Welcome to the lab. Please behave accordingly.
We dissect the psychology of ambition, identity, and becoming.
Hosted by someone qualified (important) but mercifully funny and mysterious.
New experiments every Monday.
*No high-achievers were harmed in the creation of this podcast*
10 | Attention Is Currency & You're Spending It Without Thinking
In this lab, we audit your attentional budget: what it actually costs your brain to switch tasks, how companies like Meta are monetising your focus for profit, why you can't access creativity if you've lost the ability to be bored, and what the science says about taking it back. We cover switching costs, the attention economy, dopamine, cognitive load, and why 47 seconds is the number that should scare you.In this lab, we run a full audit of your attentional budget: what it actually costs your brain to switch tasks, how companies like Meta are monetising your focus for profit, why you can't access creativity if you've lost the ability to be bored, and what the science says about taking it back. We cover switching costs, the attention economy, dopamine, cognitive load, and why 47 seconds is the number that should scare you.
26 Jan 2026
9 | The Neuroscience of Deliberate Practice: Why Working Hard Isn't Enough
In this lab, we put you under the microscope—are you actually working hard?
19 Jan 2026
8 | What Elite Performers Do Differently When They Practice
In this prelab, we prepare to ask the most heinous question a high-achiever can be asked, “are you actually working hard?”.
5 Jan 2026
7 | Is Ambition Becoming a Dirty Word? The Psychology of Why Success Makes People Uncomfortable
In this lab, inspired by the substack ‘is having a boyfriend embarrassing?’, we discuss what constitutes healthy ambition, why unhealthy ambition can feel heavy, and how we discern between them so that our approach to achievement is sustainable. The host also says “daddy” more times than are socially acceptable for a 20-minute episode.
28 Dec 2025
6 | Why the People Closest to You Don't Support Your Ambitions (The Psychology of Tall Poppy Syndrome)
In this lab, we dissect the vexing paradox that strangers find it easier to support your goals and ambitions more than some of your nearest and dearest.
21 May 2025
5 | The Psychology Behind Why Mastermind Groups Work (Or Don't)
In this lab, we finally put to use your knowledge that the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell. We dissect why a mastermind is the powerhouse of success by laying out the blueprint for creating a mastermind group.
Extensive list of core values can be found at https://scottjeffrey.com/core-values-list/
14 Apr 2025
4 | What Is a Mastermind Group and Does the Psychology Actually Support It? (Prelab)
In this prelab, we prepare for our dissection of a mastermind group. We have a succinct dive into the origins of mastermind as the driving force for success and examine the six key elements of a mastermind group.
31 Mar 2025
3 | Your Social Circle Is Either Building You or Costing You (Here's How to Know)
In this lab, we learn that your mom was right when she told you, “You are who you hang out with.” We dissect the psychological effect of the people we chose to be around and introduce ways to audit your circle based on the 30-30-30 rule.
24 Mar 2025
2 | The Hidden Price of Being Ambitious When No One Around You Is
In this lab, we learn that being different comes at the cost of your comfort and likeability. We dive into understanding social conformity, and why it feels difficult to go against the grain in society.
17 Mar 2025
1 | Why High Achievers Feel Like Frauds (Dissecting Imposter Syndrome)
In this lab, we dissect the what, how, and why of imposter syndrome.
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