Best Neil Pasricha Podcasts (2025)

1
Chapter 150: Prime Minister Jean Chrétien lays down lifelong lessons on leadership, liberalism, and longevity 1:16:48

13d ago1:16:48

1:16:48

Born in 1934, the 18th of 19 children in the small blue-collar town of Shawinigan Falls, Quebec, Jean Chrétien has risen to become the "grandfather of Canada" and a definitive force in global politics for over 50 years. Chrétien was one of the longest-serving Prime Ministers in Canadian history and led three successive majority terms as leader of t…

1
Why We Resist Change (and What to Do About It) with Ross Ellenhorn 55:06

21h ago55:06

55:06

In this episode, Ross Ellenhorn explores the complexities of why we resist change and what to do about it. As Ross explains in this conversation, “staying the same protects you from the insult of small steps.” He shows us why these tiny steps can sometimes feel insulting and demoralizing. Ross also delves into the fear of raising expectations, the …

1
120. The Covert Manipulation Tactics of Human Predators | Ehren Dorsey 1:30:43

4d ago1:30:43

1:30:43

Ehren Dorsey discusses the grooming tactics of human predators and how those tactics affect our bodies and minds, especially in relationships. 00:00 In this episode... 03:28 Grooming defined 04:24 Analogies to explain skilled predators 06:17 Manipulators will be your friend or lover 06:53 Storytelling in manipulation 08:31 Why do we assume people a…

1
How to Create Change at Work Without Losing Yourself with Melody Wilding 1:03:17

5d ago1:03:17

1:03:17

In this episode, Melody Wilding discusses how to create change at work without losing yourself. She challenges the idea that you’re powerless at work, even in tough cultures. If you’ve ever wondered how to navigate office politics, or if there’s a way to work with integrity even when you’re not in charge, this conversation will give you both practi…

1
119. Narcissism is Genetic. Parents Don't Make a Difference. | Dr. Robert Plomin 1:28:14

6d ago1:28:14

1:28:14

Dr. Robert Plomin discusses the science of our genes and how they affect our psychology, especially narcissistic personality disorder and psychopathy. 00:00 In this episode... 01:38 Introducing Dr. Robert Plomin 02:12 Narcissism, Genetics, and Parenting 08:03 Non-Shared Environment 10:04 Do Parents Cause Narcissistic Personality Disorder? 16:46 How…

1
Can Radical Hope Save Us from Despair in a Fractured World? with Jamie Wheal 1:02:42

8d ago1:02:42

1:02:42

In this episode, Jamie Wheal explores the question of “Can radical hope save us from despair in a fractured world?” He argues that most of the feel-good positivity we are sold is useless when facing real crises, from climate collapse to meaninglessness. But there is a kind of hope that survives contact with brutal reality. Get Weekly Bites of Wisdo…

1
Is Stress Speeding Up Your Aging? What You Can Do About It Today with Elissa Epel 33:29

12d ago33:29

33:29

In this episode, Elissa Epel explores how stress can speed up aging and what you can do about it. She explains telomeres, which are those protective caps on our chromosomes, shorten with stress and poor habits, speeding up aging and disease. She also delves into the science of how thought patterns, diet, and even our response to daily challenges ca…

1
From “Why Me?” to “What Now?”: A New Approach to Pain and Growth with Scott Barry Kaufman 56:56

15d ago56:56

56:56

In this episode, Scott Barry Kaufman challenges us to go from asking ourselves “Why Me?” to “What Now?” as he unpacks a new approach to pain and growth. Scott explains how the real work happens in the messy middle as we unpack the dangers of black and white thinking, and why genuine change isn’t about a single epiphany, but a thousand small choices…

1
Purposeful Living: Strategies to Align Your Values and Actions with Victor Strecher 1:04:18

19d ago1:04:18

1:04:18

In this episode, Victor Strecher discusses purposeful living and strategies to align your values and actions. Vic shares his imperfect journey back to meaning and to living for what matters most after losing his daughter. He explores what it means to be purposeful versus just having a purpose, how energy and vitality play a role in living out our v…

1
Escape the Goal Trap: Embrace Curiosity and Tiny Experiments with Anne-Laure Le Cunff 54:40

22d ago54:40

54:40

In this episode, Anne-Laure Le Cunff, discusses how to go from procrastination to action using the power of tiny experiments. Most advice about self-improvement assumes you know where you’re going, but what if you don’t? Anne-Laure suggests that’s not a flaw, it’s actually the starting point. Her new book, Tiny Experiments, offers a way to explore …

1
118. How to Grow After Leaving a Narcissist | Amy Morin LCSW 1:09:53

24d ago1:09:53

1:09:53

Resilience expert Amy Morin shares the keys to understanding and rebuilding mental strength after a traumatic relationship. Amy is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist. 00:00 In this episode... 01:42 Time does NOT heal all things 02:56 What is your full potential in life? 03:32 What heals narcissistic abuse? 04:49 The danger of peo…

1
117. Does the CIA Control Minds? (Project MK-ULTRA) | Stephen Kinzer 51:38

25d ago51:38

51:38

Stephen Kinzer is a leading expert on CIA history, especially Project MK-ULTRA, and a former NYT Bureau Chief. He shares his research on the CIA's quest for mind control. 00:00 In this episode... 00:57 Mission of the CIA 03:52 Mission of Project MK-ULTRA 05:23 MK-ULTRA had "license to kill" 06:37 Why Sidney Gottlieb led MK-ULTRA 14:21 Operation MID…

1
The Hidden Cause of Procrastination and How to Finally Move Forward with Taylor Jacobson 52:32

26d ago52:32

52:32

In this episode, Taylor Jacobson discusses the hidden cause of procrastination and how to finally move forward in your life. He explores how transformation rarely feels graceful, how repressed emotions shape our behavior, and what it takes to live a life true to your inner compass. It’s a vulnerable, grounded conversation about fear, reinvention, a…

1
116. Inside the Narcissistic Minds of Serial Killers | Dr. Ann Burgess 55:10

28d ago55:10

55:10

What goes on in the mind of a serial killer? Dr. Ann Burgess is a pioneer in the FBI's process of profiling killers. She explains how killers are driven by narcissism and the need for control. 00:00 In this episode... 01:47 Introducing Dr. Ann Burgess 02:30 Narcissism in Serial Killers 03:24 Using the killer's narcissism against him 07:54 Narcissis…

1
5 Beach Books to Stretch Your Mind 45:42

28d ago45:42

45:42

Long before I oriented my life around reading, I would get the majority of my (4-5!) books per year read during the summer. But summer reads get a bad rap for being too silly, too saucy, too simple. So this summer join me in bridging the gap to find great beachy reads. We want books that have a speedy pace *and* expand our minds! We want books that…

1
The Quiet Pain of Self-Loathing and Finding the Courage to Face It with Sarah Gormley 1:02:08

29d ago1:02:08

1:02:08

In this episode, Sarah Gormley discusses the quiet pain of self-loathing and finding the courage to face it. Sarah had it all – a thriving corporate career, success, and admiration. But beneath was a quiet, relentless self-loathing she couldn’t shake. In her memoir, The Order of Things, Sarah shares the profound turning point at 40 when she finally…

1
My New Book! 'Canada is Awesome' | Full Audiobook 58:44

1M ago58:44

58:44

BIG NEWS! I just finished writing CANADA IS AWESOME: A Little Book About A Big Country. This podcast is me reading the whole book! The book is about all the weird, wonderful, beautiful things that make Canada ... Canada. Did you ever notice Canadians speak in the collective? “What do you think of the weather we’re having?” “Shall we grab a Tims bef…

1
Why We Stop Noticing What Matters and How to Feel Alive Again with Tali Sharot 1:01:35

1M ago1:01:35

1:01:35

In this episode, Tali Sharot explains why we stop noticing what matters and how to start feeling alive again. She describes what habituation is and how our minds normalize what once moved us. Tali also explores ways that we can reawaken joy, purpose, and even moral clarity. It’s an eye-opening look at the subtle ways we lose and then can reclaim ou…

1
Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Life: Finding Ease and Clarity with Charlie Gilkey 51:44

1M ago51:44

51:44

You're doing everything right, staying productive, chasing growth, keeping up. But what if the discomfort you feel isn't a sign that you need to do more, but a signal to let go? In this episode, Charlie Gilkey and I explore the Tao Te Ching, which is one of my favorite books of all time, but not as a relic from the past, but as a guide for navigati…

