Growth Mindset: Psychology of self-improvement

Let's unpack the heart of attention, addiction, autopilot and self-sabotage. This episode is a deep dive into the junk food of thought: addictive mental loops that hijack your attention, and keep you stuck repeating the same boring patterns — again and again and again. We talk about why your thoughts are like badly designed software, why addiction makes your brain less creative, and how to actually take back control. From scrolling email to self-sabotaging loops, it turns out the enemy isn’t the internet… it’s your untrained mind. Reframe addiction as a self-inflicted cognitive handicap Break the loop with “internal repulsion”...

Mental Constraints: How to change your thoughts and break invisible limits you can't see This episode is a ride through dimensions—space, time, and your own mind. It’s like stepping outside your body mid-coffee to ask, “Wait, what the hell am I doing?” From Zen bugs to aeroplane windows, Sam breaks down how we’re all stuck in routines that make life two-dimensional. And the worst part? We don’t even notice. You’ll learn: Why your habits aren't just habits—they're constraints dressed as convenience How to inject randomness into your week to break mental inertia A simple way to use bored...

What if everything we believe about finding love is designed to keep us searching instead of finding? This episode debunks some of the worst common advice and showcases what's genuinely useful. It might start with you. The people most focused on finding the perfect partner often remain alone, while those focused on becoming the right partner tend to attract extraordinary relationships. Shift from scarcity-based dating to abundance-based connection: Understand "optimal search theory" Focus on shared vision for the future rather than identical current interests Recognise that generosity and a growth mindset matter more than initial chemistry If you find someone...

Ever felt like life just sucker-punched you out of nowhere? That's exactly what Nassim Taleb calls a Black Swan event. Most people think they can predict the future by looking at patterns. They study charts, analyze trends, and feel safe in their little bubble of certainty. However, the biggest events that shape our lives—market crashes, pandemics, breakthrough innovations—are the ones nobody sees coming. .. Taleb argues we're all like turkeys getting fed every day, thinking tomorrow will be the same, until suddenly it's Thanksgiving. The real mind-bender? We convince ourselves afterwards that we "should have seen it coming." This is c...

The tools of thinking that fueled the Growth Mindset and fast decisions behind the success of Jeff Bezos. Bezos frames business as a series of silent promises: to customers, to colleagues, to the future. Each promise is a primitive—simple, sturdy, waiting to be linked. When those links form, independence evolves into interdependence, and a whisper becomes a flywheel. In this conversation, we explore how “Day One” thinking keeps the path clear, how a “regret-minimization lens” invites bold choices, and why “single-threaded leadership” protects the soul of a project. Name your primitives—identify the small assets that can connect to others. Ma...

Self-help is sometimes the opposite. It can end up increasing your task list with a bunch of unrealistic expectations you never achieve. Today’s conversation is about navigation, not directions. We explore the quiet difference between a compass you trust and a checklist someone sells. Passport stamps matter less than the personality you bring to the journey; so does the company you invite to walk beside you. We trade a stack of generic self-help books for three simple ideas you can put on a sticky note. The answer might not even be faster growth but perhaps wiser detours and a ne...

A sunflower doesn’t hold strategy meetings to decide which way to grow. It simply tilts toward the light. This conversation with Dr. Harry Cohen invites us to do the same. The heliotropic effect—our quiet, evolutionary pull toward positive energy—may be the simplest, most overlooked lever of leadership and community. We explore what happens when you become the light source instead of chasing it. Why a six-second smile hacks brain chemistry, how a clean apology resets trust faster than any marketing funnel, and what my own networking face-plant taught me about social tax. Take homes: Swap “small talk” for small...

Uncover what it really takes to build greatness. There's much more to genius than effortless intelligence or risky business bets. We dive into the consistent habits that drive long-term results for coming out on top. They might not be sexy, but if you can leave your ego at the doo,r there's a lot more on the other side. How to Change the World Sam's new show can be found on major podcast players: Spotify - ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT⁠ Apple - ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649⁠ YouTube - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChang...

