What to do if your inner voice is cruel | Ethan Kross

In this episode, Professor Ethan Kross, author of "Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It," explores the pervasive issue of chatter in human life. Defined as the negative aspect of our inner voice, chatter often leads to rumination and worry instead of problem-solving. Professor Kross delves into the evolutionary purpose of the inner voice, highlighting its role in language use for navigation and survival. He explains the inner voice's functions, from being part of the 'Verbal Working Memory System' to aiding in simulation, planning, self-control, and creating life narratives. Despite its benefits, chatter presents challenges such as difficulty focusing, relationship friction, irritability, and health issues associated with chronic stress. Professor Kross reveals the science-based toolkit available to regain control of the inner voice, emphasizing the effectiveness of rituals in creating order and control. Drawing on examples like tennis great Rafael Nadal, who uses rituals to manage inner voices during play, Professor Kross encourages individuals to find unique combinations of tools that work best for them. He reassures listeners that experiencing chatter is a universal aspect of being human and introduces the episode's central theme: understanding and managing the human condition of chatter. Half our day is spent not living in the moment. Here’s how to change that. Your inner voice isn't always very nice or helpful. When we turn our attention inward, we tend to focus on problems rather than solutions. This causes us to worry, ruminate, and catastrophize, which traps us in a negative thought cycle. The good news is that there is a science-based toolkit that can help you regain control of your inner voice. To learn even more from the world's biggest thinkers, get Big Think+ for your business: https://bigthink.com/plus/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- chapters:- 0:00 intro about our inner voice, chatter. 1:04 purpose, advantages and benefits of the inner voice 2:43 negative implications (lack of focus, friction in relationships, health, etc) 4:17 how to regain control and manage our inner voice. 6:14 are you weaker for experiencing chatter? is it natural to experience chatter? Listen To This Next: Adam Grant's #1 phrase to unlock potential The science of super longevity Beat anxiety with the most addictive experience on Earth ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Big Think | Smarter Faster™ ► Big Think The leading source of expert-driven, educational content. With thousands of videos, featuring experts ranging from Bill Clinton to Bill Nye, Big Think helps you get smarter, faster by exploring the big ideas and core skills that define knowledge in the 21st century. Get Smarter, Faster.... With Episodes From The Worlds Biggest Thinkers. Follow The Podcast And Turn On The Notifications!! Share This Episode If You Found It Valuable Leave A 5 Star Review Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices