excellence, actually

"Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional." You've probably heard that one. It's not the most useful phrase. There are a lot of really difficult or tragic situations where your pain is going to be accompanied by some suffering. However, the intellectual idea behind that phrase is sound: we can, in moments of more lower-case p pain, pile on all sorts of mental anguish and worry to an already painful situation. Where possible, you want to try to avoid compounding that necessary pain with unnecessary suffering. Today, we've got a tool—"The Second Arrow of Suffering"—that will help you do that, and explain how to use it in a way that's a bit more nuanced than simply saying, "Don't suffer."Join The Growth Equation Academy today. 40% off for a limited time!https://the-growtheq-academy.mn.co/If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android PocketCasts Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're all going to die. (Gulp.) We know this—and we all share it—but death remains taboo, as do so many of its accompanying experiences: grief, suffering, vulnerability, and loss of mental and physical faculty. But by ignoring death, we not only deny ourselves the opportunity to have a good death; we also deny ourselves the chance at a better life! Because, as you’ll hear from today's guest, a palliative care doctor named BJ Miller, those who are close to death have a lot to teach us about what matters in life. Join The Growth Equation Academy today. 40% off for a limited time!https://the-growtheq-academy.mn.co/If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android PocketCasts Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The psychologist and philosopher Erich Fromm argued that there are two fundamental orientations we can bring to the world: a having orientation and a being orientation. The difference between the two—which Brad lays out today, and in his most recent book, Master of Change—is the difference between getting stuck in your identity, and being durable, flexible, and versatile over the course of one's life. Plus, Brad gives a quick primer on how to define your core values. Join The Growth Equation Academy today. 40% off for a limited time!https://the-growtheq-academy.mn.co/If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android PocketCasts Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When times get difficult, people often turn to sport and fitness to help. It's a way to build confidence and mental strength, and an outlet for frustration. But if that's why you get into athletics, what happens when you get your life back on track? Can you still have the same drive? That's the opening question of today's episode, but it leads into a broader discussion about how to navigate changes in motivation and goals over the course of our lives. Plus: Brad discusses his first powerlifting competition, and Steve goes into coach mode to discuss different tools to help "flip the switch" during key competitive moments.Join The Growth Equation Academy today. 40% off for a limited time!https://the-growtheq-academy.mn.co/If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android PocketCasts Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There's plenty of information out there about the "best" routine for your morning, your night, and every time in between. Of course, as we always say, there is no "best" anything. What works for one person may not work for another. That being said, there are some general guidelines that can help you think through how to build the daily routines that are most effective for you. Here, Brad shares his philosophy on routines, how to know when to throw yours away, and what he's learned over the years about routines and rituals, including his five best tips for creating your own.Join The Growth Equation Academy today. 40% off for a limited time!https://the-growtheq-academy.mn.co/If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android PocketCasts Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We all know walking is good for us—but just how good is it, exactly? Today we go deep on running's more leisurely and oftentimes less celebrated (dare we say underrated?) cousin. What are the aerobic benefits of walking? If you're a regular runner, is there a case for why you should mix in more walking? Why is everyone so obsessed with 10,000 daily steps as a metric, and should you be? What is the connection between walking and creativity? What does the latest research say about why so many people report solving problems or getting unstuck when they go on walks? So, put on your headphones, go for a walk, and give it a listen.If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you’re someone who lives in a place with seasons (or decided to travel somewhere especially warm) you might be slogging through heat and humidity during your workouts these days—particularly if you’re training for a fall marathon. Lucky for you, Steve Magness deals with this problem nearly year round since he lives in Houston. So today he offers his best tips for adjusting your workouts and surviving the heat when it really gets cooking.Join The Growth Equation Academy today. 40% off for a limited time!https://the-growtheq-academy.mn.co/If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hilary Hahn first picked up a violin when she was 3, and made her major orchestral debut at 12. Now in her forties, she has spent four decades playing, and more than thirty of those years playing with some of the best orchestras in the world. Over that time, she has gathered some—actually, A LOT of—wisdom about what goes into an elite performance. Though her experience is in music, her tips are accessible and useful for all levels of performers across all disciplines: how to stack your training so that you peak at the right moment; what to do when your brain betrays you in the middle of a performance; how to work with the performance you're having rather than struggling to make it fit some prior expectation; how to motivate yourself positively rather than with negative threats; how to trust the wisdom that's stored in your body; and on and on. It's an absolute masterclass in how to perform at your best.Join The Growth Equation Academy today. 40% off for a limited time!https://the-growtheq-academy.mn.co/If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Studies have shown that elite performers—like those we're watching in the Olympics right now—experience the exact same feelings of nervousness and anxiety that we all feel before an important event. But they're experts at turning that anxiety into fuel using a specific psychological tool. Today, Brad breaks down what that tool is and how it can help you next time you have pre-performance jitters.Join The Growth Equation Academy today. 40% off for a limited time!https://the-growtheq-academy.mn.co/If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nike recently released an ad for the Olympics whose message is that you have to be a "bad person"—in the ad's telling, a competitor who lacks empathy, compassion, and respect—to be a winner. So Brad, Steve, and Clay debate: Is this true? Is it possible to be a ruthless competitor and still be a good person? What separates true greatness from pseudo-greatness? And what do we get wrong, culturally and societally, when it comes to winning in sport?"Am I a Bad Person?" (Nike): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwLergHG81cJoin The Growth Equation Academy today. 40% off for a limited time!https://the-growtheq-academy.mn.co/If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When it comes to being productive, there’s nothing more important that prioritization. You don't just want to get things done; you want to get the right things done. Unfortunately, when life (and our to do list) gets overwhelming, we can resort to just getting through what’s loudest and latest, which means we ignore our important, long-term projects to tend to what’s urgent. That can keep us from getting to the tasks that actually move the needle. Today, we talk through an organizational tool called the Eisenhower Matrix that’ll help you give proper weight to each task on your to-do list and allow you to do more of what matters.To see what an Eisenhower Matrix looks like, click here:https://slab.com/blog/eisenhower-matrix/Join The Growth Equation Academy today. 40% off for a limited time!https://the-growtheq-academy.mn.co/If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Olympics kick off tomorrow, so the guys share the events they're most excited for, and discuss the mindsets that the world’s top performers use to gain a mental edge. You’ll get Steve’s breakdown of what to watch for in this year’s most compelling track races, what we expect to see from Simone Biles, thoughts on how the USA’s men’s basketball team will stack up against the international competition, and insights into the elite type of confidence it takes to win on sports’ biggest stage. Join The Growth Equation Academy today. 40% off for a limited time!https://the-growtheq-academy.mn.co/If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"Respond, not react." It's easy to say and extremely difficult to do, especially in the heat of the moment. Luckily, Brad has an actionable, four-step plan that will help you respond thoughtfully rather than react emotionally next time you find yourself in a stressful situation. Plus: how you can use affect labeling, self-distancing, and physical exercise to help put the 4 P's into practice.If you want to practice the 4 P's in a like-minded community of other people eager to learn about all things performance, join The Growth Equation Academy today. 