In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl breaks down one of the most important ideas in decision-making: the difference between simple, complicated, and complex systems. He explains why mislabeling the terrain you’re navigating—whether in markets, mountains, creative work, or relationships—leads to using the wrong tools and taking the wrong risks. Through stories ranging from bestselling authors to early climbing mistakes, Carl shows why checklists fail in complex environments, why expertise can become a liability, and why navigating uncertainty requires experiments, awareness, and reducing exposure. A foundational lesson in seeing the world as it really is.

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