#250 | What Is a ‘Death’ Cookie?—Phil Stutz’s 3 Absolutes of Human Life and How to Create Real Magic in Your Life

🎙 Douglas Vigliotti dives into Phil Stutz’s self-help book "True and False Magic,” unpacking Stutz’s core philosophy—embracing pain, uncertainty, and constant work—as keys to personal growth and creating the life you desire. Douglas reflects on the book’s powerful yet practical advice, the importance of faith, and the distinction between competing and creating. The episode offers actionable insights for living a more meaningful and authentic life. ✓ Sign up for the monthly newsletter at BooksforMen.org. 📚 Learn more about "Aristotle for Novelists" at AristotleforNovelists.com or READ IT NOW! ⚡️ Connect with the host on Instagram @douglasvigliotti or learn more about him at DouglasVigliotti.com. 🎧 Listen to Douglas Vigliotti's other podcast: Slightly Crooked: Good Stories, Told Well. ⭐️ Please consider sharing "Books for Men" with other men who enjoy reading, or subscribing and rating on your favorite podcast platform. Either goes a long way in helping new listeners find the show and inspire (more) men to read. 🗣️ Listen to episode #165: Tom Collins | Douglas Vigliotti! 💥 TOPICS COVERED IN THE EPISODE:Introduction and Book Promotion (00:09) - Douglas introduces the podcast, promotes his new book, and sets up the episode’s focus.About Phil Stutz and His Work (01:13) - Background on Phil Stutz, his career, previous books, and his unconventional approach to therapy.Overview of "True and False Magic" (02:22) - Description of the book’s style, co-author, and introduction to Stutz’s three absolutes: pain, uncertainty, constant work.Stutz’s Core Philosophy and Creativity (03:34) - Explains Stutz’s philosophy on action, creativity, belief, and the importance of creating something from nothing.Faith, Belief, and Spirituality (05:00) - Discussion on the necessity of belief in something beyond oneself and the role of spirituality in Stutz’s approach.Facing Avoidance: Fear and Laziness (06:26) - Explores avoidance, its roots in fear and laziness, and the concept of “eating the death cookie.”Proactive Therapy and Taking Action (07:40) - Contrasts Stutz’s proactive therapy with traditional psychotherapy, emphasizing motion and directness.Universe One vs. Universe Two (09:25) - Introduces Stutz’s concepts of universe one (competition) and universe two (creation), and their implications.The Need for Constant Work (10:37) - Discusses the illusion of comfort, the necessity of ongoing effort, and the infinite nature of meaningful work.Pain and Self-Deception (12:02) - Addresses the inevitability of pain, self-deception, and the importance of building tolerance for discomfort.Uncertainty and the Power of Faith (13:27) - Explores uncertainty, the limits of logic, and the value of choosing faith over doubt.Conclusion and Listener Reminders (14:48) - Wraps up the episode, encourages feedback, and provides information on how to connect and learn more.