
Simplify
Simplify is a podcast for anyone who’s taken a close look at their habits, their happiness, their relationships, or their health and thought, “There’s got to be a better way to do this.” Hear ideas that get you to better from Gretchen Rubin, David Allen, Rebecca Traister, Dan Savage, Seth Godin and many more. Hosted by Caitlin Schiller and Ben Schuman-Stoler. Brought to you by Blinkist.
Latest episodes

Apr 23, 2020 • 41min
Liz Fosslien: Work With Your Emotions
Why do we lose motivation in our jobs? How can we create a space of belonging and inclusion? What are the best ways to give and receive feedback?Liz Fosslien answers all of these questions, and more, in this thoughtful and pertinent interview. As she reveals, emotions in the workplace are not only acceptable—they can actually be incredibly useful in decision making, making connections, and doing great creative work.This interview is truly eye-opening in establishing how we can unite who we are with what we do, creating a positive working environment for ourselves and those that we work with.For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/liz-fosslien-simplify-work-with-your-emotions [2]Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/simplify][3], tapping on Try Blinkist at the top right, and entering the code FEELFEELINGS. Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][4], Ben at [@bsto][5].Simplify is produced by Caitlin Schiller with Ben Schuman-Stoler. Thanks to Ines Bläsius for editing & production assistance and Christoph Meyer for audio engineering chops. The new Simplify theme is by the one and only Odysseas Constantinou.[1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/no-hard-feelings-en[2]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/liz-fosslien-simplify-work-with-your-emotions[3]: https://www.blinkist.com/simplify[4]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller?lang=en[5]: https://twitter.com/bsto[6]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/liz-fosslien-simplify-work-with-your-emotions-transcript

Jan 25, 2020 • 15min
Simplify Spotlight: Seth Godin on Meaningful Marketing
In this special Spotlight Caitlin talks with teacher, author, and entrepreneur, Seth Godin, about his new release, This Is Marketing.According to Seth, marketing is no longer about hawking products that nobody needs, but instead about helping people find the ones that will actually make a positive difference to their lives. In this episode of Spotlight, Seth tells Caitlin about what marketing really is, what it can and can’t do, and how it has changed fundamentally for the better.Read more at: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-spotlight-seth-godin?utm_source=cppRead more at: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-spotlight-seth-godin?utm_source=cpp Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to https://www.blinkist.com/simplify, tapping the "Try Blinkist" link at the top right, and typing in the code thisismarketing.Let us know what you thought of this episode of Spotlight, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller.That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on Soundcloud and Facebook.Stay tuned for the next season of Simplify!

Jan 13, 2020 • 5min
New! 2 Minutes with Seth Godin on Blinkist
As evidenced by the many times we've spoken with him on Simplify or recommended his books to you, we love Seth Godin. And now, big news! Seth has created exclusive content for Blinkist—and we're giving you a preview.2 Minutes with Seth Godin launches January 13th, only on Blinkist. Tune in, twice a week, to hear the teacher, entrepreneur, and internet OG himself drop gems of fresh perspective on everything from what marathoners know about rocking at business, to how to be a better boss, to the tools you need to find your purpose.Sign up for a Blinkist account to follow along with the first two weeks of 2 Minutes With Seth Godin. Just go to [https://www.blinkist.com/simplify], tap on Try Blinkist at the top right, and enter the code 2Minutes.Say hi on Twitter! Caitlin's at [@caitlinschiller][4], and Ben's at [@bsto][5].

Oct 31, 2019 • 36min
Sebastian Klein: Change Your Behavior, Change Your Business
The final episode of Season 6 features a special guest: psychologist, entrepreneur, publisher, ex management consultant and one of Blinkist's original co-founders, Sebastian Klein! In this interview, Caitlin and Sebastian discuss how businesses around the world are making changes that transform them from hierarchy, to more effective and people-centered organizations. Sebastian explains why designating roles rather than titles is more empowering, how he determines whether organizations genuinely want to change, and how to have better communication at the workplace. This episode is great for anyone who has identified changes they want to make, and finds themselves asking the question, “but, how?”For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-workplace-evolution-seb-klein/ [2]Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/simplify][3], tapping on Try Blinkist at the top right, and entering the code LOOPS.Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][4], Ben at [@bsto][5].Simplify is produced by Caitlin Schiller with unparalleled co-hosting by Ben Schuman-Stoler. Thanks to Ines Bläsius for production assistance and Christoph Meyer for audio engineering chops. The new Simplify theme is by the one and only Odysseas Constantinou.[1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/the-loop-approach-en[2]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-workplace-evolution-seb-klein/[3]: https://www.blinkist.com/simplify[4]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller?lang=en[5]: https://twitter.com/bsto[6]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-seb-klein-transcript/

Oct 23, 2019 • 40min
Sonya Renee Taylor: Love Yourself, Save the World
What would the world look like if we were free of body shame and instead living in a state of radical self-love? Radical Self-Love Champion and author of The Body Is Not An Apology, Sonya Renee Taylor, explains what her utopia would look like in this week’s episode of Simplify.As Sonya explains, our language and mindset about our bodies impact us in ways that we are often entirely unaware of. Increasing our awareness of this factor enables us to better understand our own low moments, but also helps to explain major historical and societal harm.Listen in to learn more about how something as small as what we picture when we hear the word "body" can lead to much bigger consequences, and what we can do to avoid repeatedly making these same mistakes.For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-self-acceptance-sonya-renee-taylor/ [2]Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/simplify][3], tapping on Try Blinkist at the top right, and entering the code RADICAL. Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][4], Ben at [@bsto][5].Simplify is produced by Caitlin Schiller with unparalleled co-hosting by Ben Schuman-Stoler. Thanks to Ines Bläsius for production assistance and Christoph Meyer for audio engineering chops. The new Simplify theme is by the one and only Odysseas Constantinou.[1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/the-body-is-not-an-apology-en[2]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-self-acceptance-sonya-renee-taylor/[3]: https://www.blinkist.com/simplify[4]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller?lang=en[5]: https://twitter.com/bsto[6]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-sonya-renee-taylor-transcript/

Oct 17, 2019 • 37min
Randolph Nesse: It's Not You — It's Evolution
In this episode of Simplify, Caitlin asks Randolph Nesse why he believes that humans have evolved to experience hardships such as depression, anxiety and grief. As it turns out, while many of our most painful emotions often do not serve a proper function in our modern world, they may have a history that allowed for our ancestors to survive. Randolph Nesse reveals the ways in which the fields of psychiatry and psychology could benefit from a focus on evolutionary biology, and shares a specific strategy which he uses in his own practice with patients.For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-psychiatry-randolph-nesse/[2]Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/simplify][3], tapping on Try Blinkist at the top right, and entering the code evolve. Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][4], Ben at [@bsto][5].Simplify is produced by Caitlin Schiller with unparalleled co-hosting by Ben Schuman-Stoler. Thanks to Ines Bläsius for production assistance and Christoph Meyer for audio engineering chops. The new Simplify theme is by the one and only Odysseas Constantinou.[1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/good-reasons-for-bad-feelings-en[2]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-psychiatry-randolph-nesse/[3]: https://www.blinkist.com/simplify[4]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller?lang=en[5]: https://twitter.com/bsto[6]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-randolph-nesse-transcript/

Oct 10, 2019 • 36min
Ingrid Fetell Lee: Make Your Own Joy
Creating joy in your daily life is much simpler than you’d think. Ingrid Fetell Lee, joy researcher and former IDEO designer, reveals how in transforming our spaces, we also have the power to transform our wellbeing.Find out how color brought life back into a struggling city, how you might be able to cheer up a loved one in the hospital, and how to set up a meeting at work to bring more energy and positivity into the room.For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-joy-ingrid-fetell-lee/[2]Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/simplify][3], tapping on Try Blinkist at the top right, and entering the code joyful. Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][4], Ben at [@bsto][5].Simplify is produced by Caitlin Schiller with unparalleled co-hosting by Ben Schuman-Stoler. Thanks to Ines Bläsius for production assistance and Christoph Meyer for audio engineering chops. The new Simplify theme is by the one and only Odysseas Constantinou.[1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/joyful-en[2]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-joy-ingrid-fetell-lee/[3]: https://www.blinkist.com/simplify[4]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller?lang=en[5]: https://twitter.com/bsto

Oct 3, 2019 • 35min
Johann Hari: Depression's Not (Just) In Your Head
We’ve got good news and bad news: depression might not be all in your head.In this episode of Simplify, journalist and two-time New York Times-bestselling author Johann Hari reveals the cultural causes of depression. Among them are loss of connection to meaningful work, a lack of meaningful relationships, lack of a future that makes sense, plus other factors both political and personal that can’t be blamed on the human mind.Hear Hari tell Caitlin the stories of how people have reclaimed their connections to meaning and the moving story of the Berlin community that saved itself through connection and care, and learn how we can all start to reconnect with what matters.For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-depression-johann-hari/ [2]Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/simplify][3], tapping on Try Blinkist at the top right, and entering the code connect. Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][4], Ben at [@bsto][5].[1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/lost-connections-en[2]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-depression-johann-hari/[3]: https://www.blinkist.com/simplify[4]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller?lang=en[5]: https://twitter.com/bsto

Sep 26, 2019 • 38min
Susan Cain: It's Okay to be Quiet
Susan Cain, author of "Quiet" and a champion for introverts, shares her insights on how introverts respond uniquely to social stimuli. She discusses the societal preference for extroversion and how this often leads to introverts being overlooked. Cain advocates for creating environments in schools and workplaces that allow introverts to thrive, unlocking their potential. She highlights the importance of self-acceptance and explores the benefits of recognizing diverse working styles for enhanced productivity and morale.

Sep 19, 2019 • 2min
Trailer: Simplify Season 6
In Season 6 of Simplify, we're going deep. Our authors and experts touch on how to harness joy from the world around us, why a lack of real human connection makes us depressed, and the evolutionary reasons we feel feelings in the first place. You'll hear from Susan Cain, Johann Hari, Sonya Renee Taylor, Ingrid Fetell Lee, and more. If you haven’t subscribed, make sure to do so before the first new episode drops on September 26th. If we’re lucky enough to already count you as a Simplify fan, then please spread the word and tell your friends. It really does help! Send us feedback, suggestions, or questions about anything you’ve heard or would like to hear at podcast@blinkist.com. And if Twitter’s your thing, you’ll find Caitlin @CaitlinSchiller and Ben @bsto.
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