Best RJ Starr Podcasts (2025)

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When Dreams Get Loud: What Your Mind Is Trying to Tell You 16:53

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16h ago16:53

16:53

Have you ever woken up from a dream that felt too loud to sleep through—full of noise, emotion, or urgency that clung to you long after morning came? In this episode of The Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr answers a listener’s question about dreams that feel overwhelming, vivid, even audibly intense. Drawing from neuroscience, emotional regulat…

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The Psychology of Confident Ignorance 22:44

7d ago22:44

22:44

What happens when we stop thinking—but still feel sure of ourselves? In this episode, RJ Starr breaks down the psychology of confident ignorance: why we mistake familiarity for understanding, how modern distraction and mental shortcuts make us overconfident, and what it costs us when life demands real clarity. From gist-level processing to the Dunn…

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The Psychology of Attire: How Clothing Shapes Identity and Perception 19:53

15d ago19:53

19:53

What we wear is more than just fabric—it’s psychology in motion. In this episode ofThe Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr explores the powerful relationship between clothing and the mind. How does attire influence confidence, cognition, and self-perception? Why has society shifted toward over-casualization, and what are the psychological conseque…

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The Psychology of Approval: Why Being Liked Feels Like Survival 20:51

19d ago20:51

20:51

Why does disapproval feel dangerous, even when we know better? In this episode, Professor RJ Starr unpacks the psychological roots of our need to be liked—from evolutionary survival patterns to social rejection and identity formation. You’ll learn how approval-seeking sneaks into your tone, posture, and choices, and what it means to start telling t…

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Regret and the Mind: Why We Dwell on What Could Have Been 15:28

23d ago15:28

15:28

Have you ever found yourself lost in the past, replaying decisions and wondering how life might have turned out if you'd chosen differently? Regret is a universal human experience, but why does it linger? Why do our minds fixate on missed opportunities, unspoken words, and paths not taken? In this episode, our warm and wise psychology professor eme…

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The Psychology of Ethics, Dogma, and Morality: How We Decide What’s Right and Wrong 21:55

26d ago21:55

21:55

Why do we feel so certain about our moral beliefs while others seem misguided—even dangerous? In this thought-provoking episode of The Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr explores the deep psychological forces that shape our sense of right and wrong. From moral development and cognitive biases to the rigid nature of dogma, we examine how ethics ar…

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Why Smart People Make Dumb Emotional Decisions 28:44

30d ago28:44

28:44

Why do intelligent, high-functioning people so often make emotionally reckless or baffling decisions? In this episode, Professor RJ Starr unpacks the psychological gap between intellectual intelligence (IQ) and emotional maturity (EQ), exploring why insight alone isn’t enough to navigate relationships, conflict, or inner life. Drawing on foundation…

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The Psychology of Hostile Elders: Aging, and the Decline of Social Grace 17:20

1M ago17:20

17:20

Why do so many older adults seem angrier, more impatient, and less socially graceful than previous generations? What happened to the dignity, composure, and manners that once defined aging? In this episode, we explore the psychological, cultural, and social factors that have contributed to the rise of hostility among some Baby Boomers and older adu…

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Why We Need to Be Liked: The Emotional Cost of Validation 38:14

1M ago38:14

38:14

Why does a compliment feel like oxygen—and silence feel like a threat? Why do we keep checking for reactions, even when we tell ourselves we don’t care? In this episode of The Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr unpacks the hidden layers behind our need for validation, exploring how the craving for approval shapes our identity, our relationships, …

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Why We Love Violence: The Dark Psychology Behind Our Social Urge to Win, Control, and Punish 40:53

1M ago40:53

40:53

Why We Love Violence: The Dark Psychology Behind Our Social Urge to Win, Control, and PunishWhy are we so drawn to violence—not just in movies and media, but in everyday life? From binge-watching brutal TV shows to shouting matches on highways and social media, this episode explores the unsettling truth about our emotional appetite for conflict. Pr…

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Why the Bad Sticks: the Psychology of Negativity Bias 21:21

1M ago21:21

21:21

Why do we fixate on one negative comment even after receiving dozens of compliments? Why does one bad day feel heavier than a week of good ones? In this episode of The Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr unpacks the powerful concept of negativity bias—our brain’s natural tendency to focus more on the bad than the good. You’ll explore the evolution…

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Memory Home: When the Place That Held You Is Gone 31:05

2M ago31:05

31:05

In this emotionally rich episode of The Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr explores the powerful concept of the memory home—a place that holds your story, your safety, and your sense of self—even if it’s no longer there. Inspired by a quiet, poignant scene from Gilmore Girls (Season 2, Episode 8), where Lorelai Gilmore describes the Independence …

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The Psychology of Perception 29:42

