Episode 29: Existential Therapy: The Paradoxes and Passions of Living

Episode 30: What Matters Most in Teaching Psychology?

Psychology Life Lessons is a podcast where we listen in on conversations with experts and try to extract life lessons, and maybe a little wisdom. In this episode of Psychology Life Lessons, Dan talks with distinguished professor and Brewer Award winner Eric Landrum about teaching, career development, and what sustains a life in academia. Eric shares how his approach to teaching evolved over more than 3 decades—including why he stopped giving tests—and reflects on the challenges psychology majors face when planning for life after graduation. They also discuss his podcast Psych Sessions [https://psychsessions.org/], the role of improv in the classroom, and what Eric has learned about balancing professional ambition with personal well-being. Podcast available on: * Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/psychology-life-lessons/id1640807195] * Google [https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9wc3ljaG9sb2d5bGlmZWxlc3NvbnMuY29tL2NhdGVnb3J5L3BvZGNhc3QvZmVlZC8?sa=X&ved=0CAMQ4aUDahcKEwigg_PS-tr5AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQEQ] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3oUC1nhATupoDwWb8acjQG] [https://psychologylifelessons.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/new_landrum_eric-1.jpg?w=394] R. Eric Landrum is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Psychological Science at Boise State University, receiving his PhD in cognitive psychology from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. He is a research generalist, broadly addressing improving teaching and learning, including skills assessment, advising innovations, working to understand postbaccalaureate student success such as entering the psychology workforce, effective graduate school applications, and more. Eric has 450+ presentations, more than 25 books/textbooks, and has published 95 peer-reviewed journal articles in his career. He has collaborated with 325+ research assistants and taught 16,000+ students over 30 years at Boise State. At the 2014 APA Educational Leadership Conference, Eric was presented with an APA Presidential Citation for outstanding contributions to the teaching of psychology. With the 2015 launch of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Psychology journal, he served as inaugural co-editor until 2020. He is a member of APA, a fellow of Division One (General Psychology) and Division Two (Society for the Teaching of Psychology/STP), and served as STP Secretary (2009-2011) and STP President (2014). He is a charter member of the Association for Psychological Science (named fellow in 2018) and a fellow of the Midwestern Psychological Association. During 2016-2017, Eric was President of the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association, and from 2017-2018, he served as President of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. In August 2019, he received the American Psychological Foundation’s Charles L. Brewer Distinguished Teaching of Psychology Award, arguably the highest award for psychology teachers in America. In April 2024, Eric was named a Distinguished Professor at Boise State, the highest award for tenured faculty at the university. In 2025, Eric became a distinguished member of Psi Chi, the highest honor that this international honor society in psychology awards. As for teaching, he frequently teaches Introduction to Psychology, Research Methods, Psychological Measurement, and Capstone Perspectives: History & Systems courses, but has also taught Introduction to the Psychology Major and Statistical Methods (frequently), and both Learning and Cognitive Psychology (less frequently). Also, be sure to check out his podcast: Psych Sessions [https://psychsessions.org/]! Disclaimer: The content on this site is for informational or educational purposes only, and does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals. Additionally, the opinions and viewpoints expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the entities that employ the host or guests.

