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Two Guys on Your Head

KUT & KUTX Studios, Dr. Art Markman & Dr. Bob Duke

Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke explain how our brain works.

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34 episodes
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Avg 7 min
English

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Episodes 34

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Friday · 8 min
How To Ask Your Boss For Things
When you need something from your boss, like a raise or support for a project, your first instinct may be to state your case and explain why it matters to you. But that approach won’t necessarily get you what you want. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy discuss how to frame your request to get a more positive response. Source
November 6 · 7 min
Why Cramming for Tests Works, But Doesn’t
Cramming the night before a test might get you through the exam, but chances are that information will be gone by next week. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy explore the difference between learning and doing well on a test, why cramming works in the short term, and how teachers can help students see that learning matters beyond the grade. Source
October 30 · 7 min
How To Crush Writer’s Block (Rebroadcast)
Writer’s block! That phrase might induce panic and a recollection of a familiar experience. It’s a very common phenomenon. So what is it? When in the beginning stages of undertaking a new writing project, a writer might find themselves blocked – stuck in front of a blank page or screen with no thoughts coming to mind. This lack of creative flow is further exacerbated by anxiety over the lack of… Source
October 23 · 8 min
Brain Building
Figuring something out intellectually can be a struggle, but when you finally get there, you feel a sense of accomplishment, maybe even joy. That joy is a big part of learning, and it comes from challenges that are hard but still within reach; it’s similar to working out and bodybuilding. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk about how to… Source
October 16 · 7 min
Annoyance Part II: Pain and Expectations
We deal with annoyances every day, but why do some things annoy us a lot more than others? In part two of this two-part Two Guys on Your Head series on the psychology of annoyance, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy explore the role that pain, expectations, and stories play in how we experience and deal with things that annoy us. Source
October 9 · 8 min
Annoyance Part I: Predictability and Risk
Why is it that some things really annoy us while others we couldn’t care less about? It turns out it has a lot to do with predictability and attention: we get annoyed when something we didn’t choose or anticipate intrudes on our attention, or when we are stuck paying attention to something we would rather tune out. In part one of this two-part Two Guys on Your Head series, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Source
October 2 · 7 min
Threatening Punishment (Rebroadcast)
In the moment, threatening punishment might seem like a good idea, but does it work? It turns out it depends on your goal. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk about the psychology of punishment and reveal why scolding, threats, and consequences might get short-term results but rarely lead to lasting change. Source
September 25 · 7 min
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
There are times when we feel out of sync with what we want in the world and how we act in the world. Say you’re longing for close, lasting relationships, but you are acting in a way that says you don’t believe you’re worthy of love, pulling back or pushing people away without quite knowing why. The techniques used by cognitive behavioral therapy might help. But as Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke… Source
September 11 · 7 min
When To Use AI: An Opportunity
AI tools can help us extend our capabilities and our capacity, but what about our brains? When is using AI beneficial, and when can it be detrimental to our ability to learn and think? In Part II of our conversations on “When To Use AI,” Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke and Rebecca McInroy talk about an opportunity AI presents: thinking with AI tools to clarify our own thoughts and ideas. Source
September 4 · 7 min
When To Use AI: The Problem
AI tools are ubiquitous and, let’s be honest, mind-blowing in their capabilities. But when is it healthy and productive to use them, and when is it not? What impact does relying on AI have on our ability to learn, to be creative, to think? In this first “Two Guys on Your Head” episode in our series, “When To Use AI,” Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk through a few red flags… Source
August 28 · 7 min
Back To School: Teachers
It’s that time of year again when fresh-faced little ones with new backpacks and clean shoes head back to school. On this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy wanted to provide some tips to help teachers set the stage for a successful and happy year. Source
August 21 · 7 min
Back To School: Kids and Parents
It’s that time of year again when fresh-faced little ones with new backpacks and clean shoes head back to school. On this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy wanted to make sure to highlight the psychological significance of this time of year for kids and parents. Source
August 14 · 7 min
Fahrenheit 451
Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury’s 1953 dystopian novel, follows Guy Montag, a “fireman” whose job is to burn books, as he turns into an outlaw set on restoring memory, reclaiming time to think, and building human connection. It is a classic that is easy to take for granted, but as Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy discuss in this episode of Two Guys on Your Head… Source
August 7 · 7 min
Growth Mindset and Self-blame
Having a growth mindset, the belief that you can get better with effort alone, is supposed to push you to keep trying when things get hard, and often it does. But new research suggests that when you try and still fail, you are more likely to blame yourself, and that can harm your mental wellbeing. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk… Source
July 31 · 7 min
Growth Mindset and Its Discontents
A growth mindset about intelligence, the belief that you can get smarter with effort, is supposed to push you to keep trying when things get hard. And often it does. But what happens when you try and still fail? In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk about a new study that found something counterintuitive: emphasizing a growth mindset… Source
July 25 · 7 min
Navigating Uncertainty: Gratitude and The Swartz Value System
No one can control everything that happens, but we can adapt to a changing environment, even when that means shifting our perspective. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy discuss the value of gratitude and how a better understanding of where our values come from can shape the way we perceive and navigate uncertainty. Source
July 19 · 7 min
Managing Discontinuous Predictions
Most people, most days, deal with variation pretty well, but how do we psychologically prepare for the times when big things happen that change the course of our lives, our livelihoods, or our sense of self? In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk about what we can do now to help prepare for uncertainty and why it’s so important. Source
July 10 · 7 min
How to Disconnect and Why It’s Important (Rebroadcast)
It’s summertime, and for some, that means it’s time for a vacation. But how do you get the most out of your time off and truly vacate? In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy talk about how to disconnect and why it’s important. Source
July 3 · 8 min
Personality Traits, Moderation, and Longevity
A new study confirms that personality traits are associated with longevity, or lack thereof, but while behavior matters, there’s more to the story. In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, Dr. Bob Duke, and Rebecca McInroy look at why “everything in moderation, including moderation,” is still good advice. McGeehan et al. (2026). “Personality and mortality risk: A… Source
June 26 · 8 min
Protect Your Boredom (Rebroadcast)
It seems that people today carry with them the constant mantra, “I’m so busy.” And as it can be tough to juggle work, kids, and life in general, a lot of that feeling of being overwhelmed may be our own fault. In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markaman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about the value of boredom and how to get the most out of your downtime to feel more in control and less… Source

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