Shows
You Oughta Know: The Motivation SeriesYou Oughta Know with Adam NeufeldEpisode Overview
We are back after a bit of a hiatus.
Medical education has a reputation for being intense, hierarchical, and emotionally grueling. But what if we designed it differently?
In this episode of YOU OUGHTA KNOW: The Motivation Series, Matt sits down with Dr. Adam Neufeld, Family Physician & Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary, to explore how Self-Determination Theory (SDT) can transform the way physicians are trained, supported, and developed. Drawing on his experience as both a clinician and medical educator, Adam unpacks the motivational pressures embedded in medical culture, from perfectionism a...
2026-02-0648 minYou Oughta Know: The Motivation SeriesYou Oughta Know Richard Ryan- A Special Primer on SDTIn this special episode, Matt is joined by the co-developer of Self-Determination Theory (SDT), Richard M. Ryan. Think of this episode as a primer on SDT. We hit the basics…
What is motivation? What is SDT?
What are the origins of SDT?
The different types of motivation.
Rewards and their impact on one’s motivation.
Of course, the famous three basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness).
We discuss strategies one may take to either create environments to meet others’ needs or to do it for oneself.
What is well-being? How is well-being related to motivation?
Is SDT universal? Is it culturally descri...
2025-09-0751 minYou Oughta Know: The Motivation SeriesYou Oughta Know Jacques ForestIn this episode, we are joined by Jacques Forest, an expert in applying SDT in the work environment. He is the co-author of THE ABC OF WORK MOTIVATION with Anja Van den Broeck, Hermina Van Coillie, and Marcus B. Muller. You can buy the book wherever books are sold. You can also find it here: https://www.aup.nl/en/book/9789048562732/the-abc-of-work-motivation. The book is also available in French.
LDA is hosting a free MEET-THE-AUTHOR event on June 25, 2025 with Jacques, Anja, Hermina, and Marcus. It is open to the public and will be recorded for those who c...
2025-04-2455 min
You Oughta Know: The Motivation SeriesYou Oughta Know Richard M. Ryan On Health and FitnessThroughout the year, SDT's Richard Ryan joins us for a short, targeted conversation about a specific topic within the realm of SDT.
In this episode, Rich explores the topic of healthcare. He explains some of the nuance associated with why we may or may not take care of ourselves (we know exercise is good for us, but don't do it), or why doctors and healthcare providers don't always succeed in supporting their patients adhering to given advice. He suggests we advocate for ourselves by developing better relationships with our providers. He also urges those same providers to t...
2025-01-0610 minYou Oughta Know: The Motivation SeriesYou Oughta Know Martin LynchIn this episode, Matt chats with Martin Lynch about the motivational effects motivation— specifically SDT— has on culture. We explore how different cultures may experience the satisfaction of the basic psychological needs from the theory. How do different cultural perspectives represent a concept like autonomy? Are cultures possibly undermining in of themselves? How can they be supportive of needs? How are universal needs like autonomy, competence, and relatedness understood, experienced, and represented in oppressive and authoritarian cultures?
Martin shares his own research work in cross-cultural motivation on these topics and more.
Matt mentions the life of D...
2025-01-0145 min
You Oughta Know: The Motivation SeriesYou Oughta Know Anne BraffordIn this episode, I have the opportunity to talk with Dr. Anne Brafford who is an expert in DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). Of course, we take the self-determination theory lens as the filter for our discussion. We take the time to define our terms… exactly what is diversity, equity, and inclusion. Check out Anne’s orchestra metaphor for DEI!
We get into a deep conversation about identity and specifically, cultural identity… like what it means to be a lawyer, a mother, or something else. We explore how one’s self identity affects well-being and other parts of who I...
2024-11-0851 minYou Oughta Know: The Motivation SeriesYou Oughta Know Maarten VansteenkisteToday’s guest is Dr. Maarten Vansteenkiste, professor in the development and motivation psychology at Ghent University.
We discuss the concept of needs crafting and agency. Maarten shares what is meant by these ideas (the act of one affecting one’s own environment directly… to steer one’s own life’s circumstances). He distinguishes between being autonomous and being independent.
We also discuss the CIRCUMPLEX, or COMPASS, a unique way to conceptualize how needs get supported or undermined.
We take a late detour to talk about how SDT can actually support techniques like explicit/ d...
2024-09-2748 minYou Oughta Know: The Motivation SeriesYou Oughta Know Richard M. Ryan On BusinessEach month, SDT's Richard Ryan joins us for a short, targeted conversation about a specific topic within the realm of SDT. In this episode, Rich talks about the application of SDT to the context of business.
Rich starts with the impact of pay-for-performance… especially in the realm of sales environments. Controlling pay-for-performance systems undermine intrinsic motivation. He talks about how incentive systems may affect the spirit- the morale- of the employee. One needs to consider the motivational aspects and consequences when designing reward systems. Ultimately, sales environments should take into account more than just the numbers. Relationships and...
2024-08-2911 min
You Oughta Know: The Motivation SeriesYou Oughta Know Richard KoestnerIn this episode of You Oughta Know: The Motivation Series, Matt is joined by Richard Koestner, professor of psychology from McGill University.
Today, we talk all things goals. Goal setting, goal achievement, tactics for successful goal attainment, how goals can get undermined, and more.
SHOW NOTES:
Richard mentions the work of Ken Sheldon, Andy Eliot, and Tim Kasser and their respective studies from the 90s and early 2000s.
Sheldon, K. M., & Elliot, A. J. (1998). Not all personal goals are “personal”: Comparing autonomous and controlling goals on effort and attainment. Personality and Social Psychology Bull...
2024-08-0553 minYou Oughta Know: The Motivation SeriesYou Oughta Know Richard M. Ryan- SDT On Education (Audio only)(THE AUDIO-ONLY VERSION)
Each month, SDT's Richard Ryan joins us for a short, targeted conversation about a specific topic within the realm of SDT. For this inaugural chat, Rich talks about the application of SDT to the context of education.
Rich explores what really engages learners when learning. He highlights how supporting the needs for competence and autonomy are essential to engagement and how testing environments can undermine both.
He answers the question how rewards and punishments are specifically undermining. Rich also shares some strategies for classroom management to enhance the interest and en...
2024-07-1614 minYou Oughta Know: The Motivation SeriesYou Oughta Know Lennia MatosIn this episode, Matt is joined by Lennia Matos. Lennia is a professor at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. She is also an SDT international scholar and Editorial Member for the CSDT.
Together, they explore the mechanics and techniques one can use to enhance teaching in educational settings. They discuss how satisfying the three basic needs enhances the motivational experience and how positive motivation supports learning overall.
We discuss the relationship dynamics between teacher and student.
Matt references Nathalie Aelterman from Impetus Academy. You can find more about Impetus here: https://www.im...
2024-06-1748 min
You Oughta Know: The Motivation SeriesYou Oughta Know Marylène GagnéWelcome to You Oughta Know: The Motivation Series. Today’s guest is Marylène Gagné. Marylène is a Professor at the Future of Work Institute in the Faculty of Business and Law at Curtin University in Perth, Australia. The Institute promotes productive and meaningful work as essential foundations of a healthy economy and society. Marylène's research examines how organizations, through their structures, cultures, rewards, tasks, and management, affect people’s motivational orientations towards their work.
(Note, at different times during the discussion, Marylène’s office lights went out and that is what we refer to when we s...
2024-05-2459 min
You Oughta Know: The Motivation SeriesYou Oughta Know Jennifer La GuardiaIn this episode, we focus on mental health and behavior change. Our guest is the wonderful Jennifer La Guardia, a behavioral scientist and clinical psychologist from an organization called Brightline.
We talk about Digital Health in the mental health space. Specifically in the context of child and family care. What it is, how it works, and more. For example, many don’t have access to the care they need, whether that is due to time, money, distance, or even the stigma sometimes- unfortunately- associated with mental health.
We allude to nudge and some of the re...
2024-05-1547 min
You Oughta Know: The Motivation SeriesYou Oughta Know Julien ChanalOur first guest is Julien Chanal from the University of Geneva.
During the episode, Matt and Julien discuss fitness and physical activity, which are specialties of Julien's work and research. Specifically, we talk about how kids's motivation to be active works and how childhood activity is an excellent predictor for how active adults are (and their respective motivation). We explore the strategies schools and parents can take to support fitness activity.
We also dig into another area of interest for Julien... Burnout, within the context of work. We also try and define well being within t...
2024-04-2639 min