In her new book, The Genius Myth, journalist Helen Lewis explores how and why we label certain people geniuses; and the impact this has on said geniuses, us, and culture at large. Today, we talk about our perception of the exceptional, and some of our more pernicious and dark misperceptions.

 

For the show notes, head over to my Substack.

 

In her new book,&nbsp;The Genius Myth, journalist Helen Lewis explores how and why we label certain people geniuses; and the impact this has on said geniuses, us, and culture at large. Today, we talk about our perception of the exceptional, and some of our more pernicious and dark misperceptions.
&nbsp;
For the show notes, head over to&nbsp;<a href="https://eliseloehnen.substack.com/p/the-podcast">my Substack</a>.
&nbsp;

Writer Elise Loehnen explores life’s big questions with today’s leading thinkers, experts, and luminaries: Why do we do what we do? How can we understand and love ourselves better? What would it look like to come together and build a more meaningful world?

Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/  

Writer Elise Loehnen explores life&rsquo;s big questions with today&rsquo;s leading thinkers, experts, and luminaries: Why do we do what we do? How can we understand and love ourselves better? What would it look like to come together and build a more meaningful world?
Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media <a href="https://lemonadamedia.com/" data-stringify-link="https://lemonadamedia.com/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://lemonadamedia.com/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Pulling The Thread with Elise Loehnen

How to Think About Genius (Helen Lewis)

Michael Meade is a groundbreaking storyteller, author, and scholar of mythology, anthropology, and psychology. He blew my mind with a historical gem that he shared in this conversation. I was also moved by his perspective on our “crisis of masculinity” and the manosphere, what might be the antidote to monoculture, and why the hero’s journey is a bit of a fallacy. And, even more so, his case and how-to for each of us, individually, to grow our own soul.

For the show notes, head to my Substack.

Michael Meade is a groundbreaking storyteller, author, and scholar of mythology, anthropology, and psychology. He blew my mind with a historical gem that he shared in this conversation. I was also moved by his perspective on our &ldquo;crisis of masculinity&rdquo; and the manosphere, what might be the antidote to monoculture, and why the hero&rsquo;s journey is a bit of a fallacy. And, even more so, his case and how-to for each of us, individually, to grow our own soul.
For the show notes, head to&nbsp;<a href="https://eliseloehnen.substack.com/p/the-podcast">my Substack</a>.

How to Grow Your Soul (Michael Meade)

Kelly Corrigan Wonders recently launched a 6-part series called Super Traits, featuring conversations with people like NBA coach Steve Kerr, writer George Saunders, and do-gooder Father Greg Boyle, all masters of the super traits. These deep dives are one part inspiration and one part How To guide on how to get yourself in the right headspace for a great 2026. Tune in to hear fantastic conversations on wonder, humility, and curiosity. 

Kelly Corrigan Wonders recently launched a 6-part series called Super Traits, featuring conversations with people like NBA coach Steve Kerr, writer George Saunders, and do-gooder Father Greg Boyle, all masters of the super traits. These deep dives are one part inspiration and one part How To guide on how to get yourself in the right headspace for a great 2026. Tune in to hear fantastic conversations on wonder, humility, and curiosity.&nbsp;

Pulling The Thread Presents: Super Traits from Kelly Corrigan Wonders

 ”That’s what everything comes back to for me—are you feeling the way that you want to feel every single day?” says podcast host and author Liz Moody. “And if you’re not, how can I give you more tools and more resources to do so?” Here, I asked Moody to share her life mottos, philosophies, habits, and ways of thinking that I find particularly compelling. Such as: Your body is for living, not looking. And Liz’s match theory behind how we meet people in life. We talk about the connection between novelty and meaning (and ways to add in micro bits of novelty to our lives). She shares some interesting research about friendship, like how many friends make sense in your inner circle and why friendships are formed through something we tend to overlook. We also cover goals we’ve brought into the New Year with us—and much more.

For the show notes, head to my Substack.

&rdquo;That&rsquo;s what everything comes back to for me&mdash;are you feeling the way that you want to feel every single day?&rdquo; says podcast host and author Liz Moody. &ldquo;And if you&rsquo;re not, how can I give you more tools and more resources to do so?&rdquo; Here, I asked Moody to share her life mottos, philosophies, habits, and ways of thinking that I find particularly compelling. Such as: Your body is for living, not looking. And Liz&rsquo;s match theory behind how we meet people in life. We talk about the connection between novelty and meaning (and ways to add in micro bits of novelty to our lives). She shares some interesting research about friendship, like how many friends make sense in your inner circle and why friendships are formed through something we tend to overlook. We also cover goals we&rsquo;ve brought into the New Year with us&mdash;and much more.
For the show notes, head to&nbsp;<a href="https://eliseloehnen.substack.com/p/the-podcast">my Substack</a>.

How to Think About Genius (Helen Lewis)

In 1 playlist(s)

Pulling The Thread with Elise Loehnen

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips