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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 ways to reshape her own personality—armed with insights from the latest psychological research. Together, she and Scott explore whether personality traits like introversion, neuroticism, and even antagonism can truly change over time, and what science says about how we can become better versions of ourselves.

This episode dives into the surprising plasticity of personality, why certain traits are harder to shift than others, and the real-life tools that can help spark meaningful, lasting transformation.

This week Scott speaks with journalist and Atlantic staff writer Olga Khazan about her latest book,&nbsp;Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change.
Olga shares her personal journey experimenting with ways to reshape her own personality&mdash;armed with insights from the latest psychological research. Together, she and Scott explore whether personality traits like introversion, neuroticism, and even antagonism can truly change over time, and what science says about how we can become better versions of ourselves.
This episode dives into the surprising plasticity of personality, why certain traits are harder to shift than others, and the real-life tools that can help spark meaningful, lasting transformation.

In each episode, we talk with inspiring scientists, thinkers, and other self-actualized individuals who will give you a greater understanding of yourself, others, and the world we live in. Scott Barry Kaufman explores the depths of human potential and tries to get a glimpse into human possibility in every episode.

The Psychology Podcast

Can You Really Change Your Personality? w/ Olga Khazan

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/996fddce-12bc-4f0b-9c11-b32b00078a42/transcript

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!

<blockquote>
After 11 years, 478 episodes, and countless conversations exploring the depths of human potential, this episode marks the final chapter of&nbsp;The Psychology Podcast&nbsp;in its current form.
In this deeply meaningful farewell episode for Scott, he sits down with acclaimed science writer Annie Murphy Paul &mdash; fittingly, the very first guest ever featured on the show back in 2014. Together, they reflect on the podcast&rsquo;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&rsquo;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 &mdash; themes that have come to define its spirit: &bull;&nbsp;Being over doing &bull;&nbsp;Creativity over efficiency &bull;&nbsp;Self-actualization over achievement &bull;&nbsp;Deep fulfillment over temporary happiness &bull;&nbsp;Self-transcendence over self-enhancement &hellip; 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 &mdash; 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!
</blockquote>

End of an Era — Reflections on 11 Years of The Psychology Podcast w/ Annie Murphy Paul

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e85111d5-ef4f-420e-b0d7-b3a8017b59ba/transcript

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.

This week, Scott sits down with his longtime friend and colleague, Dr. Alia Crum&mdash;one of the world&rsquo;s leading researchers on the science of mindsets. Dr. Crum&rsquo;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&mdash;and its real-world implications&mdash;has come.

How Mindsets Shape Reality w/ Dr. Alia Crum

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e3d87753-4cfa-4297-b3df-b39b001bc1ad/transcript

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.

This week, Scott welcomes Dr. Elisabet Lahti&mdash;educator, applied psychology researcher, and founder of the Sisu Lab. Dr. Lahti is the world&rsquo;s leading expert on&nbsp;sisu, a Finnish concept that embodies extraordinary courage, resilience, and determination in the face of adversity.
Together, they explore the meaning of&nbsp;sisu&nbsp;and how it can help us persevere even when we think we&rsquo;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.

The Gentle Power of Sisu w/ Dr. Elisabet Lahti

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c8818b60-93fc-4568-b4b1-b38d0012434b/transcript

Can You Really Change Your Personality? w/ Olga Khazan

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