Even the sharpest minds can be fooled — not because we are careless, but because con artists know how to pull the emotional levers that make us human. In this episode of Mind the Gap, Michael explores how scams old and new trick us into lowering our guard, from the classic infomercials that promised six-packs in six weeks to today’s deepfakes that use familiar faces and voices to convince us to click.
You’ll hear why trust can become a trap, how urgency, flattery, and hope can override logic, and why emotional intelligence is one of our best tools to pause, reflect, and verify before we act.
This is the sixtieth episode of Mind the Gap, and after this one, we’re taking a short break to practice what we preach. If you miss us while we’re away, now is a great time to revisit earlier episodes — or dive into the Mind the Gap book, available in paperback, hardback, and ebook here.
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When the Centre Doesn’t Hold: Finding Steadiness in a Divided World
In a world that demands you choose sides, what happens when you no longer recognise the middle ground?
In this month’s Echoes from the Margins, the monthly companion to Mind the Gap (now in its second season), Michael Comyn reflects on life when the centre no longer holds — in politics, in community, and within ourselves.
From Yeats’ haunting words to ancient Chinese philosophy, from Arabic wisdom to modern psychology, this episode explores how binary thinking has pushed us apart, and why nuance and balance have become rare. Michael invites you to step away from the noise, to discover that the true centre is not a position on a map, but a daily practice of listening, questioning, and living with integrity.
If you have felt pulled to the edges by the world’s divisions, this reflection offers both comfort and challenge.
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Faithful or Traitor? Understanding Betrayal in Work and Life
Betrayal cuts deep, whether it’s a colleague taking credit for your work, a promised promotion that never arrives, or the quiet exclusion from a team. Inspired by the hit television series The Traitors, this episode of Mind the Gap explores how we respond when trust is broken.
Michael Comyn unpacks the sting of betrayal in both personal and professional life, weaving together insights from philosophy, modern psychology, and emotional intelligence. Are we too quick to label others as traitors? And what does it really mean to be faithful in a world where loyalty is tested daily?
If today’s reflections resonate, you can dive deeper into the companion book Mind the Gap, available worldwide in paperback, hardback, and Kindle editions.
Stay tuned for next week’s episode, when Michael explores another of life’s hidden challenges with the same mix of wisdom, wit, and humanity.
Book available at https://amzn.eu/d/irNfaHO
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Bonus Episode: Michael Comyn on The Late Lunch with Gerry Kelly
In this special bonus edition of Mind the Gap, you’ll hear Michael Comyn in conversation with Gerry Kelly on LMFM’s The Late Lunch. Together, they discuss the book that now accompanies the podcast, how it came to life, and the ideas it explores.
The book Mind the Gap gathers many of the themes shared here each week, blending philosophy, emotional intelligence, and personal reflection in a way that invites you to pause and think differently.
Tune in to this behind-the-scenes conversation and discover how the book and podcast work hand in hand.
`The book Mind the Gap is available now on Amazon in Kindle, paperback, and hardback worldwide.
Listen to new episodes of Mind the Gap every week, wherever you get your podcasts.
For more, visit: https://www.comyn.ie
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19:43
Why We Slow for Blue Lights but Stop for Our Values
Why do we ease off the accelerator when we spot a Garda car, but never dream of driving home after a few pints? One is the fear of punishment. The other is a shift in values. That contrast is the difference between power and influence.
In this episode of Mind the Gap, Michael Comyn explores why power bends behaviour only in the moment, while influence reshapes belief for the long term. From speed limits to the cultural transformation around drink driving, the discussion weaves together Robert Greene’s 48 Laws of Power, the wisdom of the Stoics, and insights from emotional intelligence.
If you are a regular listener, this episode invites you to reflect more deeply on how you lead, how you parent, and how you live. Are you leaning on power to get quick compliance, or are you cultivating influence that endures?
These reflections are also explored in greater depth in Michael’s new book Mind the Gap, now available worldwide in Kindle, paperback, and hardback editions on Amazon.
Welcome to “Mind the Gap,” the podcast where ancient wisdom and modern emotional intelligence converge. I’m Michael Comyn, and with nearly 40 years of experience in emotional intelligence, I’m excited to bring you this exploration of how Stoic philosophy can illuminate our contemporary challenges.
You might also recognise my voice from a different context—I’ve been the one reminding passengers to “Mind the Gap” on public transport across Ireland for the past 25 years. It’s a phrase that has taken on a new meaning in this podcast, as we explore the gap between our emotions and reality.
In each episode, we’ll bridge the gap between the timeless insights of Stoic philosophers and the latest understandings of emotional intelligence. I’ll share practical tools and strategies to help you manage feelings, enhance self-awareness, and build resilience.
Join me as we explore how these ancient teachings can provide clarity and guidance for today’s emotional landscape. Let’s close the gap together, turning everyday challenges into opportunities for growth, one episode at a time.
Ireland