Mind Set in Stone Podcast

What if the key to protecting your peace isn't changing difficult people, but learning how to understand their behaviour, establish boundaries and protect your own well-being?In this episode, Dave and Poppy explore Toxic People: Dealing with Dysfunctional Relationships by Tim Cantopher, a book that examines the challenges of dealing with difficult relationships and the emotional toll they can take on our lives. Whether at work, within friendships or among family members, some relationships can leave us feeling drained, frustrated and questioning ourselves.The episode explores how recurring patterns of difficult behaviour can affect our confidence, emotional well-being and ability to maintain healthy relationships. Dave and Poppy discuss the importance of recognising when interactions have become unhealthy, understanding what is within our control and accepting that we cannot always change another person's behaviour, no matter how much effort we put into trying.A central theme is learning to respond differently to difficult situations. Rather than becoming caught up in endless arguments, feeling responsible for someone else's emotions or constantly trying to win their approval, we can begin to focus on our own responses and establish clearer boundaries. This means recognising our limits, communicating more effectively and understanding when stepping back may be the healthiest option.Dave and Poppy also consider why certain relationships can be particularly difficult to navigate. Emotional pressure, repeated conflict and unrealistic expectations can make it challenging to think clearly or stand up for ourselves. Developing greater self-awareness can help us recognise these patterns and make more considered decisions about how we interact with others.Toxic People: Dealing with Dysfunctional Relationships offers an opportunity to reflect on the relationships in our lives and the effect they have on our peace of mind. The goal isn't to label everyone who frustrates us as toxic, but to recognise unhealthy patterns, take responsibility for our own choices and consider what healthier ways of relating to others might look like.Join Dave and Poppy for an honest conversation about boundaries, emotional resilience and the difficult reality that not every relationship can be repaired through patience alone.Are you spending so much energy trying to manage other people's behaviour that you've forgotten you have the right to protect your own peace?Thank you for listening to Mind Set in Stone. If this episode gave you something to think about, follow the show and leave us a review. It really helps new listeners find us.Read the full deep dive and more on The Cognitive Blog, explore everything we make at biglrizmedia.com, or suggest a book for a future episode.Until next time, keep your mind set in stone and your curiosity open.Mind Set in Stone is a Big L Riz Media Group podcast.

What if the people who look wealthy aren't necessarily rich, and the people quietly building real wealth are living right next door?In this episode, Dave and Poppy explore The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko, a revealing look at how many millionaires actually live, spend and manage their money. Based on research into affluent American households, the book challenges common assumptions about wealth, showing that financial success often has less to do with displaying money and more to do with how carefully it is earned, saved and invested.The authors identify common habits among people who build and maintain wealth, including living below their means, avoiding unnecessary expenses and prioritising financial independence over appearances. Rather than spending to impress others, many of the millionaires studied focus on accumulating assets and making deliberate decisions about where their money goes.Dave and Poppy unpack the difference between looking wealthy and becoming financially secure. They explore how expensive cars, designer clothes and an extravagant lifestyle can create the appearance of success without necessarily reflecting a strong financial position. Meanwhile, someone who lives modestly, budgets consistently and invests over time may be building substantial wealth without attracting any attention.The episode also examines the importance of financial discipline, independence and long-term thinking. The book highlights how everyday choices, from controlling spending to teaching children about money, can influence a household's ability to build wealth. It encourages listeners to look beyond income alone and consider how much they retain, how they use it and whether their financial habits support their future goals.The Millionaire Next Door offers a practical challenge to the idea that wealth must be visible to be real. Building financial security is rarely about making every purchase a statement of success. It is often about making consistent choices that strengthen your position over time.Join Dave and Poppy as they explore the habits behind lasting wealth and consider how small changes in your financial behaviour could shape your future.Are you spending your money to look successful today, or making decisions that could give you genuine financial freedom tomorrow?Thank you for listening to Mind Set in Stone. If this episode gave you something to think about, follow the show and leave us a review. It really helps new listeners find us.Read the full deep dive and more on The Cognitive Blog, explore everything we make at biglrizmedia.com, or suggest a book for a future episode.Until next time, keep your mind set in stone and your curiosity open.Mind Set in Stone is a Big L Riz Media Group podcast.

