Best Mary Ito Podcasts (2024)

1
Have you lost your sense of WONDER? Why that’s a huge loss 48:04

10d ago48:04

48:04

Here’s a question – and a really important one that you probably haven’t asked yourself: “When is the last time I felt a sense of WONDER?” That thrilling feeling that you’re witnessing something magical. Something surprising. Something phenomenal. Maybe it’s been awhile. Maybe you can’t even remember when you last felt that way. Why? Do you think y…

1
Cats, dogs and other animals we love - what are they trying to tell us?? 47:38

25d ago47:38

47:38

Sure we love our animals. Rover and Fluffy are like family to us. But we often make the mistake of assuming animal behaviour is human behaviour. But it’s not – they are not us. Animals have their own language and their own behaviours which can confound us and leave us scratching our heads. Psychologist Suzanne MacDonald has long been fascinated by …

1
“I see dead people” ~ When the living see the dead 34:15

1M ago34:15

34:15

Please listen to this podcast. This one really got to us. It changed the way we look at the prospect of death. Chris Kerr, a physician and palliative care researcher, with his team, interviewed over 1500 patients who were dying – and was amazed by what he heard. You’ll hear from some of these patients who are dying. With very little time left, they…

1
Taylor vs. Beyonce: the HUGE impact of pop culture 51:13

2M ago51:13

51:13

Taylor vs. Beyonce. Do you care? Maybe not but a lot of people do. And not just fans – those people who follow their every move and every word. Politicians – presidents! - business leaders, economists, stock market analysts, and yes even academics are interested in the Taylor Swift and Beyonce effects. And that’s because their impact is huge. In te…

1
Are you a rational person? 42:21

2M ago42:21

42:21

REPEAT from 2023: You probably know people who you think are irrational (and you’re certainly NOT one of them!). They have views you don’t agree with and make decisions that make no sense. And maybe you even feel irrational people are on the rise. And that makes you nervous. But just who is a rational person? What constitutes rational thinking? And…

1
Sex, Murder, Power ~ The Badass Women of Antiquity 43:02

3M ago43:02

43:02

When we think of bad behaviour, we often think of men and the dirty deeds they’ve done. But what about women? Women, like men, are also capable of bad behaviour. Very bad behaviour. Just look back at the Roman Empire. Women were expected to be good girls, wives and mothers. But there were notable bad-ass women who stopped at nothing to gain power. …

1
Are we heading towards the END of civilisation?! 45:03

3M ago45:03

45:03

*Special Edition* Do you have a feeling that all is not right with the world? There’s war, racial conflict, huge economic disparity, political extremism, growing societal discord. And of course climate change. You wonder – are we on a path to complete self-destruction? It’s the ultimate question that researcher Luke Kemp has been studying. He’s an …

1
How often should you see your doctor for a check-up? 41:11

4M ago41:11

41:11

Remember when you used to see your doctor every year for a “physical?” He looked at you from top to toe, did a full blood workup and maybe sent you for other tests as well. But a number of years ago, the annual physical was replaced with the periodic health exam. Based on the evidence, the medical profession said an annual checkup wasn’t necessary …

1
How to deal with a narcissist 40:22

4M ago40:22

40:22

It’s a hot topic lately. Narcissism. You’ll find it everywhere – on social media, online articles, talk shows, documentaries. And it seems everyone knows someone who has Narcissistic Personality Disorder – or they think they have it themselves! Even if you know someone who genuinely has NPD.. well then what? Can you have a successful relationship w…

1
Why a total solar eclipse is a MUST-SEE event! 39:09

5M ago39:09

39:09

It’s a once in a lifetime event: a mesmerizing, soul-stirring experience. At any given point on earth, the ability to see a total solar eclipse happens only once every three to four hundred years. And on April 8, 2024, at least 30 million people will be able to experience it. They’ll be plunged into darkness as the moon completely blocks the sun. E…

1
What do our nightmares tell us? Exploring the dark side of sleep 39:38

5M ago39:38

39:38

We’ve all had nightmares. Some are worse than others and can haunt us for days. Whether it’s a nightmare, a night terror or sleep paralysis, they all happen while we sleep. But they can feel very real. Why do we have nightmares, and what does it mean when they recur over and over again? Did you know there’s a difference between nightmares and night…

1
What are the most dangerous personality traits? 36:49

6M ago36:49

36:49

Have you heard of “The Dark Triad?” It sounds like a mysterious crime syndicate in a James Bond movie. But it’s real. The Dark Triad refers to the worst personality traits a person can have. Narcissism. Machiavellianism. Psychopathy. Think of former U.S. President Donald Trump. NY financier Bernie Madoff. Serial killer Paul Bernardo. Each of them h…

1
Faster, higher, stronger: Improving how we move whether we’re disabled or Olympic athletes 42:50

6M ago42:50

42:50

Humans are complex beings. And one of the most perplexing puzzles that John McPhee is trying to figure out – is how we move. It’s a question that’s fascinated him for most of his life. And during his 30+ years as a systems design engineer, he’s come up with remarkable achievements: everything from improving electric and autonomous vehicles, develop…

1
Does psychotherapy REALLY work? What you should know 50:30

6M ago50:30

50:30

Are there some things about you - habits or behaviours you’d really like to change? Maybe you’re dealing with anxiety? Or depression? Or you’ve been in one bad relationship after another and you want this pattern to stop. You’ve wondered about going for counselling. But you’re skeptical. Maybe even scared. Can psychotherapy, or as some people call …

1
People behaving badly - what's going on?! 47:14

7M ago47:14

47:14

I bet if you took a random poll, many would say people’s general behaviour has deteriorated. - a lot. And you can witness this just about anywhere. On the street with strangers, shopping in a store, when you’re driving – all kinds of rude behaviour. And you see it with politicians, corporate leaders, celebrities. And let’s not even get into social …

1
What do your dreams mean - and how do you control them? 46:25

7M ago46:25

46:25

It occupies a significant chunk of our life. But we pay little or no attention to it at all. Dreaming. There are scary dreams, happy dreams, erotic dreams.. and everyday, run-of-the-mill dreams. But what do they mean? How do we remember them, analyse them, even CONTROL them? (yes it’s possible) By studying how we sleep and dream we can better under…

1
Hope for the new year: A repeat of our interview with Dr. James Orbinski 47:51

8M ago47:51

47:51

We hope you're enjoying the holiday season with family and friends. It is a time meant for peace and goodwill and yet, for many, this has been a time of conflict, violence and war. How can we better understand the world during troubled times and even come away with hope? We thought hard about this and we wanted to end 2023 with our interview with D…

1
Do you know what makes you happy? You could be wrong 39:07

8M ago39:07

39:07

It’s the holiday season – a time for family, friends and happy times together. But then the season’s over and we’re back to the worries and grind of everyday life. Happiness can seem fleeting, so difficult to hold on to. But there’s actually a science around happiness and some answers as to what makes us happy. Some of the findings seem obvious. Bu…

1
How stress changes the brain and why it’s contagious 47:53

9M ago47:53

47:53

Are you stressed? Who isn’t! We seem to be faced with constant demands at work and at home. Obligations to family, responsibilities at work, commitments to friends and so on. And it’s all a race against the clock. As a society, we seem to be stressed out. And what makes this dilemma even more problematic is that stress is contagious! That’s right. …

1
Delusions: Why do people believe almost anything? 48:58

9M ago48:58

48:58

There are all kinds of delusions. Here’s one: You believe you’re the star of a movie and that your life is being watched and recorded. Every second of it. And everyone around you – your family, friends, even strangers – they’re in on it. This is your life and it’s hell. This unusual mental disorder, dubbed The Truman Show syndrome (after the movie …

1
Are we our memories? How we lose them and how we keep them. 48:32

10M ago48:32

48:32

What is the meaning of memory? Imagine waking up one day with no memory from the time you were 15. That’s what happened to a woman in the Maritimes. She went into cardiac arrest and was in a coma for three weeks. She was 29 at the time but when she awoke, she was a child again. It’s such an incredible story that I reached out to Dr. Howard Chertkow…

1
What REALLY haunts us? 44:30

10M ago44:30

44:30

It’s almost Hallowe’en. Sure it can be a scary time of year with ghosts and goblins, witches and warlocks, not to mention the living dead. (yuck) But what is truly frightening in our lives? Perhaps it’s something far deeper and darker. A haunting that you can’t run away from in the light of day or even while you sleep. Suzette Mayr has thought a lo…

1
Men Behaving Badly – the World’s WORST Tyrants 41:15

11M ago41:15

41:15

Tyrant. A word that can instill fear in millions of people. A monster capable of mass murder to achieve his own ends. But could one person’s tyrant actually be another person’s hero, even saviour? Who really is a tyrant? Why do they become one? And who are the worst tyrants in the world? If there’s anyone who’s thought deeply about this topic, it’s…

1
What foods can INCREASE your risk of cancer? 44:47

11M ago44:47

44:47

Here’s a startling fact. Lifestyle factors such as what you eat and whether you exercise can affect your risk of cancer by as much as 50%!! But there’s so much confusing info when it comes to food. And we all want that magic bullet. One week it’s tofu. Then it’s acai. Then it’s goji berries. We try the latest dieting craze hoping it’ll make us heal…

1
The Anxious Generation: Why are today's children so anxious and what can we do? 49:27

12M ago49:27

49:27

Do you feel there’s a general anxiety that’s been on the rise in our society – especially among young people? Many seem worried, unsettled, fearful. And their worries seem all encompassing: school, relationships, jobs, money, their health, the economy, the environment, global instability. They worry about their future and the future of the planet. …

1
Why is serendipity important in life? 40:38

12M ago40:38

40:38

As more and more of our lives become increasingly online, what happens to those chance encounters, moments of discovery, and unexpected but meaningful interactions with others – the serendipity of life? You might think working remotely is easier and more productive. And maybe it is. You have control over your day. And as far as relationships go, le…

1
WHO are WE? The characteristics of every living generation 38:54

1y ago38:54

38:54

How do you define a generation? Think about it. What do you think of when you hear the term baby boomers, millennials or any other generation? They bring to mind a specific group of people who share a common set of characteristics. Competitive, selfish, innovative? Oh those are Baby Boomers, Lazy, self-entitled, environmentally conscious? Got to be…

1
Our TRIBAL instinct: the powerful force that shapes who we are 47:50

1y ago47:50

47:50

Me against you. Us against them. As humans, we form tribes or groups we belong to. And they can be divisive and lead to rejection, isolation, and violence to those on the “outside.” But tribalism can also mean family, community, solidarity. David Samson is an evolutionary anthropologist who studies our “tribe drive.” How does it work and what do we…

1
Lessons for Living… and Dying 31:37

1y ago31:37

31:37

*A SPECIAL EDITION OF THE CRAM PODCAST Very few people have led the life that Thupten Jinpa Langri has experienced. At 11 years of age, he entered a Buddhist monastery after his parents fled Tibet and became refugees in southern India. Soon after he met the Dalai Lama who noticed the brilliance and curiosity of this young student. It was the start …

1
The Pain of It All: Conquering Chronic Pain 38:35

1y ago38:35

38:35

Many people live with constant pain. They’ve seen all kinds of specialists. They’ve tried all kinds of therapies and drugs. They’ve even had surgery. But they still have pain. Doctors have told them it’s “all in your head.” It’s not. That’s according to Dr. Andrea Furlan, a pain specialist who’s made it her life’s work to research the mechanisms of…

1
Why do we say I DO?! 40:37

1y ago40:37

40:37

Why do we STILL get married? We can live together – cohabit. Or we can live apart but have some kind of commitment, or understanding, or arrangement. There are so many options for people in relationships today. Why do we need the stamp of marriage? Take this unexpected and eye-popping journey through the history of marriage and discover why people …

1
The worst and best of human behaviour 47:02

1y ago47:02

47:02

This is an interview that will stay with you. It’s difficult, unsettling, and absolutely inspiring. There are very few people who’ve experienced life like James Orbinski - doctor, humanitarian, activist . He’s had unforgettable experiences on the front lines of aid: Somalia during its civil war and famine, Afghanistan as the Taliban came to power, …

1
A.I. – friend or foe? 49:03

1+ y ago49:03

49:03

Admit it, you’re nervous about A.I. There’s all the talk around chatbots like ChatGPT. These LLMs (large language models) can write code, lawyer a document, train a doctor, plan a military operation. Its uses seem limitless. Scary, right? So what’s next? Geoffrey Hinton, one of the godfathers of artificial intelligence, is warning us of the possibl…

1
Can you be healthy no matter what your condition? 48:33

1+ y ago48:33

48:33

Is it possible to feel healthy no matter what? Yes!! “You are equipped with the versatility and the tools to overcome practically any obstacle that prevents you from being healthy.” That’s according to Alex Jadad. It sounds incredible but Dr. Jadad believes you can feel healthy despite having illnesses like diabetes, arthritis, even cancer. He’s co…

1
How BIG things get done (and small things too!) 51:10

1+ y ago51:10

51:10

Think about building an airport.. a bridge.. a museum.. even staging the Olympics! Why is it these mega projects often end in failure? Bloated budgets. Massive delays. Unhappy stakeholders. Even doing a home reno often runs into the very same problems. What do all these failures have in common? And is there actually a formula for success? Bent Flyv…

1
I Didn’t Learn This in School: a shocking part of Canadian history 46:55

1+ y ago46:55

46:55

One of the fundamental questions of humans has been “who am I?” To know our identity and where we came from has been a powerful driving force. And it was a force in Norma Dunning, a professor at the University of Alberta, to find out about her Inuit heritage that was never spoken about in her family. Norma spent years doing research that revealed p…

1
Are you a rational person? 42:16

1+ y ago42:16

42:16

You probably know people who you think are irrational (and you’re certainly NOT one of them!). They have views you don’t agree with and make decisions that make no sense. And maybe you even feel irrational people are on the rise. And that makes you nervous. But just who is a rational person? What constitutes rational thinking? And can we use this f…

1
The Meaning of Movies: Looking back half a century at film 43:45

1+ y ago43:45

43:45

There’s always excitement around the Academy Awards. It could be the celebrities, their outfits, the sheer spectacle of the show, and of course the movies. Since the pandemic started, movie making and movie watching have changed dramatically - just look at the popularity of streaming services. But movies and the film industry have always been evolv…

1
Is beauty in the eye of the beholder? How we determine what is beautiful (and what is ugly) 40:23

1+ y ago40:23

40:23

What if I were to show you the face of someone and ask: “Do you think this person is beautiful?” I bet you wouldn’t have a problem giving me an answer. But if I were to show that same picture to someone else, I might get a different answer. So how does our perception of beauty develop? Why does it differ from one person to the next? And how does it…

1
Happily NEVER after? Re-thinking romantic love 50:28

1+ y ago50:28

50:28

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. And we’re bombarded with the message that true love means happiness forever after, right? Sure the message is to sell chocolates, flowers and romantic cards. But that idea that love equals happiness runs deep and goes way back in history - in literature, art, culture, even politics. It’s become an accepted…

1
The mysteries of music explained 42:45

1+ y ago42:45

42:45

How is it that a bunch of sounds in a particular order can evoke sadness, joy, restlessness, or some other emotion in you? That is the power of music. And if you’re a music lover, you will love this interview. Music is found in every culture around the world. Are there universal aspects to the way music is expressed and in the way we respond? Why d…

1
What you don’t know about the things you do every day 45:17

1+ y ago45:17

45:17

Do you realize you’re at the start of a new year that will be filled with hundreds of thousands of decisions you’ll make! Small decisions and big decisions – many regarding your health. And what exactly are these decisions based on? Listen to this eye-opening interview with Timothy Caulfield who looks behind our everyday decisions – like brushing o…

1
Special CRAM Podcast! What happens when a biologist, cosmologist and political scientist walk into a room? 1:22:16

1+ y ago1:22:16

1:22:16

This is a special edition of the CRAM Podcast - a recording of “Big Ideas at U of T: Celebrating 50 Years of the Connaught Fund.” Three remarkable researchers at the University of Toronto spoke about their innovative work: evolutionary biologist Maydianne Andrade, political scientist Ronald Diebert and cosmologist Renee Hlozek. Should scientists be…

1
Our future with covid, virtual relationships, and the dark side of AI with sci-fi writer Rob Sawyer 38:51

1+ y ago38:51

38:51

It’s been three years of living with the coronavirus – and the world has changed. We spoke with popular sci-fi writer Rob Sawyer a year ago to get his predictions on the pandemic. Where would we be with covid a year later? How would our lives and relationships change? And where is technology taking us? Now we’ve invited him back to see whether thos…

1
Re-designing our world: Creating harmony between cities and nature 46:04

1+ y ago46:04

46:04

Step into the incredible mind of Nina-Marie Lister! She looks at our streets, our communities, our world, as places full of potential to live harmoniously with nature. This has been her life’s work - from designing wildlife crossings (including the world’s largest) to implementing systems that will connect green spaces and communities to changing c…

1
The psychopaths among us – who are they? 45:46

2y ago45:46

45:46

Serial killers. You probably know the names of some of the world’s most infamous. Charles Manson, Ted Bundy. Robert Pickton and Paul Bernardo. If roughly 1% of the world’s population has psychopathic personality disorder, most of them live among us. Who are they? What distinguishes them from others? Psychologist Stephen Hart is an expert on this co…

1
Part II: The Truth about Lying 46:02

2y ago46:02

46:02

In Part I, psychologist Kang Lee talked about the development of lying in children – when it starts, why kids lie, and whether you can tell if a child is lying. (No you can’t tell a lot of the time!) In part 2, we continue our discussion on what actually works to prevent lying, and what happens as kids get older and become teens, then adults. How a…

1
The magic of everyday magicians – who were they and what did they practice? 39:43

2y ago39:43

39:43

Hallowe’en is around the corner – and you may think magic is all about witches, warlocks, and wizards. But did you know that hundreds of years ago, magic was practiced by people known as cunning folk – or as Prof. Sharon Wright likes to call them everyday magicians. Find out how these everyday magicians used magic to solve the everyday problems of …

1
How do you work with people you don’t like or trust? 38:13

2y ago38:13

38:13

Adam Kahane has been involved in some of the world’s most enduring and disruptive conflicts as a peace or progress facilitator: Colombia’s civil war, South Africa’s transition from apartheid, Northern Ireland and Guatemala after genocide. When former Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos received the Nobel Peace Prize, he referred to a meeting wit…

1
The “surprising” role serendipity plays in your life 40:05

2y ago40:05

40:05

What is serendipity? You may think of it as a happy accident or an unexpected outcome that’s good. And though it gives you pleasure, you may see it as random and something not worth thinking about. But sociologist Anabel Quan-Hasse says serendipity plays a very important role in our lives. And she’s concerned that we’re losing opportunities for ser…

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Mary Ito Podcasts

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