StarTalk Podcast: Exploring Grit, with Angela Duckworth & Neil deGrasse Tyson

What is grit? Neil deGrasse Tyson, comic co-host Chuck Nice, and psychologist, author, and world-renowned expert on grit Angela Duckworth, PhD, answer fan-submitted Cosmic Queries on the science of grit.
Angela is the author of the best-selling book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. She is also the founder and CEO of Character Lab. Character Lab is a “nonprofit organization that connects researchers with educators to create greater knowledge about the conditions that lead to social, emotional, academic, and physical well-being for young people throughout the country.”
To start, we investigate why sometimes stories help us learn and understand things better than statistics and hard data. Find out how the science of grit relates to the cosmic perspective. Angela tells us about the Stanford marshmallow experiment. We discuss procrastination. Angela also explains why she likes to keep death relevant in her conversations and thoughts.
We delve into the work of K. Anders Ericsson, PhD, who was the world expert on experts and expertise. His research also uncovered the “10,000 hours to be great” methodology. You’ll discover more about perseverance. Are there times where you should quit? Angela explains why the answer is yes. We also discuss why comparing yourself to other people is not as helpful as comparing you to yourself.
Explore the differences between self-esteem vs self-efficacy. What does science say about grit in different generations? Lastly, we discuss the importance of learning to strive. All that, plus, we ponder whether you need grit if you love what you do.
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About the prints that flank Neil in this video:
"Black Swan” & "White Swan" limited edition serigraph prints by Coast Salish artist Jane Kwatleematt Marston. For more information about this artist and her work, visit Inuit Gallery of Vancouver. inuit.com/
About StarTalk:
Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!
#StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

[@natureswayaquaticslv]

My soul becomes happy when I log on to KZbin and see there is a brand new cosmic queries.

[@ddpwe5269]

Procrastinators unite! Tomorrow!

[@sebastianlarosa5669]

Can it wait until next week?

[@Synathidy]

@@sebastianlarosa5669 I mean... are we all gonna die next week? I say we just play it by ear. We can do it when we HAVE to...

[@PagalNixon]

i will like this tomorrow

[@sirlemaster2683]

Dyslexics untie!! I mean unite!!

[@timelesswisdom.]

Maybe later

[@E-__]

Every time I click on these, I scroll forward to confirm the presence of Chuck. Chuck confirmed! Phew.

[@universalroyalempire]

Me too lol 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@lordcrayzar]

Same

[@E-__]

Btw, when it’s not Chuck, it’s not bad... but it’s not Chuck.

[@ZedNebuloid]

Is Chuck dying?

[@kevind1980]

@@E-__ I'm not sure what's crazier, actually doing that or lying about it. I have a hard time believing you can't wait a few seconds to see who the comic co-host is. No need to lie to kick it. We get it, you like Chuck.

[@HighLordSythen]

"I'll get around to procrastinating later" made me laugh so much more than it should have.

[@sigmasplatinumrust5184]

Oh man your comment made me laugh thank you lol

[@jjavodelb]

Theist mentality💀💀🚮

[@Bigohno0]

Genius 🤣

[@masternobody1896]

this is why i dont like school and like this

[@EnlightenedEyes11]

@@sigmasplatinumrust5184 😊 👌 P 😭k 😔

[@philohmazibuko]

This episode reminded that it's not only physics that excites me but learning in general.

[@TheEternalPheonix]

Same here.

[@Corn0nTheCobb]

Reminded who, your cousin?

[@farmerkyle0000]

My 2 favourite peeps on KZbin. Who else gets excited to see a new Neil and Chuck video😁😎👍

[@TheQuackertheduck]

Everyone's happiness is so contagious in this episode! I hope they have Angela Duckworth on again in the future!

[@ZeroOskul]

Up-voted. It is joy and enjoyment. They are having fun. Happiness is something else.

