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The Human Behavior Podcast
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Do you ever wonder why people act the way that they do? Join human behavior experts Brian Marren and Greg Williams as they discuss all things human behavior related. Their goal is to increase your Advanced Critical Thinking ability through a better understanding of HBPR&A (Human Behavior Pattern Recognition & Analysis.) What is HBPR&A? It's a scientific (and fun) way to understand and articulate human behavior cues so that you can predict likely outcomes and it works regardless of your race, religion, political ideology or culture!
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Send us a text The sciences behind human behavior are complex, yet the practical applications are what truly matter in our daily lives. In this illuminating discussion, we peel back the layers of scientific theory to reveal how concepts like gestalt psychology, emergence, and reification shape the way we perceive and interact with the world around us. Our brains are constantly working to create order from chaos, organizing visual information into patterns that make sense to us. This natural ...
Send us a text What if you could spot danger before it materializes? What if your decision-making advantage wasn't about reacting faster, but about seeing what others miss entirely? The gift of time and distance isn't just tactical jargon—it's a profound cognitive framework that separates reactive individuals from those who shape outcomes. This episode dives deep into how early detection of critical cues combined with expanded decisional space creates a powerful cognitive edge in both ...
Send us a text Are you overwhelmed by uncertainty? In our latest episode, we tackle the intricate relationship between uncertainty, risk, and the anxiety they provoke. As we explore the brain science behind these emotions, we break down how they influence our decision-making and daily lives. The discussion also emphasizes the crucial distinction between uncertainty—the unknowns we face—and risk—the measurable implications of those unknowns. Listeners will discover practical strategies for ma...
Send us a text Today, we have a truly special guest: John A Dailey—a retired Marine Corps Force Recon sniper, founding member of MARSOC, the Marine Corps’ first official unit under SOCOM, and author of Tough Rugged Bastards. If you’re curious about how an elite group of Marines forged a brand-new special operations detachment at the height of the post-9/11 conflicts, then this episode is for you. John will share what it took to create and lead a pioneering special operations team—one that had...
Send us a text What if fear, rather than fairness or loyalty, is the ultimate compass guiding our moral judgments? On this episode of the Human Behavior Podcast, we explore this provocative question inspired by Elizabeth Colbert's article in the New Yorker. Joining us is moral psychologist Kirk Gray, whose compelling theory suggests our ethical decisions are deeply rooted in the fear of harm, a vestige of our evolutionary history. We contrast this with Jonathan Haidt's Moral Foundations Theor...
Send us a text This episode explores the complex relationship between violence and communication, positing that violence can be a maladaptive language used by individuals when they feel unheard or powerless. The hosts discuss behavioral distinctions, the significance of feeling heard, and how effective communication can prevent violent escalations while providing insights from real-world examples. • Exploring the concept of violence as a language • Understanding maladaptive coping mech...
Send us a text Have you ever wondered how our brains transform chaotic sensory inputs into meaningful information that guides our actions and decisions? Tune in to uncover the fascinating mechanisms behind human perception and orientation, and how these processes are essential for navigating our complex world. We promise you'll gain insights into how our senses seamlessly align to enhance situational awareness, improve decision-making, and empower personal and professional success. Join us a...
Send us a text What if building a genuine connection could be the key to cracking complex intelligence operations? This episode features Doug Laux, a former CIA case officer and bestselling author of "Left of Boom," who lifts the veil on his secretive world. Doug shares stories from his time working undercover in perilous environments like Afghanistan and Syria, where he learned the indispensable value of human connection and relationship-building. He also discusses his unexpected journey fro...
Send us a text Hello everyone and welcome back to The Human Behavior Podcast! After a brief hiatus filled with some exciting projects, I'm thrilled to jump into a topic that's both timeless and timely—the concept of time itself. In this episode, Greg and I unravel the complexities of how we perceive time and how it shapes our experiences, decisions, and behaviors. Drawing from ancient Greek philosophies, we distinguish between Kronos (quantitative, chronological time) and Kairos (qualitative,...
Send us a text This week, we're debunking the myth that "anything can happen." In today's episode, we'll explore how adopting this mindset can increase uncertainty and cognitive load—especially in high-risk environments—and how it might set us up for failure. Instead of believing that "anything can happen," we'll focus on reducing uncertainty by deepening our understanding of human behavior and utilizing practical tools like game theory, probability, and Bayes’ theorem. Join us as we di...
Send us a text In this week's podcast episode, we are joined by one of our Advisory Board members, Dr. Joan Johnston, to talk about why high functioning teams fail. With over 30 years of experience working with the Department of Defense, Dr. Johnston is an expert on decision making and simulation training. Throughout her career she has made a significant impact on advancing the science of Learning, Team Training, Decision Making under Stress, Performance Measurement, and Organizational Develo...
Send us a text Join us this week us for an eye-opening conversation with Dr. Kenneth Trump, a renowned authority in school safety with a distinguished career spanning more than 40 years. Dr. Trump takes us on a compelling journey from his early days tackling gang issues in Cleveland schools to becoming a pivotal figure in school safety consulting. Learn how his academic background in social services and public administration laid the foundation for his relentless commitment to integrity and p...
Send us a text This week we are “unmasking” a landmark case from New York that challenges our views on policing, legislation, and the balance between security and civil liberties. During the episode we explore the arrest of an 18-year-old under a new mask ban law, delving into the legal and social implications of this contentious issue and how this legislation provides the police with a new method for establishing reasonable suspicion, and what it means for our rights and protections under th...
Send us a text Did you know that mastering the art of small talk could change your life? Join us for a fascinating journey into the world of effective communication and information gathering, where Greg and I bring our contrasting styles to the forefront. From hostage negotiations to courtroom dramas, you'll discover how leveraging the power of small talk can transform your communication skills. During the episode we explain the power of building trust through common ground as we...
Send us a text Humans are great at pattern recognition, but we often fail at the analysis portion because we have to rely primarily on subjective interpretations of events. So, this week, we are talking about the difficulty in determining when a situation has met a threshold for action, and we give you some basic takeaways that you can use to determine when it’s time to intervene. During the episode we break down various real-life scenarios, including a mayor's criminal actions, a chilling fa...
Send us a text This week we are joined by a very special guest, Board Certified Behavior Analyst Kendall Rindak-Samuel. Kendall joined us to talk about the fascinating world of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), showing how it can transform fields like education, sports, and corporate systems. Join us as we debunk common myths and gain an enriched understanding of human behavior, all while Kendall shares her dual expertise in behavioral sports psychology and dissemination. During the episode Ke...
Send us a text This week, we bring you an analysis of one of the most alarming events in recent history: the attempted assassination of Donald Trump by Thomas Crooks. We dive deep into the psychological profile of Crooks, examining how his actions challenge our preconceived notions of what drives someone to commit such violent acts. By comparing his behaviors and planning to those of school shooters, we uncover a chilling quest for notoriety and historical infamy. Our discussion also reveals ...
Send us a text Historically, in-person communal gatherings met our needs for social validation and even stress relief. But today, those needs are met through rapid online interactions that fail to provide many of the important elements that are necessary for appropriate feedback. In this week’s episode we are using the assassination attempt on Donald Trump to unpack the psychological and sociological imperatives that drive UNINFORMED commentary. During the episode we combine the science of hu...
Send us a text Are you in a profession where being up-to-date on your certifications isn’t enough to guarantee success in high-stakes situations? This week, we delve into the often-overlooked difference between currency and true proficiency in training. Inspired by a thought-provoking article from an aviation association, we draw fascinating parallels between the rigorous training standards of aviation and the essential skills needed for everyday life. Greg shares compelling personal anecdote...
Send us a text This week we are talking about curiosity, and it isn't just for kids! Imagine how your life could change if you harnessed the power of curiosity in understanding human behavior. This episode explains how we cultivate curiosity amidst the distractions of our tech-driven world. During the episode we tackle the challenge of staying curious in a society rife with distractions, offering practical strategies to counteract intellectual laziness. We share some personal stories, ...
Send us a text Today, we are dissecting the complexities and unintended consequences of zero tolerance policies through real-life examples, starting with the recent tragic shooting at Benito Juarez High School in Chicago. This incident exposes the bureaucratic hurdles and miscommunication that can arise between institutions like Chicago Public Schools and law enforcement, showcasing how rigid policies can delay justice and exacerbate violence instead of preventing it. We'll explore the...
Send us a text This week we are discussing some of the common myths about gender differences in communication. From the misconception that women talk more than men to the reality of who interrupts more frequently, we sift through scientific studies and personal anecdotes to bring clarity to these contentious topics. With references to various studies, we reveal how both men and women speak approximately the same number of words per day, proving that context is crucial in interpreting communic...
Send us a text This week we are stepping into the shadows of the past as we uncover the chilling realities and patterns behind one of America's darkest days, the 1927 Bath Township School Massacre. But this isn't just a history lesson; it's an urgent call to foster vigilance and critical thinking. During the episode we'll dissect the actions of individuals like Andrew Kehoe, who sought notoriety through devastation, and we draw parallels to modern-day threats that could be lurking in the most...
