The Slow Learner Podcast with Pete Johansson – Details, episodes & analysis

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The Slow Learner Podcast with Pete Johansson

TheSlowLearner

Science

Frequency: 1 episode/16d. Total Eps: 8

The Slow Learner is where comedy meets neuroscience. Hosted by comedian Pete Johansson and neuroscientist Dr. Paul Whissell, this podcast dives into the fascinating ways humour shapes our minds, relationships, and resilience. With guests like Brent Butt, Darcy Michael, and Des Bishop, each episode explores how comedy taps into cognitive science — revealing why laughter isn’t just fun, but vital.

Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

🇨🇦 Canada - lifeSciences
08/04/2026
#82
🇨🇦 Canada - lifeSciences
07/04/2026
#65
🇨🇦 Canada - lifeSciences
06/04/2026
#53
🇨🇦 Canada - lifeSciences
05/04/2026
#47
🇨🇦 Canada - lifeSciences
04/04/2026
#36
🇨🇦 Canada - lifeSciences
03/04/2026
#25
🇨🇦 Canada - lifeSciences
10/02/2026
#91
🇨🇦 Canada - lifeSciences
09/02/2026
#85
🇨🇦 Canada - lifeSciences
08/02/2026
#74
🇨🇦 Canada - lifeSciences
07/02/2026
#58

Spotify

No recent rankings available

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

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https://links.theslowlearner.com/
4 shares
https://brentbutt.com/
2 shares
https://theslowlearner.com/
2 shares

RSS feed quality and score

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RSS feed quality

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Score global : 32%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

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Latest published episodes

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Episode 01 - Brent Butt - 'Comedy & Intelligence' with host Pete Johansson an co-host Dr. Paul Whissell

Season 1 · Episode 1

Monday, March 10, 2025 • Duration 02:08:15

In this engaging conversation, Pete Johansson and Brent Butt explore the intricate relationship between comedy, creativity, and personal experiences. They delve into the evolution of comedy, the impact of family on creative expression, and the significance of the flow state in performance. The discussion also touches on the challenges of aging in the comedy world, the influence of socioeconomic backgrounds, and the dynamics of audience perception. As they reflect on their journeys, they highlight the importance of originality and the changing landscape of comedy for new generations. In the second half of the podcast, Pete Johansson and Dr. Paul Whissell reflect on the conversation with Brent and through the lens of neuroscience explore the multifaceted nature of intelligence, creativity, and comedy. How cultural influences shape humour, the importance of empathy in comedic expression. The dialogue delves into the complexities of defining intelligence. They also touch on the creative process, the significance of context, and the impact of societal changes on comedy. Throughout, they emphasize the interconnectedness of intelligence and creativity, highlighting how personal experiences inform artistic expression.

Visit Brents site! https://brentbutt.com/

Visit https://theslowlearner.com/

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Episode 02 - Darcy Michael - 'Comedy & ADHD and Growth' with host Pete Johansson an co-host Dr. Paul Whissell

Season 1 · Episode 2

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 • Duration 02:23:24

This week, Pete reconnects with longtime friend and comedic powerhouse Darcy Michael for an honest, hilarious, and unexpectedly moving conversation about ADHD, neurodivergence, and the power of humour to heal. Known today for his joyful online presence with husband Jer, Darcy opens up about his late ADHD diagnosis, rejection sensitivity, and the emotional mourning that follows finally understanding your past through a new lens.

From green rooms in Vancouver to touring as viral sensations, Pete and Darcy talk about what comedy meant to them before and after diagnosis, and how executive dysfunction, hyperfixation, and impulsivity shaped both their careers and relationships. They also explore the challenges of authenticity on stage, the trauma of forced conformity, and the deep empathy required to forgive yourself — and grow.

Darcy shares how stand-up became emotionally unsustainable, why he stepped away, and how coming back with Jer — cue cards and all — felt more empowering than ever. Pete reflects on the neuroscience of attention, emotional regulation, and the strange magic of comics who connect deeply while often feeling misunderstood.

Stick around after the interview as Dr. Paul Whissell joins Pete to unpack the science behind ADHD, emotional sensitivity, medication, dopamine pathways, and how our brains really regulate attention and working memory. It's a crash course in empathy, self-awareness, and how comedy just might be one of the most adaptive tools for survival.

🎙️ Featuring:

Comedian & creator Darcy Michael
Neuroscientist Dr. Paul Whissell
Hosted by Pete Johansson

💡 Topics Include:

Rejection sensitivity dysphoria
ADHD, executive dysfunction & working memory
Cannabis, medication, and cognitive creativity
Comedy as healing, self-awareness, and connection
Emotional dysregulation and late diagnosis
Forgiveness, friendship, and the price of performance
Social media success and algorithm fatigue
Why trigger warnings matter
Male vulnerability and emotional growth

📌 Support Darcy & Jer’s journey here:

Episode 03 – Des Bishop – ‘Comedy & Addiction & Bilingualism & Neuroscience’ with host Pete Johansson and co-host Dr. Paul Whissell

Season 1 · Episode 3

Tuesday, April 8, 2025 • Duration 01:35:46

This week on The Slow Learner, we’re joined by internationally acclaimed comedian Des Bishop — and things get smart, silly, and seriously heartfelt.

We dive deep into the science of language learning, addiction recovery, and comedy as cognitive therapy, all while poking around the cultural complexities of attraction, ego, and humour’s role in our social survival.

Oh, and Pete drops a Jordan Peterson impression you don’t want to miss — it almost justifies the slightly janky audio (we’re The Slow Learner, after all — the sound gets way better next episode, promise).

🎙️ In this episode:

How Des performed stand-up in Mandarin & Irish Gaelic
Using language immersion to rewire the brain after addiction
Why humour attracts — and why it doesn’t always work the same for women
Comedy’s role in social bonding, love, and long-term relationships
The neuroscience of bilingualism, bias, infatuation, and recovery

🧠 We cover real science too — including:

Dopamine, reward, and motivation systems
Popper’s falsifiability and why science is slow but vital
Implicit bias and how reaction time reveals hidden assumptions
Hedonic adaptation and maintaining joy in long-term relationships
How laughter signals safety and social synchrony

🔗 Resources Mentioned or a further Dive into:
📘 The Brain That Changes Itself – Norman Doidge
📘 Why We Love – Helen Fisher
🧪 🎥

Episode 04 - Arj Barker - 'Meditation, Lucid Dreams, and Silliness' w/ Host Pete Johansson & CoHost Dr Paul Whissell

Season 1 · Episode 4

Wednesday, April 30, 2025 • Duration 01:15:02

Episode 4 – Arj Barker: Meditation Fails, Lucid Dreams & the Neuroscience of Funny

Bay-Area-born stand-up icon Arj Barker joins Pete Johansson and Dr Paul Whissell for 90 minutes of big laughs, deep nerdery and a few “did-he-really-say-that?” detours. We dig into:

Arj’s guided-meditation show intro—why he likes to “prime” an audience and the science that (sometimes) backs it
Corpse-visualisation in Buddhism, spiritual materialism and Arj’s parody rap “The Sickest Buddhist”
Lucid-dream hacks (galantamine, FILD finger-tapping) and the brain waves that make them possible
Priming, the replication crisis, and why some classic psych studies didn’t survive a second look
Capilano-Bridge attraction, fatal-insomnia prions & other bedtime stories
Gum ads, Mentos trauma and why humour disarms social tension
How learning Mandarin for stand-up changed Arj’s brain—and his swearing habits

“Meditation Intro” video (2009 special clip) → https://www.facebook.com/ArjBarker/videos/3527277020915478/:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
“The Sickest Buddhist” rap → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pbzs_5gD2DM:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Content flags: graphic corpse imagery (08 min), mild sexual language & drug references, brief chat about fatal familial insomnia.
Galantamine/lucid-dream tips are anecdotal only—not medical advice.

📧 TheSlowLearnerPodcast@gmail.com
Insta @TheSlowLearnerPodcast

If you enjoyed the episode, tap ★★★★★ on Spotify/Apple and share it with a friend who still thinks the pencil-in-the-teeth study is solid science.

Episode 06 – Erica Ehm "VJ, Visionary, and Voice for Women" joins Pete & Dr. W to explore identity & influence in Canadian culture

Wednesday, June 11, 2025 • Duration 01:06:16

In Episode 06 of The Slow Learner, Pete Johansson and Dr. Paul Whissell sit down with Canadian media icon Erica Ehm for a wide-ranging, funny, and deeply introspective conversation that dives far beyond nostalgia. Erica, best known as a pioneering VJ on MuchMusic, opens up about the pressures of live television, parasocial fame, intellectual humility, and her unexpected role in shaping a generation’s musical and cultural consciousness.

From stories of spontaneous balcony interviews with Kurt Cobain to navigating public recognition before the social media era, Erica reflects on the psychological impacts of recognizability, the challenges of being a woman in male-dominated media, and her transformation into a feminist entrepreneur and health communicator. The trio touches on big themes like parasocial relationships, the stress of performative broadcasting, and why looking into the camera—and listening—matters.

Also featured is a brand-new segment where Dr. Whissell explores the neuroscience of maturity, brain development, and delayed adulthood, prompted by Erica’s insight into cultural and cognitive change. The episode balances thoughtful analysis with laid-back banter, and ends on a powerful note about visibility, female mentorship, and the impact of role models.

Highlights include:

The stress of unscripted, live television and how it shaped Erica’s career
Interviewing icons like Kurt Cobain and the techniques of vulnerability in journalism
How parasocial intimacy creates both connection and pressure
Feminism, motherhood, and fighting invisibility in media
The neuroscience of maturity, prefrontal cortex development, and modern adolescence
The ethics of edutainment in the social media age

Funny, heartfelt, and intellectually curious, this episode is both a tribute to cultural legacy and a lesson in how to stay relevant, connected, and real in changing times

Links:

Episode Extra - Get to know Us! - 'Pete and Dr. W explore paths to Comedy, PHD's, and the meaning of Slow learner' w Pete Johansson & Dr Paul Whissell

Season 1 · Episode 5

Tuesday, May 27, 2025 • Duration 01:34:27

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Pete Johansson and Paul Whissell explore the intersection of comedy and neuroscience, discussing Pete's unique journey from a career in comedy to pursuing education in cognitive science. They delve into the importance of lifelong learning, the concept of being a 'slow learner', and the societal pressures surrounding age and education. The discussion also touches on cultural identity, the impact of AI, and the influence of notable thinkers in Pete's life, all while maintaining a humorous and insightful tone. In this engaging conversation, Pete Johansson and Dr. Paul Whissell explore the intersections of education, neuroscience, and humor. They discuss the impact of a well-educated upbringing on success, the long and uncertain journey through academia, and the recent shifts in research standards. Dr. Whissell debunks common neuroscience myths, highlights recent breakthroughs in understanding brain function, and emphasizes the importance of humour in human experience. The discussion culminates in a reflection on the role of comedy as a tool for social commentary and truth-telling.

Key Ideas:

-Pete's journey from comedy to neuroscience highlights the intersection of humor and education.

-The importance of intellectual humility in academia is emphasized throughout the conversation.

-Age should not be a barrier to pursuing education or new interests.

-The concept of the 'slow learner' is reframed as a positive approach to knowledge acquisition.

-Cultural identity plays a significant role in personal development and belonging.

-AI's impact on society is complex, with both potential benefits and dangers.

-Education can enhance comedic performance by providing deeper insights and understanding.

Episode 05 - Trent McClellan - 'Mental Health, Mindfullness & Comedy' w/ Host Pete Johansson & CoHost Dr Paul Whissell

Season 1 · Episode 5

Wednesday, May 14, 2025 • Duration 01:36:17

Episode 5: Trent McClellan — Laughing Through Identity, Language & Mental Health

In this episode of The Slow Learner, comedian and This Hour Has 22 Minutes cast member Trent McClellan joins Pete Johansson and neuroscientist Dr. Paul Whissell for a funny, thoughtful, and deeply honest exploration of humour, identity, and emotional health.

Trent opens up about growing up as a Black kid in Newfoundland, how comedy became his social lifeline, and the moment The Untethered Soul reshaped his view of success, masculinity, and self-worth. The trio explore how laughter helps us bond, survive awkward situations, and even stay together romantically. They dive into what makes funny people attractive, why some humour styles help and others hurt, and how men's mental health is tied dangerously to productivity and identity.

Dr. Whissell breaks down the neuroscience of humour, the psychology of falling in love, and why learning a second language is harder (but not impossible) after childhood — using Trent’s immersive year in Beijing as a case study. Pete introduces concepts like hedonic adaptation and eudaimonic well-being from positive psychology, and the crew debate cultural progress around gender, comedy, and connection.

🔬 Key Themes:

Humour as emotional regulation & attraction
Male identity and vulnerability
Language learning & neuroplasticity
Hedonic vs. eudaimonic happiness
Comedy as a social survival tool

💡 Mentions & References:

The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer
Paul Bloom’s work on empathy & psychology (Against Empathy)
Prof. John Vervaeke’s YouTube series

Episode 07 - Darrin Rose "Brain Trauma & Comedy" w hosts Pete Johansson & Dr Paul Whissell

Season 1 · Episode 7

Friday, June 27, 2025 • Duration 01:19:05

In this unforgettable episode, comedian and actor Darrin Rose (Mr.D, MatchGame, LetterKenny, Home Sweet Home & more) joins Pete Johansson and neuroscientist Dr. Paul Whissell to share a deeply personal and shockingly funny story: getting sucker punched in Halifax while waiting for poutine. What follows is a brutal, hilarious, and at times heartbreaking tale of injury, botched medical care, police failure — and eventually, healing through comedy.

Darrin’s story becomes a springboard for a wide-ranging conversation on:

The ethics and art of using trauma on stage
Anger and personality change after head injuries
Why our brains forget traumatic events (and sometimes that’s a good thing)
How different parts of the brain — like the orbital frontal cortex — influence impulse control and behaviour
The cultural psychology of comedy: Canadians, tall poppy syndrome, embellishment, and truth
Hassan Minhaj, The Daily Show fallout, and the risks of narrative comedy
Phineas Gage, memory consolidation, and brain plasticity
Laughter, connection, and how jokes can be healing

This episode is raw, real, and resonant — a powerful example of why storytelling matters and how humour helps us make sense of the senseless.

Whether you're a comedy fan, psychology nerd, or just want to hear about facial reconstruction and poutine-based assaults, Episode 7 delivers.

Chapters

00:00 The Aftermath of Violence

01:55 Healthcare System and Recovery Challenges

09:13 The Impact of Brain Injuries on Personality

15:10 Memory and Trauma: Understanding Amnesia

21:06 Navigating Healthcare: A Personal Journey

The Slow Learner Podcast with Pete Johansson – Details, episodes & analysis

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The Slow Learner Podcast with Pete Johansson – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other16

Youtube9

Amazon2

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other16

Youtube9

Amazon2

Apple Podcasts

Spotify