The Mindform Podcast

Designing the Mind | Ryan A Bush
  • 5.0 (4)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
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The Mindform Podcast is a unique conversation space in which we get inside the minds of Mindform community members. These conversations center around exploring and altering our psychological landscapes together, focusing on psychological growth, deep human connection, and philosophical inquiry. Our host, Frank Lawton, helps facilitate members in dismantling self-limiting beliefs, challenging perspectives, and practicing psychitecture - self-directed psychological evolution. If you’d like to join the community, connect with the people you get to know here, and maybe even be a guest yourself, apply at mindform.io.

  1. MAY 8

    #49: Fewer Rules, Better People, and Video Game Vaccines with Barry Lam

    What if our obsession with rules is making everything worse? What if philosophy isn’t exclusive to university hallways? Barry Lam — philosopher, documentarian, and host of the Hi-Phi Nation podcast — joins the show to explore the collision between abstract ethics and the messiest corners of real life. His book Fewer Rules, Better People makes a provocative case: rule systems kill excellence. From criminal justice to airport security, the institutions we’ve built to be fair have become machines that punish good judgment. We also discuss strange and  true stories of philosophy in action:     •    The gamers who helped stabilise mRNA vaccines     •    Soldiers navigating unjust orders — and what philosophy says they owe themselves     •    A woman who genuinely believes she’s the reincarnation of Anne Frank     •    People falling in love with AI chatbots — and whether that love is real     •    Why lottocracy might be a more honest democracy than the one we have     •    What (if anything) you owe your past self --- Pick up Barry's book Fewer Rules Better People at wwnorton.com/books/fewer-rules-better-people and check out his documentary podcast Hi-Phi Nation at hiphination.org --- Mindform is an exclusive membership platform that gives you access to an ever-expanding toolkit for mental mastery and a community of passionate psychitects. Apply to join Mindform or get the free Psychitect's Toolkit at https://mindform.io/podcast

    56 min

  2. APR 24

    #48: Why Human Beings Need to Feel Small with Arie Kruglanski

    Frank sits down with Arie Kruglanski, one of the world's leading experts in human motivation psychology, to explore a framework decades in the making. After being invited to study the psychology of terrorism post-9/11, Arie discovered that terrorists, world leaders, and everyday people share the same core drive: the need to matter. He calls it the quest for significance. His model centers on two forces: bigness — the drive to achieve, compete, and be seen — and smallness — the need to connect, belong, and be vulnerable. Too much bigness leads to burnout, conflict, and isolation. Too much smallness breeds feelings of worthlessness. Balance between the two is where human flourishing lives. Arie draws the thread from romantic love to geopolitics, showing how the same psychological dynamic that breaks a relationship also starts wars. The antidote he points to is simple but powerful: pursue significance not for personal glory, but in service of something larger than yourself. --- Mindform is an exclusive membership platform that gives you access to an ever-expanding toolkit for mental mastery and a community of passionate psychitects. Apply to join Mindform or get the free Psychitect’s Toolkit at https://mindform.io/podcast

    59 min

  3. MAR 14

    #47: Stop Mistaking Beliefs for Facts—Here's What Actually Works with Nir Eyal

    In this episode Frank sits down with Nir Eyal, bestselling author of Hooked and Indistractable, to explore his latest book Beyond Belief, a science-backed manifesto on how our beliefs shape everything from our motivation to our suffering. Nir opens with a framework that reframes how we think about beliefs entirely. Most of us confuse facts, beliefs and faith, and that confusion, he argues, is the root of most of our personal and interpersonal problems. The real insight is this: beliefs are tools, not truths. And like any tool, the question isn't whether they're correct, it's whether they're serving you. The conversation covers why motivation isn't a straight line but a triangle, why positive thinking and manifestation are not just ineffective but actively harmful, and what athletes actually visualize that makes the difference. Nir also draws on the neuroscience of perception to reveal why none of us are seeing reality as clearly as we think we are. See as they explore the invisible beliefs quietly running your life, the science behind why none of us see reality clearly, and a simple but powerful four question process you can use to dissolve the beliefs that are keeping you stuck and start building ones that actually serve you. ----more---- More about Nir and his new book Beyond Belief Get Nir's free 30-day Belief Change Journal which includes: 30 days of guided prompts designed to reinforce belief-building habits Eight deep-dive exercises Daily "5-minute belief change" templates Places to track evidence supporting your new beliefs ----more---- Mindform is an exclusive membership platform that gives you access to an ever-expanding toolkit for mental mastery and a community of passionate psychitects. Apply to join Mindform or get the free Psychitect's Toolkit at https://mindform.io/podcast

