Born in Okinawa, Japan, and raised in Willingboro, New Jersey, my life has been a journey of contrasts and transformation. My childhood was constrained, chaotic, and impoverished. To cope, I escaped into books—the tales of Hemingway, Heinlein, and Vonnegut—as I counted down the days until I could escape my provincial beginnings and create my own adventures.
If my present self could go back to the night before I left for college and tell the 18-year-old me what was coming, he’d probably look at me incredulously and tell me to “f*** off!”
Where would I start?
Maybe I’d tell him that he’ll watch the sunrise over the Pyramids of Giza, walk along the Great Wall of China, and stare in awe at the Taj Mahal; that he’ll shake a U.S. President’s hand, host podcasts, author books (across three different genres), and be featured on The Today Show, in The New York Times, and on CNN. Or maybe I’d mention he’ll try stand-up and bomb at a dive bar, only to later not bomb at the world’s largest comedy festival.
I’d tell him his career will twist from behavioral economist to humor researcher to fierce advocate for singles. He’ll earn a PhD, complete a postdoc at Princeton, and give talks at Harvard, Stanford, and Cambridge. He’ll teach MBAs at London Business School in Dubai, earn tenure at CU Boulder, and even pitch TV shows in Hollywood. Maybe I’d throw in that he’ll debate Joe Rogan on his podcast and create a live comedy game show, just for good measure.
But his journey won’t stop at academic or creative success. He’ll apply the same drive and determination to his physical pursuits—playing and coaching two lacrosse clubs to national championships, knocking someone out in a fight, and surviving a bike crash that should have ended him. His adventurous spirit will take him to the West Bank, on safari in the Maasai Mara, clowning with Patch Adams in the Amazon, and enjoying sushi at Tokyo’s Tsukiji fish market. He’ll marvel at Machu Picchu, Milford Sound, and the Grand Canyon, embracing life in ways he never thought possible.
I’d probably save the part about his inner journey for last—that one day he’ll stop being such a “good little boy,” following all the rules, and instead break free to create his own. He’ll experience love and heartbreak, explore the depths of his mind as a psychonaut, and realize he doesn’t need to follow the conventional path to find happiness. And though he will never marry or have kids, he’ll build a deep and wide group of friends and, ultimately, find more happiness and freedom than he ever thought possible.
Despite the growth and accolades, I’d warn him that the journey won’t be easy: failures, disappointments, uncertainty, heartache, skin cancer, torn ligaments, broken bones, and a decades-long grind to make it all happen. There will still be days—especially nights—when he’ll feel like that scared little boy again. But as he grows older, wiser, and more playful, those moments will come less often, and when they do, he’ll know how to handle them.
No matter what, I’d tell him I’m proud of him. I’d thank him for his persistence and sacrifices. The man he becomes will be at peace with who he is, confident in what’s to come—because, in the end, he’ll learn how to live remarkably.
Now, living in Colorado and sunsetting my work at CU Boulder, I feel like I’m on the verge of another transformation. If my 90-year-old self visited me tonight, what might he say? Would he be proud? Would he thank me for the risks I took, the rules I broke? And what adventures would he tell me lie ahead?
Onwards!
More about me:
Singles Advocate
As a lifelong bachelor, I’ve dedicated myself to supporting singles and celebrating the opportunities of singlehood. As the host of Solo: The Single Person’s Guide to a Remarkable Life, I challenge societal norms surrounding relationships and embrace the idea that being single isn’t something to be fixed—it’s a foundation for living a remarkable life. Through my writing, speaking, and the Solo movement, I guide singles in crafting fulfilling lives, helping them break free from the expectations of a world built for two.
In addition to the Solo podcast, I write for Single Insights: The Science of Solos and host The Solo Salon, a space where remarkable singles gather to connect, celebrate, learn, and be entertained. My book, Solo: Building a Remarkable Life of Your Own is the culmination of this project.
Humor Researcher
Prior to the Solo project, I immersed myself in the scientific study of humor, exploring its causes and consequences. I’m pleased to have helped move humor research from the fringes into mainstream academic discussion. A major accomplishment has been co-creating the Benign Violation Theory with Caleb Warren, which explains what makes things funny. To do that, I founded the Humor Research Lab (HuRL). Curious about the theory? Check out my TEDx talk, “What Makes Things Funny?,” where I summarize our academic insights.
