"The Kitchen Table" Presented by The Pacific Institute Canada
The Kitchen Table purpose is to share with you an engaging dialogue that we hope will reveal the dynamic world of cognitive science and it’s role it plays in performance. For over four decade your co-host Ron Medved and Gregg Cochlan have work with hundreds of organizations to apply cognitive psychology, science and practices to ignite human and organizational performance.
"The Kitchen Table" Presented by The Pacific Institute Canada
Podcast # 110 “The Study of Uncertainty, Anxiety, and Suffering”
Welcome to Season Nine the Wisdom Study 2.0 where we explore the ever-increasing challenge of anxiety. In this season, we will begin by diving into the connection between Uncertainty, Anxiety, and Suffering. Building on the Wisdom Formula we introduced in Wisdom Study 1.0, we’ll focus on how to turn wisdom into practice—offering models & practical ways to ease anxiety in the middle of life’s complexity.
As the world grows more uncertain, anxiety naturally grows with it. Our hope is that these conversations will give you tools, insights, and stories to help apply wisdom in your everyday life, so you can face challenges with more clarity, calm, and courage.
Background
Simply stated Anxiety is increasing.
- Global trends: Surveys like the World Health Organization and Gallup Global Emotions Report show rising levels of stress, worry, and anxiety over the past decade. Events such as the pandemic, political polarization, economic uncertainty, climate change, and rapid technological shifts have amplified this trend.
- Generational patterns: Younger generations (Gen Z and Millennials) report higher levels of anxiety compared to older cohorts, often tied to social media use, financial stress, and a less predictable future.
- Clinical reality: Diagnosed anxiety disorders are becoming more common, but even outside clinical diagnoses, day-to-day experiences of anxiety are increasing for many people.
- Root causes: Greater uncertainty—about health, work, identity, the environment, and social cohesion—appears to be fueling this rise.