Claim OwnershipMindHack
Subscribed: 75Played: 704
Subscribe
© 2025 MindHack™ is a Registered Trademark under WireFuseMedia, LLC
Description
What happens when you give an overthinking entrepreneur a microphone, a curiosity obsession, and access to the sharpest minds on the planet?
You get MindHack - the podcast for founders, builders, and high-performers who want to upgrade their brain like they upgrade their software.
Each week, Cody McLain (entrepreneur since 15, burnout survivor, and productivity nerd) sits down with scientists, psychologists, and successful entrepreneurs to reverse-engineer how extraordinary people think, feel, and execute.
We unpack the mental models, weird routines, emotional rewiring, and psychology-backed strategies that actually work—so you can build your business without losing your mind.
🎯 Think: startup grit meets cognitive science.
🎙️ Guests include bestselling authors, startup OGs, and unreasonably curious humans.
🔥 Warning: listening may result in existential clarity, better habits, and fewer panic Googles at 2am.
New episodes every week. Subscribe and hack your brain before your brain hacks you.
74 Episodes
Reverse
Today’s guest is Cathryn Lavery, the founder of Best Self Co, a multi-million dollar company that specializes in selling journals, card decks, and online courses. Best Self creates meaningful products and tools that help you create positive change in your life - so you can show up better for yourself, your connections, and the world. Cathryn originally migrated to the United States as an overworked and underpaid architect and in this episode she shares how she went from quitting her job to st...
Andreas Hofer has been interested in evolutionary psychology for almost 30 years now. His blog The Bigger Picture discusses ideas he has when he tries to understand the patterns he sees in the world. A self-published author of over 30 books with topics ranging from neurodiversity in children to how misunderstood human beings become misfits. In this conversation, we’re taking a dive into a theory on evolutionary biology that seeks to explain why up to 0.8% of the world's population...
Rian has worked his way up to working with some of the world’s leading experts on peak performance and flow including Keith Ferrazzi, Dr. Dan Siegel, and Steven Kotler, his partner at Flow Research Collective. He is the Co-Founder & COO at the Flow Research Collective, a research and training institute focused on decoding the neuroscience of flow states and training leaders to achieve peak performance. In this episode, we look at a variety of topics ranging from understanding Flow, attach...
Robert Greene is a phenomenal writer who is loved by many and is considered to be one of the greatest writers of our time. Having authored books like the 48 Laws of Power and the Laws of Human Nature, Robert has spent the entirety of his life researching what makes people, society, and culture tick. It was such an honor to have the opportunity to speak with Robert and we go in-depth on a myriad of topics from understanding what is true narcissism, how to increase self-awareness, and improve p...
Today we’re interviewing somebody who is a world traveler and expert in flow states. He’s a writer and consultant and has even given a TEDx talk on freestyling. Besides designing his digital nomad lifestyle, he employs a variety of activities to get into a flow state, including slacklining, freestyle rapping, exercising, and meditating. His name is Troy Erstling and he’s an extremely interesting and well-spoken guest. In this episode, Troy shares his thoughts on flow state, how meditation mak...
Matt Clifford has helped accelerate the businesses of over 1000 entrepreneurs. He's the co-founder of Entrepreneur First, the world's leading technology talent investor. Entrepreneur First brings together extraordinary people to build startups from scratch in London, Singapore, Berlin, Hong Kong, Paris, and Bangalore. I really enjoyed this conversation about entrepreneurship, being a founder, and how to get started if you are feeling called to be an entrepreneur. We discuss the Mom test for ...
Lidia Zylowska, M.D. is a board-certified psychiatrist and Associate Professor at UMN Department of Psychiatry where she leads the Mental Health Wellness Team. Dr. Zylowska has expertise in integrative psychiatry, adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and mindfulness-based therapy. Early in her career at UCLA, she conducted pioneering research in mindfulness and ADHD and helped establish the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center. She is also the author of...
Today we’re interviewing somebody who is incredibly focused, driven, and ambitious from an early age. He’s a polyglot who speaks 5 languages, and is on the top echelons of the Oracle marketing department, serving as a Digital Marketing Manager whose team supports an annual budget of $210M here. He has a significant influence on Oracle’s North America Marketing success, and it's in no small part due to his drive to succeed and get shit done. Apart from delivering on a budget that is larger th...
What does it mean to build a startup as an entrepreneur? In this conversation with Brent Summers, we look at some of the challenges that you'll be faced with not only validating your idea, questions you need to be asking yourself, and how to build a startup as a non-technical person, should you have a founder or just manage contractors. Brent founded and recently sold a company called Code-Free Startup, which is an online learning platform that teaches others how to build a startup using vis...
Have you ever felt completely stuck in your routine? Today we chat with Kyle Pearce about finding flow in creativity and the benefits of getting out in nature. Kyle Pearce is the founder of DIY Genius and an experiential learning designer, digital business educator, and runs educational nature retreats. Kyle spent the last 7 years building DIY Genius by sharing his passion for self-education and teaching online courses in passion-driven learning, flow psychology, and digital storytelli...
In this episode of the MindHack podcast, you'll learn simple techniques to improve your memory that can be practiced at any time! Learn techniques from books like Remember It and Moonwalking with Einstein to help you remember the letter and number combinations with memory palaces and other techniques. Nelson Dellis is a four-time USA memory champion and holds the world record for memorizing the most names (235) and words (256) in 15 minutes, as well as the most digits (907) in 30 minutes, and...
Michael Dash is the President and CEO of Parallel HR Solutions, Inc. He is currently in recovery for three different addictions. This journey to hope follows a six-year lawsuit that’s now settled and the sale of his company he spent eleven years building. Michael knows his struggles are not unique to executives and entrepreneurs around the world. He now gets to lead from empathy and become a much more-fulfilled person while realizing what truly matters in life. Michael has run addiction rec...
Matt Wilson is the Founder and CEO of under30experiences, recently ranked on the Forbes 5,000 list. In this episode, Cody and Matt discuss the importance of travel in getting outside of your daily habits, and mindfulness-based practices to calm and reduce stress. For full episode information visit: https://www.mindhack.com/episode/matt-wilson Support the show
Tiago Forte is a writer, speaker, teacher, and researcher dedicated to helping knowledge workers transform their productivity and thrive in the future of work. In this episode, we uncover what it means to be successful, how one can find an achiever's mindset and figure out what it is they are meant to do. For full episode information visit: https://www.mindhack.com/episode/tiago-forte Support the show
Seth is COO of Xylem Design in Fort Collins, CO. An amateur philosopher and writer of poetry, he's spent the past two years studying under Dan Beachy-Quick, poet and professor at CSU. In this episode we discuss the importance of Kaizen and Poetry––and the positive effects they can have on your life and business. For full episode information visit: https://www.mindhack.com/episode/seth-braverman Support the show
Nick Winter is the co-founder of the highly successful startup, CodeCombat, a free-to-use educational gaming company that teaches players the fundamentals of computer programming. He's also the author of the book, The Motivation Hacker and conducted a series of experiments over 3-months time to create good habits, learn new skills and push himself to achieve more. In this incredible episode, we dig into goal-setting, creating new habits, dealing with burn-out and so much more! For full episo...
Paul Golding is what I’d refer to as one of the smartest geeks in Silicon Valley. He holds 25 patents across a wide range of fields from cryptography to computational aesthetics, which I had to google and appears to be a subfield of artificial intelligence and its ability to express human creative expression in areas such as music, visual arts, poetry, and more. He was also the Chief Scientist at Art.com where he helped to create a new form of art called the Klio, which in simple form was a T...
Malcolm Ocean is the creator of the Complice goal-oriented productivity system. He's been experimenting with habit-change and productivity systems since high school and has tried everything from tiny behavioral tweaks to major mindset upgrades. His current main purpose is to make people be able to think and work effectively, as individuals and collectives. In this episode, we go over a whole host of topics covering productivity, goal Setting, meditation, bio-feedback, heart-rate variability, ...
Charles became an entrepreneur when he was only 4 years old and continued to hone his craft until today. In this episode, he will tell us the roller coaster ride he had to go through before he reached his own version of a successful life. He will convince you why failure is a good thing and that facing the challenges that will hurt you is always better. For full episode information visit: https://www.mindhack.com/episode/charles-gaudet Support the show
Klyn was born with Cystic Fibrosis and Doctors didn’t give her more than 14 years to live. She’s now 30 and has beaten the odds time and time again. She is somebody who has pushed herself over and over, from becoming a fitness fanatic, Zumba instructor, public speaker, entrepreneur, and businesswoman, all while still suffering from a genetic disease that requires extended hospital visits on a regular basis. She is the author of the book “I Am - The Untold Story of Success” and it’s an ...
