The Power of the Placebo Effect: How to Use It Like Magic

A brain dressed as a magician holding a wand

How does the placebo effect work? Are placebos limited to pharmaceuticals? How susceptible are you to them? The placebo effect is a common phenomenon in which the mind and body behave counter to reason. Rory Sutherland says you can use it in life and work. He looks at how the placebo effect works, the characteristics of effective placebos, and how the effect manifests in areas of life beyond medicine. Read more to learn about the power of the placebo effect and how to use it to an advantage.

Christianity in the 21st Century: A Gender-Based Critique

A congregation in a Christian church building.

What impact did the 9/11 attacks have on Christianity in America? Why did many Christians support the election of Donald Trump? In the 1990s, American evangelical Christianity shifted toward a less militant concept of masculinity. But, this was short-lived. Kristin Du Mez claims that 9/11 caused an immediate return to the militaristic masculinity of decades past, ultimately culminating in the 2016 election of Donald Trump. Read more for Du Mez’s perspective of American evangelical Christianity in the 21st century.

Sonja Lyubomirsky Quotes With Context (The How of Happiness)

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How much do our circumstances influence our happiness? How is happiness like a muscle? How important are gratitude and forgiveness? Psychology professor Sonja Lyubomirsky says that happiness is more than just a positive state of mind. It’s a state of being that enhances your health, strengthens your relationships, and fuels both your creativity and productivity. Keep reading for several Sonja Lyubomirsky quotes from The How of Happiness.

Dr. Amen: Anxiety Remedies That Can Heal Your Brain

An anxious man thinking about cars, babies, and work.

Are you anxious when the situation doesn’t call for it? Do you always expect the worst to happen? Is your stress level high? According to Dr. Amen, anxiety doesn’t have to be part of your life. In his book Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, he shares several recommendations. Some of these require professional intervention, but you can do a few on your own. Read more to learn how to heal the parts of your brain that generate anxiety.

The Importance of Social Connections: 3 Ways They Bring You Joy

Three friends smiling in a selfie.

How do social connections contribute to your happiness in both good times and bad? How can you strengthen the link between relationships and joy? In The How of Happiness, psychology professor Sonja Lyubomirsky says that social connections play an important role in your happiness. Strong relationships provide you with happy moments to share and a support system for when things get tough. Read more to understand the importance of social connections when it comes to lasting happiness in life.

Whatever Works: The Satisficing Model of Decision-Making

A man trying to make a decision

How does perfectionism go against our unconscious mind? How do we innately seek safety and minimize failure? In Alchemy, Rory Sutherland suggests that to solve economic and political problems, we should leverage people’s illogical—and even magical—ways of thinking. One of these is our unconscious desire to go with whatever works rather than the best possible solution. Keep reading to learn about the satisficing model of decision-making and how to make it work for you.

Jesus and John Wayne: Book Overview & Key Takeaways

A young man reading a book in a wheat field

Why was Donald Trump voted into the presidency? Does it have anything to do with a historical shift in Christianity? Following the 2016 US presidential election, pundits argued that the 81% of evangelical Christians who voted for Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton viewed him as the lesser of two evils. But, according to historian Kristin Du Mez, this explanation is misguided. Continue reading for our Jesus and John Wayne book overview.

John Maxwell’s 5 Leadership Principles for Today’s World

A leader standing confidently with his employees in the background of a city.

Do you make a deliberate effort to improve as a leader, or do you just expect it to happen over time? Do you have moral authority in the eyes of your team? John Maxwell’s leadership principles have inspired and equipped thousands of leaders over the years. In his book Leadershift, he shares wisdom designed to help leaders break free from outdated notions and methods of leadership and thrive in today’s world. Read more to learn five principles that John Maxwell lays out in Leadershift.

What Do the Basal Ganglia Do? Dr. Amen Explains Their Roles

A blue glowing brain

What do the basal ganglia do? What roles do they play when it comes to your emotions, decisions, and learning? Whether you’ve ever heard of them or not, your basal ganglia make a big difference in your life. In his book Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, psychiatrist and brain health expert Daniel G. Amen explains how important this system in your brain is. Read more to learn what the basal ganglia do.

How Assumptions in Economics and Business Miss the Mark

An arrow missing a giant target bullseye

What’s wrong with the math and statistics that go into economic and business models? How effective are market questionnaires? Rory Sutherland insists that, for the most part, the study of economics is completely detached from the realities of human behavior. In his book Alchemy, he provides advice on how economists and business leaders should go about truly understanding what drives consumer choices. Continue reading to learn why Sutherland believes that significant assumptions in economics and business are faulty.