Erik Drost’s image of Eli Manning throwing a football.
Erik Drost’s image of Eli Manning throwing a football.

Nature or Nurture with Eli Manning and Dr. Angela Duckworth

Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Free Audio
  • Ad-Free Audio
  • Video

About This Episode

What matters more: nature or nurture? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Gary O’Reilly and Chuck Nice explore what creates expert performers with author, professor of psychology, and CEO of Character Lab,  Dr. Angela Duckworth, featuring our interview with Eli Manning. 

How do expectations shape a person’s development into an expert? We discuss the core tenets of motivation psychology, the role of choice, and “tiger parenting.” Does it really work? How can parents help their kids achieve greatness? How is it that the Mannings ended up with so many star players in the family? Is there such a thing as natural ability? Find out about kinesthetic intelligence and why some people enjoy physical activity more. 

Discover Benjamin Bloom and his study of world-class performers. How does a talented person become talented? Is there a recipe to become Eli Manning? We discuss genetic factors in determining ability. Is Chuck genetically funny? Can you be born with a skillset? Learn about the different stages of skill development and how they factor into success long-term. What is one of the largest contributors to burnout? 

Eli shares some bits of wisdom on how to become great in your field and we break down motivation beyond the self. We discuss mental health in athletics and the tendency to “just suck it up.” Are we witnessing a cultural shift? What fuels excellence? All that, plus, what does Angela think of the quote “some are born great, some achieve  greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them”?

Thanks to our Patrons DanO, Jerad Sorber, Joseph Mcpolin, Jacqueline Savo, The Afrikan-Scifi-Scholar, Charles Scott, and Angie Duncker for supporting us this week.

NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.

In This Episode

Get the most out of StarTalk!

Ad-Free Audio Downloads
Ad-Free Video Episodes
Stickers & Mugs
Live Streams with Neil
Priority Cosmic Queries
Early-Access Videos
Learn the Meaning of Life
...and much more

Episode Topics