Human Potential Lab

After 12 years, The Psychology Podcast has become the Human Potential Lab. New conversations with the scientists, philosophers and technologists whose work is actively deciding the future of humanity. The first three episodes drop October 28, 2026.
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After 11 years, 478 episodes, and countless conversations exploring the depths of human potential, this episode marks the final chapter of The Psychology Podcast in its current form.
In this deeply meaningful farewell episode for Scott, he sits down with acclaimed science writer Annie Murphy Paul — fittingly, the very first guest ever featured on the show back in 2014. Together, they reflect on the podcast’s evolution, its mission, and the major themes that have shaped more than a decade of inquiry into what it means to be fully human.
Scott opens up about why he’s choosing to step away: to recenter, recharge, and make space for his own continued growth. He discusses how the podcast landscape has transformed since he launched the show at a time when psychology podcasts were virtually nonexistent, and shares what he hopes listeners will carry forward from this body of work.
This episode explores the seven core insights Scott has gleaned from hosting the show — themes that have come to define its spirit:
• Being over doing
• Creativity over efficiency
• Self-actualization over achievement
• Deep fulfillment over temporary happiness
• Self-transcendence over self-enhancement
… along with lessons about meaning, compassion, and human possibility.
With honesty and gratitude, Scott takes a moment to thank the listeners who have supported the show since its inception — a community that made this journey possible week after week, year after year. If you get a chance, please leave a comment telling Scott what the show has meant to you. He would love to hear from you!
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This week, Scott sits down with his longtime friend and colleague, Dr. Alia Crum—one of the world’s leading researchers on the science of mindsets. Dr. Crum’s groundbreaking work investigates how our subjective beliefs and interpretations can produce real, measurable changes in behavior, physiology, and psychological well-being.
Drawing inspiration from research on the placebo effect, Dr. Crum explores how mindsets influence everything from health and stress to performance and interpersonal effectiveness. She and Scott discuss the mechanisms through which mindsets shape objective reality, and how deliberately shifting our mental lenses can lead to meaningful transformation in our lives and organizations.
This conversation is especially personal for Scott, who first met Dr. Crum during their graduate school days at Yale. They revisit early philosophical chats while highlighting how far her research—and its real-world implications—has come.
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This week, Scott welcomes Dr. Elisabet Lahti—educator, applied psychology researcher, and founder of the Sisu Lab. Dr. Lahti is the world’s leading expert on sisu, a Finnish concept that embodies extraordinary courage, resilience, and determination in the face of adversity.
Together, they explore the meaning of sisu and how it can help us persevere even when we think we’ve reached our limits. Dr. Lahti shares her own personal experiences of struggle and growth, illustrating how strength and gentleness can coexist and create a more compassionate, resilient world.
This heartfelt conversation is a celebration of inner power, perseverance, and the human capacity to overcome hardship with grace.
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This week, Scott speaks with RaQuel Hopkins, a certified coach with a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. RaQuel shares her personal and professional journey—from mastering the art of coping to discovering the transformative power of growth.
Together, they explore how adults can expand their mental and emotional capacity, why many people feel stuck in “survival mode,” and what it really means to thrive. RaQuel opens up about her own evolution and how she now helps others move beyond simply managing life to fully engaging with it.
 
If you’ve ever felt that there’s more to life than just getting by, this episode will inspire you to embrace your potential and take meaningful steps toward growth.
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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.