Podcast appearances and mentions of brad stulberg

Brad Stulberg shares foundational principles for making the process of self-development more fun and fulfilling. — YOU'LL LEARN — 1) What true excellence looks and feels like2) Why to stop chasing happiness—and what to focus on instead3) The best tool for building focus and concentrationSubscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1132 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT BRAD — Brad Stulberg researches, writes, and coaches on performance, well-being, and sustainable excellence. He is the bestselling author of The Practice of Groundedness and Master of Change, and coauthor of Peak Performance. Stulberg regularly contributes to the New York Times and his work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and The Atlantic, among many other outlets. He serves as the co-host of the podcast “excellence, actually” and is on faculty at the University of Michigan. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina.• Book: The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World• Website: BradStulberg.com— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Study: “The comparison of Imagery ability in elite, sub-elite and non-elite swimmers” by P. Duarte-Mendes, et al.• Study: “Brain Drain: The Mere Presence of One's Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity” by Adrian F. Ward, Kristen Duke, Ayelet Gneezy, and Maarten W. Bos• Book: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley• Book: The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains by Nicholas Carr• Book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values by Robert Pirsig• Past episode: 164: Sustaining Your Peak and Avoiding Burnouts with Brad Stulberg• Past episode: 415: Pursuing Your Passion the Smart Way with Brad Stulberg• Past episode: 699: Redefining Success for More Fulfilling Days with Brad Stulberg— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Monarch.com. Get 50% off your first year on with the code AWESOME.• Shopify. Sign up for your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/better• Factor. Head to factormeals.com/beawesome50off and use the code beawesome50off to get 50% off and free breakfast for a year. (New Factor subscribers only)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brad Stulberg is the New York Times best-selling author of The Way of Excellence. He cohosts the Growth Equation podcast, coaches executives and entrepreneurs, and is on the faculty at the University of Michigan's Graduate School of Public Health. He also deadlifts 530 pounds! He's also the author of The Practice of Groundedness and coauthor of Peak Performance.  In this conversation, we explore what it means to run sustainably: The truth about motivation Why "balance" is often an illusion The incredible power of surrounding yourself with the right people Is anxiety actually a bad thing? His thoughts on Alex Honnold's summit of Tapei 101 live on Netflix Follow Brad on X or Instagram.  Thanks Previnex Previnex is offering 15% off your first purchase at previnex.com with code jason15.  And big news: Muscle Health Plus - a unique combination of amino acids, creatine, and ingredients that aid protein synthesis and absorption of amino acids - has an all new citrus flavor that is much tastier than black cherry. Now's the time to try Muscle Health Plus because this is your anti-soreness supplement. It will help you prevent muscle damage, which is particularly important for aging runners who want to protect themselves from muscle loss and recover faster after hard workouts.  I love Previnex because they adhere to the highest of standards: their ingredients are clinically proven to do what they say they're going to do, ingredients are tested, and they donate vitamins to kids in need. So yes, Muscle Health Plus has ingredients that are clinically proven to improve protein synthesis and the absorption of amino acids - critical for helping promote lean muscle mass, strength, recovery, and better body composition.  Kelly just used the Jason15 discount code and wrote, "Muscle Health Plus has allowed me to recover much more quickly from my long runs and strength workouts. Plus, I just feel I have more energy!" Jordan left a review that said, "Love the Muscle Health Plus formula. Hard to find such a complete blend like this that's stimulant free. I Notice I'm stronger in the gym when taking this regularly." Finally, Nancy said "I definitely feel stronger. My muscles don't get as fatigued during my workouts." That's what I love about Previnex. Their products just work!" Get 15% off your first Previnex purchase by using code jason15 at checkout. Visit previnex.com, now with international shipping, and just remember: they offer a 30-day money back guarantee where if you don't feel benefits on their product you get your money back no questions asked.  Thank you LMNT! A big thanks to LMNT for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. They are offering a free gift with your purchase at LMNT. And this does NOT have to be your first purchase. You'll get a sample pack with every flavor so you can try them all before deciding what you like best. And BIG news! Their newest flavor is now permanently available : LEMONADE SALT! LMNT's products have some of the highest sodium concentrations that you can find. Anybody who runs a lot knows that sodium, as well as other electrolytes like magnesium and potassium, are essential to our performance and how we feel throughout the day. LMNT is my favorite way to hydrate. I'm now in the habit of giving away boxes of LMNT at group runs around Denver and Boulder and everyone loves this stuff. Boost your performance and your recovery with LMNT. They're the exclusive hydration partner to Team USA Weightlifting and quite a few professional baseball, hockey, and basketball teams are on regular subscriptions. So check out LMNT to get a free sampler pack and get your hydration optimized for the upcoming season.

Is your watch making you a worse runner? We dig into two powerful books — The Way of Excellence by Brad Stulberg and The Score by C. Thi Nguyen — to unpack how metrics, Strava segments, and training scores can quietly hijack your motivation and identity as an athlete.We also tackle a wild listener question: a 23-year-old running 30 hundred-milers a year. We break down the real physiology — rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney injury, endocrine suppression — and the psychology of the attention economy, dopamine loops, and identity fusion.Plus Hot or Nots on running onesies, ankle weights, and legs up the wall. And meet Microcosm coach Kristin Layne, who specializes in multi-sport coaching for busy athletes.Key topics: value capture, intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation, the 4 phases of competence, running by feel vs. running by data, RPE, and defining success on your own terms.Books discussed:The Way of Excellence — Brad StulbergThe Score — C. Thi NguyenWant coaching? microcosmcoaching@gmail.com | microcosm-coaching.com

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Brad Stulberg, bestselling author of "The Way of Excellence," as he shares groundbreaking insights on authentic leadership, team building, and sustainable high performance.Join TOC Coach for Free! https://www.skool.com/toccoachSubscribe to the Team Culture Toolbox: https://tocculture.com/culture-toolbox

What if excellence isn't about winning, but becoming?For so many of us, the word excellence has become tangled up with perfectionism, obsession, and relentless hustle. No wonder it feels heavy, triggering, or out of reach.In this conversation, we explore a very different understanding of excellence, one rooted in meaning, care, and deep engagement. Together, we unpack why modern life makes it so hard to focus, why joy and rest are essential to growth, and how pursuing what truly matters can quietly reshape who you become.Brad Stulberg is a bestselling author, writer for The New York Times and Wall Street Journal, co-host of the podcast Excellence, Actually, and faculty member at the University of Michigan. His newest book is The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World.In this episode, you'll discoverA powerful redefinition of excellence that frees you from perfectionismWhy mastery and mattering are essential for deep satisfactionA simple way to reclaim focus in a world designed to distract youHow joy, rest, and renewal fuel long-term growthA practical framework for balancing ambition with the rest of your lifeIf you've ever felt pulled to do meaningful work but exhausted by the way success is usually framed, this conversation offers a wiser, more human path forward. Press play to explore what excellence can become.You can find Brad at: Website | LinkedIn | Episode TranscriptNext week, be sure to tune in for my conversation with Susan Piver about why love feels hard and how that discomfort can deepen intimacy. Follow the show in your favorite listening app so it's right there when the episode drops.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When life upends everything, what still matters?When the future you assumed disappears, the questions get sharper. This conversation explores how meaning, values, and hope evolve when time feels uncertain and life breaks open in unexpected ways.In this deeply human and reflective episode, Jonathan Fields sits down with Lucy Kalanithi, a physician, storyteller, and Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Stanford University. She is the widow of neurosurgeon and writer Paul Kalanithi, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller When Breath Becomes Air, for which Lucy wrote the unforgettable epilogue.Together, they explore what it means to live honestly in the presence of mortality, how our sense of time and identity shifts through loss, and how values can guide choices when certainty is gone.In this episode, you'll discover:A simple but profound way to make decisions when the future feels unclearHow redefining hope can ease fear without denying realityWhy you cannot have everything, and how that clarity can be freeingA humane framework for navigating medical and life decisionsWhat it really means to build a life that fits who you areWhen life changes in ways you never expected, clarity does not come from control. It comes from listening more closely. Press play to explore what truly matters, and how to live with intention even when the path ahead is uncertain.You can find Lucy at: Website | Episode TranscriptNext week, be sure to tune in for my conversation with Brad Stulberg about what excellence really is, and how pursuing it can help you feel more alive, not burned out. And don't forget to follow the show in your favorite listening app.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we're joined by ⁠Brad Stulberg⁠, author of the recently released book, ⁠The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World⁠.⁠ Whether you are practicing guitar, pushing your limits at the gym, leading a team, honing a craft, studying medicine, or giving yourself the time and space to finally write that book, the pursuit of excellence is a big part of what makes life worth living, and it is for all of us. Have a money question? Email us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jill on Money LIVE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jill on Money Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jillonmoney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jillonmoney To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brad Stulberg experienced a severe mental health crisis in his early 30s, battling OCD, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and suicidal ideation while outwardly succeeding as a performance coach. This disconnect between his external achievements and internal struggles pushed him to reevaluate how he defined success and excellence. Through therapy, psychiatry, and extensive research, he developed six principles of groundedness to support sustainable success during both good and difficult times. In this episode, Brad explains how groundedness can reduce burnout and promote long-term mental health, wellness, and performance. In this episode, Hala and Brad will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (02:29) Brad's Career Path to Performance Coaching (07:25) The 2017 Mental Health Crisis and OCD (18:53) The Science Behind Groundedness (21:01) Understanding Heroic Individualism (34:10) The Six Principles of Groundedness  (44:09) Developing Patience for Long-Term Success (49:53) How Vulnerability Builds Real Confidence (54:53) Embracing Emotional Flexibility for Wellness (57:11) The Importance of Building Deep Community (01:03:02) How Movement Supports Mental Health Brad Stulberg is a bestselling author, executive coach, and researcher focused on mental health, sustainable success, and human performance. He regularly contributes to The New York Times, and his work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, among other outlets. In his coaching practice, Brad works with executives, entrepreneurs, physicians, and athletes on their mental skills and overall well-being. Sponsored By: Indeed - Get a $75 sponsored job credit to boost your job's visibility at Indeed.com/profiting Shopify - Start your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/profiting. Spectrum Business - Visit Spectrum.com/FreeForLife to learn how you can get Business Internet Free Forever. Northwest Registered Agent - Build your brand and get your complete business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes at northwestregisteredagent.com/paidyap Framer - Publish beautiful and production-ready websites. Go to Framer.com/profiting and get 30% off their Framer Pro annual plan. Quo - Run your business communications the smart way. Try Quo for free, plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to quo.com/profiting Working Genius - Take the Working Genius assessment and discover your natural gifts and thrive at work. Go to workinggenius.com and get 20% off with code PROFITING Experian - Manage and cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reduce your bills. Get started now with the Experian App and let your Big Financial Friend do the work for you. See experian.com for details. Huel -  Get all the daily nutrients you need with Huel. Grab Huel today and get 15% OFF with my code PROFITING at huel.com/PROFITING.  Resources Mentioned: Brad's Book, The Practice of Groundedness: bit.ly/Groundednes  Brad's Book, Peak Performance: bit.ly/Per4mance  Brad's Instagram: instagram.com/bradstulberg/  Active Deals - youngandprofiting.com/deals  Key YAP Links Reviews - ratethispodcast.com/yap YouTube - youtube.com/c/YoungandProfiting Newsletter - youngandprofiting.co/newsletter  LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/htaha/ Instagram - instagram.com/yapwithhala/ Social + Podcast Services: yapmedia.com Transcripts - youngandprofiting.com/episodes-new  Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Podcast, Business, Business Podcast, Self Improvement, Self-Improvement, Personal Development, Starting a Business, Strategy, Investing, Sales, Selling, Psychology, Productivity, Entrepreneurs, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Marketing, Negotiation, Money, Finance, Side Hustle, Startup, Mental Health, Career, Leadership, Mindset, Health, Growth Mindset, Biohacking, Motivation, Manifestation, Brain Health, Life Balance, Self-Healing, Positivity, Happiness, Sleep, Diet

