Modern Wisdom - podcast cover

Modern Wisdom

Chris Williamsonchriswillx.com
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.

Episodes

#942 - Gen. Stanley McChrystal - How To Actually Build Discipline

General Stanley McChrystal discusses the importance of discipline, character, and leadership. He shares personal anecdotes, including his struggles at West Point, and emphasizes the balance between high standards and gratitude. The conversation explores the value of teamwork, moral courage, and conviction in achieving personal and professional success, highlighting the need for leaders to prioritize service and humility.

May 17, 20251 hr 1 minEp. 942

#941 - Martha Beck - How to Break Free From Chronic Anxiety

Martha Beck is a sociologist, life coach, and an author. Why is anxiety so widespread today? It feels like nearly everyone is struggling with it in some form, but where does it come from, and what are the most effective ways to manage it or overcome it completely? Expect to learn why anxiety always lies, what most people misunderstand about how anxiety works, the true tension between anxiety and creativity and the role creativity plays in anxiety expression, how to overcome your negative inner v...

May 15, 20251 hr 6 minEp. 941

#940 - Cameron Hanes - The Harsh Price Of Extreme Performance

Cameron Hanes is a bowhunter, ultramarathon runner, podcaster, and an author. How should we deal with suffering? Most people do everything they can to avoid it, but a rare few seek it out. What if pain isn't just something to survive, but something that deepens our gratitude for the moments that truly matter? Expect to learn what drives Cam to do what he does and what being “undeniable” means to him, what the biggest lesson most people learn when they first go hunting is, the hardest thing Cam h...

May 12, 20251 hr 55 minEp. 940

#939 - Dr Charan Ranganath - The Neuroscience Of How To Improve Your Memory & Focus

Dr. Charan Ranganath is a cognitive neuroscientist, professor, and an author. What are memories? Our brains are shaped by countless experiences, but how exactly do we store these stories? Learn what makes some memories stick, why others fade, and how our minds handle the ones we'd rather forget. Expect to learn why memory is important, what the difference is between the experiencing self and the remembering self, How human memory works, why we remember some events so clearly and others vaguely o...

May 10, 20251 hr 15 minEp. 939

#938 - Dr Paul Turke - How Modern Parenting Got It All Wrong

Dr Paul Turke is a pediatrician, evolutionary anthropologist, and an author. How did humans raise kids 1,000 years ago? Today’s parenting is all routines, data-driven insights and what the latest research says. But what can ancient wisdom teach us about parenting, and where might it call our modern methods into question? Expect to learn how child rearing might look different if parents were educated in evolutionary theory, what the evolutionary role of grandparents are, and why it matters for ra...

May 08, 20251 hr 20 minEp. 938

#937 - Jeremy Renner - How To Overcome The Worst Pain Of Your Life

Jeremy Renner is an actor, musician, and an author. From Hollywood’s biggest star to a near-tragic ending, Jeremy Renner’s comeback is a story of pain, recovery, and incredible resilience. How did the Oscar nominee fight to bounce back, and what’s next now that he’s fully recovered? Expect to learn the real story of what happened to Jeremy during the snowplow accident, what it feels like to get run over and see your eyeball fall out of it’s socket, how Jeremy was able to recover so well and look...

May 05, 20251 hr 47 minEp. 937

#936 - Alex Hutchinson - How To Rewire Your Brain To Take More Risks

Alex Hutchinson discusses the human drive to explore, delving into the neuroscience and genetics behind our curiosity and risk-taking tendencies. He explores how dopamine influences our desire for novelty, the importance of uncertainty, and the tension between optimizing for efficiency and embracing exploration. The conversation also touches on cognitive mapping, the decline in creativity, and the benefits of exercise for both mental and brain health.

May 03, 20251 hr 9 minEp. 936

#935 - Crappy Childhood Fairy - Limerence Explained: Why Do We Get Addicted To People?

Anna Runkle, also known as the Crappy Childhood Fairy, is a trauma educator, Youtuber and an author. Why do some people fall so hard, so fast? It might not be love, but it could be limerence. So what exactly is limerence, what triggers it, and how do you handle it, whether you're experiencing it or the one receiving it? Expect to learn what limerence is and how it differs from infatuation or a crush, what the main emotions behind limerence is and what causes it, why some people get hardcore lime...

May 01, 20251 hr 26 minEp. 935

#934 - Joe Lonsdale - How To Win The War Of The Future

Joe Lonsdale is an entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of Palantir Technologies. What is Palantir really about? You’ve probably heard the name, but what do they actually do, and who’s the brains behind it? Today, Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale joins to break down the company's origins, his story, and where the future of the world is headed. Expect to learn how Joe got Peter Thiel to mentor him, how Joe thinks about ambition and drive, how to avoid cynicism, the advice Joe has for people who...

Apr 28, 20251 hr 36 minEp. 934

#933 - Brad Wilcox - Why Are Liberal Women Becoming Unhappy?

Brad Wilcox is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Virginia and Director of the National Marriage Project. Why are some people naturally happier than others? Whether it's genetics, upbringing, or life circumstances, how can you finally rediscover joy and feel like your true self again? Expect to learn why young liberal women are so unhappy and why in contrasts conservative women are happier, if finding your one true soulmate is actually a myth, if people should be pursuing happiness in...

Apr 26, 20251 hr 15 minEp. 933

#932 - Dave Ramsey - Why Smart People Make Stupid Money Decisions

Dave Ramsey is a personal finance expert, podcaster, and an author. The rules of money aren’t complicated. Make more than you spend, live below your means. So why is it still so hard to get right? What are the real keys to building wealth, and how do we stop sabotaging ourselves along the way? Expect to learn why you need to become ruthless to become successful, why Gen Z & Millennials face a uniquely different financial landscape than Boomers or Gen X did, the biggest psychological errors peopl...

Apr 24, 20251 hr 36 minEp. 932

#931 - Arthur Brooks - Harvard Professor Reveals The Secret To Lasting Love & Happiness

Arthur Brooks discusses the science of love and happiness, exploring brain chemistry, behavioral science, and practical advice for relationships. He covers topics such as falling in love, maintaining long-term relationships, managing anxiety, and finding purpose in life. Brooks offers insights on navigating modern dating challenges, the importance of emotional connection, and how to cultivate a fulfilling life through knowledge and practice.

Apr 21, 20252 hr 3 minEp. 931

#930 - 3.5M Q&A - Dating Famous People, Naval Reflections, & Marrying Douglas Murray

I hit 3.5 million Subscribers on YouTube!! To celebrate, I asked for questions from YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram, so here’s another 90 minutes of me trying to answer as many as possible. Expect to learn what it is like dating semi-famous people, what I think of the new Sleep Token songs, if I am finally getting a new haircut, reflections from the Naval interview and who is up next on my "Mount Rushmore" for podcast guests, how I grew my forearms, tips for being kinder to yourself and much mor...

Apr 19, 20251 hr 30 minEp. 930

#929 - Rob Henderson - The Psychology Of What Women Want

Rob Henderson holds a PhD in psychology from the University of Cambridge and is a Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute. Who holds the power in modern dating? With growing gender divides and political polarization, it’s no wonder dating feels harder than ever. So, how did we get here, and what’s the way forward? Expect to learn why political division between the sexes has grown so wide, if this is a reaction to the growing sex ratio imbalance of socioeconomically successful women compared to ...

Apr 17, 20251 hr 34 minEp. 929

#928 - Douglas Murray - Why Has The World Gone Insane?

Douglas Murray is a journalist, author and associate editor of The Spectator. Some see The West in decline, others believe we're entering a bold, uncharted era of opportunity. So how do we preserve the foundations of the West while also protecting the cultural values that make it worth saving? Expect to learn what Douglas thinks of Trump's first few months in office, Douglas’ advice for the democratic party if they want to win in the upcoming elections, why the Trump-Zelensky meeting was disappo...

Apr 14, 20251 hr 57 minEp. 928

#927 - Annaka Harris - Unpacking The Mystery Of Consciousness

Annaka Harris is an author, editor, and speaker focused on neuroscience and consciousness. What does it mean to be conscious? What is consciousness? These questions have puzzled humanity for millennia. Despite our greatest scientific breakthroughs and philosophical efforts, are we any closer to understanding the origins and true nature of consciousness? Expect to learn the most unsettling idea about consciousness that keeps Annaka up at night, if consciousness is behind our eyes, if love is a 3-...

Apr 12, 20251 hr 8 minEp. 927

#926 - Ty Tashiro - How To Find The Love Of Your Life

Ty Tashiro is a psychologist, author, and relationship expert. Searching for love can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to find the right person. So what traits should we actually seek out, or avoid, and how can we give ourselves the best chance of finding our person? Expect to learn why happily ever after is so hard to find, why people have difficulty envisioning their romantic future, why we only get 3 wishes for our partner, the biggest mistakes people make when choosing a long...

Apr 10, 20251 hr 52 minEp. 926

#925 - Joe Hudson - 23 Lessons For Being Kinder To Yourself

Joe Hudson is a coach, entrepreneur and a podcast host. Before you try to change the world, make sure your own “bed is made”. It's often the most crucial first step in any personal growth journey. But how do we navigate the thoughts, feelings, and emotions that inevitably arise as we work to become better versions of ourselves? Expect to learn why it might be a problem to become too self-reliant, what people get wrong with obsessing over productivity as they grow in their careers, how can we dea...

Apr 07, 20252 hr 24 minEp. 925

#924 - William Costello - What Netflix’s “Adolescence” Got Wrong

William Costello dissects Netflix's "Adolescence," examining its portrayal of incel-related violence and its accuracy. He critiques the show's representation of the manosphere, its potential impact on policy, and the mental health aspects often overlooked. Costello also explores broader issues of masculinity, role models, and the complexities of the mating market, offering a nuanced perspective on the series and its real-world implications.

Apr 05, 20251 hr 37 minEp. 924

#923 - Matt Ridley - Why Evolution Favours Beauty Over Survival

Matt Ridley explores Darwin's theory of sexual selection, delving into why beauty and performance often trump survival traits in mate selection. He discusses the mystery behind extravagant features in various species, the role of female choice, and the potential for sexual selection to drive species towards unsustainable extremes. The episode also examines parallels between bird mating behaviors and human romantic displays, and the influence of sexual selection on the human mind.

Apr 03, 20251 hr 14 minEp. 923

#922 - Naval Ravikant - 44 Harsh Truths About Human Nature

Naval Ravikant discusses harsh truths about human nature, exploring happiness, success, fame, and the importance of authenticity. He delves into status games, the value of wealth creation, and ways to build self-esteem and live a more fulfilling life, emphasizing freedom and aligning actions with personal values. He touches on cultural wars, AI, healthcare, child-rearing, and the fleeting nature of time and attention.

Mar 31, 20253 hr 16 minEp. 922

#921 - Catherine Price - How To Defeat Your Social Media Addiction

Catherine Price is a journalist, science writer, and author of How to Break Up With Your Phone. How much are our phones affecting our brains? Our attention spans seem to be getting shorter, and many of us feel more forgetful. So how much of this can we blame on our phones and what can we do to fix it? Expect to learn how many hours a day people spend on their phone, what phones do to our attention span, if Tik tok memory brain is real, the real impact this kind of cellphone usage is doing to our...

Mar 29, 20251 hr 17 minEp. 921

#920 - Dr John Delony - Why Do We Date People That Need Fixing?

