In this episode, Dave shares his own experience turning to Grok for what he expected to be a quick check-in, and ended up in a long, unexpectedly therapeutic conversation. He breaks down why it felt safe, validating, and impartial, and dives into the research on whether AI chatbots can genuinely help with mental health or whether they're a hazard to be cautious of.

Topics covered:

• Dave's personal experience using Grok as a thinking and processing tool
• Why AI redirected him to a real therapist when he tried to push its boundaries
• Research comparing licensed therapists to AI chatbots on clinical standards
• What psychologists are reporting about patients using AI alongside therapy
• Grok's own response explaining the line between a support tool and real therapy
• A challenge to try an honest conversation with AI as a thought-organizing tool

If you've ever wondered whether talking to AI about your mental health is helpful or risky, this episode gives you both sides.

In this episode, Dave shares his own experience as a parent navigating screen time with his kids, from raising his now-adult children to parenting teens today, and why the struggle has only gotten harder despite more parenting experience. He dives into Jonathan Haidt's book The Anxious Generation and the research behind the sharp rise in teen anxiety, depression, and suicide since smartphones and social media went mainstream.

Topics covered:

• Dave's personal experience parenting kids through the shift from TV time to constant connectivity
• Research on the rise in teen depression, anxiety, and suicide rates since 2010
• Jonathan Haidt's four norms for reversing the trend
• Why free play and real-world independence matter more than ever
• A challenge to bring more screen-free play into your family's week

If you've ever wondered why parenting around screens feels harder than it used to, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Dave dives into creatine, a supplement best known for building muscle, and explores its emerging role in mental health. He breaks down how creatine fuels brain cells the same way it fuels muscles, and why a stressed brain, whether from anxiety, depression, or sleep deprivation, may benefit the most from supplementation.

Topics covered:

• How creatine supplies energy to brain cells and supports mental function under stress
• Clinical trial results showing creatine's impact on depression scores when combined with antidepressants
• Population research linking dietary creatine intake to lower rates of depression and anxiety
• The science behind brain energy metabolism, ATP, and neuroplasticity
• Insights from Dr. Darren Candow, a leading creatine researcher, featured on The Diary of a CEO
• A challenge to try creatine this week and track the results