StarZero All shows Try the podcast clipper →

Apr 27, 2020 · 35m · capital-allocators

Michael Mervosh - Investing in Yourself During a Crisis (Capital Allocators, EP.134)

Michael Mervosh · 21m spoken Ted Seides · 7m spoken
0:00 / 0:00

gold bands on the timeline = statements, start to end. Hover to read, click to jump. CC turns on captions

Clinical psychologist Michael Mervosh joins Ted Seides on Capital Allocators to discuss navigating crisis through the Hero's Journey archetype, shifting from chronic busyness to grounded presence, and cultivating authentic human connection amid disruption.

How this conversation actually went

Every chapter scored 0–10 on four independent dynamics. Hover any point for the reasoning behind the score. Ted holds 25.9% of the talking time here. How this is scored →

Ted as informed peer 2.3 Guest teaching 5.3 Guest disagreement 0.6 Ted pushing back 0.0
05100:0010:0020:0030:005:00–11:22 · Ted as informed peer 3/10 Initial Reflections on Sheltering in Place Ted opens with broad questions inquiring into the psychological state of people sheltering in place. Michael reframes standard media assumptions about panic and survival, revealing that many professionals secretly relish the relief from constant economic productivity.11:23–15:22 · Ted as informed peer 3/10 Diverse Human Responses to Confinement and Authority Ted asks how differing attitudes will impact human capital and future work habits. Michael explains psychological archetypes, noting that adaptation depends on inner psychological resources rather than external circumstances.15:22–19:02 · Ted as informed peer 2/10 Cultivating Inner Resources to Endure Ordeals Ted prompts Michael to define what inner resources actually mean in practice. Michael delivers a mini-lecture invoking Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey framework, contrasting an adventure with a transformative ordeal.19:07–23:30 · Ted as informed peer 2/10 Disrupting Fixed Habits and Recognizing Core Values Ted asks for practical guidance for those wanting to embrace change during the crisis. Michael outlines behavioral techniques for disrupting rigid habits, drawing on somatic mentorship from George Leonard.23:31–26:53 · Ted as informed peer 3/10 Sponsor Message: Ridgeline Investment Technology Following an ad read, Ted synthesizes threads regarding screen fatigue and human connection. Michael elaborates on finding shared gladness and ordinary activities to break down artificial barriers over video.26:54–30:42 · Ted as informed peer 2/10 Practicing Creative Adaptations and the Three Outreaches Ted invites practical suggestions for meaningful connection during isolation. Michael provides an actionable three-outreach framework covering past, present, and future relationships.30:42–34:32 · Ted as informed peer 1/10 Poetry Reading: Naomi Shihab Nye's 'Kindness' Ted asks Michael to open his personal notebook and choose a reading. Michael reads Naomi Shihab Nye's poem 'Kindness', connecting grief and loss directly to compassion during the pandemic.5:00–11:22 · Guest teaching 5/10 Initial Reflections on Sheltering in Place Ted opens with broad questions inquiring into the psychological state of people sheltering in place. Michael reframes standard media assumptions about panic and survival, revealing that many professionals secretly relish the relief from constant economic productivity.11:23–15:22 · Guest teaching 5/10 Diverse Human Responses to Confinement and Authority Ted asks how differing attitudes will impact human capital and future work habits. Michael explains psychological archetypes, noting that adaptation depends on inner psychological resources rather than external circumstances.15:22–19:02 · Guest teaching 6/10 Cultivating Inner Resources to Endure Ordeals Ted prompts Michael to define what inner resources actually mean in practice. Michael delivers a mini-lecture invoking Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey framework, contrasting an adventure with a transformative ordeal.19:07–23:30 · Guest teaching 6/10 Disrupting Fixed Habits and Recognizing Core Values Ted asks for practical guidance for those wanting to embrace change during the crisis. Michael outlines behavioral techniques for disrupting rigid habits, drawing on somatic mentorship from George Leonard.23:31–26:53 · Guest teaching 4/10 Sponsor Message: Ridgeline Investment Technology Following an ad read, Ted synthesizes threads regarding screen fatigue and human connection. Michael elaborates on finding shared gladness and ordinary activities to break down artificial barriers over video.26:54–30:42 · Guest teaching 6/10 Practicing Creative Adaptations and the Three Outreaches Ted invites practical suggestions for meaningful connection during isolation. Michael provides an actionable three-outreach framework covering past, present, and future relationships.30:42–34:32 · Guest teaching 5/10 Poetry Reading: Naomi Shihab Nye's 'Kindness' Ted asks Michael to open his personal notebook and choose a reading. Michael reads Naomi Shihab Nye's poem 'Kindness', connecting grief and loss directly to compassion during the pandemic.5:00–11:22 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Initial Reflections on Sheltering in Place Ted opens with broad questions inquiring into the psychological state of people sheltering in place. Michael reframes standard media assumptions about panic and survival, revealing that many professionals secretly relish the relief from constant economic productivity.11:23–15:22 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Diverse Human Responses to Confinement and Authority Ted asks how differing attitudes will impact human capital and future work habits. Michael explains psychological archetypes, noting that adaptation depends on inner psychological resources rather than external circumstances.15:22–19:02 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Cultivating Inner Resources to Endure Ordeals Ted prompts Michael to define what inner resources actually mean in practice. Michael delivers a mini-lecture invoking Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey framework, contrasting an adventure with a transformative ordeal.19:07–23:30 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Disrupting Fixed Habits and Recognizing Core Values Ted asks for practical guidance for those wanting to embrace change during the crisis. Michael outlines behavioral techniques for disrupting rigid habits, drawing on somatic mentorship from George Leonard.23:31–26:53 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Sponsor Message: Ridgeline Investment Technology Following an ad read, Ted synthesizes threads regarding screen fatigue and human connection. Michael elaborates on finding shared gladness and ordinary activities to break down artificial barriers over video.26:54–30:42 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Practicing Creative Adaptations and the Three Outreaches Ted invites practical suggestions for meaningful connection during isolation. Michael provides an actionable three-outreach framework covering past, present, and future relationships.30:42–34:32 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Poetry Reading: Naomi Shihab Nye's 'Kindness' Ted asks Michael to open his personal notebook and choose a reading. Michael reads Naomi Shihab Nye's poem 'Kindness', connecting grief and loss directly to compassion during the pandemic.5:00–11:22 · Ted pushing back 0/10 Initial Reflections on Sheltering in Place Ted opens with broad questions inquiring into the psychological state of people sheltering in place. Michael reframes standard media assumptions about panic and survival, revealing that many professionals secretly relish the relief from constant economic productivity.11:23–15:22 · Ted pushing back 0/10 Diverse Human Responses to Confinement and Authority Ted asks how differing attitudes will impact human capital and future work habits. Michael explains psychological archetypes, noting that adaptation depends on inner psychological resources rather than external circumstances.15:22–19:02 · Ted pushing back 0/10 Cultivating Inner Resources to Endure Ordeals Ted prompts Michael to define what inner resources actually mean in practice. Michael delivers a mini-lecture invoking Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey framework, contrasting an adventure with a transformative ordeal.19:07–23:30 · Ted pushing back 0/10 Disrupting Fixed Habits and Recognizing Core Values Ted asks for practical guidance for those wanting to embrace change during the crisis. Michael outlines behavioral techniques for disrupting rigid habits, drawing on somatic mentorship from George Leonard.23:31–26:53 · Ted pushing back 0/10 Sponsor Message: Ridgeline Investment Technology Following an ad read, Ted synthesizes threads regarding screen fatigue and human connection. Michael elaborates on finding shared gladness and ordinary activities to break down artificial barriers over video.26:54–30:42 · Ted pushing back 0/10 Practicing Creative Adaptations and the Three Outreaches Ted invites practical suggestions for meaningful connection during isolation. Michael provides an actionable three-outreach framework covering past, present, and future relationships.30:42–34:32 · Ted pushing back 0/10 Poetry Reading: Naomi Shihab Nye's 'Kindness' Ted asks Michael to open his personal notebook and choose a reading. Michael reads Naomi Shihab Nye's poem 'Kindness', connecting grief and loss directly to compassion during the pandemic.

speaking balance: gold is Ted, purple is the guest (3 minute bins)

0:00 · Ted 100% · guest 0%0:00 · Ted 100% · guest 0%3:00 · Ted 72.7% · guest 27.3%3:00 · Ted 72.7% · guest 27.3%6:00 · Ted 3.8% · guest 96.2%6:00 · Ted 3.8% · guest 96.2%9:00 · Ted 7% · guest 93%9:00 · Ted 7% · guest 93%12:00 · Ted 19.2% · guest 80.8%12:00 · Ted 19.2% · guest 80.8%15:00 · Ted 10.9% · guest 89.1%15:00 · Ted 10.9% · guest 89.1%18:00 · Ted 9.2% · guest 90.8%18:00 · Ted 9.2% · guest 90.8%21:00 · Ted 15.8% · guest 84.2%21:00 · Ted 15.8% · guest 84.2%24:00 · Ted 42.1% · guest 57.9%24:00 · Ted 42.1% · guest 57.9%27:00 · Ted 0% · guest 100%27:00 · Ted 0% · guest 100%30:00 · Ted 8.2% · guest 91.8%30:00 · Ted 8.2% · guest 91.8%33:00 · Ted 20.4% · guest 79.6%33:00 · Ted 20.4% · guest 79.6%
Sharpest disagreement ▶ 6:57 Subverting the dominant pandemic narrative

Michael rejects the simplistic narrative that people are only anxious about survival, asserting that many secretly hope the pause does not end too quickly.

 Hardest push from Ted ▶ 12:50 Probing long-term human capital implications

Ted presses Michael to ground his psychological observations in concrete economic and workplace adaptations.

 Biggest teaching moment ▶ 19:07 George Leonard's lesson on neuroplasticity and habit change

Michael educates the listener on personal development by citing George Leonard's exercise of brushing teeth with the non-dominant hand.

 Ted holds their own ▶ 24:20 Synthesizing isolation and digital communication

Ted synthesizes multiple psychological threads from the conversation to frame an incisive question about digital rapport.
the scores for every segment, with the reasoning behind each
ChapterTopicTed as informed peerGuest teachingGuest disagreementTed pushing backWhy
Initial Reflections on Sheltering in Place 3510 Ted opens with broad questions inquiring into the psychological state of people sheltering in place. Michael reframes standard media assumptions about panic and survival, revealing that many professionals secretly relish the relief from constant economic productivity.
Diverse Human Responses to Confinement and Authority 3510 Ted asks how differing attitudes will impact human capital and future work habits. Michael explains psychological archetypes, noting that adaptation depends on inner psychological resources rather than external circumstances.
Cultivating Inner Resources to Endure Ordeals 2610 Ted prompts Michael to define what inner resources actually mean in practice. Michael delivers a mini-lecture invoking Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey framework, contrasting an adventure with a transformative ordeal.
Disrupting Fixed Habits and Recognizing Core Values 2610 Ted asks for practical guidance for those wanting to embrace change during the crisis. Michael outlines behavioral techniques for disrupting rigid habits, drawing on somatic mentorship from George Leonard.
Sponsor Message: Ridgeline Investment Technology 3400 Following an ad read, Ted synthesizes threads regarding screen fatigue and human connection. Michael elaborates on finding shared gladness and ordinary activities to break down artificial barriers over video.
Practicing Creative Adaptations and the Three Outreaches 2600 Ted invites practical suggestions for meaningful connection during isolation. Michael provides an actionable three-outreach framework covering past, present, and future relationships.
Poetry Reading: Naomi Shihab Nye's 'Kindness' 1500 Ted asks Michael to open his personal notebook and choose a reading. Michael reads Naomi Shihab Nye's poem 'Kindness', connecting grief and loss directly to compassion during the pandemic.

Statements from this episode (6)

Insight
Mervosh: The Subconscious Need to Produce Governs the Modern Psyche
“There's also a part of a lot of us who are learning for the first time that for all of our lives up until now, in the background of our culture and therefore of our psyches, what's always running is the economy. And what the economy says is you get to work and…”
Michael Mervosh Apr 27, 2020 ▶ 7:23
Insight
Mervosh: Modern Culture Equates Personal Legitimacy with Constant Busyness
“So if you think about the vernacular in conversations, I know you're a busy person. We're all legit if we're busy. Rather than say, well, no, I really don't have anything to do.”
Michael Mervosh Apr 27, 2020 ▶ 10:57
Insight
Mervosh: Video Screens Act Like Confessionals for Honest Conversations
“And then I've noticed it's kind of like a confessional From the Catholic perspective here in the Easter week, where when you're in a confessional and you don't go face to face, you feel freer to say what's really, you open up differently. The barrier is actual…”
Michael Mervosh Apr 27, 2020 ▶ 14:11
Insight
Mervosh: Focus on Developing Your Deficits, Not Polishing Your Strengths
“The awkwardness of something that where we feel incapable, or where we feel unwilling to go, like, that is definitely the areas where it has your greatest potential for development. Our strong suits don't need more work. And that's how we got out of balance be…”
Michael Mervosh Apr 27, 2020 ▶ 19:57
Insight
Mervosh: Shared Activities Eliminate the Fatigue of Forced Banter
“When you're with somebody that you're not well acquainted with, you feel like you have to keep a banter going, and it's tiresome. The space is similar to like a jigsaw puzzle where you have the activity allowing everyone to relax and just be there.”
Michael Mervosh Apr 27, 2020 ▶ 25:32
Insight
Mervosh's Three-Outreach Framework to Rebuild Connections During a Crisis
“If you were listening to this and you would like to just lean into something differently, make three phone calls or three outreaches. The first call will be to reach out and talk to someone that you haven't talked to in a long time and get over yourself. Oh, I…”
Michael Mervosh Apr 27, 2020 ▶ 29:20
Made with StarZero

Turn any episode into a week of clips.

This entire site, over 700 episodes transcribed, diarized, checked and made playable, runs on the StarZero media pipeline. Drop in your own episode and the podcast clipper finds the moments worth sharing, cuts them, captions them, and reframes them for every feed.

Try the podcast clipper Learn more