Are Your Desires Really Yours? How to Recognize and Reclaim What You Truly Want with Luke Burgis

Are Your Desires Really Yours? How to Recognize and Reclaim What You Truly Want with Luke Burgis

The One You Feed

Eric Zimmer and Luke Burgis explore mimetic desire, distinguishing between fleeting and lasting wants. Learn how social influences shape your true desires.

InspiringInformativeEngagingHonestThought-provoking

53:5724 Oct 2025

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Are Your Desires Truly Yours? A Deep Dive with Luke Burgis

Episode Overview

  • Distinguish between thin and thick desires for lasting fulfillment.
  • Create a hierarchy of values to guide life choices.
  • Recognise social influences on personal desires.
  • Align desires with true personal values for authenticity.
  • Reflect on past experiences to identify fulfilling desires.
"I used to think my desires were mine, that they arose from some authentic core of who I am. Turns out, I mostly learned them from other people."

What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol? In this captivating episode of 'The One You Feed,' Eric Zimmer welcomes author Luke Burgis to discuss the fascinating concept of mimetic desire. Burgis unpacks the idea that our desires may not be as original as we think, often influenced by what others around us want. He introduces the distinction between 'thin desires,' which are fleeting and imitated, and 'thick desires,' which are deeper longings that lead to lasting fulfillment.

Through personal anecdotes and expert insights, Burgis provides practical advice on how to discern between these desires and align them with one's true values. You'll also hear about the importance of creating a hierarchy of values and how this can guide you in reclaiming what you truly want in life.

With a blend of humour and wisdom, Zimmer and Burgis engage in a thought-provoking dialogue that challenges listeners to reflect on their own desires and the social forces that shape them. Are your desires really yours, or have they been borrowed from those around you? This episode offers a refreshing perspective on how to take control of your life's direction by feeding the right desires.

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