Dr. John Delony is a mental health expert, author, YouTuber and speaker. What does it mean to be a good partner? We all want fulfilling relationships, but building one involves a careful balance of give and take. How do you show up as a supportive partner and not just for your significant other, but also for yourself? Expect to learn why we date people we feel we need to fix, why it’s so hard to leave relationships even if we don’t have our needs met, advice for how to move on from breakups easi...

Mar 27, 20252 hr 4 minEp. 920

#919 - George Mack - How To Take Control Of Your Own Destiny

George Mack is a writer, marketer and an entrepreneur. If you found yourself trapped in a South American prison, who's the first person you'd call? The person you named is likely the highest-agency individual in your life. So, what exactly makes high-agency people so valuable, and what essential skills can you learn from them to apply to your own life? Expect to learn what high agency is and what makes people with high agency so special, who the apex example of a high agency person is, the one q...

Mar 24, 20251 hr 56 minEp. 919

#918 - Critical Drinker - Why Do Modern Movies Suck So Much?

Critical Drinker is a movie critic, an analyst of modern entertainment media and a YouTuber. What happened to Hollywood? Despite bigger budgets than ever, shows and films are struggling to thrive. Thankfully, Critical Drinker points to some pretty obvious and some not-so-obvious key reasons for why there is such a disconnect. Expect to learn all about what is happening with the new James Bond shows, if the woke message is really dead in Hollywood, Critical Drinker’s thoughts on the Oscars, if St...

Mar 22, 20251 hr 14 minEp. 918

#917 - Vanessa Van Edwards - The Art Of Effortless Confidence & Social Persuasion

Vanessa Van Edwards is a behavioral researcher, speaker, and author. How do you make a great first impression? How can I become more charismatic? How can I stop feeling awkward in social situations? We've all wondered about these things at some point. Luckily, Vanessa is an expert on human interaction and has the answers you're looking for. Expect to learn what we should do without hands in social situations, the 4 key things you should do when prepping for a speech, the do’s and don’ts when you...

Mar 20, 20251 hr 23 minEp. 917

#916 - Freya India - Why Modern Women Feel More Lost Than Ever

Freya India is a writer and journalist focussed on female mental health and modern culture. Are modern women okay? With rising statistics on declining happiness, life satisfaction, and marriage rates, it’s clear that the younger generation is facing serious challenges. What are the biggest issues modern women are dealing with, and how can they start to overcome them? Expect to learn why so many girls are drawn to therapy culture, if girls raised in religious families seem to be doing better than...

Mar 17, 20251 hr 28 minEp. 916

#915 - Yung Pueblo - The Art Of Unlocking Your Inner Peace

Yung Pueblo is a writer, poet, author and speaker. What does it mean to achieve true inner peace? In a world that feels more chaotic than ever, finding stability within ourselves and navigating the unpredictability around us has become increasingly difficult. So how do we create lasting balance and discover genuine peace in our lives? Expect to learn why we have such a big problem of connecting with people, why we cause ourselves so many unneeded stress, and why we are the ones actually at the r...

Mar 15, 20251 hr 10 minEp. 915

#914 - Dr Ethan Kross - How To Stop Feeling Negative Emotions All The Time

Ethan Kross is a psychologist, professor, and author. Emotions are complex. We all feel them, but how often are they genuine? When should we express them, and when should we hold them back? And ultimately how do we gain mastery over them? Expect to learn what exactly emotions are and why we struggle to control them, why anxiety is the boogie man of modern times, how to actually get in control of your emotional state, the best ways to stop ruminating thoughts, the most powerful daily practices to...

Mar 13, 20252 hr 10 minEp. 914

#913 - Andrew Schulz - Why Does Modern America Feel So Insane?

In this episode, Andrew Schulz discusses the challenges of modern America, including fertility struggles, societal expectations, political polarization, and wealth inequality. He shares personal experiences with IVF, insights on storytelling, and reflections on the importance of family and time. The conversation explores societal pressures on women, the role of fathers, and the need for a more nuanced approach to political discourse, as well as Schulz's recent comedy special.

Mar 10, 20252 hr 15 minEp. 913
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