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Lavena Xu-Johnson
Lavena Xu-JohnsonBrain snacks for founders who think too much, feel even more - and want science to make sense of it.
Why creative block is more than neuroscience

Why creative block is more than neuroscience

How to overcome it with self-determination theory

Oct 29, 2025
ICYMI: The team challenges every founder faced recently (and still do)

ICYMI: The team challenges every founder faced recently (and still do)

Catch up on the team dynamics, boundary traps, and resilience tools shaping founder life.

Oct 22, 2025
The world’s most influential personality ‘test’?

The world’s most influential personality ‘test’?

Used by Fortune 100 orgs and the CIA. Here's the true story behind MBTI’s 16 types.

Oct 15, 2025
Why your mood needs a blood test

Why your mood needs a blood test

Maybe it’s not therapy. It’s a missing nutrient.

Oct 10, 2025
How to read someone: the 7-38-55 rule

How to read someone: the 7-38-55 rule

A social science led approach to first meetings (Part 2)

Sep 30, 2025
How to read someone and connect fast, according to research

How to read someone and connect fast, according to research

A social science led approach to first meetings (Part 1)

Sep 23, 2025
3 secrets to productive fights

3 secrets to productive fights

Gottman’s “marriage” playbook for founders & teams (part 2)

Sep 17, 2025
The 7 “marriage” principles for teams

The 7 “marriage” principles for teams

Gottman’s relationship science to make startups work (part 1)

Sep 9, 2025
The persecutor pitfall: When blame becomes a default

The persecutor pitfall: When blame becomes a default

The drama triangle (part 2): Leading without pointing fingers in persecutor mode

Aug 28, 2025
9 signs you’re under attack from mean world syndrome

9 signs you’re under attack from mean world syndrome

The subtle red flags that paranoia, not strategy, is steering your decisions

Aug 21, 2025
The rescuer trap: How blurred boundaries drain us

The rescuer trap: How blurred boundaries drain us

The drama triangle (part 1): Saying no without guilt in rescuer mode

Aug 13, 2025
100 days of rejection: Hack your brain with 'systematic desensitization'

100 days of rejection: Hack your brain with 'systematic desensitization'

How to use gradual exposure to transform your resilience, one rejection at a time.

Aug 6, 2025
The mindset breakthroughs every founder needed last month (and still do)

The mindset breakthroughs every founder needed last month (and still do)

Before Q4 kicks in, catch up on the emotional shifts, biases, and resilience tools shaping founder life.

Aug 5, 2025
The dip is real: How founders survive the emotional cycle

The dip is real: How founders survive the emotional cycle

Survive the 'emotional cycle of change' with 'learnt optimism'

Jul 29, 2025
When bias hits the boardroom (or the dancefloor)

When bias hits the boardroom (or the dancefloor)

That Coldplay CEO video? More than gossip - let’s talk about bias and founder blind spots.

Jul 22, 2025
The power of ‘I’ve been there.’

The power of ‘I’ve been there.’

How smart leaders know when to open up

Jul 15, 2025
It’s not your willpower, it’s decision overload

It’s not your willpower, it’s decision overload

Even small choices drain your clarity. Here’s how to reclaim your mental fuel.

Jul 10, 2025
Tell your story, like you’re the creator of all.

Tell your story, like you’re the creator of all.

Transform your identity using the tools of Narrative Therapy.

Jul 1, 2025
The founder reads you couldn’t stop sharing

The founder reads you couldn’t stop sharing

Dopamine hacks, emotional whiplash, projection, and power – our 4 most-shared essays this month.

Jun 24, 2025
Pop neuroscience is hacking your sense of self

Pop neuroscience is hacking your sense of self

From ‘dopamine detox’ to “broken brain” memes, we’ve outsourced selfhood to science.

Jun 18, 2025
Real leadership starts when you stop hiding your soft side (or strong side)

Real leadership starts when you stop hiding your soft side (or strong side)

The overlooked leadership edge: Masculinity vs Femininity

Jun 11, 2025
Mirroring: The self we project, the self we reclaim

Mirroring: The self we project, the self we reclaim

Why certain relationships shake us, and what they reveal about our own identity formation.

Jun 3, 2025
They love you, then they hate you: a hidden dynamic at work

They love you, then they hate you: a hidden dynamic at work

Navigating Borderline Personality traits: how to respond without losing your sanity.

May 28, 2025
The push-pull trap: surviving the emotional whiplash at work

The push-pull trap: surviving the emotional whiplash at work

What if their chaos isn’t personal - but pathological?

May 27, 2025
You don’t have an anger issue - your brain’s just fried

You don’t have an anger issue - your brain’s just fried

Why stress hijacks your senses, and what your nervous system needs to recover

May 20, 2025
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We’re all founders. If not of our businesses, we are of our life.
We try and fail on this never-ending journey of self-exploration and self-actualization. We thrive on giving makers a new perspective and a light-bulb moment, translating research findings into action-based insights. Insane Media is a tribute to value-driven makers and those who are unstoppable.