You would think we would want a full length for this topic. Maybe we still will do one! But for now, we figured we can at least help clear up some misunderstandings or lack of understanding that some may have. 

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Links and References: 

1. What is Learning?
2. Donahoe, J. W., & Palmer, D. C. (2004). Learning and Complex Behavior. Ledgetop Publishing: Richmond, MA.
3. Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and Human Behavior. The Free Press: New York, NY.
4. Kantor, J. R., & Smith, N. W. (1975). The Science of Psychology: An Interbehavioral Survey. Principia Press: Chicago, IL.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

This second part completes the story of the tragedy of the murders at Jonestown. In addition, we expand on this conversation by unpacking the mentality of the participants, and dig a little bit into how charismatic leaders can develop a following that seems baffling from the outside. It is an analysis on where we were as a country, and as a species, as well as where we are now and where we are going. 

Recommendations:

• Abraham: Superman (2025); https://www.superman.com/
• Shane: Jimmy Eat World Live (https://www.jimmyeatworld.com/)

Holidays (7/23/2025):

• Gorgeous Grandma Day
• Hot Enough For ya Day
• Mosquito Day
• National Vanilla Ice Cream Day
• Peanut Butter and Chocolate Day
• Sprinkle Day
• World Sjorgren’s Day
• Yada, Yada, Yada Day
• Hemingway Look Alike Days
• National Independent Retailers Day
• National Moth Week
• National Parenting Gifted Children Week
• National Triathlon Week
• National Zoo Keeper Week
• Restless Leg Syndrome Education and Awareness Week

Links and References: 

1. https://adst.org/2012/11/the-jonestown-massacre/
2. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/november-18/mass-suicide-at-jonestown
3. https://www.annemergmed.com/article/S0196-0644(11)01340-0/fulltext
4. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/17/an-apocalyptic-cult-900-dead-remembering-the-jonestown-massacre-40-years-on
5. https://www.britannica.com/event/Jonestown
6. https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/yorklr2&div=6&id=&page=
7. https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bjso.12772
8. https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/jonestown.htm?s1sid=a48k3z9p1i7wvnlvcw1lrfbq&srch_tag=ben5nf7at4ksnp6j5hq3de3buxzfctat 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

We all hate it. Yet, some of us do it. We talk about why people do it, how recipients perceive it, and how passenger commentary/critique/analysis affects driving behavior and safety.

Join our member club for ad-free content and other bonus content: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

Links and References: 

1. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/201005/field-guide-the-backseat-driver-pedal-the-meddle
2. https://www.foxnews.com/auto/20-reasons-why-you-may-be-a-backseat-driver
3. https://www.margietherapy.com/backseat-driver-plagued-one/#:~:text=Your%20brain%2C%20if%20it%20works,would%20a%20driver%20perceive%20criticism?
4. https://observer.case.edu/faccenda-put-the-brakes-on-backseat-driving/ 
5. https://www.kars4kids.org/hub/backseat-drivers-the-dangerous-karens-who-risk-our-lives/ 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

One of the largest mass murders of American citizens in history took place in 1978 in Guyana at the hands of cult leader, Jim Jones. This discussion delves into the circumstances that gave rise to Jones' power and influence of hundreds of people that lead to a tragic mass death of hundreds of people young and old. This first episode chronicles Jones' life as he rose to prominence and eventually moved his congregation to South America. The next episode will unravel the tragedy that took place in 1978, as well as an discussion about how this cult was so influential, whether this could happen again, and what we can do about it. 

Recommendations

• Abraham: Saosin by Saosin (https://open.spotify.com/album/2osTPStH5H7i4fMHS7eauR) 
• Shane: The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57693406-the-kaiju-preservation-society)

Holidays (7/16/2025):

• Guinea Pig Appreciation Day
• Hot Dog Night
• National Corn Fritters Day
• National Fresh Spinach Day
• National Personal Chef’s Day
• Take Your Poet to Work Day
• World Snake Day
• Captive Nations Week
• Coral Reef Awareness Week
• Every Body Deserves a Massage Week
• National Baby Food Week
• National Ventriloquism Week
• Operation Safe Driver Week
• Rabbit Week
• Sports Cliche Week

Links and References: 

1. https://adst.org/2012/11/the-jonestown-massacre/
2. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/november-18/mass-suicide-at-jonestown
3. https://www.annemergmed.com/article/S0196-0644(11)01340-0/fulltext
4. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/17/an-apocalyptic-cult-900-dead-remembering-the-jonestown-massacre-40-years-on
5. https://www.britannica.com/event/Jonestown
6. https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/yorklr2&div=6&id=&page=
7. https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bjso.12772
8. https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/jonestown.htm?s1sid=a48k3z9p1i7wvnlvcw1lrfbq&srch_tag=ben5nf7at4ksnp6j5hq3de3buxzfctat 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Do you bite your fingernails or know someone who does? Why do we do this weird, self-destructive thing? What can we do to stop it? We quickly explore the conditions under which we bite our fingernails and some strategies for reducing the frequency of this habit. Tell us your experiences with nail biting (info@wwdwwdpodcast.com; ‪@wwdwwdpodcast.bsky.social‬)

Join our supporter's club: patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

Links: 

1. https://www.news-medical.net/health/The-Psychology-Behind-Nail-Biting.aspx
2. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/nail-biting-when-does-it-go-too-far
3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3004689/

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Tipping is another oddly American tradition that we all pretty universally hate. Perhaps you did not know that the modern conception of tipping arose during reconstruction as a means to not have to pay black people for their labor. We explore the origins of this strange, uniquely American tradition, why it persists, and what is probably going to make this problem much, much worse. 

Recommendations

• Abraham: Unconscious Mind (https://luckyduckgames.com/usa/?srsltid=AfmBOor3zWBbHAlhJyg2tsekDN2j6PpVGbsEfOw5nXwKAJYmT7PnPmJV)
• Shane: Hotline TNT - Raspberry Moon (https://open.spotify.com/album/3MVdeSmUl32TTzLy6dFFtZ?si=tD1AgdpJRkSxi6kRIekR6Q)

Holidays (7/9/2025):

• Call of the Horizon
• Fashion Day
• Martyrdom of the Bab
• National Don’t Put All your Eggs in One Omelet Day
• National No Bra Day
• National Sugar Cookie Day
• Durian Fruit Day
• National Dimples Day
• Argentina’s Independence Day
• Wimbledon
• Rabbit Week
• Air Conditioning Appreciation Days
• Be Nice to New Jersey Week
• Dog Days of Summer
• Freedom Week
• National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee Week
• National Farriers Week
• Shark Week

Links and References: 

1. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/33170/33170-h/33170-h.htm
2. https://www.7shifts.com/blog/history-of-tipping-restaurants/
3. https://www.povertylaw.org/article/the-racist-history-behind-americas-tipping-culture/
4. https://www.foodwoolf.com/2010/08/history-of-tipping.html
5. https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230606-how-to-tip-around-the-world
6. https://www.westernunion.com/blog/en/global-tipping-guide/?cust_src=organic_search
7. https://time.com/5404475/history-tipping-american-restaurants-civil-war/ 
8. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/tip-sheet/ 
9. https://www.paycor.com/resource-center/articles/minimum-wage-tipped-employees-by-state/
10. https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/wages/minimumwage 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Some people use this term incorretly, some don't know it at all. To help get everyone on the same page, we are going to review the history of research that first described this phenomenon. Then, we will give examples of what this might look like in real-life scenarios. 

Get ad-free and bonus content: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

Links and References: 

1. Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2020). Applied Behavior Analysis, 3rd Ed. Pearson.
2. Seligman, M. E., & Maier, S. F. (1967). Failure to escape traumatic shock. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 74(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0024514
3. Maier, S.F., Seligman, M.E.P., & Solomon, R.L. (1969). Pavlovian fear conditioning and learned helplessness: Effects on escape and avoidance behavior of (a) the CS-US contingency, and (b) the independence of the US and voluntary responding. In: Campbell BA, Church RM, editors. Punishment. New York, NY: Appleton-Century-Crofts; pp. 299–342

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Special guests Jennifer Farris, Meg Solomon, and Dr. Mari Cerda join us to talk about their new book about developing a compassionate care model. They outline the critical elemtents of their discussion, and share personal stories to help illustrate their recommendations. At the end, they join us in giving their own recommendations for things that bring them joy. We could all use a little more joy. 

Find the Book Here:
https://www.amazon.com/Reframe-Framework-Developing-Compassionate-Instructional/dp/1300540478?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Recommendations:
Dr. Mari Cerda: Mindful moments outside; Shrinking (TV show; 
Meg Solomon: Moody by Royel Otis (https://youtu.be/twM4KF99yd0?si=Z_BsmNfDJFd_amiT) and Murderbot (https://tv.apple.com/us/show/murderbot/umc.cmc.5owrzntj9v1gpg31wshflud03)
Jennifer Farris: Wellfleet Oysters with Brut Champagne
Shane: Talking to Strangers by Malcom Gladwell (https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/talking-to-strangers-malcolm-gladwell/1130509634)
Abraham: The Things We Tell Ourselves in the Dark (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FdXmAPM8u4) 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Can you walk around being skeptical all day long? At what point do you need to let your guard down? We suggest that not only can you go about your day being skeptical, it is better if you do. We'll explain.

Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

Links: 

1. https://www.theskepticsguide.org/

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

There is a unique type of brain trauma that destroys lives and cuts them short and we can't even tell that it has happened until after your death. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy occurs when there is repeated head trauma, even if it is mild. The result can manifest as forgetfulness, impulsivity, violence, and an early death. Mercifully, it is relatively preventable. Unfortunately, few people care to prevent it. Protect Your Brain!

Recommendations:

• Abraham: Mickey 17 (https://www.max.com/movies/mickey-17/fbe17356-9db7-4ab3-928e-32978e0cfbc7) 
• Shane: 1908 Bakery (https://bakery1908.com/)

Holidays (6/25/2025):

• Bourdain Day
• Color TV Day
• Day of the Seafarer
• Global Beatles Day
• National Catfish Day
• National Strawberry Parfait Day
• School Prayer Banned Anniversary
• World Vitiligo Day
• Amateur Radio Week
• Boys and Girls Club Week
• Fish are Friends, Not Food Week
• National Body Piercing Week
• National Insect Week
• National Lightning Safety Awareness Week

Links and References: 

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-traumatic-encephalopathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20370921
2. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-traumatic-encephalopathy/
3. https://medicine.iu.edu/expertise/traumatic-brain-injury/what-is-chronic-traumatic-encephalopathy
4. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17686-chronic-traumatic-encephalopathy-cte
5. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia/related_conditions/chronic-traumatic-encephalopathy
6. https://www.headstrongconcussion.com/history-of-cte
7. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/260461
8. https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/141/1/318/4774567
9. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953619306835#:~:text=22,of%20their%20respective%20patient%20populations.
10. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00291#:~:text=High%20Resolution%20Image,%2C%20extreme%20sports%2C%20etc.)
11. https://steemit.com/steemiteducation/@cabbagepatch/an-american-tragedy-story-of-mike-webster-pro-hall-of-famer-and-cte 
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