Reframing the Battle of Wills
Host Shankar Vedantam talks with psychologist Stuart Ablon about why attempts to change others' behavior often fail when we assume the problem is a lack of motivation or willpower. Ablon explains how many challenging behaviors arise from lagging cognitive, emotional, and social skills, and describes his collaborative problem solving approach that emphasizes empathy, identifying unmet concerns, and jointly generating solutions. He illustrates the method with cases from psychiatric hospitals, juvenile detention, families, and workplaces, and discusses research showing it reduces challenging behavior and builds skills in both the people being helped and the helpers themselves.
Jay's Must-Listens: Marriage Isn't About Finding "The One" (5 Truths Every Couple Needs to Hear Before Marriage!)
Jay Shetty curates conversations with Heather Pinkett Smith, relationship coach Sadia Khan, and psychotherapist Laurie Gottlieb to explore what truly sustains long-term relationships and marriage. They discuss marriage as a spiritual path of growth, the role of self-control and emotional regulation in preventing infidelity, and the importance of honest conversations about marriage, children, money, and in-laws. The episode emphasizes redefining partnership on your own terms, setting boundaries, and creating emotional safety instead of chasing romantic fantasies alone.