Modern Wisdom Episode #1040 — 4M Subscriber Q&A

Host: Chris Williamson
Date: January 1, 2026

Overview

To celebrate reaching 4 million subscribers and being named the 8th biggest podcast globally by Spotify, Chris Williamson hosts a solo Q&A episode. Drawing questions from his YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram audiences, Chris reflects candidly on personal growth, podcasting, mental health, masculinity, and the evolution of his work. The episode is deeply introspective, mixing playful banter, practical advice, vulnerable moments, and the familiar wit and warmth characteristic of Modern Wisdom.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal Appearance and Haircut (00:30–04:50)

• Chris responds humorously to speculation about his new haircut.
• Reflects on limited options for curly-haired men and jokes about trying them all.
• Notable quote:
  "As a guy with curly hair, there are three haircuts available... shaved head, buzz cut, or let it loose. Your hair doesn’t get longer, it just gets bigger." — Chris (02:08)

2. On the "Alpha Male" Meme of Isolation (04:50–10:30)

• Chris unpacks the idea that so-called alpha males feel isolated and misunderstood.
• Considers self-imposed isolation, emotional roots, and the value of online communities.
• Notable quote:
  "A lot of the alpha males are working that hard and trying to prove to the world their worth because maybe they don’t feel like they’re worth all that much themselves." — Chris (08:12)

3. Most Interesting Question from Live Tour (10:30–15:05)

• Shares two memorable questions:
  • "What’s the best non-physical compliment?" (His pick: “You made me feel less alone.”)
  • “What would you say to your inner child, and what would he say back?”
• Describes increased pride in his audience for depth and insightfulness.

4. Favorite Fiction Book (15:05–17:12)

• Recommends Red Rising by Pierce Brown.
• Briefly laments Patrick Rothfuss not finishing his trilogy.
• Plug: Two curated 100-book lists available free at Chris’s website.

5. New Studio Update (17:12–19:50)

• Studio under construction; move-in expected February.
• Plans to elevate production quality and achieve a "big boy" workspace after years of make-shift setups.

6. Awareness of Being in His Prime (19:50–24:55)

• Chris candidly admits he’s not always felt in his prime due to health setbacks this year.
• Recognizes current freedom as his "golden years" and aspires to maximize what remains of this phase.
• On British resistance to expressing gratitude:
  • "British people are kind of a bit allergic to gratitude. It feels a bit icky and kind of cringe." — Chris (23:12)

7. Andrew Tate Episode Disclosure (24:55–31:51)

• Explains why an early (2020/21) podcast with Andrew Tate was never released—mainly potential YouTube channel deletion due to COVID content during a strict period.
• Weighs later hesitance as outdated content might unnecessarily damage reputations.
• Notable quote:
  "It just felt like a bit of a shit thing to do to him to release something that could be scrutinized with the information of today, but using the...insights...he had yesterday." — Chris (30:12)

8. Podcast Preparation: What’s on the iPad? (31:51–37:05)

• Describes a system mainly using Apple Notes—3,700 notes for ideas, quotes, topics.
• Emphasizes externalizing memory to focus on real-time conversation flow.
• Notable quote:
  "It’s just an external brain. It’s a really messy one." — Chris (35:44)

9. Advice for Content Creators and Men’s Self-Improvement (37:05–46:18)

• Urges new creators to reduce friction, stay consistent—"one camera setup and a little mic is all you need."
• Critiques “just work harder, bro” culture in men’s self-improvement.
• Emphasizes integrating self-reflection, emotional understanding, and vulnerability.
• "The emotional piece, for me, is massively missing in the men’s space... and I am going to keep hammering on it." — Chris (44:38)

10. More "Fun with the Boys" Episodes Coming (46:18–48:56)

• Listens to requests for less “homework-y” podcasts—group hangs, lighter chats planned for next year.
• Compares regular content to steak and the new casual group shows to ice cream.

11. Upcoming Live Shows and Apparel (48:56–54:16)

• Live UK & Ireland tour announced, including a Newcastle homecoming show.
• Apparel inspired by metal band aesthetics and personal taste—deep involvement in the design process.
• Red bracelet: Symbolizes a personal transformation post-retreat with Joe Hudson.

12. Approaching 1000+ Episodes: Longevity, Curiosity & Change (54:16–01:05:16)

• The podcast as autobiography: curiosity evolves with life stages, e.g. future fatherhood will likely shift topics.
• Acknowledges much “low-hanging fruit” was covered early, but fresh formats/new guests keep things engaging.

13. Value of Small Steps in Hard Times (01:05:16–01:09:22)

• Emphasizes that no effort is too small—sometimes “just opening the curtains was a big deal.”
• Growth happens “from your lowest points.”

14. Coping with Sadness and Seeking Help (01:09:22–01:16:35)

• Shares his reflexive habits during low points: isolation, rumination.
• This year, learned to lean on friends and ask for help—first time he "couldn’t lift it by himself."

15. Health Update: Long Covid, Mold, and Empathy (01:16:35–01:20:30)

• Details a difficult journey through various health issues—long COVID, mold exposure, persistent nervous system issues.
• Increased empathy and humility from being “broken by life.”

16. Most Frequent Recurrent Thought, Inner Critic (01:20:30–01:24:34)

• "You’re not doing this right. You should be better..."—Rooted in earlier association between performance and worth.
• Acknowledges progress but notes patterns resurface during tough times.