Excellence isn't a personality trait or a hustle tactic. It's a way of becoming. And in a culture driven by distraction, convenience, and external validation, genuine excellence is quietly eroding. What replaces it looks productive but feels hollow, leaving many people burned out, scattered, or chasing intensity instead of depth. This week on Win Today, Brad Stulberg joins me to recover a truer vision of excellence—one rooted in biology, values, focus, and formation. We explore why rugged flexibility matters more than rigid discipline, how to curate your inputs so your attention serves what matters most, and why there are actually two different kinds of burnout. This conversation reframes excellence not as achievement alone, but as a deeply human process of becoming aligned, durable, and alive. If you're tired of pseudo-excellence, dopamine-driven ambition, or burnout disguised as growth, this episode will help you reorient toward a better path—one that connects mastery with meaning and performance with purpose. Guest Bio Brad Stulberg is an author, coach, and researcher focused on excellence, sustainable performance, and human flourishing. He has written multiple best-selling books exploring the intersection of science, philosophy, and practice, and his work is widely recognized for helping individuals and organizations pursue growth without burnout. Brad's writing and teaching challenge hustle culture while offering a grounded, humane path toward mastery, resilience, and meaningful achievement. Show Partners SafeSleeve designs a phone case that blocks up to 99% of harmful EMF radiation—so I'm not carrying that kind of exposure next to my body all day. It's sleek, durable, and most importantly, lab-tested by third parties. The results aren't hidden—they're published right on their site. And that matters because many so-called EMF blockers on the market either don't work or can't prove they do. We protect our hearts and minds—why wouldn't we protect our bodies too? Head to safesleevecases.com and use the code WINTODAY10 for 10% off your order. Episode Links Show Notes Buy my book "Healing What You Can't Erase" here! Invite me to speak at your church or event. Connect with me @WINTODAYChris on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Send us a textTonya Johnston, Mental Skills Coach speaks with author, researcher and coach Brad Stulberg about his newly released book, The Way of Excellence. Brought to you by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services.Host: Tonya Johnston, Visit her Website, Facebook and buy her book Inside Your Ride Guest: Brad Stulberg researches, writes, and coaches on performance, well-being, and sustainable excellence. He is the bestselling author of The Practice of Groundedness and Master of Change, and co-author of Peak Performance. Stulberg regularly contributes to The New York Times and his work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and The Atlantic, among many other outlets. He serves as the co-host of the podcast “excellence, actually” and is on the faculty at the University of Michigan. He lives in Asheville, NC. Subscribe To: The Plaid Horse MagazineTitle Sponsor: Taylor, Harris Insurance ServicesSponsors: Equine Affaire and Windstar Cruises Join us at an upcoming Plaidcast in Person live event!

If you've spent any time on social media in the last few years, you've probably noticed the rise of what Brad Stulberg calls “hustle-culture greatness” — influencers who promote labyrinthine morning routines, ruthlessly optimized habits, and ascetic self-discipline. “That is not excellence,” says Brad. “That is a bunch of elaborate kabuki that masquerades as the real thing.” The real thing is about challenging yourself in worthwhile endeavors, focusing on what matters most, and expressing the unique qualities that make you who you are. In a word, excellence. Today, we'll teach you how to pursue it. Brad's new book, The Way of Excellence, is out now. Pick up a copy on Amazon, Audible, or Bookshop.org. The Next Big Idea is now on YouTube! You can find our episodes ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. If you enjoyed this conversation, check out Brad's last appearance on the show. Follow Rufus on ⁠LinkedIn⁠, subscribe to our ⁠Substack⁠, or send us an email at podcast@nextbigideaclub.com. The best way to support the show is by becoming a Next Big Idea Club member. Learn more at ⁠nextbigideaclub.com⁠, and use code PODCAST for a super secret discount (spoiler: it's 20% off). We have two great sponsors for today's episode. The first is Factor. Head to factormeals.com/idea50off and use code idea50off to get 50% off your first Factor box plus free breakfast for one year. The second is Shopify. Start your $1/month trial at ⁠⁠shopify.com/nbi⁠⁠.

Brad Stulberg co-wrote Peak Performance with Steve Magness and has spent over a decade studying what excellence actually requires. He joins Zoë and Brendan to dismantle the myths of hustle culture and explain why genuine excellence isn't about optimization, it's about caring deeply about something worthwhile. We dig into "zombie burnout" (exhaustion from doing too little of what lights you up), what Brad learned from studying Courtney Dauwalter and powerlifter Layne Norton, and why chasing flow states prevents you from experiencing them. A grounded, research-backed conversation about pursuing excellence without losing yourself.  Brad Stulberg is the author of The Way of Excellence, Master of Change, and The Practice of Groundedness. He's on faculty at the University of Michigan and hosts the podcast Excellence, actually.  Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by LMNT—electrolytes with no sugar, no BS. Try their chocolate flavors heated up for the ultimate winter hydration hack. Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/ultrasignup.  Featured Race: The Devil Makes Three 50k and 10 Miler — May 16th in Waxhaw, North Carolina. Technical singletrack, prairie grass, lake views, generous cutoffs, and a low entry fee because trail running should be accessible. Cupless race, so bring your own hydration. Registration closes May 13th at ultrasignup.com.

Send us a textExcellence isn't a binary outcome. Brad Stulberg breaks down his mastery + mattering framework and shares how to pursue ambitious goals, handle failure, and build sustainable success without tying your identity to outcomes.

Today we're joined by Brad Stulberg, author of the recently released book, The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World⁠. Whether you are practicing guitar, pushing your limits at the gym, leading a team, honing a craft, studying medicine, or giving yourself the time and space to finally write that book, the pursuit of excellence is a big part of what makes life worth living, and it is for all of us. Too often, we get caught up in convenience and distraction to the detriment of our true potential. The good news is that we can set ourselves on a better path, one that includes more aliveness and resonance, more connection to self and others. Have a money question? Email us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jill on Money LIVE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jill on Money Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jillonmoney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jillonmoney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jillonmoney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode I had the pleasure of chatting with author & speaker, Brad Stulberg about the many facets of pursuing excellence in life and in sport, along with his new book The Way of Excellence. Brad's work explores principles of mental health and mastery that transcend capabilities and domains. He investigates and writes about the philosophical and psychological foundations of sustainable excellence—getting the best out of yourself on the things that matter to you most—and the habits and practices necessary to attain it. Whether you are trying to qualify for the Olympics, start a company, craft a creative masterpiece, break ground in mathematical theory, or raise a family, many of the practices underlying fulfillment, sustainable success, and well-being are the same, supported by scientific evidence, and available to everyone. Follow Brad on IG: @bradstulbergThank you BetterHelp for sponsoring this episode! To save 10% on your first month of therapy, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.betterhelp.com/holleyfueled⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To work with me in my Strong Runner Academy Group Coaching Program to nail your fueling down join here: ⁠⁠https://holleyfuelednutrition.com/groupcoaching⁠⁠For entrepreneurs: ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to the Holley Fueled Business Podcast ⁠⁠https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/holleyfuelednutrition/subscribe

