Bounce! Conversations with Larry Weeks Larry Weeks

Christof Koch is a pioneering computational neuroscientist and neurophysiologist best known for his groundbreaking work on the neural basis of consciousness. He collaborated with Francis Crick, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA, to establish a neurobiological framework for understanding consciousness. Christof served as the President and Chief Scientist of the Allen Institute for Brain Science in Seattle and continues his work there as a Meritorious Investigator. He is also the Chief Scientist of the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation in Santa Monica, CA, which funds research aimed at alleviating suffering, anxiety, and other forms of distress in people worldwide.
Christof has authored over five books on consciousness, with his latest being "Then I Am Myself the World: What Consciousness Is and How to Expand It." This book delves into the subject of consciousness through the lenses of physics, psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, and computer science, as well as Christof’s personal experiences exploring his consciousness.
In this episode, Christof dives deep into what might explain the origin of consciousness and existing contradictions. We explore how our minds construct reality, the wonder of experience, and the profound implications of Integrated Information Theory. Christof also reflects on the importance of mindfulness, the power of belief, and the ongoing debate on free will.
Our conversation includes:
The origin of consciousness and the “Hard Problem Integrated Information Theory (IIT) How far down the phylogenetic tree consciousness might go The mind-body problem: physical structures and subjective experiences Panpsychism and how consciousness might be a fundamental aspect of matter. Qualities of experience and the perception box Mind-melding and the “uber” consciousness Why AI or any compute-based system may never be sentient The boundaries of consciousness and the dissolution of self The notion of "mind at large" Christoph’s experiences with psychedelics Free will My hope is that this episode gives you a sense of awe about your mind so that you look at life and your experiences with a bit more wonder.
Enjoy!
For show notes and more, visit www.larryweeks.com 

Guy Kawasaki is a pioneering figure in Silicon Valley, celebrated marketing icon, and successful serial entrepreneur. Guy was one of the original Apple employees responsible for launching their Macintosh computer line in 1984 - and then revitalizing Apple again in the 90s when it faced market share challenges from Microsoft and IBM. His role at Apple popularized the term evangelism in marketing and technology. He is an executive fellow of the Haas School of Business (UC Berkeley), and host of the popular Remarkable People podcast. 
Guy has written over 16 best-selling books, including Wise Guy, The Art of the Start 2.0, The Art of Social Media, Enchantment, and his latest - Think Remarkable: 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference is part of our conversation. 

Guy was an absolute delight and game for a wide-ranging chat. 
Our conversation points include:
Guy’s pathfinder career, from an unwilling law student to reluctant med student to passionate business leader. On family expectations and perspectives on “quitting.” His stint in the jewelry business. On selling as a fundamental life skill beyond just business. Guy reflects on his time at Apple. Working under Steve Jobs. The transformation of tech sales. Apple’s struggles and resurgence in the 90s Guy's innovation of the email newsletter (via listserver) during his second stint at Apple  Insights into the power of maintaining a positive narrative during Apple's turnaround On Artificial Intelligence. His views on social media and what he uses now platforms. Writing and Podcasting: Guy shares insights into his writing process. The resilience of remarkable individuals inspired by stories from his book and podcast. Guy Kawasaki's story is one of passion pursuit, intellectual curiosity, and a deep-seated desire to make a meaningful impact. His work continues to inspire a new generation of thinkers, innovators, and creators.
Enjoy! 
For show notes and more, visit www.larryweeks.com 

Outside of the purely physical and physiological, nothing is more challenging than the world of entrepreneurship and business, especially when facing customer indifference and figuring out market demand—the delicate balance between innovation and market reality. 
How do you do that? 
Professor Merrick L. Furst runs commercialization and new venture creation and directs undergraduate programs and faculty development in the College of Computing at Georgia Tech. Before GT, he was a professor at UC Berkeley, president of the International Computer Science Institute at Berkeley, and CEO of Essential Surfing Gear, Inc., which was sold in 2000, and anti-botnet startup Damballa. Earlier, he was a professor and associate dean at the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon. Mark is also known for seminal research in algorithms, complexity theory, and AI. He co-invented probabilistic circuit analysis and planning graphs, which are considered among the most influential breakthroughs in the field of AI planning.
Merrick is also the author of The Heart of Innovation: A Field Guide for Navigating to Authentic Demand, which is the touchstone for this podcast. 
On the show, we discuss the challenges every business faces in creating products that truly meet customer needs.
A brief chat about AI. Why and how products fail. Real reasons vs. stated reasons people buy. On the "curse of knowledge" Validation vs innovation. Authentic demand: sussing alternatives to not purchasing or using a product/service "Non-indifference" as an indicator of authentic demand. Observing vs listening and the problem with surveys. How to question assumptions.  Product development and market match.
The need for humility and open-mindedness.  As we explore these diverse topics, Merricks’ unique approach offers invaluable lessons for entrepreneurs, technologists, and anyone intrigued by the intersection of business, technology, and human behavior.
Enjoy! 
For show notes and more, visit www.larryweeks.com 

