1.75m Q&A - Growing Pains, Social Anxiety & Dating Problems

Chris’s First Job & Missing the UK (00:00:51)

• Chris's first job was as a room service boy at Tall Trees in Yarm, a hotel with a nightclub.
• He delivered breakfast to drug dealers and moved bags of pills to place their trays.
• Chris worked every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning for two years while in college.
• He earned £450 per hour and received tips of £2 or £3.
• Chris misses the shared cultural references and jokes he could make in the UK.
• In the US, he has to explain American references to his audience, which feels displacing.
• Despite this, Chris believes living in the US is worth it.
• Chris's teeth are all his own, except for a composite veneer on one tooth damaged while playing cricket.
• He recommends David Breton at the Cosmetic Dental Clinic in Newcastle for dental work.

James Smith’s Analysis of Modern Podcasts (00:03:43)

• James Smith criticized podcasters for engaging in controversy farming and providing inaccurate guest information.
• Coffeezilla responded by suggesting that content creators should limit their discussions to topics within their areas of expertise.
• The author disagrees with Coffeezilla, arguing that individuals with relevant experience or knowledge should be allowed to discuss topics outside of their formal qualifications.
• The author feels discomfort and self-censorship due to recent criticisms of podcasts and the fear of being taken out of context or ridiculed.
• The creator emphasizes the importance of listeners supporting the podcasts they enjoy to counter negativity and maintain support.
• The creator acknowledges the need to balance constructive feedback with ignoring harsh criticism and maintaining the integrity of the show.
• The creator defends his choice of guests, highlighting the diverse range of individuals he brings on the show compared to other podcasts at his level.
• There is a lack of training or guidance on how to deal with criticism and harsh comments online when reaching a certain level of success.

Pickleball Ambitions & Remaining Grateful (00:14:42)

• Chris's pickleball rating is low due to frequent losses during casual games.
• To cultivate gratitude, Chris suggests placing Post-it notes around the house as reminders to find moments of thankfulness throughout the day.
• Chris acknowledges the challenge of drawing strength from a positive place rather than spite or anger and shares his personal experience of overcoming self-doubt by achieving beyond expectations, but still struggles with self-worth issues and anger at himself for minor setbacks.
• Chris is currently undergoing therapy to address these challenges.
• The speaker is experiencing growing pains and self-doubt due to increased introspection and self-awareness.
• The speaker encourages others to embrace their desire for self-improvement and recognize that their struggles indicate their potential for growth.

Future Plans for Neutonic (00:20:58)

• Neutonic is restocking in America.
• New production factory and supply chain are organized.
• Methylated cobalamine B12, Roda R, and Panex Jin are sourced.
• Focus is on getting the drink in people's hands.

How Success Impacts Relationships (00:22:02)

• Enjoying talking to people with similar interests.
• Live show attendees are like-minded individuals.
• Exponential success brings challenges:
  • Being watched by half a billion people a year is terrifying.
  • Difficulty discussing concerns due to perception as a "champagne problem".
  • Ambient vigilance is a concern.
• Despite challenges, happy with the show's quality and opportunities.
• Sees personal challenges as an opportunity to find solutions to common problems.
  • Maximizing potential, balancing desire for improvement with past criticism, and handling success without ego or anxiety.

Greatest Midwit Memes of Recent Times (00:24:46)

• The biggest midwit meme is about following instincts vs. overthinking decisions.
• The last 12 months can be summarized as "rapid change is good and bad."

Ads on Modern Wisdom (00:26:58)

• The big shoots for the podcast can cost up to $35,000 in a single day.
• Ads are necessary to cover the costs of producing the podcast.
• The podcast turned down a life-changing amount of money from an advertiser because they didn't agree with the product.

If Chris Could Only Keep 10 Exercises (00:29:23)

• Incline chest press: best chest exercise.
• Pull-ups: overhand grip.
• Lateral raises: for shoulders.
• Leg press: due to back issues.
• Standing superset bicep curls: for biceps.
• Overhead tricep extension: for triceps.
• Quad extension: for quads.
• Hamstring curls: for hamstrings.
• Single-arm row: for back.
• Cable flies: another chest exercise.

Most Impactful Life Lessons (00:30:55)

• Paying attention is a significant competitive advantage, but letting go and not fearing things makes life more enjoyable.
• Balancing work and personal life is challenging, but it's important to avoid excessive screen time and prioritize fun, nature, and social activities.
• Podcasting lesson: silence is powerful. Elite podcasters know when to let silence breathe, creating impactful moments.

The Risk of Becoming a Meme (00:33:47)

• Alex is aware of the risk of becoming a meme of himself.
• He tries not to lean into the same conversations all the time.
• He has a broad range of guests to choose from, which helps prevent him from becoming repetitive.
• Alex acknowledges his prominent brow and the jokes that have been made about it.
• He doesn't want to become a meme because he doesn't like the idea of a joke being made at his expense when he's trying his best.
• Alex's goal is to keep talking to people he's interested in.
• He wants to bring on guests who can teach him something.
• Alex's mission is to understand himself and the world around him.
• He has no obligation to anyone except his own instincts and curiosity.
• Alex believes that following his curiosity is the best way to achieve his goal.

Building an Undeniable Stack of Evidence (00:36:22)

• Alex believes that confidence comes from having undeniable proof of one's abilities rather than affirmations.
• He gained evidence through his podcast, where the input-to-outcome ratio was more direct, unlike team pursuits where success could be attributed to external factors.
• Alex acknowledges that evidence can be unlimited, but he has reached a point where he is confident in his abilities.
• He used to pretend to be confident but lacked genuine self-assurance.
• To overcome this, Alex challenged himself by doing 17 shows in 28 days across three continents, which provided overwhelming evidence of his capabilities.

Isolation of Living in Front of a Screen (00:38:44)

• Living near a park can reduce screen time and provide a connection to nature.
• Online communities based on mutual hatred can distort reality.
• Prioritizing what matters most is crucial when making choices.
• Chris Peterson's experience on Love Island didn't directly boost his on-camera confidence, but podcasting and YouTube helped.
• Regularly recording and reviewing fake podcasts with a friend can greatly improve communication skills.
• Intense physical training helped the speaker overcome nervousness during an interview with Joe Rogan.

If Chris Had Kids Would Modern Wisdom Become More Dad-Centric? (00:43:16)

• Chris expresses his excitement about the possibility of becoming a dad and how it might influence the content of the podcast.
• He believes that becoming a parent, dealing with family matters, and aging will naturally change his perspective and the topics he covers on the show.
• Chris emphasizes that the podcast is an outgrowth of his own life experiences and interests, and he follows his instincts in creating content.
• He intends to maintain his privacy while sharing his genuine interests, including dad-centric content, aging gracefully, and personal growth.
• Chris acknowledges that he has not personally disparaged individuals with 9 to 5 jobs.
• He comes from a working-class background where most people had 9 to 5 jobs, and he feels uncomfortable with the disparagement of such jobs.
• Chris believes that having a 9 to 5 job is a reliable route to enjoying life and encourages people to pursue it if they wish.
• He emphasizes that personal growth and purpose can be achieved while working a 9 to 5 job, and it doesn't have to be the only way to find fulfillment.
• Chris highlights the advantages of having a 9 to 5 job, such as structure, holidays, and the ability to focus on self-development during evenings.
• He expresses genuine envy for individuals who find purpose and enjoyment in their 9 to 5 jobs, especially those with oversight and structure.
• Chris mentions a previous video he made about the reasons not to start your own business, emphasizing that working for oneself is not always as glamorous as it seems.

A Fight Between Squirrels & Beavers (00:47:13)

• Mildly irritated squirrels would likely defeat a drowsy beaver in a fight.
• Squirrels are difficult to coordinate, but they can overwhelm a beaver with their numbers and agility.
• A drowsy beaver would be at a disadvantage unless it received medical assistance.
• Caring about others' opinions is pointless because most people don't like themselves and don't know you.
• Critical opinions are often projections of the person's self-hatred or worldview and not about you.
• Remind yourself that others' opinions are more about them than they are about you.

