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The AI hype train keeps shedding wheels this week. KPMG managed to publish a report about the transformative power of AI that was apparently riddled with hallucinations, fake citations, and imaginary products, proving once again that asking a stochastic parrot to do your homework is not a substitute for actual research. Meanwhile, Americans are using AI faster than ever while trusting it less than ever, OpenAI somehow turned $13 billion in revenue into losses that would make a dot-com CFO blush, and Silicon Valley CEOs have quietly stopped promising to replace all workers with AI. Not because they've changed their minds, mind you, just because they discovered that telling employees they're obsolete is terrible for morale and stock prices. Add in protests dogging Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Meta employees revolting against soul-crushing AI evaluation work, and the message is clear: the future is here, and everyone involved seems miserable.We then return to one of the founding principles of Grumpy Old Geeks: never build your house on somebody else's land. Anthropic learned that lesson the hard way when its AI models reportedly got caught in a geopolitical and regulatory tug-of-war involving Amazon, the U.S. government, and national security concerns. World leaders are now openly questioning whether American AI platforms can be trusted if access can be revoked overnight. The same platform-risk story pops up again as Meta launches AI-powered search across Facebook's oceans of questionable user-generated content. Remember kids: when you pitch your tent in someone else's backyard, don't act shocked when they turn on the sprinklers.From the Injustice Files, the hits keep coming. The Atlantic revealed the staggering scale of copyrighted music used to train AI systems, Hollywood inches closer to becoming a monopoly-themed amusement park, and the DOJ is backing xAI in a pollution lawsuit while reports emerge that Grok-assisted systems played a role in military operations. Elon keeps collecting legal losses, SpaceX buys Cursor for an eye-watering $60 billion, and Trump is threatening French wine over tech taxes while simultaneously promoting crypto through a UFC event at the White House. We wrap with Britain banning social media for kids under 16, hackers stealing entire Roblox games, Fox buying Roku, the return of human narrators at Blinkist, a gloriously anti-social-media flip phone from Commodore, and a reminder that Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is still one of the few things keeping the future worth looking forward to.Sponsors:DeleteMe - Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to JoinDeleteMe.com/GOG and use promo code GOG at checkout.Shopify - Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at Shopify.com/grumpyPrivate Internet Access - Go to GOG.Show/vpn and sign up today. For a limited time only, you can get OUR favorite VPN for as little as $2.03 a month.SetApp - With a single monthly subscription you get 240+ apps for your Mac. Go to SetApp and get started today!!!1Password - Get a great deal on the only password manager recommended by Grumpy Old Geeks! gog.show/1passwordShow notes at https://gog.show/751Watch on YouTube at https://youtu.be/iRrbNdVw-pMSHOW NOTESA report on the benefits of AI was reportedly full of AI hallucinationsJust 16% of Americans Believe AI Will Positively Impact Society, Pew Poll FindsExclusive: OpenAI Losses Increased Nearly 8X in 2025, With Spending Hitting $34 BillionThe CEOs are No Longer (Publicly) Threatening to Replace Humans With AISundar Pichai faces boos, walkout at Stanford graduation ceremony over Google's Israel, ICE ties‘Tell Him He's a Piece of Shit': Meta's New AI Unit Is a Total MessAnthropic becomes a cautionary sovereign-AI fableAnthropic Says It's Taking Claude Fable 5 Offline to Comply With US Government OrderCyber experts warn Fable limits aid attackers and hurt defendersAmazon Triggered Claude Fable 5 Shutdown: Investor, Cloud Host, Now RegulatorWorld leaders want American AI. They just don't want America to be able to turn it off.Meta's new ‘AI Mode' on Facebook pulls from public info across its platformsInvestigation by The Atlantic reveals many millions of songs used for AI music trainingJustice Department Decision to Allow Paramount Deal Surprised Staff InvestigatorsJustice Department backs xAI in NAACP lawsuit over data center pollutionPentagon used Elon Musk's Grok AI to fire 2,000 missiles at Iran, official saysxAI's lawsuit accusing OpenAI of stealing trade secrets has been thrown outSpaceX to acquire Cursor for $60B in stock, days after blockbuster IPOTrump threatens 100 percent tariff on France's wine industry over its tech taxUFC to pay White House fighters in crypto issued by Trump companyUK will ban social media for children under 16Hackers Are Hijacking Entire Roblox Games NowFox is buying Roku for $22 billionApple TV renews comedy horror Widow's Bay for a second seasonDownton Abbey: A New EraDownton Abbey: The Grand FinaleDisclosure DayShrek 5 | Official Teaser TrailerRIDICULOUS - 2026 Special - Trailer #1 - Louis C.K.Star Trek: Strange New Worlds | Season 4 Official TrailerCommodore made a social media-banishing flip phoneSnap's Stock Plunges the Moment It Reveals Its Comically Gigantic AR GlassesSo Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal NewportCreator Capitalist by the Category PiratesTrackalotBlinkist pulls back on AI narratorsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Go to www.LearningLeader.com/Becoming for my new book, The Price of Becoming 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. Dr. Henry Cloud is a clinical psychologist, leadership consultant, and New York Times bestselling author whose books have sold nearly 20 million copies worldwide. His titles include Boundaries, Integrity, Necessary Endings, and Trust. For three decades, he has worked with leaders, helping them close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. His newest book is Your Desired Future: The Five Essential Steps That Take You Where You Want to Go. Key Learnings Henry's five-step model for getting from here to there: Vision (clear and compelling) Talent (engaging the right people around you) Strategy and plan (how you'll win) Measurement and accountability (how you'll know) Fix and adapt (course-correcting in real time) At the age of 16, Henry's daughter asked, "Dad, how do people become singer-songwriters?" Henry went out to the garage and brought in his whiteboard. Lucy rolled her eyes. He gave her the five-step model. A couple years later, she published a song called "Crash and Learn" that got bought by CBS, the CW Network, and featured on Spotify and Apple Music. We tend to create departments and businesses in our own image. Of the five components, we're going to be good at two, maybe three. But the others still have to happen. That's where most leaders fail. Only humans can picture a desired future state. Finley is Henry's Doberman. When the FedEx guy comes to the door, she runs to it, and barks every time. Henry has never seen her stop and ask herself: "I wonder if that barking will help me get to where I want to be on Thursday." Most leaders are operating like Finley. Working hard. Doing what they've always done. Never stopping to ask if any of it is getting them where they want to be. You need an observing ego. The worst thing you can do is hit the accelerator harder when you're going down the wrong road and you don't even know where you're going. Tony Blair, while Prime Minister, spent half a day a week sitting by himself next to a pond in reflection. Warren Buffett spends an hour and a half a day at his desk staring out the window. A revenue number is not a vision. The single worst vision statement Henry ever heard: "We want to be a $50 million company." It provides no clarity of what the company is going to do. A vision is a compelling picture of a future state that makes people want to sacrifice for it. If your vision wouldn't inspire anyone to get out of bed early, it's a metric, not a vision. Will Guidara created a "dream maker" role at Eleven Madison Park. Their job: listen for clues from guests, then create a personalized, unexpected, memorable experience the guest will never forget and tell everyone about. Trust Fuels Investment. People invest in leaders who feel like they understand them. You're taking your team into a war. They've got to have deep trust with you. The first thing a leader has to do is develop deep, deep trust and let their team know that they understand the pressure they're under. "A vision can die without a plan or without people." Alan Mulally's weekly 7:00 AM Thursday meeting at Ford. Every VP had to give every project a red, yellow, or green status. When Mulally first arrived, the company was hemorrhaging money. Everyone was holding up green. He said: "How can you be holding up green when here's the reality over here? I need some reality in here." When one VP finally held up red, Mulally moved him to sit next to him. The wrong view of accountability is looking back to spank somebody for what they didn't do. The right view of accountability is a tool to make sure we reach our destination. You get what you create or what you allow. Henry was working with a global CEO whose team had cultural problems. Henry kept asking, "Why is that?" After a few rounds, the CEO finally said, "I guess I am ridiculously in charge, aren't I?" If you are the one actually in charge, you are ridiculously in charge. Either you're creating it, or you're allowing it. Accountability answers two questions: Did we do what we said we were going to do? If not, why not? Don't just tell people to "do better." Run a root cause analysis. Maybe they don't have the tools. Maybe you gave them competing goals. Maybe it's a leadership problem. If we executed perfectly, did we get the result we expected? If yes, pour on the gas. If no, go back up the model and adjust your strategy. Most leaders measure goals, not activities. Goals are lagging indicators. You can measure them after it's over. It's too late. Measure activities. Did we do this week what we said we were going to do? Micro drivers matter. Henry worked with a CEO who built multi-billions in valuation from a one-office company who was excellent with micro drivers. It's an atomic compression of the 80/20 rule. He knew the specific activities at each level of the business that actually moved the needle, and he made those objects of extreme awareness, focus, training, and deliberate practice. Peter Drucker said, "Nothing's worse than perfectly executing the wrong things." The number one thing the greatest leaders share: character. Not moral or ethical character. Your makeup as a person. How you're glued together. Integrity comes from the word that means wholeness. The great performers are drivers of tasks and relationships. The highest performers utilize coaching the most. Henry expected the disastrous leaders to be the ones calling. It was the exact opposite. The ones crushing it are the ones who reach out. The struggling ones rarely do. The greatest leaders reverse the law of entropy: things get worse over time. But entropy only applies to a closed system. Open the system to a new energy source from the outside plus intelligence to organize it, and you can reverse it. That's what coaches, mentors, and advisors do. A leader is a closed system when the only voices they're ever listening to are the ones in their head. The greatest leaders embrace negative realities. They move toward problems. Not to nuke them, but to either resolve them or transform them into something better. Reflection Questions In how many areas of your life are you just barking at the door, working hard at activities without ever stopping to ask if any of it is getting you where you want to go? Is your current vision a metric, or a compelling picture of a future state that would make people want to sacrifice for it? Where in your life are you a closed system? Whose voices outside your head could open you up to new energy and intelligence? More Learning #229 - Dr. Henry Cloud: Be So Good They Can't Ignore You #050 - Dr. Henry Cloud: Integrity is the Wake You Leave Behind #682 - Will Guidara: Adversity is a Terrible Thing to Waste Podcast Chapters 00:00 The Price of Becoming – Pre-Order Now! 01:13 Meet Dr. Henry Cloud 02:40 The Leadership GPS: Where Are You Going? 04:54 Step 2: Building the Right Team Around You 06:09 Steps 3-5: Strategy, Measurement, and Adapt 10:45 Why the Best Leaders Carve Out Time to Think 15:50 Why a Revenue Number Is Not a Vision 18:20 Crafting a Vision People Will Sacrifice For 23:12 The HVAC Story, Joe Girard, and the Dream Maker 27:38 Trust: The First Thing Every Leader Must Build 30:04 Alan Mulally's Red-Yellow-Green Meeting at Ford 32:38 How to Run Status Reviews That Actually Work 34:26 Accountability Should Be an Immune System, Not Autoimmune 38:18 Measure Activities, Not Goals 43:10 Micro Drivers: The Atomic 80/20 Rule 45:14 The Voices Outside Your Head: Peers and Accountability 47:47 The #1 Trait of Sustained Excellence: Character 50:39 The Greatest Leaders Reverse Entropy 56:17 EOPC
