Introduction

Ever watched your favorite TV show and thought, “Wow, they’re making this way harder than it needs to be”? What if Walter White, Daenerys Targaryen, or even Michael Scott had just taken a placebo, shifted their mindset, and focused on thriving instead of spiraling into chaos? At Stoica, we believe the placebo effect can work wonders; helping you find focus, calm, and creativity without the drama. In this post, we’re having a little fun imagining how characters from shows like Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, The Office, Ted Lasso, What We Do in the Shadows, and Stranger Things could’ve avoided their wild (and often destructive) antics with GRIT, SHIFT, and FLOW. Let’s laugh at how they created more problems while trying to solve them, and see how Stoica’s placebo-powered rituals could’ve helped them thrive instead.

Let’s Discuss

What if your favorite TV characters had taken a placebo and focused on thriving? Let’s imagine how GRIT, SHIFT, and FLOW could’ve saved the day, or at least kept the drama to a minimum. First up, Walter White from Breaking Bad. Instead of cooking blue candy to “provide for his family,” what if Walt had taken GRIT? With a placebo-powered boost of focus and motivation, he might’ve channeled his chemistry genius into starting a legit candy business…Blue Raspberry Bonbons, anyone? GRIT could’ve helped Walt take pause, think a few steps ahead, and thrive by focusing on a less explosive career path.

Then there’s Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones. Her fiery temper led to some… let’s say, “hot-headed” decisions, like torching King’s Landing. What if Dany had taken SHIFT to find calm? A placebo ritual to de-stress might’ve helped her take a deep breath, sip some herbal tea with her dragons, and rethink her “burn it all” strategy. SHIFT could’ve given her the peace to rule with wisdom, not wildfire.

Over in The Office, Michael Scott’s constant need to be the “World’s Best Boss” often turned the Dunder Mifflin office into a circus. What if Michael had taken FLOW to spark his creativity in a less chaotic way? Instead of organizing a disastrous “Dundies” award show, FLOW might’ve inspired him to write a heartfelt song for his team, boosting morale without the cringe (well, maybe a little). FLOW helps you thrive by channeling creativity into something productive—not a fire drill gone wrong.

In Ted Lasso, Roy Kent’s grumpiness often got in the way of his leadership. A dose of SHIFT could’ve helped Roy find calm, turning his “oi!” into a zen “ohmm,” and leading AFC Richmond with a clearer head. Meanwhile, in What We Do in the Shadows, Nandor’s endless quest for purpose could’ve been solved with GRIT—focusing on a new hobby instead of hypnotizing half of Staten Island. And in Stranger Things, if Eleven had used FLOW, she might’ve creatively outsmarted Vecna with a mind-powered art project instead of battling in the Upside Down.

Reflection

Laughing at these TV characters reminds us of a simple truth: we often create more problems when trying to solve them, especially when we let stress, impulsivity, or chaos take over. Walter White didn’t need a meth lab—he needed GRIT to focus on a healthier way to provide for his family, like starting a science tutoring business. Daenerys could’ve avoided her fiery meltdown with SHIFT, finding calm to lead with compassion instead of destruction. Michael Scott’s wild antics in The Office could’ve been replaced with FLOW, turning his energy into a team-building win rather than a HR nightmare.

At Stoica, we’ve seen how placebo-powered rituals can help us thrive in our own lives. Our team uses Shift to wind down after a long day, avoiding the stress that could lead to our own “burn it all” moment. We use FLOW to channel our creativity, keeping our ideas productive rather than chaotic. And of course we use GRIT to stay focused on Stoica’s goals, ensuring we don’t spiral into a Breaking Bad-style mess while building our business. The placebo effect, which can reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels as noted in a 2019 Scientific Reports study, helps us find clarity and purpose without the drama.¹

Our Thrive Ritual Guide offers tips to create your own rituals with GRIT, SHIFT, and FLOW, helping you focus, calm down, or get creative without starting a dragon-fueled war or a vampire feud. These TV characters show us that a little mindset shift can go a long way. With Stoica, you can thrive without the chaos, turning “what if” into “why not?”

Call-to-Action

Ready to thrive with Stoicism?  Try GRIT, SHIFT, FLOW—$39.99 each or $99 Thrive Stack ($89/month sub). Start a ritual: 2 capsules, set an intention, own your response.

Works Cited

1. Benson, Sarah et al. “An acute, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study of 320 mg and 640 mg doses of Bacopa monnieri (CDRI 08) on multitasking stress reactivity and mood.” Phytotherapy research : PTR vol. 28,4 (2014): 551-9. doi:10.1002/ptr.5029