Ever wondered how to really change the world? After thinking about the question for too long, Sam has started a new podcast to answer it. His new show 'How To Change The World' tells the stories of the greatest innovations throughout the entire history of humanity. As he goes, he'll be breaking down the mental models and frameworks for change. If you've enjoyed some of our episodes where we talk about the mindset lessons from incredible figures from history, there will be plenty of that and more. The show can be found on major podcast players: Spotify - https://open...

You’re not lazy. You’re overloaded. And no, another productivity hack won’t save you. In this episode, I talk about how minimalism isn’t about white walls and hidden kitchen bins—it’s about your calendar, your relationships, your identity. I unpack the joy of missing out using stories from travel, creative burnout, and watching a guy walk around Britain with nothing but a backpack. Turns out, when you’re doing too much, you're not living—you’re buffering. We explore how having too many goals is like trying to break a window with a handful of dust. Want more focus? Y...

Love isn’t just a feeling, it’s a pattern. And patterns, when understood, can be changed. We are the descendants of beings who bonded, lusted, and survived—not by chance, but by biology. In this episode, we explore the elegant architecture of love, divided into three distinct experiences: lust, attraction, and attachment. Each has its own hormonal symphony: testosterone’s drive, dopamine’s thrill, oxytocin’s warmth. But these chemicals, while essential, are not our destiny. We must choose how we respond to them. The opportunity lies in seeing love not just as passion, but as a practice—a practice of se...

A system that grows stronger from chaos? That’s not science fiction. It’s nature’s original design. Nassim Taleb's Antifragile isn't just a book. It’s a lens—a way to see the world not as a series of risks to be avoided, but as opportunities to evolve. In this episode, we explore what it means to thrive in disorder. From ancient myths like the Hydra, to modern jobs and biological systems, we trace the pattern: fragility is punished, antifragility is rewarded. What if you built a life where setbacks made you better, not bitter? Where unpredictability wasn’t a threat, bu...

Cognitive bias. False memory. The Dunning-Kruger effect. What do they all have in common? They show how unreliable our minds can be. In this episode, we explore the science and philosophy of self-knowledge. From flawed reasoning and failed planning to empathy gaps and epistemic humility. But explained using normal English... Along the way, we uncover powerful tools to help you become more reliable, more curious, and a little less wrong. WORKSHOP - Building certainty in an uncertain world 😱 The world is spinning faster and increasingly feels unhinged ✊ Use Psychology to build strong core foundations and make long-term decisions 🎟️ Join us - ⁠⁠⁠http...

People avoid you for reasons that have nothing to do with your deodorant. You can be smart, talented, even funny—but if people feel unseen or misunderstood around you, your life gets smaller. Dr. Steven Stein has tested emotional intelligence in everyone from Air Force recruiters to reality TV contestants. And the results are weirdly human. EQ isn’t about being soft. It’s about knowing when to shut up, when to speak up, and when to walk away. This episode breaks down emotional intelligence like it’s a muscle group: you’ve got to work it, stress it, and recover fr...

There are a million ways to waste time. We don't need a million and one ways to be productive. We just need to - Do The Thing It's easy to overcomplicate productivity: Over analysing your habits Over examing your past Over sharing your strategies. These are all effective ways to not be productive. In this episode, we cut through the fluff and focus on the pure, simple truths. Workshop - Building certainty in an uncertain world 😱 The world is spinning faster and increasingly feels unhinged ✊ Use Psychology to build strong core foundations and make long-term decisions 🎟️ Join us - ⁠https://workshop.gro...

We don’t see the future. We predict it — and sometimes we predict disaster before it’s even possible. Catastrophizing is a mental reflex. It’s your mind, desperate for control, drawing monsters where none exist yet. In this episode, we explore the quiet space between stimulus and story — the moment you could choose curiosity over certainty. Relationships, careers, self-worth: all suffer when we confuse our imagined outcomes with inevitable truths. But if we learn to watch the story unfold without believing it, something remarkable happens. We reclaim possibility. You’ll leave with: Understanding of how the brain creates fear to protect i...

