First Principles

First Principles

By Adrian WellsBusinessEducationSelf-Improvement
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First Principles episodes

  • Why Your Liver Is Fat (And How to Fix It in 30 Days)
    Your liver might be packing more fat than your waistline, and you'd never know it until it's too late. In this episode, Adrian Wells breaks down the hidden epidemic of fatty liver disease and reveals why your scale isn't telling the whole story about your metabolic health.
    Most people think calories in, calories out is the whole game. But insulin throws that rule book out the window because it's the master hormone controlling where every calorie ends up. Your liver can quietly store up to 10% of its weight as fat before you feel a single symptom, which means millions of people are walking around with fatty liver disease right now.
    🎯 What You'll Learn:
    • Why insulin can completely override the calories equation (and what this means for your diet)
    • The 30-day carb cycling strategy that helps drain liver fat naturally
    • How ketones produce 25% more energy than glucose with less inflammation
    • Why your body fights weight loss harder in fall and winter (evolutionary survival mode)
    👤 Perfect for: lifelong learners and anyone who's tried everything but can't seem to lose stubborn weight or boost their energy levels.
    📍 Chapters:
    [00:00] Adrian Wells introduces the fatty liver crisis hiding in plain sight
    [01:45] How insulin hijacks your metabolism
    [03:30] The liver's secret fat storage system
    [05:15] Why traditional dieting fails most people
    [07:00] Strategic carb management for liver health
    [09:30] The ketone advantage and energy production
    [11:00] Seasonal insulin resistance patterns
    This isn't about another fad diet. It's about understanding the actual mechanisms your body uses to store and burn fat so you can work with your biology instead of fighting it.
    🔔 Never miss an episode:
    Follow First Principles on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, your next favorite insight is one tap away.
    🔍 Topics: insulin resistance, fatty liver disease, metabolic health, ketones, carb cycling

    Find all episodes at First Principles

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    Keywords: business fundamentals, business strategy, behavioral economics

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    14 min
  • Your TikTok Addiction Is Rewiring Your Brain (Here's the Hidden Science)
    Ever check your TikTok "just for a minute" and emerge three hours later wondering where your brain went? Adrian Wells breaks down the actual neuroscience behind why these apps are so addictive, and it's not what you think. The real culprit isn't the content itself, it's how your dopamine system gets hijacked by anticipation.
    🎯 What You'll Learn:
    • Why your brain gets 50% less pleasure from normal activities after heavy social media use
    • The variable ratio reinforcement schedule that makes TikTok more addictive than slot machines
    • How decreased gray matter in your prefrontal cortex literally changes your impulse control
    • Simple strategies to reset your dopamine baseline without going full digital detox
    👤 Perfect for: anyone who's noticed their attention span shrinking or feels weirdly anxious when they can't check their phone
    📍 Chapters:
    [00:00] Adrian introduces the dopamine hijacking epidemic
    [01:45] Why anticipation beats reward every single time
    [03:30] The slot machine psychology built into your feed
    [05:15] What happens to your brain after heavy usage
    [07:00] Real evidence from neuroimaging studies
    [09:30] Practical reset strategies that actually work
    [11:00] How to enjoy technology without letting it rewire you
    This isn't another "phone bad" rant. It's a clear-eyed look at how these systems work so you can make informed choices about your own brain chemistry. Wells connects ancient philosophical ideas about pleasure and self-control with cutting-edge neuroscience research.
    🔔 Never miss an episode:
    Follow First Principles on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, your next favorite insight is one tap away.
    🔍 Topics: dopamine, TikTok addiction, brain science, attention span, social media psychology

    Find all episodes at First Principles

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    Keywords: relationship psychology, leadership psychology, anxiety management, first principles, logical reasoning, billionaire mindset

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    5 min
  • Poo Doctor Reveals: This Kitchen Spice Heals Gut Damage Better Than Medicine
    Your $5 gut health breakthrough is sitting in your spice rack right now. While pharmaceutical companies spend billions developing new treatments, gastroenterologists are quietly recommending a kitchen staple that outperforms many medications. In this episode, Adrian Wells breaks down the surprising science behind turmeric and why your gut bacteria might be the key to everything from immunity to mental clarity.
    🎯 What You'll Learn:
    • Why fecal transplants have a 90% success rate and what this reveals about gut restoration
    • How turmeric reduces inflammatory markers by 58% in clinical studies (and the right dosage)
    • The shocking way antibiotics devastate gut diversity for up to two years
    • Why your birth method still affects your health decades later
    👤 Perfect for: lifelong learners and anyone dealing with digestive issues, chronic inflammation, or just curious about the gut-brain connection that affects daily energy and mood.
    📍 Chapters:
    [00:00] Adrian Wells introduces the poo doctor's kitchen cure
    [01:45] Fecal transplants: gross but genius gut science
    [03:30] Turmeric's anti-inflammatory power vs. prescription drugs
    [05:15] How antibiotics wreck your microbiome
    [07:00] C-section births and lifelong bacterial differences
    [09:30] Practical dosing and what actually works
    [11:00] Simple steps to rebuild gut health today
    This isn't another wellness trend. It's evidence-based medicine using ingredients you probably already own. The gastroenterologist's approach strips away marketing hype to focus on what clinical research actually proves works.
    🔔 Never miss an episode:
    Follow First Principles on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, your next favorite insight is one tap away.
    🔍 Topics: gut health, turmeric benefits, microbiome restoration, anti-inflammatory foods, digestive wellness

    Find all episodes at First Principles

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    Keywords: thinking skills, cognitive biases, motivation psychology, personal development, health myths, productivity science, performance optimization, philosophy business

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    14 min
  • World's Top Psychologist: Why Your Anxiety Fix Is Making It Worse
    Your anxiety fix might be making everything worse. Dr. Julie Smith, one of the world's leading clinical psychologists, reveals why the most common mental health advice actually keeps you stuck in overthinking loops. Adrian Wells sits down with the expert who's helped millions break free from the anxiety traps that feel helpful but aren't.
    🎯 What You'll Learn:
    • Why people who ruminate are 4 times more likely to develop major depression (and how to spot if you're doing it)
    • The 47% rule: how much time your brain spends elsewhere and why that's actually hurting you
    • Why women ruminate twice as much as men, and the simple reframe that stops the cycle cold
    • The physical pain connection: how overthinking literally activates your brain's hurt centers
    👤 Perfect for: lifelong learners tired of anxiety advice that doesn't work and anyone ready to understand what actually helps versus what feels helpful.
    📍 Chapters:
    [00:00] Adrian introduces the anxiety paradox most people miss
    [01:45] Dr. Smith breaks down why rumination feels productive but isn't
    [04:20] The depression connection: 4x higher risk nobody talks about
    [06:50] Brain scans reveal: overthinking equals physical pain
    [09:10] Gender differences in anxiety patterns (this will surprise you)
    [11:30] Three evidence-based techniques you can use right now
    This isn't another "just think positive" episode. Dr. Smith brings actual research, real solutions, and the kind of clarity that only comes from working with thousands of patients. She's the psychologist other psychologists follow.
    🔔 Never miss an episode:
    Follow First Principles on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, your next breakthrough insight is one tap away.
    🔍 Topics: anxiety management, overthinking, clinical psychology, mental health, rumination

    Find all episodes at First Principles

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    Keywords: career advice, celebrity interviews, first principles, productivity science, fame psychology, success psychology, performance optimization

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    16 min
  • Donald Hoffman: Your Brain Is Lying To You (And Why That Keeps You Alive)
    Your brain is lying to you right now. As you read these words, you think you're seeing reality, but cognitive scientist Donald Hoffman has proof that what you perceive is nothing more than a survival-optimized illusion. In this eye-opening episode, Adrian Wells explores Hoffman's groundbreaking research on why seeing true reality would literally kill you.
    🎯 What You'll Learn:
    • Why evolution favored deception over truth in our perceptions (computer simulations prove it)
    • How we only see 0.0035% of the electromagnetic spectrum yet base our entire understanding on this tiny slice
    • The mathematical framework revealing that conscious agents, not physical particles, might be reality's foundation
    • Why general relativity and quantum mechanics completely break down at the Planck scale
    👤 Perfect for: lifelong learners and anyone ready to question everything they think they know about perception and reality.
    📍 Chapters:
    [00:00] Adrian Wells introduces the reality deception
    [01:45] Computer simulations: Why truth-seekers die out
    [04:20] The electromagnetic spectrum illusion we live in
    [06:50] Conscious agents as reality's building blocks
    [09:15] What this means for how you see the world
    [11:30] Key takeaways that will change your perspective
    This isn't just abstract philosophy. Hoffman's research has real implications for how you navigate decisions, relationships, and your understanding of consciousness itself. It's the kind of conversation that makes you question fundamental assumptions about existence.
    🔔 Never miss an episode:
    Follow First Principles on your podcast app and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, and your next mind-bending insight is just one tap away.
    🔍 Topics: cognitive science, perception, consciousness, evolution, reality, Donald Hoffman

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    Keywords: relationship psychology, thinking skills, fame psychology, performance optimization, philosophy business, productivity science

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    15 min
  • Why Your Brain Shuts Down at 10am (And How to Fix It)
    Your brain starts shutting down around 10am every single day, and most people have no idea why. Adrian Wells breaks down Dr. Joe Dispenza's research on morning neuroplasticity and the specific meditation practice that could rewire your brain before your cortisol crashes.
    🎯 What You'll Learn:
    • Why your cortisol peaks at 8-9am create a perfect window for brain rewiring
    • The theta wave advantage your brain has in the first 2 hours after waking
    • How 7-day meditation retreats literally changed participants' gene expression
    • The exact morning practice that increases gray matter in learning and memory centers
    👤 Perfect for: lifelong learners and anyone who wants to understand how their brain actually works (and how to make it work better).
    📍 Chapters:
    [00:00] Adrian introduces the 10am brain shutdown phenomenon
    [01:30] Cortisol timing: your natural neuroplasticity window
    [04:00] What brain scans reveal about morning meditation
    [07:00] Dr. Dispenza's gene expression research results
    [10:00] The specific practice and why timing matters
    [12:00] How to start tomorrow (even if you hate meditating)
    This isn't about mystical morning routines or productivity hacks. It's about understanding the actual biology of when your brain is most changeable and what to do about it. Dispenza's studies show measurable changes in brain structure after consistent morning practice, but only if you hit that pre-10am window.
    🔔 Never miss an episode:
    Follow First Principles on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, your next favorite insight is one tap away.
    🔍 Topics: neuroplasticity, cortisol levels, meditation science, brain waves, gene expression

    Find all episodes at First Principles

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    Keywords: decision making, critical thinking podcast, social media addiction, motivation psychology

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    25 min
  • Why Shopify's President Invests Like He's Broke (Genius Strategy Inside)
    What if Shopify's president could teach you to retire comfortably for the price of your daily Starbucks run? Sounds impossible, but the math checks out. In this episode, Adrian Wells breaks down the exact investing strategy and mindset that turns pocket change into life-changing wealth.
    🎯 What You'll Learn:
    • How $5 a day (what most people spend on coffee) becomes $1 million with compound interest
    • Why Shopify's explosive growth from $24M to $7B reveals the power of thinking like an owner
    • The 7-income-stream formula millionaires actually use (and which one matters most)
    👤 Perfect for: lifelong learners and anyone who thinks building wealth requires big money to start.
    📍 Chapters:
    [00:00] Adrian Wells reveals the Starbucks millionaire formula
    [01:45] The shocking coffee vs. stock ownership statistics
    [03:30] How Shopify's president thinks about money differently
    [05:15] Why most people fail at consistent investing
    [07:00] The 7-stream income strategy that actually works
    [09:30] Your first step: making $5 matter more than your latte
    [11:00] Key takeaways you can start using today
    Here's the thing nobody talks about: Americans spend $1,100 yearly on coffee but only 55% own any stocks. That's not a money problem. That's a priority problem. The strategies Wells shares aren't complicated, but they require the kind of clear thinking that separates wealth builders from wealth wishers.
    This isn't about living like a monk or eating ramen for decades. It's about understanding how small, smart moves compound into big results. The same principles that built Shopify into a $7 billion company work at your kitchen table too.
    🔔 Never miss an episode:
    Follow First Principles on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, your next favorite insight is one tap away.
    🔍 Topics: investing, compound interest, millionaire mindset, Shopify strategy, wealth building

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    Keywords: behavioral economics, fame psychology, performance optimization, wealth mindset, ai dangers, philosophy business

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    43 min
  • The $500M Gamble: How Red Bull Racing Beat Ferrari and Mercedes at Their Own Game
    What if F1's youngest team principal cracked the code that Ferrari and Mercedes couldn't? At just 31, Christian Horner took over Red Bull Racing when they were F1 newcomers spending maybe $100 million a year. Today, Adrian Wells breaks down how Horner built a $300+ million operation that's dominated the sport for over a decade.
    🎯 What You'll Learn:
    • Why Horner bet everything on an 18-year-old Max Verstappen when other teams passed
    • The strategic thinking behind Red Bull's four straight championships (2010-2013)
    • How to spot talent others miss and build winning teams from scratch
    👤 Perfect for: lifelong learners and anyone passionate about personal growth who wants to understand how strategic vision beats bigger budgets.
    📍 Chapters:
    [00:00] Adrian Wells introduces the Red Bull Racing transformation
    [01:45] How Horner became F1's youngest team principal at 31
    [03:30] The $200 million gamble that changed everything
    [05:15] Why he chose Verstappen over proven champions
    [07:00] Building a championship culture in a party brand
    [09:30] What Ferrari and Mercedes got wrong that Red Bull got right
    [11:00] Key takeaways for building your own winning strategy
    The guy turned energy drink marketing into racing excellence. Pretty wild when you think about it.
    🔔 Never miss an episode:
    Follow First Principles on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, your next favorite insight is one tap away.
    🔍 Topics: Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing, F1 strategy, team leadership, Max Verstappen

