"Making Elite Academic Knowledge Applicable to Everyday Life"
This podcast is hosted by Micaiah Bell, a Harvard (BA Psychology, '24) and Oxford (MSc Sociology, '25) graduate. Micaiah is a proven leader, global public speaker, and former elite athlete who has won numerous championships, leadership awards, and has found immense success in academia. His academic background consists of research at the Business Schools of Harvard, Stanford, UPenn and UChicago. He has a passion for sharing knowledge and seeing people's lives transform.
What is the true origin of human morality? Is it divinely ordained, biologically hardwired, or something we've collectively constructed over centuries of trial and error? In this episode, I tackle the deep philosophical question of where our moral beliefs and behaviors come from - and why we often can't fully explain the reasoning behind them.
Through psychological studies and analysis, I dives into the paradoxical relationship between our moral preferences and actions. I explores how our brains may have evolved to develop moral reasoning, and why we tend to judge "good" and "bad" people so differently, even when their actions don't align with those perceptions.
Whether you're religious or secular, this episode will challenge you to re-examine the foundations of your own moral framework. I encourage listeners to explore philosophical texts, psychological research, and diverse religious perspectives to uncover the origins of this most fundamental aspect of the human experience.
Prepare to have your assumptions questioned and your mind expanded. This is a must-listen for anyone curious about the deep roots of morality - and what that means for how we live our lives. Hit play and get ready for a thought-provoking journey into the very essence of what makes us human.
28 Jul 2024
How to Change Your Mindset
Find out the key steps to changing your mindset, and overcome any obstacle in life.
This episode dives into how to change your mindset, the simple steps involved, and everything involved to make your life the best it can be!
13 Jul 2024
Morality and Punishment: Why do we punish people?
Why do we punish people? In this episode we're going to dive into this deep question together from a psychological approach.
The answers aren't always clear, but they may help us get an inch closer towards wisdom!
5 Jul 2024
Episode 2: Harvard Astro Professor Karin Öberg
This episode is dense and covers many topics in astro ranging from astrochemistry and planet formation to life in the universe. Karin is a phenomenal professor in the astro department at Harvard and joined Back on Topic to discuss the topics she is most passionate about. Check out more episodes and head to my website (https://botpcast.com) to find out more!
15 Jun 2024
Episode 1: Harvard Professor Isabel Jijon
Isabel is a Sociology Professor at Harvard University. Her research focuses on cultural translation. In this episode, we discuss cultural translation, sports in culture, and societal stigma.
Check out the website (botpcast.com), instagram (https://www.instagram.com/back.ontopic?igsh=MTg0ZHgxZXBrNmFiOA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr) and tiktok (https://www.tiktok.com/@backontopic?_t=8n0tc7kglVz&_r=1)!
2 Feb 2024
How to Stop Caring What Other People Think
In this episode I'll share some tips on how to stop caring about the opinion of others. This is a follow up to a previous episode titled "Is Comparison Really the Thief of Joy?" so be sure to give that a listen too!
15 Jul 2023
Is Comparison Really the Thief of Joy?
We hear it all the time: "comparison is the thief of joy." But is it really true? There are many forms of comparison, and it's time to learn which ones are stealing your joy.
25 Jun 2023
The Consequences of the Grind Mentality
We often talk about "the grind" and "grinding" to get to the top. But what does that mean? What sacrifices really have to be made? And most importantly, how do those sacrifices really affect us? In this episode, I discuss the consequences of the grind and the toll it can take on ones life. As someone who fully embraces the grind, it is interesting to reflect on how it impacts us.
17 Jun 2023
How to Reduce Anxiety: Cognitive Reappraisal
In this episode I talk about Cognitive Reappraisal: an emotion regulation method that can be used by anyone. This method allows people to reduce anxiety, stress, nerves and almost any emotion that impacts them. It's an extremely handy skill to learn and can help you take on any situation. The brain is truly powerful!
3 Jun 2023
The Modern Capitalistic Mindset
What is the Modern Capitalistic Mindset? What causes people to immerse themselves in endless work? What do legendary sociologists have to say about this? In this podcast I discuss the origins of the Modern Capitalistic Mindset and how we still see its remnants in modern society.
27 May 2023
Social Relations Pt. 2: High School to College Journey, The Grind, and Instant Gratification
In this podcast we discuss our separate high school experiences which led us to college. We also talk about the grind mentality in modern society and the increasing desire for instant gratification. And of course, it wouldn't be a social relations podcast if we didn't talk about social comparison...so we did, enjoy!
13 May 2023
Social Relations: Social Influence and the Importance of Being Alone
In this episode, I bring on my first guest, Ava Robert. This is a two-part series in which the first part discusses the importance of alone time, social interactions and social influence. Part two will dive into a bit of our backstories growing up and how we each ended up where we are today. Enjoy!
4 Mar 2023
Effective Goal Setting: How to set a goal properly
There's a lot that goes into goal setting. In this episode I describe some of the common mistakes within goal setting and how to avoid them. I also talk about the best ways to set a goal and pursue it!
11 Feb 2023
Removing Negative Energy
Do you feel like you don't love the things you used to love? Do you feel drained when you hang around certain people? Do you find yourself seeking out the bad in situations and always complaining? In this episode I dive into why that is and ways to fix that. I also talk about how to spot a negative person and remove them from your life.
4 Feb 2023
Self Love: What is it and how to apply it
In this episode I dive into the principles of love and how to apply them to your life. This concept will change the way you feel about your life.
21 Jan 2023
Trust: What are the signs?
In this episode I discuss some of the sings of a trustworthy person, someone who will have longevity in your life. If you learn these signs you will be able to better categorize the people around you and prioritize those who have your best interest. These signs can be applied in the most minuscule and most important areas of your life. They are applicable to friendships, romantic relationships, business relationships and more. Learning these signs is critical for living a more peaceful life.
12 Jan 2023
5 Keys to Increase Discipline
In this podcast I talk about 5 keys to increasing your discipline. I find this to be especially important for anyone who wants to make major changes in their lifestyle or accomplish major goals. With these 5 keys, you will be able to make small changes that will ultimately lead to the major changes and achievements that you want to see in your life.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
19,101
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
17 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 33 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
16
Social presence
0
YouTube
72
Engagement
51
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