Shows / The Daniel Stih Podcast
The Daniel Stih Podcast
Solve the right problem. So the right answer becomes clear. I'm Daniel Stih—an engineer and first-ascent mountaineer. This podcast is about thinking clearly in a noisy world. Through conversations with experts and practitioners, I explore assumptions, test narratives, and examine how conclusions are formed—especially in problems where the obvious answer may not be the right one. Solo episodes focus on thinking perspectives. Guest episodes are conversations as research into how people think…
Episodes
The Daniel Stih PodcastNetworking — Why It Feels Broken (and What Creates Connection) (Brandon Moses)
We're more connected than ever—yet many people feel more disconnected. The real question is: what actually creates meaningful connection—and why do most…
The Daniel Stih PodcastSelf-Esteem: What Actually Builds Confidence? (Dame Clarissa Burt)
What actually builds self-esteem—and does it reliably lead to confidence? In this conversation, I sit down with Dame Clarissa Burt—actress, producer, author of…
The Daniel Stih PodcastWalking — What Problem Is It Actually Solving? (Frank Ring)
Most health advice focuses on what to do: exercise more, eat better, stay consistent. The real question is: What problem are we actually trying to solve? This…
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Blueprints, Not Formulas: The Path to Purpose and Success
Is there a formula for success? Whether it's writing a book, composing a song, starting a business, or pursuing your dream, the answer is both yes and no. In…
The Daniel Stih PodcastWhen the Symptom Persists, the Problem Isn't Solved
People often assume that once a problem has been "fixed," the symptoms should disappear. Persistent signals mean something in the underlying system was missed…
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Space Force: Defense Against UFOs & Alien Invasion?
Is the U.S. Space Force for satellite defense and space operations or is there a classified mission that involves aliens and UFOs? In this episode, I explore…
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Fentanyl Crisis: How New Tech Could Save Lives — with VeriChem CEO Jay Letendre
Fentanyl is one of the deadliest drugs on the streets today — often hidden in fake prescription pills and fueling a nationwide overdose crisis. In this…
The Daniel Stih PodcastCore Values — Do They Actually Lead to Success? (Brant Menswar)
"Know your values" is one of the most common pieces of advice in self-help and leadership. Does it actually work? In this episode, I talk with Brant…
The Daniel Stih PodcastMind Power — What Can It Actually Change? (Testing the Claim) (Brent Webb)
Claims about "mind power" are everywhere, from improving performance to overcoming illness. The real question is: what problem are these ideas actually…
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Thinking Tool: How to Slow Down a "Should I Quit?" Decision
I'm not answering the question 'Should you quit your job.' I'm showing you how to slow down decisions that are irreversible when clarity is low. Are you having…
The Daniel Stih PodcastDaylight Saving Time — What Problem Is It Actually Solving?
Twice a year, we change the clocks. What problem is Daylight Saving Time actually solving? In this episode, I break down how DST started, what it was…
The Daniel Stih PodcastFreemasonry — What's True, What's Assumed, and What's Misunderstood (Austin Shifrin)
Freemasonry is one of the most discussed—and misunderstood—organizations in the world. My guest is Austin Shifrin, a 33rd-degree Scottish Rite Mason. This…
The Daniel Stih PodcastWhen to Wait — How Timing Changes the Outcome
This episode is about knowing when not to act. "Waiting For You" was written years before it was finished. At the time, something felt off—but not in a way I…
The Daniel Stih PodcastMusic, Identity, and Peace — What Creativity Actually Changes (Rick DellaRatta)
What does creativity actually change? In this episode, I sit down with Rick DellaRatta, founder of Jazz for Peace, for a live conversation and performance…
The Daniel Stih PodcastHolistic Healing — What It Treats (and How to Evaluate It)
Holistic healing is often misunderstood—either dismissed or accepted without question. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Heather Wisely to explore how to…
The Daniel Stih PodcastEducation Policy — What the Department Does (and What It Doesn't Solve)
Education is designed to prepare people for the future. The real question is: what is the system actually optimizing for—and where does it fall short? In this…
The Daniel Stih PodcastContrails and "Chemtrails" — How to Evaluate What You're Seeing in the Sky
Contrails in the sky are often described as "chemtrails." This episode focuses on the question: How do we evaluate claims when something is visible…
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UFOs, UAPs, and the Socorro Case — Investigator Ben Moss
What do decades of UFO investigations reveal about what might be out there? In this episode, I'm joined by Ben Moss, one of the most recognized experts in UFO…
The Daniel Stih PodcastFood Prices — What Drives the Cost (and Where It Adds Up)
Food prices have been rising and the reason isn't always obvious. The real question is: where do costs enter the system—and how do they add up? In this…
