Sitting In

Sitting In Podcast | Ep. 031 - Dr. Chris Ferguson | Dr. Chris Ferguson is a psychology professor, expert on "moral panics", and author of Catastrophe!: How Psychology Explains Why Good People Make Bad Situations Worse

In recent years, social media has been labeled as a primary reason for many of the ills we've seen increasing among young people: depression, anxiety, and self-harm. But, does the data actually illustrate a causal link? It's good to be concerned about potential bad impacts of a phenomenon, but what happens if that goes too far?

In today's episode, you can expect to learn:

- What a Moral Panic actually is

- Why social media's impact on youth mental health might be overstated

- What an "ecological fallacy" is

- How we can start to improve the challenges facing young men

and much more!

Check out Dr. Ferguson's work on his Substack, and his books on Amazon and other retailers:

Substack:

https://grimoiremanor.substack.com/

Catastrophe:

https://www.amazon.com/Catastrophe-Psychology-Explains-People-Situations/dp/1633887952/ref=sr_1_1?crid=V5TFBSN061H1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.46ldyDubuSjK06G4qUS0HfForO-oN6B3ALZw7YILoEwF8ScY8n8_88pzg-FUIey6iogaJ88zei4lmUaFG-1Zfq0GtdJ_AwYG_RfxLlDcgm_WBW27jispWenVJamSbN5yZB7Ecst42LWKRYPnQ3x5i7WL21DzxKa5UfY9lls7NXcqgz4xTsnf-bgdGwS_bg1WnsndYBahIlaElFSeiwd3061-ULwHZPHTOw90ttk3dyc.P93ZzT-E9Uu_qDtdC2YI0gkNnHLRLLnKetxIjtknCCY&dib_tag=se&keywords=catastrophe+ferguson&qid=1790176261&sprefix=catastrophe+ferguson%2Caps%2C186&sr=8-1

Secrets of Grimoire Manor:

https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Grimoire-Manor-Christopher-Ferguson/dp/1509255990/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3T2CF8X769NVN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.acvO_vL_5CreZm8PXx2Ef9ulUIZcTUettDdEaqK-QAwNoM6PIwSnd9AZsvooUvDMwAN8PAuiBo0IBbstRbrz6X1j_G-LohWmEG0YAkMTfTd3Sp2KS8RdPoGWRWO3u-kIGHa5xEYG68_a-2LMw-2M5FiRO4g8iG32qFEyFlWNMZuGsCTlAvwr7NfuIVgAxv0d8_-b_p7wxORYSvl6eNSZZSAzE4z_QHf9ZpPtQamHtVY.wNdoz0VvxKqqXx_ghKuY4t-h6oSpB7esXWlUitOICMQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+secrets+of+grimoire+manor&qid=1790176290&sprefix=the+secrets+of+grimoire+manor%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-1

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00:00 Intro

00:46 What is a "Moral Panic"?

01:46 Who is actually pushing these panics?

02:48 A few examples

06:31 The difference between real concern and a moral panic

08:35 Appearance vs intent

09:17 How do you tell if you're in a moral panic? (the danger of "statistically significant" effects)

10:12 Examples of misleading science and other signs of a moral panic

13:31 What is a time Chris changed his mind?

16:48 Just how easy is it to misrepresent statistics?

19:08 More examples!

20:26 How do we "get ahead of the curve" without causing a moral panic? (The Precautionary Principle)

28:51 How does bad science actually end up happening?

32:22 Pre-publishing research methods (pre-registering)

34:12 Comparing the moral panic about Video Games vs Social Media

35:34 Youth mental health is improving? (analyzing Australian data)

41:08 Ecological fallacies (with some funny examples)

42:58 The Social Media problem 'FEELS' really true... why doesn't the data align?

44:29 Why does it 'feel' bad?

48:25 Do the Europeans actually have it right? (the French)

49:28 Is America becoming more European?

52:17 What are psychologists misunderstanding about young men?

54:50 Education favors female behaviors

01:00:30 What can parents do to help children grow into men?

01:04:50 What can a 20 year old do to help themselves?

01:07:58 Mentorship, honoring your mother and father

01:09:41 Another perspective on the social media problem

01:14:19 Short form content's effect on polarization/misinformation

01:16:40 Not all universities are overrun by extreme left-leaning beliefs!

01:19:17 A discussion on Columbus Day

01:21:24 What would Chris beg a young person to do sooner than he did?

