The Home of Wellbeing and Joy.
Dr Marcus Bull and Charlie Allnutt are two friends who come together to discuss wellbeing, introspection and their journey to becoming better people. The podcast blends personal reflection with evidence-based advice, offering listeners practical tools to improve their wellbeing and boost their mood. In each episode, Charlie and Marcus explore building a likeminded community, working through difficult emotions and finding joy in everyday life. They lean on scientific research to guide these conversations and ensure their evolution aligns with the best evidence available to them.
With guiding pillars; Introspection and Inspiration, Community and Connection, Presence and Gratitude, and Wellbeing and Joy, Charlie and Marcus invite you to learn, reflect, and grow alongside them, one conversation at a time.
All content for The Mood Booster Podcast is the property of Charlie and Marcus and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
The Home of Wellbeing and Joy.
Dr Marcus Bull and Charlie Allnutt are two friends who come together to discuss wellbeing, introspection and their journey to becoming better people. The podcast blends personal reflection with evidence-based advice, offering listeners practical tools to improve their wellbeing and boost their mood. In each episode, Charlie and Marcus explore building a likeminded community, working through difficult emotions and finding joy in everyday life. They lean on scientific research to guide these conversations and ensure their evolution aligns with the best evidence available to them.
With guiding pillars; Introspection and Inspiration, Community and Connection, Presence and Gratitude, and Wellbeing and Joy, Charlie and Marcus invite you to learn, reflect, and grow alongside them, one conversation at a time.
31. Why We Argue (and How to Do It Better): Reflecting on the Art of Debate
The Mood Booster Podcast
1 hour 9 minutes
1 month ago
31. Why We Argue (and How to Do It Better): Reflecting on the Art of Debate
The Home of Wellbeing and Joy.
Welcome to Episode 31: Why We Argue (and How to Do It Better): Reflecting on the Art of Debate, where Dr Marcus and Charlie explore why humans argue and how to do it without losing connection, curiosity, or compassion.
From Socratic questioning to confirmation bias and cognitive dissonance, this episode dives into the psychology behind why debates so easily become battles and how to bring humility and empathy back into our conversations.
We explore:
The Socratic Method and how curiosity over combat leads to growth đź§
Confirmation Bias (Nickerson, 1998) and why we “listen to reload” instead of to understand
Cognitive Dissonance (Festinger, 1957) why our brains protect beliefs at all costs
Practical tools for better dialogue: curiosity, shared values, and the power of pausing before reacting
How debate can strengthen relationships when done with empathy and self-awarenessÂ
Practical Advice for Listeners:
Start from curiosity, not combat. Ask, “What led you to that view?”
Pause the reflex to win. Notice when your heart rate rises, and breathe
Find shared values before diving into differences
Use “I” statements to stay open and grounded
Know when to exit gracefully. Debate isn’t a war to be won, it’s a bridge to be built
Thanks for listening! If this episode helps you have more mindful, compassionate conversations, share it with someone who loves a good debate đź’¬
đź“Ť Pillars explored: Introspection & Inspiration, Community & Connection, Wellbeing & Joy
đź“š References cited in this episode:
Dillon, J. J. Psychology and the Socratic Method.
Festiger, L. (1957). A theory of cognitive dissonance. Row, Peterson, New York.
Nickerson, R. S. (1998). Confirmation bias: a ubiquitous phenomenon in many guises. Review of General Psychology, 2(2), 175–220. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.2.2.175
🔔 Don’t forget to follow and review, it really helps us grow!
📲 Follow us for more:👉 Instagram: @themoodboosterpodcast👉 TikTok: @themoodboosterpodcast🌍 Website: www.themoodbooster.co.uk
🎥 Prefer video? Watch this episode on YouTube! @TheMoodBoosterPodcast
The Mood Booster Podcast
The Home of Wellbeing and Joy.
Dr Marcus Bull and Charlie Allnutt are two friends who come together to discuss wellbeing, introspection and their journey to becoming better people. The podcast blends personal reflection with evidence-based advice, offering listeners practical tools to improve their wellbeing and boost their mood. In each episode, Charlie and Marcus explore building a likeminded community, working through difficult emotions and finding joy in everyday life. They lean on scientific research to guide these conversations and ensure their evolution aligns with the best evidence available to them.
With guiding pillars; Introspection and Inspiration, Community and Connection, Presence and Gratitude, and Wellbeing and Joy, Charlie and Marcus invite you to learn, reflect, and grow alongside them, one conversation at a time.
