#347: The Science of Social Awkwardness

When Mark Hertling learned he was deploying for Operation Desert Storm, he decided to start a journal.Back then, Mark was an Army major and cavalry officer with two young sons. His unit would be out in front of the main force, and during an intelligence briefing, he was told it c ...  Show more

Professor of psychology Angela Duckworth is famous for her work on grit — the combination of passion and perseverance that leads to high achievement. But she’s come to an increasing appreciation for the fact that success isn't just a matter of the qualities inside you; it's also ...  Show more

Awkwardness gets a bad rap, but the trait is often an indicator that someone is extraordinary. Psychologist and author Ty Tashiro has spent a great deal of time studying (and living!) social awkwardness. He's fascinated by how the same traits that cause us social embarrassment ca ...  Show more

Can the traits that make you feel socially awkward actually be the key to unlocking extraordinary success? We’ve all experienced a time when we felt like an outsider looking in. But for some, this isn’t a rare occurrence, but a constant struggle. In fact, research shows 10 – 15% ...  Show more

A Bit of Optimism is on hiatus this week, so we’re revisiting one of our favorite conversations! In this episode, Simon talks with psychologist Ty Tashiro about social awkwardness and why being awkward can actually be a superpower. ***** Awkwardness gets a bad rap. But being awkw ...  Show more

Forgetting a name, a poorly executed hug, the 7th grade — awkwardness is part of our lives whether we like it or not. But what if we put the embarrassment aside and embraced our awkward selves? Guests include social scientist Ty Tashiro, cartoonist Liana Finck, journalist Melissa ...  Show more