POPULARITY
In this interview I chat with Dr. Jonathan Gottschall about his path from literature professor to cage-fighter. We also talk about the history of male violence in culture and throughout history, dueling and honor cultures, toxic masculinity, and what MMA says about present society and the human condition. Here is more info on Jonathan and his various works: https://www.jonathangottschall.com/Jonathan is a Distinguished Fellow in the English Department at Washington & Jefferson College. His writing at the intersection of science and art has been covered in-depth by The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, Scientific American, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Oprah Magazine, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Science, Nature, and on shows like Radiolab, Morning Edition, National Geographic's StarTalk with Neal de Grasse Tyson, and The Joe Rogan Experience. Jonathan is the author or editor of eight books, including The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human (Houghton 2012), The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch (Penguin 2015), and The Story Paradox: How Our Love of Storytelling Builds Societies and Tears them Down (Basic Books, November 2021), which is a about the dark side of humanity's storytelling instincts.
What is as ubiquitous as air, water, and earth, but possibly more potent than all three? It's a story. The human brain, while swept up in the forcefield of stories, is enthralled, molded and shaped by it, but is also readily deceived by the artful embellishments by powerful story-tellers, including an unreliable narrator within. Our daily consumption of narratives presented in the form of news clips, Tiktok clips, social media posts, novella, novels, plays, or films capture our imagination while shaping our beliefs, ideas, and even our ideology. While stories may feel like all they do is carve a path through the landscapes of make-believe, they are far more powerful and integral to our ability to navigate life's complex social-interpersonal conflicts and unimagined or unimaginable human experiences.On today's podcast, Distinguished Fellow in the English Department at Washington and Jefferson College and an author whose writing is at the intersection of science and art, and whose work has been covered in-depth by publications including Science, Nature, Scientific American, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and Oprah Magazine, Jonathan Gottschall, discusses how and why storytelling has evolved as a means to ensuring our survival. Since Executive Function skills allow us to manage our life, our goals, and our actions while tuning out unsavory emotions and amping-up motivation or grit, it might be good to think about the role stories play in tackling mental rigidity and emotional inflexibility that challenges and chaos invoke.About Jonathan GottschallPraised by Steven Pinker as “our deepest thinker about the powerful role of stories in our lives,” Jonathan Gottschall is a Distinguished Fellow in the English Department at Washington & Jefferson College. His writing at the intersection of science and art has been covered in-depth by The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, Scientific American, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Oprah Magazine, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Science, Nature, and on shows like Radiolab, Morning Edition, National Geographic's StarTalk with Neal de Grasse Tyson, and The Joe Rogan Experience. Jonathan is the author or editor of eight books, including The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch (Penguin 2015), The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human (Houghton 2012), and The Story Paradox: How Our Love of Storytelling Builds Societies and Tears them Down (Basic Books, November 2021), which is a about the dark side of humanity's storytelling instincts. Website: http://www.jonathangottschall.comBooks: The Story Paradox: How Our Love of Storytelling Builds Societies and Tears them DownThe Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us HumanThe Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to WatchAbout Host, Sucheta KamathSucheta Kamath, is an award-winning speech-language pathologist, a TEDx speaker, a celebrated community leader, and the founder and CEO of ExQ®. As an EdTech entrepreneur, Sucheta has designed ExQ's personalized digital learning curriculum/tool that empowers middle and high school students to develop self-awareness and strategic thinking skills through the mastery of Executive Function and social-emotional competence.Support the show (https://mailchi.mp/7c848462e96f/full-prefrontal-sign-up)
Welcome to Amy Alkon's HumanLab: The Science Between Us, a weekly show with the luminaries of behavioral science. On this show, Dr. Jonathan Gottschall talks about his foray from bummed out adjunct English professor to the Mixed Marshall Arts world and his big cage fight -- along with the psychology driving violence and the fight rituals that actually contain it. His fascinating book we'll be discussing on the show: The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch. Join me and all my fascinating guests every Sun from 7-7:30 pm PT and 10-10:30 pm ET, here at blogtalkradio.com/amyalkon or subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher.Please support the show by buying my "science-help" book on the PROCESS of living with confidence, "Unf*ckology: A Field Guide to Living with Guts and Confidence."
When a mixed martial arts (MMA) gym moves in across the street from his office, Jonathan Gottschall sees a challenge and an opportunity. Pushing 40, out of shape, and disenchanted with his job as an adjunct English professor, part of him yearns to cross the street and join up. The other part is terrified.Gottschall eventually works up his nerve and starts training for a real cage fight. He's fighting not only as a personal test but also to answer questions that have intrigued him for years: Why do men fight? And why do so many seemingly decent people like to watch? Gottschall endures extremes of pain, occasional humiliation, and the incredulity of his wife to take us into the heart of fighting culture - culminating, after almost two years of grueling training, in his own cage fight.Gottschall's unsparing personal journey crystallizes in his epiphany, and ours, that taming male violence through ritualized combat has been a hidden key to the success of the human race. Without the restraining codes of the monkey dance, the world would be a much more chaotic and dangerous place.
Welcome to Amy Alkon's HumanLab: The Science Between Us, a weekly show with the luminaries of behavioral science. On this show, Dr. Jonathan Gottschall talks about his foray from bummed out adjunct English professor to the Mixed Marshall Arts world and his big cage fight -- along with the psychology driving violence and the fight rituals that actually contain it. His fascinating book we'll be discussing on the show: The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch. Join me and all my fascinating guests every Sun from 7-7:30 pm PT and 10-10:30 pm ET, here at blogtalkradio.com/amyalkon or subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher.Please support the show by buying my "science-help" book on the PROCESS of living with confidence, "Unf*ckology: A Field Guide to Living with Guts and Confidence."
In this episode, we discuss our favorite books from 2017 and discuss some books that are on our 2018 reading list. Let's get into it... Top Books of 2017: Most Informative: No God but One: Allah or Jesus? By Nabeel Qureshi https://www.amazon.com/God-but-One-Investigates-Christianity/dp/0310522552/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1514148920&sr=8-1&keywords=no+god+but+one+nabeel+qureshi Most Humbling: Tried by Fire By William J. Bennett https://www.amazon.com/Tried-Fire-Story-Christianitys-Thousand-ebook/dp/B010R53Y5A Most Interesting: On Combat By Lt. Col. David Grossman & Joren Christensen https://www.amazon.com/Combat-Psychology-Physiology-Deadly-Conflict-ebook/dp/B072HHSZNN/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1514149995&sr=1-1&keywords=on+combat Most Challenging: How Pornography Harms By Dr. John Foubert https://www.amazon.com/How-Pornography-Harms-John-Foubert/dp/148971023X/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1514150626&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=how+pornography+harms Most Significant: The Meaning of Marriage By Tim Keller https://www.amazon.com/Meaning-Marriage-Facing-Complexities-Commitment/dp/1594631875/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1514150995&sr=1-1&keywords=the+meaning+of+marriage Most Inspiring: Discipline Equals Freedom Field Manual By Jocko Willink https://www.amazon.com/Discipline-Equals-Freedom-Field-Manual/dp/1250156947/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1514151329&sr=1-4&keywords=discipline+equals+freedom Most Fun: Mansfield’s Book of Manly Men By Stephen Mansfield https://www.amazon.com/Mansfields-Book-Manly-Men-Invigorating/dp/1595553738/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1514151545&sr=1-1&keywords=mansfields+book+of+manly+men Most Exciting: The Operator By Robert O’Neill https://www.amazon.com/Operator-Firing-Shots-Killed-Warrior/dp/1501145037/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1514151985&sr=1-1&keywords=the+operator Least favorite: Find Your Why By Simon Sinek Favorite: The Phenomenon By Rick Ankiel and Time Brown https://www.amazon.com/Phenomenon-Pressure-Yips-Pitch-Changed/dp/1610396863/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1514152513&sr=8-1&keywords=the+phenomenon+rick+ankiel 10 Books we’re most looking forward to reading in 2018: When Violence is the Answer By Tim Larkin 12 Rules for Life By Jordan B. Peterson The Gulag Archipelago By Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Understanding Gender Dysphoria By Mark A. Yarhouse The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt By Edmund Morris Ego is the Enemy By Ryan Holiday Five Proofs of the Existence of God By Edward Feser Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage By Alfred Lansing Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch By Jonathan Gottschall The Odyssey By Homer If you like our picks for 2017 and 2018, then check out our 100 Books Every Modern Christian Man Should Read at www.undaunted.life/booklist. For more info, check us out in the following places: Web: www.undaunted.life Follow us: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/undauntedlife/?hl=en - Twitter: https://twitter.com/UndauntedLife - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/undauntedlife Podcast: - Apple Podcasts/iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/001-intro-to-undaunted-life/id1326692289?i=1000397608644&mt=2 - Google Play: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/I6e3gv4fgs7kv4a33h22lm3kctq - Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-184516957 Free YouVersion Devotionals: - A Man's Devotional: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/2613-undauntedlife-a-mans-devotional - An Undaunted Marriage: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/9192-undauntedlife-an-undaunted-marriage Follow the host Kyle Thompson: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyleokc/?hl=en - Twitter: https://twitter.com/kyleokc?lang=en Intro/outro music: Artist: August Burns Red Track: King of Sorrow Album: Phantom Anthem iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/phantom-anthem/1261508580 Listen on Apple Music and Spotify!
Jessica Lahey (Twitter) is the author of “The Gift of Failure” and writes for The Atlantic and the New York Times, and other publications. Here are a bunch of other great books she recommends. Drug and alcohol rehab teacher. The things that work for well-behaved kids are what is needed for kids that are really struggling. Autonomy and competence Connection is the most important part. Make what we’re teaching relevant to them. The role of touch in the classroom. The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch Student questions that needed to be answered. False sense of investment in sports or activities. Malleable brains allow kids to learn quickly. Standards-based grading Formative until I put it in the gradebook. Are you feeling like you are always behind at school? Do you feel like you need about 2 more hours each day to accomplish everything? Here’s how I help principals work manageable hours: Create your ideal week, so that you can leave work at work and enjoy your life! Join my group coaching program Please take a moment to rate this podcast in iTunes or on Stitcher. Please follow me on Twitter: @jethrojones for the host and @TrnFrmPrincipal for the show. Buy Communication Cards Show notes on TransformativePrincipal.com Download Paperless Principal. Web Site Transformative Principal on Stitcher Refer A Principal Best Tools for Busy Administrators Survey
Why do men like to fight and why do we like to watch? These are questions I’ve asked myself before and ones that we attempt to answer with my guest today Jonathan Gottschall, an English professor with some real-world experience in MMA. Today we talk about the nature of fighting, how fighting has evolved, the role honor plays in combat, and where the desire to make men more civilized comes from. JONATHAN GOTTSCHALL Jonathan Gottshcall is a Distinguished Fellow in the English Department at Washington & Jefferson College. His research at the intersection of science and art has been covered in outlets like The New York Times, Scientific American, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Nature, and NPR. Jonathan is also the author of seven books, including The Storytelling Animal, which was a New York Times Editor's Choice Selection and a finalist for the LA Times Book Prize. When he was 39, a cage fighting gym opened across from the English Department. He asked myself, "What would Hemingway do?" The answer is in his latest book, The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch. Please leave us a review at http://www.orderofman.com/itunes Shownotes: http://www.orderofman.com/091 Website: http://www.orderofman.com
Welcome to Amy Alkon's HumanLab: The Science Between Us, a weekly show with the luminaries of behavioral science. On this show, Dr. Jonathan Gottschall talks about his foray from bummed out adjunct English professor to the Mixed Marshall Arts world and his big cage fight -- along with the psychology driving violence and the fight rituals that actually contain it. His fascinating book we'll be discussing on the show: The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch. Join me and all my fascinating guests every Sun from 7-7:30 pm PT and 10-10:30 pm ET, here at blogtalkradio.com/amyalkon or subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher.Please support the show by buying my science-based and funny book on how we call all behave less counterproductively, "Good Manners for Nice People Who Sometimes Say F*ck."
