Anti-Fragile: How to benefit from uncertainty and build resilience into your systems

A system that grows stronger from chaos? That’s not science fiction. It’s nature’s original design. Nassim Taleb's Antifragile isn't just a book. It’s a lens—a way to see the world not as a series of risks to be avoided, but as opportunities to evolve. In this episode, we explore what it means to thrive in disorder. From ancient myths like the Hydra, to modern jobs and biological systems, we trace the pattern: fragility is punished, antifragility is rewarded. What if you built a life where setbacks made you better, not bitter? Where unpredictability wasn’t a threat, but a catalyst? That’s the shift we’re inviting you to make. Takeaways: Design your systems to gain from shocks, not just resist them. Embrace small failures—they prevent catastrophic ones. Seek environments where your upside grows with uncertainty. How to Change the World Sam's new show can be found on major podcast players: Spotify - ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT⁠⁠ Apple - ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649⁠⁠ YouTube - ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast⁠⁠ Can't find it on your player? This is the RSS feed - ⁠⁠https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8⁠⁠ UPGRADE to ⁠⁠⁠⁠Premium⁠⁠⁠⁠: 🏖️ Ad-free listening 🤘 Support the show 🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content 💬 Community Discord ⁠⁠⁠⁠GrowthMindset.Supercast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get in Touch 👋 Free Call - ⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule Link⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset 📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com Growth Mindset Psychology: Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement. 📺 Watch - ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube (Growth Mindset)⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🛜 Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠Growth Mindset⁠⁠⁠⁠ Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement Episode: Anti-Fragile: How to benefit from uncertainty and build resilience into your systems Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Book Overview 03:38 The Central Triad: Fragile, Robust, Anti-Fragile 03:38 Mythological Examples of Anti-Fragility 05:14 Real-World Examples of Anti-Fragility 08:16 Anti-Fragility in Careers and Jobs 11:05 Economic Systems and Anti-Fragility 18:27 The Barbell Strategy for Anti-Fragility 21:21 Optionality: The Key to Anti-Fragility 25:54 The Narrative Fallacy and Practical Applications 28:52 The Path to Invention: Jet Engine and Beyond 29:42 Investing in Thinkers, Not Theories 30:11 Scientific Research vs. Practical Tinkering 31:05 Discussing 'Elephant in the Brain' 32:18 Understanding Favorable Asymmetries 33:41 Bitcoin as a Hedge Against Hyperinflation 35:00 Perishable vs. Non-Perishable: Longevity of Ideas 36:05 Nature's Anti-Fragility and Diet Choices 38:57 Neo Mania: Obsession with Newness 39:56 Medicine: Less is More 45:05 Ethics of Fragility and Anti-Fragility 45:30 Wrap up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Most self-help advice is guesswork dressed up as wisdom. We dig into psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral science to find what actually changes lives. WHY LISTEN? Over 8 million downloads because we answer the questions that matter: How do I build mental strength? What creates lasting motivation? How can I understand my own mind well enough to work with it, not against it? This podcast is for curious skeptics who want frameworks backed by psychology studies, not Instagram quotes. Whether you're navigating procrastination, building self-discipline, or designing your own philosophy for a life well lived—we explore the hidden psychology behind real change. WHAT YOU'LL GET Mental models and simple techniques from cognitive psychology, positive psychology, and ancient wisdom traditions like Stoicism and Buddhism. Being a human can be confusing, learning about it doesn’t have to be. We cover everything from emotional intelligence and habit formation to brain health and the nervous system. WHAT YOU DON’T GET No pseudoscience. No oversimplified "hacks." No hustle porn. Just practical insights on mindset improvement, self-development, and human psychology that respect your intelligence and mental health. THE APPROACH Instead of telling you what to think, we explore how thinking works. Armed with psychology studies, social science research, and relentless curiosity, we uncover the mechanics of belief change, attitude change, and personal development. Success is personal. You might want to leverage your neurodiverse strengths, build a business, or simply discover how to be happier. We provide the mental frameworks to pursue your definition of success with mental strength and self-care that fits your life. YOUR HOST I'm Sam Webster Harris—a lifelong learner with ADHD and an obsession with finding answers to hard questions. After launching businesses, traveling the world, and nearly dying a few times, I concluded that psychology and science are where real wisdom lives. This show is my excuse to dive deep into health and fitness research, behavioral psychology, and cool science while helping you build genuine self-discipline and motivation. PREMIUM Go ad-free and access exclusive content, AMAs, and our community Discord. Growth Mindset Premium PAST SERIES Previous guests include Olympians, Scientists, Billionaires, and Sam's Mum. Past series: — Psychology vs Stoicism — Time Management for Busy Mortals — Independence and Knowing Yourself — Cognitive Biases and Rational Thinking — Psychology of Connection and Relationships — Carol Dweck and the Multiverse of Mindsets — Addiction and Behaviour Change — Nervous System Mastery and Polyvagal Theory — Mental Strength and Self-Discipline