Episode 66: Snake Oil or Self-Help?, Minimalism’s Real Value, and Atheists Who Go to Church

About the Episode

Self-help is supposed to, you know, help. But what if, sometimes, it actually makes things worse? In this episode, we take a hard look at the self-improvement industry that promises transformation but often sells little more than feel-good illusions. From outdated advice that preys on your insecurities to the dopamine hit of “life-changing” content that changes nothing, we break down why self-help often fails the people who need it most.

Along with unpacking the biggest traps of self-improvement, Drew and I also tackle whether or not minimalism was just an aesthetic rebellion against our parents’ McMansion dreams. We were both once staunch minimalists and we look back on what we learned and what principles still apply to our lives today. We wrap up with a listener question about the ethics of going to church if you’re an atheist. It’s another grab bag episode full of rabbit holes. Check it out.

Quotes From the Episode

Self-help is secretly two different industries: those trying to feel okay again and those trying to go from okay to great. And they get lumped together in the worst ways.

Learning is a smart person’s favorite way to procrastinate.

Most problems aren’t intellectually complex—they’re emotionally difficult. But we trick ourselves into thinking they’re complicated so we don’t have to face them.