2M ago29:42

29:42

In this thought-provoking episode of The Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr unpacks a deceptively simple statement by spiritual teacher Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj: “In my world, nothing ever goes wrong.” Blending timeless philosophy with cutting-edge cognitive psychology, Professor Starr explores how our perception—not the event itself—shapes emoti…

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Psychology of Rejection Sensitivity 16:52

2M ago16:52

16:52

Why do we fear being left out? What makes rejection feel so deeply personal? The Psychology of Us dives into the emotional terrain we all navigate—unpacking the unseen forces that shape how we think, feel, and connect. In this episode, Professor RJ Starr, a leading voice in human behavior and emotional insight, explores the complex world of Rejecti…

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The Psychology of Mockery: Why Some People Derive Pleasure from Others’ Distress 16:34

2M ago16:34

16:34

Why do some people take pleasure in mocking others when they’re in distress? Why is public ridicule so normalized in sports, politics, and online spaces? In this episode of The Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr explores the deep psychological forces behind mockery, from cognitive biases and emotional deficiencies to social reinforcement and the …

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When All You Can Do Is Witness 33:49

2M ago33:49

33:49

When All You Can Do Is Bear Witness: The Quiet Power of Staying Present in a Hurting World In a world obsessed with action, results, and performance, what happens when all you can do is feel? What if you’re not the one who rushes in—but the one who stands quietly, allowing yourself to be moved? This episode explores the sacred emotional power of be…

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The Lie of Finding Yourself: Why Self-Authorship Is the Real Work 19:51

2M ago19:51

19:51

In this transformative episode of The Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr dismantles one of the most deeply ingrained myths in modern culture—the idea that you must "find yourself" to live authentically. Through the lens of developmental psychology and existential thought, Starr reveals why the search for a preexisting self often leaves us stuck, …

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Why We Hate to Wait: The Psychology of Patience 18:23

2M ago18:23

18:23

Why does waiting feel so unbearable? What’s happening in our minds when we’re stuck in traffic, refreshing an email inbox, or counting down the days to a big event? In this episode, Professor RJ Starr explores the psychology of patience and impatience, diving into the neuroscience of dopamine and delayed gratification, the role of time perception a…

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Anywhere But Here: Longing, Escape, and the Myth of Arrival 24:38

2M ago24:38

24:38

Anywhere But Here: Longing, Escape, and the Myth of Arrival is a deeply reflective episode exploring the psychological and emotional complexity behind our desire to be somewhere else—somewhere quieter, freer, better aligned with who we imagine ourselves to be. Drawing from personal insight and psychological theory, this episode unpacks the real mea…

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The Psychology of Denial in a Crumbling America 36:52

2M ago36:52

36:52

This is a spoken narration of my essay titled You Can’t Light the Fire and Then Complain About the Heat: The Psychology of Regret, Denial, and Self-Inflicted Harm. If you’d like to read along: https://medium.com/@ProfRJStarr/the-psychology-of-denial-in-a-crumbling-america-25f593bb285b. ____________________ In this episode of The Psychology of Us, P…

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The Psychology of Self-Preservation 20:13

2M ago20:13

20:13

The Psychology of Self-Preservation: Understanding Silence in Leadership and Everyday Life What makes a person look the other way when truth is being trampled? Why do institutions, especially those tasked with protecting the public good, so often go quiet when their voices are needed most? And more importantly—what does that have to do with the res…

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Extinction Bursts – Why We Resist Change Before We Adapt 22:58

3M ago22:58

22:58

Have you ever tried to quit a habit only to find yourself indulging in it even more before finally letting go? Or ignored someone’s message, only to receive a flood of follow-ups? Welcome to the world ofextinction bursts—the brain’s last-ditch effort to hold onto old patterns before they fade away. In this episode ofThe Psychology of Us, Professor …

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The Psychology of Emotional Unintelligence in Public Life 20:37

3M ago20:37

20:37

"The lack of emotional intelligence represented by the American populace in this thread was staggering." -------- What happens when a nation confuses outrage with strength, and cruelty with conviction? In this powerful, special-edition episode, Professor RJ Starr examines the emotional and psychological collapse unfolding in our public discourse. F…

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The Age of Shallow Learning: How Superficial Knowledge is Changing Us 28:41

3M ago28:41

28:41

We are drowning in information but starving for understanding. In today’s fast-paced digital world, we consume knowledge in bite-sized pieces—quick summaries, viral TikToks, catchy headlines—believing we’ve grasped the full picture. But have we? In this episode ofThe Psychology of Us with Professor RJ Starr, we break downthe illusion of understandi…

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The Psychology of Values: How Your Beliefs Shape Your Life Choices 27:06

3M ago27:06

27:06

Why do you do what you do? Why do you think the way you think, speak the way you speak, or spend your time the way you do? In this episode ofThe Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr explores the deep psychological forces that shape our motivations—often without our awareness. Fromintrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation (Deci & Ryan, 1985) to the role of…

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Fragmented Focus: Why Our Attention Spans Are Shrinking and How to Reclaim Them 21:20

3M ago21:20

21:20

Why does it feel harder than ever to focus? Why do we skim articles, half-watch videos, and multitask endlessly without truly absorbing anything? In this episode ofThe Psychology of Us with Professor RJ Starr, we explore thepsychological reasons behind our shrinking attention spans and how the modern world is shaping the way we think, learn, and co…

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The Psychology of Belief: Why We Believe What We Do 32:47

3M ago32:47

32:47

Why do people hold onto beliefs with absolute certainty, even without evidence? What makes us trust misinformation, conspiracy theories, or deeply ingrained ideas that defy logic? In this episode ofThe Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr explores the fascinating psychology behind belief—how our minds form, defend, and reinforce ideas, even in the …

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Why People Bully: The Psychology Behind Power and Control 26:01

3M ago26:01

26:01

Bullying is more than just schoolyard cruelty—it’s a social and psychological phenomenon that follows us into adulthood, shaping self-perception, relationships, and even workplace dynamics. In this episode ofThe Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr explores the psychology behind bullying: Why do people bully? Why do some individuals become targets?…

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The Psychology of Dishonesty: Why People Lie and How to Spot It 35:13

3M ago35:13

35:13

Why do we lie, even when the truth seems simpler? In this episode, we explore the psychology of dishonesty—what drives people to deceive, how the brain processes lying, and why some lies feel justified while others carry lasting consequences. From small white lies to elaborate fabrications, dishonesty is a universal human behavior shaped by surviva…

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FOMO Unpacked: The Psychology of Missing Out in a Social Media World 24:32

3M ago24:32

24:32

In this episode of The Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr explores one of the most pervasive feelings in modern life: the fear of missing out, or FOMO. While FOMO may feel like a recent phenomenon driven by social media, its roots go much deeper, stemming from our innate need for connection and belonging. Through a blend of psychological theory a…

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The Worry Trap: Why We Overthink and How to Break Free 29:07

4M ago29:07

29:07

Overthinking—it’s something we’ve all experienced, but why does it happen? And more importantly, how can we break free from it? In this episode of The Psychology of Us with Professor RJ Starr, we take a deep dive into the psychology of overthinking. We’ll explore why our minds get caught in endless loops of rumination and worry, how anxiety and per…

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The Psychology of Censorship and Control 21:45

4M ago21:45

21:45

Welcome to The Psychology of Us with Professor RJ Starr, the podcast that explores the hidden forces shaping human thought, behavior, and society. In this episode, The Psychology of Censorship and Control, we uncover how censorship isn't just about banning books or silencing speech, it’s about shaping minds, controlling narratives, and influencing …

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Eremitism: The Psychology of Solitude and the Desire to Be Alone 26:52

4M ago26:52

26:52

In a world that never stops talking, what happens when we choose to step away? In this episode of The Psychology of Us with Professor RJ Starr, we explore eremitism—the act of withdrawing from society for solitude, self-reflection, and personal growth. Why do some people seek solitude while others fear it? What happens to the mind when we spend ext…

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The Roots of Anger: Why We Lose Our Cool 34:01

4M ago34:01

34:01

Why do we lose our cool? What’s really happening beneath the surface when anger takes hold? In this episode of The Psychology of Us with Professor RJ Starr, we dive deep into the psychology of anger—where it comes from, what it’s trying to tell us, and how we can manage it in healthier, more constructive ways. Anger is often misunderstood. It’s not…

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Why People Annoy Us: The Psychology of Irritation 24:23

4M ago24:23

24:23

Why do certain people and behaviors get under our skin? In this episode of The Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr unpacks the fascinating psychology behind irritation. From the biological roots of annoyance to the cognitive biases that amplify minor frustrations, we explore why some things bother us more than others. You’ll learn how irritation s…

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Midterm Mayhem: How to Manage Academic Stress and Study Smarter 15:16

4M ago15:16

15:16

This podcast episode is a gift to my psych students, and to all students around the world. Enjoy! Midterm exams can feel overwhelming, but understanding the psychology behind stress can help you stay focused, motivated, and prepared. In this episode, psychology professor RJ Starr explores the science of stress and performance, breaking down the Yer…

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Psychology of Values: The Hidden Compass Guiding Your Life 20:12

4M ago20:12

20:12

In this episode of The Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr explores the profound impact of focusing on your values and how they shape every aspect of your life. Why do some decisions feel effortless while others leave you conflicted? Why do people sometimes feel lost, even when they appear successful? The answer often lies in whether we are truly …

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Stereotypes, Discrimination, and the Reality of Asian Women 13:00

