Have you ever been conned?

Or maybe you know someone who's fallen for a scam?

Do you wonder why intelligent people join cults or give money to psychics or get sucked into Ponzi schemes?

Have you ever gone to Las Vegas or Atlantic City and wondered what it might feel like to play poker for high stakes?

Are the big winners lucky, skillful, or both?

Do you feel like your brain is too cluttered with unnecessary facts?

Would you like to know how to better organize your mind?

Are you wondering what on earth these questions have to do with each other?

Welcome to Speaking of Psychology,

the flagship podcast of the American

Psychological Association that explores the links between psychological science and everyday life.

I'm Kim Mills. At APA, we often say that psychology is relevant to every aspect of life, and

that studying psychology can better equip you

whatever path you choose.

Our guest today is a living, walking, and writing

example of that.

Maria Konnikova has a PhD in psychology

from Columbia University, but she works primarily

as a journalist, except for the many months

she spent studying and playing

Texas Haldem, eventually becoming an international poker champion and winning over $300,000

in tournament earnings.

...