Jeff and Rebecca wrap up recommendation season. Discussed in this episode: The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders Julie Otsuka Susan Choi How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe by Charles Yu The Hike by Drew Magary The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy Kin by Tayari Jones, go back to Fates & Furies by Groff Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf Pachinko by Min Jin Lee Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson Siracusa by Delia Ephron Roman Stories by Jhumpa Lahiri Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman From Scratch by Tembi Locke Beautiful Runs by Jess Walter A Room with a View by E.M. Forster Go Like Hell The Tusk That Did the Damage by Tania James By the Sea by Abdulrazak Gurnah The Snows of Kilimanjaro by Hemingway The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver Dark Star Safari by Paul Theroux Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe Unbound by Steph Jagger Riverman by Ben McGrath In the Shadow of the Mountain So Old, So Young by Grant Ginder Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer Last Night in Brooklyn by Xochitl Gonzalez Great Expectations by Vinson Cunningham Life in the Three Dimensions by Shegihiro Oishi So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport Congratulations, By the Way by George Saunders Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke The List of Things That Will Not Change The Vanderbeerkers of 141st Street By Karina Yan Glaser Dragon Pearl The Eyes of the Impossible Daughter of the Deep The Story That Cannot Be Told Who is Government by Michael Lewis Two Women Living Together by Kim Hana and Hwang Sunwoo The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K Reily The Sparrow, Wild Dark Shore Whidbey The Dream Hotel The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich The Women of Brewster Place by Gloria Naylor The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers Gentlemen of the Road by Michael Chabon Interpreter of Maladies, Tenth of December Almost Famous Women Lost in the City by Edward P Jones The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler Eat a Peach by David Chang Life is Meals by James & Kay Salter Chocolat by Joanne Harris Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J Ryan Stradal Go Gentle by Maria Semple Less by Andrew Sean Greer Pincher Martin by William Golding Black No More by George Schuyler Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino The English Understand Wool by helen dewitt Sea of Tranquility by Emily St John Mandel Still Life with Woodpecker by Tim Robbins Transcription by Ben Lerner Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy Butcher's Crossing by John Williams This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Thanks to our sponsor, Merit Beauty. Right now, Merit Beauty is offering our listeners their Signature Makeup Bag with your first order at meritbeauty.com. Head to quince.com/bookriot for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
You Can't Outwork a Broken Brain | The Neuroscience of Peak Performance (Dr. Ryan D'Arcy) What If Everything You Believe About Your Brain… Is Quietly Limiting Your Leadership?
Hey everyone! This week on the podcast, Jen is walking through a handful of ideas that have been reshaping the way we think about goals, happiness, and what it actually looks like to move forward in life and business.What We Cover:Why goal setting doesn't need to revolve around a new calendar yearThe shift from “have, do, be” to “be, do, have”How happiness actually drives success (not the other way around)Five simple habits that can reshape your mindset and daily lifeThe concept of a 12-week year and why it creates better momentumWhy consistency matters more than breakthroughsThe emotional cycle of change (and how to push through it)How to set goals you can actually measure and follow through onBooks Mentioned:The Slight Edge: https://amzn.to/3QbPbh4The 12 Week Year: https://amzn.to/3QcV6CASo Good They Can't Ignore You: https://amzn.to/4tJueshThe Happiness Advantage: https://amzn.to/4swIEecConnect with Us:**NEW** Inquiry Process Email Templates - https://learn.bradandjen.com/inquiry-process-email-templates-for-photographersJoin Purpose & Profit – A Roadmap to 10k Weddings: https://learn.bradandjen.com/purpose-and-profit-courseInstagram: @bradandjeneducation @bradandjenChapters:(00:00) Why goal setting shouldn't be seasonal(03:00) The connection between happiness and success(07:30) Be → Do → Have: a mindset shift(12:00) Five daily habits that create real change(18:30) Why most people don't follow through(22:00) The 12-week year and building momentum(27:00) Small actions vs. big breakthroughs(31:00) The emotional cycle of change(36:00) Setting goals you can actually achieve(40:00) Final thoughts and a simpler way forwardKeywords:goal setting, personal growth, habits, happiness, productivity, 12 week year, mindset, consistency, entrepreneurship, creative business, motivation, follow through, self development
In Episode 117 of High Performance Parenting, Greg and Jacquie Francis begin a powerful series on one of the biggest parenting challenges today:Disrespect, disobedience, and chaos in the home.They explain why:Kids don't naturally respect authority — but they respond to itInconsistency trains children to ignore your wordsRepeating yourself weakens your authorityEmotional parenting creates confusion instead of clarityClear standards bring peace and structureYou'll hear real-life examples about:Kids saying “no” to parents- Ignoring instructionsGrabbing phones without permissionMealtime chaos and lack of follow-throughIf you're tired of repeating yourself, negotiating, or feeling ignored — this episode will help you step into confident, calm leadership.(00:00) Most Parents Don't Have a Kid Problem(01:20) Why Kids Don't Respect Authority(02:45) Inconsistency Trains Kids to Ignore You(04:48) Stop Repeating Yourself(06:05) Real-Life Examples of Disobedience(07:21) Teaching Kids Not to Say “No”(09:00) Mealtime Chaos and Setting Boundaries(10:20) Consistency Between Kids(11:06) Emotional Parenting vs Calm Authority(13:45) Authority Is Calm, Weakness Is Loud(15:20) Lack of Clear Standards Creates Confusion(16:14) Parenting Challenge: Where Are You Inconsistent?