[@ZeroOskul]

@Angelo Lizardi 9, 14, 15, 12, 5 10, 16, 18, 16, 10 225

[@AEUDKIPLD]

@@ZeroOskul à z

[@ZeroOskul]

@@AEUDKIPLD b y

[@kevind1980]

I thought her answers were mostly confusing and a lot of talking in circles. Could just be the boring topic.

[@elck3]

I'm a fan of CHUCK NICE. We 'loeveee' him

[@otepmar5244]

Me mo

[@montanamike7948]

I'm not a fan. Hes a distraction

[@bimmergeezer]

Dr. Tyson, please have Dr. Duckworth back again and again. Fabulous episode. Mr. Nice, you exceeded your normal great self. Loved the questions and I especially loved the answers and discussions that ensued. Wonderful.

[@zrevan4262]

Dude, Neil, I pray that you live a long life man. I love your philosophy, your understanding, your unique personality, your brutal honesty. If I ever have children, I will for sure have your videos and talks be an inspiration to them! 🤩

[@princesslea21]

Oak Heights Teacher’s we’re amazing and so we’re the volunteer parents!

[@princesslea21]

Book Clubs are cool and so are debates. Coffee and a cigarette 👹Vape Pens….dealers choice!

[@pratikraut6354]

These guys can talk about rocks for hours and I'll listen to them ❤

[@k0vert]

I can't believe she's 50, she looks great! Amazing episode btw

[@alexkid1]

She looks so cute.

[@Q_QQ_Q]

she is asian

[@torresjarred1]

u either have a certain type or haven't been around mature women regularly...she definitely looks 50...but ur comment is subjective and/or objective and can vary due to perspective

[@philohmazibuko]

😳 I legit thought that she was just joking about that

[@Thezombiekiller06]

@@torresjarred1 she looks late 30s

[@gjsterp]

Mr. Tyson, The US NEEDS YOU TO VOICE YOUR POLITICAL VIEWS !!! Please, Please, Please take a Stand for Your Country !

[@eddie9579]

I can’t watch this without chuck who else?

[@jmanj3917]

Neil is absolutely correct. Wrestling is an extremely demanding sport. I wrestled in high school. When I was seventeen and going through boot camp at Parris Island I was definitely well prepared for the grueling pain, both physically and mentally.

[@johnyepthomi892]

00:28:56 Angela , I thank you for talking about this because I’ve faced this and still am a little but I’m I can overcome that feeling and I want this kind of talks to be more out there.

[@G3LOFY]

I tried the marshmallow test on myself and I ended up eating all 3 marshmallows. I have no self control. 😢

[@sufsanin1917]

Why do I like the star talk episodes in the coronaverse?

[@Fatecontroller]

I certainly like them in any time frame, but even more so in coronaverse since it makes our lives that much better :)

[@rakefreespiritsalian]

Star Talk should've had more than 10 million subscribers by now

[@the1khronohs40]

What!? Angela's 50? 😮 I'd have guessed 30's. Wow. Great topic and episode btw. Would love to see/hear a round 2 on this!

[@GEMINI00D1]

Y'all are the "ish" man! This is one of my favorite shows. To Neil and Chuck I say "Thank You!"

[@stephanienirenberg7426]

You men make my son and I laugh so hard with each episode. Thank You from the bottom of my heart. Ah- from the entire heart.

[@sherib5752]

Oh wow, I’m a huge Angela Duckworth fan! Love her podcast with Dubner.

[@kareemramzey8870]

Do u know the name of the podcast?

[@BlackHoleForge]

Be your child's stepping stool. Help them obtain the things that are just out of reach. Never wobble, and always stay supportive.

[@Synathidy]

My parents did that and I think it was very, VERY helpful.

[@PyrusFlameborn]

I demand title equality! If Neil is in the title then so should Chuck, he adds a lot of great humor that improves the quality a ton!

[@greyprox4677]

I could listen to her for weeks... not even a joke... She is fascinating....

[@Nesetalis]

oh, I was hoping we were going to talk about space dust, or lunar dust, or other gritty substances. :P

[@JestersGeneration]

i thought it was going to go in a geological direction about rock formation lol

[@Sir.Craze-]

Same though. Was hoping for sandpaper, rock at there smallest and bits of stuff... :'(

[@hman2912]

So thought so too, but this was fascinating

[@nqinadlamini]

At a minimum, this should have been a 2 hour podcast. Great podcast. Thank you.

[@I-mTheGuy]

Literally posted after my English teacher assigned a thing on grit how funny

[@GoldenPidgeon]

Yes, please more with Angela on this topic! Very interesting, fascinating and helpful 🙂

[@marycrafts]

I have a grown son in his mid twenties. I agree completely with Dr. Duckworth about participation trophies. We do not win every thing we set out to win and children need to learn to handle losing because it is a part of life. My son has ADHD, so finding ways to motivate him and help him learn was something I had to learn how to do. Breaking hard tasks down into smaller chunks worked wonderfully in keeping his attention, and getting him to learn longer more detailed things.

[@atillar3321]

Neil and Chuck is the duo, change my mind

[@Denosophem]

I once wrote a paper on learned helplessness. The amount of personal changes “for the better” that came about from constructing the paper is profound

[@firstnlastnamethe3rd771]

Wish I could sit with these folks while talking science! I like having a perplexed look on my face, and not saying a word.

[@busyrand]

Same. I'm a talker on deep things I find fascinating. However, learning is my primary hobby as well as fascination, so this is my dessert and bread at the same time.

[@averystewart24]

PLEASE COME BACK TO THIS!!! GRIT is everything I'm doing right now🙌🏾

[@cnewtoneov]

I don't normally leave comments on KZbin due to trolls who live here, but I want to let you guys know that this was your best episode to date and was your best guest. I really enjoyed Angela and they way she took command yet shared "the rock" was well done (effortlessly mind you). Great job guys.

[@dianasmith9504]

Transitioning from a gritty career ( such as the military) to outside life is a lot like retiring from a demanding career. I think two things can help: lifelong learning and exploring creative pursuits. Volunteer work is also beneficial.

[@felixrodriguez6256]

One of the best of Cosmic queries!. Im a big fan of astronomy and space science but got shock at how informative and brain opening this episode turne out to be. Please do it again. Thanks to you and your guess.

[@kirkwagner461]

Angela is a delight. Please have her back.

[@HellaUtube]

I lol'ed when the StarTalk became DeathTalk!

[@bdr420i]

Sometimes life can hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith. I’m convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle. My third story is about death. When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: “If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.” It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something. Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything - all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you 💐 Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the cour6age to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary. (Steve Jobs - Stanford University 2005)

[@Goober101]

I’m glad I stumbled upon your beautiful comment; thank you ✨I really needed to read that.

[@MusicGunn]

I like most of your comment. Faith is a terrible way to make your way through life. Faith has no foothold in reality and is just as easy to use for false things as it is for true things. You must base your life on reality, not what you hope is true. The best time to believe something is true, is when you have reasonable evidence for it. Faith can not provide that. Lose the faith. It's not that someone doesn't want to go to heaven, it is that it has no basis in reality. Where is the evidence for heaven?

[@ittaiklein8541]

@@MusicGunn - Your comment is an Important comment. I hope many read it and assimilate it. (you have read my mind)

[@denisdelinger3265]

Wow, i had no idea there was a word that describes me so perfectly. "Grit". But i just read this on Angela's website: "grit is about having what some researchers call an”ultimate concern”-a goal you care about so much that it organizes and gives meaning to almost everything you do" And i can't believe just how perfectly that describes my life! i thought it wasn't that common to have a word associated with it, but pleasantly surprised!

[@markjamison9132]

I always enjoy the gathering of StarTalk.

[@mags102755]

I am a former professional ballet dancer. I know all about grit and perseverence. :-) But this was GREAT!

[@misolde1470]

She seems so kindful.

[@z1X2c3V47]

All the guests they get are so amazing. You'd swear they do this sorry of this everyday, it flows so naturally. I love it!

[@Hopster75]

Great video to shake the cobwebs of quarantine and get back to business!

