How to Rewire a Fearful, Judgmental, and Stressed-Out Mind into One Rooted in Freedom and Presence with Joe Hudson

Dhru Purohit Show

This episode is brought to you by Bon Charge, LMNT, and BiOptimizers.

Did you know that your judgmental thoughts—about both yourself and others—could be contributing to unhappiness, blocking joy, and even affecting your health? Most people don’t realize that these thoughts often stem from a fear of fully feeling and embracing the emotions that arise in certain situations. When we avoid those emotions, we remain stuck in patterns of judgment and disconnection. Today’s guest is here to help us break free.

Today on The Dhru Purohit Show, Dhru sits down with Joe Hudson to explore how judgment, whether directed outward or inward, influences our thoughts, relationships, and overall well-being. Joe shares what leads us to have judgmental thoughts, the initial high it brings, and the vulnerable feelings that it covers up. Joe also shares the roadblocks that hold us back from being exactly who we want to be, as well as the common pattern of self-reliance, abandonment, and shame. It’s time to drop the judgment and reclaim your freedom.

Dubbed “the coach behind Silicon Valley’s unicorn CEOs,” Joe Hudson is one of the most in-demand mentors to top leaders at OpenAI, Apple, Alphabet, and beyond. With a background in venture capital and over 25 years of deep work across psychology, neuroscience, and contemplative traditions, Joe has crafted a radically different path to personal growth—one that goes far beyond traditional self-help. His approach rewires how people relate to themselves, dissolving internal blocks and unlocking sustainable high performance rooted in ease, clarity, and joy.

In this episode, Dhru and Joe dive into:

• How self-judgment impacts our well-being and emotional regulation (00:15)

• Why judging others feels good, the inner voice, and the impact of negative self-talk (5:16)

• Are our judgmental thoughts contributing to physical disease in the body? (14:58)

• Joe's personal journey and what he internalized from childhood (18:18)

• Why the inner voice in your head is often wrong (24:13)

• Judgment, shame, and guilt as key drivers of stress (30:51)

• How do you want to be right now? (35:07)

• How to deal with internal resistance (42:57)

• The connection between abandonment and self-reliance (44:35)

• Understanding the pattern of abandonment and how to address it (51:95)

• Receiving unconditional love and building unconditional relationships (56:40)

• An introduction to The Matrix Protocol (1:08:15)

• What it means to live in the compassionate truth (1:20:12)

• The hidden “protocol” of unhappiness (1:24:47)

• Gratitude moments and shifting from lack to love (1:33:04)

• How stress, lack of enjoyment, and negative self-talk threaten our well-being (1:43:31)

• Where to find Joe’s work and resources (1:49:57)

For more on Joe, follow him on Twitter, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and his Website.

This episode is brought to you by Bon Charge, LMNT, and BiOptimizers.

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