Ed Mylett: The Reticular Activating System Helps You Focus

A drawing of a man looking at a goal chart when his brain is glowing illustrates the reticular activating system

What role does your brain’s filtering system play in achieving your goals? How can you train your mind to notice more opportunities that align with your dreams? According to Ed Mylett, the reticular activating system in your brain filters information and shapes your perception of reality. By understanding and working with this natural mechanism, you can enhance your awareness of opportunities that match your aspirations. Continue reading to discover practical techniques for programming your RAS to support your journey toward success.

How a Psychosomatic Disorder Diagnosis Is Made

A doctor giving a psychosomatic disorder diagnosis in a hospital room

How are psychosomatic disorders diagnosed? Why do these types of disorders exist on a spectrum? Douglas Hoffman is an orthopedist with decades of experience in sports medicine. He takes a particular interest in how psychological and social factors lead to mindbody disorders, and diagnosing them with a thorough exam.  Check out how Hoffman conducts a psychosomatic disorder diagnosis to help struggling patients.

Gabor Maté’s The Myth of Normal: Book Overview

A woman sitting on a floral couch and reading a book

What does it mean to be “normal”? What role does trauma play in your health? What is the biopsychosocial model of health? In The Myth of Normal, physician and trauma expert Gabor Maté writes that much of what society labels as abnormal behavior, mental illness, or dysfunction actually represents normal responses to adverse life experiences. He advocates a trauma-informed perspective that addresses the root psychological and social causes of what we label as illness. Continue reading for an overview of Gabor Maté’s The Myth of Normal.

Friedrich Nietzsche: Morality Needs an Overhaul

An old book in poor condition titled "Morality"

What drives our understanding of right and wrong? How do different societies develop their moral codes? In Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche, morality is under the microscope. Nietzsche’s analysis explores two distinct types—master morality and herd morality—while examining how Christianity shaped Western ethical thinking. Keep reading to discover why Nietzsche believed Western society needed to move beyond traditional moral frameworks and create new values for the future.

Billy Walters’s Gambler: Secrets From a Life at Risk (Overview)

A bearded man underlining a passage in a book while sitting at a table in a cafe

How did Billy Walters make millions? Did he come by his fortune legitimately? What secrets does he share in his autobiography? Born into poverty, Billy Walters became one of the most successful sports bettors in US history, with a net worth north of $100 million. A 2023 inductee to the Circa Sports Betting Hall of Fame, Walters helped shape the modern sports betting landscape as well as the sports betting theory used by professionals. Keep reading for an overview of Billy Walters’s Gambler: Secrets From a Life at Risk.

Why Gambling Is Addictive (and Why Technology Is Just Like It)

A woman in a casino with slot machines, showing why gambling is addictive

Why is gambling addictive? What features does technology share with gambling? Adam Alter explains that some technology is designed to exploit the same psychological vulnerabilities as gambling, another behavioral addiction, to keep users engaged and coming back for more. He names four such design features: exciting audiovisual design, early hooks, variable rewards, and deceptive superiority to real life. Check out the similarities between gambling and technology that make these addictions hard to quit.

Integrative Thinking: Roger Martin’s Blueprint for Leadership

A smiling woman with three of her colleagues illustrates integrative thinking in leadership

What makes some business leaders more innovative than others? How can you develop the mental agility needed to solve complex problems in today’s fast-paced world? Roger Martin’s integrative thinking approach offers a framework for developing advanced problem-solving skills. His method combines three essential elements: adopting useful beliefs, applying creative reasoning techniques, and balancing experience with originality. Keep reading to discover how you can master these cognitive tools and transform your leadership capabilities.

David Ogilvy: Headlines Are the Most Crucial Part of an Ad

A woman with long blonde hair thinking and holding a pen while writing headlines for ad copy

What makes a headline truly captivating? How can you craft words that not only grab attention but also drive sales? David Ogilvy’s headlines have shaped modern advertising and continue to influence writers today. His principles for creating powerful headlines extend beyond advertising into every form of written communication, from work emails to blog posts. Read on to explore how you can harness these time-tested techniques to make your writing more engaging and effective.