We all talk to ourselves all the time. This kind of inner dialogue can be a good thing, helping us focus and work through problems, but it can also go off the rails, turning into worry and negative rumination.

My guest today calls this negative self-talk "chatter," and in a book of the same name he outlines how to get a handle on it. His name is Ethan Kross, he's a psychologist and the director of the Emotion & Self Control Lab, and we begin our conversation with the way introspection can be both good and bad, and the function of the voice in our heads. We discuss why negative emotions make us want to reach out to other people, and how this impulse can be harnessed in either a positive or detrimental way. We then unpack how managing the way we talk to ourselves really comes down to zooming out and getting distance from the self, and how this can be accomplished with a variety of tools, from engaging in a kind of time travel to going out into nature.

Get the show notes at aom.is/chatter.

#687: How to Get a Handle on the Voice in Your Head

Personal responsibility, the ability to own up to one's mistakes, is a foundational element of character. It's also the only way we can grow and get better. But as anyone with any experience being human well understands, dang, it sure can be hard to do.

My guest today explains why, and how you can yet rise to meet this important challenge. His name is Elliot Aronson, and he's a social psychologist and the co-author of Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts. Elliot first explains how and why we engage in self-justification to avoid facing our mistakes, and how this process is driven by the phenomenon of cognitive dissonance. We then discuss how once you make a decision in a certain direction, good or bad, you become more entrenched in your attitude about it and more likely to continue down that same path, and how this phenomenon represents what Elliot calls "the pyramid of choice." We end our conversation with how we can learn to approach the mistakes of others with more generosity, and our own mistakes with more honesty.

Get the show notes at aom.is/mistakes.

#693: Why Is It So Hard to Admit You Were Wrong?

Summer Melody 100 [Summer Melody]
Mixed and Compiled by myni8hte and Cosmaks
Catalog Number: SMLD100
Release Date:
16-4-2021 (Pre-Order)
30-4-2021 (All Stores)
Purchase or Stream: https://smarturl.it/SMLD100

Being the label that have been supporting new and uprising artists, whilst having veterans joining as well, we have been providing a platform of music inclusion, within the spectrum of progressive, from deep and melodic, to house and trance, even have a slightest touch on chillout and breaks. From our first ever release, and our first compilation concept, we strive to let our artist express their own creativity, while we provide opportunities for them, slowly we start from 1, to now, being in the progressive community for 3 years, here we have our catalog release number 100. This is Summer Melody 100!

Mixed and compiled by our co-owner of the label myni8hte, as well as our veteran producer Cosmaks, this special milestone release includes 24 tracks, from new and uprising label debuts, veteran producers and label returners; expanding from deep and melodic progressive to progressive trance.

Tracklist (Part 1):
A01. Alpha Frequency - Deeper (Symphonic Mix)
A02. myni8hte & Smyk - Celestial Affliction
A03. Mekao - Dirdal
A04. After Sunrise - Face In The Moonlight
A05. Qosmio - Sentimental Love
A06. Leonety - Call My Name
A07. Skyline Project - Distant Horizon
A08. Z8phyR - Twinkling Eyes
A09. Josiah1 - Passage Of Time
A10. Seraphym - Missing You (Vocal Mix)
A11. Mark Moncrieff - Point Nemo
A12. Skyhunter - Smile After Sadness

▶myni8hte
@myni8hte
https://www.facebook.com/myni8hte
https://twitter.com/myni8hte

▶Summer Melody
Facebook: http://bit.ly/SMR_FB
Twitter: http://bit.ly/SMR_TR
Soundcloud: http://bit.ly/SMR_SC
YouTube: http://bit.ly/SMR_YT
Mixcloud: http://bit.ly/SMR_MC

Summer Melody 100

Summer Melody 100 Part 1 (Mixed by myni8hte)

Summer Melody 100 - Part 1 - Mixed by myni8hte

Release date (all stores): 29th April 2021
Catalogue Number: ESH242
Emergent Music on Spotify: emergent.lnk.to/Spotify
Subscribe to Emergent Music: emergent.lnk.to/YouTube

We are delighted to welcome back Russia-based artist Eastok with his first full release here at Shores. 

