
Understanding Emotions
Über

Live Workshop Announcement + How to Handle Comparisons
Dec 14, 2025·—
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Signup for the workshop: https://academy.sankalpgarud.org/nov-workshop 21 December 5pm UK | 12pm EST | 9am PST | 10:30pm IST

How to Be Disciplined
Oct 9, 2025·—
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https://www.skool.com/emotional-intelligence-party

How to Build Emotional Intelligence
Sep 28, 2025·—
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In this episode, I answer a question on how to build emotional intelligence . https://www.skool.com/pharos-community-8453/about?ref=54dfe84a09124ff9b3244e2d78135a0a

Why I Did A PhD In Psychology/Neuroscience
Sep 22, 2025·—
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Emotional Intelligence Scorecard: score.sankalpgarud.org Emotional Intelligence Community: https://www.skool.com/emotional-intelligence-party/about?ref=54dfe84a09124ff9b3244e2d78135a0a In this video, I discuss why I did a PhD in psychology/neuroscience 00:52 Reason 1 02:43: Reason 2 04:29: Reason 3

What Doing an Oxford PhD Taught Me
Aug 30, 2025·—
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Emotional Intelligence Scorecard: https://score.sankalpgarud.org In this short episode, I talk about what doing an Oxford PhD taught me.

Magic and Psychology: A Conversation with Fergus Flanagan
Jan 19, 2025·—
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In this episode, I am joined by magician Fergus Flanagan. We talk about the relationship between psychology and magic, ethics of using deception in magic, the power of storytelling, and more. About Fergus: Based in London, Fergus is a BAFTA award-winning magician and mindreader who has performed over 2000 shows globally since he started doing magic more than 20 years ago. His experience ranges from private and corporate events to virtual shows and television presenting. Throughout the last 10 years, Fergus has featured on BBC, SKY, ITV and Channel 4. A member of the world-renowned Magic Circle, Fergus was crowned ‘Virtual Magician of the Year’ in 2022 by the society in recognition of his success during the pandemic when he performed virtual shows for companies including Amazon, TikTok, Microsoft and HSBC. His vast experience makes him one of the most in-demand magicians in the world today.

How to deal with uncertainty
Nov 23, 2024·—
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In this super spontaneous episode, I talk about how to deal with uncertainty. If you haven't already, take the emotional intelligence scorecard here: https://sankalp-ua94japp.scoreapp.com

The Power of Long Term Thinking (and a heart-to-heart message for you)
Nov 3, 2024·—
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In this episode, I talk about the power of long term thinking Measure your emotional intelligence here . Get your FREE score and personalised recommendations. Website: sankalpgarud.org

Supplements I Take for Sleep, Performance, and Longevity
Sep 14, 2024·—
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Get your free emotional intelligence score: https://sankalp-ua94japp.scoreapp.com In this episode of 'Understanding Emotions', I dive into the supplements that I take daily. We discuss foundational supplements like multivitamins, omega-3s, and vitamin D, as well as sports and sleep supplements such as creatine and magnesium. Additionally, I touch on supplements for skin health and dealing with the common cold. Remember, consult your medical professional before making any changes to your routine. 🧘♂️💭 If we haven't met, 👋 I'm Sankalp, a DPhil student in psychology at the University of Oxford. 00:00 Introduction to Understanding Emotions 00:24 Why Discuss Health in an Emotions Podcast? 00:33 The Importance of Physical Health for Mental Well-being 01:37 Foundations of Health: Sleep, Exercise, Nutrition 02:18 Introduction to Supplements 02:58 Foundational Supplements: Multivitamins and More 07:06 Sports Supplements: Creatine 09:18 Energy and Longevity: NMN and More 11:39 Skincare Supplements: Retinoid 13:44 Optimizing Sleep: Magnesium, L-theanine, and more 15:51 Fighting the Common Cold: Zinc and NAC 19:41 Dental Health: N-Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste 23:06 Exploring Longevity: Brian Johnson's Mix 25:03 Recovery and Performance: Glutamine and Rhodiola 27:56 Conclusion: Health and Emotional Resilience

Which is better? Psychology or Neuroscience?
Sep 4, 2024·—
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Get your emotional intelligence score: https://sankalp-ua94japp.scoreapp.com What is better: psychology or neuroscience? 🤔 In this episode of Understanding Emotions, I dive deep into both fields to answer this common question. As a PhD student in psychology and neuroscience at the University of Oxford, I explore the distinctions between studying the mind and studying the brain, the core problem of suffering, and how each discipline addresses mental health. We also touch upon related areas like psychiatry, social connection, and the unity of knowledge beyond compartmentalized fields. Whether you're curious about your emotions or a student deciding on your major, this conversation will provide valuable insights. 🌟🧠💡 00:00 Psychology vs. Neuroscience 00:35 Defining Psychology and Neuroscience 00:53 The Hard Problem of Consciousness 01:42 Addressing Suffering: Psychology's Role 06:02 Neuroscience's Contribution to Understanding Suffering 07:15 The Interconnectedness of Mind and Brain 11:00 Beyond Psychology and Neuroscience 12:15 Holistic Approach to Understanding Emotions Website: https://sankalpgarud.org

Exploring Dunbar's Number and Gender Dynamics with Professor Robin Dunbar
Aug 25, 2024·—
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Free guide on emotional intelligence: https://newsletter.sankalpgarud.org/52waysguide In this episode, I sit down with the esteemed Professor Robin Dunbar, emeritus professor of evolutionary psychology at the University of Oxford. We dive into Dunbar's Number and the science behind the limits of human relationships. Our discussion spans various topics, including the formation of friendships, the importance of shared humor, gender differences in attraction, and the dynamics of dating. We also explore how cultural and environmental factors influence social networks, the impact of online dating, and the intriguing neuroscience of relationships. Join us for a deep dive into how our relationships shape our health, happiness, and wellbeing. 00:00 Introduction to the Episode 00:07 Meet Professor Robin Dunbar 02:07 The Importance of Friendships 05:14 The Science Behind Friendships 08:06 Understanding Dunbar's Number 10:23 Layers of Relationships 35:54 Gender Differences in Friendships 57:41 Understanding Social Styles and Their Origins 59:50 The Role of Mentalizing and Inhibition in Social Systems 01:01:00 Diplomacy and Gender Differences in Social Skills 01:02:27 Romantic Relationships: Polyamory, Monogamy, and Pair Bonding 01:17:02 Gender Differences in Attraction and Relationship Dynamics 01:37:28 The Impact of Online Dating and Social Media on Relationships 01:51:56 Concluding Thoughts and Key Takeaways

NHS Doctor Sanchit Turaga: The fundamentals of health
Jul 23, 2024·—
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Free newsletter and more: https://newsletter.sankalpgarud.org/52waysguide In this episode of the Understanding Emotions, we explore the crucial pillars of health—sleep, exercise, and nutrition—while diving into the ethical and scientific dimensions of biohacking and longevity. Dr Sanchit Turuga is a medical doctor at the UK's National Health Service and a DPhil (PhD) student in medicine at the University of Oxford. 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage 01:25 Foundations of Good Health 03:34 Challenges in Maintaining Health 06:10 The Importance of Sleep 18:53 Exercise: The Second Pillar of Health 32:59 The Impact of Diet on Health 33:39 Debating the Benefits of Vegetarianism 35:05 The Need for More Research 35:57 Practical Challenges of Changing Diets 37:10 Concluding Thoughts on Nutrition 38:34 The Role of Supplements in Health 45:06 The Common Cold and Immunity 51:18 The Debate on Health Tracking and Measurement 01:00:33 The Concept of Longevity Clinics 01:08:05 The Parabiosis Experiment and Blood Transfusions 01:10:28 Biohacking and Longevity Optimization 01:12:21 Caloric Restriction and Exercise for Longevity 01:15:31 The Debate on Aging as a Disease 01:18:15 Personalized Medicine and Supplementation 01:29:28 Gut Microbiome: The New Frontier 01:38:11 Personalized Medicine and Alternative Therapies 01:43:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The Learning Expert: How to Get Better at Anything (including emotional intelligence) | Scott Young
Jun 29, 2024·—
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Free guide on emotional intelligence: https://newsletter.sankalpgarud.org/52waysguide In this episode, I talk with Scott Young on how to master learning. We talk about his new book Get Better at Anything. We talk about important topics in learning such as the role of feedback, the problem of transfer, importance of meta learning, and more. 00:00 Introduction 00:31 Meet Scott Young: The Learning Expert 02:09 About Get Better at Anything (Scott's new book) 06:18 The Emotional Payoff of Learning 08:29 Classifying Skills 15:28 The Role of Identity in Learning 21:59 Directness vs. Building Blocks in Learning 29:20 The Effectiveness of Standardized Testing 32:49 The Transfer of Skills: Chess as a Case Study 41:02 Addressing Criticisms and Beliefs in Meta Learning 42:44 Defining Meta Learning 45:21 Debunking Learning Styles Theory 49:16 The Importance of Meta Learning in Skill Acquisition 50:25 Exploring Personal Learning Projects 59:13 The Role of Feedback 01:11:17 Future Directions in Learning Research 01:20:46 Practical Tips for Your Learning Journey

How to Not Nice - Full Guide
May 17, 2024·—
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https://newsletter.sankalpgarud.org/52waysguide Ever feel like you're always putting others first, even if it means neglecting yourself? This episode dives deep into the surprising downsides of being "too nice." I explains how people-pleasing tendencies can lead to burnout , stifle your voice , and even damage your relationships. If we haven't met 👋, my name is Sankalp, I am a PhD student in psychology at the University of Oxford. We'll explore the root causes of this behavior (often linked to childhood experiences!), and learn powerful strategies to overcome it. I will show you how to set healthy boundaries, manage that pesky guilt monster, and finally develop the assertiveness you deserve . This episode is your chance to understand why you might be "too nice," and take control of your happiness! Join me and let's build a more balanced and fulfilling life together! #selfcare #boundaries #assertiveness #personalgrowth #psychology 00:00 Introduction 03:16 Niceness is not the same as goodness 08:01 The selfishness spectrum 12:15 Resentment 13:03 Over-responsibility 13:46 Solution to niceness 14:42 Guilt 20:08 Covert contracts 21:50 Role of childhood 24:33 Exercise: find your rules 27:13 How to not blame others 28:41 Passive aggressiveness 31:48 Silent Treatment 32:37 Exercise: bill of rights 34:53 What are rights 36:30 Most social rules are malleable 37:28 Communication hacks 39:08 Putting it all into practice 39:55 Mindfulness meditation 42:11 Mind body pain 44:46 The cost of niceness

The Neuroscience of Friendships: Why We Connect & How to Do it Better
Apr 18, 2024·—
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Free guide on emotional intelligence: https://newsletter.sankalpgarud.org/52waysguide In this video, I talk about loneliness, social connection, friendship and the likes. I explore both the science and the practice of making friends. Who am I? If we haven't met before, I am Sankalp, a PhD student in Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford. My aim is to significantly increase happiness and well-being in this world. On this channel I talk about all things psychology, both from the inside (think emotions) and from the outside (think brain). 00:00 Trailer 02:35 Podcast begins 04:59 Exploring the Grant Study: The Importance of Social Bonds 08:39 Loneliness vs. Social Network Sizes: A Deep Dive into Studies 13:14 The Neuroscience of Social Connection: Brain Mechanisms and Hormones 15:48 How many friends can I have at once 20:09 Impact of decreasing family sizes on lonelinesss 22:17 Role of endorphins 27:37 Meditation and default mode network 30:33 Empathy and mirror neurons 34:46 Social context and social mistakes 36:32 Social connection as a fundamental human need 40:14 Gut health and social anxiety 43:03 Social Status and Its Impact: Understanding Our Social Hierarchy 45:20 Fear of rejection 46:50 Overcoming Fear and Rejection in Social Interactions 49:35 Tip: Talk to strangers 52:14 Do Looks Matter? 53:39 Key Factors in Forming Friendships: Similarity, Proximity, and Familiarity 56:40 How many hours to go from friend to stranger? 58:05 Tip: Acceptance 58:57 Tip: Choosing right environments, cities, and venues 01:00:46 Tip: Optimising nutrition 01:01:30 Tip: How to overcome fear of rejection 01:06:08 Tip Embracing Vulnerability and Authenticity for Deeper Connections 01:07:32 Tip: Friendly greetings 01:08:37 Building self-esteem 01:10:49 The halo effect 01:12:20 Internal Family Systems Model 01:16:11 Conversation skills 01:23:26 My personal experience eliminating social anxiety

Columbia Professor: Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, Stoicism, Escaping Death | Chuck Garcia
Apr 2, 2024·—
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Chuck Garcia is the founder of Climb Leadership International and coaches executives worldwide on public speaking, emotional intelligence, and executive presence. His clients include many of the world’s best and biggest companies. He is a motivational speaker, Amazon bestselling author of A Climb to the Top, and teaches at Columbia University. Chuck is also a passionate and accomplished mountaineer who has scaled peaks all over the world. He formerly spent twenty-five years in leadership positions at Bloomberg, BlackRock, and Citadel Investment Management. His new book, The Moment That Defines Your Life was released on February 6th and distributed by Simon & Schuster. 00:00 Trailer 00:51 Introduction 02:17 Conversation starts 02:41 Chuck's Life-Changing Experience on 9/11 07:51 From Wall Street to Mountaineering: A Career Transformation 09:02 Family Perspectives and Emotional Aftermath 11:29 Embracing a New Career Path: The Journey of Teaching and Coaching 14:34 The Power of Mentorship and Learning from the Mountains 19:14 Does academia fail to create inspiration? 23:54 Stoicism Meets Emotional Intelligence 33:28 Navigating People Pleasing and Niceness 34:55 The Pitfalls of Trying Too Hard 35:52 Eulogy Virtues vs Resume Virtues 37:47 The Power of Genuine Connections 39:26 Cultural Differences in Communication and Assertiveness 40:46 Embracing Nonconformity: Lessons from Churchill and Gandhi 49:16 Emotional security vs courage 50:42 Building Credibility, Trust, and Respect in Your Career 54:15 Public Speaking and Communication 59:59 Final Thoughts: Changing Yourself to Change the World 01:02:55 Wrapping up

Bryan Johnson: "Nothing matters in life without mental health" "Make health your #1 priority"
Mar 25, 2024·—
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In this episode, I talk to Bryan Johnson about mental health, social connection, and more. Free guide on emotional intelligence: https://newsletter.sankalpgarud.org/52waysguide Bryan Johnson is the world's most measured human. Johnson sold his company, Braintree Venmo, to PayPal for $800m in 2013. Through his Project Blueprint, Johnson has achieved metabolic health equal to the top 1.5% of 18 year olds, inflammation 66% lower than the average 10 year old, and reduced his speed of aging by the equivalent of 31 years. Johnson freely shares his protocols and data publicly for everyone to use. Project Blueprint, is an endeavor to achieve humanity and earth scale cooperation starting within Self. 0:00 Trailer 00:40 Bryan's Introduction 02:57 Does mental health matter to Bryan? 03:59 Relationship between mental health and physical health 05:10 Bryan's relationship with death 06:45 Maintaining gratitude for life in the absence of death 09:12 Lessons from religious upbringing 10:18 Bryan's take on relationships 11:50 Making health a priority

Psychology vs Politics Expert | Happiness, Morality, and Big Political Ideas That Shaped The World
Mar 19, 2024·—
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Free guide: 52 Ways to Be More Emotionally Intelligent https://newsletter.sankalpgarud.org/52waysguide In this podcast, I talk to Sanat Sogani on the intersection between psychology and politics. We discuss a range of issues from the history of political theory to morality and Buddhism. I hope you find this discussion engaging. Sanat Sogani is a PhD student in Political Theory at the Central European University in Vienna. (00:00) Introduction (02:24) Psychology and Politics discussion begins (05:35) What is politics (11:36) Key Ideas of Politics 12:36 Plato and Socrates 13:24 Aristotle 14:28 Hobbes 15:55 Rousseau 17:33 Hobbes vs Rousseau 18:23 Kant 19:36 Marx 20:31 Rawls 21:41 Feminism 22:15 Nancy Fraser & Elizabeth Anderson 24:00 Confucius and Eastern Thinkers 26:52 Which thinker influenced Sanat the most? 27:57 Is Rishi Sunak Kantian? 29:46 Buddhism, Religion and Atheism 34:51 Where does religion go wrong? 35:38 Deontology vs utilitarianism 38:51 The trolley problem 41:18 Trolley problem in the pandemic 42:04 Buddhist philosophy 43:47 Is growth limited to a few? 45:47 The problem of psychopathy and bad actors 46:23 Problems inherent in Buddhsim and any belief system 48:39 Liberalism 50:16 Is political theory useful in day to day life? 54:32 Arriving at political conclusions through psychological premises 55:02 Agency and mental health 57:49 Intersection of psychology and politics 01:00:27 Status and social hierarchies 01:04:50 Morality 01:09:43 Sankalp's views on where morality comes from 01:11:02 Jonathan Haidt's Moral Foundation Theory 01:14:20 Marriage 01:19:25 Conform or Rebel: How to Decide? 01:22:18 Protests 01:24:05 Books & resources to learn political theory 01:25:25 Left - right spectrum 01:28:06 Wrapping up

UE #61: The risks and dangers of meditation
Mar 3, 2024·—
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In this episode, we talk about the risks of meditation practice. 52 ways to be more emotionally intelligent (free guidebook): https://newsletter.sankalpgarud.org/52waysguide Financial times podcast: https://www.ft.com/content/b3ec8e57-5cf9-4f96-9267-56c3bcd9c102 00:00 Introduction 03:06 Announcement 04:00 Motivation (Untold: The Retreat Podcast) 06:16 What are meditation retreats 08:23 Categories of meditation related problems 11:34 Psychological problems stemming from physical problems 11:59 Sleep related disturbances 15:39 Nutrition related problems 19:37 Socio-psychological Problems 23:00 Cultlike elements in meditation 28:09 Critical Thinking 29:04 Political Polarisation 29:57 Mental Health Problems 30:10 Psychotic episodes 31:31 The purpose of meditation 36:12 Perfectionism 37:33 Insights 40:52 Reaching out for help and potential pitfalls 42:36 Aftershow Website: sankalpgarud.org Listen on Spotify / iTunes / RSS / Web Player Sign up for the mailing list! Please share the podcast using the links below. If you wish to contact me for feedback/suggestions/comments, please get in touch using this contact form . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UE #59: The four attachment styles
Jan 5, 2024·—
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In this episode, we talk about the four attachment styles. This is a audio excerpt from my YouTube video on the same topic! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UE #58: How to Stop Being Nice - Conversation with Dr Aziz Gazipura
Nov 27, 2023·—
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In this episode, we discuss how to stop being nice. This is an episode with Dr Aziz Gazipura Free guide: https://newsletter.sankalpgarud.org/52waysguide Website: sankalpgarud.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UE #57: How to deal with unpleasant emotions
Oct 23, 2023·—
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In this episode, we talk about how to deal with negative emotions Website: sankalpgarud.org Listen on Spotify / iTunes / RSS / Web Player Sign up for the mailing list! Please share the podcast using the links below. If you wish to contact me for feedback/suggestions/comments, please get in touch using this contact form . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UE #56: The Epistemology of Emotional Intelligence (and what qualifies someone to be an expert?)
Sep 17, 2023·—
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In this podcast, I talk about the epistemology of emotional intelligence. Website: sankalpgarud.org Listen on Spotify / iTunes / RSS / Web Player Sign up for the mailing list! Please share the podcast using the links below. If you wish to contact me for feedback/suggestions/comments, please get in touch using this contact form . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UE #55: How to build self-esteem
Sep 5, 2023·—
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In this epidose, I discuss self esteem Instant Emotional Intelligence Workbook Website: sankalpgarud.org Listen on Spotify / iTunes / RSS / Web Player Sign up for the mailing list! Please share the podcast using the links below. If you wish to contact me for feedback/suggestions/comments, please get in touch using this contact form . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UE #54: How to be Confident - Deep Dive
Jul 31, 2023·—
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In this podcast, we discuss confidence. Get 52 ways to be emotionally intelligent guidebook Listen on Spotify / iTunes / RSS / Web Player Sign up for the mailing list! Please share the podcast using the links below. If you wish to contact me for feedback/suggestions/comments, please get in touch using this contact form . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


