Join renowned scientists Dr. Heather Berlin and Dr. Christof Koch on the Science of Perception Box, where they delve into the Perception Box—a groundbreaking co...
Why Your Brain Needs Awe and Wonder with Dr. Dacher Keltner
When was the last time you felt absolutely mesmerized by something beautiful? Whether it’s seeing a breathtaking vista, losing yourself in a piece of music, or being in a crowd cheering for the same team, the feeling of awe can be all-encompassing and expansive. This week on Science of Perception Box, Dr. Dacher Keltner, one of the world’s foremost emotion scientists and a scientific advisor behind Pixar’s Inside Out, shares how we can cultivate more awe in our life and why we need this sometimes overlooked emotion.
Dr. Keltner is a professor of psychology at UC Berkeley and the faculty director of the Greater Good Science Center. He has over 200 scientific publications and six books, including Born to Be Good, The Compassionate Instinct, and The Power Paradox. Dr. Keltner is involved with the education of health care providers and judges and has consulted extensively for Google, Apple, and Pinterest on issues related to emotion and well-being.
Dr. Heather Berlin is a neuroscientist, clinical psychologist and Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the Icahn School Of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.
Dr. Christof Koch is Chief Scientist for The Tiny Blue Dot Foundation as well as the current Meritorious investigator and Former President of the Allen Institute For Brain Science.
Join us for new episodes every Wednesday. Follow the show on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or wherever podcasts are found.
Love the show? Write us a review on your podcast app or tell a friend about the show.
Visit unlikelycollaborators.com for more information.
Episode Chapters:
(00:00) - Introduction
(01:35) - Exploring the Concept of Awe
(02:33) - Personal Experiences of Awe
(04:05) - Defining and Studying Awe
(05:00) - Awe Across Cultures
(07:02) - Physiological and Emotional Aspects of Awe
(12:34) - Awe in Animals and Evolution
(16:34) - Awe and Mental Health
(20:31) - Babies in Tunnels: A Surprising Reaction
(21:10) - The Role of Novelty in Experiencing Awe
(22:29) - Cynicism vs. Awe: A Battle of Perspectives
(23:29) - Digital Technology and Artificial Awe
(24:27) - Awe and PTSD: Healing Through Nature
(27:16) - The Complexity of Awe: Positive and Negative Emotions
(31:30) - Finding Awe in Everyday Life
(34:37) - The Power of Awe in Difficult Times
(37:38) - Final Thoughts and Reflections
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38:34
Cultivating More Childhood Wonder with Dr. Alison Gopnik
How can parents embrace science in order to give their children the best possible environment to thrive in? Cognitive development expert Dr. Alison Gopnik joins us to discuss how navigating challenges fosters healthier adults, likening caregiving to being a gardener creating an environment where various ”plants” can thrive in different conditions. Exposing children to diverse environments helps them develop better coping mechanisms, akin to how the immune system strengthens against viruses.
Dr. Gopnik is a professor at the University of California at Berkeley, where she has taught since 1988. She is a world leader in cognitive science, particularly the study of children’s learning and development. She is the author of over 100 journal articles and several books including the best-selling and critically acclaimed popular books The Scientist in the Crib, The Philosophical Baby, and The Gardener and the Carpenter. She is a fellow of the Cognitive Science Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Dr. Heather Berlin is a neuroscientist, clinical psychologist, and Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.
Dr. Christof Koch is Chief Scientist for the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation and the current Meritorious Investigator and former President of the Allen Institute for Brain Science.
Join us for new episodes every Thursday. Follow the show on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever podcasts are found.
Love the show? Write us a review on your podcast app, or tell a friend about the show.
Visit unlikelycollaborators.com for more information.
Episode Chapters:
(00:00) - Introduction
(01:41) - Understanding Child Development
(03:58) - Children as Natural Learners
(05:18) - Causal Inference in Children
(11:10) - Exploration vs. Exploitation
(15:40) - Adults vs. Children: Learning and Attention
(19:23) - Novelty and Creativity in Adulthood
(25:51) - Children's Social Problem-Solving Abilities
(28:17) - The Role of Caregiving in Human Evolution
(34:49) - Balancing Safety and Exploration in Parenting
(41:51) - AI Learning vs. Child Learning
(43:57) - Perception Box Questions and Reflections
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48:03
Why Did We Evolve to Feel Romantic Love? with Dr. Helen Fisher
We long for love. We die for love. We kill for love. But why do we love? Cohosts Dr. Heather Berlin and Dr. Christoph Koch ask this question to Helen Fisher, PhD. who dedicated her career to researching romantic love. In this episode of Science of Perception Box, we explore how the act of being in love or out of love changes how we view ourselves and the world around us.
Dr. Fisher was a biological anthropologist, Senior Research Fellow at The Kinsey Institute, and Chief Science Advisor to Match.com. She used brain scanning (fMRI) to study the neural systems associated with the sex drive, romantic love, attachment, rejection, love addiction, long-term partnership happiness, and the biological foundations of human personality. She conducted extensive research on the evolution, biology, and psychology of human sexuality, monogamy, adultery, and divorce.
Dr. Heather Berlin is a neuroscientist, clinical psychologist, and Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.
Dr. Christof Koch is Chief Scientist for the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation and the current Meritorious Investigator and former President of the Allen Institute for Brain Science.
Join us for new episodes every Thursday. Follow the show on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever podcasts are found.
Love the show? Write us a review on your podcast app, or tell a friend about the show.
Visit unlikelycollaborators.com for more information.
Episode Chapters:
(00:00) - Introduction to the Science of Perception Box
(02:03) - Exploring Love and Heartbreak
(05:16) - The Brain Chemistry of Love
(06:41) - The Evolutionary Purpose of Love
(09:35) - The Complexities of Romantic Relationships
(20:53) - The Impact of Rejection and Heartbreak
(24:10) - The Distraction Test and Emotional Response
(25:15) - Love as an Addiction
(27:31) - Phases of Breakup and Emotional Recovery
(31:21) - The Concept of Slow Love
(33:05) - Impact of Internet on Modern Dating
(38:58) - Perception Box Questions
(44:57) - Final Reflections and Closing Thoughts
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45:43
How Does Our Cultural Identity Influence Us? with Dr. Daphna Oyserman
Our cultural lenses can expand our Perception Box or contract it, keeping us closed off to new opportunities. So how do we become aware of the personal influences that shape our perceptions? In this episode of Science of Perception Box, cohosts Dr. Heather Berlin and Dr. Christoph Koch discuss the impact of cultural differences on identity and mindsets with guest Dr. Daphna Oyserman. Dr. Oyserman shares her insights on how small changes in context can significantly affect our mindset and choices, impacting our health and academic performance.
Dr. Daphna Oyserman is a Dean’s Professor of Psychology and Professor of Psychology and Education at the University of Southern California. Dr. Oyserman received a PhD in psychology and social work from the University of Michigan and served on the faculty of The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, before returning to the University of Michigan where she last held appointments as the Edwin J. Thomas Collegiate Professor of Social Work, Professor of Psychology, and Research Professor in the Institute for Social Research.
Dr. Heather Berlin is a neuroscientist, clinical psychologist, and Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.
Dr. Christof Koch is Chief Scientist for the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation and the current Meritorious Investigator and former President of the Allen Institute for Brain Science.
Join us for new episodes every Thursday. Follow the show on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever podcasts are found.
Love the show? Write us a review on your podcast app, or tell a friend about the show.
Visit unlikelycollaborators.com for more information.
Episode Chapters:
(00:00) - Introduction
(02:19) - Cultural Identity and Understanding Cultural Differences
(05:26) - The Role of Culture in Society
(07:24) - Cultural Norms and Time Perception
(11:27) - Identity and Self-Perception
(13:54) - Culture and Motivation
(20:10) - Perception of Difficulty and Cultural Narratives
(23:00) - The Dilemma of Difficulty: When to Persevere or Pivot
(24:00) - Cultural Perspectives on Difficulty and Success
(28:14) - The Role of Talent vs. Hard Work in Achievement
(31:37) - Shifting Mindsets: Small Changes, Big Impacts
(34:49) - Procrastination and the Future Self
(38:21) - Teaching the Value of Hard Work to Kids
(42:34) - The Influence of Culture on Persistence
(45:57) - Concluding Thoughts and Reflections
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48:51
A Case of Mistaken Identity with Dr. Dan Siegel
What is the mind? Does the mind exist only in your own Perception Box, or is there a greater connection of consciousness? In this episode of Science of Perception Box, cohosts Dr. Heather Berlin and Dr. Christoph Koch discuss the interconnectedness of the mind, the impact of implicit memories from infancy on childhood attachment, and the wheel of awareness with Dr. Dan Siegel. Dr. Siegel shares his research and practices on healing unresolved trauma, preventing burnout for caregivers and medical professionals, and channeling the Perception Box-expanding power of empathy.
Dr. Siegel is the Executive Director of the Mindsight Institute and Founding Co-Director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA, where he was also Co-Principal Investigator of the Center for Culture, Brain, and Development and Clinical Professor at the School of Medicine. An award-winning educator, he is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and recipient of several honorary fellowships. He has authored numerous articles and books, including five New York Times bestsellers.
Dr. Heather Berlin is a neuroscientist, clinical psychologist, and Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.
Dr. Christof Koch is Chief Scientist for the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation and the current Meritorious Investigator and former President of the Allen Institute for Brain Science.
Join us for new episodes every Thursday. Follow the show on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever podcasts are found.
Love the show? Write us a review on your podcast app, or tell a friend about the show.
Visit unlikelycollaborators.com for more information.
Episode Chapters:
(00:00) - Introduction
(02:23) - Defining the Mind
(03:34) - The Concept of Mindsight
(06:55) - Empathy and Compassion in Medicine
(15:51) - Implicit and Explicit Memory
(22:34) - Therapeutic Insights and Transformative Experiences
(27:03) - Exploring the Mind and Energy Flow
(27:29) - Chaos and Rigidity in Patients
(28:51) - Discovering Complex Systems and Emergence
(31:15) - The Wheel of Awareness
(32:21) - Integration of Consciousness Practice
(33:52) - Therapeutic Value of Pure Consciousness
(36:31) - Redefining the Self and Modern Culture
(42:39) - Personal Reflections and Overcoming Childhood Fears
(49:53) - The Power of Therapy and Brain Plasticity
(51:04) - Closing Thoughts
Join renowned scientists Dr. Heather Berlin and Dr. Christof Koch on the Science of Perception Box, where they delve into the Perception Box—a groundbreaking concept developed by Elizabeth R. Koch, that reveals how our beliefs, biases, and neural wiring shape our reality and define how we experience the world.
Through captivating conversations with expert guests like psychiatrist Dr. Judson Brewer, anthropologist Dr. Helen Fisher, and journalist Michael Pollan, the show explores how the Perception Box expands in states of awe, curiosity, and love, and contracts during fear, anxiety, or anger.
From mindfulness and romantic relationships to psychedelics and human connection, each episode uncovers transformative insights into unlocking greater awareness, fostering curiosity, and reshaping how we perceive the world.
New episodes drop every Thursday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow the journey and redefine your reality.
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