In this eye-opening episode of Mindset Matters, Patrick and Steffany explore the “Five Brutal Truths of Psychology” that shape how we think, behave, and interpret our world. Through candid stories, real-life reflections, and grounded insight, they break down how the human mind both empowers and deceives us—and what it truly takes to achieve self-mastery. Patrick opens the conversation with a bold statement: “Your brain lies to you.” Using the metaphor of a funhouse mirror, he explains how our biases, ego, and old emotional wounds distort reality. Steffany expands on this by distinguishing between the mind and the brain, reminding listeners not to believe everything they think or feel. Awareness, she says, is the first step toward freeing ourselves from illusion. The second truth—“What you avoid controls you”—dives into the cost of avoidance and incompletion. Patrick and Steffany discuss how unspoken conversations, unresolved issues, and suppressed fears keep us trapped until we find the courage to face them. Steffany’s insight, “What you resist persists, but what you involve dissolves,” captures the power of leaning into discomfort with intention and awareness. Truth three, “You are what you repeatedly do,” highlights the importance of habits and discipline in shaping identity. From meditation to communication, Patrick and Steffany share how consistent actions become the architecture of self-mastery. The fourth truth—“You are emotional by design”—explores the natural ebb and flow of emotion. Comparing emotions to weather patterns or waves, they encourage listeners to feel without reacting, learning to surf life’s highs and lows with grace. Finally, “Regulation is mastery” ties it all together. Patrick and Steffany emphasize that between every event and reaction lies a crucial space where emotional intelligence and awareness live. It is in this space, they say, that true freedom, peace, and maturity are found.