The Human Behavior Podcast

The Human Behavior Podcast

Do you ever wonder why people act the way that they do? Join human behavior experts Brian Marren and Greg Williams as they discuss all things human behavior related. Their goal is to increase your Advanced Critical Thinking ability through a better understanding of HBPR&A (Human Behavior Pattern Recognition & Analysis.) What is HBPR&A? It's a scientific (and fun) way to understand and articulate human behavior cues so that you can predict likely outcomes and it works regardless of your race, religion, political ideology or culture!

Episodes

November 18, 2025 72 mins

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When decisions can’t wait for perfect data, you need methods that actually work in the real world. We sit down with Brian Moon to pull naturalistic decision making out of journals and into the field where cops, medics, operators, and executives make consequential calls under stress, time pressure, and uncertainty. The conversation opens with a clear critique: elegant lab studies often miss the work. From there, we reb...

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In today’s episode, we’re flipping the lens inward. You’ve heard us talk about reading the world around you — the external baseline — but what about reading yourself? 

What It Is (Street Definition)

Your internal baseline is your mental operating system. It’s the framework that shapes how you see, think, and react under stress. It’s built from everything you’ve lived, learned, and believed:

  • Past Experiences: The less...
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October 22, 2025 63 mins

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In this powerful and highly practical episode, we unpack one of the most important (and misunderstood) aspects of human behavior analysis: the concept of baseline plus anomaly equals decision (B + A = D). 

During the episode, we dive deep into why our cultural obsession with "red flags" and anomalies often leads us astray, and why everything starts with understanding normal.

We also challenge the reactive...

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What happens when theory meets reality in a life-or-death situation? Dan Chavez found out firsthand when he and his wife suddenly found themselves in the middle of an active shooter incident. In this riveting conversation, Dan walks us through the split-second decisions that likely saved his life and, more importantly, how his training in behavioral awareness created automatic responses that kicked in when his conscio...

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August 7, 2025 61 mins

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Have you ever walked away from a conversation feeling like you missed something important? The truth is, you probably did; and it's likely because you didn't ask the right questions.

In this illuminating episode, we dive deep into the art and science of asking better questions – not just to avoid awkward small talk, but to genuinely understand people, spot intentions, and make smarter decisions. Whether you&a...

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June 20, 2025 62 mins

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What if your memory's "flaws" are actually its most powerful features? 

The startling truth is your memory was never designed to function like a perfect recording—it's a creative, adaptive system built to help you survive and thrive. Those moments when you confidently recall something that never happened exactly as you remember? That's not a glitch—it's your brain doing exactly w...

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June 3, 2025 68 mins

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We explore why organizations rush toward new tech, convinced that shiny equipment will solve their deepest problems when often the issues are fundamentally about training, judgment, and decision-making.

• The Boeing 737 MAX case study demonstrates how technological "fixes" without proper training led to catastrophic failures
• Most resource decisions are reactive, not strategic, with organizatio...

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May 13, 2025 56 mins

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Mental errors don't just lead to embarrassing moments—they can be fatal. When your brain categorizes something as familiar and routine, it filters out critical information that could save your life.

The duck versus platypus problem perfectly captures this dangerous cognitive trap. Both creatures share remarkably similar features—broad bills, webbed feet, semi-aquatic lifestyles—but only one has venomous ...

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Gary Klein, renowned cognitive psychologist and pioneer of the Recognition-Primed Decision Model, takes us deep into the minds of experts operating under the most demanding conditions. Drawing from decades studying firefighters, law enforcement officers, and military personnel, Klein reveals the surprising truth about expertise - it's not about comparing options or following procedures, but rather recognizing pat...

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April 1, 2025 59 mins

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The sciences behind human behavior are complex, yet the practical applications are what truly matter in our daily lives. In this illuminating discussion, we peel back the layers of scientific theory to reveal how concepts like gestalt psychology, emergence, and reification shape the way we perceive and interact with the world around us.

Our brains are constantly working to create order from chaos, organizing ...

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March 18, 2025 59 mins

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What if you could spot danger before it materializes? What if your decision-making advantage wasn't about reacting faster, but about seeing what others miss entirely? 

The gift of time and distance isn't just tactical jargon—it's a profound cognitive framework that separates reactive individuals from those who shape outcomes. This episode dives deep into how early detection of critical cues com...

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March 4, 2025 61 mins

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Are you overwhelmed by uncertainty? In our latest episode, we tackle the intricate relationship between uncertainty, risk, and the anxiety they provoke. As we explore the brain science behind these emotions, we break down how they influence our decision-making and daily lives. The discussion also emphasizes the crucial distinction between uncertainty—the unknowns we face—and risk—the measurable implications of those u...

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February 18, 2025 83 mins

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Today, we have a truly special guest: John A Dailey—a retired Marine Corps Force Recon sniper, founding member of MARSOC, the Marine Corps’ first official unit under SOCOM, and author of Tough Rugged Bastards. If you’re curious about how an elite group of Marines forged a brand-new special operations detachment at the height of the post-9/11 conflicts, then this episode is for you.

John will share what it took to creat...

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February 4, 2025 69 mins

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What if fear, rather than fairness or loyalty, is the ultimate compass guiding our moral judgments? On this episode of the Human Behavior Podcast, we explore this provocative question inspired by Elizabeth Colbert's article in the New Yorker. Joining us is moral psychologist Kirk Gray, whose compelling theory suggests our ethical decisions are deeply rooted in the fear of harm, a vestige of our evolutionary histo...

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January 8, 2025 67 mins

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This episode explores the complex relationship between violence and communication, positing that violence can be a maladaptive language used by individuals when they feel unheard or powerless. The hosts discuss behavioral distinctions, the significance of feeling heard, and how effective communication can prevent violent escalations while providing insights from real-world examples.

• Exploring the concept of...

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December 24, 2024 86 mins

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Have you ever wondered how our brains transform chaotic sensory inputs into meaningful information that guides our actions and decisions? Tune in to uncover the fascinating mechanisms behind human perception and orientation, and how these processes are essential for navigating our complex world. We promise you'll gain insights into how our senses seamlessly align to enhance situational awareness, improve decision...

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December 17, 2024 105 mins

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What if building a genuine connection could be the key to cracking complex intelligence operations? This episode features Doug Laux, a former CIA case officer and bestselling author of "Left of Boom," who lifts the veil on his secretive world. Doug shares stories from his time working undercover in perilous environments like Afghanistan and Syria, where he learned the indispensable value of human connection ...

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November 19, 2024 62 mins

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Hello everyone and welcome back to The Human Behavior Podcast! After a brief hiatus filled with some exciting projects, I'm thrilled to jump into a topic that's both timeless and timely—the concept of time itself.

In this episode, Greg and I unravel the complexities of how we perceive time and how it shapes our experiences, decisions, and behaviors. Drawing from ancient Greek philosophies, we distinguish betw...

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October 22, 2024 65 mins

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This week, we're debunking the myth that "anything can happen." 
In today's episode, we'll explore how adopting this mindset can increase uncertainty and cognitive load—especially in high-risk environments—and how it might set us up for failure. Instead of believing that "anything can happen," we'll focus on reducing uncertainty by deepening our understanding of human behavi...

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