Knowing how to spot a bad argument is one thing, but how do you build a good one? What practical tools can you use to solve stubborn problems, generate innovative ideas, and make better decisions in your work and life? It's time to move from defense to offense.

This episode is a hands-on workshop where we open up the Critical Thinking Toolkit. We're moving past theory and giving you five powerful, versatile mental models—a Swiss Army knife for your brain—that have been used by everyone from Toyota engineers to tech billionaires. Get ready to stop spinning your wheels and start building better solutions.

In this episode, you’ll get your hands on:

• The 5 Whys:A simple technique to uncover the hidden root cause of any problem.


• First Principles Thinking:The method Elon Musk uses to deconstruct challenges and innovate from the ground up.


• C.A.M.P.E.R.:A seven-step checklist to spark creativity and improve any existing idea.


• The Pre-mortem:An ingenious way to forecast failure, mitigate risks, and make your plans more resilient.


• The S.I.F.T. Method:A 60-second framework for navigating online information and spotting fake news.

To unlock full access to all our episodes, consider becoming a premium subscriber on Apple Podcasts or Patreon. And don’t forget to visit englishpluspodcast.com for even more content, including articles, in-depth studies, and our brand-new audio series and courses now available in our Patreon Shop!