If you want a conversation to feel more engaging and connected, there's a small, often overlooked detail that can quietly shape how the other person experiences you before either of you even says a word. And it all has to do with your phone. This episode begins with research revealing what that detail is and why it matters more than most people realize. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12110250/ You've likely experienced that rare moment when you just click with someone. Conversation flows. It seems effortless – it's feels magical. But what's actually happening in those moments — and why doesn't it happen with everyone? Journalist Kate Murphy joins me to explain the science behind interpersonal synchrony, the conditions that make clicking more likely, and why these moments feel so meaningful. Kate has written for The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal and is author of Why We Click: The Emerging Science of Interpersonal Synchrony. https://amzn.to/4sM4a04 We hear the word excellence everywhere — but what does it really mean to pursue it? Do we need to strive for excellence in everything we do? Is it okay to be average at some things? And how do you avoid chasing what looks like excellence but actually leads to burnout or dissatisfaction? Brad Stulberg explains the difference between true excellence and what he calls “pseudo-excellence,” and how to pursue mastery in a way that leads to both high performance and deep satisfaction. Brad is a writer, researcher, performance coach, and author of The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World. https://amzn.to/4qY237s When you spend discretionary money, you probably think you know what you're buying. But there's another way to think about those purchases — one that research suggests can have a big impact on how satisfied and balanced you feel about spending that money. We wrap up with a shift in perspective that may change how you decide what's worth spending money on. https://www.nbcboston.com/news/national-international/outsourcing-household-chores-happier-relationship/3871202/ PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS SHOPIFY: In 2026, stop waiting and start selling with Shopify! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at ⁠https://Shopify.com/sysk⁠ PLANET VISIONARIES: We love the Planet Visionaries podcast, so listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you're listening to this podcast! In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a world of constant noise, endless distraction, and performative busyness, what does it mean to pursue true excellence? Not hustle-for-hustle's-sake kind—but the kind rooted in values, meaning, and sustainable high performance. Today's guest is one of the clearest voices on that question: Brad Stulberg—bestselling author, performance coach, and researcher on sustainable excellence. Brad is a rare returning guest to The Coaching Lab for good reason. His work regularly appears in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and The Atlantic, and he serves on faculty at the University of Michigan. His new book, The Way of Excellence, reframes excellence not as a finish line—but as a process of mastery, meaning, and becoming. Drawing on modern science, timeless philosophy, and real-world stories of elite performers, Brad shows us how to integrate mastery and mattering—so we can perform at our best without burning out or losing what truly matters. In this conversation, we explore:·       Why excellence is not about outcomes—but about process·       How to build real confidence through consistency·       The difference between “pseudo-excellence” and the real thing·       How focus, discipline, and values alignment create sustained performance·       And how to pursue greatness without sacrificing well-being, relationships, or meaningWhether you're an athlete, coach, leader, entrepreneur, or simply someone who wants to live with greater intention, this episode delivers a clear, grounded roadmap for what it really means to be at your best—day after day.Info re earning your health & wellness coaching certification, annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium & more via https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/ Best-in-class coaching for Employers, EAPs & wellness providers https://catalystcoaching360.com/ Tap into the home of the (freely available) Not Done Yet! articles on unlocking life's 2nd half here. YouTube Coaching Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannel Contact us: Results@CatalystCoaching360.comTwitter: @Catalyst2ThriveWebsite: CatalystCoaching360.comIf you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218. This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more.

Brad Stulberg returns to the show to share lessons from his newest book, The Way of Excellence.In this episode, Brad joins Andrew Coates to explore what excellence actually means for everyday people — not elite performers chasing perfection, but normal humans trying to live well, work with purpose, and avoid burning out in a noisy, overstimulating world.This conversation unpacks the difference between happiness and fulfillment, the dangers of optimizing life around comfort and dopamine, and why choosing meaningful stress is often the path to a better life.THIS EPISODE COVERS:What “excellence” looks like for everyday peopleHow to set up your environment to support excellenceThe critical difference between happiness and fulfillmentProblems with the Happiness Industrial ComplexWhy bypassing the pursuit of instant happiness mattersWhy stress with purpose is better than stress avoidanceWhat “Internet Brain” is and why it is harmfulWhat Zombie Burnout is and how it sneaks up on peopleWhy progress often feels mystical rather than linearThe role of community in sustained excellenceAnd much moreBrad's new book The Way of Excellence is available now, everywhere books are sold.Instagram: @bradstulbergCHAPTERS00:40 Defining Excellence02:16 Fulfillment vs. Happiness04:55 The Happiness Tube Hypothetical10:12 Choosing Meaningful Stress11:43 The Role of Stress in Growth21:33 Personal Reflections on Deadlifting25:17 The Mystical Journey of Progress27:08 The Addictive Nature of Feedback27:18 The Mystery of Mastery27:35 Golf and the Flow State27:55 Variable Reinforcement and Gambling28:41 Periodization for Life29:40 The Value of Novel Ideas in Books33:46 Setting Up an Environment for Excellence35:28 The Impact of Community on Success39:39 Zombie Burnout Explained40:56 Finding Purpose in Work and Life44:25 The Dangers of Internet Brain46:36 Reflections on the Pandemic47:38 Conclusion and Book RecommendationsSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you rethink success, fulfillment, or how you relate to stress, you can support the show by:Subscribing and checking out more episodesSharing it on social media (tag me — I will respond)Sending it to someone who feels successful but unfulfilledFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10 percent off)https://justbitememeals.com/MacrosFirst – FREE Premium TrialDownload MacrosFirstDuring setup, answer: How did you hear about us?Type: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15 percent off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Gripps (discount link)https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC – FREE 90 Day Trial (2 steps)Go to: https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email trials@trainheroic.com) and let them know Andrew sent you

Brad Stulberg, author of The Way of Excellence, shares tips for boosting performance in any sphereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brad Stulberg researches, writes, and coaches on performance, well-being, and sustainable excellence. He is the bestselling author of The Practice of Groundedness and Master of Change, and coauthor of Peak Performance. Stulberg regularly contributes to the New York Times and his work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and The Atlantic, among many other outlets. He serves as the co-host of the podcast "excellence, actually" and is on faculty at the University of Michigan. He is also the co-founder with Steve Magness of The Growth Equation Newsletter. His new book is called The Way of Excellence, "a practical guide to realizing our potential amid the chaos of modern life and learning how to reconnect to ourselves by focusing on the pursuit of excellence. Combining modern science, timeless wisdom, and actionable strategies, Stulberg redefines excellence—not as a finish line to cross, but as an ongoing process of growth and becoming that allows us to reach our fullest potential while staying deeply connected to our values and what truly matters. The book is inspired by research from diverse fields and grounded in real-world application, Stulberg frames excellence as the integration of mastery and mattering. He provides a clear, sustainable path for pursuing meaningful goals with focus and intention. Unlike "hacks" and the hustle culture of "pseudo-excellence," this book champions meaningful challenges that align with our values and goals and that foster deep satisfaction, fulfillment, and contribution. For more visit: https://www.bradstulberg.com/  Instagram │X │LinkedIn BOOK A SPEAKER: Interested in having John or one of our speaking team come to your school, club or coaching event? We are booking November and December 2025 and Winter/Spring 2026 events, please email us to set up an introductory call John@ChangingTheGameProject.com PUT IN YOUR BULK BOOK ORDERS FOR OUR BESTSELLING BOOKS, AND JOIN 2025 CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS FROM SYRACUSE MENS LAX, UNC AND NAVY WOMENS LAX, AND MCLAREN F1! These are just the most recent championship teams using THE CHAMPION TEAMMATE book with their athletes and support teams. Many of these coaches are also getting THE CHAMPION SPORTS PARENT so their team parents can be part of a successful culture. Schools and clubs are using EVERY MOMENT MATTERS for staff development and book clubs. Are you?  We have been fulfilling numerous bulk orders for some of the top high school and collegiate sports programs in the country, will your team be next? Click here to visit John's author page on Amazon Click here to visit Jerry's author page on Amazon Please email John@ChangingTheGameProject.com if you want discounted pricing on 10 or more books on any of our books. Thanks everyone. This week's podcast is brought to you by our friends at Sprocket Sports.  Sprocket Sports is a new software platform for youth sports clubs.  Yeah, there are a lot of these systems out there, but Sprocket provides the full enchilada. They give you all the cool front-end stuff to make your club look good– like websites and marketing tools – AND all the back-end transactions and services to run your business better so you can focus on what really matters – your players and your teams. Sprocket is built for those clubs looking to thrive, not just survive, in the competitive world of youth sports clubs.  So if you've been looking for a true business partner – not just another app – check them out today at https://sprocketsports.me/CTG. BECOME A PREMIUM MEMBER OF CHANGING THE GAME PROJECT TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST If you or your club/school is looking for all of our best content, from online courses to blog posts to interviews organized for coaches, parents and athletes, then become a premium member of Changing the Game Project today. For over a decade we have been creating materials to help change the game. and it has become a bit overwhelming to find old podcasts, blog posts and more. Now, we have organized it all for you, with areas for coaches, parents and even athletes to find materials to help compete better, and put some more play back in playing ball. Clubs please email John@ChangingTheGameProject.com for pricing.  Become a Podcast Champion! This weeks podcast is also sponsored by our Patreon Podcast Champions. Help Support the Podcast and get FREE access to our Premium Membership, with well over $1000 of courses and materials. If you love the podcast, we would love for you to become a Podcast Champion, (https://www.patreon.com/wayofchampions) for as little as a cup of coffee per month (OK, its a Venti Mocha), to help us up the ante and provide even better interviews, better sound, and an overall enhanced experience. Plus, as a $10 per month Podcast Super-Champion, you will be granted a Premium Changing the Game Project Membership, where you will have access to every course, interview and blog post we have created organized by topic from coaches to parents to athletes. Thank you for all your support these past eight years, and a special big thank you to all of you who become part of our inner circle, our patrons, who will enable us to take our podcast to the next level. https://www.patreon.com/wayofchampions

