Modern life pushes our brains in ways they were never built to handle. In this episode, Dr. David Rock, neuroscientist, bestselling author, and the creator of the SCARF™ model*, joins host Matt Levinger to reveal why fear, uncertainty, and social threats so often hijack our thinking. Together, they unpack the hidden neural patterns that shape how we collaborate, lead, and respond to conflict, and explore practical tools for keeping calm in a world full of noise. This fast, insightful conversation sets the stage for a powerful two‑part series on fear, love, and how understanding the brain can help us work together more effectively.

Host: Matthew Levinger – Host of the America’s Why Podcast and Professor of Practice of International Affairs at the George Washington University.

Guest: David Rock – Co-founder and CEO of the NeuroLeadership Institute

​*SCARF is an acronym of the words "Status, Certainty, Autonomy, Relatedness, & Fairness."​

​Dr. David Rock is the Co-founder and CEO of the NeuroLeadership Institute, which has partnered with more than 2/3 of the Fortune 100 corporations. With operations in 24 countries, the institute brings neuroscientists and leadership experts together to make organizations better for humans through science. David has written for and been quoted in hundreds of articles about leadership, organizational effectiveness, and the brain. He is the author of three books: Your Brain at Work, Coaching with the Brain in Mind, and Quiet Leadership: Six Steps to Transforming Performance at Work. Originally from Australia, David has been based in the United States since 2010.

Learn more about the NeuroLeadership Institute's mission, research, and global impact at: https://www.neuroleadership.com/

Visit our website to learn more about the America’s Why Project and join the conversation: americaswhyproject.com

Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music

The views expressed in the podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent those held by the America's Why Project team or the George Washington University.