Law 8: Make Other People Come To You, Use Bait If Necessary Just who's in control here? Grab your insecurities and self-worth and join us as we invite you to step into our office or call on us at your earliest convenience... This law is all about controlling the terms of engagement and making sure to tip the balance of power in your favour, whatever the circumstances. Can you remain the ruler of your domain, or will you be forced onto the defensive by a more skilful player in the game of power? We delve into the interpersonal dynamics of making others come to you, asking what this means in everyday life, politics, and negotiations. Plus we delve into Jon's failures at doing relationships and personal identity crises – not to be missed! This episodes includes: How to keep people 'coming to you' even when you walk onto their territory Keeping people off-balance by addressing their fears indirectly Playing a game so long that you make your opponents entrap themselves without you lifting a finger The benefits of stirring up others' emotions... and the need to restrain your ego to avoid the same being done to you The spaces between instinct and analysis; how to be comfortable with silence Why pickpockets put up signs warning about pickpocketing The importance of actually using 'Fuck You' money to say 'Fuck You' Hillary Clinton's less than perfect application of the Law How this Law plays powerfully into romantic relationships; ignore it at your peril! The paradoxes of anger and insecurity What does it mean to be a man? Where does your identity come from and can it ever be separate from other people's perceptions? The thin line between saying 'that's just the way it is' and actively promoting it The cardinal rules of negotiation The importance of having a personal code Mentioned in the Episode: Once again, George R.R. Martin's amazing tale of political intrigue and human nature, A Song of Ice and Fire (aka Game of Thrones) The grand statesman Otto von Bismarck – the moment when we dreamt up our bestselling t-shirt featuring him surfing the current of events! Ronda Rousey's quick wins and shock loss The ancient philosophy of Stoicism – here's an excellent overview of its central values The Orlando Figes saga – in which he praised his own books and slandered his rivals' books on Amazon Where Jon finally got his piece on humour under Stalin published (sadly behind a paywall because academia is awful. If you actually want to read it, email us!) The West Wing's advice on how not to answer questions that might entrap you: Episode 1 of Season 7. Finding the right language to communicate without conflict: check out this beautiful and indispensable book on how: Changing the Conversation: The 17 Principles of Conflict Resolution How (not to) be Italian: Jersey Shore A brilliant book on duelling and conflict: The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch The card exercise we mention in which you discover the roots of your emotional behaviours: we're rewriting this and will upload it soon! Join us as we continue our exploration of Robert Greene’s provocative and compelling study of the 48 Laws of Power, in which he lays bare the history, practice, psychology, and philosophies of power that ultimately shape all human relations. Often seen as a handbook for the ‘modern Machiavelli’, we take a closer look, beyond the hyperbole, and discuss how understanding and implementing these Laws can actually enrich your life personally, professionally and spiritually. Jon and Dre aim to get to the heart of each of the Laws, grapple with their sometimes disturbingly amoral nature, and discuss what the Laws mean in everyday life (often revealing their own experiences – good and bad – when they’ve either observed or transgressed them). For all links and material: http://voicesinthedark.world/2016/07/13/make-other-peopl…power-episode-08/ For our Funny T-shirts: 48 Laws of Power T-Shirts
Welcome to Amy Alkon's HumanLab: The Science Between Us, a weekly show with the luminaries of behavioral science. On this show, Dr. Jonathan Gottschall talks about his foray from bummed out adjunct English professor to the Mixed Marshall Arts world and his big cage fight -- along with the psychology driving violence and the fight rituals that actually contain it. His fascinating book we'll be discussing on the show: The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch. Join me and all my fascinating guests every Sun from 7-7:30 pm PT and 10-10:30 pm ET, here at blogtalkradio.com/amyalkon or subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher.Please support the show by buying my science-based and funny book on how we call all behave less counterproductively, "Good Manners for Nice People Who Sometimes Say F*ck."
Welcome to Amy Alkon's HumanLab: The Science Between Us, a weekly show with the luminaries of behavioral science. On this show, Dr. Jonathan Gottschall talks about his foray from bummed out adjunct English professor to the Mixed Marshall Arts world and his big cage fight -- along with the psychology driving violence and the fight rituals that actually contain it. His fascinating book we'll be discussing on the show: The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch. Join me and all my fascinating guests every Sun from 7-7:30 pm PT and 10-10:30 pm ET, here at blogtalkradio.com/amyalkon or subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher.Please support the show by buying my science-based and funny book on how we call all behave less counterproductively, "Good Manners for Nice People Who Sometimes Say F*ck." It's only about $11 at Amazon, brand new. And along with positive reviews in the WSJ and other publications, Library Journal gave the book a starred review: "Verdict: Solid psychology and a wealth of helpful knowledge and rapier wit fill these pages. Highly recommended."