40% off for a limited time!https://the-growtheq-academy.mn.co/If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, we discuss Brad's recent article in The New York Times, and announce some exciting news: On Monday, we launched "The Growth Equation Academy for Human Performance." The Academy is something we created after readers and listeners continue to ask for a place to go deeper on performance and well-being. We couldn't find a program out there that we liked, so we created our own, filled with courses, masterclasses, guides, and an interactive community of other like-minded people interested in performing their best on the things they care about most. For a limited time, we're giving you 40% off. You can access the discount by clicking the link below. If you enjoy the podcast, then we're confident you'll enjoy The Academy, where you can find much, much more on all of what we discuss on this show.Join The Growth Equation Academy today for 40% off!https://the-growtheq-academy.mn.co/If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We live in a data-heavy age, rife with smart watches and fitness trackers. But objective metrics have their limits (such as heat, fatigue, stress, technical difficulties, or when you forget your watch/tracker). In these cases, RPE can be a helpful metric to use, because it's based on feel. Today, Brad explains what it is, how to use it, and how it can be applied outside of physical exercise to life more generally.If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a 2021 Pew Research survey, only 17% of Americans mentioned their work as a source of meaning. But a 2023 poll, also from Pew Research, said 71% of Americans thought that having a job they enjoy was an important element of a fulfilling life. This creates a big disconnect. If we believe meaningful work is important to a good life, but we're struggling to find meaningful work, where does that leave us? Brad and Clay discuss the role work should play in life, what makes something "meaningful," whether or not it's important to find meaning in your work, and how to find it outside of your job."America's Crisis of Meaningless Work" by Molly Lipson (Business Insider): https://www.businessinsider.com/american-employees-disengaged-work-meaningless-fake-email-jobs-2024-6"What Makes for a Fulfilling Life" by Kim Parker and Rachel Minkin (Pew Research): https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2023/09/14/what-makes-for-a-fulfilling-life/#:~:text=When%20asked%20what%20it%20takes,to%20live%20a%20fulfilling%20life.If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There are many reasons why your workout routine might get disrupted. Maybe you're traveling, maybe something comes up and you have less time than expected, or maybe you just can't get yourself to drive to the gym. In these moments, it's better to try to do something rather than nothing (if you can). So next time you're in a pinch, try the workout from today's Coach Up. It's something you can do in a tight window, it's customizable to all fitness levels, and the only gear it requires is your body and a deck of cards.If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You're probably familiar with the phenomenon of the "second wind." You're doing something difficult, going all out, giving max effort, and just when you feel like you've hit your wall—BOOM—you get an unexpected surge of energy to push you to the finish line. It's great when it happens, which begs the question: why does it happen? And how can we make it more likely to occur again? Today, the guys break down the physiology and psychology behind the phenomenon, what we still don't know about it, and how we can increase our chances of catching it. (Hat tip to Mike, who emailed in a question about the second wind!) Plus: a George Orwell quote sparks a debate about the importance of ego and egolessness when it comes to excellence and performance.George Orwell Quote: https://x.com/oldbooksguy/status/1805650757502583096If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Reading is a skill that we may not spend a lot of time trying to improve. But in an age of constant noise and distraction, being able to focus and go deep on a good book isn't just one of life's great pleasures, it's also a way to improve your attentional fitness (not to mention a great way to learn). On a year when he's not writing his own book, Brad can read 50 to 100 books. He shares his tips for starting (or restarting) and maintaining a deep reading practice: his note-taking process, why he always keeps a pad nearby (but no devices), and his one rule for quitting books.If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Steve, Brad, and Clay discuss a question posed by the writer and runner Sabrina Little in a recent article (link below) from Aeon titled "Performance-Enhancing Vices:" How do the personality traits that make for better competitors impact moral character? Is it possible that things like envy, selfishness, and pride—traits we'd likely label as "vices"—make us more competitive? Does good character hurt our performance? Using contemporary examples and drawing on their own experiences coaching, competing, and working with elite athletes, the guys explore the relationship between athletic performance and moral character. When does selfishness help and when does it hurt? Do you have to singularly obsessed to be great? How should we think about balancing life with ambitious goals?"Performance-Enhancing Vices" by Sabrina Little (Aeon):https://aeon.co/essays/does-it-take-a-bad-person-to-be-a-good-athleteIf you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We all have hard workouts and hard days. Often, what makes them hard is there's a problem we need to solve. On today's episode, we're going into the FAREWELL archives to pull one of the great problem-solving tools from ultrarunner Courtney Dauwalter's killer toolbox. As you might imagine, many problems creep up when you're running 