The Human Behavior Podcast

Send us a textWhat if building a genuine connection could be the key to cracking complex intelligence operations? This episode features Doug Laux, a former CIA case officer and bestselling author of "Left of Boom," who lifts the veil on his secretive world. Doug shares stories from his time working undercover in perilous environments like Afghanistan and Syria, where he learned the indispensable value of human connection and relationship-building. He also discusses his unexpected journey from field operations to television screens, offering a unique glance into life after the agency and the universal principles that guide human behavior, even amidst chaos.The conversation takes an intriguing turn as we explore "left of boom," a term that has journeyed from military manuals into mainstream conversations. We'll uncover the essence of a case officer's role, including the challenges of recruiting spies and establishing trust with former adversaries. Doug reveals the operational hurdles of the Global War on Terror and how concepts like "left of boom" have transcended their original contexts. Through tales of camaraderie and professional bonds, Doug and I reminisce about shared experiences that highlight the ability to forge trust, whether in conflict zones or while engaging in light-hearted banter on alien-themed shows.Beyond the cloak-and-dagger narratives, we tackle the moral complexities faced by intelligence officers working with former enemies and the persistent tension between adhering to protocol and embracing innovation. Doug provides a rare, candid look into the human side of intelligence operations, where empathy, authenticity, and strategic thinking are vital. From navigating bureaucracies at the CIA to exploring the mysteries of UFOs on Netflix, Doug Laux gives us a comprehensive tour of the paths less traveled, ensuring a captivating listen for anyone curious about the world of espionage and the human elements within.Check out LEFT OF BOOMSupport the showWebsite: https://thehumanbehaviorpodcast.buzzsprout.com/shareFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHumanBehaviorPodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehumanbehaviorpodcast/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ArcadiaCognerati More about Greg and Brian: https://arcadiacognerati.com/arcadia-cognerati-leadership-team/

Send us a textHello everyone and welcome back to The Human Behavior Podcast! After a brief hiatus filled with some exciting projects, I'm thrilled to jump into a topic that's both timeless and timely—the concept of time itself.In this episode, Greg and I unravel the complexities of how we perceive time and how it shapes our experiences, decisions, and behaviors. Drawing from ancient Greek philosophies, we distinguish between Kronos (quantitative, chronological time) and Kairos (qualitative, experiential time), setting the stage for a deep exploration of how these concepts play out in our daily lives.During the episode we discuss things like the emotional influence on time perception, how attention affects our perception of time, how memory and aging has an influence on time, and we give some practical examples on how we can manipulate our perception of time in order to give ourselves the gift of time and distance!So sit back, relax, and get ready to expand your understanding of time—not just as numbers on a clock, but as a profound element that influences every facet of human behavior.Thank you so much for tuning in! We hope you enjoy the episode. Don’t forget to check out our Patreon channel for additional content and subscriber-only episodes. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving us a review and, more importantly, sharing it with a friend.Thank you for your time, and remember: Training Changes Behavior!Support the showWebsite: https://thehumanbehaviorpodcast.buzzsprout.com/shareFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHumanBehaviorPodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehumanbehaviorpodcast/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ArcadiaCognerati More about Greg and Brian: https://arcadiacognerati.com/arcadia-cognerati-leadership-team/

Send us a textThis week, we're debunking the myth that "anything can happen." In today's episode, we'll explore how adopting this mindset can increase uncertainty and cognitive load—especially in high-risk environments—and how it might set us up for failure. Instead of believing that "anything can happen," we'll focus on reducing uncertainty by deepening our understanding of human behavior and utilizing practical tools like game theory, probability, and Bayes’ theorem.Join us as we dive into why strategic thinking, modeled through games, is essential for real-life decision-making. We'll discuss how you can leverage both the knowns and unknowns in human interactions to predict behavior more effectively, minimize ambiguity, and ultimately make better, more informed decisions. Whether you're involved in law enforcement training, making everyday choices, or viewing human behavior as a strategic game, this episode is packed with insights to help you think sharper and be better prepared for whatever comes your way.Thank you so much for tuning in! We hope you enjoy the episode. Don’t forget to check out our Patreon channel for additional content and subscriber-only episodes. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving us a review and, more importantly, sharing it with a friend.Thank you for your time, and remember: Training Changes Behavior!Support the showWebsite: https://thehumanbehaviorpodcast.buzzsprout.com/shareFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHumanBehaviorPodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehumanbehaviorpodcast/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ArcadiaCognerati More about Greg and Brian: https://arcadiacognerati.com/arcadia-cognerati-leadership-team/

Send us a textIn this week's podcast episode, we are joined by one of our Advisory Board members, Dr. Joan Johnston, to talk about why high functioning teams fail. With over 30 years of experience working with the Department of Defense, Dr. Johnston is an expert on decision making and simulation training. Throughout her career she has made a significant impact on advancing the science of Learning, Team Training, Decision Making under Stress, Performance Measurement, and Organizational Development.For this episode, we use the tragic incident involving the USS Vincennes where the guided missile destroyer accidentally shot down an Iranian passenger plane after mistaking it for an F-14 fighter jet, as a focal point of the discussion. Dr. Johnston walked us through the critical errors that were made during that incident, the role that stress plays on communication and decision-making, and she shares her insights on what it takes to build more resilient, high-performing teams.This episode is a powerful reminder of the human factors that influence decision-making and how easily things can go wrong—even with the best of teams. But it also provides a hopeful message: with effective training, strong leadership, and a commitment to learning from past mistakes, we can build teams that are more resilient, adaptable, and prepared to handle the challenges they face.Thank you so much for tuning in, we hope you enjoy the episode and please check out our Patreon channel where we have a lot more content, as well as subscriber only episodes of the show. If you enjoy the podcast, I will kindly ask that you leave us a review and more importantly, please share it with a friend. Thank you for your time and don’t forget that Training Changes Behavior!Episode Linkshttps://www.ahrq.gov/teamstepps-program/index.htmlhttps://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01480/fullSupport the showWebsite: https://thehumanbehaviorpodcast.buzzsprout.com/shareFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHumanBehaviorPodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehumanbehaviorpodcast/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ArcadiaCognerati More about Greg and Brian: https://arcadiacognerati.com/arcadia-cognerati-leadership-team/