The Power of Asking ‘How?’
Humans love to ask, “Why?” But when it comes to our behavior, it can often be more productive and compelling to ask, “How?”
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Solitude Is a Skill
We all need different amounts of social time and alone time. If the solitary life comes less natural to you, what should you do?
What It’s Like to Be…a Speechwriter
Writing for the ear rather than the eye, racing to meet teleprompter deadlines, and recasting lost memories as timeless advice with Stephen Krupin, a speechwriter.
What We're Reading
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Brené Brown Doesn’t Want to Be Your Self-Help Guru Anymore
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The New York Times -
Max Weber’s Lessons for Democracies Under Siege
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Project Syndicate -
She Started the Debate About Kids and Phones. Now She Wants to End It.
By
The New York Times -
They Thought They Were Making Tech Breakthroughs. It Was an AI-sparked Delusion
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CNN -
How to Save Social Security Without Screwing Over Poor People
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Vox
Featured
How to Rescue an Overloaded Organization
Many leaders mistakenly believe that their organizations thrive under constant pressure. But overloaded systems are broken systems—to fix them, we must learn our way to the right amount of work.
The Art of Balancing Solitude and Connection
Without enough alone time, I feel disconnected from myself. But too much alone time makes me feel like I’m losing part of myself, too—the part of me that comes alive when I’m with other people.
What It’s Like to Be…a Floral Decorator
Crafting floral masterpieces that disappear within hours, dealing with the eccentricities of wealthy clients, and making 3am runs to the flower market with Paul Hawkins, a floral decorator in England.
Why We Spiral
Questions of who we are or what we’re worth can send us into a tailspin. But the very same processes that pull us down can propel us up, too.
What It’s Like to Be…a Car Mechanic
Cracking automotive mysteries one diagnostic code at a time, mastering the art of quoting complicated repairs, and playing the “what kind of noise is it?” guessing game with Justin Snodgrass, a car mechanic who owns his own shop.
Americans Are Overworked. Could AI Change That?
AI promises to help us get more done in less time. It’s an opportunity to reverse the trend of American overwork, but powerful structural factors stand in the way.
What It’s Like to Be…a Pharmacy Tech
Counting out pills in fives, working with million-dollar drugs, and ensuring the right medication in the right dose gets delivered at the right moment with Rose Davin, a pharmacy technician.
Announcing Behavioral Scientist’s 2025 Summer Book Club: ‘Ghosts from the Future’
We’ll read George Orwell’s 1984—a classic novel about a future society overcome by a totalitarian regime and the citizens trying to break free.