This week on A Productive Conversation, I sit down with Brad Stulberg, author of The Way of Excellence, to explore what excellence really means in a world obsessed with efficiency, optimization, and performative productivity. Brad has spent years studying sustainable excellence across sport, leadership, creativity, and life—and this conversation digs into why excellence is neither perfection nor hustle, but something far more human.Brad and I unpack the difference between true excellence and what he calls “pseudo-excellence,” why metrics often outlive their usefulness, and how habits like routine, curiosity, and gumption play a central role in meaningful progress. Along the way, we explore why satisfaction outlasts happiness, why flow isn't always the goal, and how focusing on the task at hand—not the time on hand—changes everything.Six Discussion PointsWhy excellence must be reclaimed from hustle culture, optimization, and perfectionismThe difference between efficiency and excellence—and why short-term efficiency often undermines long-term growthMetrics, mastery, and knowing when measures help—or get in the wayFlow versus values-driven excellence (and why not all flow is good)Gumption, routines, and building momentum without becoming roboticWhy satisfaction comes from effort on worthwhile work, not outcomes aloneThree Connection PointsThe Way of Excellence by Brad StulbergThe Growth Equation (Blog Posts)Listen to Brad's previous appearance on APCThis conversation is a reminder that excellence isn't about doing more—it's about doing what matters with care, patience, and intention. Brad's work offers a compelling counterpoint to the constant pressure to optimize everything, and instead invites us to pursue a more grounded, values-aligned version of success—one that shapes us as much as the work itself.

In this episode best selling author and coach Brad Stulberg joins Gordon MacLelland to discuss his new book 'The Way of Excellence' which explores what sustainable excellence really looks like and what it potentially means for us all in supporting young athletes.During the conversation they discuss amongst other things:Building excellence through rhythm and balanceThe dangers of outcome obsessionSupporting our young people to build and maintain a 'stable sense of self'Helping our young people build confidence through effective preparationThe importance of discomfort for growth but not chaosHelping young people interpret failure as information, not a final verdictCreating support systems and environments full of clarity and consistency that help develop resilience and self-awarenessBrad Stulberg researches, writes, and coaches on performance, well-being, and sustainable excellence. He is the bestselling author of The Practice of Groundedness and Master of Change, and is the co-author of PeakPerformance with former guest Steve Magness.  Brad regularly contributes to the New York Times and his work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and The Atlantic, among many other outlets. He serves as the co-host of the podcast “excellence, actually” and is on the faculty at the University of Michigan. 

Falling off a goal is normal. Knowing how to get back on track—without shame or drama—is the real skill. I'm hosting a free 60-minute live workshop on Tuesday, January 27 at 7pm ET to teach a simple framework for getting unstuck. Register now for ⁠⁠Falling Off is Part of It: The Framework for Getting Back on Track (Without the Drama)⁠⁠! In this episode, Brad Stulberg explores how to cultivate excellence in a chaotic world. He explains how excellence is a lifelong practice rooted in daily effort, presence, and values, not a final achievement. Brad also discusses the importance of process over outcome, balancing ambition with self-kindness, and finding meaning through consistent, value-driven actions. The conversation also covers overcoming burnout, the illusion of perfect balance, and how to live intentionally in a chaotic world, offering practical advice for cultivating fulfillment and true greatness in everyday life. Exciting News!!! Coming in March, 2026, my new book, ⁠⁠How a Little Becomes a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life is now available for pre-orders!⁠⁠ Key Takeaways: The concept of excellence as a continuous practice rather than a fixed destination. The transformative nature of pursuing goals and its impact on character and personal growth. The importance of a process mindset, focusing on daily efforts and consistency. The metaphor of "feeding the good wolf" to emphasize nurturing positive qualities. The balance between striving for outcomes and being present in the process. The significance of measuring effort over outcomes for sustained progress. The idea of "raising the floor" to improve performance on average days. The role of care and commitment in achieving excellence. The distinction between meaningful engagement and the pitfalls of comfort and convenience. The necessity of intentional living and effort in a chaotic, technology-driven world. For full show notes: ⁠click here⁠! If you enjoyed this conversation with Brad Stulberg, check out these other episodes: The Practice of Groundedness with Brad Stulberg Mindfulness and Understanding Identity with Cory Allen By purchasing products and/or services from our sponsors, you are helping to support The One You Feed and we greatly appreciate it. Thank you! This episode is sponsored by: Hungry Root: For a limited time get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to www.hungryroot.com/feed and use promo code: FEED. IQ Bar: Text FEED to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, including the ultimate sampler pack, plus FREE shipping. (Message and data rates may apply). Check out ⁠Mountains to Cross ⁠by Dr. Abraham George. It's the story of how a life built on success was redirected toward compassion, and how that choice led to the founding of Shanti Bhavan, a school helping children break free from generational poverty. Find it wherever books are sold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Best-selling author Brad Stulberg has devoted a large part of his professional life to studying what it means to be excellent. He has interviewed peak performers in fields ranging from athletics and music to, of course, chess. His new book, The Way of Excellence distills all he learned.  In our conversation, Brad shares tons of helpful advice for anyone looking to improve at something. We tackle topics such as: – What “pursuing excellence” means for an amateur chess player hoping to get a little bit better – Why Brad admires chess, and what he learned from interviewing GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave for his new book, – Brad's advice for striking a balance between digital and analog life and learning As a long-time fan of Brad's writing and podcast, I was honored to speak with him about improving at chess and other domains. 0:00- Be sure to check out the bots and courses at  Chessiverse.com. Use the code “Perpetual30” to receive a 30% discount on courses and premium offerings.  2:00- Brad joins the show. What is “arrival fallacy” and is it the same thing as what hikers call "summit fever?”  08:00- Why did Brad want to include chess in a book about excellence? 12:00- How would Brad define excellence for someone engaged in a hobby, such as a chess player who just wants to go up in rating class?  15:00- Brad's advice for people working hard on chess who are not seeing any rating gains Mentioned: The Myth of Sisyphus by Camus  Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com, you can sign up for Chessable Pro here: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro Check out their new courses here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ 22:00- What did Brad learn from an exchange with Kasparov about the value of early-life specialization?  Mentioned: Kasparov's reply here: https://x.com/Kasparov63/status/2002428459688341793 25:00- Brad's experiences as a chess player and parent  28:00- Digital vs. Analog life and the biophilia hypothesis  37:00- The value of consistency over intensity  40:00- What Brad learned from interviewing 70+ elite performers across domains  45:00- Brad's parting advice  Thanks to Brad for joining me, here is how to keep up with him: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradstulberg/ Substack: https://bradstulberg.substack.com/ Webpage: https://www.bradstulberg.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you feel like you're just going through the motions? Or do you think you don't the time or energy to excel at anything? If you want to find more meaning and fulfillment without doing a cold plunge at 3 a.m., this episode is for you. My guest is Brad Stulberg, a best-selling author and human performance expert. He explains that real excellence isn't about hustle culture or becoming the best in the world. Instead, it's about engaging in something worthwhile that aligns with your values. Some of the things we discuss are: The difference between real excellence and hustle culture Why pursuing excellence leads to greater life satisfaction, not burnout How to find something you're passionate about, even if you feel lost The importance of connecting your goals to your core values Why the things you work on also work on you The role community plays in achieving your goals How to stay motivated when you hit a plateau and stop seeing progress Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mentally Stronger Premium⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for exclusive content like weekly bonus episodes, mental strength challenges, and office hours with me. Related Episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 167 — Mindset Hacks for Peak Performance with Performance Psychiatrist Dr. Brook Choulet 178 — 3 Simple Strategies for a Stronger Mindset Links & Resources ⁠BradStulberg.com ⁠⁠The Way of Excellence⁠ Connect with the Show Buy a copy of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Amy on Instagram —⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AmyMorinAuthor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit my website —⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmyMorinLCSW.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sponsors Quince — Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quince.com/stronger⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns! Shopify — Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shopify.com/mentallystronger⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Lola Blankets — Get 35% off your entire order at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lolablankets.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ by using code STRONGER at checkout. Experience the world's #1 blanket with Lola Blankets. AirDoctor — Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AirDoctorPro.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and use promo code STRONGER to get UP TO $300 off today! Function Health — Visit ⁠⁠functionhealth.com/stronger⁠⁠ or use gift code STRONGER25 for a $25 credit toward your membership. One Skin — Go to ⁠oneskin.co/STRONGER⁠ and use code stronger to get up to 30% off your first 3 subscription orders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Top performance coach and author Brad Stulberg joins Forrest to reframe and reclaim excellence. Brad explains how real excellence - involved engagement with something you care about - is the healthy middle path between over-the-top hustle-culture and detached nonchalance. They discuss the current culture of pseudo-excellence, the risks and rewards of caring deeply, how modern life can derail us, and how the real prize is the person you become while trying to reach your goals. Brad shares practical tools to build the habit of excellence: clear aims, micro-milestones, consistency over intensity, constraint-based discipline, and connection. About our Guest: Brad is a regular contributor at the New York Times, the co-host of the Excellence, Actually podcast, and on faculty at the University of Michigan's Graduate School of Public Health. He's also the author of a number of books, including The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World. Key Topics:  0:00: Life feels better when we're “trying well” 1:56: What does Brad mean by excellence? 3:42: What excellence is not 5:06: Staying on the path: how to keep going when results are slow 11:56: Excellence vs. skill 21:10: The Nonchalance Epidemic 27:29: Building your “identity house” 35:29: Specific tools for excellence 44:12: Excellence vs flow 50:10: Finding the enjoyable aspects of hard things 1:01:11: Gumption 1:03:57: “See the ball go through the net” 1:05:56: How to finish a process that never ends 1:13:22: Recap Support the Podcast: We're on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. Sponsors Grab Huel today with my exclusive offer of 15% OFF online with my code BEINGWELL at huel.com/beingwell. New customers only. Thank you to Huel for partnering and supporting our show! Over 100,000 people have given their Caraway Kitchen products a 5 star rating, and Caraway's cookware set is a favorite for a reason. Visit Carawayhome.com/BEINGWELL or use code BEINGWELL at checkout. Go to Zocdoc.com/BEING to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Go to www.LearningLeader.com to learn more This is brought to you by Insight Global. If you need to hire one person, hire a team of people, or transform your business through Talent or Technical Services, Insight Global's team of 30,000 people around the world has the hustle and grit to deliver. www.InsightGlobal.com/LearningLeader My guest: Brad Stulberg is a bestselling author and leading expert on sustainable performance and well-being. He's written for The New York Times, Outside Magazine, and The Atlantic, and his previous books include Peak Performance and The Practice of Groundedness. His latest book, The Way of Excellence, is great. Brad's writing combines cutting-edge science, ancient wisdom, and stories from world-class performers to help people do their best work without losing themselves in the process. Notes: Never pre-judge a performance. When you're feeling tired, uninspired, or off your game, show up anyway. Remember the Beatles scene—they looked bored and exhausted, but Paul still wrote "Get Back" that day. You don't know what's possible until you get going. Discipline means doing what needs to be done regardless of how you feel. As powerlifter Layne Norton says, we don't need to feel good to get going... We need to get going to give ourselves a chance to feel good. Stop waiting for motivation. Start moving and let the feeling follow. Audit who you're surrounding yourself with. The Air Force study is striking: the least fit person in your squadron determines everyone else's fitness level. If you sit within 25 feet of a high performer at work, your performance improves 15%. Within 25 feet of a low performer? It declines 30%. Your environment isn't neutral... Choose wisely. Treat curiosity like a muscle. It's a reward-based behavior that gets stronger with use. When Kobe said he played "to figure things out," he was tapping into the neural circuitry that makes learning feel good and builds upon itself. Ask more questions. Stay curious about your craft. Excellence isn't about perfection or optimization... It's about mastery and mattering. It's about showing up consistently, surrounding yourself wisely, and staying curious along the way. To the late Robert Pirsig - one of the greatest blessings and joys and sources of satisfaction in my life is to be in conversation with your work. He's the author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance— "gumption is the psychic gasoline that keeps the whole thing going." Arrogant people are loud. Confident people are quiet. Confidence requires evidence. The neural circuitry associated with curiosity is like a muscle: it gets stronger with use. Curiosity is what neuroscientists call a reward-based behavior. It feels good, motivates us to keep going, and builds upon itself. Kobe didn't play to win. He played to learn and grow. Kobe Bryant said he didn't play not to lose, and he didn't even play to win. He played to learn and to grow. He said the reason he did that is because it's so much more freeing. If you're really trying not to lose, you're going to be tight. If you're really trying to win, you're going to be tight. But if you're just out there to grow, you're going to be in the moment. When you're in the moment, you give yourself the best chance of having the performance you want. The word compete comes from the Latin root word com, which means together, and petere, which means to seek, rise up, or strive. In its most genuine form, competition is about rising together (Caitlin Clark's story against LSU). Love: The Detroit Lions had just won their first playoff game in 32 years. Following the game was a scene of pure jubilation. During a short break from the celebrating, the head coach, GM, and quarterback all gave brief speeches. Which collectively lasted about 2 minutes. During those 2 minutes, the word LOVE was repeated 7 times. Homeostatic regulation -- Sense it in the greatness of others and when you're at your best. What Brad calls "excellence." Surround yourself with people who have high standards. When things don't go your way, when you're inevitably heartbroken or frustrated, it's the people around you, the books you read, the art around you, the music you listen to, that's the stuff that speaks to you and keeps you going. It keeps you on the path even amidst the heartbreak. Process goals work better than outcome goals for most people. If you're an amateur, you should be process-focused. When I train for powerlifting, I don't think about the meet that I'm training for. I think about showing up for the session today. If I think about the meeting, I get anxious, and my performance goes down. But if you're Steph Curry and you've been doing your thing for 20 years, you can think about winning the gold medal because your process is so automatic. For 99% of people, focus on the process. "Brave New World" turns fear into curiosity. When you walk up to a bar loaded with more weight than you've ever touched, there can be fear about what it's going to feel like. If you go up to the bar with fear, you're going to miss the lift. If you're convinced you're going to make it, you'll make it, but your nervous system knows when you're lying to yourself. The middle ground is curiosity. Instead of saying "that's heavy, it's scary," I say "Brave New World. I've never touched this weight before. I have no idea what's going to happen, but let's find out." It splits the difference. I'm hyped, I'm giving myself a chance, I'm not lying to myself, but I'm also not scared. Curiosity and fear cannot exist at the same time in the brain. There are seven pathways in the brain defined by affective neuroscientist Jaak Panksepp. Two of those pathways are the rage/fear pathway and the seeking/curiosity pathway. These pathways cannot be turned on at the same time. They compete for resources. It's a zero sum game. You cannot simultaneously be raging and curious. You cannot be terrified and curious at the same time. If you get into a mindset of curiosity, it's extremely hard to be angry or terrified. By being curious, we turn off the fear deep in our brains and give ourselves a chance to perform our best. Practice curiosity in lower-consequence situations first. Curiosity is like a muscle. If you're about to do something absolutely terrifying and you're really scared and you say, "I'm just going to be curious," you know you're lying to yourself. You have to practice in lower-consequence situations first. When you, as a paren,t get really upset with your kid, try to be curious about their experience. Watch your anger calm down. When you as a leader, have a board presentation where you're feeling anxious, try to have that mindset of "Brave New World." When you're an athlete going into a big game obsessing about what could go wrong, try to be really curious instead. The best competitors have emotional flexibility. As a competitor, you would know that in the confines of the game, you're not singing Kumbaya, you are trying to kill them. Then you have the emotional flexibility the minute that game ends to respect them as a person. That is the best way to compete. That's when our best performances happen. It's not either/or, it's both/and. It's playing really hard, giving everything you can for the win, seizing on your opponent's vulnerability, at the same time as having deep respect for them. You don't have to be miserable to be excellent. There are people like David Goggins or Michael Jordan who seem motivated by anger and a chip on their shoulder. But Jordan would put his tongue out like this primal expression of joy when he was about to dunk. And Jordan won all his championships while being coached by Phil Jackson, the Zen master of compassion. There are the Steph Currys of the world, or Courtney Dauwalter (best ultra marathoner to ever exist), or Albert Einstein (total mystic who had so much fun in his work). There are two ways to the top of the mountain. For 99.999% of people, you end up performing better with fun and joy, and you have so much more satisfaction, which contributes to longevity. The best leaders take work seriously but laugh at themselves. The best leaders I know in the corporate world, they take the work so seriously. They are so intense. But my God, do they laugh at themselves and their colleagues and have fun. Reflection Questions Brad says, "The things that break your heart are the things that fill your life with meaning." What are you currently holding back from caring deeply about because you're afraid of getting hurt? What would it look like to step fully into that arena despite the risk of heartbreak? The Air Force study showed that sitting within 25 feet of a low performer decreases your performance by 30%. Honestly assess who you're spending the most time with right now. Are they raising your standards or lowering them? What specific change could you make this month to shift your environment? Brad uses "Brave New World" to turn fear into curiosity before big challenges. Think of something coming up that makes you anxious. Instead of trying to convince yourself you'll succeed or dwelling on the fear, what does it feel like to approach it with pure curiosity: "I've never done this before. Let's find out what happens."

