The Vancrux Podcast - Host Jeevan Matharu
The Vancrux Podcast explores the ideas, experiences, and turning points that shape who we become. From psychology and philosophy to success stories, history, spirituality, and even conspiracies, this podcast is for thinkers, seekers, and those questioning the world around them.We feature a mix of in-person guest conversations, virtual interviews, and solo episodes that break down powerful ideas around mindset, identity, meaning, and personal transformation. Our Guests come from all walks of life—sharing raw insights, hard-won lessons, and perspectives that challenge conventional thinking.Vancrux is a coined word:“Van” — to rise, go beyond, or overcome“Crux” — a critical moment or turning poi...
The Trust Game: The Psychology of Risk, Power & Human Nature
Would you risk £10 to potentially turn it into £30 — if it meant trusting a stranger?
In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we break down the powerful behavioural economics experiment known as The Trust Game, developed by researchers like Joyce Berg, John Dickhaut, and Kevin McCabe.
You’ll discover why humans aren’t purely selfish, how trust multiplies value in business and relationships, and why betrayal rewires future decisions. If you want to build influence, leadership, and long-term success — you need to understand the psychology of trust.
Trust isn’t weakness. It’s strategy.
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Moral Dumbfounding: Why You Can’t justify What You “Know” Is Wrong
Why do you know something is wrong… but can’t explain why?
In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we break down the groundbreaking moral psychology research of Jonathan Haidt and explore the shocking “moral dumbfounding” experiments — from the infamous incest scenario to the dead chicken, the cannibal lab case, and the flag experiment.
You’ll discover why your brain makes moral judgments in milliseconds, why logic often comes after emotion, and how understanding this can level up your leadership, self-awareness, and decision-making.
If you want to become a person of value, you must first u...
The Moral Credit Card – Can Good Deeds Be Borrowed Against Future Harm?
In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we break down one of the most dangerous psychological traps in self-development — the Moral Credit Card.
Why do we sabotage progress right after doing something good? Why does donating to charity justify reckless spending? Why does one disciplined week “earn” a destructive weekend?
We explore the psychology of moral licensing, identity-based discipline, dopamine-driven self-justification, and why the phrase “I’ve earned it” might be silently keeping you average.
This episode will challenge how you think about standards, success, and self-sabotage — and force you to ask:
Are you comp...
Predictive Programming — Conditioning the Future Before It Arrives
How does media shape the way we accept the future? In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we explore Predictive Programming—the psychological phenomenon where movies, TV, and culture condition society to accept future realities before they arrive. From AI, surveillance, and digital identity to pandemics and societal change, learn how repetition and storytelling subtly influence perception, behaviour, and acceptance.
🔥 Useful Links
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...
INCEPTION - Why the Most Powerful Ideas Must Feel Like Your Idea
What if the most powerful way to change someone… is to never try to change them at all?
In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we break down the psychology of Inception — not the movie, but the method.
Why people must believe an idea is their own.Why resistance appears the moment you tell someone what to do.And how Socrates, therapists, elite coaches, and master communicators use questions — not commands — to unlock transformation.If you’ve ever tried to “help” someone and been met with defensiveness… this episode will change how you influence forever.
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CRISPR, Genetic Control & The Moral Limits of Editing Life
CRISPR gives us the power to edit human life — intelligence, disease risk, temperament, even potential.
But who decides what “better” means? What happens when the rich can enhance their children — and the poor can’t? And if we remove suffering… do we also remove the very thing that creates greatness?
This episode explores the science, the inequality, and the existential cost of redesigning humanity.
Because the real question isn’t can we edit life.
It’s whether we should.
🔥 Useful Links:
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Sales Strategies & The Convincer Number with Jed Etters
In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, I sit down with sales strategist and Shut Up and Win founder Jed Etters to break down powerful modern sales strategies — including his game-changing concept, The Convincer Number.
We explore the psychology behind closing, why most people talk too much in sales, and how to build trust, influence decisions, and drive consistent revenue growth. If you want to sell with more confidence and precision, this one’s for you.
🔗 Connect with Jed Etters
🌐 Website: https://www.shutupandwin.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Shut_up_and_win
The Liberated Soul – Free From Fear, Attachment, and Ignorance
What if real freedom has nothing to do with money, status, or control — and everything to do with your inner state?
In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we explore what it truly means to become a liberated soul: free from fear, unattached to outcomes, and awake to the unconscious beliefs that quietly shape most lives. Drawing from philosophy, psychology, and lived experience, this episode is about reclaiming inner sovereignty in a world built on distraction, pressure, and dependency.
🎧 By the end of this episode, you’ll understand why inner freedom is the only freedom that ca...
The Representativeness Heuristic — Why Stereotypes Fool the Mind
We often judge people, risks, and opportunities by how well they fit a stereotype—not by facts or probability. In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we break down the Representativeness Heuristic, a powerful mental shortcut that causes us to mistake familiarity for truth. From hiring and investing to media narratives and everyday judgment, discover how this hidden bias shapes decisions—and how to spot it in your own thinking.
🔥 Useful Links
📘 Become a Person of Value by J.S. Math https://amzn.to/4cJjMbu
📗 A Question a Day Journal https://amzn.to/3Xbkx...
Economic Collapse by Design
Is the global economy really “failing”… or is it being restructured right in front of us?
In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we break down how financial crises like 2008 and COVID-19 didn’t just damage the economy — they reshaped who wins, who loses, and who owns what. From government stimulus and corporate bailouts to the rise of Big Tech and the World Economic Forum’s infamous “you’ll own nothing and be happy” narrative, we explore whether collapse is accidental… or strategic.
This isn’t fear-mongering. It’s pattern recognition.
🎧 By the end of this episode, you’ll...
The Jevons Paradox – Why Efficiency Can Backfire
What if making things more efficient actually makes the problem worse? In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we explore The Jevons Paradox—the counterintuitive idea that increased efficiency often leads to greater overall consumption, not less. From energy and technology to productivity and personal habits, this episode breaks down why efficiency alone doesn’t save resources—and how human behavior changes everything.
🔥 Useful Links
📘 Become a Person of Value by J.S. Math https://amzn.to/4cJjMbu
📗 A Question a Day Journal https://amzn.to/3Xbkxo0
📕 Daily Quotes of Wisdom https://amzn.to/4c...
The Shirky Principle – Why Institutions Preserve the Problems They’re Meant to Solve
In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we explore the Shirky Principle — the uncomfortable idea that institutions often preserve the very problems they exist to fix.
From healthcare and pharmaceuticals to education, corporations, and social systems, we examine how incentives quietly shift from solving problems to managing them indefinitely. This episode challenges how we think about authority, bureaucracy, and responsibility — and asks what happens when survival depends on failure never fully disappearing.
If systems are rewarded for keeping problems alive… who is actually incentivised to fix them?
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Michel Foucault - invisible systems of power
Michel Foucault was one of the most influential — and controversial — thinkers of the 20th century.
In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we explore Foucault’s core ideas on power, knowledge, surveillance, discipline, and sexuality, and how modern institutions quietly shape the way we think, behave, and even understand ourselves.
From prisons and madness to biopower and self-control, this episode breaks down Foucault’s philosophy in a clear, practical way — showing why his ideas still matter in today’s world of surveillance, identity, and social norms.
If you want to understand how society really contr...
The Bobo Doll Experiment – How Humans Learn by Watching
In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we dive into one of the most disturbing and revealing psychological studies ever conducted — The Bobo Doll Experiment.
Why do humans copy behaviour without being told to? Why does violence, toxicity, and dysfunction spread so easily? And what responsibility do we carry just by being observed?
This episode explores observational learning, the hidden ways behaviour is transmitted, and how unconscious modelling shapes individuals, families, leaders, and entire societies. More importantly, we break down how acting properly — with discipline, integrity, and awareness — can quietly influence the world for the better...
The Ad Hominem Fallacy - Attacking the Person
Why do so many arguments collapse into insults?
In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we break down one of the most common — and most manipulative — logical fallacies: the ad hominem fallacy.
You’ll learn what ad hominem really means, why people resort to attacking you instead of your argument, how it shows up in money, relationships, work, and politics, and how to calmly shut it down without getting dragged into emotional warfare.
If you’ve ever been dismissed with “what do you know?” instead of a real counter-argument, this episode will permanently change how y...
