Best David Pinsof Podcasts (2025)

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Exploitation with Hannes Rusch 1:57:03

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1d ago1:57:03

1:57:03

What is exploitation? Why does it happen? And how can we better understand what makes it more or less likely? In this episode, we talk to Hannes Rusch (Max Planck Crime, Security, & Law) about all things exploitation and group-y. Other topics include jobs, mopping, scapegoating, bravery, and how much people care about their group identities. More a…

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Influence Pays – Game Theory for Smarter Workplace Incentives | with Pau Milán 25:52

2d ago25:52

25:52

In this episode, we explore how game theory and network effects intersect to inform optimal incentive structures in organizations. Pau Milán walks us through his recent research, co-authored with Nicolás Oviedo-Davila and Marc Claveria, which uses a novel game-theoretic model to show how the productivity of one employee can amplify the output of ot…

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#1024 - Jon Bellion - The Art of an Authentic Comeback 2:45:38

3d ago2:45:38

2:45:38

Jon Bellion is a singer-songwriter, producer, and artist. Fame has a gravity of its own, and once you’re in the spotlight, leaving it isn’t easy. Yet Jon Bellion found more truth in stepping behind the scenes to focus on creating. Now, as a new father and a renewed artist, what gives his life meaning, and what message does he want to share with the…

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#1023 - I Prevail - The Trades You Make to Live Your Dreams 2:43:16

5d ago2:43:16

2:43:16

Eric Vanlerberghe is a vocalist, songwriter, and founding member of the band I Prevail. Gabe Helguera is a drummer, and co-founder of Drum Beats Online (DBO), and a member of the band I Prevail From the outside, the life of a heavy-metal band seems larger-than-life. But behind the scenes, the truth is far more raw. Eric and Gabe of I Prevail share …

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#1022 - Sheehan Quirke - How Did The Modern World Get So Ugly? 1:55:35

7d ago1:55:35

1:55:35

Sheehan Quirke is a British writer and online educator, known as The Cultural Tutor for creating accessible posts on art, history, and literature. Why does modern life feel so devoid of beauty? For decades, efficiency has beaten out elegance. Cheap has replaced meaningful. When did we stop creating things built to last and meant to move us, and wha…

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Polygamy with Brooke Scelza 1:51:22

8d ago1:51:22

1:51:22

Are humans designed to be monogamous? Polygamous? In this episode, we talk to Brooke Scelza (UCLA) about her work with the Himba and the complex web of social norms at play in that society and what it can teach us about our evolved psychology. Other topics include parental investment, the state of cross-talk between evolutionary anthropology and ps…

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#1021 - Louise Perry & Mary Harrington - The Performative Male Epidemic 2:14:41

10d ago2:14:41

2:14:41

Louise Perry is a writer, Press Officer for the campaign group We Can’t Consent To This and an author. Mary Harrington is a writer, columnist and author. Why are young people having less sex than ever? Has something in our evolution shifted, or has modern life become so confusing that we can’t even tell what we’re attracted to anymore? What’s reall…

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#1020 - Jessica Baum - Why We Fall for the Wrong People 1:14:49

12d ago1:14:49

1:14:49

Jessica Baum is a psychotherapist, relationship expert, and author. What does it actually take to feel safe in a relationship? If you’ve had chaotic partners or a past where you never knew where you stood, safety can feel like work instead of something natural. So how do you rebuild that sense of security, and what steps help you learn to feel safe…

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#1019 - Fin Taylor & Horatio Gould - History is a Freakshow 1:32:43

14d ago1:32:43

1:32:43

Fin Taylor is an English comedian, writer and podcaster. Horatio Gould is also an English comedian, writer, and podcaster. History is basically one long reminder that no matter how bad your day is, someone in the past was probably getting catapulted off a castle wall. Feel better? Good. Humanity may be a litany of disasters, but the past is packed …

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Are equilibria a good predictor for real-life behaviour? | with Colin Camerer 28:30

14d ago28:30

28:30

In this episode we explore the most classical topic from Game Theory – equilibrium analysis. Our guest Colin Camerer shares insights on the game LUPI ('lowest unique positive integer'). We first discuss the actual mathematical equilibrium analysis and then dive into real life: results from a Swedish game show in which the game was played in a lotte…

