Simplify

Most of us learned how to do relationships from a state of victimhood. According to Karpman's Drama Triangle, there are three different roles to play: the victim, the hero and the villain. Regardless of these parts we take on, we're avoiding taking full responsibility for our experiences and our results in the world, which in turn causes a lot of drama and suffering. In this episode, Diana Chapman explains what it means to take radical responsibility—both at work and at home—and why this "serious business" actually goes hand in hand with playfulness. This episode is the second part of the two-parter on the book The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership: A New Paradigm for Sustainable Success https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/browse/books/the-15-commitments-of-conscious-leadership-en [1], that Diana wrote together with Jim Dethmer and Kaley Warner Klemp. You can find the first part with Jim Dethmer in the feed. Book recommended by Diana: - Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, by James Clear Diana also mentions work by Gay and Kathlyn Hendricks, as well as Karpman's drama triangle. Books recommended by Caitlin and Ben:- Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul, by Stuart M. Brown Jr. and Christopher Vaughan - Radical Candor: How to Get What You Want by Saying What You Mean, by Kim Scott - The No-Gossip Zone: A No-Nonsense Guide to a Healthy, High-Performing Work Environment, by Sam Chapman Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/simplify\][2], tapping on Try Blinkist at the top right, and entering the code PLAYFUL.Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller [3], Ben at @bsto https://twitter.com/bsto [4]. Simplify is produced by Caitlin Schiller, Ben Schuman-Stoler, Ines Bläsius and Marta Medvešek. Thanks to Luiza S. Carvalho for audio engineering chops and Odysseas Constantinou for music.[1] https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/browse/books/the-15-commitments-of-conscious-leadership-en[2] https://www.blinkist.com/simplify[3] https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller[4] https://twitter.com/bsto

If your child is having a meltdown or throwing a tantrum in the supermarket, you'll do almost anything to make them stop—including turning into MeanParent™. But there's another way!Dr. Tina Payne Bryson offers a different approach to discipline, free of threats and punishments, that is based on neuroscience. Understanding and nourishing your child's developing brain will not only help you survive the chaos, but also help them thrive - because their behavior is telling you loud and clear what skills they don't yet have.In this episode, Tina shares some of the key ideas on parenting from the books she wrote with Daniel J. Siegel, The Whole-Brain Child https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/browse/books/the-whole-brain-child-en [1] and No-Drama Discipline https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/browse/books/no-drama-discipline-en [2].Not a parent? Keep listening anyway – this episode will help you understand what happens to your loved ones when they’re having a meltdown, and how you can best support them.Books recommended by Tina:- The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence, by Jessica Lahey- Your Turn: How to Be an Adult, by Julie Lythcott-HaimsBooks recommended by Caitlin:- The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You, by Elaine N. Aron- The Highly Sensitive Child: Helping Our Children Thrive When the World Overwhelms Them, by Elaine N. AronOther Tina's books mentioned in the interview:- The Power of Showing Up: How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired, by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson- The Yes Brain: How to Cultivate Courage, Curiosity, and Resilience in Your Child, by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson- The Bottom Line for Baby: What the Science Says about Your Biggest Questions and Concerns, by Tina Payne BrysonTry Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to https://www.blinkist.com/simplify [3], tapping on Try Blinkist at the top right, and entering the code TANTRUM.Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller [4], Ben at @bsto https://twitter.com/bsto [5]. Simplify is produced by Caitlin Schiller, Ben Schuman-Stoler and Marta Medvešek. Thanks to Luiza S. Carvalho for audio engineering chops and Odysseas Constantinou for music.[1] https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/browse/books/the-whole-brain-child-en[2] https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/browse/books/no-drama-discipline-en[3] https://www.blinkist.com/simplify[4] https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller[5] https://twitter.com/bsto

Worn down by your never-ending to-do list? Even though there’s been a shift towards a more holistic idea of productivity in the last years, a lot of people still think that being productive is all about efficient time managing and achieving more.And this is where Erik Fisher comes in. Over the past 10 years, Erik's hosted some of the world's biggest productivity experts on his show, Beyond the To-Do List—people like Michael Hyatt, Cal Newport and James Clear. So we asked him: what are the most important productivity principles he's learned in his years studying the subject?By the end of this episode, you will know what you need to do to achieve your goals and do your best work—and an important part of it is giving yourself a break!Book recommended by Erik:- The Motivation Code: Discover the Hidden Forces That Drive Your Best Work, by Todd Henry with Ron Penner, Todd W. Hall, and Joshua MillerIn the interview Erik also mentioned David Allen’s Getting Things Done, Brian Tracy’s Eat That Frog!, as well as ideas from Michael Hyatt, Daniel Pink, and Jon Acuff.Books recommended by Ben and Caitlin:- Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life, by Nir Eyal- A World Without Email: Reimagining Work in an Age of Communication Overload, by Cal Newport- Ready Aim Fire! A Practical Guide To Setting And Achieving Goals, by Erik Fisher and Jim Woods https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/browse/books/ready-aim-fire-en [1]Try Blinkist for free for 14 days (and hear Erik's Shortcast!) by going to https://www.blinkist.com/simplify [2], tapping on Try Blinkist at the top right, and entering the code TODOLIST.Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller [3], Ben at @bsto https://twitter.com/bsto [4]Simplify is produced by Caitlin Schiller, Ben Schuman-Stoler and Marta Medvešek. Big thanks to Odysseas Constantinou for audio engineering chops and music.[1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/browse/books/ready-aim-fire-en[2]: https://www.blinkist.com/simplify[3]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller[4]: https://twitter.com/bsto

For a lot of us, our job is a profound expression of selfhood. That means that when we lose a job, or when a business fails, we might feel like failures, too. And in today’s uncertain economy this happens a lot more than anybody would like. In this episode, Farai Chideya, author of The Episodic Career https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/the-episodic-career-en [1], offers a new perspective on how to approach your career path so that you can both survive and thrive at work in the age of disruption. When you understand that you're not your job, but rather that it’s a thing that you do, it's much easier to bounce back, make a pivot, or even temporarily earn less on your way to doing work that really fulfills you. Sci-Fi podcasts recommended by Farai:1. Clarkesworld2. Escape Pod3. StarShipSofaBooks mentioned by Caitlin and Ben:1. How to Find Fulfilling Work by Roman Krznaric (The School of Life)2. What Color Is Your Parachute: Your Guide to a Lifetime of Meaningful Work and Career Success by Richard N. Bolles with Katharine Brooks3. The Multi-Hyphen Life: Work Less, Create More, and Design a Life That Works for You by Emma GannonTry Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/simplify\][2], tapping on Try Blinkist at the top right, and entering the code REBOOT. Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][3], Ben at [@bsto][4]. Simplify is produced by Caitlin Schiller, Ben Schuman-Stoler, Ines Bläsius, and Marta Medvešek. Thanks to Odysseas Constantinou for audio engineering chops and music.[1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/the-episodic-career-en[2]: https://www.blinkist.com/simplify[3]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller[4]: https://twitter.com/bsto

To show you just how much we've missed you, season 7 of Simplify is extra large and extra excellent! This time, you'll hear from a dating psychologist on connecting at the deepest level, the ultimate productivity expert on working in seasons, and even a hospice physician on how to have a good death—and live life to the fullest in the meantime.As always, this season features bestselling authors like Tiffany Dufu, Ken Page, Farai Chideya, and Kathryn Mannix, and as a bonus, Shortcast hosts Natalie Lue and Erik Fisher!If you haven’t subscribed, make sure to do so before the first new episode drops on May 20th. If we’re lucky enough to already count you as a Simplify fan, then please spread the word and tell your friends. It really does help! Send us feedback, suggestions, or questions about anything you’ve heard or would like to hear at [email protected]. And if Twitter’s your thing, you’ll find Caitlin @CaitlinSchiller and Ben @bsto.

Why do we lose motivation in our jobs? How can we create a space of belonging and inclusion? What are the best ways to give and receive feedback?Liz Fosslien answers all of these questions, and more, in this thoughtful and pertinent interview. As she reveals, emotions in the workplace are not only acceptable—they can actually be incredibly useful in decision making, making connections, and doing great creative work.This interview is truly eye-opening in establishing how we can unite who we are with what we do, creating a positive working environment for ourselves and those that we work with.For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/liz-fosslien-simplify-work-with-your-emotions [2]Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/simplify][3], tapping on Try Blinkist at the top right, and entering the code FEELFEELINGS. Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][4], Ben at [@bsto][5].Simplify is produced by Caitlin Schiller with Ben Schuman-Stoler. Thanks to Ines Bläsius for editing & production assistance and Christoph Meyer for audio engineering chops. The new Simplify theme is by the one and only Odysseas Constantinou.[1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/no-hard-feelings-en[2]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/liz-fosslien-simplify-work-with-your-emotions[3]: https://www.blinkist.com/simplify[4]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller?lang=en[5]: https://twitter.com/bsto[6]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/liz-fosslien-simplify-work-with-your-emotions-transcript

In this special Spotlight Caitlin talks with teacher, author, and entrepreneur, Seth Godin, about his new release, This Is Marketing.According to Seth, marketing is no longer about hawking products that nobody needs, but instead about helping people find the ones that will actually make a positive difference to their lives. In this episode of Spotlight, Seth tells Caitlin about what marketing really is, what it can and can’t do, and how it has changed fundamentally for the better.Read more at: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-spotlight-seth-godin?utm_source=cppRead more at: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-spotlight-seth-godin?utm_source=cpp Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to https://www.blinkist.com/simplify, tapping the "Try Blinkist" link at the top right, and typing in the code thisismarketing.Let us know what you thought of this episode of Spotlight, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller.That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on Soundcloud and Facebook.Stay tuned for the next season of Simplify!

As evidenced by the many times we've spoken with him on Simplify or recommended his books to you, we love Seth Godin. And now, big news! Seth has created exclusive content for Blinkist—and we're giving you a preview.2 Minutes with Seth Godin launches January 13th, only on Blinkist. Tune in, twice a week, to hear the teacher, entrepreneur, and internet OG himself drop gems of fresh perspective on everything from what marathoners know about rocking at business, to how to be a better boss, to the tools you need to find your purpose.Sign up for a Blinkist account to follow along with the first two weeks of 2 Minutes With Seth Godin. Just go to [https://www.blinkist.com/simplify], tap on Try Blinkist at the top right, and enter the code 2Minutes.Say hi on Twitter! Caitlin's at [@caitlinschiller][4], and Ben's at [@bsto][5].

The final episode of Season 6 features a special guest: psychologist, entrepreneur, publisher, ex management consultant and one of Blinkist's original co-founders, Sebastian Klein! In this interview, Caitlin and Sebastian discuss how businesses around the world are making changes that transform them from hierarchy, to more effective and people-centered organizations. Sebastian explains why designating roles rather than titles is more empowering, how he determines whether organizations genuinely want to change, and how to have better communication at the workplace. This episode is great for anyone who has identified changes they want to make, and finds themselves asking the question, “but, how?”For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-workplace-evolution-seb-klein/ [2]Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/simplify][3], tapping on Try Blinkist at the top right, and entering the code LOOPS.Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][4], Ben at [@bsto][5].Simplify is produced by Caitlin Schiller with unparalleled co-hosting by Ben Schuman-Stoler. Thanks to Ines Bläsius for production assistance and Christoph Meyer for audio engineering chops. The new Simplify theme is by the one and only Odysseas Constantinou.[1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/the-loop-approach-en[2]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-workplace-evolution-seb-klein/[3]: https://www.blinkist.com/simplify[4]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller?lang=en[5]: https://twitter.com/bsto[6]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-seb-klein-transcript/

What would the world look like if we were free of body shame and instead living in a state of radical self-love? Radical Self-Love Champion and author of The Body Is Not An Apology, Sonya Renee Taylor, explains what her utopia would look like in this week’s episode of Simplify.As Sonya explains, our language and mindset about our bodies impact us in ways that we are often entirely unaware of. Increasing our awareness of this factor enables us to better understand our own low moments, but also helps to explain major historical and societal harm.Listen in to learn more about how something as small as what we picture when we hear the word "body" can lead to much bigger consequences, and what we can do to avoid repeatedly making these same mistakes.For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-self-acceptance-sonya-renee-taylor/ [2]Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/simplify][3], tapping on Try Blinkist at the top right, and entering the code RADICAL. Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][4], Ben at [@bsto][5].Simplify is produced by Caitlin Schiller with unparalleled co-hosting by Ben Schuman-Stoler. Thanks to Ines Bläsius for production assistance and Christoph Meyer for audio engineering chops. The new Simplify theme is by the one and only Odysseas Constantinou.[1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/the-body-is-not-an-apology-en[2]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-self-acceptance-sonya-renee-taylor/[3]: https://www.blinkist.com/simplify[4]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller?lang=en[5]: https://twitter.com/bsto[6]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-sonya-renee-taylor-transcript/

In this episode of Simplify, Caitlin asks Randolph Nesse why he believes that humans have evolved to experience hardships such as depression, anxiety and grief. As it turns out, while many of our most painful emotions often do not serve a proper function in our modern world, they may have a history that allowed for our ancestors to survive. Randolph Nesse reveals the ways in which the fields of psychiatry and psychology could benefit from a focus on evolutionary biology, and shares a specific strategy which he uses in his own practice with patients.For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-psychiatry-randolph-nesse/[2]Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/simplify][3], tapping on Try Blinkist at the top right, and entering the code evolve. Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][4], Ben at [@bsto][5].Simplify is produced by Caitlin Schiller with unparalleled co-hosting by Ben Schuman-Stoler. Thanks to Ines Bläsius for production assistance and Christoph Meyer for audio engineering chops. The new Simplify theme is by the one and only Odysseas Constantinou.[1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/good-reasons-for-bad-feelings-en[2]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-psychiatry-randolph-nesse/[3]: https://www.blinkist.com/simplify[4]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller?lang=en[5]: https://twitter.com/bsto[6]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-randolph-nesse-transcript/

Creating joy in your daily life is much simpler than you’d think. Ingrid Fetell Lee, joy researcher and former IDEO designer, reveals how in transforming our spaces, we also have the power to transform our wellbeing.Find out how color brought life back into a struggling city, how you might be able to cheer up a loved one in the hospital, and how to set up a meeting at work to bring more energy and positivity into the room.For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-joy-ingrid-fetell-lee/[2]Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/simplify][3], tapping on Try Blinkist at the top right, and entering the code joyful. Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][4], Ben at [@bsto][5].Simplify is produced by Caitlin Schiller with unparalleled co-hosting by Ben Schuman-Stoler. Thanks to Ines Bläsius for production assistance and Christoph Meyer for audio engineering chops. The new Simplify theme is by the one and only Odysseas Constantinou.[1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/joyful-en[2]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-joy-ingrid-fetell-lee/[3]: https://www.blinkist.com/simplify[4]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller?lang=en[5]: https://twitter.com/bsto

We’ve got good news and bad news: depression might not be all in your head.In this episode of Simplify, journalist and two-time New York Times-bestselling author Johann Hari reveals the cultural causes of depression. Among them are loss of connection to meaningful work, a lack of meaningful relationships, lack of a future that makes sense, plus other factors both political and personal that can’t be blamed on the human mind.Hear Hari tell Caitlin the stories of how people have reclaimed their connections to meaning and the moving story of the Berlin community that saved itself through connection and care, and learn how we can all start to reconnect with what matters.For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-depression-johann-hari/ [2]Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/simplify][3], tapping on Try Blinkist at the top right, and entering the code connect. Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][4], Ben at [@bsto][5].[1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/lost-connections-en[2]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-depression-johann-hari/[3]: https://www.blinkist.com/simplify[4]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller?lang=en[5]: https://twitter.com/bsto

We kick off Season 6 of Simplify with Susan Cain, author of Quiet, and introversion's biggest rockstar. You'll hear how introverts and extroverts react differently to stimulation, why introverts often end up overlooked, and where the glamour around extroversion came from in the first place. Cain explains that giving introverts permission to be themselves not only makes them feel better, it can unlock their potential. With a few simple tweaks, schools and workplaces can create an environment in which introverts are better able to use their unique strengths to benefit everybody.For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-introversion-susan-cain/ [2]Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/simplify][3], tapping on Try Blinkist at the top right, and entering the codes introvert or quiet. Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][4], Ben at [@bsto][5].[1]: https://www.blinkist.com/books/quiet[2]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-introversion-susan-cain/[3]: https://www.blinkist.com/simplify[4]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller?lang=en[5]: https://twitter.com/bsto

In Season 6 of Simplify, we're going deep. Our authors and experts touch on how to harness joy from the world around us, why a lack of real human connection makes us depressed, and the evolutionary reasons we feel feelings in the first place. You'll hear from Susan Cain, Johann Hari, Sonya Renee Taylor, Ingrid Fetell Lee, and more. If you haven’t subscribed, make sure to do so before the first new episode drops on September 26th. If we’re lucky enough to already count you as a Simplify fan, then please spread the word and tell your friends. It really does help! Send us feedback, suggestions, or questions about anything you’ve heard or would like to hear at [email protected]. And if Twitter’s your thing, you’ll find Caitlin @CaitlinSchiller and Ben @bsto.

Chris Hirst's new book, No Bullshit Leadership, just hit stores. In it, the CEO of Havas Creative shares his jargon-free, straightforward approach to leadership, developed through years of hands-on experience with cutting the crap to get good work done.In this episode of Simplify Spotlight, Chris Hirst illuminates some things about leadership that you might think you already know, but don't—like, what's a leader's real job?—and a way to meet the question that has tortured leaders for ages: how can I tell whether I'm actually doing a good job?For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-spotlight-christ-hirstTry Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to https://www.blinkist.com/simplify, tapping the "Try Blinkist" link at the top right, and typing in the code nobullshit.Let us know what you thought of this episode of Spotlight, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller.That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on Soundcloud and Facebook.Stay tuned for the next season of Simplify!

Big news: Simplify's been nominated for a Webby Award—the internet’s most coveted prize, or the "Emmies of the Internet." Currently, we're in third place and you, dear listeners, can help us win by voting here: https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2019/podcasts/general-podcasts/health-wellness We're in the running for the Best Health & Wellness Podcast, pitted against huge shows like Dan Harris’s 10% Happier, and shows created by big publishers like Bloomberg and HuffPost. Just being nominated is a great honour because it means Simplify was considered to be in the top 10% of all work entered. But really? We’d love to win, and you can help by voting for us in the Webby People's Voice Awards by Thursday, April 18th! Just follow the link above (or visit one of our Twitter accounts) and choose Simplify for Best Health & Wellness Podcast. Then, check your inbox to confirm your email address for the Webby Awards—(otherwise, the vote won’t count)—and that's it! You’ll have taken us one step closer to winning. And on that note: if there’s one thing we’ve all learned over the last two years of making Simplify, it’s that there is no “I” in podcast. We’re so grateful to everyone who's listened, everyone who's been on the show, and everyone who works so hard on Simplify. To honor the whole Simplify audio group, we recorded this tiny, giddy, full-team bonus announcement in which you'll (finally) hear the voices of Ody Constantinou and Ben Jackson—and also get book recommendations from Caitlin, Ben, the other Ben, Ody, and Terence. Thanks for listening and thanks for voting! On Twitter, you can find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller], Ben at [@bsto], Ody at [@ghostmeet], and Terence at [@terence_mickey] Voting Link: https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2019/podcasts/general-podcasts/health-wellness

Self? Help! is the new podcast out of Blinkist. Host Terence Mickey, Moth Storyteller and creator of Memory Motel, goes deep with people about the books that sparked their life-changing realizations. In season one you’ll hear five bestselling NYT authors—Johann Hari, Paula McLain, and Eli Finkel, to name a few—tell the stories of that moment when they asked themselves who am I? How did I get here? And what am I supposed to do next? and the book that helped them answer those oh-so-existential questions. All episodes drop March 21st over in the Self? Help! feed. But today you get a sneak preview of episode one with Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Hidden Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking.1 Listen in to hear how Do What You Are[2] helped her change careers and find her true self. You can subscribe here to get all the episodes of Self? Help! next week when they drop[3]: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/self-help/id1453526088?mt=2 Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/en/friends/][4] and typing in the code cain. Let us know what you thought of this episode by emailing [email protected], or say hello on Twitter. Terence is at [@terence_mickey][5]. [2] https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/do-what-you-are/ [3]: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/self-help/id1453526088?mt=2 [4]: https://www.blinkist.com/friends/?v=cain [5]: https://twitter.com/terence_mickey

Picture a person who uses cannabis regularly. Did you imagine an Olympic medal-winning athlete, or a successful entrepreneur? Or did you think of someone who fits the standard stoner stereotype? If, like most people, you conjured up the latter, then today’s episode of Simplify might challenge some of your assumptions about what cannabis-use looks like, and what it’s used for. In this episode, Caitlin interviews cannabis journalist and author of The Little Book of Cannabis, Amanda Siebert. As the plant begins to be legalized on a more widespread basis, for both medicinal and recreational use, Siebert analyzes how the drug got so demonized, the wide array of benefits it can have for many people, and how we need to reconsider our preconceptions about the humble weed. For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-amanda-siebert-cannabis/ Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/friends/][3] and typing in the code cannabis. Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][4], Ben at [@bsto][5] and Terence at [@terence_mickey][6] That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on [Soundcloud][7] and [Facebook][8]. [1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/a-really-good-day-en/ [2]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-amanda-siebert-cannabis/ [3]: https://www.blinkist.com/friends/?v=cannabis [4]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller?lang=en [5]: https://twitter.com/bsto [6]: https://twitter.com/terence_mickey?ref_src=twsrc%5Eappleosx%7Ctwcamp%5Esafari%7Ctwgr%5Esearch [7]: https://soundcloud.com/niceaux [8]: https://www.facebook.com/niceaux

What does whiteness mean? If you're a white person, the occasions on which you've thought about it might be few. If you're a person of color, the time you spend reckoning with its meaning & consequences are likely far too many. Today's episode of Simplify is an invitation to grapple with what white means in the world, and how to have more generative, revelation-ready mindsets and conversations about racism as a system. As a Racial Justice Educator, Robin DiAngelo exhorts white people to consider what their skin color means on a cultural, economic, political, and personal level. She's written White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Race as an educational tool for white people who want to be better allies, inspect their biases, and find their way out of a racist system that continues to do harm. For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-robin-diangelo-white-fragility Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/friends/ and typing in the code fragile. Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller & Ben at @bsto. That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on Soundcloud and Facebook.

Coach & writer Jen Sincero tried every self-help technique out there, then condensed the most powerful practices into one straight-talking bestseller that thousands have used to kickstart their lives. Listen in as Sincero takes you through how to bust your own self-defeating beliefs to become the badass you’ve always known you are. Sincero, author of bestselling book You Are a Badass talks with Caitlin about negative thinking about money, how to tap into "source energy" (without getting too woo-woo), and what it's like to transform your world through transforming your own stories. Plus, she gets really honest about the negative fallout in changing your life for the better. For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-success-jen-sincero-believe-better-stories Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/friends/][3] and typing in the code badass. Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][4], Ben at [@bsto][5] and Terence at [@terence_mickey][6] That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on [Soundcloud][7] and [Facebook][8]. [1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/you-are-a-badass-en/ [2]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-success-jen-sincero-believe-better-stories [3]: https://www.blinkist.com/friends/?v=badass [4]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller?lang=en [5]: https://twitter.com/bsto [6]: https://twitter.com/terence_mickey?ref_src=twsrc%5Eappleosx%7Ctwcamp%5Esafari%7Ctwgr%5Esearch [7]: https://soundcloud.com/niceaux [8]: https://www.facebook.com/niceaux

If you've got a pulse and like eating food, you've likely either been on a diet, or felt obligated to start one. Yet the fact remains that diets, in the traditional cut-and-count-calories format, rarely work long term. That's where Melissa Hartwig Urban comes in. On this episode of Simplify, the co-creator of nutrition phenomenon The Whole30 talks with Caitlin about how to get free of diets forever, why your weight doesn't count, and how changing the way you eat can change everything. Plus, she offers up her tip on how to make brussels sprouts so good that you won't miss the kettle chips in your life one bit. Melissa Hartwig Urban is a Sports Nutritionist who specializes in helping people change their relationship with food and create healthy habits that last. Her program, The Whole30, has spent considerable time on the NYT's bestseller list and helped thousands of people reset their health. For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-nutrition-melissa-hartwig-urbann Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/friends/][3] and typing in the code whole30. Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][4], Ben at [@bsto][5] and Terence at [@terence_mickey][6] That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on [Soundcloud][7] and [Facebook][8]. [1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/a-really-good-day-en/ [2]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-nutrition-melissa-hartwig-urbann [3]: https://www.blinkist.com/friends/?v=whole30 [4]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller?lang=en [5]: https://twitter.com/bsto [6]: https://twitter.com/terence_mickey?ref_src=twsrc%5Eappleosx%7Ctwcamp%5Esafari%7Ctwgr%5Esearch [7]: https://soundcloud.com/niceaux [8]: https://www.facebook.com/niceaux

The turning point came for Ayelet Waldman when she found herself frozen before her medicine cabinet, wondering "what's going to kill me fastest?" She knew it was time to try a new tactic to improve her mental health. In this episode, hear this bestselling nonfiction author (who also happens to be a mother, a wife, and a novelist) describe her experience with microdosing LSD and how it improved her writing and her marriage, and maybe even saved her life. Waldman will bring you deep into the research around psychedelics and offer insight into why they're so controversial—particularly odd when we don't know a whole lot more about the doctor-prescribed medications commonly used to treat depression. For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-psychedelics-ayelet-waldman Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/friends/][3] and typing in the code micro. Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][4], Ben at [@bsto][5] and Terence at [@terence_mickey][6] That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on [Soundcloud][7] and [Facebook][8]. [1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/a-really-good-day-en/ [2]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-psychedelics-ayelet-waldman [3]: https://www.blinkist.com/friends/?v=micro [4]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller?lang=en [5]: https://twitter.com/bsto [6]: https://twitter.com/terence_mickey?ref_src=twsrc%5Eappleosx%7Ctwcamp%5Esafari%7Ctwgr%5Esearch [7]: https://soundcloud.com/niceaux [8]: https://www.facebook.com/niceaux

Do your negative thoughts race faster than Usain Bolt? Do you wish you were calmer, kinder, or more focused? Would you like to meditate, but just don’t think you have time? If you answered yes, then this episode of Simplify is for you. Dan Harris might be best known for his reporting on ABC News, Nightline, and the weekend edition of Good Morning America, but in recent years, this hard-nosed newsman has been helping fidgety skeptics like himself tap into the many benefits of meditation. To kick off Season 5 of Simplify—our beloved author interview podcast—Dan Harris busts misconceptions about and common barriers to meditation so that you can make it a practice that you can start today and finish in just a minute—no gongs, lotus pose, or flowing white robes required! For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-meditation-dan-harris Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/friends/][3] and typing in the code dailyish. Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][4], Ben at [@bsto][5] and Terence at [@terence_mickey][6] That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on [Soundcloud][7] and [Facebook][8]. [1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/10-percent-happier-en/ [2]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-meditation-dan-harris [3]: https://www.blinkist.com/friends/?v=dailyish [4]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller?lang=en [5]: https://twitter.com/bsto [6]: https://twitter.com/terence_mickey?ref_src=twsrc%5Eappleosx%7Ctwcamp%5Esafari%7Ctwgr%5Esearch [7]: https://soundcloud.com/niceaux [8]: https://www.facebook.com/niceaux

In season 5, you’ll learn how easy meditation can be with Dan Harris, how to change your self-defeating beliefs with Jen Sincero, and how to talk about race with Robin DiAngelo. You'll also hear what it's like to microdose LSD for a month and learn the surprising ways a little bit of cannabis can improve your health. If you haven’t subscribed, make sure to do so before the first new episode drops on January 31. If we’re lucky enough to already count you as a Simplify fan, then please spread the word and tell your friends. It really does help! Send us feedback, suggestions, or questions about anything you’ve heard or would like to hear at [email protected]. And if Twitter’s your thing, you’ll find Caitlin @CaitlinSchiller and Ben @bsto. More soon!

If a friend of yours needed to hear an unpleasant truth, would you tell it to them? Or would you gloss over it in order to avoid an uncomfortable conversation? Many of us would probably opt for the latter to avoid hurting someone’s feelings, but sometimes loving criticism is necessary to make people understand that they deserve better — and are capable of achieving it. In conversation with Caitlin, Luvvie Ajayi argues that honesty, judgment and criticism shouldn’t always be perceived as negative — as difficult as it may be to tell someone you expect more of them. “Discomfort will not kill you, but it is necessary for growth”, she says, and speaking the uncomfortable truth will end up making your relationships more sincere and trustworthy. Tune into this episode to learn the practices of loving criticism from Luvvie Ajayi and find out the benefits of challenging yourself to always say what you mean. And stick around after the interview for when Terence Mickey joins Caitlin Schiller to talk about the main takeaways from the conversation with Luvvie Ajayi and helps put together a book list for further reading. For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, click here. Read the transcript of the interview here. Let us know what you thought of the episode, or just give us some book recommendations on Twitter—we’d love to hear from you! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller, Ben at @bsto and Terence at @terence_mickey Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/friends/ and typing in the code troublemaker. That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on Soundcloud and Facebook.

Effective collaboration, innovative thinking, and constructive problem-solving can be major struggles for many teams, regardless of industry. But for those who really want to fix these issues, it’s time to look beyond how other companies work and turn to improv comedy ensembles for inspiration. After all, they’ve literally taken teamwork and turned it into an art form. Reflecting on years of experience with Chicago’s famous Second City improv troupe — where comedians like Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, and Dan Aykroyd cut their teeth — Kelly Leonard explains how improv techniques can benefit the business world. From fostering better communication to generating better ideas, improv can help to build teams capable of rising to any challenge. Leonard gives useful advice and practical exercises on how to get the most out of a meeting, what kind of environment should be created at a workplace, and how to build trustworthy and respectful relationships inside the team to improve collaboration and get better ideas. Listen to this episode to learn business tips that are used on stage by some of the world’s best comedians, and discover the key to truly outstanding teamwork. Stick around after the interview for when Ben Schuman-Stoler joins Caitlin Schiller to talk about the main takeaways from the conversation with Kelly Leonard and helps put together a book list for further reading. For more info, including links to everything we discussed in the episode, click here. Read the transcript of the interview here. Let us know what you thought of the episode, or just give us some book recommendations on Twitter—we’d love to hear from you! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller and Ben at @bsto. Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/friends/ and typing in the code yesand. That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on Soundcloud and Facebook.

Nothing hurts worse than heartbreak. Whether it’s the painful end of relationship or the passing away of a beloved pet, grief and emotional suffering can quickly become all-consuming. And that’s where we blame ourselves and feel guilty for our inability to overcome emotional pain fast enough. Moreover, as psychologist Guy Winch shows, when going through a breakup, it’s not just our mental health that suffers, but our bodies too. In this episode of Simplify, Winch reveals what happens in our brain when we’re experiencing a romantic heartbreak or a loss of a pet and offers warm and wise advice for all the broken-hearted. Listen to this episode to find out the reasons why you should stop stalking your ex on social media and why you should not necessarily wait to jump into another relationship after a breakup. Stick around after the interview to hear Terence Mickey join Caitlin Schiller to talk about the main takeaways from the conversation with Guy Winch as well as the book list they put together for the episode. For more info, including links to everything we discussed in the episode, go to https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-breakup-guy-winch-fix-broken-heart Let us know what you thought of the episode, or just give us some book recommendations on Twitter—we’d love to hear from you! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller and Terence at @terence_mickey. Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/friends/ and typing in the code heart. That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on Soundcloud and Facebook.

Do you consider yourself a night owl or are you a morning person? Regardless of whether you love mornings or not, we all want to make best of them. Everybody has those few things––that certain morning ritual––that if they don't do it, their whole day is ruined. But what’s the best way to start your day off right? Benjamin Spall and his co-author, Michael Xander, have spent five years studying morning routines of today’s most successful innovators, entrepreneurs, writers and artists to find out how they developed a morning regimen that sets them up for the day ahead in the best possible way. Based on his research and numerous interviews, Spall describes the best ways to introduce new rituals into your morning routine––consequently turning it into a habit––and gives recommendations on how to craft a morning routine that suits your needs. Tune into this episode to peek into the morning routines of talented creatives and successful people, and find out what kind of morning is most likely to boost your productivity and happiness. Stick around after the interview for when Ben Schuman-Stoler joins Caitlin Schiller to talk about the main takeaways from the conversation with Benjamin Spall and helps put together a book list for further reading. For more info, including links to everything we discussed in the episode, go to https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-your-morning-routine-benjamin-spall-on-how-to-start-your-day-off-right Let us know what you thought of the episode, or just give us some book recommendations on Twitter—we’d love to hear from you! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller and Ben at @bsto. Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/friends/ and typing in the code oatmeal. That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on Soundcloud and Facebook.

How much of your life do you spend pleasing those around you? Maybe it’s time to be honest with yourself, invest time in the things that really matter, and start weeding out unnecessary obligations to people you don’t really like. But how exactly are you supposed to do that? In this episode of Simplify, Sarah Knight will help you start a process of mental decluttering and show you how to develop your personal “fck budget”, i.e. the amount of fcks you are prepared to dispense on any given day. Use it as a filter to make sure you’re spending your time, energy, and money on the things that actually matter to you. Listen to this episode if you want to have more confidence in asking for what you want in life, and learn how to get it without feeling guilty or worrying about what others think. Stick around after the interview for when Ben Schuman-Stoler joins Caitlin Schiller to talk about the main takeaways from the conversation with Sarah Knight and helps put together a book list for further reading. For more info, including links to everything we discussed in the episode, go to https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-your-life-sarah-knight-care-less-and-get-more Let us know what you thought of the episode, or just give us some book recommendations on Twitter—we’d love to hear from you! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller and Ben at @bsto. Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/friends/ and typing in the code budget. That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on Soundcloud and Facebook.

We all like to buy stuff. Endless ads screaming “sale,” “discount," and “free” trick us into believing that we want things that we don’t actually need. In an age of credit cards, Paypal, Venmo, and Apple pay, it has become incredibly easy to spend our hard-earned sheckles and tough to save them. In this episode of Simplify, behavioral economist and cognitive psychologist Dan Ariely explains what’s behind our irrational behavior in financial decision making and teaches us how we can get better at managing our finances. Based on extensive research and numerous global studies, Dan shows what exactly matters in personal economics and offers ideas toward better ways to save. For more info, including links to everything we discussed in the episode, go to https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-finance-dan-ariely-get-wrong-money Let us know what you thought of the episode, or just give us some book recommendations on Twitter—we’d love to hear from you! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller and Ben at @bsto. Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/friends/ and typing in the code broccoli. That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on Soundcloud and Facebook.

In the first episode of Season 4, Caitlin talks with Cheryl Strayed about how tending to humanity’s toughest quandaries has become her calling, and the three central questions that keep us all up at night. Through years of listening deeply and sensitively to others’ experiences as well as her own, Strayed has unlocked what makes a good advice-giver and friend: sincerity, listening without judging, and connection. This—paired with her straight-shooting style—is why thousands of people have trusted Sugar with their deepest secrets. In all of her work, from memoir to advice to fiction, she teaches us all to listen deeply to our own inner voices for the truth we already know. Get comfortable and tune into this episode with Cheryl Strayed to ponder how to move on after a deep loss or a heartbreak and reflect on the three major questions people struggle with throughout their lives. Stick around after the interview for when Ben Schuman-Stoler joins Caitlin Schiller to talk about the main takeaways from the conversation with Cheryl Strayed and helps put together a book list for further reading on how to better communicate your needs and listen to your inner voice. For more info, including links to everything we discussed in the episode, go to https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-cheryl-strayed-life-questions-struggle/ Let us know what you thought of the episode, or just give us some book recommendations on Twitter—we’d love to hear from you! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller and Ben at @bsto. Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/friends/ and typing in the code sugar. That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on Soundcloud and Facebook.

Simplify season 4 launches on August 23rd with an episode featuring bestselling author, memoirist, and internet legend, Cheryl Strayed. This first episode is one of our favorites yet, but as you'll hear in the trailer, there's much more to come. If you want to say hi to Ben and Caitlin before the season really kicks into gear, you can find them on Twitter: @bsto and @CaitlinSchiller. See you next week!

Feel like there's never enough time in the day? Then this episode is for you. In this very first Spotlight episode of Simplify, time-management expert Laura Vanderkam offers surprising ideas from her new book Off The Clock: Feel Less Busy While Getting More Done to help you overhaul your relationship with time. Here, she tells Emily Phillips about how committing to more activities—not fewer—is the key to slowing the experience of time so you feel less time-poor and richer in life. And what's Spotlight, you ask? It's an experimental mini-member of the Simplify family that gives you one big idea from a new nonfiction book, straight from the author who wrote it. You’ll walk away with something to think about—and a plan for what to read next—in just about fifteen minutes. Stay tuned for more Spotlights (and more experiments) in the Simplify feed. For more info, including links to everything we discussed in the episode and a voucher to use Blinkist for free, go to https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/introducing-simplify-spotlight/ Let us know what you thought of the first episode of Spotlight, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller, Emily at @phillips_em. Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/friends/ and typing in the code lessbusy That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on Soundcloud and Facebook.

Are you slavishly devoted to your to-do list, rushing around to fit every vacant area of time to a task? In this day and age, most of us are—and it's doing no favors to our creativity, our minds, and our very humanity. Something's got to give, and Alan Lightman has a plan. Or, rather, a lack of one. And that's perfect. In this episode of Simplify, the MIT professor, scientist and novelist offers an antidote to how we live today. He underscores the importance of wasting time, revealing how unstructured time with no goal, unplugged from the wired world, can actually make you a better version of yourself. Tune in to learn how procrastination sparks your creativity and makes you even more productive and how wasting time is essential for establishing a solid sense of self. Stick around after the interview for when Emily Phillips joins Caitlin Schiller to talk about the main takeaways from the conversation and the two compose a book list for further reading on making the most of your time in a fresh new way. For more info, including links to everything we discussed in the episode and a voucher to use Blinkist for free, go to https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-time-management-alan-lightman-wasting-time/ Let us know what you thought of the episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller, Emily at @phillips_em, and Ben at @bsto. Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/friends/ and typing in the code relax. That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on Soundcloud and Facebook.

In this episode of Simplify, Caitlin talks to Janice Kaplan, bestselling author, TV producer, and magazine editor about how luck happens and how you can create it. Does luck feel like something you either have or you don’t? Does it feel like chance? Or, do you think you have some, not all of it good? Well, Janice Kaplan and Barnaby Marsh turned to research, pioneering studies, and interviews with “lucky" successful people to discover that luck is actually very much under our control. And you can set yourself (and your kids) up for being luckier in everyday life. Hear Janice Kaplan reveal some simple techniques to help you generate luck and share stories of people who took failure as a lucky opportunity to turn fortune to their favor. Tune in to discover the best way to get lucky in love and learn how to raise lucky children. You’ll also discover which people will help you get lucky—and why your mom probably isn't one of them. Stick around after the interview for when Ben Schuman-Stoler joins Caitlin Schiller to talk about the main takeaways from the conversation with Janice Kaplan and helps put together a book list for further reading on generating luck in health and in love, at work and at home. For more info, including links to everything we discussed in the episode and a voucher to use Blinkist for free, go to https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-luck-janice-kaplan-says-luck-isnt-magic Let us know what you thought of the episode, or just give us some book recommendations on Twitter—we’d love to hear from you! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller and Ben at @bsto. Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/friends/ and typing in the code luck. That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on Soundcloud and Facebook.

Ever wondered whether humans are meant to be monogamous, or when we started to look at our sexual partners as private property? The authors of the extraordinary book on sexual evolution Sex at Dawn, Cacilda Jethá and Christopher Ryan, study our primate legacy and explain how it shaped human sexual behavior. In this episode, Ryan talks about the purpose of sexual relations in matriarchal and male-dominated societies, why what we believe about our primate origins is doing us more harm than good as a species, and how to reposition your own beliefs about what is and isn't a sexual taboo. Stick around after the interview for when Ben Schuman-Stoler joins Caitlin Schiller to talk about the main takeaways from the conversation with Christopher Ryan and helps put together a book list for further reading on sexual evolution, bodies, and biology. For more info, including links to everything we discussed in the episode and a voucher to use Blinkist for free, go to https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-human-sexuality-christopher-ryan-embrace-fantasies/ Let us know what you thought of the episode, or just give us some book recommendations on Twitter—we’d love to hear from you! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller and Ben at @bsto. Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/friends/ and typing in the code bonobo. That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on Soundcloud (https://soundcloud.com/niceaux) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/niceaux).

While mindfulness can feel like a relatively new phenomenon in western societies — Jon Kabat-Zinn popularized it in the US in the 1970s — it has, in fact, been helping people feel connected to their lives for centuries. Dr. Lori Brotto experimented with the practice as treatment for women with sexual concerns and found that mindfulness can have positive effects on desire, response and connection — and the effects seem to be lasting. A lot of what we ‘know’ about sex as a society is based on outdated research and cultural assumptions. Listen to Dr. Lori Brotto talk about her new book, Better Sex Through Mindfulness and explain some of our many misconceptions about sex, and introduce ways we can use mindfulness practices to feel more connected to ourselves — and to our partners — during sexual encounters. By the end of this episode, you’ll learn concrete practices you can use to really tune into sex and make it better – regardless of your age or gender – and discover that pleasure is always there for you, if you can be there for it. Stick around after the interview for when Ben Schuman-Stoler joins Caitlin Schiller to talk about the main takeaways from the conversation with Dr. Lori Brotto and to compose a sexy book list on mindfulness, positive psychology, improving sex life and relationships. For more info, including links to everything we discussed in the episode and a voucher to use Blinkist for free, go to https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-desire-lori-brotto-make-love-mindfully Let us know what you thought of the episode, or just give us some book recommendations on Twitter—we’d love to hear from you! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller and Ben at @bsto. That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on Soundcloud (https://soundcloud.com/niceaux) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/niceaux).

A lot of the things that we’ve learned about how our minds work are simply not true. Did you know that a small part of your brain can fall asleep while the other parts are awake and working? And we can't trust our memories, either: it turns out that much of what ends up getting stored in memory, especially what people remember about themselves and their past, is a distortion. But it's not all bad news! Listen as Dr. Daniel Levitin of The Organized Mind sheds light on what we've long misunderstood about our brains and makes recommendations on how to keep your mind healthy with “cellular housekeeping." Stick around after the interview for when Ben Schuman-Stoler joins Caitlin Schiller to talk about the key ideas in this episode and recommend some great reads on the various functions of the all-mighty mind. For more info, including links to everything we discussed in the episode and a voucher to use Blinkist for free, go to https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-thinking-daniel-levitin-how-to-organize-your-mind Let us know what you thought of the episode, or just give us some book recommendations on Twitter—we’d love to hear from you! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller and Ben at @bsto. That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on Soundcloud (https://soundcloud.com/niceaux) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/niceaux).

As a sex educator, Emily Nagoski sees her main purpose as “teaching people to live with confidence and joy inside their bodies.” Step one? Understanding what’s actually going on in there! In this episode, Nagoski employs colorful analogies to illustrate the ways in which our minds and bodies react to stressful situations (spoiler alert: you'll have to use your imagination and become a gazelle) and to describe our physical responses to sexually relevant information (enter: car metaphor). If you’ve been anxious about sex, are struggling to connect to a long-term partner, or just want to understand yourself better, this episode offers lots of calm, informed, empathetic advice on how you can find your way. Stick around after the interview for when Ben Schuman-Stoler joins Caitlin Schiller to talk about the big ideas in this episode and help make a sexy book list for your nightstand. For more info, including links to everything we discussed in the episode and a voucher to use Blinkist for free, go to https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-sex-emily-nagoski-pleasure-measure-great-sex-life Let us know what you thought of the episode, or just give us some book recommendations on Twitter—we’d love to hear from you! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller and Ben at @bsto. That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on Soundcloud (https://soundcloud.com/niceaux) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/niceaux).

Pultizer-prize-winning, bestselling author and NYT writer Charles Duhigg has cracked the code to what makes the world’s most productive people so effective—and how you can use those techniques for yourself. Listen in to hear why self-belief is the key to real, lasting change and find out which productivity tips Duhigg’s teaching his kids. Plus, hear the smart, slightly dirty productivity trick he pulled on Caitlin. If you want to break an old habit or be your most innovative, creative self, then this episode is for you! After the interview, Ben Schuman-Stoler joins Caitlin to go deeper into the ideas and books covered in this episode. Also, they make a booklist to help you keep becoming more productive. For more info, including links to everything we discussed in the episode and a voucher to use Blinkist for free, go to https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/ simplify-productivity-charles-duhigg-says-thinking-killer-app/ Let us know what you thought of the episode, or just give us some book recommendations on Twitter—we’d love to hear from you! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller and Ben at @bsto. That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on Soundcloud (https://soundcloud.com/niceaux) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/niceaux).

Simplify Season 3 launches next week with an episode featuring Nobel Prize-winner, NYT columnist, and master of habits: Charles Duhigg! If you want to say hi to Ben and Caitlin in the meantime, you can find them on Twitter: @bsto and @CaitlinSchiller. One more thing! We'd still love to get your voices on Simplify. Specifically, we want to hear how you would answer one of the questions we always ask our guests: “What have you discovered was much easier than you initially thought it was?” Just record your answer as a voice memo on your phone and email the audio file to us at [email protected]. See you next week!

What’s better than getting to the heart of a great idea? Getting to the heart of seven great ideas in under 40 minutes—which is exactly what happens in this best-of episode. Hear from Simplify Season 1 and 2’s most beloved guests, including Seth Godin, David Allen, Dan Savage, Jaclyn Friedman, Ryan Holiday, and more. And stick around after the last interview’s rolled to hear hosts Ben Schuman-Stoler and Caitlin Schiller share a very special Bookend—plus some quality overshares from their lives. For more info, including links to everything we discussed in the episode and a voucher to use Blinkist for free, go to https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-everything-simplifys-2017-sampler-episode. Quick reminder: Great news: Simplify will be back! In preparation for Season 3, we’re collecting your voices. We’d love to hear how you answer one of the questions we always ask our guests: “What have you discovered was much simpler than you initially thought it was?” Just record your answer with a voice memo app of your choice and then email it to us at [email protected]. If you want to say hi to Ben and Caitlin in the meantime, you can find them on Twitter: @bsto and @caitlinschiller. Let them know what you're reading! Thanks to Nico Guiang for our fantastic intro and outro music. Listen to more on Soundcloud or check him out on Facebook.

In this bonus episode of Simplify season 2, we talk with Eli Finkel. Finkel is a writer and social psychologist at Northwestern University. He's also the author of the new book The All-or-Nothing Marriage. On this episode, Caitlin Schiller talks to Finkel about where the ideas in the book came from. Finkel explains how he discovered that marriage is tied to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: throughout history, the main purpose of marriage was tied to survival, but today we’re asking for much more. We want our marriage to make us better people; to help us realize our best selves. He and Caitlin dive into social psychology, long-term passion, and a couple of “love hacks” that can get you and your partner back on track. After the interview, Ben Schuman-Stoler and Emily Phillips discuss the key takeaways of the interview and make a booklist for anyone who wants to read more about changing your mindset (which has more to do with good relationships than you think!). For more info, including links to everything we discussed in the episode and a voucher to use Blinkist for free, go to http://blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-marriage-eli-finkel. Quick reminder: This season, we are collecting your voices! It's not as creepy as it sounds, we promise. We just would love to hear how you would answer one of the questions we always ask our guests: “What have you discovered was much easier than you initially thought it was?” You can just record your answer with any voice memo app and email it to us at [email protected]. If you want to say hi to Ben and Caitlin in the meantime, you can find them on Twitter: @bsto and @CaitlinSchiller. Let them know what you're reading! Thanks to Nico Guiang for our fantastic intro and outro music. Listen to more on Soundcloud or check him out on Facebook.

Rebecca Traister is an author and writer-at-large for New York Magazine. She writes about women, culture, and politics, and her most recent book is All The Single Ladies. On this episode of Simplify, Traister and Caitlin Schiller discuss the larger meaning of singlehood, why marriage doesn’t make any sense anymore, and the one thing that attracts the most single-ladies. It's part Traister's story, part journalism, part history, and part crazy clever idea-connecting. After the interview, Ben Schuman-Stoler joins Caitlin to discuss the key takeaways of the interview and make a booklist for anyone who wants to read more about this. For more info, including links to everything we discussed in the episode and a voucher to use Blinkist for free, go to http://blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-singlehood-feminist-writer-rebecca-traister-power-single. Quick reminder: This season, we are collecting your voices! It's not as creepy as it sounds, we promise. We just would love to hear how you would answer one of the questions we always ask our guests: “What have you discovered was much easier than you initially thought it was?” You can just record your answer with any voice memo app and email it to us at [email protected]. If you want to say hi to Ben and Caitlin in the meantime, you can find them on Twitter: @bsto and @CaitlinSchiller. Let them know what you're reading! Thanks to Nico Guiang for our fantastic intro and outro music. Listen to more on Soundcloud or check him out on Facebook.

Julian Treasure is a sound designer, a musician, and a public speaker—his TED talks have been viewed more than 40 million times!—and he’s also a master of what he calls the “silent skill:" listening. In this episode, Treasure talks to Caitlin about the 7 deadly sins of speaking, how your listening shapes who you are, and why certain cities sound so delicious to our ears. Plus, Caitlin finds out why she feels old every time she walks past an Abercrombie & Fitch store. After their conversation, Ben Schuman-Stoler joins Caitlin to make a booklist about sound, listening, communication, and Sam Harris. For more info, including links to everything we discussed in the episode and a voucher to use Blinkist for free, go to https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-communication-julian-treasure This season, we are collecting your voices, dear listeners (not as creepy as it sounds)! Specifically, we’d love to hear how you would answer one of the questions we always ask our guests: “What have you discovered was much easier than you initially thought it was?” You can just record your answer with a voice memo app of your choice and then email it to us at [email protected]. We are looking forward to listening to your responses, and stay tuned—you just might hear yourself on a future episode of Simplify! If you want to say hi to Ben and Caitlin in the meantime, you can find them on Twitter: @bsto and @CaitlinSchiller. Your hosts are Caitlin Schiller and Ben Schuman-Stoler. Stellar research and production assistance by the outstanding Natallia Darozhkina. Thanks to Nico Guiang for our fantastic intro and outro music. Listen more on Soundcloud or check him out on Facebook. Sound and editing by Ody Constantinou and Ben Jackson.

Jaclyn Friedman is a writer, sex-educator, and activist whose work helped establish the “yes means yes” standard of sexual consent. Her new book, Unscrewed; Women, Sex, Power, And How To Stop Letting the System Screw Us All, was released in November, 2017. On this episode of Simplify, Caitlin Schiller talks with Friedman about sexual empowerment – or the lack thereof, which Friedman calls “Fauxpowerment.” They discuss some of the fundamental challenges to women becoming truly sexually empowered and what’s at stake if we don’t make it happen. In between, they touch on nitty gritties ranging from the politics of the Spice Girls to tactics for talking to your partner about sex. Plus, they break down where the term “girl power” comes from. After their conversation, Ben Schuman-Stoler joins Caitlin to make a booklist about good sex and working with (or against) the powers that be. (FYI- we're publishing this episode a day earlier than our usual Thursday release date because tomorrow Blinkist is having an all-day Holiday Party! Woot! Next week we'll be back to Thursdays.) For more info, including links to everything we discussed in the episode and a voucher to use Blinkist for free, go to https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-sexual-empowerment-jaclyn-friedman-youre-not-broken/. Quick reminder: This season, we are collecting your voices! It's not as creepy as it sounds, we promise. We just would love to hear how you would answer one of the questions we always ask our guests: “What have you discovered was much easier than you initially thought it was?” You can just record your answer with any voice memo app and email it to us at [email protected]. If you want to say hi to Ben and Caitlin in the meantime, you can find them on Twitter: @bsto and @CaitlinSchiller. Let them know what you're reading! Thanks to Nico Guiang for our fantastic intro and outro music. Listen to more on Soundcloud or check him out on Facebook.

Coach of coaches Michael Bungay Stanier is a bestselling author and #3 coach worldwide according to Global Guru. In this episode of Simplify, Bungay Stanier talks to Caitlin Schiller about why leaders who get quiet, get curious, and ask a few simple questions are more successful than advice-giving maniacs. (Warning: you're probably an advice-giving maniac.) Bungay Stanier explains how you can be more coach-like without becoming a drill instructor. There are a few surprises along the way: being lazy is a good thing, for example. And sometimes, when you know the right answer, you just have to shut up. (In the interview, Caitlin learns this the hard way.) After the interview, Ben Schuman-Stoler joins Caitlin to make a booklist about the topics covered in this episode. Bill Bryson is involved. For more info, including links to everything we discussed in the episode and a voucher to use Blinkist for free, go to https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-coaching-michael-bungay-stanier-podcast. __ Quick reminder: This season, we are collecting your voices! It's not as creepy as it sounds, we promise. We just would love to hear how you would answer one of the questions we always ask our guests: “What have you discovered was much easier than you initially thought it was?” You can just record your answer with any voice memo app and email it to us at [email protected]. If you want to say hi to Ben and Caitlin in the meantime, you can find them on Twitter: @bsto and @CaitlinSchiller. Let them know what you're reading! Thanks to Nico Guiang for our fantastic intro and outro music. Listen to more on Soundcloud or check him out on Facebook.

Are you iOS, Android, or Stoic? In this episode of Simplify, hear bestselling author and master of controversy, Ryan Holiday, talk about finding your personal operating system and using it to focus and fuel the work you love to do. Holiday and Caitlin discuss some of the secrets of media marketing, and then dive into Holiday's other passion: philosophy. He also has great advice on finding your fans, applying abstract theory to real life, and becoming OK with saying “I don’t know.” After the interview, Ben Schuman-Stoler joins Caitlin to make a booklist for anyone who wants to read further into the topics Holiday discusses. Spoiler alert: 50 Cent is involved. For more info, including links to everything we discussed in the episode and a voucher to use Blinkist for free, go to https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-philosophy-ryan-holiday. You can also send us a voice memo at [email protected]. We'd love to hear what you learned was easier or simpler than you initially thought it was. If you want to tweet to us, Caitlin is @CaitlinSchiller and Ben is @bsto. Say hi! That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on Soundcloud and Facebook.

Welcome to the second season of Simplify! In this season's first episode, Caitlin Schiller talks to the bestselling author and legend of marketing and entrepreneurship, Seth Godin. Building on his own experience, Godin explains how when we find ourselves stuck and unable to move something forward, it’s because we’re afraid. He touches on the ideas in his bestsellers Permission Marketing, Purple Cow, and Linchpin, and talks through a few ways to stop hiding, including why sometimes you have to do bad work. After the interview, Ben Schuman-Stoler joins Caitlin to go deeper into the ideas and books covered in this episode. Find out what it means to be remarkable, why authenticity might be a lie, and why reading is a superpower. For more info, including links to everything we discussed in the episode and a voucher to use Blinkist for free, go to https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-success-seth-godin-says-do-bad-work Let us know what you thought of the episode, or just give us some book recommendations on Twitter, we’d love to hear from you! Caitlin is @CaitlinSchiller and Ben is @bsto. That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on Soundcloud (https://soundcloud.com/niceaux) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/niceaux).