My guest is Derek Sivers. Derek proves that an unconventional background can be the perfect foundation for a wonderfully interesting life and groundbreaking success. 
Originally a professional musician and circus clown, Derek founded CD Baby in 1998. It became the largest seller of independent music online, with $100 million in sales for over 150,000 musicians. In 2008, Derek sold CD Baby for $22 million, giving the proceeds to a charitable trust for music education. 
His TED talks have garnered over 20 million views, and he has published 34 books, including Hell Yeah or No, Your Music and People, Anything You Want) and his most recent book as it pertains to this conversation is How to Live, 27 Conflicting Answers and One Weird Conclusion - but note we do slightly touch on his current yet-to-be-completed book Useful Not True.
Taking points include …
Derek's transition from a musician to circus performer to entrepreneur and author. The power of books and new ideas. The concept of "useful, not true" and the practicality of a belief. Revisiting "hell yeah or hell no" as a decision heuristic in his book" Anything You Want."  On oblique strategies for releasing creative potential  Embracing unpredictability and "random generators."  The pragmatic rabbi approach to simplifying problems  Thoughts on song and book writing. Seeing emotions as ends bypassing things as means.  The orchestra-instrument framework.  The motivation of being temporarily-abled. The practice of journaling to understand emotions and situations. And there is much more here, as we cover a lot of ground. 
Tim Ferris called Derek a philosopher-king programmer, master teacher, and merry prankster and quote (one of my favorite humans), and after chatting with Derek, I understand why. You can tell I enjoyed talking with him. 
Please enjoy.
For show notes and more, visit larryweeks.com 

"To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom." - Socrates
 
This podcast is about understanding ourselves a bit better. We'll be exploring insights into what makes us happy as it relates to self-perception, and the various intricate connections between our minds, bodies, and social interactions.
 
My guest on the show is social psychologist David Myers, known for his extensive work in communicating psychological science to both students and the general public. His academic contributions, supported by National Science Foundation have been published in prestigious journals like Science and American Psychologist. David has made psychological research accessible through articles in magazines such as Scientific American and through seventeen books, including both general interest and textbooks.
 
David is best known for his textbook on psychology which is one of the most widely used psychology textbooks in the world. He is also the author of several  popular books, including one of the first on happiness called The Pursuit of Happiness: Discovering the Pathway to Fulfillment, Well-Being, and Enduring Personal Joy published in 1993
 
David’s newest book, "How Do We Know Ourselves?: Curiosities and Marvels of the Human Mind" is the topic of this show. 
 
Our conversation covers a wide array of psychology topics including:
A bit about David’s background. We revisit happiness and the latest findings in that field. The relationship between happiness and income. Goal setting and the material trap  The benefits of religion and religious engagement paradox. Self-Perception Theory. Body-mind effects. Micro-Friendships: The significant mood boost from brief, positive interactions with strangers. We touch on fear Misplaced Fears: How we skew risk perceptions. The power of reframing and its effectiveness in Brief Interventions.
Enjoy
 
For show notes and more visit larryweeks.com 

On this episode of our podcast, we delve into the fascinating world of hypnosis, with a focus on demystifying this phenomenon and separating myths from scientific reality. We explore its role in modern therapy and personal well-being.
Dr. David Spiegel is one of Stanford University’s leading psychiatrists, with more than 45 years of clinical experience, and has pioneered over 400 research papers on the power of self-hypnosis. Educated at Harvard and Yale, he is the Willson Professor and Associate Chair of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Director of the Center on Stress and Health, and Medical Director of the Center for Integrative Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr Speigel has written thirteen books and is also the Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Reveri Health, which offers a clinically backed hypnosis app of the same name. 
In our conversation, we cover a wide array of topics, including:
The definition and understanding of hypnosis. A short history of hypnosis, its mystical origins, and its current scientific standing. Distinctions between clinical and theatrical hypnosis. Debates over the tools and techniques used in hypnosis. The controversial subjects of brainwashing and memory recovery. Current research and understanding of the neural mechanisms of hypnosis. The various types of hypnosis and their applications. The relationship between EMDR and hypnosis. The effectiveness, suitability, and therapeutic potential of hypnosis. The Reveri app, co-founded by Dr. Spiegel I share my own experience with the Reveri app, particularly how it helped me with my fear of airplane turbulence. Join us for this enlightening discussion as we uncover the mysteries and realities of hypnosis.
Enjoy!
For show notes and more, visit larryweeks.com