Matthew elaborates on the lyrics of My Morning Jacket’s 2011 “Circuital,” and the themes and lessons within. He also comments on the music itself, as it is an exhilarating and joyous song.
What are you going to do with your glorious and limited time “out on the circuit”?
Psychology/Mental Health/Self-Esteem
Ideas, stories, experiences, and other content related to self-esteem, mental health, and happiness. To live and flourish, one must first be convinced that one is worthy of living, worthy of happiness. This is self-esteem, and it is a crucial value we all must earn.
Things or experiences?: Podcast ep. 60 now released
Should I save now to have for later? Spend now for life experience at the expense of one’s future security? How much either way? And then spend on what? Acquiring things or experiences? And then at what balance? These are all questions one must answer for oneself, and there is no “right way” to live.
But depending on the answers, there is something that comes across in how much we experience in life in how much grace we carry ourselves with and in how we deal with others. It shows through in one’s carriage and being, so that we in effect “wear” that experience. It is also revealed to ourselves when no one else is looking in how much we are truly satisfied with the experience of our own lives.
Matthew’s wife said that while she used to spend much of her salary on designer bags and clothes, she now prefers to “wear her experience,” and he shares their discussion about that theme in today’s episode.
Listen to ep. 52, an interview with David Veksler
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A virtuous circle of optimism and success: Podcast ep. 59 now released
Does success lead to optimism or does optimism lead to success?
Matthew’s university classroom was divided, although none doubted the correlation. They were all ready, then, to accept the idea of a “virtuous circle.” But a question remains: Where can one enter the circle?
Continue readingBeware the stories we tell about ourselves (and those we love): Podcast ep. 57 now released
What stories are we telling ourselves and the people we love? Are they serving us or hurting us? And them?
In today’s show, the power of story is made alarmingly clear—I mean powerful at the neurochemical level, and I mean alarmingly in that many of us are mostly passive in allowing old, unchecked, and disempowering stories about ourselves drive us—and not anywhere we want to go.
Continue readingSelf-preservation is paramount: Podcast ep. 56 now released
At minimum, you will leave this interview feeling confident and optimistic about yourself, your world, and the prospects in it, as Christmas Hutchinson convincingly reminds each of us that we’re worth more than we give ourselves credit for. Not a little more…way more.
Continue readingWhy do some thrive while others are crushed by hardship? (Listener question on Podcast ep. 55)
Why do some people thrive in the face of hardship while others are crushed? To this challenging listener question, Matthew answers essentially that it’s about building resilience through the method of optimism versus the default of passive pessimistic resignation. On a deeper level, it’s about free will (optimistic) versus determinism (pessimistic).
Continue readingThere’s nothing wrong with you: Podcast ep. 54 now released
Are we basically good or evil? How can we transcend our culture of “blame and shame”? Why do we give away our power to others? How can we be less reactive and more proactively responsible for our own actions and well-being? What does it mean to take full ownership for our circumstances, and why is this empowering? What are the physical benefits to mindfulness training, on top of the obvious mental and emotional benefits?
Continue readingDepression: The “silent thief”: Podcast ep. 53 now released
Whether you’re depressed or not, none of us are operating in perfect mental health. And in any case, we all need to be better educated for those around us who may be struggling and for whom we might make a difference. Lewis Page, successful and respected soccer coach, loved father, husband, friend, and all-around popular and healthy guy, does not fit one’s typical image of what depression looks like. Yet he lives with it.
Continue readingKnow thyself: 50th episode of Mr. Bright Side now released
No, it’s nothing to do with The Killers.
In this early milestone 50th episode, Matthew reflects a bit by sharing a brief history as to why he proceeded to call the show “Mr. Bright Side,” knowing full well that it would always be confused with the 2004 mega-hit Killers song. He also shares a few personal stories over the years which have reflected back to him his natural tendency to optimism and enthusiasm, long before he ever developed his mature and formal philosophy. Listeners can take a lesson in self-awareness from these reminiscences.
Continue readingI’m so happy to be over forty: Podcast ep. 49 now released
At what age does one become a fully-formed individual? One modern-day comedian and one sage character from a short story published in 1939 have both offered a similar magic number. How is that two people from distinctly separate eras and experience have both identified the same thing?
Continue reading“Celebrations should only be for those who have something to celebrate”: Podcast ep. 48 now released
Free time gets old quick.
Retired people know this. So what’s the cause of that antsy, anxious feeling that makes it so that you just can’t enjoy your leisure time anymore? And how can we remedy this?
Continue readingWhat does good charity look like?: Podcast ep. 47 now released
How does charity fit into a life dedicated to gaining—not surrendering—values? If healthy human relationships are about win-wins, and charity is about gaining nothing for oneself, then is it good? And why do many of us feel so unfulfilled after engaging in sacrificial charity, if it’s the right thing to do?
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