Assumptions, Philadelphia, and the Stories We Tell Ourselves

Ever catch yourself reacting to a story in your head instead of the person in front of you? In this episode of The Voyage Cast, therapist and host Eddie Eccker unpacks how our brains fill in the blanks and how those mental shortcuts quietly shape our relationships, our culture, and our conflicts.

From a funny gas station encounter involving Spaceballs and a misunderstood license plate to the psychology of “cognitive misers,” Eddie explores why we assume the worst, how social media fuels snap judgments, and what it means to practice generous assumptions instead.

You’ll learn:

• Why your brain makes assumptions (and how to slow them down)

• How misinterpretations damage connection in marriage and friendship

• Simple practices to replace judgment with curiosity and grace

Whether it’s a stranger at a gas station, a comment thread online, or your partner at home, the same truth applies: curiosity heals what assumptions divide.

Listen now and start telling truer stories about the people in your life.