

Simplify
Kollo Media, Caitlin Schiller
Simplify is a podcast for anyone who’s taken a look at their habits, their happiness, their relationships, or their health and thought, “There’s got to be a better way to do this.” Join Caitlin Schiller and Ben Schuman-Stoler for conversations with authors and thinkers you know—and some you might not, yet—that sit at the intersection of reading, thinking, and daily life.
Simplify is now independently owned by Caitlin Schiller and Ben Schuman-Stoler.
Simplify is now independently owned by Caitlin Schiller and Ben Schuman-Stoler.
Episodes
Mentioned books

9 snips
Jul 13, 2023 • 41min
Natalie Lue: Finally Stop People Pleasing
We're delighted to present a conversation with Natalie Lue, author of the wildly popular blog Baggage Reclaim (baggagereclaim.com) and five books, including the latest, "The Joy of Saying No," that will help you not only identify your people-pleasing style and habits, but also finally leave them behind.In this episode, Natalie shares her unmatched insights on the importance of boundaries and saying no, and the destructive effects a lack of them can have on your body and mind. By exploring the five different kinds of people-pleasing, we dive deeper into the "why" behind the tendency and reframe our understanding of people-pleasing altogether.A new Simplify episode brimming with actionable wisdom awaits you every fortnight throughout the summer!Get the deluxe experience of Simplify in the Blinkist app with the Guide we made to go with this episode. You'll hear even more of the conversation with Natalie Lue, get extra book recommendations, and hear more of Caitlin and Ben guiding you through tools to overcome people-pleasing. Get the Guide by going to https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/friends [1] and entering the code pleaser. We hope you love it!Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller [2], Ben at @bsto https://twitter.com/bsto [3]. You can write us all an email at podcast@blinkist.com [4].This episode of Simplify was produced by Caitlin Schiller, Ben Schuman-Stoler, Phoebe McIndoe & Ben Jackson at Blinkist

Jun 29, 2023 • 37min
Valerie Fridland: Use Bad English, Get Good Results
Have you ever listened back to a recording of your voice and cringed at the amount of 'um's' 'uh's' and 'like's' you use? In this episode, Valerie Fridland, linguist, researcher, and author of the book, 'Like, Literally, Dude' delves into the intricacies of speech habits and argues for the inherent value of these often-demonised words. We explore why women are linguistic trend-setters, why some words carry deep-seated prejudices and what can we learn from the social function of language. You can get more out of this conversation, plus Valerie's take on words like: 'um' and 'ur' in the Blinkist app with our tailored Guide for this episode. You'll learn how to embrace your unique communication style and receive extra book recommendations and additional insights from Caitlin and Ben around getting to know yourself and what you want to say. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode or just say hello on Twitter! Find Caitlin at:[1] @caitlinschiller https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller 2]Ben at @bsto https://twitter.com/bsto 3] Alternatively, you can reach us at podcast@blinkist.com This episode of Simplify was brought to you by Caitlin Schiller, Ben Schuman-Stoler, Phoebe McIndoe & Ben Jackson at Blinkist.

4 snips
Jun 15, 2023 • 38min
Bob Glazer: Build 4 Capacities for Success
We're thrilled to present a dynamic conversation with Robert Glazer, bestselling author and transformative leadership expert. With deep insights drawn from his revolutionary book, 'Elevate Your Team', Glazer demystifies the four capacities essential to extraordinary team performance.In this episode Glazer shares his unique take on the 'work smarter, not harder' philosophy, offering fresh perspectives to drive both personal and professional development. We challenge common preconceptions around work-life balance, emphasizing the need for intentional allocation of time and energy and explore the importance of discovering and aligning with core values.A new Simplify episode brimming with actionable wisdom awaits you every fortnight throughout the summer!Get the deluxe experience of Simplify in the Blinkist app with the Guide we made to go with this episode. You'll hear even more of the conversation with Robert Glazer, get extra book recommendations, and hear more of Caitlin and Ben guiding you through the core values discovery process. Get the Guide by going to https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/friends [1] and entering the code build. We hope you love it!Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller [2], Ben at @bsto https://twitter.com/bsto [3]. You can write us all an email at podcast@blinkist.com [4].This episode of Simplify was produced by Caitlin Schiller, Ben Schuman-Stoler, Phoebe McIndoe & Ben Jackson at Blinkist

