Annie Murphy Paul is a science writer and TED speaker. Her latest book is The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain.
Episode cheatsheet
The big takeaway
Science writer Annie Murphy Paul unpacks the transformative concept of “the extended mind” — the idea that our best thinking doesn’t just happen inside our heads, but is shaped by our bodies, environments, and relationships. By breaking out of the “skull-sized kingdom,” we can upgrade our problem solving, creativity, and overall mental well-being through practical strategies that tap more than just our brains.
Think outside your head: The Extended Mind in action
Key takeaways:
Thinking beyond the skull: Your mind isn’t just your brain — it’s distributed across your body, the spaces you inhabit, and the people you interact with.
Bodies boost brains: Using movement, gesture, and interoceptive awareness helps us process information more fully and make better decisions.
Environment matters: Where you work, the objects you keep close, and even the presence of plants or outdoor breaks profoundly influence how well you think.
Relationships as catalysts: Collaboration with peers and experts, and harnessing the power of groups, can turn individual insights into robust collective intelligence.
6 practical ways to get out of your head and think better:
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