This podcast brings to light a lot of highly qualified guests who have valuable ideas to discuss. Sometimes the host struggles to grasp the concept in order to engage fully. I sometimes need to skip sections in order to manage my annoyance, but maybe the juxtaposition can be helpful for others.

What a waste of Dr. Richard Schwartz’s time. Is this podcast about learning from the interviewee and being curious about his research or about making your own plugs, forcing unnecessary “connections” or disconnections, and clearly misunderstanding this work out loud? Did the interviewer read and sit with any of his 40 years of work or do any background research ahead of time? Where were you going with this interview and what was your point? It felt like you brought on a guest you weren’t actually listening to and instead were trying to mansplain his research to him. Why continue to make extended connections to this work when you do not seem to understand or seem to really be interested in actually understanding his model. Maybe if you could step out of your own work that you keep referencing it would help. A better interview guide with a story arc would also help—this was all over the place.

Interesting guests but the constant noise Scott makes while people are talking is way too distracting. Unfortunate - a lot of interviews I would like to listen to but I have to stop after a short while.

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Love this podcast! So many great topics and guest. I always learn something and Scott’s style is down to earth and accessible - always asking the great questions. Highly recommend!!

This podcast is pretty good, it covers a wide variety of topics but my only issue is that it’s a majority male guests. I’d love to see more diversity with female/non binary guests

I’ve been listening to this podcast for the last few years and it never fails to inspire and educate. Thank you!

Love the topics. It is too difficult to try and get past the frequent profanity. If the cussing was discontinued or at least bleeped, this would be a great podcast.

While the topics on this podcast sound interesting, any hope of good discussion is quickly destroyed by the host. I find myself wondering if he is on the spectrum or simply profoundly disconnected from his guests and the conversation. If he is on the spectrum, I suppose I should go easy on the guy, I just wish it weren't such an impediment to productive conversation. I was actually recommended to this podcast by another host that I trust (Jordan Harbinger), whose show I wholeheartedly recommend over this one.

The host is very fair, minded, and bends over backwards to see both sides of an issue. I've listened to two episodes so far. One was about gender, and the other one was about narcissists. I found both episodes taking a humane and compassionate view on the subjects. The host is very careful not to jump to conclusions, stereotype or further negativity. I wouldn't mind him airing a few actual opinions of his own, but I think he wants to appear impartial. On the whole, the subjects are interesting and I feel like I’ve learned something.

As a mental health professional, and listening to him on the episode “The real differences between the generations”, there is no way I will continue to listen to this podcast. It felt like he had no knowledge or understanding of the topics he discussed, especially not based in psychology. What was even worse was how he would flip flop after the guest speaker would say something opposing his opinion. There was no compassion or understanding of mental health struggles, and how things change societally when there is a more significant mental health crisis happening. He also came across as if he has some resentment and distain towards the younger generations. It was odd.

Excellent subjects, guests and host. Scott is a class act interviewer

Nope. I can’t listen to him.

He is kind, humble, smart, very well spoken, and always has his “homework” done on the guest and all of their theories etc. before the podcast. I don’t know I think he’s very remarkable and I enjoy listening to his podcast because it’s non-political and just an easy-going nice thing to listen to is interesting thoughts interesting people great stuff!

Scott’s personality is so welcoming and congenial, he could make anyone feel comfortable. He asks the questions that everybody wonders and is not afraid to ask them. I would like to have him over for dinner or be his friend.

The past few weeks (and a quick Google search) have revealed this awkward interviewer to be the JK Rowling of psychology podcasts! A very fast unfollow.

The topics are insightful but I have noticed a pattern with people with multiple degrees, they talk at a pace that is so fast and unenjoyable to listen to. This is not the case with the host, maybe he is more relaxed since it’s his show.

We need to start thinking like Martha beck. In this episode, she states “I don’t struggle with mental illness, I enjoy it!”. Listen to Martha, she knows what life can do to you. she’s been there… she has 3 degrees from Harvard!

I started listening to this podcast for school and found it very eye opening and well done! As psychology major this podcast is very insightful for me!

I discover and learn so many things from this show! A breath of fresh air. Love Scott, his personality, how he relates to people, his humor, the insights he brings, the questions he asks, and how real he is. Keep up the good work!

I absolutely love your podcast! I have turned so many others onto your podcast who love it as well.During your interviews I think you have a wonderful combination of insight, humor, and compassion. Empiricism with a heart. Keep up the great work Scott, your podcast is always a bright spot in my week!!

Scott does a great job of bringing all the greats from modern day psychology under one roof in his fascinating show. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to improve their life through their mind.

There’s generally good guest selection—which draws me back. But the interviews are 30-90% cringe; he’s constantly interrupting his guests, often with inane, irrelevant, or inappropriate jokes, or to make a point that could’ve easily waited until the guest had finished their thought. Scott, please actually listen to your own recordings (as you said in a recent interview that you don’t), and compare notes with interviewers that you admire. Good interviewers aren’t trying to steal the spotlight and one-up their guests. Toot your own horn when you’re the interviewee.

Unless the whole world took a bunch of crazy pills while I was asleep, we all still collectively agree, as a species, that reincarnation is a supernatural and religious concept that can’t be proven any more than life after death or ghosts. So why are you inviting someone on to speak about it as if it were science? I know psychology isn't quite as, how to put this nicely, "academically rigorous" as actual science-based fields of study, but surely you don't have to completely abandon rational thought. Who will you invite next? An expert on the "science" of astrology? A doctor who studies the "facts" behind palmistry? A ghost? And is nobody sounding an alarm about the fact that this guy works with kids? The whole "recovered memory" movement from the 80s and 90s has been shown to be completely falsifiable, and experiments have proven that you can literally implant memories into subjects. Also, children don't have fully grown brains. I don't mean to dis kids, but I'm not sure we should take everything they say with complete seriousness. The satanic panic from the 80s, which permanently traumatized patients, destroyed lives, and tore apart families, was caused by adults who built up elaborate fantasy worlds powered by the "testimony" of children who often had no idea what they were contributing to. As you can imagine, I've unsubscribed. But I'm making a note of your name so that if it pops up elsewhere, I can draw attention to the fact that you promote reincarnation as scientific fact and apparently think it's okay to treat innocent children as if they're reincarnated adults.

Thanks for always having a smile and joyful approach

Always thoughtful, insightful and interesting! Thanks Scott.

Love it!

Long-time listener of the podcast and I really miss some of the authenticity of your guest selection and topics covered pre-stitcher. I’m happy that you’re likely monetizing better, but almost all of your guests lately have already been on the podcast circuit promoting their new books multiple times. I already subscribe to “the next big idea” & Ted-adjacent podcasts, you don’t need to be them, even if you ask slightly different Qs. You used to have people on with fascinating ideas that might not be so well known to the general public, and that’s a good thing! Embrace your niche! More SBK, less catering to the masses please.

So informational

Any night spent listening to Scott Barry Kaufman is time well spent. His podcast conversations are insightful, heartwarming, and useful in my everyday life. I particularly liked his interchange with Susan Cain. My only gripe was the tinny quality of the audio on that particular episode, which made it hard to hear her clearly at times. The last thing I want to say is how much I enjoy Scott’s infectious laugh and gentle humor. He’s simply a delightful person, and I am now a fan girl!

…but seriously — Charles Koch, PHILANTHROPIST??? Scott, you have fallen among knaves.

Really, Charles Koch? One of the elite that built their massive profits on the backs of ordinary people and try to influence our political system negatively! Poor judgement, dude. He is not one to be giving advice...pure evil

Charles and his family have done more harm to our democracy than anyone except R. Murdoch. He is a true villain only concerned with his wealth and transforming the U.S. into his vision. Embarrassing that you give him a chance to spread his filth.

This is one of the only podcast out there that provides a deep dive into mandatory concepts to live a better more fulfilling life.

I’ve learned so much from Dr. Kaufman many times I’ve went back and got the books of the interview guest or dived deeper on the website. There is so much content and helpful knowledge that this could fill a whole library about psychology and the mind, all for free!! Thank you so much for making this podcast.

Dr. Jordan Peterson as guest? I'm in!

Here’s more proof that being smart or a subject matter expert means you know how to make a podcast. Stop making cheesy jokes and interrupting your guests.

Good content and guests but the interviewer seems to be obsessed with his own ideas and demonstrating how smart he is. Scott, if you’re reading this I’d suggest you read Marshall Goldsmiths What Got You Here Wont Get You There. It might help you further develop your interpersonal style.

Am I the only one that feels dumber and dumber while listening to this podcast? It feels sometimes like a competition of who knows more, citing multiple sources in a sentence. To unpack it’s just to much, slow down, focus on one topic at a time please, not all of us are geniuses.

I cannot express enough how much I'm enjoying the podcast! I recently moved outside of the city and made the decision to opt for a more quiet home experience in spite of the commute to work. Now not only have I gained a quiet home life but an educational listen along as I drive to work that helps me understand the "why" behind some of my beliefs & thoughts when I didn't really know where to look for this understanding before listening. Much appreciation for this podcast!!!

I am an undergraduate student in psychology and concurrent 1st year Master’s student in Educational Psychology, and this podcast is making my commute as valuable as my coursework. The long-form interviews of giants in the field give depth to the cursory treatment their works gets at my level. The comity and mutual respect between Dr. Kaufman and his guests add layers of interest that would not come out with a layperson or journalist as the host. I really appreciate the window into the brilliant mind and humanity of each guest. Thanks so much. Jon N.

It’s hard to understand due to the speakers talking so fast.

I really enjoyed hearing Scott Barry Kaufman on Sam Harris and Coleman Hughes. But this podcast seems to be about winning, achieving, greatness. Do you think maybe these soul destroying concepts were communicated to us- overtly or subconsciously- by our status-obsessed parents? The old “my son, the doctor” crap. And that maybe whole humans should not be focused on these greatness goals, but rather focused on their own individuation? Sure, greatness might be the result, but as a goal, it is probably why the world is in such a pickle right now.

This podcast is super informative. It finally brought in a perspective about the impact of racism in episode 276. Check it out, you will most definitely learn something.

Dr. Jordan Peterson as a guest? I’m out.

I really enjoyed this episode! Scott discusses IQ and intelligence frequently and having Jordan’s insight was a lovely addition to the Pod. I thought it would be a good idea to make myself useful and add a comment about power and how it was discussed in this episode. Jordan took the concept of power literally. Using muscle or brute force to get one’s way. I think that the understanding that was intended from the discussed studies were alluding to a more socially constructed conception of power. IE: Using one’s status, identity, and influence to create the change in the world, and in turn others. Especially on a policy level. It seems to me that this understanding of power is more often recognized in fields like sociology or social work rather than psychology. I am now curious about if/how psychologists go about studying social constructs as they overlap with various and perhaps multiple layers of identity. And if/how it relates to IQ, creativity, personality, ect, IF there is a connection at all! Regardless, this podcast is a delight and definitely worth a listen

The host Scott talks about himself all the time. It’s annoying and takes up time on facts about him and not the guest. I skip when he talks about himself or just turn it off.

I feel so good listening to this podcast! The host is incredibly upbeat and eager to learn and share his knowledge. It’s refreshing to hear.

I 200+% recommend this podcast! So many topics touched discussed as well as being fully immersed in scientific banter between colleagues, which I find interesting to listen to as well. I’ve learned so many things about issues within my groups of family & friends, as well as myself (which intuitively I have felt i’ve already known a lot of these things already but it is nice to have it confirmed by professionals). You can skim through & choose any topic of interest to you & go from there!

I listened to several episodes snd really liked the content. The conversations were were easy to relate to and follow. Dr. John with The Men’s Self Help Podcast