1293: You Can Find Your Way Out Of Fear: Scott Berkun's Personal Story Part 1

Scott Birkin, a best-selling author and speaker, shares insights on fear, creativity, and living fully in his latest book, "How to Live: Rules for People Who Don't Like Rules." He reflects on his journey from a career in technology to becoming a writer, driven by a desire to explore life beyond a single profession. Birkin emphasizes that fear can be reinterpreted as energy rather than a barrier, encouraging individuals to embrace discomfort as part of the growth process.

During the conversation, Birkin discusses his personal experiences with anxiety, particularly following a mental breakdown during the pandemic. He reveals that this challenging period reshaped his understanding of fear and inspired him to write a book that offers a more honest and humorous perspective on self-help. The book features 26 rules designed to provoke thought and inspire readers to engage with life more fully, reminding them of the importance of appreciating the present moment and the simple joys of existence.

In today's episode, Gina shares part one of her interview with author Scott Berkun who shares his personal story of overcoming fear and anxiety. Scott is the best selling author of nine books covering topics from design through self-help. Scott is a long time listener of The Anxiety Coaches Podcast and was a client of Gina's after having what he describes as a mental breakdown. Listen in and learn how Scott overcame his nearly constant fear and anxiety!

Find out more about Scott and his work at https://scottberkun.com/

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Chapters 0:27 Scott Birkin on Living with Fear 4:28 Fear, Anxiety, and Unexpected Lessons 7:39 Finding Ways to Manage Anxiety 10:11 How Crisis Changed the Book 12:08 The Book’s Rules for Living 16:38 Wisdom, Humor, and Waking Up

Summary Author and speaker Scott Berkun discusses his career, his experience with fear and anxiety, and his book *How to Live: Rules for People Who Don’t Like Rules*. He describes starting in software, then leaving that career to try writing despite not having formal journalism or English training. His first book did well, leading to a career as an author.Berkun says he learned to manage the physical energy he felt before public speaking and athletic competition, interpreting it as preparation rather than a signal to stop. After a mental health crisis near the end of the pandemic in 2021, however, anxiety became persistent and affected him physically and mentally.

He describes going to the gym for hours as a way to reduce that energy. He also says the crisis changed how he understood people and influenced the more personal focus of his book.He explains that *How to Live* draws on philosophy, other writers’ ideas, and his own experience. The book contains 26 short rules and aims to be honest, accessible, and humorous rather than presenting its author as having everything figured out.

Berkun says many self-help books can feel difficult to apply in daily life, and he wanted to write something that readers could engage with more easily.The first rule, “Don’t die,” is about recognizing the value of being alive and appreciating ordinary experiences. The second, “Wake up,” encourages readers to notice when they have learned something or recognized a mistake, and to focus on what they can do now rather than dwell on lost time. Berkun and host Gina Ryan discuss humor as a way to shift perspective, and the value of drawing on the long history of philosophical and spiritual guidance while recognizing that simply encountering advice may not be enough to create lasting change.

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Stillpoint Fridays is my once-a-week Friday note — a slower, more personal reflection that’s different from what I share on the podcast. If you’d like a quiet