Pete Johansson is The Slow Learner.
Life has been my classroom, and I’ve taken the scenic route through every lesson. From decades of globetrotting stand-up comedy to a deep dive into psychology and cognitive science at the University of Toronto in my 40s, I’ve embraced the joys of learning late, often, and a little differently. Diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood, I realized the world moves fast, but some of us thrive by pausing to truly explore and understand it.
My podcast, The Slow Learner, reflects my journey—a celebration of lifelong learning, humour, and curiosity. Whether it’s finding the funny side of cognitive load, unpacking why we laugh at awkward moments, or sharing stories from a life that’s been both absurd and profound, I believe it’s never too late to learn, grow, and laugh about it along the way.
Join me as I turn every stumble into a stepping stone and every “aha!” moment into an “aha-ha-ha!” moment.
Co-Learner: Professor of Neuroscience Paul Whissell
Dr. Paul Whissell is a neuroscientist with a knack for making the complex simple—and occasionally funny. As a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto, he spends his days exploring the fascinating intersection of psychology, physiology, and neuroscience, tackling everything from how drugs shape the brain to the mysteries of consciousness. By night, he’s my fellow “co-learner,” finding humour in the quirks of human thought and behaviour.
Paul’s passion for teaching shines through courses like Cognitive Neuroscience and Behavioural Genetics, but his curiosity doesn’t stop in the classroom. With a shared love of comedy and lifelong learning, he joins me on The Slow Learner to unpack big ideas, swap insights, and maybe even answer why we laugh at bad puns (spoiler: it’s the brain’s fault). Together, we aim to inspire listeners to think, laugh, and explore the science of being human.
