The author Amanda Montell says magical thinking is everywhere. Think about using good vibes to ward off illness, or insisting that your positive belief in some outcome will make it happen. It’s irrational, sure, but the why of it all makes sense: Magical thinking is all about restoring balance to a chaotic world. And in the Information Age, our brains are on overdrive. Montell joins us to talk about how to slow down.
Then, Oliver Burkeman helps us focus on the really meaningful parts of life. His latest book is a map, laid out in meditations, to a more meaningful and fulfilling existence. The guiding principle is embracing a philosophy he calls “Imperfectionism.” What it boils down to is acknowledging our limits. Doing so, he says, can lead to a saner, freer and more enchantment-filled life, and he joins us to explain how.
GUESTS —
Amanda Montell | Author of “The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality” [Amazon|Bookshop].
Oliver Burkeman | Author and journalist. His latest book is “Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts” [Amazon|Bookshop].
Airdate: Wednesday March 26, 2025, at 9 a.m.