How to Be an Adult

Luke Chao and Pascal Langdale
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Do you find yourself wishing that your parents had taught you more about how to take care of yourself, your emotions and your health? This show offers practical guidance for outwardly successful but inwardly lost adults like you. It’s the philosophy of life that you should have received when you turned 18, but didn’t. Each episode attempts to arrive at principled answers to a single question about how we might find happiness and peace. We are driven by a mission to democratize self-assurance.

  1. JAN 21

    How to Overcome Procrastination (Ep. 31, with Kate Voss)

    In this conversational episode, Kate and Luke discuss how to overcome procrastination, based on their personal experience, as well as professional work with hypnotherapy clients. Procrastination originates from the Latin word procrastinus, meaning ‘of tomorrow,’ highlighting the tendency to defer actions to a future time. Living with the knowledge of future consequences (e.g., dirty dishes, laundry) can motivate present action and set up a better tomorrow. Self-motivated and productive individuals maximize their available waking hours by prioritizing important tasks and letting go of non-essential ones. Completing tasks quickly, rather than carrying them as burdens, leads to a lighter and easier life, as avoiding tasks often requires more energy than doing them. Tasks are frequently perceived as more difficult than they actually are; engaging with them reveals they are often feasible and manageable. The belief that one can accomplish a task is crucial, echoing Henry Ford’s sentiment that ‘whether you believe you can or whether you believe you can’t, you’re right.’ We frame procrastination as a ‘software problem’ (thought processes) rather than a ‘hardware problem’ (fixed wiring), suggesting it can be overcome by upgrading thinking patterns. Breaking down large tasks into smaller, manageable steps (chunking) is essential for completing them, similar to running a marathon one step at a time. The principle ‘done is better than perfect’ encourages action and progress over striving for unattainable perfection. Audacity is the key differentiator between those who ‘dare to disturb the universe’ and take action, and those who do not. Table of Contents: 0:00 – Intro 0:49 – What is procrastination? 2:23 – How to make the most out of each day 6:32 – Luke’s experience with procrastination 8:47 – Is procrastination a fixed mindset, or can it change? 10:58 – Best practices for procrastination 15:20 – How perfectionism fuels procrastination 19:38 – Learn to be your own greatest ally 23:06 – Turn best practices into action 25:34 – Becoming a doer, not a dreamer 27:29 – Dare to disturb the universe Listen above, on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, or watch the full video on YouTube. Remember to like, subscribe and share! The post How to Overcome Procrastination (Ep. 31, with Kate Voss) appeared first on The Morpheus Clinic for Hypnosis.

  2. 12/19/2025

    How to Overcome Impostor Syndrome (Ep. 30)

    If you’ve accomplished enough with your life, and you’re very self-critical at the same time, you will probably feel at some point that you’re an impostor or a fraud. This is a pretty good sign that you aren’t. In today’s episode, we’ll explore why, and what to do about that awful feeling: Imposter syndrome is common among intelligent, high-achieving individuals who feel like frauds despite their accomplishments. This feeling often arises because our self-concept, formed in childhood, may not be updated to reflect our current adult selves and capabilities. Adult life involves operating at the “edge of knowledge,” where problems lack definitive answers and require judgment, unlike the “known problems” of earlier education. Perfection is achievable in simple tasks but not in complex adult endeavors; striving for “good enough” and conforming to best practices is often more appropriate. Comparing oneself to others, especially based on curated online personas, is misleading, as everyone has inner complexities and limitations. Developing self-validation is crucial, meaning trusting one’s own educated mind and experienced judgment rather than solely seeking external approval. Recognizing the entire journey of learning and development up to the present moment builds confidence and validates current accomplishments. Mistakes are a natural part of operating at the edge of knowledge and expanding capabilities, not an indication of being a fraud. Peers operating at the same “edge of knowledge” often possess intellectual humility and are unlikely to judge others for not knowing everything. Addressing impostor syndrome involves understanding its origins, recognizing peers are in similar situations, acknowledging one’s journey, and practicing self-validation and realistic standards. Table of Contents: 0:00 – Intro 1:01 – Who gets impostor syndrome? 3:49 – “Edge of knowledge” problems 9:33 – You are the real deal 10:58 – Complex situations do not have neat answers 13:53 – Update your self-concept 16:30 – #1: Understand the situation 19:34 – #2: Recognize the journey that got you here 22:33 – #3: Stop comparing yourself to others 24:48 – #4: Become self-validating 26:38 – #5: Stop being a perfectionist 29:48 – #6: Making a mistake doesn’t make you a fraud 31:49 – Summary Listen above, on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, or watch the full video on YouTube. Remember to like, subscribe and share! The post How to Overcome Impostor Syndrome (Ep. 30) appeared first on The Morpheus Clinic for Hypnosis.

    34 min

  3. 11/13/2025

    Principles for Effective Protest: A Special Episode Following the SSI-SJP Clash Near TMU (Ep. 29)

    On November 5, 2025, the tranquility of our hypnosis office was broken by a clash between two student groups, Students Supporting Israel and Students for Justice in Palestine, from Toronto Metropolitan University. After a window was broken and the protesters were forced out, five arrests were made, and the police chief says that more charges are coming. If you’ve seen the videos posted on social media, you might have seen our founder Luke Chao surveying the damage and making efforts to deescalate the situation. In this special episode of How to Be an Adult, Luke reflects on what we can learn about civil disobedience and how to protest effectively. This is not legal advice: it’s practical advice for what to think inside your head. 00:00 – The protest on November 5 01:39 – The purpose of civil disobedience 04:35 – #1: Remember the human 05:42 – #2: When fighting monsters, do not become one yourself 07:15 – #3: Do not reverse victim and perpetrator 08:04 – #4: Narrative is not everything 08:51 – #5: Avoid getting swept up in mobs 09:37 – #6: Be Socratic 10:23 – #7: Pick your battles 11:19 – Closing remarks Listen above, on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, or watch the full video on YouTube. Remember to like, subscribe and share! The post Principles for Effective Protest: A Special Episode Following the SSI-SJP Clash Near TMU (Ep. 29) appeared first on The Morpheus Clinic for Hypnosis.

    13 min

  4. 09/17/2025

    8 Ways to Win at Capitalism (Ep. 28)

    Chances are, there isn’t a revolution coming, and you’re going to be living in a capitalist society for the rest of your life. Now what? In this solo episode, Luke shares eight principles for adapting to (indeed, thriving in) the economic system that our listeners live in: Capitalism is a system where private property and corporations own the means of production, and winning at it means accumulating enough capital to generate income without working for wages. To win at capitalism, you need to become a member of the capital-owning class by investing in assets like stocks, bonds, or real estate. It’s important to be a master of capital, not its slave, by using capital as a tool rather than letting it control your decisions. Cultivating an internal locus of control is crucial, as believing you are responsible for your circumstances empowers you to take action and accumulate capital. Optimism is essential for winning at capitalism, as it drives investors, entrepreneurs, and content creators to take risks and work hard for future rewards. Adopting a positive-sum mentality, where wealth creation benefits everyone, is more pragmatic and productive than a zero-sum mindset. Understanding supply and demand helps you position yourself uniquely in the market, allowing you to charge higher fees or wages. Living below your means and playing offense by increasing your income through strategic investments or career moves is key to accumulating capital. Respecting and admiring successful capitalists can help you learn from their strategies and avoid cognitive dissonance. Wealth amplifies your existing character traits, so it’s important to cultivate good values and principles before and during your journey to financial success. Table of Contents: 0:00 – Introduction 8:46 – Become a member of the capital-owning class 15:48 – Become a master of capital, not its slave 24:34 – Cultivate an internal locus of control 28:06 – Foster optimism 31:35 – Develop a positive-sum (win–win) mentality 39:31 – Understand supply and demand 45:07 – Play offence, not defence 50:18 – Find winners to admire Listen above, on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, or watch the full video on YouTube. Remember to like, subscribe and share! The post 8 Ways to Win at Capitalism (Ep. 28) appeared first on The Morpheus Clinic for Hypnosis.

