David McRaney
Born: March 22, 1977 – Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States
David McRaney is an American science writer and journalist whose work explores psychology, self-delusion, cognitive biases, persuasion, and behavior change. He is best known for You Are Not So Smart, You Are Now Less Dumb, and How Minds Change, and for creating and hosting the You Are Not So Smart podcast.
Biography & Author's Journey
David McRaney’s path to becoming a widely read science writer was shaped less by a straight academic ladder than by journalism, regional reporting, and a series of practical jobs that sharpened his eye for how people explain themselves. Born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, in 1977 and raised in Sumrall, he attended Jones County Junior College, ran a pet store for a time, and later studied journalism at the University of Southern Mississippi. There he served as executive editor of The Student Printz and earned national recognition for college journalism. After graduating in 2007, he moved into professional reporting and digital media work, including roles at the Hattiesburg American and WDAM-TV, where he also helped produce the music program The Green Couch Sessions. ((https://mississippiencyclopedia.org/entries/mcraney-david/))
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Popular Books
How Minds Change
David McRaney
Explore the science of belief transformation and learn techniques to change minds through empathy and understanding.
You Are Now Less Dumb
David McRaney
Uncover hidden biases and outsmart your brain with fascinating insights into human psychology and decision-making processes.
You Are Not So Smart
David McRaney
An entertaining exploration of cognitive biases and self-delusions that shape our thoughts, decisions, and behaviors in unexpected ways.
How Minds Change
David McRaney
Explore the science of belief transformation and learn techniques to change minds through empathy and understanding.
You Are Now Less Dumb
David McRaney
Uncover hidden biases and outsmart your brain with fascinating insights into human psychology and decision-making processes.
You Are Not So Smart
David McRaney
An entertaining exploration of cognitive biases and self-delusions that shape our thoughts, decisions, and behaviors in unexpected ways.
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The Psychology of Everyday Mind Tricks
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The Science of Smarter Choices
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Community Voices
"David McRaney's brilliant book will force you to rethink your views about how to motivate other people to rethink theirs"
— Adam Grant
"When I first talked to David McRaney about How Minds Change, I found myself taking mad notes on everything he was explaining to me!"
— Simon Sinek
"David McRaney is the author of How Minds Change, a best-selling book on the science and experience of transformation that transformed me"
— Monica Guzman
"If you join David McRaney on this journey, you'll arrive in an unexpected place"
— Daniel H. Pink
"Author and pop-psychology blogger David McRaney gracefully explains how we acquire, hold, and change our views"
— AudioFile Magazine
"David McRaney is one of our finest science communicators"
— Will Storr
"Journalist and writer David McRaney, with his wide range of expertise, has contributed to statewide and regional journalism"
— Mississippi Encyclopedia
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