Sitting In Podcast | Ep. 030 - Dr. Robert Coplan | Dr. Robert Coplan is a published Solitude researcher, a professor, and author of The Joy of Solitude - How to Reconnect with Yourself in an Overconnected World.

The modern world is more connected than ever before and changing in ways we could never have imagine 10 years ago, let alone 100 years ago. In the midst of this connection is a distinct loss of time spent purposely disconnected, which Dr. Coplan has dedicated his career to studying.

In today's episode, you can expect to learn:

- What Solitude means and how it's different from loneliness, isolation, or ostracism

- Why letting your mind wander can be a surprisingly powerful exercise

- What it means to actually be alone in 2026

- How to combat "Social Snacking"

and much more!

Check out Dr. Coplan's work on his website, https://robertcoplan.com/ and his book "The Joy of Solitude": https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Joy-of-Solitude/Robert-J-Coplan/9781668053423Please double check that you're subscribed, have liked this video, and shared it with someone! Also, leave a comment with your thoughts down below. Those are the best ways to help this show grow. Thank you!

00:00 Intro

00:35 Why Should we Care about Solitude?

01:53 What even are Ostracism, Isolation, Loneliness, and Solitude?

06:15 What about Solitude as a side effect of other choices?

09:44 How to Start Reframing Isolation into Solitude

11:39 Society is pushing for imbalance - so what do we do?

13:18 Practical Advice #1: Keep a log of your alone time

14:19 Creativity and Solitude (the isolated "mad genius")

16:12 Don't let solitude disappear when you get busy!

17:35 Meditation isn't the ONLY way

18:54 Austin's experimentation in solitude

21:17 Being "onstage" vs "offstage"

23:43 Dr. Coplan's favorite way to experience solitude

24:06 "Hard" vs "Soft" Fascination

25:14 Mind wandering research - powerful tool for creativity and productivity!

27:11 Why is there such a stigma around solitude?

28:47 The importance of communication surrounding solitude

30:31 Introversion vs Extraversion when it comes to solitude

33:58 Specific research on introverts vs extraverts experiencing solitude

34:41 Dr. Coplan's response

35:50 You can easily change the way you experience solitude

38:05 Solitude is like a skill! (you have to train those "muscles")

39:47 Solitude as an "intervention"

40:27 What does it mean to actually be "Alone" today?

42:20 Technology can actually help solitude!

43:41 The harms of "Social Snacking"

46:06 What Happens when we combine these ideas?

49:05 Dr. Coplan's thoughts on Arthur Brooks' recent "boredom" PSA. Is "boredom" a good reframe for solitude?

51:09 Is there a metric like Heart Rate Variability for measuring Solitude?

54:58 Isolation Entropy

57:37 Dr. Coplan's Thoughts on Isolation Entropy

1:01:01 Another metaphor for isolation entropy

1:02:37 Third Spaces and the impact on solitude

1:06:00 Why are we so bad at predicting how social interactions will go?

1:08:07 Who is Dr. Coplan's favorite historical author regarding solitude?

1:10:55 What would Dr. Coplan beg a young person to figure out sooner than he did?

1:14:45 Find more of Dr. Coplan's Stuff!

Sitting In Podcast | Ep. 029 - Dr. Matthew Wilson | Dr. Matthew Wilson is a published Political Scientist and a professor at Southern Methodist University (SMU) where he directs the Center for Faith and Learning.

In today's episode, you can expect to learn:

- Whether political beliefs are actually rational

- What "motivated reasoning" is and its impact on society

- The modern interaction between religion and politics

- The way our founding fathers said we should relate to government

and much more!

Please double check that you're subscribed, have liked this video, and shared it with someone! Also, leave a comment with your thoughts down below. Those are the best ways to help this show grow. Thank you!

00:00 Intro

00:39 Are our political beliefs actually rational?

02:31 Is identity politics new?

03:57 Misunderstandings about why we hold our beliefs

06:20 Is it bad to trust a politician implicitly?

10:17 People actually vote against their best interests

12:29 What's The Matter with Kansas?

15:27 Motivated Reasoning

18:05 The Group Dynamics of opinions

19:22 Social Media's impact on echochambers

20:07 Religion Influencing Politics or Politics Influencing Religion?

23:20 Other partisan bridges besides religion?

25:33 The decline of the "American community" and what a good community means.

27:21 Politics shaping relationships

29:21 Long-Term Polling and Political Division

32:52 Getting Kids Involved in Politics? Why does the Left do it more?

33:45 The role of "faith" in these trends

35:49 What can we do to reduce polarization?

37:50 Younger Gen Z appears to be more skeptical of social media

40:49 Resisting the trap of motivated reasoning

43:45 How to understand credible sources in the age of declining media trust?

48:32 Does studying psychology affect Dr. Wilson's personal trust in Democracy?

51:03 The ideal form of government (given our human limitations)

52:46 The Two things the founding fathers would have said are required for a successful democracy

54:20 What should someone understand before "choosing a side"?

55:34 Is a deep understanding of a few issues enough?

56:38 What would Dr. Wilson beg a young person to do sooner than he did?

59:00 Find more of Dr. Wilson's stuff!

Sitting In Podcast | Ep. 028 - Dr. Thuy-vy Nguyen | Dr. Thuy-vy Nguyen has a PhD in Social Psychology, extensive research regarding Solitude and Isolation, and coined the term "Deactivation Effect" in cognitive psychology.

In today's episode, you can expect to learn:

- Why solitude is a space for regulation and refreshment

- The differences between the US and the UK when it comes to solitude

- What a "third space" is and why they're so important

- How to encourage your friends into and out of solitude

and much more!

Check out Dr. Nguyen's website:

https://www.thuyvytnguyen.com/home

and her lab's website: www.solitude-lab.com

Please double check that you're subscribed, have liked this video, and shared it with someone! Also, leave a comment with your thoughts down below. Those are the best ways to help this show grow. Thank you!

00:00 Intro

00:41 Solitude as a space for refreshment and regulation

02:26 Solitude vs. isolation vs. loneliness

05:56 Lived experience and personal science

07:49 Psychology is like cooking

08:19 U.S. vs. U.K. Solitude differences

12:35 NHS organizing free activities for public health

16:13 How many hours does it take to become a close friend?

19:57 The proximity principle

22:26 Religious spaces as third spaces

25:28 Men vs. women, differences in social connection

28:17 Fight-or-flight vs. tend-and-befriend

31:08 Self-reliance and independence: good and bad

36:06 Life transitions and maintaining connections

40:14 Socioemotional selection theory

47:00 Nature as a third space

51:00 Isolation entropy

54:40 Thuy-vy's response

56:46 Isolation lineraly decreases energy levels

1:00:00 Removing social stimulation removes structure?

1:07:07 How to get out of a low-energy state

1:08:54 Men vs. women recovering from a low-energy state

1:11:54 Encouraging people to reconnect after solitude

1:13:11 Knowing how your friends need support

1:20:41 Thuy-vy's encouragement to young people

1:24:13 Find more of Thuy-vy's work!

Sitting In podcast | Ep. 27 - Dr. Tracy Brower | Dr. Tracy Brower has a PhD in Sociology and extensive writing and professional experience in workplace insights, building meaningful relationships, and the nuances of friendship and connection.

In today's episode, you can expect to learn:

- Why friendship is such a broad term - and what it really means

- How young men have such a different pattern of friendship than women

- The 7 Pillars of Friendship (and the two most important ones)

- How to use the Johari Window to improve your relationships

and much more!

Check out Dr. Brower's website: tracybrower.com

and her new book, Critical Connections: https://www.amazon.com/Critical-Connections-Relationships-Harness-Community/dp/1394362269/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XEXBma-Ycak5-dIEhNv8Qw.nj1uReb9Ux4ayjIpuAVEl2GNw0YrR6_JbuJ5e0rj4yo&qid=1787004975&sr=1-1

Please double check that you're subscribed, have liked this video, and shared it with someone! Also, leave a comment with your thoughts down below. Those are the best ways to help this show grow. Thank you!

00:00 Intro

00:23 Friendship is more important than you think

01:44 Why is 'friendship' such a broad term?

03:47 Why do young men have such different friendship patterns than women?

05:40 How to break out of negative social cycles

06:54 Is introversion actually the driver for less social interaction?

09:35 The perception gap of friendship

11:47 The 7 Pillars of Friendship

14:42 Work Besties and Loving your Coworkers?

17:40 Concentric Circles of Relationships (Robin Dunbar's research)

20:07 Check out Critical Connections (book) and "Connecting the Dots", Dr. Brower's Newsletter

20:52 Are any of the 7 Pillars more important than others?

26:16 The impact of nature on long-term life results

28:17 Boy Scouts and similar other leadership organizations

33:01 Do online and AI relationships work? (Reality is Broken?)

40:41 Why can work be a powerful place to develop social interaction?

43:46 The role of self-awareness in relationships (it's huge!)

48:32 The Johari Window (practical application of self-awareness training)

51:02 Courage and Vulnerability

52:49 Courage is like a wall (and you have to climb over it)

55:13 What should a young person do or learn sooner than they think is normal?

Sitting In Podcast | Ep. 026 - Luke Detraz | Luke Detraz is a pastor at Oasis Community Church in Arizona, a husband, a father, and an author. His book, The War for Men, details personal stories, practical advice, and encouragement to slow down and resolve the war inside.

In today's episode, you can expect to learn:

- Why the restaurant industry and ministry are more similar than you'd expect

- Luke's take on why young men are struggling so badly today and a few ways to start fixing it

- Why people are like filing cabinets

- What makes "humility" like a dam

and much more!

Please double check that you're subscribed, have liked this video, and shared it with someone! Also, leave a comment with your thoughts down below. Those are the best ways to help this show grow. Thank you!

00:00 Intro - Luke Detraz

00:20 How Different is the restaurant industry than pastoral ministry?

02:30 Bartending vs Pastoring a Church

04:13 Why are young men struggling so badly today?

07:37 You can't tame a man, only break him

10:23 People are like hard drives (or filing cabinets)

12:26 Why is porn like drinking saltwater?

15:04 The modern world gets the male/female relationship wrong

20:30 Being a Creator, not a Consumer

22:22 Be the light of the world

24:51 Downfall doesn't arrive with a bang

27:56 You have a purpose and a role (and it's specific!)

29:42 Advice to better hear the Holy Spirit in your life

33:44 Obedience is super unpopular... why?

36:44 Humility is like a dam

38:03 The Worst Year of Luke's Life

45:23 Reflecting on The Worst Year of your Life (Weak Foundations)

48:50 No wasted seasons

52:04 Society's version of a 'real man'

53:50 The sneaky way(s) men get tricked into thinking they're a real man

55:43 Isolation vs Solitude

01:01:17 Dedicating Time to 'Not Me'

01:06:29 What would Luke beg a young person to do differently if they were about to live a life very similar to his?

David Nichols is a Christian, a husband, and the owner (with his wife) of CrossFit Flower Mound. He's ran the gym since 2008, and has learned what it takes to grow a business, teach people how to live healthier lives, and manage the difficulties of all types of relationships.

In this episode, you can expect to learn:

- Why David's life is like a roundabout

- Whether patience and passivity are similar

- The importance of the dinner table

and much, much, more!

Check out CrossFit Flower Mound at crossfitflowermound.com and @cfflowermound on Instagram!

Please double check that you're subscribed, have liked this video, and shared it with someone! Also, leave a comment with your thoughts down below. Those are the best ways to help this show grow. Thank you!

00:00 Opportunities are the backbone of a healthy perspective

02:29 What does opportunity mean?

03:52 Coaching youth baseball as a vehicle to inspire growth

05:28 Foolishness can become a life lesson with the right guidance

17:02 1X10 doesn't equal 10X1... 2+2=4 isn't always the right analogy

19:05 Patience vs Passivity

24:19 Don't chase an impossible goal, provide something life-giving

28:07 Misunderstandings because David owns a CrossFit gym

30:47 Joy and Health are not mutually exclusive

32:52 Why is our society so wrapped up in "speed"

34:06 Family Dinners create stability

37:13 The dinner table can be treated as a safe place for kids

39:32 Realizing your kids are growing up... reframing their age

45:08 Parenting is the most selfless relationship (outside of marriage)

47:57 The importance of self awareness

50:30 Unspoken expectations are premeditated resentments (Neil Strauss quote!!)

53:11 Parallel between relationship dynamics and running a gym (serving)

55:17 Service vs Enslavement

57:09 Selfishness makes it hard to share the gospel

59:17 The story behind the moment the weight of ownership hit David and Lindsey

01:06:40 (the exact moment)

01:10:39 Reaping what you sow and creating opportunities to change people's minds about stereotypes

01:13:25 Managing a person who's transitioning interested in joining the gym

01:18:47 Exemplifying the love of Christ through the two examples

01:20:25 Shortest coaching tenure the gym has had (the importance of having a good process, the bus analogy)

01:24:33 Managing the "fallout" of letting someone go

01:25:50 What makes a community real

01:30:42 The depth of common vulnerability through the lens of our differences

01:32:48 What our cultures gets wrong about strength

01:37:27 The Screwdriver Analogy

01:40:08 If a young person was about to live a life similar to David's, what would he beg them to do differently?

Saurabh Aggarwal is the founder of FractalKX and XPLeague, two of his many ventures in the Esports industry. He's revolutionizing this emerging industry by focusing on player development instead of just sponsorships, and integrating AI into those funnels.

In this episode, expect to learn:

- Why the industry of Esports shouldn't be ignored for business lessons

- Just how important the people within a system are (not just the system itself)

- Why AI is like your kitchen pantry

- What makes organic growth so powerful

and much, much more!

Please double check that you're subscribed, have liked this video, and shared it with someone! Also, leave a comment with your thoughts down below. Those are the best ways to help this show grow. Thank you!

00:00 How Does a CRM Consultant Turn into a Founder?

03:01 Where Did the ESports Interest Come From?

05:45 Where ESports is Missing the Point

08:45 What's the Biggest Frustration, 1 Year In?

10:49 How to Be Both Early and Right

13:57 What is Something That Your Competitors Miss?

17:08 The Importance of the People In Your System

22:01 Why Organic Growth is Key (Steve Jobs is a good example!)

25:18 Who is the "Customer" for ESports?

26:54 Pivoting - Why GGLife has Changed Three Times

30:22 Why AI is Like Your Kitchen Pantry

33:43 3 Steps to Change The Way You Use AI

36:46 A Recurring Problem in FractalKX and XPLeague (Capital Strategy)

38:24 Service vs Product Capital Strategy

41:13 Customer Misunderstandings

44:24 Saurabh Will Still Believe This is 10 Years

46:58 Do This Sooner than Saurabh Did!

Mark Sommer is the founder of Sommer Energy Technologies and co-founder of Allegheny Control Products.

In this episode, expect to learn:

- Why founding two business can sometimes be the right move

- How delivering newspapers is an entrepreneur training ground

- The importance of learning in starting a company on your own

- Why Christ opens doors you'd never expectand much, much more!

Please double check that you're subscribed, have liked this video, and shared it with someone! Also, leave a comment with your thoughts down below. Those are the best ways to help this show grow. Thank you!

00:00 Intro

00:30 Sommer Energy Tech, Allegheny Controls

03:20 Newspaper delivery is an entrepreneur training ground!

08:18 Industrial space vs more typical B2B vs B2C

12:57 How Mark got started running his own company, market development fees, and long sales cycles

15:51 Surprisingly easy, surprisingly challenging

19:54 Cold calls still work!

22:42 What feels the hardest right now?

26:47 What's not growing how Mark hoped it would?

33:23 Time-wasters and pivoting

42:21 Christ-Centered Business

44:39 Mark's spiritual journey

49:21 Loving people through business interactions

51:05 What it feels like for multiple people to tell you your faith walk is not surprising

53:03 Jesus appearing in your dreams

56:46 Believers doing business with other believers

58:29 One thing Mark would advise someone to learn faster than he did

Cindy and Stewart Jones are the owners of DFW-based business Texas Specialties and Installation.

In this episode, expect to learn:

- Why relationships are fundamental to business success

- Stories about the struggles of starting a business

- What to do when growth is bigger than you expected

- Whether or not it was worth it

and much, much more!

Please double check that you're subscribed, have liked this video, and shared it with someone! Also, leave a comment with your thoughts down below. Those are the best ways to help this show grow. Thank you!

00:00 How Running a Business Changes Your Purpose

03:15 Responsibility of Being the Owner vs an Employee

06:52 When The Business Grows Way Faster Than you Planned

07:52 Telling Your Parents You're Starting a Business

08:44 Dealing With Vendors When Growth is Huge

14:02 How Has Your Business Forced Personal Growth?

18:25 Finding the Right Employees Is the Key

28:08 Being a Better Boss

31:07 What's More Difficult Than People Realize, Easier Than People Realize

33:05 Relationship Building

36:30 Has A Customer Ever Been Ready Early?

39:32 Did Texas Specialties Ever Come Close to Failing?

45:08 One of the Few Times They Weren't Frugal

49:06 What Feels the Hardest Right Now (People, part 2)

57:09 What Does it Feel Like to Hear a Huge Goal

01:04:00 Most Surprising Frustrations

01:10:15 What Do Customers Routinely Misunderstand?

01:20:24 Deciding Between Risk vs Losing a Bid

01:25:25 Did You Ever Consider Quitting?

01:32:03 What's a Day You'll Never Forget

01:37:28 What's the Biggest Change in the Past Year

01:41:34 One Thing You Could Have Known or Done Sooner