Podcasts · Science · Technology
Human Potential Lab
Scott Barry Kaufman
300 episodes
For eleven years and 478 episodes, Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman hosted The Psychology Podcast, one of the most listened-to psychology shows in the world, with more than 30 million downloads. Human Potential Lab is what that show has become.
More about the show
The questions have moved. What is a mind? What makes something conscious? What happens to being human when the things we build start to look like minds themselves? Too much of the work is happening out of public view. In this new show, Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman sits down with the scientists, philosophers and technologists working at the frontier — the people whose work is actively deciding what we could become as a species.
Scott Barry Kaufman is a cognitive scientist and the founder of the Center for Human Potential. He holds a Ph.D. from Yale and an M.Phil. from Cambridge, has taught at Columbia, NYU and the University of Pennsylvania, and is the author or editor of twelve books, including Transcend, Ungifted, Wired to Create and Rise Above. New episodes every other week from October 28, 2026.
Episodes page 1 of 6
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Welcome to 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…
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End of an Era — Reflections on 11 Years of The Psychology Podcast w/ Annie Murphy Paul
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…
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How Mindsets Shape Reality w/ Dr. Alia Crum
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…
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The Gentle Power of Sisu w/ Dr. Elisabet Lahti
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,…
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From Coping to Capacity w/ RaQuel Hopkins
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…
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Why Brains Need Friends w/ Dr. Ben Rein
This week, Scott sits down with Dr. Ben Rein, a Stanford neuroscientist and one of today’s most engaging science communicators. Dr. Rein has spent over a decade studying the neuroscience of social interaction, and his…
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Busting Viral Mental Health Myths w/Joe Nucci
This week, Scott speaks with psychotherapist and writer Joe Nucci, whose work tackles the intersection of mental health, misinformation, and pop psychology. Joe has built a large following by debunking viral myths and…
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The Psychology of Athletic Excellence w/Dr. Alex Auerbach
This week, Scott Barry Kaufman sits down with Dr. Alex Auerbach, a licensed counseling and sport performance psychologist who works with some of the world’s top performers—from Olympic champions to NBA, NFL, and MLB…
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Dealing with Feelings w/ Dr. Marc Brackett
This week, Scott sits down with Dr. Marc Brackett, founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and author of Dealing with Feelings: Use Your Emotions to Create the Life You Want. Together, they…
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Rethinking Time and the Myth of Urgency w/ Chris Guillebeau
This week Scott speaks with author, entrepreneur, and world traveler Chris Guillebeau, best known for The Art of Non-Conformity and his latest book, Time Anxiety: The Illusion of Urgency and a Better Way to Live.…
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Can You Really Change Your Personality? w/ Olga Khazan
This week Scott speaks with journalist and Atlantic staff writer Olga Khazan about her latest book, Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change. Olga shares her personal journey experimenting with…
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Debunking the Genius Myth w/ Helen Lewis
This week, Scott sits down with acclaimed journalist and Atlantic staff writer Helen Lewis to explore her latest book, The Genius Myth: A Curious History of a Dangerous Idea. Together, they examine how society…
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Embracing Neurodiversity w/ Robin Ince
This week, Scott sits down with English comedian, author, and BBC radio host Robin Ince. Known for co-presenting The Infinite Monkey Cage alongside physicist Brian Cox, Robin brings his signature wit and wisdom to a…
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The Science of Inspiring Leadership w/ Dr. Adam Galinsky
This week, Scott welcomes Dr. Adam Galinsky, Professor at Columbia Business School and author of Inspire: The Universal Path for Leading Yourself and Others. Together, they explore what makes a truly inspiring…
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Turning Ideas Into Action w/ Dr. Zorana Ivcevic Pringle
This week, Scott welcomes Dr. Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, senior research scientist at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and Director of the Creativity and Emotions Lab. They dive into Dr. Pringle’s new book, The…
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Designing Your Dream Life w/Sahil Bloom
This week, Scott sits down with Sahil Bloom—investor, creator, and New York Times bestselling author of The Five Types of Wealth: A Transformative Guide to Design Your Dream Life. Sahil shares his powerful philosophy…
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Breaking the Stigma w/Mayim Bialik and Jonathan Cohen
This week, Scott is joined by the multitalented Mayim Bialik and Jonathan Cohen. You might know Mayim as the star of Blossom and The Big Bang Theory, or as the former host of Jeopardy!, but she’s also a neuroscientist…
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Rise Above with Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman (Interviewed by Dr. Jonathan Haidt)
In a special role-reversal episode of The Psychology Podcast, Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman is interviewed by renowned social psychologist Dr. Jonathan Haidt to discuss Scott’s brand-new book, Rise Above: Overcome a Victim…
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Radical Listening with Robert Biswas-Diener and Christian van Nieuwerburgh
This week Scott is joined by Robert Biswas-Diener and Christian van Nieuwerburgh, pioneers in positive psychology coaching and co-authors of the new book Radical Listening: The Art of True Connection. Together, they…
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Multiple Intelligences w/ Dr. Howard Gardner
In this special episode, Scott welcomes the legendary Dr. Howard Gardner, a developmental psychologist and professor at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. Best known for his groundbreaking Theory of Multiple…
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Magic, Skepticism, and Success w/ Dr. Richard Wiseman
This week, Scott is joined by Dr. Richard Wiseman, a psychologist renowned for his work on magic, illusion, deception, luck, and self-development. As the UK's only Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology at…
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Does Telepathy Exist? w/ Dr. Diane Hennacy Powell
This week, Scott is joined by Dr. Diane Hennacy Powell—an integrative medical doctor, neuropsychiatrist, and researcher of extraordinary states of consciousness. Dr. Powell's research explores the neuroscience behind…
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A Legacy of Social Psychology w/ Dr. Elliot Aronson & Dr. Joshua Aronson
In this special episode, Scott is joined by two legendary figures in social psychology: Dr. Elliot Aronson and his son, Dr. Joshua Aronson. At 93, Elliot Aronson remains a towering influence in psychology, known for…
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How To Help Children Thrive in the Age of Uncertainty w/ Dr. Tovah Klein
This week Scott is joined by Barnard College Professor Dr. Tovah Klein. Scott and Dr. Klein discuss her groundbreaking research on child development including the importance of being a safe anchor for your children by…
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Finding Balance In The Age of Indulgence w/ Dr. Anna Lembke
This week Scott is joined by Stanford Psychiatrist and addiction expert, Dr. Anna Lembke. Scott and Dr. Lembke discuss how to reset your dopamine system to take back control of your life and turn the things that you…
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Best of 2024- Reclaim Yourself w/ Emma Seppala
Happy New Year! As we prepare for the new season of the Psychology Podcast, here's one of our favorites to get you through the holidays. This week Scott is joined by happiness researcher and best selling author, Dr.…
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Best of 2024- How to Feel Alive Again in a World That Wears Us Down w/ Corey Keyes
Happy New Year! As we prepare for the new season of the Psychology Podcast, here's one of our favorites to get you through the holidays. This week Scott is joined by sociologist and psychologist, Corey Keyes. Scott…
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Overcome Your Trauma With Happiness w/ Karen Guggenheim
This week Scott is joined by author, speaker and pioneer in the global happiness movement, Karen Guggenheim. Scott and Karen discuss overcoming trauma with happiness, how happiness can be learned by making small daily…
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Does the Universe Have a Purpose? w/ Philip Goff
This week Scott is joined by author, philosopher, and professor at Durham University, Philip Goff. Scott and Philip discuss evidence for the existence of god, whether the universe has any purpose, and the function of…
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How To Lead Yourself w/ Stedman Graham
This week Scott is joined by author, businessman and public speaker, Stedman Graham. Scott and Stedman discuss the importance of identity leadership, centering your worth around your own strengths and talents, and self…
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The Happiness Trap w/ Russ Harris
This week Scott is joined by one of Australia's foremost practitioners of acceptance and commitment therapy, Dr. Russ Harris. Scott and Russ discuss Dr. Harris'' "Happiness Trap” cards, which are designed to invigorate…
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The Psychology of Attraction w/Mark Manson
This week Scott is joined by best-selling author and former dating coach Mark Manson about what women really want in a man. In addition to writing multiple bestselling books such as “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a…
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Do Nice Guys Really Finish Last?
For this special 10th anniversary episode of The Psychology Podcast, Scott draws on science to answer the age-old question: Do nice guys really finish last? First, Scott pinpoints exactly what women mean when they use…
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The Psychology of Outrage w/ Dr. Kurt Gray
This week Scott is joined by author and professor of psychology at the University of North Carolina, Dr. Kurt Gray. Scott and Dr. Gray discuss why Americans seem so divided at this point in time, the psychology of…
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How to Make It to the End With No Regrets w/Jodi Wellman
This week Scott is joined by Jodi Wellman. Jodi is an author, executive coach, and expert on resiliency. Scott and Jodi discuss living well with no regrets, and learning to embrace the bright side of your limited time…
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Is Toxic Productivity Ruining Your Life? w/Israa Nasir
This week Scott is joined by author, speaker and therapist, Israa Nasir. Scott and Israa discuss toxic productivity, the connection between productivity and self-worth, and how to transform shame into curiosity. See…
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How Tribalism Can Unite Us w/ Dr. Michael Morris
This week Scott is joined by author and professor of leadership at the Columbia Business School, Dr. Michael Morris. Scott and Dr. Morris discuss the upsides of tribalism— from uniting different tribes to practical…
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Personality, Creativity, and Well-being || The Human Potential Lab
In this solo episode of The Human Potential Lab, Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman shines a light in the intersection of personality, well-being, and creativity. After describing each of the major personality traits on offer…
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The Man Behind The Mind Reader w/ Banachek
This week Scott is joined by "The World's Greatest Mind Reader", Banachek. Scott and Banachek discuss criticisms of self-described psychics, the link between psychology and magic, and Banachek's successful attempts to…
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From Prison To Social Impact w/ Wallo 267
This week Scott is joined by activist, podcaster and author, Wallo 267. Scott and Wallo discuss Wallo's early life of crime and incarceration, what he did after his release to change his path in life for the better,…
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The Upside of OCD w/ Michael Alcee
This week Scott has a chat with clinical psychologist Michael Alcee, where they have a humanistic discussion about obsessive compulsive disorder. Michael is critical of the standard medical model of OCD and points out…
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How To Make Magic With Your Partner w/ The Cosmic Romantics
This week, Scott is joined by The Cosmic Romantics— the husband and wife magic team consisting of Eric Thirsting and Elizabeth Messick! Scott talks to the couple about balancing a romantic and professional…
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Hope For Cynics w/ Dr. Jamil Zaki
This week Scott is joined by author and professor of psychology at Stanford University, Dr. Jamil Zaki. Scott and Dr. Zaki discuss tribal cynicism, how hopeful skepticism is different from naive optimism, and the…
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Transform Your Relationship with Food to Become Your Healthiest Self w/ Kim Shapira
This week Scott is joined by Kim Shapira, a celebrity dietician, author and nutritional therapist. Scott and Kim discuss the rules of the “Kim Shapira Method”, the psychology behind losing weight (and keeping it off)…
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Reimagining Boyhood & Masculinity w/ Ruth Whippman
This week Scott is joined by author and cultural critic, Ruth Whippman. Scott and Ruth discuss what it's like being a mother raising boys in modern society, the role of "masculinity influencers”, and what healthy…
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The Science of Morbid Curiosity w/ Dr. Coltan Scrivner
This week Scott is joined by true crime and morbid curiosity psychologist, Dr. Coltan Scrivner. Scott and Dr. Scrivner discuss how to determine your level of interest in morbid curiosity, why some people have a higher…
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The Psychology of Identity and Fostering Social Harmony w/ Dr. Jay Van Bavel
This week Scott is joined by NYU professor and expert on social identity, Dr. Jay Van Bavel. Dr. Kaufman and Dr. Van Bavel discuss how to escape your echo chambers and overcome your biases, the role social media plays…
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The Third Perspective w/ Africa Brooke
This week Scott is joined by consultant, coach, speaker, and author Africa Brooke. In this lively conversation, Scott and Africa discuss the importance of diversity of thought, expressing yourself in an age of…
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Finding Work That Leaves You Fulfilled w/ Dr. Tessa West
This week Scott is joined by NYU professor and author Dr. Tessa West. Scott and Dr. West discuss how to find a fulfilling job, how to deal with jerks in the workplace, five common sources of career frustration, and how…
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Vulnerable Minds and the Hope of Resilience w/ Marc Hauser
This week Scott is joined by evolutionary biologist and author, Dr. Marc Hauser. Scott and Marc discuss adverse child experiences and why it's important to distinguish them from trauma. They also discuss Marc's…
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