In 2014, I co-authored The Humor Code: A Global Search for What Makes Things Funny, a book that took Joel Warner and me on a world tour to uncover the roots of comedy. I hosted the podcast I’M NOT JOKING, which examines the lives of funny people, and based on those insights and my work as a business school professor, I wrote my second book Shtick to Business: What the Masters of Comedy can Teach You about Breaking Rules, Being Fearless, and Building a Serious Career.
Behavioral Economist
I’ve dedicated my career to understanding the complex interplay between judgment, emotion, and choice. My research explores key questions such as: “How do emotions influence the way people spend money?” “Can we experience happiness and sadness simultaneously?” and, of course, “Why does the TSA suck?”
I received a B.A. in psychology and an M.Ed. in educational psychology from Rutgers University, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in quantitative psychology from The Ohio State University. I later completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School, where I had the privilege of being mentored by Nobel Laureate Daniel Kahneman. His work on decision-making and well-being deeply shaped my perspective and approach to research.
I’ve published my work in a variety of academic journals, including Psychological Science, Management Science, Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Marketing Research, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, and Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes.
And yes, I’m still trying to figure out if it’s possible to be happy while standing in the TSA line.
Marketing and Psychology Professor
As a professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, I spend my days conducting research, teaching, and enduring mind-numbing faculty meetings. My academic home is in the Leeds School of Business, where I teach courses in behavioral economics, consumer behavior, marketing management, and advertising (though I only taught advertising as a one-off, as punishment from my senior colleagues for being too mouthy). I also have an appointment in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at CU.
I have also taught MBA students at the University of California San Diego’s Rady School and London Business School. Oddly enough, none of these employers are interested in offering a course on humor or single living… yet.
Writer and Podcaster
As mentioned above, I’m the author of Solo and Shtick to Business, as well as co-author of the Humor Code. I currently host the podcast Solo: The Single Person’s Guide to a Remarkable Life, where I explore what it means to live an extraordinary single life. My previous podcast, I’M NOT JOKING, focused on the lives of funny people from entertainment, business, science, and the arts.
I’ve also written for Slate, Wired, Fortune, Huffington Post, and The Washington Post, seeking to blend academic insights with actionable lessons for real people. I am currently writing a couple of articles on the implications of the rise of singles for business for the Harvard Business Review.
Speaker and Consultant
I help organizations use humor to connect more effectively with their customers and craft messages that cut through the clutter. I also assist companies in better understanding and serving their single customers and employees, an often overlooked but growing group.
I’ve spoken to organizations big and small—from Google and Viacom to the quirkier stages of Funny or Die, the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor, and even the National Golf Course Owners Association. Whether it’s a Fortune 500 company or a local Rotary Club, I love sharing insights on how organizations can use humor to build stronger connections or better serve their single customers and employees.
In addition to my corporate and public speaking, I host Solo Salons, where I bring people together to explore the challenges and joys of living remarkably as a single person. I’ve also shared these ideas at events like TEDxBoulder and Nerd Nite Denver.
Whether you’re a global brand or a passionate community group, give me a microphone and a topic, and let’s make it happen!
Flâneur, Psychonaut, and Semi-Freak
In addition to my professional journey, I’ve embraced other adventures, all while carving my own remarkable path.
As a flâneur, I practice the art of wandering solo without a destination, soaking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the cityscape. Whether strolling through the quaint streets of London or taking in the energy of Tokyo, I find beauty in the unplanned, discovering inspiration in the mundane moments of everyday life.
As a psychonaut, I shift from wandering the earth to exploring the depths of my mind, using altered states of consciousness to push the boundaries of self-understanding and creativity. I often share insights from these mental journeys in my ‘Solo Thoughts’ episodes of the Solo podcast.
And while I might not look the part, I proudly identify as a semi-freak—someone who doesn’t fit into society’s narrow definition of normal. From thriving in solitude to staying single while others settle down, I’ve learned that being different is a strength. Rather than conform, I aim to design a life that’s authentically my own and seek out fellow semi-freaks to share it with.