Episode 29: Existential Therapy: The Paradoxes and Passions of Living

Psychology Life Lessons is a podcast where we listen in on conversations with experts and try to extract life lessons, and maybe a little wisdom. In this episode of Psychology Life Lessons, Dan talks with existential therapist and author Emmy van Deurzen about what it means to live authentically in the face of life’s challenges. Emmy reflects on her journey from the Netherlands to France and eventually the UK, where she became a leading voice in existential therapy and education. She shares how philosophy and psychology can work together to help us navigate freedom, responsibility, and the anxieties that come with uncertainty. Together, they explore why anxiety can be seen as a sign of possibility and what it takes to embrace life’s paradoxes with passion. Emmy’s insights blend decades of clinical work, philosophical reflection, and cultural critique, offering a fresh perspective on human resilience and authenticity. It’s a conversation that reminds us that life’s challenges and mysteries can also be invitations to maturity and vitality. Podcast available on: * Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/psychology-life-lessons/id1640807195] * Google [https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9wc3ljaG9sb2d5bGlmZWxlc3NvbnMuY29tL2NhdGVnb3J5L3BvZGNhc3QvZmVlZC8?sa=X&ved=0CAMQ4aUDahcKEwigg_PS-tr5AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQEQ] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3oUC1nhATupoDwWb8acjQG] [https://psychologylifelessons.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/image.png?w=1024] Emmy van Deurzen is an existential therapist, counselling psychologist, and philosopher, who has worked in the field since 1973 and who has written numerous books on existential psychology and psychotherapy. Her work has been translated into over 30 languages. She founded the Society for Existential Analysis and its journal in 1988, the Regent’s School of Psychotherapy in 1990, and the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling (NSPC) in 1996.  She was the driving force behind the First World Congress for Existential Therapy, which was held in London in 2015. This also led to the founding of the Federation for Existential Therapists in Europe (FETE).  Emmy continues to co-direct NSPC, the Existential Academy (EA) and Dilemma Consultancy, with Digby Tantam.  She is a visiting professor with Middlesex University and current President of the worldwide Existential Movement.  Emmy is an international speaker who has given presentations and workshops on five continents.  Amongst her books are the bestseller Existential Psychotherapy and Counselling in Practice (Sage, 3d edition 2012), Psychotherapy and the Quest for Happiness (Sage, 2009), Everyday Mysteries (Routledge, 2nd ed, 2010), Paradox and Passion (Wiley, 2nd ed 2015) and Rising from Existential Crisis (PCCS books, 2021). Disclaimer: The content on this site is for informational or educational purposes only, and does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals. Additionally, the opinions and viewpoints expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the entities that employ the host or guests.

Episode 28: How to Fall in Love with Questions

Psychology Life Lessons is a podcast where we listen in on conversations with experts and try to extract life lessons, and maybe a little wisdom. In this episode of Psychology Life Lessons, Dr. Dan Lannin talks with author Elizabeth Weingarten about how to navigate life’s most uncertain moments. Drawing from her new book How to Fall in Love with Questions, Elizabeth explores how big, unanswerable questions about purpose, relationships, and identity can be sources of growth rather than anxiety. She discusses how binary questions and societal “charlatans of certainty” can trap us into seeking fast answers instead of meaningful clarity. Through science, storytelling, and personal reflection, she shares tools for developing a “questions practice” to live more intentionally and patiently. Together, they unpack the cultural roots of impatience, the influence of identity and power on question-asking, and how cultivating courage can help us thrive in the unknown. It’s a powerful reminder that the right questions—not quick answers—can often be a the liberating force we need. Podcast available on: * Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/psychology-life-lessons/id1640807195] * Google [https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9wc3ljaG9sb2d5bGlmZWxlc3NvbnMuY29tL2NhdGVnb3J5L3BvZGNhc3QvZmVlZC8?sa=X&ved=0CAMQ4aUDahcKEwigg_PS-tr5AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQEQ] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3oUC1nhATupoDwWb8acjQG] [https://psychologylifelessons.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/elizabeth-weingarten-headshot.jpg?w=1024] Elizabeth Weingarten is a journalist and applied behavioral scientist who works at the intersection of science and storytelling. A graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, she has worked on the editorial staffs of The Atlantic, Slate, and Qatar Today, and was Managing Editor of Behavioral Scientist. Her writing has appeared in publications including The Atlantic, Slate, CNN, The Financial Times, Quartz, Harvard Business Review, and Time. She has led research programs at the think tank New America, the consultancy ideas42, and at tech companies Torch and Udemy. An in-demand speaker, she has shared her work and conducted workshops at venues including SXSW, the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and University of Virginia. She lives in Northern California with her husband and son. Check out her book [https://www.amazon.com/How-Fall-Love-Questions-Uncertainty/dp/0063335131/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0],  website [https://www.elizabethweingarten.com/], and Substack [https://timetravelforbeginners.substack.com/] for more of her work! Disclaimer: The content on this site is for informational or educational purposes only, and does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals. Additionally, the opinions and viewpoints expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the entities that employ the host or guests. 🙂 [https://s0.wp.com/wp-content/mu-plugins/wpcom-smileys/twemoji/2/72x72/1f642.png]

