Category: Shows

Dr. Erin Baker

Dr. Erin Baker joins Matt & Tom to unravel the mysteries of joy, proving it’s not just for hippies and overpriced wellness retreats. From shocking milkshake machines to the perils of having lie-detecting parents, this episode of Irreverent Health serves up a cocktail of laughter, wisdom, and unexpected life hacks. Discover why chasing joy might be the ultimate productivity hack, and why your boss would rather admit to a porn addiction than confess they’re miserable at work (yes, we’re serious).

SummaryDr. Erin Baker discusses the concept of joy and its distinction from happiness. She shares her personal journey of discovering joy and how it became the focus of her work. The conversation explores the associations and misconceptions around joy, the importance of being present and intentional, and the challenges of pursuing joy in a society that values hustle and sacrifice. The discussion also touches on generational differences in attitudes towards work and the pursuit of joy. The conversation explores the concept of joy and how it relates to finding fulfillment in one’s personal and professional life. Dr. Erin Baker discusses the idea that people often prioritize doing things they are good at, even if they don’t enjoy them, and neglect their true passions. She emphasizes the importance of identifying and embracing one’s zone of genius, which is aligned with their joy. Dr. Baker suggests that the path to joy is not a volcanic change but rather a series of small, intentional shifts. She encourages individuals to conduct a joy audit and make small changes to align their activities with their joy. The conversation also touches on the contagious nature of joy and the positive impact it can have on others. Gender differences in the perception and pursuit of joy are briefly discussed, with women often feeling guilt around prioritizing their own joy. In this conversation, Matt, Tom, and Dr. Erin Baker discuss the importance of prioritizing joy and finding a balance between work and personal life. They explore the challenges of being a parent and an entrepreneur, the societal expectations around work and success, and the need to redefine what it means to have it all. Dr. Baker shares her insights on how to incorporate joy into daily life and emphasizes the importance of being intentional and curious. She also discusses her experience working at Facebook and the creative aspects of her role as a quantitative user experience researcher.Keywordsjoy, happiness, pursuit of joy, presence, intention, associations, misconceptions, work-life balance, generational differences, joy, fulfillment, zone of genius, joy audit, small changes, contagious joy, gender differences, joy, work-life balance, parenting, entrepreneurship, societal expectations, redefine success, intentional, curiosity, creativity, quantitative user experience researcherTakeaways

• Joy is distinct from happiness and can be felt in any moment, even in challenging or sorrowful times.
• There is an overlap between joy and being present, as well as with connection, curiosity, and creativity.
• Many people have associations with joy that are not positive, such as being irresponsible or selfish.
• The pursuit of joy is often hindered by societal messages that prioritize hustle and sacrifice.
• Generational attitudes towards work and the pursuit of joy differ, with younger generations rejecting hustle culture and prioritizing a balanced approach to life. People often prioritize doing things they are good at, even if they don’t enjoy them.
• Identifying and embracing one’s zone of genius, which is aligned with their joy, is key to finding fulfillment.
• The path to joy involves making small, intentional shifts rather than seeking drastic changes.
• Conducting a joy audit can help individuals identify activities that drain their joy and make changes to align with their joy.
• Joy is contagious and can have a positive impact on others.
• Gender differences exist in the perception and pursuit of joy, with women often feeling guilt around prioritizing their own joy. Prioritizing joy and finding a balance between work and personal life is crucial for overall well-being.
• Societal expectations around work and success can often hinder the pursuit of joy and fulfillment.
• Being intentional and curious can help incorporate joy into daily life.
• Creativity can be found in various roles, even in seemingly data-driven positions.
• It’s important to regularly check in with oneself and make adjustments to maintain joy and purpose.

Chapters00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Dr. Erin Baker 03:21 Differentiating Joy from Happiness 06:17 The Overlap between Joy and Presence 08:25 Unraveling Associations with Joy 11:10 The Challenges of Pursuing Joy 14:37 Generational Attitudes towards Joy and Work 25:11 The Power of Small Changes 28:09 The Contagious Nature of Joy 48:15 Prioritizing Joy and Work-Life Balance 50:04 Incorporating Joy into Daily Life through Intention and Curiosity 52:07 Regularly Checking In and Making Adjustments for Joy and Purpose

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SAD

Do you get the blues in the winter?  Not the cool BB King type.  The “Is this even worth it” kind. Well, a recent study just said Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) may not be a thing.  That doesn’t make us fell any better.