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Leadership with Zach Garfield 1:46:02

15d ago1:46:02

1:46:02

Are mothers the evolutionary crucible of leadership psychology? And is leadership more misunderstood and cryptic than we might think? In this episode, we talk to Zach Garfield (UM6P, Morocco) about all things lead-y and follow-y, and the new and amazing Omo Valley Research Project. More about Zach Garfield: https://zhgarfield.github.io/ The Omo Val…

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#1018 - Peter Crouch - Behind The Bravado of Modern British Football 1:35:39

17d ago1:35:39

1:35:39

Peter Crouch is a former professional footballer, sports pundit, and podcaster. What was it like playing in the Premier League alongside some of football’s most intense personalities? In an era where a goal celebration, whether it was the robot or a knee slide, showed your confidence as much as your skill, what was life like for Peter Crouch back t…

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#1017 - Jonathan Anomaly - What Embryo Selection Means for Humanity 2:02:40

19d ago2:02:40

2:02:40

Dr Jonathan Anomaly is a philosopher, professor and an author. What if you could design your own “super baby”? Imagine erasing genetic diseases, removing inherited conditions, and even selecting traits for beauty or intelligence. How close are we to making this possible, and what unintended consequences could this unleash? Expect to learn why embry…

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#1016 - Rob Henderson - Is Having a Boyfriend Cringe Now? 1:27:13

21d ago1:27:13

1:27:13

Rob Henderson holds a PhD in psychology from the University of Cambridge and is a Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute. When did having a boyfriend become cringe? For as long as men have been men and women have been women, finding a partner to share life with has been one of humanity’s oldest goals. So what changed? Why has wanting connection b…

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Cultural Dynamics with Bret Beheim 2:04:34

22d ago2:04:34

2:04:34

What is cultural diffusion, why do need models of cultural change and distance, and what is on Bret's whiteboard? In this episode, we do a deep on how cultural change and distance are measured and studied with Bret Beheim (Max Planck for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig). Other topics include the local norms surrounding red lights and the evergre…

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#1015 - Alain de Botton - 16 Lessons from The School Of Life 1:29:31

24d ago1:29:31

1:29:31

Alain de Botton is a philosopher, author, and founder of The School of Life. How can we truly understand ourselves? Most of us either ignore our emotions or overthink them, turning simple feelings into complex puzzles. So how do we navigate the minefield of emotion to grow and become better? Sponsors: See discounts for all the products I use and re…

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#1014 - Dr Marc Brackett - The Life-Changing Skill of Emotional Regulation 1:30:40

26d ago1:30:40

1:30:40

Dr. Marc Brackett is a professor at Yale University, the founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, and author. Why is it so hard to actually feel our emotions? In a world that tells us to “be more vulnerable,” many of us don’t even know what that really means. Are we being unregulated when we express emotion, or are we finall…

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#1013 - Scott Galloway - How to Fix a Culture of Emasculated Men 1:45:50

28d ago1:45:50

1:45:50

Scott Galloway is a professor of marketing at the New York University Stern School of Business, a public speaker, entrepreneur and an author. Why are so many young men struggling today? In a world that often focuses on the oppression of others, it’s easy to forget that men are part of that story too. What’s actually being done to address men’s chal…

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Inter-group Relations with Anne Pisor 1:46:57

29d ago1:46:57

1:46:57

Are group boundaries solid, impermeable, and red in tooth-and-claw? Is animosity between groups inevitable? In this episode, we talk to Anne Pisor ( Penn State) about all things inter-group from an evolutionary perspective, including the forging of relationships across group boundaries as a way to deal with uncertainty and risk, and the circumstanc…

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The Power of Connection – A Game Theoretic View on Networks | with Matthew Jackson 26:09

1M ago26:09

26:09

In this episode we explore the economic and strategic foundations of networks – from personal connections in the labor market to complex webs of international trade and conflict together with our guest Matthew Jackson. He unpacks how networks shape opportunities, inequalities, and global dynamics, and how game theory helps us understand the power a…

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#1012 - Alex O’Connor & Joe Folley - Is Being Smart Worth the Depression? 1:58:56

