#990 - Dr Tara Swart - How to Use Your Intuition as a Superpower
Timestamps are as accurate as they can be but may be slightly off. We encourage you to listen to the full context.
Podcast Summary
In this captivating conversation, neuroscientist Dr. Tara Swart challenges modern society's over-reliance on logic, exploring the untapped power of trusting our instincts in decision-making. She reveals groundbreaking research on how intuition operates through the gut-brain connection (08:18), shares the serotonin hypothesis that explains how wisdom can be stored throughout our bodies, and demonstrates practical methods for distinguishing between anxiety-driven thoughts and genuine intuitive insights (14:40). Dr. Swart offers a compelling roadmap for reclaiming our natural ability to "know something but not know why we know it" through gut health optimization, embodied practices, and building trust in our inner wisdom—particularly valuable as we navigate an increasingly complex world where human intuition may become our greatest competitive advantage over artificial intelligence.
Speakers
Dr. Tara Swart
Neuroscientist with medical training from King's College London and MIT Sloan business certification. She's a former psychiatrist who left medicine to become an executive coach, teaching intuition and decision-making to leaders at MIT. Author of the bestselling The Source and The Signs: The New Science of How to Trust Your Instincts.
Chris Williamson (Host)
Former club promoter turned podcaster, creator of Modern Wisdom podcast. Based in Austin, Texas, he's built a following of ambitious professionals seeking insights on optimization, psychology, and performance from world-class experts and researchers.
Key Takeaways
Prioritize Physical Foundation for Mental Clarity
Your gut microbiome is the physical cornerstone of intuitive decision-making. Chronic stress floods your system with cortisol, causing inflammation and redirecting blood flow away from higher cognitive functions like emotional regulation and creative thinking. (29:57) To access your best judgment, start with eating a diverse, plant-rich diet including fermented foods, adequate hydration, and consider quality probiotics. When your physical foundation is compromised, you're operating in "low power mode" where survival instincts override wisdom.
Trust Your Nervous and Excited State
The sweet spot for big decisions isn't pure confidence—it's being nervous and excited simultaneously. When you feel both emotions before taking action, your memory and emotional centers are working together, showing you past risks while your intuition signals potential growth. (16:27) This tension indicates you're at the edge of your comfort zone, exactly where breakthrough opportunities live. Learn to interpret this as a green light rather than a warning signal.
Separate Critical Voices from Your Inner Wisdom
When intuitive insights arise, notice the critical voice that immediately follows—this isn't your authentic judgment. Often rooted in childhood conditioning or perfectionism, this voice dismisses gut feelings in favor of "safer" logical analysis. (23:49) Create distance by asking: "What would I advise my best friend in this situation?" This simple reframe bypasses self-critical patterns and accesses your natural wisdom.
Build Intuitive Confidence Through Low-Risk Practice
Start small when learning to trust your instincts. Journal about past decisions where you did or didn't follow your gut, noting patterns and outcomes. Then deliberately take low-stakes decisions based purely on intuitive feelings—which restaurant, which route to take, which book to read. (60:11) Gradually increase the significance as you build evidence that your internal compass works. This creates a feedback loop that strengthens your ability to trust bigger hunches.
Use the Three-Center Decision Framework
For important choices, systematically consult your head, heart, and gut. Place your hands on your head and ask the logical part of you to weigh in, do breathing exercises, then place hands on your heart for the emotional perspective, breathe again, then hands on your belly for intuitive guidance. (21:32) When all three align, you have clarity. When they conflict, you've identified exactly where the tension lies and can make a more informed choice about which voice to follow.
Statistics & Facts
No specific statistics were provided in this episode. The discussion focused on qualitative insights about intuition, gut instincts, and trusting inner wisdom rather than presenting quantitative data or research statistics. While the conversation touched on various scientific concepts like serotonin production and brain development, specific numerical findings or statistical evidence were not cited throughout the interview.
