Learned-ish

Why Didn't I think of That? The Power of Diversity of Thought

Ash Porter — Mon, 25 May 2026 05:00:00 GMT

A few years ago, I read this brilliant book called Rebel Ideas by Matthew Syed. This book examines the power of what Syed describes as ‘cognitive diversity’, basically a diverse range of thoughts, ideas and opinions, and it explains how in our complicated and modern world we cannot rely on individuals’ ideas, or just the thoughts of those similar to us. He argues that instead, the best organisations, teams and projects need a diverse range of knowledge, experience and ways of thinking to create a collective intelligence that overcomes the world’s most pressing challenges.

If you’d like to read this, instead of listening to it, you can find a written version here.

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Why you're thinking about failure all wrong

Ash Porter — Mon, 11 May 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Failure is inescapable, and the way we understand it and react to it can drastically change its impact on our lives. We can dread it, fear it and avoid it. Leaving us frozen and regretful, stopping us from fully living life, becoming who we want to be and achieving our goals. Or, we can embrace it, understanding it’s part of the process, and learn from it - letting it inspire and drive us towards greatness.

If you’d like to read this, instead of listening to it, you can find a written version here.

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Why do humans tell stories?

Ash Porter — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 05:00:00 GMT

We all tell stories. They are built into human nature. But why? We’ll explore the origins of our storytelling, the power of mirror neurons in storytelling, and how stories are needed to make sense of a confusing world.

If you’d like to read this, instead of listening to it, you can find a written version here.

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What is a gut feeling? How trustworthy are they?

Ash Porter — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Have you ever experienced that sinking feeling, a tightening in your stomach that just screams at you, saying, ‘something’s wrong here!’ Or have you ever been asked a question, or put in a situation where you have to make a decision, and instinctively you just know the answer or what you need to do? You don’t know where it’s come from, but something inside of you just gave you the answer and a good feeling about it? Those moments can be described as gut feelings; we all experience them, and when we understand them more, they can be one of the most useful tools we have as humans.

If you’d like to read this, instead of listening to it, you can find a written version here.

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Is Napping good for you?

Ash Porter — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Napping is a surprisingly controversial topic. If you asked a random group of people whether they nap, I imagine you’d have a range of answers, layered with a range of convictions. If you look at the science, it’s mixed too. However, there does seem to be a type of nap that proves to be the best.

If you’d like to read this, instead of listening to it, you can find a written version here.

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How well do you listen?

Ash Porter — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Listening is a skill. It’s something we all do, but it doesn’t mean it’s something we are all good at. When we are listened to, it creates a connection and helps us to feel seen and heard, things that as humans, we all crave.

If you’d like to read this, instead of listening to it, you can find a written version here.

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Why Multitasking is a Myth

Ash Porter — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMT

For years, we’ve been sold the idea that we can multitask, doing two or more things at once to improve our productivity or simply to enjoy more things at once. The problem is, we’ve been sold a lie. Humans can’t multitask.

If you’d like to read this, instead of listening to it, you can find a written version here.

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How to Build New Habits and Change Old Ones

Ash Porter — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Forming new habits can be tricky; it takes time, effort and a bit of trial and error. Changing old habits can be frustrating, too. Here’s how to do both those things.

If you’d like to read this, instead of listening to it, you can find a written version here.

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What are Habits? Why are they important?

Ash Porter — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 05:30:00 GMT

Have you ever wondered what habits are and why people talk about them so often? Today, we’ll explore just how significant habits are in your life.

If you’d like to read this, instead of listening to it, you can find a written version here.

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Why do people choose to get up early?

Ash Porter — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Have you ever wondered why some people choose to get up so early each day? Does it actually benefit them?

If you’d like to read this, instead of listening to it, you can find a written version here.

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Why We 'Other'

Ash Porter — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 20:43:05 GMT

Have you ever wondered why humans are so good at hating each other? Today, we are going to be exploring exactly that.

If you’d like to read this, instead of listening to it, you can find a written version here.

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