Jean-Paul Sartre: Condemned to Be Free
In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we explore the philosophy of Jean-Paul Sartre, the central figure of existentialism, and his most powerful ideas: existence before essence, radical freedom, personal responsibility, bad faith, and existential anxiety. Sartre argued that human beings are condemned to be free, meaning there is no predefined purpose or destiny — only the meaning we create through our choices. This episode breaks down Sartre’s thinking in a modern, practical way, showing how existentialism applies to identity, purpose, decision-making, and living an authentic life in today’s world.
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What Future Historians Will Get Wrong About Us | Can We Ever Trust History?
If you can’t trust what you heard on the news last week, how can you trust accounts from 100, 500, or even 1,000 years ago?
In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we explore why history is not objective truth but a narrative shaped by power, propaganda, and perception. Using real-world examples like Covid, 9/11, and modern media manipulation, we break down propaganda theory through Edward Bernays, Noam Chomsky, and George Orwell to reveal how consent is manufactured and truth is filtered over time.
This episode challenges how we understand history, news, and authority — and asks whether history was...
The Empty Boat – How Ego Manufactures Anger
Why does anger vanish the moment there’s no one to blame? In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we explore the Zen koan The Empty Boat and reveal how ego creates conflict, emotional reactivity, and unnecessary suffering. Blending Zen philosophy, modern psychology, and real-world examples, this episode shows why anger isn’t caused by events—but by identity—and how awareness dissolves it without suppression. By the end of this episode, you’ll understand anger, ego, and emotional mastery at a deeper level.
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The Strawman Fallacy: Why Most Arguments Are Fake
Most arguments don’t fail because people disagree — they fail because people aren’t even arguing the same thing.
In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we break down the strawman fallacy: how people distort arguments, why they do it consciously and unconsciously, and how this single tactic derails debates, relationships, and real communication.
You’ll learn how to:
Spot strawman arguments instantlyCall them out calmly without escalatingKeep discussions focused on the real pointStop defending positions you never heldIf you’ve ever said “That’s not what I said”, this episode is for you.
<...
The Mind That Wakes Up Mid-Life
What if the midlife crisis isn’t a collapse… but an awakening?
In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we explore The Mind That Wakes Up Mid-Life — the quiet psychological reckoning that arrives when achievement stops satisfying and deeper questions surface.
This isn’t about buying a sports car or running from responsibility. It’s about identity, meaning, ego, and the moment the mind realises it wants truth over distraction.
If you’ve ever felt restless, disconnected, or silently asking, “Is this really it?” — this episode is for you.
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Martin Heidegger – Being, Time, and the Anxiety of Modern Life
In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we dive into the philosophy of Martin Heidegger, one of the most influential—and controversial—thinkers of the 20th century. Through everyday examples, storytelling, and clear explanations, we explore his core ideas: Dasein, being-in-the-world, authenticity, anxiety, time, language, and why modern life leaves so many people feeling lost and disconnected.
This episode isn’t academic philosophy—it’s lived philosophy. From hammers and doorknobs to technology and modern anxiety, Heidegger helps us see the ordinary world in an entirely new way.
By the end of this episode, you’ll never exp...
Ingroup Favouritism: Why We Prefer People Like “Us”
Why do certain people instantly feel familiar—and others don’t? In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we explore Ingroup Favouritism: the psychological bias that drives loyalty, trust, and “us vs them” thinking.
Through classic experiments, real-world examples, and subtle language cues like “we” vs “you”, you’ll see how identity shapes decisions at work, in relationships, and across society—and how awareness gives you back control.
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The Eagle and the Arrow - Harmed by our own creations
An ancient metaphor with a brutal modern truth. In this episode, we explore how the very things we create to protect, empower, and elevate ourselves can quietly turn against us. Our habits, beliefs, identities, and coping mechanisms — once wings — can become arrows. This is a reflection on awareness, self-mastery, and reclaiming your power before your own creations do the damage.
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Artificial Intelligence as a Control Mechanism
What happens when power no longer needs force?
In this episode, we explore how Artificial Intelligence is quietly reshaping control — not through violence or oppression, but through prediction, automation, surveillance, and economic dependency.
We examine who truly benefits from AI, how digital identity and behavioural scoring can limit dissent, why corporations replacing human labour changes power forever, and how deep fakes threaten the very idea of truth itself.
From social credit systems to corporate dominance, historical blind spots to the danger of outsourced thinking, this episode asks the uncomfortable question:
Are we...
The Anchoring Trap — How the First Thing You Hear Controls Your Decisions
Every day, your mind is quietly being shaped by the first number, label, or opinion you hear — and you rarely notice it happening.
In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we break down The Anchoring Trap — the psychological bias that causes you to over-rely on the first piece of information you’re exposed to, even when it’s irrelevant or wrong.
You’ll discover how anchoring influences:
Money, pricing, and negotiations Confidence, ambition, and self-imageSocial media comparison and identityDecisions you thought were rationalOnce you see it, you’ll never hear numbers, opinions, or “advice”...
Ludwig Wittgenstein: Language, Limits & the Illusion of Understanding
What if most human confusion isn’t caused by lack of intelligence — but by language itself?
In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we explore the ideas of Ludwig Wittgenstein, one of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century. From the rigid logic of the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus to the radical insights of Philosophical Investigations, this episode dives deep into how language shapes reality, why many philosophical problems are illusions, and how clarity — not answers — may be the real solution.
This is an immersive, long-form exploration of meaning, truth, private experience, religion, psychology, and the limits o...
The Philadelphia Experiment — Did a Navy Ship Really Vanish?
In 1943, at the height of World War II, the U.S. Navy was racing for technological dominance. But what if one experiment went too far?
In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we dive deep into The Philadelphia Experiment — the infamous legend that claims a Navy warship was rendered invisible, teleported through space, and returned with a crew forever changed.
We explore:
The chilling myths and eyewitness claimsThe mysterious USS EldridgeThe bizarre ONR “Varo Edition” annotationsThe official Navy explanation of degaussingAnd the unsettling question: if something went wrong… would we ever be told?Was it m...
The Halo & Horns Effect — How First Impressions Distort Reality
In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we dive deep into one of the most dangerous psychological biases shaping your life without your permission: the Halo & Horns Effect.
We explore how first impressions are formed in milliseconds, how your brain confuses confidence with competence and flaws with identity — and how this distortion influences dating, leadership, sales, social media, self-worth, and power.
You’ll discover:
Why one trait can blind you to the truthHow people gain influence without substanceHow you unknowingly sabotage yourself with self-halos and self-hornsAnd how to use first impressions ethically to your adva...The Library of Alexandria — Destroyed… or Hidden?
The official story says the greatest library in human history was burned, lost to time, and erased by chaos. But what if that version is incomplete? In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we start with the accepted historical account of the Library of Alexandria’s destruction — and then slowly dismantle it. Exploring power, secrecy, and the control of knowledge, we ask a far more uncomfortable question: what if the library wasn’t destroyed at all, but quietly relocated, curated, and locked away? This episode isn’t just about ancient history — it’s about who controls truth, then and now.
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The Ass and the Lapdog - Not Every Role Suits Every Nature
In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we explore one of Aesop’s most overlooked yet brutally accurate fables: The Ass and the Lapdog.
Through immersive storytelling and real-world examples, this episode breaks down why so many people feel stuck, burnt out, or unfulfilled — not because they lack talent, but because they’re playing the wrong role. We dive into identity alignment, status envy, social conditioning, career paths, relationships, and the hidden psychological cost of imitating success that was never designed for you.
This episode is about understanding your nature, owning your role, and reclaiming your p...
The Allais Paradox — Why Certainty Controls Your Life
Have you ever thought you were making a rational decision… only to find your brain quietly sabotaging you? In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we dive deep into the Allais Paradox, an experiment that reveals how humans systematically break the rules of logic when faced with risk and certainty. Through immersive examples and live thought experiments, you’ll discover why your choices are shaped more by fear, regret, and the illusion of safety than by pure reason — and how understanding this can change the way you live, work, and take risks.
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The Stealing Student - The One Who Did Not Know Right From Wrong
In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we explore a powerful Zen story from Master Bankei that challenges our ideas of punishment, justice, and leadership. When a student is caught stealing, Bankei makes a radical decision that reveals a deeper truth about human behaviour, compassion, and growth.
This episode dives into Zen philosophy, modern psychology, self-discipline, shame, and why the people who struggle most are often the ones who need guidance—not exclusion. A deeply reflective episode that asks whether we truly understand right and wrong, in others and in ourselves.
Perfect for listeners interested in...
The Clock That Slows Near Decisions
Why do the most important decisions in life feel heavier, slower, and more intense than all the others? In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we explore a powerful thought experiment — The Clock That Slows Near Decisions — examining how time, fear, identity, and power intersect at life-defining moments. This episode dives deep into decision-making psychology, hesitation, control, and how to move forward with clarity when everything feels suspended.
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The Great Pyramid Precision Problem
In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we dive deep into the Great Pyramid of Giza — exploring its mind-boggling mathematics, hidden chambers, and mysterious purpose. From pi, the golden ratio, and 43,200 seconds to its alignment with Orion’s Belt and possible energy-generating properties, we ask the big questions:
How could ancient builders achieve such incredible precision?Was the pyramid truly a tomb — or something far more advanced?What lies in the recently discovered voids and underground structures?Could sound, vibration, and piezoelectric materials have made it a giant energy machine?Are our human timelines incomplete, and have we undere...The Foot-in-the-Door Technique
Discover how a simple “yes” can change your identity, shape your choices, and even be used to control or influence you. In this episode, we explore the psychology behind the Foot-in-the-Door Technique, how governments, corporations, and cults use it, and how you can use it ethically to create positive habits and help people make better decisions. Packed with immersive storytelling, real-world examples, and practical tips, this episode will change the way you think about influence.
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Sports psychology - Awareness, attention and attitude - with Peter Haberl
What does it really take to perform on the world stage?
In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Peter Haberl, former Senior Sport Psychologist for the United States Olympic Committee, who has worked across nine Olympic Games with medal-winning athletes and teams.
We break down why confidence and feelings are not the currency of elite performance, and why attention, awareness, and psychological flexibility matter far more under pressure.
We explore:
Why “feeling ready” is overratedHow elite performers train attention, not emotionsWhat it means to stay present when everyt...Operation Mockingbird: Media, Power & the Engineering of Reality
What if the beliefs you’re most certain about… were never truly yours?
In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we explore Operation Mockingbird — a real, historically documented CIA program that influenced journalists, media narratives, and public perception during the Cold War.
But this isn’t just a history lesson.
We break down:
How governments and institutions shape narrativesWhy repetition and emotion override critical thinkingThe psychology behind mass conditioningHow modern media, algorithms, and outrage cycles continue the same patterns todayAnd how to reclaim mental sovereignty in a weaponised information ageThis episode...
Quantity leads to Quality - The pottery experiment
Perfection doesn’t create excellence.
Volume does.
In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we break down why chasing quality too early keeps you stuck — and why the people who produce more end up creating better work.
Using the famous pottery class experiment, we reveal why the group graded on quantity produced the highest-quality results, while the group chasing perfection quietly fell behind.
This episode will change how you approach:
Content & creativityBusiness & skill-buildingConfidence & disciplineIf you’ve been waiting to be “ready” — this is the episode that shows you why action c...
Addressing Anxiety - with Dr. Larry Waldman
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Larry Waldman, a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist with over 45 years of experience helping children, teens, couples, parents, and adults navigate anxiety, stress, and emotional overwhelm using solution-focused approaches.
Recently semi-retired from private practice in Phoenix, Arizona, Dr. Waldman brings decades of clinical wisdom, academic depth, and real-world insight into how anxiety forms, why it persists, and how it can be addressed without over-pathologising everyday human experience.
We explore:
What anxiety really is (and what it isn’t)How anxiety shows up across different life stagesPractical, solu...Humanity is approaching a civilizational threshold - The Ascension Equation - with Jonathan Yates
.In this episode, I’m joined by Jonathan Yates, quantum-technology strategist, futurist, and author working at the intersection of quantum computing, AI, Web3 infrastructure, and emerging intelligence governance.
With over 30 years of experience translating frontier technologies into strategic advantage for global enterprises, startups, and government agencies, Jonathan brings rare clarity to where we’re heading — and why coherence, not speed, is now the defining challenge of our age.
Our conversation centres on his second book, Origin²: The Age of Intent, which explores the moment humanity now faces as artificial minds, genetic engineering, and ecological limits converg...
