Topic: 7 Habits

Modern social trends on TikTok, including shifts in gender identity, are framed as a rejection of existing systems similar to the 1960s counterculture. The hosts discuss the importance of empathetic listening and the "Seven Habits" as tools for navigating these societal changes without animosity. They reflect on their five-year history of producing the podcast as a means of providing firsthand perspectives on sensitive topics.

The "Devil" describes "drifting" as the state of permitting oneself to be controlled by outside circumstances rather than independent thought. He targets children through parents and teachers, using fear to weaken their ability to reason before they reach maturity. This "blueprint" for mind control is countered by the "Seven Habits," specifically the practice of seeking first to understand.

Strategy 22 emphasizes the importance of a clean conclusion. The hosts note how Black Lives Matter was strategically "ended" and replaced by Pride Month narratives. They discuss their own goal of reaching 100 episodes for the podcast, following the principle of "beginning with the end in mind" to ensure a meaningful body of work.

Neely Fuller Jr. explains that self-esteem comes from "doing things that work" and solving problems effectively. He argues that the system of white supremacy intentionally keeps people confused and frustrated to prevent them from being constructive. The hosts link these concepts to Stephen Covey's *The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People* as a means of personal liberation.

The episode concludes with motivational clips from Earl Nightingale, provided by a listener named E-Class. Nightingale emphasizes that "we are what we think about" and that true security is found inside a person, not in a job. Mo Facts shares his personal experience of being laid off and finding the strength to be proactive and creative rather than competitive. The hosts encourage listeners to become "pros in a world of amateurs" by mastering their own minds.

Neely Fuller Jr. argues that white supremacists are the "smartest people on the planet" because they are the most effective at achieving their desired results. The hosts agree that "smart" equals "effective" and advocate for the "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" to combat the system. They argue that being "resourceful" is the only way to avoid the "shiftless" label imposed by the elite.

Dr. Stephen Covey discusses the distinction between "liberty" (an external condition) and "freedom" (an internal state). Drawing on the experiences of Victor Frankl in Nazi death camps, Covey argues that internal freedom is maintained through a vision of the future and a sense of meaning. The hosts conclude that while external liberty may be restricted, maintaining internal freedom is the key to eventually influencing one's environment.

Mo Facts revisits Stephen Covey's *The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People*, specifically Habit One: Be Proactive. He explains that being proactive means your life is a product of your decisions and values, not your conditions or feelings. He credits this mindset with helping him move from a "lack mindset" to an "abundance mindset," opening new doors for his future in podcasting.

Mo Facts and Adam Curry wrap up the episode, hoping the introspective discussion helped listeners. Mo reaffirms his commitment to being proactive and growing the show with the "end in mind." The episode concludes with the song "Move On Up" by Curtis Mayfield, serving as a final message of resilience and progress.

Mo explains why he immediately doubted Jussie Smollett's story, citing the extreme "polar vortex" weather in Chicago that night. He notes that no one in Chicago would go out for a Subway sandwich in temperatures cold enough to require setting train tracks on fire. The segment also includes a cultural aside about the importance of ironing clothes in the black community.

The hosts draw a parallel between the "lie" of Santa Claus and the "lie" of vaccine mandates, noting that once the illusion is broken, it cannot be restored. They discuss how modern children track their gifts in Amazon baskets, removing the mystery of the holiday. They argue that if consumers "literally can't spend" this year, it will have a massive ripple effect on layoffs and downsizing in 2022.

Mo Facts plays a clip of Stephen Covey discussing "Synergy" (Habit 6) as a metaphorical "booster shot" for the mind. Covey explains that synergy is the fruit of seeking first to understand, creating "third alternatives" rather than adversarial win-lose outcomes. The hosts present this as the true solution to the social divisions discussed throughout the episode.

Mo Facts introduces Dr. Stephen R. Covey's "Five Levels of Listening" as a "vaccine" for binary thinking. The levels range from ignoring to "empathetic listening," which involves getting into another person's head and heart to provide "psychological air." The hosts argue that this form of deep engagement is what makes alternative media successful and is the only way to heal the divisions currently tearing families apart.

The first habit from Stephen Covey's "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People"—being proactive—is presented as the antidote to political manipulation. Proactive people focus on their values and decisions, while reactive people are driven by feelings and external treatment. The hosts argue that "free thinkers" are proactive, which frustrates the binary political system.

A significant rift is identified between older "Boomer" voters and younger "Millennial" or "Gen X" voters regarding the success of integration and the obligation to vote. While older generations view voting as a hard-won civil right, younger voters are described as more skeptical of the "bill of goods" sold by the Democratic establishment. This divide is presented as a major hurdle for the 2020 Democratic platform.