Mastering Change with Brad Stulberg
We all know that change is inevitable in life, and getting good at changing is one of the most important skills we can develop. It’s also one of the most difficult to master, as so many parts of who we are tend to resist change. On today’s episode writer and coach Brad Stulberg joins me to explore how we can reshape who we are, navigate and embrace change, and become more resilient.
About our Guest: Brad focuses his work on the philosophical and psychological foundations of excellence, and the habits and practices necessary to attain it. He’s a regular contributor at The New York Times and the author of a number of wonderful books including The Practice of Groundedness and his most recent book Master of Change: How to Excel When Everything Is Changing – Including You.
You can watch this episode on YouTube.
Key Topics:
0:00: Introduction
1:15: How Brad has come to think about change
3:30: The myth of homeostasis, and allostasis
6:55: Suffering, resistance, and rugged flexibility
13:00: Creating a more flexible identity
20:30: Not going ‘all in all the time’
24:30: Constraints that support a healthy amount of ego
28:20: Brad’s personal challenges and supports in finding insight
34:00: Waiting to find meaning until after moving through a difficult change
39:15: Our perception of time slows during distress
41:25: Pounding a stone, and sticking with a process
45:55: Developing and retaining a sense of self-efficacy
49:20: Expecting discomfort
51:10: Turning hobbies into work, nurturing curiosity, and being a beginner
55:05: Values and perspectives
1:00:00: Shaking the snowglobe, then letting it settle
1:03:10: Five questions from Brad’s book to ask yourselves
1:04:15: Recap
Support the Podcast: We're now on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link.
Sponsors
Factor delivers fresh, never-frozen, fully prepared meals right to your door. Head to factormeals.com/beingwell50 and use code beingwell50 to get 50% off.
Body Electric is an interactive six-part podcast series from NPR that investigates how our relationship with technology is impacting our health. Listen wherever you get your podcasts!
Join over a million people using BetterHelp, the world’s largest online counseling platform. Visit betterhelp.com/beingwell for 10% off your first month!
Want to sleep better? Try the Calm app! Visit calm.com/beingwell for 40% off a premium subscription.
Finally get that project off the ground with Squarespace! Head to squarespace.com/beingwell for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch use coupon code BEINGWELL to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.
Connect with the show: