Untold

Mads Larsen is a Norwegian author and journalist whose research focuses on the history of human mating ideologies. He is most known for his work on evolutionary psychology, human mating dynamics, and the global fertility crisis Are we supposed to stay in loving relationships for life? Why does it seem people are struggling to pair bond? What is the issue with low fertility rates? In this podcast,...

Why did sadness evolve into our behavior? How much of depression is genetically determined? Does acetaminophen/paracetamol actually aid mend a broken heart? Dr. George M. Slavich is a Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at UCLA and the Founding Director of the UCLA Laboratory for Stress Assessment and Research, where he leads cutting-edge work on how life stress shapes mental and ph...

Why do most families overestimate the cost of college? How does financial aid change what students actually pay? And what can falling birth rates tell us about changing priorities? Philip Levine is an economist and college pricing expert whose research focuses on affordability and student decision-making. In this episode, he explains why college sticker prices are misleading, how families can bett...

Second ever Q&A episode. Once again great questions. I truly enjoy this format. Expect to learn about what I believe success really is, why foot fetishes are not as weird as we might think, my take on how one should live one's twenties, and much more. If you have an interesting question or topic for me to go over in my next Q&A do not hesitate to send it over to my personal instagram @...

What are signs someone will manipulate or hurt us emotionally? Why do people struggle to catch unhealthy partnerships early on? This episode with David Kosson dives into the psychology of manipulation: how traits like love bombing, gaslighting, and isolation from friends and family show up in real relationships, and why no single behavior is ever proof on its own. We unpack how these dynamics erod...

Do our beliefs about the labor market shape our decision to work as much as wages do? Why did male and female labor force participation diverge in the past 50 years? And is AI really the next internet, or something closer to electricity? In this episode with Daniela Vidart, you'll learn how lived experience during past economic shocks quietly rewires what an entire generation believes about wo...

Is moving in with someone before marrying a mistake? Why are young people struggling to find love? How important is clarity in relationships? Scott Stanley, Ph. D. is a research professor at the University of Denver who studies commitment and relationships. He is co-author of the book Fighting for Your Marriage, and he has blogged on relationships and how they develop at  slidingvsdeciding.com  an...

Why is our desire to belong so strong? Do we prioritize warmth or competence in our relationships? Is the beauty premium relevant outside the dating domain? In this episode with Adar Eisenbruch, you’ll learn how everyday behaviors like humor, style, attractiveness, and even the way we speak can shape how people judge us, choose us, and decide whether we belong. We get into the hidden social signal...

What is the biggest difficulty of becoming a creator? How does one grow an audience? What should someone starting in the social media world prioritize most? In this episode with 19-year-old creator and entrepreneur Julian Pirie we explored his journey into the business and social media world, the most important things for aspiring creators, and much more.

Does more money increase relationship likelihood? Does financial stress make people more negative about their partner? Do couples with similar money values have better relationships? This episode with Dr. Johanna Peetz looks at how our financial decisions and mispredictions shape the way we connect with the people around us. Specially our romantic partners and prospects. The conversation covers ho...

Why are taken people thought of as more attractive? And does dating get easier the more experience one has? This episode with Ryan Anderson dives into mate copying: the psychological phenomenon where we find someone more desirable when someone else already wants them. We unpack why a wedding ring or a girlfriend on someone's arm can make them seem like a better catch, what this reveals about h...

Why are birthrates falling? Could the phone in your pocket be quietly deciding whether you end up alone? In this episode with Ezekiel Hooper, we dig into his research looking into the iPhone's 2007 rollout and the extent to which it explains the recent fall in birthrates. The paper uses an awesome natural experiment to arrive at a first potential strong explanation as to why babies do not seem...

Do we really understand personality? Could the way we talk about traits like impulsivity, narcissism, and psychopathy be shaping what we believe is true? And what happens when scientific language itself starts creating confusion instead of clarity? In this episode, we sit down with Don Lynam, professor of clinical psychology and a leading researcher who has spent more than two decades studying per...

First ever podcast Q&A with great questions from friends and family who listed to the show. Expect to learn more about my views on being busy, some of the things I struggle with, where I see the podcast going, and much more. This was so fun and interesting to record so do not hesitate to comment any question you might have or send them over Instagram @nicolasvacagr. I will likely cover them in...

Is a masters degree smart in the era of AI? How can younger people succeed when companies seem to be confused of what role they serve in the workplace? In this episode with Eric Spiegel we delve into how to build a career when AI is rewriting the rules, what young people entering the job market right now should be doing differently, and the challenges corporations might face with this new technolo...

What are uncomfortable feelings which we should seek? When should we delve into obsession? In this episode with my brother and previous guest in Untold we delve into many of the ideas that have been recently relevant to our lived. Lessons and perspectives which you might have previously never explored. We discussed the value of obsession and the importance of embracing it to achieve our wildest dr...

Is good sex essential to a happy relationship? Do all happy couples have good sex? These are some of the questions I looked to have answered during this conversation. Dr. Nathan Leonhardt is an assistant professor of Family Life at Birmingham Young University who specializes in research relating how to make long-term relationships and marriages succeed. His work looks at topics like sex, pornograp...

What should we expect the future to look like? Will AI replace us in the workplace? Don't mind if it does. In this conversation, author of Substack newsletter 'Beyond Linear' and ex-product manager at Stripe, Yana Michukova delves into what she foresees the future will look like for many of us. What she coined the non-linear career path. In an era where uncertainty is pressing, this conversation b...

How do we get better? Is there a formula to figure out what is our passion? In this episode self-made entrepreneur, real estate developer, and CEO of SP developments Daniel Jaramillo shares insights about how to succeed in the world of real estate, the story about how real estate found him and became his passion, his biggest ever challenge (the 2008 financial crisis), and life in general. Great di...

What is art? What is creativity? In this podcast, we dive into a thought-provoking conversation with Mats, a multifaceted DJ, producer, artist and architect, who challenges the conventional understanding of art and creativity. Mats shares insights on the essence of art, the interconnectedness of different creative fields, and how art is present in our daily experiences. Mats is a creative genius....

Jared Zelman is the founder and CEO of Othello.ai, a VC-backed AI sales enablement platform that grew from near-shutdown to over $1M ARR within its first six months. It all started by cold-emailing billionaires and top CEOs, turning them into mentors, investors, and lifelong connections. He is one of the most curious young founders in the AI space, known for his obsession-driven approach to buildi...

Imagine pushing your limits, embracing vulnerability, and discovering that the most profound connections and self-awareness come from stepping into the unknown. Nevo Marcus´ extraordinary 70-day bike journey across Europe isn't just a story about pedaling and scenery; it's a testament to the transformative power of adventure, courage, and trust. Are you craving a dose of inspiration to break free...

Juan Sebastian Vaca is a fitness and wellness coach specializing in helping people take control of their fitness and lead heathy fulfilling lives. This episode explores the journey of building a wellness business, the importance of movement for emotional well-being, and the interconnection between physical and mental health. It explores sustainable fitness practices, the significance of consistenc...

Launching my new personal project to answer some of the questions I have about life. Looking to learn a little about a lot and feed my own and your curiosity.