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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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/de...
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.
Richard Reeves is a writer, researcher and the Founder of the American Institute for Boys & Men. What is the current state of men and boys? As social movements have focused on supporting historically marginalised groups, Richard has led the march on whether men’s challenges have been overlooked. So what is the current state of men and boys, and are we finally moving toward meaningfully addressing their challenges? Sponsors: See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: https://c...
Adam Aleksic is a linguist, content creator, and author, best known online as the Etymology Nerd. What’s happening to language right now? Words like “rizz” and “skibidi” can make it feel like you’re out of the loop, but are you actually getting older, or has the internet transformed language into something entirely new? What does the science of linguistics say about this shift? Expect to learn why 6-7 was voted word of the year for 2025, why TikTok is becoming the most powerful linguistic engine...
Alex Petkas is a historian, writer, and podcaster. What can one of history's greatest empires, and its most notorious leaders, teach us about the modern world? We all know the story of Julius Caesar and his famous assassination... but what really happened? And what lessons from Ancient Rome still shape our lives today? Expect to learn why learning about Roman history is useful or instructive at helping us in the modern world, what Caesar's life teaches us about being a good person, what actually...
David Friedberg shares an optimistic vision for humanity's future, addressing widespread fears about AI by detailing its rapid diffusion and potential for individual empowerment. He highlights groundbreaking advancements in space colonization, clean fusion energy, and age reversal, all powered by technology. Friedberg also critiques socialist policies, arguing they undermine prosperity and individual agency, instead advocating for a hopeful approach to navigate the era of unprecedented abundance.
Michael Smoak is a mindset coach, entrepreneur, and podcaster. What does it actually cost to live a great life? From the outside, top performers seem to have everything we want, but the story isn’t that simple. Behind every extraordinary life is a series of trade-offs, sacrifices, and unseen costs. So what is the true price of ambition, and are you willing to pay it? Expect to learn what high-performance actually looks like, what the number one fear that holds people back is and how to get over ...
This episode delves into the mind of Elon Musk with author Eric Jorgenson, examining how Musk's deep sense of purpose and extreme risk tolerance drive his monumental achievements. It highlights his "maniacal urgency" and first-principles approach to solving bottlenecks in companies like Tesla and SpaceX, while also touching on the personal costs and psychological pressures he endures. Jorgenson unpacks Musk's unconventional methods, from aggressive deadlines to cost-slashing strategies, and reflects on the broader lessons for productivity and innovation gleaned from studying one of the world's most influential entrepreneurs.
Erica Komisar is a psychoanalyst, parenting expert, and author. Why do we assume kids will be okay after divorce? As separation becomes more common, the long-term impact on a child’s development is often overlooked. So what actually happens, and can divorce ever be done without damage? Expect to learn what most adults misunderstand about how deeply divorce affects kids, why constant parental conflict causes damage to children so deeply and what it does to a child’s stress system and brain develo...
Robert Pantano and Chris Williamson delve into the profound paradox of self-awareness, exploring how it can lead to both deep insight and self-sabotage. They discuss the illusory nature of regret, the power of transforming adversity into fuel for personal growth, and strategies for managing choice anxiety and anger. The conversation ultimately centers on finding meaning and wonder in a chaotic existence, emphasizing humility in beliefs and the role of self-awareness in relationships.
Tristan Harris is a tech ethicist, entrepreneur, and a speaker. Are we sleepwalking into disaster? AI is unlocking massive progress, but the dangers hiding beneath the surface are exactly what experts fear most. So what’s coming… and could it spiral beyond our control? Expect to learn why AI is distinct from other kind of technologies, what the Ali Baba rogue AI catastrophe that should scare everyone is, how worried Tristan is about the impact of AI deepfakes and misinformation campaigns, what’s...
