Find meaning and purpose through the art of struggle with philosopher and writer Gregor S Thomson. Through posing fundamental questions, this podcast guides the listener to discover who they are, where they are unnecessarily struggling and where they could embrace struggling more in order to live a healthy and productive life.
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I spent years trying to optimize my productivity, routines and future until I realized I was becoming incapable of actually enjoying the present. In Episode 82 of The Struggle, I explore what my obsession with productivity taught me about time, presence and the strange difference between experiencing your life and remembering it.
What if everything you've been told about success, productivity and self-improvement is making you less happy? In Episode 81 of The Struggle, I sit down with bestselling author, speaker and former teacher Gavin Oattes for one of the most honest conversations I've ever recorded. We discuss: • Why the self-improvement industry may be making people more anxious • Gavin's devastating nervous breakdown and the lessons that followed • ADHD, anxiety and why so many adults feel overwhelmed • The hidden cost of chasing success • Why children seem happier than adults • Social media, comparison and the p
Why do we keep repeating behaviours we know are bad for us? In this episode of The Struggle, I’m joined by Dr Sarah Caddy to explore The Chimp Model, developed by Professor Steve Peters, and how it explains self-sabotage, emotional reactions, bad habits, social media scrolling, motivation, discipline, anxiety, and why we so often feel at war with ourselves. We discuss the three “teams” in the mind — the Chimp, Human and Computer — and how understanding them can help us manage emotions, change habits, stop relying on willpower, and become more compassionate toward ourselves. This conversation c
A former NASA astronomer explains what time REALLY is and why everything you believe about it might be wrong. From relativity to free will, this conversation will change how you see reality forever. In Episode 79 of The Struggle, I sit down with former NASA astronomer Sten Odenwald to explore one of the most mind-bending questions in existence: What is time? We break down: - Why there is no universal “now” - The difference between subjective time and physical time - How relativity proves time isn’t what we think - Whether time travel is actually possible - The relationship between time and fre
What makes someone truly disciplined? In this episode of The Struggle, I sit down with Diren Kartal to talk about productivity, resilience, fatherhood, coaching, discipline, handling failure, building a business, and why success means more than money. Diren shares how growing up in East London shaped his mindset, why hearing “no” made him mentally bulletproof, what young men need to hear more of, how to deal with negativity online, and why family, purpose, health, and self-awareness matter more than clout. We also talk about: how struggle can build resilience why progress isn’t loud when you’r
Louis Theroux’s new documentary Inside the Manosphere has sparked huge debate — but I think it reveals something much bigger about masculinity, social media, and the crisis facing young men. In this episode of The Struggle, I give my honest reaction to the Netflix documentary, discussing figures like Myron Gaines, the rise of manosphere influencers, and the deeper cultural forces behind the phenomenon. While the rhetoric in the documentary is often disturbing and misogynistic, the wider issue is far more complex. Why are young men drawn to this content? What role do social media algorithms pla
John McClarey joins me on Episode 77 of The Struggle to talk about building Business Fives from scratch, what it really takes to grow a business over years, and what happened behind the scenes before stepping into Dragon’s Den. We talk about: how he started the business in 2016 taking action before things feel perfect productivity, prioritisation, and focus time the 1-2-3 / 1-3-5 framework Getting Things Done and the 2-minute rule the full Dragon’s Den application and pitch process public speaking, preparation, and pressure motivation vs dedication meditation, journaling, breathwork, and morni
Is the wellness industry replacing religion? And is our obsession with self-improvement actually making us more anxious? In Episode 75 of The Struggle Podcast, author and journalist Brigid Delaney joins Gregor Thomson to explore Stoicism, ambition, journaling, alcohol, modern anxiety, and what she calls the “freedom fallacy” — the belief that peace and happiness only arrive once we succeed. We discuss: • Why Stoicism is misunderstood as emotionless or masculine • How the wellness industry became a new form of spirituality • The danger of ambition and hustle culture • Why moderation beats extre