Episode 27: Start Making Sense

Psychology Life Lessons is a podcast where we listen in on conversations with experts and try to extract life lessons, and maybe a little wisdom. In this episode of Psychology Life Lessons, Dr. Steven Heine joins Dr. Dan Lannin to explore the psychology of meaning in an increasingly fragmented world. Drawing on decades of work in cultural and existential psychology, Dr. Heine explains how cultural contexts shape the way people see themselves, what it means to live a “good” life, and how psychological universals are often misunderstood. They unpack his research on WEIRD societies, the Meaning Maintenance Model, and how humans respond to disruptions in meaning—sometimes by doubling down on existing beliefs. Heine also shares insights from his latest book Start Making Sense, offering practical wisdom for restoring purpose in an age of disconnection. From the loss of community to the numbing effects of social media, the conversation highlights how identity, connection, and culture intertwine in the search for meaning. Podcast available on: * Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/psychology-life-lessons/id1640807195] * Google [https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9wc3ljaG9sb2d5bGlmZWxlc3NvbnMuY29tL2NhdGVnb3J5L3BvZGNhc3QvZmVlZC8?sa=X&ved=0CAMQ4aUDahcKEwigg_PS-tr5AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQEQ] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3oUC1nhATupoDwWb8acjQG] [https://psychologylifelessons.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/unknown.jpeg?w=858] Steven J. Heine is Professor of Social and Cultural Psychology and Distinguished University Scholar at the University of British Columbia. After receiving his PhD from the University of British Columbia in 1996, he had visiting positions at Kyoto University and Tokyo University, and was on the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania before returning to British Columbia. He has authored the best-selling textbook in its field, entitled “Cultural Psychology,” and has written two trade book called “Start Making Sense” (2025) and “DNA is not Destiny”(2017). Heine has received numerous international awards and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.  Heine’s research focuses on a few topics that converge on how people come to understand themselves and their worlds. His research in cultural psychology has explored the key role that culture plays in shaping people’s psychological worlds. He has also conducted much research exploring how people’s essentialist biases make them prone to misunderstand and fear genetic concepts. His most recent work has investigated how people make meaning in the face of meaninglessness, and how they can lead more meaningful lives. Make sure to check out his new book: Start Making Sense [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FStart-Making-Sense-Existential-Psychology-ebook%2Fdp%2FB0D3DVZDKN%2Fref%3Dsr_1_13%3Fcrid%3D1MNITTA9FUC9Y%26dib%3DeyJ2IjoiMSJ9.gPzAxyJz1jKkSk1_bKTScOoB1icUZ8ELskAYXSTfIpJpvmPcmH_FVKCYQsqEMYnO-wglzJuQjHEJksuFTd9RRhrvGhpHjlHM8G7Wt06c1Vre2SbZDYfdOEOw5zWJgw8jWakIH8b8v-ZGLuDbxx3j63pd_gMPA3MtQwm-RAfqLfKNTJG-2XQZRogI1gpgkDJF-mmeziu66qI9hCDHAszEMxbevqUEYNQzVqIDbf1-huY.0Ect9z69GNstXeJa5WnBUmBwY9MmV1zQ1-0HEKszRxE%26dib_tag%3Dse%26keywords%3Dsteven%2Bheine%26qid%3D1724690544%26s%3Dbooks%26sprefix%3Dsteven%2Bheine%2Cstripbooks-intl-ship%2C167%26sr%3D1-13&data=05%7C02%7Cdglann1%40ilstu.edu%7C1666c6083add4ee0805c08ddbf30959a%7C085f983a0b694270b71d10695076bafe%7C0%7C0%7C638876937602194432%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=EqbKcsYxRjeYFOVg9xSyyv1BrwnTKIFymy1pCYDIr6w%3D&reserved=0] Disclaimer: The content on this site is for informational or educational purposes only, and does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals. Additionally, the opinions and viewpoints expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the entities that employ the host or guests. 🙂 [https://s0.wp.com/wp-content/mu-plugins/wpcom-smileys/twemoji/2/72x72/1f642.png]