1M ago1:58:56

1:58:56

Alex O’Connor is a YouTuber, writer and a podcaster. Joe Folley is a philosopher, writer, and host of the Unsolicited Advice YouTube channel. Philosophy has spent thousands of years trying to teach us how to live well. But the deeper you go, the darker it gets. So what’s the point? What can we take from all that heaviness, and how do we find beauty…

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#1011 - Eliezer Yudkowsky - Why Superhuman AI Would Kill Us All 1:37:08

1M ago1:37:08

1:37:08

Eliezer Yudkowsky is an AI researcher, decision theorist, and founder of the Machine Intelligence Research Institute. Is AI our greatest hope or our final mistake? For all its promise to revolutionize human life, there’s a growing fear that artificial intelligence could end it altogether. How grounded are these fears, how close are we to losing con…

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#1010 - Bernie Sanders - Who Actually Runs the US Government? 1:09:03

1M ago1:09:03

1:09:03

Bernie Sanders is a US Senator, former presidential candidate, political activist and an author. What happened to the Democratic Party? After a brutal defeat to Trump in 2024, the Left looks lost, divided, leaderless, and unsure of its future. Bernie Sanders breaks down what went wrong, how Democrats are trying to recover, and whether they’ve learn…

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Shame, Pride, and Guilt with Daniel Sznycer 2:04:30

1M ago2:04:30

2:04:30

Why do we feel shame? Is it a useless emotion? Our guest, Daniel Sznycer (Oklahoma State) has been studying "self-conscious" emotions from a functional/evolutionary perspective. If you're curious about why we feel things like shame, pride, guilt, or how an evolutionary approach can she light on understanding our emotions, this episode is for you. M…

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#1009 - Bugzy Malone - Harsh Lessons in Unorthodox Strategy 2:31:35

1M ago2:31:35

2:31:35

Bugzy Malone is a British rapper, actor, and entrepreneur from Manchester, England. From gang life to greatness, Bugzy Malone’s rise is a story of struggle, survival, and self-belief. As one of the most defining voices in UK rap, his journey is equal parts pain and power. Expect to learn why being a role model takes it’s toll on some people, the li…

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#1008 - Angelo Somers - Why Life Feels So Pointless (and what to do) 2:13:25

1M ago2:13:25

2:13:25

Angelo Somers is a content creator, YouTuber, and author. Why does life sometimes feel like it’s lost its meaning? Everyone hits moments where optimism fades and the world starts to look a little darker. You’re not broken for feeling that way; it happens to the best of us. But why does this quiet pessimism seem to be growing, and how do we find our…

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#1007 - Dr K HealthyGamer - The Toxic Fuel That’s Destroying Your Motivation 2:53:41

1M ago2:53:41

2:53:41

Dr K is a psychiatrist, Harvard Medical School instructor, co-founder of Healthy GamerGG, Twitch streamer and a YouTuber. Why are we driven by what destroys us? Using anger or jealousy can spark our motivation, but when it goes too far, it consumes us. What are healthier ways to stay motivated, and how do we find peace instead of pressure Expect to…

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Evolutionary Psychology and the Law with Keelah Williams 1:45:14

1M ago1:45:14

1:45:14

Motive? Intent? Case closed! In this episode, Keelah Williams (JD, PhD, Hamilton) runs us through our bar exam prelims, explaining how our evolved psychology influences legal decision-making, and what consequences this may have on truth, justice, and much else... If you are interested in how evolutionary approaches inform legal issues, this episode…

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Robbing the many to pay the one – game theory and temptation | with Carlos Alós-Ferrer 30:53

1M ago30:53

30:53

In this episode we are talking about corporate scandals, selfishness, and how game theory can help us understand when people give in to temptation. Carlos Alós-Ferrer explains how his "Big Robber" experiment shows that while people often act pro-socially in classical economic games, things change when individuals are given the chance to earn large …

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#1006 - Chris Bumstead - Life After Olympia: Fatherhood, TRT & Finding Purpose 2:00:05

1M ago2:00:05

2:00:05

Chris Bumstead is a professional bodybuilder, 6x Mr. Olympia Classic Physique title holder, and a business owner. From 6× Mr. Olympia to full-time business owner and stay-at-home dad, it’s safe to say Chris Bumstead’s been enjoying retired life. So what’s he been up to this past year, what’s changed most for him, and what’s he looking forward to ne…