What if the key to finding work you truly love isn't following your passion, but becoming so good at what you do that you create opportunities for yourself?In this episode, Dave and Poppy explore So Good They Can’t Ignore You by Cal Newport, a thought-provoking challenge to the popular idea that we should simply "follow our passion" when choosing a career. Newport argues that passion often develops after we become skilled and experienced, rather than being something we need to discover before we begin.The book introduces the idea of career capital, the valuable skills and abilities we build through deliberate effort and experience. The more valuable skills we develop, the more control we can potentially gain over our working lives, including greater autonomy, flexibility and the ability to shape our careers around what matters to us.Dave and Poppy unpack what this means for anyone who feels stuck waiting for the perfect job, searching for their calling or wondering whether they're on the right career path. Instead of constantly asking, "What do I want to do?", the book encourages us to consider, "What valuable skills can I develop?"The episode also explores the importance of deliberate practice, taking ownership of your career and making thoughtful decisions about when to take risks. Newport's approach challenges the idea that meaningful work simply appears when we find the right opportunity. Sometimes, it is something we build through patience, persistence and becoming exceptionally good at something valuable.So Good They Can’t Ignore You offers a different way of thinking about careers, ambition and fulfilment. Rather than waiting for passion to tell us what to do, what happens when we focus on developing skills, creating value and earning the freedom to design a working life that genuinely suits us?Thank you for listening to Mind Set in Stone. If this episode gave you something to think about, follow the show and leave us a review. It really helps new listeners find us.Read the full deep dive and more on The Cognitive Blog, explore everything we make at biglrizmedia.com, or suggest a book for a future episode.Until next time, keep your mind set in stone and your curiosity open.Mind Set in Stone is a Big L Riz Media Group podcast.

What if some of the success you admire is down to luck, and some of the failures you judge are simply the result of chance?In this episode, Dave and Poppy explore Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Nicholas Taleb, a thought-provoking book about luck, probability and the hidden role of chance in our everyday lives. Taleb challenges the way we interpret success and failure, showing how easily we can mistake a fortunate outcome for evidence of exceptional skill, intelligence or judgement.The book explores why humans naturally search for patterns and explanations, even when events are largely random. We often look at someone who has achieved extraordinary success and assume they must have followed a brilliant strategy. Yet we may overlook the circumstances, timing and fortunate events that helped them get there. Equally, someone who makes sensible decisions can experience a poor outcome simply because chance does not always work in their favour.Dave and Poppy unpack how this applies to careers, business, investing and personal decision-making. They explore the danger of judging decisions solely by their results, rather than considering the information available and the reasoning behind the choices at the time. A good decision can produce a disappointing outcome, just as a reckless decision can occasionally lead to a reward.Fooled by Randomness also encourages us to recognise the limits of our own knowledge. Confidence can be misleading when we underestimate uncertainty, focus only on success stories or ignore the people who took similar risks but experienced very different outcomes. By becoming more aware of randomness, we can develop a more balanced view of achievement, avoid unnecessary overconfidence and make better-informed decisions.This episode invites you to question the stories you tell yourself about success, failure and the people who seem to have everything figured out. Rather than assuming every outcome has a clear explanation, we can learn to recognise the role of uncertainty and prepare for what we cannot predict.Are you making decisions based on genuine skill and sound judgement, or are you mistaking a lucky outcome for proof that you were right all along?Thank you for listening to Mind Set in Stone. If this episode gave you something to think about, follow the show and leave us a review. It really helps new listeners find us.Read the full deep dive and more on The Cognitive Blog, explore everything we make at biglrizmedia.com, or suggest a book for a future episode.Until next time, keep your mind set in stone and your curiosity open.Mind Set in Stone is a Big L Riz Media Group podcast.

