The One You Feed

Emily Balcetis, an Associate Professor of Psychology at NYU and an acclaimed author, dives into the psychology of goal achievement. She shares insights from her book, highlighting four crucial tools for accomplishing goals and the importance of tracking progress. Emily emphasizes that our perceptions of progress can be misleading and discusses strategies to connect our present selves with our future aspirations. The conversation also touches on the power of visualizing goals and the role of environmental cues in motivating action.

Regina Louise is a resilient author and child advocate known for her inspiring journey through the foster care system. In this conversation, she shares powerful strategies for cultivating unconditional self-love, emphasizing the importance of embracing difficult emotions. Regina reflects on reclaiming dignity from her challenging past and the journey toward self-empowerment. She also highlights the role of community in healing and offers practical insights on nurturing a compassionate relationship with oneself while navigating personal growth.

Stephen Guise, an international bestselling author known for his book "Elastic Habits," delves into the art of forming adaptable habits. He shares insights on how flexibility in habit formation can lead to sustained motivation, emphasizing the significance of starting small for big changes. Guise discusses the roles of different types of cues that trigger habits, as well as the importance of emotional cues in building positive behaviors. His unique approach allows individuals to create habits that adjust to life's unpredictability, making personal growth more achievable.

James Clear, author of the bestseller Atomic Habits, dives into the art of habit formation. He emphasizes how our environment plays a pivotal role in shaping behaviors, discussing tactics like habit stacking and the 'two-minute rule' to foster consistency. Clear highlights the emotional aspects of habits, revealing how enjoyable experiences can enhance motivation, while also examining the importance of supportive communities in sustaining change. His insights make habit-building feel both accessible and achievable.

James Clear, author of the bestselling book Atomic Habits, explores the compounding nature of habits and their impact on personal growth. He discusses how habits work like compound interest, emphasizing the lagging nature of outcomes and the importance of foundational habits. Clear illustrates these concepts with powerful metaphors, including the growth of bamboo, and highlights the significance of focusing on systems rather than mere goals. His insights provide listeners with practical strategies for lasting behavior change.

John Zeratsky, author of *Make Time* and former tech designer, dives deep into rethinking how we use our time. He discusses the concept of 'The Busy Bandwagon' and the distractions of 'Infinity Pools' that cloud our focus. John emphasizes the importance of setting daily highlights to cultivate joy and meaning while sharing strategies for mastering task management and eliminating distractions. He advocates for questioning life’s defaults and making small changes that lead to significant improvements in our daily lives.

Charlie Gilkey, author of 'Start Finishing' and founder of Productive Flourishing, shares valuable insights on moving from ideas to action. He discusses the significance of focusing on projects instead of just ideas and how kindness nurtures creativity. Charlie elaborates on the challenges of execution, stressing that doing meaningful work often requires overcoming self-doubt and societal pressures. He encourages listeners to embrace discipline and the hard work involved in achieving their goals, while reminding them that improvement comes from action, not just thought.

Arthur Brooks, a bestselling author and social scientist, dives into the complex landscape of happiness and meaning. He reveals how intrinsic values like faith and family outweigh extrinsic ones such as fame. Discussing his book, he explores the interplay between love and fear, emphasizing that true happiness stems from meaningful challenges. He encourages listeners to savor the present, highlighting the transformative power of reframing life's difficulties. Throughout, he also addresses the societal obsession with judgment and the freedom found in self-acceptance.

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, a neuroanatomist who survived a left brain hemorrhage, converses with John Britton, a former anesthesiologist who faced a right brain injury. They delve into how their experiences shaped their understanding of brain function. The discussion offers fascinating insights on how the left brain governs the past, details, and language, while the right brain embraces the present and connections. Their narratives highlight the importance of balancing logic with intuition for recovery and understanding one's identity after brain trauma.

Ethan Kross, an award-winning professor and expert on the conscious mind, shares intriguing insights from his book, Chatter. He discusses how internal chatter often arises from uncertainty and the lack of control in our lives. Kross introduces three main tools for managing this chatter, including distance self-talk, temporal distancing, and expressive writing. He emphasizes the transformative power of writing to gain clarity and highlights practical techniques to master thoughts, especially in stressful situations, providing listeners with valuable strategies for emotional well-being.