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SOLVED with Mark Manson

SOLVED with Mark Manson

By: Mark Manson
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About this listen

 New episodes every Wednesday. Mark Manson is a three-time #1 New York Times bestselling author and 20-year personal development industry veteran. Solved is the most comprehensive, evidence-based, overly-researched podcast on the planet to help you get an issue in your life, err... solved.Copyright 2025 Infinity Squared Media Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • Why Can't You Focus Anymore?

    Why Can't You Focus Anymore?
    Mar 4 2026
    Focus is one of those things everyone swears they need more of and almost no one is actually addressing correctly. In this episode, we dig into what the science actually says about attention spans (hint: your brain isn't broken, it's just overwhelmed), why the standard advice to "try harder" is probably making things worse, and what's really driving your inability to sit down and get things done. We get into the neuroscience of explore vs. exploit modes, why flow states feel the way they do, and the four hidden triggers behind most focus problems, none of which have anything to do with your phone. Then we get into the practical stuff: environmental design, deep work frameworks, the maker vs. manager schedule, time boxing, batching, and why a dentist appointment in the middle of your morning can ruin your entire day. If you're the kind of person who opens 14 browser tabs, switches between them for 40 minutes, and calls that "working", well, this one's for you. Check Out Our Sponsors: Brain.fm: Stop manifesting focus and go get some. Get 30 days free at ⁠https://www.brain.fm/solved⁠ IM8: Feel your best self, every day. Go to ⁠https://www.im8health.com/solved⁠ and use code SOLVED for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets, and 10% off your order. Duck.AI: Use AI without giving up your privacy, visit ⁠https://www.duck.ai/solved⁠ today. Ready to stop listening to podcasts and actually start taking action? Join the Solved Community, a group of like-minded people who are taking small steps every day to make big changes in their lives: https://membership.solvedpodcast.com/ Sign up for my newsletter, Your Next Breakthrough. It will help make you a less awful person: https://markmanson.net/breakthrough Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 3:06 Chapter 1: The Attention Crisis (Is It Even Real?) 21:55 Chapter 2: The Exploit–Explore Dilemma 29:57 Your Brain on Explore and Exploit Mode 43:48 Technology evolved with Focus 50:33 Chapter 3: The Psychology of Distraction 54:06 Trigger 1: Lack of Importance 56:24 Trigger 2: Lack of Clarity 1:00:01 Trigger 3: Lack of Calmness 1:02:49 Trigger 4: Lack of Health 1:07:21 What about Willpower? 1:18:50 Chapter 4: Flow States and Hyperfocus 1:25:13 Characteristics of flow state 1:37:36 Chapter 5: Mental Health and the Clinical Realities of Focus 1:39:30 ADHD 1:41:56 Hyperfocus vs Flow 1:56:27 Chapter 6: Environmental Design for Focus 2:01:15 Foundations 2:06:38 Setting Up Your Workspace 2:14:15 Working with others 2:22:49 Temperature, lighting. air quality 2:27:30 Nature exposure 2:29:22 Ritual as a “trigger system” 2:34:39 Chapter 7: Productivity Systems 2:53:17 Maker Schedules vs. Manager Schedules 3:00:10 Using Apps for Focus 3:05:29 Chapter 8: The 80/20 of Focus 3:07:51 Is Focus a Skill? 3:11:07 Takeaways Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    3 hrs and 22 mins
  • The Best Thing About You is Also the Worst Thing

    The Best Thing About You is Also the Worst Thing
    Feb 25 2026
    A Hungarian doctor discovered that handwashing saves lives, and was destroyed for proving it. Michael Jordan’s competitiveness made him a legend, then turned him into a prisoner of his own intensity. My ADHD nearly derailed my life and later became the foundation of my career. This video explores an uncomfortable truth: the traits that make you exceptional are often the same ones that create your biggest problems. The real question isn't “How do I change?” but “Is this worth it, and how do I manage it?” Get one month of BrainFM free with my link: https://go.brain.fm/idgaf For practical, science-based advice each week that might change your life, sign up for my newsletter here: http://bit.ly/3JRg3NX Written & Directed by Mark Manson Edited by Daniel Johnson Director of Photography Jess Choi Thumbnail by Jonathan Sippel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    24 mins
  • Romantic Love, Solved

    Romantic Love, Solved
    Feb 18 2026
    We put love on trial — literally. Drew and I squared off in a full debate over whether romantic love is overrated. I made the case that love is basically your brain's con man, a neurochemical hijacking designed to make you delusional about deeply flawed people, and that the most intoxicating relationships are often the most toxic. Drew fought back with the evidence that love is the foundation of social infrastructure, physical health, and long-term happiness. By the end, we came to a gentlemen’s agreement: a framework that explains why we're all chasing the wrong kind of love, and what the right kind actually looks like. - Ready to stop listening to podcasts and actually start taking action? Join the Solved Community, a group of like-minded people who are taking small steps every day to make big changes in their lives: https://membership.solvedpodcast.com - Sign up for my newsletter, Your Next Breakthrough. It will help make you a less awful person: https://markmanson.net/breakthrough - Get clarity on what actually matters. Try Purpose, Mark's AI mentor app that learns your patterns, challenges your blind spots, and helps you take action. Get 7 days free at https://www.purpose.app Check out our sponsors: IM8: Transform your daily routine with IM8's Daily Ultimate Essentials at https://www.im8health.com/solved Factor: Head to https://www.factormeals.com/solved202650off and use code solved202650off to get 50% off and free breakfast for a year. Eat like a pro this month with Factor. Chapters 0:00 Introduction 2:21 Round 1: Love is the Brain's Conman 23:33 Round 2: Love as Social Infrastructure 45:33 Round 3: Love and Happiness 1:07:14 Round 4: We're Drawn to People Who Hurt Us Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 42 mins
All stars
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Really enjoy the dynamic between Mark and Drew, and with Mark and the interviewed. Mark, Drew and his guests have very relatable arguments / points in an easy to understand way.

Very good grasp of life, and how to make me self reflect with the right questions / angles.

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Only started the podcast from Tte beginnig this week while in on holiday in Cancun. Great follow-up to reading the book(listening to the audiobook). Thanks…

I was going to review every episode but it needs 15 works and I'm not a writer 😂

Great listen

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Truly life changing stuff. I love absolutely everything about this podcast. Caution note: it will challenge you, it will make you laugh, you will google random shit afterwards, you will question yourself.. and ultimately (slowly but gradually) you will most likely change into a better version of yourself.

Fun, real, relatable but also profoundly life changing

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