Summary

The conversation explores the topic of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and questions its legitimacy. The hosts discuss the history of SAD and how it became popularized and studied. They highlight the reliance on self-reporting in diagnosing mental illnesses and the potential for confirmation bias. The conversation also touches on the broader issue of how mental health conditions are defined and diagnosed. Overall, the hosts conclude that there is no clear answer and that further research is needed. In this conversation, Tom and Matt discuss the tendency for medical professionals to continue giving advice even when research contradicts it. They also explore the concept of labeling ourselves and the allure of belonging to niche communities. The conversation touches on the psychology behind flat earthers and the importance of understanding the provenance of ideas. They also discuss the practical applications of AI and the evolution of technology in creative fields.

Takeaways

• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a controversial topic, with conflicting studies and opinions on its legitimacy.
• Mental health conditions, including SAD, are often diagnosed based on self-reporting, which introduces potential biases.
• The history and popularization of SAD raise questions about the reliability of its diagnosis and the influence of confirmation bias.
• The conversation highlights the need for further research and a critical examination of how mental health conditions are defined and diagnosed. Medical professionals often continue giving advice even when research contradicts it.
• Labels can be limiting and prevent us from fully understanding ourselves.
• The internet has made it easy for people to belong to niche communities, which can lead to polarization and division.
• Understanding the provenance of ideas can help us evaluate their validity.
• AI and technology are constantly evolving and have the potential to revolutionize various industries.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Experiences
12:03 The History and Popularization of SAD
25:32 Questioning the Definition and Diagnosis of Mental Health Conditions
29:29 Misleading Medical Advice
37:46 Belonging to Niche Communities
39:24 Questioning Our Beliefs
50:32 The Practical Applications of AI

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Tech Bro Cult Psychology

Matt & Tom are doing a bit of a free-flow episode here.  The reoccurring theme is that we all like to identify with a group and tend to fall in line with their practices without critically evaluating them.  That’s kinda what a cult does, doesn’t it?

Summary

The conversation starts with casual banter between Matt and Tom. They discuss their current activities and a scrapped project. They then transition to the topic of AI and its practical applications, particularly in the health industry. They mention the potential for creating health agents and data aggregation. The conversation shifts to the tendency to believe in health trends and the influence of confirmation bias. They discuss the allure of being part of a fringe group and the example of Dave Asprey. They also touch on the benefits of meditation and share personal experiences. The conversation concludes with a discussion on books and the limited usefulness of keeping them after reading. The conversation explores the fascination with trends and health hacks among the tech community, as well as the influence of clickbait journalism. It delves into the concept of dopamine fasting and the tendency for people to adopt trends without fully understanding them. The discussion also touches on the challenges of navigating food choices and the impact of inflammatory ingredients. The conversation highlights the need for critical thinking and research when it comes to health trends. In this final part of the conversation, Matt and Tom discuss various topics, including the potential causes of Candida overgrowth, the pitfalls of starting a lifting routine in middle age, and the importance of following sound exercise principles. They also touch on the idea of living in an insulated technology world and the potential dangers of following trends without critical thinking. The conversation concludes with updates on Tom’s upcoming book and Matt’s new book idea.

Keywords

conversation, banter, AI, health industry, health agents, data aggregation, health trends, confirmation bias, fringe groups, Dave Asprey, meditation, books, tech community, trends, health hacks, dopamine fasting, clickbait journalism, food choices, inflammatory ingredients, critical thinking, research, Candida overgrowth, lifting routine, exercise principles, technology world, trends, book updates

Takeaways

• AI has practical applications in the health industry, such as creating health agents and data aggregation.
• Confirmation bias can lead people to believe in health trends without critically evaluating the evidence.
• Being part of a fringe group can provide a sense of identity and exclusivity.
• Meditation can have significant benefits for mental and physical well-being.
• Books may lose their usefulness after reading and integrating the knowledge. The tech community is often fascinated by trends and health hacks, leading to the adoption of various practices without fully understanding them.
• Clickbait journalism thrives on writing about buzzwords and trends, targeting the tech community and influencing their choices.
• Navigating food choices can be challenging, with many ingredients containing potentially inflammatory substances.
• Critical thinking and research are essential when evaluating health trends and making informed decisions about personal well-being. Candida overgrowth can have multiple causes, and it is often misdiagnosed or overdiagnosed.
• Starting a lifting routine in middle age can lead to injuries if not approached with caution and proper planning.
• Following sound exercise principles, such as time under tension and cross-training, can lead to better results and reduce the risk of injury.
• Living in an insulated technology world can lead to echo chambers and the uncritical following of trends.
• It’s important to critically evaluate information and not blindly follow popular opinions or fads.
• Tom has an upcoming book on cupping, while Matt is considering writing a practical guide on a different topic.

Chapters

00:00 Casual Banter and Project Update
01:35 Exploring the Practical Applications of AI in the Health Industry
06:58 The Allure of Fringe Groups and Identity
12:09 The Benefits of Meditation for Well-being
19:57 The Fascination with Trends and Health Hacks
28:18 The Influence of Clickbait Journalism
32:07 Navigating Food Choices and Inflammatory Ingredients
35:04 The Importance of Critical Thinking and Research
41:28 The Complexities of Candida Overgrowth
42:57 The Pitfalls of Starting a Lifting Routine in Middle Age
45:07 Following Sound Exercise Principles
51:23 Living in an Insulated Technology World
53:21 Book Updates: Cupping and a Practical Guide

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Echo Chamber Dude

Did you start a new therapy, supplement, or diet?  Did you do it based on your own solid research?  Or was it just marketing?  You may be caught in the echo chamber.

Summary

The conversation starts with a technical glitch and the hosts discussing their recent trips to Vegas and Costa Rica. They then talk about the benefits of tapping therapy and how it helps with stress and productivity. They also discuss the basic elements of life and how we are constantly derailed in these areas. The conversation then shifts to the topic of racism and its roots in our evolutionary history. They also mention a website that preys on health-conscious individuals and discuss an article they found on the site. The conversation explores the topic of the carnivore diet and its potential benefits for fat loss, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and digestion. The hosts discuss the clickbait nature of online articles and the biases within the health and wellness industry. They also touch on the controversy surrounding certain foods like beans and spinach, and the interpretation of scientific studies. The conversation highlights the importance of individual differences and the need for a balanced approach to nutrition. The conversation covers various topics including the influence of commercials on consumer behavior, the lack of promotion of wellness in advertising, the challenges of finding reliable information about supplements, the potential of AI to answer any question, the importance of fact-checking, the limitations of human capacity to care about global issues, and the changing mindset of younger generations towards helping others.

Keywords

technical glitch, trips, Vegas, Costa Rica, tapping therapy, stress, productivity, basic elements of life, derailed, racism, evolutionary history, website, health-conscious individuals, article, carnivore diet, fat loss, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, digestion, clickbait, biases, health and wellness, beans, spinach, scientific studies, individual differences, balanced approach, commercials, consumer behavior, wellness, advertising, supplements, AI, fact-checking, global issues, helping others

Takeaways

• Tapping therapy can be effective in reducing stress and improving productivity.
• Racism may have roots in our evolutionary history and the fear of the unknown.
• We are constantly derailed in the basic elements of life, such as work, family, and relationships.
• Some websites prey on health-conscious individuals with extreme marketing tactics.
• AI and the end of capitalism is a fear that may not be a problem at all.
• The hosts have a humorous and light-hearted conversation, touching on various topics. The carnivore diet may have potential benefits for fat loss, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and digestion.
• Online articles often use clickbait titles to attract attention and generate revenue.
• Interpretation of scientific studies can vary, and it’s important to consider individual differences and context.
• The controversy surrounding certain foods like beans and spinach highlights the need for a balanced approach to nutrition.
• Biases exist within the health and wellness industry, and it’s important to critically evaluate information. Commercials have a significant influence on consumer behavior, but they rarely promote wellness.
• Finding reliable information about supplements can be challenging, and it’s important to fact-check the sources.
• AI has the potential to answer any question if all the necessary data is available.
• Human capacity to care about global issues is limited, as individuals already have their own problems to deal with.
• Younger generations are more focused on helping others and making a positive impact.

Chapters

00:00 Technical Glitch and Recent Trips
02:24 Tapping Therapy and Productivity
03:44 Self-Inflicted Frustrations and Tapping Therapy
06:09 The Basic Elements of Life and Being Derailed
11:16 The Effectiveness of Tapping Therapy
16:00 AI and the End of Capitalism
20:22 Introduction and Rambling Videos
22:18 Exploring the Potential Benefits of the Carnivore Diet
25:26 The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of a Meat-Based Diet
28:18 Controversies Surrounding Beans and Spinach
32:35 Interpreting Scientific Studies and Individual Differences
35:16 The Importance of a Balanced Approach to Nutrition
39:45 Navigating Biases in the Health and Wellness Industry
41:27 The Influence of Commercials on Consumer Behavior
42:42 The Lack of Promotion of Wellness in Advertising
44:20 Challenges in Finding Reliable Information about Supplements
46:51 The Potential of AI to Answer Any Question
49:45 The Importance of Fact-Checking
56:12 The Limitations of Human Capacity to Care about Global Issues
01:01:30 The Changing Mindset of Younger Generations towards Helping Others

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Cannabis Movie Watching

We are pretty sure AI made every aspect of this movie on Cannabis.  We aren’t sure if it’s pro or anti cannabis.  Either way we watch it and total MST3k the hell out of it.  “Watch” it with us.

Summary

The conversation revolves around the topic of cannabis and its history, including its use in Chinese medicine and its prohibition in the United States. The hosts discuss the absurdity of a documentary they watched on cannabis, which they find to be poorly researched and lacking in substance. They also touch on the challenges of finding reliable information on the internet and the prevalence of clickbait. The conversation highlights the need for critical thinking and discernment when consuming information online. The conversation covers various topics related to cannabis, including the legalization of marijuana, open drug markets, the use of cannabis in Portugal, the relationship between cannabis and absinthe, the effects of cannabis on anxiety, and the subscription model in the health tech industry.

Takeaways

• The hosts critique a poorly researched documentary on cannabis, highlighting the importance of discerning reliable information from clickbait.
• They discuss the history of cannabis, including its use in Chinese medicine and its prohibition in the United States.
• The conversation emphasizes the challenges of finding accurate information on the internet and the need for critical thinking when consuming online content.
• The hosts highlight the absurdity of the documentary and the importance of discernment and critical thinking when researching topics. Cannabis has been increasingly legalized in many places, leading to the emergence of open drug markets.
• The use of cannabis in Portugal has resulted in a decrease in drug use overall.
• There is a potential relationship between cannabis and absinthe, as both substances interact with the same receptors in the body.
• CBD can help alleviate anxiety caused by consuming too much THC.
• The subscription model in the health tech industry can be cost-prohibitive and exclude many people from accessing valuable health data.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Critique of a Poorly Researched Cannabis Documentary
10:21 The History of Cannabis: Chinese Medicine and Prohibition
23:48 The Importance of Critical Thinking in Researching Topics
29:43 The Rise of Open Drug Markets
30:05 Cannabis and Absinthe: A Surprising Connection
35:29 CBD: A Solution for Cannabis-Induced Anxiety
45:14 The Subscription Model in Health Tech: A Barrier to Access

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Exercise Mimetics

Okay, we get it. Your 8-minute abs program didn’t work, and Ozempic didn’t work. Will exercise mimetics replace portion control and exercise? Probably not, but they won’t hurt, and some of them have tons of other benefits.

Summary

The conversation explores the idea of using AI to automate tasks and the potential implications of relying too heavily on technology. They discuss the concept of exercise memetics and the possibility of using drugs to mimic the effects of exercise. They also touch on the ethical and societal implications of these advancements, as well as the importance of human connection and physical activity. In this conversation, Tom and Matt discuss various topics including supplements, psychedelics, and the future of technology and health. They touch on the potential benefits of supplements like berberine and the use of psychedelics for personal experiences. They also explore the idea of an aging vaccine and the possibility of using technology to access the hard drive of the human body. The conversation concludes with a discussion about their current projects and plans for the future.

Keywords

AI, automation, exercise memetics, drugs, technology, ethics, human connection, physical activity, supplements, berberine, psychedelics, DMT, technology, aging vaccine, cloning, book writing

Takeaways

• The conversation raises questions about the balance between using AI and automation to streamline tasks and the potential loss of human skills and connection.
• The concept of exercise memetics sparks a discussion about the possibility of using drugs to mimic the effects of exercise, highlighting the ethical and long-term health implications.
• The importance of physical activity, balance, and human interaction is emphasized as essential components of overall well-being.
• The conversation highlights the need for thoughtful consideration and responsible use of technology and advancements in order to maintain a healthy and balanced society. Supplements like berberine may take time to show results, so it’s important to be patient and consistent with their use.
• Psychedelics can have different effects on individuals, and it’s important to approach them with caution and respect.
• The future of health and technology holds the potential for advancements in areas like cloning, organ regeneration, and accessing the hard drive of the human body.
• Writing books can be a challenging but rewarding process, and it’s important to prioritize and plan accordingly.

Chapters

00:00 The Pros and Cons of AI and Automation
06:56 Exploring the Concept of Exercise Memetics
13:38 The Ethical Implications of Using Drugs to Mimic Exercise
36:34 The Future of Health: Aging Vaccines and Cloning
43:28 The Challenges and Rewards of Writing Books

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