4M ago13:00

13:00

In this special guest-hosted episode ofThe Psychology of Us, Cultural Psychology studentLilian Chantarakorn sits down with her professor,RJ Starr, for a powerful conversation on thestereotypes, discrimination, and objectification faced by Asian women. From the damaging perception of Asian women as submissive or hypersexualized to the struggles of i…

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Ghosting: Why People Disappear and the Psychology of Avoidance 26:32

4M ago26:32

26:32

Have you ever been ghosted? One day, you're talking to someone—maybe a friend, a romantic partner, or even a family member—and then, without warning, they vanish. No explanation. No goodbye. Just silence. Ghosting is one of the most frustrating and confusing social behaviors, but it’s also one of the most common. In this episode ofThe Psychology of…

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Psychology of Procrastination: Why We Put Things Off 28:48

5M ago28:48

28:48

Why do we procrastinate, even when we know it will make things harder in the long run? Is it laziness, a lack of discipline, or something deeper? In this episode ofThe Psychology of Us with Professor RJ Starr, we break down the real science behind procrastination and explore why we put things off—even when we don’t want to. Professor Starr takes yo…

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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Beyond the Stereotypes 23:37

5M ago23:37

23:37

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions, often misused as a casual label for neatness or perfectionism. But what is OCD really? In this episode of The Psychology of Us with Professor RJ Starr, we dive deep into the science, psychology, and lived experiences of OCD. Join Professor RJ Starr, an ex…

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McVulnerability: When Online Emotion Becomes a Performance 10:47

5M ago10:47

10:47

In this episode, Professor RJ Starr is interviewed by graduate student Gabriella Jamison to explore the concept of McVulnerability—a term describing the curated, performative nature of emotional sharing on social media. They discuss how vulnerability, once deeply personal, has become a strategic tool for engagement, how social media rewards emotion…

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Psychology of Gaslighting: Reclaim Your Reality 27:04

5M ago27:04

27:04

Have you ever walked away from a conversation questioning your own memory, your perception—even your sanity? Gaslighting is one of the most insidious forms of psychological manipulation, designed to make you doubt your reality and erode your self-trust. In this episode of The Psychology of Us with Professor RJ Starr, we take a deep dive into the ps…

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Psychology of Moral Panic: Fear, Backlash, and Culture Wars 27:07

5M ago27:07

27:07

Why do societies erupt into moral panic? Why does every cultural shift spark outrage, fear, and reactionary backlash? In this episode of The Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr breaks down the psychological forces behind moral panic—how fear hijacks our thinking, why social identity fuels cultural backlash, and how media and political figures mani…

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Aging: The Afternoon of Life, a Journey to Meaning and Freedom 6:08

5M ago6:08

6:08

SPECIAL EPISODE: In this special edition episode, we explore the beauty and complexity of aging, diving into the emotional and psychological growth that comes with embracing life’s later chapters. Aging isn’t about becoming less—it’s about becoming more. More attuned to the beauty in the everyday, more open to meaningful connections, and more at pe…

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Political Theater: Psychology of Manipulating Emotions and Shaping Society 30:50

5M ago30:50

30:50

In this episode of The Psychology of Us with Professor RJ Starr, we delve into the fascinating world of political theater and its profound psychological impact on society. As we witness the beginning of a new presidential administration, with executive orders sparking both celebration and fear, we explore how political theater is strategically desi…

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Psychology of Jealousy: Why We Feel Green with Envy 32:57

5M ago32:57

32:57

Jealousy is a universal emotion—uncomfortable, complex, and often misunderstood. In this episode of The Psychology of Us with Professor RJ Starr, we explore the roots of jealousy, from its evolutionary origins as a survival mechanism to its manifestations in today’s modern, comparison-driven world. Learn how cultural norms, attachment styles, and s…

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Psychology of Division: Why Some Leaders Thrive on Conflict 30:23

6M ago30:23

30:23

Why do some leaders and public figures seem to thrive on creating division? In this episode of The Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr explores the psychological principles behind divisive behavior. From the manipulation of in-groups and out-groups to the role of fear, anger, and loyalty, we unpack why conflict is such a powerful tool for those in…

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The Impact of Social Media on Self-Esteem and Identity 27:47

6M ago27:47

27:47

In this episode of The Psychology of Us with Professor RJ Starr, we explore how social media is shaping the way we see ourselves and each other. From the dopamine rush of likes to the pressure of curating the "perfect" profile, social media can be both empowering and harmful. How does it influence your self-esteem? What role does it play in forming…

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Psychology of Dying: A Continuation, Not a Conclusion 31:59

6M ago31:59

31:59

In this profound and thought-provoking episode of The Psychology of Us, Professor RJ Starr explores one of life’s greatest mysteries: the act of dying. Is death truly the end, or is it part of a greater continuum that we don’t yet fully understand? Blending psychological theories, personal reflections, and compelling stories, this episode delves in…