Episode
#438 - Michael Easter - Learn To Embrace Discomfort
1:12:10
Published: Mon Feb 21 2022
Description
Michael Easter is a contributing editor at Men's Health magazine, columnist for Outside magazine and Professor at the University of Nevada. The world is pretty comfortable right now. Between air conditioning, Amazon Prime, Deliveroo, Netflix, Google Maps, soft beds and automatic cars, you can get through big stretches of life without encountering any real discomfort. Michael has spent years researching why discomfort is so important to our health and fulfilment, and how to reintroduce it to your life. Expect to learn why rites of passage no longer happening in modern life is a huge loss, how Michael survived an entire month in the Alaskan Arctic, how an annual challenge with a 50% chance of failure can change your life, what nosey airport security staff can teach us about human nature, why boredom is good for you, how to overcome trauma and much more... Sponsors: Join the Modern Wisdom Community to connect with me & other listeners - https://modernwisdom.locals.com/ Get over 37% discount on all products site-wide from MyProtein at https://bit.ly/modernwisdom (use code: MODERNWISDOM) Get 15% discount on the amazing 6 Minute Diary at https://bit.ly/diarywisdom (use code MW15) Get 10% discount on your first month from BetterHelp at https://betterhelp.com/modernwisdom (discount automatically applied) Extra Stuff: Buy The Comfort Crisis - https://amzn.to/3umNyQB Follow Michael on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/michael_easter/ Get my free Reading List of 100 books to read before you die → https://chriswillx.com/books/ To support me on Patreon (thank you): https://www.patreon.com/modernwisdom - Get in touch. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/modernwisdompodcast Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact/
Chapters
Michael Easter, a Men's Health Magazine editor, discusses in this episode why discomfort is essential to our health and fulfillment, and how we can reintroduce it to our lives.
00:00 - 00:58 (00:58)
Summary
Michael Easter, a Men's Health Magazine editor, discusses in this episode why discomfort is essential to our health and fulfillment, and how we can reintroduce it to our lives. He talks about how the lack of rites of passage in modern life is a significant loss, shares his experience of spending a month in the Alaskan Arctic, and offers advice on overcoming trauma.
Episode#438 - Michael Easter - Learn To Embrace Discomfort
PodcastModern Wisdom
The speaker talks about how discomfort is often necessary for improving one's health and recommends a range of health products, including protein bars, clothing, shakers, and Clear Way protein.
00:58 - 06:53 (05:55)
Summary
The speaker talks about how discomfort is often necessary for improving one's health and recommends a range of health products, including protein bars, clothing, shakers, and Clear Way protein. They also offer a solution for those who experience digestive discomfort when consuming regular protein shakes.
Episode#438 - Michael Easter - Learn To Embrace Discomfort
PodcastModern Wisdom
The host discusses the thrill and glory associated with hunting grizzly bears and the harsh conditions that hunters must face to pursue this activity.
06:53 - 13:19 (06:25)
Summary
The host discusses the thrill and glory associated with hunting grizzly bears and the harsh conditions that hunters must face to pursue this activity.
Episode#438 - Michael Easter - Learn To Embrace Discomfort
PodcastModern Wisdom
The distinction between elected and unelected suffering can affect perspective in daily life.
13:20 - 21:59 (08:38)
Summary
The distinction between elected and unelected suffering can affect perspective in daily life. Research suggests people who have experienced significant hardship, trauma and challenge often face mental health problems.
Episode#438 - Michael Easter - Learn To Embrace Discomfort
PodcastModern Wisdom
People who experience fewer threatening situations in life tend to view ambiguous situations as more threatening, according to a study.
21:59 - 26:06 (04:07)
Summary
People who experience fewer threatening situations in life tend to view ambiguous situations as more threatening, according to a study. As we encounter fewer threats, our perception of what is considered dangerous is altered.
Episode#438 - Michael Easter - Learn To Embrace Discomfort
PodcastModern Wisdom
The balance between trust and scrutiny is essential when working in a team, and finding the right person to rely on can make a significant difference in the overall productivity.
26:06 - 31:03 (04:56)
Summary
The balance between trust and scrutiny is essential when working in a team, and finding the right person to rely on can make a significant difference in the overall productivity.
Episode#438 - Michael Easter - Learn To Embrace Discomfort
PodcastModern Wisdom
The challenge with content creation is balancing quality with the limited attention span of potential viewers who may be viewing it under less than ideal circumstances.
31:03 - 38:33 (07:30)
Summary
The challenge with content creation is balancing quality with the limited attention span of potential viewers who may be viewing it under less than ideal circumstances.
Episode#438 - Michael Easter - Learn To Embrace Discomfort
PodcastModern Wisdom
The advertising of fitness programs can be self-defeating and can lead to potential customers feeling discouraged if they perceive the program to be too difficult for them to complete, even if they see someone else who is physically capable of doing so.
38:33 - 44:08 (05:34)
Summary
The advertising of fitness programs can be self-defeating and can lead to potential customers feeling discouraged if they perceive the program to be too difficult for them to complete, even if they see someone else who is physically capable of doing so. However, there may be ways to promote fitness programs without explicitly advertising them.
Episode#438 - Michael Easter - Learn To Embrace Discomfort
PodcastModern Wisdom
The speaker believes that consuming large amounts of raw meat may be linked to career success, particularly for those on the extreme ends of behavior.
44:08 - 47:24 (03:16)
Summary
The speaker believes that consuming large amounts of raw meat may be linked to career success, particularly for those on the extreme ends of behavior. However, she notes that this may be an unpopular belief among many.
Episode#438 - Michael Easter - Learn To Embrace Discomfort
PodcastModern Wisdom
Some people use physical fitness as a tool to compensate for not addressing their emotional needs.
47:24 - 55:42 (08:17)
Summary
Some people use physical fitness as a tool to compensate for not addressing their emotional needs. Opening up and having difficult conversations can be just as tough for individuals as physical exercise.
Episode#438 - Michael Easter - Learn To Embrace Discomfort
PodcastModern Wisdom
Our brains need unstructured downtime in order to process thoughts and come up with creative solutions.
55:43 - 1:03:23 (07:40)
Summary
Our brains need unstructured downtime in order to process thoughts and come up with creative solutions. Studies have shown that boredom can lead to more productive results than constant stimulation.
Episode#438 - Michael Easter - Learn To Embrace Discomfort
PodcastModern Wisdom
Research shows that two ways to slow down how fast time feels passing are adding novelty and intensity to experiences.
1:03:23 - 1:07:00 (03:36)
Summary
Research shows that two ways to slow down how fast time feels passing are adding novelty and intensity to experiences. By making an effort to do new, exciting things, people can improve their memory of their time and slow their perception of time flying by.
Episode#438 - Michael Easter - Learn To Embrace Discomfort
PodcastModern Wisdom
Find out how you can replicate the fitness of hunter-gatherers in your modern life by doing some cardio and carrying heavy loads for short distances outdoors.
1:07:00 - 1:10:46 (03:45)
Summary
Find out how you can replicate the fitness of hunter-gatherers in your modern life by doing some cardio and carrying heavy loads for short distances outdoors.
Episode#438 - Michael Easter - Learn To Embrace Discomfort
PodcastModern Wisdom
Michael Easter, author of "The Comfort Crisis," talks about the benefits of embracing discomfort to improve one's life.
1:10:46 - 1:12:06 (01:20)
Summary
Michael Easter, author of "The Comfort Crisis," talks about the benefits of embracing discomfort to improve one's life. He discusses the importance of pushing oneself out of their comfort zone to reach their full potential.