Episode 43 - Captain Fluckey & Entourages
Jim Rohn famously said “We are the average of the five people we spend the most time with.” - So how do we find the highest caliber people to fill those spots in our entourage?
Episode - 42 Napoleon & Manipulation
Guilt, fear, and social obligation...these are the tools of the manipulator. So how do we spot skilled manipulators, and where do they hone their skills in the first place?
Episode 39 - Writing Your Book
Todd and Joe have both stumbled through publishing in very different ways. Today they share horror stories about writing, and talk about the current state of publishing.
Episode 37 - Evel Knievel & Self Promotion
There’s a fine line between bragging and self-promoting. So how do we find that line? And how do we put it on our job resume’?
Episode 32 - Didier Lobard & Meanness
We all need to be tough in life. But how far can we take ‘tough’ before we’re just being mean? What about tough CEO’s? When do we get to blame them for bullying?
Episode 15 Rejection Part One
In part 1 of this Rejection double-feature, we talk about Jia Jiang’s TED talk, and we ask ourselves; can we really become resilient to rejection.
Hitler Youth & Approval
We’re born seeking approval from our parents. We go through elementary school trying to get approval from our peers. And as teens we play stupid, dangerous games to win our friend’s approval.
Why do we need it? Where does the drive for approval come from? Are we hard-wired by evolution to impress our friends when we’re teenagers? On today’s episode we’ll answer these questions by exploring the behavioral science of approval, and we’ll talk about how far some people will go to get that all-important ‘upvote’ or ‘like’.
We’ll also look at the indoctrination system of a youth organization that weaponized peer approval; The Hitler Youth. And we’ll ask ourselves; how could anyone join an obviously evil organization?
Episode 93 -Russian Expansion is Doomed to Fail (According to The Fate of Empires)
Episode 89 - Why “Atmospheric Stress” Is Fueling The Great Resignation
Why do we let bosses use stress as a motivational tool, and how do we stop them? France found the answer, and it isn’t pretty.
Episode 87 - Ray Parker Jr & Delusions of Grandeur
Dreams of stardom, fame, wealth, and success...how do we know when we’re dreaming too big? Wouldn’t we be better off taking nice, safe jobs and keeping our dreams realistic?
Episode 86-Benedict Arnold Trustworthiness Part 3
Every year articles emerge touting one virtue as the pinnacle of all business virtues - trustworthiness. How do we square this with the success of shady companies like Facebook?
Episode 85 -Benedict Arnold Radical Honesty Part 2
Did you know the movie Liar Liar was based on a real movement in Psychotherapy? Make a wish! Because today we want to know - what would happen if we never lied?
Episode 84-Benedict Arnold Trustworthiness Part 1
Every year articles emerge touting one virtue as the pinnacle of all business virtues - trustworthiness. How do we square this with the success of shady companies like Facebook?
Episode 80 - Dick Fuld Charisma Part 1
What is Charisma? A charming smile? A warm handshake? Being tall? Maybe functional charisma is more practical. Maybe it’s something we can master and use tactically.
Episode 77 - Re-Engineered You Updates: Part 1
The best thing about self-awareness, science, and history? It keeps growing! On this episode we revisit show classics, and top them off with bonus brain-stretching facts and news!
Episode 73 - Daniel Dancer & Frugality
If wealth is sexy, then why is it such a turn-off to date a penny-pincher? And how much money can coupon-cutting and leftovers really save in the end?
Episode 72 - James Arthur Ray & Gurus
Life Coach. Spiritual Advisor. Financial Planner. These are very different professions, but unscrupulous Gurus pretend to be all three. So...how do we become Gurus?
Episode 71 - Spirit Warriors & Self Help Gurus
How dangerous is it to follow a sage? Or a self-help guru? And did James Arthur Ray actually help his followers find inner power, right before he steamed them to death?
Episode 70 - TV Journalists & Progress in America
Riots are overtaking the streets, murderers are running unchecked, and gunshots are as common as fireworks...if you believe the evening news. So statistically, how bad is America, really?
Episode 67 - Charlie Plumb & Stoicism
The cornerstone of stoicism is the reminder that we’re all mortal, and our time is limited. So how do we draw an optimistic lesson from ‘Memento Mori’?