Uncertainty: How to Handle Life's Surprises (+ What is a Black Swan event) - w/ Nicolas Vereecke
Ever felt like life just sucker-punched you out of nowhere? That's exactly what Nassim Taleb calls a Black Swan event. Most people think they can predict the future by looking at patterns. They study charts, analyze trends, and feel safe in their little bubble of certainty. However, the biggest events that shape our lives—market crashes, pandemics, breakthrough innovations—are the ones nobody sees coming. .. Beyond that, it's about how your brain tricks you into thinking you understand a world that's fundamentally unpredictable: Stop trying to predict everything and start building resilience for anything Rebuild your investment portfolio and life plan to deal with shocks Prepare for worst-case scenarios instead of hoping for the best NEW SHOW - How to Change the World Sam's new show can be found on major podcast players: Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast Can't find it on your player? RSS feed - https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8 ------- UPGRADE to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Get in Touch 👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset 📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com Growth Mindset Psychology: Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement. 📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset) 🛜 Website - Growth Mindset Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement Episode: Radical Uncertainty: How to deal with surprises and Black Swan events - w/ Nicolas Vereecke Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: Navigating Life's Unpredictability 02:02 Understanding the Black Swan Concept 02:41 Real-World Examples and Implications 04:54 Investment Strategies for Unpredictable Events 12:00 Mediocristan vs. Extremistan 18:39 Ludic fallacy 18:39 The Ludic Fallacy and Risk Assessment 21:46 Conclusion and Takeaways Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
6 Kesä 27min
10 Mental Models to Create Long Term Thinking and Better Decisions from Jeff Bezos
The tools of thinking that fueled the Growth Mindset and fast decisions behind the success of Jeff Bezos. Bezos frames business as a series of silent promises: to customers, to colleagues, to the future. Each promise is a primitive—simple, sturdy, waiting to be linked. When those links form, independence evolves into interdependence, and a whisper becomes a flywheel. In this conversation, we explore how “Day One” thinking keeps the path clear, how a “regret-minimization lens” invites bold choices, and why “single-threaded leadership” protects the soul of a project. Name your primitives—identify the small assets that can connect to others. Map the flywheel—draw how each promise fuels the next. Practice long-horizon thinking—act today as if seven years depend on it. How to Change the World Sam's new show can be found on major podcast players: Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast Can't find it on your player? RSS feed - https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8 ------- UPGRADE to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Get in Touch 👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset 📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com Growth Mindset Psychology: Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement. 📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset) 🛜 Website - Growth Mindset Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement Episode: 10 Mental Models to Create Long Term Thinking and Better Decisions from Jeff Bezos Chapters: 00:00 Thinking in Primitives 05:58 Story of AWS 08:32 2 Customer Centric Obsession 10:13 Working backwards from the customer's experience - Why they built Amazon Prime 12:11 3 Long Term Thinking 13:27 Story - Kindle and e-publishing industry 16:10 Willingness to be Misunderstood 16:49 Team - Single Threaded Leadership 17:58 Team - Employ and Empower Builders 19:03 Culture - Meetings are for Decisions 20:03 High Velocity Decision making - Reversible vs Irreversible Decisions 22:15 Regret Minimization Framework 23:51 Disagree and Commit 25:01 Embrace Failure 25:44 Total Fails - Amazon Fire Phone, Amazon Wallet, Amazon Destinations, Amazon Restaurants 28:01 Importance of Timing and Competition 30:16 Day 1 Thinking 32:58 Useful Bonus points 33:06 Flywheel effect 33:34 Word of Mouth Marketing 34:30 Opposing beliefs - Ignoring vs Crushing Competition 36:38 Opposing Beliefs - Stubborn and Flexibility 37:14 How this helps a with Growth Mindset 41:12 Wrap up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
3 Kesä 45min
How To Change The World - Learn to think like an innovator
Ever wondered how to really change the world? After thinking about the question for too long, Sam has started a new podcast to answer it. Sam's new show 'How To Change The World' tells the stories of the greatest innovations throughout the entire history of humanity. As he goes, he'll be breaking down the mental models and frameworks to create change. The show can be found on major podcast players: Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast Can't find it on your player? This is the RSS feed - https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8 ------- UPGRADE to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Get in Touch 👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset 📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com Growth Mindset Psychology: Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement. 📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset) 🛜 Website - Growth Mindset Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement Episode: How To Change The World - Introducing my new show - The history of innovation. Chapters: 00:00 About my new show 01:28 Introduction: The Dawn of Human Influence 03:49 A Journey Through Time 06:38 The Plan for the Podcast 08:36 What counts as an innovation 09:59 Release Schedule 11:08 Beyond a history podcast 12:22 Why this point in history 14:02 A map is not a blueprint 15:52 Why am I doing this? 19:03 Why should you listen? 20:12 Psychology and Innovation 20:44 Bias and Hindsight 21:21 Illusion of obviousness 22:18 The Myth of Stability 23:25 7 Core Principles of the Show 23:34 1 - Interdisciplinary Thinking 24:17 2 - Systems Thinking 25:04 3 - Understanding of knowledge 26:44 4 - Context 27:49 5 - No current affairs and politics 28:58 6 - Side Quests 30:06 7 - Optimism 31:09 Mission and sign off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
31 Touko 35min
3 Ways to Avoid the Biggest Self-Help Traps and Just Start Enjoying Your Life
Self-help is sometimes the opposite. It can end up increasing your task list with a bunch of unrealistic expectations you never achieve. Today’s conversation is about navigation, not directions. We explore the quiet difference between a compass you trust and a checklist someone sells. Passport stamps matter less than the personality you bring to the journey; so does the company you invite to walk beside you. We trade a stack of generic self-help books for three simple ideas you can put on a sticky note. The answer might not even be faster growth but perhaps wiser detours and a network that grows because we grow. Work out if a new habit is worthwhile or if you should be doing less Build a personal compass based on your own interests Show up as the person you are How to Change the World Sam's new show can be found on major podcast players: Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast Can't find it on your player? RSS feed - https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8 ------- UPGRADE to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Get in Touch 👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset 📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com Growth Mindset Psychology: Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement. 📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset) 🛜 Website - Growth Mindset Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement Episode: 3 Ways to Avoid the Biggest Self-Help Traps and Just Start Enjoying Your Life Chapters: 00:00 The Problem with Much Self-Help Advice 02:59 Reality's Complexities vs. Simplistic Advice 09:09 Principle 1: Be Kind and Helpful 13:12 Principle 2: Spend Time with Those Who Let You Be Yourself 16:52 Principle 3: Take Ownership and Responsibility 21:22 Send Off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
30 Touko 25min
Master Magnetic Presence: How to be yourself but more likeable w/ Harry Cohen
A sunflower doesn’t hold strategy meetings to decide which way to grow. It simply tilts toward the light. This conversation with Dr. Harry Cohen invites us to do the same. The heliotropic effect—our quiet, evolutionary pull toward positive energy—may be the simplest, most overlooked lever of leadership and community. We explore what happens when you become the light source instead of chasing it. Why a six-second smile hacks brain chemistry, how a clean apology resets trust faster than any marketing funnel, and what my own networking face-plant taught me about social tax. Take homes: Swap “small talk” for small wins to trigger instant rapport Schedule a daily 1 % kindness rep and track the ripple Deploy the two-word apology before your ego drafts excuses How to Change the World Sam's new show can be found on major podcast players: Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast Can't find it on your player? RSS feed - https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8 ------- UPGRADE to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Get in Touch 👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset 📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com Growth Mindset Psychology: Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement. 📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset) 🛜 Website - Growth Mindset Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement Episode: Master Magnetic Presence: How to be yourself but more likeable w/ Harry Cohen Chapters: 00:00 Be the Sun, Not the Salt 01:55 The Heliotropic Effect 04:13 Personality vs Circumstance 08:09 Simplicity vs Complication 11:26 Giving Feedback Effectively 18:09 Apologizing Well 20:05 Embracing Negativity 26:14 The Moonlight Surfing Metaphor 29:37 Earliest memory 31:13 Kindest thing 31:57 Summary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
27 Touko 37min
6 Unsexy Habits of Geniuses - How to build substance over style
Uncover what it really takes to build greatness. There's much more to genius than effortless intelligence or risky business bets. We dive into the consistent habits that drive long-term results for coming out on top. They might not be sexy, but if you can leave your ego at the doo,r there's a lot more on the other side. How to Change the World Sam's new show can be found on major podcast players: Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast Can't find it on your player? This is the RSS feed - https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8 ------- UPGRADE to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Get in Touch 👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset 📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com Growth Mindset Psychology: Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement. 📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset) 🛜 Website - Growth Mindset Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement Episode: How To Change The World - Introducing my new show - The history of innovation. Chapters: 00:00 People who boast about their IQ are losers 01:45 #1 Focus on other people's achievements 03:11 #2 Always focus on learning over money or power 05:07 #3 Be the dumbest person in the room 07:17 #4 Use mentors (a lot!) 10:43 #5 Be embarrassingly weird 12:21 #6 Assume you are usually wrong 13:49 Bonus Tip: Work hard 16:18 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
23 Touko 19min
The Joy of Missing Out: The simple way to reducing overwhelm and increase focus
You’re not lazy. You’re overloaded. And no, another productivity hack won’t save you. In this episode, I talk about how minimalism isn’t about white walls and hidden kitchen bins—it’s about your calendar, your relationships, your identity. I unpack the joy of missing out using stories from travel, creative burnout, and watching a guy walk around Britain with nothing but a backpack. Turns out, when you’re doing too much, you're not living—you’re buffering. We explore how having too many goals is like trying to break a window with a handful of dust. Want more focus? You have to do less. Three things you’ll learn: Why doing less actually makes you better at what matters How owning less clears mental space (not just your room) A question to instantly identify what’s worth saying “no” to Want your brain back? Hit play. How to Change the World Sam's new show can be found on major podcast players: Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast Can't find it on your player? This is the RSS feed - https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8 UPGRADE to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Get in Touch 👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset 📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com Growth Mindset Psychology: Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement. 📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset) 🛜 Website - Growth Mindset Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement Episode: The Joy of Missing Out: The simple way to reducing overwhelm and increase focus Chapters: 00:00 2 ways to be rich 02:23 Doing too many things stresses us out 06:36 More things = more responsibilities and more problems 09:12 Less stuff = Less problems, less complaining and more happiness 09:12 Are you doing things that exhaust you or you actually enjoy 10:09 Analogy of Breaking A Window 10:45 Story of A Recent Hiking Trip with Jamie Lloyd 14:28 A Year Can Make A Huge Difference 16:07 Make Full Use of Your Stuff 17:25 Send Off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
16 Touko 20min
The Science of Love, Desire and Attachment - Psychology vs your Biology
Love isn’t just a feeling, it’s a pattern. And patterns, when understood, can be changed. We are the descendants of beings who bonded, lusted, and survived—not by chance, but by biology. In this episode, we explore the elegant architecture of love, divided into three distinct experiences: lust, attraction, and attachment. Each has its own hormonal symphony: testosterone’s drive, dopamine’s thrill, oxytocin’s warmth. But these chemicals, while essential, are not our destiny. We must choose how we respond to them. The opportunity lies in seeing love not just as passion, but as a practice—a practice of self-awareness, empathy, and intentionality. Reframe love from chaos to conscious experience. Observe your emotions without becoming them. Build connection that outlasts dopamine spikes. Your biology is the system, but your awareness can evolve it. How to Change the World Sam's new show can be found on major podcast players: Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast Can't find it on your player? This is the RSS feed - https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8 UPGRADE to Premium: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord GrowthMindset.Supercast.com Get in Touch 👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset 📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com Growth Mindset Psychology: Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement. 📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset) 🛜 Website - Growth Mindset Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement Episode: The Science of Love, Desire and Attachment - Psychology vs Biology Chapters: 00:00 The 3 main components of love 01:27 Biology of Love 02:33 Lust and the role of sex hormones 05:42 Attraction and reward pathways 08:25 Attachment and bonding hormones 10:37 Love's addictive power and irrationality 11:44 Infatuation, dependence and controlling behaviours 12:51 Reckless and destructive tendencies 14:11 How we lose rational thinking 16:46 Choosing the right partner 18:02 Cultivating healthy relationship habits 18:23 Send Off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
13 Touko 21min