Chris’s Back Issues & Stem Cell Treatment (00:49:43)

• Chris had bulging discs in his back due to CrossFit.
• He visited Dr. Stuart McGill in Canada and did hundreds of hours of the "big three" exercises recommended by Dr. McGill.
• He also underwent stem cell treatment in South America, which involved injecting 200 million stem cells into his spine.
• Chris's back has improved significantly, and he hasn't had a back spasm attack in nearly two years.
• He avoids exercises that involve shearing forces on his spine, such as deadlifts, squats, and bent-over rows.
• Chris recommends the book "Back Mechanic" by Dr. Stuart McGill and emphasizes the importance of proper back hygiene and posture.

What Chris is Proud of & Ashamed of (00:53:11)

• Chris is proud of moving to America.
• He feels accomplished for taking the initiative and making it happen on his own.
• Chris is ashamed of how he treated his girlfriends when he was younger.
• He acknowledges that he was unfaithful, lied, and hurt people who didn't deserve it.
• Chris has made a conscious effort to change his behavior and be a better person.
• Chris is focused on finding the right balance between trying new things and staying driven.
• He wants to know how to integrate joy with his purpose and drive.
• Chris believes that adventure and novelty bring him joy and help slow down time.
• He tries to vary his experiences and meet new people to create more memorable moments.
• Chris uses the inability to focus on work as a metric to determine when he needs to take a break and recharge.

The Mindset of Training Like an Athlete (00:57:07)

• Adopted a "train like an athlete" mindset to improve podcasting skills.
• Took various content creation courses to learn about YouTube channel strategy, thumbnailing, title design, and voice coaching.
• Prioritized sleep, hydration, and experimented with nutrition to enhance cognitive performance during podcast episodes.
• Explored the use of nootropics, which led to the creation of Newtonic.
• Studied communication styles of influential content creators like Alain de Botton, Jordan Peterson, and Joe Rogan, and incorporated their techniques into his own communication style.
• Experienced a temporary decline in the show's flow due to deliberate focus on implementing new learning, but saw it as a necessary step for skill development.
• Gave a keynote speech at a convention for a group of 500 people in Utah.
• Went skiing for the first time, reaching the top of a hill before the actual slope began.
• Enjoyed the beauty of Utah's mountainous landscape, contrasting it with the flatness of Austin, Texas.

Pushing Back on Guests & Guest Suggestions (01:00:15)

• The YouTuber is working on becoming more disagreeable, skeptical, and scrutinizing in their episodes and personal life.
• They plan to interview musicians like John Mayer, Eric Prydz, Oliver Tree, Oliver Heldens, and Fred again.
• Jonathan Haidt is booked to discuss his new book, "The Anxious Generation," which aligns with the YouTuber's interests in social media addiction, mental health, and social ineptitude among young adults.
• The YouTuber focuses on following their curiosity and creating authentic and honest content that provides value to them and their audience.
• By sharing their own experiences and emotions openly, they aim to be representative and relatable to their audience, providing value to those facing similar challenges or seeking guidance.

Places Chris Would Like to Visit (01:06:47)

• Chris enjoyed his visits to Italy (Rome, Florence), Thailand (Phuket, Koh Samui), and Greece (Athens).
• He considers Pattaya and Chiang Mai to be "shitholes" and Bangkok to be a "huge shithole".
• Other places he enjoyed visiting include Guatemala, Medellin in Colombia, and Comuna 13.
• He would like to visit Venice, Egypt, Japan, Australia, and Antarctica in the future.

Chris’s Spiritual Beliefs (01:08:20)

• Chris describes his spiritual beliefs as "minimal".
• He has friends who are religious, such as his Mormon friend Ben, and he appreciates their faith.
• He attended Rippon Cathedral with his friend, his wife, and his mother on Christmas Eve and found it beautiful.
• His mother is a Reiki master and practices distant healing, crystal work, and lunar rituals, which he enjoys.
• Chris considers faith to be a gift that he has not yet received and is open to the possibility of it changing in the future.

How to Get Great Guests on Your Podcast (01:09:15)

• Send direct messages (DMs) to potential guests, especially those at the mid-level or above.
• Network and build relationships with people in your industry.
• Look for warm leads, such as people who have mentioned you or your show in a positive way.
• Only create content that you are genuinely interested in and excited about.
• Use your excitement level as an indicator of whether an episode will be great.
• Focus on learning from your guests and having meaningful conversations, rather than chasing trends or views.
• Choose things that are reversible when making big decisions.
• If a decision is not reversible, carefully consider the potential consequences before going all in.

Are Podcasts Just Profit-Oriented? (01:13:11)

• The guest asks if podcasts are becoming more profit-oriented, inviting guests for publicity or selling products, creating conflicts of interest and contradictions.
• The host, Lex Fridman, says he doesn't know if the podcast is profit-oriented but the team is aggressively growth-oriented.
• He acknowledges that there are contradictions in podcasts, including his own, but it's the audience's job to navigate these contradictions and make sense of the information.
• He emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and sense-making, especially when it comes to health and fitness topics where people seek reassurance.
• He suggests that podcasts prioritizing profit over communication and guest quality is a high-risk strategy.
• He encourages listeners to choose podcasts carefully, be skeptical of the information presented, and use their own judgment to make sense of it all.

Navigating the Dating Arena in Your 30s (01:17:30)

• Aaron is about to enter his 30s and is newly single for the first time since he was 17.
• He is concerned about navigating the new world of dating apps.
• Chris believes Aaron may have an advantage as he has shown he can commit to someone for a long time and make a great partner.
• Chris advises Aaron to go slow, not expect too much, and be forgiving of himself if he has a few bad dates.
• Candil Rotas suggests Chris interview scientists studying near-death experiences and life after death.
• Chris has previously had a conversation with Paul Evans who had a near-death experience.
• Chris is skeptical about near-death experiences but is willing to do some research and come back to the topic.
• Darren Collins asks if there are valuable lessons worth taking from people who present themselves as villainous.
• Chris believes there are valuable lessons to be taken from anyone, regardless of their character.
• He warns against tribal bias and the danger of only learning from people you completely agree with.
• Chris emphasizes the importance of separating the message from the messenger and learning from both those you agree with and those you disagree with.

Insights Into Neutonic (01:22:04)

• New Neutonic coming to Australia soon.
• Australian government has strict regulations on supplements.
• Neutonic does not contain anything unsafe, just effective ingredients.
• Neutonic may not be available in Australia until the laws change.
• The new Neutonic logo is an eye.
• The logo was chosen because it is beautiful and attention-grabbing.
• The launch video for the new logo can be found on Greg's YouTube page.
• Greg watches a variety of YouTube videos.
• He is currently interested in World War II history documentaries.
• He also enjoys physics videos from David Kipping and Melody Sheep.
• Greg also watches fitness videos from Mike Israetel and Ranan Jay.

Picking Yourself Up When You Lose Steam (01:24:07)

• To regain momentum when feeling stuck, start small and consistently work towards your goals, as even small contributions count as progress.
• The rise of podcasts allows individuals to find relatable content creators and learn from their experiences.
• Balancing high standards with grace involves trusting in your efforts and learning from both successes and failures.
• The author's "win or learn" philosophy emphasizes that there is no such thing as failure, only opportunities for success or learning.
• The author reflects on their own shortcomings and failures as chances for growth and improvement, rather than as judgments of their self-worth.
• The "never miss two days in a row" principle promotes a positive mindset focused on continuous improvement and avoiding setbacks.

Are Women More Anxious About Men? (01:29:32)

• Ryan Utterback asks if women are more anxious about men than ever before, despite statistics showing that male and female violence is at an all-time low.
• He suggests that women may be consuming too much crime-related media, which could be contributing to their anxiety.
• Chris suggests that it could be a result of the #MeToo movement and the increased scrutiny of men's behavior online.
• He also mentions the concept of "collective sociality," which means that women may feel personally affected by news of other women being attacked.
• Chris believes that men can signal to women that they are not a threat and that women can be warm and welcoming once they feel safe.

Closing Thoughts (01:32:02)

• Chris reflects on the changes in his show and the pressure to perform.
• He expresses his appreciation for the support of his audience and asks for their continued support.
• He acknowledges that he is sensitive to other people's opinions and wants to take compliments and feedback to heart.