In this episode of the MindHack Podcast, Ashwin and I interview a guest who has a background in Behavioral Economics. This is admittedly one of the best conversations we’ve had so far in the process as we talk about the psychology of influencing people in positive ways. We also explore how to find meaning behind the work you do, staying humble and discussing how we often have self-limiting beliefs that prevent or stop us from really accomplishing what we’re capable of. For full episode infor...
In this super interesting episode, Ashwin and Cody detail the life and story of Ali Mahvan, the CEO and Co-founder of Sharebert, an AI-powered shopping app who got his start shoveling horse shit on a ranch in Arizona. After being bullied as a child he found a passion for boxing, started a sportswear company, and ended up working with some of the most influential people in boxing, including Floyd Mayweather. We also talk journeys, life decision-making, and some of our favorite books for entrep...
My next guest is the co-founder and CMO of TimeDoctor.com and Staff.com. He’s been working with remote employees over the past 10 years and in this episode, we dig down into the nitty-gritty of outsourcing and how to be more productive in an age that is cluttered with distractions. If you've ever dealt with managing or working with remote team members, you'll want to listen to this one. For full episode information visit: https://www.mindhack.com/episode/liam-martin Support the show
Cody McLain is a serial entrepreneur who started his first company at 15. He didn't have life handed to him on a silver platter though, as after his parents died he found himself running that business out of foster care. He's since gone on to start several multi-million dollar enterprises and currently is the founder of SupportNinja, an Austin, TX based startup that employs over 500+ people around the world and serves some of silicon valley's biggest tech startups.In this podcast, Cody seeks ...
You're stuck in life because you're navigating uncertainty without understanding the invisible geography of your mind. Tech design maverick Vicki Tan (Google, Spotify, Headspace) transforms decision-making with a powerful insight that revolutionized her career: most people struggle to make choices that lack self-coherence. They don't align with who they truly want to be. Discover how cognitive biases influence all aspects of your daily life, from perception of time to how you navigate life's ...
What if everything you've been told about success is actually holding you back? In this eye-opening conversation with Harvard-trained lawyer turned spiritual entrepreneur Tama Kieves, we unveil why "being practical" might be the most impractical decision you'll ever make for your happiness. Feeling empty at the peak of achievement isn't just common—it's a wake-up call. Tama reveals the counterintuitive truth that 68% of high achievers report feeling trapped in their success, and shares her ra...
Everyone's obsessed with using AI to be more productive—but what if we've got it all wrong? In this mind-blowing conversation with Sublime founder Sari Azout, we uncover why the "move faster" mindset might actually be making us miserable. Sari drops truth bombs about why imagination—not technical skills—will be the career superpower of the future. She reveals how the most successful people will use AI differently than everyone else, and why being willing to be bored might become the ultimate ...
Your Body's Secret "Source Code" That Big Medicine Doesn't Want You to Access! Dr. Beth McDougall exposes the hidden intelligence within you that conventional doctors miss entirely. After solving thousands of "impossible" health cases over 25+ years, she's uncovered the shocking truth about your body's "pristine blueprint" – an energetic template that could transform how you heal forever. Beth McDougall, MD is contributing to an emerging medical paradigm at the intersection of medicine and co...
"I've been doing Duolingo for over a year, completed the entire Spanish course, and still can't hold a conversation." Sound familiar? In this myth-busting episode, language teacher Michael Sullivan reveals the crucial missing piece in your language learning journey—human connection. Discover why your brain needs more than gamified apps to achieve fluency, the exact moment when you stop translating in your head, and why that embarrassment you feel is actually your biggest barrier to mastery. M...
In this episode of MindHack, I speak with Dr. Leanne Whitney, a leading researcher in comparative psychology who bridges Western psychological insights with Eastern wisdom traditions. Dr. Whitney explains how anxiety often stems from disconnection between mind and body, revealing why traditional approaches to managing thoughts often fail. She unpacks the critical difference between Western psychology's view of ego and yoga's perspective on consciousness, offering practical insights on breakin...
Discover how Trish Kendall, once a former meth addict, rose to become an inspirational keynote speaker. Trish shares her incredible journey from childhood trauma and addiction to a life of enduring success, inspiring others to make transformative choices. MindHack episodes are approximately 60 minutes long and focus on key scientific insights and actionable takeaways to help you optimize your health, enhance productivity, or improve well-being. New episodes are released weekly. ℹ️ About this ...
In this episode of MindHack, I explore the science of enhancing longevity and health span, leveraging both lifestyle modifications and cutting-edge research to improve how your body ages. We delve into the biological components of aging, discussing how factors like diet, exercise, and stress management can influence your health span. I also outline tools to implement these changes in your daily routine, such as monitoring blood work regularly and incorporating certain supplements that support...
What’s holding you back from achieving extraordinary results? In this episode of the MindHack Podcast, we dive deep with Jay Papasan, bestselling author of The ONE Thing, to uncover the secret to mastering focus and achieving success. Jay’s groundbreaking framework has transformed the lives of millions by helping them cut through the noise of daily distractions and discover their ONE thing—the priority that drives extraordinary outcomes. Join us as Jay shares the origin story of The ONE Thin...
What does it take to transform a small garage startup into the world’s largest online retailer of custom blinds? In this episode, Cody McLain sits down with Jay Steinfeld, the founder and former CEO of Blinds.com, to uncover the secrets behind his groundbreaking leadership philosophy—the Four E’s: Evolve, Experiment, Express, and Enjoy. Jay shares how these principles shaped Blinds.com’s journey from its humble beginnings to a $150 billion partnership with Home Depot, and why fostering a cul...
What happens when you reach the summit of success, only to find yourself feeling empty? In this episode of the MindHack podcast, Cody McLain shares his personal journey of achievement, disillusionment, and discovery. Drawing from ancient wisdom, modern neuroscience, and his own hard-won insights, Cody unpacks the hidden flaws of our achievement-obsessed culture and reveals how to break free from the cycle of empty success. Explore how to shift your focus from external milestones to internal ...
In this episode of the MindHack Podcast, we sit down with Ben "Doc" Askins, a former combat medic turned psychiatric physician assistant, who brings a wealth of experience in trauma therapy and unconventional healing. With nearly two decades in military medicine and a specialization in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, Ben challenges the traditional Hero’s Journey narrative and instead explores the path of the Anti-Hero—a journey that delves into the raw, real, and often messy truths of sel...
In this episode of the MindHack podcast, we sit down with tech journalist Kurt Wagner, author of Battle for the Bird: Jack Dorsey, Elon Musk, and the $44 Billion Fight for Twitter’s Soul. Kurt takes us behind the scenes of Elon Musk’s high-stakes acquisition of Twitter and shares the inside story of how power, influence, and a radical vision for free speech collided to reshape one of the world’s most influential social media platforms. From Musk’s initial ‘joke’ about buying Twitter to his co...
In this episode of the MindHack podcast, Cody McLain dives deep with George Mumford, renowned mindfulness coach and the author of The Mindful Athlete and Unlocked. George is known for his work with elite athletes like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, helping them unlock their potential through the power of mindfulness. In this insightful conversation, George shares his journey from overcoming addiction to becoming a beacon of mindfulness and mental resilience. Together, they explore the concep...
In this episode, we dive into the transformative potential of psychedelics as a tool for self-healing and well-being. Our guest, Neil Markey, CEO and co-founder of Beckley Retreats, shares his remarkable journey from military service and high-pressure corporate environments to discovering mindfulness and psychedelics as powerful catalysts for change. Learn how Neil’s experiences have shaped his approach to mental health, and how Beckley Retreats integrates scientific research with ancient wis...
In this episode of the MindHack Podcast, we sit down with Blake D. Bauer, bestselling author and renowned expert on mental, emotional, and physical health. Blake shares his incredible personal story of overcoming addiction and self-destruction to discover that the root of all suffering lies in our inability to truly love and value ourselves. He offers powerful insights into how self-love can be the key to healing deep emotional wounds, conquering fear, and breaking free from negative thinking...
