Scared Straight

Perhaps this would have made a good Halloween episode? Probably not. Anyway, this episode honors April Fool's day by examining a foolish endeavor: Scared Straight programs. We review the scientific research and philosophy underlying the idea of Scared Straight. Unsurprisingly, this is an idea that is so bad that even the cops don't like it. So, why does it persist...? RecommendationsAbraham: Zootopia 2 Shane: A Wilhelm Scream - Cheap Heat (https://open.spotify.com/album/4fcuCuXF4E22R8Imztwbio?si=62c224dddd324aa6)Holidays (4/1/2026):April Fools DayBoomer Bonus DayEdible Book DayFossil Fools DayInternational Tatting DayLibrary Snap Shot DayLupus Alert DayNational Atheist DayNational Fun DayNational Jump in Muddy Puddles DayNational One Cent DayNational Sourdough Bread DayPoetry and The Creative Mind DaySt. Stupid DayAPAWS International Pooper Scooper WeekGolden Rule WeekLaugh at Work WeekMedication Safety WeekTesticular Cancer Awareness WeekLinks and References: https://portal.cops.usdoj.gov/resourcecenter/content.ashx/cops-p288-pub.pdfhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7783688/https://www.wested.org/resource/scared-straight/https://sites.bu.edu/daniellerousseau/2018/12/12/do-all-juvenile-prevention-programs-work/http://users.soc.umn.edu/~uggen/Petrosino_Annals_03.pdfhttps://methods.cochrane.org/equity/scared-straighthttps://www.prindleinstitute.org/2021/06/re-examining-scared-straight-programs/https://www.djj.state.fl.us/content/download/23879/file/scared-straight-(july-2018).pdf?version=2https://www.americanprogress.org/article/doing-what-doesnt-work/ Petrosino, Anthony, Carolyn Turpin-Petrosino, Meghan E. Hollis-Peel, Julia G. Lavenberg, and Alexis Stern. 2014. Scared Straight and Other Juvenile Awareness Programs for Preventing Juvenile Delinquency. No. 12 of Crime Prevention Research Review. Washington, DC: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.Petrosino A, Turpin-Petrosino C, Hollis-Peel ME, Lavenberg JG. 'Scared Straight' and other juvenile awareness programs for preventing juvenile delinquency. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD002796. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002796.pub2.https://www.college.police.uk/research/crime-reduction-toolkit/scared-straight https://www.wsipp.wa.gov/ReportFile/1033/Wsipp_Evidence-Based-Public-Policy-Options-to-Reduce-Crime-and-Criminal-Justice-Costs-Implications-in-Washington-State_Full-Report.pdf Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

Manatees are remarkable and gentle creatures. Possibly the source of mermaid stories of old, these strange aquatic mammals live life on the slow side. Some researchers have learned a lot about their behavior and cognition in recent experiments, so we are going to break down what we understand about manatee behavior and the conundrum of their complex cognitive and social repertoires with their proportionally small brains. Have you seen a manatee up close? Send us pictures!Join our supporters' club: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastLinks and References: https://www.discovercrystalriverfl.com/manatee-authority/10-fun-facts-you-didnt-know-about-manatees/https://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/10/manatees#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20study%20by%20Gordon%20Bauer%2C,150%20hertz%20using%20only%20their%20body%20hairshttps://www.research.ufl.edu/publications/explore/v07n2/manatees.html#:~:text=To%20conclude%20from%20the%20manatee's,large%20clusters%20of%20nerve%20cells.https://mote.org/research/program/manatee-research/#:~:text=The%20MCRP's%20research%20includes:%20*%20**Unmanned%20Aerial,levels%20and%20long%2Dterm%20sublethal%20effects%20of%20stressorshttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12021893/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

Psychosis is an experience that some people have in which they struggle with the ability to discern their experience from the current ongoing reality. This tends to arise from a variety of possibly traumas. But, the sooner it is treated, the better the prognosis. If you or someone you know is struggling, seek help from a professional.RecommendationsAbraham: Project Hail Mary (movie; https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/project-hail-mary/umc.cmc.7jxdlxvz304lj3iwhtrhbe8fv)Shane: Our Band Could Be Your Life by Michael Azerrad (https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/michael-azerrad/our-band-could-be-your-life/9780316787536/)Holidays (25 Mar 2026):American Red Cross Giving DayBed in for Peace DayGreen Independence DayInternational Day of Remembrance of the Victims of slavery and the Transatlantic Slave TradeInternational Waffle DayManatee Appreciation DayNational Cerebral Palsy DayNational Michele Chafer Half-Moon Cookie DayNational Pecan DayOld New Year’s DayTolkien Reading DayAutism Acceptance WeekEnglish Tourism WeekNational Cleaning WeekNational Tsunami Awareness WeekLinks and References: https://dbh.ohio.gov/get-help/treatment-services/coordinated-specialty-care-for-first-episode-psychosis/first-episode-pyschosis/what-is-first-episode-psychosishttps://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/mental-health-substance-use-disorder/first-episode-psychosishttps://www.mhealthfairview.org/condition/psychosis-first-episodehttps://journals.healio.com/doi/10.3928/00485713-20250102-01https://portal.ct.gov/dmhas/initiatives/evidence-based/first-episode-psychosishttps://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/step/psychosis/ https://psicosis.som360.org/en/blog/cognitive-symptoms-psychosis Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

Does your name mean anything? Many cultures around the world choose names because they have some explicit, intended meaning, while others assign names for familial connections, or just because they like the way certain names sounds. We review a handful of naming conventions around the world. Let us know what your name means.support us on PatreonLinks and References: https://www.uslanguageservices.com/blog/naming-traditions-across-cultures-and-languages/#:~:text=In%20many%20African%20cultures%2C%20names,and%20the%20Akan%20in%20Ghana.https://blog.duolingo.com/naming-traditions-around-the-world/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

This is another nostalgia, re-release of a previous episide with a brief update at the end. This is a discussion of the idea to ingest poison to build a tolerance to it? Is the poisonous juice worth the proverbial squeeze? No, probably not. You might just be slowly causing permanent damage to your insides. Enjoy!RecommendationAbraham: Avatar: Way of Water (https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-e6ef640e-787e-4477-aba4-9e05925ebac2)Holidays (03/18/26)Sloppy Joe DaySmall Bussiness Development Centers DayAwkward Moments DayTransit Driver Appreciation DayForgive Mom and Dad dayLacy Oatmeal Cookies DayBlack Pudding DayUpdated reference: https://www.iflscience.com/mithridatism-can-you-really-become-immune-to-poison-by-taking-microdoses-69576Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

AI music is not only here to stay, it is rapidly gaining in mainstream popularity. We briefly discuss the history of computer music, the changes it has made to music and where we think the future of music is headed in the AI zeigeist. Stay for the AI song tribute at the end of the episode (this song is the AI generated content flagged for this episode)support us on PatreonLinks and References: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/17/ai-generated-music-is-going-viral-should-the-music-industry-worry.htmlhttps://www.loudly.com/blog/ai-in-music-production-key-trends-shaping-the-future-beyond-2025https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/nov/13/ai-music-spotify-billboard-charts https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_music https://symphony.org/study-music-getting-louder-more-homogenous/ https://www.economist.com/babbage/2012/07/26/same-old-song?fsrc=scn%2Ftw%2Fte%2Fbl%2Fsameoldsonghttps://pudding.cool/2018/05/similarity/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastThis episode includes AI-generated content.

This is a re-run (nostalgia) of our fun-spirited discussion about how to ruin your sleep. We play the entire episode, plus some added research from the last five years. Have you taken on the challenge to never sleep again? (Please don't)RecommendationsAbraham: Famous by Blake Crouch (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/790216/famous-by-blake-crouch/)  Shane: Bugonia ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12300742/)Holidays (11 March 2026):311 DayDebunking DayDream DayJohnny Appleseed DayNational Funeral Director and Mortician Recognition DayNational Immune System DayNational No-Code DayNational Sofrito DayOatmeal Nut Waffles DayWash Your Nose DayWorld Day of Muslim Culture, Peace, Dialogue, and FilmWorld Plumbing DayGirl Scout WeekNational Aardvark WeekNational Bubble Gum WeekLinks and References: https://en.hdbuzz.net/better-sleep-better-function-new-study-links-sleep-quality-to-clinical-outcomes-in-huntingtons-disease/https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250905-how-your-microbiome-affects-your-sleephttps://news.asu.edu/20260227-health-and-medicine-study-uncovers-another-reason-not-skimp-sleephttps://news.asu.edu/20260227-health-and-medicine-study-uncovers-another-reason-not-skimp-sleephttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389945725005441 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6033330/#:~:text=Epidemiologic%20research%20has%20shown%20that,is%20related%20to%20sleep%20disorders Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

This is our 100th mini! So, we spend the mini talking about the number 100! Things that humans, make, some facts about non-human animals... and human animals. A random smorgasbord of things about 100. Enjoy!Become our 100th patron by signing up 99 friends and then joining yourself. www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastLinks and References: https://lionel-kesztenbaum.site.ined.fr/en/everything_about_population/demographic-facts-sheets/focus-on/the-inexorable-rise-of-centenarians-and-supercentenarians#:~:text=Until%20the%20mid%2D20th%20century,in%202070%20(Blanpain%202023).https://www.bu.edu/articles/2022/why-do-people-live-to-100-and-how/#:~:text=Takeaways,to%20much%20later%20in%20life.https://www.nathab.com/blog/animals-that-live-to-100 https://oceanconservancy.org/blog/2021/12/29/7-longest-living-ocean-animals/ https://www.threads.com/@podcastingbusinessschool/post/DTquU6vDgF7/only-of-podcasters-make-it-to-episodes-this-is-unfortunate-because-your-first https://www.theigc.org/sites/default/files/2024-09/Yeo%20Thompson%20et%20al.%20Working%20Paper%20September%202024_0.pdf https://qz.com/994937/on-average-it-now-takes-at-least-four-different-writers-to-craft-a-hit-pop-song https://www.billboard.com/lists/every-artist-with-100-hot-100-chart-hits-drake-taylor-swift/ https://blogs.baylor.edu/soe/2019/08/08/fun-facts-about-the-number-100-08-08-2019/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

Why We Do What We Do goes back to the movies! Last week, we reviewed Disney + Pixar's Inside Out, so we are taking on the sequel. In many ways, this film exceeds its predacessor in the way it portrays psychological functions, and in some ways it detracts. Either way, it is a fantastic film. We once again critique some of the portrayals of psychological processes and also praise the beautifully constructed metaphors. Let us know what you thought about the movies or our reactions to the movies.RecommendationsAbraham: Wingspan: Americas Expansion (https://stonemaiergames.com/games/wingspan/wingspan-americas-expansion/)Shane: The Help (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1454029/)Holidays (3/4/2026):Brain Injury Awareness DayCourageous Follower DayDiscover What Your Name Means DayEqual Pay DayGlobal Day of the EngineerMarch Forth Do Something DayNational Dance the Waltz DayNational Grammar DayNational Pound Cake DayNational Snack DayOld Inauguration DayWorld Obesity DayChocolate Chip Cookie WeekEndometriosis WeekNational Cheerleading WeekNational Dental Assistants Recognition WeekNational Ghostwriters WeekLinks and References: https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-ec9f9fa3-fbae-4a25-b722-12c3b8ab0ef4https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/making-the-whole-beautiful/202406/insights-on-inside-out-2 https://www.psychiatrypodcast.com/psychiatry-psychotherapy-podcast/episode-225-inside-out-2-adolescent-emotions-psychology-analysis Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

Humans love to play. Some of us are willing to be more immersed in that play than others. Those who live for the immersion will often dress up for their character and stage elaborate scenarios with other players. They call this Live Action Role Playing, or LARPing. We discuss a brief history, what it is, and why people do it. Tell us your LARP stories!Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcastLinks and References: https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Larpinghttps://www.goerie.com/story/entertainment/arts/2022/06/02/larping-community-erie-fantasy-live-action-role-playing-game-escapism-players-society-creative-sca/65354683007/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast