Modern Wisdom

Chris sits with Freya India, a writer and journalist focused on female mental health and modern culture, dives into the complex challenges faced by young women today. The discussion highlights the appeal of therapy culture as a substitute for traditional religion and the pitfalls of social media on self-perception and relationships. Freya explores the feelings of aimlessness among women, the commodification of vulnerability in the digital age, and how modern influences are reshaping notions of femininity and empowerment.

Therapy Culture as a Replacement for Religion:

Freya India posits that therapy culture has emerged as a substitute for religion, particularly for young women, offering a worldview that provides comfort and belonging without the demands of traditional faith. She notes that this idea, while not novel—referencing Christopher Lasch’s 1970s writings—has escalated with social media’s advent. Young women interpret their lives through a therapeutic lens, pathologizing everyday emotions rather than viewing them as normal experiences. She suggests therapy culture’s seamless integration into daily life, mimicking religious rituals like prayer with affirmations or reframing thoughts instead of resisting temptation.

“I do think therapy culture has replaced religion… young women don’t see it as a worldview, they just see that as kind of life” - Freya India

Impact of Therapy Culture on Mental Health:

The duo critiques therapy culture’s potential to worsen mental health by fostering excessive self-focus and rumination, particularly among young women. Freya argues that constant self-analysis can trap individuals in self-obsession, hindering genuine growth. She cites Jordan Peterson to emphasize this point: “there’s no difference between like self-obsession and mental illness… it’s focusing too much on your own problems” This reflects the concern that therapy culture’s emphasis on dissecting personal issues may amplify anxiety rather than alleviate it, especially for girls prone to overthinking.

Gender Differences in Therapy Culture:

Freya explores how therapy culture impacts men and women differently, ultimately concluding it may harm women more due to their tendency to ruminate. Initially, she thought it was worse for men because of its “female approach” to problem-solving, but she revised her stance: “I actually changed my mind on that and actually think therapy culture is worse for women because women ruminate more”. This shift underscores how therapy culture exacerbates women’s natural inclinations, potentially deepening their emotional struggles rather than resolving them.

Social Media’s Role in Therapy Culture:

India emphasizes that social media is catalyst that amplifies therapy culture, saturating young women with therapeutic concepts and self-diagnosis tools. She compares this to men’s productivity trends, noting, “it’s kind of a similar thing with therapy culture… we’re trying to have this perfect control over our lives”. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram reinforce a cycle of rumination and control-seeking, offering endless content that shapes how young women perceive themselves and their relationships.

Family Breakdown and Lack of Guidance:

The discussion ties therapy culture’s rise to family breakdown and diminished adult guidance, leaving young women to seek support online. Freya observes, “people are sharing like their really deep trauma and turmoil and problems… and you can’t help but look at it and think are you close to your family… now you’re telling strangers on TikTok”. This reflects a shift from familial support to digital confessionals, she says, driven by over half of UK children not living with both parents by age 14.

Commodification of Relationships and Self:

Therapy culture and social media are critiqued for commodifying relationships and identity, turning personal experiences into content. Freya highlights the “soft launching” trend: “it’s about… how should you announce your boyfriend… it’s like introducing a brand deal or something… viewing our partners like products”. This illustrates how intimate aspects of life are reduced to performative displays for online audiences, eroding their authenticity.

“it’s about… how should you announce your boyfriend… it’s like introducing a brand deal or something… viewing our partners like products”

Conclusion:

As a reminder, Freya works for Jonathan Haidt, who wrote the recent NY Times best seller, “The Anxious Generation”. So, she certainly has a belief that social media has a dreadful impact on children, particularly young girls. When you marry that reality to the idea of “therapy culture” that she introduces, you have a couple of key ingredients for further isolation, rumination and narcism. The podcast ultimately underscores the urgent need to foster genuine relationships and resilience in a society increasingly shaped by digital influences.

We believe that there is probably fire near this “therapy culture” smoke, but of course therapy provides a vital service for many, so its delicate. The real issue may lie with social media and how it amplifies narcissistic behavior and rumination generally. Therapy and self-diagnosis are certainly impacted by this shift. The inter-play is complicated and much further discussion is required. Chris and Freya may not be the “most qualified” people to bring us this message but its good that they continue to further the discussion. We’d like to see a more rigorous discussion and study.

THE PODSCORE: 3.5 (of 5) stars.

