Our Human Nature

War and Women's Security

Women and children suffer the most during war. As we close out International Women's Month, it is appropriate to reflect on the rising cost of war on civilian populations, and particularly women. The United Nations has noted that war-related Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) has nearly doubled in recent years, as record numbers of women live within 50km of active conflicts. This episode discusses the trend of increasing war-related sexual violence, and various historical, psychological, and evolutionary perspectives. A caution: this episode discusses academic research on sexual violence in war, and some listeners may find the studies and the cases disturbing.

Declining Birth Rates and International War

In this episode of Our Human Nature, I discuss our plummeting global fertility rates, the incredible challenge this poses to nations, and the surprising connection between low birth rates and war. Around the globe, birth rates are falling below replacement rate. Our overall fertility rate has dropped in half since the 1960s. By the end of this century, only 6 nations are forecast to have enough births to sustain their economies. Apart from the incredible challenge this poses to nations, there is substantial evidence that depopulation prompts nations to become more territorially aggressive, accept higher risks, and seek expansionist policies, especially along shared international borders.

Built to Last: Why Corporate Culture is King

The most successful corporations in the world prioritize culture. While most companies advertise culture as a core pillar, many fail to fully operationalize it. This episode discusses the role of culture in several different domains, from medicine and patient safety to negotiation training, and from failed mergers to war. What are the lessons we can learn from these seemingly disparate arenas? What are the common themes? And how does our understanding of our human nature help us build great cultures that inspire lasting commitment and performance?

The Science of Friendship

We are in the midst of a global friendship recession. And despite the strong social and evolutionary role friendship has played in our long human story, we have seen, in just one generation, a rapid decline in both the quantity and quality of friendships. This podcast digs deep into the science of friendship, from the changing nature of cooperation and competition, to why uncertainty in our world is altering the way we communicate, while activating our deepest and darkest competitive instincts. We discuss the effects of loneliness and its odd relationship with cortisol, as well as how loneliness can even alter our genetic expression. We look at why young men lead in friendlessness, and the burden this places on women. Finally, we look at the relationship between loneliness and purpose and what we can learn from U.S. Navy SEAL training's Hell Week.

Is Monogamy Natural?

Like all creatures, one of our core biological imperatives is the need to reproduce. Yet, amidst rapid social change, we are seeing lower rates of marriage and fewer children. Traditional life scripts around marriage, monogamy, and family, are being challenged. But is this a temporary trend, or is it a more honest understanding of our human nature? To what extent are norms, ethics, and institutions important? Can we biohack our own love lives, and reconcile the tug-of-war between biology and culture in order to build stronger, happier, and more passionate long-term relationships?