Dive into this episode with human behavior hacker Susan Ibitz, as she unpacks her unconventional career path, resilience in the face of adversity, and the science of human irrationality. Host Eric Stopper guides the conversation through life lessons, personal growth, and the importance of storytelling.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How Susan’s journey from a diplomat’s daughter to a behavioral neuroscientist shaped her expertise

The role of failure, dyslexia, and self-discovery in forging a unique career

Why irrational decisions drive most of our lives and choices

The power of journaling and storytelling in overcoming trauma and guiding personal paths

How embracing mistakes and open-mindedness leads to unexpected opportunities in life and work

In this thought-provoking episode, host Eric Stopper sits down with the enigmatic “human behavior hacker,” Susan Ibitz, as she shares her extraordinary life journey – from a childhood filled with international intrigue to becoming a sought-after behavioral neuroscientist and negotiation expert.

Inside the Episode:

Susan’s Unconventional Origins: Discover how a whirlwind, first-class romance led to Susan’s not-so-ordinary upbringing, where learning through Italian family stories and detective shows set the foundation for her fascination with human behavior.

Harnessing Dyslexia & Asperger’s: Susan talks candidly about her challenges with highly dyslexic and Asperger’s diagnoses – and how these “kicks in the back of the head” redirected her life toward unique superpowers in behavioral profiling.

From Political Consulting to Hostage Negotiation: Hear how bartending in a foreign land connected Susan to the world of political consulting, leading her to become one of the few civilian Level 3 international hostage negotiators—and how she used these skills to help companies better understand human irrationality.

Why We’re All Irrational: Susan breaks down behavioral economics, discussing Nobel winner Kahneman’s insights and why up to 95% of our 35,000 daily decisions are truly irrational (yes, even your shoe collection or six cats!).

Power of Storytelling & Journaling: The duo delves into how storytelling and journaling can rewire our brains, help us process trauma, and even influence others for the better—with nods to DOD and DARPA’s research on storytelling as a tool for healing PTSD.

Key Takeaways:

Embrace the messy, non-linear journey of life—mistakes are mile markers, not misfortunes.

The importance of being open to unexpected opportunities—and how so-called “irrational” decisions often lead to life’s most meaningful relationships and experiences.

Journaling isn’t just for reflection; it can be a therapeutic practice supported by neuroscience and behavioral research.

Everyone’s life has three stories: your own, another’s, and the story you co-create. Sharing these is a responsibility and a gift.

Even the quirkiest life paths (hello, six cats vs. six dogs!) can lead to the perfect serendipity.

About Susan Ibitz:

A “human behavior hacker,” behavioral neuroscientist, international hostage negotiator, and expert in behavioral economics. Find her at susanaibitz.com, and on LinkedIn or Facebook. Don't miss her podcast “Humans.”

Connect with the show:

Enjoyed the episode? Like, share, and subscribe on Spotify. Tag a friend who’d love these insights into the irrational, unpredictable magic of being human!

Pulse Ox Podcast – Where Stories Meet Science, and Mistakes Make Magic.

Find Susan at:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-ibitz/