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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 DayKing Tut DayNational Block It Out DayNational Candy DayNational Easy-Bake Oven DayNational Eating Healthy DayNational Skeptics DayNational Waiting for the Barbarians DayUse Your Common Sense DayDrowsy Driving Prevention WeekGive Wildlife a Brake WeekNational Allied Health WeekNational Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation WeekNational Cat Week Links and References:  https://www.bfskinner.org/archival-materials/biographical-information/https://www.biography.com/scientists/bf-skinnerhttps://www.verywellmind.com/b-f-skinner-biography-1904-1990-2795543Skinner, 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

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.  Patreon with us! 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-estimateshttps://www.sec.gov/spotlight/sec-employees/psrw50ways.pdfhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDqGzMdhL1M&t=8shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF1AdkgpGLkhttps://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-lawshttps://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

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 DayInternational Animation DayLung health DayNational Chocolate DayPlush Animal Lovers DaySeparation of Church and State DayStatue of Liberty Dedication DayWild Foods DayAce WeekAmerican Massage Therapy WeekBrain Tumor Awareness WeekDisarmament WeekInternational Magic WeekPro Bono Week Links:  https://apnews.com/article/portland-san-francisco-oregon-cff13a56cd41997553ea3e9a8fc21384https://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=sophihttps://www.servantsuniversity.com/the-assumptions-of-science/https://www.jstor.org/stable/2156020https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1525/aa.1958.60.2.02a00040https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1548-1352.2008.00013.xhttps://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

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.  Join us on Patreon! References: Watson, J. B., & Rayner, R. (1920). Conditioned emotional reactions. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 3(1), 1–14. doi.org [1] 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

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 DayBabbling DayBack to the Future DayCaramel Apple DayCelebration of the Mind DayCheck your Meds DayCount Your Buttons DayGarbanzo Bean DayGlobal Dignity DayInternational Day of the NachoInternational Print DayMedical Assistants Recognition DayNational Pumpkin Cheesecake DayReptile Awareness DayBullying Bystanders Unite WeekFood and Drug Interactions Awareness WeekFreedom of Speech WeekNational Nuclear Science WeekNational 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=ASTUApqR4Wohttps://www.shortform.com/podcast/episode/stuff-you-should-know-2026-01-06-episode-summary-the-warrens-paranormal-power-couplehttps://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

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

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.  RecommendationsAbraham: “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 DayBullying Prevention DayEmergency Nurses DayInternational Day for Natural Disaster ReductionInternational Top Spinning DayNational Chocolate Covered Insects DayNational Dessert DayNational Fossil DayNational lowercase DayNational Pet Obesity Awareness DaySpider-Man DayStem Cell Awareness DayThank Your Cleaner DayWorld Standards DayBiology WeekBone and Joint Health Action WeekEarth Science WeekMediation WeekMeditation WeekNational Case Management Week Links and References: https://www.biologyonline.com/dictionary/ectoplasmhttps://www.popsci.com/whats-deal-paranormal-ectoplasm/https://www.grunge.com/665457/the-strange-truth-about-ectoplasm-explained/https://www.americanhauntingsink.com/ectoplasmhttps://medium.com/the-shortform/is-ectoplasm-really-a-thing-77a7b83a0ef7https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1057/9781137027252_6https://www.cabinetmagazine.org/issues/12/warner.phphttps://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

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: [email protected] Links and References:  https://www.history.com/articles/samhainhttps://druidry.org/druid-way/teaching-and-practice/druid-festivals/samhain-festivalhttps://www.hawthornandhoney.com/journal/samhain-ritualshttps://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

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 PreventionChic Spy DayChild health DayDay of UnityDo Something Nice DayGlobal James Bond DayInternational Day of No ProstitutionNational Apple Betty DayNational Consignment DayNational Kiss a Wrestler DayNational Storytelling DayWorld Day of ArchitectureWorld Habitat DayWorld Teacher’s DayActive Aging WeekAnimal Welfare WeekBanned Books WeekDeath Penalty Focus WeekMystery Series WeekNational Vegetarian WeekNational Chili Week Links:  https://explorersweb.com/exploration-mysteries-ghost-shipshttps://www.surfline.com/surf-news/ocean-oddities-ghost-ships/78374https://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

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?  Support us on Patreon! Tell us your favorite memories of the show: [email protected] Links and References: https://www.abc27.com/digital-originals/history-of-centralia-a-pennsylvania-ghost-town/https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/centralia-pennsylvania-rebirthhttps://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

One of the most enduring values, mottos, or goals is the pursuit of happiness. We strive for it implicitly or explicitly for much of our lives. So, what is happiness? How do we achieve it? Why can't you just be happy? Because it depends :D  Recommendations Abraham: Fix My Frankenhouse (seasons 1-2; https://www.hgtv.com/shows/fix-my-frankenhouse)Shane: A Short Stay In Hell by Steven Peck  Holidays (9/30/2026): My mom’s birthday! Happy birthday, P-Nut!Banned Websites Awareness DayBlasphemy DayChewing Gum DayExtra Virgin Olive Oil DayInternational Podcast DayInternational Translation DayNational Hot Mulled Cider DayNational Love People DayNational Microcephaly Awareness DayNational Mud Pack DayNational Women’s Health and Fitness DayOrange Shirt DayTime for YogaThunderbirds DayWorld School Milk DayNational Chimney Safety WeekNational Dog WeekNational Fall Foliage Week Links and References:  Harris, R. (2022). The happiness trap: Stop struggling, start living (2nd ed.). Robinsonhttps://ndpr.nd.edu/reviews/the-quest-for-the-good-life-ancient-philosophers-on-happiness/https://www.weforum.org/stories/leadership/13-great-philosophers-on-the-secret-of-happiness/ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/278667273_EMOTIONS_AND_EMOTIONAL_BEHAVIOR_A_CONSTRUCTIONAL_APPROACH_TO_UNDERSTANDING_SOME_SOCIAL_BENEFITS_OF_AGGRESSION https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3160511/https://arnoldspumpclub.com/blogs/newsletter/why-chasing-happiness-makes-you-miserable-and-what-science-says-to-do-instead?srsltid=AfmBOornkPKnjN9wQWbXZB8QQh_5fHqMbgEbdpiVJkW6kGlSi9jONIuMhttps://ls.berkeley.edu/news/stop-worrying-about-being-happy-new-berkeley-psychology-research-suggests-doing-so-makes-peoplehttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10224953/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3546638/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1279874/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1284106/ 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

An important announce and brief explanation. 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

The title maybe a little misleading. This is about how we delude ourselves into adopting information as factual becuase it is presented using real math. Math is extremely important and valuable and a necessity for most sciences. However, like any other tool, math can give the illusion of knowledge while actually tricking us into believing things that are not correct. We primarily focus on averages and how problematic this concept can be, but extrapolate this into other forms of math that can be used to lie and mislead even the ones who are executing the computations.  RecommendationsAbraham: Cross Purposes: Christianity’s Broken Bargain With Democracy (Jonathan Rauch (https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300273540/cross-purposes/)Shane: Chat Pile - Who Loves The Sun (https://open.spotify.com/album/2ITnf8HOokOJxjv483Dszk?si=3v175T9iRP2BY8aTU8XPqw) Holidays (9/23/2026):Celebrate Bi-Sexuality DayDogs in Politics DayInternational Day of Sign LanguagesNational Checkers DayNational Great American Pot Pie DayNational Snack Stick DayRestless Legs Syndrome Awareness DaySee You at the PoleTeal Talk DayChild Passenger Safety Awareness WeekConstitution WeekDeaf Dog Awareness WeekInternational Clean Hands WeekInternational Deaf Awareness WeekInternational Interpreters and Translators WeekNational Adult Day Services Week Click here to join our Patreon club! Links and References: https://www.toddrose.com/endofaveragehttps://99percentinvisible.org/episode/on-average/ https://www.anecdote.com/2023/03/179-there-is-no-average/https://austraffic.com.au/aba/us-air-force-finds-averages-can-kill  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

We have many mechanisms in place to protect our privacy. Some people care less about this and some people have taken this to tremendous extremes. Of course, many want unambiguous rules about privacy, but there is a lot of room for nuance. So, we ask the question about whether or not we need privacy and share some of the reasons people have given. The short answer is: until we can trust each other, we need privacy.  Click here to join our Patreon crew of cool people Links and References: https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/internet-ethics/resources/why-we-care-about-privacy/https://www.privacyguides.org/en/basics/why-privacy-matters/https://www.teamim.com/insights/why-privacy-matters-even-if-you-have-nothing-to-hide  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

Creating content can be very effortful. Particularly when that creating entails a lot of writing. And in pursuit of that endeavor, writers sometimes find themselves stuck and unable to produce ideas to further their writing task. What is going on behaviorally and psychologically? We'll discuss some of the research behind writer's block and what you can do to get over the block. Do you have any tricks to overcome writer's block?  Recommendations Abraham: A Short Stay in Hell (Steven Peck: https://www.strandbooks.com/a-short-stay-in-hell-9780983748427.html)Shane: The Pleasures of the Damned by Charles Bukowski (https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-pleasures-of-the-damned-charles-bukowski?variant=32130591162402) Holidays (9/16/2026): Ann Bradstreet DayNational Guacamole DayTrail of Tears Commemoration DayNational GED DayInternational Day for the Preservation of the Ozone LayerNational Cinnamon Raison Bread DayNational Collect Rocks DayNational Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of Hurricane KatrinaNational Play-Doh DayNational Rehabilitation DayNational Stay Away from Seattle DayNational Stepfamily DayNational Tattoo Story DayTeenager Workout DayWorking Parents DayWrinkled Raincoat DayWorld Barber Day Links and References:  https://centerforfiction.org/writing-tools/the-truth-about-writers-block/https://girlspring.com/4-ways-to-combat-writers-block/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22638809757&gbraid=0AAAAADRYq5RcbP7MWvHMjjH7eQosNAYwC&gclid=Cj0KCQjwv4XUBhDBARIsAE6bQUSaMqun3ksA9P5BQfl2c-2ajwULeR_gv3rCLRMQhPcIEN-r7zMv9xsaAlYAEALw_wcBhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7965145/https://writers.com/writers-block-what-causes-writers-block-and-how-to-overcome-ithttps://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.2190/69g4-6ycm-n11h-eeewhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psychology-yesterday/202001/a-brief-history-of-writers-blockhttps://www.laurenpalphreyman.com/post/4-types-of-writer-s-block-and-how-to-combat-themhttps://escholarship.org/uc/item/50t6h6kdhttps://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/authors/10-cases-extreme-writers-blockhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1311997/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2277565/https://www.emerald.com/et/article-abstract/59/6/605/91658/A-phenomenological-research-study-on-writer-s?redirectedFrom=fulltext 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