In this episode of Everything Is Personal, we dive deep into the provocative ideas of Steve Pasin, author of Taming the Fetal Tyrant. From megalomania in the womb to the role of culture in shaping our behavior, this conversation challenges how we view human nature. Steve shares why he believes every human is born with the instinct to “win, control, dominate, and be right,” and how society, culture, and even epigenetics influence how we channel those impulses. Is the difference between Mother Teresa and Hitler rooted in the same human drive, expressed differently? Can stress, trauma, and genetic predispositions shape our path toward compassion or destruction?
Chapters
00:00 – 02:06 | Defining megalomania and fetal psychology
02:06 – 05:32 | From the womb to culture: taming the tyrant
05:32 – 07:52 | Confidence, empathy, and survival instincts
07:52 – 13:19 | Childhood roots, science dreams, and epigenetics
13:19 – 17:50 | The origin of “win, control, dominate, and be right”
17:50 – 23:49 | Mother Teresa vs. Hitler: same nature, different paths
23:49 – 28:53 | Epigenetics, neurochemistry, and stress response
28:53 – 33:37 | Culture, famine studies, and transgenerational trauma
33:37 – 39:29 | Stress as “social defeat” and status pressures
39:29 – 46:35 | Free will, choices, and shaping our genes
46:35 – 51:15 | Science vs. cultural beliefs: finding truth
51:15 – 57:19 | Love redefined: oxytocin and “getting what you want”
57:19 – 01:06:57 | Relationships, narcissism, and codependency
01:06:57 – 01:13:29 | Music, memories, and personal stories
01:13:29 – 01:16:37 | Where to find Steve’s book and final reflections