logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2020
1h 4m

Dr. Vikram Mansharamani | The Art of Cri...

THE ART OF CHARM
About this episode

In today’s episode, we cover how to think for yourself with Dr. Vikram Mansharamani. Dr. Vikram is a global trend-watcher who shows people how to anticipate the future, manage risk, and spot opportunities, and is the author of Think For Yourself: Restoring Common Sense in an Age of Experts and Artificial Intelligence.

We’re often told to think for ourselves, but how do you separate your thoughts from the bombardment of information we receive from our devices and the people around us and what can we do to think critically about the ideas and opinions we read and hear every day?

What to Listen For

  • What can you do to identify the influences in your life and keep them in check so you’re not constantly pushed in many different directions?
  • How do you determine what decisions in your life are worth worrying about?
  • What can you do to stop wasting so much time on the tougher decisions in your life so you can keep moving forward?
  • What can you do to confuse the algorithms to help give you more unbiased information?
  • What checks can you implement in your life to prevent blind dependence on technology?
  • How do we decide when rules should be followed or broken?
  • What questions can you ask to remove underlying biases for rules, recommendations, or prescriptions?
  • What are the four types of decisions we make and how should we approach each one?
  • What is the Cynefin framework and how can it help you in complex decision making?
  • What is the value in being a generalist vs an expert, and how do we balance the two in our own lives?
  • What can you do to sort through the misinformation to find the truth?

Being able to think for yourself is an increasingly important skill as we continue drowning in ideas and opinions from the people around us and screens in front of us.

A Word From Our Sponsors

Share your vulnerabilities, victories, and questions in our 17,000-member private Facebook group at theartofcharm.com/challenge. This is a unique opportunity where everyone — both men and women — celebrate your accountability on the way to becoming the best version of yourself. Register today here!

Resources from this Episode

Think For Yourself by Vikram Mansharamani

Vikram Mansharamani’s website

The Cynefin framework

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Check in with AJ and Johnny!

AJ on Instagram

Johnny on Instagram

The Art of Charm on Instagram

The Art of Charm on YouTube

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Up next
Today
From Likable to Influential: The 3C Method [Social Intelligence Brief]
Do people like you… but never seem to respect you? In this episode of Social Intelligence, AJ Harbinger and Johnny Dzubak reveal the hidden social trap of being “too agreeable.” While it might seem like the best way to build rapport, research shows that excessive agreeableness ac ... Show More
17m 46s
Jul 7
Your Brain Needs More Space, Not More Hacks | Dr. Anne-Laure Le Cunff
Can being "too smart" actually hold you back socially? In this episode of Social Intelligence, AJ Harbinger and Johnny Dzubak sit down with Anne-Laure Le Cunff—founder of Ness Labs and a former Googler turned neuroscience researcher—to explore the psychology of overthinking, soci ... Show More
1h 4m
Jul 4
Supercharge Your Charisma [Social Intelligence Brief]
If you’ve ever felt invisible in a room full of people, it’s not your personality—it’s your presence. In this episode of Social Intelligence, AJ and John unpack the three research-backed traits that make people charismatic, memorable, and magnetic—whether you're an introvert or n ... Show More
20m 12s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2024
Dr. Joe Dispenza - How to Overcome Stress and Heal Yourself from Within
In this episode, I’m teaming up with the incredible Dr. Joe Dispenza to bring you a conversation that could change the way you think about your life, your potential, and your future. Dr. Joe Dispenza is a world-renowned expert on the science of transformation and personal change, ... Show More
1h 14m
Jan 2025
Ep 201 How EM Experts Think Part 2: Data Gathering, Diagnostic and Treatment Decision Making, Test Ordering and Interpretation, Documentation, Emotional Resilience
In this Part 2 of our 2-part podcast series on How EM Experts Think with Dr. Reuben Strayer, Dr. Mike Betzner and Dr. Scott Weingart we dive deep into the nuances of practicing smarter, faster, and better in the ED. We answer questions like: How should we employ hypothetico-deduc ... Show More
1h 23m
Mar 2024
Most Self-Help Advice is Bad (at best...) - What's Useful?
Avoid mental masturbation, curate an information diet that works, and learn tried and tested strategies to build resilience, positivity and a Growth mindset. Topics: The flaws of most 'self-improvement' content Reality vs ideal Advice without action Strategies that consistently c ... Show More
25m 49s
Oct 2024
Why You Should Resist Institutions for the Sake of Your Children | Ep 56
Most of us want the best for our children, but what if the very institutions we trust are actually steering our kids in the wrong direction? In this episode, Dr. Shefali, a renowned Conscious Parenting Expert and Bestselling Author gets real about how we can break away from the p ... Show More
51m 46s
Feb 2025
The Manipulation Expert: Most People Don't Realise They're Narcissists! You're Setting Your Child Up For Misery!
Are you being manipulated without knowing it? Robert Greene reveals the silent tactics of influence and how to take back control   Robert Greene, returning for his third time on DOAC, is a world-renowned expert on human psychology and behaviour. He is also a multiple New York Tim ... Show More
2h 43m
Aug 2024
3303: How To Remain Calm Under Pressure & Overcome Problems In 9 Steps by Brian Tracy on Personal Growth
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.Episode 3303:Brian Tracy shares practical strategies to help you stay calm and take control during challenging times. By accepting r ... Show More
11m 26s
May 19
Sharpen Your Intuition for Confident Decisions with Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir
What if the key to navigating uncertainty and making truly aligned decisions lies not just in logic, but in an ancient wisdom tradition?I was fascinated to learn from Hrund Gunnsteinsdottir about 'Innsæi: Heal, Revive and Reset with the Icelandic Art of Intuition’, which she beau ... Show More
19m 55s
Apr 12
3560: My Top Seven Rules by James Altucher on How to Live a Richer Life
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.Episode 3560:James Altucher distills decades of hard-won wisdom into seven powerful rules for a richer, more resilient life. From el ... Show More
12m 7s
Aug 2024
Learn How To Control Your Mind (Use This To Brainwash Yourself)
In today's episode, we delve into the fascinating world of the reticular activating system (RAS) and how it shapes our perception of reality. Think of your brain as a bouncer at the door, filtering out irrelevant information and letting in only what’s important – and the best par ... Show More
18m 37s
Aug 2024
How To Think Clearly
Today I’ll share how our upbringing and environment shape our beliefs and how we can break free to see the world as it truly is. We’ll discuss practical tips like questioning your beliefs, reflecting through writing, and seeking diverse perspectives. Clear thinking helps us make ... Show More
17m 52s