The Science of What Really Makes Us Tick, How Status Impacts Your Health & The Modern Epidemic of Perfectionism with Will Storr #354

Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

Dr Rangan Chatterjee

Health & Fitness, Medicine, Alternative Health, Mental Health

4.8 • 10.9K Ratings

🗓️ 18 April 2023

⏱️ 112 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

What does the word status mean to you? For most of us, it probably brings up ideas of wealth, celebrity or material possessions. But could it be something much more meaningful and central to who we are as humans? Today’s guest believes status is simply about being of value, and it underpins so much of what we choose to do in life, impacting the way that we feel but also having significant implications for our health. Will Storr is an award-winning journalist whose writings have appeared in The Guardian, The Sunday Times, The New Yorker and the New York Times. He’s also the author of 6 critically acclaimed books including Selfie, The Science of Storytelling and his latest book, The Status Game, which is all about our social position and how we use it. In this conversation, Will argues that as humans, we’re programmed to compare ourselves to others – and to care about how we stack up. He explains that status is actually our social standing, based upon how valuable we are to those around us. Will also shares the 3 types of status game we all play; the 3 ways in which we try to be of value to those around us. I think that throughout this conversation, you will start to identify which of those status games you have previously played and which ones you are currently playing in your own life. We also discuss the relationship between status and health, the link between growing rates of perfectionism and rising rates of mental health problems like anxiety, depression, self-harm and eating disorders - and Will also talks about the importance of having multiple sources of status and how becoming aware of this, led to him becoming a volunteer for Samaritans - something which has enhanced his life immeasurably. Ultimately, Will explains that we are not supposed to win the status game, just to play it. And he makes the powerful case, that simply knowing this fact, can make life feel a lot easier. This really is a thought-provoking conversation and one that I am hopeful will have you reflecting on your life and viewing it through a different lens. I hope you enjoy listening. Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com. Thanks to our sponsors: https://www.athleticgreens.com/livemore https://www.vivobarefoot.com/livemore https://www.calm.com/livemore Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/354 DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Transcript

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0:00.0	As we go through life, we're trying to achieve a level of status with other people.
0:05.0	We're trying to feel like we're good enough. We're trying to feel like we're valuable people.
0:09.0	We all have this kind of bar that we're trying to meet.
0:13.0	And the question is, where is that bar? How high is it? Who sets it?
0:16.0	Well, the bar is all around us. The culture sets the bar.
0:19.0	Television sets the bar. Social media sets the bar, social media sets the bar,
0:21.6	Taylor Swift sets the bar, Love Island sets the bar, we're surrounded by ideal selves, these heroic figures.
0:28.6	And so subconsciously, that's giving us this repeated message, this is what good enough looks like, this is what good enough looks like.
0:34.6	And I think that's one of the reasons why we're seeing
0:37.7	this great rise in negative mental health. Hey guys, how you doing? I hope you having a good
0:44.8	week so far. My name is Dr. Rongan Chatterjee, and this is my podcast, Feel Better, Live More.
0:54.7	When you think of the word status, what comes up for you?
0:59.5	I think for most of us it probably brings up ideas of wealth, celebrity, or material possessions.
1:06.6	But could it be something much more meaningful and central to who we are as humans?
1:11.6	Well, my guest this week puts forward the idea that status is simply about being of value,
1:18.6	and it underpins so much of what we choose to do in life,
1:22.6	impacting the way that we feel, but also having significant implications for our health.
1:29.3	Will Stor is an award-winning journalist whose writings have appeared in The Guardian,
1:33.5	the Sunday Times, the New Yorker, and the New York Times. He's also the author of six
1:38.5	critically acclaimed books, including Selfie, the Science of Storytelling, and his latest book, The Status Game,
1:46.5	which is all about our social position and how we use it.
1:51.0	In our conversation, Will argues that as humans, we're programmed to compare ourselves
	...

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