Dr. Jud on the School of Greatness Podcast: How to Build Life Changing Habits and Break Addiction

Overview

On Episode 878 of The School of Greatness, Dr. Jud joins host Lewis Howes for a wide-ranging conversation about why all of us carry addictions — whether we recognize them or not. From smoking and overeating to relationship patterns and compulsive self-focus, Dr. Jud explains how the brain’s reward-based learning system creates habits that operate on autopilot. The conversation goes beyond surface-level advice to explore the neuroscience of why habits form and what it actually takes to change them.

Dr. Jud walks Lewis through the concept of habit mapping: identifying each component of the habit loop — trigger, behavior, and reward — so you can see your patterns clearly. He emphasizes that awareness and curiosity are far more effective tools than willpower, and describes how his clinical research has helped thousands of people break bad habits by working with their brain’s natural learning processes rather than fighting against them.

Key Takeaways

• Everyone has addictions: Dr. Jud broadens the definition of addiction beyond substances. Unhealthy relationship patterns, ego-driven behaviors, and compulsive habits all follow the same neurological reward loop. Recognizing this is the first step toward change.
• Map your habits before trying to change them: Rather than jumping to a new resolution, Dr. Jud recommends first mapping out your habit loops in detail. Understanding what triggers a behavior and what reward the brain perceives gives you the awareness needed to intervene.
• Curiosity over willpower: Dr. Jud’s research-based approach centers on getting curious about cravings rather than resisting them. When you pay close attention to how a behavior actually makes you feel, the brain can recalculate its reward value — and the habit starts to loosen its grip.

Listen to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or online here.

Related Resources

• What Is the Habit Loop?
• Curiosity: Our Superpower for Breaking Habits
• A Simple Way to Break a Bad Habit
• The Craving Mind — Dr. Jud’s Book
• Habit Change Strategies Reviewed