We’ve all faced those heavy decisions that seem to boil down to two painful choices: Should I stay or should I go? Take the leap or play it safe? Keep it or cut it loose?

In this episode of All We Know About the Stuff We Know, Dave and Ashley unpack one of the most common—and most limiting—traps in decision-making: binary framing. When we reduce decisions to a simple yes/no or either/or, we not only add pressure, we shrink the very options that could lead us to a better outcome.

Dave shares everything from blind wine tastings at home to boardroom debates over international expansion—all illustrating how reframing the question unlocks smarter, more creative, and more confident decisions.

Ashley gets personal, opening up about a time when binary framing nearly broke her: “It’s easy for our little pea brains to try to relieve pain by saying, ‘Should I stay or should I go?’ That’s honestly how I felt a few years ago, making the biggest decision of my life—should I get a divorce? Yes or no. My gosh, there was so much pressure. But when I reframed the decision to ‘Choose best life for Ashley’—everything shifted. My heart opened. I had options. I had hope.”

This episode will help you:

• Recognize when you’re stuck in binary thinking
• Use the “Goldilocks zone” of decision framing to find better options
• Reclaim your creativity and clarity—at work, at home, and even at Taco Tuesday

🎧Tune in and learn the small shift that makes a big difference in any decision.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Our Decision Focus courses and workshops: https://www.focustools.com/decision-focus
• Find out your DiSC style: https://bit.ly/DiSCstyle
• Let Me Clear My Throat by DJ Kool: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qG9ZWUitFik
• The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz: https://www.amazon.com/Paradox-Choice-Why-More-Less/dp/0060005696
• Check out our book! https://www.focustools.com/5things