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The Knowledge Project Podcast

The Science of Doing Your Best Work | Steven Kotler

Steven Kotler is a bestselling author and the executive director of the Flow Research Collective, where he studies the science of peak performance.

Featured clips

What Is a Flow State?
00:58

What Is a Flow State?

The Burnout Mistake High Performers Make
08:33

The Burnout Mistake High Performers Make

Why ADHD Can Be a Flow Advantage
16:22

Why ADHD Can Be a Flow Advantage

Why Frustration Helps You Learn
33:51

Why Frustration Helps You Learn

The Moment Your Brain Learns Best
51:13

The Moment Your Brain Learns Best

Most of us have felt it. Hours disappear, everything else fades away, and the work seems to do itself. But what’s actually happening in those moments, and can you make them happen on purpose?

Kotler has spent decades studying flow, and he makes the case that it’s far more trainable than most people think. We talk about what brings it on, how hard a task should be before it pulls you in, and why the hobby you gave up as an adult might matter more than you realize.

We also get into what frustration is really telling you when you’re learning, how play compares with practice, how to focus on work you’d rather not be doing, and how to think clearly when there’s more information than ever and fewer people checking it.

Available Now: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | X | Transcript

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The Knowledge Project Podcast with Shane Parrish

The Knowledge Project

A podcast about mastering the best of what other people have already figured out. The Knowledge Project focuses on insights and lessons that never expire. You’ll walk away from every episode with actionable insights that help you get better results and live a more meaningful life.

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