Chris sits with Brigham Buhler, a healthcare entrepreneur and CEO of Ways2Well, shares eye-opening insights into the American healthcare crisis. He discusses how profit-driven motives lead to exorbitant costs and rampant prescription drug reliance. Buhler reveals the shocking truth behind America's highest bankruptcy rates linked to medical bills. He also critiques the roles of big pharma and emphasizes lifestyle changes over medications in mental health. The discussion weaves together key themes—systemic failures in American healthcare, the overreliance on pharmaceuticals, the power of preventative care, and the challenges of navigating a profit-driven system—each unpacked with detailed stories and real-world examples that make the abstract tangible.

Systemic Failures in American Healthcare:

A central theme of the podcast is the deep-rooted dysfunction within the American healthcare system, which Buhler describes as a labyrinth of inefficiency and profit-first priorities. He recounts his early disillusionment when, as a young sales rep working for a medical device company, he discovered that hospitals were more focused on securing reimbursements than improving patient outcomes. For example, he shares a story about pitching a device to a hospital board, only to be met with questions like, “How much will Medicare pay us for this?” rather than “How will this help our patients?” This anecdote underscores his broader point: the system incentivizes procedures and treatments over genuine care. Williamson and Buhler also discuss how primary care physicians are overworked and underpaid, with Buhler noting that a doctor might see 30 patients a day, leaving little time for meaningful interaction. He claims that most doctors he knows are “beat down” and want

”out” in three to five years. This leads to a “band-aid” approach, where symptoms are treated without addressing root causes.. In a nutshell, profits trump outcomes and the conglomerates have integrated insurance, medical practice and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMS) further narrowing care and maximizing profit cuts.

Overreliance on Pharmaceuticals:

Another major theme is the pervasive overreliance on prescription drugs, which Buhler critiques as a symptom of a healthcare model that prioritizes quick fixes over long-term solutions. He shares a vivid anecdote about a patient he encountered early in his career—a middle-aged man on 12 medications, each prescribed to counteract the side effects of the last. “It was like watching a house of cards collapse,” Buhler says, explaining how this man’s doctor never considered lifestyle changes or root causes, just more pills. Williamson chimes in with his own observations about the cultural acceptance of medication in the U.S., contrasting it with other countries where diet and exercise are first-line interventions. Buhler ties this to the influence of pharmaceutical companies, recounting how, during his time in the industry, he saw sales reps push drugs like statins with aggressive marketing, even when evidence for their universal efficacy was shaky. The conversation highlights a vicious cycle: patients expect pills, doctors are pressed for time, and drug companies profit, all while health outcomes stagnate or worsen.

“The system isn’t built to heal people—it’s built to bill people. I saw it firsthand when they cared more about Medicare codes than the patient in the bed.” – Brigham Buhler

The Power of Preventative Care:

In contrast to the reactive nature of mainstream healthcare, Buhler passionately advocates for preventative care as a game-changer. He shares a personal story about his own health journey, describing how years of neglecting sleep and nutrition left him burned out and reliant on caffeine—until he overhauled his lifestyle with bloodwork-guided interventions through Ways2Well. “I went from feeling like a zombie to running circles around my old self,” he says, emphasizing how simple changes like optimizing vitamin D levels or cutting processed foods can transform wellbeing. Williamson probes further, asking how accessible this approach is, and Buhler admits it’s an uphill battle against a system that doesn’t reimburse prevention. He tells of a patient, a truck driver, who reversed his pre-diabetes with diet tweaks after years of being offered metformin by his doctor—a success story that fuels Buhler’s mission. One of Buhler’s key claims is that individuals can reclaim their health, but it requires stepping outside the conventional medical treadmill.

Navigating a Profit-Driven System:

Finally, the duo explore the challenges of navigating a healthcare system driven by profit rather than patient welfare, a reality Buhler has grappled with firsthand. He recounts a striking moment from his career when he realized insurance companies dictate care more than doctors do, recalling a case where a patient’s life-saving treatment was denied because it wasn’t “in-network.” “It’s soul-crushing to see someone suffer because of a spreadsheet,” he says, his voice heavy with frustration. Williamson ties this to broader societal distrust in institutions, asking how patients can fight back. Buhler suggests becoming an informed advocate, sharing how he once helped a friend negotiate a hospital bill down from $20,000 to $2,000 simply by challenging the charges—a David-vs-Goliath anecdote that illustrates the power of persistence. In summary, we know the system is rigged, but knowledge and tenacity can level the playing field, if only slightly.