This superb track combines a driving bass-led rhythm with beautiful melodies and a gorgeous progression to produce a simply wonderful release. We are also pleased to welcome fellow Russia-based Alex Byrka who has delivered a stunning remix, adding additional melodic elements and vocal shots to create a magnificent sunsoaked interpretation of the incredible original.   

Returning with a dazzling new release here at Shores, this is Eastok (with Alex Byrka) and his amazing new track “Icefly”.

● Connect with Emergent Shores:
Web: emergentmusic.ca
Facebook: emergent.lnk.to/ShoresFacebook
Twitter: emergent.lnk.to/Twitter
SoundCloud: emergent.lnk.to/SoundCloud
YouTube: emergent.lnk.to/YouTube
Spotify: emergent.lnk.to/Spotify
Instagram: emergent.lnk.to/Instagram

● Connect with Eastok:
facebook.com/EastokMusik
@eastok_music

● Connect with Alex Byrka:
facebook.com/alexbyrka
@byrka

Eastok - Icefly (Original Mix) [ESH242]

We tend to throw the word "genius" around pretty casually, saying so-and-so has a genius for a particular skill, or sarcastically pointing out someone's failure by saying, "Nice work, genius!"

But what makes an actual genius, a genius?

My guest today has spent over two decades exploring that question by studying the world's most iconic and original thinkers and creators, both past and present. His name is Craig Wright, he's a professor emeritus of music at Yale who continues to teach a course there called "Exploring the Nature of Genius," and he's the author of The Hidden Habits of Genius: Beyond Talent, IQ, and Grit—Unlocking the Secrets of Greatness. Today on the show Craig reveals the characteristics and patterns of behavior of true geniuses, and begins by answering the questions of whether there's a connection between genius and intelligence, and whether genius is hereditary. We talk about several drivers of genius, including situational advantages, a childlike ability to play with possibilities, a keen curiosity, a strong memory, broad interests and vision, the ability to toggle between intense concentration and loose relaxation, and keeping a daily routine. We then discuss whether there's a connection between genius and mental health issues, and what effect being a genius tends to have on someone's personal life. Along the way, Craig illustrates his points with examples from the lives of Mozart, da Vinci, Steve Jobs, and more.

Get the show notes at aom.is/genius.

#703: The Hidden Qualities of Genius

Smart Wave - Melancoli3 (Aeolu5 Remix) [Summer Melody]
Catalog Number: SMLD103
Release Dates:
4-6-2021 (Beatport, Spotify, Deezer, Tidal)
18-6-2021 (All Stores)
Purchase or Stream: https://smarturl.it/SMLD103

Released back in NuHouse Vol.1,  the title Melancoli3 hinted towards the melancholic senses. On contrast, we have three different remixes including debuts from ChillSeeker and Aeolu5, as well as the label's own ZGOOT.

The remixes release starts with ChillSeeker, who previous known under his Solarbeam alias, reinterprets the melancholic feels with more ease and smooth melodies. With the signature progressive vibes, label co-owner ZGOOT fills with beats, chords and synths. Ending the release with the prog-trance-like atmosphere from Aeolu5, rolling bass and beat, widen pads and drone-like sounds flip the original into a mystic realm, whilst slightly hinders back with the original pad and melodies.

Enjoy these new melodic remixes of Smart Wave's Melancoli3!

Tracklist:
1. Smart Wave - Melancoli3 (ChillSeeker Remix)
2. Smart Wave - Melancoli3 (ZGOOT Remix)
3. Smart Wave - Melancoli3 (Aeolu5 Remix)

▶Smart Wave
@smartwave
https://www.facebook.com/smartwaveofficial

▶Aeolu5
@aeolu5
https://www.facebook.com/Aeolu5
https://twitter.com/Aeolu5

▶Summer Melody
Facebook: http://bit.ly/SMR_FB
Twitter: http://bit.ly/SMR_TR
Soundcloud: http://bit.ly/SMR_SC
YouTube: http://bit.ly/SMR_YT
Mixcloud: http://bit.ly/SMR_MC

Melancoli3 (Remixes)