The Daniel Stih PodcastVaccines — How to Evaluate Safety, Effectiveness, and Risk
Few topics generate as much disagreement as vaccines. How do we evaluate claims about safety, effectiveness, and risk? In this episode, I break down what these…
The Daniel Stih PodcastMold Testing: What You Need to Know Before You Test for Mold
Before you spend money on mold testing or remediation, make sure you're solving the right problem. 👉 Schedule a consultation…
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NAFTA, Free Trade, and Tariffs: Problems with Canada and Mexico — and Solutions
Originally published in March 2025. This episode reflects my thinking at the time. I still find the central question relevant: What problem should a trade…
The Daniel Stih PodcastHealthy Relationships — What Actually Creates Connection (and What Doesn't)
Most relationship advice focuses on communication. Communication alone doesn't fix the underlying problem. I sit down with Dr. Dean Sunseri and Holly Kem…
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Solar Panels: Clean Energy Promise or Toxic Problem - Gary Ehlenberger
Solar panels are celebrated as a clean energy solution — but what if there's a hidden cost? In this episode, I sit down with Gary Ehlenberger, a retired staff…
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How to Stop Caring What Other People Think About You
Are you constantly worried about what others think of you? In this empowering episode, we explore why seeking approval from others can hold you back and how to…
The Daniel Stih PodcastGreenwashing — What Actually Matters (and What Doesn't)
This episode is about how easy it is to optimize the wrong things. In climate conversations, attention often goes to what's visible, measurable, or marketable…
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Flat Earth with David Weiss and Why the Earth Is Round
Is the Earth flat? Could we be enclosed within a dome? In this episode, I sit down with David Weiss — better known as Flat Earth Dave — to explore…
The Daniel Stih PodcastHistory and Faith — How to Think About the Origins of Belief (Glyn Thomas)
My guest is historian Glyn Thomas, whose work explores ancient civilizations, early Christianity, and the development of religious belief over time. This…
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How Progress Happens When There's No Playbook
In a world full of assumptions, traditions, and deeply held beliefs, what happens when you start questioning everything? In this thought-provoking episode, we…
The Daniel Stih PodcastWhen the Answer Arrives Fully Formed — A Creative Case Study
This week's song of the week, Lean on Me, was inspired by the 1997 film A Life Less Ordinary, a quirky mix of comedy, fantasy, and romance starring Cameron…
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Maui Fires — How to Evaluate Claims About "Energy Weapons" (Steve Favis)
In the aftermath of the Maui fires, claims began circulating that energy weapons or "lasers from space" may have played a role. In this episode, we don't…
The Daniel Stih PodcastHow People Make Sense of Extraordinary Experiences (Katherine Gillette)
My guest is Katherine Gillette, who describes a range of experiences that fall outside conventional scientific frameworks, including astral travel, lucid…
The Daniel Stih PodcastFluoride — What's in Drinking Water (and What It Does)
Fluoride has been added to drinking water for decades. Not all forms of fluoride are the same. The real question is: what is being added—and what does it do?…
The Daniel Stih PodcastYour Bedroom Is Affecting Your Sleep—Here's How to Fix It
our bedroom isn't just where you sleep. It's an environment that's either helping your body recover—or quietly working against it. In this episode, I break…
The Daniel Stih PodcastAI and Coaching — What It Changes (and What It Doesn't) (Dr. Hebenstreit)
Coaching is traditionally built around human insight and experience. The real question is: What happens when that process is translated into AI? My guest is…
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Are We Already in 5th Generation Warfare? — Technology, Claims, and What to Trust (Steve Favis)
The Maui fires of 2023 sparked a range of explanations—including claims about space-based weapons and emerging forms of warfare. Are we already living in an…
The Daniel Stih PodcastSit With It — How Clarity Develops Over Time
This episode is about what happens when you stop trying to force an answer—and give it space instead. "Sister Valerie" was written during a time when I was…
The Daniel Stih PodcastWhat Games Reveal About How We Think and Grow (Ryan Jones)
This conversation is not just about games—it's about a deeper question: How do structured systems help us understand ourselves, our decisions, and how we grow?…
The Daniel Stih PodcastPolitical Division and Peace — What Works (and What Doesn't) (Danielle Reiff)
My guest is Danielle Reiff, a former U.S. diplomat and expert in democracy and peace-building with over 20 years of experience working in conflict-affected…
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Should We Ban TikTok? Smarter Solutions for Privacy and Social Media
Should governments ban apps like TikTok to protect user data and national security — or is there a better way? In this episode, we explore alternatives to…
The Daniel Stih PodcastWildfire Recovery — What Actually Matters for Health (and What People Get Wrong)
After a wildfire, most people focus on visible damage. The real question is: What actually matters for your health when you return home? In this episode, we…
The Daniel Stih PodcastLoneliness — What It Is, What It Signals, and What Actually Helps (Sukhvinder Kaur)
This conversation is not just about loneliness—it's about a deeper question: What does loneliness actually signal, and how do we respond to it in a way that…
The Daniel Stih PodcastCreative Careers — How They Actually Take Shape (Shannon Malone de Benedictis)
Creative careers rarely follow a straight path—but we often pretend they do. In this episode, Emmy award-winning producer Shannon Malone de Benedictis shares…
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How Living Your Purpose Can Change the World Around You
Discover how living your purpose not only transforms your own life but also creates a ripple effect that impacts your community and the world. In this…
The Daniel Stih PodcastWhen You Become the Work — A Creative Case Study
This episode is about what happens when the boundary between you and what you're creating starts to disappear. "Somewhere Along the Way" was inspired by a…
The Daniel Stih PodcastPlant-Based Living at 82 — How to Think About Health, Claims, and Longevity (Michael Dorfman)
This conversation is not just about diet—it's about a deeper question: How do we evaluate health claims and make decisions when the information is complex…
The Daniel Stih PodcastFearless Under Pressure: Gina Casazza's SEAL Training and Kidnapping Experience
What actually changes when you're under extreme pressure? In this episode, I talk with Gina Casazza, who has gone through civilian SERE training (Survival…
The Daniel Stih PodcastIs It Ever OK to Quit? — When Persistence Becomes the Problem (Gina Casazza)
This episode is about one of the hardest decisions to make: when to keep going—and when to stop. I'm joined by Gina Casazza, whose experiences—from extreme…
The Daniel Stih PodcastHealth Care for All: Solving the Right Problem
Health care reform is often discussed in terms of cost, insurance, access, and policy. Underneath those debates is a more fundamental question: What problem…
The Daniel Stih PodcastAre We Solving the Right Problem? — How People Approach Complex Issues (Mitch Francis)
This conversation is not about taking sides—it's about how we think about complex, high-stakes problems. I'm joined by Mitch Francis to examine how solutions…
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Creating Something in an Unexpected Environment: It's Just a Scramble
How a different setting changes how problems are approached. This episode tells the story behind It's Just a Scramble—a song written in an unlikely setting…
The Daniel Stih PodcastCreative Work — How Ideas Become Real (When the Path Isn't Obvious) (Corissa Grant)
My guest is Corissa Grant, creator of the Worthy Chaos comic series. This conversation focuses on a deeper question: How do creative projects actually get…
The Daniel Stih PodcastCareer and Leadership — How to Make Decisions When the Path Isn't Clear (Dr. Benjamin Ritter)
How do you make career decisions when the path isn't clear, expectations are high, and the stakes are personal? In this episode, we welcome Dr. Benjamin…
The Daniel Stih PodcastRelationships — How to Understand What's Actually Happening (Michelle Hoffmann)
This conversation is not just about relationships—it's about a deeper question: How do we interpret behavior, communication, and signals in relationships—and…
The Daniel Stih PodcastAge Isn't the Problem. The Number Is.
In this solo episode, I look at how we think about age—and what might be getting confused. A number is meant to measure time. It can also carry meaning…
The Daniel Stih PodcastUkraine and Russia — How to Understand a Conflict When Narratives Compete (Alex Craiu)
This conversation is not just about Ukraine—it's about a deeper question: How do we understand complex conflicts when information is incomplete, narratives…
The Daniel Stih PodcastPublic Speaking — What Makes a Talk Work (and What Doesn't) (Lauri Smith)
My guest is Lauri Smith, a public speaking and leadership coach who works with individuals to improve how they communicate and engage audiences. This…
The Daniel Stih PodcastTechnology and Humanity — How to Think About Change in an AI-Driven World (J.J. Jerome)
My guest is J.J. Jerome, an engineer, futurist, and award-winning innovator whose work focuses on how technology is shaping human behavior and decision-making…
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Catch Lightning in a Bottle: 7 Tips for Innovating and Breaking New Ground
Ready to do something that's never been done? In this solo episode, I share seven actionable tips for catching lightning in a bottle and creating something…
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Rethinking War: Ukraine, Nuclear Threats, and the Path to Peace
What truths about war aren't being told — and how does fear cloud our judgment? In this solo episode, I examine the complexities of the war in Ukraine, the…