How Your Mind Manipulates You | Owen Fitzpatrick
Episode description
Most people think the biggest lies come from the media, politicians, or social media. They don’t.
AJ sits down with psychologist and author Owen Fitzpatrick to explore the hidden force shaping our decisions every day: inner propaganda. Drawing from decades of research on beliefs, persuasion, cults, identity, and psychology, Owen explains why smart people are often the easiest to fool, how emotions shape our reality, and why the stories we tell ourselves can either limit us or transform us.
This conversation explores self-deception, identity, influence, emotional intelligence, and the practical tools you can use to challenge your assumptions, update your beliefs, and become more resilient in a world full of competing narratives.
Chapters
00:00 – The question that changed Owen’s life
07:00 – Why self-influence comes before influencing others
13:00 – What “inner propaganda” really means
20:00 – Why smart people are easier to fool
27:00 – Identity, beliefs, and the stories we tell ourselves
34:00 – Antifragile thinking and overcoming setbacks
40:00 – Information overload and attention management
47:00 – Influence, manipulation, and emotional triggers
54:00 – Emotional granularity and better decision making
Episode resources:
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beliefs, psychology, self awareness, influence, persuasion, identity, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, mindset, self deception, cognitive bias, personal growth, resilience, decision making, emotional regulation, propaganda, social psychology, attention management, behavior change, mental health
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