Modern Wisdom &#8211; Chris Williamson

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/modernwisdompodcast

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Drugged In Colombia, Escaping Jail & Defeating UFC Wrestling - Craig Jones - #950 Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

Craig Jones is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athlete, owner of B-Team and Founder of the Craig Jones Invitational.

From wild nights in Medellín to ketamine trips with Ethiopian locals, Craig Jones has turned his life into a world of fun and chaos. From rolling with legends, clowning on traditions, and building a jiu-jitsu empire that’s as unorthodox as it is elite, Craig proves every day that you can be world-class without following the old playbook.

Expect to learn what happened to Craig Jones while in Colombia, what it was like meeting Pablo Escobar’s sister, why Craig Jones was in Ethiopia and doing ketamine with the locals, why Craig got an MS13 Tattoo and why he subsequently went missing for a while, the biggest updates from the world of BJJ, UFC, and wrestling, Craigs thoughts on Greg Souders, Jon Jones & Gordon Ryan and much more…

Timestamps:

(00:00) The First Craig Jones Invitational (03:41) Meeting Pablo Escobar’s Sister (05:52) Getting Drugged in Colombia (13:15) Charity Work in Ethiopia (24:30) Trying Ketamine With the Locals (27:07) Why Craig Got Arrested in Bali (30:28) Building a School in Peru (34:14) Exploring the Favelas in Brazil (38:20) Adventures in Venezuela (46:55) The Second Craig Jones Invitational (55:06) The Fallout From ADCC (59:14) Making Grappling More Exciting (01:04:25) Reuniting With John Danaher (01:08:37) Future Ambitions of CJI (01:11:49) Craig’s Thoughts on Greg Souders (01:14:59) Cornering in UFC (01:18:29) Building Up Confidence in Fighting (01:20:58) The Past & Future of Grappling (01:26:22) Craig’s Training (01:27:21) What’s Next for Craig?

Sponsors:

See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: https://chriswillx.com/deals

Get 35% off your first subscription on the best supplements from Momentous at https://livemomentous.com/modernwisdom

Get the brand new Whoop 5.0 at https://join.whoop.com/modernwisdom

Extra Stuff:

Get my free reading list of 100 books to read before you die: https://chriswillx.com/books

Try my productivity energy drink Neutonic: https://neutonic.com/modernwisdom

Episodes You Might Enjoy:

This Is How To Master Your Life - David Goggins - #577: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Goggins⁠⁠⁠

How To Destroy Your Negative Beliefs - Dr Jordan Peterson - #712: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Peterson⁠⁠⁠

The Secret Tools To Hack Your Brain - Dr Andrew Huberman - #700: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Huberman⁠⁠

Get In Touch:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/modernwisdompodcast

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How To Build Unstoppable Confidence - Jocko Willink - #949 Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

Jocko Willink is a retired United States Navy officer in SEAL Team 3, an author and a podcaster.

In a world overflowing with choices, we often confuse freedom with indulgence. But real freedom—the kind that builds confidence, resilience, and leadership—comes from discipline. From forging inner strength alone to leading elite teams of Navy SEALs, Jocko's life proves that discipline is the foundation for true autonomy.

Expect to learn how people can be more confident with their decision making, the best tactics to overcome fear, what it’s actually like to be in a firefight, what people misunderstand about what ‘Discipline equals freedom’ actually means, what a disciplined like looks like to Jocko, how to train mental toughness, Jocko’s thoughts on the new administration and military recruitment numbers, if we’re close to a major conflict, how men can be better about handling their emotions, and much more…

Timestamps:

(00:00) There Are No Solutions, Only Trade-Offs (06:23) How to Be More Confident in Your Decisions (20:39) One Word You Need to Overcome Fear (31:59) What It’s Really Like to Be in a Firefight (50:19) Biggest Misconceptions About Discipline (01:00:11) When You Can’t See a Light at the End of the Tunnel (01:13:50) Staying Driven During Times of Success (01:16:36) Advice to Directionless Young Men (01:23:35) How to Not Let Comfort Weaken You (01:30:05) Pete Hegseth’s Impact on the US Army (01:37:39) The Future of Warfare (01:57:06) What’s Next for Jocko?

Sponsors:

See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: https://chriswillx.com/deals

Get a 20% discount on Nomatic’s amazing luggage at https://nomatic.com/modernwisdom

Get 35% off your first subscription on the best supplements from Momentous at https://livemomentous.com/modernwisdom

Get 5 Free Travel Packs, Free Liquid Vitamin D, and more from AG1 at https://ag1.info/modernwisdom

Get the best bloodwork analysis in America at https://functionhealth.com/modernwisdom

Extra Stuff:

Get my free reading list of 100 books to read before you die: https://chriswillx.com/books

Try my productivity energy drink Neutonic: https://neutonic.com/modernwisdom

Episodes You Might Enjoy:

This Is How To Master Your Life - David Goggins - #577: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Goggins⁠⁠⁠

How To Destroy Your Negative Beliefs - Dr Jordan Peterson - #712: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Peterson⁠⁠⁠

The Secret Tools To Hack Your Brain - Dr Andrew Huberman - #700: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Huberman⁠⁠

Get In Touch:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/modernwisdompodcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Secret To Becoming A Confident Speaker - Matt Abrahams - #948 May 31, 2025

Show notes

Matt Abrahams is a communication expert, Stanford lecturer, and podcaster.

Ever been put on the spot to give a quick speech, only to freeze up with nothing to say? Speaking with confidence and clarity is a skill, and the good news is, it can be learned. Today Matt Abrahams shares practical tips and tools to help you think faster, speak smarter, and become a more effective communicator.

Expect to learn how to speak more confidently, why people choke when they are put on the spot and how to overcome anxiety while speaking, how having structure can actually liberate spontaneous speaking, how to avoid rambling and get to the point faster, he biggest errors people make during conversations, how to give a compelling toast with zero prep, the key ingredients of a meaningful apology, and much more…

Timestamps:

(00:00) Why Do People Have Speaking Anxiety? (04:36) Advice for Managing Anxiety (07:44) Why People Choke on the Spot (10:17) Can You Over-Prepare? (14:43) How to Avoid Rambling (19:25) Thinking Fast on Your Feet (23:40) No Such Thing as a Stupid Question (28:21) Questions to Build Connection (35:40) Surprising Stats About Communication (40:05) Getting Rid of Filler Words (48:25) Importance of Confidence in Communication (52:13) Warming Up Your Voice (54:01) How to Make Meaningful Small Talk (55:59) The Keys to a Strong Apology (57:36) Where to Find Matt

Sponsors:

See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: https://chriswillx.com/deals

Get 35% off your first subscription on the best supplements from Momentous at https://livemomentous.com/modernwisdom

Get 60% off an annual plan of Incogni at https://incogni.com/modernwisdom

Get the best bloodwork analysis in America at https://functionhealth.com/modernwisdom

Extra Stuff:

Get my free reading list of 100 books to read before you die: https://chriswillx.com/books

Try my productivity energy drink Neutonic: https://neutonic.com/modernwisdom

Episodes You Might Enjoy:

This Is How To Master Your Life - David Goggins - #577: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Goggins⁠⁠⁠

How To Destroy Your Negative Beliefs - Dr Jordan Peterson - #712: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Peterson⁠⁠⁠

The Secret Tools To Hack Your Brain - Dr Andrew Huberman - #700: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Huberman⁠⁠

Get In Touch:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/modernwisdompodcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How To Not Let Your Past Define You - Scott Barry Kaufman - #947 May 29, 2025

Show notes

Scott Barry Kaufman is a Psychologist at Columbia University, a writer and podcaster.

Why is victim culture so common in the West? Everyone’s been hurt, so it’s easy to claim victimhood, so why has it become a core identity and how do we honour pain without being defined by it?