    Find all episodes at First Principles

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    Keywords: success psychology, billionaire mindset, business strategy, entrepreneurship philosophy, mental health celebrities

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    41 min
  • Why Gavin Newsom's Dyslexia Makes Him the Perfect President for 2028
    Could Gavin Newsom's biggest weakness actually be his greatest presidential strength? Adrian Wells breaks down how the California governor's dyslexia and childhood trauma shaped a political style that might be exactly what America needs in 2028. Spoiler: it's not what you'd expect.
    The numbers tell a wild story. Newsom survived a brutal 2021 recall with 61.9% of voters backing him, but his path there was anything but smooth. Born with severe dyslexia, he couldn't read until age 5. Add an absent father and a working single mom, and you've got the recipe for either complete failure or something pretty extraordinary.
    🎯 What You'll Learn:
    • Why Newsom's learning disability gives him a unique edge in high-pressure political moments
    • The 2004 same-sex marriage gamble that defined his career (and broke federal law)
    • How childhood abandonment issues actually make politicians more effective leaders
    • The real reason California voters chose to keep him despite massive national pressure
    👤 Perfect for: lifelong learners and anyone curious about how personal struggles shape public figures.
    📍 Chapters:
    [00:00] Adrian Wells introduces the dyslexia advantage
    [01:30] The reading struggle that lasted until kindergarten
    [04:00] How an absent father created a risk-taking politician
    [07:00] The San Francisco marriage move that changed everything
    [10:00] Why trauma-informed leadership works in crisis moments
    [12:00] What this means for 2028 and beyond
    Here's what's fascinating: most presidential candidates try to hide their weaknesses. Newsom's entire political brand is built on his. That's either genius or completely insane, and honestly, it might be both.
    🔔 Never miss an episode:
    Follow First Principles on Apple Podcasts and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, your next favorite insight is one tap away.
    🔍 Topics: Gavin Newsom, dyslexia leadership, 2028 presidential election, California politics, trauma-informed governance

    Find all episodes at First Principles

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    Keywords: depression stories, business strategy, motivation psychology, first principles, logical reasoning, career advice

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    15 min
  • Nischa Shah: Why Buying a House is the Biggest Lie Banks Tell You
    What if everything you've been told about buying a house is keeping you broke? Adrian Wells sits down with investment banker turned wealth strategist Nischa Shah, who built $200K in passive income without falling for the property trap that's crushing an entire generation.
    🎯 What You'll Learn:
    • The 652510 rule: Shah's exact framework that works regardless of your starting income
    • Why the average house deposit now takes 7+ years to save (and what banks don't want you knowing)
    • How investment bankers actually think about wealth building vs. what they sell to regular people
    • Three passive income streams you can start building today without massive debt
    👤 Perfect for: lifelong learners tired of getting the same financial advice that only worked for their parents' generation.
    📍 Chapters:
    [00:00] Adrian Wells introduces the housing lie everyone believes
    [02:15] Nischa Shah's background: from investment banking to financial freedom
    [04:30] Why property investment became a wealth trap for millennials
    [07:45] The 652510 rule explained: your step-by-step roadmap
    [09:30] Three passive income alternatives to property
    [11:15] How to start building wealth with what you have right now
    Shah's approach flips conventional wisdom on its head. Instead of stretching yourself thin for a mortgage that'll own you for 30 years, she shows you how wealthy people actually think about money. It's not about property at any cost. It's about cash flow that works while you sleep.
    The numbers don't lie: house prices have outpaced income growth by 400% in major markets. The old playbook is broken. But Shah's alternative isn't some get-rich-quick scheme. It's a methodical approach based on how investment professionals build real wealth.
    🔔 Never miss an episode:
    Follow First Principles on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, your next breakthrough insight is one tap away.
    🔍 Topics: passive income, property investment, wealth building, investment banking, financial freedom

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    Keywords: first principles, philosophy business, performance optimization

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    14 min

About First Principles

From the publisher's feed

First Principles isn't another business podcast recycling the same startup stories. Adrian Wells takes the fundamentals that actually matter and breaks them down like you're having coffee with the smartest professor you ever had.