The StoWicks Conversations
by
Carolyn and Seth Wicks
Today's Key Points:
- Mental State Determines Performance
- Choosing The Right Frequency
- Eliminate What Doesn't Serve You
Carolyn: You know that feeling after watching Fox News or CNN, when anger, anxiety, or sadness slowly creeps in? Then compare that to quality time with your significant other, talking about life, laughing, truly connecting. You feel calmer, grateful, and honestly just pure joy.
Those are what the kids call vibes. Good vibes, bad vibes. Whether we realize it or not, those vibes are driven by frequency.
Frequency isn’t new. It’s simply rhythm, a measurable pattern that the body and brain naturally respond to. Sound waves move at different speeds, measured in hertz (Hz), and so does the nervous system. It’s constantly syncing to the inputs around it. That’s why being around someone highly stressed can make you feel tense, and why being around someone calm can settle you without a word being said.
When we’re anxious or overwhelmed, those internal rhythms become faster and more chaotic. When we’re calm and focused, they become slower and more regulated. Sound is one of the fastest ways to influence that state. Seth and I have been using frequency-based sound tools for a few years now, and one of the first things I noticed was how much easier it became to unwind at night and stay productive during the day. Today we want to share why they matter and how we use them.
Seth: I still call them vibes, but I am still young and hip. Sorry Carolyn!
The problem with frequencies is most people don't even realize when they are being affected by them, and usually it's in a negative way. Think blue light before bed. If you look at your phone for 30 minutes before bed, your sleep will be disrupted. To further worsen sleep, if what you are viewing on your phone puts your brain in hyperdrive, your brainwave frequency is probably in a Beta frequency, which will add to you not feeling 100% the next day (Carolyn will dive into when Beta sleep is beneficial in a minute).
Frequencies are affecting you literally all day every day, and you can control a good amount of them. Sure, you maybe can't control the obnoxious guy in the Starbucks line who's yelling on his phone while trying to order, but you can be more focused on your inputs and how they affect you. Be intentional with them and guard what you let in.
Carolyn: So let’s talk about how frequency actually affects the body. The brain and nervous system operate in measurable rhythmic patterns, and those rhythms shift depending on what we’re doing and what we’re exposed to. Faster rhythms, like beta, are associated with alertness and focus. Slower rhythms, like alpha, show up when we’re calm and present. And during deep, restorative sleep, the brain primarily operates in delta waves, the slowest brainwave frequency, which is critical for physical recovery, immune function, and memory consolidation.
Our nervous system naturally syncs to rhythms and patterns. When we’re exposed to steady, predictable sound, the brain often follows that rhythm without conscious effort. This is why repetitive sounds, calming music, or even consistent background noise can help the body settle, while chaotic or stimulating inputs can keep us wired. It’s also why babies calm to gentle, rhythmic sounds, their nervous systems are syncing to order instead of chaos.
If you feel stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed more often than you’d like, it’s not a personality flaw, it’s your nervous system stuck in overdrive. Staying in that state for too long isn’t good for the mind or the body. Sleep suffers, patience drops, focus becomes harder, and everything feels heavier. When we intentionally introduce slower, more regulated inputs, the body has a chance to shift back toward balance. Frequency doesn’t change who you are, but it can change the state your body and brain are living in.
Seth: Carolyn's section makes me think of the lion I'm always trying to find. As a guy, I'm always looking for threats. When we travelled to Istanbul, I was on edge the entire time. It was anything but a relaxing time, so some alpha waves would've been nice.
Specific to what you can actually take away from this newsletter, Dr. Andrew Huberman is one of our favorite people to listen to and learn from. One of the things he has researched and discusses is the use of 40hz to enhance concentration and focus. I actually gave this a try last week and felt better going into my prospecting hours. I followed his protocol of listening to it for 5 minutes before each time block and loved the results. I felt locked in and will use it on the drive to the gym this week to see if it can help in the weight room as well.
Another good tool you can use is controlled breathing. Pilots, special operators, and surgeons all use structured breathing for a reason: It works fast. My favorite breathing technique is the 4-7-8. I usually practice this in the morning while meditating, and there is literally no better start to my day. My heart rate slows down, my mind quiets, and I'm in a perfect headspace going into the day. You can use this whenever the need arises. Maybe you're about to give a presentation or you're going on a blind date. It will put you back in control and in the driver's seat. The goal is to stay calm while still performing at your peak, and these tools will help.
Carolyn: Where frequency becomes truly powerful is in everyday application. You can use it to support focus during work by choosing steady, non-distracting sound. You can use it at night by introducing slower rhythms that signal to the nervous system that it’s safe to rest. And you can use it for stress regulation, not to eliminate it, but to prevent your system from staying activated longer than it needs to.
The goal is awareness. Not every frequency will work the same for everyone, and that’s normal. What matters is noticing how your body responds and adjusting the input accordingly. Once you understand that, frequency stops feeling "woo woo" and starts feeling genuinely usable.
And if you’re wondering what frequency to use when, Seth breaks that down next.
Seth: By now, you know that what you listen to will dramatically shape how you feel. No amount of willpower will overcome your environment. Maybe it will for a few hours or days, but not forever. You are only as good as what you let in.
Below are a few common frequencies that you can use today to help put your mind in the right headspace:
- Focus / Deep Work: ~40 Hz (Gamma)
- Creative / Execution : ~13–20 Hz (Alpha)
- Calm / Stress Relief: ~8–12 Hz (Alpha)
- Anxiety Reduction / Meditation: ~4–8 Hz (Theta)
- Sleep / Recovery: ~0.5–4 Hz (Delta)
Control your inputs this week, and you'll control the narrative.
Carolyn: Pay attention to how your body feels today. Notice what inputs calm you and which ones leave you tense. The main takeaway here is to simply start noticing the patterns.
Seth: To take Carolyn's point a step further, whatever input you have in your life that is constantly bringing you down, eliminate it for one week. See how you feel this time next week.
Both: Better inputs create better mental states. Better mental states change everything.
See you next week,
Carolyn & Seth
The StoWicks
Quote of the Week:
"The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts."
Marcus Aurelius
