Personal Science, Self-Knowledge & the Power of Camaraderie with Rajiv Mehta

In this thought-provoking episode of the SuperSelf Podcast Series, Pete Ferrari sits down with Rajiv Mehta, innovator, author, former NASA researcher, and longtime leader in the Quantified Self movement, to explore how deeper self-observation can lead to better health, stronger relationships, and more effective teams. Rajiv breaks down the concept of personal science: applying the tools of science, observation, data, analysis, experimentation, to your own life. From sleep and stress to relationships, teamwork, and self-awareness, this conversation unpacks how learning to “map yourself” can help you make better decisions, understand your patterns, and live with greater intention. The discussion also expands beyond the individual. Rajiv explains why the self is never truly singular, why “self is plural,” and how real camaraderie depends on knowing yourself and each other deeply enough to build trust, joy, and sustained high performance. This episode is about more than data. It’s about learning how to see yourself clearly enough to live, lead, and connect better. Episode Highlights: 03:05 – What personal science actually is 07:10 – “Self is plural” and the hidden complexity of daily life 10:35 – Rajiv’s Apple-era design thinking and how it shaped his work 18:45 – How mapping relationships reveals blind spots in care and support 23:20 – Why camaraderie is essential for high-performing teams 27:05 – Collective self-reflection and the joy of being truly known 31:35 – Why self-knowledge is a practice, not a one-time breakthrough 41:45 – Why personal science is still niche, and why that may change organically Key Takeaways: Personal science means studying your own life with intention. Sleep scores, apps, and trackers can help, but the most important skill is knowing how you actually feel and what that means in real time. Your life is inseparable from your relationships, responsibilities, and community. Knowing yourself also means understanding the people and systems around you. Teams thrive when people feel known, trusted, accepted, and aligned around a shared mission. High performance without human connection does not last. Good tools make self-knowledge easier. The right prompts and visual exercises can help people notice patterns, emotions, environments, and relationships with surprising clarity. This is not about perfection. It is about building the skill of seeing your life more clearly, again and again, as you and your circumstances change. About the Guest: Rajiv Mehta is an innovator, author, and longtime leader in personal science and the Quantified Self movement. Over the course of his career, he has worked in research at NASA, in product and design leadership at companies including Apple and Adobe, and at the intersection of technology, self-knowledge, and human-centered design. Rajiv is the creator of Mapping Ourselves, a collection of paper-based tools that help people better understand themselves, their relationships, and the environments they live and work in. He is also the author of Camaraderie, a book about how deeper self-knowledge and mutual understanding create more joyful, resilient, and high-performing teams. Connect with Rajiv Mehta: Website: https://mappingourselves.com Book: https://mappingourselves.com/camaraderie-book/ Resources: Free downloadable mapping tools available under the “Resources” section at his website This episode is brought to you by Jaca Rare Sugar. Jaca is a revolutionary rare sugar called allulose with 0 net carbs, 0 glycemic index (diabetic & keto friendly), and 90% fewer calories than sugar. Jaca tastes, cooks and bakes like old school sugar with none of the harmful effects.  www.jacasugar.com