Pros & Concepts

Episode 40: Propaganda Techniques: Manufacturing Consent

June 6th, 2022  |  48 mins 16 secs

logical fallacies, philosophy, political science, psychology, rhetoric, sociology

In this episode, Phil and Steve go down the list of Propaganda Techniques and discuss the ones they find most relevant. We define them as marketing for political ideas, seeking to change minds through as many paths as possible - aside from rational engagement with reason.

Episode 39: Motivational Interviewing - Getting People to Change

May 16th, 2022  |  44 mins 36 secs

addiction, counseling, interpersonal skills, mental health, philosophy, psychology, self-improvement, sociology

Wish people would take your advice? Want more influence on those around you? Feel like your insight goes to waste? Then this episode is for you!

Steve walks us through what Motivational Interviewing is, and how it’s basically real-life magic. The various techniques that enable you to actively engage with those around you while more tactfully getting them to consider your advice.

Episode 37: Fun - Identifying Your Flavor of Motivation

April 19th, 2022  |  41 mins 35 secs

games, gamification, philosophy, psychology, self-improvement, society, sociology

Phil leads this winding episode to talk about the concept of fun, pulling elements in from game design and "psychographic profiles". Also, there's a long bit of bickering between the hosts about whether Blueberry picking is wholesome fun or hard labor.

Episode 36: Feedback Loops w/Macabre Storytelling - Engineering Behavior

April 5th, 2022  |  1 hr 9 mins

dating, men's lib, philosophy, psychology, self-improvement, society, sociology

Phil, Steve, and Mac talk about Men's issues, addiction, video games, and veer off track as is typical of this show.

Episode 35: Social Capital - More Valuable than Gold

March 28th, 2022  |  44 mins 40 secs

career development, philosophy, psychology, self-improvement, sociology

Steve leads the charge today in talking about Social Capital, which is "the networks of relationships among people who live and work in a particular society, enabling that society to function effectively."

Episode 34: Fear of Hope w/Ross Ellenhorn PhD – Why People Don't Change

March 8th, 2022  |  46 mins 50 secs

addiction, counseling, mental health, philosophy, psychology, self-improvement, sociology

Dr. Ross Ellenhorn comes on to share his understanding and research on the fear of hope - a powerful psychological construct that can frustrate our every attempt to change.

Episode 33: Memes – More Than Funny Images

February 22nd, 2022  |  49 mins 8 secs

biology, business, genetics, philosophy, psychology, sociology

Phil introduces the academic concept of memes - technically living noncorporeal hive symbiotes/parasites that live in our heads. The definition of "life" that applies to genes can also be equally applied to memes, since they are "replicators" that manifest "survival machines" to help promote their adaptability and survival.

Episode 32: Externalities - We're All In It Together

February 10th, 2022  |  43 mins 54 secs

business, philosophy, psychology, sociology

In this episode, Phil introduces the economic concept of “Externalities”, which is the effect economic producers or consumers have on bystanders.

Episode 31: Willpower – How to Avoid Using It

January 26th, 2022  |  46 mins 5 secs

addiction, diet, philosophy, psychology, self control, self development, sociology, willpower

Steve leads this episode to talk about Willpower, how it works, and how to avoid using it. We take some tangents around science, the replication crisis, and addiction.

Episode 30: PsychoProctology w/Jeremy Sherman PhD – What is an Asshole?

January 10th, 2022  |  57 mins 33 secs

philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology

Jeremy Sherman PhD comes on to discuss the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of assholery. A bit theory heavy, so don't be afraid to check the show notes for explanations.