Pleased to Meet Me

Depression

Treating Depression by Calming the Immune System

Bill Sullivan Ph.D. on June 3, 2026

Beyond neurotransmitters: could depression sometimes be an inflammatory disorder?

Beyond neurotransmitters: could depression sometimes be an inflammatory disorder?

Environment

Not in a Good Place? Change Your Space

Bill Sullivan Ph.D. on April 30, 2026

Not in a good place? A new book discusses how to change your surroundings to change your headspace.

Not in a good place? A new book discusses how to change your surroundings to change your headspace.

Psychology

3 Ancient Parables I Told My Kids to Make Adulting Easier

Bill Sullivan Ph.D. on April 23, 2026

How to live well in a world full of stress, obstacles, and competitors is an ancient question and these ancient answers can help you today.

How to live well in a world full of stress, obstacles, and competitors is an ancient question and these ancient answers can help you today.

Microbiome

Maintaining a Youthful Gut Microbiome Can Slow Aging

Bill Sullivan Ph.D. on February 23, 2026

Here's how to keep your gut microbiome healthy and slow the effects of aging.

Here's how to keep your gut microbiome healthy and slow the effects of aging.

First Impressions

Surprising Ways You’re Being Judged During Video Calls

Bill Sullivan Ph.D. on January 26, 2026

Videoconferencing can hinder brainstorming and create subconscious bias against the speaker. Here's how to avoid this from happening to you.

Videoconferencing can hinder brainstorming and create subconscious bias against the speaker. Here's how to avoid this from happening to you.

Bipolar Disorder

Lithium Depletion Linked to Alzheimer’s Disease

Bill Sullivan Ph.D. on September 16, 2025

New research suggests that lithium is depleted in the brains of Alzheimer's patients and is essential for normal brain function. Should we be taking lithium supplements?

New research suggests that lithium is depleted in the brains of Alzheimer's patients and is essential for normal brain function. Should we be taking lithium supplements?

Genetics

Why Ozzy Osbourne’s DNA Will Not Produce Another Ozzy

Bill Sullivan Ph.D. on July 9, 2025

If we were to clone someone, how similar would they be to the original?

If we were to clone someone, how similar would they be to the original?

Bias

The Most Pleasing Names to Hear, According to Research

Bill Sullivan Ph.D. on May 27, 2025

Factoring in the Bouba-Kiki effect when naming newborns.

Factoring in the Bouba-Kiki effect when naming newborns.

Genetics

Is Our Fate Determined by Our Genes?

Bill Sullivan Ph.D. on June 26, 2024

The science of epigenetics highlights the crucial role of our environment.

The science of epigenetics highlights the crucial role of our environment.

Happiness

You Don’t Need a Lot of Money to Lead a Rich Life

Bill Sullivan Ph.D. on February 28, 2024

Here's what low-income societies can tell us about money and happiness.

Here's what low-income societies can tell us about money and happiness.

Social Media

Social Media Creates Unhappiness by Promoting Materialism

Bill Sullivan Ph.D. on February 5, 2024

A new study shows materialism in social media is associated with lower life satisfaction. But there are steps you can take to prevent this from happening to you.

A new study shows materialism in social media is associated with lower life satisfaction. But there are steps you can take to prevent this from happening to you.

Happiness

Happiness Is Not a Destination; It Is the Road Trip

Bill Sullivan Ph.D. on December 6, 2022

Here's what you need to focus on to ensure happiness comes your way.

Here's what you need to focus on to ensure happiness comes your way.

Genetics

What Genes Tell Us About Ourselves (and What They Don’t)

Bill Sullivan Ph.D. on September 12, 2022

Can a genetic test predict physical traits, diseases, and behaviors? Here's what you need to know.

Can a genetic test predict physical traits, diseases, and behaviors? Here's what you need to know.

Genetics

Souls: It’s Time We Give Up the Ghost

Bill Sullivan Ph.D. on June 30, 2022

Why we don’t have souls and why that’s good news.

Why we don’t have souls and why that’s good news.

Sport and Competition

The Case for Removing Competition from Youth Sports

Bill Sullivan Ph.D. on February 23, 2022

Would taking competition out of the game be a good thing for youth sports?

Would taking competition out of the game be a good thing for youth sports?

Health

How to Spot Fake Health News

Bill Sullivan Ph.D. on February 2, 2022

Fake health news endangers lives. Here are five simple things you can do to identify and stop it.

Fake health news endangers lives. Here are five simple things you can do to identify and stop it.

Wisdom

Ancient Wisdom for the Stresses of Modern Life

Bill Sullivan Ph.D. on January 4, 2022

I put the ancient wisdom of Stoicism to the test by practicing it for a year. Here is what I learned.

I put the ancient wisdom of Stoicism to the test by practicing it for a year. Here is what I learned.

Bias

When You Feel Overwhelmed, Subtraction Can Lead to Gains

Bill Sullivan Ph.D. on June 9, 2021

The author of "Subtract" explains how our natural tendency to add more often prevents us from spotting an easier or more efficient solution.

The author of "Subtract" explains how our natural tendency to add more often prevents us from spotting an easier or more efficient solution.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Manage the Stress of COVID-19 with Stoicism

Bill Sullivan Ph.D. on January 5, 2021

The ancient Stoics devised useful psychological tools that can help you manage the stress of the pandemic.

The ancient Stoics devised useful psychological tools that can help you manage the stress of the pandemic.

Psychology

Divided We Fall: How to Mend Political Differences

Bill Sullivan Ph.D. on June 16, 2020

What created America’s political divide and how can we fix it?

What created America’s political divide and how can we fix it?