Archive - Locally Optimal

June 2025

Aim at what you want, not what you don't

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 •

The happiness underneath

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 isn't gradual

Bad days get rarer before they get better

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 •

Case: Sid, lifelong romantic insecurity

Girlfriend 6 months later

Mar 8 •

10:50

February 2025

Years more therapy, or one conversation?

It took too long to outgrow the worst of my anxiety.

Feb 28 •

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