100+ miles, and Courtney has one visual tool that's proven particularly effecting at helping her win races. Plus: her favorite mantras, and the trick to unlock confidence and self-belief.Full Episode:Spotify -- https://open.spotify.com/episode/5RG8qJFrtmX9pbibmuQzHi?si=667003bf0d5144f7Apple -- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/001-inside-the-joyful-mind-of-elite-ultrarunner/id1505257676?i=1000640521579If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Adam Bornstein is a fitness and nutrition expert who has worked with LeBron James and Arnold Schwarzenegger and who came to the world of wellness after breaking his back (twice!) at a young age. It was the 1990's and doctors told him he'd have to change his athletic lifestyle—except for one, who put him through exercises that involved strengthened his core and focused on on functional, load-bearing movement. The (ultimately effective) regimen was unusual at the time but is now considered foundational to most physical fitness routines. It gave Adam an early lesson in the power and strength of the human body—and the shortcomings of fitness and wellness "experts." Which is why he's an ideal source to help us wade through all the misinformation of today's health and wellness world. He discusses why he thinks the health industry is getting worse, the critical mindset shift that will help you change your behavior, a better and more sustainable way to eat, what he's learned from Arnold and LeBron, and a better way to think about goal-setting and to-do lists.Adam Bornstein's book, "You Can't Screw This Up: Why Eating Takeout, Enjoying Dessert, and Taking the Stress out of Dieting Leads to Weight Loss That Lasts":https://www.harpercollins.com/products/you-cant-screw-this-up-adam-bornstein?variant=41096256552994If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Over the course of his basketball career, JJ Redick carved out a reputation as one of the game's best shooters. (Not to mention one of its smartest minds, which is why he's currently an analyst for the NBA Finals, and rumored to be a leading candidate for the next L.A. Lakers head coaching position.) To be that kind of shooter, you need an unflappable confidence. In 2020, Clay spoked with JJ about how he earned that confidence, and how he maintained it even during sustained shooting slumps. It's a masterclass in self-belief, and it's a technique you don't have to be in the NBA to be able to use.Original Interview:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nba-sharpshooter-j-j-redick-on-keeping-your-confidence/id1462693827?i=1000463893768If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In recent years, there has been a growing obsession with longevity and life extension: people interested in improving the quality of their health at the end of their lives (or extending their life altogether). Steve, Brad, and Clay use a recent story from The New Yorker—"No Time to Die" by Dhruv Khullar (link below)—to break down the quest to live longer. How worried should we be about longevity? How is it benefiting our societal health? How is it harming it? And, most importantly, how much should the quality of our end-of-life health concern us as we make choice about our health today?"No Time to Die" by Dhruv Khullar (The New Yorker)https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/04/22/how-to-die-in-good-healthIf you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Every week, Brad Stulberg spends either Saturday or Sunday practicing a Digital Sabbath: he goes the day offline and without any of his devices (phone, computer, tablet). It's not because he's anti-technology, but because he wanted to make sure he still had access to many of the aspects of life that tech use can hamper: presence, creativity, silence, and emotional regulation, to name a few. On today's episode, he discusses the benefits he's experienced, how it works (hint: flip phone), and how anyone interested in spending more time away from their devices (even if it's just for an hour or two) can develop a digital sabbath that works for them.If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Find Brad, Steve, and Clay on Instagram: @bradstulberg, @stevemagness, and @clayskipper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There’s a promise built into all the productivity and time management advice out there: that it’s possible, with the most efficient technique, to finally conquer that feeling that you have too much to do and not enough time to do it. But that’s a false hope, says today’s guest Oliver Burkeman, author of Four Thousand Weeks, which is about why time management strategies so often fail. “You cannot optimize your way to peace of mind in a world where supply of things that are incoming is effectively infinite,” he says. Today, Burkeman presents an approach that willingly accepts our limits and finite capacity. Doing so won’t just improve our productivity, he says—it will make our life more meaningful, fix our adversarial relationship to time, and help us, in his words, start *from* sanity, instead of trying to strive towards it through productivity hacks. If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Find Brad, Steve, and Clay on Instagram: @bradstulberg, @stevemagness, and @clayskipper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rebecca Rusch is an athlete whose feats of endurance have included two self-supported, 350-mile bike rides on the Iditarod Trail and led a magazine to once dub her the "Queen of Pain." On today's episode of The Coach Up, Clay pulls from a conversation he had with her a few years ago where she shares her surprising approach to mastering her craft. You'll learn about the Zen concept of "Beginner's Mind," the power of pessimism, and the perils of over preparing.Full interview here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-queen-of-pain-and-ultra-endurance-athlete/id1462693827?i=1000465927851If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Find Brad, Steve, and Clay on Instagram: @bradstulberg, @stevemagness, and @clayskipper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Clay discusses his recent experience at a 10-day silent retreat, and the guys use it as a chance to go deep on the relationship between meditation and performance—including how Brad and Steve have changed their thoughts since first writing about the connection in their 2017 book, Peak Performance. If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Find Brad, Steve, and Clay on Instagram: @bradstulberg, @stevemagness, and @clayskipper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

To be a coach, you have to have a level of expertise in your field. To be a truly *great* coach, though, you have to have so much more than technical knowledge. You need a deep repertoire of soft skills that allow you to get the best out of your athletes. On today's episode of The Coach Up, Steve Magness, who has spent his entire life coaching or being coached, explains the attributes shared by great leaders and culture-builders. Of course, these are skills useful to anyone who works with people, whether a "coach" or not, which means they're abilities we'd all be wise to cultivate. Plus: what matters most when it comes to youth coaching.If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Find Brad, Steve, and Clay on Instagram: @bradstulberg, @stevemagness, and @clayskipper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Increasingly, algorithms are affecting the culture we consume (the news we read, the music we hear, the restaurants where we dine) and the culture that gets made (physical spaces are designed to be Instagrammable; art that can’t be marketed online may not be created). But, as you’ll hear Kyle Chayka, author of Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture, explain today, the algorithms are also deeply influencing our identity. Instead of “exploring the weirdness of our own taste,” we just consume whatever is served to keep us most engaged and stimulated. In the same way that you need stress to experience growth, we need the friction of exploration to discern our preferences and develop a sense of self. Without that friction, how do we know who we are, or what we like? These are the important questions at the heart of the conversation today.If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Find Brad, Steve, and Clay on Instagram: @bradstulberg, @stevemagness, and @clayskipper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Whether we like it or not, change is inevitable. In his book Master of Change, Brad cites research that the average human will undergo 36 major life changes in their time alive. Which means it's vital that we have the right tools to navigate disruption. Today, Brad explains how our understanding of and reliance on the concept of "homeostasis" has contributed to our inflexibility, and how a newer concept—allostasis—allows for a more adaptable version of stability.Want to learn more tools for handling life's many changes? Grab a copy of Brad's book, Master of Change: How to Excel When Everything is Changing—Including You.If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Find Brad, Steve, and Clay on Instagram: @bradstulberg, @stevemagness, and @clayskipper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week's roundtable is a hodgepodge of good stuff. Brad and Steve share their thoughts on (and criticisms of) last week's interview with Evelyn Tribole on intuitive eating. The crew reacts to a clip of the actor Jesse Eisenberg talking about how he learned to use his fear and anxiety as motivation. And there's a discussion of the recent Apple iPad ad, and how to best protect our humanity from the ever advancing grasp of technology. (All of the referenced material is linked below.)Intuitive Eating episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/037-a-saner-way-to-eat-with-evelyn-tribole/id1505257676?i=1000655032745Jesse Eisenberg interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO-6iqCum1wApple iPad ad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntjkwIXWtrcIf you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Find Brad, Steve, and Clay on Instagram: @bradstulberg, @stevemagness, and @clayskipper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We live in an age where attentional well-being is more important than ever. In our increasingly noisy world, there are an infinite number of things