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We explain popular and weird, little-known ideas in psychology. Whether you are a little curious about psychology, or a student, or even a professional, we have something for everyone.
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4 NOV 2026 · B.F. Skinner was a profoundly impactful figure in modern psychology. His work set the foundation for the field that now consists of tens of thousands of professionals around the world. Yet, we have discussed him little, and few people are familiar with many of the details of his life. We decided to spend our final suite discussing various aspects of Skinner. What's your favorite Skinner fact?
Recommendations
- Abraham: Scariest House in America (season 3; https://www.hgtv.com/shows/scariest-house-in-america/step-inside-the-scariest-house-in-america-season-three-renovation-pictures)
- Shane: Carry Your Heart by Louis Busch (https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Carry-Your-Heart/Louis-Busch/9781668206171)
Holidays (11/4/2026):
- International Stress Awareness Day
- King Tut Day
- National Block It Out Day
- National Candy Day
- National Easy-Bake Oven Day
- National Eating Healthy Day
- National Skeptics Day
- National Waiting for the Barbarians Day
- Use Your Common Sense Day
- Drowsy Driving Prevention Week
- Give Wildlife a Brake Week
- National Allied Health Week
- National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week
- National Cat Week
Links and References:
- https://www.bfskinner.org/archival-materials/biographical-information/
- https://www.biography.com/scientists/bf-skinner
- https://www.verywellmind.com/b-f-skinner-biography-1904-1990-2795543
- Skinner, B.F. (1976). Particulars of my life. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
Transcribed
2 NOV 2026 · Many argue against government regulations. But, it seems they often seem to ignore the regulations that have saved their lives, or the ones that industries affected by the regulations have asked for. Nevertheless, it is true that regulations don't always work as intended and sometimes cause new problems. We list a few regulations that serve an important purpose and some that have failed.
https://www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
Links and References:
- https://www.brookings.edu/articles/10-success-stories-of-government-action-in-the-us/
- https://www.pew.org/en/research-and-analysis/fact-sheets/2015/05/government-regulation-costs-lower-benefits-greater-than-industry-estimates
- https://www.sec.gov/spotlight/sec-employees/psrw50ways.pdf
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDqGzMdhL1M&t=8s
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF1AdkgpGLk
- https://sensiblesafeguards.org/issues/the-benefits-of-regulation/
- https://www.independent.org/article/2015/07/16/5-unintended-consequences-of-regulation-and-government-meddling/
- https://www.changelabsolutions.org/blog/10-harmful-local-laws
- https://www.mercatus.org/research/working-papers/how-do-federal-regulations-affect-consumer-prices-analysis-regressive Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
Transcribed
28 OCT 2026 · For our last Halloween-season-themed episode, we are talking about possessions. We have discussed exorcisms in the past. So, for this discussion, we dug more into the philosophy of science for bringing a skeptical analysis to possessions. We had a lot of fun doing it, too.
Recommendations
- Abraham: A Walk in the Park (by Kevin Fedarko; https://www.kevinfedarko.com/a-walk-in-the-park)
- Shane: Werewolf by Night (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15318872/)
Holidays (10/28/2026):
- Champagne Day
- International Animation Day
- Lung health Day
- National Chocolate Day
- Plush Animal Lovers Day
- Separation of Church and State Day
- Statue of Liberty Dedication Day
- Wild Foods Day
- Ace Week
- American Massage Therapy Week
- Brain Tumor Awareness Week
- Disarmament Week
- International Magic Week
- Pro Bono Week
Links:
- https://apnews.com/article/portland-san-francisco-oregon-cff13a56cd41997553ea3e9a8fc21384
- https://www.newportri.com/story/entertainment/2016/10/25/4-degrees-demonic-possession/985256007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=false&gca-epti=z110720e110720v000001&gca-ft=164&gca-ds=sophi
- https://www.servantsuniversity.com/the-assumptions-of-science/
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/2156020
- https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1525/aa.1958.60.2.02a00040
- https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1548-1352.2008.00013.x
- https://brill.com/view/journals/jocc/8/1-2/article-p23_2.xml Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
Transcribed
26 OCT 2026 · Our fears change over time. What scares us when we were young is not so scary when we get older. And, what scares us when we get older, does not scare us when we are young... sometimes. We explain the kinds of things that scare us as kids and how and why they change.
https://www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
References:
- Watson, J. B., & Rayner, R. (1920). Conditioned emotional reactions. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 3(1), 1–14. doi.org [https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2006-01667-001] Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
Transcribed
21 OCT 2026 · The super famous ghost-hunting couple, Ed and Lorraine Warren are the subject of some of the most popular scary stories and pop-culture media. And if history has taught us anything, it is that when people are successful in this way, it is driven by money. We dive into the history of Ed and Lorraine Warren, their ghost-hunting expoits, some of their most famous cases, and some of the darker, sketchier aspects of their lives and career.
Recommendations
- Abraham: Ghosts love candy, too (https://25thcenturygames.com/products/ghosts-love-candy-too)
- Shane: Paleblood - Childhood’s Beginning and Yharnam Sunrise (https://open.spotify.com/artist/1YVTlhDkU8OcWDKNO2aC8c?si=e_iDrPDiTDWQ8Onz5jvwEA)
Holidays (10/21/2026):
- Apple Day
- Babbling Day
- Back to the Future Day
- Caramel Apple Day
- Celebration of the Mind Day
- Check your Meds Day
- Count Your Buttons Day
- Garbanzo Bean Day
- Global Dignity Day
- International Day of the Nacho
- International Print Day
- Medical Assistants Recognition Day
- National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day
- Reptile Awareness Day
- Bullying Bystanders Unite Week
- Food and Drug Interactions Awareness Week
- Freedom of Speech Week
- National Nuclear Science Week
- National Wolf Awareness Week
Links and References:
- https://warrens.net/
- https://ihorror.com/ed-and-lorraine-warren-were-the-real-monsters-during-their-investigations/?fbclid=IwY2xjawU3-7FleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMWZYQU1BZzJoWDF5QWpic3dzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEehqsRRTst02ju-CEAI-c2HVUdzvHqswm3vDGyhEpKUr-Ni9B5m_66RFTG8so_aem_iS3LoKxeQyoYxDAyOjWGFw
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASTUApqR4Wo
- https://www.shortform.com/podcast/episode/stuff-you-should-know-2026-01-06-episode-summary-the-warrens-paranormal-power-couple
- https://usghostadventures.com/americas-most-haunted-trending/conjuring-controversy-unraveling-the-warrens-legacy/
- https://usghostadventures.com/americas-most-haunted-trending/conjuring-controversy-unraveling-the-warrens-legacy/
- https://nightscrawlers.ca/2019/10/10/ed-lorraine-warren-the-original-paranormal-investigators/
- https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/war-conjuring-disturbing-claims-behind-a-billion-dollar-franchise-1064364/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
Transcribed
19 OCT 2026 · The story of The Winchester Mansion is shrouded in a carefully curated concoction of fanciful stories. These stories have largely been exaggerated or even entirely fabricated. The house is a strange labyrinth of over 160 rooms and curious features such as doors that open to walls and stairs that lead to nowhere. The original proprieter of the mansion, Sallie Winchester, has similarly had her story mutated into something only vaguely representing her life and architectural decision.
Links and References:
- https://skepticalinquirer.org/2024/08/the-truth-about-sallie-winchester-and-the-mystery-house-that-never-was/
- https://www.history.com/articles/winchester-house-haunted Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
Transcribed
14 OCT 2026 · What happens when you regurgitate items out of your esophagus for a magic trick? A lot of digestive juices on the stuff you just regurgitated. But, if you don't want your audience to know, you might tell them that it goo left over from a ghost! In Biology, ectoplasm is a real thing. In paranormal investigations it has been appropriated in an attempt to bring paranormal entities into normal activities. We'll unpack the science and history of the concept of "ectoplasm" in this discussion.
