In this episode of the Tiny Shifts podcast, host Andrew Nunn explores the unsettling idea of social contagion and how thoughts, emotions, and behaviours spread between people without us noticing. Through strange historical cases, modern examples, and everyday behaviour, Andrew challenges the belief that we are independent thinkers. He explains how moods, fears, habits, and expectations ripple through social networks, shaping our decisions, health, and sense of reality. The episode reveals how much of what feels personal is actually social and how small changes in what we expose ourselves to can quietly change who we become.

Much of what feels like personal choice is socially influenced.
Emotions and behaviours can spread without conscious awareness.
Fear and expectation are contagious.
Stories can create real physical symptoms without any biological cause.
We often underestimate how much others shape our moods and decisions.
Homophily pulls us toward people who reinforce our existing beliefs.
Social networks influence habits, health, and mental wellbeing.
Expectations can alter perception, behaviour, and even the body.
Tiny shifts in environment can lead to big changes over time.
Becoming aware of social contagion restores choice and agency.

00:00 Strange cases of collective behaviour
01:32 Are we really independent thinkers?
02:29 Why we misunderstand our own choices
05:10 Social contagion and emotional spread
08:40 How expectations shape behaviour
12:15 Stories, fear, and physical symptoms
17:40 Homophily and social influence
22:10 Habits and behaviours in networks
27:30 The cost of unconscious exposure
31:45 Making small, intentional shifts
35:20 Closing reflections on awareness

Summary

In this episode of the Tiny Ships podcast, host Andrew Nunn explores the complex relationship between fear, cognitive biases, and emotional conversations. He discusses how fear can distort our perception of risk and the importance of understanding cognitive biases when engaging in difficult discussions. Andrew introduces the CALM tool as a strategy for navigating these conversations effectively, emphasizing the need to control one's emotions, acknowledge feelings, and ask questions to understand differing viewpoints.

Takeaways

• The mind often works in invisible ways that shape our choices.
• Fear can distort our perception of risk and reality.
• Strong emotions can change how we process information.
• Cognitive biases are features that evolved for survival.
• Natural selection favors caution over rationality.
• One tragic event can overshadow larger statistics.
• Understanding biases can help in navigating difficult conversations.
• Empathy is crucial when discussing polarizing topics.
• The CALM tool can help manage emotional conversations.
• Asking questions can reveal underlying values and beliefs.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Tiny Ships Podcast

00:55 Understanding Fear and Emotional Conversations

05:40 The Impact of Statistics in Emotional Discussions

10:09 Cognitive Biases and Their Role in Perception

18:02 Exploring Specific Biases in Fearful Contexts

25:53 Strategies for Effective Conversations on Sensitive Topics

27:56 Navigating Heated Conversations

34:00 Understanding Emotions and Values in Discourse

34:31 Mastering Heated Conversations

35:11 Mastering Heated Conversations

36:11 Emotional Detachment in Discussions

36:38 PODCAST (1).mp4

The conversation explores the concept of real optimism and its practical application, followed by an in-depth discussion on metacognition and its impact on decision-making and behavior. The final chapter delves into specific habits that can boost optimism and improve overall well-being.

Takeaways

• Real optimism is the belief that things can improve and that you can do something about it.
• Metacognition, or thinking about your thinking, is a powerful tool for improving performance outcomes and understanding your own biases.

Chapters

• 00:00 Understanding Real Optimism
• 07:11 Metacognition: Thinking About Your Thinking
• 15:11 Boosting Optimism Through Habits

The Tiny Shifts podcast, hosted by Andy Nunn, focuses on practical tools for personal development, with a strong emphasis on mindfulness. Andy shares his personal journey with anxiety and the impact of mindfulness on his mental health. He provides insights and tools for implementing mindfulness in daily life.

Takeaways

• Mindfulness is about awareness and deliberate attention to thoughts and emotions.
• Mindfulness can help in managing anxiety, improving emotional language, and making better decisions.
• Practical habits for improving mindfulness include removing distractions, reducing phone usage, single-tasking, journaling, and meditation.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Tiny Shifts Podcast
• 10:01 The Impact of Mindfulness on Mental Health
• 26:20 Practical Tools for Mindfulness

The episode explores the concept of fear-based habits and procrastination, delving into the emotional and psychological aspects of these behaviors. It introduces the 'Go method' as a practical tool for changing the relationship with procrastination and fear-based habits.

Takeaways

• Procrastination is often a fear response, not laziness.
• Emotional regulation is key to understanding procrastination.
• Social media can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and procrastination.
• Habit formation involves reducing friction for positive habits and increasing friction for negative ones.
• Mindset shapes our perception of ourselves and our abilities.
• The Go Method helps in overcoming procrastination by grounding oneself and taking small actions.
• Fear is a natural part of growth and should be embraced, not avoided.
• You are not broken; you are a human experiencing emotions.
• Failure is a necessary part of the journey towards success.
• Real change happens through consistent action, not just planning.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tiny Shifts and Procrastination

01:02 Understanding Procrastination: Definition and Misconceptions

04:48 The Emotional Roots of Procrastination

11:18 Chronic Procrastination and Its Impact on Identity

20:14 The Go Method: A New Approach to Overcoming Procrastination

32:20 Implementing the Go Method in Daily Life

43:46 End

New Year’s Day hits and suddenly everyone’s ready for a “new me”. Then January shows up… and most people quit.

In this first episode, I’m not giving you another step-by-step habit system. I’m more interested in the real question: why do some people thrive under pressure while others freeze, shut down, and drift back to old patterns?

I talk about resistance (Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art), the habit loop (cue, craving, response, reward), and why motivation is a trap once the novelty wears off. You’ll learn how to plan for failure before it happens, lower the bar with a “minimum dose” habit, and build identity-based habits that actually stick.

I also share my own why: ten years ago I was a completely different person. Stuck, avoiding discomfort, and building habits that kept me small. Since then I’ve rebuilt my life, my health, and my mindset, and this podcast is about helping you do the same.

If you’ve ever thought, “I care about this… so why can’t I just do it?”

This one’s for you.