How to Be a Better Human How to handle uncertainty (w/ Simone Stolzoff)
63 snips
May 11, 2026 
Simone Stolzoff, journalist and author of How to Not Know, explores why people crave certainty and how to live with doubt. He discusses acute vs ambient uncertainty, practical ways to act when waiting, building tolerance through exposure, AI’s impact on expecting firm answers, and strategies for work, burnout, and friendships in uncertain times.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Prioritize The Next Right Action
- Focus on the next right action to break overwhelming uncertainty into manageable steps.
- Crisis comms example: list every task on butcher paper, then choose the single most important immediate action to start chipping away.
Uncertainty As The Birthplace Of Possibility
- Uncertainty is the birthplace of possibility; progress requires tolerating not knowing.
- Simone uses the fog-on-a-lake metaphor: keep rowing despite limited visibility to eventually reach land.
Build Uncertainty Tolerance With Micro Exposure
- Build tolerance for uncertainty via exposure therapy: microdose uncertain moments in safe environments.
- Start small (research spiders, then be in same room) and expand to face bigger uncertainties gradually.
