Brad Stulberg, a health and science writer and author of 'Master of Change,' joins to discuss the psychology behind major life transitions, especially in the context of new fatherhood. He shares insights on the emotional challenges of adapting to parenting and the importance of resilience. They tackle why Americans struggle with identity shifts and how diversifying self-worth can aid in personal growth. Stulberg also offers a fresh perspective on redefining masculinity and relationships, encouraging a blend of traditional values with adaptability.
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insights INSIGHT
Allostasis vs. Homeostasis
Brad Stulberg challenges the conventional notion of resilience as "bouncing back."
He introduces "allostasis," suggesting that true resilience involves adapting and reordering, not returning to the prior state.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Navigating Disorder
Accept that change is difficult, and the disorder phase is inevitable.
Acknowledge that stability will look different after a major life event like having a child.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Parenthood and Change
Derek Thompson describes the challenge of maintaining other priorities and values amidst new parenthood.
He discusses the difficulty of balancing personal life with the demands of a newborn.
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In this book, Joseph Henrich explores how Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic (WEIRD) populations developed their unique psychological profiles. He argues that changes in family structures, marriage, and religion, particularly influenced by the Roman Catholic Church, led to the emergence of WEIRD psychology. This psychology is characterized by individualism, self-obsession, control-orientation, nonconformity, and analytical thinking, which contrast with the more group-focused and shame-driven cultures of non-Western societies. Henrich uses research from anthropology, psychology, economics, and evolutionary biology to explain how these psychological differences contributed to the industrial revolution and the global expansion of Europe[1][4][5].
Master of Change
Brad Stulberg
Master of Change offers practical principles for cultivating a resilient mindset called 'rugged flexibility,' empowering readers to adapt, strengthen, and gain wisdom amidst life's constant fluctuations. The book describes change as an ongoing cycle of order, disorder, and reorder, and provides concrete habits and practices to implement this mindset. It emphasizes the importance of reflection, embracing feelings of sadness and loss, and taking productive action during challenges. Stulberg introduces the 4P framework: pause, process, plan, and proceed, to help readers respond effectively to change[3][5].
Derek is back, and ... he's a new dad! After several weeks of parental leave, he talks about what's surprised him about new fatherhood. Brad Stulberg, the health and science writer, returns to the show to discuss the psychology of major life transitions, why westerners—and, in particular, Americans—are so bad at dealing with challenges to their identity, and his new book, 'Master of Change.'
If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email us at PlainEnglish@Spotify.com.
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