Advice on books & big ideas.

How should parents handle explaining death to young children?

Answer honestly based on what the child actually asks rather than relying on a scripted explanation, since no one truly knows what happens after death; let the child's questions guide how much detail to give.

How can someone figure out what they actually want from dating and relationships?

Stacey June advises 'wiping your slate clean' of inherited family and societal narratives about sex and relationships, then deliberately exploring your own life to discover what you actually want, rather than following scripts absorbed from media or upbringing.

How do you stay grounded while building something over a long period of time?

Try to stay present day-to-day rather than fixating on the future or idealizing the past, since memory of accomplishments fades quickly and negativity is louder than the good.

How can a birth partner best support someone in labour?

Be fully present, set a calm tone for everyone entering the room, use techniques like soft touch massage and pressure-point work, and avoid adding unnecessary stress since fear/adrenaline can slow labour.

How should you think about death to find peace rather than fear?

Tommy suggests engaging with teachings on mindfulness and presence (citing Ram Dass) rather than avoiding the topic, arguing that finding peace comes from being present in each moment rather than waiting for bucket-list achievements.

How should you prioritize your time to avoid regret later in life?

Tommy argues for living presently and communicating fully with loved ones now, rather than waiting until a terminal diagnosis to focus on legacy or connection, warning that waiting until the last six months would itself be a source of regret.

How can you avoid injuring yourself in an unfamiliar hotel shower?

Josh jokingly advises listeners to 'be careful in showers' after Tommy's slipping incident.

How do you keep reading manageable when buying new books?

Josh says he's committing to reading just one book (Be Here Now) at a time rather than buying multiple, to keep it simple and digestible.

How should you handle birthday gift-giving within a group of friends or colleagues?

Avoid assuming you know what someone will do for you (e.g., assuming a gift is or isn't coming), as it can create awkwardness or even annoyance if your assumptions are visible to the other person.

What should someone do if they can't figure out why they resist certain tasks?

Seek outside, more qualified perspective—such as seeing a psychologist—rather than relying on a partner's suggestions, because understanding the deeper psychological pattern (e.g., scarcity-driven behaviours) requires more expertise than casual decision-tree fixes.

What should I look for when buying a bed/mattress size?

Tommy recommends always getting a king-size bed, even in a small apartment, on the principle that the bedroom should be about 80% filled by the bed for maximum comfort.

Should romantic gestures only happen on milestone dates like anniversaries?

Doing nothing isn't romantic — true romance is doing something for your partner that you don't technically have to do, not just performing an obligatory gesture tied to a date on the calendar.

What practical steps can someone take for everyday self-defence?

Keep keys held in your fist when walking alone at night as a makeshift weapon, use disorientation tactics (like spraying an attacker in the face) rather than trying to execute 'correct' fighting technique, and prioritize escaping over engaging in a fight.

Should you get into a physical fight if threatened?

Avoid fights where possible and focus on using self-defence to create an opportunity to run away, since many people nowadays have some combat training (kickboxing, Krav Maga, karate).

How should self-defence training be framed for kids?

Frame martial arts/self-defence training for children as being about getting out of dangerous situations and understanding physical awareness and discipline, not as a tool for proving dominance or becoming someone others fear.

How can I start capturing and retaining information from books, podcasts and articles instead of forgetting it?

Underline or highlight key passages as you read to force concentration and mark what matters; use a simple note-taking app like Drafts to jot down a few notes (or a voice memo) right after consuming content; and use a tool like Readwise to pull highlights from Kindle/Instapaper into a central note app (Notion, Roam, Evernote) for daily review and later searching.

How do I balance pursuing a big long-term vision with daily business realities?

Channel high energy/intensity into one specific project and take it to launch (a few weeks), then build systems/processes to reduce ongoing intensity, rather than trying to sustain constant high intensity across everything.

How should I think about results that don't seem to be paying off yet in business?

Recognize that current performance often results from work done years earlier (seeds planted), so keep investing in long-term fundamentals (like SEO) even if the payoff isn't immediately visible.

How can you control social media use without fully quitting?

