Flow Radio

Afterthoughts: How Art and AI Unlock Human Potential


Listen Later

Believe the hype—art can transform your life.In this episode of Flow Radio, hosts Steven Kotler, Dr. Michael Mannino, and Ryan Wickes explore the powerful connections between creativity, longevity, and the future of human-AI collaboration.

Tune in for a fresh look at how an “aesthetic mindset” influences aging, cognitive health, and the amount of flow in your life.

Plus, get the low down on how partnering with AI can boost your creative potential far beyond a run-of-the-mill brainstorm.

This is a must-listen for anyone wanting practical tips to lead a happier, healthier, and more creative life. 

Join the discussion by leaving your questions for future Afterthoughts episodes in the comments.


In This Episode:

01:36 Art vs. Altruism

04:06 Creativity and Longevity

06:19 The Role of AI in Future Jobs 

11:10 Wisdom and Creativity as We Age

17:32 Brain Damage and Creativity

28:27 Hacking Creativity with Daydreaming35:12 Microflow and Daily Art Practice

42:08 Can AI Be Truly Creative?


About The Guest:

Steven Kotler is a New York Times-bestselling author, an award-winning journalist, and the co-founder and executive director of the Flow Research Collective. He is one of the world’s leading experts on human performance. He is the author of eleven bestsellers (out of fourteen books), including The Art of Impossible, The Future is Faster Than You Think, Stealing Fire, The Rise of Superman, Bold and Abundance. His work has been nominated for three Pulitzer Prizes, translated into over sixty languages, and has appeared in over 110 publications, including academic journals such as Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews and Psychophysiology, and mainstream publications like The New York Times Magazine, Wired, Atlantic Monthly, Wall Street Journal, TIME, and the Harvard Business Review.

Dr. Michael Mannino is the Director of Programs at the University of Miami's Institute for Data Science and Computing, focusing on AI projects across various domains. He holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience and a Master’s in philosophy, with expertise in embodied cognition, critical thinking, and the philosophy of mind. As a professor of philosophy and ethics for over a decade, Michael integrates his academic background with a passion for peak performance, flow science, and the mind-body connection. He is also an athlete, musician, and avid learner, and serves on the Singularity University Miami Chapter.


Episode Resources:

  • Book: Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross

  • Book: The Mature Mind: The Positive Power of the Aging Brain by Gene Cohen

  • Book: The Wisdom Paradox: How Your Mind Can Grow Stronger As Your Brain Grows Older by Elkhonon Goldberg

  • Article: Eric Kandel’s Research on Aesthetic Experience

  • Podcast: John Kounios on Mood and Creativity 


  • Flow Radio Is Presented By Flow Research Collective

    Flow Research Collective is a leading neuroscience research and training company. If you’re interested in learning the science-backed techniques we used to train top executives at Facebook, Audi and even the Navy SEALs, click the link here: https://www.flowresearchcollective.com/zero-to-dangerous/overview⁠⁠

    Follow Flow Research Collective:

    YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@flowresearchcollective⁠

    Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/flowresearchcollective⁠

    LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/flowresearchcollective⁠

    X: ⁠https://twitter.com/thefrc_official⁠

    Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/flowresearchcollective⁠

    Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6RQY0d5rdlEiinHEtfWy6A⁠

    Website: ⁠https://www.flowresearchcollective.com

    Flow Research Collective was founded by Steven Kotler, one of the world’s leading experts on human peak performance. He is an award-winning journalist and author with over ten bestselling books.

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Flow RadioBy Flow Research Collective

    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7

    4.7

    163 ratings


    More shows like Flow Radio

    View all
    Hidden Brain by Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam

    Hidden Brain

    43,592 Listeners

    The Knowledge Project by Shane Parrish

    The Knowledge Project

    2,686 Listeners

    The Art of Manliness by The Art of Manliness

    The Art of Manliness

    14,276 Listeners

    Duncan Trussell Family Hour by Duncan Trussell Family Hour

    Duncan Trussell Family Hour

    10,481 Listeners

    The Rich Roll Podcast by Rich Roll

    The Rich Roll Podcast

    11,882 Listeners

    The School of Greatness by Lewis Howes

    The School of Greatness

    21,215 Listeners

    The Tom Woods Show by Tom Woods

    The Tom Woods Show

    3,368 Listeners

    The Tony Robbins Podcast by Tony Robbins

    The Tony Robbins Podcast

    6,374 Listeners

    The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett by DOAC

    The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

    8,494 Listeners

    Maxwell Leadership Executive Podcast by John Maxwell

    Maxwell Leadership Executive Podcast

    379 Listeners

    On Purpose with Jay Shetty by iHeartPodcasts

    On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    27,467 Listeners

    The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway by Vox Media Podcast Network

    The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway

    5,552 Listeners

    All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg by All-In Podcast, LLC

    All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg

    9,904 Listeners

    Huberman Lab by Scicomm Media

    Huberman Lab

    29,154 Listeners

    The AI Daily Brief: Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis by Nathaniel Whittemore

    The AI Daily Brief: Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis

    608 Listeners