What if becoming the best version of yourself isn't about fixing what's wrong with you, but discovering what you're truly capable of becoming?In this episode, Dave and Poppy explore Toward a Psychology of Being by Abraham H. Maslow, one of the influential works behind humanistic psychology. Maslow challenges us to look beyond our limitations, insecurities and everyday struggles to consider a deeper question: what does it mean to live a fulfilled and meaningful life?The book develops Maslow's ideas about self-actualisation, the process of recognising and developing our potential. Rather than viewing people solely through the lens of problems, weaknesses or psychological difficulties, Maslow encourages us to understand human beings through their capacity for growth, creativity, independence and personal fulfilment.Dave and Poppy unpack the difference between living primarily to meet our basic needs and reaching a point where we can explore what gives our lives genuine meaning. They discuss how fear, social expectations and the desire for approval can sometimes prevent us from expressing our authentic selves, and why personal growth requires both self-awareness and the willingness to step beyond familiar boundaries.The episode also explores Maslow's distinction between deficiency motivation, where our actions are driven by unmet needs, and growth motivation, where we pursue experiences and goals because they help us develop and become more fully ourselves. This perspective encourages us to reflect on whether our choices are driven by fear and insecurity or by curiosity, purpose and a desire to grow.Toward a Psychology of Being invites us to reconsider how we define success, happiness and psychological well-being. It reminds us that personal development is not simply about removing our weaknesses or achieving external recognition. It is also about understanding who we are, embracing our potential and learning to live with greater authenticity.Join Dave and Poppy for a thoughtful exploration of human potential, self-discovery and the journey towards a more meaningful life. Are you living according to who you truly are, or are you simply becoming the person you believe the world expects you to be?Thank you for listening to Mind Set in Stone. If this episode gave you something to think about, follow the show and leave us a review. It really helps new listeners find us.Read the full deep dive and more on The Cognitive Blog, explore everything we make at biglrizmedia.com, or suggest a book for a future episode.Until next time, keep your mind set in stone and your curiosity open.Mind Set in Stone is a Big L Riz Media Group podcast.

What if changing your mind could change the way you see yourself, your experiences and the world around you?In this episode, Dave and Poppy explore How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan, a fascinating investigation into the history, science and potential of psychedelic experiences. Pollan examines how substances such as LSD and psilocybin have moved from the margins of scientific research into renewed interest within modern medicine and psychology.The book explores the experiences of people who have taken psychedelics and the researchers working to understand what happens in the brain and mind during these experiences. Pollan considers how these substances may temporarily alter deeply established patterns of thought and perception, raising intriguing questions about consciousness, identity and our understanding of reality.Dave and Poppy unpack the idea that the mind is not always as fixed as we might assume. The episode explores how our habitual ways of thinking can shape the way we experience life, while also considering the importance of context, intention and guidance when discussing psychedelic experiences.How to Change Your Mind also takes a wider look at the history of psychedelic research, including its early scientific promise, its suppression during the drug wars and the renewed research that has emerged in recent decades. Rather than presenting psychedelics as a simple answer to life's challenges, Pollan takes a more investigative approach, exploring both their potential and the questions that remain.This episode invites us to think more deeply about consciousness, perception and the possibility of seeing familiar things differently. What if the mind isn't something we simply have, but something that can change, adapt and be experienced in entirely new ways?Thank you for listening to Mind Set in Stone. If this episode gave you something to think about, follow the show and leave us a review. It really helps new listeners find us.Read the full deep dive and more on The Cognitive Blog, explore everything we make at biglrizmedia.com, or suggest a book for a future episode.Until next time, keep your mind set in stone and your curiosity open.Mind Set in Stone is a Big L Riz Media Group podcast.

What if the ability to rethink what you believe could be more valuable than simply knowing more?In this episode, Dave and Poppy explore Think Again by Adam Grant, a fascinating look at the power of rethinking. Grant challenges us to question our assumptions, reconsider opinions that may no longer serve us, and become more comfortable with changing our minds when new information comes to light.The book explores why we can become attached to our beliefs and why being wrong can feel uncomfortable. Grant introduces the idea of approaching our thinking more like a scientist, testing assumptions rather than defending them, and remaining curious enough to consider perspectives that challenge our own.Dave and Poppy unpack how this way of thinking can apply to everyday life, from relationships and conversations to work, decision-making and personal growth. Sometimes the biggest barrier to progress isn't a lack of knowledge, but our unwillingness to reconsider what we already think we know.Think Again also explores how we communicate with people who see the world differently. Instead of trying to win every argument, there is value in asking better questions, listening more carefully and creating space for genuine reconsideration.This episode is an invitation to look at your own beliefs with a little more curiosity. What could change if, instead of being afraid to say "I was wrong", you saw changing your mind as a sign that you are still learning?Thank you for listening to Mind Set in Stone. If this episode gave you something to think about, follow the show and leave us a review. It really helps new listeners find us.Read the full deep dive and more on The Cognitive Blog, explore everything we make at biglrizmedia.com, or suggest a book for a future episode.Until next time, keep your mind set in stone and your curiosity open.Mind Set in Stone is a Big L Riz Media Group podcast.

What if rejection isn’t a reflection of your worth, but an opportunity to understand yourself, strengthen your resilience, and move forward?In this episode, Dave and Poppy explore Bouncing Back from Rejection by Leslie Becker-Phelps, a thoughtful guide to understanding the emotional impact of rejection and developing healthier ways to respond when we feel unwanted, criticised, excluded, or disappointed.They unpack how rejection can trigger deep emotional reactions and why experiences that seem small on the surface can sometimes affect our confidence, relationships, and sense of self. Dave and Poppy discuss the importance of recognising these reactions without allowing them to define who you are or how you see yourself.The conversation explores self-compassion, emotional awareness, resilience, and the patterns that can develop when we become overly focused on other people's approval. The hosts also reflect on how learning to understand your emotional responses can help you handle difficult experiences without becoming trapped by shame, self-doubt, or the need for constant validation.Dave and Poppy discuss practical ways to process rejection, rebuild confidence, and develop a healthier relationship with yourself after experiencing disappointment or exclusion.This episode is honest, reassuring, and deeply relatable. If rejection has ever left you questioning your worth, relationships, or direction in life, this conversation offers a different way to look at those experiences and a reminder that being rejected does not have to define your story.Thank you for listening to Mind Set in Stone. If this episode gave you something to think about, follow the show and leave us a review. It really helps new listeners find us.Read the full deep dive and more on The Cognitive Blog, explore everything we make at biglrizmedia.com, or suggest a book for a future episode.Until next time, keep your mind set in stone and your curiosity open.Mind Set in Stone is a Big L Riz Media Group podcast.

What if protecting your peace sometimes means creating distance from the people you’re expected to be closest to?In this episode, Dave and Poppy explore But It’s Your Family by Sherrie Campbell, a powerful and compassionate look at toxic family relationships, emotional boundaries, and the difficult decision to step away from relationships that continue to cause harm.They unpack the emotional challenges that can come with recognising unhealthy family dynamics, particularly when guilt, obligation, loyalty, and the expectation to “keep the family together” make it difficult to put your own wellbeing first. Dave and Poppy discuss why sharing DNA doesn’t automatically make a relationship healthy, safe, or supportive.The conversation explores boundaries, self-worth, forgiveness, grief, and the complicated emotions that can follow when someone chooses to reduce or end contact with a family member. The hosts also reflect on the importance of rebuilding your sense of identity and learning to love yourself without constantly seeking approval from those around you.Dave and Poppy discuss how breaking a toxic cycle can be uncomfortable, lonely, and emotionally challenging, while also creating space for healthier relationships and a stronger connection with yourself.This episode is honest, compassionate, and thought-provoking. If you’ve ever struggled with family expectations, unhealthy relationships, or the fear of putting yourself first, this conversation offers a reminder that protecting your wellbeing is not the same as abandoning the people you love.Thank you for listening to Mind Set in Stone. If this episode gave you something to think about, follow the show and leave us a review. It really helps new listeners find us.Read the full deep dive and more on The Cognitive Blog, explore everything we make at biglrizmedia.com, or suggest a book for a future episode.Until next time, keep your mind set in stone and your curiosity open.Mind Set in Stone is a Big L Riz Media Group podcast.

What if the life you’re meant to live begins when you stop trying to become who everyone else expects you to be?In this episode, Dave and Poppy explore Untamed by Glennon Doyle, a powerful and deeply personal exploration of authenticity, self-discovery, courage, and breaking free from the expectations that can shape our lives.They unpack Doyle’s journey of learning to trust her own instincts and listen to the voice within, rather than constantly seeking approval or following the path laid out by others. The conversation explores identity, relationships, motherhood, self-worth, and the courage it takes to question the rules and expectations that no longer fit who you are.Dave and Poppy discuss the idea of becoming “untamed” by reconnecting with your own desires, values, and intuition. They reflect on how fear of judgement can keep us living according to other people’s definitions of success, happiness, and acceptance, and why embracing your authentic self can be both challenging and liberating.The hosts also explore the importance of self-trust, personal freedom, and making choices that reflect who you really are rather than who you think you should be.This episode is honest, thought-provoking, and empowering. If you’ve ever felt trapped by expectations, questioned whether you’re living your own life, or wondered what might happen if you finally trusted yourself, this conversation offers plenty of inspiration to break free and live more authentically.Thank you for listening to Mind Set in Stone. If this episode gave you something to think about, follow the show and leave us a review. It really helps new listeners find us.Read the full deep dive and more on The Cognitive Blog, explore everything we make at biglrizmedia.com, or suggest a book for a future episode.Until next time, keep your mind set in stone and your curiosity open.Mind Set in Stone is a Big L Riz Media Group podcast.