Show Notes
Why do we pay to be terrified by horror movies and haunted houses, yet struggle to think clearly when fear becomes real? And what if some of our most deeply held beliefs about panic, courage, and survival are wrong? In the Season One finale of No One Is Coming, Lance Still explores the psychology and neuroscience of fear: why our brains evolved to detect danger, what happens during the fight, flight, or freeze response, and how stress changes our ability to make decisions. From the strange pleasures of scary movies to the science of fear conditioning and survival instincts, we discover why fear isn't necessarily the enemy. It's a biological system designed to keep us alive, even when it occasionally gets things spectacularly wrong. But the biggest surprise may be what happens when disaster strikes. Contrary to the familiar Hollywood image of mass panic, research shows that people are remarkably likely to cooperate, help strangers, and respond to the behavior of those around them. We examine the psychology of crowds, the bystander effect, and the dangerous tendency to wait for more information when time is running out. Along the way, experts explain how mental rehearsal, situational awareness, and a few decisions made in advance can help ordinary people act more effectively under pressure. Finally, we explore the science of hope, courage, and resilience. What makes someone willing to take a worthwhile risk? Why does psychological flexibility matter more than perfect preparation? And how can hope become something more substantial than simply wishing for a good outcome? After a season exploring disasters, uncertainty, and survival, we return to the idea at the heart of the show: you don't have to be fearless to become someone who can help
Featuring: Rosie Knight: Award-winning journalist, author, and podcast host who writes extensively about film, horror, comics, and pop culture. She co-hosts iHeart's X-Ray Vision and has written for The Hollywood Reporter, Esquire, IGN, and Nerdist. Rosie Knight Dr. Michael Fanselow: Distinguished Professor of Psychology at UCLA and a leading researcher on the neuroscience of fear. His work examines how fear is learned, stored in the brain, and translated into defensive behavior. UCLA Psychology Meghan Fitzgerald, PhD, LMHC: Licensed mental health counselor specializing in trauma and PTSD who also holds a PhD in integrative biology. Her earlier research on spider behavior informs her perspective on how protective and survival behaviors develop across species. Life Works Therapy Dr. Chris Hicks: Emergency physician and trauma team leader at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto who studies human performance under pressure. His work examines stress, situational awareness, decision-making, mental rehearsal, and training in high-stakes emergencies. Advanced Performance Bjørn Sætrevik: Professor of psychology at the University of Bergen who studies risk, situation awareness, and decision-making in safety-critical environments, including how people interpret incomplete information and act under pressure. University of Bergen Dr. Kayley Estes: Psychological scientist who studies risk, uncertainty, disaster communication, and responses to threatening information. Her research examines how perception, trust, and social context shape behavior during crises. Research Dr. Cynthia Pury: Professor of psychology at Clemson University who studies courage, fear, and what allows people to take worthwhile risks. Her research explores anxiety, threat appraisal, and the psychology of courageous action. Clemson University Follow No One Is Coming: Website: nooneiscomingpodcast.com YouTube: @NoOneIsComingPod Instagram: @nooneiscomingpodcast TikTok: @nooneiscomingpod No One Is Coming is survival for the non-camo crowd: a documentary podcast about disasters, uncertainty, and what ordinary people can do before the plan falls apart. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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