Recommendations
- Abraham: “Rock the Plank” - Mad Caddies (https://madcaddies.bandcamp.com/album/rock-the-plank)
- Shane: Geoff John's run on Green Lantern (Blackest Night; https://www.amazon.com/dp/1401291198?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback)
Holidays (10/14/2026):
- Be Bald and Be Free Day
- Bullying Prevention Day
- Emergency Nurses Day
- International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction
- International Top Spinning Day
- National Chocolate Covered Insects Day
- National Dessert Day
- National Fossil Day
- National lowercase Day
- National Pet Obesity Awareness Day
- Spider-Man Day
- Stem Cell Awareness Day
- Thank Your Cleaner Day
- World Standards Day
- Biology Week
- Bone and Joint Health Action Week
- Earth Science Week
- Mediation Week
- Meditation Week
- National Case Management Week
Links and References:
- https://www.biologyonline.com/dictionary/ectoplasm
- https://www.popsci.com/whats-deal-paranormal-ectoplasm/
- https://www.grunge.com/665457/the-strange-truth-about-ectoplasm-explained/
- https://www.americanhauntingsink.com/ectoplasm
- https://medium.com/the-shortform/is-ectoplasm-really-a-thing-77a7b83a0ef7
- https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1057/9781137027252_6
- https://www.cabinetmagazine.org/issues/12/warner.php
- https://daily.jstor.org/ectoplasm-and-the-last-british-woman-tried-for-witchcraft/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
Transcribed
12 OCT 2026 · We did an episode about the history of halloween a while back. This mini explores more of the myths, legends, ideas, and traditions of the tradition that eventually became Halloween. This is all about the traditions of Samhain (no mention of St. Swithuns).
Tell us your thoughts: info@wwdwwdpodcast.com
Links and References:
- https://www.history.com/articles/samhain
- https://druidry.org/druid-way/teaching-and-practice/druid-festivals/samhain-festival
- https://www.hawthornandhoney.com/journal/samhain-rituals
- https://www.museum.ie/en-ie/collections-research/folklife-collections/folklife-collections-list-(1)/religion-and-calendar-customs/hallowe-en-samhain
- https://heritageireland.ie/2023/09/samhain-the-roots-of-halloween/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
Transcribed
7 OCT 2026 · We are kicking off this spooky season with a discussion about the spectres of the ocean: ghost ships! We tell a few of the both lesser and more well-known stories of ghost ships. We also talk about why they happen and how they influence our behavior. Have you seen a ghost ship?
Recommendations
- Abraham: Saosin (Just Be Honest; https://saosin.com/)
- Shane: Hellboy comics (Mike Mignola)
Holidays (10/5/2026):
- Blue Shirt Day World Day of Bullying Prevention
- Chic Spy Day
- Child health Day
- Day of Unity
- Do Something Nice Day
- Global James Bond Day
- International Day of No Prostitution
- National Apple Betty Day
- National Consignment Day
- National Kiss a Wrestler Day
- National Storytelling Day
- World Day of Architecture
- World Habitat Day
- World Teacher’s Day
- Active Aging Week
- Animal Welfare Week
- Banned Books Week
- Death Penalty Focus Week
- Mystery Series Week
- National Vegetarian Week
- National Chili Week
Links:
- https://explorersweb.com/exploration-mysteries-ghost-ships/
- https://www.surfline.com/surf-news/ocean-oddities-ghost-ships/78374
- https://www.hms-resolute.co.uk/the-nutshell/
- https://www.adn.com/alaska-life/2023/10/29/the-mysterious-fate-of-the-baychimo-the-ghost-ship-that-haunted-the-arctic-for-decades/
- https://www.worldofcruising.co.uk/editors-corner/mv-lyubov-orlova-ghostship-sunk
- https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/abandoned-ship-the-mary-celeste-174488104/
- https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/horrifying-final-voyage-cruise-boat-22044077
- https://skybrary.aero/articles/fata-morgana Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
Transcribed
5 OCT 2026 · We are kicking off this year's spooky seasons mini with a brief history of the town on fire. This is a real place in the United States that has become unlivable since the town accidentally set a gigantic, subterranean coal reserve. This inspired the video game and movie franchise, "Silent Hill." Have you been to Centralia?
Links: https://www.abc27.com/digital-originals/history-of-centralia-a-pennsylvania-ghost-town/ https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/centralia-pennsylvania-rebirth https://www.history.com/articles/mine-fire-burning-more-50-years-ghost-town
Tell us your favorite memories of the show: info@wwdwwdpodcast.com
Links and References:
- https://www.abc27.com/digital-originals/history-of-centralia-a-pennsylvania-ghost-town/
- https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/centralia-pennsylvania-rebirth
- https://www.history.com/articles/mine-fire-burning-more-50-years-ghost-town Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.
Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast
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We explain popular and weird, little-known ideas in psychology. Whether you are a little curious about psychology, or a student, or even a professional, we have something for everyone.
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| Author | Abraham |
| Organization | Abraham |
| Categories | Social Sciences , Education , Philosophy |
| Website | www.spreaker.com |
| info@wwdwwdpodcast.com |
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