June 26, 2025

Do You Think Like a Caveman? Surprising Mindset Lessons From History

Do You Think Like a Caveman? Surprising Mindset Lessons From History

A Mindset masterclass from history. Where does scarcity mindset, imposter syndrom and loss aversion come from?

Where does the scarcity mindset, imposter syndrome, and loss aversion come from?

Welcome to a mindset masterclass from history. Learn if the very instincts that kept humanity alive are now keeping you from truly living.

For 290,000 years, we survived by playing it safe, following the tribe, and hoarding resources. These weren't character flaws—they were survival strategies in a world where innovation could mean death.

  • The scarcity mindset that once threatened our ancestors' survival now threatens our potential.
  • The tribal conformity that once protected us now prevents breakthrough thinking.
  • The focused attention that once saved lives now creates cognitive tunnels.

This episode goes beyond history to recognise the invisible forces shaping your choices and breaking out of survival mode.

-------


NEW SHOW - How to Change the World

Sam's new show can be found on major podcast players:


Can't find it on your player?

RSS feed - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


-------



UPGRADE to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Premium⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:

🏖️ Ad-free listening

🤘 Support the show

🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content

💬 Community Discord

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GrowthMindset.Supercast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Get in Touch

👋 Free Call - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset

📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com



Growth Mindset Psychology:

Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement.

📺 Watch - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube (Growth Mindset)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🛜 Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Growth Mindset⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement


Episode: Do You Think Like a Caveman? Surprising Mindset Lessons From History


Chapters:

00:00 GM - 5 Mindset Locks on Innovation

02:58 The Hand Axe Conundrum

04:51 Episode Goals

06:06 #1 - SURVIVAL

06:42 Energy requirements

08:51 Time Scarcity

11:20 Risk and Psychological Safety

13:39 Survival and Scarcity Mindset

16:15 #2 - CULTURE

18:03 Culture in New Guinea

19:02 Results of trying ideas

20:46 The Grandmother Hypothesis

21:43 Widowhood statistics

23:07 Kaulong Tribe Widow killing

24:49 Catalhoyuk - 1000 years of stasis

25:59 Culture, Social Pressure, Perfectionism and Imposter Syndrome

28:47 #3 - KNOWLEDGE

30:51 Losing knowledge

32:14 Maths

33:01 Communication and Language

34:03 Ice Age Picasso Paradox

35:16 Knowledge and Cognitive Tunnelling

37:59 Wrap Up


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices