The Plant Yourself Podcast

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.There's a logic puzzle, well-known to those of us who never dated in high school, about an island that's inhabited by two tribes - the Liars and the Truthtellers. As you might guess, the Liars always lie, and the Truthtellers always tell the truth.It's impossible to tell them apart by looks.Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.Colleen Patrick Goudreau is author, most recently, of The Joyful Vegan.It's a book about joy, yes, but joy as a strategic imperative in a world that is relentless in trying to undermine our resolve about living compassionate and brave lives.While steadfastness and willpower and outrage can provide bursts of energy for our journey, Goudreau asserts, it's joy that gives us the long-burning, clean fuel that allows us to come from love and compassion and understanding in all our interactions.Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.After the third consecutive night of no sleep, I was starting to lose it.Our newborn daughter, who had looked so sweet and angelic in the moments right after her birth (9 on the APGAR - you go, girl!) had morphed into a demonic nighttime presence.She needed less sleep than any human I had ever encountered. And when she did snooze, she did so with hair-trigger sensitivity to the environmental cues to full alertness: an adult cranium touching a pillow, an eyelid closing and not reopening within a tenth of a second.Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.Brad Stulberg returns to the podcast to discuss his latest book, The Passion Paradox, co-written with Steve Magness.They wrote the book mostly for themselves, which is how a lot of great self-help books begin. Basically, they had learned a lot of weird and contradictory lessons about passion and how to harness and incorporate it into their lives.On the one hand, we're supposed to "follow our passion."On the other hand, we're supposed to lead a "balanced life."Well, guess what? You can have a passionate life, or a balanced life. So which do you choose?Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.I'll never forget my daughter's first birthday party. On a chilly February afternoon, a bunch of friends and relatives gathered at our house to share the joy of the event. We had decorations, presents, singing, and of course birthday cake.Everything went well, until the cake.Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.Carolyn Raffensperger has been advocating for the environment since 1982. She's currently executive director of the Science and Environmental Health Network, and a tireless proponent of the Precautionary Principle when it comes to balancing economic and environmental impacts.Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.When we adopt a new habit, we often experience a honeymoon period. Partly it's our enthusiasm and motivation at the first flush of hope and desire, and partly we've chosen this time to start because it's particularly convenient or easy.But the universe will test our resolve not too long after that. It can feel like slamming into a brick wall at the end of a runway.Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.Kelly McGonigal's latest book, The Joy of Movement, is both a work of science and a love letter to the human body/spirit.I admit, when I ordered it, I thought I knew what I was going to read: a well-researched, engaging tale of how exercise improves our mood and our brain functioning. I was delighted to be surprised by a treasure trove of ideas and philosophies that go far beyond the biochemistry of mood and movement.Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.The public health crisis was going to be unprecedented, and catastrophic.As the Americans clumsily extricated themselves from the Vietnam War in the early 1970s, tens of thousands of US troops would be returning home. And by some estimates, 90% of them had become addicted to heroin during their tour of duty.Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.Michael Greger's latest book, How Not to Diet, is just stunning.It's a love song to science: its potential, its process, even its limitations.There has never been a more comprehensive, accessible, and evidence-based look at our current knowledge of how to get to and maintain a healthy weight.Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show