Melancoli3 (Aeolu5 Remix)

Smart Wave - Melancoli3 (Aeolu5 Remix) [SMLD103]

Various Artists - Summer Never Ends 04
Release Day: June 28, 2021
Synth Collective [SYC114]

With summer in full swing, it's high time we unleash the 5 new tracks making up our newest 'Summer Never Ends' 04 compilation.
Following the quality before quantity ideal, thus allowing each track to shine of their own light, this is a release that will please your ears and souls alike.
Take a journey across a vast array of melodic progressive sonic phantasies with Winterya, Jab Vix, Cloudcage, a.m.c. and Aria Deep, this is the exquisite 'Summer Never Ends' 04.

🎵Latest Releases on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/user/synthconnection
🎧 Best Of Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4jvov22nN1hZSzqc2OzyLP?si=b37f411631b14beb
🛒 Buy Music:https://www.beatport.com/label/synth-collective/63918

⬇️ Follow a.m.c.
https://www.beatport.com/artist/amc/990284 
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4eOHFP71uCm3FZh7z2AG5s?si=HqtnJeZ8Q_GfuuAkBgTpeA&dl_branch=1

Synth Links 🔗
▶Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/syntcollective/
▶Souncloud: https://soundcloud.com/synthcollective
▶Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collectivesynth/
▶Twitter: https://twitter.com/CollectiveSynth
▶Merchandise: https://synth-collective.creator-spring.com/

Stargazing (Original mix)

a.m.c. - Stargazing  [Synth Collective]

Infrasonic Full Throttle, Vol. 4

Lost Sun

My conversation with courageous Bulgarian journalist and documentary maker Dilyana Gaytandzhieva who broke the story of NATO supplying weapons to Al Qaeda in Syria from Bulgaria - and then went on to expose the Obama-incubated Pentagon global Biolab program in Georgia and Ukraine. 

As Dilyana points out, the biolabs are strategically placed on the borders of Russia, Iran and China, the perceived "enemies" of the West and a threat to US unipolarity.

The creation of these programs in these countries also circumvents the 1972 Geneva Convention on the prohibition of development and production , stockpiling of bio and chemical weapons ratified by the US in 1973. 

We cover Dilyana's four year investigation into the Pentagon projects including her on the ground report in Tblisi, Georgia. While many people are dismissing the existence of these labs as "Russian fearmongering" Dilyana explains why these clandestine, protected programs are a threat to all of us. 

WARNING: Some distressing information regarding the atrocities committed against Bulgarian nationals who refused to join the ranks of the Ukrainian fascist brigades to ethnically cleanse Lugansk and Donetsk for the last eight years. 

Link to Dilyana's website: http://dilyana.bg/

Pentagon Biolabs in Ukraine and the Threat of Ethnic Bio-warfare

Shane Collins - A Progressive Journey IX (APJ #9)

As men, we all want to be physically capable. We want to be able to save our own life in two ways: in the more metaphorical sense of wanting to preserve it in healthy, fit form for as long as possible, and in the more literal sense of being able to make it through an emergency unscathed. How do you know if you do possess that kind of lifesaving physical capability?

It's time to do more than wonder, and really check in with yourself. My guest today has some helpful benchmarks that guys from age 8 to 80 can use to see if they've got an operative level of strength, mobility, and conditioning. His name is Dan John, and he's a strength coach and the author of numerous books and articles on health and fitness. Dan walks us through the fitness standards the average male should be able to meet from childhood to old age, beginning with the assessments he gives to those who are 55 years old and older, which includes carrying their body weight, a long jump, and something called "the toilet test." We then reach back to childhood, and Dan discusses the physical skills kids should become adept in, which were inspired by a turn-of-the-20th-century physical culturist who thought every individual ought to be able to save his own life, and which can be broken down into the categories of pursuit, escape, and attack. We end our conversation with the physical standards those in the 18-55 range should be able to meet, including how much a man should be able to bench press, squat, and deadlift, and the walking test that's an excellent assessment of your cardiovascular conditioning.

Get the show notes at aom.is/benchmarks.

#687: How to Get a Handle on the Voice in Your Head

The Art of Manliness