Dilemma Day, Big Day Theory, and Secret Projects
I created Dilemma Day, a gathering where creative minds come together to eat, laugh, and tackle life’s toughest problems.
In line with my philosophy that “Every day is a big day,” I live with a sense of positive urgency—reminding myself (and others) to seize every opportunity life presents.
I’m always working on a secret project or two. Though most may never see the light of day, occasionally one surfaces—as did Dilemma Day.
Short professional bio
Dr. Peter McGraw is a behavioral economist, business school professor, and expert in judgment, emotion, and choice. He teaches at the University of Colorado Boulder, focusing on behavioral economics, marketing, and consumer behavior. As the founder of the Humor Research Lab (HuRL), he is known for the Benign Violation Theory and his research on the science of humor. McGraw is also an advocate for singles, authoring Solo: Building a Remarkable Life of Your Own, and hosting Solo: The Single Person’s Guide to a Remarkable Life. His insights span academia, business, and personal development.
Long professional bio
Dr. Peter McGraw is a behavioral economist and professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he teaches courses in behavioral economics, marketing management, and consumer behavior. Holding appointments in the Leeds School of Business and the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, McGraw’s research explores the intersection of judgment, emotion, and choice, with a particular focus on humor and its implications for human behavior. He is the founder of the Humor Research Lab (HuRL), where he co-developed the Benign Violation Theory, an influential framework explaining what makes things funny.
McGraw is a thought leader in understanding how emotions influence decisions in both personal and professional contexts. His expertise has led to significant contributions in the fields of behavioral economics and marketing, where his work has been published in top academic journals, including Psychological Science and Journal of Consumer Research. In addition to his academic research, McGraw consults for companies and organizations, helping them apply behavioral science principles to improve decision-making, marketing strategies, and customer engagement.
Beyond academia, McGraw is a passionate advocate for singles. He is the author of Solo: Building a Remarkable Life of Your Own, a book that challenges societal norms about relationships and celebrates the potential of single living. He hosts the popular podcast Solo: The Single Person’s Guide to a Remarkable Life, where he explores topics related to single living, personal growth, and creating a fulfilling life outside of traditional partnership structures.
McGraw’s influence extends into the realm of public speaking, where he has given talks at global conferences, including TEDx, and serves as a media commentator on topics ranging from behavioral economics to the science of humor. His interdisciplinary work bridges the gap between academic research and practical application, making him a sought-after voice in discussions on decision-making, emotion, and social dynamics.
With a Ph.D. in quantitative psychology from The Ohio State University and post-doctoral training at Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School, McGraw’s work reflects a deep commitment to applying scientific insights to solve real-world problems. He is also the author of The Humor Code: A Global Search for What Makes Things Funny and Shtick to Business, books that bring his expertise in humor and behavioral science to a wider audience.
Media
Interviews
- Five-Thirty-Eight – How to be funnier
- BBC – The Science of Laughter
- CNN – The History of Comedy
- The Atlantic – The Dark Psychology of Being a Good Comedian
- The Atlantic – What Makes Something Funny
- The Globe and Mail – The power of making people laugh at work
- The Joe Rogan Experience – #578 – Peter McGraw (video podcast)
- WTF with Marc Maron – Episode #521 Peter McGraw and Joel Warner (podcast)
- New York Times – So these professors walk into a comedy club
- NPR – Can an algorithm discover the key to laughter?
- Wall Street Journal – How About Never – Is Never Good for You? Celebrities Struggle to Write Winning Captions
- Wired – One Professor’s Attempt to Explain Every Joke Ever
Singles and Solo
Written by Peter
- Huffpost – If You Desperately Want Taylor Swift To Marry Travis Kelce, This Is For You
- Slate – The Humor Code (with Joel Warner)
- Fortune – Office humor: 6 surprising places where it actually pays off
- Grantland – Who is the funniest NBA player? (with Joel Warner)
- Washington Post – Did you hear the joke about the CEO?
- What is the funniest city in America?
- The Big Day theory
©2010 – 2025 Peter McGraw. All rights reserved.