Jun 1, 2023 • 38min
Rick & Forrest Hanson: Mythbusting the Mind
We're kicking off Simplify's relaunch with our first-ever two person interview! This lively, probing conversation with Being Well's Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson—a bestselling author and psychologist and also Forrest's dad—digs into common misconceptions in the mental health and self-growth space. They address the maybe-bogus notion that "until you love yourself, you can't love anyone else," dissect the difference between self-esteem and self-worth, and dig deep into the simplest strategy for changing your brain for the better: take in the good. We're so glad to be back—and we will be every two weeks through the summer!Get the deluxe experience of Simplify in the Blinkist app with the Guide we made to go with this episode. You'll hear even more of the conversation with Rick and Forrest than in the regular episode, get extra book recommendations, and hear more of Caitlin and Ben guiding you through the topics of self-esteem vs. self worth. Get the Guide by going to https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/friends [1] and entering the code bigspoon. We hope you love it! Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller [2], Ben at @bsto https://twitter.com/bsto [3]. You can write us all an email at podcast@blinkist.com [4].Find Rick & Forrest Hanson's wonderful podcast, Being Well, here.This episode of Simplify was produced by Caitlin Schiller, Ben Schuman-Stoler, Phoebe McIndoe & Ben Jackson at Blinkist[1]:https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/friends [2]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller[3]: https://twitter.com/bsto[4]: podcast@blinkist.com

5 snips
Feb 16, 2023 • 48min
Emily Oster: Make Data-Driven Family Decisions
Being a parent is a big, beautiful, very tough job—which actually might benefit from some of the skills you usually practice when you’re at work! Economist and parenting guru extraordinaire Emily Oster joins Ben to talk about family decision-making: how much infrastructure you really need in your family, your family unit’s mission statement, and why sometimes, you’ve just gotta let your kid eat a lame breakfast. And: our FIRST EVER LISTENER SURVEY is still open! Please go to the survey link and take 3 minutes to fill it out. It matters to us so much and lets us know how to improve Simplify for you. https://try.blinkist.com/simplify-learner-survey/ [1]Recommended by Caitlin:Personal Kanban by Jim Benson & Tonianne DeMaria Barry [2]Recommended by Ben:The Whole Brain Child by Tina Payne Bryson [3]Simplify Episode with Tina Payne Bryson [4]You can listen to today’s Book End recs on Blinkist for free for 7 days by signing up for the app at www.blinkist.com [5]Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller [6], Ben at @bsto https://twitter.com/bsto [7]. You can write us all an email at podcast@blinkist.com [8].This episode of Simplify was produced by Caitlin Schiller, Ben Schuman-Stoler, and Ody Constantinou at Blinkist[1]: https://try.blinkist.com/simplify-learner-survey/ [2]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/personal-kanban-en[3]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/the-whole-brain-child-en[3]: https://simplify.simplecast.com/episodes/tina-payne-bryson-what-your-kid-needs-most-is-you[5]: www.blinkist.com[6]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller[7] https://twitter.com/bsto[8] podcast@blinkist.com

Feb 10, 2023 • 5min
BONUS Exercise: How to Listen to Your Body
We've been listening. You told us through our survey that you wanted more tools, more ways to make what you learn with Simplify concrete. And so: here's exactly that!In this short bonus exercise—a companion to the Ev'Yan Whitney episode, Listen to Your Body, which was released on the same day as this bonus and will be in your feed—Ev'Yan, somatic practitioner and sensuality doula, walks you through a gentle exercise that will help you learn to listen to your body. Try it out, and let us know what you think at podcast@blinkist.com!See a visual walk-through of the exercise on Blinkist's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CofRSddrZ9l/Oh, and please take our survey, too! https://try.blinkist.com/simplify-learner-survey/ [1]MORE ABOUT THE EV'YAN WHITNEY EPISODE (find it in the Simplify feed):It’s true of almost all of us: we take our bodies for granted. We force them into uncomfortable positions, we push them long after they’re tired, we starve them for aesthetics—and a million more awful things we wouldn’t do to a friend. One thing we don’t often do to our bodies? Listen to them. And if we did, wow, what we’d learn!This episode is with Ev’Yan Whitney, somatic practitioner, sensualist, author, podcaster—and advocate for awakening people to the sensory pleasures alive inside of all of us.Listen to learn how to get into your body, why it matters, and what you’d learn if you spent more time there. And look for a guided practice in listening to your body from Ev’Yan as a bonus follow-up episode!*** SURVEY: Please tell us who you want to hear from and what you’re curious about. Take Simplify's FIRST EVER LISTENER https://try.blinkist.com/simplify-learner-survey/ [1]-Ev’Yan’s Podcast: Sensual Self [2]Ev'Yan's Instagram [3]Recommended by Phoebe:The Power of Ritual by Casper ter KuileA Manifesto to Slowness by Ev’Yan Whitney and Ev’Yan Whitney’s Guide, Connect With Yourself, can be found in the Blinkist appWild Geese by Mary OliverPoetry of Raymond AntrobusRecommended by CaitlinThe Body is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee TaylorSimplify Episode with Sonya Renee TaylorThe Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine AronYou can listen to many of today’s recommendations on Blinkist for free for 7 days by signing up for the app at www.blinkist.com [4]Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller [5], Ben at @bsto https://twitter.com/bsto [6]. You can write us all an email at podcast@blinkist.com [7].This episode of Simplify was produced by Caitlin Schiller, Ben Schuman-Stoler, Phoebe McIndoe, and Luiza Carvalho at Blinkist.[1]: https://try.blinkist.com/simplify-learner-survey/ [2]: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sensual-self-with-evyan-whitney/id1124567779[3]: https://www.instagram.com/evyan.whitney/?hl=en[3]: https://www.blinkist.com/simplify[4]: www.blinkist.com[5]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller[6] https://twitter.com/bsto[7] podcast@blinkist.com

Feb 10, 2023 • 41min
Ev'Yan Whitney: How to Listen to Your Body
It’s true of almost all of us: we take our bodies for granted. We force them into uncomfortable positions, we push them long after they’re tired, we starve them for aesthetics—and a million more awful things we wouldn’t do to a friend. One thing we don’t often do to our bodies? Listen to them. And if we did, wow, what we’d learn!This episode is with Ev’Yan Whitney, somatic practitioner, sensualist, author, podcaster—and advocate for awakening people to the sensory pleasures alive inside of all of us.Listen to learn how to get into your body, why it matters, and what you’d learn if you spent more time there. And look for a guided practice in listening to your body from Ev’Yan as a bonus follow-up episode!You can see the visual version of the exercise here, on Blinkist's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CofRSddrZ9l/*** SURVEY: Please tell us who you want to hear from and what you’re curious about. Take Simplify's FIRST EVER LISTENER https://try.blinkist.com/simplify-learner-survey/ [1]-Ev’Yan’s Podcast: Sensual Self [2]Ev'Yan's Instagram [3]Recommended by Phoebe:The Power of Ritual by Casper ter KuileA Manifesto to Slowness by Ev’Yan Whitney and Ev’Yan Whitney’s Guide, Connect With Yourself, can be found in the Blinkist appWild Geese by Mary OliverPoetry of Raymond AntrobusRecommended by CaitlinThe Body is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee TaylorSimplify Episode with Sonya Renee TaylorThe Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine AronYou can listen to many of today’s recommendations on Blinkist for free for 7 days by signing up for the app at www.blinkist.com [4]Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at @caitlinschiller https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller [5], Ben at @bsto https://twitter.com/bsto [6]. You can write us all an email at podcast@blinkist.com [7].This episode of Simplify was produced by Caitlin Schiller, Ben Schuman-Stoler, Phoebe McIndoe, and Luiza Carvalho at Blinkist.[1]: https://try.blinkist.com/simplify-learner-survey/ [2]: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sensual-self-with-evyan-whitney/id1124567779[3]: https://www.instagram.com/evyan.whitney/?hl=en[3]: https://www.blinkist.com/simplify[4]: www.blinkist.com[5]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller[6] https://twitter.com/bsto[7] podcast@blinkist.com

Feb 2, 2023 • 38min
Julie Lythcott-Haims: Be an Excellent Adult
Being an adult: what does that actually mean? Is it paying taxes? Making your own doctor’s appointments? Owning a home? It's probably all of that stuff, but: what's the more important personal evolution stuff that makes us grownups—no matter if we're 21 or 65? In this episode, Julie Lythcott-Haims, former Dean of freshmen and undergrad advising at Stanford and a best-selling author, walks Caitlin through it by way of a conversation about her book, Your Turn: How to Be an Adult https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/your-turn-en [1].Julie explains why the "checklist" for adulting—graduate college, get a job, get married, have kids, buy a house, retire—doesn't work anymore, the exciting thing that replaces it, and how a lot of the work of being an adult is becoming a safe place for one another.SURVEY: Please take Simplify's FIRST EVER LISTENER SURVEY: https://try.blinkist.com/simplify-learner-survey/ You'll be helping us immensely to know what you want to hear about and which authors we should talk to. Thanks!--Book recommended by Julie:Bone Black: Memories of Girlhood by bell hooksBooks recommended by CaitlinA General Theory of Love, by Thomas Lewis, Fari Amini and Richard LannonAdult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents, by Lindsay C. GibsonTry Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to https://www.blinkist.com/simplify, tapping on Try Blinkist at the top right, and entering the code ADULT—or just follow this link: https://www.blinkist.com/friends/?v=adultLet 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]. You can write us all an email at podcast@blinkist.com [6].Simplify is produced by Caitlin Schiller, Ben Schuman-Stoler and Odysseas Constantinou at Blinkist.[1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/your-turn-en[2]: https://twitter.com/bsto[3]: https://www.blinkist.com/simplify[4]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller[5]: https://twitter.com/bsto[6] podcast@blinkist.com

Jan 26, 2023 • 1min
Take the First Ever Listener Survey
We’ve been making Simplify pretty much the same way since 2017: we focus on a great book and its author, and try to dig out the most helpful ideas. Nearly six years in, we’re wondering: how might we make Simplify even better for all of you?So, we thought we'd ask! Click this link to take the survey: https://try.blinkist.com/simplify-learner-survey/ [1] Tell us what you're curious about lately, what you've been reading, and which authors you’d like to hear from. It’ll probably only take you about two minutes, but it will help us a lot.Thank you for listening, thanks for answering those questions, and look for more new Simplify very, very soon. Email us at podcast@blinkist.com [2] Find Caitlin on Twitter @caitlinschiller https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller [3] Ben's at @bsto https://twitter.com/bsto [4]Or find the survey also at Blinkist's instagram https://www.instagram.com/blinkist/ [5]Simplify is produced by Caitlin Schiller, Ben Schuman-Stoler, and Odysseas Constantinou, who also made the music and has been helping us sound like adults since 2017. [1]: https://try.blinkist.com/simplify-learner-survey/ [2]: podcast@blinkist.com [3]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller[4]: https://twitter.com/bsto[5]: https://www.instagram.com/blinkist/

Jan 5, 2023 • 53min
Thrive in 2023 with Tiffany Dufu, Ken Page, and Liz Fosslien
Want to skip this year’s tsunami of New Year’s hacks, tips, and tricks that don’t even work? We’ve got you covered with just what you need for the new year—and nothing you don't. In this episode, we’ve distilled powerful ideas and approaches from our 3 most popular, impactful episodes. And since we spend all our time divided between focusing on ourselves, our relationships, and our work, we’ll home in on simplifying those three areas. BONUS: we’ve made a very neat New-Yearsy tool available to you for free. You can get it at our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blinkist/ [1] It'll help you turn your values into time, and was developed by Nir Eyal, author of Hooked and Indistractable, as part of his Guide, available on the Blinkist app: http://blinkist.com/ [2]Suggest an author or idea for Caitlin and Ben to check out! Email us at podcast@blinkist.comFind Caitlin on Twitter @caitlinschiller https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller [3] or Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/caitlinschillerart/ [4]Ben's at @bsto https://twitter.com/bsto [5]Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to https://www.blinkist.com/simplify [6], tapping on Try Blinkist at the top right, and entering the code 2023.Simplify is produced by Caitlin Schiller, Ben Schuman-Stoler, and Odysseas Constantinou, who also made the music and has been helping us sound like adults since 2017. Featured experts in this episode and where to get more of them:Tiffany Dufu: https://www.tiffanydufu.com/Drop The Ball: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/drop-the-ball-enKen Page: https://www.deeperdating.com/Deeper Dating: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/deeper-dating-enLiz Fosslien: https://www.fosslien.com/No Hard Feelings: https://www.blinkist.com/de/books/no-hard-feelings-enBooks recommended by Ben & Caitlin:The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/the-artists-way-enBuild by Tony Fadell: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/build-en [1]: https://www.instagram.com/blinkist/ [2]: http://blinkist.com/ [3]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller[4]:https://www.instagram.com/caitlinschillerart/ [5]: https://twitter.com/bsto[6]: https://www.blinkist.com/simplify


