The Upside of Down

What does it take to get used to a new life situation – what can accelerate acceptance, and what can slow it down? Would we rather bluntness or optimism from our doctors? How might it help to be stoic, as well as to have a purpose or wish to accomplish something in life? Can a challenging circumstance or diagnosis lead to actual improvement of life quality, and how?

Dan talks in this episode with the stoic and exemplary const...

What are the personalities, social supports, environmental factors, etc., which have some people able to see the dark side only, losing the joy of life, versus what allows others to be able to feel hope and joy still sometimes, even through immense pain and loss? How to decide whether to go back to doing what we used to love, or to pick something new that won’t remind us of how things used to be? When to choose the comfort of havin...

What happens when we try to keep something under wraps for a long time, and what does it feel like to let go of that? How does disability affect romance…When someone falls in love with a person with a disability, what role might it play in considerations? Is there a universality to the disabled experience, where it serves as a magnifying glass both for what is actually experienced and also what should be done?

Dan talks in th...

Does helping others naturally bring out the best parts of us, and what does it feel like to have to ask for help? How do we decide what to fight for versus what to give up on? Can we really know if art is meant to be something that tries to change the world, or if it’s meant to exist for its own sake?

Dan talks in this episode with the lyrical and warm-hearted poet and musician, Dan Simpson, about much more than Dan having been bli...

Does having a clearly defined social role, where we can play to our strengths, help with comfort around one’s disability, as opposed to when we are in unfamiliar environments with uncomfortable roles? How does creating a narrative through writing or another art form help us contend with our challenges and differences? Is misery in fact a common driver among creative people, and/or can we access the imaginative state of childhood to...

Can people who don’t have a physical, visible disability truly relate to those who do, or is there an empathetic barrier? Is there a fundamental difference between being born with a disability versus acquiring one? Is disability a determining factor in who we are and how we feel, or just one part of our identity?

Dan talks in this episode with the compelling and charming NYC actor and artistic director Gregg Mozgala about much...

How should we react to people who are disabled – should we ask them about it, ignore it, or what? When and how do we use humor, and what about dark humor, which can really only be used by those inside the experience? Why do we often try to keep our differences or disabilities hidden from view, and what does it feel like to get rid of the burden of pretending?

Dan talks in this episode with the funny and effervescent writer an...

In eight candid conversations, behavioral economist and best-selling author Dan Ariely explores with his guests what it's like to live with a serious disability or physical trauma, as well as what can still feel meaningful, worthwhile, even enjoyable… at least sometimes. Combining social science findings with personal insights, these 30-minute episodes cast light on how we might face even extreme challenges, whether our own or ...