[@dragonbenjammin]

It's been written so many ways, so many times. But it always has a continuous effect.

[@yolandaortiz353]

anyone else notice chuck going ham highlighting questions and making sure he's ready to help the next topic flow nice dude

[@108u9]

To broaden the conversation, I think it’s worthwhile considering that to be able to put together 10,000 hours, or Deliberate Practice toward something we love is truly a privilege that not everyone gets an opportunity to. As Neil and Angela points to, we have a finite time here. Perhaps we would be best served to savour this blessing. Let stories and ideas of ‘Grit’ not be the stick we beat others down with but as a personal private fuel, if we choose, to help ourselves in times of challenge. If we or others come to falter in meeting expected or desired outcomes, let there not be a wash of shame as if we have thus confirmed an intrinsic flaw, badness or unworthiness about ourselves, but as a confirmation that we are but human. Those who can and are achieving more...great. But let us not forget those who just need a little help, and what a privilege it would be to come alongside another human being to journey with them.

[@jimwallington437]

The Last Dance is an excellent story of long term determination and grit by Michael Jordan.

[@manpreetbhattee9732]

Not even kidding, Chuck needs to be promoted to an expert on handling experts. Great stuff guys...keep em coming.

[@blragh]

How is this posted while I'm binging affirmations and motivational rants and lifting heavy stuff?? Thanks Universe. 🤜🏻🤛

[@jjavodelb]

Sure

[@jhandrus2009]

@@jjavodelb dfd

[@Thezombiekiller06]

The universe is yellow

[@everydayshea]

This cracks open my heart in a great way

[@raukoring]

The best channel on KZbin

[@sortof3337]

Lol I missed Chuck. It's not same without him. Finally 😭😭

[@marianaaguilera4806]

Angela's AMAZING. Please have her back!!

[@brianrakes5413]

persistence is omnipotent if you’ve not yet given up, if you’ve not yet stopped trying, you’ve not yet failed

[@brianrakes5413]

insincere attempts count as attempted fraud

[@brianrakes5413]

always be sincere, especially if you dont mean it

[@morlin101]

Tuned In

[@ttmilbr]

Chuck just cracks me up all the time. "Things that are sooo much better than marshmallows.." LOL.

[@melanezoe]

Another thought-provoking episode.

[@painsaw3387]

And another book I'm going to read because it was mentioned in Star Talk. :-)

[@eduardoreyes8914]

I was just wondering what to watch while having dinner. Didn't expect to be changed for life tho

[@MohammadNohman]

LOVED THIS STAR TALK. THANK YOU FOR IT AND PLEASE BRING BACK ANGELA AGAIN AND DISCUSS MORE ON IT.

[@midnightwatchman1]

Losing can be just as instructive as winning. This may be counter-intuitive but learning how to lose is the single most important thing to learn when developing character

[@dmar9658]

Hey now Dr T. When ever you say to Chuck ( Do the math ) Show us the Math!! Please for whatever topic. South Carolina is always watching. Thxu

[@swistedfilms]

I became a Patreon supporter of Star Talk with the money I made from selling GRIT!

[@zaldbathar4866]

Non-existence is not only never having existed, but also the state you enter after existing. And it is infallibly incomprehensible.

[@poeslow1816]

You guys are so amazing keep it coming. Chuck Brah that hair line is razor sharp hope for a new normal

[@gitaryddcymraeg8816]

I'm glad you talked about learned helplessness. It's very relevant in 2020 and I think more people should know about it.

[@chasemanhattan7335]

Exactly what I needed to hear at this point in my life.

[@Bdmaurice]

Thank you Neil!