The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience
Mr. Gottschall is the author or editor of seven books, including The Storytelling Animal — a New York Times Editor’s Choice Selection and a finalist for the LA Times Book Prize — and most recently he published a fascinating book titled The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! As a Distinguished Fellow at the English Department of Washington & Jefferson College his work lands at the intersection of science and art and is frequently covered in outlets like The New York Times, Scientific American, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and NPR. For his latest book he personally climbed into the cage to research the world of mixed martial arts, violence, masculinity, and why society is attracted to violent spectacle. Join us for this two-part interview. If you missed the first half you can find it here: How Critically Acclaimed Literary Scholar Jonathan Gottschall Writes: Part One In Part Two of the file Jonathan Gottschall and I discuss: Why Creativity Is Not the Hard Part for Writers How Great Writing is Like Grasping for a Handful of Water How Our Memories Fool Us with Stories A Great Reminder that Writing is Work, Not Magic Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes JonathanGottschall.com Jonathan Gottschall’s Author Page on Amazon ‘When Writers Attack: On Boxing, Norman Mailer, and the art of Getting Hit’ by Jonathan Gottschall Jonathan Gottschall on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter
The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience
Mr. Gottschall is the author or editor of seven books, including The Storytelling Animal — a New York Times Editor’s Choice Selection and a finalist for the LA Times Book Prize — and most recently he published a fascinating book titled The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch. Rainmaker.FM is Brought to You By Discover why more than 80,000 companies in 135 countries choose WP Engine for managed WordPress hosting. Start getting more from your site today! As a Distinguished Fellow at the English Department of Washington & Jefferson College his work lands at the intersection of science and art and is frequently covered in outlets like The New York Times, Scientific American, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and NPR. For his latest book he personally climbed into the cage to research the world of mixed martial arts, violence, masculinity, and why society is attracted to violent spectacle. Join us for this two-part interview. In Part One of the file Jonathan Gottschall and I discuss: Why Writers Need to Chase What Scares Them How ‘Drugs’ Can Boost Your Productivity Why Writing 365 Days a Year May Not Be Ideal The Sad Reality of Writer’s Block Listen to The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience below ... Download MP3 Subscribe by RSS Subscribe in iTunes The Show Notes JonathanGottschall.com Jonathan Gottschall’s Author Page on Amazon Jonathan Gottschall on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter How Critically Acclaimed Literary Scholar Jonathan Gottschall Writes: Part Two
Jonathan Gottschall's career as a college English prof was on the rocks, and he was desperate to do something completely different. So in his late 30s he left the classroom for the cage, taking up mixed martial arts and training for an amateur bout. It was more than a mid-life escapade, though. Jonathan had some unresolved issues around bullying in his own youth, and wanted to better understand the relationship between violence and masculinity, including his own. We talked about MMA, male aggression and Jonathan's book "The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch," as well as his ill-fated stint as a literary scholar with an evolutionary bent.
Kathryn interviews Washington & Jefferson College Distinguished Research Fellow Jonathan Gottschall on his latest book “The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch”. Throughout the last decade, cage fighting and mixed martial arts (MMA) have evolved to the fastest-growing spectator sport in America. The surging popularity is just one example of our insatiable interest not just in violence but in the rituals that keep violence contained. Gottschall argues that taming male violence through ritualized combat has been a hidden key to the success of the human race. Kathryn also interviews financial expert Meredith Jones, author of “Women of the Street: Why Female Money Managers Generate Higher Returns (And How You Can Too)”. Research reveals that women investors consistently outperform men. Jones argues that better trading behavior, ‘out of the box' thinking, and a more consistent execution of strategy are some of the keys to women's outperformance.
Kathryn interviews Washington & Jefferson College Distinguished Research Fellow Jonathan Gottschall on his latest book “The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch”. Throughout the last decade, cage fighting and mixed martial arts (MMA) have evolved to the fastest-growing spectator sport in America. The surging popularity is just one example of our insatiable interest not just in violence but in the rituals that keep violence contained. Gottschall argues that taming male violence through ritualized combat has been a hidden key to the success of the human race. Kathryn also interviews financial expert Meredith Jones, author of “Women of the Street: Why Female Money Managers Generate Higher Returns (And How You Can Too)”. Research reveals that women investors consistently outperform men. Jones argues that better trading behavior, ‘out of the box' thinking, and a more consistent execution of strategy are some of the keys to women's outperformance.
Hundred of years ago if men wanted to settle a personal matter, even a political one, they picked up swords or guns and dueled their way to resolution. We all remember everything from d'Artagnan to the Gunfight at the OK Corral.Today there are many that seem to long for a return to those days. And while they are hardly condoned by respectable public standards, they still percolate within the heart of many men, for whom testosterone laden violence is still deeply programmed into their DNA. Jonathan Gottschall, a mild mannered English Professor, decides, like Kurtz to journey into the heart of darkness to understand what makes men, our society and our culture so prone to embracing violenceIf the first rule of Fight Club is not to talk about Fight Club, Jonathan Gottschall breaks that rule with The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch.My conversation with Jonathan Gottschall: