Sisu Lab
Sisu Lab Podcast explores the inner fortitude of sisu its deep human expression. Sisu is an ancient Finnish word often associated with determination and courage in the face of adversity. Beyond that, it is a life philosophy and a path for refining one’s character. In this podcast, we explore sisu as a way of becoming more focused, courageous, loving, and free.
Hosted by Elisabet Lahti, PhD, author of Gentle Power: A Revolution in How We Think, Lead, and Succeed Using the Finnish Art of Sisu, the Sisu Lab Podcast weaves together research, personal stories, and practical insights. Elisabet has pioneered research on sisu since 2012 and has completed multiple endurance feats in her ongoing inquiry into inner fortitude.
This podcast is an invitation to meet your own sisu up close.
Learn more about Elisabet, her books, and related research at www.sisulab.com
.
Sisu Lab
The Sphere of Life Force & Getting Constructively Uncomfortable
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
The sphere of life force is what I call the space within which we operate before hitting the sisu threshold; our outer boundary of inner strength. Ideally, you want this area to be as wide as possible. This episode describes how to expand it through everyday life and how I use it in daily life and to prepare for challenges during extra long ultra runs.
Show notes:
"if you know the way broadly you will see it in all things" - Miyamoto Musashi (Japanese samurai, 1584-1645). Book recommendation: The Book of Five Rings -> https://www.holybooks.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Book-of-Five-Rings-by-Musashi-Miyamoto.pdf
"Get constructively uncomfortable." - Dr. Rhadi Ferguson, Judo Olympian, BJJ black belt. https://www.drrhadiferguson.com/coffee-with-rhadi/coffee-with-rhadi-something-i-went-through-how-i-recovered
What we talk about when we talk about the Default Mode Network (of the brain):
Frontiers in psychology: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2014.00619/full
Killingsworth M. A., Gilbert D. T.: A wandering mind is an unhappy mind. Science. 2010 Nov 12;330(6006):932.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21071660/
Konjedi S, Maleeh R. A closer look at the relationship between the default network, mind wandering, negative mood, and depression. Cogn Affect Behav Neurosci. 2017 Aug;17(4):697-711.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28390029/
Sisu is a Finnish word for a reserve of inner strength, but it’s also a way to positively impact the world. Cultivating this inner fortitude starts with self-inquiry and getting our self-care in order, and from there, extends into courage and community. Its power ultimately reaches into the world through inspired acts of compassion and positive change.
Thanks for tuning in! Find out more about sisu, explore the research, and check out Gentle Power: A Revolution in How We Think, Lead, and Succeed Using the Finnish Art of Sisu (2023) & Sisun alkemia (2025) at www.sisulab.com.
Sisu is great, but sisu, together with love, is greatness.