This week, we're reacting to an article about the rise of souped-up A.I. baby monitors, and a video from popular podcast host Chris Williamson responding to the anti-optimization movement. Both hint at something nefarious happening in the health and wellness industry—and, as always, we're hoping to inject a bit of sanity and wisdom. We talk about weighing the costs and the benefits of tracking everything (including your baby), why following the example set by elite performers can sometimes backfire, how athletes use (and, more importantly, don't use) data, and what we lose when we outsource our intuition to devices.

"Aw, It's Baby's First A.I. Surveillance System:" https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/02/business/smart-baby-monitors-nanit-owlet.html

"My Reaction to the Anti-Optimization Trend:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi2WGB1Zdws

- Get a free LMNT drink mix pack with any purchase: drinkLMNT.com/Clay

- Get free shipping and 365-day returns when you shop at quince.com/excellence

- Subscribe to The Growth Equation newsletter

- Join The Growth Equation Academy

- If you are enjoying "excellence, actually," do us a huge favor: text your favorite episode to three people so they can enjoy it, too. Thanks!

• iTunes and Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Android
• PocketCasts

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.