    56 min

  4. JAN 9

    #46: Find Your Life on the Other Side of Fear — The Fear Equation with Nick Day

    In this episode of The Mindform Podcast, host Frank Lawton speaks with coach, author, and podcast host Nick Day about his powerful framework for understanding and working with fear, which he calls The Fear Equation. Nick opens up about a life-altering traumatic event that catalyzed a deep inquiry into the role of fear in his life — and how it had disguised itself as wisdom, prudence, and even respect. Through personal stories ranging from career paralysis to family loss, Nick illustrates how fear often masquerades as logic or care, subtly stopping us from living fully. He introduces his formula — Fear = Anxiety + (Uncertainty × Imagination) — and breaks down how these components work together to create internal barriers. Nick also shares his practical B.O.L.D. framework for moving through fear: Breathe, Observe, Label, and Do — tools he uses himself and with clients to help turn fear into a compass for growth. Together, he and Frank reflect on the cost of avoiding fear — what Nick calls "the fear tax" — and how choosing courage, even in small moments, can change the trajectory of a life. This is a grounded and vulnerable conversation about the mechanics of fear, the courage to act, and how to live without regret. Find out more about Nick Day at t4mcoach.com   --- Mindform is an exclusive membership platform that gives you access to an ever-expanding toolkit for mental mastery and a community of passionate psychitects. Apply to join Mindform or get the free Psychitect’s Toolkit at https://mindform.io/podcast

    54 min

  5. 12/12/2025

    #45: Answer the Summons—Courageously Facing Discomfort For Growth with Michael MaeRhys

    In this deep and vulnerable conversation, neurodivergent therapist Michael MaeRhys joins Frank Lawton to explore the sacred journey of personal transformation. Drawing from his lived experience, therapeutic work, and spiritual influences like Jungian psychology and The Alchemist, Michael shares how many people live on subconscious autopilot—shaped by trauma, cultural expectations, and inherited patterns—until they begin to hear a deeper internal call. This “summons of the soul,” as he calls it, demands courage, discomfort, and the letting go of egoic identities built for survival and social belonging. Together, Michael and Frank examine how fear keeps people from answering this call, how relational fields—like therapy or secure partnerships—can make space for growth, and how suffering is not something to be avoided but integrated. Michael also introduces his developing framework of “virtue ecology” and the concept of prohairesis—a consciously chosen, morally aligned life—as key to becoming who we’re meant to be. Whether you're on the edge of change, stuck in comfort, or seeking your next phase of growth, this episode offers a powerful invitation to listen deeply and live courageously. --- Mindform is an exclusive membership platform that gives you access to an ever-expanding toolkit for mental mastery and a community of passionate psychitects. Apply to join Mindform or get the free Psychitect’s Toolkit at https://mindform.io/podcast

    1h 2m

  6. 12/06/2025

    #44: Emotion Is Not the Enemy — Navigating a Rational World with Dean Burnett

    In this engaging and thought-provoking episode, Dr. Dean Burnett — a neuroscientist, a lecturer, a podcaster, a science communicator, a comedian, and an author — joins Frank Lawton for a wide-ranging discussion on the nature of emotions, the limits of logic, and the quirks of the human brain. Dean shares his deeply personal journey from a working-class Welsh village to becoming a prominent voice in public science — with a few unexpected detours, including embalming cadavers and performing stand-up comedy. Dean reflects on how growing up amidst emotional struggle and social hardship sparked a fascination with neuroscience and mental health. He critiques the limitations of the scientific skepticism movement he once embraced, recognizing how emotional detachment can morph into superiority and exclusion. Together, they explore the profound complexity of emotions — how little science truly understands them, and why suppressing them in favor of logic alone is both misguided and inhuman. The conversation turns to the neurological and practical benefits of mindfulness and meditation, which Dean explains using vivid metaphors — likening the brain to a restaurant with a neglected greenhouse. He makes a compelling case for embracing emotional literacy, humility, and curiosity in both science and everyday life. Dean’s bestselling debut book, The Idiot Brain, celebrates its 10th anniversary in January 2026. You can explore his work and updates at www.deanburnett.com.

    1h 9m

  7. 11/28/2025

    #43: Embrace Curiosity and Reflection to Master Self-Leadership with Alexandra Mateus

    In this episode of The Mindform Podcast, host Frank Lawton speaks with Alexandra Mateus — an integral health coach, writer, and the mind behind The Modern Day Explorer Substack. Alexandra supports purpose-driven individuals in building sustainable growth through creative leadership, slow experimentation, and inner alignment. The conversation traverses Alexandra’s journey from fashion and textile design in Lisbon to creative coaching in Sweden. She shares how moving across cultures and climates shaped her values and fostered her reflective approach to life and leadership. A central metaphor in the episode is the "growth loop" — a cyclical process of experimentation, reflection, and realignment, contrasted with linear models of progress. Alexandra emphasizes minimalism, subtraction, and curiosity as keys to mental clarity and energy management in a noisy, fast-paced world. Her coaching approach is deeply personalized, aiming to reconnect clients with their bio-individual needs through awareness, nature, and tiny experiments. Together, Frank and Alexandra unpack the tension between spontaneity and consistency, the power of feedback from the world, and how to build long-term sustainability from the inside out. To learn more about Alexandra’s work: The Modern Day Explorer Substack: https://alexandram.substack.com/ Her Coaching & Services: https://www.alexandra-mateus.com/services-content --- Mindform is an exclusive membership platform that gives you access to an ever-expanding toolkit for mental mastery and a community of passionate psychitects. Apply to join Mindform or get the free Psychitect’s Toolkit at https://mindform.io/podcast

    1 hr

  8. 11/21/2025

    #42: Are People Inherently Good? Evil AI and Intergalactic Wasps with Ryan A Bush

    In this episode of The Mindform Podcast, host Frank Lawton sits down with Ryan Bush, founder of Mindform and author of Designing the Mind: The Principles of Psychitecture, for a rich exploration of what it truly means to grow. They examine two philosophies of self-development: one grounded in emotional awareness and self-connection, and the other in intentional design and habit formation. Their conversation unfolds from personal stories into philosophical questions about the nature of values, consciousness, and human nature. Frank shares how his early approach was driven by insecurity and a desire to emulate others, leading to a disconnection from his deeper self. Now, he emphasizes growth through emotional awareness and curiosity, rather than effortful striving. Ryan introduces the psychitecture framework, which views growth as a process of aligning habits and character with one’s values. He advocates for both additive (skill-building) and subtractive (removal of harmful patterns) methods. Midway, the discussion deepens into a philosophical debate on the nature of values. Frank argues that empathy and collaboration are universal among conscious, goal-seeking organisms. Ryan challenges this by imagining intelligent beings with opposing values, suggesting that consciousness doesn’t guarantee pro-social ethics. Despite differing angles, both agree that meaningful growth involves both self-connection and strategic design—combining inner awareness with intentional change. --- Mindform is an exclusive membership platform that gives you access to an ever-expanding toolkit for mental mastery and a community of passionate psychitects. Apply to join Mindform or get the free Psychitect’s Toolkit at https://mindform.io/podcast

    1h 13m
See All (50)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The Mindform Podcast is a unique conversation space in which we get inside the minds of Mindform community members. These conversations center around exploring and altering our psychological landscapes together, focusing on psychological growth, deep human connection, and philosophical inquiry. Our host, Frank Lawton, helps facilitate members in dismantling self-limiting beliefs, challenging perspectives, and practicing psychitecture - self-directed psychological evolution. If you’d like to join the community, connect with the people you get to know here, and maybe even be a guest yourself, apply at mindform.io.

Information

  • Creator
    Designing the Mind | Ryan A Bush
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Mindform Podcast

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