MJP-005: Perception, Perspectives and Practical Strategies

Jaxon Steele

.....

Jaxon Steele

Welcome back to the Mind Jedi Podcast, where you train your brain to become the sharpest tool in your arsenal. I’m Jaxon Steele, your co-host, your coach, and probably the guy asking the questions you're already thinking.

Dr. Nolan Bishop

And I’m Dr. Nolan Bishop, neuroscientist, mindset strategist, and fellow traveler in this crazy world of thought patterns, clarity, and emotional resilience. Every week, we unpack what it really takes to master your mind and shape your reality.

Jaxon Steele

Alright, Doc. Today, we’re tackling perception, perspective, and what you call "mental filters." Sounds fancy, but I’m guessing most folks just call it "getting in your own head." Too many of us are stuck in hesitation—spinning our wheels, drowning in overthinking, and, let’s face it, making excuses. Well, not today.

Dr. Nolan Bishop

Exactly. And we all do it. But here’s the twist—it’s not because we’re weak or lazy. It’s because the brain is actually wired to favor safety over clarity. That wiring? That’s what creates the trap.

Jaxon Steele

Wait. So you’re saying our brains are sabotaging us. That they’re the villain in the story?

Dr. Nolan Bishop

Not the villain—just misunderstood. Your brain isn’t evil; it’s efficient. But sometimes, it’s too efficient. It takes shortcuts, tells you stories, builds a reality based more on your fears and past than on actual facts. Their perception—the way people see themselves, their goals, even their problems—can trap them in these endless patterns. And, unless they challenge that, no amount of action is gonna stick.

Jaxon Steele

Okay, hold up. This sounds like mental gymnastics. People don’t need to sit around redefining perceptions; they need to start doing. You change your life by taking action—not by sitting in your head thinking about it. Sounds like you’re saying my brain is basically running a highlight reel of bad guesses.

Dr. Nolan Bishop

Pretty much. It’s doing its best with the information it has. But when that info is filtered through bias, mood, and past experiences? Things get distorted. That’s perception.

Dr. Nolan Bishop

it's true that action is important, yet think about this: have you ever stopped to wonder why some actions don’t lead anywhere? It’s because if your perceptions are flawed, your actions are—

Jaxon Steele

I get it, I get it. Garbage perception, garbage results. But tell me something practical here, Doc. How do you actually break out of this mental rut? Because people listening won’t wait.

Dr. Nolan Bishop

Well, first, let’s look at perception itself—what it is, how it traps people, and more importantly, how they can shift away from it to gain clarity. Trust me, this is where the real change begins.

Dr. Nolan Bishop

Let’s break it down. Perception is how your brain filters what you see, hear, feel. It’s immediate. It’s emotional. It’s based on your history. Perspective, on the other hand, is the context you carry—your broader lens. It's how you interpret perception over time.

Jaxon Steele

Alright, perception is the snap judgment. Perspective is the life experience. Got it. But why does this matter?

Dr. Nolan Bishop

Because perception crafts a story based on your beliefs, your past, even your current mood. If that story’s flawed, every action you take starts on shaky ground. if you don’t learn to distinguish between perception and perspective, you’ll keep mistaking your knee-jerk reactions for truth. And you’ll build your life—and your relationships—on faulty wiring

Jaxon Steele

Okay, so you say perception’s like the filter, right? And the question is: what happens when that filter’s dirty? Where does that leave you?

Dr. Nolan Bishop

Exactly! When the filter’s “dirty,” so to speak, it distorts everything. For example, think about feedback. One person hears constructive criticism and thinks, “I’ve gotta improve.” Someone else? They hear the same words and feel attacked. That’s perception shaping reality.

Jaxon Steele

And where's perspective in this story?

Dr. Nolan Bishop

Well, If perception is the filter, perspective is the lens—the bigger framework. It’s shaped by your culture, your upbringing, the long-term stuff that gives context to those immediate reactions.

