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PODCAST

The Struggle

Gregor S Thomson

Find meaning and purpose through the art of struggle with philosopher and writer Gregor S Thomson. Through posing fundamental questions, this podcast guides the listener to discover who they are, where they are unnecessarily struggling and where they could embrace struggling more in order to live a healthy and productive life.

education self-improvement

All Episodes

00:14:14

#71 - The Quote That Explains Why Life Feels...

The Struggle ·

2025/12/07

In Episode 71 ofThe Struggle, we dive into one of the most powerful ideas I’ve ever come across — a 13-word quote by Zen teacherCharlotte Joko Beck:“What makes it unbearable is your mistaken belief that it can be cured.”This single line might explain why you feel unhappy, unsatisfied, or constantly searching for meaning. In Buddhism, suffering isn’t something to escape — it’s something tosee clearly.In this episode, we explore:• why we suffer more in our minds than in reality• the Zen story of the

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00:57:40

#70 - The Truth About Desire: Why We Want What We...

The Struggle ·

2025/11/23

Are We Slaves to Our Desires? | Charlotte Fox Weber on Human Desires, Free Will & RelationshipsIn this episode ofThe Struggle, Gregor Thomson sits down with renowned psychologist and authorCharlotte Fox Weberto explore the complex nature of human desires, free will, and the role our upbringing and societal scripts play in shaping what we want.They discuss: • How desires can enslave us if ignored, but can also guide us toward self-discovery (00:08–04:50) • The paradox of instant gratification vs

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00:16:28

#69 - Toxic Productivity: How Hustle Culture Can Ruin...

The Struggle ·

2025/11/09

Are you an ambitious overachiever constantly chasing “more”? In Episode 69 of The Struggle, I explore toxic productivity — what it is, how hustle culture can slowly ruin your life if left unchecked, and most importantly, how to find balance and reclaim your time.We dive into: • The subtle dangers of following ultra-productive role models on social media. • How tying your self-worth to achievements can backfire. • The difference between telic activities (goal-oriented) and atelic activities (done for

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01:17:07

#68 -...

The Struggle ·

2025/10/26

What if the most controversial public figure of our time could help us understand ADHD better?In this episode of The Struggle, psychiatrist Dr. John Kruse breaks down the science of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) through the lens of Donald Trump’s behavior — exploring impulsivity, hyperfocus, and control of attention.Whether you’ve just started exploring ADHD or you’ve lived with it for years, this deep dive offers valuable insights into how the ADHD brain works in adults, why it’s

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00:33:03

Episode 67 - 5 Life Lessons I Wish I Knew at 20 (Now...

The Struggle ·

2025/10/12

Turning 30 gave me perspective — and in this episode ofThe Struggle Podcast, I share five lessons I wish I’d known a decade ago. These are insights that changed how I think about productivity, rest, meaning, and self-compassion.If you’ve ever felt lost, unmotivated, or stuck in constant self-improvement mode, these lessons might help you slow down, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters.⸻🧠In This EpisodeLesson 1:Music is the Space Between the Notes— why rest, relationships, and stillness

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00:57:20

Episode 66 - Why We’re Unhappier Than Ever —...

The Struggle ·

2025/09/14

Why are we richer and freer than ever—yet feeling lonelier and less happy? In Episode 66, I sit down withWilliam von Hippelto unpack the “connection vs autonomy” trade-off, theEasterlin paradox, why hunter-gatherers often report higher wellbeing, how cities and social media reshape relationships, and what we canpracticallydo to rebalance our lives.🔔 If this helped you think differently,subscribefor more honest conversations: new episodes weekly.What we cover • Why more money ≠ more

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00:48:11

Episode 65 - Q&A Special - How to Find Purpose, Beat...

The Struggle ·

2025/08/31

In thisspecial Q&A episode of The Struggle, I go unscripted for the first time — answering your biggest questions onidentity, passion, purpose, imposter syndrome, mental health, mindfulness, motivation, and more.We dive into: • How to hold onto your passions as you get older and life gets busier • Why letting go of “identity” can free you from regret and depression • What imposter syndrome really means — and how to beat it with proof • The UK’s mental health crisis and what Scotland can learn

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00:40:19

Episode 64 - Is Life on Earth a Cosmic Fluke? Dr...

The Struggle ·

2025/08/17

Is life on Earth a cosmic fluke, or is it inevitable wherever the right conditions exist? In Ep. 64 – The Struggle, I sit down with esteemed astrophysicist and bestselling author Dr. Mario Livio to unpack some of the most profound questions in science and humanity’s future.⸻🌌 In this episode, we explore: • 🌍 Is Earth exceptional? Why life exists here — and why we still don’t know whether it exists elsewhere. • 👽 The likelihood of life elsewhere in the universe — and why the odds remain uncertain

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00:11:29

Episode 63 - Why We regret the past and long for ‘The...

The Struggle ·

2025/08/03

Welcome back to The Struggle — Episode 63 is the final part of our three-part deep dive on time. We’ve explored the future, wrestled with the present, and now it’s time to confront the past.In this episode, we unpack the two major psychological burdens we carry from our past:Regret – the weight of wishing we’d done things differently.Nostalgia – the ache of longing for the “good old days.”We explore:The evolutionary function of regret and why it persists in modern life.The psychology of nostalgia,

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00:15:23

Episode 62 - Why You Can’t Live in the Moment — And...

The Struggle ·

2025/07/20

Why is it so hard to live in the moment — and why do we overthink it when we try?In this episode ofThe Struggle, we dive deep into the real reasons we struggle to stay present — and what we can do about it. From the way our brains evolved, to how the modern world hijacks our attention, this episode explores both the science and psychology behind presence, distraction, and overanalysis.🎙Episode 62: Why You Can’t Live in the Moment — And What to Do About ItWe’ll explore: • Why the present moment is

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00:13:52

Episode 61 - Why Imagining Your Future Is Making You...

The Struggle ·

2025/07/06

🎯Is your imagined future stealing joy from your present? In Episode 61 of The Struggle, we explore how thinking about the future can either empower you—or trap you in fear, anxiety, and disappointment.We break down two major psychological traps: 1. Fear of the Future– how worst-case thinking activates stress and how to use Tim Ferriss’Fear-Settingtechnique to take back control. 2. The Arrival Fallacy– why obsessively fantasising about a “perfect” future makes reality feel hollow, and how embracing

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00:13:08

Episode 60 - Why success won’t make you happy & what...

The Struggle ·

2025/06/22

Are you hustling for money, titles, or prestige—yet secretly scared you’ll feel nothing when you finally “make it”? In Episode 60 of The Struggle we pull back the curtain on the darker side of ambition and reveal the missing ingredient that turns achievement into genuine purpose.🎧 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:🔍 Why striving for success can secretly make you miserable🧠 How the arrival fallacy tricks high-achievers into depression💸 Why money, fame, and status don’t fix internal struggles🚴‍♂️

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00:14:21

Episode 59 - 4 Life-Changing Lessons Regret Is Trying...

The Struggle ·

2025/06/07

🎙️EPISODE 59 — 4 Life-Changing Lessons Regret Is Trying to Teach YouRegret is painful, persistent… and essential.In this episode ofThe Struggle, we break down4 powerful lessonsthat regret offers us—if we’re willing to listen. Rooted inStoic philosophy,evolutionary psychology, and modern emotional intelligence, this episode will change how you think about your past mistakes and missed opportunities.You’ll learn:🧠 Why your brain focuses on the negative (and how to use it to your advantage)🔥 The

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00:22:16

Episode 58 - Addicted to Distraction? How to Reclaim...

The Struggle ·

2025/05/25

Are you addicted… or just constantly distracted?In Episode 58 ofThe Struggle, we dive deep into the world of addiction, compulsive behaviour, and the modern epidemic of distraction. Whether you’re battling a harmful habit or simply find yourself endlessly scrolling, this episode will help you understand the hidden drivers behind your behaviour—and offer practical, compassionate tools to reconnect with yourself.Drawing on insights fromDr. Gabor Maté,Dr. Anna Lembke,Joe Hudson, andRyan Soave, this

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00:11:35

Episode 57 - The One rule that ends burnout: Do Less,...

The Struggle ·

2025/05/11

Feeling overwhelmed, stretched too thin, or constantly busy but getting nowhere? In this episode of The Struggle, I share the one strategy that helped me cut through the noise, avoid burnout, and focus only on what truly matters: Pareto’s Principle, also known as the 80/20 Rule.I dive into:• Why I paused my newsletter to protect my mental health• How Tim Ferriss used the 80/20 rule to grow while doing less• The surprising truth about productivity, effort, and results• How you can apply this

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00:15:59

Episode 56 - Why Comfort is Killing You: The Hidden...

The Struggle ·

2025/03/20

We live in a world ofinstant gratification—fast food, quick entertainment, next-day deliveries. Everything we want is availableimmediately, yet we’re moreanxious, distracted, and unfulfilledthan ever.In this episode, we break down: • Why modern society is making us weaker, not stronger • TheHedonic Treadmill—why nothing ever feels enough • Howsocial media, fast food, and entertainmenthijack our brains • Nietzsche’s “Last Man”—and why we’re becoming him • Practical steps to escape the cycle andregain

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00:18:31

Episode 55 - The Biggest Risk in Life Is Playing It...

The Struggle ·

2025/03/12

Most of us think we’re taking the safe path—getting the degree, landing the well-paid job, buying the house—but what if that’s actually the riskiest decision of all? We fear uncertainty and avoid risk, but in doing so, we might be making the biggest gamble of our lives: sacrificing fulfilment for comfort.In this episode, I break down why we miscalculate risk, how loss aversion distorts our decision-making, and why inaction is just as risky—if not riskier—than action. Using Prospect Theory (Kahneman

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00:20:33

Episode 54 - Fear and Hope Are Traps - Lao Tzu’s...

The Struggle ·

2025/03/04

Fear and hope—two emotions that seem opposite—are actually two sides of the same illusion, both keeping us from taking action. In this episode ofThe Struggle, I explore a powerful passage from Lao Tzu’sTao Te Ching:“Success is as dangerous as failure. Hope is as hollow as fear...”What does this mean? How does it apply to modern life? I’ll break down: • Why fear paralyzes us—and why hope can be just as dangerous • The psychological and philosophical roots of inaction • The Yerkes-Dodson Law and why

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00:18:12

Episode 53 - The Shocking Truth About Pain,...

The Struggle ·

2025/02/16

What if the very thing you’re running from—your pain, your dissatisfaction, your anxiety—is actually the key to living a full, meaningful life? What if the endless distractions, self-improvement loops, and compulsive scrolling are keeping you from something deeper?In this episode ofThe Struggle, I explore why discomfort isn’t a flaw in the system—it’s a necessity. I dive into how modern technology exploits ancient survival mechanisms to keep us addicted to dissatisfaction and why true fulfillment

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00:21:06

Episode 52 - The Struggle Trap: Why You’re Stuck (And...

The Struggle ·

2025/02/09

📌 Episode SummaryIn this introspective episode of The Struggle, I explore a paradox that has shaped my entire life: the more we struggle, the more we become trapped—just like Devil’s Snare in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.For 20 years, I believed the solution to my problems was to work harder, achieve more, and optimize every part of my life. I thought success, productivity, and external achievements would make me feel whole. But no matter how much I accomplished, the internal void

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