  5. 08/12/2025

    How to Think About Time (Ep. 27)

    In this episode co-hosted by Luke Chao and Kate Voss, we discuss how we might maturely relate to time. It’s less about time management, and more a philosophy of how one might make the most out of your 16 waking hours in a day: Time management is crucial for adults to balance work, leisure, and personal growth, with each person having about 16 waking hours a day to allocate. Elon Musk’s time management strategies, such as scheduling in five-minute increments, highlight the importance of valuing each minute, though this level of granularity may not be practical for everyone. Time is a non-renewable resource that should be budgeted and spent wisely, similar to money, as it is scarce and valuable. Technology and social media can hijack attention and disrupt productivity, but individuals can reclaim control by using tools intentionally and turning off unnecessary notifications and other distractions. Setting long-term goals and breaking them down into smaller, manageable tasks can help in effectively managing time and staying motivated. The perception of time changes with age, and recognizing its relentless forward movement can help in making better decisions about how to spend it. Rest and leisure are essential for well-being and should be intentionally scheduled, as they provide intrinsic value and prevent burnout. The hustle and grind culture often undervalues rest and leisure, but these activities are crucial for a balanced and fulfilling life. Children, retirees and the generationally wealthy offer valuable perspectives on the importance of play, rest, and non-work activities for overall happiness and well-being. Effective time management involves using simple tools like calendars and to-do lists, focusing on simplicity and practicality rather than aesthetics. Table of Contents: 0:00 – Intro 3:07 – What does it mean to manage time? 3:46 – Every minute has priceless value 5:42 – We choose how to spend our time 12:12 – What do you do if you’re “bad at time”? 14:10 – Do you think time cares? 16:49 – Odds are, you’ll live a long time. 20:03 – Time feels faster as you get older. 21:10 – Not all time spent is well spent. 28:34 – You earn at work. You live after work. 31:04 – Write it down. Do it on time. 35:27 – Rest isn’t lazy. It’s maintenance. 38:12 – As a kid, play was scheduled. Now you have to schedule it. 43:20 – Outro Listen above, on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, or watch the full video on YouTube. Remember to like, subscribe and share! The post How to Think About Time (Ep. 27) appeared first on The Morpheus Clinic for Hypnosis.

  6. 07/16/2025

    How to Cope with Uncertainty (Ep. 26)

    Most of our anxiety comes not from what actually happens, but from what we imagine might happen in an uncertain future. In this solo episode with Luke Chao, he speaks about how to face the future with clarity: The things you’re stressed about today will likely be handled by your future self with the maturity and experience of that age. Life’s uncertainties are like driving on a winding road; you don’t need to imagine threats, just trust your senses and handle what comes. Anxiety often focuses on hypothetical threats rather than the actual reality, which is usually safe and manageable. Throughout life, you’ve handled misfortunes without prior preparation, proving you can adapt to whatever comes. Mentally preparing for a long life (around 80 years) is practical and aligns with statistical averages. Focus on what you know (like your current capabilities) rather than trying to predict the unknown future. Use your imagination to visualize and create the future you want, rather than dwelling on potential negatives. As an adult, you control your environment and can create lasting good things in your life. Accept that the future is uncertain, but trust in your ability to handle whatever comes with maturity and intelligence. Table of Contents: 0:00 – Introduction 6:52 – What we know for certain 11:44 – But what if…? 18:57 – Proper use of the imagination 26:04 – Outro Listen above, on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, or watch the full video on YouTube, free of third-party advertising. Remember to like, subscribe and share! The post How to Cope with Uncertainty (Ep. 26) appeared first on The Morpheus Clinic for Hypnosis.

  7. 06/16/2025

    What Makes a Relationship Successful (Ep. 25)

    Kate is the newest member of our team at The Morpheus Clinic for Hypnosis, and in this episode, she and Luke discuss some of the hallmarks of a successful relationship. We offer suggestions for listeners at every stage in their relationship journey: Successful relationships begin with a positive relationship with oneself, characterized by self-love and self-respect. The “four C’s” of relationships—clarity, confidence, communication, and connection—are crucial for navigating both entering and maintaining relationships. Confidence plays a significant role in attracting partners. How one presents themselves non-verbally can influence the type of relationships they attract. Effective communication is essential for expressing needs and desires, which helps in forming genuine connections. Relationships should enhance both partners’ lives, with interdependence rather than codependency, where both individuals are whole and contribute equally. The concept of “positive sum” relationships suggests that partnerships should multiply love and support rather than create competition or imbalance. Individuals are encouraged to embrace their uniqueness and authenticity, avoiding the tendency to pedestalize others or compare themselves unfavorably. The importance of self-care—physically, mentally, and emotionally—is a prerequisite for being able to connect with others meaningfully. When evaluating a relationship’s future, ask whether would choose the partner again if starting fresh. Breakups can be an act of love when they allow both partners to find better compatibility. Ending a relationship does not diminish the love shared. Table of Contents: 0:00 – Intro 2:16 – Big mistakes seen in a relationship? 2:30 – The 4 C’s in a relationship 7:28 – A cool thing about being self-loving 8:26 – What are relationships about 10:11 – Relationships and climbing mountains 11:35 – The egalitarian style 17:40 – Pedestalizing others 21:20 – Questions to ask yourself in a relationship 24:28 – How to be 100% yourself 28:15 – Scenarios and stages in a relationship 28:38 – Scenario #1: Have you never been on a date before? 33:40 – People in the dating world 37:00 – Finding your forever person is inevitable 41:15 – Scenario #2: How do you know? 46:30 – Is the grass greener? 47:45 – Complimentary or opposites 49:55 – Has the relationship run its course? 54:54 – Outro Listen above, on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, or watch the full video on YouTube, free of third-party advertising. Remember to like, subscribe and share! The post What Makes a Relationship Successful (Ep. 25) appeared first on The Morpheus Clinic for Hypnosis.

  8. 04/22/2025

    How to Ask Yourself Great Questions (Ep. 24)

    The questions we ask ourselves determine which thoughts subsequently enter our minds. If we ask ourselves about counterfactual scenarios, our mind floods with counterfactual scenarios. If we ask ourselves about reassuring truths, we find reassuring truths, almost as though we were typing a query into a search engine. This episode is about how to ask yourself the second type of question. Good questions can lead to productive thoughts, while bad questions can evoke unnecessary anxiety and confusion. The way we think is influenced by the questions we ask ourselves, which can shape our emotional and physical well-being. It’s essential to challenge the premises of our questions, as flawed assumptions can lead to unhelpful answers. Questions about others’ opinions or actions distract from our agency; instead, focus on self-directed questions using “shall” to emphasize personal responsibility. Using frameworks like the five W’s (who, what, when, where, why) and strategic versus tactical questions can guide effective self-inquiry. Intuition plays a crucial role in decision-making; allowing time for reflection can lead to more satisfying answers than immediate rational thought. Individuals should prioritize asking themselves questions about their own values and priorities rather than seeking validation from others. Recognizing one’s agency in decision-making can reduce anxiety and empower individuals to shape their futures. The ultimate goal of questioning is to approach truth and broaden perspectives, leading to actionable insights and improved self-awareness. Table of Contents: 0:00 – Intro 0:55 – Why good questions matter 8:26 – “What if” and “why” questions 13:36 – The purpose of a question 19:25 – The 5 W’s and H 24:42 – Let questions sit Listen above, on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify, or watch the full video on YouTube, free of third-party advertising. Remember to like, subscribe and share! The post How to Ask Yourself Great Questions (Ep. 24) appeared first on The Morpheus Clinic for Hypnosis.

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About

Do you find yourself wishing that your parents had taught you more about how to take care of yourself, your emotions and your health? This show offers practical guidance for outwardly successful but inwardly lost adults like you. It’s the philosophy of life that you should have received when you turned 18, but didn’t. Each episode attempts to arrive at principled answers to a single question about how we might find happiness and peace. We are driven by a mission to democratize self-assurance.

Information

  • Creator
    Luke Chao and Pascal Langdale
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Copyright
    Copyright © 2023 Morpheus Hypnosis Ltd.
  • Show Website
    How to Be an Adult

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