Yes, is nice. It moves things along. It collaborates. It pleases. Yes is a smile and a wink. But No is bold. It’s decisive. No takes on the status quo. The buck stops here. And No carries burdens and pressures that Yes couldn’t possibly comprehend because it’s just so...

How to Change Your Life Without Losing Your Mind: The Unmistakable Creative Podcast Episode
Every once in a while, you get a chance to be interviewed by one of the greats, an outstretched hand who says, “Come into my arena and shine.” Thank you, Srini Rao of the Unmistakable Creative Podcast for being that person. Thank you for having me in your lair. I hope...
Fear: The Border Town Between Chaos and Control
This article explores the role of fear in shaping our psychological responses in life.
Why Intrinsic Motivation Will Take You Further
I am sharing another article I have written for Steven Kotler and his newest endeavor, The Flow Research Collective (AKA The Collective). It's an installment in the series Shrink Rap, where psychologists discuss the frontiers of human excellence. Today, I want to...
Blind to Our Blindness: The Power of the Unconscious
I want you to ponder the items in the list below and identify what they have in common: Steve Jobs, political campaigns, the marketing industry, and cult leaders. What’s the overlap? They are all keenly aware that you are not aware of what you are not aware. In other...
The Keeper of Your Secrets: The Ellis in Wunderland Podcast Episode
I recently had the pleasure of talking with Georgia Ellis on her podcast, Ellis in Wunderland. Georgia nicknamed me "The Keeper of Secrets" as we talked about my approach to the doctor-patient relationship. Also in the episode, we discussed neurobiology, leadership,...
In the Tunnel: The Solitude of Excellence
Today I am sharing another article I have written for Steven Kotler and his newest endeavor, The Flow Research Collective (AKA The Collective). It's an installment in the series Shrink Rap, where psychologists discuss the frontiers of human excellence. As a shrink,...
The Chief Performance Officer (CPO): The Cornerstone to Corporate Revolution
Authors note: This month I am sharing an article I wrote for Steven Kotler and his newest endeavor, The Flow Research Collective (AKA The Collective). Stay tuned for a monthly installment from the The Collective Every once in a while, something truly surreal happens...
Your Relationship with Anxiety: The Your Anxiety Toolkit Podcast Episode
I recently had the pleasure of talking with Kimberley Quinlan on her podcast, Your Anxiety Toolkit, about our relationship with anxiety and the complexities that face many of us as we begin to deeply observe that dynamic. I love what Kimberley is putting out there in...
The Courageous Act of Improving Your Mental Health: Grace and Grit Podcast Episode
I recently had the pleasure to connect with Courtney Townley on her podcast Grace & Grit. I was thrilled to be able to discuss: The Importance of Emotional Flexibility Learning How to Embrace Ambiguity Where to Start Improving your Mental Health The Role...
The One Thing You Can Do Tonight to Feel Better Tomorrow
What if I told you there is something you can start tonight that will yield psychological benefits tomorrow? Would you do it? If it was a pill, would you take it? Consider these additional facts about what I am going to suggest in today’s post: It’s free to...
How to Inoculate Yourself Against the Fear of Rejection
I recorded a podcast with Jennifer Tracy of the MILF podcast a few months back and something I said garnered a bit of inquiry from listeners. I mentioned that I had decided several years back to “inoculate myself against rejection.” In one of my many email attempts to...
The 5 Secret Ingredients That Influence All High Performers
I got you here because of the title of this essay. Plain and simple. It’s Psychology 101. If I title something in a certain way, you are going to click on the link. And lists, recipes and anything that promises a quick fix are top of the list of most viewed articles...
Struggle: The Remedy is in the Wrestle
I’ve logged a lot of hours in the pain cave, both self-inflicted and at the hands of others. There is no end to the various ways I have entered the arena with the gladiator that is pain and suffering. Toe-to-toe I found myself constantly returning to this wrestle, to...
The Fine Print: Your Emotional Contract with Avoidance
There are terms and conditions of the behaviors and patterns you participate in within your own self. We accumulate these patterns over decades of acting and reacting to our world in certain fixed patterns.
Six Sneaky Habits That Fuel Self-Sabotage
In this blog I will list the six sneaky (and highly common) ways people engage in self-sabotage and don’t even realize it. Remember, it’s our unconscious patterns that rule the roost. Start to observe the things you don’t even recognize as unusual.