A Creature of Habit

Last week, we talked with psychologist Lisa Miller about the science of spirituality. Today, we explore what those ideas can look like in everyday life. Miller explains why moments of connection, spiritual practices, and even periods of suffering can sometimes open the door to de ...  Show more

Food, safety, and strong relationships are essential to our survival. Psychologist Lisa Miller says our brains also crave something else: transcendence. She suggests that spirituality is a universal human capacity, and that feeling connected to something larger than ourselves may ...  Show more

Many of us are brimming with good intentions right now, determined to eat more healthily, get organized or fulfill our other New Year’s resolutions. But by February we’ll have reverted back to our old ways. Why is it so difficult to make these lasting behavioral changes? Wendy Wo ...  Show more

It's a New Year and for many of us, a time to try to make some changes in our lives. However, lots of studies and practical experience tell us that most people don't follow through on the promises they made to themselves, whether it's losing weight, exercising more, or acquiring ...  Show more

How do you form new habits and break old ones? And what’s the science behind successfully maintaining healthy habits? Wendy Wood is a behavioral scientist, researcher and provost professor at USC who’s studied habits for decades. She joins the show to talk about the three steps t ...  Show more

The beginning of a new year often represents a clean slate for people hoping to make a change. But by this point in January, many have let go of their resolutions. It can be difficult to make goals stick, especially when they require actions that aren't inherently rewarding. Katy ...  Show more