S14 E20 The Hidden Beliefs That Control Your Attention, with Nir Eyal

In this episode of FOMO Sapiens, Patrick welcomes back Nir Eyal, bestselling author of Hooked and Indistractable, to discuss his newest book, Beyond Belief. The conversation starts with a paradox we all recognize: we know exactly what to do, yet we don’t do it. Nir explains why the missing piece isn’t discipline or motivation, but belief. Drawing on neuroscience, psychology, and personal experience, he introduces a powerful framework showing how belief shapes attention, anticipation, and agency, and how those forces quietly determine what we see, feel, and do. Patrick and Nir explore limiting beliefs, extremist certainty, and why nuance is a competitive advantage in a polarized world. They also examine how beliefs function not as truths, but as tools—and how choosing better tools can unlock better decisions, healthier relationships, and more focused lives. This episode is a practical and philosophical guide to reclaiming agency in an age of distraction, outrage, and endless information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices