Smarter in Ten Podcast

ver find yourself overwhelmed after a long day of decisions—big or small—and notice your ability to make smart choices deteriorating as the day goes on? You're not imagining things. Decision fatigue is very real, scientifically proven, and significantly impacts your daily life.

Decision fatigue refers to the deteriorating quality of decisions made after an extended period of decision-...

We've all heard the cliché: "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." But how much truth is there in that statement? And if first impressions truly matter so much, what's actually happening in our brains during those crucial first moments?

Science confirms that first impressions are incredibly significant. Researchers have found that we form lasting judgments about someone's trustworthiness, intelligence, and comp...

True crime is everywhere. Podcasts, documentaries, television series, books, and YouTube channels dedicated to the darkest corners of human behavior have exploded in popularity. Millions of us tune in eagerly, captivated by stories of murder mysteries, serial killers, unsolved disappearances, and criminal investigations. But have you ever stopped to wonder why?

Why are we so drawn to ...

Welcome back to Smarter in 10—the podcast that brings big ideas to curious minds, one tight episode at a time. I’m David Peterson from the DMP Education Group, and today we’re exploring a powerful, yet surprisingly simple technique that can transform your productivity, health, and overall quality of life: habit stacking.

We've all tried forming new habits—such as exercising regularly, eating healthier, reading more books, or improv...

rocrastination. We all do it. We delay, postpone, or outright avoid tasks—even those we know are important. We tell ourselves we'll start tomorrow, or next Monday, or when conditions are just right. But why do we repeatedly put things off, even when we understand the consequences? More importantly, how can we overcome this habit and finally reclaim our productivity?

First, let's clari...

We’ve all experienced nostalgia at one time or another. It’s that gentle yet powerful pull toward a past moment that feels comforting, happier, or simpler. Maybe it hits you when a familiar song from your teenage years comes on the radio, or when you catch a scent that instantly transports you back to a childhood summer. Suddenly, you feel warmly connected to a time and place long gone. But beyond those plea...

Have you ever noticed how quickly certain events—plane crashes, shark attacks, dramatic crimes—can ignite widespread fear, even though they're extraordinarily rare? Meanwhile, more common yet less dramatic risks—like heart disease, diabetes, or car accidents—barely register on our radar. This isn't mere coincidence; it’s driven by a cognitive bias known as the availability heuristic.

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Have you ever noticed how quickly certain events—plane crashes, shark attacks, dramatic crimes—can ignite widespread fear, even though they're extraordinarily rare? Meanwhile, more common yet less dramatic risks—like heart disease, diabetes, or car accidents—barely register on our radar. This isn't mere coincidence; it’s driven by a cognitive bias known as the availability heuristic.

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Hanlon’s Razor is elegantly simple and profoundly useful. It states: "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity." At first, this might seem a little blunt or even cynical. But behind its straightforward wording lies remarkable wisdom. Hanlon’s Razor encourages us to pause before jumping to conclusions and to give people the benefit of the doubt. It reminds us that many frustra...

Welcome back to Smarter in 10—the podcast that brings big ideas to curious minds, one fascinating topic at a time. I'm David Peterson from the DMP Education Group, and today we're exploring an intriguing principle that might help you predict what’s likely to stand the test of time. It's called the Lindy Effect.

Think about your bookshelf for a moment. You probably have books published...

Anti-Fragility, introduced by the influential thinker Nassim Nicholas Taleb. In short, anti-fragility describes systems that not only withstand shocks and volatility but actually grow stronger and more robust when exposed to stress, chaos, and uncertainty.

You’re probably familiar with the idea of resilience—the ability to withstand pressure and return to a previous state. But anti-fragility takes resilience a step further: anti-fr...

Tolerance is widely recognized as one of the foundational values of open, democratic societies. It enables diverse groups of people to coexist peacefully, fostering dialogue and mutual respect across differences. However, philosopher Karl Popper introduced a compelling and somewhat controversial idea in 1945—that unlimited tolerance could ultimately threaten tolerance itself. Today, we’ll unpack this paradox...

First introduced in its modern form by philosopher Nick Bostrom in 2003, the Simulation Hypothesis quickly captured imaginations worldwide. It suggests that our universe, and everything we perceive as reality, could essentially be an elaborate simulation created by an incredibly advanced civilization. At first glance, this might sound like science fiction—but a surprising number of scientists, philosophers, ...

Welcome back to Smarter in 10, the podcast that brings big ideas to curious minds, one engaging conversation at a time. I'm David Peterson from the DMP Education Group. Today, we're diving into a remarkable psychological principle called the Peak-End Rule, exploring why our memories aren't shaped evenly—but instead by specific standout moments.

To help unpack this topic, I'm thrilled ...

Have you ever found yourself standing in the cereal aisle, overwhelmed by dozens of choices, and simply grabbing whatever box looks good enough? Or perhaps you've been searching for a new job and, instead of exhaustively researching every potential opportunity out there, you pick the first one that reasonably aligns with your needs. If you recognize yourself in these scenarios, you’re already practicing boun...

Today, we're exploring a captivating psychological phenomenon known as the Illusion of Control. This fascinating mental bias explains why you might feel in command of situations that, in reality, are far beyond your influence. It’s why people whisper good luck charms at the casino, believe they can predict the unpredictable, or feel responsible for random outcomes.

Have you ever rolled the dice and believed your careful toss could ...

Conversation between host David Peterson and Dr. Marcus Bennett, a cognitive psychologist specializing in decision-making and behavioral economics.

Welcome back to Smarter in 10—the podcast bringing big ideas to curious minds, one insightful conversation at a time. I’m David Peterson from the DMP Education Group, and today we're diving deep into a fascinating aspect of human decision-...