#307 - Ryan A. Bush: Engineering Ourselves Towards a Better Life

Ryan is the Author of several books including Designing The Mind and Become Who You Are. He takes a design approach to structuring your thinking to help you approach your life in a more logical and rational way.In this conversation, Ryan and Brandon discuss the concept of psychitecture and the systematic approach to engineering ourselves. They explore the idea of algorithms in self-improvement and the importance of aligning desires and values for deep happiness. They delve into the balance between animalistic impulses and ideals, and the process of becoming the ideal person. They also discuss the significance of cultivating strengths and contributing to the world, as well as the importance of self-awareness and introspection. The conversation concludes with a reflection on self-deception and the Stoic perspective on the soul as character and virtue. The conversation explores the concept of becoming who you are and the pursuit of self-creation. It delves into the idea of living according to nature and the divergence from Stoicism. The host and guest discuss the guest's books and where to find more information.You can find Ryan here:https://designingthemind.orgChapters00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage01:52 Exploring Psychotexture and Engineering Ourselves04:00 Understanding Algorithms in Self-Improvement06:54 Balancing Animalistic Impulses and Ideals09:00 Breaking Down Cognitive, Emotional, and Behavioral Self-Mastery10:39 Aligning Desires and Values for Deep Happiness11:54 Becoming the Ideal Person: Nietzsche and Stoicism14:06 Differentiating Desires and Values for Long-Term Progress19:05 Acting in Alignment with Admired Traits20:26 Pushing Through Reluctance to Embrace Admirable Actions23:06 Cultivating Strengths and Contributing to the World28:02 Balancing Goals and Virtues in Life31:51 Developing Self-Awareness and Introspection37:52 The Stoic Soul and Developing Character42:22 Self-Deception and the Importance of Self-Observation45:05 Understanding the Soul as Character and Virtue48:09 Becoming Who You Are51:47 The Pursuit of Self-Creation54:28 Living According to Nature57:02 Divergence from Stoicism58:22 Promoting the BooksThis episode is also available on YouTube.Transcripts can be found on Substack: https://strongstoic.substack.com/Find this episode on:https://linktr.ee/Strongstoic The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest, and unapologetically deep podcast about philosophy and self-improvement. Join your host, Brandon Tumblin, as he breaks down a wide variety of complex and difficult topics aimed at provoking thought and opening your perspective.This podcast is listener-supported; if you would like to support the Strong Stoic (as well as gain access to exclusive content), you can do so on Patreon or Substack:Patreon: www.patreon.com/brandontumblinSubstack: https://strongstoic.substack.com