[@Viking507]

I wonder, about children with an early, decade-long case of Thanatophobia (Fear of death), especially extreme ones, then getting over it (mostly), and falling victims to drinking, depressions, etc. later on in life. Procrastinating becomes a daily thing, and you are both worried about achieving something, but at the same time "don't care" so time flies by too fast. Although in a way you do care. To me it feels like a complete paradox personality My fear of death hit me really hard as a child, NOT in a motivational manner, but rather a thing that made me actually cry at night. When my parents asked me what's wrong, I wailed "I don't wanna die". I had a vague idea that it just means I'm gonna lay in the ground and try to sleep forever and it's gonna be boring. But since then I grew up to accept it as a fact, and science helped me accept it more even from a young age. But over the years I've had ups and downs with depressions, some periods of drinking, and it seems that knowing you're mortal is an interesting spectrum, rather than an obvious "fuel" for your ambitious / achievements. Sometimes escaping troubles through sleep (hereby "shortening" your life), seems more appealing than doing anything, while at the same time being aware of the fact that life goes by at the same time

[@mehdibaghbadran3182]

When you’re telling the truth, people can feel it

[@nithyanagarathinam6215]

Wish she didn't mention the dog experiment with such casual callousness and defend Marty about it.

[@hyrumkohler]

Absolutely love this topic

[@mmgibson1]

As usual, I found this podcast to be highly thought-provoking. One of those thoughts was about being part of a sports team in school - in my case it was cross-country or track rather than wrestling, but if you compare yourself to the "stars" of the team, those people who always seem to win and get awards, you will end up feeling like you will never be that talented and you might as well quit. You learn pretty fast if you stick with it that the ones that come in first or in the top 3 all the time need the rest of the team to pull their weight as well, because it is often the overall score that is important. Or if you can't beat the opposing team because there are too many of those gifted people on it, you can often get the best performance out of yourself so far and that feels awesome.

[@felicityc]

“There is an innocence in admiration: it occurs in one who has not yet realized that they might one day be admired.” ― Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

[@Ravenzpeak]

I totally get what Angela means when she says kids need sips of success to keep them from developing 'learned helplessness'. It helps them decide what interests to pursue because they aren't burdened by feeling there is so much in the world that they cannot do.

[@Damien89JP]

Great quote I love having written

[@JAMES-my8bf]

I always like some eggs with my Grit 😁

[@TaylordSpirit]

🤭

[@stebrune]

Love the topic. Extremely insightful

[@marianfrances4959]

Best podcast ever!! Love it all.😉🇨🇦👍💜

[@globallytalking]

Amazing discussion. Loved it, and laughed

[@josenegron6656]

What a great episode

[@catherinetoomey-flynn1624]

When I first saw the title for this I thought "Only Neil deGrasse Tyson can fill an entire podcast about loose stones."

[@autumnsah3282]

Love this conversation! Love Startalk :)

[@macewenart]

Gotta love the idea of having 1 summer job 1 time that was difficult and low paid, and it's being a camp counselor! Also, I wrestled for years, it was not the most physically exhausting thing I've ever done, mountain climbing is.

[@mehdibaghbadran3182]

If you know your mission’s, and focus on them , you’ll reach them , if you puts valued in your life , so you never dies

[@Amethyst_Dragon_]

Please please please do a part two

[@mushtaqueqazi5970]

Change and communication 2 most important things.

[@ZigZagKid_AZ]

I like this episode. Especially with her. Shes cool.

[@tsraikage]

this podcast sounds interesting. i might watch it tomorrow

[@TheDIVideos]

Memory is not issue it is logic functionality

[@redmed10]

Choose your battles. But don't avoid them altogether.

[@JokerFey]

as much i love cosmic Query i love Neil&Chuck duo more

[@shaileshkris]

This episode of DeathTalk is brought to you by Angela Deathworth & Neil DeGrasse Dieson, and I am your comic host, Chuck Dies!

[@varunsuresh22]

I want Chuck's T-Shirt !!

[@roxanamihaila4017]

How many “like” can you repeat? Angela: “Yes!!!”

[@timlane5445]

You are right on the long training to be allot better. There is something about the talent of a Jordon, he has talent that almost all people dont

[@JestersGeneration]

some will sell their dreams for small desires! go for it! great podcast :)

[@adamsapp4046]

I ABOSLUTELY FRAK'N LOVE YOU GUYS TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!!! FOR THA REALS!!!