Set specific, limited windows of time (e.g., one day a week for 2 hours) to download apps, post and check feeds, then delete the apps again afterward rather than having constant access.

Does leaving social media hurt your business?

Take stock of where the business is now versus before rather than assuming impact; your belief about whether it matters will shape whether it actually does, so approach quitting with an 'easy on yourself' mindset rather than fear-based assumptions.

Is it worth reading a screenplay while watching the corresponding film?

Tommy suggests it can work well for dialogue-heavy, theatrical scripts (like Aaron Sorkin's) because you absorb both the craft of the writing and the film itself, even if you eventually lose the thread and just watch.

Do I need to follow a guru to benefit from meditation or spiritual teachings?

Josh argues you can take the universal virtues and practical benefits from spiritual teachings without attaching to the individual guru's personal narrative or persona, treating teachers as useful messengers rather than centerpieces of belief.

Which Seth Godin book should I start with?

Start with The Icarus Deception, then read Poke the Box, then The Dip (which has a short audiobook under 3 hours).

How do you know if a business or person is playing a 'finite game' at your expense?

Look for signs like contracts that are hard to cancel, pushy sales tactics, or fake-personal marketing (e.g. handwritten-style sales letters) — these indicate someone optimizing for short-term revenue over long-term service.

What practical technique helps manage performance anxiety in high-pressure moments?

Use visualisation before key moments (e.g., before serving in tennis): take deep breaths and mentally replay the feeling of a good shot/point rather than dwelling on mistakes, since people tend to remember negative moments more than positive ones.

How important is sleep and routine for athletic performance?

Prioritising consistent, adequate sleep (rather than staying up late out of habit) made a noticeable difference to performance, even though old habits felt fine at the time.

How do you know if you need a mentor versus a coach?

Peter Shepherd suggests a mentor is someone with direct lived experience in what you want to achieve who can give advice, while a coach doesn't need that specific experience and instead helps through questions, holding space, and curiosity; most people could benefit from a coach but not everyone strictly needs one, and seeking a mentor shouldn't be used as an excuse to avoid putting in the work.

Do mentor relationships need to be formalized?

Peter says mentorship can form naturally without ever explicitly asking someone to be your mentor — he cites following Seth Godin and Brené Brown as informal mentors who don't even know he exists, as valid as a formal arrangement.

How do I stop getting so angry in day-to-day moments (e.g. with a toddler or partner)?

Meditation practice shortens the intensity and duration of emotions like anger; rather than suppressing feelings, notice them and let them pass, since anger naturally only lasts minutes unless you actively keep revisiting the triggering thought.

How do I reduce the emotional impact of negative emails or content?

Practices like meditation won't stop the initial negative reaction to upsetting content, but they can shorten how long that impact lingers — like reducing the 'half-life' of the negative reaction.

what's the key lesson from the memoir about facing fear?

The memoir passage advises doing the things that scare you, not staying in your comfort zone, and prioritising travel and new experiences over over-prioritising debt from an expensive education.

Do you need to be tough or aggressive to be a good director on a comedy set?

No — Max Price advises against being a 'dickhead' or aggressive on set; instead, address brewing issues early, use words carefully to redirect performers, and pay attention to how actors are coping mentally (especially after multiple failed takes), pulling them aside to calm them down and remind them it's meant to be fun, since a positive set vibe reflects on screen.

How can you train yourself to lucid dream?

Perform frequent 'reality checks' during waking hours—like trying to push your fingers through your palm or looking in mirrors—so the habit becomes automatic and carries into your dream state, alerting you that you're dreaming.

What's proper urinal etiquette in a public bathroom?

Leave a space between yourself and another person at urinals when possible (e.g., choose an outer urinal if three are empty), and keep your eyes forward and avoid talking.

How can I make the most of a therapy session if I don't know exactly what to talk about?

You don't necessarily need one clear issue prepared going in; being open allows the psychologist to ask targeted questions and guide you toward discovering your own answers.

Is it better to do therapy in person or over the phone/video?

In-person therapy is preferable for the 'full experience,' even though many psychologists have moved to telehealth during the coronavirus period.

Should my business pivot during COVID-19?

Don't pivot just because everyone else is pivoting — review what you do each quarter and ask if it still serves your underlying purpose ('why'); only change your approach ('what') if it genuinely no longer aligns, since 'pivot without purpose is pointless.'

How do you plan a themed or costume-based virtual event so people actually participate?

Lock in the exact dress code/theme a couple of days in advance, consider a 'waiting room' to check costumes before letting people into the main call, and have a fallback (like household items) for anyone who forgot.

How can a team keep a book club motivated during lockdown?

Pick a day (ideally midweek, like lunchtime on a Wednesday) when people's schedules have more flexibility, and have the 'president' actually read the book rather than drifting to other books.

How do I figure out which of my beliefs are actually my own versus inherited from upbringing?

Ask yourself whether a belief or value is genuinely yours or simply something you were taught, trained and programmed to think by parents, culture or religion, and be willing to question long-held 'absolute' beliefs even if it feels uncomfortable.

How should I approach a product or book launch during a crisis?

Treat the launch as a start line rather than a finish line by committing to a long-term (e.g. 12-month) marketing effort, define an early 'win' condition so you can celebrate regardless of short-term results, and experiment with creative campaign ideas rather than relying only on launch-week hype.

Should people go shopping right after hearing a lockdown announcement?

Don't rush to the shops after a lockdown statement unless you genuinely have nothing left, since supermarkets are not closing and panic trips add unnecessary pressure on supply chains.

What's the best way to give advice or feedback to someone going through a hard time?

Avoid speaking from a place of assumed authority if you don't have direct experience; instead ask open questions like 'how did that make you feel?' rather than telling people what they need to do, and remain curious rather than certain.

How do you deal with distractions and unfinished commitments in a group project?

Josh tells Tommy to 'water your own grass' — focus on fulfilling his own Adventure Club commitments rather than getting involved in the Book Club as a distraction from his own unfulfilled promises.

How should I approach my first therapy or psychologist session?

Tommy says he is consciously trying not to form preconceived ideas about his psychologist or pre-plan what he'll say, resisting the urge to arrive with all his issues and their causes already figured out.

How can you tell when irritability is caused by hunger rather than something else?

Josh describes recognising his own hunger-driven crankiness (dry mouth and low blood sugar after coffee without food) as a signal to eat, calling the self-awareness a 'progression'.

What's a key lesson for better communication from the book 'You're Not Listening'?

You don't always need to be the one speaking, and it's worth resisting the urge to correct other people in conversation.

How does the 'Tiny Habits' method suggest building new habits?

Forget willpower and big resolutions; make the new habit tiny, find where it fits naturally into your existing routine, and let it grow from there.

How can you become a better listener in relationships?

Stop talking about yourself and instead ask what you learned about the other person; people tend to listen less to those they're closest to because they feel they already know them, so stay curious and keep asking questions.

Where should you buy books featured on the show's book club?

Order from the book club organiser's mum's bookstore if possible, or buy from a local bookstore rather than Amazon, to support small, independent sellers.

How can a podcast book club keep members on pace with reading?

Josh sets concrete weekly page targets (e.g., be at page 50, then reach page 100 by Friday) and promises a bigger reveal once the target is hit, to keep the audience engaged and moving through the book together.

Should you write a memoir while you're living the story, or wait until you've succeeded?

Writing as you go is easier than trying to remember everything after the fact once something becomes successful, though it can feel indulgent or narcissistic; alternatively you could use a ghostwriter to interview you and piece it together later.

What makes someone a good listener in conversation?

Ask questions that build on what's been said rather than planning your next question while the other person is answering, and pay attention to body language, not just words; avoid steering the conversation toward your own agenda.

Why might a 'testing and learning' approach to sex before marriage not guarantee a better relationship outcome?

Naysan suggests comparing current partners to numerous past sexual partners can itself cause relationship struggles, so chastity/compatibility isn't simply solved by more premarital experience; he points to high marriage success rates in more communal, less individualistic societies with arranged marriage as a counter-example.

