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Something You Should Know

Are Your Genes Secretly Controlling Your Behavior? & How to Truly Flourish

Something You Should Know

Mike Carruthers | OmniCastMedia

Education, Self-improvement, Health & Fitness, Social Sciences, Science

4.54.3K Ratings

🗓️ 23 March 2026

⏱️ 52 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

When you meet someone for the first time, you form an opinion about them almost instantly. Before they’ve said more than a few words, you may already feel they are trustworthy—or not. How do we make those snap judgments so quickly, and what exactly are we picking up on? https://www.princeton.edu/news/2006/08/22/snap-judgments-decide-faces-character-psychologist-finds Are we really in control of our behavior, or do our genes quietly influence the choices we make? Scientists are discovering that genetics can shape traits such as impulsivity, aggression, and self-control—traits that can affect everything from everyday decisions to criminal behavior. That raises some profound questions: if biology predisposes someone toward certain actions, how should society think about responsibility and punishment? Psychologist Kathryn Paige Harden, professor at the University of Texas at Austin and author of Original Sin: On the Genetics of Vice, the Problem of Blame, and the Future of Forgiveness (https://amzn.to/3NlisF6), explores what modern genetics reveals about human behavior and what it could mean for the way we understand blame, morality, and forgiveness. Most people would love to live a life that could truly be described as flourishing—one filled with meaning, joy, purpose, and growth. But is that kind of life reserved for a fortunate few, or can anyone learn to build it? Daniel Coyle, bestselling author and advisor to high-performing organizations including the Navy SEALs, Microsoft, and Google, believes flourishing is something that can be intentionally developed. Daniel is author of the book Flourish: The Art of Building Meaning, Joy, and Fulfillment (https://amzn.to/3Nnk0hH), and he joins me to explain the habits, mindsets, and environments that help people move beyond simply getting by to actually – flourish! If you own a pair of Levi’s jeans, you’ve probably noticed the tiny pocket tucked inside the front pocket. Many people assume it’s meant for coins—but that wasn’t its original purpose at all. In fact, the reason it was created has largely disappeared from everyday life, yet the pocket remains a small reminder of an earlier era. https://www.britannica.com/story/why-do-jeans-have-that-tiny-pocket PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS POCKET HOSE: Text SYSK to 64000 for your two free gifts with the purchase of any Pocket Hose Ballistic hose! DUTCH: If your pet is still scratching and you’ve tried everything at the pet store –it’s time to stop guessing and go prescription.Support us and use code SYSK for $40 off your membership at ⁠https://Dutch.com⁠ RULA: Thousands of people are already using Rula to get affordable, high-quality therapy that’s actually covered by insurance. Visit ⁠https://Rula.com/sysk⁠ to get started. QUINCE: Don't keep settling for clothes that don't last! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Quince.dom/sysk ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: See less carts go abandoned with Shopify and their Shop Pay button! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EXPEDITION UNKOWN: We love the Expedition Unknown podcast from Discovery! Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

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0:27.7

slash setup today on something you should know the fascinating and somewhat

0:37.1

unreliable way we decide who is and

0:40.0

isn't trustworthy.

0:42.2

Then what causes good people to do bad things?

0:46.6

I think we've all had a situation where we've done something and then later we're like,

0:52.0

what was I thinking there? Why did I do that? How could I have done this

0:56.0

thing that I've come to regret? Also, what's the purpose of that little tiny pocket inside

1:02.5

the front pocket of your blue jeans? And how to build meaning, joy, and fulfillment into your

1:08.6

life. It's not about intensity of experience, it's about the frequency of them.

1:13.9

So those little interactions when you're given the thumbs up to the fire engine going by end

1:17.9

up being way more impactful on the quality of your life and your well-being than seeking

1:23.1

out some really intense mountain top experience.

1:27.1

All this today on Something You Should Know.

1:30.7

You know, I'm a sucker for a good mystery.

1:33.3

Like, in the 1950s, a flight from New York to Minneapolis just disappeared over Lake Michigan.

1:40.2

No wreckage, no answers.

1:42.7

Or the Diet Love Pass incident, a group of experienced hikers found dead under circumstances so strange, people still debate what really happened.

...

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