Jaxon Steele

Ok, Doc. Perception. You got snap judgements warping reality, that's your Thanos and Infinity stones. Perspective are your Avengers, coming to set the word right.

Dr. Nolan Bishop

I never thought of it like that, but it's a great analogy, Jaxon. If perception traps you in your emotional bubble, perspective is what sets you free. Recognizing the interplay between the two is how you stop reacting and start thinking critically. It’s how you navigate conflict instead of escalating it.

Jaxon Steele

Okay, okay. Solid pitch, Doc. But people don’t like stepping out of their comfort zones. They cling to their story like it’s some kind of safety net.

Dr. Nolan Bishop

Right, because it feels comfortable. But let me ask you this—when’s the last time comfort solved any real problem?

Jaxon Steele

Never! Exactly my point! You’ve gotta confront it. Go straight at that perception bubble with all you’ve got. That’s what moves the needle.

Dr. Nolan Bishop

Hold on, Jaxon. Confronting it is crucial, sure, but you can’t just bulldoze through blindly. You’ve got to take a step back first. Like the time in that gym... you know the one.

Jaxon Steele

Oh, you mean my infamous overreaction moment? Fine, I’ll share.

Jaxon Steele

I’m at the gym, right? Dude walks right past me. Doesn’t nod, doesn’t acknowledge me. And I’m instantly thinking, "Disrespect." I’m building a whole narrative—he's rude, he’s trying to start something. But then I stop. And I ask, "Wait, is this my perception, or am I seeing clearly?"

Dr. Nolan Bishop

Classic example.

Jaxon Steele

Turns out, the guy had headphones in. Didn’t even see me. I almost started a mental fight over nothing.

Dr. Nolan Bishop

And that right there is the power of the pause. Of questioning the story your brain wants to tell you. That one second of awareness can change everything.

Jaxon Steele

Yeah, but let’s be real. Most people don’t pause. They react. They double down. They post about it. Tweet it. Start feuds over it. Or try to wipe out half the Universe like Thanos!

Dr. Nolan Bishop

Which brings us to the next part: how to actually train your brain to think more clearly.

Jaxon Steele

This clarity, Dr. B. What're we gonna DO with it?

Dr. Nolan Bishop

Agreed, Jaxon. Clarity without action doesn’t take you far. But let’s dig into the science behind it for a second—did you know your brain's filter system is specifically designed to prioritize what keeps you safe, not what helps you think?

Jaxon Steele

Wait, what? Safety but not thinking? That sounds... backwards.

Dr. Nolan Bishop

It kind of is. Your brain is fast, not deep. It uses shortcuts called cognitive biases to make decisions quickly. Useful in emergencies, but a liability in relationships, conversations, and problem-solving.

Jaxon Steele

So it’s like... having a bodyguard who punches first, asks questions never.

Dr. Nolan Bishop

Exactly. That’s where intentional mental training comes in. The CIA actually trains agents to override these instincts using a three-part process: Educate, Exercise, and Experience.

Jaxon Steele

Oh great, now we’re teaching people to be spies.

Dr. Nolan Bishop

No black ops here—just brain ops. Step one: Educate. Understand how your brain creates shortcuts. Learn your biases. Step two: Exercise. Practice challenging those filters in safe environments—like coaching, workshops, or even conversations like this. Step three: Experience. Apply it in real-world situations. That’s where it sticks.

Jaxon Steele

Alright doc. But give me something concrete.

Dr. Nolan Bishop

Concrete? Okay. Let’s talk neuroplasticity—your brain’s ability to form new pathways. When you actively engage in perspective-taking, like genuinely listening to someone, you’re forcing your brain to step out of its autopilot mode. Over time, that rewiring creates clarity and adaptability.

Jaxon Steele

So you’re saying listening changes your brain? Like, scientifically?

Dr. Nolan Bishop

Exactly. Listening—really listening—interrupts those mental shortcuts I mentioned. It’s like a mental reset button. But here’s the catch: you’ve gotta do it actively. Passive listening doesn’t cut it.

Jaxon Steele

Okay, active listening. I’m with you so far. But people aren’t just gonna wake up one day and do this naturally. Give them something they can actually apply today.

Dr. Nolan Bishop

Fair. Here it is: ask yourself one question in a tough moment. Just one: "Is this my perception, or am I seeing with perspective?" That’s your reset button.

Jaxon Steele

Simple. I like it. But I still say people want more than mindset—they want momentum.

Dr. Nolan Bishop

Totally agree. That’s why we built the Mind Jedi Academy Challenge. It’s not about sitting still and meditating for 12 hours. It’s a 24-hour challenge: Anytime you feel triggered, stop and ask the question.

Jaxon Steele

That’s it?

Dr. Nolan Bishop

That’s it. Because that question disrupts the loop. It’s a pattern interrupt. And when you do that often enough, you rewire the default.

Jaxon Steele

Okay. Let’s run a real one, doc. Traffic. Someone cuts you off.

Dr. Nolan Bishop

Perception: "They disrespected me."

Jaxon Steele

And Perspective: "Maybe they didn’t see me. Maybe they’re rushing to the hospital?"

Dr. Nolan Bishop

Boom. Conflict avoided. Blood pressure spared.

Jaxon Steele

I mean, fine, it’s a cute idea. But again, it’s all in your head. What about the stuff that actually gets people to make a move? People listening right now don’t care about traffic—they care about solving real-life problems. What about arguments? Relationships?

Dr. Nolan Bishop

Same thing. Pause. Ask the question. Then take one more step: empathy. What might be going on in their world? What else could be true?

Jaxon Steele

Okay, Doc. But let’s be real. Most people don’t want empathy. They want to be right.

Dr. Nolan Bishop

Sure. Until being right costs them the relationship, the opportunity, the peace of mind. Empathy isn’t soft. It’s strategy.

Jaxon Steele

You know what? You’re kinda sneaky with that Jedi wisdom.

Dr. Nolan Bishop

The Force works in mysterious ways.

Jaxon Steele

Alright, let’s land this ship. Perception traps you. Perspective frees you. But clarity without action? That’s just procrastination in disguise.

Dr. Nolan Bishop

Exactly. Start messy. Don’t wait for the perfect mindset. Just start asking better questions.

Jaxon Steele

And when that clarity hits? Don’t freeze. Don’t overthink. Just move. Momentum beats motivation. Every. Day. Of. The. Week.

Dr. Nolan Bishop

Take the challenge. Use the question. Build the muscle. And let us know what shifted for you. This podcast isn’t just a broadcast—it’s your training ground.

Jaxon Steele

Right! It’s not about waiting for motivation—it’s about taking control NOW. ‘Cause let’s face it, clarity without action? That’s just procrastination dressed up as something fancy.

Dr. Nolan Bishop

Exactly, Jaxon. So remember to pause this week—just once—and ask yourself, “Am I reacting based on perception, or am I seeing the bigger picture with perspective?” That one moment can change the game.

Dr. Nolan Bishop

And if you caught even one spark from this conversation, make sure to subscribe. We’re here every week, breaking down these concepts and giving you the mental tools to thrive.

Jaxon Steele

And, hey, if there’s something you’re struggling with—anything—hit us up. This podcast, this space, it’s for you to take charge and make moves. So let us know—what do you need to hear? What’s gonna help you level up?

Dr. Nolan Bishop

Keep asking questions. Keep pushing your mental limits. And remember: clarity might start in your head, but change happens in your actions. That’s the key.

Jaxon Steele

Alright, folks. You know the drill. Get out there, make some noise, and don’t stop moving. Momentum always wins. Always.

Dr. Nolan Bishop

And remember: if you want to change your life, change your perspective. See you all next time.

Jaxon Steele

And when your perception tries to shape reality? Like Thanos said-

Jaxon Steele

-always go for the head.