vying for our attention—which means it's more important than ever to have some control over how we direct it. In order to be able to do that, we have to have a deeper understanding of how attention works. Today, Clay, with the help of Oliver Burkeman's book, Four Thousand Weeks, breaks it down, explaining why we're so easily distracted and how we can train to deepen our concentration.If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Find Brad, Steve, and Clay on Instagram: @bradstulberg, @stevemagness, and @clayskipper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our diet has one of the biggest influences on how we feel and how we perform. But, particularly in the U.S., eating has become rather complicated, given that we have unbelievably easy access to ultra-processed foods and toxic, misleading fad diets (and all the disinformation that comes with them). So on today's episode, Clay talks to Evelyn Tribole, a dietician and one of the co-founders of Intuitive Eating, a framework for eating that is much more a mind-body practice than it is a diet. At its core, it is a system based on using awareness to get in touch with your body's intuition—what it finds nourishing, what it doesn't—after years of it being drowned out by the noise of diet culture. It's something we could all use help with, whether you subscribe to Intuitive Eating principles or not.If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Find Brad, Steve, and Clay on Instagram: @bradstulberg, @stevemagness, and @clayskipper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Over many years of evolution, we've been wired to have very trigger happy alarm systems. Unfortunately, those alarms tend go off most loudly right before a big performance, creating a cascade of nerves that can derail our ability to run a race, deliver a presentation, or nail the interview. Today, Steve offers some of the best strategies he’s used (and coaches his athletes to use) for turning down the alarm and marshaling the energy of your nerves to work for—not against—you. If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Find Brad, Steve, and Clay on Instagram: @bradstulberg, @stevemagness, and @clayskipper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today's roundtable is all about building a more robust and more effective toolbox for handling the challenges life throws at you. After years of studying and writing about performance, Steve, Brad, and Clay highlight the practical tools that they have found most helpful when it comes to exercise & working out, productivity & work, diet & nutrition, and managing anxiety & mental health.If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Find Brad, Steve, and Clay on Instagram: @bradstulberg, @stevemagness, and @clayskipper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On the fifth episode of FAREWELL, Kate Bowler joined the show to talk about the ways in which the cult of wellness is failing us—namely, by making unrealistic promises about how limitless we are. We revisit that idea on today’s Coach Up, as Kate shares some thoughts on why the mandate to constantly live your “best life now” is particularly harmful, and why it’s okay to accept that, many days, we’re probably not feeling our best or making it through all (if any) of the things on our to-do list.If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Find Brad, Steve, and Clay on Instagram: @bradstulberg, @stevemagness, and @clayskipper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We humans have a tendency to get in our own way. When it comes to starting new habits, changing our behavior, or making big decisions, we create all kinds of complications for ourselves. Fortunately, we’ve got Katy Milkman, a Wharton professor and expert on the science human behavior. Today, she gives strategies for beating our impulsivity (which she calls the “granddaddy” of obstacles to behavior change), making hard decisions, and why sometimes the best solution involves subtraction not addition. If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Find Brad, Steve, and Clay on Instagram: @bradstulberg, @stevemagness, and @clayskipper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brad has been a performance coach for some time now, working with executives, physicians, founder, attorneys. Today, we're going to get a little insight into what that work looks like. Brad shares one of the strategies he uses with his clients to help them organize and more effectively mange their lives, and achieve their goals: his three-tiered coaching pyramid. If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Find Brad, Steve, and Clay on Instagram: @bradstulberg, @stevemagness, and @clayskipper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For the last couple decades, Cal Newport has been thinking about how to do quality work productively, effectively, and sustainably. His latest book Slow Productivity, a New York Times bestseller, presents a refreshingly sane idea: that we might be able to do more work and not be completely burnt out or exhausted doing it. Today, Clay and Brad sit down with Cal to talk through how that’s actually possible. Plus, as a computer scientist and productivity expert, Cal lays out his most effective work strategies and best practices for good digital hygiene. If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Find Brad, Steve, and Clay on Instagram: @bradstulberg, @stevemagness, and @clayskipper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mantras are a good tool to have in your toolkit when life inevitably gets frustrating and difficult (to wit: in their FAREWELL interviews, ultrarunner Courtney Dauwalter and triathlete Chelsea Sodaro both shared how mantras have helped them become world-class athletes). Today, Clay shares three of his favorite mantras, phrases that have helped him manage anxiety, work, and exercise over the years.If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Find Brad, Steve, and Clay on Instagram: @bradstulberg, @stevemagness, and @clayskipper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, NCAA March Madness wrapped up, and two teams were crowned National Champions—which means 134 other teams lost. This is the hard reality of any type of competition: the vast majority of people who compete will lose. But it's those who know how to lose well that can best set themselves up for a future win. On today's episode, Steve, Brad, and Clay discuss the best way to cope with the acute loss in a competition, and the more general loss of ability that comes with age: how can we learn to adapt as our bodies and skills change, and not chase the ghost of who we once were? If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Find Brad, Steve, and Clay on Instagram: @bradstulberg, @stevemagness, and @clayskipper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Any time we are developing a new skill, hobby, craft, or practice, we have to go through various stages of development—these are called the four levels of competence. At the first level, you're learning and everything can feel difficult. At the fourth, you're in flow. By knowing what they are, you can identity where you're at on the progression, which, in turn, will help you figure out the tools you need to continue to grow, improve, and move to the next level. Today, Brad breaks down the four levels of competence, how you can move from novice to master, and ways to stay curious and playful even after you've reached a level of mastery.If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Find Brad, Steve, and Clay on Instagram: @bradstulberg, @stevemagness, and @clayskipper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Good news, bad news. The good news: in our modern world of endless entertainment, we have essentially solved the problem of boredom. The bad news: turns out boredom wasn't a problem, but a skill. The ability to do deep, creative work, to complete a long cardio workout, to avoid mindlessly falling into social media doom scrolls—these all require an ability to be bored. As Manoush Zomorodi, host of NPR's TED Radio Hour, lays out in her book "Spark: How to Free Your Brain From Technology and Ignite Your Creativity," boredom affords us the patience we need to get to our most generative ideas, to process difficult emotions, and to work towards our long-term goals. On today's episode, Manoush tells us why (and how) we should build some boredom back into our lives. Plus: What else she has learned about having a healthy relationship to technology after years spent studying how it affects our mental, physical, and cultural health.If you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Find Brad, Steve, and Clay on Instagram: @bradstulberg, @stevemagness, and @clayskipper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"A ritual is routine with intention," says Katherine May (author of Wintering and Enchantment) on today's episode of The Coach Up. Whereas routines are a set of steps you don't have to think about, a ritual is about performing an action that consciously allows us to work in harmony with the various rhythms of the day, month, and year. In this way, rituals can become important ways to mark the passage of time and keep us on track as the days fly by. Since we're already three months deep into 2024, now is as good a time as ever to create rituals that will allow you to work towards your goals, and show up more consciously and with more intentionality. Katherine May helps explain how.Full FAREWELL Episode with Katherine May:"Knowing How to 'Winter' is a Year Round Skill"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/013-knowing-how-to-winter-is-a-year-round-skill/id1505257676?i=1000645443337Article referenced:"How to Set Yourself Free with Ritual" (Psyche)https://psyche.co/guides/how-to-live-free-and-in-harmonious-ease-with-confucian-ritualIf you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Find Brad, Steve, and Clay on Instagram: @bradstulberg, @stevemagness, and @clayskipper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Last week, ESPN's Wright Thompson wrote a wonderfully reported profile of Iowa's Caitlin Clark (link below), who is playing in her last NCAA tournament and capping off a career as one of college basketball's greats and it's all-time leading scorer. At the heart of that piece was a compelling question: What is the cost of greatness? How does someone like Caitlin Clark balance relentless