The OptimalWork Podcast

• 270. Understanding Depression IV: The Root Cause

  #270: In this episode, Kevin and Sharif explore a bold new way to understand depression—not as a simple chemical imbalance, but as what Kevin calls a “phobia of adenosine.” Drawing on neuroscience and behavioral psychology, Kevin explains how our brains rely on a natural rhythm of intensity and rest, and how losing that rhythm leads to burnout, lethargy, and despair. The discussion connects deep biological mechanisms—adenosine, dopamine, cortisol, and dynorphins—to everyday experiences of tiredness, motivation, and meaning. In this episode, the groundwork has been laid for next week’s episode which will explain how to restore vitality through a rediscovery of “good tired”: meaningful effort and healthy rest.Find more at https://OptimalWork.com

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• 269. Understanding Depression III: The Truth about Burnout

  #269: Kevin and Sharif dive deep into the true biology and psychology of burnout — not as mere exhaustion, but as “bad tired on steroids.” Kevin explains how chronic threat mode floods the brain with cortisol, amplifying the “type two” tiredness that crushes motivation, focus, and connection. Together, they explore the three engines of vitality — meaning, effort, and attention — showing how burnout arises when these engines fall out of sync. Sharif presses on the dilemma of working hard without seeing results, while Kevin reveals how reconnecting work with love and service can transform fatigue into renewal. It’s a fascinating look at how neuroscience and reframing unite to reignite purpose in daily life.Find more at https://OptimalWork.com

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• 268. Understanding Depression II: Good and Bad Tired

  #268: Kevin and Sharif unpack why “good tired” and “bad tired” aren’t just degrees of fatigue but two distinct brain states tied to adenosine pathways—and how dopamine (and even caffeine) changes the experience. They translate cutting-edge neuroscience into practical steps you can test today: work from motives of love and service (to protect motivation), structure your day in focused sprints with real breaks (up to ~90 min work / ~15 min reset), and practice mindful unit-tasking to avoid the energy drain of context switching. They also cover what to do if you’re already in “bad tired,” plus break tactics that actually restore you—light, movement, hydration, and brief parasympathetic resets (prayer, mindfulness, a quick call). If marathons and multitasking leave you feeling futile or spent, this conversation shows how to finish the day “good tired” with strong sleep pressure and renewed momentum—and tees up next week’s deep dive on burnout and depression.Find more at https://OptimalWork.com

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• 267. Understanding Depression I: The Role of Adenosine

  #267: Kevin and Sharif explore how depression connects to “bad tired,” the draining fatigue that comes from poor sleep, chronic stress, or unfinished effort. At the center is one molecule — adenosine — which can make us feel either “good tired” (satisfied, fulfilled) or “bad tired” (blue, demotivated). Kevin unpacks how adenosine builds up in the brain, how sleep and astrocytes clear it, and how simple practices — from morning light, hydration, and exercise to breathing, cold exposure, and creatine — can flip tiredness from despair into satisfaction.Find more at https://OptimalWork.com

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• [Rebroadcast] Overcoming Anxiety I: Feel the Fear

  #266: Overcoming anxiety occurs in three successive stages. In this first installment of a three episode series, we discuss stage one: confronting the trigger of anxiety head-on, embracing the fear. Over time, the trigger will habituate; as you challenge yourself, the fear you experience will gradually diminish. You can then develop a sense of daring, which is the beginning of the second stage, the topic of next week’s episode.Find more at https://OptimalWork.com

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