How should someone approach horoscope/astrology apps like Co-Star?

Take it with a grain of salt — if you find something in it beneficial for you personally, run with it, but don't let it dictate major life decisions or treat it as gospel truth.

How do you know when a personal belief system (spiritual, astrological, or otherwise) has become a problem?

It becomes an issue when people treat it as literal gospel truth and let it dictate major life decisions, rather than using it as a loose, positive prompt for self-reflection.

How should someone who overthinks handle it emotionally?

Don't apologize for overthinking — treat it as a strength tied to caring and thoughtfulness, while being mindful that it can also create unnecessary stress to manage.

When is overthinking actually useful?

Overthinking can be appropriate and helpful when safety is genuinely at risk, such as being extra vigilant if a friend's wellbeing seems at risk despite reassurances.

How do I start charging for something I've given away for free?

Accept the transition will be harder because your audience is conditioned to free content; focus on long-term value over short-term gain, and use social proof (showing others signing up) to build confidence in new subscribers.

How do I get people to actually show up to community events?

Keep the barrier to entry low (e.g., casual meetups like dinner, cafe, or picnic), cap group sizes small enough for real connection, and consider charging a small fee to create commitment/tension so people are less likely to no-show.

How do you achieve consistency in life or creative work without being rigid?

Build a framework or habit structure (daily meditation, daily show) that provides safety and simplicity, but hold your approach loosely rather than attaching rigidly to one 'answer,' since over-identifying with any single framework can itself become a new 'cult.'

How do you pick a hobby or 'club' that will actually stick?

Choose something that's already natural and close to you rather than forcing a persona — Josh argues his own spontaneous adventuring (not a contrived 'adventure guy' act) is what makes it authentic, and pushes 97 to find what he's already doing rather than invent something.

How should I think about choosing a psychologist?

Tommy suggests not overthinking demographic factors like the psychologist's gender, focusing instead on their qualifications, and notes he personally feels more comfortable opening up emotionally to women, which influenced his choice.

How do new graduates cope with the lack of structure after finishing school?

Having some kind of work helps enormously in filling time and restoring the structure that school provided; without it, time feels overwhelming.

How should schools help kids who struggle in unstructured environments like the playground?

Build a 'plan for play' with the child—decide what they'll do first and who with, and have a backup plan if that goes wrong—to give them structure and connection points.

How do you stick to a new habit or daily ritual?

Tommy frames success using the show's 'definition of done' standard—an action isn't complete until it's fully executed and shared (e.g., a post isn't done until it's posted), implying rituals need actual follow-through, not just good intentions.

How do you decide which advice to follow when everyone has opinions after you become famous?

Will Connolly says he filters advice by checking whether it feels right or wrong inside himself, rather than following whatever people (like friends pushing t-shirt lines or brand deals) suggest.

How can you stop accumulating unread books?

Only buy a new book once you've finished the one you're currently reading; buying one at a time rather than in bulk ends up being cheaper overall.

How did people prove authorship of creative work before digital timestamps?

Put the finished work (e.g. a screenplay) in a sealed envelope, mail it to yourself, and keep the postmarked, unopened envelope in a filing cabinet as dated proof of when it was written.

How do you avoid creative burnout when producing content regularly?

Keep a running list/bank of ideas and funny observations on your phone at all times, even if most of them (around 80%) never become anything; having a backlog of untried ideas prevents burnout because there's always something new to try.

How should you decide if a red carpet interaction was a success?

Plan for three scenarios before the event: a great interview as the ideal outcome, a messy-but-usable moment as an acceptable backup, and a total miss as the worst case; aim for the best while being okay with the middle outcome.

How can a small retail business compete with big supermarkets moving into the area?

Differentiate your product range from what supermarkets offer, stock unique international items customers can't get elsewhere, and treat customers so well they keep coming back even if they also shop at the supermarket.

How should a shop owner handle customers caught shoplifting?

Use cameras and trained staff to catch theft; ask the person to return the item. If they're apologetic and genuinely in need (e.g., a hungry homeless person), consider giving it to them for free; if they become aggressive, simply take the item back and ask them to leave rather than involving police.

What's the key to building customer loyalty in a service business?

Always greet and treat customers with a smile and patience, even when they're having a bad day, so they leave happier and keep returning; anger drives customers away permanently.

How do you write honestly about personal and political topics without asking everyone's permission first?

Commit to honesty throughout the process rather than calling people in advance to negotiate how they're portrayed; trust that truthful work serves everyone better long-term, accepting that not everyone will like it.

How do I stop negative self-talk and limiting stories?

Ask yourself if the story you're telling is 100% true, and check whether your future self (e.g., imagine yourself at 70) would endorse the behavior; reframe the story to appeal to your 'better self.'

How do you find a good psychologist?

Start with a referral from a trusted friend who already sees someone on a similar wavelength; it's confidential so don't worry about them discussing you. Expect it to take multiple appointments or psychologists to find the right fit, and look for someone whose style matches what you need (e.g., empathetic vs. tough love) and who understands your specific context (for Tully, that means understanding reality TV/social media).

How should you support a friend whose parent is seriously ill or has passed away?

Keep acknowledging the person is still there rather than avoiding the topic; simply ask 'how's your mum doing?' and let the person decide how much they want to say, rather than overcompensating or going silent out of awkwardness.

How should creators handle their own opinions about their work?

Separate your ego from the work — your own opinion on your output is infused with bias and isn't reliable, so send it to a trusted editor or business partner for a clearer read rather than self-judging in the moment.

Should a business/content creator pay for social media ads early on?

Tommy argues you shouldn't jump to paid ads until you've optimized free, organic content and found where audience attention is; paid spend should come later and only after testing which organic content resonates, since 'where the huddle of people' is can be found and served for free.

How should I approach teaching kids physical skills like biking or skateboarding?

Get the foundational skills down young (bike riding, skateboarding, rollerblading) while balance comes easier as a kid, because learning balance-based skills like surfing or snowboarding becomes much harder as an adult.

Should you buy a house or invest in something like an index fund?

Buy a place you actually want to live in and save as big a deposit as possible, since a bigger deposit reduces the interest paid; investment apartments are generally not considered great investments unless you have a substantial deposit.

What's the key lesson from nearly getting stranded while hiking/camping unprepared?

George Martin's dad advised him to learn from the dangerous situation and never put himself at risk like that again, emphasizing being absolutely prepared (e.g., bringing proper gear like a sleeping bag) before heading into remote areas.

How much should you plan a daily talk show?

Josh explains they do very little formal planning; instead they focus on getting into the right headspace and having one or two loose conversation starters, accepting a 'layer of luck' in the format.

How do you make a daily show format sustainable long-term?

Josh notes that having a supportive team means a bad day for one host doesn't have to ruin the show, since they can throw to teammates and draw on different stimulus.

How should you handle making promises to an audience or community?

Tommy advises being careful about promises made publicly because they directly impact the people around you (partners, audience), and suggests only setting goals you can actually hit in order to maintain trust.

What's a practical way to push through a stalled big project?

Josh commits to a concrete daily structure (4 hours of writing per evening) and a hard new cutoff date, treating the overdue book like a 'tax debt' that needs a clear repayment plan.

How should you handle a looming creative deadline you're behind on?

Tommy suggests organizing a dedicated, uninterrupted multi-hour writing sprint (starting around 6pm and running toward midnight) with food, hydration, and group support/accountability to push through and finish the work.

How can I better retain information from a book I'm reading?

Rather than just reading a book, physically rewrite it by hand (a technique borrowed from old sales-letter training, where copying the best examples word-for-word helps you retain and absorb the material).

What's an effective way to physically discipline a young child for dangerous behaviour?

Josh describes using a small flick on the hand paired with a verbal 'that's not okay' as a way to anchor the severity of a dangerous moment (like running toward a road), rather than more extreme physical punishment.

How should you approach creating content for a brand or platform?

Lead with the idea first rather than the production budget; match production quality to the platform and goal — native, phone-quality content often performs better on social media than overly polished 'commercial' style videos, while bigger-budget shine suits broadcast or in-room presentations.

How do you find a good psychologist?

Ask friends, family, or your doctor for a referral rather than Googling, since people who know you can match you to someone who speaks your language; be willing to try a few before finding the right fit, and trust the process even if the first session doesn't click.

How do you land brand/sponsorship deals as a podcaster or content creator?

Know your brand, know who you want to work with, come up with a strong angle, and do your research to find the right contact person at the target company.

Is it worth going to a psychologist or relationship counsellor?

It's valuable to get more in touch with yourself even if the counsellor doesn't have all the answers; in relationships specifically, counselling helps defuse emotional reactions and understand a partner, but progress requires ongoing effort, not a one-off session.

What should founders look for when hiring for leadership roles in a young team?

Look for 'learning agility' and people who are innovative and irritated by inefficiency rather than hiring purely on existing credentials; find people who are 'about to pop' and give them the opportunity.

How do you know if a psychologist is a good fit?

Look for whether you feel comfortable and can open up naturally with them, and be wary if they identify strongly with one rigid school of thought rather than listening with curiosity and offering new perspectives.

How should you prioritize your time and goals in life?

Naysan advises identifying the 'big rocks' — the most important things you want to accomplish — and triaging around those, rather than putting off what matters, because life can change suddenly and unexpectedly (as happened with his father's fatal coma).

What items should you avoid buying secondhand?

Avoid buying secondhand mattresses (due to stains and bodily fluids) and underwear; items like books and prams are considered more acceptable to buy used.

How should you handle giving feedback on someone else's idea in a collaboration?

Let the person fully present and think through their idea before anyone critiques it; avoid asking questions you're not ready to hear a negative answer to, and consider holding off criticism until later.

Should parents let their kids go outside and roam unsupervised?

Josh relays a podcast argument that while the danger of letting kids go to the park alone (e.g., being taken) is visible and alarming, the detriment of keeping kids inside and overly protected is invisible and harder to recognize, but still damaging to their development.

How do I make my YouTube videos more engaging?

Put a disproportionate amount of effort into the first 15-30 seconds to hook viewers and clearly state what the video is about, and focus on whether the story is 'carrying you along' rather than just cutting pace or music.

How should I handle feedback on my creative work?

Filter out feedback that isn't relevant to what you're actually trying to achieve (e.g., someone saying a joke isn't funny when you're really checking audio or clarity), and don't chase universal approval — just post the work and move to the next thing.

My videos feel too slow or over-explained — what should I do?

Edit down aggressively; over-contextualizing or over-explaining weighs down storytelling, so look for extra content that isn't needed and cut it to tighten pacing.

Are ideas valuable on their own?

Ideas are worthless without execution — an idea is like an unsigned cheque; the real value comes from committing to action and actually making the thing.

What's a simple daily practice for mental clarity (from an old-school marketing book)?

Gary Halbert's 'road work' practice: set a timer, walk 30 minutes in one direction with a clear mind, then turn around and walk 30 minutes back — done every morning.

How can you annotate books to retain what you learn?

Use a pencil to underline key paragraphs and passages as you read so you can return to them later and remember the important information.

How can you stay focused and actually finish reading a book?

Use a pencil (grey lead) to underline interesting or important passages as you read; this helped maintain focus and retention rather than reading passively and forgetting content.

Should I buy an expensive book I only need to read once?

Consider borrowing it from the library instead of buying it, especially for pricier books.

Is Afterpay safe to use for purchases?

Treat Afterpay as a real line of credit — missed payments can be reported to credit bureaus and affect your credit score, so be cautious about using it for things like holidays or everyday purchases.

How can I make my free weekend time feel more fulfilling?

Build in some basic constraints or planned activities rather than leaving a weekend totally open, since unstructured free time can end up feeling wasted rather than restorative.

How can I get more out of reading books?

Read with a grey lead pencil, underlining passages and writing notes or arguments in the margins rather than just trying to finish quickly; this forces critical engagement with the material and makes it easy to later flip to any page and recall the key points within seconds.

What should you do if you see an acquaintance at a hospital you haven't seen in a while?

Josh suggests the default should be to avoid approaching, reasoning that being at a hospital likely means something serious is happening, and prompting conversation could force someone to disclose something painful; Tommy similarly chose to just make brief eye contact without engaging further.

Should I start a side hustle like flipping garage sale finds for extra income?

If you already have a job that pays well, default to doubling down on that rather than diverting significant time to a side hustle, since when you calculate your effective hourly rate, flipping items often isn't worth it unless you specifically enjoy the process.

What's a practical way to start creating content if you don't have a strong creative concept?

Take a minimum-viable-product approach: use whatever you already have (your phone is often the best camera) and document what's happening around you rather than overthinking a polished, staged concept.

How do I figure out what success looks like for me?

Stop comparing your path to other people's version of success; take stock of the specific things you genuinely enjoy about work and life, and build your path around those rather than copying someone else's model.

What should you prioritise when visiting a city like Rome?

Tommy advises skipping some major attractions (like the gladiator stadium) but strongly recommends visiting Vatican City, calling it one of the most amazing experiences.

Should you feel bad about not doing 'educational' tourist activities like museums?

Tommy suggests figuring out your own version of fun while travelling (e.g. a boat ride and picnic instead of a museum) rather than forcing yourself into activities that don't suit you.

How do I stop wasting energy on things that don't matter or on criticism?

Ask 'what's it for?' before doing anything (emails, projects, hustle) to put intention behind actions, and ask 'who's it for, and who's it not for?' when facing criticism, reminding yourself that not everything is meant for everyone.

How should creative teams decide which ideas to pursue?

Favour 'trajectory over target' — choose ideas where both success and failure would still be funny or interesting, rather than ideas that only work if a specific outcome is achieved.

Should I fake confidence before I feel it ('fake it till you make it')?

Don't fake it — instead trust yourself enough to try new things as if you already know how, which builds real muscle memory and genuine confidence over time (e.g., practicing public speaking by actually doing it repeatedly).

Should I throw out or sell old belongings I no longer need?

Rather than just discarding things, consider selling them—even small-value items might be worth something to someone else—but also recognize that physical items themselves mean nothing; it's the memories attached to them that matter, so making content (like a video) about an item can let you let go of the object itself.

Should someone consider taking steroids to build muscle?

Tommy, despite having used steroids himself at 19, repeatedly tells Josh and listeners not to take them, citing serious risks like increased cancer cell growth, hormonal disruption, and mental/emotional side effects.

Is it wise to experiment with drugs at all?

Tommy advises that anyone who hasn't taken drugs should simply not start, noting that while not everyone becomes addicted, drugs 'grip' certain people and it's not worth the risk if you suspect you might be predisposed.

How can you manage occasional alcohol use without it becoming habitual?

Josh suggests deliberately framing a substance (like wine) as a rare, special experience (e.g., once a month) rather than letting it become a weekly or nightly habit, to avoid dependency.

How do I stop overthinking a performance or interview and just get it done?

Tommy describes getting wound up overthinking red-carpet interviews and deciding to throw that out, stop worrying about having perfect questions, and just have fun with it — saying this approach 'always wins.' He generalises this into the tagline 'fuck it, have fun,' while noting it doesn't apply to serious situations like legal matters.

Should you judge people or practices (like psychics) before understanding their perspective?

Don't judge people before you meet them or understand their experience — be open to context even if skeptical of the underlying claim.

How can you stay emotionally resilient against criticism or trolling?

Build strong internal, positive self-talk so you have a buffer against negative external attacks; recognise that if you're doing something imposter-syndrome-inducing, others' negative comments are often their own projection.

How do you successfully network or get access to people/places you want?

Focus on giving value first rather than just taking; build a base connection, stay top-of-mind by reaching out after a real interaction, and be genuinely friendly rather than using formulaic networking tactics.

How do you decide how much to swear in a professional or social setting?

Gauge the room — read whether the audience or client will be fine with it or offended, and know that getting it right can build closeness while getting it wrong can push people away.