How often does this podcast release new episodes?

This podcast updates bi-weekly.

Where can I listen to this podcast?

This podcast is available on 8 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

How Humans Work with Jef Szi

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by Jef Szi

5.0(7 reviews)

67 episodes

Updated Bi-weekly

Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸

Podcast Authority

Beta

GoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more

Quality66

Social0

YouTube76

Engagement77

Learn more

Podcast Overview

Join Jef Szi—renaissance acupuncturist and insatiably curious show host—as he guides us into the labyrinths of human nature. Each season and each episode explores a central theme through conversations with guests from diverse traditions: thinkers like Robert Sapolsky, Deb Dana, and Michael Meade, alongside artists, activists, and explorers such as Luis J. Rodriguez, Orin Carpenter, and Dossie Easton. Together, we uncover personal stories and timeless wisdom—insights that stir, resonate, and inspire. Tune in and journey into the forces that shape who we are and how we live as we navigate the personal and the profound. Consider yourself invited to walk the winding path with the How Humans Work Podcast.

Language

🇺🇲

Publishing Since

11/15/2020

Visit Website View on Apple Podcasts RSS Feed

🇺🇸 Charts #3

Outreach generated

Apple 142

Spotify 827

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Podcast Authority

Beta

GoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more

Quality66

Social0

YouTube76

Engagement77

Learn more

Excellent Areas

Good Performance

Growth Opportunities

excellent

Episode Length

1h 0m

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good

iTunes Tags

6.2/10

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needs improvement

Publishing Consistency

Every 29 days

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Recent Episodes

April 25, 2026

#57: Ryan Balch - The Psychology of Social Friction

In episode #57 of the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/how.humans.work.pod/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How Humans Work Podcast</a>, I sit down with social psychology and education policy expert <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-balch-65555754/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ryan Balch</a> to explore the underlying evolutionary social forces that drive our behaviors and create challenges in our society. With tremendous ease and good-heartedness, Ryan walks us through core motivations, disconnects, and other hazards that our default "System 1" thinking brings to the table.By understanding both System 1 thinking and the core needs for value and belonging, we can grasp the why and how our snap categorizations and defensive instincts seek to protect our identities in a highly segregated society, generating social and conversational friction. Balch explains how deep-seated human needs for belonging and security often masquerade as rigid political stances, leading to profound communication breakdowns.Further in, we learn practical, "System 2" strategies to overcome these defensive reactions, primarily by shifting the goal of a conversation from "winning" to "understanding". By asking curious questions, navigating cognitive dissonance, and recognizing that challenged beliefs can literally feel like physical threats to the brain, this episode offers a compassionate roadmap for building genuine human connections in an age where difficult conversations lead to polarizations and social strife.Thank you, Ryan, for being on the show and giving us simple, clear, and powerful insights to help us navigate differences in a constructive and caring way.<h3>Key Takeaways</h3><ul><li>The Default Mode: Our brains naturally rely on "System 1" thinking, which is quick, automatic, and instinctually focused on categorizing others.</li><li>The Root of Disconnect: We frequently confuse our internal emotional needs for security and control with outward political policy statements.</li><li>Defensive Reactions: When our ideas are challenged, it threatens our sense of security and creates cognitive dissonance.</li><li>Moving the Goalposts: We often try to reduce this internal tension defensively by blaming others or shifting the parameters of the argument.</li><li>The Media's Role: News outlets capitalize on our natural uncertainty by providing outrage-inducing narratives that give our brains rewarding hits of dopamine.</li><li>Shifting Goals: To foster better interactions, we must consciously apply "System 2" effort to change our conversational goal from trying to convince to trying to understand.</li><li>The Power of Empathy: Brain scans show that receiving a counteracting idea can register in the brain similarly to a physical knife attack.</li><li>Grace in Dialogue: Recognizing this biological reality highlights the vital need for grace, curiosity, and compassion when engaging with differing perspectives.</li></ul> <h3>About Ryan Balch:</h3>Ryan is a Senior Lecturer in the Psychology and LPO department at Vanderbilt University, where he teaches classes on social psychology, general psychology, and education policy. He completed his Ph.D. in Education Policy at Vanderbilt University as an Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Fellow, during which his dissertation focused on the development and validation of student surveys of teacher practice. Following graduation, Ryan was the director of teacher and principal evaluation for Baltimore City Schools. During this time, he oversaw the creation and implementation of the district’s new evaluation systems. Previously, Ryan worked for 7 years as a psychology and science teacher and administrator at Riverwood High School in Atlanta, Georgia. He has a B.A. in Psychology from Duke University and an M.A. in Science Education from Georgia State University. Ryan plays ultimate frisbee and enjoys coaching and being involved in all the activities of his 13 and 11-year-old kids.<h3>Show Resources</h3><ul><li><a href="https://vanderbilthustler.com/2025/01/27/connell-college-students-need-a-lesson-in-vulnerability/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Article on Vulnerability by Ryan’s Social Psych Students</a></li><li><a href="https://jeffrey-szilagyi.squarespace.com/s/PSY-2210-Project-3-Productive-Conversation-Spring-2026.docx" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Productive Conversation Assignment</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKggA9k8DKw" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Heineken Worlds Apart Commercial</a></li><li><a href="https://jeffrey-szilagyi.squarespace.com/s/TerryDobson-Train-Story.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Terry Dobson’s Aikido Story</a></li><li><a href="https://jeffrey-szilagyi.squarespace.com/episode-24-brenton-mackinnon" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">An Interview link to the Brent MacKinnon Conversation</a></li></ul>

March 30, 2026

#56: Survival International - We Can Return Again

Hal Russell, Asia and Pacific Research and Advocacy Officer with Survival International, interviews host Jef Szi about the threats facing indigenous peoples and their vital role as land guardians.

February 2, 2026

#55: Chris Burris - Healing with Others

IFS Trainer Chris Burris explores the power of healing circles, explaining how they address trauma through supportive relationships and allow participants to test new ways of being in this interview with Jef Szi.

67 total episodes available with 6 transcripts

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Frequently asked questions

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What is How Humans Work with Jef Szi?: Join Jef Szi—renaissance acupuncturist and insatiably curious show host—as he guides us into the labyrinths of human nature.

Each season and each episode explores a central theme through conversations with guests from diverse traditions: thinkers like Robert Sapolsky, Deb Dana, and Michael Meade, alongside artists, activists, and explorers such as Luis J. Rodriguez, Orin Carpenter, and Dossie Easton.

Together, we uncover personal stories and timeless wisdom—insights that stir, resonate, and inspire. Tune in and journey into the forces that shape who we are and how we live as we navigate the personal and the profound.

Consider yourself invited to walk the winding path with the How Humans Work Podcast.
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates bi-weekly.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 8 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

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