The Think Grow Podcast

I've put together a short list of tips for engaging with people who hold views contrary to your own. The internet makes it easy to live inside our own little content bubbles where we are protected from any viewpoints other than those with which we already agree. But this is a big problem. When we aren't exposed to opposing perspectives, we don't learn how to relate to the people who hold them.  In the same way that dealing with challenges makes us better and more resilient, exposure to opposing viewpoints makes us intellectually sharper and more insightful. PLEASE SUPPORT THIS EPISODE'S SPONSOR: Skillshare is an online learning community with over 25,000 courses. They are extending an offer to listeners of the Think Grow Podcast - two months FREE! You can take advantage of this offer at skillshare.com/THINKGROW.

In this episode, I speak with entrepreneur and former NASA engineer, Harleen Kaur. Harleen is the founder of Ground News, a news platform that helps combat media bias by allowing people to compare how different news outlets from across the political spectrum are covering the same story. Also, I've been using Ground News for the past few months to give me a more well-rounded and balanced perspective on current events. I've found a lot of value in it. I highly recommend giving it a try! https://ground.news/thinkgrow

I speak with author Tom-Butler Bowdon. While Tom was working as a government advisor in Sydney, Australia, he began reading and taking detailed notes on many classic personal growth books in an effort to further his career. He had an idea to organize these notes into a book and worked on this for four years. In 2001, he released 50 Self-Help Classics, which has been translated into 15 languages. Since then, he has distilled the most important ideas from hundreds of other classic books across multiple genres, including psychology, spirituality, and philosophy (my personal favorite). The 50 Classics Series has been immensely valuable to me in understanding the landscape of ideas in a particular field and making complicated philosophical and psychological works more accessible. Tom's mission is simple: more people knowing more.   PLEASE SUPPORT THIS EPISODE'S SPONSOR Skillshare is an online learning community with over 25,000 courses on a wide range of subjects from cooking to writing to watercolor painting. I love it and use it to keep my mind sharp. Try the Premium Membership for free here: skillshare.com/THINKGROW.

I speak with psychiatrist and neuroscientist Dr. Amir Levine about attachment theory, which is the subject of his best-selling book, Attached. We discuss: How our attachment style affects our behavior in relationships The upside of anxiety and threat-sensitivity How to use attachment theory to improve your relationships How depending on others can actually make you more independent ...and much more   PLEASE SUPPORT THIS EPISODE'S SPONSOR Skillshare is an online learning community with over 25,000 courses on a wide range of subjects from cooking to writing to watercolor painting. I love it and use it to keep my mind sharp. Try the Premium Membership for free here: skillshare.com/THINKGROW.

I speak with filmmaker, marketer, and sense-maker, Rob Hardy. We discuss how to navigate the complexity of human values, the tension between freedom and constraint, the intersection of values and politics, the rise of secular "religions," what it means to be a citizen, and much more.   Please support our sponsor, Skillshare. Skillshare is an online learning community with over 25,000 courses on a wide range of subjects from cooking to writing to watercolor painting. I love it and use it to keep my mind sharp. Try the Premium Membership for free here: skillshare.com/THINKGROW.

Nedra Tawwab is the author of the New York Times best-selling book, “Set Boundaries, Find Peace.” In this conversation, she explains what boundaries are, why we need them, and how they can improve our lives. She also gives her thoughts on setting COVID-related boundaries. You can purchase Nedra's book, “Set Boundaries, Find Peace” on Amazon.   Please support our sponsor, Skillshare! Skillshare is an online learning community with over 25,000 courses on a wide range of subjects from cooking to writing to watercolor painting. I love it and use it to keep my mind sharp. Try the Premium Membership for free here: skillshare.com/THINKGROW.

In this episode I speak with friend, former Wildland Firefighter, and author of Rewrite the Rules, Alex Starr about: His adventures and misadventures of wildland firefighting The value of questioning our assumptions The balance between desire and gratitude How to build resilience …and more

We all share six fundamental needs that contribute to well-being. The manner in which we meet these needs, however, varies from person to person. In this episode, I share some of the things I personally do to meet these needs in my own life.

I attempt to refine my model of well-being, which I began discussing in Episode 51. This model is centered around needs. Like any other creature, we have needs that must be met in order to facilitate well-being. If we can simply identify what these needs are, then well-being is simply a matter of meeting these needs in adaptive and sustainable ways. Of course, this raises many questions, one of which is: What are our needs? Relying on research from sociology, psychology, and philosophy, I try to answer this question.   EPISODE SPONSOR Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of different classes for creative and curious people. Explore your creativity at skillshare.com/TGP and get a free trial of Skillshare Premium Membership. Receive free access to thousands of classes for a limited time.

In this episode, I think out loud about values and how they relate to well-being. Values are important because they are the principles on which we base our actions. Any action we take is based on some value, whether conscious or unconscious. Understanding our values can give us more clarity and perspective on our behavior and point us in a more constructive direction. Dysfunction and imbalance are often a result of failing to recognize the full spectrum of values we have as human beings. Or, we go too far in one direction, pursuing one value to the exclusion of all others. EPISODE SPONSOR Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of different classes for creative and curious people. Explore your creativity at skillshare.com/TGP and get a free trial of Skillshare Premium Membership. Receive free access to thousands of classes for a limited time.

I speak with Chris Williamson (@chriswillx on IG). He is the host of the popular podcast Modern Wisdom, owner of a UK event company, and coach for people who want to get more out of life. He's also a former reality TV star. We discuss his journey through depression, the value of knowing your personality traits, and various approaches for dealing with the inevitable uncertainty and discomfort of life. His website is https://chriswillx.com/   Please consider supporting this show by visiting our sponsor, KiwiCo: KiwiCo is redefining learning, with hands-on projects that build confidence, creativity, and critical thinking skills for kids ages 0-104. There’s something for every kid (or kid at heart) at KiwiCo. Get 50% off your first month plus FREE shipping on any crate line with code TGP at kiwico.com.

Building upon the previous two episodes, I discuss why acceptance is a reasonable and rational approach for dealing with the complexity of reality. This episode's sponsor is Skillshare, an online learning community with thousands of different classes for creative and curious people. The first 1,000 people to use the link below will get a free trial of Skillshare Premium Membership: Skillshare.com/TGP

Building upon the ideas in my previous episode ("The Master Skill of Life"), I discuss the concept of integration as the path to psychological health and genuine self-improvement.

I introduce what I have come to believe is the most important skill set you can possibly cultivate from a personal, spiritual, psychological or existential standpoint. 

A short episode about the differences between perfectionism and striving for excellence, with a short reading from a blog post I wrote.

This short podcast episode is about zooming out and remembering to view your struggles with the proper perspective. Adversity is not something to avoid or bemoan but something to confront and accept. It’s an inevitable part of a great and meaningful adventure called The Hero's Journey. 

I speak with the author of Economy of Truth, Vizi Andrei (@viziandrei) about a range of topics including religion, evolution, procrastination, political systems, the utility of maxims and more.   Show notes at: https://thinkgrowprosper.com/blog/vizi-andrei

In this solo episode, I explain a useful framework for thinking about and practicing personal development:   THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR: Skillshare is an online learning community with over 25,000 courses. They are extending an offer to listeners of the Think Grow Podcast - two months FREE! You can take advantage of this offer at skillshare.com/THINKGROW.

In this episode I speak with Erick Godsey, (@erickgodsey on IG) who describes himself as a student of the psyche, myths, and dreams. Erick draws on cognitive, evolutionary, and Jungian psychology as well as mythology and dreams to approach the question of how to “be” in the world. This was one of my favorite conversations I've had thus far on the show. THIS EPISODE BROUGHT TO YOU BY OUR SPONSOR: Skillshare is an online learning community with over 25,000 courses. They are extending an offer to listeners of the Think Grow Podcast - two months FREE! You can take advantage of this offer at skillshare.com/THINKGROW.