1Send us a text This week we are jumping into the world of everyday lie detection, where even seasoned professionals grapple with biases and contextual cues. Through a blend of anecdotes and psychological insights, we illuminate the complex interplay between deceivers and those in pursuit of honesty. Whether it's in professional settings, personal relationships, or the tension-filled rooms of interrogations, understanding the nuances of human behavior unlocks a new perspective about deception ...
Send us a text This week we are unpacking the mysterious forces of instinct and intuition and explaining how these twin navigators steer our survival strategies as well as our everyday choices. During the episode we reveal how primal behaviors and nuanced judgments not only coexist but often compete for the driver's seat in high-stakes scenarios. In order to explain how this complex interaction between instinct and intuition, we share some compelling stories of heroism and survival that highl...
Send us a text Today we are discussing some of the psychological reasons behind why we are all prone to getting scammed! For the show we answered three main questions: Why do scams work? What is the psychology behind scams? And, Who is prone to falling for scams? During the episode we explain how our brain gets hijacked by a good story which causes us to lose our ability to think critically and rationally. Thank you so much for tuning in, we hope you enjoy the episode and please c...
Send us a text Today we are talking about the capabilities and limitations of our Memory and how it can be affected by a number of different external and internal influences. During the episode we explain how and why our brain creates false memories, how memory-emotion links are formed, the difference between memory and recall, and we explain how to create accurate memories and correct memory distortions so you can use your own experiences for predictive analysis. Thank you so muc...
Send us a text Today we are talking about something that affects our perception and our cognitive performance, even before we realize it’s an issue! It’s something we call “O.B.E.” which stands for Overcome By Emotion or Overwhelmed By Events. During the episode we define in great detail what we mean by these terms and how they affect our ability to sense make and problem solve but the reason we are talking about OBE is because it comes on much faster than we think and is often the bigg...
Send us a text Hello everyone and welcome to this week’s episode of the Human Behavior Podcast. For this episode we are defining a term that you’ve likely heard before called Complacency. We’ve all heard the saying that “complacency kills” or had someone tell us not to get complacent but I don’t ever hear anyone defining what complacency actually is! So, for this episode, we are defining complacency using four powerful cognitive processes that affect all humans which are Adaptation, Cha...
Send us a text Today we are talking about culture and why it matters less than what people think, especially when it comes to reading human behavior. Understanding culture is laboriously slow, heavily nuanced, and in today’s world of mass communication and global connectivity humans have the ability to choose what culture they belong to. The human behavior principles that we discuss rely on human behavior characteristics which demonstrate intent. Culture can create idiosyncratic display...
Send us a text Hello everyone and welcome to this week’s episode of the Human Behavior Podcast. Today’s episode is sort of the next step after last week’s episode where we discussed how important it is to focus on the background action or the context or “scene” that you are observing because the seemingly mundane environmental signals are actually the foundation for observing human behavior. So for this episode we are talking about anomaly detection, putting together the breadcrumbs, “c...
Send us a text Hello everyone and welcome to this installment of the Human Behavior Podcast. Today we are talking about the most important element of understanding, or “reading,” human behavior, which is the background action, the context, the setting of the scene that provides the relevance for what you see. Think about this for a second…Every time you drive, bike, or walk – you pass by signs, signals, plaques, icons, or graffiti without every fully realizing the significance of those observ...
Send us a text Support the show Website: https://thehumanbehaviorpodcast.buzzsprout.com/share Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHumanBehaviorPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehumanbehaviorpodcast/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ArcadiaCognerati More about Greg and Brian: https://arcadiacognerati.com/arcadia-cognerati-leadership-team/
Send us a text This week we are talking about intuition and what it really means to “trust your gut.” Just like our previous episodes we are going to start out by reading an article that Greg wrote where he highlights several examples of people who DIDN’T “trust their gut” and it lead to some pretty catastrophic situations. For this episode we are talking about intuition from two perspectives. The first being the “gut feeling” that you’ve likely experienced when something feels “off.” T...
Send us a text Hello everyone and thanks for tuning in this week and I apologize for not getting the episode out on time but since we record the podcast when we are on the road there can be a delay in when I get access to the recording files which can cause a slight delay uploading the episode. So although todays episode is a day late it is by no means a dollar short! This week we are talking about two major topics that often intersect with one another in real life settings. Those two topics ...
Send us a text Hello everyone and thanks for tuning back in, this week we are super excited to bring you the very first episode of the human behavior podcast! For those of you have been listening to the Left Of Greg podcast we think you’re going to really enjoy the new format as well as the additional content on Patreon. At Arcadia Cognerati we train people how to conduct predictive analysis and “read” a situation, event, or person more accurately because if you can do that, you can make more...
Send us a text Today we are talking about how and why humans naturally fear change, even when it will ultimately benefit us. We explain how even though change is a fundamental part of our lives, our intuition can be counterproductive when it comes to things like adaptation and evolution because we will always seek out familiarity. We are having this discussion because we have some major changes coming up and we wanted to explain to all of you what our reasons were for making the changes and w...
Send us a text Today we are giving a detailed explanation of what we mean when we say that “all humans are constantly on transmit.” You may have heard us make that reference on previous episodes so we decided to explain the psychological and sociological imperatives that contribute to the innate human need to be seen and heard. In order to explain WHY all humans are on transmit we go all the way back to Plato’s Allegory of the Cave and then we give some recent examples of how hard it is for p...
Send us a text Today we are expanding on some of the same themes we discussed in our last episode but rather than talking about music, we are talking about movies and TV shows and how you can use your favorite shows to better understand human behavior in general. During the episode we give a number of examples of how movies and tv shows have to follow a certain algorithm in order for us to suspend disbelief and we point out how certain storylines will continue to repeat over and over just lik...
Send us a text Today we are talking about how music is inextricably linked to human behavior even at a very primal level. During the episode we talk about many of the parallels between music and human behavior and we explain why music has played such a powerful role in the human experience. We cover a number of topics and songs during the episode, and we explain how music affects your limbic system and how you can use music to create meaningful memory emotion links. Please don’t forget to fol...
Send us a text Today we are talking about some of the different type of prank videos that you often see on social media including a recent one in Virginia where a youtuber was shot by someone who he was trying to prank. Although these types of prank shows are very popular and have been around for a long time, things don’t always go as planned. During the show we explain the different autonomic reactions that can occur during these situations, and we get into the nuances of each example and ho...
Send us a text On today’s episode we are explaining how we distinguish between something that is “normal” versus something that is “novel” when it comes to making observations about human behavior. We often see people attribute more value or significance to observations that really don’t matter which can lead to serious errors in sense making. This often occurs because they are using their own internal baseline to establish the context of their observations, rather than using the environment ...
Send us a text Today we are discussing the importance of naming conventions, taxonomy, the lexicon you use, and the priming effect that words can have on others. Since language is extremely adaptive and the meanings behind words can change over time, unintended consequences will arise from the words you use. The name you give to something will illicit responses and influence how a person processes what you are saying which means the outcome of your message may not match its original intent. I...
Send us a text Today we are talking about one of the human behavior domains that we teach in our training courses called Heuristics. Now there are a number of different types of heuristics as well as various mental models that people like to use or discuss so we wanted to talk about how we use heuristics in the most functional manner possible. During the discussion we define some of the terms we use in different episodes including what we mean by “file folders” and we give several different e...
Send us a text Today we are talking about a poker game that spun wildly out of control and turned into a robbery and shooting, and that was just the start of this case! The reason we are discussing this case is because during the investigation the defendants iPhone was searched and during that search the investigator found evidence of another crime that he was subsequently charged with. The defendants lawyer tried to argue that the search warrant that was used was too broad and therefore the ...
Send us a text Today we are talking to Ivan Ivanovich, a global leader in the Executive Protection industry who has started, and ran, several highly successful multinational security companies. He has an impressive background and extensive experience operating in some of the most complex security environments in the world. We first met Ivan two years ago when we spoke at the Executive Protection Summit in Mexico City and we have been huge supporters of him ever since. He recently came o...
Send us a text Today we are discussing our thoughts on the use of personality tests, especially when it comes to the hiring process and the general use of them in the workplace. During the episode we talk about the limitations and flaws of personality testing, how they oversimplify complex human behavior, and how they lack reliability. We also discuss the importance of contextual factors and individual differences, and how these tests should be used cautiously and not as a sole determinant fo...
Send us a text Today we are responding to some of the questions we received regarding our statement that “most people want their say, not their way.” During the episode we explain what we mean by this statement, why it is significant, and we give a number of examples of how to identify the difference between these types of people. We also talk about the difference between someone who is “acting up” versus “acting out” and why it is an important distinction. Please don’t forget to ...
Send us a text Today we have a special guest on the show by the name of Charlie Harr. Charlie is the Operations Coordinator for the annual Marine Corps Marathon that is coming up on October 29th in Arlington, Virginia and he is tasked with coordinating security for the event as well as implementing the Anti-Terrorism Force Protection measures. Charlie is a long-time listener of the show and has attended our in-person training in the past and since Greg and I are helping out with some of the t...
Send us a text Today we are going a little deeper into one of our first principles that we talked about on a previous podcast. Some of you reached out with some questions regarding what we meant by “demonstrations of intent are more important than motive” so we decided to explain what we mean by demonstrations of intent. During the episode we talk about how all humans will consciously or unconsciously telegraph their actions and if you can learn to identify those indicators sooner you c...
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