In this episode of the MindHack Podcast, we take a deep dive into the mechanics of anxiety with Dr. David Carbonell, an expert psychologist and the author of The Worry Trick. Have you ever felt overwhelmed by worry, as if your anxious thoughts were controlling your life? Dr. Carbonell explains how anxiety cleverly manipulates your mind into expecting the worst, trapping you in a cycle of fear and avoidance. Through our discussion, he reveals the psychological tricks that keep you stuck and sh...
In this episode of the MindHack Podcast, we sit down with Tanith Carey, a psychology author and Gestalt psychotherapist-in-training, to explore the often overlooked issue of anhedonia, the inability to feel pleasure. Drawing from her latest book, "Feeling 'Blah'? Why Life Feels Joyless and How to Recapture Its Highs," Tanith delves into the relentless stressors of modern life and how they affect our brain's reward system, effectively taking it 'off line.' Tanith shares her personal journey w...
Join host Cody McLain in this episode of the MindHack Podcast as he sits down with Anita Anello, an entrepreneur who successfully transitioned from a high-powered software executive to a homeschooling mom and thriving home-based business owner. Anita shares her journey of leaving the corporate world to seek greater freedom and fulfillment, and how she developed her 6-Step Blueprint to Build a Profitable Business. She provides practical insights and actionable advice for those looking to make ...
In this episode of the MindHack podcast, Cody McLain sits down with Neville Medhora, a renowned copywriting expert and the mastermind behind Kopywriting Kourse. Neville shares his journey from starting out in the world of copywriting to becoming a sought-after consultant and speaker. With his unique blend of humor and actionable insights, Neville delves into the art and science of persuasive writing, offering practical tips for creating impactful content and driving sales. Listeners will gain...
In this enlightening episode of the MindHack Podcast, we delve into the fascinating world of the unconscious mind with Dr. John Bargh, a leading expert and professor of psychology at Yale University. Why do we make the decisions we do? What influences our choices beyond our conscious awareness? Dr. Bargh takes us on a journey through the unseen forces that shape our everyday actions and decisions. From the subtle impacts of environmental cues to the profound effects of our internal instincts...
In this episode of the Mind Hack Podcast, host Cody McLain interviews Rob Dube, co-author of "Shine: How Looking Inward Is the Key to Unlocking True Entrepreneurial Freedom." Rob shares deep insights on integrating mindfulness into leadership and balancing personal well-being with professional success. Drawing from over 30 years of experience, he discusses common entrepreneurial struggles like burnout and internal conflict despite external success. Rob highlights the importance of understandi...
In this thought-provoking episode of the MindHack Podcast, we delve into a topic that touches us all yet is often left unspoken: mortality. Join us as we welcome Jodi Wellman, a renowned life and leadership coach and the author of "You Only Die Once: How to Make It to the End with No Regrets." Jodi shares her unique insights on how facing our finite nature can dramatically transform our daily lives and lead us to a path of true fulfillment. Discover practical strategies for breaking free fro...
In this enlightening episode of the MindHack podcast, host Cody McLain engages in conversation with Deb Smolensky, an acclaimed expert in human performance and workplace well-being. They dive into the essential themes of her book "Brain On!," which advocates for the significance of mental fitness in improving focus, energy, and overall productivity during the workday. Deb shares insights on the necessity of managing our brain's energy, incorporating white space in our schedules to avert burno...
In this engaging episode of The Mind Hack Podcast, host Cody McLain delves into a conversation with Justin Bean, author of "What Could Go Right?" They explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence on the future of work and the pivotal role it plays in addressing climate change. Justin shares his take on these surging industries, highlighting how technological advancements can pave the way for a more sustainable and equitable world, and provide unprecedented opportunity for t...
In this captivating episode of the MindHack Podcast, host Cody McLain engages in a profound conversation with Guy Kawasaki, a visionary in the tech landscape and master evangelist. Known for his instrumental role in marketing Apple's Macintosh and his impactful books like 'Wise Guy' and 'The Art of the Start 2.0', Guy shares his wisdom on transforming lives and making a meaningful difference. We delve into his latest work, 'Think Remarkable', acclaimed by Jane Goodall for its call to elevate...
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States