In this episode, Ryan Holiday explores navigating fear and hope and the everyday courage that shapes our lives. He unpacks how to confront our fears and how we need to do so, over and over. With great stories and insights, we are reminded that we don’t have to be fearless, we just have to begin. Key Takeaways: The concept of courage and its significance in everyday life. The relationship between courage and fear, including how to confront fears. The importance of personal agency and making choic...
May 30, 2025•53 min•Ep. 817
In this episode, Debbie Millman explores how we can use failure as fertilizer and learn to bloom again. Debbie's book and this conversation is about more than just gardening tips or tools, it's about what happens when we let ourselves be bad at something, especially later in life. Debbie opens up about learning to grow and why failure might be the richest soil we have. Whether you've ever felt stuck, afraid to try, or unsure if it's too late to start. Key Takeaways: Personal growth and developme...
May 27, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 816
In this episode, Dr. Dixon Chibanda explores from benches to breakthroughs: a new approach to mental health. He explains why storytelling, radical empathy, and solving daily-life problems often outperform medication-first approaches; how three simple steps—opening the mind, uplifting, strengthening—turn elders into community healers; and why hope, not symptom checklists, is the truest measure of success. Along the way, you’ll hear how ancestral wisdom blends with clinical science, how labels can...
May 23, 2025•55 min•Ep. 815
In this episode, Martha Beck explores how to move beyond anxiety and how curiosity turns fear into fuel. Martha dives into why anxiety can’t simply be silenced. It has to be replaced with things like creativity, curiosity, and a deep kindness towards ourselves. Key Takeaways: Discussion of anxiety versus fear and their psychological implications. Exploration of societal factors contributing to increased anxiety levels. Importance of living authentically and in alignment with one’s true self. The...
May 20, 2025•58 min•Ep. 814
In this episode, Caroline Williams shares how moving your body can free your mind as she dives into the surprising science of movement and mental health. Caroline spent years studying the brain until she realized she was ignoring half the equation. She explains how movement of all kinds, walking, stretching, dancing, and even laughter can reshape our emotional landscape. Key Takeaways: The connection between physical movement and mental health. The role of interoception in understanding bodily s...
May 16, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 813
In this episode, Josh Radnor discusses the messy parts of life and embracing imperfection and growth. Josh Radnor explains how, even outward success, fame, acclaim, creative fulfillment isn’t enough to quiet the deeper battles within. He shares how real freedom comes not from achieving perfection, but from making peace with the messy, unfinished parts of ourselves. From navigating identity and public image to sitting in deep discomfort. Josh offers a powerful reminder that a meaningful life isn’...
May 13, 2025•50 min•Ep. 812
In this episode, Laura McKowen explores why community and courage matter more than ever in making change in your life. She dives into the “messy midle” – theu ncertain space between giving up what umbs us and becoming someone new. She shares the story of the Luckiest Club, a global sobriety community. Key Takeaways: Understanding that real transformation is messy Learning how sobriety isn’t the finish line, but the starting point for deeper healing Understanding why community is so important and...
May 09, 2025•58 min•Ep. 811
In this episode, David Whyte explores anxiety, beauty, and the unknown as a true map to emotional resilience. David shares how anxiety can be a doorway to deeper understanding and connection. He and Eric discuss the paradox of holding both joy and struggle, the surprising wisdom hidden in everyday emotions, and how poetry and language can bring us closer to the heart of life. This is an inspiring look at how we can build resilience by embracing life’s uncertainties. Key Takeaways: Exploration of...
May 06, 2025•58 min•Ep. 810
This is a special episode from our archives with one of my favorite musicians, Mike Peters. Mike recently passed away, and this episode is more than a conversation; it’s a tribute to a beautiful soul. In our chat, we explored the idea of our lives being anthems; how defiance, hope, and inner strength were a soundtrack for his formative years, and later in life. This was an open-hearted talk about what it means to fight not just with force, but with love. We talked about instinct as a spiritual g...
May 02, 2025•38 min•Ep. 809
In this episode, Brian Klaas explains the concept of whether things are a fluke or fate, and explores how embracing uncertainty can lead to a living a fuller life. Brian makes the case that randomness and chaos might be exactly what makes our lives matter so much, and how we tend to worship at the “Altar of Progress in the Church of Control.” We make plans, set goals, and these are good things, but we only have so much control. And Brian teaches that accepting this can be a relief, b...
Apr 29, 2025•57 min•Ep. 808
In this episode, Susan Cain explores the bittersweet truth about beauty, sorrow, and what makes life worth living. She emphasizes the transformative power of music and bittersweet emotions and also discusses how acknowledging grief can lead to deeper connections and creativity. This episode encourages listeners to embrace their emotions and seek beauty in life’s bittersweet moments, offering profound insights into the human experience. Key Takeaways: Exploration of the relationship be...
Apr 25, 2025•52 min•Ep. 807
In this episode, Claire Hoffman explores the idea behind how our flaws, doubt, cynicism, and even ambition aren’t signs of failure, but can be used as fuel. She tells the story of Aimee Semple McPherson, a woman who built a religious empire and faked her own kidnapping. But this episode isn’t about scandal. It’s about the tension that we all carry between our light and dark sides. Claire says sometimes the bad wolf does good work. This conversation is about embracing contradict...
Apr 22, 2025•51 min•Ep. 806
In this episode, Chip Conley defines a midlife makeover and how to redefine success and happiness after 40. He shares how the most difficult stretches of his life ended up being the start of something completely new. Chip also explains the pull of the ego, the search for identity and how letting go of traditional success can open the door for something more meaningful. If you’re in a season of life where things feel uncertain, or if you’re wondering what this phase of life is really ...
Apr 18, 2025•46 min•Ep. 805
In this episode, Maggie Smith explores how to nurture creativity in a noisy world. A lot of people think creativity is something you do with a paintbrush or a poem but Maggie challenges us to think differently about creativity. It isn’t about what you make, but how you live. She dives into what it really means to be creative, even when you’re overwhelmed, unsure, and not feeling particularly inspired. And we tackle a bigger question: How do we keep creating when the world is so loud ...
Apr 15, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 804
In this episode, Jillian Richardson discusses the journey from loneliness to belonging and shares the small steps that can change everything. She delves into why friendship takes more effort than we expect and how we can actually get better at it. Jillian also explores what gets in the way of connection, why it’s not just about putting yourself out there, and how real community is less about finding perfect people, and more about staying when things feel a little uncomfortable. Key Takeawa...
Apr 11, 2025•53 min•Ep. 803
In this episode, William Egginton invites you to ask the question, “What if you’re wrong?” as he explains how being uncertain makes us more human. William explores the surprising overlap between a physicist, a philosopher, and a poet—each of whom came to the same unsettling truth: that we mistake our model of reality for reality itself. But this isn’t just about subatomic particles or dusty old philosophy books. It’s about how certainty—especially in our...
Apr 08, 2025•59 min•Ep. 802
In this episode, Ian Leslie discusses the history of the Beatles, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and the truth we all share in their story. Ian explores how two young men from Liverpool created something together than neither could have made alone, not just music, but a shared consciousness that changed culture forever. John and Paul’s story isn’t just about music. It’s about how we all navigate loss, love, and connection. Key Takeaways: [00:01:44] John and Paul’s connec...
Apr 04, 2025•53 min•Ep. 801
In this episode, Adam Mastroianni explains why you can’t think your way out of overthinking. He unpacks why the thoughts that feel the most important are often the ones that keep us stuck. We also explore what it means to have a “skull full of poison,” how anxiety disguises itself as insight, and why real change isn’t about breakthroughs—it’s about repetition, action, and feeding the right wolf. Key Takeaways: [00:06:07] Anxiety and its misconceptions [00:08:2...
Apr 01, 2025•57 min•Ep. 800
In this episode, Dr. Amishi Jha explores how to stop losing your mind (literally) and the surprising science of attention. She shares how mastering your mind isn’t about more effort, it’s about understanding how attention really works. You’ll learn how to train the three systems of attention (the flashlight, the floodlight, and the juggler), why mindfulness isn’t just a trend but a mental upgrade, and how to reclaim your focus—12 minutes at a time. Key Takeaways: Ho...
Mar 28, 2025•49 min•Ep. 799
In this episode, Dr. Sarah McKay dives into debunking common brain myths and explores what’s really holding you back from change. She also discusses willpower and how it isn’t the magic bullet for behavior change. This conversation is all about separating fact from fiction when it comes to understanding your brain and how it works. Key Takeaways: [00:06:40] Neuromyths and neuroscience understanding. [00:09:31] Lizard brain myth debunked. [00:12:37] Constructed emotions vs. hardwired ...
Mar 25, 2025•55 min•Ep. 798
In this episode, Mark Rowland attempts to unlock the wisdom of dogs and discusses what they know about living a good life. He takes on some of life’s biggest, weightiest questions, like, what is meaning, how should we live, and explores them through the lens of our four-legged companions. It’s about philosophy. It’s about dogs, and it’s about the age old question of how to live a good life. Key Takeaways: Dogs live without the burden of reflection, which allows them to be...
Mar 21, 2025•43 min•Ep. 797
In this episode, Sahil Bloom explores the idea of redefining wealth and the truth about money and happiness. He also shares a different definition of wealth – one that goes beyond financial success and taps into time, purpose, and relationships. Learn how to start finding the balance between striving for more while appreciating what’s right in front of us. Key Takeaways: The trap of “more” and the power of “enough” Why time is your most valuable currency How t...
Mar 18, 2025•55 min•Ep. 796
In this episode, Spring Washam discusses how to overcome struggle and find freedom. She explores the extraordinary life and spiritual wisdom of Harriet Tubman—not just as a historical figure, but as a guide for breaking free from our own inner prisons. Spring dives deep into the intersection of spirituality, justice, and personal transformation. Key Takeaways: How Harriet Tubman’s unshakable belief in freedom shaped her legacy Why struggles and hardships are often the gatew...
Mar 14, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 795
In this episode, Yung Pueblo discusses relationship mistakes and how to love better. He explores how attachments can masquerade as love and how true connection requires flexibility, and shares this powerful insight: attachment is just a deep form of inflexibility—it can look like love, but it’s often about control. Diego also delves into why growth, kindness, and compassion are green flags in a partner, and how to advocate for personal needs without clinging too tightly to rigid expe...
Mar 11, 2025•53 min•Ep. 794
In this episode, Liz Fosslien discusses how to be okay when life feels overwhelming. Do you ever feel overwhelmed by emotions like anger, envy, or uncertainty—and then feel guilty for feeling that way? Liz challenges some of the biggest myths about emotions. She also dives into why negative emotions aren’t actually bad, how perfectionism holds us back, and why uncertainty feels so unbearable. She shares research-backed insights and actionable strategies to help us navigate difficult ...
Mar 07, 2025•57 min•Ep. 793
In this episode, Janice Kaplan explores the happiness formula and how to use your body to transform your mind. She discusses the powerful connection between our bodies and our minds. Drawing from her latest book, What Your Body Knows About Happiness , Janice shares groundbreaking research on how our physical state directly influences our emotions, thoughts, and overall well-being. You'll discover how simple bodily changes—like posture, movement, and even temperature—can dramatically ...
Mar 04, 2025•59 min•Ep. 792
In this episode, Nikki Eisenhauer shares the #1 mindset shift to stop overthinking and start living. She explores the profound role of insight, emotional maturity, and personal responsibility in personal growth. With her extensive wisdom gleaned from her 17+ years of experience working with highly sensitive individuals, she dives into why some people change while others remain stuck, how overthinking can become a trap, and the importance of balancing self-compassion with accountability. Key Take...
Feb 28, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 791
In this episode, math teacher and author Ben Orlin explores the secret to learning and problem-solving in life. He explains why struggling through challenges (in math and life) can actually be a good thing. Ben also discusses the unexpected power of humor and how we can rethink our approach to learning and change. Key Takeaways: 05:16 – Struggle is a Sign of Learning, Not Failure 13:27 – Why We Fear Math (And How to Overcome It) 25:06 – The Role of Humor and Play in Learning 27...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 790
In this episode, Ellen Hendriksen discusses the hidden costs of perfectionism and why you never feel good enough. She shares the various ways perfectionism disguises itself as a positive trait—when in reality, it can lead to self-criticism, procrastination, and emotional exhaustion . Ellen also explains why perfectionism is less about being perfect and more about never feeling good enough , how self-acceptance is the antidote, and why p...
Feb 21, 2025•57 min•Ep. 789
In this episode, Arlina Allen explores the truth about 12-step programs and dives deep into the common misconceptions, barriers, and unexpected benefits. Arlina shares her personal journey from resistance to transformation, highlighting how reframing common challenges—like the language of “character defects” and the concept of powerlessness—can make the 12 steps a powerful tool for healing. Key Takeaways: [01:06] – Why 12-Step Programs Are So Misunderstood [05:00] &...
Feb 18, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 788
