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Science of Perception Box

Science of Perception Box

Unlikely Collaborators | Pod People 10 Episodes Aug 19, 2026

Join renowned scientists Dr. Heather Berlin and Dr. Christof Koch on the Science of Perception Box, where they delve into the Perception Box—a groundbreaking concept developed by Elizabeth R. Koch, that reveals how our beliefs, biases, and neural wiring shape our reality and define how we experience the world. Through captivating conversations with expert guests like psychiatrist Dr. Judson Brewer, anthropologist Dr. Helen Fisher, and journalist Michael Pollan, the show explores how the Perception Box expands in states of awe, curiosity, and love, and contracts during fear, anxiety, or anger. From mindfulness and romantic relationships to psychedelics and human connection, each episode uncovers transformative insights into unlocking greater awareness, fostering curiosity, and reshaping how we perceive the world.

Episodes

Your Body’s Operating Manual: Andrew Huberman on the Mind-Body Connection
Your Body’s Operating Manual: Andrew Huberman on the Mind-Body Connection Aug 19, 2026 2709 Even though our experiences are shaped by unconscious patterns and bodily sensations, we have the agency to actively transform them simply by staying present and aware. Dr. Heather Berlin and Dr. Christof Koch sit down with Stanford neuroscientist and “Huberman Lab” host Andrew Huberman to explore the science of how your brain and body talk to each other, and how you can use that conversation to y
Stop Trying to Fix People: Mel Robbins on the Power of Letting Go
Stop Trying to Fix People: Mel Robbins on the Power of Letting Go Aug 12, 2026 2968 How much of your energy is focused on trying to  change people who aren't ready to change? Best-selling author and podcast host Mel Robbins joins Dr. Heather Berlin and Dr. Christof Koch to explore what happens when you stop trying to control others and  start reclaiming your own life. Robbins calls it the “Let Them Theory”: a deceptively simple idea that has struck a nerve with millions
How Much Risk Should Kids Take?
How Much Risk Should Kids Take? Aug 5, 2026 3036 Dr. Camilo Ortiz, clinical psychologist and creator of Independence Therapy, joins hosts Dr. Heather Berlin and Dr. Christof Koch to unpack why the instinct in modern parenting  is to protect kids from every risk may be backfiring. Dr. Ortiz explains how a child's Perception BoxTM starts forming almost as soon as they can speak, why parents today wildly overestimate danger despite living in t
Science of Perception Box is Back with a New Season
Science of Perception Box is Back with a New Season Jul 29, 2026 80 Why do two people witness the same event and walk away with entirely different experiences of what happened? Dr. Heather Berlin and Dr. Christof Koch return for Season 2 of Science of Perception Box, exploring the invisible framework, the Perception Box™, that shapes how your brain constructs reality, interprets experience, and defines your sense of self. Each week, they sit down with guests inclu
Psychedelics and the Placebo Effect with Dr. Boris Heifets
Psychedelics and the Placebo Effect with Dr. Boris Heifets Mar 13, 2025 2880 Can psychedelics under anesthesia heal trauma? What is the latest research around ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin? That’s part of what we explore this week on Science of Perception Box. Stanford anesthesiologist Dr. Boris Heifets joins Dr. Heather Berlin and Dr. Christoph Koch to discuss the latest research on the first double-blind study on Ketamine, the placebo effect, and the therapeutic value o
Is Time Real? How Your Brain Perceives the Past with Dr. Lila Davachi
Is Time Real? How Your Brain Perceives the Past with Dr. Lila Davachi Mar 6, 2025 2670 Ever wonder why time seems to fly or crawl? From ancient philosophers to modern neuroscientists, the nature of time has captivated human curiosity. This week on Science of Perception Box, we investigate the relationships among time, memory, and perception. Dr. Davachi shares the mechanisms of how the brain encodes and retrieves memories, including why emotions and feelings play a role in our perce
Why Your Brain Needs Awe and Wonder with Dr. Dacher Keltner
Why Your Brain Needs Awe and Wonder with Dr. Dacher Keltner Feb 27, 2025 2314 When was the last time you felt absolutely mesmerized by something beautiful? Whether it’s seeing a breathtaking vista, losing yourself in a piece of music, or being in a crowd cheering for the same team, the feeling of awe can be all-encompassing and expansive. This week on Science of Perception Box, Dr. Dacher Keltner, one of the world’s foremost emotion scientists and a scientific advisor behin
Cultivating More Childhood Wonder with Dr. Alison Gopnik
Cultivating More Childhood Wonder with Dr. Alison Gopnik Feb 20, 2025 2883 How can parents embrace science in order to give their children the best possible environment to thrive in? Cognitive development expert Dr. Alison Gopnik joins us to discuss how navigating challenges fosters healthier adults, likening caregiving to being a gardener creating an environment where various ”plants” can thrive in different conditions. Exposing children to diverse environments helps th
Why Did We Evolve to Feel Romantic Love? with Dr. Helen Fisher
Why Did We Evolve to Feel Romantic Love? with Dr. Helen Fisher Feb 13, 2025 2743 We long for love. We die for love. We kill for love. But why do we love? Cohosts Dr. Heather Berlin and Dr. Christoph Koch ask this question to Helen Fisher, PhD. who dedicated her career to researching romantic love. In this episode of Science of Perception Box, we explore how the act of being in love or out of love changes how we view ourselves and the world around us.  Dr. Fisher was a biologi
How Does Our Cultural Identity Influence Us? with Dr. Daphna Oyserman
How Does Our Cultural Identity Influence Us? with Dr. Daphna Oyserman Feb 6, 2025 2931 Our cultural lenses can expand our Perception Box or contract it, keeping us closed off to new opportunities. So how do we become aware of the personal influences that shape our perceptions? In this episode of Science of Perception Box, cohosts Dr. Heather Berlin and Dr. Christoph Koch discuss the impact of cultural differences on identity and mindsets with guest Dr. Daphna Oyserman. Dr. Oyserman
A Case of Mistaken Identity with Dr. Dan Siegel
A Case of Mistaken Identity with Dr. Dan Siegel Jan 30, 2025 3109 What is the mind? Does the mind exist only in your own Perception Box, or is there a greater connection of consciousness? In this episode of Science of Perception Box, cohosts Dr. Heather Berlin and Dr. Christoph Koch discuss the interconnectedness of the mind, the impact of implicit memories from infancy on childhood attachment, and the wheel of awareness with Dr. Dan Siegel. Dr. Siegel shares hi
How Food Affects Your Mind with Michael Pollan
How Food Affects Your Mind with Michael Pollan Jan 23, 2025 2789 Humans have a symbiotic relationship with plants. Plants coevolved to suit our desires for nourishment, beauty, and altering consciousness. Journalist Michael Pollan has investigated the human connection to plants. This week on Science of Perception Box, Dr. Heather Berlin and Dr. Christof Koch ask Pollan about modern trends like ultra-processed foods, industrialized agriculture, and consciousness

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