hustle with joy and rest? Obsessional devotion with relaxation and play? Hyper competitiveness with teamwork and development? These are the questions that anyone trying to be great has to navigate, whether you're trying to set the NCAA scoring record or not. Today, Steve, Brad, and Clay use ESPN's Caitlin Clark story to try to better understand greatness and what it takes to get there."Caitlin Clark and Iowa Find Peace in the Process" by Wright Thompson (ESPN)https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/39740282/caitlin-clark-iowa-2024-ncaa-women-basketball-tournament-ready-marchIf you are enjoying FAREWELL, do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Find Brad, Steve, and Clay on Instagram: @bradstulberg, @stevemagness, and @clayskipper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Knowing how to be tired is a skill. If you don't know how to work with fatigue, you won't be able to push yourself when things get hard. On the other hand, if you only know how to push and can't understand your body's warning signals when it's overdoing it, you might find yourself injured or burnt out. On this episode of The Coach Up, Steve Magness explains how to better walk that tightrope by getting to know—and making friends with—your fatigue.If you are enjoying FAREWELL, the best way you can support us so that we can keep doing what we're doing is to leave a review or share the show with a friend. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Find Brad, Steve, and Clay on Instagram: @bradstulberg, @stevemagness, and @clayskipper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’ve got voicemail(s)! On the last roundtable, we opened up our phone lines a you all answered the call with some great questions. So today’s episode is dedicated to answering three of the issues raised: how to know when a relationship to exercise becomes unhealthy; (2) the psychological downsides to gamifying your movement practice, and how to know when to use intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation; (3) how to think about exercising and fitness as you age. Enjoy—and thanks for the great questions. If you are enjoying FAREWELL, the best way you can support us so that we can keep doing what we're doing is to leave a review or share the show with a friend. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Find Brad, Steve, and Clay on Instagram: @bradstulberg, @stevemagness, and @clayskipper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The world can be pretty wonderful. It can also be pretty terrible. So we need a mindset that works for both of these circumstances. Unfortunately, these days, we often live on the extremes. On the one end of the spectrum, there's toxic positivity, which means remaining upbeat in the face of something that's really difficult, or hard, or sad, and needs to be experienced and processed as such. On the other , there's straight up hopelessness or nihilism, a sense that everything is so bad, we might as well just give up. We need something in between, a Goldilocks fit that accounts for difficulty but still allows for hope. That is where tragic optimism comes in. Brad writes extensively about this in his book, Master of Change. So today he joins the podcast to talk us through it.To learn more about tragic optimism, and other tools to help you to live in an ever-changing world, buy Brad's book, Master of Change. If you are enjoying FAREWELL, the best way you can support us so that we can keep doing what we're doing is to leave a review or share the show with a friend. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Find Brad, Steve, and Clay on Instagram: @bradstulberg, @stevemagness, and @clayskipper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In his books The Comfort Crisis and Scarcity Brain, Michael Easter explores two of the major complications of living in our modern world. The world is rife with comfort and convenience, which is great some of the time, but not all of the time since we need to discomfort to grow and become resilient. The world is also abundant, but humans have evolved to have a scarcity mindset, meaning that no matter how much we have, we're wired to crave more. This means we often struggle to do the necessary hard things, and can have a tendency to consume (foods, social media, substances) beyond the point of enoughness. These conditions are only exacerbated in a world that has made comfort more easily accessible than ever before, and that has been largely engineered to push us past the point of overconsumption. Enter Michael's work and wisdom: By bringing awareness to this reality, and to the mismatch between the world and our wiring, we can move towards embracing discomfort and finding lasting satisfaction.If you are enjoying FAREWELL, the best way you can support us so that we can keep doing what we're doing is to leave a review or share the show with a friend. Thanks! iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Got a question, feedback, or ideas for the show? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (646) 893-9503 Find Brad, Steve, and Clay on Instagram: @bradstulberg, @stevemagness, and @clayskipper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.