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Are you CURIOUS about why we think, feel, and behave the way that we do? Why Do We Do That? is a psychology podcast that deconstructs the human experience from the perspectives of social scientists, psychologists, and others that use applied psychology in their work.
Episodes
Sunday Sep 14, 2025
Sunday Sep 14, 2025
In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Ryan Moyer speaks with lawyer and author James Kimmel, Jr. about the science of revenge and his new book, The Science of Revenge: Understanding the World's Deadliest Addiction--and How to Overcome It.
They discuss why the desire for revenge is nearly universal, the psychological forces that drive it, how it can mimic the addictive pull of drugs, the distinction between revenge and justice, and how forgiveness can be a powerful antidote to the urge for retaliation.
For more on James, visit www.jameskimmeljr.com.
Why Do We Do That? is a psychology podcast that deconstructs human behavior from the perspectives of social scientists, psychologists, and others that use applied psychology in their work.
Sunday Aug 17, 2025
Sunday Aug 17, 2025
In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Ryan Moyer speaks with professor of psychology Dr. Daniel Wann about the psychology of sports fans.
They discuss why people are drawn to sports, how identifying with a team can shape your identity, the personal and social benefits of fandom, how team identification changes the way you think, and the creative ways fans explain heartbreak after a tough loss.
For more on Dan, visit his faculty page at www.murraystate.edu.
Why Do We Do That? is a psychology podcast that deconstructs human behavior from the perspectives of social scientists, psychologists, and others that use applied psychology in their work.
Sunday Jul 20, 2025
Sunday Jul 20, 2025
In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Ryan Moyer speaks with clinical psychologist & couples coach Dr. Isabelle Morley about intimate relationship conflict and her new book, They're Not Gaslighting You: Ditch the Therapy Speak and Stop Hunting for Red Flags in Every Relationship.
They discuss what healthy relationship conflict actually looks like, the underlying causes that drive most disagreements, the essential communication skills couples need to navigate conflict effectively, the important distinction between abuse and ordinary bad behavior, and why misusing therapy language can sometimes cause more confusion than clarity.
For more on Isabelle, visit www.drisabellemorley.com
Why Do We Do That? is a psychology podcast that deconstructs human behavior from the perspectives of social scientists, psychologists, and others that use applied psychology in their work.
Sunday Jun 22, 2025
Sunday Jun 22, 2025
In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Ryan Moyer speaks with psychology professor Dr. Daryl Van Tongeren about the topic of leaving religion and his new book, Done: How to Flourish After Leaving Religion.
They discuss why people leave religion, what it feels like when personal beliefs no longer match religious teachings, what parts of religion stay with them after they leave, how they reconstruct meaning, identity, and community, and what it truly takes to thrive beyond faith.
For more on Daryl, visit www.darylvantongeren.com
Why Do We Do That? is a psychology podcast that deconstructs human behavior from the perspectives of social scientists, psychologists, and others that use applied psychology in their work.
Sunday May 25, 2025
Sunday May 25, 2025
In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Ryan Moyer speaks with professor of psychiatry & trauma expert, Dr. Patricia Resick.
They discuss the difference between trauma and ordinary negative events, the defining features of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), how our thoughts can keep us stuck in distress, and what helps people truly heal.
For more on Patricia, visit www.cptforptsd.com
Why Do We Do That? is a psychology podcast that deconstructs human behavior from the perspectives of social scientists, psychologists, and others that use applied psychology in their work.
Sunday Apr 20, 2025
Sunday Apr 20, 2025
In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Ryan Moyer speaks with psychiatrist and author Dr. Joe Pierre about his new book, False: How Mistrust, Disinformation, and Motivated Reasoning Make Us Believe Things that Aren't True.
They discuss how the internet has changed the way we learn and absorb information, how human thinking often diverges from objective reality, why it's so challenging to evaluate ideas that contradict our beliefs, the role of information institutions in shaping what we believe, and practical tools to improve how we engage in conversations about controversial topics.
For more on Joe, visit www.drjoepierre.com.
Why Do We Do That? is a psychology podcast that deconstructs human behavior from the perspectives of social scientists, psychologists, and others that use applied psychology in their work.
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Ryan Moyer speaks with experimental psychologist Dr. Thuy-vy Nguyen about solitude and her book, Solitude: The Science and Power of Being Alone, co-authored along with Netta Weinstein and Heather Hansen.
They discuss the difference between solitude and loneliness, the benefits of embracing solitude, what happens when we have too much or too little solitude, and how to improve your ability at being alone.
For more on Thuy-vy, visit www.solitude-lab.com
Why Do We Do That? is a psychology podcast that deconstructs human behavior from the perspectives of social scientists, psychologists, and others that use applied psychology in their work.
Sunday Feb 23, 2025
Sunday Feb 23, 2025
In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Ryan Moyer speaks with clinical psychologist Dr. Gilly Kahn about ADHD in adolescence and her upcoming debut book Allow Me to Interrupt: A Psychologist Reveals the Emotional Truth Behind Women's ADHD.
They discuss sex differences in the presentation of ADHD symptoms, the upside of ADHD thinking patterns, how rejection sensitivity can impact a teen's identity, ADHD & friendship, and how parents can support their ADHD teens.
For more on Gilly, visit www.drgillykahn.com.
Why Do We Do That? is a psychology podcast that deconstructs human behavior from the perspectives of social scientists, psychologists, and others that use applied psychology in their work.
Monday Jan 20, 2025
Monday Jan 20, 2025
In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Ryan Moyer speaks with psychology professor & author Dr. Tovah Klein about raising resilient children and her new book, Raising Resilience: How to Help Our Children Thrive in Times of Uncertainty.
They discuss why parents need to look inward before trying to change their child's behavior, making your child feel safe while encouraging exploration, validating your child's emotions while effectively setting boundaries, and how to support your child's identity without ignoring opportunities for growth.
For more on Tovah, visit www.tovahklein.com.
Why Do We Do That? is a psychology podcast that deconstructs human behavior from the perspectives of social scientists, psychologists, and others that use applied psychology in their work.
Sunday Dec 22, 2024
Sunday Dec 22, 2024
In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Ryan Moyer speaks with Richard & Colin Guare about executive skills in children and their new book, the 2nd edition of Smart But Scattered: The Revolutionary “Executive Skills” Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential.
They discuss how parents can distinguish ability from motivational deficits, the importance of addressing your child's environment, why experience is more important than direct instruction, and how to effectively use consequences.
For more on these guests, visit www.smartbutscatteredkids.com
Why Do We Do That? is a psychology podcast that deconstructs human behavior from the perspectives of social scientists, psychologists, and others that use applied psychology in their work.