The Psychology Podcast

“Could you introduce the core concept of [X] to the audience?”

He often asks this early to establish the episode's central theme, like the Finnish concept of 'sisu'.

“How did a specific early experience influence your research direction?”

Kaufman uses this to trace the personal backstory behind the academic work.

“Are you comfortable sharing a personal moment where this concept was tested in your life?”

This question serves to ground abstract psychological concepts in lived experience.

“How does that scientific finding feel subjectively?”

Kaufman asks this to translate quantitative data, like a hormonal change, into a relatable human experience.

“Can you explain what a '[technical term]' means for the audience?”

He frequently pauses to define jargon, ensuring the conversation remains accessible.

“Can you talk about some of the seminal research you did early in your career?”

This question helps build a chronological narrative of the guest's academic journey.

“Can you give a concrete example from your research tool, like an item from the measure?”

He uses this to make the guest's research methods tangible for listeners.

“How prevalent is this mindset or phenomenon in the general population?”

This question helps contextualize the research by understanding its scale.

“How is this concept different from a more well-known one, like 'grit'?”

He asks this to clarify nuances and distinguish the guest's work from pop psychology terms.

“What's one of the biggest misconceptions about your work?”

This allows the guest to correct common misunderstandings directly.

“Can you talk about why you feel [a concept like creativity] is so important?”

This prompts the guest to articulate the core values and motivations behind their work.

“What worked for you in making [a positive change] a regular habit?”

He asks this to extract practical, actionable advice from the guest's personal life.