Ep 1. Steven Kotler: Tools for Creativity and Flow During Isolation
Chris Jerard + Cory Richards
On this episode Cory and CJ have a conversation with bestselling author, and avid adventurer, Steven Kotler. The conversation is mostly about how to get your biology to work for you in these times – not against you. How do we get through the mental hurdles we are all facing right now and drive attention to the present moment? Finding 30-90 minutes a day to practice can make a world of difference.
Steven Kotler is a New York Times bestselling author, an award-winning journalist and the Executive Director of the Flow Research Collective. He is one of the world’s leading experts on human performance. He’s the author of eleven books, including The Future is Faster Than You Think, Stealing Fire, Bold, Abundance and The Rise of Superman. His work has been nominated for two Pulitzer Prizes, been translated into over 40 languages and appeared in over 100 publications, including The New York Times Magazine, Atlantic Monthly, Time, Wired, and Forbes. He is also the cofounder of the Rancho de Chihuahua dog sanctuary.
Check out Episode 2 with Chris Burkard!
Show Notes
Neil Gaimon’s “Make Good Art” Speech
Three daily practices that can help with mindset, immunity and getting through the age of Covid-19. What you can do for 30 minutes a day to help you find a better mindset.
- Gratitude practice. Kotler prefers before going to bed. Writing down 10 things he is grateful for. He dives into why gratitude helps balance out the natural human negative bias that is being fed daily at present. (5 minutes a day)
- Breathing and mindfulness. Breath of Fire, the Wim Hoth method, Brian Mackenzie, The Ready State. (10 minutes a day)
- Exercise (20 minutes a day)
Important: Media fasting. Do not start your day with the “the emotional Russian roulette” that comes from tuning into the news cycle first thing.
Steven Kotler Books we Love
The Future is Faster Than you Think
Books Steven recommends:
User Illusion Tor Norretranders
The Reluctant Mr Darwin by David Quammen
Bone Games by Rob Schultheis
Range By David Epstein