Best Human Guinea Pig Podcasts (2025)

1
Little Happier: When One Proverb Sparks Dozens: the Inspiration of “No Receiver, No Thief” 5:37

13h ago5:37

5:37

While writing my book "Secrets of Adulthood," I discovered how the structure of a single traditional proverb could spark dozens of new insights. The elegant formula "No X, no Y" began with the traditional wisdom "No receiver, no thief," but soon expanded into observations ranging from the paradoxical ("No expectations, no disappointment") to the hi…

1
More Happier: Listen In! Recordings from a Visit in Los Angeles 26:41

3d ago26:41

26:41

During the book tour for “Secrets of Adulthood,” we had the chance to spend the day together in Los Angeles. Listen in and follow along as we hush the Corgis, clear office clutter, and learn some happy book-related news. Resources & links related to this episode: Secrets of Adulthood Organization hub Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gr…

1
“I love being the person who doesn’t know anything” - Why Steven Levitt has swapped academia for podcasting 39:39

4d ago39:39

39:39

20 years ago, a book called Freakonomics became an instant bestseller and worldwide sensation. Tim Harford got his hands on the first copy that Steve Levitt ever signed... and promptly sold it on eBay. In this Cautionary Conversation, the pair are reunited to discuss the Freakonomics phenomenon, why Levitt left the hostile world of academia, and ho…

1
Episode 260: The Guinea Pigs Have Arrived! (with Hayley Dougherty and Taylor LaTulipe, Natural Encounters, Inc.)) 39:20

4d ago39:20

39:20

Chris and Ari share two microphones with their newest coworkers, Hayley Dougherty and Taylor LaTulipe! Hayley and Taylor share their immediate feelings after their first interviews, get quizzed to see how much they know about the show sections they started learning less than 2 days ago, reflect on how they felt coming out of their first interviews,…

1
#805: Philip Goff — Exploring Consciousness and Non-Ordinary Religion, Galileo's Error, Panpsychism, Heretical Ideas, and Therapeutic Belief 2:16:22

5d ago2:16:22

2:16:22

Philip Goff is a professor of philosophy at Durham University. His main research focus is consciousness, but he is interested in many questions about the nature of reality. He is most known for defending panpsychism, the view that consciousness is a fundamental and ubiquitous feature of the physical world. He is the author of Galileo's Error: Found…

1
Ep. 529: Cutting Back on Cussing, Easier Traveling & Do Possessions Have Feelings? 33:41

6d ago33:41

33:41

We explore the surprising benefits of swearing—from pain tolerance to social bonding—while also discussing why cutting back on cussing might still improve conversation quality and emotional climate. We share a listener hack for making a long, frequent car trip easier. We also consider a Know-Yourself- Better question about possessions, and we tackl…

1
So, you want to be a VTS? Start Here! 40:23

5d ago40:23

40:23

Have you been thinking about taking that next step in your tech anesthesia journey? Join Darci Palmer and Tasha McNerney as they break down the specifics of what is involved in the VTS journey. Visit https://www.avtaa-vts.org/application-forms.pml for more information.By Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds

1
68 | Your 3pm Crash Isn’t Normal—It’s Hormonal: What’s REALLY Zapping Your Energy In Perimenopause and Menopause? 17:05

6d ago17:05

17:05

✨ Take the First Step To Balance Your Hormones With My FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz Dragging by 3pm—even after a “clean” lunch and your second coffee? It’s not your schedule. Or your age. Or even those 10 pounds that won’t budge. It’s your hormones. Even if your doctor says everything looks “normal,” tha…

1
Little Happier: When Zero Isn't Nothing: The Fresh Eyes of a Basketball Beginner 3:51

8d ago3:51

3:51

Through my "Operation Knicks Knowledge" experiment, I was astonished to learn that some professional basketball players have the number zero for their jersey number. Sometimes, a newcomer notices things that people with more knowledge take for granted. Resources & links related to this episode: Secrets of Adulthood Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrub…

1
More Happier: Reading Hacks [Revisited] 32:13

10d ago32:13

32:13

In honor of #read25in25, we're revisiting one of our Very Special Episodes about how to get more reading done. We share hacks, strategies, and tools from listeners—and our own experience. Resources & Links Related to this episode: Join our annual challenge: #read25in25 #read25in25 PDF tracker Don’t Break the Chain Resolution Chart Get in touch: pod…

