For Readers Passionate About Psychology: 22 Popular Provoked Articles of 2024

A One-Stop Shop for New Insights on Topics Such as Purpose, Happiness, Friendship, Romance, Narcissism, Creativity, and Managing Pain

Welcome to Provoked, a newsletter that relies on science and storytelling to offer insights into how to live with greater mental health, fortitude, purpose, and social relationships.

In 2024, I produced 144 issues of Provoked. To access the full Provoked archive (including posts on parenting, romantic relationships, shortcuts to building life purpose, managing anxiety, rethinking narcissism, breaking up with friends, and more), click here. For full access to every post and perks (and to support my work), please become a paid subscriber.

Let’s start the year by reflecting on topics that had the greatest impact on readers. Each of my Provoked articles is read by about 8,000-10,000 people. That said, I don’t believe views are the best indicator of impact. A sexy title can lure people into a ridiculous time suck. I’m interested in whether my content leads to comments, emails, conversations, debates, and an increase in people joining the Provoked community. Here are the 11 articles that led to the greatest engagement in 2024.

Top 11 Free Provoked Issues

1. What’s Bothering Me The Most in Psychology

   In the last decade, a shocking amount of psychology research has turned out to be nonsense. While replication failures and outright fraud get the spotlight, what’s often overlooked is the sheer volume of useless information clogging the pipeline. Don’t miss these concerns of mine that still linger in psychological science and elsewhere. My desire is to turn everyone into hopeful skeptics.

2. This is a Four Year Test of How You Handle Uncertainty + Emotional Reactivity

   I originally wrote this as a plea: don’t torch friendships over political disagreements. Even if you find politics exhausting or absurd, this article is really about something deeper—how we find purpose and foster meaningful connections during turbulent times.

3. A New Understanding of How Social Anxiety Operates

   I became a clinical psychologist because I was drawn to teenagers with crippling social anxiety. There’s something profoundly moving about witnessing someone raise their hand in class for the first time, speak to a crush, or endure an overwhelming conversation without retreating. Apparently, this resonates with others—I’ve never received more feedback than on this article.

4. A New Understanding of How Depression Operates

   According to the World Health Organization, depression ranks as the second leading cause of disability worldwide and is projected to top the list by 2030. With stakes this high, every useful insight about its nature and treatment is precious. If someone you care about is struggling, share this article—it could make a difference.

5. 5 Essential Insights on Regret

   Regret is a universal experience—everyone wishes they could rewrite at least a few decisions. This piece dives into the science of regret and offers strategies to avoid future pain.

6. 10 Interesting, Neglected Findings by Phil Zimbardo on Time Perspective

   Psychology lost several giants this year, including Phil Zimbardo. His Time Perspective Theory, which inspired treatments for anxiety and trauma, remains underappreciated. This article highlights his groundbreaking work, ensuring it doesn’t fade into obscurity. (But don’t miss my odes to other luminaries lost including Drs. Paul Wong and Frans de Waal).

7. Part 1 of 2 Incredible Discoveries About Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

   ADHD diagnoses are rising, and so is public interest—but with it comes confusion. What’s pathology, and what’s untapped strength? This article explores the underrecognized positives of ADHD, a theme I’ll revisit often in the coming months.

8. 6 Groundbreaking Happiness Findings from 1969

   Well-being science is surprisingly young, dating back only to 1969. Despite the excess number of books and podcasts on happiness, nearly all are dominated by a recency bias. This article is a reminder: sometimes the best insights are buried in older research. Dust off those library stacks—there’s gold in the archives.

9. 7 Ways to Make People Laugh

   Laughter bonds us in ways few things can. It’s not just important for happiness; it’s essential for connection. This article breaks down seven actionable ways to spark genuine laughter, drawing readers into the art and science of humor. Give these practical ideas a try.

10. 3 Psychological Strengths to Dissent Effectively

    In here lies one of my favorite interviews of the year and some great graphics.

11. 50,000 Citations Celebration! My 3 Favorite Well-Being Laboratory Discoveries

    Crossing the milestone of 52,000 citations is surreal (as of this writing - here). It’s validation that the questions my team asks matter. Readers seemed especially drawn to my favorite studies on the risk-taking subtype of social anxiety, curiosity profiles, and the evolving definition of purpose in life. Thanks for sharing this big career moment with me!

Please comment on any article - I’ll get a notification. And connect with me in Substack notes and the Provoked Chat Room - here.

Know that I respond to every comment. Every note. Everything!

If you’re not yet part of the premium Provoked community, consider joining the hundreds already on board. Here are the paid subscriber posts that received the most fanfare.

Top 11 Premium/Paid Provoked Issues

1. Why I Chose to Work At George Mason University Instead of Harvard

2. The Beauty and Terror of Dating in Mid-Life

3. Horror Movies that Ruin Childhood, Hot Dogs, Overbearing Grandmothers, and Shoddy Sleep Research

4. The Quickest Way to Reduce The Impact of Social Anxiety

5. How People React to My Sexual Assault

6. 12 Shortcuts to Building Life Purpose

7. 6 Lessons from Working in a Pornography Store at Age 13

8. What Dr. Daniel Kahneman Taught Us About Happiness

9. A Shortcut to Wisdom: Plus Thoughts On Psychological Androgyny

10. My Experience on the Dr. Phil Show

11. When Your Child Makes a Horrific Accusation - About You

Good luck trying to find a common thread across these eclectic topics covered.

Rewards for Free and Paid Subscribers in 2025

While some of the Top 10 articles above were published months ago, their relevance isn’t tied to fleeting headlines or culture wars. If you’re looking for local news or political drama, there’s no shortage of places to go. That’s not what I do.

My mission is simple: to make the wisdom of psychological science accessible, practical, and thought-provoking. Every week, I’ll deliver articles packed with ideas you won’t find elsewhere—unconventional, intriguing, and often overlooked perspectives that challenge the way we think and live.

For premium members, you’ll get that plus extra juicy science, stories, and life enhancing strategies.

Let’s make 2025 another year where curiosity and courage take precedence over complacency.

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Todd B. Kashdan is an author of several books including The Upside of Your Dark Side (Penguin) and The Art of Insubordination: How to Dissent and Defy Effectively (Avery/Penguin) and Professor of Psychology and Leader of The Well-Being Laboratory at George Mason University.

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