Mental Tips, Tricks & Lifehacks, Vol. 11

Can you quickly decide which AI companies deserve your attention—and which to skip? And is there a simple trick that can delight for a lifetime?

Apr. 11, 2026 at 8:18pm

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A minimalist studio photograph featuring a carefully arranged collection of premium, geometric objects in muted tones, symbolizing the abstract concepts and strategic thinking explored in the podcast.A conceptual still life capturing the abstract ideas and strategic thinking behind the mental tips, tricks, and lifehacks shared in this podcast episode.Albuquerque Today

In this episode of Rule Breaker Investing, David Gardner returns with Volume 11 of one of his OG episodic series: Mental Tips, Tricks & Lifehacks. He shares seven small ideas that punch above their weight: from a clever $10 household fix, to a mindset shift borrowed from Kevin Kelly, to dialing down big ambitions into 'little bets' that actually get done. Oh, and some recent board game picks!

Why it matters

This podcast provides practical mental tips, clever tricks, and life-improving hacks that can simplify daily tasks, boost productivity, and spark interesting conversations.

The details

David Gardner covers a range of topics in this episode, including: 1) A 'snap test' and 'cola test' to quickly identify promising AI companies to research; 2) A $10 Amazon purchase that solves the age-old problem of not knowing if dishes in the dishwasher are clean or dirty; 3) The powerful question 'What do you believe that most people don't believe?'; 4) The benefits of 'dialing down' big goals into smaller, more manageable 'little bets'; 5) A challenge to teach yourself how to juggle in an afternoon; 6) The wisdom of 'always taking the high road'; and 7) Recommendations for 5 fun, quick-playing board games to enjoy this summer.

  • The Mental Tips, Tricks & Lifehacks series started with Volume 1 on June 15, 2016.
  • The most recent episode was in November 2024.

The players

David Gardner

The host of the Rule Breaker Investing podcast, who has been sharing mental tips, tricks, and lifehacks with listeners for over a decade.

Kevin Kelly

The founder of Wired Magazine and a respected futurist, who recently joined Gardner's podcast to discuss thought-provoking questions.

Arthur Brooks

A frequent guest on Gardner's podcast, whose work on happiness and taking the 'high road' has influenced Gardner's thinking.

Shirzad Shamin

An expert on positive intelligence who has emphasized the importance of not assuming others' motives.

Sam Horn

The author of 'Talking on Eggshells' who has discussed the value of 'fighting fire with water' by maintaining respect even in tense situations.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

This episode provides a diverse collection of mental tips, clever tricks, and life-improving hacks that can help listeners simplify daily tasks, boost productivity, spark interesting conversations, and find more joy in the little things. By sharing insights from experts and his own experiences, David Gardner offers practical wisdom to improve one's mindset and approach to both work and life.