1
The Old Man and the Wrecking Crew 38:40

11d ago38:40

38:40

When Britain entered its first Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020, many found comfort in evoking the British wartime spirit. A timely hero emerged - Captain Tom Moore, a WWII veteran who walked up and down his garden to raise money for frontline nurses. But when the fundraising switched to a new charity, did anyone think to check where was the money w…

1
Episode 259: Okay - I'm Going to Get a Degree, Then I'm Going to Come Back and Run This Place (with Kimm Hunt, International Animal Training Certification Board) 1:02:02

11d ago1:02:02

1:02:02

Ari sits down with Kimm Hunt, President of the International Animal Training Certification Board (IATCB), to dive into the IATCB certification exam—how it’s developed, maintained, and what it means for animal trainers. They also explore Kimm’s work with shelter dogs, tackling tough topics like behavioral euthanasia and the importance of understandi…

1
Jay Shetty on Pursuing What You Love, from IMO 43:09

12d ago43:09

43:09

Sharing a new show from my friends at Higher Ground, called IMO. You know on Happier, Gretchen gives practical advice meant to uplift you, help you reach goals, and leave you feeling fulfilled. Similarly on IMO, Michelle Obama and her big brother Craig Robinson tackle real questions from real folks just like you offering practical advice, personal …

1
Ep. 528: Improve Your Hedonic Forecasting, Hacks for Reading More, and Mystery Revealed (Name of New Dog) 33:00

13d ago33:00

33:00

We explore the science of "hedonic forecasting"—our often-flawed ability to predict future happiness—and share strategies to make better life decisions. We debate the right approach to a “task cascade.” Plus, as part of #Read25in25, we discuss hacks for doing more reading. Finally, an answer to the burning question: What will my family name our new…

1
#804: Robert Rodriguez, The Wizard of Cinema Returns — The "Fear-Forward" Way of Life, How to Overcome Self-Doubt, Learning to Love Limitations, and Counter-Intuitive Parenting That Works 1:44:15

13d ago1:44:15

1:44:15

Robert Rodriguez is a film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer, editor, and composer. Rodriguez has written, produced, directed, and edited a series of successful films including El Mariachi, Desperado, From Dusk Till Dawn, the Spy Kids franchise, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Frank Miller’s Sin City, and many more. Robert recently laun…

1
67 | Wait—Could THIS Be What's Holding You Back? 4 Reasons You’re (Still) Living With Hormone Imbalance in Perimenopause & Menopause 16:42

14d ago16:42

16:42

✨ Take the First Step To Balance Your Hormones With My FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz What if the reason you’re still struggling to balance your hormones has nothing to do with what you’re doing… and everything to do with what you’re thinking? Here’s the thing: our brains are wired to keep us safe. (You kn…

1
Which Opioid Should I Choose? 33:44

14d ago33:44

33:44

You think your anesthesia plan needs an opioid (and you're probably right) but which one to choose? From receptors to duration, join Stephen, Darci, and Tasha as they discuss which opioids to consider, why they work the way they do, and when to change plans if needed. further reading:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21952398/https://bmcvetres.biomed…

1
Little Happier: A Secret Kept for Thousands of Years Inspires My Owns Secrets (of Adulthood) 3:58

15d ago3:58

3:58

During my daily Metropolitan Museum visits, an ancient marble sculpture connected to the Eleusinian Mysteries—one of history's best-kept secrets—inspired me to start a major creative project, “Secrets of Adulthood.” Resources & links related to this episode: Life in Five Senses Outer Order, Inner Calm Secrets of Adulthood Get in touch: podcast@gret…

1
More Happier: Behind-the-Scenes Book Making, Secret Eating Habits, and Sisterly Memories 25:29

17d ago25:29

25:29

We dive behind-the-scenes about the making of Gretchen’s new book, “Secrets of Adulthood,” discussing everything from cover design to audiobook creation. Plus we raise a new question in our continuing discussions about quirky eating. Resources & Links Related to this episode: Pre-order my new book Secrets of Adulthood Tools for getting organized th…

1
Houdini: The Phone Call from the Coffin (Part 3) 40:54

18d ago40:54

40:54

Fearing for his life, Harry Houdini leaves secret codes with his loved ones, promising to use them in any post-mortem messaging. In 1926, Houdini's death shocks the world, but the news that follows is even more astounding. A report of the impossible: contact has been made. For a full list of sources, see the show notes at timharford.com. Get ad-fre…

1
#803: Craig Mod Returns — Epic Walks in Japan, The Art of Slowness, Digital Detox, Publishing “Impossible” Books, and Choosing Beauty Over Scale 2:28:54

18d ago2:28:54

2:28:54

Craig Mod Returns! Craig is a writer, photographer, and walker living in Tokyo and Kamakura, Japan. He is the author of Things Become Other Things and Kissa by Kissa. He also writes the newsletters Roden and Ridgeline and has contributed to The New York Times, The Atlantic, Wired, and more. Sponsors: Shopify global commerce platform, providing tool…

1
Episode 258: Don't Panic! Let Your Weird Flagg Fly! (with Josh Flagg, Natural Encounters, Inc.) 36:43

18d ago36:43

36:43

Chris is off at the AZA mid-year meeting, so Ari is joined by NEI Senior Trainer Josh Flagg for this episode! They dive into the challenges and joys of being the new person on a zoo team. From making new staff feel safe and welcome to knowing when (and when not) to let your "weird flag" fly, Josh and Ari explore ways to set teams up for success. Th…

1
Ep. 527: What a Favorite Book Reveals, Photo Selection Tips & Family Secrets Explored 37:22

20d ago37:22

37:22

We discuss how paying attention to the books, movies, or TV shows someone loves can provide profound insights into their character and inner life. Our happiness hack shares surprising research that shows we're actually terrible at choosing our own most flattering photos; strangers select better images of us than we do ourselves. Plus we talk to Ric…

1
#802: Craig Mod — The Real Japan, Cheap Apartments in Tokyo, Productive Side Quests, Creative Retreats, Buying Future Freedom, and Being Possessed by Spirits 2:15:49

20d ago2:15:49

2:15:49

Craig Mod is a writer, photographer, and walker living in Tokyo and Kamakura, Japan. He is the author of Things Become Other Things and Kissa by Kissa. He also writes the newsletters Roden and Ridgeline and has contributed to The New York Times, The Atlantic, Wired, and more. Sponsors: David Protein Bars 28g of protein, 150 calories, and 0g of suga…

1
66 | Your Health Insurance Won’t Fix This: The REAL Cost of Perimenopause & Menopause 20:13

20d ago20:13

20:13

✨ Take the First Step To Balance Your Hormones With My FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment!: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz You’ve done everything right…scheduled a visit with your doctor, got some lab work done, maybe even filled a prescription (or two.)... So why do you feel like you're slowly dying inside while pretending everything’s fine…

1
Little Happier: When Your Life Feels Like “Groundhog Day”: Movies That Capture Concepts 2:53

22d ago2:53

2:53

Sometimes, the title of a movie manages to become shorthand for entire life situations—think "The Matrix," "Gaslight," and “The Devil Wears Prada.” Also, this collection illustrates my deep appreciation for the pleasure of examples. Resources & links related to this episode: More Happier episode My “24 for 24” list Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrub…

1
Oxygenation VS Ventilation Showdown with Meagan Crowley RVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) 29:50

23d ago29:50

29:50

Ever wondered about the difference between oxygenation and ventilation? 🫁💨 Join us as Veterinary Technician Specialist Meagan Crowley breaks it down in a way that’s both practical and engaging! Useful for every anesthesia case you perform, we’ll explore why understanding this distinction is critical for patient care. Hypoxemia, hypoventilation, phy…

1
More Happier: Friendship Roundtable: How to Make, Keep & Deepen Friendships 37:02

24d ago37:02

37:02

First in a new discussion series on happiness: Friendship Roundtable. Joining me is a longtime friend, Laurie Santos, and a new friend, Reshma Saujani. We talk about how our friendships have changed over time, how to handle conflict, and how to make new friends in adulthood. Yale professor Laurie Santos is host of “The Happiness Lab” podcast. Reshm…

1
#801: In Case You Missed It: February 2025 Recap of "The Tim Ferriss Show" 44:40

24d ago44:40

44:40

This is a special inbetweenisode, which serves as a recap of the episodes from last month. It features a short clip from each conversation in one place so you can easily jump around to get a feel for the episode and guest. Based on your feedback, this format has been tweaked and improved since the first recap episode. For instance, listeners sugges…

1
Houdini's Detective and her 1500 Dead Husbands (Part 2) 41:49

25d ago41:49

41:49

Harry Houdini finds an ally in his fight against spiritualism, a brilliant detective called Rose Mackenberg, who'll do whatever it takes to expose a fake. Together, the two head to Washington to try and get lawmakers to criminalise mediums. The hearing that follows will be violent, sensational and leave Houdini fearing for his life. This is the sec…

1
Episode 257: What Does Goal-Based Enrichment Look Like For People? 28:32

25d ago28:32

28:32

Chris once again ambushes Ari with a surprise topic for discussion, thanks to a great email we received: now that the definition of "enrichment for animals" has evolved, what might "modern, goal-based enrichment" look like for the humans we work alongside in the professional animal care field? We chat about the staff-driven professional development…

1
#800: Ev Williams — The Art of Pivoting (e.g., Odeo to Twitter), Strategic Quitting, The Dangers of Premature Scaling, Must-Read Books, and More 1:03:37

26d ago1:03:37

1:03:37

Ev Williams is the co-founder of Mozi, a new social network that helps you connect in person with the people you care about. Over the past 25 years, Ev has co-founded several companies that have helped shape the modern internet—including Blogger, Medium, and Twitter. This episode was recorded live at Diggnation, where digg.com was relaunched. Go to…

1
Ep. 526: The Rule of More, a Fun Way to Clear Family Clutter & More Secrets of Adulthood 31:03

27d ago31:03

31:03

We explore the powerful “Rule of More” that we can make our lives happier—or less happy. We share an easy yet highly effective hack for prompting the entire family to help clear clutter. Plus we share listeners’ excellent Secrets of Adulthood. Resources & Links Related to this episode: Pre-order your copy of Secrets of Adulthood Join me on book tou…

1
65 | It’s Not You! 6 Surprising Reasons Hormone Balancing Programs Fail in Perimenopause & Menopause 32:04

27d ago32:04

32:04

What’s Going On With Your Hormones? Take My FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment and Find Out!: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz Master Your Midlife Hormones In 90 Days. Apply To Work With Me: bit.ly/fixmyhormonesnow Does it ever feel like you’re the only one still struggling to figure out your hormones? Trust me—you’re not alone. Up to 85% of w…

1
Little Happier: The Villagers and the Crocodile: When We Assume That We’re Not Next 6:44

29d ago6:44

6:44

In my version of a traditional teaching story, a village is terrorized by a crocodile. This story explores the dangers of dismissing threats to others while hoping that we’ll be spared. Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, …

1
More Happier: We Talk Money: Finances, Love, Conflict, Debt, and Self-Knowledge 36:07

1M ago36:07

36:07

In a conversation with the brilliant and hilarious Ramit Sethi, we talk about “money for couples.” We discuss issues such as the four money types, how to handle conflict within a relationship, when to start talking about money when dating, red flags, and more. Resources & Links Related to this episode: Become a Super-Fan! Money for Couples by Ramit…

1
Houdini: A Message from the Spirits (Part 1) 43:00

1M ago43:00

43:00

Harry Houdini is remembered today for his legendary escapes and illusions, but he also had a lifelong obsession with the paranormal. After dabbling in fake seances himself, Houdini made it his mission to uncover frauds and expose mediums. This would put him on a collision course with his spiritualist friend, Arthur Conan Doyle, and leave him fearin…

1
Episode 256: What Do Great Trainers Actually DO? (with Steve Martin, Natural Encounters, Inc.) 34:28

1M ago34:28

34:28

Ari and Chris steal a bit of time out of a busy day to chat with NEI's Steve Martin to follow up on last week's episode and talk about the practical, observable, and trainable behaviors that we see great trainers do. Focusing both on skills people can build in themselves and help build in others, the trio talks about meeting people where they're at…

1
#799: Richard Taylor and Greg Broadmore, Wētā Workshop — Untapping Creativity, Stories from The Lord of the Rings, The Magic of New Zealand, Four Tenets to Live By, and The Only Sentence of Self-Help You ... 2:23:16

1M ago2:23:16

2:23:16

Richard Taylor is the co-founder and creative lead at Wētā Workshop, which he runs with his wife and co-founder Tania Rodger. Wētā Workshop is a concept design studio and manufacturing facility that services the world’s creative and entertainment industries. Their practical and special effects have helped define the visual identities of some of the…

1
Ep. 525: Should I Get a Dog? Plus Using Podcasts to Get Tasks Done & Listener Insights 31:05

1M ago31:05

31:05

We explore the big question of whether to get a dog, sharing results from our listener poll, research on how pets boost happiness, and hilarious "worst-case scenarios.” We share a hack for getting tasks done more quickly and pleasantly. Plus we feature a rich collection of listener insights on restaurant plate-rotating secrets, balance-building whi…

