Free Daily Podcast Summary
Inner Propaganda with Owen Fitzpatrick: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Owen Fitzpatrick
The most powerful propagandist in your life is you. Inner Propaganda with Owen Fitzpatrick explores the unconscious beliefs and stories that shape how we think, decide, and lead. Owen is a social psychologist, keynote speaker, and author of Inner Propaganda (Ideapress, 2026). For over two decades, he's studied belief systems, from global boardrooms to field research in North Korea, Rwanda, and Afghanistan. Each episode unpacks how beliefs form, why they resist change, and what it takes to lead through uncertainty. Ideas for leaders, thinkers, and anyone tired of soft-skill clichés.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 1 weeks ago49 min
How to fix burnout with Cait Donovan
Cait Donovan burned out while working around 25 hours a week. She had time for long lunches with friends and mornings free to exercise, yet she still felt exhausted, irritated, and stuck. Years later, a single line in the burnout research gave her the answer she had been searching for. Cait's central idea is that burnout grows out of mismatches between people and their work, their families, their coping habits, and the environments around them. Workload matters, though it is only one piece of a much bigger picture. In this episode of Inner Propaganda, I explore the six workplace mismatches with Cait, why organizations that ignore them invite attrition and disengagement, and the personal factors that lead good people to accept mismatches in the first place. Cait also shares how she learned to disappoint people in small ways for practice, and why "pee when you need to pee" might be some of the best burnout advice you'll ever hear. What you will discover: Why the largest driver of burnout is a mismatch between a person and their role The six workplace mismatches and how to recognize them How interoception helps you notice burnout before it takes hold Why aiming for a 75% match works better than chasing perfection Simple ways to practice people pleasing less and asking for help more Cait's brilliant new book, Mismatch: Why Good People Burn Out in Good Organizations<span style= "font-size: 11pt;
- 2 weeks ago26 min
5 steps to becoming the hero of your life
Over 30 years as a therapist and executive coach, I noticed that almost every person I worked with explained their problems using one of two stories. Some saw themselves as the victim of everything happening around them. Others saw themselves as the villain, the reason everything kept falling apart. Both stories can feel completely true, and sometimes the evidence backs them up. The trouble is that the inner dictator only shows us the evidence that supports the story it wants us to believe. Each of us has been a victim, a villain, and a hero at different moments, which means we have more choice in the story we sell ourselves than we realize. In this episode of Inner Propaganda, I explore the victim story and the villain story, how the inner dictator uses each one as a tactic, and how the arcs of Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker show us what it looks like to move toward a hero story. I also share the five steps I have used with clients for decades to help them build a hero narrative and an antifragile identity. What you will discover: The two stories most people tell about their problems, and how to spot which one you are running Why being a villain is another way of being a victim How the inner dictator chooses evidence to make its narrative feel like fact The five As: awareness, agency, alternatives, adapt, and accept How Viktor Frankl's search for meaning and Nassim Nicholas Taleb's idea of antifragility can help you keep moving forward <p dir="ltr" style= "line-height: 1.38; mar
- 3 weeks ago23 min
Why we need to learn to disagree
When was the last time you sat down with someone who sees the world very differently and listened to understand them? I believe the biggest problem in the world today is that we are not disagreeing effectively enough. Too often, we decide it is pointless even to try. Polarization, echo chambers, and media that amplify the most extreme voices have convinced many of us that the gap between "us" and "them" is too wide to cross. Research shows we consistently overestimate how extreme the other side is, and when we respond with shame and moral outrage, we often push people further away. In this episode of Inner Propaganda, I explore why shaming backfires, what the rise of the Nazis teaches us about ignoring people's grievances, and why identity-protective cognition makes us reject views that challenge who we are. I also share a conversation with my guide in Afghanistan that tested my ability to disagree well, along with research on deep canvassing and what it reveals about how people change their minds. What you will discover: Why we overestimate how extreme the other side really is How shaming and moral outrage can create the very thing they oppose What identity-protective cognition means for every difficult conversation How the illusion of explanatory depth opens the door to more flexible thinking Why curiosity and respect give us the best chance of changing minds <span style= "font-size: 11pt; font-fam
- 4 weeks ago37 min
Why doing good as an organization pays with Jess Pettitt
What if your competitors are wrestling with the same dilemma you are, and nobody is brave enough to ask? My friend Jess Pettitt, a Hall of Fame speaker and crisis advisor, believes this fear is keeping good organizations from doing better. In her new book, Doing Good Better, Jess adapts Maslow's hierarchy of needs for organizations. At the top sits outlasting the cycle: surviving recession, disruption, and crisis while staying true to your values. She argues that every mistake you have made prepares you to recognize the next one faster. In this episode of Inner Propaganda, I explore with Jess why leaders fear admitting mistakes, the internal and external pressures behind that fear, and the two questions she asks leadership teams that reveal where they really stand. We also discuss the shareholder-versus-stakeholder debate, a protein loophole in the food industry, an oil refinery racing its competitors, and what it would take for AI leaders to agree on a shared off button. What you will discover: How organizations can climb their own version of Maslow's hierarchy Why past mistakes are preparation for recognizing new ones How internal and external pressure shape the decisions leaders make Why collaboration with competitors can create collective decisions that do good How to take back control of your own sense of urgency <span style= "font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; back
- Sep 28, 202632 min
How to talk back to the voice that hates you
Whenever I feel anxious or down, a voice in my head speaks with complete authority. It tells me I'm a fraud, that I'm broken, that nothing I do matters. I call it the inner dictator, and I have named him Dick. Inner propaganda is how we convince ourselves of the ideas we hold. The stories we sell to ourselves become the beliefs we buy into, and the inner dictator is the voice that sells the darkest of them with total certainty. In this episode of Inner Propaganda, I explore why recognizing the inner dictator weakens its hold, drawing on the persuasion knowledge model and my own experiences of propaganda in North Korea. I then go through the most common lines Dick uses on me, from "You're a freak" to "The world is so full of pain," and share how I talk back to each one. What you will discover: Why naming the inner dictator makes its messages less convincing How the change of meaning principle works inside your own mind Why your mood decides which evidence feels like proof Simple questions that expose the vague claims behind self-doubt How to judge a thought by its usefulness rather than its accuracy If you enjoyed this episode, check out my brand-new book, Inner Propaganda<span style= "font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: p
- Sep 21, 202624 min
How to feel good enough
If you have ever felt like you are not a good enough parent, partner, friend, or professional, you have met the inner dictator. It is a voice of absolute certainty that tells you the limits of your potential, and it can sabotage your chances of success. The belief "I am not good enough" is so vague and abstract that it is hard to pin down and easy to accept. It is a form of inner propaganda, a story your mind tells you to keep things simple and stable. In this episode of Inner Propaganda, I explore how to tackle this belief from every angle, drawing on my book, cognitive behavioral therapy, neurolinguistic programming, and mindfulness. I share the belief audit, a way to define what "good" and "enough" actually mean, and questions that test how much evidence sits behind the belief. What you will discover: Why "I am not good enough" is inner propaganda from the inner dictator The four questions of the belief audit How to define "good" and "enough" so the belief becomes specific and testable How to build an antifragile identity that turns mistakes into growth Questions that test how certain you really are, including rating your certainty from one to ten If you enjoyed this episode, check out my brand new book, Inner Propaganda, where I show how the stories your mind tells you take hold and share the tools you can use to challenge them. It draws on stories from history, the latest research, and everyday life to explain what leads us to believe what we do. <p dir="ltr" style= "line-h
- Sep 14, 202652 min
What makes you persuasive online (ft. LinkedIn's #1 branding creator)
Most people chasing followers are playing the wrong game entirely. In this episode, Howie Chan, founder of the Behavioring Company and LinkedIn's number one branding creator, explains why the visible metrics of likes and reposts often hide the real currency of influence. Howie built his career by switching tribes, moving from stem cell science into brand strategy and eventually into entrepreneurship after being laid off from the agency he helped grow to over 2,000 people. That experience shaped his belief that behavior change, not belief change, is usually the fastest and most reliable path to real influence. In this episode of Inner Propaganda, we explore why LinkedIn behaves more like a risk management exercise than a true social platform, why belief often follows behavior rather than the other way around, and why the smartest people online are usually optimizing for authority rather than applause. Howie also breaks down his six-part framework for building influence and his CARE method for earning trust quickly. What you will discover: Why the mechanics of a platform matter less than the psychology of its audience Why LinkedIn users protect their reputation more than they chase engagement How changing default settings can shift behavior faster than changing beliefs The six-part framework for moving someone from noticing you to recommending you The CARE method for building trust: competence, authenticity, repeatability, and empathy If you enjoyed this episode, check out my brand new book, <span style= "font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-varia
- Sep 7, 202619 min
The reality behind my book launch
A few weeks ago, I posted photos of myself signing books at Barnes & Noble on Fifth Avenue and at my local bookstore. It looked like a win. What I didn't share was how some stores I visited hadn't stocked the book at all, or had a single copy on order from a friend of mine who had put in the order. There is a story I heard years ago from my friend Philippe about Grigory Potemkin, who supposedly built fake, beautiful villages along a riverbank just so Catherine the Great would believe everything was thriving. That image has stuck with me, because most of what we see on social media works the same way. In this episode of Inner Propaganda, I pull back the curtain on the last six months of launching my book. I talk about landing incredible endorsements from people like Tony Robbins and Robert Cialdini, and about the far larger pile of rejections that never make it onto Instagram. I talk about hitting USA Today's bestseller list and missing the New York Times list I wanted. And I break down what I call the story war, the way our minds can take the same fact and spin it into two completely different realities depending on which internal narrative wins that day. What you will discover: The Potemkin village metaphor and why so much of what we present publicly is a curated version of reality How the same piece of news can trigger either a confidence-boosting story or a self-defeating one Why "am I good enough" is a question with no useful answer, and what to ask instead <span style= "font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color:
Get Inner Propaganda with Owen Fitzpatrick summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
Decoded | Unlock The Secrets of Human Behavior, Emotion and Motivation
Analyzes subconscious patterns in human behavior and provides methods to change them.
The One You Feed | Personal Growth, Emotional Resilience & Purpose
Conversations with thought leaders explore personal growth, emotional resilience, and living with purpose through small, consistent actions.
Unblinded with Sean Callagy
A legally blind entrepreneur shares insights on ethical influence, peak performance, and mastering hidden patterns in business and life.
ReThinking
Adam Grant explores how top thinkers and achievers challenge assumptions and rethink their paths to success.
The School of Greatness
Features interviews with top performers across industries to help listeners develop mindset, health, and habits for personal growth.
Know Thyself
Examines self-awareness, consciousness, and personal growth through interviews with experts in spirituality, science, and creativity.
EPIC Begins With 1 Step Forward
Real people share strategies and stories for overcoming challenges and achieving meaningful personal and professional goals.
Thriving Minds with Alberto Zandi
Conversations with experts and high achievers explore practical insights for thriving in business, career, and personal growth.
Human Potential Lab
Explores the science and philosophy of human potential, consciousness, and the impact of emerging technologies on what it means to be human.
The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex
A former detective shares real stories and practical strategies on building passive income, financial freedom, and entrepreneurial success.
Get Obsessed : With Living Your Best Life
Two hosts explore transformative stories and taboo topics with people challenging norms and living unfiltered lives.
Passion Struck with John R. Miles
Explores purpose, resilience, and human potential through conversations with experts in psychology, neuroscience, and performance.
About Inner Propaganda with Owen Fitzpatrick
The most powerful propagandist in your life is you. Inner Propaganda with Owen Fitzpatrick explores the unconscious beliefs and stories that shape how we think, decide, and lead. Owen is a social psychologist, keynote speaker, and author of Inner Propaganda (Ideapress, 2026). For over two decades, he's studied belief systems, from global boardrooms to field research in North Korea, Rwanda, and Afghanistan. Each episode unpacks how beliefs form, why they resist change, and what it takes to lead through uncertainty. Ideas for leaders, thinkers, and anyone tired of soft-skill clichés.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from Inner Propaganda with Owen Fitzpatrick in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's Inner Propaganda with Owen Fitzpatrick daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Inner Propaganda with Owen Fitzpatrick as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the Inner Propaganda with Owen Fitzpatrick podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official Inner Propaganda with Owen Fitzpatrick product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Owen Fitzpatrick.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts, any in the catalog. Basic raises that to 15, Pro to 40 and Max to 100. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does Inner Propaganda with Owen Fitzpatrick release new episodes?
Inner Propaganda with Owen Fitzpatrick publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does Inner Propaganda with Owen Fitzpatrick cover?
Inner Propaganda with Owen Fitzpatrick covers topics including Science, Education, Social Sciences, Self-Improvement. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting Inner Propaganda with Owen Fitzpatrick summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.