Figuring It Out

Dr Alex George

Having amassed millions of downloads with his hugely successful Stompcast podcast, Dr Alex George is putting down his stomping boots to try and answer life’s big questions. But he’s not alone. Dr Alex is joined by research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates. Combining their two worlds to answer the questions we all carry around with us, about our minds, our relationships, our choices and our health. We Google them at 2AM, we talk about them with friends and we wonder if we’re the only ones. Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It’s Complicated.

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628 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes628

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February 3 · 27 min
Pt 2: How to Stop Planning Your Life and Start Living It | Oliver Burkeman
In part two, Oliver Burkeman explores how to rethink productivity, why separating your identity from your achievements is essential, and why you need to stop planning your life and start living it… Plus, Oliver and Dr Alex George discuss the power of words and how they have the power to ground us even in life’s most challenging moments. Follow @oliverburkeman_ and check out his latest book Meditations for Mortals: A Four-Week Guide to Doing What Counts. By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now! Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 2 · 28 min
Pt 1: Why ‘Good Enough’ is Better than ‘Perfect’ | Oliver Burkeman
Oliver Burkeman is a bestselling author known for his influential writing on productivity, time management and the psychology of happiness. In part one, Oliver joins Dr Alex George to discuss the mental toll of trying to do absolutely everything, and why embracing your limitations may actually be the secret to achieving more… Plus, Oliver unpacks what it’s really like to be a journalist and explains why he believes being ‘good enough’ is better than being perfect… Follow @oliverburkeman_ and check out his latest book Meditations for Mortals: A Four-Week Guide to Doing What Counts. By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now! Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 28 · 42 min
Pt 3: Why Change Feels Uncomfortable and Why You Need It | Dr Shadé Zahrai
In part three, Dr Shadé Zahrai shares some useful advice for strengthening your self-trust, explains why role models play such a powerful role in building self-belief and reveals why you don’t have to believe everything you think… Plus, Shadé and Dr Alex George explore fascinating research into the psychology of self-doubt and unpack why change is an uncomfortable but necessary force for growth. Follow @shadezahrai and check out her book Big Trust: Rewire Self-Doubt, Find Your Confidence and Fuel Success. By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now! Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 27 · 39 min
Pt 2: Why Waiting to Feel ‘Ready’ is Holding You Back | Dr Shadé Zahrai
In part two, Dr Shadé Zahrai unpacks why there is real value in making the ‘wrong’ decision, why failure only becomes a problem when we attach meaning to it and why you should never wait until you feel ready to take action. Plus, Shadé and Dr Alex George dive into the science behind self-trust and why you only have regrets if you don’t learn from them… Follow @shadezahrai and check out her book Big Trust: Rewire Self-Doubt, Find Your Confidence and Fuel Success. By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now! Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 26 · 30 min
Pt 1: Why It’s Never Too Late to Change Your Life | Dr Shadé Zahrai
Dr Shadé Zahrai is an award-winning peak performance educator, behavioural researcher and leading authority on self-doubt. Confidence is something so many of us struggle with, but what if we didn’t have to? In part one, Shadé joins Dr Alex George to unpack the four pillars of self-trust, how to consistently show up as your best self and why it’s never too late to change your life… Plus, Shadé shares how she decided to leave her corporate law career and embark on a new journey in content creation and behavioural psychology! Follow @shadezahrai and check out her book Big Trust: Rewire Self-Doubt, Find Your Confidence and Fuel Success. By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now! Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 21 · 19 min
Pt 3: Finding Freedom in a Life Without Alcohol | Tony Adams
In part three, Tony Adams shares the many joys being sober has brought to his life and why he believes his biggest achievement is getting sober. Plus, Tony and Dr Alex George unpack why you shouldn’t be motivated by your discomfort and reveal whether you can still have fun without drinking alcohol… Follow @tonyadamsofficial and find out more about his recovery programmes at Six Mental Health Addiction and Sporting Chance. Follow along with Tony’s Staying Stopped February campaign here. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there is support available: The 12 Step Programme Alcoholics Anonymous Narcotics Anonymous Gamblers Anonymous Turning Point Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now! Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 20 · 27 min
Pt 2: The Importance of Forgiveness in Recovery | Tony Adams
In part two, Tony Adams opens up about how the 12 Step programme saved his life, the vital role forgiveness plays in recovery and why he considers himself ‘lucky’ to be an alcoholic… Plus, Tony and Dr Alex George explore how to rebuild self-respect after going sober and why you don’t need to be at rock bottom to stop drinking. Follow @tonyadamsofficial and find out more about his recovery programmes at Six Mental Health Addiction and Sporting Chance. Follow along with Tony’s Staying Stopped February campaign here. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there is support available: The 12 Step Programme Alcoholics Anonymous Narcotics Anonymous Gamblers Anonymous Turning Point Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now! Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 19 · 29 min
Pt 1: How Alcohol Nearly Destroyed a Football Legend | Tony Adams
In the final episode of our Dry January mini-series, Dr Alex George is joined by a true footballing legend. Tony Adams had an extraordinary career at both club and international level, winning multiple league titles with Arsenal and becoming the most successful captain in the club’s history. In part one, Tony shares how alcoholism turned his life upside down at the height of his career. He opens up about the painful ways alcohol affected his relationships and unpacks the pivotal moment he decided to put down the drink for good… Plus, Tony discusses the importance of giving people struggling with addiction the right support and resources - and explains why it took him so long to realise he had a problem with alcohol. Follow @tonyadamsofficial and find out more about his recovery programmes at Six Mental Health Addiction and Sporting Chance. Follow along with Tony’s Staying Stopped February campaign here. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there is support available: The 12 Step Programme Alcoholics Anonymous Narcotics Anonymous Gamblers Anonymous Turning Point Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now! Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 14 · 27 min
Pt 3: The Three Pillars of Long-Term Sobriety | Professor Charles Knowles
In part three, Professor Charles Knowles and Dr Alex George discuss the impact quitting alcohol has had on their lives, the importance of not giving into peer pressure and how to unlock the joys of alcohol-free living. Plus, Charles shares why he believes you can’t ‘unlearn’ addiction, rather you have to learn how to not drink alcohol. Check out Charles’ book Why We Drink Too Much: The Hidden Science of Just One More. By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! Pre-order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out 15th January Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 13 · 35 min
Pt 2: What Actually Happens to Our Body When We Drink Alcohol? | Professor Charles Knowles
In part two, Professor Charles Knowles unpacks the effect alcohol actually has on our bodies, how alcohol impacts our brain function and why a challenge like Dry January can be hugely beneficial to our health. Plus, Charles and Dr Alex George discuss whether there is ever a ‘safe’ amount of alcohol to drink and why we need more education about the physical health risks of drinking. Check out Charles’ book Why We Drink Too Much: The Hidden Science of Just One More. By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! Pre-order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out 15th January Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 12 · 31 min
Pt 1: The Truth About Why We Drink Alcohol | Professor Charles Knowles
Charles Knowles is Professor of Surgery at Queen Mary University of London, and a recovering alcoholic who has written about his experience with addiction in his new book ‘Why We Drink Too Much: The Hidden Science of Just One More’. In part one, Charles joins Dr Alex George to discuss why some of us can drink more than others, why humans have drank alcohol throughout history and whether it is actually possible to ever have ‘just one more’... Plus, Charles unpacks his concept of the ‘Three Cs’ when reflecting on alcohol consumption and shares how the brain’s reward pathway shapes our drinking habits. Check out Charles’ book Why We Drink Too Much: The Hidden Science of Just One More. By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! Pre-order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out 15th January Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 7 · 18 min
Pt 3: The Hardest Part of Sobriety - and How to Get Through It | Clare Pooley
In part three, Clare Pooley shares some of the best lessons she’s learnt from over ten years of sobriety, to help encourage you through your own Dry January journey. Plus, Clare and Dr Alex George discuss their favourite parts of alcohol-free living and give some actionable advice for overcoming the hardest parts of being sober. Follow @clare_pooley and check out her book The Sober Diaries. By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! Pre-order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out 15th January Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 6 · 36 min
Pt 2: Navigating the First 30 Days Alcohol-Free | Clare Pooley
In part two, Clare Pooley opens up about the feelings of shame that surrounded her early days of sobriety, and how starting her blog helped navigate the initial period of alcohol-free living. Plus, Clare and Dr Alex George debunk the myth that you can’t have fun when sober, and why it’s vital you continue socialising when taking part in Dry January… Follow @clare_pooley and check out her book The Sober Diaries. By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! Pre-order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out 15th January Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 5 · 32 min
Pt 1: Why Dry January Could Change Your Life | Clare Pooley
Happy New Year Stompers! To mark Dry January, we’re releasing a special mini-series exploring what alcohol-free living is actually like, to hopefully encourage you to give it a go yourself in 2026. This week, Dr Alex George is joined by Clare Pooley. Clare is a best-selling author, blogger and public speaker who’s had her own journey with alcohol - and has been sober for the past ten years! In this episode, Clare shares how she first recognised she had a problem with alcohol, what inspired her to quit drinking and what her first sober month was like. Plus, Clare and Alex discuss the impact that stopping drinking has had on their lives, and why it’s so important to realise that alcohol was never your best friend in the first place… Follow @clare_pooley and check out her book The Sober Diaries. By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! Pre-order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out 15th January Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 31, 2025 · 22 min
Pt 3: Are Men and Women’s Brains Really Different? | Professor Gina Rippon
In part three, Professor Gina Rippon unpacks whether there are any tangible differences between male and female brains, what brain imaging can tell us about autism and how stereotypes and early childhood environments shape the male and female experience. Plus, Gina and Dr Alex George discuss how through understanding how autism shows up differently, we can create a more inclusive society. Follow @ginarippon1 and check out the books mentioned in this episode, The Lost Girls of Autism: The Untold Story of Women on the Spectrum and The Gendered Brain: The New Neuroscience that Shatters the Myth of the Female Brain. By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! Pre-order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out 15th January Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 30, 2025 · 29 min
Pt 2: Understanding Autism in Women and Girls | Professor Gina Rippon
In part two, Professor Gina Rippon explains how autistic women have been historically overlooked, the ways autism presents differently in women compared to men and how the ‘male spotlight’ effect has impacted how autism is viewed in society. Plus, Gina and Dr Alex George discuss the common autistic trait of ‘masking’ and unpack how being othered socially could literally change your brain… Follow @ginarippon1 and check out the books mentioned in this episode, The Lost Girls of Autism: The Untold Story of Women on the Spectrum and The Gendered Brain: The New Neuroscience that Shatters the Myth of the Female Brain. By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! Pre-order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out 15th January Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 29, 2025 · 26 min
Pt 1: Are More People Autistic Nowadays? | Professor Gina Rippon
Gina Rippon is Professor Emeritus of Cognitive NeuroImaging at Aston University, and is a leading researcher in understanding how autism shows up differently in women and girls. There seems to be a consensus in the media that there’s been an influx of autism diagnoses in recent years, and in part one Gina joins Dr Alex George to discuss whether this is actually the case, what the diagnosis process is like and whether being labelled as autistic is actually beneficial for the individual… Plus, Gina unpacks how autistic people see the world differently and whether we have become more or less accepting of difference as a society. Follow @ginarippon1 and check out the books mentioned in this episode, The Lost Girls of Autism: The Untold Story of Women on the Spectrum and The Gendered Brain: The New Neuroscience that Shatters the Myth of the Female Brain. By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! Pre-order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out 15th January Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 24, 2025 · 19 min
Pt 3: The Tools You Need to Thrive in Uncertainty | Katherine Templar Lewis
In part three, Katherine Templar Lewis and Dr Alex George discuss tools you can use to improve your uncertainty tolerance, how you can change your mindset to be more positive and why uncertainty can be an exciting place for opportunity to grow. Plus, Katherine shares some helpful tips for rewiring troublesome thought patterns and shares why it’s so important to process negative feelings correctly. Follow @katherinetemplarlewis and her co-author @samconniff and pre-order their book The Uncertainty Toolkit: How to Feel Calmer, Happier and More Confident In an Uncertain World, out 1 January 2026. By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! Pre-order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out 15th January Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 23, 2025 · 24 min
Pt 2: How to Stop Worrying About Everything | Katherine Templar Lewis
In part two, Katherine Templar Lewis unpacks why uncertainty is such a big problem among women and young people in particular, the four things people worry about the most and whether you can ever truly let go of uncertainty… Plus, Katherine and Dr Alex George discuss the link between uncertainty and mental illness. Follow @katherinetemplarlewis and her co-author @samconniff and pre-order their book The Uncertainty Toolkit: How to Feel Calmer, Happier and More Confident In an Uncertain World, out 1 January 2026. By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! Pre-order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out 15th January Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 22, 2025 · 28 min
Pt 1: Why You Need to Embrace Uncertainty | Katherine Templar Lewis
Katherine Templar Lewis is a creative scientist, who specialises in neuroscience and neuroaesthetics. Katherine is also part of The Uncertainty Experts, who have been running interactive experiments exploring how people navigate feelings of uncertainty. We all experience uncertainty throughout our lives, whether you’ve just graduated university, lost your job or simply don’t know what the future holds - fear of the unknown can be debilitating. In part one, Katherine joins Dr Alex George to discuss why we need to reframe what uncertainty is, the three metal processes that make up uncertainty and how we can unlock our full potential by embracing discomfort… Plus, Katherine unpacks the different types of uncertainty we experience and explains how we can start to change our relationship with it. Follow @katherinetemplarlewis and her co-author @samconniff and pre-order their book The Uncertainty Toolkit: How to Feel Calmer, Happier and More Confident In an Uncertain World, out 1 January 2026. By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! Pre-order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out 15th January Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.