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
In this episode, James Patterson discusses navigating life’s disruptions and shares insights on adapting and thriving in life.. He also discusses managing negative thoughts and balancing ambition with contentment. James shares insights from his writing career, co-authoring experiences, and personal life, including parenting and the importance of prioritizing family, health, friends, and spirit. The conversation blends practical advice, engaging stories, and reflections on adapting to change, off...
Mar 17, 2026•50 min
In this episode, Light Watkins explores the best path to authentic happiness and embracing spiritual minimalism. Light defines spiritual minimalism and delves into the importance of leaving every place better than you found it. The conversation explores authenticity, happiness, stress, embracing discomfort, and the value of consistent, small actions. Light also shares personal stories and practical wisdom on finding freedom in limitations, giving what you want to receive, and focusing on process...
Mar 13, 2026•59 min
In this episode, Nir Eyal, author of Beyond Belief explores procrastination and the hidden pain behind your limiting beliefs. He explains how beliefs shape our perception of reality, motivation, and behavior.. He also shares how beliefs are flexible tools, not absolute truths, and that changing limiting beliefs can reduce suffering and unlock personal growth. The conversation covers the brain’s filtering of reality, the motivational triangle (behavior, desire, belief), and practical strategies f...
Mar 10, 2026•1 hr 1 min
In this episode, Elisha Goldstein talks about how to go from overwhelm to empowerment by harnessing tiny shifts for emotional resilience. He explains how small, consistent changes, or “tiny shifts”, can break negative emotional loops and improve stress, relationships, and longevity. He shares personal stories, practical tools like the “four R’s” (Recognize, Release, Refocus, Reinforce), and emphasizes emotional awareness over willpower. The conversation offers accessible strategies for managing ...
Mar 06, 2026•1 hr 1 min
In this episode, Catherine Gray discusses her new book about “little addictions” and the big impact of transforming your habits for a healthier life. She explores how everyday compulsions like excessive screen time, snacking, or people pleasing are driven by ancient brain wiring and dopamine. Catherine shares practical strategies for managing these habits, emphasizing environmental changes, self-compassion, and shifting reward systems. The conversation highlights the importance of awareness, ref...
Mar 03, 2026•1 hr 7 min
In this episode, Rohan Gunatillake discusses how to unlock the power of mindfulness and transform your life one story at a time. He explores how stories can shift perspectives, the challenges and opportunities in mindfulness apps, and shares ways to integrate meditation into daily life. He also shares insights on making mindfulness accessible, playful, and adaptable, emphasizing community, creativity, and the importance of small, consistent practices for personal growth. The conversation highlig...
Feb 27, 2026•55 min
In this episode, Chris Bailey discusses how to be intentional and finish what you start. He explores how intentionality, values, and motivation shape our ability to set and achieve meaningful goals. Chris also introduces concepts like the “intention stack” and “sepia-toned goals,” emphasizing the importance of aligning actions with core values. The conversation offers practical tools for editing goals, balancing planning with action, and cultivating both deliberate and default intentions to crea...
Feb 24, 2026•1 hr 6 min
In this episode, Chris Duffy, author of Humor M e: How Laughing More Can Make You Present, Creative, Connected, and Happy , discusses how humor can transform our relationship with life’s challenges, connect with others, and shift our perspective on difficult situations. He shares personal stories and practical tips for cultivating humor, emphasizing laughter’s role in resilience and well-being. The conversation covers the social power of humor, taking risks, and learning to laugh at ourselves. T...
Feb 20, 2026•1 hr 7 min
In this episode, Faith Salie, CBS Sunday Morning correspondent and comedian, explores the complex nature of envy and how to harness it for personal growth. Drawing from Faith’s Audible series “Envy Enlightened,” they discuss the different types of envy, how it can be both destructive and motivating, and the importance of acknowledging and transforming it. Through personal stories and expert insights, they emphasize gratitude, self-awareness, and compassion, encouraging listeners to view envy as ...
Feb 17, 2026•1 hr
In this episode, Ross Gay talks about embracing the messiness of life and finding joy in every day moments. He explores the complexities of joy, delight, and sorrow, emphasizing how attention and human connection shape a meaningful life. Ross also discusses the practice of noticing small moments, the interplay of joy and grief, and the importance of caring for others. The conversation also touches on societal challenges, the role of comedy, and the creative process, offering listeners thoughtful...
Feb 13, 2026•1 hr 2 min
In this episode, Guy Winch discusses the concept of mind over grind along with practical tips to manage work stress and enhance your well-being. He explains the pervasive impact of work-related stress, the cultural glorification of overwork, and how chronic stress leads to burnout. Guy also shares strategies for reframing stress, breaking the cycle of rumination, and intentionally recovering from mental fatigue. The conversation emphasizes the importance of conscious effort, mindset shifts, and ...
Feb 10, 2026•1 hr 4 min
In this episode, Jonathan Goodman discusses defines unhinged habits and how to transform your life by doing less. He shares how selling his software company led him to focus on writing and living intentionally. Jonathan also explores the importance of prioritizing money, health, and relationships, embracing life’s natural seasons, and making conscious trade-offs. He explains how intense focus can transform habits, the value of childhood passions, and the difference between meaningful and vacant ...
Feb 06, 2026•1 hr 4 min