What if the person you think you are is an outdated idea? In this episode, we explore how habits form—not from logic, but from history. From childhood rules to adult rituals, your behaviours aren’t just choices. They’re echoes. We look at behavioural debt: how the past continues to extract payments from your present and what you can do about it. We look expansively at different ways we pick up all these habits and identities, and then use 5 ideas from psychology and philosophy to fix them. There’s a monk shedding illusions, a writer who redefined his identity, and a cy...

How often do you say no? In this episode, I unpack the beautiful mess that is boundary-setting—with stories, psychology, and a touch of Brexit. This episode dives deep into what it really means to assert your needs. Boundaries aren’t about building walls—they’re more like installing a front door with a lock you actually use. We explore why people-pleasing kills self-respect, how resentment creeps in when you’re too “nice,” and why your future depends on the limits you’re willing to draw today. What you’ll take away: 10 signs of poor boundaries How to spot a weak boundary befo...

What separates those who break from those who bend? A shift—not in strength, but in perspective. In today’s episode, we look at the 4 quadrants of mental resilience: Control, Commitment, Challenge, and Confidence —using a blend of metaphors, Stoic wisdom, and powerful stories from history. Think of your mind like a car: control is the steering wheel, commitment is the fuel, challenge is the terrain, and confidence? That’s your engine. From Helen Keller to Joan of Arc, you’ll see how legendary mental strength isn’t born—it’s built. Plus, learn why reacting to criticism like a calm kung-fu mas...

There’s only so much logic you can apply to your problems, at some point you need to work with your biology. The nervous system it an incredible organ built to help you survive and it can over-ride your conscious processing at will. To stop tripping over our barriers and build true resilience, reduce stress & feel more alive we need there is a way. Working with your nervous system instead of against it. On the show we invite Esin Pinarli a licensed therapist and expert in working with our nervous system to give us a masterclass on turning discomfort into gr...

The problem with being human is that we believe our version of truth is the truth. Not because we’re bad—but because we’re wired that way. This episode is a story of blindness. Not the kind you see—but the kind you don’t even know you have. You’re not as open-minded as you think. That’s not an insult—it’s just how the brain works. We shortcut. We judge. We protect our ego like it’s a vintage vinyl. In this episode, I dive into the strange ways our own minds trick us into thinking we're rational, orig...

Ever notice how you'll curse for days when stuck in traffic but never celebrate hitting all green lights? Your brain's flaw-detection software is working overtime. In our quest for the ideal—the perfect relationship, the flawless investment, the dream career—we often miss the opportunity to appreciate what's already working. This isn't about lowering standards; it's about recognizing diminishing returns and the opportunity costs of perfectionism. Gratitude research shows that people who accept small imperfections actually experience more satisfaction and happiness. It's not about settling—it's about optimizing for what truly matters and recognizing the diminishing returns of chasing perfection. Identif...

The psychology of mental strength and how to achieve your goals. The path to extraordinary achievement isn't paved with enjoyment. It's built on something far more powerful: alignment with our deepest values. Sustainable motivation comes not from the pleasure of the journey but from how we connect our actions to what matters most to us. This isn't about willpower or discipline—it's about meaning-making. When we frame our challenges within the context of our personal values, we transform mundane or difficult tasks into meaningful steps toward who we wish to become. The student studying for exams, the entrepreneur facing rejection, th...

What if the key to unlocking your potential was already within you, nestled within the folds of your own mind? Today we're diving into the science and psychology of hypnosis. It isn't about stage tricks or loss of control. It's about accessing a state of focused attention where the critical mind steps aside, allowing for profound change. Not only do we learn about how the subconscious mind can be accessed but the techniques and ways that work, backed by science. It's the difference between forcing yourself to diet and naturally craving healthier foods. Between lying awake, anxious, and drifting effortlessly...

What if the path to a meaningful life isn't paved with comfort, but with deliberate discomfort? In this episode, we explore the insidious nature of "flabbiness" - not just of body, but of mind and spirit. We'll uncover how our modern world lulls us into a state of complacent existence, and why the easy path often leads to the hardest life. Through stories of transformation and philosophical insights, we'll challenge the notion that happiness comes from avoiding difficulty. Instead, we'll discover how embracing challenge and responsibility can lead to a life of purpose and fulfillment. This isn't just about self-improvement...

We're all blind to our own patterns. Even when we think we're self-aware, there's a whole universe of emotional blocks lurking beneath the surface. Most of us walk around thinking we understand ourselves, but the reality is we're operating on autopilot. This episode features coach Tracy Litt, a performance coach who reveals how seemingly innocent behaviours can actually be fear mechanisms in disguise. The conversation gets deeply personal as Sam confronts his own emotional avoidance, exploring why he distracts himself during vulnerable moments and can struggle to fully express emotions. Tracy explains how our brains create clever diversions precisely when...

Bruce Lee wasn't just a martial arts icon. He was a master of mental discipline, using six powerful habits that transformed his approach to life and success. Bruce's journey reveals how deliberate practice shaped his legendary status. Instead of fearing failure, he embraced it as a teacher, carrying notebooks everywhere to capture insights that became contracts with himself. His methods were surprisingly practical—reading voraciously across diverse subjects, daily goal recitation, and blending Eastern philosophy with Western training techniques. This episode explores how Lee's training wasn't based on natural talent but rather his "fanatical" dedication, adapting everything from weightlifting to fe...

What if the greatest barrier to your success isn't what you don't know, but what you think you know that simply isn't so? This episode explores the subtle architecture of stupidity – not as a personal failing, but as a series of distinct patterns that emerge in all human thinking. We'll journey through seven varieties, from the straightforward lack of cognitive ability to the more insidious systemic stupidity that quietly infects organizations and societies. You'll discover how the most brilliant minds often fall prey to overthinking stupidity, rejecting elegant solutions in favor of complex ones. We'll examine how groups collectively generate st...

What if the path to happiness isn't where all the spotlights are shining? While most seek contentment in the thin slice of "now," true fulfilment lives in a paradox. We're stuck in what I call "now-ish" thinking—that anxiety-producing zone of yesterday's failures and tomorrow's deadlines. We're taught to live in the moment, yet rarely consider where our moments are leading us. True happiness requires an honest look at your 30-year trajectory. Are you building skills you want to master for decades? Hanging with friends who'll still challenge you in 2055? The work that drains you today will absolutely crush your so...

The mind does a lot of things we are never aware of. You don't think about how you move or digest, your mind just does it in the background, You also can't witness all the self-sabotaging doors your mind keeps you locked up in. We all have our own battles that limit us. Maybe how we think about money, or relationships or our own value. Maybe we get nervous about situations and it's our nerves that actually cause the problem we are afraid of. Today guest Jeff Bauhner shares a radical idea for how to communicate with your subconscious processes...

We all know smart people make dumb decisions. But why? Why do gamblers double down when they should walk away? Why do we check our phones 58 times a day? Why do people micromanage their partners and get confused when they become distant? We are all suckers for the illusion of control. We are convinced that our meddling is needed to achieve our desired outcome. Sadly this misses the important fact that we are causing all our problems. The episode covers all sorts of personal problems from addictions to relationships, investing to anger and how control is at the heart of...

What if misery wasn’t something that happened to you—but something you unknowingly created? We all have habits that screw us over—whether it’s blaming others, scrolling mindlessly on Instagram, or convincing ourselves that “next week” is when we’ll finally start living. In this episode, I’m calling out the seven most toxic habits that keep people stuck in their own misery - they're probably (some) things you’re doing right now. I’ll break down why these habits exist, how society reinforces them, and what you can do to stop being your own worst enemy. Takeaways: Why waiting for “per...

Ever feel like life’s pulling you in a direction you didn’t choose? Like you’re paddling against a current, but the harder you try, the further you drift? From social media algorithms to career paths, we’re all caught in currents we barely notice. They can sweep us toward growth or drag us into chaos. Whether it’s influencers chasing clicks or careers locking us into identities we never wanted, these currents are everywhere. But here’s the good news: just like in the ocean, you can learn to spot them and decide which ones to ride. By the end of t...

How to boost creativity and productivity with a gentle yet dedicated approach to getting the best of yourself Fun fact: The average person has 6,200 thoughts per day. Most creatives capture zero of them. What if the secret to unleashing your creative potential isn't finding inspiration, but building systems that make creativity inevitable? That’s why we have Jeremy Enns on the show. He's built a system that turns random thoughts into profitable content. Every. Single. Day. We cover: How to stop hoarding mediocre ideas and start executing great ones Why your "perfect" creative routine is killing your productivity The "Marathon Pr...

Learn the 5 laws of creation and how to apply a growth mindset to improving anything you do. The awkward thing about finding our calling. Is that our calling isn’t out there looking for us. It's easy to be stuck in mediocrity waiting for the perfect moment or for that ambiguous feeling that we are totally ready and blessed with pre-ordained approval to start our ideas. These days knowledge is abundant and easily accessible. What's scarce is the willingness to show up, create, and launch our thoughts into the world before we feel ready. In this episode: How the world is...

Navigating the great paradoxes of the heart. What if everything we believed about perfect relationships was exactly what held us back from creating meaningful ones? Consider a few classic paradoxes: In our quest for closeness, we often create distance Distance often brings you closer Your partner's annoying habits, might actually be their best qualities.... This episode explores the delicate threads that weave together seemingly contradictory truths in relationships, Key topics: Learn to identify when your "weaknesses" are actually relationship superpowers Stop trying to fix your relationship and start understanding its paradoxes Why being "needy" isn't always bad (and why pretending...

The paradox of loneliness: The more we fear loneliness, the more we scare people away. Connection is our birthright. Yet in our rush to avoid loneliness, we often make things worse. This is a story about the paradox at the heart of human relationships. But it's also a story about possibility. Key takeaways: Practical strategies to build confidence and attract healthy relationships The 7 hidden ways fear of loneliness sabotages relationships Understanding the distinction between solitude and loneliness Building the courage to be authentically seen Creating relationships that enhance rather than complete you We're diving deep into the psychology of fear...

76% of people regularly break promises to themselves - Why do we keep letting ourselves down? The uncomfortable truth about why your self-improvement efforts keep failing: it's not about motivation. It's about managing the gap between who you are and who you want to be. This episode breaks down the exact psychology behind why we disappoint ourselves (hint: your brain is lying to you) and gives you 5 practical systems to fix it. No fluff. No guru BS. Just actionable frameworks. What you'll learn: How to kill your past self (respectfully) Five counter-intuitive strategies that actually work (backed by science) How to...

A high IQ isn't useful if you can't make decent life decisions. Drawing from neuroscience and behavioural psychology, this episode delivers practical frameworks for cognitive development. You'll discover: No-nonsense tools to stop overthinking and start actually learning from your mistakes Real-world examples of how reflection beats raw intelligence A simple system for turning life's patterns into practical wisdom Research-basked methods for implementing reflection practices and deliberate learning Backed by real examples and zero fluff, this episode shares timeless principles that work for anyone, regardless of IQ. Perfect for ambitious professionals seeking to optimize their cognitive performance and decision-making capabilities. Upgrade...

Ego loves company. But success? Success loves silence. Ever noticed how the loudest person in the room rarely has the most interesting thing to say? There's a reason for that. And it's the same reason why Elizabeth Holmes is in prison while the world's best operators are probably people you've never heard of. In this episode: - The "Washington Protocol": How America's first president used strategic humility to build an empire (and why modern leaders keep missing the point) - Lehman Brothers' $600 billion ego trip: A masterclass in how NOT to handle success - The Blockbuster Effect: When being the...