17. Identity, Ego, and the Psychological Cost of Success (01:24:34–01:29:55)

• Discusses British culture as an "ego performance enhancer"—keeps him grounded.
• Sometimes experiences "identity dysmorphia" as public perception diverges from his own self-view.
• Notable quote:
  "The world begins to treat you in a way that you don’t see yourself...like identity dysmorphia." — Chris (01:26:21)

18. Navigating Feeling Lost at 18 & Genetic Self-Understanding (01:29:55–01:36:35)

• To an 18-year-old feeling lost: “You’re supposed to be lost. You find cool stuff when you’re lost.”
• On the COMT Met/Met gene variant: sees it as both a hindrance (sensitivity to stress) and a superpower (obsessive focus).

19. The Value of University (01:36:35–01:39:00)

• Reaffirms university as pivotal for his social and business development.
• Used the experience to learn adult skills and start his first businesses.

20. Middlesbrough (UK) Improvements (01:39:00–01:42:05)

• Would focus more on cultural change than infrastructure: raising ambition and breaking skepticism towards those “trying something new.”
• Plus, jokingly: fix the weather!

21. Favorite Quality About Himself (01:42:05–01:44:24)

• “The way my mind works—I really enjoy playing with thoughts inside my own head...and my preparedness to do & face deep emotional work.”

22. Global Reach and the Podcast’s Unique Lane (01:44:24–01:48:09)

• Chris credits MW’s growth to “delicate balance”—not pure hustle, not pure philosophy, nor pure self-optimization, but a blend.

23. On Jealousy, Envy, and Accomplishments (01:48:09–01:51:15)

• Admits to feeling envy and envy (“jealousy?”) about others’ energy/freedom, but works to channel it productively.
• Biggest 2025 accomplishment: “Not giving up...not compromising...held it all together.”

24. Dealing with High Standards and Other People (01:51:15–01:56:00)

• Breaks down externalized perfectionism.
• Advises setting soft boundaries, inviting others to join in, and accepting not everyone will share the same motivation.

25. Growth vs. Avoidance—How to Know When to Push Through (01:56:00–02:01:00)

• The gym analogy: “Is this next rep pushing me to grow or is it injurious?”
• For people in their early 20s: apply rules/blueprints for now, intuition will build over time.

26. Finding Beauty in the Present & The Curse of Retrospection (02:01:00–02:07:00)

• On Freud’s “the struggle will strike you as most beautiful”:
  • The present is often clouded by fear and distraction.
  • Suggests journaling, reducing phone use, laughing at the absurdity of struggle, and sharing with others.

27. Love, Attachment, and Childhood Patterns (02:07:00–02:12:00)

• Advice for someone who falls in love quickly due to childhood longing:
  • Set rules & boundaries in early dating.
  • Trust that when the right partner comes, your depth will be a gift if used wisely.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Every big period of growth in your life has germinated from your lowest points." — Chris (01:08:40)
• "It is a thinly veiled autobiography masquerading as a podcast." — Chris, on what Modern Wisdom really is (54:50)
• About podcast prep: "It’s just an external brain. It’s a really messy one." (35:44)
• "There is no such thing as too small. Yes, you can have high standards, but if you're doing the right things, even a single step does move you closer to your goal." (01:07:30)
• On health struggles: “This is a year that I've been broken by life. So maybe that turns me into the best man that I can be.” (01:19:44)
• "If you want things to be different, it’s gonna be real hard to be happy." (02:05:45)
• "You’re not fragile, you’re just finely tuned." — Re: Met Met COMT gene (01:35:50)
• "The moment you stop performing, you fear the problems will come back." (01:22:10)
• "Set your boundaries around yourself. Realize that your way is not the way for everyone." (01:54:40)

Useful Timestamps

• [00:30] — Haircut/Personal appearance
• [04:50] — “Alpha males” and isolation
• [10:30] — Most interesting tour questions
• [15:05] — Fiction book recommendations
• [17:12] — Studio update
• [19:50] — On being in his prime
• [24:55] — Why the Andrew Tate episode never aired
• [31:51] — Podcast prepping systems
• [37:05] — Advice for starting a podcast & men’s self-improvement
• [46:18] — “Fun with the boys” future episodes
• [48:56] — Live shows, apparel
• [54:16] — The future of Modern Wisdom
• [01:05:16] — Tiny steps and overcoming hard times
• [01:09:22] — Coping with sadness/disappointment
• [01:16:35] — Health update (long COVID, mold, empathy)
• [01:20:30] — Inner critic and recurring thoughts
• [01:24:34] — Identity, ego, celebrity
• [01:29:55] — Advice to lost 18-year-olds; “Met/Met” gene
• [01:36:35] — University: worth it?
• [01:39:00] — Middlesbrough: what to improve?
• [01:42:05] — His favorite thing about himself
• [01:44:24] — Why has MW grown so much?
• [01:48:09] — Envy, jealousy, accomplishments
• [01:51:15] — Balancing high standards and patience
• [01:56:00] — Is what you’re avoiding meant to be faced or left?
• [02:01:00] — Appreciating the present: Freud’s quote
• [02:07:00] — Falling in love—nature vs. nurture

Episode Tone

Warm, reflective, self-deprecating, and at times vulnerable and philosophical, balanced with humor and honest advice. Chris moves fluidly from banter to sincere introspection, not shying away from discussing personal struggles and lessons learned, while maintaining optimism and encouragement for his audience.

For New Listeners

This episode is a revealing look at the central themes of Modern Wisdom—exploration of self, the path of growth through hardship, and pragmatic wisdom. Expect a blend of practical tools, confessional storytelling, and deep Q&A that’s as valuable for newcomers as for long-time fans seeking insight into Chris’s journey and Modern Wisdom’s evolution.