What Causes Depression in the Brain? Catching the 4 Errors

A neon sign reading "DEPRESSION" in a dark room that represents what causes depression in the brain.

What causes depression in the brain? How does inaccurate information influence your emotional state? Mo Gawdat identifies four processing errors that cause our brains to produce unhappiness. In That Little Voice In Your Head, he discusses each error and explains why it causes you to feel down in the dumps. Discover more about the four brain errors that prevent you from experiencing happiness.

Feeling Stuck in Your Life and Career? Here’s What’s Causing It

A frowning woman with a wrinkled brow is feeling stuck in her life and career

Are you feeling stuck in your life and career? What are the mental barriers you must overcome to reach success? A problem you’ll probably face in life is hitting a wall, whether it’s in your career, an important relationship, or a creative endeavor. Adam Alter breaks down some common characteristics of this experience, from the inevitable slowdowns in the middle of long-term projects to the traps that can sabotage progress. Let’s look at the factors that are keeping you stuck in a mental hole.

How to Manipulate the Other Party’s Emotions in Negotiations

A man cupping his ear and listening to people while maintaining emotions in negotiations.

What role do emotions play in negotiations? What forms of emotional manipulation can you use while negotiating? Herb Cohen notes that negotiators in the win-lose mindset can profit from emotional manipulation. That is, you do anything you can to evoke a specific emotional reaction from the other party that will help you get your way. Here’s how to handle the other party’s emotions in negotiations so you can win.

How to Feel Positive Emotions: 3 Sources of Energy

A woman who knows how to feel positive emotions, smiling and holding balloons

Do you know how to feel positive emotions? How does connecting with other people make you feel good? Ali Abdaal says there are three sources of positive emotions that he calls energizers. While there are any number of things that can help you feel good—and therefore make you more productive—they all tie back to one or more of these fundamental sources.  Let’s discuss each of Abdaal’s three sources of well-being: having fun, empowering yourself, and connecting with other people.  

Anxiety and Procrastination: How to Break the Connection

A man struggling with anxiety and procrastination, thinking about babies, cars, and work

Do you experience both anxiety and procrastination? Did you know they might be closely related to each other? Ali Abdaal says that people tend to put off doing things—even things they want to do—when they’re worried about what the outcome might be. For example, people are often hesitant about starting a new hobby because they’re worried about looking foolish in front of more experienced hobbyists.  Check out how anxiety can turn into procrastination.

The Science of Productivity: Can You Trust Your Instincts?

Two people working on laptops against a giant clock illustrate the science of productivity

What’s the science of productivity? Why is Ali Abdaal’s feel-good productivity effective? When work feels good, it energizes you instead of draining you, meaning you can get a lot more done. Therefore, the best type of productivity not only boosts your emotional well-being, it also benefits the people who rely on you. Take a closer look at how productivity, particularly Abdaal’s model, keeps you energized throughout the day.

Ted Bundy’s Murders: The Psychology of His Signature M.O.

A split image of evidence, Ted Bundy's mugshot, and a handprint from Ted Bundy's murders.

What was Ted Bundy’s signature M.O.? What happened to Karen Sparks, one of Bundy’s victims? Narrating the start of Bundy’s descent into murder in 1974, the hosts of Morbid recount his early unverified crimes and his evolution into a meticulous killer. They speak of a suspicious case from his early years and the brutal assault on Karen Sparks. Discover more about Ted Bundy’s murders that went unnoticed for a long time.

What Causes Procrastination? 3 Reasons for Stalling

A lazy and bored woman lies on a couch, unaware of what causes procrastination in her life

What causes procrastination? Do you know how to deal with procrastination? Ali Abdaal says three things harm your emotional well-being and your productivity. You can stop procrastinating simply by figuring out which of the three is getting in your way and removing it. Discover more about Abdaal’s three causes of procrastination: confusion, habit, and anxiety.