It's natural to feel ambition, as we're wired to find great satisfaction in accomplishing hard goals. But what impact has the internet had on this instinct? To help explore this question, author Brad Stulberg, author of the new book THE WAY OF EXCELLENCE, joins Cal during the ideas segment to explore ways in which the internet hijacks our drive, and what we can do about it. Then, in the practice segment, Cal provides the 2026 of his evolving advice for escaping email and IM overload in your job.Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here's the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvoVideo from today's episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmediaIDEAS SEGMENT: Is the internet hijacking ambition? [4:16]PRACTICES SEGMENT: Escaping messaging hell [1:03:06]QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS:Have new AI tools actually been as transformative as claimed? [1:23:49]CAL RESPONDS TO COMMENTS [1:38:15]WHAT CAL'S READING: Cal gives his weekly reading update [1:44:52]Future Boy (Michael J. Fox)The Unauthorized Story of Disney's Haunted Mansion (Jeff Baham)Links:Buy Cal's latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slowGet a signed copy of Cal's “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/Cal's monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/old-school-with-shilo-brooks/id1841566275instagram.com/p/DFh_mNGSvuZ/?img_index=2microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/breaking-down-infinite-workdayreddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1o2g1xq/with_all_the_billions_trillions_going_into_it/calnewport.com/a-world-without-email/Thanks to our Sponsors: mybodytutor.commonarch.com (Use code “DEEP”)pipedrive.com/deepmeetfabric.com/deepThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brad Stulberg researches, writes, and coaches on health, well-being, and sustainable excellence. He is the bestselling author of The Practice of Groundedness and co-author of Peak Performance. Stulberg regularly contributes to the New York Times, and his work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The New Yorker, Sports Illustrated, Outside Magazine, Forbes, and other outlets. He also serves as the co-host of The Growth Equation podcast and is on faculty at the University of Michigan's Graduate School of Public Health. In his coaching practice, he works with executives, entrepreneurs, physicians, and athletes on their mental skills and overall well-being. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina. Endurance Training Simplified Series ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off) LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Training Peaks: trainingpeaks.com/hpopodcast (free 14-day trial) Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo  Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter  Brad: bradstulberg.com - IG: @bradstulberg - X: @BStulberg 

Send us a textWhat if excellence isn't a finish line—but a way of living that shapes who you become?In this episode of Win Today, I sit down with Brad Stulberg, bestselling author of Peak Performance and The Practice of Groundedness, to unpack his brand-new book, The Way of Excellence.We explore how excellence has been hijacked by hustle culture—and how to reclaim it as a value-driven practice rooted in meaning, consistency, and personal integrity.Brad breaks down the core framework from The Way of Excellence, including:Why true excellence starts with engaged involvement, not performative effortHow to choose worthwhile pursuits that energize you instead of draining youThe role identity plays in sustaining long-term masteryWhy values—not vanity metrics—should guide your goalsWe also dive into:“Zombie burnout” and why it often comes from too little meaningful challengeHow to design systems that favor consistency over intensityProtecting focus from “attention vampires” in a noisy worldHolding outcome goals without letting them define your worthLetting failure sting just long enough to learn—and then returning to the craftBrad shares practical tools you can apply immediately: monthly and weekly goal setting, guarding deep focus, revisiting values at the right cadence, and reframing winning as giving your full effort in a way you respect.If you're tired of hustle theater and ready to build excellence that actually lasts, this conversation will reset how you think about success.Thank you for tuning in! If you feel led, please subscribe & share the show to others who you believe would benefit from it.Keep in touch below! Join The Unshakeable Discipline Community! Winning Is... Weekly Newsletter! LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/ryanacass/ Instagram | @ryanacass

Brad Stulberg is a bestselling author of the new book The Way of Excellence, a performance coach, faculty member at the University of Michigan, and a husband and father.The Way of Excellence comes out tomorrow, and you can pick up a copy at any major bookseller like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Audible.com, or Bookshop.org. You can learn more about Brad and follow his work at his website, (https://www.bradstulberg.com/) and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradstulberg/

Brad Stulberg is a bestselling author and performance coach whose new book, The Way of Excellence, offers a practical guide to achieving mastery in whatever personal or professional domains you care to focus on. And later in the show, we hear from Karen Doll. Sponsored By: Shopify - Start your $1/month trial at shopify.com/daily The Next Big Idea Club - Learn more at nextbigideaclub.com

William Green welcomes back bestselling author Brad Stulberg to chat about his new book, The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness & Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:27 - How Brad Stulberg became obsessed with the pursuit of excellence 00:18:49 - Why excellence requires a combination of guts & vulnerability 00:22:51 - How “algorithmic mass distraction” blocks us from a life of excellence 00:30:10 - Why the best performers lead lives that often look mundane & boring 00:38:00 - How to identify your core values & align your career with them 00:42:22 - How we drive ourselves crazy pursuing the illusion of balance 00:53:18 - Why periods of rest & renewal are integral to success & creativity 01:07:30 - Why the key to greatness is consistency—especially on bad days 01:13:43 - Why excelling at hard things requires “fierce self-kindness” 01:21:19 - How Brad structures his daily, weekly & monthly routines 01:25:33 - What he's learned about deep work from his friend Cal Newport 01:28:51 - How to create a physical environment that supports good habits 01:37:36 - How to work with intensity & joy & to become a “humble badass” Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Join the exclusive ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TIP Mastermind Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to engage in meaningful stock investing discussions with Stig, Clay, Kyle, and the other community members. Inquire about William Green's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richer, Wiser, Happier Masterclass⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Brad's website.  Brad's podcast. Brad's The Way of Excellence. Brad's Master of Change & The Practice of Groundedness. Robert Pirsig's Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Lila & On Quality. Cal Newport's Deep Work. George Saunders' Lincoln in the Bardo. William Green's previous podcast with Brad Stulberg. William Green's book, ⁠Richer, Wiser, Happier⁠. Follow William Green on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Related ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠books⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ mentioned in the podcast. Ad-free episodes on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Premium Feed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. NEW TO THE SHOW? Get smarter about valuing businesses in just a few minutes each week through our newsletter, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Intrinsic Value Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠We Study Billionaires Starter Packs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow our official social media accounts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Browse through all our episodes here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Try our tool for picking stock winners and managing our portfolios: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TIP Finance Tool⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Enjoy exclusive perks from our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠favorite Apps and Services⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn how to better start, manage, and grow your business with the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠best business podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. SPONSORS Support our free podcast by supporting our ⁠sponsors⁠: HardBlock⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Linkedin Talent Solutions⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Human Rights Foundation⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Simple Mining⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Vanta⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Netsuite⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Fundrise⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Masterworks⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Shopify⁠⁠⁠ References to any third-party products, services, or advertisers do not constitute endorsements, and The Investors Podcast Network is not responsible for any claims made by them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm

What does it really take to grow as an artist without burning out? In this powerful conversation, I'm joined by bestselling author and performance expert Brad Stulberg to explore what excellence actually means, and how we can pursue it in a way that feels deeply fulfilling, not exhausting. Brad's new book, The Way of Excellence, offers a grounded and practical roadmap for anyone looking to sustain high-level work over time. Whether you're navigating auditions, refining your craft, or questioning how to stay connected to music in a chaotic world, this episode is for you. You'll learn how to: ·         Redefine excellence as a process of becoming, not a fixed destination ·         Align your ambition with your core values for a stronger sense of purpose ·         Balance self-discipline with self-kindness, especially when motivation is low ·         Use the "brave new world" mindset to face fear and uncertainty ·         Build emotional resilience so you can keep showing up when it counts ·         Stay consistent without getting stuck in hustle or burnout ·         Create progress that's sustainable, satisfying, and deeply your own This episode is a must-listen for musicians who want to stay inspired, grounded, and intentional in the way they grow. Brad brings wisdom from elite performers across fields — and his insights will help you rethink what excellence can look like in your own musical life. Tune in and take away practical tools to support your artistry, your mindset, and your well-being. Grab The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World HERE!   If you're ready to step on stage with confidence, perform at your best, and finally feel secure in your playing, let's talk! Book a free discovery call and let's create a plan to get you there. Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let's connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let's start turning your goals into reality.   Book your FREE Music Mastery Experience Discovery call with Renée HERE Book your free consultation with Renée HERE Download the transcript from this episode HERE   Brad Stulberg Grab The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World HERE: https://amzn.to/4jWCsd1 Website: https://www.bradstulberg.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradstulberg/ X: https://x.com/bstulberg LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-stulberg-009b168b/   Mind Over Finger Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me. Visit MindOverFinger.com for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance. Grab my free workshops and PDF downloads by going to www.mindoverfinger.com/resources. Connect: https://www.youtube.com/@MindOverFinger https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/     THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme:  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.      

We live in a world that tells us to do more, push harder, and optimize everything.Even with that, the more we chase success, the more hollow it can feel.Brad Stulberg has spent his career studying a different question: What does real excellence actually look like, and how do you pursue it without losing yourself in the process?He is one of the most influential voices in human performance and well-being. He's advised Olympians, executives, and creatives; he teaches at the University of Michigan; and he's the bestselling author of Peak Performance, The Passion Paradox, and The Practice of Groundedness.His new book, The Way of Excellence, challenges hustle culture head-on and offers a clear, grounded path to sustainable mastery in a chaotic world. And he's here to break it down and show how it can help you whether you're running a marathon or simply trying to stay fit in a chaotic world.What makes Brad so endearing is the breadth of his experience: he writes well-respected books; he blogs for his information-rich site, The Growth Equation; he's a speaker and coach; and he's on faculty at the University of Michigan's graduate school of public health. His portfolio is as wide-ranging as his impact, and he's here to break down his newest release that is sure to bless millions. Tap into the Brad Stulberg Special.If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I'll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!S H O W  N O T E S-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

We're thrilled to welcome Brad Stulberg back to the podcast! Brad, who was featured in episode 183, is a bestselling author, coach, and one of today's leading voices on sustainable performance and well-being. Frequently featured in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, his newest book, The Way of Excellence—out January 27—explores what it really means to pursue excellence in a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming.In this conversation, we dig into how Brad defines excellence (hint: it's not just about winning or grinding harder), and how runners can apply his principles to training, racing, and long-term growth. We also zoom out beyond running to talk about how the disciplined, values-driven pursuit of excellence can be a stabilizing force in our careers, relationships, and…a Hoosier National Championship!If you're feeling pulled in a hundred directions or struggling to stay grounded in your goals, this episode offers a thoughtful, practical framework for doing meaningful work, running with purpose, and showing up as your best self—on the road and off.You can preorder Brad's book and all of his books on Amazon or wherever books are sold. Brad is also a great follow on Instagram @bradstulberg. We often share his wisdom on our socials. For Brad's newsletter and podcast, check out his website: https://www.bradstulberg.com.Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Interested in hiring a coach? Email us at julieandlisa@runfartherandfaster.com or head over to our website.Please follow, share and review our show!

View This Week's Show NotesStart Your 7-Day Trial to Mobility CoachJoin Our Free Weekly Newsletter: The AmbushIn a world that rewards constant stimulation and surface-level productivity, it's become easier than ever to stay busy — and harder than ever to feel fulfilled. Many people aren't burning out from doing too much, but from spending their days disconnected from the things that actually matter. The result is a numbing, restless state Brad Stulberg calls zombie burnout.In this episode of The Ready State Podcast, Juliet and Kelly Starrett sit down with author and coach Brad Stulberg to unpack what excellence really means in a chaotic, distraction-heavy world. Drawing from his latest book, The Way of Excellence, Stulberg challenges the myths of hustle culture and self-optimization, offering a grounded path toward ambition that's aligned with values, sustained by rest, and rooted in deep, meaningful engagement.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeWhy excellence has nothing to do with rigid routines or influencer “optimization”The difference between happiness, satisfaction, and lasting fulfillmentHow “zombie burnout” happens — even when you're not technically overworkedWhat truly excellent environments have in commonWhy process matters more than outcomes (without pretending outcomes don't matter)How rest and renewal are essential — not optional — for long-term excellenceKey Highlights: (00:00) - Introduction(01:17) - What is Excellence(08:37) - What Excellence is Not(09:48) - Importance of Excellence(13:08) - Excellence vs. Happiness(17:54) - Aggregation of Marginal Gains(19:59) - Sponsor: Vitality(23:10) - Brad's Take on Heisman Winner(25:15) - Creating an Excellent Environment(33:18) - Zombie Burnout and Adult Pacifiers(35:50) - Combating Zombie Burnout(37:39) - Sponsor: LMNT(40:20) - Managing Distractions(43:22) - Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance(46:41) - Decline of Excellence(52:30) - Goal Setting Strategies(58:13) - Stress, Rest, and Growth(01:02:40) - Sponsor: Momentous(01:05:25) - Recovery Techniques(01:06:40) - Surprises After Writing the Book(01:08:34) - Meaningful Milestone for 2026(01:10:38) - Brad's Addition to the Infinite Shelf(01:12:18) - Starrett SystemHuge thanks to our sponsors, Vitality, Momentous, and LMNT.Connect with BradWebsite | Podcast | Instagram | YouTubePre-Order The Way of Excellence

Brad Stulberg is a bestselling author, executive coach, and one of my favorite thinkers on sustainable high performance. This conversation explores the dualities in personal development, discipline and self-compassion, striving and surrender, intensity and joy. We discuss the "humble badass" archetype, building resilient identities, why curiosity is the skeleton key, and excellence as an antidote to alienation. Along the way, Brad gets vulnerable about the childhood wounds that still drive his ambition—and I share my own. Amidst the chaos of self-help, Brad remains a principled voice of reason. Enjoy! Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today's Sponsors: Birch: For 20% off ALL mattresses

We're closing out our 10-part Wellness Series with a conversation that couldn't feel more fitting. Today's guest is my friend Brad Stulberg, who returns to the podcast to talk about his new book, The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World. I read this book over the past couple of months and finished it on the plane heading to a busy week of interviews at the running event, and I genuinely felt more grounded and prepared because of it. Brad has been on the show many times, and I always leave our conversations with tangible takeaways for how to live and lead better. He's the author of The Practice of Groundedness, Master of Change, Peak Performance, and The Passion Paradox, and he brings such a thoughtful, practical lens to ambition, growth, and fulfillment. In this episode, we talk about caring deeply, the inevitability of failure, and why caring, even when it opens us up to heartbreak, is still worth it. We also touch on goal setting as we head into a new year and how to think about excellence in a way that's sustainable and meaningful. I hope you love this conversation as much as I did and that it leaves you feeling encouraged as we wrap up this series. Check out Brad’s work and pre order his newest book at BradStulberg.com What we talked about: December as a natural season for reflection, and the tension of “ramping down” while launching something big The Way of Excellence and how excellence can be a mindset you practice, not just an outcome you achieve “Brave New World” as a fear-to-curiosity reframe for big moments (races, interviews, parenting, hard lifts) Curiosity vs fear, and why curiosity helps you perform better (and feel better) under pressure Caring deeply as the cost of stepping into the arena, and why “too cool to care” is actually insecurity Excellence as heartfelt (not robotic) and a critique of “pseudo excellence” culture and optimization obsession Cold plunges and “hacks”: what's legit, what's hype, and when hard things are useful vs unnecessary Identity and the “house with rooms” metaphor (runner, parent, creative, partner) so one setback doesn't collapse your whole sense of self Reading vs short-form video for attention, cognition, and emotional health, plus habits that support focus New Year goals: why resolutions fail, and how values-based goal setting helps you climb the right mountain Sponsors: Eternal This entire Wellness Series has been made possible by Eternal, a science-backed preventative health company for people who take their health and training seriously. Eternal offers comprehensive, integrated primary care, advanced testing, and personalized health planning. They go beyond biomarkers to provide real answers, proactive care, and support for athletes and active humans alike. Learn more and become a member at https://eternal.co. Lagoon Sleep If you're ready to upgrade your sleep, Lagoon pillows are truly a game changer. Their customizable pillows are designed to help you fall asleep faster, stay cool, and wake up without neck or shoulder pain. You can adjust the fill to make it perfect for you. Save 15% by going to https://lagoonsleep.com/lindsey and using the code LINDSEY at checkout. Lindsey Hein Coaching & Training Plans I've been coaching runners since 2013 and currently have space for a few one-on-one athletes. If you're training for your first half or marathon, chasing a PR, or aiming to qualify for Boston, I take a holistic, week-by-week approach to coaching. I also offer half marathon and marathon training plans for beginner through advanced runners, designed with conservative mileage progression and simple strength and mobility work. Visit https://lindseyhein.com and use the code DECEMBER2025 to get $10 off training plans through the end of the year. If you're interested in one-on-one coaching, email me at lindsey@sandyboyproductions.com. Brad's new book, The Way of Excellence, is linked here. Thanks so much for being here and for supporting the Wellness Series.

Today's wisdom comes from The Passion Paradox by Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness.   If you're loving Heroic Wisdom Daily, be sure to subscribe to the emails at heroic.us/wisdom-daily.   And… Imagine unlocking access to the distilled wisdom form 700+ of the greatest books ever written.   That's what Heroic Premium offers: Unlimited access to every Philosopher's Note. Daily inspiration and actionable tools to optimize your energy, work, and love. Personalized coaching features to help you stay consistent and focused   Upgrade to Heroic Premium →   Know someone who'd love this? Share Heroic Wisdom Daily with them, and let's grow together in 2025!   Share Heroic Wisdom Daily →

Today's wisdom comes from Peak Performance by Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness.   If you're loving Heroic Wisdom Daily, be sure to subscribe to the emails at heroic.us/wisdom-daily.   And… Imagine unlocking access to the distilled wisdom form 700+ of the greatest books ever written.   That's what Heroic Premium offers: Unlimited access to every Philosopher's Note. Daily inspiration and actionable tools to optimize your energy, work, and love. Personalized coaching features to help you stay consistent and focused   Upgrade to Heroic Premium →   Know someone who'd love this? Share Heroic Wisdom Daily with them, and let's grow together in 2025!   Share Heroic Wisdom Daily →

In this episode of The Opt-In Podcast, host Melissa Franks shares her Holiday Season Survival Guide for Business Owners. A practical, heartfelt, and sometimes hilarious look at how to stay sane, strategic, and successful during the busiest time of year. Whether your business is deep in Q4 chaos or wrapping up a slower season, these 10 essentials will help you finish strong and start 2026 ready to thrive.Melissa draws from her early days in retail (and a memorable Black Friday gone wrong!) to her years in corporate operations, breaking down what it really takes to manage people, priorities, and performance during the holidays, all while remembering to actually enjoy the season. 

Send us a textWhat if winning isn't the trophy, title, or PR—but how you show up for what matters most? In this episode, bestselling author and coach Brad Stulberg shares insights from his newest book and what winning means to him:The Way of ExcellenceExcellence is a journey, not a destination. Available for pre-order now and launching in January 2026!Thank you for tuning in! If you feel led, please subscribe & share the show to others who you believe would benefit from it.Keep in touch below! Join The Unshakeable Discipline Community! Winning Is... Weekly Newsletter! LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/ryanacass/ Instagram | @ryanacass

Brad Stulberg, researcher, USA Today and national bestselling author, executive coach, speaker, and podcast host, joins me on this episode. Brad is a regular contributor to The New York Times, and his work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The New Yorker, Sports Illustrated, Outside Magazine, Forbes, and other outlets.

Brad Stulberg is fascinated with the science of human performance.In 2017 Brad co-authored, with Steve Magness, a fantastic book I devoured on a flight called "Peak Performance: Elevate Your Game, Avoid Burnout and Thrive With the New Science of Success."This book (and this conversation) is based around the concept of periodisation (which is - or should be - the principle that any and all training you do should be based on); stress + rest = growth.Unfortunately, this formula isn't well understood or applied which results in injury, illness, burn out or overtraining.In this conversation, we discuss how stress isn't always a bad thing and how you can use it to your advantage. Plus we talk about smartphones, sleep and meditation as other factors you need to consider if you want to get the best out of yourself and feel good about it.

