he leave behind? Or, more importantly, what precedence has his company set fo...

Episode 40 Amazon & Wage Theft

07 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jeff Bezos has stepped down as the CEO of Amazon! But what legacy will he leave behind? Or, more importantly, what precedence has his company set fo...

175 - The Myth of the Blue Zones

31 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Blue Zone communities eat vegan, practice faith, and attend garden parties, and it keeps them youthful into their nineties. But…what if Blue Zones...

Episode 39 - Writing Your Book

24 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Todd and Joe have both stumbled through publishing in very different ways. Today they share horror stories about writing, and talk about the current...

174 - What Everyone Gets Wrong About Trump's Assassin

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Conservatives are claiming he was a liberal operative. Liberals are claiming he was a registered republican who got fed up. Here’s what both sid...

173 - Social Calibration and the real John Blackthorn

10 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We’re all built to tune our social antenna whenever we enter a new tribe, but what makes some people so darn good at it?

Episode 38 - Ildefonso & Emotional Granularity

03 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Precisely identifying our emotions can save our sanity and lessen heartbreak. So why, as adults, do we limit our emotional vocabulary to ‘fine’...

172 - Hopeless Masculinity

26 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is there really a “male epidemic” going on? And why has treating young men as a societal nuisance backfired so spectacularly?

Episode 37 - Evel Knievel & Self Promotion

19 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There’s a fine line between bragging and self-promoting. So how do we find that line? And how do we put it on our job resume’?

171 - Personal Responsibility Pt2

12 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Knowing what’s within our power to change is the cornerstone of stoicism. So how much can we change in the face of relentless corporate lobbying?

170 - Personal Responsibility Pt1

05 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A strong sense of responsibility makes for strong character. But how much is too much? When do we stop taking responsibility for predatory laws and ...

Episode 36 - Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner & Toxic Relationships

29 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When is a relationship unsalvageable? When is it too toxic to survive? And how do you pull a dysfunctional relationship out of a nosedive?

Episode 35 - Eminem & Celebrity Insulation

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We read celebrity tweets, watch celebrity interviews, and listen to celebrity podcasts. They’re our entertainment and our royalty. But should we...

Episode 34 - Berry Gordy & Creative Competition

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Not everything has to be a competition...but maybe it should be. When creative people compete, everyone can win, and we’re going to explore how.

Episode 33 - Orson Welles & First Impressions

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What’s the most important ingredient for making a good first impression? Is it body language? Is it the value you project? And will someone please...

Episode 32 - Didier Lobard & Meanness

01 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We all need to be tough in life. But how far can we take ‘tough’ before we’re just being mean? What about tough CEO’s? When do we get to bla...

169 - 6 Surprising Myths Holding Your Happiness Hostage

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Contrary to popular belief, money can buy happiness. But according to science you’re probably shopping in the wrong aisle.

Episode 31 - McArthur Wheeler & Self Perception

17 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We can never really know how others see us. But with some awareness and the right tools, we can get pretty darn close. Today’s episode; Self Per...

168 - Why Medical Bills Are Becoming A National Burden

10 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If the surgeon general can’t decipher his ER bill, what chance do we have? Well, today, we’ll learn to speak “hospitalese” together.

Episode 30 - Troy Hurtubise & Creative Obsession

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

All great artists, creators, composers, and inventors have their obsession. But how far is too far? And how do we channel obsession into rewarding ...

167 - Ridley Scott’s Napoleon Isn’t About Napoleon

27 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Napoleon is a hot, incomprehensible mess of a film, but you should still watch it. After learning these important historic facts.

Episode 29 - Mr Rogers & Being Nice

20 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you’re truly nice, then you’re treated like a doormat. And if you’re fake-nice, then it means you want something. So, are there any benefit...

166 - Justin Timberlake and False Summits

13 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How do you know when you’ve reached the peak? The peak of your career? The peak of mastery? The peak of your relationship…?

Episode 28 - Max Gendelman & Making Friends

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Making friends in college was easy. Lend someone your lecture notes, and you have an ally for life. So why is it so hard to make friends as adults? ...

165 - The Consequences of Relentless Celebrity Marketing Part 2

28 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Joan Crawford was mocked for becoming Pepsi’s spokeswoman, and Orson Welles was chased to Spain for political opinions. What changed for celebrity...

164 - The Consequences of Relentless Celebrity Marketing Part 1

21 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Celebrities online are doing less and less entertaining, and more and more product peddling and brand management. How much is this hurting public ...

Episode 27-Linda Riss & Attraction

14 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What are people attracted to? What is ‘chemistry’ in attraction? Is it pheremonse? Is it fate? Is it magic? We’ll also cover studies that expl...

163 - Lady Gaga and Ladder Climbers

07 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Career-wise, it pays to play it safe. Which could explain why we’re socially primed to hold each other back, especially when we think someone “...

Episode 26 - Anna Delvey & Class

31 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know that the quickest indicator of your socioeconomic class is in the way you speak? And that hiring managers will base your salary on your...

162 - Forgiveness Part 2 - How To Forgive Loved Ones Without Inviting Betrayal

24 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dolly Parton forgave Porter Wagoner for controlling her creatively, for suing her for millions, and for slandering her. But how she forgave him is ...

161 - Forgiveness Part 1 - Healing Yourself Through Compassion For Others

17 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ronald Reagan nearly died from a bullet to the chest, and the shooter showed zero remorse. So why would Reagan forgive his would-be assassin immed...

Episode 25 - Lisa Nowak & Romantic Obsession

10 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Love makes us do crazy things. But exactly how far should we let our crush get out of hand? Sending chocolates and flowers? Unsolicited genital pi...

160 - Artificial Intelligence and the Publishers Getting Caught Using Them

03 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Major publishers have been caught trying to pass off artificially generated art and articles as man-made. How long until they fire their creative te...

Episode 24 - Lee Iacocca & Quitting

26 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Quitting should be the easiest thing in the world. So why does it take us so long to throw in the towel? And is there an obvious sign when it’s ti...

159 - Baby Boomers Are Going Homeless At Record Rates And Millennials Are Laughing

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is all the hatred toward baby boomers justified economically and politically? Or is this another case of Millenials and Gen Z being jealous and la...

Episode 23 - Killdozer & Micro Stress

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the final straw that breaks the camel’s back...but how many straws can we take? How bad is day-to-day stress for us, really, compared to th...

158 - Do Fierce Competitors HAVE To Be A-holes?

06 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is Michael Jordan truly ‘competitive’? Or was he just a jerk with an amazing mid-court game? Is there even such a thing as ‘competitive inst...

Episode 22 - Joseph Hatch & Villainy

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Does it pay, financially, to be the bad guy? Do miserable people live longer? Because in today's political and business world, it sure seems like ...

157 - LIV Golf and Saudi Money Part 2

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

LIV Golf has acquired the PGA. So why is a sports merger about to change American politics? And why are Saudi golf managers paying off Washington ...

156 - LIV Golf and Saudi Money Part 1

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

LIV Golf has acquired the PGA. So why is a sports merger about to change American politics? And what is Saudi ‘sports washing’?

Episode 22 - Joseph Hatch & Villainy

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Does it pay, financially, to be the bad guy? Do miserable people live longer? Because in today's political and business world, it sure seems like ...

155 - How Disgust Secretly Drives Your Behavior

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Disgust. It determines what food you eat, how tolerant you are of other people, and which political party you join. So…who’s using it against yo...

Episode 21 - Hachiko & Loyalty

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Loyalty should be simple; I show an interest in your well-being, and you reciprocate. So why is it so hard to inspire loyalty at work? And why are ...