Neuropsych Befriend your ideological opposite. It’s fun. Step inside the unlikely friendship of a former ACLU president and an ultra-conservative Supreme Court Justice. ▸ 5 min — with Nadine Strossen
Neuropsych Women dress modestly to avoid aggression from other women, study suggests Attractive women are especially likely to dress modestly, but only in certain scenarios.
Neuropsych How to develop confidence when you feel worthless, according to science There are scientifically proven ways you can improve your self-esteem, right now.
Neuropsych The fast track to a life well lived is feeling grateful How does gratitude work its mental magic?
The Present The DMT ‘elves’ people meet while tripping Why do so many people report encounters with seemingly similar entities after taking DMT?
The Present How to tell if your digital addiction is ruining your life Consider the 2,600 times we touch our phones every day.
Strange Maps Headed for heaven or hell? This roadmap will help ‘The Broad and Narrow Way’ helped 19th-century preachers explain the consequences of virtue and vice.
Health The Trebek effect: The benefits of well wishes Does wishing someone well actually affect their health?
Neuropsych New study discovers the trajectory of optimism throughout life When are you most optimistic? A study found how optimism varies throughout life.
The Present The smart move: We learn more by trusting than by not trusting Yet interpersonal trust is at its lowest point in 50 years.
Hard Science 10 mind-bending books on the nature of time Why does time flow in one direction? Why do humans perceive time so differently than it really is? Is there really a difference between the present, the past, and the future? These books explore these questions and more.
Smart Skills To make laziness work for you, put some effort into it If laziness is written into our genes, why not embrace it?
The Present What do mentors do? They introduce you to your future self. Bishop Omar Jahwar explains that before mentors can inspire others, they have to be inspired themselves. ▸ 4 min — with Bishop Omar Jahwar
Health Psychological ‘walls’ harm us over time — instead of protect us Appraising a ubiquitous feature among modern folk.
Neuropsych Become an intellectual explorer: Master the art of conversation Want to be smarter than you were yesterday? Learn to have better conversations using these 3 design principles. ▸ 5 min — with Emily Chamlee-Wright
High Culture 10 novels that brilliantly capture the American experience The distance between the American dream and reality is expressed best through literature.
Smart Skills 5 short podcasts to boost your creativity and success These quick bursts of inspiration will brighten your day in 10 minutes or less.
Life Is self-actualization a biological need? We think of self-actualization as a lofty goal, but research suggests it may just be another way of obeying our biological programming.
Health Want to age gracefully? A new study says live meaningfully. Thinking your life is worthwhile is correlated with a variety of positive outcomes.
The Past Why Epicurean ideas suit the challenges of modern secular life Sure, Epicureans focused on seeking pleasure – but they also did so much more.
Thinking Should people really pursue self-actualization? It’s a popular buzzword among the self-help community, but does trying to become self-actualized do any good?
The Present Why the founder of Mother’s Day hated what it had become Buying cards and flowers on Mother’s Day would make Anna Jarvis roll around in her grave.
High Culture Being and drunkenness: How to party like an existentialist “A serious party neglects the underlying virtues of playfulness and generosity that make a party authentic.”
Neuropsych How to spot high-conflict people before it’s too late The countdown continues! This is the 6th most popular video of 2018 — and it could save you years of trouble. ▸ 5 min — with Bill Eddy
Neuropsych Why toxic relationships are so draining. And when to break them off. Who you let into your mental space matters. ▸ 6 min — with Shaka Senghor
Neuropsych Believe in soulmates? You’re more likely to ‘ghost’ romantic partners. Does believing in true love make people act like jerks?
The Present How the hard-man mask can affect a prisoner’s sense of self What happens to a person’s identity when they are forced to play a hypermasculine role just to survive?