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#1005 - Warren Smith - J.K. Rowling & The Cost of Speaking Freely 1:15:28

2M ago1:15:28

1:15:28

Warren Smith is a filmmaker, educator, and host of the “Secret Scholar Society” YouTube channel. If freedom of speech can be shouted down, does it really exist? When every debate turns into partisan noise, what does honest discourse even look like? If we can’t talk about our problems without resorting to anger or violence, how can we ever solve the…

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#1004 - Sam Corcos - Inside DOGE, The IRS & How to Scam the US Government 2:56:09

2M ago2:56:09

2:56:09

Sam Corcos is an entrepreneur, CEO of Levels, and a special advisor to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). What’s really happening inside the U.S. government? For the first time, a DOGE insider exposes the chaos, corruption, and dysfunction plaguing Washington. How did America’s most powerful system lose its way, and can we climb out of…

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Horror and Morbid Curiosity with Coltan Scrivner 2:06:05

2M ago2:06:05

2:06:05

By Dave Pietraszewski & David Pinsof

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#1003 - Konstantin Kisin - The Forces Behind Britain's Downfall 2:17:29

2M ago2:17:29

2:17:29

Konstantin Kisin is a podcaster, a speaker and an author. Is the UK facing its breaking point? Once the world’s greatest empire, the UK now finds itself engulfed in political chaos and cultural upheaval. From leadership crises to deep divisions, what’s really happening on the front lines, and can Britain be saved from itself? Expect to learn why th…

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#1002 - Andrew Doyle - Political Violence & The Lunatics of Your Own Side 2:33:01

2M ago2:33:01

2:33:01

Andrew Doyle is Titania McGrath, host of GB News, a comedian and a writer. The world has shifted dramatically over the past few years, and the pace of change has only accelerated in recent months. Ideas that once lived outside the mainstream have quickly entered the Overton Window, while others have been pushed out. So what does the future hold for…

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#1001 - Ryan Holiday - Stoicism’s Lessons on Becoming Wise 1:52:43

2M ago1:52:43

1:52:43

Ryan Holiday is a podcaster, marketer and an author.If intelligence were enough, the smartest among us would also be the wisest. Yet time and again, they stumble over life’s simplest lessons. Wisdom isn’t about knowing more; it’s about seeing deeper. So how do we shed the illusion of being ‘smart,’ and actually grow into wisdom?Expect to learn what…

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Cooperative breeding with Karen Kramer 1:16:14

2M ago1:16:14

1:16:14

How are humans able to sustain large families? What is our "true" reproductive strategy as a species? Are kids designed to raise younger children? And is it unnatural for us to live in such strongly age-segregated societies? In this episode, we talk to Karen Kramer (U of Utah) where we discuss our (possibly unique) ability to live with and raise on…

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#1000 - Matthew McConaughey - The Art of Living a Courageous Life 1:58:00

2M ago1:58:00

1:58:00

Matthew McConaughey is an Academy Award-winning actor, producer and an author. Expect to learn why Matthew says life often “rhymes”, why it’s okay if you do everything right and still not get the result you want, how Matthew views the role courage plays in his life, how to learn to deal with failure, the difference between a nice guy and a good man…

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#999 - 21 Lessons from 999 Episodes - Naval Ravikant, Roger Federer & Vincent van Gogh 1:55:05

2M ago1:55:05

1:55:05

To celebrate 999, almost 1000, episodes of Modern Wisdom, I broke down some of my favourite lessons, insights and quotes from the last hundred episodes. Expect to learn how 999 episodes of Modern Wisdom have reshaped my understanding of happiness, success and relationships, what i've learned on losing points from Naval Ravikant & Roger Federer, the…

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#998 - Zack Telander - Everything You Want Is On The Other Side Of Cringe 1:47:33

2M ago1:47:33

1:47:33

Zack Telander is a musician, weightlifter, coach & YouTuber. Why are we so afraid of being cringe? If being cringe online is the price of success, why don’t more people pay it? So how do you train yourself past criticism and actually do what needs to be done in your life, whether people are watching you or not? Expect to learn why getting over bein…

