The Human Behavior Podcast

• "Darwin's People" by Brian Moon

  Send us a textWhen decisions can’t wait for perfect data, you need methods that actually work in the real world. We sit down with Brian Moon to pull naturalistic decision making out of journals and into the field where cops, medics, operators, and executives make consequential calls under stress, time pressure, and uncertainty. The conversation opens with a clear critique: elegant lab studies often miss the work. From there, we rebuild on stronger ground; agency, process, and the lived patterns of true expertise. Brian traces why experience isn’t just hours served but exposure to hard problems, responsibility for outcomes, and honest feedback that reshapes judgment. We unpack how experts blend rapid recognition with deliberate checks, using counterfactuals to keep first interpretations from hardening too soon. If you lead training, you’ll get specific moves: design scenarios that force ownership of the whole problem; capture tacit cues through structured debriefs; and teach a shared language for uncertainty so teams can flexecute as conditions change. We also push into high-friction topics like use-of-force errors and pathways to violence, showing how process signals, not labels or post-hoc narratives, offer the best chance to prevent bad outcomes.Across the hour, you’ll hear how to spot and grow real SMEs, why credentials alone fall short, and how to engineer environments where sensemaking becomes a habit instead of a hope. Whether you work a midnight shift or a corner office, you’ll leave with practical tools to clean up your decisions this week and a sharper lens for understanding human behavior where it actually happens: on the street, on the line, and in the moment. If this conversation helps, share it with a teammate, subscribe for more, and drop a review so others can find it. Darwin's People: AMAZONSupport 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/

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• Your Internal Baseline

  Send us a textIn today’s episode, we’re flipping the lens inward. You’ve heard us talk about reading the world around you — the external baseline — but what about reading yourself? What It Is (Street Definition)Your internal baseline is your mental operating system. It’s the framework that shapes how you see, think, and react under stress. It’s built from everything you’ve lived, learned, and believed:Past Experiences: The lessons, scars, and memories that form your personal rulebook.Training & Conditioning: The shortcuts and instincts your brain relies on when there’s no time to think.Values & Beliefs: The unseen filters that shape what you think is right, wrong, or risky.Policies & Procedures: The internal and external rules you follow (often unconsciously).Cognitive Limits: The hard caps of being human: fatigue, stress, emotion, and biology. The core question: “Where do I think I am — and where am I actually?”The gap between what you believe and what’s real determines how well you can sense, decide, and act.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/

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• Baseline + Anomaly = Decision

  Send us a textIn this powerful and highly practical episode, we unpack one of the most important (and misunderstood) aspects of human behavior analysis: the concept of baseline plus anomaly equals decision (B + A = D). During the episode, we dive deep into why our cultural obsession with "red flags" and anomalies often leads us astray, and why everything starts with understanding normal.We also challenge the reactive approach to behavior analysis that seeks checklists for “bad actors” and instead, we show how developing a high-fidelity, context-rich baseline is the real key to situational awareness and predictive analysis. We briefly explore the origins of the Combat Hunter program, and provide real-world examples (from garbage day confusion to gas station parking lots), and illustrate how unconscious pattern recognition drives both correct and incorrect decisions.Here's what you'll learn:Why context is king in behavioral observationHow your brain already makes constant baseline-anomaly comparisons and how to do it betterWhy focusing only on anomalies can lead to dangerous blind spotsHow to build robust baselines using simple daily exercisesWhat professionals (LE, military, teachers, EMTs) can do to spot pre-event indicators earlierThis episode is a must-listen for anyone in high-stakes roles, parents, educators, or anyone who wants to improve their ability to "read the room" (and their world)  with greater clarity and confidence.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/

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• How Practice Saved My Life: Applying HBPR&A Under Fire

  Send us a textWhat happens when theory meets reality in a life-or-death situation? Dan Chavez found out firsthand when he and his wife suddenly found themselves in the middle of an active shooter incident. In this riveting conversation, Dan walks us through the split-second decisions that likely saved his life and, more importantly, how his training in behavioral awareness created automatic responses that kicked in when his conscious mind had no time to deliberate.The power of Dan's story lies not just in its intensity, but in how perfectly it illustrates why traditional approaches to training often fail. "Most training is descriptive rather than prescriptive," Dan explains. "You walk away thinking 'that was great, I'm more aware,' but it doesn't translate into actionable skills." As VP of Training Innovation and Performance, Dan brings a unique perspective that bridges academic understanding with real-world application.This episode dives deep into the neuroscience of crisis response, examining how our limbic system takes control under threat and why the habits we've practiced become our default actions. We explore Human Performance Technology as an alternative to conventional training, starting with organizational outcomes rather than learning objectives, and measuring success through observable behavioral changes rather than classroom hours.Whether you're responsible for training others or simply want to better prepare yourself for high-stress situations, this conversation offers invaluable insights into how genuine proficiency develops. As Dan discovered in that bar when shots were fired, the difference between theoretical knowledge and trained behavior can mean everything when seconds count.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/

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• How To Ask Better Questions

  Send us a textHave you ever walked away from a conversation feeling like you missed something important? The truth is, you probably did; and it's likely because you didn't ask the right questions.In this illuminating episode, we dive deep into the art and science of asking better questions – not just to avoid awkward small talk, but to genuinely understand people, spot intentions, and make smarter decisions. Whether you're managing a team, raising teenagers, or simply trying to navigate social situations more effectively, the ability to ask strategic questions is a powerful skill worth developing.Greg shares his expertise on "psychological disarming" – techniques that help people open up naturally without feeling manipulated. We explore how context shapes every interaction, why curiosity is fundamentally a survival trait, and how to balance open-ended exploration with direct inquiry. You'll discover practical approaches for starting meaningful conversations, recovering from awkward moments, and building rapport that serves you well beyond the initial interaction.What sets effective questioners apart isn't just what they ask, it's how they create an environment where others feel comfortable sharing. As Greg explains, "Humans are on transmit, so let them transmit." Your job is simply to tune into the right frequency by asking questions that matter.This episode offers immediately applicable techniques for everyday situations from business meetings to family dinners to chance encounters. Listen now to transform how you connect with others and dramatically improve the quality of information you receive.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/

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