In this unusually personal and candid episode, William Green answers a wide range of probing questions posed by listeners to his podcast and readers of his book, “Richer, Wiser, Happier: How the World's Greatest Investors Win in Markets & Life.” Here, William discusses the key qualities, principles, and practices he's observed in the best investors; how they handle adversity; what he's learned from his own setbacks, failures, and mistakes; and how he'd invest if he were starting over. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 01:19 - What were the three best decisions William Green ever made? 17:04 - What Charlie Munger and Bill Miller can teach us about handling adversity. 23:40 - Why he views indomitable perseverance as the key to success. 34:52 - What drives investing stars like Bill Ackman, Will Danoff, and Mario Gabelli. 48:19 - Why the best investors focus on reducing complexity. 01:03:58 - How to succeed while constructing a calmer, more spacious life. 01:12:50 - How William approaches the art of interviewing. 01:38:22 - What he learned when his career (and profession) went up in smoke. 01:48:39 - What his worst investment mistakes taught him about building wealth. 01:53:28 - How investors can prosper mightily by getting the big things right. 01:55:23 - How he'd invest if he were starting over again. Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Join Clay and a select group of passionate value investors for a retreat in Big Sky, Montana. Learn more ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠. Join the exclusive ⁠⁠⁠TIP Mastermind Community⁠⁠⁠ to engage in meaningful stock investing discussions with Stig, Clay, Kyle, and the other community members. William Green's podcast interview with Annie Duke. William Green's podcast interview with Samantha McLemore. William Green's podcast interview with Tsoknyi Rinpoche & Daniel Goleman. William Green's podcast interview with Bill Nygren. William Green's podcast interview with Brad Stulberg. Guy Spier's The Education of a Value Investor. Marcus Aurelius' Meditations. Jim Stockdale's Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot. Daniel Goleman & Richard Davison's Altered Traits. Daniel Goleman & Tsoknyi Rinpoche's Why We Meditate⁠. William Green's ⁠TEDx Talk⁠. William Green's book, “Richer, Wiser, Happier” – ⁠read the reviews of this book⁠. Follow William Green on ⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠. Check out all the books mentioned and discussed in our podcast episodes ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠. Enjoy ad-free episodes when you subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠Premium Feed⁠⁠⁠. NEW TO THE SHOW? Get smarter about valuing businesses in just a few minutes each week through our newsletter, ⁠⁠⁠The Intrinsic Value Newsletter⁠⁠⁠. Check out our ⁠⁠⁠We Study Billionaires Starter Packs⁠⁠⁠. Follow our official social media accounts: ⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠. Browse through all our episodes (complete with transcripts) ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠. Try our tool for picking stock winners and managing our portfolios: ⁠⁠⁠TIP Finance Tool⁠⁠⁠. Enjoy exclusive perks from our ⁠⁠⁠favorite Apps and Services⁠⁠⁠. Learn how to better start, manage, and grow your business with the ⁠⁠⁠best business podcasts⁠⁠⁠. SPONSORS Support our free podcast by supporting our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sponsors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SimpleMining Hardblock AnchorWatch Onramp Human Rights Foundation Unchained Intuit Shopify Vanta reMarkable HELP US OUT! Help us reach new listeners by leaving us a ⁠⁠⁠rating and review⁠⁠⁠ on ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠! It takes less than 30 seconds, and really helps our show grow, which allows us to bring on even better guests for you all! Thank you – we really appreciate it! Support our show by becoming a premium member! ⁠⁠https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm⁠⁠ Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm

What if the most resilient people aren't the ones who bounce back quickly—but those who allow themselves to break, feel, grieve, and still move forward?In this heartfelt episode, we explore tragic optimism—a powerful reframe introduced by Viktor Frankl—and how it allows us to hold both pain and hope without bypassing either. You'll learn how real resilience comes not from fixing or rushing, but from the ability to live with the full truth of what is and keep going anyway.We'll explore:• Why “bouncing back” is a cultural myth• What tragic optimism really means (and what it's not)• The nervous system's role in resilience and meaning-making• The 3 Ps of pessimism—and how to unlearn them• Practical tools to regulate your body, reframe your thoughts, and hold space for grief and growth at onceThis is your invitation to stop striving to return to “how things used to be”—and instead, build capacity to bounce forward with wisdom, gentleness, and courage.Timestamps:00:00 – Resilient people aren't the fastest to recover06:55 – When Breath Becomes Air & the phrase “devastatingly beautiful”10:14 – What tragic optimism really means (Viktor Frankl)13:05 – Why it's not toxic positivity (Brad Stulberg's take)15:15 – Introducing learned optimism (Martin Seligman)17:32 – The 3 Ps of pessimism and how to flip them20:18 – Why your nervous system must feel safe before optimism is possible23:12 – You can't access nuance from a dysregulated state25:50 – The nervous system's role in meaning-making28:36 – Post-traumatic growth: Making meaning, not finding it31:45 – What it means to hold both pain and hope33:58 – How to actually practice tragic optimism36:10 – Step 1: Reframe with “both/and” language37:15 – Step 2: Befriend your nervous system, not fight it38:48 – Step 3: Hold space for others with “Tell me more”40:10 – What resilience really looks like: bouncing forward41:50 – Why regulating isn't about avoiding pain—it's about holding it43:30 – Final thoughts: You can be devastatingly beautiful too

A blockbuster new study out of MIT takes a closer look at the impact of writing with the help of AI. In today's episode, Cal breaks down this paper with the help of author Brad Stulberg (who made waves online recently with his reaction to its findings), picking apart the role of AI in deep work activities. Cal then answers listeners questions, and presents a twist on his typical final segment in which he now describes what he is not reading this week, which provides him a thinly-concealed excuse to rant about AI coverage.Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here's the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvoVideo from today's episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmediaDeep Dive: Should We Fear Cognitive Debt? [2:15]Can AI be creative? [44:35]What's the smallest change I can make to address my disorganization? [48:31]How do I find time for personal projects? [53:12]How should I choose my next internship? [1:06:08]How did you develop your goal-setting philosophy? [1:11:46]CALL: Inbox Zero and Notion [1:14:50]CASE STUDY: A Thoreau Schedule [1:24:01]WHAT I'M (NOT) READ: AI CEO's hot takes on work [1:32:49]Links:Buy Cal's latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slowGet a signed copy of Cal's “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/Cal's monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?fortune.com/2025/06/20/openai-ceo-sam-altman-ai-phds-entry-level-corporate-job-cuts-what-is-left-gen-z-college-gradautes/Thanks to our Sponsors: shipstation.com/deepsmalls.com (Use code “DEEP”)notion.com/calharrys.com/deepThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

In this episode, William Green welcomes back Pico Iyer, one of his all-time favorite guests. Pico is a famed author & speaker whose TED talks have been viewed about 12 million times. Here, he discusses his new book, “Aflame,” which explores how to find peace of mind, happiness & clarity amid extreme uncertainty & accelerating change. This episode is a masterclass on creating a richer, wiser, happier life while living by what Warren Buffett calls an inner scorecard. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 04:31 - How to find calm & clarity in the midst of uncertainty & change. 14:39 - How silence helps to “cleanse” our agitated, cluttered minds.  19:09 - Why Pico Iyer has stayed at a monastery more than 100 times. 28:02 - Why the greatest luxury comes from craving less, not more.  31:53 - How he designs his life to maximize freedom & fulfillment. 35:50 - Why he loves Warren Buffett's idea of living by an inner scorecard. 52:41 - How the greatest investors remind Pico of monks. 01:10:28 - How to create more spaciousness in your own busy life.  01:18:25 - How to achieve more by doing less & taking time to reflect. 01:23:05 - Why it's helpful to view investing as a game. 01:51:27 - How Leonard Cohen rebounded after losing almost all his money. 01:51:27 - How to maintain hope—& gratitude—in the face of adversity. 01:57:55 - What Pico has learned from his long friendship with the Dalai Lama. Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Join the exclusive TIP Mastermind Community to engage in meaningful stock investing discussions with Stig, Clay, Kyle, and the other community members. Pico Iyer's website. Pico Iyer's book: Aflame: Learning from Silence. Pico Iyer's books: The Open Road: The Global Journey of the 14th Dalai Lama. Henry David Thoreau's book: Walden. Pico Iyer's TED talk on The Art of Stillness. William's 2023 podcast interview with Pico Iyer. William's podcast interview with Daniel Goleman & Tsoknyi Rinpoche. William's podcast interview with Brad Stulberg. William Green's book, “Richer, Wiser, Happier” – read the reviews of this book. Follow William Green on X. Email Shawn at shawn@theinvestorspodcast.com to attend our free events in Omaha or visit this page. Check out all the books mentioned and discussed in our podcast episodes here. Enjoy ad-free episodes when you subscribe to our Premium Feed. NEW TO THE SHOW? Get smarter about valuing businesses in just a few minutes each week through our newsletter, The Intrinsic Value Newsletter. Check out our We Study Billionaires Starter Packs. Follow our official social media accounts: X (Twitter) | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok. Browse through all our episodes (complete with transcripts) here. Try our tool for picking stock winners and managing our portfolios: TIP Finance Tool. Enjoy exclusive perks from our favorite Apps and Services. Learn how to better start, manage, and grow your business with the best business podcasts. SPONSORS Support our free podcast by supporting our sponsors: Hardblock Found SimpleMining CFI Education Netsuite Unchained The Bitcoin Way Vanta Shopify Fintool Onramp TurboTax Vanta Fundrise HELP US OUT! Help us reach new listeners by leaving us a rating and review on Spotify! It takes less than 30 seconds, and really helps our show grow, which allows us to bring on even better guests for you all! Thank you – we really appreciate it! Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm