Short Wave

This July 4th, are you a thrill- or chill-seeker?

July 3, 2026·13 min·5-min readnarrativescience
Podzilla Summary (5 min)
TLDR
The episode explores the psychology behind why some people are drawn to high-risk, thrilling experiences like fireworks or extreme sports, while others avoid them, using brain chemistry and personality traits to explain the divide. It reveals that sensation seeking exists on a spectrum sh

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Guest

K

Ken Carter

narrative on Short Wave

Mentions

Books, people, and resources mentioned in this episode.

People

Ken CarterEmily KwongWill GadZuckerman

Books

Buzz: Inside the Minds of Thrill Seekers, Daredevils, and Adrenaline Junkiesby Ken Carter

Topics

BiologyLong Form JournalismMental HealthNeuroscienceScientific MethodSelf Improvement

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