Essential Reads - Psychology and Human Behaviour

This episode explores Jordan B. Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life, a bold and multifaceted guide to navigating modern existence. Drawing from clinical psychology, philosophy, and mythology, Peterson offers twelve provocative principles—from “Stand up straight with your shoulders back” to “Pet a cat when you encounter one on the street”—each designed to foster meaning, discipline, and personal responsibility. We examine the book’s central themes, including the tension between order and chaos, the

This episode explores Carol S. Dweck’s Mindset, a groundbreaking look at how our beliefs about ability and effort shape success in every area of life. Dweck introduces the distinction between a fixed mindset, which sees talent as static, and a growth mindset, which embraces challenge, learning, and resilience. We examine how these mindsets influence achievement in education, business, sports, and relationships, and unpack strategies for fostering a growth-oriented approach to setbacks and

This episode dives into Angela Duckworth’s Grit, an insightful exploration of why passion and perseverance matter more than innate talent in achieving long-term success. Duckworth presents compelling research demonstrating that sustained effort over time leads to mastery, introducing the Grit Scale to measure an individual's commitment to their goals. We discuss key themes such as effort outweighing talent, deliberate practice, and the importance of deep, enduring passion, along with how grit

This episode explores Dan Ariely’s Predictably Irrational, a fascinating examination of the hidden forces that shape human decision-making. Ariely challenges the assumption that people make rational choices, using engaging experiments and anecdotes to reveal how psychological, emotional, and social factors drive our behavior in unexpected ways. We unpack key themes such as relativity in pricing, the allure of free offers, the distinction between social and market norms, and the powerful role of

In this episode, we delve into Daniel Kahneman’s groundbreaking book, Thinking, Fast and Slow, which explores the dual processes behind human decision-making. We unpack System 1, the fast and intuitive thinker, and System 2, the slow and analytical thinker, revealing how mental shortcuts often lead to cognitive biases that impact our judgments. Join us as we discuss key ideas like Prospect Theory, loss aversion, and the distinction between our experiencing and remembering selves. We also explore

In this episode, we explore Robert B. Cialdini’s classic book, Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, which reveals the six universal principles that shape human behaviour and compliance. We discuss Reciprocity, Commitment and Consistency, Social Proof, Liking, Authority, and Scarcity, illustrating each with empirical research and real-world examples. Join us as we examine how these powerful principles impact marketing, business, and social psychology — and why understanding their ethical use is

In this episode, we explore Charles Duhigg’s insightful book, The Power of Habit, which delves into the science behind habit formation and its profound impact on individuals, organizations, and society. We break down the habit loop—cue, routine, and reward—and discuss how understanding this cycle enables intentional change. Discover the concept of keystone habits, small shifts that trigger widespread transformation, and learn about the ethical considerations surrounding habit manipulation. This

This episode dives into James Clear’s widely acclaimed book, Atomic Habits, an insightful exploration of how small, incremental changes lead to massive personal and professional transformation. Clear introduces the habit loop—cue, craving, response, reward—as a foundation for understanding behaviour, alongside his four laws of behaviour change: making habits obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying. We unpack key strategies such as habit stacking, identity-based habits, and environment design,