Thinking Fast and Slow: How to make better decisions and avoid hidden mind traps
You think you're rational? Think again. We love feeling like thoughtful decision-makers, but the truth is we're riddled with cognitive shortcuts. Daniel Kahneman's Nobel Prize-winning work breaks down the systems of our mind. We constantly substitute hard questions with easy ones; e.g. Buying a stock because you like the company, not because you've done the data. This episode cuts through the 300,000-word book to show you exactly how these shortcuts lead to everything from bad investments to pointless stress about the weather. It's time to stop letting your brain’s simple tricks run your whole life. Stop overestimating the importance of your current stress. Identify and reduce low-level daily pains (like a bad commute) for massive life returns. Implement a "sleep-on-it" rule to override System 1's instant commitments. Why let a lazy brain ruin your best decisions? Start thinking slower today. Further Reading: Thinking Fast and Slow - Daniel Kahneman Predictably Irrational - Dan Ariely SPONSORS 👨💻 NordStellar Security across your business 20% off: BLACKFRIDAY-20 (valid before 10th Dec) 10% off: GROWTHMINDSET-10 nordstellar.com/growthmindset 📚 ShortForm Book summaries of the worlds best books Free trail and 20% off code: Psychology https://www.ShortForm.com/Psychology NEW SHOW - How to Change the World: The History and Future of Innovation Learn about the evolving story of the human species and our ideas told in chronological order. 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 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 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 CHAPTERS 00:00 Understanding Cognitive Biases, comedy and systems of thinking 03:58 Deep Dive into System One and System Two Thinking 05:23 How System 1 and System 2 Work Together 06:49 System 1's Impact on Decision Making 08:26 System 1 and Politics 11:29 The Teenage Brain and System 2 Development 12:32 Cognitive Biases and Their Impact 17:45 The Law of Large Numbers 22:38 Prospect Theory, Risk Assessment and Loss Aversion 23:41 Rationality and Utility Theory in Economics 25:39 Prospect Theory: Perception of Value and Risk 27:16 Probability and Decision Making 29:29 The Experiencing Self vs. The Remembering Self 31:17 The Peak-End Rule and Its Impact on Memory 34:58 Momentary Pleasure vs Long-Term Satisfaction 38:09 The Focusing Illusion: What Really Matters 43:46 Final Thoughts and Recommendations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
25 Nov 50min
Who are you VS. Who do you want to be? - How to align your actions with your desires
We can try all the things: new habits, different mindsets, therapy, medication, or god save us... self-help books. Yet to no ones surprise: we don't wake up a different person, we don't start doing all the things we keep saying we will eventually do, we don't even lose weight... What is the deal? Are we broken? Is there a way to fix ourselves? It all comes down to a single question. Who are you VS. Who do you want to be? Thoroughly confused, conflicted and curious. Sam sets out into the realms of psychology and philosophy to consider motivation from different angles. Learn: - What do you actually want to do VS What do you want to have done - How to align your current actions with who you want to be - Why Sam still leaves clothes all over the floor like a big 35 year old baby... Journal prompts - Free notes SPONSORS 👨💻 NordLayer Security across your business 28% off: GROWTHMINDSET-28 http://nordlayer.com/growthmindset 🎓 MasterClass Learn from the best, to become your best Up to 50% off code: GrowthMindset https://www.MasterClass.com/GrowthMindset NEW SHOW - How to Change the World: The History and Future of Innovation Learn about the evolving story of the human species and our ideas told in chronological order. The podcast is full of fun facts, surprising stories and philosophical insights. Found on all 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 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 CHAPTERS 00:00 The Two Competing Wants 01:54 Desires as Contracts for Unhappiness 04:09 The Formula for Action 04:45 Finding the Right Level of Challenge 07:02 Discovering Your Path 09:20 Redefining Sacrifice 11:22 Making Tasks Easier 13:14 Simplifying and Prioritizing 15:00 Money vs Happiness Balance 16:32 Aligning Desires with Actions 17:34 Send Off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
21 Nov 20min
The Hidden Psychology of Black Friday - How do shops manipulate us (and make calm aunties fist-fight over PlayStations)?
Inner Peace vs Retail Rage - How do shops design our experience to remove our decisions and make us to FOMO into all sorts of weird situations? This episode peels back the slick banners and countdown timers to show the tiny psychological tricks that turn shoppers into hunters. Scarcity, anchoring, and anticipation aren’t marketing buzzwords — they’re brain hacks. Retailers riff off ancient instincts: spot a rare fruit, grab it. Online, those instincts run on caffeine and fast clicks. The result? We chase status, reassurance, and an imagined better life via objects. Three actionable takeaways: Pause 24 hours before you buy to let impulse die. Flag “true needs” vs “story purchases” in a list. Reframe purchases as stories you’ll tell later. SPONSORS 👨💻 NordLayer Security across your business 28% off: GROWTHMINDSET-28 http://nordlayer.com/growthmindset 🎓 MasterClass Learn from the best, to become your best Up to 50% off code: GrowthMindset www.MasterClass.com/GrowthMindset NEW SHOW - How to Change the World: The History and Future of Innovation Learn about the evolving story of the human species and our ideas told in chronological order. The podcast is full of fun facts, surprising stories and philosophical insights. Found on all 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 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 CHAPTERS 00:00 The Contradiction of Black Friday 00:42 A Brief History of Black Friday 01:02 The Psychology Behind Sales 06:28 The Power of Anticipation 06:47 The Perfect Storm of Psychological Triggers 07:57 Case Studies of Black Friday Madness 09:18 The Dark Side of Black Friday 09:41 The Role of Deindividuation and Competition 10:15 Social Contagion and Polyvagal Theory 10:48 Acts of Kindness Amidst the Chaos 12:19 Cyber Monday and Online Shopping 12:44 The Shift to Online Shopping 16:26 The Environmental Cost of Black Friday 18:32 Global Perspectives on Black Friday 18:44 Black Friday in Brazil and France 19:40 Singles Day in China 20:18 Human Nature Revealed by Black Friday 20:31 The Irrationality of Value 21:35 The Social Dynamics of Black Friday 22:18 Final Thoughts on Black Friday Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
18 Nov 28min
Systems Thinking: How to understand the deeper reality of the world around us
Most problems in the world aren't random accidents, they're built into the systems we live in. When we look closer we find systems all around us drive the currents that change the world. Systems Thinking is a key idea in science, politics and business, but it knows no boundaries as systems show up everywhere. In every era of humanity we created new systems in politics, law, technology and economics to deal with the problems of the day. As new challenges arise in the 21st century, from the future of AI to global politics, it is up to humanity to build new systems to overcome them. Systems thinking invites us to discover the threads that bind our actions, cultures, and destinies into unexpected tapestries: Stop firefighting and get to the root cause. Search for leverage points where small acts create outsized impact. Reframe crisis from an isolated disaster to an interconnected opportunity. SPONSORS 👨💻 NordLayer Security across your business 28% off: GROWTHMINDSET-28 http://nordlayer.com/growthmindset 🌳 Acorns Invest for your money goals $5 sign up bonus: PSYCHOLOGY https://www.acorns.com/psychology NEW SHOW - How to Change the World: The History and Future of Innovation Learn about the evolving story of the human species and our ideas told in chronological order. The podcast is full of fun facts, surprising stories and philosophical insights. Found on all 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 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 CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro to systems thinking 01:53 Systems and Families 03:35 Welcome 05:12 What is a System 08:27 ACT 1 - 4 ELEMENTS OF A SYSTEM 08:27 Stocks and Flows 09:56 Feedback Loops 11:46 Delays 12:57 Boundaries 14:27 ACT 2 - MANAGING SYSTEMS 14:35 Leverage Points 21:27 ACT 3 21:52 Resilience in systems 23:44 Self-Organisation 25:00 Hierarchies 27:35 ACT 4 - LOOKING AT TODAY 28:40 Wrap up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
14 Nov 33min
Die With Zero Regrets - Stoic ideas to make the most of your life
What if “enough” wasn’t a number — but a moment? This conversation explores the quiet art of leaving nothing essential undone. We talk about the trap of “more” — more savings, more time, more planning — and how it steals the urgency that makes life vivid. To die with zero regrets isn’t to die empty; it’s to die complete. Like an artist who finishes a painting not because it’s perfect, but because it says what it needed to say. We explore how generosity, timing, and intention turn ordinary years into extraordinary ones. It’s not about consuming your wealth — it’s about converting it into meaning. Takeaways: Treat time as your most valuable currency. Design your life around moments that matter. Give forward — not backward. SPONSORS 👨💻 NordLayer Security across your business 28% off: GROWTHMINDSET-28 http://nordlayer.com/growthmindset 🌳 Acorns Invest for your money goals $5 sign up bonus: PSYCHOLOGY https://www.acorns.com/psychology NEW SHOW - How to Change the World: The History and Future of Innovation Learn about the evolving story of the human species and our ideas told in chronological order. The podcast is full of fun facts, surprising stories and philosophical insights. Found on all 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 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 CHAPTERS 00:00 Regrets of the Dying: Lessons from Palliative Care 01:35 Introducing 'Die With Zero' by Bill Perkins 02:35 Seneca's Philosophy on the Shortness of Life 03:28 The Value of Time and Money 04:35 Hyperbolic Discounting: The Psychology of Time and Money 08:46 Intentional spending and experiences that keep paying 11:59 The Memory Dividend: Investing in Experiences 15:38 The Health-Wealth Curve: Timing Your Experience 17:07 Balancing Life's Experiences and Timing 17:27 Seneca's Wisdom on Life and Death 18:31 The Concept of Peak Utility 19:59 The Inheritance Trap 20:45 Fear and Attachment in Financial Decisions 21:31 The Importance of Giving While Alive 23:21 Bill Perkins' Strategy for Dying with Zero 25:03 Time Bucketing for Life Experiences 27:47 The Final Reflection on Life's True Value 31:11 Conclusion and Next Steps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
11 Nov 35min
The Psychology of Podcasting: Lessons in self actualisation, intrinsic motivation and how to enjoy yourself - w/ Paul Davies
99% of podcasters quit before episode 20. Why do 1% keep going... and what does it teach us about ourselves? Paul Davies interviews Sam on the psychology of motivation, self-determination, signalling theory and more as we break down the psychology of what makes people podcast. Besides analysing what's driving the trend to start a podcast we also learn about why humans do anything and how to make your own decisions for the right reasons. Learn: - How to keep a side hustle fun instead of it being a chore - What on earth do virtue signalling, costly commitments and intellectual fitness testing have to do with podcasting and mate acquisition - Why the things we do become extensions of ourselves. SPONSORS 👨💻 NordLayer Security across your business 28% off: GROWTHMINDSET-28 http://nordlayer.com/growthmindset NEW SHOW - How to Change the World: The History and Future of Innovation Learn about the evolving story of the human species and our ideas told in chronological order. The podcast is full of fun facts, surprising stories and philosophical insights. Found on all 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 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 CHAPTERS 00:00 Why make a podcast? 01:48 Introducing Sam Webster Harris 02:43 Overcoming Podcasting Challenges 03:17 The Journey of Podcasting 04:21 The Power of Asking 07:48 The Effort Behind Podcast Production 10:14 The Process of Creating an Episode 15:41 Balancing Passion and Profession 16:47 The Psychology of Motivation 22:17 The Drive for Fame and Recognition 27:12 Reflecting on Podcast Beginnings 28:16 Choosing a Unique Podcast Path 29:43 Self-Actualization Through Podcasting 30:18 Signaling Theory and Podcasting 31:39 The Reality of Podcasting 33:17 Perceptions and Misconceptions 41:34 Burnout and Consistency 42:24 Dealing with Criticism 44:42 Advice for Aspiring Podcasters 47:39 Podcast Recommendations and Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
7 Nov 54min
How to Defeat Your Shadow Life and Face Your Calling: Lessons from Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield,
What if the life you're living is just a metaphor for the life you're meant to live? Pressfield kept his typewriter buried under spare parts in his truck. He knew it was there. Thought about it constantly. But he was too terrified to dig it out and write. So he drove. For years. Shadow callings aren't about laziness—they're about proximity without risk. We fall into fixed mindset thinking this is all we can do. We become English teachers instead of novelists, consultants instead of founders, gallery workers instead of artists. We stay close enough to feel legitimate, far enough to avoid the real work. This episode breaks down why your brain creates these elaborate escape mechanisms, what separates amateurs from professionals, and the exact moment everything changes. You'll learn: How to recognize if you're living a shadow career right now The 20 habits that separate professionals from amateurs Why turning pro is a decision you remake every single day SPONSORS 👨💻 NordLayer Security across your business 28% off: GROWTHMINDSET-28 http://nordlayer.com/growthmindset NEW SHOW - How to Change the World: The History and Future of Innovation Learn about the evolving story of the human species and our ideas told in chronological order. The podcast is full of fun facts, surprising stories and philosophical insights. Found on all 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 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 CHAPTERS 00:00 Are You Living Your Dream or a shadow calling? 02:14 Steven Pressfield's Shadow Career 03:28 Examples of Shadow Careers 04:01 The Concept of Metaphor 05:54 Addiction: The Partner of the Shadow Life 08:02 Amateur vs. Professional Behavior 09:35 Characteristics of a Professional 10:46 Turning Pro: A Life-Changing Decision 11:31 The All is Lost Moment 13:20 Personal Reflections on Turning Pro 15:42 The Rewards of Turning Pro 17:34 Building habits of a professional 19:38 Closing Remarks and Recommendations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
4 Nov 30min
Tips on Getting Better Today Than Yesterday - w/ Olympic Coach Frank Dick OBE
What if winning isn't a destination? What if it's the quiet act of becoming slightly better than you were when the sun rose this morning? Frank Dick spent five decades asking "How do we help people see their own progress?" As British Athletics' legendary Director of Coaching, he discovered something profound. We're wired to notice missing buttons but blind to the ones that are there. His Four Rs framework (Reason, Reality, Reflection, Response) is a mindset shift in how we define growth mindset psychology. Every competition, meeting, and conversation is an invitation to ask What did I learn? Three frameworks for transformation: The left-side/right-side exercise: How to rewire your nervous system for positive psychology and curiosity Strength-first philosophy: Why building on what works creates better mental models than fixing flaws (neuroscience meets self-development) Emotional control in the arena: Simple techniques athletes use to ignore distractions and maintain mental strength The only competition that matters is with yesterday's version of yourself—are you ready to win that game? SPONSORS 👨💻 NordLayer Security across your business 28% off: GROWTHMINDSET-28 http://nordlayer.com/growthmindset Frank Dick OBE - Website - https://www.frankdick.co.uk - Book - "Winning: Motivation for Business, Sport & Life" NEW SHOW - How to Change the World: The History and Future of Innovation Learn about the evolving story of the human species and our ideas told in chronological order. The podcast is full of fun facts, surprising stories and philosophical insights. Found on all 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 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 CHAPTERS 00:00 The Haunting Feeling of Never Being Enough 00:29 Welcome to the Growth Mindset Psychology Podcast 01:03 The Journey of Sustainable Success 01:24 Introducing Frank Dick: Coaching Legend 01:57 The Four Rs Framework for Personal Growth 02:06 Defining Winning: A Continuous Journey 02:26 Frank Dick's Insights on Winning 03:06 Practical Tips for Daily Wins 03:59 The Importance of Setting Realistic Goals 07:08 Recognizing and Celebrating Small Wins 14:26 The Role of Emotional Control in Success 16:28 The Pitfalls of Success and Complacency 17:29 Reflections and Takeaways from Frank Dick 19:38 The Four Rs: A Growth Mindset Framework 20:18 Conclusion: Embrace Your Strengths and Improve Daily Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
31 Okt 24min
