Life is hard. This podcast will help. Lessons from the greatest thinkers on the planet with Chris Williamson. Including guests like David Goggins, Dr Jordan Peterson, Naval Ravikant, Sam Harris, Jocko Willink, Dr Andrew Huberman, Dr Julie Smith, Steven Bartlett, Ryan Holiday, Robert Greene, Matthew McConaughey, Alain de Botton, Alex Hormozi, Tony Robbins, Chris Bumstead, Mark Manson and more.
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Alex Hormozi is a founder, investor and an author. Alex’s X Account has been one of my favourite sources of insights over the last few years. Today we get to go through some of his best lessons about life, human behaviour, psychology, business and resilience again. And as always this is so, so good. Expect to learn how to stop doing the wrong “hard things”, the 3-step process for winning, how to break decision paralysis, why you shouldn’t listen to the opinions of ordinary people, the not cool w...
Ben Askren is a former Olympic wrestler and former MMA champion. What is it like to come face-to-face with death and make it back? Ben went from being on top of the world to needing a double lung transplant just to survive. What actually happened to him, what did he endure during his recovery, and how did the experience reshape his perspective on life? Expect to learn what actually happened to Ben these past 18 months, how low his health went, the biggest lessons Ben has held onto over the last ...
Sonja Lyubomirsky explores why many feel unloved despite being loved, highlighting that true connection comes from being genuinely known rather than trying to be externally lovable. She discusses barriers like low self-esteem and attachment styles, and offers mindsets such as curiosity, open-heartedness, and multiplicity. The episode emphasizes the power of active listening, validation, and celebrating others' successes as crucial habits for fostering lasting, fulfilling relationships.
Ezra Klein is a journalist & political commentator. What’s actually happening in politics? The right says it’s winning. The left says democracy is at risk. Yet the country feels more divided than ever. So what’s really going on, and is it still possible for a leader on either side of the aisle to unite America? Expect to learn we’re being fracked by the politics of attention, if the left’s version of Joe Rogan could have swayed the political tides their way in 2024, why the Left has zero lea...
Suzanne Venker is a relationship expert and author. Why are so many women choosing career over family? Women have more opportunities than ever before, yet many still feel something is missing. Can a career provide the same meaning as raising children? Or is the idea that women must choose between ambition and family a false choice? Expect to learn why women are choosing their career over motherhood, why young women were lied to for the past 30 years, how cultural messaging has shifted towards yo...
DJ Shipley is a retired Navy SEAL and former DEVGRU operator. What's life like after the Navy SEALs? After years of operating at the highest level, many veterans face a challenge they never expected: returning to normal life. When the adrenaline, purpose, and brotherhood disappear overnight, how do you find your footing again? Expect to learn what the hardest part about leaving military life behind is, why it’s so hard to turn off trained military hyper-vigilance, how DJ would end the war in Ira...
Chris Williamson and George Mack delve into the perils of overthinking and inaction, juxtaposing British stoicism with American exuberance. They explore the unexpected impacts of music on personality, the unsettling implications of AI hacking, and the profound human need for narrative. The conversation also touches on historical insights, the science behind Earth's stability, and comical tales of acquired savant syndrome, offering a diverse and thought-provoking listen.
Quinlan Walther is a writer and a relationship coach. Why do we keep choosing the wrong partners? We meet someone new and think, “Maybe this is finally the one.” But then the pattern starts to feel familiar. Different face, same pain. Different relationship, same lesson. So why do we keep dating our trauma, and what does it actually take to break the cycle? Expect to learn how to build self-worth and have a better relationship with your partner, why you often choose a “wound” other than a partne...
Arthur Brooks is a social scientist, professor at Harvard University, and an author. Why do some people feel lost while others seem deeply fulfilled? When life feels empty, it's often not because you're missing success, money, or comfort; it's because you're missing meaning. So how do you find purpose? How do you create a life that feels worth living? And what does meaning look like in a world where so much feels fake? Sponsors: See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: https://c...
Joe Santagato is a comedian and podcaster. What’s on the other side of self-belief? For Joe Santagato, it was raw authenticity. By betting on himself, he turned The Basement Yard into a podcast powerhouse and recently sold out Madison Square Garden. How did he do it, and what can we learn from his journey? Expect to learn which state has the most sexually satisfied women, why Joe’s audience is mostly women, why trying hard suddenly became uncool, what allowed Joe to become more vulnerable, how t...
Zach Braff is an actor and director. How do you make it in Hollywood? Zach Braff might have the answer. From leading one of the biggest TV shows of the 2000s to directing iconic episodes and acclaimed films, he's spent decades mastering the industry. So how did he build a career that lasted decades in one of the toughest industries on earth, and what has he been up to since? Expect to learn what it was like bringing back Scrubs's newest season, what it takes to make it in Hollywood, how to stay ...
Isabel Brown discusses Gen Z's surprising rejection of modern liberal values in favor of tradition, delving into trends like female looksmaxxing and its societal implications. The conversation highlights the alarming rise of the female mental health crisis, linked to SSRI over-prescription, and critically examines cultural shifts surrounding marriage, motherhood, and the perceived "empowerment" of promiscuity. Brown also explores political disillusionment, the resurgence of religion among young people, and offers an optimistic outlook for the future of Western civilization as Gen Z seeks timeless meaning.
In the third edition of this new experimental episode format, we explore: - Mickey Mantle's most legendary story in Yankee Stadium. - If Tim Ferriss dreams in Japanese. - How the UK would rank as America's 51st state. - and much more… Guests: - Tim Ferriss is an entrepreneur, author, and podcaster. - Nirav Sanjani is an entrepreneur and tech founder. - George Mack is a writer, marketer, and entrepreneur. Sponsors: See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: https://chriswillx.com/d...
I hit 4.2 million YouTube subscribers! As usual, I celebrated by collecting questions from across social media and answering them directly. You’re about to learn my thoughts on settling down, sleeping with an ex, Harambe, the smallest hill I’d willingly die on, and much, much more… Sponsors: See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: https://chriswillx.com/deals Get the brand new Whoop 5.0 and your first month for free at https://join.whoop.com/modernwisdom Sign up for a one-dol...
Chase Hughes is a former U.S. Navy Chief, behavior and influence expert, speaker, and author. Are you being brainwashed right now? What if the ideas you think are yours were carefully planted to make you believe you came up with them yourself? Maybe this pod is a psyop, maybe it isn’t, but listen, and maybe you’ll learn how to spot one. Expect to learn if we happen to live in the most psychologically manipulated era in history, what the most effective mass behavioural engineering campaign in his...
I spent a really long time putting this together, I really hope you enjoy it! In this inaugural episode of Mostly Wise, we explore: The non-sexual benefits of tadalafil (Cialis). Why Retardmaxxing might be the most underrated life hack. The strange reasons why people are making AI clones of their exes. Why America is addicted to lawsuits. If Love Island is harder than Navy SEAL selection training. and much more Guests Matt McCusker is a comedian, writer, author, and podcaster Dr Andrew Huberman ...
David Deida is a spiritual teacher, researcher, speaker, and author. What happens when desire and ambition fade? As we age, the urgency and purpose that once defined us can begin to shift. But when that shift leaves us feeling empty, how do we understand it, and how do we build meaning again when the old sources no longer drive us? Expect to learn what a Man of Zero is, if the man of zero is the next stage of the superior man, what happens to ambition and motivation as a man ages, why talking ab...
To celebrate 1100 episodes of Modern Wisdom, I broke down some of my favourite lessons, insights and quotes from the last hundred episodes. Expect to learn why everyone misunderstands what obsession actually means, what the great paradox of self-awareness is, the six lessons you should learn to choose a life direction, the dark side of monk mode, why the internet will never help you 'find yourself' and much more.. Sponsors: See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: https://chrisw...
This episode features a panel discussing the critical issue of declining global birth rates, examining the catastrophic long-term effects on economies, social structures, and national security. They delve into why young people, especially women, are delaying or opting out of parenthood, exploring factors such as financial pressures, cultural shifts, and the perceived loss of identity with motherhood. The discussion also addresses the controversy surrounding these debates, the role of misinformation, and potential policy and cultural interventions needed to address this existential threat to humanity.
