Archive - Locally Optimal

June 2025

Self-acceptance isn't something you learn

I used to believe that “self-acceptance” was a learnable skill, something you could do. If I focused on it, surely I could “just accept myself”? So I…

Published on Locally Optimal • Jun 26

Aim at what you want!

Listen now | Max and Chris discuss how aiming at what you want gets you more of what you want — and how aiming at what you don’t want gets you more of…

Jun 6 •

and

6:38

“Flaky breakthroughs” pervade coaching — but no one tracks them

Has someone you know ever had a “breakthrough” from coaching, meditation, or psychedelics — only to later have it fade?

Jun 4 •

You are happy by default

If you’re unhappy, things and experiences will make you happier… right?

Jun 3 •

May 2025

Social anxiety isn't about being liked

There's this popular idea that socially anxious folks are just dying to be liked.

May 16 •

Progress = fewer bad moments

Most people I help start with a tiny misconception that can wreck their progress.

May 7 •

April 2025

Dancing between flow and structure

Chris and Joanna riff: The dance between flow and structure, between openness and commitment between the receptive energy we often call feminine, and…

Apr 28 •

and

21:30

March 2025

Alignment first, intelligence later

Now that Softmax, my favorite new AI company, is public, I can finally share this.

Mar 30 •

I offer training for:

Mar 26 •

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