Born to Lie: How Humans Deceive Ourselves & Others - Lionel Page - #995

Modern Wisdom

09/18/25

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103m

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Lionel Page is a professor at the University of Queensland and an author.

Why is human communication so complicated? For something we rely on every day, you’d think it would be simple, but language, tone, and context make it one of the most complex skills we have. So what makes communication so difficult, and what are some practical ways to get better at it?

Expect to learn just how much of our lives are filled with strategic games, what most people do not understand when they think about human reasoning, why human communication is so complex, why we rely so heavily on ambiguity and innuendo, if coalitions and social connection are so important why do some people feel tension socially, if democracy is better understood as a coalition game than a truth-seeking exercise, and much more...

Timestamps:

(0:00) What Do We Use Reason For?

(5:13) Why Do We Deceive Ourselves?

(15:11) Does Deception Damage Our Reputation?

(24:33) Why Social Games are Hard to Navigate

(34:05) The Sydney Sweeney Controversy

(39:37) How Venting Masks Judgement

(46:41) Communicating is More Complicated Than a Chess Game

(01:01:33) Why We Feel the Need to Belong

(01:13:49) Using Coalition Psychology to Understand Politics

(01:26:40) Are We Aware We’re Playing Psychological Games?

(01:39:38) Find Out More About Lionel

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Previous Episode

The Endless Pursuit of Progress - Sam Sulek - #994

September 15, 2025

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130m

Sam Sulek is a professional bodybuilder and YouTuber.

From zero to millions of fans, Sam Sulek’s rise has been nothing short of explosive. In just a few years, he’s become one of social media’s most-watched and talked-about creators. Sit back as we dive into the story of the man behind some of the internet’s most beloved vlogs, fueled by hefty scoops of chicken and rice.

Expect to learn what Sam would be doing if he wasn’t doing fitness and bodybuilding, why so many people are drawn to Sam’s content and if he expected at all to become an ASMR channel, if there are any pressures to brand himself as anything different than his most authentic self, what Sam’s relationship with the mirror is like, if Sam has any concerns over longevity in his current pursuits, how to keep pushing even when motivation is low, Sam’s thoughts on science based lifting, Sam’s top 10 exercises of all time, and much more...

Timestamps:

(0:00) Where Would Sam Be Without Bodybuilding?

(6:56) Where Sam Finds His Inspiration

(17:56) How Sam Deals with Online Criticism

(27:39) How to Be Comfortable Living a Simple Life

(33:06) Why It’s Important to Stay Hungry for Success

(43:55) Sam’s Opinion on the Rise of Male Body Dysmorphia

(01:00:23) How Sam’s Perspective on Bodybuilding Changes

(01:11:20) How Sam Stays Driven and Disciplined

(01:26:56) Optimising Your Diet to Build Muscle

(01:36:43) What Diets Did Sam Follow to See Progress?

(01:45:24) Sam’s Thoughts on Evidence-Based Lifting

(01:55:37) If Sam Could Only Keep 10 Exercises

(02:08:57) What’s Next for Sam?

Sponsors:

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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:

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

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

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

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

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Next Episode

Why Population Collapse is Closer Than You Think - Stephen J. Shaw - #996

September 20, 2025

•

173m

Stephen J. Shaw is a data scientist and filmmaker.

Birth rates in Western countries are collapsing, a trend even Elon Musk calls an existential threat. But what’s the true cause? Is it economics, fear of the future, cultural shifts, or something deeper? And more importantly, can anything actually reverse the decline?

Timestamps:

(0:00) Global Birth Rate Decline is Keeps Stephen Up at Night

(6:47) Why We Should Care About Birth Rates

Why are Falling Birth Rates So Concerning?

(18:29) What Will the Population Look Like in 50 Years?

What Stephen Thinks the Population Will Looks Like in 50 Years

(30:07) Why It’s Now Harder to Become a Parent

(35:25) Why Women Over 30 are Less Likely to Become a Mother

(44:55) What Factors are Causing Drops in Birth Rate?

(59:50) Stephen Thoughts on Involuntary Childlessness

(01:15:14) The Clash Between Those Who Want Children and Those Who Don’t

(01:22:58) Are Antinatalists Evil?