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Belief with Dan Williams 1:54:16

2M ago1:54:16

1:54:16

Why do we believe what we believe? And our we aware of why we believe what we believe? And what is a belief anyway? And what should we think of people like Jordan Peterson? We tackle these questions and more in this episode with Dan Williams (Sussex): our first guest representing evolutionary approaches to philosophy. More about Dan Williams: https…

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#997 - Bonnie Blue & Louise Perry - The Modern Sex Work Debate 2:13:37

2M ago2:13:37

2:13:37

Louise Perry is a writer, Press Officer for the campaign group We Can’t Consent To This and an author. Bonnie Blue is a British pornographic actress and online content creator. Louise is the author of The Case Against The Sexual Revolution and Bonnie is the world’s most extreme example of the sexual revolution in action, so I figured it might make …

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#996 - Stephen J. Shaw - Why Population Collapse is Closer Than You Think 2:53:10

2M ago2:53:10

2:53:10

Stephen J. Shaw is a data scientist and filmmaker. Birth rates in Western countries are collapsing, a trend even Elon Musk calls an existential threat. But what’s the true cause? Is it economics, fear of the future, cultural shifts, or something deeper? And more importantly, can anything actually reverse the decline? Sponsors: See me on tour in Ame…

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#995 - Lionel Page - Born to Lie: How Humans Deceive Ourselves & Others 1:43:13

2M ago1:43:13

1:43:13

Lionel Page is a professor at the University of Queensland and an author. Why is human communication so complicated? For something we rely on every day, you’d think it would be simple, but language, tone, and context make it one of the most complex skills we have. So what makes communication so difficult, and what are some practical ways to get bet…

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The Evolution of Human Longevity with Mike Gurven 1:52:34

2M ago1:52:34

1:52:34

Did we evolve to live long lives? Is heart disease a human universal? In this episode, we talk to Mike Gurven (UCSB), who has run a number of large-scale studies on the life and health of non-Western populations (among much, much more). And now, he has a new book out (Seven Decades: How We Evolved to Live Longer) summarizing the big picture of what…

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#994 - Sam Sulek - The Endless Pursuit of Progress 2:10:19

2M ago2:10:19

2:10:19

Sam Sulek is a professional bodybuilder and YouTuber. From zero to millions of fans, Sam Sulek’s rise has been nothing short of explosive. In just a few years, he’s become one of social media’s most-watched and talked-about creators. Sit back as we dive into the story of the man behind some of the internet’s most beloved vlogs, fueled by hefty scoo…

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#993 - Katie Herzog - A Controversial New Cure for Alcohol Dependence 1:35:35

2M ago1:35:35

1:35:35

Katie Herzog is a journalist, podcaster, and writer. What does it take to get sober in today’s world? From traditional paths like AA to the grit of going cold turkey, the old methods of sobriety may no longer be enough. But what if counterintuitive, cutting-edge approaches, backed by modern science, offer new ways to manage alcohol use? And what do…

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#992 - Dr Sarah Hill - The Period Brain: How Hormones Change Women’s Behaviour 1:39:28

3M ago1:39:28

1:39:28

Dr Sarah Hill is a professor at TCU, a research psychologist, expert in women’s hormones and brain science, and an author. Each month, women experience hormonal changes that go far beyond the clichés of PMS. These shifts can influence mood, stress response, and even how women relate to others. So how can recognizing these patterns make it easier fo…

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Language and Communication with Thom Scott-Phillips 1:38:25

3M ago1:38:25

1:38:25

What do the lindy hop, ostensive communication, and the evolution of language all have in common? Thom Scott-Phillips! In this episode, we discuss if language is an adaptation, why art museums have that certain vibe, the theory crisis in the behavioral sciences, the state of scientific publishing, and why Thom loves the lindy hop. More about Thom S…

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#991 - Dr John Delony - The Blueprint for Better Relationships & a Peaceful Life 1:48:10

3M ago1:48:10

1:48:10

Dr. John Delony is a mental health expert, author, YouTuber, and speaker. How you we build a thriving relationship in the modern world? With constant distractions and endless options at our fingertips, trust between partners can feel harder than ever. So what does it really take to create a relationship rooted in trust, intimacy, and growth in toda…