1
How to Recognize the Hidden Signs of Burnout with Leah Weiss 57:56

1M ago57:56

57:56

What if the very thing that gives your life meaning is also what's burning you out? That's the paradox. Leah Weiss found herself in teaching compassionate leadership at Stanford. Working with organizations inspired by the Dalai Lama. Doing the kind of work most of us dream of. And yet she was falling apart. In today's conversation, we unpacked the …

1
Chapter 149: John and Alison on fascism-fighting fiction fomenting freedom and fraternity 45:00

1M ago45:00

45:00

It started with a modern plea for help: "Can I charge my dead phone in your bookstore?" I was in Del Mar, California, walking up the coast of the Pacific Ocean after birding all morning in Torrey Pines. I was tracking my birds on eBird—the Peregrine Falcons, Anna's Hummingbirds, and California Scrub-Jays—and, of course, completely drained…

1
The Nobility of Service: Finding Magic and Connection in the Smallest Gestures with Will Guidara 1:00:34

1M ago1:00:34

1:00:34

What do a fine dining maitre d. A magician burying cards in a backyard and a toddler looking for Elsa have in common? They all show us that magic still exists. If we’re willing to care more, than seems reasonable. In this episode, Will Guidara, who’s a former co-owner of 11 Madison Park, which was once named the best restaurant in the world, the au…

1
115. How to Identify Human Predators (Dark Triad) | Dr. Karen Mitchell 1:25:27

2M ago1:25:27

1:25:27

Dr. Karen MItchell exposes the common attributes of dark personalities (Narcissists, Psychopaths, etc.) found in her groundbreaking research. Her work is comprehensive and nuanced. 00:00 In this episode... 03:00 Introducing Dr. Karen Mitchell 04:26 Motivation to study Dark Personalities 05:52 Brain anomalies of human predators 06:43 Us vs. Them (Pr…

1
114. Narcissists in Leadership: Community or Cult? 7 Red Flags. Mark Vicente 1:04:32

2M ago1:04:32

1:04:32

Mark Vicente shares the manipulative tactics of narcissists in leadership positions. He also describes his experience escaping and exposing the NXIVM cult and Keith Raniere. 00:00 Introduction 01:35 Sign 1: Narcissistic Psychopath as leader (Keith Raniere of NXIVM) 04:51 Psychopathy in NXIVM cult indoctrination 08:09 How Mark got into the NXIVM cul…

1
Embrace the Chaos: Finding Clarity Through Meditation with Henry Shukman (Part 2) 1:00:08

2M ago1:00:08

1:00:08

In part one of this two-part conversation, we walked along the edge of paradox where effort gives way to ease and the search itself becomes the obstacle. In this second part of my conversation with Zen teacher Henry Shukman, the way begins to reveal itself, not as something we grasp, but something we live. We talk about awakening, the collapse of s…

1
Embrace the Chaos: Finding Clarity Through Meditation with Henry Shukman (Part 1) 1:00:25

2M ago1:00:25

1:00:25

In this episode, Henry Shukman discusses how to embrace the chaos and find clarity through meditation while exploring themes of self-development and self-love. Henry emphasizes the balance between effort and acceptance in spiritual practice, highlighting the interplay between sudden insights (satori) and gradual progress. He also discuss the import…

1
Navigating Fear and Hope: the Everyday Courage That Shapes Our Lives with Ryan Holiday 52:41

2M ago52:41

52:41

In this episode, Ryan Holiday explores navigating fear and hope and the everyday courage that shapes our lives. He unpacks how to confront our fears and how we need to do so, over and over. With great stories and insights, we are reminded that we don’t have to be fearless, we just have to begin. Key Takeaways: The concept of courage and its signifi…

1
Failure as Fertilizer: Learning to Bloom Again with Debbie Millman 59:56

2M ago59:56

59:56

In this episode, Debbie Millman explores how we can use failure as fertilizer and learn to bloom again. Debbie's book and this conversation is about more than just gardening tips or tools, it's about what happens when we let ourselves be bad at something, especially later in life. Debbie opens up about learning to grow and why failure might be the …

1
Chapter 29: Michael Harris on queer questions and the quest for quiet 1:35:46

2M ago1:35:46

1:35:46

Loneliness rates have doubled since the 1980s and Vivek Murthy, former US Surgeon General, says loneliness will be the next major epidemic. So if loneliness is being alone and sad … then what’s being alone and happy? Solitude. A few years ago, I picked up an incredible book called 'Solitude' by Michael Harris, bestselling author and winner of the…

1
From Benches to Breakthroughs: A New Approach to Mental Health with Dixon Chibanda 54:52

2M ago54:52

54:52

In this episode, Dr. Dixon Chibanda explores from benches to breakthroughs: a new approach to mental health. He explains why storytelling, radical empathy, and solving daily-life problems often outperform medication-first approaches; how three simple steps—opening the mind, uplifting, strengthening—turn elders into community healers; and why hope, …

1
113. FBI Deception Expert: Stop Falling for Narcissists! Catch the LIES. Jim Clemente 1:05:48

2M ago1:05:48

1:05:48

FBI Profiler Jim Clemente explains the most important methods for detecting lies and manipulation by narcissists and psychopaths. He also shares his incredible story of catching the criminal who assaulted him. 00:00 How to spot a lie 02:41 Catching a pathological liar 04:01 Catching a psychopath or narcissist 06:01 Subconscious assessment of danger…

1
112. Mind Control: How Gaslighting Really Works | Dr. Robin Stern 55:39

2M ago55:39

55:39

Dr. Robin Stern of Yale University shares the abusive Gaslighting tactics used to destabilize and control people. Dr. Stern offers tools to spot Gaslighting and prevent it in the future. 00:00 Gaslighting controls people 02:08 Learning to gaslight people 04:17 Narcissists use gaslighting to gain control 05:48 Gaslighting is a dance 09:17 Gaslightin…

1
Beyond Anxiety: How Curiosity Turns Fear Into Fuel with Martha Beck 58:00

2M ago58:00

58:00

In this episode, Martha Beck explores how to move beyond anxiety and how curiosity turns fear into fuel. Martha dives into why anxiety can’t simply be silenced. It has to be replaced with things like creativity, curiosity, and a deep kindness towards ourselves. Key Takeaways: Discussion of anxiety versus fear and their psychological implications. E…

1
Move Your Body, Free Your Mind: The Science of Movement and Mental Health with Caroline Williams 1:07:20

2M ago1:07:20

1:07:20

In this episode, Caroline Williams shares how moving your body can free your mind as she dives into the surprising science of movement and mental health. Caroline spent years studying the brain until she realized she was ignoring half the equation. She explains how movement of all kinds, walking, stretching, dancing, and even laughter can reshape o…

1
Navigating the Messy Parts of Life: Embracing Imperfection and Growth with Josh Radnor 50:14

2M ago50:14

50:14

In this episode, Josh Radnor discusses the messy parts of life and embracing imperfection and growth. Josh Radnor explains how, even outward success, fame, acclaim, creative fulfillment isn’t enough to quiet the deeper battles within. He shares how real freedom comes not from achieving perfection, but from making peace with the messy, unfinished pa…

1
Chapter 148: Ginny Yurich obviates obsolete offspring with 1000 hours outside 1:57:02

2M ago1:57:02

1:57:02

Ginny Yurich (@1000hoursoutside) drove 5 hours up the road from Michigan to Toronto to hang out with Leslie and me. We went for a walk outside (of course!) and recorded this podcast—our second outdoors podcast in a row after Nickisha The Dog Walker! Why outside? I'm glad you asked! Ginny Yurich is the homeschooling mother of 5 (!) who has spiri…

1
Why Community and Courage Matter More Than Ever with Laura McKowen 58:14

2M ago58:14

58:14

In this episode, Laura McKowen explores why community and courage matter more than ever in making change in your life. She dives into the “messy midle” – theu ncertain space between giving up what umbs us and becoming someone new. She shares the story of the Luckiest Club, a global sobriety community. Key Takeaways: Understanding that real transfor…

1
Anxiety, Beauty, and the Unknown: A Map to Emotional Resilience with David Whyte 57:53

3M ago57:53

57:53

In this episode, David Whyte explores anxiety, beauty, and the unknown as a true map to emotional resilience. David shares how anxiety can be a doorway to deeper understanding and connection. He and Eric discuss the paradox of holding both joy and struggle, the surprising wisdom hidden in everyday emotions, and how poetry and language can bring us …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Neil Pasricha Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide