logo
episode-header-image
Jan 13
23m 10s

Life's Infinite Games: How to play by yo...

Sam Webster Harris | Growth Mindset Psychology
About this episode
What if the game you're playing isn't yours? Every moment of your life, something is at stake. Ignore your partner, they feel less loved. Choose status over meaning, you'll need a therapist. We inherit these games—LinkedIn profiles that read like eager cover letters, news consumption that convinces us everything's collapsing, social media that demands we p ... Show More
Up next
Jan 27
Surrounded by Conformists: How to spot the 5 types of NPC and think your own thoughts - [Psychology of non-player characters]
The algorithm doesn't want you to think; it wants you to react. It wants you to be a character in its story, following a predictable path of outrage and agreement. We are living through a shift where the line between human and bot is blurring. Not because computers are getting mo ... Show More
42m 31s
Jan 20
How To Build Free Will
Free will sounds easy until you look closely. Then it turns out to be smaller, stranger, and far more difficult than advertised. We take a cheerful scalpel to the idea that we’re the conscious captains of our lives. With help from psychology experiments, philosophical detours we ... Show More
53m 48s
Jan 16
5 Surprising Truths About Independence and Being Yourself: What really impacts who you are
The idea that you are a blend of the 5 people you spend time with has a dangerous side. In fact, it's not exactly true. In this episode, I break down why the Growth Mindset is actually about autonomy, not assimilation. I share the story of my best friend Laurie—a guy with zero am ... Show More
20m 25s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2025
475. Embrace Your Mortality
<p dir="ltr">In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer welcomes Oliver Burkeman, author of the New York Times bestseller 4000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals and the newly released Meditations for Mortals. Oliver shares his insights on embracing the finite ... Show More
48m 14s
Jul 2024
Time to Smile (ITWT35)
tail spinning
49m 19s
Jun 2024
Silent Minds: How Life Changes Without an Inner Monologue w/John R. Miles EP 468
<p>Do you have a voice that constantly speaks to you throughout the day? For most people, the answer is 'Yes.' This inner voice aids in decision-making, problem-solving, and self-reflection. However, some people live without this inner monologue, a phenomenon called anendophasia. ... Show More
23m 18s
May 2025
100: Mailbag: An Embarrassment of Riches
<p>Abby, Patrick, and Dan mark one hundred episodes of Ordinary Unhappiness! They start by looking back on the show’s run so far, and what they’ve gotten from engaging with psychoanalysis as a living body of knowledge, as a corpus of classic texts, as a way of seeing the world, a ... Show More
1h 30m
Jul 2025
The World Until Yesterday - Jared Diamond - Stone Age Lessons on Innovation
Heard enough lame insights about caveman psychology? Jared Diamond goes hard into what life was really like, how we thought and how it compares to today.A masterclass of a book when it comes to truly understanding our history and humanity and packed full of insights.Sam digests t ... Show More
31m 13s
Sep 2024
10 Philosophy-Inspired Challenges for Becoming a Better and Happier Man
<p>Although they may call it different things and approach its attainment in different ways, many of the world’s religions and philosophies have a similar goal: achieving a life of virtue, peace, and flourishing.</p><p>In his new book, <a href="https://amzn.to/4cSdial" target="_b ... Show More
49m 43s
Nov 2024
How to Like Yourself
In this episode, we explore the journey of becoming someone who genuinely inspires yourself. I share my personal transformation from relying on fear-based motivation to cultivating a life of true self-inspiration, highlighting both the struggles and revelations along the way. We ... Show More
47m 9s
Apr 2025
From Public Citizens to Therapeutic Selves — The Hidden History of Modern Identity
<p>When you scroll through social media feeds today, you’ll find countless posts about “living your truth” and “being authentic.” These ideas feel so natural to us now that we rarely stop to ask where they came from or what they really mean.</p><p>The concept of identity — how we ... Show More
48m 33s
Aug 2025
Most Replayed Moment: Alain de Botton - Individualism Is Making Us Miserable!
Alain de Botton is a philosopher, author, and the founder of The School of Life. He is known for his insights into the intersection of philosophy, love, and the modern world, often exploring how societal structures impact mental well-being. In today’s Moments episode, Alain explo ... Show More
19m 13s