Fanthropology (FANDOM) with Meredith Levine

Thrills. Chills. Hiding behind your hands. It’s officially SPOOKTOBER month with a huge, fascinating (and I promise, mellow) episode on why humans watch horror, and what’s happening in your brain. Not only do we have the author of “Horror on the Brain: the Neuroscience Behind Sci ...  Show more

Basement card games. Fireside reminiscing. Being forced to learn a dance. Does acting like a cornball matter? Will bits save your life? Yes. I got myself to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to talk with research psychologists Dr. Sara Algoe and Dr. Laura Kurtz, who ...  Show more

Are you super devoted to a sports team, superhero or perhaps "Star Wars"? You’re part of a fandom, just like storyteller Jordan Dinwiddie. She shares 10 lessons she’s learned nerding out on all kinds of things and unpacks the joy, creativity and community that comes from being a ...  Show more

Really love a TV show; a boyband; a sci fi movie; or a celebrity? We're often too embarrassed to admit adoring some things for fear that we'll be seen as frivolous or childish - but we may be missing out on the happiness benefits that geeking out can bring.    Dr Laurie Santos ex ...  Show more

To celebrate five years of The Happiness Lab, Dr Laurie has picked out the five episodes she loves the most. And this is a special one - Nerd Out! The Happiness of Being a Fan.  Really love a TV show; a boyband; a sci fi movie; or a celebrity? We're often too embarrassed to admit ...  Show more

Christine Riccio & Natasha Polis talk all things nerdy in the book, tv, movie, pop culture, fandoms, and how they integrate into their adult lives. Today they’re answering the questions you sent in via email and instagram ! Plus they chat Taylor Swift, Travis, Fourth Wing, Kesha, ...  Show more