The Confident Fool and the Quiet Expert: How the World Rewards the Wrong Kind of Certainty
Why do the loudest voices so often rise—while the most capable hesitate in the shadows?
In this episode of Mind the Gap, Michael Comyn explores the strange tension between Impostor Syndrome and the Dunning-Kruger Effect. One causes deeply competent people to question their worth, while the other leads the unskilled to overestimate theirs. Somewhere in between is the path to real confidence.
Drawing from Stoic philosophy, emotional intelligence, and modern psychology, Michael unpacks the stories we tell ourselves about competence—and why society often rewards the wrong kind of certainty.
Along the way, we meet the archetypal Irish “chancer,” revisit the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus, and discover practical strategies for reclaiming grounded self-belief in a world full of bravado.
Whether you're the Quiet Expert or working with a Confident Fool, this episode offers insights and tools to help you lead with clarity, courage, and self-awareness.
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11:13
When Knowledge Threatens: The Paradox of Being Judged
Have you ever felt judged—not for your mistakes or flaws—but for your strengths, education, or even how you speak? In this thoughtful and introspective episode, Michael Comyn explores the uncomfortable reality of being judged for having "too much" of something good.
He explores the hidden biases that shape how we perceive each other, whether based on age, gender, accent, intelligence, race, or class. Drawing insights from psychology, Stoic philosophy, and Jungian thought, Michael examines the subtle and obvious ways we judge and are judged.
Highlights include:
Understanding top-down discrimination (structural bias) and bottom-up discrimination (personal resentments).How Carl Jung's concept of "projection" reveals our hidden insecurities.Stoic wisdom from Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus on choosing how to respond to judgment.The role of emotional intelligence in managing our biases, featuring insights from Daniel Goleman.Viktor Frankl's powerful reminder of the space between stimulus and response as a key to freedom.
Quotes from this episode:
"Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves." – Carl Jung"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters." – Epictetus"Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response." – Viktor Frankl
Join Michael in exploring how we can notice—and ultimately challenge—our quick judgments. Don't forget to subscribe, share, and keep minding the gap!
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8:56
Talking to Yourself, Wisely...
You know that voice in your head that won’t stop replaying awkward conversations or predicting disaster before you’ve even begun? We all have it. But what if you could teach it to speak differently instead of trying to silence that voice?
In this episode of Mind the Gap, we explore the surprising science behind self-talk — the silent, internal dialogue that shapes how we think, feel, and act.
Drawing on the work of psychologist Ethan Kross, ancient Stoic philosophy, and the principles of emotional intelligence, we unpack practical tools to help you shift from inner critic to inner coach.
Why do we spend nearly one-third of our waking life in silent conversation with ourselves?The health costs of unchecked mental chatterHow to use “distanced self-talk” to reduce reactivity and regain perspectiveWhat Marcus Aurelius and Seneca knew about reasoning with your thoughtsHow awe, self-awareness, and the right kind of listener can calm the storm inside
Whether you're a leader, a partner, a parent, or a human, learning how to talk to yourself more wisely is a game-changer.
Key quote:
“You are not your thoughts. You are the one hearing them.”
Resources mentioned:
Chatter by Ethan KrossMeditations by Marcus AureliusDaniel Goleman on Emotional Intelligence.
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12:49
Procrastination: Why We Delay and How to Start Moving
In this episode of Mind the Gap, we dig deep into the human habit of procrastination—what it is, why we do it, and how we can finally move from delay to action.
Drawing from Stoic philosophy, emotional intelligence, and modern psychology, Michael explores how fear, perfectionism, and emotional avoidance often lie beneath our tendency to put things off. With references to Marcus Aurelius, Viktor Frankl, and leading researchers like Dr. Piers Steel, this conversation offers insight and practical strategies—from the Two-Minute Rule to the viral 'Scary Hour' technique.
If you've ever told yourself, "I'll do it tomorrow"—and meant it—this episode is for you.
Enjoyed this episode?
Follow Mind the Gap and share it with a friend, a colleague, or anyone stuck in the cycle of putting things off.
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11:57
The Propaganda Playbook: How to Spot It and Resist It
How do we separate truth from manipulation in a world where information moves faster than ever?
Propaganda isn’t just a relic of history—it’s alive and well, shaping how we think, vote, and engage with the world. From political campaigns to corporate spin, propaganda exploits psychological biases, repetition, and emotional appeal to control the narrative. And the scariest part? It often doesn’t look like propaganda at all.
In this episode of Mind the Gap, Michael Comyn breaks down the propaganda playbook—where it came from, how it’s used today, and why figures like Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and media giants like Fox News have mastered its techniques.
We’ll explore key strategies like the Illusory Truth Effect, scapegoating, and undermining institutions, and most importantly, how to resist falling for these tactics.
Welcome to “Mind the Gap,” the podcast where ancient wisdom and modern emotional intelligence converge. I’m Michael Comyn, and with 38 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 recognize 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’s taken on a new meaning in this podcast, as we delve into 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