CONCLUSION:

This episode hit like a freight train. Buhler’s energy and Williamson interest in the subject are apparent. They don’t just diagnose the problem; they challenge listeners to rethink their relationship with health, blending critique with actionable insights. It’s a call to wake up to the flaws around us and take ownership of what we can control, delivered with the raw honesty of someone who’s seen the machine from the inside.

THE PODSCORE: 4.5 (of 5) MICS

Chris chats with Tom Segura, a comedian and insightful podcaster, dives into the absurdities of modern life. He discusses the quirks of Gen Z, like their preference for Ozempic over traditional gym workouts and their shift from alcohol to alternatives like microdosing. Tom explores social media's role in shaping perceptions, the complexities of friendships today, and even shares his obsession with true crime documentaries. With his signature humor, he reflects on the impact of economic disparities and the psychological nuances behind self-criticism and personal growth.

REVIEW:

While we have always had a luke-warm opinion of Tom Segura (fine comedian but haven’t gone out of our way to watch / listen to him), he manages to bring some levity to a show that can occasionally get lost in platitudes. The episode begins with a pretty accurate and funny take on body positivity and Ozempic. Summary - all of all Hollywood is on GLP1’s and don’t admit it and GLP1’s are now everywhere in the general population a well, for people that can afford it. Yet, in many cases two-thirds of weight loss for many people is lean muscle mass. So, as a society, we now have a short cut for weight loss, and interestingly it puts an end to the absurdly hypocritical body-positive movement because…well, if fat is so positive, why are we paying for Ozempic?

“I hate the fat positivity movement…They are such hypocrites! They are such Pieces of Shit!” - Tom Segura

There was an interesting bit where they discussed the fact that you can now reset your algorithm on Instagram. Instagram just released this features a couple of month ago. It’s pretty wild, you can start over with Instagram and experience a whole fresh new, uncurated world. It’s something that deserves a look. From there they spend a fair bit of time discussing the change in recreational behavior among Gen Z. There is more and more evidence that kids are drinking less (they mention only 20% of Gen Z or younger drink alcohol regularly) and are having less sex, and are more lonely. This sounds like a pretty bleak outlook for these kids, but the drinking isn’t quite as low as these guys portray. A quick Google search and we found that approximately 60% of Gen Z drink but only 25% drink four or more times a week …still plenty of booze flowing. Chris and Tom speculate that kids are eating more marijuana or doing other drugs. Anyway, they worry about the social lives of younger generations and particularly boys, who seemingly have no idea how to talk to girls anymore. They kept it light but geeeeeeeze…Downer all around.

They go on to discuss USAID’s plan to send $50 million dollars of condoms to Gaza (um, what?), communicating better, the world annihilation clock, Tom’s friend who had cancer and more, but what struck us was a thread through the last hour about how to maximize performance. The thread was interesting in that they moved from blocking out negative self talk to the benefit of proclivity for action and benefits of “manufactured” stupidity. In summary, rumination and fear of fear are obstacles to be overcome and can be overcome with…action. Good listen - light and useful.

The Pod Score 3.5 (of 5) Mics.

Chris interviews Alain de Botton, philosopher and founder of The School of Life, shares profound insights on healing and emotional growth. He discusses the origins of negative inner voices and why we often struggle with emotional connections. De Botton emphasizes the impact of childhood experiences on adult relationships, and the importance of balancing intellectual understanding with genuine emotional engagement. He offers strategies for navigating love and fear in relationships, and the transformative power of therapy for personal development.

The Good:  In a thought-provoking inside the human mind, Alain and Williamson take the viewer on a tour of the inner thoughts we all have.  They start off and spend considerable time discecting our innver voices.  Specifically, they focus on how to manage that negative inner voice.  These inner-voices (positive or negative) often originate from external influences and experiences.  What is fascinating is that Alain makes the point that this external syntax and framework is very, very difficult to change, particularly as it emerges in relationships and behavior into adulthood.  In fact, he makes the point that it's akin to learning a foreign language as an adult.  

The good news is ...we can be aware of these syntax and frameworks.  The conversation continues to focus on meditation and therapy as solutions to these issues - perhaps with greater focus on therapy.  They also warn of the dangers of dissociating from emotions, particularly from overwhelming floods of different emotions.  That is where recognizing emotions and trying to isolate and acknowledge them can move one toward clarity.  Alain begins the conclusion of the episode saying that at our time of death, we won't know ourselves nearly as much as we think we do, but yet many of us will at least try.  

