Episode 134

134- Addicted to Certainty?

134 - Addicted to Certainty
 
In this episode, I am going to talk about something that I think a lot of us struggle with: addiction to certainty. I wiilll dive into the difference between certainty and agency, and some personal reflections on why taking risks can be so important for growth.

To help illustrate this point, I’ll be drawing inspiration from Cheryl Strayed’s incredible book, Wild. We’ll explore how the bias towards certainty can actually hold us back from making positive changes in our lives, and I’ll be challenging you to consider taking some risks and stepping outside of your comfort zone.

So get ready to push yourself a little bit and try some new things! I truly believe that by challenging our addiction to certainty, we can unlock new levels of growth and fulfillment.

https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3484

https://open.spotify.com/episode/513Qm8Kyzfq4fSg0IYGfoj

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/your-brain-work/200910/hunger-certainty

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-certainty-bias/

Jill’s Links


https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps

Twitter startwithsmallsteps

Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

About the Podcast

Show artwork for Start with Small Steps
Start with Small Steps
Thoughtful personal growth through small, realistic steps you can use in everyday life.

Listen for free

About your host

Profile picture for Jill McKinley

Jill McKinley

I’m Jill from the Northwoods. Professionally, I work in Health IT, where I untangle complex systems and help people use technology more effectively. But at heart, I’m a curious lifelong learner—always exploring how things work, why people grow the way they do, and how even the smallest steps can spark real transformation. That curiosity fuels everything I do, from problem-solving at work to sharing insights through my creative projects.

My journey wasn’t always easy. Growing up, I faced a rough childhood, and books became my lifeline. They introduced me to voices of ancient wisdom, modern psychology, and the natural world around me. Those pages taught me resilience, gave me perspective, and helped me see that wisdom is everywhere—waiting to be noticed, gathered, and shared.