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Daniel Z. Lieberman, psychiatrist and co-author of The Molecule of More, joins Joe to explore the powerful role dopamine plays in shaping our desires, decisions, and sense of fulfillment.

Joe and Dan discuss how dopamine isn’t just about pleasure—it’s about possibility. It drives us to chase the future, often leading us to idealize what’s ahead while overlooking what’s right in front of us. From career ambition to relationships, this constant pursuit can leave us restless, unsatisfied, and always searching for the next thing.

Throughout the conversation, they examine the tension between “wanting” and “liking,” why achieving our goals can sometimes feel empty, and how modern environments—from social media to consumer culture—are designed to keep us in a dopaminergic loop.

They also explore practical ways to create balance—how to strengthen “here and now” awareness through journaling, reflection, and intentional habits, and why slowing down is not natural, but something we must train ourselves to do.

Joe and Dan also discuss:

• Why dopamine is better understood as a “prediction” or “possibility” molecule—not a pleasure one
• The difference between wanting something and actually liking it
• How the “Daisy effect” (idealizing the future) shapes our expectations and disappointments.
• How dating apps and social media amplify dopamine and distort reality
• The transition from passionate love to companionate love—and why it matters
• How a lifetime of goal-chasing (like in the military) conditions us to struggle with stillness
• Why journaling helps uncover patterns, motivations, and meaning
• Practical tools like meditation and breathwork to strengthen “here and now” awareness
• The importance of asking “why” before chasing the next goal

Whether you’re navigating a transition, chasing a goal, or trying to better understand your own patterns, this episode offers a powerful framework for recognizing when you’re being driven by the future—and how to reconnect with the present.

Watch the interview on YouTube

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Veteran-founded Adyton. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process here!

Meet ROGER Bank—a modern, digital bank built for military members, by military members. With early payday, no fees, high-yield accounts, and real support, it’s banking that gets you. Funds are FDIC insured through Citizens Bank of Edmond, so you can bank with confidence and peace of mind.

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Judd Kessler—a professor at the Wharton School and author of Lucky by Design—joins Joe to explore the hidden markets that shape our lives, careers, and opportunities.

Joe and Judd discuss how many of the most important decisions we encounter—from job promotions to school admissions to performance evaluations—aren’t driven by price, but by rules we rarely see or fully understand. These “hidden markets” determine who gets what, often leaving people frustrated, confused, or convinced that success comes down to luck.

Throughout the conversation, they examine how understanding the rules of these markets can shift outcomes, why preparation and self-awareness matter more than we think, and how leaders—whether they realize it or not—are constantly designing markets through the way they allocate time, attention, and opportunity.

They also explore practical strategies for navigating these environments, from competing in high-speed, first-come-first-serve systems to knowing when it’s better to “settle for silver” rather than walk away empty-handed.

Joe and Judd also discuss:

• What “hidden markets” are—and why they’re everywhere
• Why success often looks like luck (but isn’t)
• How understanding the rules gives you a competitive advantage
• The strategy of “settling for silver” to improve your odds
• Why preparation and clarity of values matter before entering any competition
• How poorly designed systems invite “speculators” and unintended consequences
• The three E’s of market design: efficiency, equity, and ease
• Why leaders must be intentional about how they allocate time, attention, and opportunity
• How misaligned or unclear expectations can quietly shape careers
• The importance of aligning who you are with what the system rewards

Whether you’re navigating promotions, competing for opportunities, or leading others in high-stakes environments, this episode offers a powerful framework for understanding the systems around you—and how to operate within them more effectively.

Watch the full episode on YouTube

A special thanks to this week's sponsors!

Veteran-founded Adyton. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process here!

Dunedain Systems is a veteran-founded defense technology company building Warmind, an AI platform that accelerates military planning, operations, and document generation. Warmind connects to your unit’s data and learns how your warfighting function operates, delivering outputs tailored to your SOPs and operational context rather than generic AI responses. Whether your team is building OPORDs, running intel workflows, or generating CONOPs, Warmind handles the heavy lift so your staff can focus on decisions, not paperwork. Built by combat veterans who lived the problem firsthand, Warmind is already in use across SOCOM and the broader DoD. The beta is free for anyone with a .mil or .edu email at dunedainsystems.com.

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Jaron Wharton—a former brigade commander in the 82nd Airborne Division and co-editor of Bend but Do Not Break joins Joe to examine the future of the all-volunteer force and the role of professional discourse in strengthening the military.

Joe and Jaron discuss how education and self-study shape better leaders, why intellectual curiosity is essential in command, and how stepping outside of purely tactical experiences helps leaders avoid what Joe describes as a “soda straw” view of the world. They also reflect on the dangers of groupthink inside hierarchical organizations and the responsibility leaders have to create space for dissenting ideas.

Throughout the conversation, they explore the growing disconnect between the military and the society it serves, the risks of an emerging “warrior caste,” and why service must be valued beyond just those in uniform.

Joe and Jaron also discuss:

• Why education prepares leaders not just for success—but for failure
• The danger of an “anti-intellectual bend” in the military
• How groupthink develops—and how leaders can actively fight it
• Why publishing isn’t the goal—promoting conversation is
• The risks of a widening civil-military gap
• Why service should be celebrated across all professions—not just the military
• The importance of giving junior leaders a voice in shaping the profession
• What it might take to mobilize society for large-scale conflict

Whether you’re a junior leader trying to find your voice, a senior leader thinking about the future of the force, or someone simply interested in the relationship between the military and society, this episode offers a thoughtful and challenging look at where we are—and where we may be headed.

Also, check out Bend but Do Not Break, with proceeds supporting Wear Blue: Run to Remember.

Veteran-founded Adyton. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process here!

Dunedain Systems is a veteran-founded defense technology company building Warmind, an AI platform that accelerates military planning, operations, and document generation. Warmind connects to your unit’s data and learns how your warfighting function operates, delivering outputs tailored to your SOPs and operational context rather than generic AI responses. Whether your team is building OPORDs, running intel workflows, or generating CONOPs, Warmind handles the heavy lift so your staff can focus on decisions, not paperwork. Built by combat veterans who lived the problem firsthand, Warmind is already in use across SOCOM and the broader DoD. The beta is free for anyone with a .mil or .edu email at dunedainsystems.com.

Meet ROGER Bank—a modern, digital bank built for military members, by military members. With early payday, no fees, high-yield accounts, and real support, it’s banking that gets you. Funds are FDIC insured through Citizens Bank of Edmond, so you can bank with confidence and peace of mind.