Actually, You Can

Actually, You Can

By Bryce PetersonEducationSelf-Improvement
Download on the App Store

Actually, You Can episodes

  • 77. Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: The Power of Questions
    With the seemingly sudden rise of AI into the limelight, it almost feels as though we have a magic mirror that we can speak to and it will show us anything we want to see. Wait - that’s essentially what it is. Did you know your brain can do this too? It’s been there our entire life doing this very thing. In this episode I want to offer a more than subtle reminder that our brains provide precisely what we ask for. It’s time to start asking it far more worthy questions.
    16 min
  • 75. Hybrid Theory
    If you’re like me, you’ve burned more than a few brain cells while trying to unravel the mysteries of the universe. One of the most interesting and ongoing debates in human rhetoric is between the Naturalists and Creationists. It seems we’re left with choosing one or the other. But what if they’re both right? I submit they are.
    25 min
  • 74. What Do You Mean?

    Have you ever been captivated by a poem written by AI? Felt empathy for a character crafted by algorithms? Chances are, your brain's meaning-making engine is purring. In this podcast, we dive into the fascinating world of how we, as humans, find meaning in everything, even the artificial.

    We'll explore why a string of text, generated by silicon and wires, can trigger emotions and resonate with our inner worlds.

    We'll also delve into the power we hold as interpreters, and why we should ask ourselves why we feel compelled to watch so many videos on the internet.

    More: brycepeterson.com

    13 min
  • 73. Primal Tension

    I coach Latter-day Saint fathers on identifying, navigating, and overcoming Primal Tension - namely the earthly force of nature that's always stood between us and our honorable aspirations.
    Is an even more amazing marriage possible? Who doesn't want that?!
    What about confidently advancing our careers through our depth of knowledge and more consistent action? Sign me up!
    A stronger connection with our kids? Yes, please.
    How about forging a more tried and true testimony of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ? Of course, we desire this.
    The question is, can we overcome the apathy, criticism, and boredom that consistently stand to thwart our best laid plans, and the honest desires of our hearts?
    Every time, Primal Tension is what makes these pursuits challenging, and at times, seemingly unattainable.
    Primal Tension is a fundamental dynamic to understand. We might call it the 'natural man', or carnal desires. As I explain it, some may be inclined to group it into the concept of temptation. However we want to look at it, it's always been our greatest opponent. The seeds of Primal Tension live within us. And while we sojourn through our mortal journey, they will ever be our companion.
    Not to dismay or fear. Just simply becoming aware of Primal Tension is a major step forward for all of us.

    23 min
  • 72. Interested Over Interesting
    Do you ever worry that you’re not interesting enough to other people? Well, here’s the thing. It’s far more valuable to be interested in others than it is to strive to be interesting. Here are a few reasons why:
    **1. Connection and rapport:** By focusing on others and their interests, you create a sense of connection and rapport. People appreciate genuine curiosity and openness. Asking questions, actively listening, and showing sincere interest in their lives makes them feel valued and heard. This fosters deeper relationships and builds trust.
    **2. Learning and growth:** Being interested in others opens you up to new perspectives, experiences, and knowledge. You learn about different cultures, thoughts, and ways of life. This broadens your own understanding of the world and helps you grow as a person.
    **3. Natural magnetism:** When you're genuinely interested in others, your enthusiasm and curiosity become infectious. People are drawn to those who show interest in them, making you naturally more engaging and magnetic.
    **4. Sustainable relationships:** Striving to be interesting can feel like a performance, exhausting to maintain. It can also focus the relationship on you, making it one-sided. On the other hand, genuine interest creates a natural flow in the relationship. Both individuals actively contribute, making it more sustainable and mutually rewarding.
    **5. Personal fulfillment:** Helping others, offering support, and learning about their stories can be incredibly fulfilling. Being interested in others allows you to contribute positively to their lives, finding your own sense of purpose and meaning.
    Of course, being interesting can still be valuable. Having unique experiences, hobbies, or skills can spark conversations and draw people in. However, it should be a natural extension of who you are, not a fabricated persona.
    Ultimately, the most valuable quality you can bring to any interaction is a genuine interest in others. This fosters connection, learning, and personal fulfillment, leading to richer and more meaningful relationships in all aspects of life.
    Remember, the paradox is that the more interested you are in others, the more interesting you yourself become. People are naturally drawn to those who show them genuine interest, and they will find your own experiences and perspective fascinating in return.
    14 min
  • 71. The Stature of Our Systems

    One of the most fundamental truths we can ever learn in this world is this: "We do not rise to the level of our goals; we sink to the stature of our systems." - James Clear (author of Atomic Habits)


    It is through our repeated actions (driven by our thoughts and accompanying emotions) that we can truly move the needle of progress and improvement in our lives. No one explains better how to improve habit formation that James Clear (trust me - I've read a lot of self-help books).

    Another rather fascinating book I cite in this episode is The Millionaire Fast Lane (by MJ DeMarco). This is a rather candid look into human nature in general, and how to break free of being bound by the lower brain. He speaks a lot about how humans are mesmerized by perceived grand outcomes, but ultimately disenchanted by the work it takes to produce them.

    I'm going to be ready at the beginning of February to take on ten people to go through my new Undaunted coaching program (for free, as you'll be the first ten people I've ever worked with). It will be a great opportunity for the program to gain some traction and provide invaluable experience to me as a new coach for Latter-day Saint dads.

    18 min
  • 70. Behold, the Drama Triangle

    Do you ever feel like the outside world is reigning blows down upon you - that you're a powerless victim in need of rescuing? Psychiatrist Dr. Stephen Karpman articulated a paradigm called the Drama Triangle, in which he describes this very scenario. He seemed to notice this drama playing out, in varying magnitudes, in virtually every single one of his patients - and everyone else as well.

    As we come to awareness of this dynamic, we can start to better understand the underpinnings to our default behaviors, and navigate more useful ways through life.

    I highly recommend you read The Empowerment Dynamic, which can be found via the link below:

    The Empowerment Dynamic (David Emerald)

    More valuable content about how to better manage your mind can be found at BrycePeterson.com

    18 min
  • 69. Play Some More

    What can Chinese Checkers teach us about life? Turns out, quite a bit!

    In this episode I reflect on some insights I gained from playing one of my favorite childhood games.

    19 min
  • 68. Christmas When?

    Remember that song from The Forgotten Carols "I Cry the Day I Take the Tree Down"? We sometimes feel a little gloomy when Christmas is over, but why is that? It's as if it's something that floats into our lives like a flock of birds, and then leaves.

    As I've come to learn from a friend of mine, Christmas happens in our heads. It's not the day itself, or the weeks leading up to it. He knows because he celebrated it with his family a different day this year. And you know what? It felt exactly the same to them as it has in years prior when the celebrated on the designated calendar day.

    What this means it we get to decide when we want to feel and experience the Christmas spirit. It can be any time, any place!

    19 min

About Actually, You Can

From the publisher's feed

In the spirit of thought leaders like Brooke Castillo, Jody Moore, and Kain Ramsay, Bryce Peterson brings the message of CTFAR (Circumstances Thoughts Feelings Action Results) and Core Identity to…