1
64 | No Energy to Change? Why Fixing Your Hormones Is the Key to Motivation in Perimenopause & Menopause 22:33

1M ago22:33

22:33

Do You Have A Hormonal Imbalance? Take My FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment and Find Out!: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz Balance Your Hormones Naturally In Less Than 90 Days. Apply To Work With Me: bit.ly/fixmyhormonesnowbit.ly/fixmyhormonesnow Hey friend, Are you waking up exhausted, no matter how much sleep you get? Are you drooling on y…

1
Little Happier: A Truth About Human Nature, Illustrated by a Change in Basketball Rules 2:46

1M ago2:46

2:46

Through my "Operation Knicks Knowledge" experiment, I've discovered that basketball rules evolve constantly—and one particular change reveals a profound truth about human nature. We manage what we monitor, and we encourage what we reward. Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling bo…

1
More Happier: Revisiting Everyone’s Favorite Moment: The Gift of the Ped Egg 36:40

1M ago36:40

36:40

In honor of our tenth anniversary, we revisit a fan-favorite episode: The one where Elizabeth talks about giving a Ped Egg to her mother-in-law. Many listeners cited this segment as one of the all-time funniest discussions on the show. We also discuss Gretchen’s travel hack, the “Bowl of Requirement,” and our favorite wedding readings. Resources & …

1
Would You Trust a Gangster Nanny? - Cautionary Questions with Rachel Botsman 41:04

1M ago41:04

41:04

Do we trust our fitness trackers too much? How do fraudsters gain our faith? Why do people trust podcasters? And would you trust a drug dealing nanny with a tambourine? Tim Harford is joined by trust expert Rachel Botsman to answer your questions. Rachel lectures in trust at Oxford University and her new audiobook How To Trust and Be Trusted is ava…

1
Episode 255: Grab Your Trowel, We're Cultivating Trainers! 49:12

1M ago49:12

49:12

With Chris busy being immersed in our Immersion Workshop, Ari is joined once more by Adam Geltz (Senior Trainer, Natural Encounters, Inc.) to discuss a listener email asking us to share some thoughts about cultivating great animal trainers. They start by talking about setting up strong antecedents to foster a safe environment for learning, move on …

1
#798: Terry Real — Breaking the Rules of Traditional Couples Therapy for Superior Results, A Few Frameworks That Work 40:59

1M ago40:59

40:59

For this episode, I’m doing something a bit different. I’m featuring five chapters from the audiobook Fierce Intimacy by Terry Real. What you will hear in this episode will help you identify both your and your partner’s losing strategies in relationships, and help you move from disharmony to repair. Terry is the creator of Relational Life Therapy, …

1
Ep. 524 Use a Messy Closet, a 3-Hour Rule for Difficult People & Renowned Judy Blume on Reading 31:12

1M ago31:12

31:12

We explore a helpful approach for handling important tasks that can’t be dealt with at present, by stashing them in the metaphorical "messy closet" without guilt. Our happiness hack offers expert advice for managing social situations with difficult people. We also feature a special interview with legendary author Judy Blume about fostering a love o…

1
63 | 👉 THIS! My Exact 3-Step System for Balancing Your Hormones Naturally in Perimenopause & Menopause 31:19

1M ago31:19

31:19

Do You Have A Hormonal Imbalance? Take My FREE Hormone Symptom Profile Assessment and Find Out!: https://bit.ly/takemyhormonequiz Stop The Guesswork, Balance Your Hormones, And Feel Like “You” Again! Apply for My Program, “Master Your Midlife Hormones”: bit.ly/fixmyhormonesnow Hey friend, 😵‍💫 Are you waking up exhausted, no matter how much you slee…

1
Little Happier: A Military Pamphlet from WWII Reflects My Dream for the United States 5:06

1M ago5:06

5:06

During my family’s trip to Normandy, reading the D-Day guide for soldiers gave me the “America feeling.” Its plain words, aimed at soldiers headed to France, captured my dream for America. Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collectio…

1
Managing Intra Op Hypotension with Amanda Shelby 36:53

1M ago36:53

36:53

We are all taught in school that if a patient become hypotensive, they should receive a fluid bolus. But, does that make sense for all patients? When do you reach for an anticholinergic? When do you start that dopamine or norepi? Amanda Shelby RVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) is here to explain it all to us. Resources mentioned in this episode:1. …

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Human Guinea Pig Podcasts

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