In this episode, Simone Stolzoff explores why the need for certainty is holding you back and how learning to live with uncertainty can lead to greater resilience, better decisions, deeper relationships, and a more meaningful life. Drawing from psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, and his own deeply personal experiences, Simone explains why our brains crave certainty, why that instinct often fuels anxiety and overthinking, and how embracing the unknown can become a source of growth rather than f...
Jun 30, 2026•1 hr 5 min
In this episode, Julie Holland explains why connection may be the medicine we’ve been missing. She explores how genuine human connection helps regulate the nervous system, why disconnection can keep us stuck in fight-or-flight, and how our phones often give us a synthetic version of connection that never fully satisfies. Julie also discuss oxytocin, stress, loneliness, addiction, psychedelics, and the simple ways we can return to the real relationships and embodied experiences that help us heal....
Jun 26, 2026•1 hr 1 min
In this episode, Michelle Segar explores why all-or-nothing thinking keeps you from exercising, and why the problem may not be a lack of motivation or willpower. Drawing on groundbreaking new research, she reveals how rigid exercise standards, perfectionism, and the belief that workouts only “count” if they’re done a certain way often lead people to do nothing at all. Michelle also discusses the hidden psychology behind sustainable change, the power of flexibility at life’s inevitable choice poi...
Jun 23, 2026•56 min
In this episode, Dr. Rick Hanson explores why choosing harmony over truth in our relationships often leaves us with neither. Drawing on decades of experience as a psychologist, relationship expert, and mindfulness teacher, Rick shares practical wisdom for navigating conflict, communicating with greater skill, and building stronger connections with the people who matter most. Rick discusses the delicate balance between keeping the peace and speaking honestly, the power of empathy and healthy remo...
Jun 19, 2026•1 hr 17 min
In this episode, Alex Olshonsky explores why you’re addicted to thinking, nd what to do instead. Drawing from his journey through addiction, recovery, meditation, and somatic psychology, Alex argues that overthinking is often a way of avoiding difficult emotions. He explains why compulsive thought can function like an addiction, how attention gets hijacked by rumination and distraction, and what it takes to reconnect with the present moment. Along the way, Eric and Alex discuss recovery, spiritu...
Jun 16, 2026•59 min
In this episode, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer explores how to trust life even when it breaks your heart. She talks about grief, healing, and trust following the loss of her son and father. Rosemerry shares how her daily poetry practice and spiritual teachings helped her navigate profound loss, embracing both sorrow and joy. She discusses her book All the Honey , the power of acceptance, and the mantra “adjust.” Rosemerry also discusses how openness, love, and small daily practices can support us th...
Jun 12, 2026•1 hr 4 min
In this episode, Diana Hill explores the concept of Wise Effort and how our regrets can become powerful guides to what matters most. Drawing from psychology, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Buddhist wisdom, she explains why the things that hurt most often point directly toward our deepest values. Diana also discusses how to work with regret without getting stuck in it, why discomfort can be a doorway to meaningful action, and how to focus your precious energy on what is truly worth your t...
Jun 09, 2026•1 hr 3 min
In this episode, Michael Bungay Stanier, author of the bestselling The Coaching Habi t, discusses how to tame your advice monster and become a better listener. Michael shares the surprising story of self-publishing after multiple rejections, and discusses core coaching principles like staying curious longer and asking better questions. He explores paradoxes in coaching, including balancing humility with confidence and being both fierce and loving. Michael also reflects on personal growth, integr...
Jun 05, 2026•1 hr 5 min
In this episode, Lodro Rinzler discusses what it takes to believe you're good enough. He explains how guilt, shame, and negative emotions can become mistaken identity markers, and how meditation helps us recognize our inherent goodness. Lodro also shares personal stories about releasing shame, taking responsibility for past mistakes, and the Buddhist concept that we are fundamentally good but obscured by life's challenges. A Weekly Bite of Wisdom: Want to go deeper with the ideas we explore on T...
Jun 02, 2026•59 min
In this episode, Suleika Jaouad, author of Between Two Kingdoms , discusses her experience learning how to live in the space between no longer and not yet. Suleika shares how illness shattered her plans and forced her to confront mortality, finding agency through journaling and creativity. She discusses the difference between pain and suffering, the importance of community, and learning to live in life’s uncertain “in-between” spaces. Following a recurrence of her disease, she reflects on resili...
May 29, 2026•1 hr 7 min
In this episode, Manoush Zomorodi talks about tiny movements and their massive impact in reclaiming your energy in the digital age. Her new book, The Body Electri c : The Hidden Health Costs of the Digital Age and New Science to Reclaim Your Well-Being, explores the hidden health costs of sedentary, screen-heavy lifestyles and shares research showing that just five minutes of gentle movement every 30 minutes can significantly improve blood sugar, blood pressure, mood, and focus. They discuss wor...
May 26, 2026•59 min
In this episode, Shane Parrish, author of Clear Thinking explains why your default behaviors are sabotaging you, and how to outsmart them. He explores how small, everyday decisions shape our lives more than major choices. Key insights include positioning yourself for success through preparation, creating personal rules to build positive habits, and using role models as a “personal board of directors.” Shane emphasizes that clear, conscious thinking in ordinary moments accumulates into extraordin...
May 22, 2026•1 hr 2 min
In this episode, John Kaag and Clancy Martin discuss why friendship matters in the face of suffering and what helps us through the hardest parts of being human. They explore questions of selfishness, human nature, and our capacity for love and connection. Clancy speaks candidly about suicidal ideation and why isolation can be so dangerous, while emphasizing that even small moments of human contact can help keep us alive. The conversation also explores how philosophy, spirituality, and wisdom tra...
May 19, 2026•1 hr 4 min
In this episode, Holocaust survivor, psychologist, and author Dr. Edith Eger explores how to break free from the mental prisons that hold you back. Drawing from her experiences in Auschwitz, Edith explores these mental “prisons” people create – victimhood, guilt, shame, judgment, and secrets and offers practical ways to break free. She emphasizes that true freedom comes from within, through conscious thinking, self-love, and personal responsibility. Her powerful insights remind listeners that wh...
May 15, 2026•48 min
In this episode, Nikki Eisenhauer, creator of the Emotional Badass podcast, explores emotional strength training and how to process trauma without getting stuck. She discusses how conscious choices shape our emotional well-being and emphasizes the importance of nervous system regulation as a foundation for healing, distinguishing constructive trauma processing from unproductive rumination. Nikki offers practical advice, including practicing presence, cultivating curiosity over judgment, and star...
May 12, 2026•1 hr 7 min
In this episode, James Beshara explores how to unlock the power of reflection and action in a distracted world. He delves into Vedanta philosophy and explains how Vedanta’s framework of body, mind, and intellect mirrors the battle between immediate desires and long-term wisdom. He shares practical daily habits, including questioning assumptions, reflection, and community discussion, that strengthen the intellect. James also explores dharma, the importance of aligned action, and how spiritual gro...
May 08, 2026•1 hr 8 min
In this episode, Matt Abrahams, author of Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot , shares practical techniques to manage anxiety, improve listening, and speak clearly when it matters most. Matt explores how to improve spontaneous communication under pressure, embrace imperfection, and enhance important listening skills. Matt introduces practical frameworks like “What, So What, Now What” for structuring responses and the “ABC” approach for handling commu...
May 05, 2026•1 hr 5 min
In this episode, comedian Vir Das explores how to find belonging when you feel like an outsider. He shares details about his multicultural upbringing across India, Nigeria, and the United States, and his lifelong feeling of never quite fitting in. Vir also discusses his memoir The Outsider , his Netflix specials, and how exhaustion with pretending led him to embrace authenticity, and explores themes of friendship, grief, the healing power of laughter, and the difference between sympathy and empa...
May 01, 2026•51 min
In this episode, Amy Morin discusses how to build mental strength, cope with stress, and thrive under pressure. Drawing from personal tragedies, including losing her mother and young husband, Amy shares practical tools for building mental resilience, particularly in the workplace. Key strategies discussed include giving yourself personalized pep talks, eliminating negative thoughts by physically discarding them, using “dread diffusers” to overcome procrastination, and applying motivational inter...
Apr 28, 2026•1 hr 1 min
In this episode, Scott Hershovitz discusses the greatest lessons in philosophy, parenting, and kindness. He also explores how children are natural philosophers and how everyday life raises deep questions about identity, truth, and moral responsibility. Other topics include personal identity, relativism, civil discourse, and the importance of treating others as moral agents. Throughout, Scott connects philosophical thinking to parenting, politics, and personal growth, emphasizing kindness, humili...
Apr 24, 2026•1 hr 8 min
In this episode, Dr. Nicole LePera discusses her book on how to reparenting your inner child can transform your life heal old wounds. She explores how childhood experiences create implicit emotional memories that shape adult behaviors and nervous system responses. Dr. Nicole also introduces her Individual Development Model, covering five developmental spheres, and explains how “parenting yourself” means becoming your own nurturing caregiver. The conversation addresses shame, resilience, and why ...
Apr 21, 2026•1 hr 10 min
In this special episode, Eric coaches a listener named Tommy on the most effective strategies to overcome anxiety and build positive habits. Tommy struggles with low-level anxiety, self-doubt, and difficulty acting on healthy intentions. He knows exercise and social connection help his anxiety, but often defaults to avoidance and self-criticism instead. Eric introduces his SPAR framework: Specificity, Prompt, Alignment, and Resilience, to help Tommy create actionable plans and overcome mental hu...
Apr 17, 2026•54 min
In this episode, Marisa Renee Lee discusses how to live with uncertainty and find hope in the midst of chronic illness. Marissa shares her personal journey through long Covid, family loss, and prolonged uncertainty, exploring themes of hope, emotional endurance, and identity versus essence. She discusses moving from denial to acceptance, managing chronic pain, and the importance of community support. Drawing on her own experiences and her mother's illness, Marissa offers practical wisdom on aski...
Apr 14, 2026•51 min
In this episode, Jefferson Fisher discusses how to have better conversations by learning to argue less and listen more. Jefferson emphasizes that winning arguments is counterproductive, as it damages relationships and breeds contempt. Instead, he advocates for approaching conversations with curiosity and a goal of mutual understanding. Key strategies include proper timing, emotional self-awareness, creating conversational “frames” to set clear expectations, and avoiding over-explanation. Fisher ...
Apr 10, 2026•59 min
In this special solo episode, Eric Zimmer shares five powerful insights from his book How a Little Becomes a Lot . Rather than offering quick fixes or surface-level advice, Eric explores the deeper mechanics of real, lasting change. He unpacks why small, consistent actions outperform bursts of motivation… how to shift from self-judgment to skill-building… and why the stories we tell ourselves shape everything from our habits to our happiness. You’ll also learn a practical, compassionate approach...
Apr 07, 2026•48 min
In this episode, Dorie Clark explains her long-game playbook about persistence, patience, and purpose in a fast-paced world. She explores the challenges of prioritizing long-term goals over daily distractions, the cultural obsession with busyness, and strategies for sustained motivation. Dorie also shares things that include saying no to good opportunities, embracing failure as a delay rather than a dead end, and breaking big goals into manageable steps. Exciting News!! My new book, ...
Apr 03, 2026•1 hr 3 min
In this special episode, Eric Zimmer is interviewed by Sahil Bloom, as they discuss Eric’s new book, How a Little Becomes a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life. Their conversation explores how small, consistent actions, not dramatic moments, lead to lasting transformation. Eric shares personal stories of addiction and recovery, discusses the complexity of motivation, and introduces practical frameworks like the SPAR method. They emphasize self-compassion, resilience, and the...
Mar 31, 2026•1 hr 1 min
In this special episode, Eric coaches a listener named Birgit as she rebuilds her daily routine after a long-term illness and her children leaving home. Together, they explore practical strategies for habit formation, focusing on starting with a consistent healthy habits. Using frameworks like SPAR and RENEW, they discuss breaking habits into small steps, planning ahead, and responding compassionately to setbacks. The conversation highlights the importance of structure, self-kindness, and progre...
Mar 27, 2026•41 min
In this episode, Alex Hutchinson discusses moving from comfort zones to adventure zones and the journey of personal exploration. He delves into the human nature of exploration and fulfillment. Alex also explains how to find the balance between contentment and the drive to seek new experiences, the psychological benefits of embracing challenge, and the explore-exploit dilemma. He shares insights from his book “The Explorer’s Gene,” offering practical rules for meaningful exploration and emphasizi...
Mar 24, 2026•1 hr 1 min
In this episode, Laura McKowen discusses embracing emotional sobriety and small choices for big healing from heartbreak and anxiety. Laura talks about her 11-year sobriety journey and her personal journal of navigating heartbreak. She delves into the daily choices that foster healing and emotional well-being. Laura also shares insights on the non-linear nature of recovery, the importance of small, consistent practices, and the role of relationships and self-compassion in emotional sobriety. Toge...
Mar 20, 2026•48 min