Expect to learn where a victimhood mentality comes from, what predicts whether someone is likely to fall into the victimhood trap or mindset and if modern culture is contributing or incentivising victimhood, the most harmful myths around identity and trauma, how you cultivate psychological flexibility in moments of deep emotional pain, the big difference between authenticity and self-esteem, and much more…

Timestamps:

(00:00) Reconciling With Your Past (04:45) What is Victimhood Mentality? (10:26) Where Does Victim Mentality Come From? (14:30) Why is Victimhood So Seductive? (17:46) Our Feeling of Being Broken (20:28) Victimhood in Evolution (30:50) Are Genes Destiny? (37:35) The Dynamics of Epigenetics (44:46) Researching Highly Sensitive People (50:34) How to Recognise if You Are Highly Sensitive (59:19) Advice for Highly Sensitive People (01:04:56) The Role of Internally-Generated Safety (01:09:29) Links Between Self-Esteem & Victimhood (01:12:17) Accepting Your Past Without Being Ruled By It (01:14:05) Where to Find Scott

Sponsors:

See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: https://chriswillx.com/deals

Get the brand new Whoop 5.0 at https://join.whoop.com/modernwisdom

Get a 20% discount on Nomatic’s amazing luggage at https://nomatic.com/modernwisdom

Extra Stuff:

Get my free reading list of 100 books to read before you die: https://chriswillx.com/books

Try my productivity energy drink Neutonic: https://neutonic.com/modernwisdom

Episodes You Might Enjoy:

This Is How To Master Your Life - David Goggins - #577: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Goggins⁠⁠⁠

How To Destroy Your Negative Beliefs - Dr Jordan Peterson - #712: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Peterson⁠⁠⁠

The Secret Tools To Hack Your Brain - Dr Andrew Huberman - #700: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Huberman⁠⁠

Get In Touch:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/modernwisdompodcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

$0 To $1M: The New Rules For Building A Thriving Business - Daniel Priestley - #946 May 26, 2025

Show notes

Daniel Priestley is an entrepreneur, speaker, and author.

We’ve seen more change in business over the last 10 years than in the 50 before it. From the rise of artificial intelligence to a total cultural reset. how do you adapt to the current landscape, and what timeless truths still drive lasting success?

Expect to learn about the current state of the UK, what Daniel learned about his discussion with Gary’s Economics, the process for taking your business form $0 to $1M per month, how to get from $0 to $10k per month first, how to charge more for you business and how to sell it, where Daniel finds his source of happiness, which aspects of your business you should outsource to AI and much more…

Timestamps:

(0:00) Why Entrepreneurs Are Leaving the UK (04:07) Daniel’s Debate With Gary Stevenson (22:23) Employment Vs Ownership (31:34) Going From Idea to Business (38:11) Best & Worst Businesses to Start (41:28) Go From 0 to 10K a Month (46:12) Developing a Team of Staff (57:09) The Difference Between 10K/Month & 100K/Month (01:11:21) What Aspects of a Business Should AI Do? (01:13:23) How to Know When to Increase a Price (01:20:54) Knowing When to Let Someone Go (01:25:48) Selling Your Business (01:36:21) Making the Running of Your Business Fun (01:42:39) Starting a Family as a Business Founder (01:45:46) Building a Resilient Mindset (01:56:55) How Technology is Changing the Business Landscape (02:03:39) Where to Find Daniel

Sponsors:

See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: https://chriswillx.com/deals

Get 35% off your first subscription on the best supplements from Momentous at https://livemomentous.com/modernwisdom

Get 5 Free Travel Packs, Free Liquid Vitamin D, and more from AG1 at https://ag1.info/modernwisdom

Get up to $350 off the Pod 5 at https://eightsleep.com/modernwisdom

Get the best bloodwork analysis in America at https://functionhealth.com/modernwisdom

Extra Stuff:

Get my free reading list of 100 books to read before you die: https://chriswillx.com/books

Try my productivity energy drink Neutonic: https://neutonic.com/modernwisdom

Episodes You Might Enjoy:

This Is How To Master Your Life - David Goggins - #577: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Goggins⁠⁠⁠

How To Destroy Your Negative Beliefs - Dr Jordan Peterson - #712: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Peterson⁠⁠⁠

The Secret Tools To Hack Your Brain - Dr Andrew Huberman - #700: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Huberman⁠⁠

Get In Touch:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/modernwisdompodcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Art Of Self Mastery - Shaolin Master Shi Heng Yi - #945 May 24, 2025

Show notes

Shi Heng Yi is a Shaolin master, headmaster of Shaolin Temple Europe, and teacher of Kung Fu and Chan Buddhism

What can the Shaolin lifestyle teach us in a world full of distractions? In the rush of modern life, learning to pause, breathe, and reflect can be the difference between a good day and a bad one. So what other timeless principles can monks offer that still hold power today?

Expect to learn what self mastery means and how to master yourself, the Shaolin monk approach to mental clarity and breath work, what to do if you feel like something is missing from your life, how people can better deal with regret, how you can be more present, the Shaolin training method to overcome modern distractions, how to build mental resilience and much more…

Timestamps:

(0:00) The Meaning of Self-Mastery (03:01) The Areas People Neglect the Most (06:20) How Much Control Can We Have Over Our Minds? (15:23) Preparing for Difficult Times During Times of Comfort (19:39) Why Become a Monk? (22:28) How to Begin Finding Your Purpose (28:45) Interrupting the Cycle of Pursuing Things (33:26) Balancing Self-Improvement & Self-Love (37:49) Dealing With Regret (41:56) Where Do Discipline & Focus Come From? (46:17) How Being a Monk Changes the Texture of Your Mind (51:02) Calming Our Unprocessed Trauma (55:52) The Courage to Face Our Own Pain

Sponsors:

See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: https://chriswillx.com/deals

Get 60% off an annual plan of Incogni at https://incogni.com/modernwisdom

Get 35% off your first subscription on the best supplements from Momentous at https://livemomentous.com/modernwisdom

Get a Free Sample Pack of all LMNT Flavours with your first purchase at https://drinklmnt.com/modernwisdom

Extra Stuff:

Get Shaolin Master Shi Heng Yi Book: https://tinyurl.com/5drhan2c

Get my free reading list of 100 books to read before you die: https://chriswillx.com/books

Try my productivity energy drink Neutonic: https://neutonic.com/modernwisdom

Episodes You Might Enjoy:

This Is How To Master Your Life - David Goggins - #577: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Goggins⁠⁠⁠

How To Destroy Your Negative Beliefs - Dr Jordan Peterson - #712: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Peterson⁠⁠⁠

The Secret Tools To Hack Your Brain - Dr Andrew Huberman - #700: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Huberman⁠⁠

Get In Touch:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/modernwisdompodcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Masterclass In Storytelling - Will Storr - #944 May 22, 2025

Show notes

Will Storr is an author, journalist, and former photographer.

Stories mould who we are, from our character to our cultural identity. They drive us to act out our dreams and ambitions, and shape our politics and beliefs. Some of the world’s greatest contributors are those who have learned to master storytelling. Is storytelling something we can learn? Is there a science to storytelling?

Expect to learn how we use stories to gain status, why stories are key to how we process reality, what most people get wrong about great storytelling, the fundamental questions great storytellers answer, what the best stories in recent history, and much more…

Timestamps:

(00:00) Why Are Stories So Persuasive? (03:45) The Problem of Knowingness (08:29) Stories Are the Language of the Brain (13:55) The Link Between Stories & Social Identity (25:22) How Stories Engineer Tribal Preferences (39:05) How We Use Stories to Gain Status (44:31) Rivalry in Storytelling (57:36) Storytelling in Cancel Culture (01:05:32) What People Get Wrong About Good Storytelling (01:10:19) The Importance of Heroes in Stories (01:20:07) How to Make Stories Stick More (01:26:09) The Story Around Smoking Cigarettes (01:33:41) Where to Find Will

Sponsors:

See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: https://chriswillx.com/deals

Get 5 Free Travel Packs, Free Liquid Vitamin D, and more from AG1 at https://ag1.info/modernwisdom

Get a 20% discount on Nomatic’s amazing luggage at https://nomatic.com/modernwisdom

Get up to $350 off the Pod 5 at https://eightsleep.com/modernwisdom

Extra Stuff:

Get my free reading list of 100 books to read before you die: https://chriswillx.com/books

Try my productivity energy drink Neutonic: https://neutonic.com/modernwisdom

Episodes You Might Enjoy:

This Is How To Master Your Life - David Goggins - #577: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Goggins⁠⁠⁠

How To Destroy Your Negative Beliefs - Dr Jordan Peterson - #712: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Peterson⁠⁠⁠

The Secret Tools To Hack Your Brain - Dr Andrew Huberman - #700: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Huberman⁠⁠

Get In Touch:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/modernwisdompodcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Downfall Of CrossFit & The Future Of Fitness - Will Ahmed - #943 May 19, 2025

Show notes

Will Ahmed is an entrepreneur, founder, and CEO of WHOOP.