Most of us feel trapped between two voices: One telling us to work harder, achieve more, and sacrifice now… And another telling us to slow down and enjoy life before it’s too late. In this episode of The Struggle podcast, I explore what I call The Freedom Fallacy — the belief that freedom only exists in the future once success is achieved. This episode breaks down: • What the Freedom Fallacy really is • Why it appears in the “messy middle” of any ambitious project • The psychological cost of postponing life • How to struggle toward freedom without burning out • Why presence, joy, and rest are
Feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list? If productivity keeps leading to burnout, guilt, and never feeling like you’ve done enough — this episode will change how you plan your day. In Episode 73 of The Struggle, I break down a self-compassionate productivity framework that replaces shame, overworking, and endless task lists with clarity, sustainability, and calm — without sacrificing progress. You’ll learn: • Why “doing more” actually causes burnout • How guilt and shame sabotage productivity • A simple daily framework to reduce overwhelm • How to know when to rest and when to push • Why disci
In Episode 72 of The Struggle, I sit down with ADHD expert Professor James Brown to explore the complex realities of ADHD. Is it a disability, a superpower, or simply a different way of thinking? We dive into the science, lived experiences, and strategies for managing ADHD effectively. We discuss: • How ADHD affects motivation, focus, and reward pathways • Differences in ADHD presentation between men and women • The hereditary and environmental factors behind ADHD • The impact of modern life and social media on ADHD • Practical insights for living with ADHD and accepting yourself Whether you s
In Episode 71 of The Struggle, we dive into one of the most powerful ideas I’ve ever come across — a 13-word quote by Zen teacher Charlotte Joko Beck: “What makes it unbearable is your mistaken belief that it can be cured.” This single line might explain why you feel unhappy, unsatisfied, or constantly searching for meaning. In Buddhism, suffering isn’t something to escape — it’s something to see clearly. In this episode, we explore: • why we suffer more in our minds than in reality • the Zen story of the student under the cold waterfall • why trying to “cure” life makes life worse • the illus
Are We Slaves to Our Desires? | Charlotte Fox Weber on Human Desires, Free Will & Relationships In this episode of The Struggle, Gregor Thomson sits down with renowned psychologist and author Charlotte Fox Weber to explore the complex nature of human desires, free will, and the role our upbringing and societal scripts play in shaping what we want. They discuss: • How desires can enslave us if ignored, but can also guide us toward self-discovery (00:08–04:50) • The paradox of instant gratification vs. higher-order desires and finding balance in daily life (03:30–05:50) • Understanding taboo or
Are you an ambitious overachiever constantly chasing “more”? In Episode 69 of The Struggle, I explore toxic productivity — what it is, how hustle culture can slowly ruin your life if left unchecked, and most importantly, how to find balance and reclaim your time. We dive into: • The subtle dangers of following ultra-productive role models on social media. • How tying your self-worth to achievements can backfire. • The difference between telic activities (goal-oriented) and atelic activities (done for their own sake). • Practical strategies to rebalance your life with compassion, presence, and
What if the most controversial public figure of our time could help us understand ADHD better? In this episode of The Struggle, psychiatrist Dr. John Kruse breaks down the science of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) through the lens of Donald Trump’s behavior — exploring impulsivity, hyperfocus, and control of attention. Whether you’ve just started exploring ADHD or you’ve lived with it for years, this deep dive offers valuable insights into how the ADHD brain works in adults, why it’s so often misunderstood, and what the media gets wrong about “distraction” and “drive.” We unpa
Turning 30 gave me perspective — and in this episode of The Struggle Podcast, I share five lessons I wish I’d known a decade ago. These are insights that changed how I think about productivity, rest, meaning, and self-compassion. If you’ve ever felt lost, unmotivated, or stuck in constant self-improvement mode, these lessons might help you slow down, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters. ⸻ 🧠 In This Episode Lesson 1:Music is the Space Between the Notes — why rest, relationships, and stillness are essential for a meaningful life. Lesson 2:You Are Not Who You Think You Are — the parad
Why are we richer and freer than ever—yet feeling lonelier and less happy? In Episode 66, I sit down with William von Hippel to unpack the “connection vs autonomy” trade-off, the Easterlin paradox, why hunter-gatherers often report higher wellbeing, how cities and social media reshape relationships, and what we can practically do to rebalance our lives. 🔔 If this helped you think differently, subscribe for more honest conversations: new episodes weekly. What we cover • Why more money ≠ more happiness • Hadza insights: sharing, status, and joy • The tension between connection and autonomy • Ci
In this special Q&A episode of The Struggle, I go unscripted for the first time — answering your biggest questions on identity, passion, purpose, imposter syndrome, mental health, mindfulness, motivation, and more. We dive into: • How to hold onto your passions as you get older and life gets busier • Why letting go of “identity” can free you from regret and depression • What imposter syndrome really means — and how to beat it with proof • The UK’s mental health crisis and what Scotland can learn from other cultures • The real purpose of life (objective vs. subjective meaning) • My routine reco
Is life on Earth a cosmic fluke, or is it inevitable wherever the right conditions exist? In Ep. 64 – The Struggle, I sit down with esteemed astrophysicist and bestselling author Dr. Mario Livio to unpack some of the most profound questions in science and humanity’s future. ⸻ 🌌 In this episode, we explore: • 🌍 Is Earth exceptional? Why life exists here — and why we still don’t know whether it exists elsewhere. • 👽 The likelihood of life elsewhere in the universe — and why the odds remain uncertain. • 🔭 How telescopes and astronomical observations might reveal biosignatures on exoplanets by
Welcome back to The Struggle — Episode 63 is the final part of our three-part deep dive on time. We’ve explored the future, wrestled with the present, and now it’s time to confront the past. In this episode, we unpack the two major psychological burdens we carry from our past: Regret – the weight of wishing we’d done things differently. Nostalgia – the ache of longing for the “good old days.” We explore: The evolutionary function of regret and why it persists in modern life. The psychology of nostalgia, and how it helps us regulate stress, connect with others, and find hope for the future. Why
Why is it so hard to live in the moment — and why do we overthink it when we try? In this episode of The Struggle, we dive deep into the real reasons we struggle to stay present — and what we can do about it. From the way our brains evolved, to how the modern world hijacks our attention, this episode explores both the science and psychology behind presence, distraction, and overanalysis. 🎙 Episode 62: Why You Can’t Live in the Moment — And What to Do About It We’ll explore: • Why the present moment is the only tense that’s experientially real • How our instinct to avoid uncertainty makes us o
🎯 Is your imagined future stealing joy from your present? In Episode 61 of The Struggle, we explore how thinking about the future can either empower you—or trap you in fear, anxiety, and disappointment. We break down two major psychological traps: 1. Fear of the Future – how worst-case thinking activates stress and how to use Tim Ferriss’ Fear-Setting technique to take back control. 2. The Arrival Fallacy – why obsessively fantasising about a “perfect” future makes reality feel hollow, and how embracing uncertainty is the only way to feel truly alive. You’ll learn: • The science of Prospectio
Are you hustling for money, titles, or prestige—yet secretly scared you’ll feel nothing when you finally “make it”? In Episode 60 of The Struggle we pull back the curtain on the darker side of ambition and reveal the missing ingredient that turns achievement into genuine purpose. 🎧 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 🔍 Why striving for success can secretly make you miserable 🧠 How the arrival fallacy tricks high-achievers into depression 💸 Why money, fame, and status don’t fix internal struggles 🚴♂️ What the hedonic treadmill is — and how to step off it 📚 Insights from Tim Ferriss, Olive
🎙️ EPISODE 59 — 4 Life-Changing Lessons Regret Is Trying to Teach You Regret is painful, persistent… and essential. In this episode of The Struggle, we break down 4 powerful lessons that regret offers us—if we’re willing to listen. Rooted in Stoic philosophy, evolutionary psychology, and modern emotional intelligence, this episode will change how you think about your past mistakes and missed opportunities. You’ll learn: 🧠 Why your brain focuses on the negative (and how to use it to your advantage) 🔥 The Stoic mindset shift that makes regret a tool—not a trap 📜 How to face problems while th
Are you addicted… or just constantly distracted? In Episode 58 of The Struggle, we dive deep into the world of addiction, compulsive behaviour, and the modern epidemic of distraction. Whether you’re battling a harmful habit or simply find yourself endlessly scrolling, this episode will help you understand the hidden drivers behind your behaviour—and offer practical, compassionate tools to reconnect with yourself. Drawing on insights from Dr. Gabor Maté, Dr. Anna Lembke, Joe Hudson, and Ryan Soave, this episode explores: • The spectrum of addiction and the myth that “addiction” only applies to
