The Struggle

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...

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 univer...

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,...

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 phenom...

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...

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 dis...

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 real...

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...

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 pr...

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 som...

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...

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 achievement...

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’...

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 m...

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 he...

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 impo...

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 ex...

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 e...

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. 🎙&...

🎯  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 bac...

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 arri...

🎙️  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 ab...

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 r...

Feeling overwhelmed, stretched too thin, or constantly busy but getting nowhere? In this episode of The Struggle, I share the one strategy that helped me cut through the noise, avoid burnout, and focus only on what truly matters: Pareto’s Principle, also known as the 80/20 Rule. I dive into: • Why I paused my newsletter to protect my mental health • How Tim Ferriss used the 80/20 rule to grow whil...

We live in a world of  instant gratification —fast food, quick entertainment, next-day deliveries. Everything we want is available  immediately , yet we’re more  anxious, distracted, and unfulfilled than ever. In this episode, we break down: • Why modern society is making us weaker, not stronger • The  Hedonic Treadmill —why nothing ever feels enough • How  social media, f...