Wearable fitness tech has taken over in 2025, from sleep scores to stress tracking and everything in between. So how did WHOOP grow into a $3.6 billion giant? And how do you use the data to improve your life without letting it control you?

Expect to learn why CrossFit is so unpopular now and what happened to its falloff, what the broad trends of fitness are across the globe, how to get past your self-doubt and stop being so hard on yourself, how to deal with rejection better, what it is like hanging with the world’s best athletes, how to avoid being a prisoner of your wearable fitness data, and much more…

Timestamps:

(00:00) The Downfall of CrossFit (04:34) Recent Global Trends in the Fitness Industry (13:11) How Being an Only Child Influences You (17:31) Overcoming Self-Doubt (25:01) Balancing Ambition & Gratitude (34:44) Running a Company While Experiencing Grief (39:18) Finding Out What You Truly Want (43:18) The Journey of Pursuing What You Want (56:27) The Romanticisation of Failure (01:10:41) Learning From the World’s Best Athletes (01:19:31) Getting Trapped in Over-Optimisation (01:32:14) The Real Costs of the Outcomes You Desire (01:37:57) Will’s Perfect Morning Routine (01:43:54) Biggest Hacks for Overseas Travel (01:51:22) What’s Next for Will

Sponsors:

See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: https://chriswillx.com/deals

Get a 20% discount on Nomatic’s amazing luggage at https://nomatic.com/modernwisdom

Get 35% off your first subscription on the best supplements from Momentous at https://livemomentous.com/modernwisdom

Get the best bloodwork analysis in America at https://functionhealth.com/modernwisdom

Get a Free Sample Pack of all LMNT Flavours with your first purchase at https://drinklmnt.com/modernwisdom

Extra Stuff:

Get my free reading list of 100 books to read before you die: https://chriswillx.com/books

Try my productivity energy drink Neutonic: https://neutonic.com/modernwisdom

Episodes You Might Enjoy:

This Is How To Master Your Life - David Goggins - #577: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Goggins⁠⁠⁠

How To Destroy Your Negative Beliefs - Dr Jordan Peterson - #712: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Peterson⁠⁠⁠

The Secret Tools To Hack Your Brain - Dr Andrew Huberman - #700: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Huberman⁠⁠

Get In Touch:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/modernwisdompodcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How To Actually Build Discipline - Gen. Stanley McChrystal - #942 May 17, 2025

Show notes

Gen. Stanley McChrystal is a retired four-star U.S. Army general, former commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, and and an author.

From the battlefield to daily life, it’s the small consistent choices that win both. So how can traits like discipline, integrity, and character shape everyday success and even prepare you to lead at the highest level?

Expect to learn how the General thinks about discipline and what makes discipline such a powerful predictor of personal and professional success, how to balance high standards for yourself with gratitude for what you’ve achieved, why character is so important and how Stanley defines it, how leaders balance personal ambition with the greater good, and much more…

Timestamps:

(00:00) Nearly Getting Expelled From West Point (04:19) Learning From Any Experience (12:55) Why Is Discipline So Highly Valued? (23:51) Having Both Gratitude & High Standards (34:47) Balancing Service With Personal Ambition (47:16) The Role of Conviction (51:38) The Price You Pay For Success (57:14) Where to Find Stanley

Sponsors:

See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: https://chriswillx.com/deals

Get 10% discount on all Gymshark’s products at https://gym.sh/modernwisdom (use code MODERNWISDOM10)

Get a Free Sample Pack of all LMNT Flavours with your first purchase at https://drinklmnt.com/modernwisdom

Extra Stuff:

Get my free reading list of 100 books to read before you die: https://chriswillx.com/books

Try my productivity energy drink Neutonic: https://neutonic.com/modernwisdom

Episodes You Might Enjoy:

This Is How To Master Your Life - David Goggins - #577: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Goggins⁠⁠⁠

How To Destroy Your Negative Beliefs - Dr Jordan Peterson - #712: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Peterson⁠⁠⁠

The Secret Tools To Hack Your Brain - Dr Andrew Huberman - #700: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Huberman⁠⁠

Get In Touch:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/modernwisdompodcast