KCRW's Life Examined is a one-hour weekly show exploring science, philosophy, faith — and finding meaning in the modern world. The show is hosted by Jonathan Bastian. Please tune in Sundays at 9 a.m., or find it as a podcast.
This week Judson Brewer psychiatrist, neuroscientist at Brown University and author of “Unwinding Anxiety: New Science Shows How to Break the Cycles of Worry and Fear to Heal Your…
Here’s what ‘Wild Rituals’ author Caitlin O’Connell learned from the elephants
Cailtin O’Connell, author of “Wild Rituals: 10 Lessons Animals Can Teach Us About Connection, Community, and Ourselves,” shares insights into the ways in which elephants relate.
This week Peter Wohlleben , renowned German forester and author of “The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate,” talks about the age-old connection between humans…
James Danckert, psychologist and author of “Out of My Skull: The Psychology of Boredom,” explains the meaning of boredom and why being bored can be beneficial.
This week Jamil Zaki, professor of Psychology at Stanford University and author of “Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness,” talks about our need to rebrand hope as…
Podcast host and executive producer of The Loudest Girl In The World Lauren Ober chronicles her later-in-life autism diagnosis and how it changed her life.
Positivity and hope: How to navigate society away from cynicism
Jamil Zaki, Stanford professor of psychology/author, explains the science and appeal of cynicism while Tania Israel, professor of counseling psychology/author, talks about how to build…
This week Robin Stern , psychoanalyst, and author of “ The Gaslight Effect: How to Spot and Survive the Hidden Manipulation Others Use to Control Your Life,” talks about gaslight…
In search of happiness: The secrets and science behind leading a good life
Dr. Robert Waldinger, director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, unlocks some of the secrets discovered via 80 years of research on happiness.
This week James Danckert , psychology professor at the University of Waterloo in Ontario and co-author of “Out of My Skull: The Psychology of Boredom,” provides some tips for parents…
‘What do we want in a partner?’ Relationships and how to foster deeper connections
Therapist Lori Gottlieb talks about common misperceptions surrounding couples therapy, why change is so hard, and the growing trend of therapy rhetoric.
This week, Iza Kavedžija, a cultural anthropologist who lived in the Kansai region of Japan, while researching the older members of Japanese society, talks about how Japanese culture…
Could your friend be your life partner? The history and shifting nature of friendship
Author Rhaina Cohen explores the history and nature of friendship and looks at how we’re starting to recognize those friendships that support, enrich, and compliment our lives.
