Modern Wisdom

Robin Hanson, an associate professor of economics at George Mason University and author of 'The Elephant in the Brain,' reveals the hidden motives behind our daily actions. He delves into the primal instincts that shape our behavior, from gossip and laughter to charity and social norms. The discussion uncovers how our seemingly autonomous choices are influenced by unconscious drives and competition. Hanson's insights challenge listeners to examine the complexities of human interactions and the cultural factors at play in modern society.

I recently sat down with Sonny Webster, Zack George and Leon & John from The Lean Machines for a special edition super podcast before the Battle Cancer Fitness Competition in London.Lots of listeners had submitted questions in advance via Instagram and I posed as many as I could to the boys before Sonny have to rush off to some swanky event with the Queen.Expect to learn why the boys believe Competitive Bodybuilding to be an unhealthy lifestyle, what sport they would all be focussed on if they were not lifting weights, how to make your moustache join in the middle and why Sonny sucks so bad at Double Unders.Other Things:Check out Battle Cancer: https://www.battle-cancer.co.ukFollow Zack: https://www.instagram.com/zackgeorgeFollow Sonny: https://www.instagram.com/sonnywebstergbFollow The Lean Machines: https://www.instagram.com/theleanmachinesofficialCheck out everything I recommend from books to products and help support the podcast at no extra cost to you by shopping through this link - https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/modernwisdom-Get in touch. Join the discussion with me and other like minded listeners in the episode comments on the MW YouTube Channel or message me...Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillxTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillxYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ModernWisdomPodcastEmail: https://www.chriswillx.com/contact Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Exploring the complexities of modern relationships, emphasizing the crucial role of honesty and communication. Insights on selecting the right partner, transparent communication, and realistic expectations. Discussing the importance of personal growth, setting standards, and navigating growth in relationships. Highlighting the significance of mutual development, relationship dynamics, and prioritizing intimacy for a successful partnership.

Dive into hilarious and cringe-worthy life fails as the hosts share their epic flops in optimization experiments. From disastrous breath-hold training and a wild birthday bash that ended in injury to a cringe-inducing public urination mishap, the stories keep getting funnier. There's even a cult experience that takes a strange turn! With tales of misplaced trust and unintentional chaos, this conversation leaves you laughing and shaking your head at life’s unpredictability.

Jonny & Yusef join me again as we relive our best & worst moments at university. Discover how you can complete a degree without going bankrupt, getting a police record or having a mental breakdown.If you've never been to university, then you might enjoy hearing that it's not quite the doss around of Netflix and chronic masturbation that you hear in the news. And if you HAVE been to university, then reminisce fondly or cringe your way through your memories.Expect to learn why you should go to Hadrian's Wall and wear a condom while you're there, what you can do to avoid becoming a basic bitch and how Evernote will safe your life.Further Reading:Evernote (with referral gains): https://www.evernote.com/referral/Registration.action?sig=a51c13796a1906976e4d676cbcc756e7836bf4767d9d76e822ed017352c3df86&uid=62953055Anton Kreil on School Teachers: https://youtu.be/hzFl0uDwAQYCheck out everything I recommend from books to products and help support the podcast at no extra cost to you by shopping through this link - https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/modernwisdom-Get in touch. Join the discussion with me and other like minded listeners in the episode comments on the MW YouTube Channel or message me...Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillxTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillxYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ModernWisdomPodcastEmail: https://www.chriswillx.com/contact Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carl Cederstrom is an Associate Professor at Stockholm Business School, an author of several books and a writer for The Guardian, The New York Times and Harvard Business Review. Carl dedicated a full year of his life to immersing himself in the Human Optimisation Movement. This is the equivalent of going completely dick & balls on a 12 months of back to back Life Hacks episodes and Carl's experience is both hilarious and insightful.We also discuss his new book The Happiness Fantasy which analyses society's obsession with becoming happy and offers a fascinating alternative view to what we should be aiming for in our lives.Expect to learn why optimising masturbation is a difficult process, how you can write an entire book in a single month, what he found to be the single most effective optimisation strategy and why happiness might be a redundant word.Further Reading:Follow Carl on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cederstromcarlThe Happiness Fantasy Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Happiness-Fantasy-Carl-Cederstr%C3%B6m/dp/1509523812/Desperately Seeking Self Improvement: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Desperately-Seeking-Self-Improvement-Optimization-Movement/dp/1944869395Check out everything I recommend from books to products and help support the podcast at no extra cost to you by shopping through this link - https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/modernwisdom-Get in touch. Join the discussion with me and other like minded listeners in the episode comments on the MW YouTube Channel or message me...Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillxTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillxYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ModernWisdomPodcastEmail: https://www.chriswillx.com/contact Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff Warren, meditation teacher and co-author of Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics, dives into why inner work matters as much as personal hygiene. He explores observing thoughts without becoming them, why solitude can feel brutal, how mindfulness changes our sense of time, and where meditation helps, misfires, and reshapes everyday life.

Yusef, a systems-focused Propane Fitness coach and entrepreneur, and Jonny, a practical training and nutrition creator from Propane Fitness, trade quirky tools for living better. They get into bidets, broccoli for digestion, focus systems, coffee timers, why smart tech can be pointless, sleep posture, nightclub tactics, and tiny shortcuts that make daily life feel smoother.

Adam Frank, University of Rochester astrophysicist and astrobiology writer, dives into alien civilizations, why the Fermi paradox still haunts us, and whether humanity could ever spread across the galaxy. The conversation also explores climate change as a universal hurdle for advanced societies, the strange fine-tuning of the universe, and the possible futures of technological life.

Garry Lineham, movement specialist and co-founder of LA’s Human Garage, dives into his path from chronic pain to building one of wellness’s most talked-about facilities. He explores fascia as a bodywide communication system. He explains why treatment happens standing up, how gravity may shape dysfunction, and why real-world observation beats rigid medical dogma.