In this episode, I walk through my daily routine and explain why I've been less active on social media lately (Hint: I'm writing a book!). I also discuss the principle that explains why having a routine is useful. This principle can be summed up in two words: Constraints enable.   THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:   Skillshare is an online learning community with over 25,000 courses. They are extending an offer to listeners of the Think Grow Podcast - two months FREE! You can take advantage of this offer at skillshare.com/THINKGROW.

My wife and I talk about some of the approaches and frameworks that have helped us improve and maintain our relationship for nearly a decade. We start off by addressing a question from a listener regarding her own relationship with a guy who doesn’t believe he should have to tailor his communication to suit her. This episode is mostly centered on romantic relationships but most of the principles we discuss can be applied to non-romantic ones as well.   SHOW NOTES & TIME STAMPS: https://thinkgrowprosper.com/blog/tools-to-improve-your-relationship   THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR: Skillshare is an online learning community with over 25,000 courses. They are extending an offer to listeners of the Think Grow Podcast - two months FREE! You can take advantage of this offer at skillshare.com/THINKGROW.

Rebecca Ray is a clinical psychologist, speaker, and author of The Universe Listens to Brave. In this episode we talk about some of the more common issues she sees, including low self-worth, crippling fear, and the underlying limiting beliefs at the root of these cognitive distortions. Her new book, The Art of Self-Kindness is due for release August 2019. You can find the show notes for this episode here: https://thinkgrowprosper.com/blog/rebecca-ray

Daniel is the founder of EvolutionEat, a company that helps entrepreneurs and creatives of all types transform their diets and lives by teaching them the skill set and mindset of healthy eating. The topic of proper diet is notably left out of most conversations surrounding personal growth. But the reality is, the food we eat is just as important to living a good life as any self-development strategy or principle. It's definitely been a huge part of my personal journey.   FREE MINI-COURSE & LIVE TRAINING Daniel is offering a free online course plus a free live training to listeners of the Think Grow Podcast. (I've taken it's amazing. Quite honestly, I’m shocked that it’s free.) Sign up for the FREE mini-course + live training here: https://EvolutionEat.com/thinkgrowprosper

I speak with Dr. Dan Siegel. He is a clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine and the Executive Director of the Mindsight Institute. Dr. Siegel has written 16 books and multiple New York Times best sellers, including Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation and The Whole Brain Child (two of my favorites). However, most of our conversation covers topics in his new book, Aware: The Science and Practice of Presence. If you feel like some of the things Dr. Siegel talks about in this episode go over your head, you are not alone. His work is interdisciplinary so there are times when he uses ideas from biology, neuroscience, psychology and math to talk about a single concept. This is what makes his work so interesting and groundbreaking but also difficult to grasp at times, especially for the uninitiated.   EPISODE SHOW NOTES I recommend you check out the show notes for this episode to help you understand it better: https://thinkgrowprosper.com/blog/dan-siegel/   THIS EPISODE BROUGHT TO YOU BY... Please consider supporting our sponsors - this show would not exist without them. I *only* partner with companies whose products or services I personally use and believe in. Skillshare is an online learning community with over 25,000 courses. They are extending an offer to listeners of the Think Grow Podcast - two months FREE! You can take advantage of this offer at skillshare.com/THINKGROW.

I speak with comic book artist and author Yumi Sakugawa. Yumi’s book, Your Illustrated Guide to Becoming One With The Universe is a gem and has made it onto a couple of my book recommendation lists. A good portion of our conversation is centered around one of the ideas in that book: having cake and tea with your demons. This is a metaphor for the spiritual and psychological principle that, instead of avoiding the dark or undesirable parts of yourself, you should face them. Or, as she says: "Invite your demons to sit down and have a slice of cake and a cup of tea." It’s an interesting and powerful idea that shows up in psychology, philosophy and religion. It’s also an idea that isn’t talked about nearly enough in the world of self-development. I’d like to change that.

Farokh (@farokh) is a social media expert and entrepreneur. He was one of the very first people I connected with when I started my Instagram page (@ThinkGrowProsper) in early 2014. Since then, I’ve watched him build a hugely successful social media-based business, working with a diverse range of big name brands, ranging from L’Oréal to Dom Perignon and many others. One of Farokh’s superpowers he’s cultivated over the years is the power to network effectively. I use the word “network” with caution here because I know it can sometimes have a mercenary or negative connotation, as though it’s all about getting what you need with little regard for others. But as Farokh explains, that mentality has nothing to do with his philosophy of networking. Rather, it's a life philosophy of genuinely wanting to help others and provide value. In our conversation, Farokh explains how his ability to network has enabled him to get the attention of (and work with) influential and powerful people ranging from business powerhouses like Gary Vaynerchuk to celebrities and rappers like Soulja Boy. THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: This podcast would not exist without support from our sponsors. I ONLY partner with companies whose products or services I personally use and believe in. Please check out these special offers: Skillshare is an online learning community with over 25,000 courses. They are extending an offer to listeners of the Think Grow Podcast - two months FREE! You can take advantage of this offer at skillshare.com/THINKGROW.

Daniel DiPiazza is the founder of Alpha Mentorship, an immersive training and investment platform for the next generation of entrepreneurs, creators and leaders. He also is the best-selling author of the book Rich20Something. Since we met and became friends in 2015, I’ve watched Daniel undergo a massive transformation — not just in his business but in his consciousness. Daniel is currently on a world-wide speaking tour, developing the material for his new book, Wielding Power. In our conversation, we talk about some of the ideas in that book.   THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: This podcast would not exist without support from our sponsors. I ONLY partner with companies whose products or services I personally use and believe in. Please check them out and support them if possible:   Four Sigmatic is a superfood company that uses functional mushrooms and herbs in their easy-to-drink blends. I’ve been using their supplements for years — long before they became a sponsor of this podcast. My favorite blends are the Adaptogen Blend and Mushroom Coffee with Cordyceps. Get 15% off your Four Sigmatic purchase by going to foursigmatic.com/tgp. Or, use discount code ‘TGP’ at checkout.   Audible is how I consume most of my books these days. As a new parent, I could never read as much as I do without it. Whether I'm driving, cooking, or rocking baby to sleep, Audible gives me the ability to feed my mind good stuff while I go about my day. Get a free audiobook plus two free "Audible Originals" when you sign up for a free 30-day trial here.

Jonathan Fields is the creator of the world’s first “purpose archetypes” which he calls Sparketypes™. This framework has been used by tens-of-thousands of individuals, as well as companies and institutions to discover purpose and amplify performance. Jonathan is also an award-winning author, serial entrepreneur, and innovator in the field of human potential. He's founded a number of game-changing wellness companies and has led workshops around the world on everything from yoga and mindfulness to conscious entrepreneurship and innovation.  This is Jonathan’s second appearance on the podcast and we dive even deeper into doing meaningful work. We talk about the Sparketype framework he designed for helping you discover the work you’re here to do.   See the show notes for this episode here: https://thinkgrowprosper.com/blog/jonathan-fields   THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: This podcast would not exist without support from our sponsors. I ONLY partner with companies whose products or services I personally use and believe in. Please check out these special offers: Four Sigmatic is a superfood company that uses functional mushrooms and herbs in their easy-to-drink blends. I’ve been using their supplements for years — long before they became a sponsor of this podcast. Get 15% off your Four Sigmatic purchase by going to foursigmatic.com/tgp. Or, use discount code ‘TGP’ at checkout.   Audible is how I consume most of my books these days. As a new parent, I could never read as much as I do without it. Whether I'm driving, cooking, or rocking baby to sleep, Audible gives me the ability to feed my mind good stuff while I go about my day. Get a free audiobook plus two free "Audible Originals" when you sign up for a free 30-day trial here.

In this rebroadcast of one of my most popular episodes, I explore overthinking (and its close cousin, anxiety) from an evolutionary perspective then offer some practical strategies you can apply immediately to help you overcome repetitive, obsessive, non-productive thoughts. See the show notes for this episode here: https://thinkgrowprosper.com/blog/-how-to-stop-overthinking   THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: This podcast would not exist without support from our sponsors. I ONLY partner with companies whose products or services I personally use and believe in. Please check out these special offers:   Skillshare is an online learning community with over 25,000 courses. They are extending a free 2-month trial offer to listeners of the Think Grow Podcast. You can take advantage of this offer by visiting skillshare.com/THINKGROW.   Audible is how I consume most books these days. As a new parent, I could never read as much as I do without it. Whether I'm driving, cooking, or rocking baby to sleep, Audible gives me the ability to feed my mind good stuff while I go about my day. Get a free audiobook plus two free "Audible Originals" when you sign up for a free 30-day trial here.    

Austin Kleon is the New York Times best-selling author of Steal Like An Artist and Show Your Work! -- two of my favorite books on creativity and getting discovered. His new book is Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad. In this episode, I ask Austin about some of the more personal aspects of his work and life. A central theme of our conversation is the importance of play, and why it’s so vital to producing good work. See the show notes for this episode here: https://thinkgrowprosper.com/blog/austin-kleon

Dr. Rubin Naiman is a clinical psychologist and sleep & dream specialist at the University of Arizona's Center for Integrative Medicine. In this episode, we discuss: Dr. Naiman’s philosophy on sleep and dream consciousness “Wake-centrism” and the problem with how our culture views sleep The spiritual value of dreaming (and how to dream more) The cultural epidemic of dream deprivation View the show notes for this episode at: https://thinkgrowprosper.com/blog/rubin-naiman

Having been a student of self-development and other related fields for the past 15 years, I’ve been exposed to a massive amount of ideas and information. Recently, I’ve been thinking about the best way to organize it all in order to make sense of it.  To that end, I’ve identified three distinct categories into which most life advice/wisdom can be sorted. You can think of these categories as the principles behind the principles. They represent the fundamental ideas behind concepts in self-development, psychology, philosophy and even religion to a degree. In this episode, I attempt to explain these three overarching categories, or what I call “meta-principles.” It’s is a simple framework and is still under construction. But there does seem to be something to it. At the very least, organizing information helps your brain remember it more effectively.

Sean McCabe (@seanwes) is an entrepreneur who has built multiple successful businesses in different niches. He is also the author of Overlap: Start a Business While Working Full Time. In this episode, we talk about the practical path to making a living from your passion. Sean is an extremely disciplined and organized person so I wanted to also pick his brain about the systems he has in place for his business and his life. Whether you are just starting out in business or are an intermediate entrepreneur looking for direction, you’ll get a lot out of this episode. SHOW NOTES: Check out the show notes for selected links and resources from the episode plus an outline of topics covered: https://thinkgrowprosper.org/blog/sean-mccabe

My wife, Vanessa and I recorded this episode just hours before she went into labor with our first child. So if it sounds like we are a bit distracted it’s because we are. I will be doing more Q&A episodes in the future where I cover more ground. For now, enjoy this (sometimes rambling) ask-me-anything episode where Vanessa and I discuss the following questions: QUESTIONS ANSWERED - My guru told me I should stop reading books in order to find enlightenment. What are your thoughts on this? - Which book represents your values and beliefs the most? - What is the best thing to look for in a life partner? - How can I create a life I'm passionate about? - What -- or who -- drives you to be the beacon of positivity that you are and how do you stay in that mindset? - What are your passion projects? - How is self-love achieved? When you feel guilty thoughts about yourself, how do you push those thoughts away?   SHOW NOTES: Check out the show notes at the link below for selected links & resources from the episode, plus an outline of questions answered: http://thinkgrowprosper.com/blog/ama3

I speak with artist, author & speaker Adam J. Kurtz (@adamjk) about overcoming perfectionism, being an online creative, and what goes into making good art/content. Adam’s work is rooted in honesty, humor and a little darkness. His latest book, Things Are What You Make of Them, is a handwritten essay collection that digs into the emotional realities of being any type of modern day creative person. This episode is for you if you’ve ever found yourself at the mercy of perfectionism, are a creative entrepreneur (or anyone who creates anything on the internet,) or if you’d like inspiration for your creative work. SHOW NOTES: Check out the show notes at the link below for selected links & resources from the episode, plus an outline of topics covered. http://thinkgrowprosper.com/blog/adamjk

Marie Forleo is a multi-passionate entrepreneur and philanthropist. She is the host of the award-winning show, Marie TV where she helps people create a life and business they love. She is also the creator of the world-class entrepreneurship training program, B-School. You can view the show notes for this episode on my blog here: http://thinkgrowprosper.com/blog/marie-forleo Marie's new book, "Everything is Figureoutable," releases September 10, 2019. You can pre-order it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/2X2QTkY You can learn more about my personal experience with Marie's world-class business training program, B-School, here: bit.ly/Starting-Before-You-Are-Ready  

I speak with positive psychology researcher and author Neil Pasricha (neil@globalhappiness.org) about how (and why) to read more books. Some topics we cover include: The main difference between reading and other forms of media The importance of fiction and why he reads more of it now than ever before How he got over a “reading slump” Why “different” is better than “better” Why he’s obsessed with the number 1000 What’s up with his quirky podcast “3 Books With Neil Pasricha”   CONTACT NEIL  You can get in touch with Neil directly at neil@globalhappiness.org.   GET MORE NEIL  Neil also has three free newsletters dedicated to living intentionally. They are ad-free and spam-free. You can subscribe to any or all of them at https://www.neil.blog/newsletter/. (I recommend his Reading Club newsletter -- he reads over 100 books a year)

Disagreeing can be frustrating but there can also be great value in it. When you disagree with someone -- whether it be in a relationship or political discussion -- instead of digging in your heels and blindly defending your position, you can use it as an opportunity to gain a better understanding of a person or viewpoint. Of course, this isn’t easy. In this episode, I discuss four obstacles that keep us from disagreeing constructively, along with several strategies for overcoming them.

I speak with my wife, Vanessa about a variety of topics including our upcoming transition into parenthood, our mental health, thoughts on creativity, and more.

In today's episode, I show you how to remember more of what you learn. In today’s age of information overload, it’s easy to consume tons of information and feel like we’re informed. Ironically, we understand less than ever. There’s too much information coming at us all the time. Because of this, we feel like we know things when the truth is, we couldn’t recall most of it. We may be familiar with material, but we don’t truly understand it. This is what is sometimes called the illusion of competence. Here are the most important principles and strategies for effective learning that I’ve distilled from a variety of sources over the years. They have helped me remember more of what I learn. I hope they help you too.

Janine Shepherd was a cross-country skier training for the Olympics when a utility truck ran her over and crushed her body along with her dreams. She was not expected to live, let alone walk but she did both. Not only did she learn how to walk again, she learned how to fly, earning her pilot's license and becoming a flying instructor in a span of 18 months. Her message: You are NOT your body.

This episode is the audio version of my original blog post: 5 Self-Development Principles Drake Uses. As someone who has studied personal development principles for over a decade, I take notice when I see celebrities and public figures applying these concepts in their own lives and work. I'm a big fan of Drake and have long admired how he interweaves personal development principles throughout his music and applies them in his life. He strikes me as an introspective, thoughtful, and self-aware individual. I’m not arguing that you should aspire to be exactly like Drake. This episode is just a fun and lighthearted way of explaining timeless success principles using a famous person as a case study. I'll show you how Drake has employed these concepts to create his version of success. You can read the original blog post here: http://thinkgrowprosper.com/blog/2017/4/24/5-self-development-principles-drake-uses

In this episode, I speak with author, speaker, and self-described science enthusiast Idil Ahmed about consciously creating your reality.  Idil has written a new and long-awaited book called Manifest Now, which is all about guiding you through the mental, physical, and spiritual aspects of creating the life you want. In this conversation, she explains some of the key principles and ideas in that book. ================ REMINDER: Registration for the next Mindset Shifts Masterclass is open from September 3rd through September 10th, 2018. What is the Mindset Shifts Masterclass?   The Mindset Shifts Masterclass is a 6-week course designed to help you let go of the stories that are holding you back, cultivate a mindset that helps you grow, and reprogram your mind for success. It distills and simplifies many of the strategies I've learned over the years from a variety of different fields and philosophies. You can learn more here. ================ EPISODE SHOW NOTES: http://thinkgrowprosper.com/blog/idil-ahmed

I discuss the Big Five personality model and how it can improve your life and relationships with my wife and business partner Vanessa. For books and other resources related to this topic, visit my blog http://thinkgrowprosper.com/blog. Article I wrote about the Big Five personality model: http://thinkgrowprosper.com/blog/big-five-personality-traits

In this mini-episode, I analyze the old adage, "Fake it 'til you make it" from a different angle. You've probably heard this phrase hundreds if not thousands of times. But what does it really mean? Is there any truth to it? And how can you use it in the real world? As is the case with many pithy maxims like this, it's necessary to dig a little deeper to extract its value. In this short episode, I try to do just that. Let me know your biggest takeaway by leaving a review on iTunes with something you learned in this episode. (I read every review).

Gretchen Rubin is a New York Times bestselling author who writes about happiness and human nature. In this episode, we talk about a personality framework she created called The Four Tendencies, which describes how you respond to inner and outer expectations. It has deeper implications than you might think. Take The Four Tendencies Quiz to find out which one you are.

Jim Kwik is a celebrity brain & memory coach. He is the founder of Kwik Learning, with online students in over 150 countries. He is a world-renowned expert in speed-reading, memory improvement, brain performance, and accelerated learning. For over two decades, he has served as the brain coach to students, seniors, entrepreneurs, and educators, and as an advisor to many of the world’s leading CEOs and celebrities. In this episode we talk about the meta-skills of learning how to learn and learning how to read more effectively and efficiently. See the full show notes for this episode and every other episode at https://thinkgrowprosper.org/blog/jim-lwik

Today I talk with Yung Pueblo about emotional history -- what it is and how it relates to cultivating inner peace. I ask him what it was like to go on a 45-day silent meditation retreat, what his meditative practice looks like, what other resources he recommends, how he got started on this path, and more. You can connect with Yung Pueblo on Instagram @Yung_Pueblo. His book, Inward is available on Amazon. See the full show notes for the episode -- including time stamps and resources mentioned -- on my blog.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED:   Is it necessary to do something great and earn fame? Can't I just live a normal life and make my family and people around me happy? (7:35) How do you deal with difficult people (13:00) How do you read so much without getting overwhelmed? (17:45) How do you retain information better? (21:37) How did you get into Stoicism? What books do you recommend on this philosophy? (25:34) What do you have to say about confidence? What is it? What books can I read? Most importantly, what can I do to be more confident (please don't say "believe in yourself" because I do). (28:35) You talked about overthinking in a recent podcast episode and gave some strategies for overcoming it. But I don't think overthinking is a bad thing. Wouldn't the opposite of overthinking be underthinking? (34:05) Are you able to give more advice on self-worth and staying positive? (38:05) You mentioned you were working on a book. When will it be done? (46:50)   SHOW NOTES: http://thinkgrowprosper.com/blog/ask-me-anything-2

Ryan Holiday is a writer and media strategist. He is the author of seven books, including The Obstacle Is the Way, Ego Is the Enemy, The Daily Stoic, and his newest book, Conspiracy. I've admired Ryan's work for a long time and I was super excited to be able to pick his brain for an hour. I hope you get as much out of this conversation as I did. For the full show notes, including selected books & resources from the episode and time stamps of topics discussed, click the link below: http://thinkgrowprosper.com/blog/practical-philosophy-career-advice-and-tools-for-better-learning-with-ryan-holiday You can connect with Ryan on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @RyanHoliday.

I'm obsessed with the human brain. I'm especially interested in how to make it work better — how to think better, how to learn better and how to maximize my overall cognitive potential. Books like Brain Rules and audio courses like "Your Best Brain" have been a big help with this. I'm also a fan of brain-supporting foods, herbs, and supplements like walnuts, bacopa, and omega-3s. One evening, I went down a brain research rabbit hole (just another one of my crazy Friday nights) and came across this Scientific American article that talked about strategies for increasing one's fluid intelligence. I was struck by the approaches outlined in the article. They made sense to me both logically and intuitively -- and they were backed by science to boot. In this episode, I summarize those strategies and give you actionable ways to integrate them into your life. Enjoy!