Explore the psychology behind urban legends. Learn how cognitive biases like confirmation bias and emotional narratives make us believe and share stories that aren’t true.
Understanding Cognitive Biases 5 | The Biases of Memory & Recall
What is your most vivid childhood memory? The story of your first love? The moment you achieved a great success? What if I told you that memory might be wrong? This week, in our series finale, we tackle the most personal biases of all—the ones that live inside our own heads. We’ll discover how easily false memories can be planted, why we only remember the best and worst moments of a vacation, and how you might be accidentally stealing ideas. Prepare to question everything you think you know about your past.
Understanding Cognitive Biases 4 | The Biases of Social & Group Dynamics
Why do we instantly judge a stranger based on their clothes? Why do good people sometimes stand by and do nothing in a group? Human beings are social animals, but our social instincts can lead us down dangerous paths. This week, we enter the complex world of social psychology to explore the biases that govern our group behavior. We’ll tackle stereotypes, peer pressure, and why we often blame the victim. Get ready to rethink your social world.
Understanding Cognitive Biases 3 | The Biases of Self-Perception & Abilities
How well do you truly know yourself? Are you a great driver? A fantastic singer? A natural leader? This week, we explore the biases that distort the most important image of all: the one we have of ourselves. We’ll find out why some people are blind to their own weaknesses, why experts struggle to teach beginners, and why we all fall for the vague flattery of horoscopes. It’s time for a reality check!
Understanding Cognitive Biases 2 | The Biases of Belief & Interpretation
Do you believe you see the world objectively? We all like to think we do. But what if your brain is constantly filtering reality to match what you already believe? This week, we investigate the biases that shape your entire worldview. We’ll discover why it feels so good to be right, why we say ‘I knew it all along’ after something happens, and how our brains are programmed to see faces in clouds. Are you ready to question your own beliefs?
Understanding Cognitive Biases 1 | The Biases of Decision-Making & Judgment
Do you ever feel like you’re on autopilot when you make choices? Have you ever bought something and later wondered why? This week, we begin our journey into the hidden world of cognitive biases, exploring the invisible scripts that guide your decisions every day. We’ll find out why the first price you see is so powerful, why we stick with bad decisions, and how focusing only on success stories can lead us astray. Are your choices really your own? Let’s find out.
The Blueprint of You | The Journey Within Series
Ever feel like you’re building life without a manual? Dr. Sam Carter introduces the psychological blueprint to understanding your own mind, emotions, and behaviors.
Athenian tragedy: Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex | Topics & English
Explore Sophocles’ masterpiece, Oedipus Rex. Uncover the themes of fate, free will, and dramatic irony in this 2,500-year-old psychological thriller and tragedy.
King Arthur: In Search of the Once and Future King
Was King Arthur real? Uncover the history, myth, and enduring legacy of Camelot, Merlin, Excalibur, and the Knights of the Round Table in this deep dive.
The World is Waking Up: Decoding the Internet of Things (IoT)
What is the Internet of Things (IoT)? We explore the smart devices in your home and the vast, invisible networks in our cities, weighing the benefits against the risks.
Recent Posts
The Story of Literature EP2 | Echoes of Olympus: The Greek and Roman Foundations
We journey to ancient Greece and Rome to uncover the cornerstones of Western literature. From the epic poems of Homer and the tragedies of Sophocles to the philosophical dialogues of Plato and the poetry of Virgil, this episode explores how these classical works shaped our ideas of heroism, democracy, drama, and rhetoric.
The Story of Literature EP1 | The First Scribes: Tales from the Fertile Crescent
This episode travels back to the dawn of writing in Mesopotamia. We explore the world’s first known literary work, the Epic of Gilgamesh, and discuss how ancient civilizations in the Near East used cuneiform script not just for records, but to wrestle with the fundamental human questions of life, death, friendship, and the divine.
Author Reflection | Listening Comprehension Practice
Listen to an author reflect on their literary prize nomination. A great exercise for TOEFL/IELTS, with script, vocabulary, and a 10-question quiz to test your comprehension of personal storytelling.
The Narrative Thread: Are You the Author or the Character?
This piece explores the art of finding meaning in life by viewing our existence through the lens of a story. Delve into philosophical nuggets on free will, destiny, and memory to question whether you’re the author or the character in your own epic.
Is Your Favorite TV Show Literature? Redefining Storytelling in the 21st Century
Challenge the traditional definition of literature. Explore the literary merits of graphic novels like Maus, prestige TV like The Sopranos, and cinematic video games like The Last of Us.
The Question a Story Leaves in Its Wake
How do stories change us? Go beyond plot summaries and character analysis with a guide to reflective reading, exploring the deep, personal questions that great narratives ask of you, long after the final page is turned.