How to Think Clearly in an Age of Distraction | Sam Harris

How to Think Clearly in an Age of Distraction | Sam Harris

From Perform with Dr. Andy Galpin by Scicomm Media

May 27, 2026 · 2h 28m · Episode 26

About this episode

Dr. Andy Galpin interviews Dr. Sam Harris about the impact of attention and mindfulness on performance in a distracted age.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Sam Harris to discuss how attention, mindfulness, and clear thinking shape performance. We start by separating intelligence from wisdom, then look at how modern technology is rewiring our attentional capacity — including which tools enhance cognition and which compete with it. Sam walks through three approaches to working with the mind: training concentration, practicing mindfulness, and using cognitive reframing. We also get into how to receive criticism without ego, why institutions and the Scientific Process still matter in an era of independent media, and what AI means for our future. This episode is for anyone who wants to think more clearly, feel less hijacked by their own thoughts, and build a more durable relationship to attention. Show notes: https://performpodcast.com/episodes/sam-harris-how-to-think-clearly-in-age-of-distraction Waking Up x Absolute Rest challenge: https://wakingup.com/andy Sponsors Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/perform David: https://davidprotein.com/perform LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/perform Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/perform Chapters (00:00:00) Introduction & Sam Harris (00:02:30) Intelligence…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Andy Galpin

Guest: Dr. Sam Harris

Topics covered

  • attention
  • mindfulness
  • clear thinking
  • performance
  • technology
  • cognition
  • criticism

Keywords

  • attention
  • mindfulness
  • cognition
  • AI
  • criticism
  • performance
  • technology

Sponsors

Momentous, David, LMNT, Eight Sleep

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Waking Up

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