The Bad:  Look, you have to be open to learning more about a topic like this and if you are in the mood for political red-meat or a dopamine pulse, maybe you are in the wrong place...or maybe the right one, actually. In thinking about what might have been "bad" about this episode, the only thing this reviewer can identify is that it left you craving a bit more - maybe a bit more in terms of philosophy or psychology or religion.  And that is not really a bad thing at all.  

THE POD SCORE:  4.5 Mics (of 5)

"The mood of modern Instagram...is pure pathology!"

Tony Robbins, renowned life and business coach and #1 bestselling author, dives deep into what it truly means to live a fulfilling life. He discusses the power of self-esteem and the importance of deriving validation from meaningful contributions. Robbins shares strategies for balancing ambition with gratitude, emphasizes the role of anticipation in achieving goals, and underscores the transformative impact of mindset on personal growth. Hear insights on letting go of the past, navigating conflict, and the journey towards providing 100 billion meals.

The Good:  So, we took this review on with an open mind.  This reviewer spent a life-time avoiding Tony Robbins and outside of a few clips on YouTube, has never really seen / listened to him.  So, if you are a Tony Robbins super-fan take this review with a grain of salt.  If you are a Tony Robbins hater, I'd say open your mind for a minute.  It's easy to get Tony Robbins right away, he's a positive dude that inspires self-responsibility and purpose and then has a million frameworks to preframe, frame, reframe the world and to take action in fixing your life.  None of what he said didn't make sense.  And...because the podcast was less than two hours, we were able to stick with it.

The Bad:  Self-help is, no doubt, an acquired taste and Tony is the king of that jungle.  So, if you have an aversion to that sort of thing, then maybe this isn't for you.  But given that many thousands of people pay many thousands of dollars to attend his four day events then 2 hours with a solid like interviewer like Williams might be worth it.  Give it a shot.

THE POD SCORE:  3 Mics (of 5)

"The Majority of People Focus on That (What They Don't Have)"

Dr. Rangan Chatterjee, a physician and holistic health advocate, dives into the science of behavior change. He discusses the dangers of perfectionism and the societal pressures of hero worship, urging listeners to embrace imperfection. Rangan emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, reflecting on past choices to foster growth. He challenges rigid non-negotiables in daily routines, promoting flexibility instead. Additionally, he highlights the need for balance between ambition and personal relationships, advocating for emotional resilience in navigating life's criticisms.

"The Biggest Disease in Society Today is the Disease of More!"  

The Good:  Wide ranging discussion on a number of topics related to physical and mental health, with a real focuse on mental health's impact on the body.  Reframing, grounding, breathing are all heavily featured.

The Bad: Dr. Chatterjee doesn't cover a whole lot of new ground but has a very elegant clear way of presenting common sense recommendations on how to combat perfectionism and focus on "enough".

THE POD SCORE:  3.5 Mics (of 5)

Konstantin Kisin, a podcaster and political commentator, shares his insights on the current socio-political landscape with Chris Williamson. He dives into the implications of Trump’s victory for the West and discusses whether he's genuinely right-wing. The conversation touches on the evolving role of media and the impact of social platforms on political discourse. Kisin emphasizes the socio-economic divide in Britain and the global implications of governmental policies. Lastly, he reflects on the transformative nature of parenthood amidst cultural clashes between the US and UK.

"Close the Border and Destroy All This Woke Crap...to Bring on a Renaissance..."

The Good:  Konstantin is thoughtful and has a grasp of US and UK politics.  His own podcast, TRIGGERNOMETRY. often contains wonkey discussions of current issues and he brings that to Chris Williamson.  Decent, if not covered takes on the "podcast election" Trumps potential, troubles in the UK, social media and being a dad.

The Bad:  Konstantin himself is a detailed presenter and compotent guest, differs little from a typical political commentator.  Chris dldn't pull much more out of him than that in this episode.  

THE POD SCORE:  3.5 Mics (of 5)

David Senra, host of Founders Podcast and an investor, dives into the lessons from history's greatest leaders. He explores how the capacity to manage pain is central to excellence. The power of supportive relationships is highlighted, showcasing mentorship's role in entrepreneurship. Senra also discusses the tension between parental expectations and personal passions. He emphasizes prioritizing happiness over societal success, the importance of silence in business, and the paradox of self-belief impacting achievement.

"Revenge is So Interesting" and a Major Motivator.