Episode 46: Self-Help Junkies, Stupid Experts, and the Worst Life Advice I’ve Ever Heard

About the Episode

Are you addicted to self-improvement? Are experts really any better than the rest of us at knowing how to make positive changes in our lives? What are some common pieces of life advice that just don’t seem to work?

Drew and I tackle all of these questions today in our brand new, updated format for the pod. Find out why self-help can turn into pseudo-religion (and why we should bring back exorcisms), whether or not a huge mega-study by a bunch of fancy experts can tell us anything about behavioral change, and some common self-improvement tropes that just don’t do it for us.

Let us know what you think of the new show format and/or send your questions to podcast@markmanson.net

Quotes From the Episode

When does self-improvement become compulsion? It’s admirable to always want to improve yourself, but it’s also an affliction if you don’t know how to stop.

Everyone’s just throwing shit at a wall. Some people throw nicer-looking shit.

It’s easy to see somebody’s highlight reel and say, ‘I want that,’ without understanding the sacrifice behind it.