Mind Castle

Why take the stairs instead of the escalator? Turns out, it's really important, and we unpack how it matters to your life in this episode. Getting Things Done Making it All Work ⁠Austin's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reagan's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Scribd (one month free)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reagan's Goodreads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reagan's YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reagan'...

Reagan and Austin recently filmed a documentary series across Europe. 3 weeks, 6 countries, all combining into 10 episodes to be released in 2026. This trip created a profound sense of the importance of history; humans are historical beings, and we ignore the lessons of history to our own peril. The documentary series YouTube channel Austin's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reagan's Newsletter⁠...

There's an important concept in philosophy called techno-feudalism, which deeply affects all of us in the modern world. As the world moves farther and farther towards subscriptions and a lack of ownership, there are many hidden costs in all our lives. What effect does this have on human psychology? Are we destined to live in a world where we own (and owe) nothing but subscriptions and rent? Ja...

Austin spent nearly a year working on a special project: creating a physical notebook planner and using it instead of technology. While that seems counterintuitive in a tech-driven world, Reagan and Austin discuss the importance of focus and the value of going back to analog tools. Hyperfocus Planner Hyperfocus Planner - Email Course Peter's Video The Clock of the Long Now ⁠The Clock of the Lo...

In this episode, we discuss a simple tactic to break any skill down into a manageable to-do list with something called the Law of Inversion. It uses our natural bent towards the negative to solve our problems, instead of restricting and limiting us. After all, if something can be learned, it's a skill, and if it's a skill, it can be taught. Whether you're teaching yourself or someone e...

Austin tells a few of the lessons he learned from living in Mexico, learning Spanish. Learning a language is perhaps one of the highest bars of learning and is not for the faint of heart. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Austin's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reagan's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Scribd (one month free)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reagan's Goodreads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reagan's YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reagan's Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Austin's Goodreads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Au...

We finally wrap up the book Essentialism, ending in part 4 which holds many important things to consider. This part is about execution, specifically, the essential parts of life that we have defined. ⁠⁠⁠ Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Austin's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reagan's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Scribd (one month free)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reagan's Goodreads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reagan's YouTube⁠⁠⁠...

We continue our deep dive of the book Essentialism, specifically how to say no and eliminate what is not important in our lives. It's essential to learn this skill, without it we will never fully commit to what matters most. ⁠⁠ Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less ⁠⁠ ⁠Sugar coated lies⁠ - (Mind Castle podcast) ⁠⁠⁠Austin's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Reagan's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Scribd (one month fr...

This is part 2 of our deep dive through the book Essentialism, specifically how to explore and discern what matters most in life. This concept comes from the belief that we must determine the vital few and eliminate the rest. ⁠ Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less ⁠ Quitting caffeine cold turkey - (video on Austin's channel) Austin quits caffeine... and nearly goes blind - (Mind Castle po...

What does it means to live a life as an "essentialist"? What is essentialism and how can it impact our lives? There's a lot to break down on this topic, and the next few episodes will continue exploring this concept. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives ⁠Austin's Newsletter⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Reagan...

Habits have the potential to change your life, and there's a formula that helped me understand this. In the words of Aristotle: “We are what we repeatedly do…excellence, therefore, isn’t an act, but a habit." This is a short little update episode about why we haven't been creating new podcasts, and why Austin is in Mexico right now. The Compound Effect (book) Austin's Newsletter⁠⁠...

In this episode, Austin and Reagan take a deep dive into how we can become better listeners. Without a doubt, being a good listener is one of the most effective tools we can use, and a much needed skill. A few of the concepts discussed in this episode are the indirect approach, active listening, and listening for the words a person isn't saying. The Art of Possibility Never Split the Differenc...

In this episode, Austin and Reagan talk about the core of what makes good communication. The art of simple, clear, concise communication is not easy but will create huge results in your life. Below are the resources mentioned in the episode. Tony Robbins Communication Jordan Peterson - How to have a conversation Never Split the Difference Andrew Huberman (example of a good communicator) Talk Like...

In this episode, we discuss some of our many curiosities. Bouncing off of a previous episode where we discussed the benefits of being curious, here we explore what that looks like. This episode is a wild ride, discussing Dutch colonialism, ego, Freud, alchemy, the foundations of science, and rocket engineering. It all makes sense, we promise. Mind Castle YouTube Channel Free Notion Templates The O...

In this episode, the Mind Castle Podcast discusses how one man's life can have a profound impact on the rest of the world. How our choices do matter and how to make the best choices we can. This episode comes to terms with the harsh reality that our choices affect the world around us, for good or for bad, and how we should respond to that. Links to references in the podcast: Austin's Newsl...

What do skydiving, polar plunges, and learning Spanish have in common? In this episode, Austin and Reagan discuss expanding of frameworks of reality and how to see the world differently. We look at why it's so important to intentionally put ourselves in experiences that reshape our view of reality. Austin's Newsletter Reagan's Newsletter Scribd (one month free) Reagan's Goodreads R...

Austin and Reagan discuss what curiosity is and how pulling on the thread of curiosity is essential for a vibrant life. Many of us have heard sayings like "curiosity killed the cat" but what is that really telling us? Is it good advice? What is curiosity and how does it change our lives? Links to references in the podcast: Austin's Newsletter Reagan's Newsletter Ego is the Enemy...

In this episode, Austin and Reagan discuss what has been their recent interests and endeavors in life, what's happened in the last 6 months, and what's going down in the future. Johnny Harris' YouTube Channel Scribd (one month free) Reagan's Goodreads Reagan's YouTube Reagan's Website Austin's Goodreads Austin Website Austin's YouTube Mind Castle is where Reagan and Austin discuss how to develop t...

In this episode, Reagan and Austin talk about time and how we relate to it. For example, when you think of "now" what do you think of? Over the years the world concept of "now" or the present moment, has shrunk from a few hundred years to a few minutes. The main theme here is that we are incredibly shortsighted. It's a call to look forward and build something that lasts, so...

In this episode, Austin talks about how he did something most 22-year-olds probably don't do, and Reagan explains why the number 4,000 will change your life. We discuss how life is finite and how thinking about death can be one of the most important things you can do for your life.  Scribd (one month free) Reagan's Goodreads Reagan's YouTube Reagan's Website Austin's Goodreads Austin Website...

In this episode, Reagan and Austin dive into a prolific author of the 1800s, Victor Hugo, and learn powerful lessons from his life. One of these skills called a Commitment Devise, allowed him to write one of his most successful books in less than 4 months.  Commitment Devise Video Scribd (one month free) Reagan's Goodreads Reagan's YouTube Reagan's Website Austin's Goodreads Austin Website Au...

This is a quick release of a defining moment in Austin's life. In just under two weeks one of Austin's videos got over 1 million views, and this podcast being recorded within a day of this achievement. His subscriber count went from 1,600 to 13,000 and is still climbing. Austin shares what it's like to have his channel finally blow up after two years of intense work. How does this affect Austin's...

In this episode Austin and Reagan discuss what they classify as the most undervalued resource. The episode covers a few other aspects, but mostly dialogs about mentors, staying curious, and learning to ask the "dumb" questions. Also, Tai Lopez. And Tim Ferris. We promise all these things are connected and make sense in this episode.  Tribe of Mentors Speed Reading Course (By Austin) Scribd (o...

We built a ridiculous treehouse, and it just kept getting bigger. Speed Reading Course (By Austin) Scribd (one month free) Reagan's Goodreads Reagan's Youtube Reagan's Website Austin's Goodreads Austin Website Austin's Youtube Mind Castle is where Reagan and Austin discuss how to develop their optimal selves, be productive, and discuss the lessons they're learning from what they're reading. New ep...

In this episode, Reagan and Austin unpack what a typical week looks like. A thread of this episode is pulling apart the "perfect" internet presence because in reality that is just a highlights reel. Our lives on the internet can look so interesting and dynamic, but in reality a typical week is actually quite boring. We break down why that's good, and how living a boring life is one of the keys to...