Bob King is the founder and CEO of Humanscale. Is your desk job aging your body faster than you realize? Sitting may be part of getting work done, but the way most of us do it can wreck our posture, stiffen our joints, and create problems that show up years later. So what can you do at work every day to protect your future self? Expect to learn why bad design might be the cause of your back problems, why sitting is so damaging to your health, what a healthy designed desk set-up looks like, if po...
Ryan Garcia is a professional boxer and a WBC interim lightweight champion. What’s it like being the bad boy of boxing? Most people know Ryan Garcia from the chaos of his social media — the outbursts, controversies, and viral moments. But behind the headlines is still an elite fighter operating at the very top of the sport. So who is Ryan Garcia away from the internet? What’s it like living under that level of pressure, fame, and scrutiny whilst trying to remain a world champion? Expect to learn...
Mark Manson is a writer, entrepreneur, and a New York Times best-selling author. Mark is one of my favorite thinkers. His blog, books, and X account are packed with timeless lessons I come back to again and again. Today, we get to go through some of his best lessons on life, love, and everything that makes us human. Expect to learn why it's important to do hard things, why it’s important to live your happiest life, why choosing a partner is also choosing their average Tuesday, why learning is th...
Nik Nocturnal is a musician, YouTuber, and content creator. What is happening in modern metal music? The days of thrash and hair metal dominating culture are long gone, and something entirely new has taken their place. So what defines modern metal, why does it sound so different, and how has the internet changed the music industry forever? Expect to learn how big of an impact TikTok plays in shaping the way modern metal songs are written, which songs are the most influential songs in modern meta...
In this evolutionary psychology debate, we explore: - Why women feel much more negatively towards young men than young men feel about them. - Why men are more often demonised and women are seen as victims. - How differing political views are quietly becoming one of the biggest relationship dealbreakers for young people. - and much more... Guests - Freya India is a writer and journalist focused on female mental health and modern culture. - William Costello is a psychology researcher and Ph.D. stu...
Trial attorney Jefferson Fisher delves into the complexities of difficult conversations, revealing why we fear conflict and lose control. He offers practical strategies for emotional regulation, such as intentional timing and honest self-assessment. The discussion covers essential topics like delivering bad news, dealing with passive aggression, detecting deception, and the critical importance of prioritizing connection and understanding over simply being 'right' in any interaction.
Mercedes Coffman is a writer, researcher, and cultural commentator. What’s happening with modern dating? People who are genuinely ready for a relationship feel frustrated, even punished by a shallow dating pool, yet others seem to find real love every day. So what’s actually broken, and what can be fixed? Expect to learn why avoidant culture is changing relationship expectations, if modern dating is punishing emotionally available people, why dating fatigue is kicking in, if someone is actually ...
In the second edition of this new experimental episode format, we explore: - If Kratom is more addictive than heroin - What the latest and greatest life hacks are - Who actually is the highest-earning athlete in history - and much more… Guests: - Gary Faust is a comedian and writer. - Shaan Puri is an entrepreneur, former CEO, podcaster and an angel investor. - George Mack is a writer, marketer and entrepreneur. Sponsors: See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: https://chriswil...
Freya India is a writer and journalist focused on female mental health and modern culture. What’s happening with modern women? By almost every measure, life has improved; more freedom, opportunity, and independence than ever before. So why are many women reporting lower levels of happiness? What’s driving this paradox, and what would actually fix it? Sponsors: See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: https://chriswillx.com/deals Get up to $350 off the Eight Sleep Pod 5 at h...
Andy Stumpf is a former U.S. Navy SEAL, extreme sports enthusiast, public speaker, podcaster, and author. What will the future of war actually look like? As AI accelerates and warfare rapidly evolves, the stakes feel higher than ever, but how worried should we really be? Sponsors: See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: https://chriswillx.com/deals Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period from Shopify at https://shopify.com/modernwisdom Get 10% discount on all Gyms...
Mentalist Oz Pearlman delves into the art and science of mind-reading illusions, emphasizing that his skills are learnable and repeatable. He shares techniques for building instant rapport, detecting deception, and crafting memorable experiences through storytelling. The conversation also explores personal development, confidence, and mental toughness gained through endurance sports, alongside a captivating live demonstration of his abilities.
