Some of my favorite podcasts, in defense of thinking, and a core combo to try

I love learning, but I’m not great at sitting still. To continue learning without forcing myself to sit still for hours, I love listening to podcasts and audiobooks.

I listen to audiobooks and podcasts while I’m walking my dog, cleaning, or sometimes even while working out. It’s one of my favorite ways to learn.

Of course, there is so much content out there these days it can be hard to choose what to listen to, but here are some of my go-tos (in no particular order):

Finding Mastery: Conversations with Michael Gervais — Sports psychologist Michael Gervais interviews top performers across different fields on what it takes to become a high performer. Episodes are one to two hours long. (Listen on Apple podcasts)

The Rich Roll Podcast — Rich puts a ton of work into this podcast, and it shows. His conversations with some of the most forward thinking people in health, fitness, nutrition, art, and other areas are always thoughtful and interesting. Episodes are 2+ hours long. (Listen on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube)

Huberman Lab — I’ve been following Dr. Andrew Huberman, a professor of Neurobiology and Ophthalmology at Stanford for over a year now, but his podcast is new as of this year. It’s absolutely fascinating and covers everything brain-related and how our brain controls our perceptions, our behaviors, and our health. Episodes are 2+ hours long. (Listen on Apple Podcasts)

The Tim Ferris Show —I’ve been following Ferris since he first released The 4-Hour Workweek over ten years ago. His podcast covers a large range of topics and I don’t end up listening to all of them, but some episodes are fascinating. Episodes are 2+ hours long. (Listen on Apple or Spotify)

Daily Stoic Podcast — I started listening to this first thing in the morning a few weeks into COVID after realizing that starting my day off with the news was making me overly anxious. Some days are better than others, but they always get me thinking and in a better headspace for the day ahead. Episodes are 2-5 minutes long. (Listen on Apple or Spotify)

Other podcasts I listen to:

The Psychology Podcast with Scott Barry Kaufman

Making Sense with Sam Harris

Lex Fridman Podcast

Philosophize This!

Unlocking Us with Brené Brown

Deep Questions with Cal Newport

10 Percent Happier with Dan Harris

What I’m reading (article) —

In Defense of Thinking by Cal Newport

Like many people, I’ll often get stuck in “producing mode” — how much I’ve written, how many videos I’ve created, how many workouts I’ve created, etc. In this short (2-5 minute read), Newport reminds us that in order to create good work, we need to prioritize thinking time.

Writes Newport:

“We cannot make sense of ourselves or the world around us without putting in the mental cycles necessary to wrestle this frenetic information into useful forms. Thinking — true, hard, energizing thinking — is not yet another healthy activity to add to a long list of such commitments. It’s better understood as a way of life; one that’s become even more radical in an increasingly shallow world.”

What I’m watching —

Russell Brand: 5 Ways BJJ Changed My Life

As I’m sure you know by now, I’m a big believer in using sports and movement as a way to learn life lessons. Russell Brand has been doing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for five or six years now, and still considers himself a beginner (that’s how humbling learning martial arts is).

In this sub 20-minute video, Brand explains how learning BJJ has taught him humility, helped him get more comfortable with being uncomfortable, and feel more capable and confident. He talks about how learning martial arts can help you learn what you’re capable of (I think this is true for any form of movement, but it’s particularly true with martial arts).

What I’m training this week —

Core combo.

Give this fun core combo combining v ups and superman raises a try. Remember, you can always modify exercises to make them easier or more difficult for you depending on your current fitness level.

Three new workouts from last week —

Speedy Legs + Core HIIT Workout (12 Minute, plyo box)

Full Body Fiery Medicine Ball Workout (12 Minute, medicine ball)

Outdoor Sprint + Bodyweight Workout (Time challenge, equipment-free)

And here’s a jump rope workout I posted on Instagram.

Remember, you can get these and all future workouts right in the 12 Minute Athlete app when you subscribe as a Super Athlete (this is WAY cheaper than joining a gym or hiring a personal trainer! In addition, you’ll be helping to support the site and making future features to the app possible.).

As always, I value your feedback, so please feel free to reply directly to this email if you have any questions or comments (yes, I am a real human). I get a lot of emails and messages, so I can’t reply to all of them, but I do read everything you guys send me!

Here’s to lifelong learning,

– Krista Stryker




















Sign up for Krista's Movement + Mindset Mastery newsletter to get your FREE eBook, 5 Keys to Building Mental and Physical Fitness. You'll also receive weekly physical and mental fitness-related content to help get you fired up for the week ahead.

Leave a Comment