

The One You Feed
Eric Zimmer
Transformative ideas from the best thinkers on the planet including guests like James Clear, Susan Cain, Michael Pollan, Deepak Chopra, Nicole LaPera, Yung Pueblo, Gabor Mate, Maggie Smith, David Whyte, Macklemore, George Saunders, Anne Lamott, Frank Turner, Mark Manson, Tara Brach, AJ Jacobs, Oliver Burkeman, Ryan Holiday, Parker Palmer. It’s not about perfection; it’s about direction.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 11, 2025 • 1h 5min
Navigating Modern Challenges: Practical Spirituality and the Quest for Joy with Shabnam Mogharabi
Shabnam Mogharabi, the founder of Joy the Brigade and co-author of The Soul Boom Workbook, shares her insights on practical spirituality and joy. She discusses the transformative parable of the two wolves in parenting and personal growth. Shabnam emphasizes the importance of community and focused activism on social issues like education and women's rights. She critiques traditional workplace wellness, advocating for a culture of positive psychology. Discover the interplay between creativity, spirituality, and resilience as paths to a meaningful life.

38 snips
Nov 7, 2025 • 42min
How to Turn Life's Pain into a Path of Meaning and Joy with Danielle LaPorte
Danielle LaPorte, an author and speaker celebrated for her insights on personal growth, shares her wisdom on transforming pain into joy. She highlights the importance of conscious choice and reframing obligations as empowering decisions. Delving into the concept of spiritual bypassing, she emphasizes fully experiencing emotions like anger and disappointment. Danielle also discusses the healing power of music and advocates for engaging diverse perspectives to foster compassion. Tune in for a refreshing take on life's challenges with self-awareness and presence!

24 snips
Nov 4, 2025 • 52min
How We Can Improve Communication in Polarized Times with Charles Duhigg
Charles Duhigg, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author, offers insights on improving communication in today's polarized climate. He emphasizes the importance of active listening and social reciprocity, alongside techniques like “looping for understanding.” Duhigg discusses the types of conversations we encounter and strategies for finding common ground. He addresses the impact of politeness in online interactions and explores the psychology of identity threat. Additionally, he delves into habit formation and how small changes can bolster effective communication and relationships.

Oct 31, 2025 • 50min
From Avoidance to Acceptance: A New Way to Live with Anxiety with Kelly Wilson
In this episode, Kelly Wilson explains how to move from avoidance to acceptance: a new way to live with anxiety. He delves into how our vulnerabilities show us what matters to us, and that the goal isn’t to win a war inside. It’s to keep coming back to the next honest action that moves you towards what matters. That is at the core of acceptance and commitment therapy. Not chasing perfect feelings, but choosing the next right move towards your values, again and again.
Exciting News!!!Coming in March, 2026, my new book, How a Little Becomes a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life is now available for pre-orders!
Key Takeaways:
Exploration of psychological struggles, particularly anxiety, and their impact on life.
Introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and its core principles.
Discussion of the six core processes of ACT: present moment awareness, cognitive defusion, acceptance, values, committed action, and self as context.
Examination of the relationship between vulnerability and personal growth.
Critique of traditional diagnostic labels and their limitations in understanding psychological experiences.
Emphasis on the importance of values in guiding meaningful actions and decisions.
Insights into the nature of human suffering and the commonality of psychological pain.
The concept of redemption and its role in personal development and therapy.
Reframing commitment as a moment-to-moment process rather than a rigid promise.
Encouragement of compassion and understanding in the face of psychological challenges.
If you enjoyed this conversation with Kelly Wilson, check out these other episodes:
Steven C. Hayes
Russ Harris (Part 1)
Russ Harris (Part 2)
For full show notes, click here!
Connect with the show:
Follow us on YouTube: @TheOneYouFeedPod
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
Follow us on Instagram
By purchasing products and/or services from our sponsors, you are helping to support The One You Feed and we greatly appreciate it. Thank you!
This episode is sponsored by:
Uncommon Goods has something for everyone – you’ll find thousands of new gift ideas that you won’t find anywhere else, and you’ll be supporting artists and small, independent businesses. To get 15% off your next gift, go to UNCOMMONGOODS.com/FEED
LinkedIn: Post your job for free at linkedin.com/1youfeed. Terms and conditions apply.
Persona Nutrition delivers science-backed, personalized vitamin packs that make daily wellness simple and convenient. In just minutes, you get a plan tailored to your health goals. No clutter, no guesswork. Just grab-and-go packs designed by experts. Go to PersonaNutrition.com/FEED today to take the free assessment and get your personalized daily vitamin packs for an exclusive offer — get 40% off your first order.
Grow Therapy – Whatever challenges you’re facing, Grow Therapy is here to help. Sessions average about $21 with insurance, and some pay as little as $0, depending on their plan. (Availability and coverage vary by state and insurance plans. Visit growtherapy.com/feed today!
AGZ – Start taking your sleep seriously with AGZ. Head to drinkag1.com/feed to get a FREE Welcome Kit with the flavor of your choice that includes a 30 day supply of AGZ and a FREE frother.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 28, 2025 • 1h 4min
Beyond the Buzzwords: How to Talk About Mental Health Without Losing Its Meaning with Joe Nucci
In this episode, Joe Nucci explores what it means to go beyond the buzzwords and how to talk about mental health without losing its meaning. He explains how mental health language has become less useful as it’s gained popularity, and how clinical terms meant for specific purposes have drifted into everyday speech until they describe everything, and therefore, nothing. The words we use create the world we see, and once you start viewing yourself through a diagnostic lens, it can be hard to see in any other way. One of the most powerful takeaways from this conversation is that the value of a psychological term lies not only in its accuracy, but in its usefulness, and sometimes the language we use builds a cage instead of offering clarity.
Exciting News!!! Coming in March, 2026, my new book, How a Little Becomes a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life is now available for pre-orders!
Key Takeaways:
The popularization of mental health language and concepts.
The phenomenon of “psychobabble” and its implications.
The concept of “concept creep” in mental health terminology.
The importance of accurate mental health diagnoses and their clinical usefulness.
The balance between clinical accuracy and practical application in mental health discussions.
The complexities of people pleasing and its underlying motivations.
The overuse and misapplication of the term “trauma” in contemporary discourse.
The distinction between normal emotional responses and clinical disorders.
The role of language in shaping perceptions of mental health.
The need for nuanced, context-sensitive approaches to mental health treatment and understanding.
For full show notes, click here!
Connect with the show:
Follow us on YouTube: @TheOneYouFeedPod
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
Follow us on Instagram
If you enjoyed this conversation with Joe Nucci, check out these other episodes:
How to Harness Brain Energy for Mental Health with Dr. Chris Palmer
Why We Need to Rethink Mental Health with Eric Maisel
Insights on Mental Health and Resilience with Andrew Solomon
By purchasing products and/or services from our sponsors, you are helping to support The One You Feed and we greatly appreciate it. Thank you!
This episode is sponsored by:
Uncommon Goods has something for everyone – you’ll find thousands of new gift ideas that you won’t find anywhere else, and you’ll be supporting artists and small, independent businesses. To get 15% off your next gift, go to UNCOMMONGOODS.com/FEED
LinkedIn: Post your job for free at linkedin.com/1youfeed. Terms and conditions apply.
Persona Nutrition delivers science-backed, personalized vitamin packs that make daily wellness simple and convenient. In just minutes, you get a plan tailored to your health goals. No clutter, no guesswork. Just grab-and-go packs designed by experts. Go to PersonaNutrition.com/FEED today to take the free assessment and get your personalized daily vitamin packs for an exclusive offer — get 40% off your first order.
Grow Therapy – Whatever challenges you’re facing, Grow Therapy is here to help. Sessions average about $21 with insurance, and some pay as little as $0, depending on their plan. (Availability and coverage vary by state and insurance plans. Visit growtherapy.com/feed today!
AGZ – Start taking your sleep seriously with AGZ. Head to drinkag1.com/feed to get a FREE Welcome Kit with the flavor of your choice that includes a 30 day supply of AGZ and a FREE frother.
Smalls – Smalls cat food is protein-packed recipes made with preservative-free ingredients you’d find in your fridge… and it’s delivered right to your door. For a limited time, get 60% off your first order, plus free shipping, when you head to Smalls.com/FEED! No more picking between random brands at the store. Smalls has the right food to satisfy any cat’s cravings.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 24, 2025 • 54min
Are Your Desires Really Yours? How to Recognize and Reclaim What You Truly Want with Luke Burgis
In this episode, Luke Burgis explores the question, “Are your desires really yours?” and how to recognize and reclaim what you truly want. He discusses how to tell the difference between “thin desires (fleeting, imitated wants) and “thick desires” (the deeper longings that bring lasting fulfillment), and why discerning between the two can change the direction of your life. Luke also shares practices for uncovering your true hierarchy of values, creating alignment between what you want and who you want to be. Explore how to pivot from “I don’t want to” to “I do want to, I just don’t feel like it” and how to feed the desires that lead to meaning instead of comparison or regret.
Exciting News!!! Coming in March, 2026, my new book, How a Little Becomes a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life is now available for pre-orders!
Key Takeaways:
Exploration of the concept of mimetic desire and its origins in the work of René Girard.
Discussion on how desires are often imitative and influenced by others rather than being inherently personal.
The importance of discerning between beneficial and harmful desires in one’s life.
The parable of the two wolves as a metaphor for the internal conflict between positive and negative desires.
Differentiation between “thin desires” (fleeting and influenced by external factors) and “thick desires” (deeply rooted in personal values and identity).
The role of self-reflection and narrative in understanding one’s desires and motivations.
The significance of establishing a hierarchy of values to guide decision-making and desire cultivation.
The impact of social interactions on shaping desires and the responsibility individuals have in influencing others.
The concept of “stalking your greatest desire” as a means to align personal desires with one’s life mission.
The importance of having a trusted partner for exploring and communicating desires, emphasizing the value of attentive listening
If you enjoyed this conversation with Luke Burgis, check out these other episodes:
How to Find Zest in Life with Dr. John Kaag
Finding Zen in the Ordinary with Christopher Keevil
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11 snips
Oct 21, 2025 • 1h 1min
The Nonlinear Path to Healing: Finding Wholeness After Trauma with Daria Burke
Daria Burke, a memoirist and speaker specializing in healing from childhood trauma, shares her powerful journey from a chaotic upbringing in Detroit. She discusses the non-linear nature of healing, emphasizing self-compassion and the importance of integrating various aspects of oneself. Daria delves into the impact of inherited legacies and coping mechanisms, highlighting the transformative power of nature through metaphors like hydrangeas. She also explores somatic therapies and the delicate balance of control and surrender on the path to wholeness.

62 snips
Oct 17, 2025 • 1h 8min
Yes, Thank You: Practicing Non-Resistance with Pete Holmes
Comedian and author Pete Holmes dives into the transformative practice of non-resistance with his mantra 'Yes, Thank You.' He shares insights on letting go of willpower and embracing the present, revealing how quitting stimulants restored his vibrancy. Holmes reframes sin as unconsciousness, discusses the balance between being and doing, and emphasizes mindfulness in everyday tasks. He explores the divine in creativity and encourages a cosmic perspective to diminish life's frustrations, advocating for curiosity and compassion as pathways to deeper spiritual understanding.

28 snips
Oct 14, 2025 • 1h 12min
Choosing Love Over Fear: Finding Joy, Confidence, and Self-Trust with Emma Gannon
Emma Gannon, an author known for her novel "Table for One," dives deep into choosing love over fear and finding joy amidst life’s chaos. She shares how writing fiction serves as a therapeutic outlet, reflecting her personal journey through identity shifts and mental health challenges. Emma discusses the dialogue between her younger and older selves, the complexities of self-acceptance, and the healing power of stories. She also reveals practical self-care tips and how solo travel helped her reconnect with herself.

55 snips
Oct 10, 2025 • 1h 12min
Finding Your True Self in a Distracted World with Jan Lundy
Jan Lundy, a spiritual guidance counselor and author of *My Deepest Me*, delves into the challenge of finding your true essence in a distracting world. She explores the concept of the 'good wolf' versus the 'bad wolf,' representing the struggle between fear and authenticity. Jan discusses how societal pressures can stifle individuality and spiritual expression. She emphasizes the importance of stillness and self-compassion, offering practical steps to reduce digital distractions and foster inner peace.


