Episode 122

Perception is Reality for the Body (feat. Dr. Stacey Makhanova)

Published on: 1st December, 2021

What do genetics have to do with long-term relationships? What does our immune system have to do with our judgements and biases? Meet Dr. Stacey Makhanova, a researcher from the University of Arkansas. As a social and evolutionary psychologist, Dr. Stacey looks at our behaviors and the potential reasons why. Jenn and Dr. Stacey discuss how our biology and psychology are absolutely intertwined and what this means for our romantic relationships, our friendships and our relationships with ourselves!    

Outline:

  • Welcome back
  • Meet Dr. Anastasia (Stacey) Makhanova
  • Intro today's topic
  • What is social psychology? What is evolutionary psychology?
  • Dr. Stacey's story 
  • Genetics & marital satisfaction
    • CD38 gene, people with specific variations are more inclined toward benevolent thoughts toward their partners
    • Connection to oxytocin 
    • Can we build gratitude, trust & forgiveness?
  • When we're in conflict or in times of change & stress
    • Testosterone & blaming vs being a team
    • Men vs women in studies
  • How we translate the studies on romantic relationships to friendships
    • Looking at college peer groups
    • The same learning in a work context
      • Negative feedback & perception
  • Our relationships with ourselves - judgement & beating ourselves up
  • Understanding bias & the "other"
    • Our immune systems can impact our perceptions & biases
    • Negative views of the elderly, obese, foreigners & more
  • Key takeaways
  • Final thoughts

Links:
Become a Member
Connect with us! FB Page & Private FB Group & Jenn's Instagram
Take the free Weight Loss Profile, Jenn will send you a Menu Plan
Dr. Stacey Makhanova's website

Quotes:
"Everyday human behavior...and why might it be happening." – Dr. Stacey Makhanova
"The CD38 gene is connected to gratitude, forgiveness and trust."  – Dr. Stacey Makhanova
"Genes aren't deterministic"  – Dr. Stacey Makhanova
"A person's own perception triggered a hormone response."  – Dr. Stacey Makhanova
"Women and men engage in blaming behavior at the same frequency but women's testosterone is reacting to something different."– Dr. Stacey Makhanova
"Sometimes our physiological response can undermine a relationship that's otherwise good and close."– Dr. Stacey Makhanova
"Our brain is great at being on autopilot."– Dr. Stacey Makhanova 
"Biology and psychology are so connected that to look at one in isolation is potentially doing a disservice."– Jenn Trepeck

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About the Podcast

Salad With a Side of Fries Nutrition, Wellness & Weight Loss
What to eat and when to cheat! Let's decipher between all the “diets” out there. You know what to do but it itsn't working. In fact, your diet could be making you fatter.

Ever wondered if cryo-freezing your fat cells would really work? Should you try acupuncture? A hypnotist? If you do, how do you know if someone’s good?

Salad with a Side of Fries is the podcast that will answer all these questions and more! Talking wellness and weight loss for real life, because most of us are going to drink, eat out, skip the grocery store and who wants a life without fries or dessert?! Host Jenn Trepeck’s expertise as an optimal health coach, in practice for over a decade, along with experts in various modalities will clear up the myths, mis-information, bad science and marketing to reveal the truth of HOW TO EAT and HOW TO CHEAT!*



*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This podcast, its content and guests are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

About your host

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Jennifer Trepeck

“My passion for nutrition and helping others stems from “kicking my food issues” with my own weight management saga.” ~ Jenn

I believe that the greatest accountability is paying it forward! That’s why I teach the nutrition education we are all supposed to know but no one ever taught us, along with the science behind food, fitness, and health.

After I graduated from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, I founded Better Life Now LLC while working full-time in hedge funds. In 2019, I took my practice from side-hustle to full-time self-employment and launched my podcast, Salad With a Side of Fries. On the show, we offer science-based tips and tricks for how to achieve wellness and weight loss for real life – because who wants a life without fries or dessert?!

Topics we tackle on the podcast include debunking fad diets, food myths, misinformation in marketing, bad science, and general nutrition. I encourage guests whose expertise is different from my own focus on weight management to bring their unique, fact-based perspectives to talk about subjects they are educated in and passionate about.

Due to my decade-long experience of working with clients, I have gained insight into the health and food industry and the how-tos of building a business.

Some specific health and wellness topics I can speak to include debunking fad diets, exposing the BS we are fed by the food and diet industry, how the people around us can positively and negatively impact our health journey, and shifting mindsets in order to overcome inappropriate barometers of success to instead achieve happy, healthy, and meaningful change.

On the subject of business, I can help you by teaching my critical pieces every entrepreneur should know, how to make your side-hustle into your full-time job, ways to sustainably achieve success without burning out, contemporary networking, and how to prioritize wellness while pursuing your projects.

When I find some free time, I’m typically working out at Physique57, discovering hidden gem restaurants in NYC, or traveling to spend time with friends and family.

I’d love to have an in-depth conversation with you, whether it’s leveling up in business or debunking food myths!