Podcast thumbnail for First Principles

First Principles

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by Adrian Wells

3.0(2 reviews)
339 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas Sponsors

Podcast Overview

First Principles isn't another business podcast recycling the same startup stories. Adrian Wells takes the fundamentals that actually matter and breaks them down like you're having coffee with the smartest professor you ever had. Wells spent twelve years teaching philosophy and critical thinking before ditching the lecture hall for the microphone. Turns out, the same principles that help you think clearly about ancient Greek ethics also work pretty well for modern business decisions. Who knew? Every episode strips away the latest trends and buzzwords to focus on the core ideas that don't change. How to actually evaluate evidence when everyone's throwing around statistics. Why most "revolutionary" business advice is just old wine in new bottles. The thinking patterns that separate smart decisions from lucky guesses. You won't get hyped-up success stories or flavor-of-the-month strategies. Instead, you'll learn how to think through problems the way philosophers have for centuries, applied to the stuff that matters in your work and life right now. Multiple new episodes drop daily, so there's always something fresh when you need it. Follow now if you're ready to think better, not just think faster. Multiple new episodes daily—follow now!

Language

🇺🇲

Publishing Since

9/4/2025

1 verified contact email on file for First Principles

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Recent Episodes

Episode thumbnail for Why Jesse Lingard Chose Nottingham Forest Over Chelsea, Arsenal & Liverpool

July 31, 2026

Why Jesse Lingard Chose Nottingham Forest Over Chelsea, Arsenal & Liverpool

Why would a player turn down Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool to join a team that hadn't seen Premier League football in 23 years? Jesse Lingard's decision shocked the football world, and in this episode with Adrian Wells, he reveals the real reasons behind his surprising move to Nottingham Forest. After 22 years and 232 appearances at Manchester United, Lingard pulls back the curtain on what's really happening inside one of football's biggest clubs. His insights about internal culture problems and the politics that shape player decisions will change how you think about professional sports. 🎯 What You'll Learn: • Why Lingard chose Forest over three Premier League giants (the answer isn't what you think) • The internal culture issues at Manchester United that drove him away • How his incredible West Ham loan spell (9 goals in 16 games) shaped his career decisions • The mindset shift that helped him prioritize personal growth over prestige 👤 Perfect for: lifelong learners and anyone passionate about personal growth who wants to understand how elite performers make tough career decisions. 📍 Chapters: [00:00] Adrian Wells introduces Jesse Lingard's shocking transfer decision [02:15] Why Manchester United's culture became toxic for player development [05:30] The West Ham loan that changed everything about his career perspective [08:45] Forest vs the big clubs: what really matters in career decisions [11:00] England career highlights and the pressure of international football [13:30] Key lessons about choosing growth over guaranteed success Lingard's 32 England caps and World Cup semifinal goal against Croatia prove his talent was never in question. But his honest take on prioritizing the right environment over the biggest paycheck offers lessons that go way beyond football. 🔔 Never miss an episode: Follow First Principles on your podcast app and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, your next favorite insight is one tap away. 🔍 Topics: Jesse Lingard, Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, football transfers, career decisions Find all episodes at First Principles ----- Keywords: celebrity interviews, anxiety management, entrepreneurship philosophy, social media addiction, philosophy business Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode thumbnail for Why Your Brain Sabotages You Under Pressure (And How Champions Fix It)

July 30, 2026

Why Your Brain Sabotages You Under Pressure (And How Champions Fix It)

Why does your brain turn into your worst enemy the moment the stakes get high? Adrian Wells sits down with Professor Steve Peters, the psychiatrist behind Britain's Olympic dominance and Liverpool FC's transformation from mid-table to title contenders. Peters has cracked the code on why pressure makes smart people stupid. 🎯 What You'll Learn: • The "Chimp Model" that explains why your emotional brain hijacks your logical thinking under stress • How Team GB went from Olympic underperformers to winning 29 gold medals in 2012 using Peters' methods • Why your emotional brain is 5 times stronger and 20 times faster than your rational mind (and how champions work with this, not against it) • The specific techniques Peters teaches athletes and executives who pay £500 per hour for his sessions 👤 Perfect for: lifelong learners who want to understand why they choke under pressure and how to perform when it matters most. 📍 Chapters: [00:00] Adrian Wells introduces the man behind Britain's Olympic success [01:45] Why your brain sabotages you when pressure hits [03:30] The Chimp Model: understanding your emotional vs rational brain [05:15] How Liverpool FC transformed using Peters' methods [07:00] Team GB's 29 gold medals and the psychology behind peak performance [09:30] Practical techniques you can use to control your "inner chimp" [11:00] Key takeaways for performing under pressure The guy who charges £500 an hour just gave you his playbook for free. His book "The Chimp Paradox" became a bestseller for a reason. 🔔 Never miss an episode: Follow First Principles on Spotify and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, your next favorite insight is one tap away. 🔍 Topics: sports psychology, performance under pressure, emotional intelligence, peak performance, mental training Find all episodes at First Principles ------------ Keywords: behavioral economics, business fundamentals, decision making, personal development Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode thumbnail for Sadiq Khan's Police Files: What London's Crime Data Actually Reveals

July 30, 2026

Sadiq Khan's Police Files: What London's Crime Data Actually Reveals

Ever wonder what actually happens when a mayor promises "police reform"? London's crime data under Sadiq Khan tells a story that's way more complicated than the headlines suggest. In this episode, Adrian Wells cuts through the political noise to examine what the numbers actually reveal about police accountability and public safety. 🎯 What You'll Learn: • Why London's £3.2 billion police budget hasn't solved the accountability crisis • How a 30% drop in stop and search rates changed crime patterns (and what it didn't change) • The real story behind adding 1,300 new officers while major scandals still erupted • What the Wayne Couzens case reveals about systemic problems no amount of funding can fix 👤 Perfect for: lifelong learners and anyone passionate about personal growth who wants to understand how complex institutions actually work beyond the political spin. 📍 Chapters: [00:00] Adrian Wells breaks down Khan's police promises vs. reality [02:15] The £3.2 billion question: where does police funding actually go? [04:30] Stop and search data: what those 30% reductions really mean [07:00] Adding cops while scandals multiply: the accountability paradox [09:30] Wayne Couzens and the culture problem money can't solve [11:45] What London's data teaches us about police reform everywhere These aren't just London problems. Every major city grapples with the same fundamental tension between public safety and police accountability. The data from Khan's tenure offers lessons that go way beyond one mayor or one city. 🔔 Never miss an episode: Follow First Principles on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, your next favorite insight is one tap away. 🔍 Topics: Sadiq Khan, London police, crime statistics, police reform, public safety Find all episodes at First Principles ------------ Keywords: career advice, first principles, evidence evaluation, anxiety management Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

339 total episodes available

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Frequently asked questions

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What is First Principles?

First Principles isn't another business podcast recycling the same startup stories. Adrian Wells takes the fundamentals that actually matter and breaks them down like you're having coffee with the smartest professor you ever had.

Wells spent twelve years teaching philosophy and critical thinking before ditching the lecture hall for the microphone. Turns out, the same principles that help you think clearly about ancient Greek ethics also work pretty well for modern business decisions. Who knew?

Every episode strips away the latest trends and buzzwords to focus on the core ideas that don't change. How to actually evaluate evidence when everyone's throwing around statistics. Why most "revolutionary" business advice is just old wine in new bottles. The thinking patterns that separate smart decisions from lucky guesses.

You won't get hyped-up success stories or flavor-of-the-month strategies. Instead, you'll learn how to think through problems the way philosophers have for centuries, applied to the stuff that matters in your work and life right now.

Multiple new episodes drop daily, so there's always something fresh when you need it. Follow now if you're ready to think better, not just think faster. Multiple new episodes daily—follow now!

How often does this podcast release new episodes?

This podcast updates daily.

Where can I listen to this podcast?

This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

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