Choiceology with Katy Milkman
Episode: Coming Soon: A New Season of Choiceology
Host: Katy Milkman
Date: August 10, 2026
Episode Overview
This teaser episode introduces the upcoming season of Choiceology, hosted by behavioral scientist and Wharton professor Katy Milkman. The show, produced by Charles Schwab, uncovers the hidden psychological and economic forces behind our decisions, aiming to help listeners make smarter, more intentional choices. Katy previews fresh stories exploring decision-making biases, social connections, and compelling real-world case studies.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Surprising Biases in Human Behavior
- Exploring Biases: The season will tackle lesser-known cognitive biases that affect how we connect, compete, and decide.
- Katy Milkman:
"We've got a new season on the way, exploring some surprising biases that shape how we connect, compete and choose." (00:12)
2. Expectations and Emotional Reactions
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The show will spotlight cases where intuition and expectations are wildly misaligned with reality.
- Featured Quote:
"Their expectations weren't just wrong, they were precisely backwards." (00:24)
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Emotional anticipation is a core topic, acknowledging how both positive and negative waiting periods can be emotionally draining.
"Waiting for bad things always feels bad, but waiting for good things also often feels bad." (00:28)
3. Avoidance and Missed Opportunities
- The narrative will examine how behaviors or activities we avoid are sometimes the very things that could benefit us.
- Katy Milkman:
"The things we avoid that might actually help us." (00:35)
4. Social Judgments and Preferences
- The show will address how preferences are formed toward people who reveal or withhold information.
"People tend to prefer the revealer relative to the person who abstains. We just don't like hiders." (00:38)
5. Social Connections Are an Active Choice
- The myth that good relationships happen passively will be challenged; instead, intentional effort and repeated choices shape our social lives.
- Katy Milkman:
"Social connection isn't something that just happens to us. It's a choice we make over and over again..." (00:44)
6. Accountability and Pro-social Motivation
- The power of being observed and supported by others is a recurring theme:
"The goals we can only reach when someone else is looking over our shoulder. We will do for others what we will not do for ourselves." (00:48)
7. Real-World Stories and Case Studies
Katy previews several compelling stories from the upcoming season:
- A family’s near-miss in welcoming a daughter, driven by unfounded future fears.
- Language and economic behavior: A unique Alpine community where language impacts how people save for the future.
- A notorious Formula One rivalry that put a championship at risk.
"Through remarkable real world stories and conversations with experts in behavioral science, Choiceology shares insights that can help you make smarter decisions, improve your relationships, and better understand yourself." (01:18)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On bias:
"Their expectations weren't just wrong, they were precisely backwards." (00:24)
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On anticipation:
"Waiting for bad things always feels bad, but waiting for good things also often feels bad." (00:28)
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On avoidance:
"The things we avoid that might actually help us." (00:35)
-
On social preferences:
"People tend to prefer the revealer relative to the person who abstains. We just don't like hiders." (00:38)
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On social connections:
"Social connection isn't something that just happens to us. It's a choice we make over and over again..." (00:44)
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On motivation:
"We will do for others what we will not do for ourselves." (00:48)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:06 – 00:35: Katy introduces the new season's focus: bias, connection, competition, and emotion.
- 00:35 – 00:44: Discussion of avoidance and preferences for honesty.
- 00:44 – 00:59: Social connection as an active choice and how outside expectations affect motivation.
- 00:59 – 01:20: Preview of real-life stories: family decisions, language and saving, sports rivalry.
- 01:20 – 01:50: Call to action: encourage listeners to catch up and subscribe.
Conclusion
This short episode serves as an engaging preview of what’s to come, promising listeners a blend of behavioral science research and gripping storytelling. Through real-life examples, expert interviews, and analysis of universal human dilemmas, Katy Milkman and her guests aim to help everyone become better, more thoughtful decision makers. Listeners are encouraged to follow Choiceology and look forward to the season premiere in two weeks.
