

The Metagame
Daniel Kazandjian
Practical philosophy for playing with life. themetagame.substack.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

30 snips
Jan 22, 2026 • 1h 25min
#44 - Pranab Sachi | Getting Things Done by Feeling Your Feelings
Pranab Sachi, co-founder of Attention Copilot, combines meditation with productivity support to help people process emotions effectively. He discusses the transformative impact of deep listening and emotional awareness on productivity, reframing procrastination as emotional avoidance. Pranab emphasizes the importance of regular co-piloting sessions to anchor deep work and shares practical techniques like emotional journaling and using personal anchors. He also explores how aligning inner wants with productivity systems can foster greater coherence and self-trust.

Jan 7, 2026 • 1h 32min
#43 — Max Shen | How Trapped Emotions Create Physical Pain
Max Shen, a pain researcher with a background from MIT, shares insights on overcoming chronic pain through innovative ideas. His journey began when he halved his RSI after reading Dr. John Sarno's book. Max explains how emotional blocks manifest as physical pain and emphasizes the importance of awareness in healing. He discusses the power of expressive practices to release emotions, and the role of intent in body coordination. With practical tools from his work, he encourages listeners to explore their sensations and thoughts to foster pain relief and holistic well-being.

8 snips
Dec 12, 2025 • 1h 43min
#42 - Connirae Andreas | The Origins of Core Transformation
Connirae Andreas, a pioneer in personal development and NLP, shares her journey of creating Core Transformation and Wholeness Work. She explains how Core Transformation uncovers the deeper intentions behind our feelings, leading to lasting change and peace. Connirae reflects on her life-changing experience with Milton Erickson and contrasts traditional NLP methods with her innovative approaches. She also introduces Wholeness Work, guiding listeners through practices that promote relaxation, awareness, and the dissolution of limiting beliefs.

75 snips
Oct 24, 2025 • 1h 24min
#41 - Michael Stroe | Solving Happiness, Oneshotting Procrastination & Speed Running Stream Entry
Michael Stroe, a phenomenologist and 'happiness concierge,' shares his journey of reducing suffering by 90% through Buddhist and somatic practices. He reveals effective strategies to tackle procrastination, emphasizing present-focused labeling and emotional awareness. Stroe explains stream entry, illustrating how it transforms anxiety and enhances well-being. He also discusses the pitfalls of traditional therapy, argues for the importance of processing childhood conditioning, and introduces projects aimed at boosting happiness. Tune in for practical wisdom!

21 snips
Oct 17, 2025 • 1h 28min
#40 - Alex Zhu | Rational Spirituality, AI Alignment & Chris Langan's Metaphysics
In this episode, guest Alex Zhu, a Math Olympian and entrepreneur, delves into the intersection of spirituality and AI alignment. He recounts a transformative ayahuasca experience that provided profound insights. Alex discusses the concept of 'trapped priors'—rigid beliefs hindering personal growth—and how spirituality can provide deeper healing than therapy. He also explores metaphysical ideas like self-simulation and the significance of love as reality's essence. Additionally, Alex emphasizes practical spiritual practices like forgiveness and humility in everyday life.

52 snips
Oct 10, 2025 • 1h 54min
#39 - Justin Skycack | Math Academy & The Science of Learning
Justin Skysak, Chief Quant & Director of Analytics at Math Academy, dives into the science of learning. He explains Bloom's two-sigma problem, revealing how individualized tutoring eclipses traditional classrooms. Justin shares insights on mastery learning, deliberate practice, and the importance of motivation in upskilling. He emphasizes the role of knowledge graphs for optimizing learning paths and discusses practical strategies for career change and habit consistency. Tune in for an engaging look into effective math education and self-improvement!

14 snips
Sep 4, 2025 • 1h 6min
#38 - Jeff Lieberman | Rites of Passage, Emotional Healing & A Map of Consciousness
Jeff Lieberman, an artist, MIT-trained scientist, and former host of Time Warp, shares his insights on emotional healing and consciousness. He discusses the shortcomings of traditional mental health methods and emphasizes emotional honesty and community connection for healing. Lieberman introduces the concept of a 'map of consciousness,' offering a framework to understand emotions and enhance self-awareness. He also advocates for embracing vulnerability in relationships, highlighting how mindfulness can facilitate genuine connections and personal growth.

18 snips
Jul 16, 2025 • 1h 11min
#37 - Johnny Miller | Releasing Trauma with Your Breath
Johnny Miller, a writer and nervous system coach, shares insights on the power of breathwork in emotional healing. He discusses how conscious breathing can help release trauma and even repressed anger. Listeners learn about the importance of feeling emotions to break free from childhood patterns. Miller emphasizes the connection between breathwork and personal transformation, urging acceptance of discomfort as a pathway to growth. The conversation also highlights the impact of secure attachments on emotional resilience and the journey of self-discovery.

22 snips
May 28, 2025 • 59min
#36 - Chris Barber | How to Regulate Emotions
Chris Barber, an entrepreneur and researcher focused on AI and emotional regulation, introduces his Resonance method for managing emotions through speech. He reveals how mastering emotional resonance can enhance personal relationships and ease conflict. They discuss prioritizing connections in professional settings and the transformative power of casual conversations. Barber emphasizes the significance of techniques like 'copy statements' and the role of exaggeration in communication, encouraging listeners to practice reflection and empathy in their interactions.

24 snips
May 1, 2025 • 55min
#35 - Tucker Peck | A Pragmatic Approach to Dharma and Therapy
In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Tucker Peck, a meditation teacher and clinical psychologist, dives into the interplay of spirituality and psychology. He discusses the delicate balance between ego and transcendence, emphasizing authenticity on the journey of personal growth. Tucker contrasts Dharma with therapy, revealing insights from his bestselling book on emotional awareness. He also addresses the risks of spiritual bypassing and shares practical ways to cultivate emotional connection and mindfulness, enriching one’s path to mental wellness.


