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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Jeffrey Katzenberg is a media mogul, film producer, and co-founder of DreamWorks. Hari Ravichandran is a serial entrepreneur, founder, and CEO of Aura. From bringing joy to millions of childhoods through beloved Disney films to now addressing the digital challenges facing today’s youth, Jeffrey Katzenberg has partnered with Hari Ravichandran to lead a new revolution focused on safeguarding the mental health and online safety of the next generation. At the heart of it all is this vital question: ...
Dr. Scott Eilers discusses what clinical depression truly feels like beyond simple sadness, often manifesting as numbness and anhedonia. He explores the complex, multifactorial causes of mood disorders and the current limitations in treatment outcomes. The conversation also delves into high-functioning depression, the relationship between intelligence and mental health, and practical coping strategies for anhedonia.
Music producer Rick Beato joins Chris Williamson to dissect the profound shifts in the modern music industry. They discuss how pop songwriting has become producer-driven, the essential role of social media for artists, and the homogenizing effect of digital production tools and algorithms. The conversation also delves into TikTok's influence on creating hit songs, the surprising rise of country music, and the ethical and financial implications of AI artists and streaming platforms like Spotify, exploring new monetization strategies for musicians.
Simon Sinek is a speaker, founder, and an author. We live in an age of uncertainty, where finding purpose in your life feels harder than ever. So, how do you find a purpose that moves you and trust that it’s worth pursuing? How can you be sure your purpose serves both yourself and the world? In a world starved for meaning, finding yours might be the most important thing you ever do. Expect to learn if we are in a crisis of purpose, how to deliberately cultivate meaning in your life, how to find ...
John Lisle is a historian and an author. The government’s history of secret experiments feels stranger than fiction. Covert projects, UFOs, mind reading, even studies of the occult. But no operation is more infamous than MKUltra. What really happened inside the CIA’s most notorious mind control experiment, and how much of its legacy still shapes our world today? Expect to learn where the CIA got their interest in mind control from, what the origins of MKUltra were and how it got it’s name, the d...
Demographer Lyman Stone discusses the complex reasons behind plummeting birth rates, moving beyond simple economics. He explores how housing preferences (specifically for single-family homes), the perceived status of parenthood, social media influence, and male income relative to women's fathers all play significant roles. The conversation delves into historical contexts of work and provision, contrasts Western and East Asian demographic trends including the Korea case, and touches on the hidden benefits versus visible costs of having children.
Chris Williamson and Mark Manson discuss practical life lessons. They cover topics such as setting boundaries with difficult people, how personal growth involves unlearning self-deceptions, and the hidden benefits of strategic incompetence. They also explore the difference between healthy and toxic relationships, the illusion of having life figured out, and the surprising ways busyness can mask deeper fears and uncertainties.
Dr Jerry Coyne is an evolutionary biologist, professor at the University of Chicago, and an author. Has ideology hijacked academia? In fields like evolutionary biology, the data should speak for itself, but what happens when scientific findings clash with cultural taboos? How do researchers navigate this minefield, and what can be done to protect science from political pressure moving forward? Expect to learn how Dr Coyne views evolution from a different lens, how biologists view biological sex ...
Aaron Gillespie is the drummer, vocalist, and songwriter for Underoath. Tim McTague is the lead guitarist, backing vocalist, and songwriter for Underoath. Sex, drugs, and rock & roll, the dream every young man grows up hearing about. But is it all it’s made out to be? Aaron and Tim, from one of Metal’s most legendary bands, Underoath, have lived that life. The shows, the parties, the chaos, but also the sleepless nights, the fractured relationships, & the moments of wondering if it’s all...
Dr. Daniel Amen is a psychiatrist, brain-health researcher, founder of the Amen Clinics & New York Times bestselling author. You only get one brain, so how do you keep it healthy for life? Dr. Daniel Amen has scanned over half a million brains and knows exactly what helps and what hurts your brain. Using cutting-edge research and science-backed strategies, Dr. Amen reveals the keys to keeping your mind sharp and your body thriving. Expect to learn how to kill your automatic negative thoughts...
Anne‑Laure Le Cunff is a neuroscientist, founder, and an author. We live by unconscious mental scripts. Most of the time, we don’t even realize it, until we wake up and see the life we’re living isn’t what we truly want. So how do we unlearn what no longer serves us and rewire our mind to align with who we really are? Expect to learn what the problem is when people obsess over finding their purpose, how to know if you’re following your own dreams or someone else’s, the tactics you can learn to b...
Laila Mickelwait is an anti-sex-trafficking activist, founder, and an author. One of the most visited websites on the planet is more than just a site; it’s a crime scene. As Pornhub rose to global dominance, a lack of regulation allowed thousands to be exploited against their will. Now, Leila Mickelwait is leading the charge to expose the truth, demand justice, and bring real accountability to an industry built on harm. Expect to learn why Pornhub isn’t just a porn site but a crime scene, the st...
Angela Halili and Arielle Reitsma are the hosts of the Girls Gone Bible podcast. Why is religion making a comeback? In a world where so many feel lost, faith is finding new ground. But this isn't your parents' religion. It's different, and rising through voices like the hosts from Girls Gone Bible. The question is: how does the world make space for faith in a time that often leaves no room for it? Expect to learn what might be driving young people back towards religion, why more men than women a...
Joe Tidy is a BBC cybersecurity correspondent, covering hacking, data security, and online safety. Many have either fallen victim personally to a cyberattack or know someone who has. But what exactly is this growing threat? Who’s behind it, why are they doing it, and, most importantly, how can you protect yourself? Expect to learn what Scattered Spider is, if teenage hackers are the new digital cartel and why Russia is such a hotbed for hacking, when cyber security attacks will be treated as an ...
Jimmy Carr is a comedian, television host and an author. Having made his career out of cutting jokes and brutal roasts, today Jimmy Carr reveals a more introspective side. Jimmy opens up about his favorite parts of life, the best bits of his show, and the wisdom he's picked up along the way. Expect to learn why Jimmy is such a fan of the show, and how his thinking has been influenced but the MW podcast ecosystem, how to know what you should be doing with your life, ways to overcome anxiety and d...
Alex Hormozi is a founder, investor and an author. Alex’s Twitter 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 the skills needed to thrive in todays every changing world, why a few bad days shouldn’t ruin the rest of your year, how Alex’s mind has changed about work and happiness in the past yea...
Dr. Russell Kennedy, a neuroscientist and physician specializing in anxiety, discusses why anxiety is prevalent today, linking it to uncertainty intolerance and unresolved childhood wounding stored as an "alarm" in the body. He explains the alarm-anxiety cycle, where the body's alarm drives the mind's worry, often a coping mechanism developed in childhood to distract from the physical discomfort. Dr. Kennedy advocates for somatic, "bottom-up" therapies to heal the root physical alarm rather than relying solely on cognitive, "top-down" approaches that only address the mental symptoms.
BJJ star Craig Jones recounts wild adventures post-CGI 1, including being drugged in Medellin, meeting Pablo Escobar's sister, and witnessing disturbing tribal customs in Ethiopia. He also details his charity work building BJJ schools in Peru and Ethiopia, discusses controversial tattoos, and unveils the exciting team format and big names for his upcoming CGI 2 event, along with tactical BJJ insights and plans for the sport's future.
Jocko Willink shares powerful insights on building unstoppable confidence through discipline and accepting life's inevitable trade-offs. He discusses the necessity of prioritizing, detaching for clear perspective, and overcoming fear by taking action. Jocko also delves into the realities of modern combat, the paradox of military selection, and how consistency and mindset are crucial for navigating challenges and pursuing your goals.
Matt Abrahams is a communication expert, Stanford lecturer, and podcaster. Ever been put on the spot to give a quick speech, only to freeze up with nothing to say? Speaking with confidence and clarity is a skill, and the good news is, it can be learned. Today Matt Abrahams shares practical tips and tools to help you think faster, speak smarter, and become a more effective communicator. Expect to learn how to speak more confidently, why people choke when they are put on the spot and how to overco...
Scott Barry Kaufman is a Psychologist at Columbia University, a writer and podcaster. Why is victim culture so common in the West? Everyone’s been hurt, so it’s easy to claim victimhood, so why has it become a core identity and how do we honour pain without being defined by it? Expect to learn where a victimhood mentality comes from, what predicts whether someone is likely to fall into the victimhood trap or mindset and if modern culture is contributing or incentivising victimhood, the most harm...
Daniel Priestley is an entrepreneur, speaker, and author. We’ve seen more change in business over the last 10 years than in the 50 before it. From the rise of artificial intelligence to a total cultural reset. how do you adapt to the current landscape, and what timeless truths still drive lasting success? Expect to learn about the current state of the UK, what Daniel learned about his discussion with Gary’s Economics, the process for taking your business form $0 to $1M per month, how to get from...
Shaolin Master Shi Heng Yi discusses the art of self-mastery, emphasizing the importance of training both the body and the often-neglected mind. He explores identifying oneself beyond physical and mental patterns, the journey of reducing suffering, and the balance between productive 'doing' and peaceful 'being.' The conversation covers practical ways to break unconscious cycles, deal with regret, build discipline, and find inner stability amidst external turmoil by facing one's inner self.
Will Storr is an author, journalist, and former photographer. Stories mould who we are, from our character to our cultural identity. They drive us to act out our dreams and ambitions, and shape our politics and beliefs. Some of the world’s greatest contributors are those who have learned to master storytelling. Is storytelling something we can learn? Is there a science to storytelling? Expect to learn how we use stories to gain status, why stories are key to how we process reality, what most peo...
Will Ahmed is an entrepreneur, founder, and CEO of WHOOP. Wearable fitness tech has taken over in 2025, from sleep scores to stress tracking and everything in between. So how did WHOOP grow into a $3.6 billion giant? And how do you use the data to improve your life without letting it control you? Expect to learn why CrossFit is so unpopular now and what happened to its falloff, what the broad trends of fitness are across the globe, how to get past your self-doubt and stop being so hard on yourse...
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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
