Oliver Burkeman, a Journalist and author known for his thought-provoking columns and bestseller on time management, teams up with Sarah Wilson, founder of the global ‘I Quit Sugar’ movement and author exploring spirituality. They dissect the shortcomings of the self-help industry, emphasizing the need for mindfulness and critical thinking. The conversation uncovers the illusion of empowerment in self-help, urging listeners to embrace vulnerability and authenticity. Together, they offer strategies for a balanced, purposeful life amid societal pressures.
Embracing limitations and uncertainty enables us to make a meaningful impact in our lives and the world.
The self-help industry's focus on individualism neglects collective action and the importance of community.
Deep dives
The Power of Self-Help and Its Limitations
Oliver Berkman, a journalist and author, and Sarah Wilson, a journalist and broadcaster, discuss the self-help and wellness industry. They critique the industry's focus on comfort, personal success, and individualism, which can lead to avoidance of discomfort and neglect of broader societal issues. They highlight the cherry-picking of advice in self-help and the dangers of misinformation and exploitation. They also explore the rise of the so-called Stow-bro movement, a masculine interpretation of stoicism, and the need for vulnerability and philosophical guidance in navigating an uncertain world. While they acknowledge the value of wisdom and guidance, they urge for a more nuanced and tailored approach, taking into account the complexities of human existence.
The Liberation in Embracing our Limitations
Oliver Berkman presents the concept behind his book, 4,000 Weeks, which emphasizes the finite nature of time and the limited control we have over our lives. He argues that attempting to achieve mastery or control over time is futile and counterproductive. Instead, he suggests that embracing our limitations offers liberation and enables us to make a meaningful impact in our own lives, as well as in the lives of others and the world. The book encourages readers to let go of the pressure to achieve and find peace in the acceptance of the inherent uncertainty and limitations of human existence.
The Co-option of Self-Help by Neoliberalism
Sarah Wilson highlights how the self-help and wellness industry has been co-opted by the neoliberal imperative, leading to an individualistic approach that neglects the importance of community and collective action. She criticizes the cherry-picking of advice, particularly in the diet and fitness realm, where people focus on reinforcing their current behaviors rather than embracing uncomfortable truths. Wilson argues that the removal of moral guardrails in society has created a void in guidance and calls for a resurgence of philosophical and spiritual thought to navigate the challenges of the modern world. She warns against the dangers of misinformation and the need for tailored wisdom that addresses both individual and societal needs.
Finding Happiness and Embracing Discomfort
Oliver Berkman and Sarah Wilson share their personal tips for finding happiness. Berkman suggests a shift in perspective by reframing anxiety as excitement, leveraging the similar neural responses of these emotions. He also advocates for saying 'yes' more often and embracing opportunities, even when faced with fatigue or adversity. Wilson emphasizes the transformative power of nature and recommends walking, dancing, or engaging in activities that bring joy and connection with the natural world. Both speakers emphasize the importance of personal exploration and growth, acknowledging that concepts like happiness are subjective and require ongoing self-reflection and adaptation.
Oliver Burkeman is the anti-self-help author that everyone interested in self-help should read. He encourages us to embrace uncertainty and imperfection in a world obsessed with self-improvement and relentless goal-setting. For over ten years he wrote the popular ‘This Column Will Change Your Life’ column for The Guardian and his latest book, Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management For Mortals, was a huge bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic. Sarah Wilson is the founder of the global ‘I Quit Sugar’ movement, was editor of Cosmopolitan Australia at the age of 29, and has interviewed two Australian prime ministers, Beyoncé, Brené Brown, the Dalai Lama and dozens of moral philosophers, effective altruists and existential risk experts during her career. Her most recent book, This One Wild and Precious Life, won the US Gold Nautilus Prize and describes how she spent three years hiking around the world, following in the footsteps of Nietzsche and Wordsworth and emerging with a blueprint for living a wilder, more connected life. For this episode, Burkeman and Wilson come together at Intelligence Squared for an engaging discussion about the limitations of the traditional self-help industry, the importance of mindfulness, and practical strategies for leading a more balanced and purposeful life.
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