Only Human – News, Analysis, and Insights from the World of Human Performance

We are confronted on an almost daily basis with a new report about so-called leaders who are removed from their positions for poor performance, scandalous behavior, or the ubiquitous “loss of confidence.” These stories occur so often it makes us wonder if the label “good leader” is an oxymoron, if the art of leadership is dead and gone, and perhaps most importantly, what the future looks like if this is the case. Today’s podcast gu...

In this week’s episode, Tony and his guest—Max Trescott, host of the Aviation News Talk podcast—discuss prioritizing safety and the tensions between safety and production as seen in the fallout from a fatal Hudson River crash of a New York Helicopter tour on April 10. Following the accident, the Director of Operations prioritized safety by suspending flights, but was immediately fired by the CEO who resumed operations, but the FAA ...

In this week’s episode of Only Human, Dr. Kern covers a couple of stories involving basic OSHA required safety precautions that were ignored in three incidents. The first involves a worker who fatally fell from a scaffold in Madison, WI, the second a hazardous chemical spill at a plant in Toledo, OH, and the last a grain elevator explosion in Nebraska. He also covers worker issues involving companies disguising the efforts of explo...

The podcast is re-branding! Over the last few years, we’ve pursued the goal of bridging the gap between who you are today and who you are capable of being by focusing on reducing human error and improving human performance from a mostly philosophical stance. Starting today, we’re centering practical application and real-world scenarios through the lens of the strategies and techniques we’ve been discussing. In this episode, Tony re...

Uncertainty is a major feature of the modern world. We have unprecedented access to a connected network of global information that we must constantly parse, analyze, and decipher. This adds a relentless complexity that our brains did not evolve to handle and creates a Petri dish of self-induced stress. In this week’s Only Human with Dr. Tony Kernpodcast, our host uses a personal fishing story to explore the ways that extra informat...

Modern technology enables instant global communication, microwave meals, and AI-generated artwork… but conveniences like these also come at a cost. In this episode of Only Human with Dr. Tony Kern, we explore why so many people find it difficult to connect the dots between their individual actions and any sort of meaningful impact, resulting in an epidemic of indifference. Far too often, we only make that connection when our action...

Human beings possess a dangerous flaw in our inherent desire to confirm our current assumptions and perspectives. This flaw is amplified in the modern world through social media, like-minded friend groups, partisan news, etc. to create echo chambers that reinforce, rather than challenge, our pre-existing beliefs. In this episode of the Only Human with Dr. Tony Kern podcast, we explore the importance of mental agility—our ability to...

How distracted are we? How much effort is required for us to truly focus on something important? In this episode of the Only Human with Dr. Tony Kern podcast, our host discusses the modern distractions that pull focus and inhibit many of our efforts. He provides four critical strategies to counter the impact of disruptions and get back to what’s important, including attention management and acting with intent, along with some tools...

In this episode of the Only Human with Dr. Tony Kern podcast, we explore the ongoing issue of human error in aviation, a challenge that has persisted throughout history and continues to impact the industry today. Recent tragedies have raised concerns about the safety of aviation, leading to public scrutiny. Tony reflects on the importance of understanding and addressing human error, especially in light of recent events, and conside...

Does your fear of failure have its basis in reality or is it actually a resistance to the unknown? In this week’s episode of the Only Human with Dr. Tony Kern podcast, we explore forging new paths through the wilderness of undiscovered ideas. Almost everyone has experienced looking for a tool, a service, a group, a book, or something else only to find it doesn’t seem to exist. When this happens, most of us simply give up—though a f...

Today on Only Human with Dr. Tony Kern, our host tackles an issue that we guarantee every single one of our listeners has struggled with in their lives: procrastination. Not only is procrastination a destroyer of dreams, a potential career derailer, and a wet blanket on ambition, it can do physical harm to our bodies as well. Tony breaks down all these issues, several effective countermeasures to break procrastination patterns, and...

It’s not often that we’re able to pull off our plans without a hitch. Life is full of surprises and even the most predictable mission can go sideways with barely a moment’s notice. In this week’s episode of the Only Human with Dr. Tony Kernpodcast, our host discusses the significant differences between having a plan and being prepared. While the former provides a great starting point for our efforts, it is the latter that more ofte...

Welcome to this week’s episode of the Only Human with Dr. Tony Kern podcast! After the tragic collision of an American Airlines plane and Army helicopter this week—the first commercial aviation crash since 2009—Tony and special guest D. Smith discuss repeating safety cycles, the aviation industry, dealing with depression, personal faith, and more. The Executive Director of Safety Management for the Transportation Safety Institute w...

In this episode of Only Human, Dr. Tony Kern dives into the pressing conversation around generational differences, especially within industries like aviation. Joined by Brandon Carroll, a recent acquaintance from a Memphis event, they explore whether there really are significant divides between generations or if it’s all just noise. With Baby Boomers aging out, there’s a lot of talk about how the next generation will step up, what ...

This week’s episode of the Only Human with Dr. Tony Kern podcast examines the 8-word phrase that guides our improvement philosophy: “My true best, every time, in full compliance.” This mantra provides an anchor to individual progress, sets a performance goal to aim for, incorporates repetition and deliberate practice, and delineates practical boundaries for executing the task. Surrounding this discussion, Tony tackles the impact we...

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Tony Kern explores the often-unspoken truth behind New Year’s resolutions: they rarely go according to plan and most die a quick death after just a few weeks. Instead of giving in and giving up, we dive deep into the power of persistence, self-compassion, and recalibration. Inspired by Stephen Covey’s idea of “beginning with the end in mind,” we’ll tackle the critical moments when resolutions ...

Exploring our “reason for being” is the perfect topic for a show about improving our capabilities as human beings. Today on the Only Human with Dr. Tony Kern podcast, Tony dives into the Japanese concept of “Ikigai,” where what you love, are good at, can be paid for, and what the world needs intersect to form a purpose for being here that transcends our daily struggles and transforms our lives. Join us on this episode and learn how...

Oxford University’s announcement that “brain rot” is their Word of the Year for 2024 inspires this week’s episode of the Only Human with Dr. Tony Kern podcast. Tony shares insights into beating brain rot by engaging with our personal passions and creative pursuits to drive our internal motivation centers. From a board game about cats to the finding creative balance and how autonomy fuels innovation, this discussion is a call to act...

In this episode, Tony explores The Logic of Failure by Dietrich Dörner, revealing why even smart, well-intentioned people often fail when managing complex systems. Through a simulation of building a self-sustaining town, participants make decisions that lead to economic collapse, water shortages, and environmental degradation. He discusses how overconfidence, simplistic thinking, and failure to anticipate long-term consequences cau...