Life Lab

Life is a series of before-and-afters—moments that define our growth, shift our perspectives, and shape our future. From childhood milestones to career changes, from personal growth to societal transformations, we are constantly evolving. But how do we recognize these pivotal shifts? And how do they impact the way we see ourselves and the world? In this episode, we explore the power of before-and-after moments, why they matter, and how they influence our stories. Join us as we dive into the transitions that shape our lives.

Mastering the balance between emotions, impulses, and behaviors requires more than simple self-control—it's about finding ways to stay intentional while navigating life's complexities. In this episode, Zach and David discuss how to maintain individuality, avoid over-correction, and embrace personal growth in a world filled with societal expectations. They share stories, insights, and practical strategies to help you act with purpose and confidence. Join us as we explore Self-Regulation.

Competition drives progress and innovation, pushing individuals and organizations to strive for excellence. But where does healthy rivalry end and unnecessary conflict begin? How does competition shape our personal and professional lives? Join us as we explore the dynamics of competition and its role in fostering growth and achievement.

Government influences almost every aspect of our lives, from the laws we follow to the institutions that shape our society. But what is the ideal role of government, and where is the line between serving the people and enabling control by powerful interests? In this episode, we explore the balance between governance and individual rights, examining whether government can truly serve the common good while promoting, rather than restricting, personal freedoms.

Striving for excellence means pushing beyond the ordinary to achieve something remarkable. Whether in academics, sports, art, or personal growth, the pursuit of excellence drives us to improve, innovate, and surpass our limits. What motivates individuals to seek excellence? How do different cultures and societies define and celebrate it? Join us as we explore the various facets of excellence and what it takes to reach the pinnacle of success.

Stories, plays, books, movies, games, sports, toys, hobbies... the list goes on. There are many things we seek provide us amusement. Is there a difference between passive and interactive forms? Are we seeking escape, inspiration, or something else? Join us as we discuss entertainment.

In this episode, we take a journey takes us through the “finer things” and their historical evolution and its varied meanings across cultures. We probe the allure of luxury, examining how it can symbolize success and artistry, but it can also aggrandize consumption. Join us as we dissect the layers of luxury, challenging ourselves to understand its role in our lives and society, and recognizing that true luxury may lie in balanced, meaningful experiences.

What does it feel like to see the world through the eyes of a child? To have a sense of wonder, and pure joy in newly experiencing the simplest of things? In this episode, we take a nostalgic journey back to our own childhoods, exploring the memories and experiences that shaped us. We reflect on how we get the unique opportunity to revisit this world of wonder anew as parents, witnessing our children as they encounter life's marvels for the first time. Join us as we revisit the magic of being a kid..

What does it mean to truly connect with another person on a deeper level? How does deep connection manifest in our relationships, and how can it lead us towards a path of self-discovery and mutual understanding? In what ways does exploring this connection enrich our lives and the bonds we share with others? Join us as we discuss intimacy.

Is there life beyond our planet? When we gaze up at the vast expanse of the universe, the question lingers in our minds: Are we alone? The concept of extraterrestrial life has fascinated humans for centuries, igniting our imaginations and driving scientific inquiries. It's like a cosmic puzzle, waiting for the pieces to fall into place. Dive deep with us as we explore the mysteries and possibilities of extraterrestrial life.

Right now as you sit reading this, are you fully giving your attention to reading it? Where are you? Who are you with? Is there something else taking part of your attention? Another task? Something else you're watching or listening to? A thought about something you did, or something you have yet to do? Join us as we discuss presence.

It's everywhere. Coming at you from your computer. From TVs everywhere. The radio. Have you heard about it? Do you believe it? I can't believe what they said about it. What is your opinion of it? Join us as we discuss the news.

Why do we procrastinate? If we know we should do something, why not just do it? Sometimes it's because there's a feeling. A negative feeling when we think of the thing that needs doing. It works like the force between two magnets with the same pole facing each other to push us away. Where does that force come from? Join us as we discuss resistance.

Many consider history to bee unimportant. Maybe it would be if it were just memorization of dates and events. But humans love stories and story-telling, and the best stories are at least rooted in the truth.  “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”  - George Santayana“History doesn't repeat itself but it often rhymes.” - Mark TwainJoin us as we discuss History

We believe humans long ago lived in groups, or tribes. Tribes still exist, but today they're much different. They're groups where you get your identities, beliefs, and emotions. You have loyalty to your groups, and hold them higher than the others you're not a part of. Today we can be part of many tribes. We can belong to sports tribes, political tribes, religious tribes, geographical tribes, tribes tied to our identity, and others. Have you stopped to think about the tribes to which you belong? What about the conflict between your tribes and others? Join us as we discussed tribes.

When you have anxiety your heart rate will increase, tension builds in your muscles, and you may even hold your breath. Mainstream sociologists have said we live in one of the safest times in known history, so why are anti-anxiety medication sales at all time highs? Join us as we discuss Danger.

One of the great lessons of life as told by Spider Man is that with great power comes great responsibility. If that's true, then how does it apply to all of our lives and the power we hold over ourselves? Join us as we discuss personal responsibility.

Stories are a powerful, uniquely human way of communicating. They bring order and meaning to our chaotic and nonsensical world. We're always looking for patterns and relationships to compare what we've experienced to what we have not, and stories give us that for new events and situations. It's curious how much we want others to hear our stories, to share our meaning, and to share our beliefs on the stories of events we haven't personally experienced. Join us as we discuss narrative.

We all want freedom for ourselves and others, right? Perhaps not unbounded freedom. If not unbounded then with what constraints? Who chooses those constraints? How are they enforced? Do you want everyone to have more or less ability to act, speak, or think without constraint? Join us as we discuss freedom.

Aware of it or not, we all benefit when we can find "a moderate course between extremes, a dynamic between knowledge and doubt, a sufficient detachment from the problem at hand". How can we find those things when our emotions and thoughts are anything but? Join us as we discuss wisdom.

Do you know anyone who seems to always be full of energy? Full of physical strength and mental vigor? Are you envious of them, or do you have it too? What feeds that drive? Join us as we discuss Vitality.

Do you have optimistic or pessimistic expectations? Do you have expectations and desires for a good future, or not? Do your expectations serve as a fuel for action or an excuse for inaction? Join us as we discuss hope.

"The world isn't fair.", said just about every parent ever, including ours to us. Why do unfair outcomes so seldom favor us? Certainly our viewpoint and biases don't impinge on our judgement of what's fair? Join us as we discuss fairness.

Are people are inherently good or bad? Even when doing good, are people selfish, and only doing it to make themselves feel good? Or, is that a feature of humanity (Feeling good helping others) and proof that people are good? Join us as we discuss Altruism.

When was the last time you were struck with a feeling of wonder? When did you last experience something that left you feeling blown away? How great was it? How indescribable? Join us as we discuss awe.

Perhaps one of the most important questions someone should ask themselves regularly is: How well are you living according to your principles and values? Regardless of your words, your choices, big and small, tell both the world and yourself what you actually value. Join us as we discuss Integrity.

Garnering cooperation and support from those around you is critical in achieving your goals. Are your goals shared by those around you? What is behind the charisma that makes some people actually enjoy following another whether those values are shared or not? Join us as we discuss Leadership.

It's important to align your actions with your core values. But do you even know what your core values are? When was the last time you scrutinized those values and where they came from? Are you acting as your true self? Join us as we discuss Authenticity.

The Tears For Fears song says everybody wants to rule the world. If not the world, we all want control over something, right? Who should have control, and what should their circle of control encompass? Join us as we discuss Authority.

What is is about vibrations that travel through the air that make us feel something? They can make us remember, make us happy, and make us dance. We aren't the only ones, as you can tell hearing the songs of other species as you walk through nature. Join us as we discuss music.

If something is unusual, does that make it bad? What if it's describing the way you think? Have we piqued your interest, yet? Join us as we discuss abnormal psychology.

How do you envision things in the future? What do you desire your life to look like? What if it ends up even better than that? What is if ends up worse? Better or worse, how does what you imagine impact how you feel in the future? Join us as we discuss expectations.

Is that a fact? According to who? Did they experience it first hand, or hear about it from someone they trust? Was it measured? If so, what was the scale and how was it sampled? There's one thing we can all agree about - a lot of people disagree about the truth.

While Maslow's hierarchy of needs is useful... it's wrong - for humans, at least. We all sat as a human newborn, and our number one need as such a helpless being is social support. This support system is critical in developing your view of the world and learning about yourself. Join us as we talk about friends and family.

Do you ever stop to think about the transactions you make on a daily basis and their broader impact on the world? What are the consequences - intended or unintended - of your choices around production (work) and consumption? Is wealth all about money? What about goods and services? What about values? Join us as we discuss the economy.

Of course, it's enticing to be someone who's in the know. It's seductive to think that you might know a truth or truths that the majority do not. Those in the minority group that share those truths have a tight bond as they work together to turn those beliefs into action, often under a strong leader. Join us as we discuss cults.

It's not easy when you want something badly, and you want it now. Conversely, you can suffer enduring something that you wish was over as quickly as possible. Stoicism stresses aligning to our inner flow to the external flow of life. They say that this ability is a virtue. Join us as we discuss patience.

Do you produce more or consume more? Does it matter? The supply chain links manufacturers and producers with consumers who use their products, and "Supply chain disruptions" are a hot (and controversial) topic right now. Have you thought about your role on both sides of this equation? Join us as we discuss production and consumption.

What makes a subject interesting to you? Do you like to share knowledge? What's the relationship between schooling and education to learning? Do you remember when you learned how to learn? Just us as we discuss education... again.

Do you think this is it, or do you think there's something more? Do you look to others for guidance or do you find your own way? How often do you think about the metaphysical (outside of material reality)? Join us as we discuss Spirituality.

It can be internal (with yourself) or external (with others), and it often comes down to either dealing with a situation or letting it pass you by. Do you engage or not? If so, how do you approach it? If not, why? Join us as we discuss confrontation.

Many people are afraid of it, but it's unavoidable. Embracing it and learning how to navigate it effectively can be a superpower. As The Rolling Stones said, "You can't always get what you want, but..." join us as we discuss conflict.

The unknown brings fear, so, wouldn't it be great to have perfect knowledge of the future? Just think about it. You would know everything that's going to happen. But what does that mean for your reality? What does that mean for your free will? Maybe that wouldn't be so great. Join us as we discuss uncertainty.

Honor and respect are things that just about everyone would say they want. Should everyone get those things? What would make someone worthy, or not worthy of them? Are they earned or are they a right? Join us as we discuss dignity.

When you hear the word art, it's easy to think of paintings, statues, music, and dance. What about the way that a sunset reflects off of a pond? What is it to you? Join us as we discuss art.

Sometimes you feel badly. Perhaps about something you did. Maybe about something you didn't do. Why? Is this feeling harmful? Can it be useful? Join us as we discuss Guilt.

From the minute you're born, you're on the clock... the meter's running. It's the great equalizer. Join us as we discuss time. And all your money, won't another minute buy....

Is there anything more satisfying than Justice? Knowing everything is "right" in the world? But wait - right to whom? Is nature and the universe just? Join us as we discuss justice.

How does your body and the way we treat it play into curiosity, exploration, competition, etc? Join us as we discuss Fitness & Athleticism.

They're our companions. Most of us consider them family. What is the connection we feel with them? Is it just emotional or could it be something more? Join us as we discuss pets.

You can't stop thinking about it. It's probably nothing and you should just let it go. But you can't. It's causing you anxiety. Why? Join us as we discuss suspicion.