Episode 26: The Art and Science of Helping

Psychology Life Lessons is a podcast where we listen in on conversations with experts and try to extract life lessons, and maybe a little wisdom. In this episode of “Psychology Life Lessons,” Dr. Yi Du [https://www.yiduphd.com/] takes over hosting duties to interview Dr. Dan Lannin [http://danlannin.com] about their co-authored book, “The Art and Science of Helping [https://www.routledge.com/The-Art-and-Science-of-Helping-Developing-Fundamental-Skills-in-a-Multicultural-Age/Lannin-Du/p/book/9781032511184?srsltid=AfmBOopo_n1gi5poz6kPkMwUSplkCLObb2p7Qiap_kijqe3juC0RqAxl].” After introducing Dan’s background, they discuss how effective helping requires both artistic creativity and scientific evidence. Dan shares the powerful “help maze” metaphor from his camp counselor days, where blindfolded children walking in circles could only exit by raising their hand for help—illustrating how seeking help is often the most important first step toward healing. They explore how self-stigma creates additional suffering and prevents help-seeking, and previous negative experiences with vulnerability can further discourage people from reaching out. Both psychologists note a societal “empathy shortage,” attributing it partly to our culture of convenience and immediate gratification. Throughout their conversation, they emphasize that becoming an effective helper requires self-knowledge and intentional practice, while highlighting human resilience symbolized by their book’s cover image of a flower growing through concrete. Podcast available on: * Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/psychology-life-lessons/id1640807195] * Google [https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9wc3ljaG9sb2d5bGlmZWxlc3NvbnMuY29tL2NhdGVnb3J5L3BvZGNhc3QvZmVlZC8?sa=X&ved=0CAMQ4aUDahcKEwigg_PS-tr5AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQEQ] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3oUC1nhATupoDwWb8acjQG] [https://psychologylifelessons.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_5383.jpg?w=764] Dr. Yi Du is a licensed psychologist in California with a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Iowa State University and postdoctoral training at UC Berkeley. She has been training and supervising future mental health professionals since 2012, helping them develop their skills in therapy, multicultural awareness, and professional growth. Yi’s approach to therapy is deeply rooted in human connection, blending emotion-focused and humanistic principles with self-compassion and mind-body awareness. She integrates Western psychological research with Eastern philosophical traditions, striving to create a balanced approach to mental health. As a researcher, she explores topics like mental health interventions, cultural adaptation, and the experiences of international students. She has also taught undergraduate and graduate courses on personal growth, career development, and research methods, earning recognition for her teaching and mentorship. Above all, Yi is passionate about helping future helpers grow, making psychological insights practical, relatable, and meaningful in real-world settings. Learn more about Dr. Yi Du here. [https://www.yiduphd.com] Here is some more information about The Art and Science of Helping: Developing Fundamental Skills in a Multicultural Age: [https://psychologylifelessons.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/screenshot-2025-03-16-212917.png?w=725]https://www.routledge.com/The-Art-and-Science-of-Helping-Developing-Fundamental-Skills-in-a-Multicultural-Age/Lannin-Du/p/book/9781032511184?srsltid=AfmBOopo_n1gi5poz6kPkMwUSplkCLObb2p7Qiap_kijqe3juC0RqAxl Disclaimer: The content on this site is for informational or educational purposes only, and does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals. Additionally, the opinions and viewpoints expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the entities that employ the host or guests. 🙂 [https://s0.wp.com/wp-content/mu-plugins/wpcom-smileys/twemoji/2/72x72/1f642.png]