Psychology Life Lessons

Episode 30: What Matters Most in Teaching Psychology?

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, the role of improv in the classroom, and what Eric has learned about balancing professional ambition with personal well-being.

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

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.

Episode 28: How to Fall in Love with Questions

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, Weingarten 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.

Episode 27: Start Making Sense

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.

Episode 26: The Art and Science of Helping

In this episode of "Psychology Life Lessons," Dr. Yi Du takes over hosting duties to interview Dr. Dan Lannin about their co-authored book, "The Art and Science of Helping." After introducing Dr. Lannin's background in psychology, research, and helping behavior, they discuss how effective helping requires both artistic creativity and scientific evidence. Dr. Lannin 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 assistance is often the crucial first step toward healing. They explore how self-stigma creates additional suffering and prevents help-seeking, while 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.