Radical Candor: Communication at Work

What if the reason you don’t give feedback, follow through, or change your habits… isn’t willpower?

What if it’s a belief?

In this episode of The Radical Candor Podcast, Kim Scott talks with Nir Eyal — author of Hooked, Indistractable, and his new book Beyond Belief — about the hidden force behind motivation: the stories we tell ourselves.

They explore:


Why AI can’t replace human relationships — but can help us practice hard conversations


The limiting belief that keeps people silent at work


Why knowing what to do isn’t enough


How pain (not pleasure) drives behavior


The difference between addiction and habit


Why “time management is pain management.”


How to reinterpret anxiety as readiness


And why beliefs are tools — not truths

If you’ve ever struggled to speak up, follow through, or break a bad habit — this conversation will help you see what’s really getting in the way.Chapters

(00:00) Introduction

Kim welcomes Nir Eyal and introduces AI portraits and scaling human insight.

(04:30) Can AI Replace Relationships?

Why AI can’t replace human connection — but may be the safest place to practice hard conversations.

(10:15) Refining AI Voice & Identity

What it means to “scale yourself” without losing your humanity.

(16:40) The Limiting Belief That Keeps You Silent

“If you don’t have anything nice to say…” — and why that belief causes harm.

(23:10) Beliefs Are Tools, Not Truths

Nir explains the core thesis of Beyond Belief.

(29:30) Placebos, Pain, and Perception

What belief can change — and what it can’t.

(36:20) Stage Fright vs. Readiness

Reinterpreting anxiety as oxygen for performance.

(43:10) Time Management Is Pain Management

Why distraction is about escaping discomfort.

(50:40) Addiction vs. Habit

Why addiction is about escaping pain — not seeking pleasure.

(57:00) Why We Don’t Do What We Know

The missing link between knowledge and action.

(01:04:00) Radical Candor and the “Nice” Trap

The story of Bob — and why staying silent isn’t kind.

(01:10:00) If It’s Yellow, Let It Mellow

Marriage, feedback, and choosing what truly matters.

(01:13:00) Conclusion

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What if the loudest stories about the future—AI gods, Mars colonies, digital immortality—aren’t science at all, but science fiction masquerading as inevitability?

In this episode of The Radical Candor Podcast, Kim Scott and Amy Sandler are joined by science journalist and astrophysicist Adam Becker (PhD in computational cosmology), author of More Everything Forever. Adam breaks down the “big three” myths that dominate Silicon Valley’s imagination: space colonization, superintelligent god-like AI, and the singularity. He explains why both the utopian and apocalyptic versions of AI stories often share the same assumption—unimaginable AI power—and why that assumption doesn’t match reality.

They also explore the deeper pattern underneath these myths: the belief that every problem can be solved with technology (usually computer technology), even when the barriers are political and social—collective action, persuasion, solidarity, and power. Along the way, Adam shares how he stayed sane while writing about “seriously disturbing ideas,” and why reconnecting with the natural world (and real human relationships) is a necessary antidote to screen-mediated life.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the “AI will save us” vs. “AI will doom us” debate, this conversation offers a clearer, more grounded frame—and a reminder that being human matters.

⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠

Resources for show notes:

⁠Adam Becker’s website⁠

⁠More, Everything, Forever book page⁠

⁠Adam Becker on Star Talk podcast⁠

⁠Dave Troy presents: Understanding TESCREAL with Dr. Timnit Gebru and Émile Torres⁠

⁠Why Silicon Valley’s Most Powerful People Are So Obsessed With Hobbits⁠

Referenced in conversation:

Blade Runner (as an example of dystopian sci-fi being misunderstood)

Star Wars / Jabba the Hutt (as an example of misreading stories)

Lord of the Rings / Palantír (as a cautionary reference)

Jurassic Park (“they didn’t stop to consider whether they should”)

Public libraries (as a civic good worth supporting)

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

Kim and Amy welcome Adam Becker to unpack Silicon Valley’s stories about the future.

(06:06) The Myths Driving Tech Ideology

Space colonization, superintelligent AI, and the singularity—and why they don’t hold up.

(11:52) When Sci-Fi Turns into Strategy

How dystopian stories get misread as roadmaps (Palantir, “Torment Nexus,” and more).

(15:06) More Everything Forever

Why endless expansion feels inevitable in tech—and why Adam argues it’s flawed.

(21:24) “Can” vs. “Should”

Why tech leaders dodge both questions—and what that reveals about power.

(23:19) You Can’t Escape Politics by Going to Space

Why “Mars as a reset button” is a fantasy—and politics follows humans everywhere.

(33:22) AI Doom vs. AI Utopia

Why both narratives rely on the same shaky assumption about “AGI.”

(37:21) Solidarity as a Counterbalance

Why labor organizing matters when leadership values diverge from workers’ values.

(41:02) “AGI Will Fix Climate”

Why betting on future AI while burning more energy now is a dangerous logic trap.

(01:03:50) Conclusion

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Why do so many leaders work hard to change — only to end up in the same place months later? What if the problem isn’t effort, but the beliefs running in the background?

In this episode of The Radical Candor Podcast, Kim Scott and Amy Sandler are joined by Muriel Wilkins — executive coach, C-suite advisor, host of Coaching Real Leaders, and author of Leadership Unblocked. Together, they unpack why high performers default to action, how action bias can backfire when internal beliefs stay the same, and what it takes to create sustainable leadership growth.

Muriel introduces seven common “hidden blockers,” including I need it done now, I can’t say no, and I don’t belong here, and explains how these beliefs drive behavior that feels productive in the short term but creates dissonance over time. The conversation also explores how leaders can build the muscle of noticing what’s happening internally, ask better coaching questions without attachment, and reduce unnecessary suffering by changing how they respond to challenges.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why do I keep ending up here again?” this episode offers a grounded, practical way forward.

Connect:


⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠


⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠


⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠


⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠


⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠


⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠

Resources for show notes: 


Leadership Unblocked: Break Through the Beliefs That Limit Your Potential book 


The Hidden Beliefs That Hold Leaders Back Harvard Business Review article


Coaching Real Leaders podcast


Own the Room: Discover Your Signature Voice to Master Your Leadership Presence book


Muriel Wilkins website


Muriel Wilkins on Radical Candor podcast

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction + Muriel Returns

(01:20) Why Muriel Wrote Leadership Unblocked

(01:50) Action Bias: Why Change Doesn’t Stick

(03:00) Actions vs. Your Internal Operating System

(04:04) The Fix-It Reflex in Work and Life

(06:01) Discomfort, Control, and the Urge to Solve

(09:25) Hidden Blockers: What They Are and Why They’re Hidden

(10:57) The 7 Hidden Blockers (Overview)

(11:48) “I Need It Done Now” and Reframing Time

(17:03) Building the Noticing Muscle

(39:58) Coaching Yourself Before Coaching Others

(53:33) Conclusion

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What do you do when the career path that once felt clear no longer is? What if that stuck, uneasy feeling in the middle of your career isn’t a failure, it’s information and an opportunity to rewrite your career story.

On this episode of The Radical Candor Podcast, Adrion Porter founder of Mid-Career Mastery, host of the podcast Gen X Amplified, and a LinkedIn top voice joins Kim and Jason to talk honestly about the “Messy Middle” and what to do when your old definitions of success no longer fit. 

Together, they explore Adrion’s Mastery Map, a practical framework for getting unstuck by letting go of limiting beliefs, finding meaning, and making intentional choices even when the next step isn’t obvious.  They also dig into navigating generational differences, the reality of different lived experiences and the divisive stories we tell ourselves and how to strengthen relationships across generations.

If you’re feeling stuck, uncertain about what’s next, or frustrated that doing your best work feels harder than it used to, this conversation offers grounded ways to move forward.

Get all of the show notes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RadicalCandor.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Episode Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Transcript⁠⁠

About Adrion Porter⁠⁠

Follow Adrion on LinkedIn⁠⁠

⁠Learn More About Mid-Career Mastery⁠


⁠Listen to Adrion's Podcast, Gen X Amplified⁠⁠

Explore Adrion's Framework, The Mastery Map⁠⁠

Connect:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:04) Adrion’s Origin StoryA layoff at 40 forces Adrion to rethink what’s next.

(06:51) Owning Your StoryKim & Adrion explore the narratives that had Kim stuck and how she rewrote those.

(09:02) Mindset & Limiting BeliefsWhy reframing how you think is the first step forward.

(11:48) The Mastery Map FrameworkThe pillars of the framework: mindset, meaning, and milestones.

(16:23) When You Feel TrappedNavigating change when money, family, or expectations limit options.

(17:48) The Framework in ActionAdrion tells the story of  a specific application of the framework.

(20:39) Breakthrough Moments from the WorkWhat Adrion sees when people finally rewrite their story.

(23:04) From Messy Middle to Magical MiddleWhy mid-career can be a season of reinvention.

(26:42) Generations & Work StoriesHow different generations think about success and work.

(32:37) Wisdom, Age & Radical CandorWhat experience adds to communication and feedback.

(37:25) One Action to Take This WeekA practical step to start changing your story now.(38:21) Conclusion
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The early internet was built on big hopes—access, openness, connection, and the belief that technology could make the world fairer. In this episode of The Radical Candor Podcast, Kim & Jason are in conversation with Steven Levy. His recent article, “I thought I knew Silicon Valley. I was wrong.”, becomes the lens through which they revisit tech’s early promise and its reality today.

They take an honest look at the optimism that shaped Silicon Valley’s early culture and how those ideals unraveled. Kim & Steven candidly share their unique perspective of  how it feels to recognize the gap between what they believed and what actually happened as two people who had a front row seat. 

If you’re looking for a thoughtful, grounded, and honest conversation about how tech’s story was written—and rewritten—in real time, and what today’s leaders can learn from examining both intention and impact, this episode offers clarity and perspective you can apply right now.

Get all of the show notes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RadicalCandor.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Episode Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"I Thought I Knew Silicon Valley, I was Wrong"

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠About Steven Levy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Steven Levy's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Steven Levy's Books⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"Virtual Love" by Kim Scott

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"Enshittification" by Cory Doctorow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"The Age of Extraction" by Tim Wu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

Kim, Jason, and Steven set the stage for a reflective look at Silicon Valley’s promise and reality.

(01:39) “I Thought I Knew Silicon Valley. I Was Wrong.”

Steven shares what led him to write the article and how his perspective shifted.

(03:38) From Idealism to Influence: When Tech’s Culture Shifted

Exploring the moment Silicon Valley’s playful, rebellious spirit hardened into something more powerful—and less accountable.

(06:30) Recalling the Internet We Hoped For

Revisiting the early optimism that shaped the web and the disillusionment that followed.

(12:27) The Claims of AI

Examining the bold promises tech leaders make about AI—and why skepticism matters.

(15:01) The Long Tail

Early optimism about the internet’s potential to democratize opportunity.

(16:56) Enshittification & The Age of Extraction

Cory Doctorow’s framework, antitrust debates, and how market consolidation reshaped the online ecosystem.

(20:05) Do a CEO’s Values Matter?

A look at how leaders like Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos have evolved—and what that means for their companies.

(24:37) What to Do When You Don’t Align With Your Company

Reflecting on how to stay true to your values when the culture around you shifts.

(29:36) Looking Back with Clearer Eyes

Kim reckons with past choices, blind spots, and what accountability looks like now.

(32:29) What Corrupted Silicon Valley

When too much money and power are concentrated in too few hands.

(33:56) Conclusion
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