#686: Rachel: Rachel is new to investing and has noticed the stock market being dominated by AI companies. She wants to make sure her portfolio is balanced without overexposing herself.Should she rethink her index fund strategy to protect against a potential AI bubble? Sarah: Sarah just turned 65, owns her home outright, and has been relying on credit cards since losing her job last year. She's weighing whether to claim Social Security now, pay off debt, remodel her home, or convert her traditional IRA to a Roth.How should she prioritize these major financial moves while balancing income, debt, and retirement accounts? Anonymous “Julie”: This listener is on COBRA after her spouse took a federal buyout and is exploring starting a small business with her two young kids to teach them entrepreneurship.Will employer-provided health insurance fade away, and how can she test business ideas before fully committing? Resources Mentioned: Books: So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport The E-Myth by Michael Gerber Traction by Gino Wickman The Lean Startup by Eric Ries Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.comWhen it comes to taking the next big step in your career, some urge you to follow your passions – while others back a more bare-knuckled approach. But there's a third way, says Mary Olson-Menzel, author of the bestseller “What Lights You Up.” In this episode of 97% Effective, host Michael Wenderoth and Mary talk about the key factors that lead to a fulfilling and successful career, and Mary's 10-step pivot process that has helped thousands of her clients at MVP Executive Development. They debate passion, authenticity, networking – and discuss how to create opportunity during turbulent times. If you're struggling with taking the next big step in your career, this episode is for you.SHOW NOTES:Michael was deeply skeptical about Mary and her message, so why he invited her on the showMary's 10-step pivot program and what led her to write her book“The light is not woo-woo… it is all about what's driving you”Mary address the critique that “following your passion is terrible advice” (Newport, Galloway, Wenderoth)The ven diagram of Ikigai that puts passion in its proper placeCore elemants that drove Mary's career successThe role of curiosity when it comes to pivoting with purposeHow to make opportunities “fall into your lap”How to take advantage – and thrive – in chaotic timesIdentifying gaps: a practical and underused way to be helpful to others - and yourselfHow to overcome fear and stay in the driver's seat of your careerCan sharing your passion at work lead to you being exploited (offered lower pay)?How a “personal board of directors” can help you stay on track – and not get taken advantage ofNo one has a crystal ball, which is why you need to shake the bushes: Great questions to ask, before you join a companyDealing with setbacks: Having champions, mentors – and always a Plan BMary's take on authenticity: What it is, what it is notMary's take on why we still get so many terrible leadersQuiet confidence: How to make sure you and your accomplishments are heard and visible, without seeming like a bombastic, self-promoting jerk?Mary and Michael discuss “threading the line”: how to embrace things that are effective, but may initially feel uncomfortableTop tips on building connection in a remote, distributed worldMary's “Networking Power Hour”For younger professionals: Tips for networking with people 2-3 levels above youNetworking tips beyond the time consuming 1-1Success is personal and changes: How do you define it, and what lights you up? BIO AND LINKS: Mary Olsen-Menzel is the Founder and CEO of MVP Executive Development, and the author of the USA Today National Bestseller “What Lights You Up? Illuminate Your Path and Take the Next Big Step in Your Career.” She is a renowned expert in career and workplace success, with more than 30 years of leadership experience with global organizations across media, tech, healthcare, and sports. Mary earned her MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Business and a Bachelor's degree in Communications and Public Relations from Illinois State University. Mary lives in West Chester, New York, with her husband and family. She is part of Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches, and a regular Guest Lecturer on career development, internships, and workplace success at the NYU School of Professional Studies.Mary on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-olson-menzel-mvpexec/“What Lights You Up?” Mary's bestselling book, and free workbook: www.maryolsonmenzel.comMVP Executive Development: www.mvpexec.comCal Newport's book, So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://calnewport.com/writing/Ikigai: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IkigaiResearch at Duke: How attribution of passion may legitimize the poor treatment of workers: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000190Michael's Award-Winning book, Get Promoted: What Your Really Missing at Work That's Holding You Back https://tinyurl.com/453txk74Watch this episode on video, the 97% Effective Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffectiveAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Jeff and Rebecca wrap up the 2025 Holiday Recommendations. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life. The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network. Discussed in this episode: Check out Zero to Well-Read! The Book Riot Podcast Patreon In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez 2 AM at the Cat's Pajamas by Marie-Helen Bertino The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles Pachinko by Min Jin Lee The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by Samuel Burr The Slough House series by Mick Herron My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie Jane Harper Tilt by Emma Pattee A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean The Unveiling by Quan Barry Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy Riverman by Ben McGrath The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy Kevin Wilson People Like Us by Jason Mott Marie-Helene Bertino Katie Kitamura Colson Whitehead Tom Robbins Oreo by Fran Ross Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey Something From Nothing by Alison Roman Start Here by Sohla El-Waylly Good Things by Samin Nosrat Six Seasons of Pasta (and/or Six Seasons of Vegetables) by Josh McFadden Now & Again by Julia Turshen The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri East of Eden by John Steinbeck The Lost Man by Jane Harper The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo Like a Mother by Angela Garbes Essential Labor by Angela Garbes Splinters by Leslie Jamison Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead Jonathan Evison Model Home by Rivers Solomon Reign & Ruin by J. D. Evans So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport The Imposter Cure by Jessamy Hibberd Life in Three Dimensions by Shigehiro Oishi The Broken Shore by Peter Temple Light Years by James Salter I Married You for Happiness by Lily Tuck Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levitan Ross Gay Hanif Abdurraquib Ada Limon Sarah Kay This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Pharmacist and entrepreneur Peyton Gilbert shares how intentional living, saving 50% of income, and family business ownership created flexibility and freedom. Episode Summary In this episode of the YFP Podcast, Tim Ulbrich sits down with Dr. Peyton Gilbert—a pharmacist, entrepreneur, and small-business owner whose story is a masterclass in intentional living. Peyton shares how he and his wife saved and invested over 50% of their income early in their careers, the mindset shift that allowed them to build a strong financial foundation, and how living "like a resident" created flexibility for major life decisions. What you'll learn in this episode: How Peyton and his wife saved over 50% of their income early in his career—and the mindset that made it possible. Why living "like a resident" for a season can create massive long-term financial flexibility. How Peyton navigated buying a home in a high-interest-rate environment and what he learned along the way. The story behind taking over his family's small business and how he balances entrepreneurship with a full-time industry role. How his mother's cancer journey shaped his purpose, career path, and the way he defines a "rich life" today and tomorrow. Mentioned on the Show (Book) So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport (Book) The Millionaire Next Door by Dr. Tom Stanley (Book) Die With Zero by Bill Perkins First Horizon White Coat Investor
Go to www.LearningLeader.com for full show notes This is brought to you by Insight Global. If you need to hire 1 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 have the hustle and grit to deliver. www.InsightGlobal.com/LearningLeader The Learning Leader Show with Ryan Hawk Guest: Jake Tapper is an award-winning broadcaster and chief Washington correspondent, currently anchoring The Lead with Jake Tapper every day on CNN. He's also the #1 New York Times best-selling author of 7 books, including The Outpost (which was later made into a movie), Original Sin, and most recently Race Against Terror. Notes: Be So Good They Can't Ignore You. Jake: I'm in control of how hard I work. It is our responsibility to work so hard that we become the obvious choice for the job or the promotion. Be So Good They Can't Ignore You. "I had to be so good that even though maybe on a broadcasting level I wouldn't be the number one pick... they had to give it to me." The one leadership skill that is massively important to develop… Don't insulate yourself with “yes” people. You have to have truth tellers in your life. Who are your foxhole friends? Who are the people who are willing and able to tell you the truth? Who are the ones who love you and care about you enough to let you know when you've messed up? Those people are gold. We all need them. Rejection: Dr. Seuss was rejected by 47 publishers. Rejection is part of life. You have to stay in the game for a chance to win it. Keep going. And nobody will give you a job to be nice. What value do you bring to a company? How will you make your boss's life better? You get hired to solve a problem, not because someone wants to be nice. Pinned tweet since 2017 – "To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle." -- George Orwell. A reminder to see obvious truths being obscured by spin or wishful thinking. "You Can Always Tell Them No" - Ted Koppel's crucial advice to young Jake about maintaining journalistic integrity and not compromising values for opportunities. This became a career-defining principle that Jake still follows 20 years later. The Jar Jar Binks Theory of Leadership - Successful leaders often remove critics from their inner circle, creating dangerous echo chambers. "Great people often achieve as much as they can to the point that they are able to remove from their inner circle anyone who tells them they're being an asshole or making a wrong decision." Constructive vs. Destructive Criticism - Jake learned to distinguish between useful feedback and personal attacks: "Very few of my critics are people that I actually care what they think... folks who understand I'm just trying to be a good faith operative here." Curiosity as Career Driver - Deep curiosity drove Jake from reading microfiche about MASH as a kid to investigating complex stories as an adult: "I find something interesting and I wanna find out everything I can about it." Rejection as Constant Reality - Even at his career peak, Jake faces daily rejection: "I get rejected every day... it doesn't matter that I've had New York Times bestsellers before... it's part of life." Humility Enables Learning - Accepting expertise gaps allows growth: "Having the humility to accept that I am not an expert on any particular thing... I'm a journalist, which means I try to be an expert on whatever I'm covering at that moment." Leadership Lessons From Powerful People The Inner Circle Problem: Leaders systematically remove critics until surrounded only by yes-people, creating dangerous blind spots. Jake witnessed this pattern with Joe Biden (surrounded by aides and family who weren't honest about his declining acuity) and across industries. The Solution: Intentionally maintain truth-tellers in your inner circle who care about you personally but will challenge you professionally. Creating Truth-Telling Environments: Jake encourages healthy disagreement with executive producers, acknowledges power imbalances that make criticism harder for junior staff, and creates indirect channels for feedback ("some people on the staff think..."). The Criticism Paradox: Public leaders face constant harsh criticism, making them naturally defensive. Understanding this context helps leaders distinguish between constructive feedback that improves performance versus personal attacks that serve no purpose. Following Curiosity Despite Opposition Jake's major works were all advised against by professionals: The Outpost (no military expertise) The Atlantic story of freeing a wrongly imprisoned man Biden book (started the day after the election, despite uncertainty) Key Insight: "Every single one of them, people were telling me not to do it... It's been following my curiosities even when people told me I'm not interested in that." The Hard Work Advantage: Jake couldn't compete on appearance or natural broadcasting ability, so he outworked everyone: broke stories constantly, used blogs when he couldn't get on air, and made himself impossible to ignore through sheer output. Dealing with Rejection Expect constant rejection even at a career peak Don't take rejection personally unless there's constructive feedback Use rejection as data, not judgment of worth Keep creating regardless of immediate acceptance The Wave Metaphor: Like Tom Hanks in Cast Away, timing the waves - "every code can be cracked" if you persist and find the right timing. Key Elements for Writers: Strong structure: "Act one, chase your hero up a tree. Act two: throw rocks at your hero. Act three, get your hero out of the tree." Good editor who pushes back - be willing to "kill your darlings" Life Philosophy The Acceleration Mindset: At 56, Jake is speeding up output: "I don't know how much longer I have this window where people are paying attention... relevance is ephemeral... when it leaves, it looks fucking brutal." For Young People: "So much of life is rejection... You cannot stop it... don't take it personally." Focus on developing skills and delivering value: "Nobody will give you a job to be nice... They'll do it because you have something they want." Time Sacrifice Awareness: Success requires acknowledging costs: "What I cried about is the stuff I missed that I wasn't there for because I was chasing a story or on assignment." Time Stamps: 02:46 Jake's Dedication to Influential Figures 05:05 Hot Mic Moment in Alaska 06:59 Preparing for Big Interviews & When to Follow Up 09:01 Dealing with Criticism 12:07 The Story Behind Jake's Pinned Tweet 13:48 Race Against Terror: The New Book 18:29 Balancing Multiple Roles 20:47 Chasing Your Own Curiosity 23:58 Sacrifices for Career Success 29:00 The Importance of Humility in Leadership 31:08 Surrounding Yourself with Truth Tellers 34:18 Healthy Tension in Team Dynamics 37:15 Understanding the Pressure on Public Figures 40:09 Empathy in Leadership 45:17 Balancing Career and Family 49:00 Advice for Aspiring Journalists and Writers 52:01 The Reality of Rejection and Hard Work 57:26 The Importance of Structure and Editing in Writing 01:01:16 End of the Podcast Club
Send us a textIn this powerhouse episode, Coach Clance Laylor—Team Canada Olympic Weightlifting Coach and author of They Can't Ignore You—joins Joey Pinz to reveal what separates champions from everyone else. From sprinting with dogs in his youth to coaching elite athletes like P.K. Subban and his daughter Maya Laylor, Clance shares the raw truth about training, mindset, injury, and nutrition.We explore his intense carnivore lifestyle
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3717: Nir Eyal and Charles Wang explore the surprising value of embracing the mindset of an amateur rather than striving for rigid expertise. By focusing on curiosity, experimentation, and playfulness, we stay adaptable, avoid burnout, and discover deeper joy in learning. This approach invites growth by valuing exploration over perfection. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nirandfar.com/train-to-be-amateur-not-expert/ Quotes to ponder: "An amateur is someone who does something because they love it." "Experts often feel the need to defend their knowledge and authority, while amateurs are open to questioning and rethinking what they know." "When we give ourselves permission to be amateurs, we free ourselves to learn without fear of failure." Episode references: Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise: https://www.amazon.com/Peak-Secrets-New-Science-Expertise/dp/0544947223 Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: https://www.amazon.com/Zen-Mind-Beginners-Informal-Meditation/dp/1590308492 So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3717: Nir Eyal and Charles Wang explore the surprising value of embracing the mindset of an amateur rather than striving for rigid expertise. By focusing on curiosity, experimentation, and playfulness, we stay adaptable, avoid burnout, and discover deeper joy in learning. This approach invites growth by valuing exploration over perfection. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nirandfar.com/train-to-be-amateur-not-expert/ Quotes to ponder: "An amateur is someone who does something because they love it." "Experts often feel the need to defend their knowledge and authority, while amateurs are open to questioning and rethinking what they know." "When we give ourselves permission to be amateurs, we free ourselves to learn without fear of failure." Episode references: Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise: https://www.amazon.com/Peak-Secrets-New-Science-Expertise/dp/0544947223 Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: https://www.amazon.com/Zen-Mind-Beginners-Informal-Meditation/dp/1590308492 So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3717: Nir Eyal and Charles Wang explore the surprising value of embracing the mindset of an amateur rather than striving for rigid expertise. By focusing on curiosity, experimentation, and playfulness, we stay adaptable, avoid burnout, and discover deeper joy in learning. This approach invites growth by valuing exploration over perfection. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nirandfar.com/train-to-be-amateur-not-expert/ Quotes to ponder: "An amateur is someone who does something because they love it." "Experts often feel the need to defend their knowledge and authority, while amateurs are open to questioning and rethinking what they know." "When we give ourselves permission to be amateurs, we free ourselves to learn without fear of failure." Episode references: Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise: https://www.amazon.com/Peak-Secrets-New-Science-Expertise/dp/0544947223 Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: https://www.amazon.com/Zen-Mind-Beginners-Informal-Meditation/dp/1590308492 So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sometimes the happiest and most successful people are the ones who know when to stop.Matt O'Neill built Good Mood Revolution into a top 1.5% global podcast with 230,000 downloads, but he's walking away at the peak. Why? Because he learned the ultimate happiness lesson: all the expert advice in the world means nothing if you're too busy to live it.In this deeply personal final episode, Matt shares the most life-changing insights from his journey: from Marianne Williamson's revelation that happiness is love, to Lou Holtz's three principles for winning each day, to Dr. David Burns' discovery that depression often stems from beautiful values we hold too tightly.You'll hear the strategies that transformed Matt's life—from Trish Blackwell's negative thought reframing technique to Sonja Lyubomirsky's research showing that 15-minute conversations are scientifically the happiest thing you can do. Most importantly, you'll understand why Matt realized that all the productivity hacks and goal-setting in the world can't replace the simple joy of being fully present with the people who matter most.This isn't goodbye forever—it's Matt choosing to live the happiness principles he's spent years teaching. Sometimes the most revolutionary act is slowing down to savor what you already have.0:00 Intro2:05 Marianne Williamson: Happiness is love4:02 Lou Holtz's three principles for winning the day6:22 Dr. David Burns: Why depression reveals beautiful values8:48 Dr. Jeffrey Rediger: Happiness is the best medicine10:45 Joe Wechsler: The comfort crisis and why adventure makes us happy12:43 Why Matt's "dream job" was right in front of him15:11 Trish Blackwell's life-changing negative thought technique18:28 Arian Mateo: How core beliefs create your reality21:51 Matt King: If you want a better present, get a bigger future23:20 Sonja Lyubomirsky: The scientifically happiest thing you can do27:55 Eric Weiner: There's no such thing as personal happiness29:01 Phil Moeller's Purpose Matrix: Ordering your life priorities31:26 A final thank you and signing offResources Mentioned:
In an increasingly online, social media saturated landscape, Cal Newport has worked to disconnect almost completely. Cal is the Provost's Distinguished Professor of Computer Science at Georgetown University. In addition to his academic research, Cal writes about the intersection of culture and digital technology. He is the author of multiple books, including the NYT Bestseller Digital Minimalism, the WSJ Bestseller Deep Work, and So Good They Can't Ignore You, which tackles how people can truly do something they love in their career. He also delivered a TEDx Talk, “Quit Social Media” which was been viewed nearly six million times on YouTube. On this classic episode, Cal joined host Robert Glazer on the Elevate Podcast in his first appearance to talk about stepping back from an increasingly digital world, why “follow your passion,” is bad career advice, and more. This episode of the Elevate Podcast is sponsored by: Shopify: shopify.com/elevate Indeed: indeed.com/elevate Framer: framer.com BambooHR: bamboohr.com/freedemo IDEO U: ideou.com/elevate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1748: Chris Guillebeau reveals that the real key to earning from your passion lies not in chasing profits, but in creating meaningful solutions for others. With consistent effort, a mindset of service, and a willingness to develop your craft, financial success becomes a natural outcome of doing work you love. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.getrichslowly.org/the-real-secret-to-making-money-by-following-your-passion/ Quotes to ponder: "Making money by following your passion isn't as easy as simply doing what you love. It takes more than that." "If you want to make money from your passion, you need to provide value. You need to solve problems." "You can't just dabble. You have to commit. You have to be in it for the long haul." Episode references: Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield: https://www.amazon.com/Turning-Pro-Tap-Inner-Power/dp/1936891034 So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1748: Chris Guillebeau reveals that the real key to earning from your passion lies not in chasing profits, but in creating meaningful solutions for others. With consistent effort, a mindset of service, and a willingness to develop your craft, financial success becomes a natural outcome of doing work you love. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.getrichslowly.org/the-real-secret-to-making-money-by-following-your-passion/ Quotes to ponder: "Making money by following your passion isn't as easy as simply doing what you love. It takes more than that." "If you want to make money from your passion, you need to provide value. You need to solve problems." "You can't just dabble. You have to commit. You have to be in it for the long haul." Episode references: Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield: https://www.amazon.com/Turning-Pro-Tap-Inner-Power/dp/1936891034 So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1748: Chris Guillebeau reveals that the real key to earning from your passion lies not in chasing profits, but in creating meaningful solutions for others. With consistent effort, a mindset of service, and a willingness to develop your craft, financial success becomes a natural outcome of doing work you love. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.getrichslowly.org/the-real-secret-to-making-money-by-following-your-passion/ Quotes to ponder: "Making money by following your passion isn't as easy as simply doing what you love. It takes more than that." "If you want to make money from your passion, you need to provide value. You need to solve problems." "You can't just dabble. You have to commit. You have to be in it for the long haul." Episode references: Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield: https://www.amazon.com/Turning-Pro-Tap-Inner-Power/dp/1936891034 So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1748: Chris Guillebeau reveals that the real key to earning from your passion lies not in chasing profits, but in creating meaningful solutions for others. With consistent effort, a mindset of service, and a willingness to develop your craft, financial success becomes a natural outcome of doing work you love. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.getrichslowly.org/the-real-secret-to-making-money-by-following-your-passion/ Quotes to ponder: "Making money by following your passion isn't as easy as simply doing what you love. It takes more than that." "If you want to make money from your passion, you need to provide value. You need to solve problems." "You can't just dabble. You have to commit. You have to be in it for the long haul." Episode references: Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield: https://www.amazon.com/Turning-Pro-Tap-Inner-Power/dp/1936891034 So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1726: Cal Newport breaks down what makes an idea or achievement truly stand out, arguing that remarkability stems from a deliberate investment in skill, not just creativity or passion. By understanding how "remarkability" works, listeners gain a clearer path to making their own work and accomplishments stand out in meaningful ways. Read along with the original article(s) here: http://calnewport.com/blog/2011/09/22/the-calculus-of-remarkability/ Quotes to ponder: "Remarkability, in other words, is not an accident. It's something you can engineer." "People don't talk about something because it's good; they talk about it because it's interesting." "A good rule of thumb is to focus your energy on becoming so good they can't ignore you." Episode references: So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1726: Cal Newport breaks down what makes an idea or achievement truly stand out, arguing that remarkability stems from a deliberate investment in skill, not just creativity or passion. By understanding how "remarkability" works, listeners gain a clearer path to making their own work and accomplishments stand out in meaningful ways. Read along with the original article(s) here: http://calnewport.com/blog/2011/09/22/the-calculus-of-remarkability/ Quotes to ponder: "Remarkability, in other words, is not an accident. It's something you can engineer." "People don't talk about something because it's good; they talk about it because it's interesting." "A good rule of thumb is to focus your energy on becoming so good they can't ignore you." Episode references: So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Are you chasing happiness in all the wrong places? Prepare to have your world turned upside down as happiness researcher Sonja Lyubomirsky shatters common myths about what truly brings joy. Discover why external goals like wealth, marriage, and career success often fall short, and learn powerful strategies to cultivate lasting happiness from within.Join Matt and Sonja as they explore groundbreaking research on the science of happiness, including the surprising truth about cosmetic surgery, the power of micro-connections, and how to find fulfillment in any job. You'll walk away with practical tips to boost your mood instantly and a fresh perspective on what really matters for a joyful life.Don't let another day slip by chasing elusive happiness. Tune in to this transformative episode and unlock the secrets to genuine well-being that have been within you all along!0:00 Intro5:52 The Surprising Truth About Cosmetic Surgery10:42 Single vs. Married: Happiness Across Relationships14:21 Finding Fulfillment in Your Career20:57 Letting Go of Childhood Dreams24:34 The Power of a 15-Minute Conversation27:20 Practicing Gratitude in Daily Life29:28 Closing Thoughts and Future ProjectsAbout the GuestSonja Lyubomirsky is a leading researcher in the field of positive psychology, best known for her groundbreaking work on the science of happiness. As a professor at the University of California, Riverside, and the author of bestselling books like The How of Happiness, she has dedicated her career to understanding what truly makes people happy and how they can sustain it. Her research emphasizes the power of intentional activities, such as practicing gratitude and kindness, to significantly boost well-being. Sonja's work bridges rigorous science and practical application, offering people evidence-based strategies to lead more fulfilling lives.Resources Mentioned:
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1712: Cal Newport explores the nuanced difference between pursuing a life's calling and simply loving what you do. He challenges the common advice to "follow your passion," revealing how many meaningful careers are built on cultivating rare skills and deep expertise rather than chasing immediate fulfillment. Read along with the original article(s) here: http://calnewport.com/blog/2010/04/09/corrupted-callings-the-subtle-difference-between-finding-your-lifes-work-and-loving-your-life/ Quotes to ponder: "Following your passion is not just simplistic, it's also dangerous." "Compelling careers often have complex origins." "Mastery, autonomy, and purpose, not instant passion, are what make work truly fulfilling." Episode references: So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1712: Cal Newport explores the nuanced difference between pursuing a life's calling and simply loving what you do. He challenges the common advice to "follow your passion," revealing how many meaningful careers are built on cultivating rare skills and deep expertise rather than chasing immediate fulfillment. Read along with the original article(s) here: http://calnewport.com/blog/2010/04/09/corrupted-callings-the-subtle-difference-between-finding-your-lifes-work-and-loving-your-life/ Quotes to ponder: "Following your passion is not just simplistic, it's also dangerous." "Compelling careers often have complex origins." "Mastery, autonomy, and purpose, not instant passion, are what make work truly fulfilling." Episode references: So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3135: Chris Reining challenges the popular career advice to "do what you love" by showing how it's often wiser, and more sustainable, to do what you hate so that you can eventually afford the freedom to pursue what you love. With humor and insight, he illustrates how financial independence is really about creating options, not chasing passions that can't pay the bills. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://chrisreining.com/hate-love/ Quotes to ponder: "Do what you hate to do what you love." "Financial independence isn't about having money it's about having options." "The most dangerous thing I see people do is quit their job to do what they love." Episode references: Architectural Digest: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/ So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.calnewport.com/books/so-good/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3135: Chris Reining challenges the popular career advice to "do what you love" by showing how it's often wiser, and more sustainable, to do what you hate so that you can eventually afford the freedom to pursue what you love. With humor and insight, he illustrates how financial independence is really about creating options, not chasing passions that can't pay the bills. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://chrisreining.com/hate-love/ Quotes to ponder: "Do what you hate to do what you love." "Financial independence isn't about having money it's about having options." "The most dangerous thing I see people do is quit their job to do what they love." Episode references: Architectural Digest: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/ So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.calnewport.com/books/so-good/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1674: Cal Newport challenges the popular belief that passions are magically discovered and instead argues that they're often built over time through deliberate practice and increasing competence. By exploring real-world examples and research, he shows how pursuing what you're good at can ultimately lead to deeply satisfying work. Read along with the original article(s) here: http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/11/24/are-passions-serendipitously-discovered-or-painstakingly-constructed/ Quotes to ponder: "Passion is a side effect of mastery." "Working right trumps finding the right work." "Compelling careers often have complex origins; they rarely result from a quick match to a pre-existing passion." Episode references: The Courage to Be: https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Be-Paul-Tillich/dp/0300084714 So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1674: Cal Newport challenges the popular belief that passions are magically discovered and instead argues that they're often built over time through deliberate practice and increasing competence. By exploring real-world examples and research, he shows how pursuing what you're good at can ultimately lead to deeply satisfying work. Read along with the original article(s) here: http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/11/24/are-passions-serendipitously-discovered-or-painstakingly-constructed/ Quotes to ponder: "Passion is a side effect of mastery." "Working right trumps finding the right work." "Compelling careers often have complex origins; they rarely result from a quick match to a pre-existing passion." Episode references: The Courage to Be: https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Be-Paul-Tillich/dp/0300084714 So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1655: Cal Newport explores a powerful mindset shift through the story of a disillusioned investment banker who finds meaning not by switching careers, but by mastering his craft with intention and clarity. His insight challenges the obsession with "finding the right work" and instead champions working right as a path to fulfillment, regardless of the field. Read along with the original article(s) here: http://calnewport.com/blog/2011/02/14/zen-and-the-art-of-investment-banking-when-working-right-is-more-important-than-finding-the-right-work/ Quotes to ponder: "Passion is rare; passion is hard to discover and hard to sustain." "The craftsman mindset focuses on what you can offer the world; the passion mindset focuses instead on what the world can offer you." "When you focus on what's rare and valuable, and you develop the skills to offer it, good things happen." Episode references: So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1655: Cal Newport explores a powerful mindset shift through the story of a disillusioned investment banker who finds meaning not by switching careers, but by mastering his craft with intention and clarity. His insight challenges the obsession with "finding the right work" and instead champions working right as a path to fulfillment, regardless of the field. Read along with the original article(s) here: http://calnewport.com/blog/2011/02/14/zen-and-the-art-of-investment-banking-when-working-right-is-more-important-than-finding-the-right-work/ Quotes to ponder: "Passion is rare; passion is hard to discover and hard to sustain." "The craftsman mindset focuses on what you can offer the world; the passion mindset focuses instead on what the world can offer you." "When you focus on what's rare and valuable, and you develop the skills to offer it, good things happen." Episode references: So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1635: Benjamin Hardy challenges the conventional wisdom of "following your passion," arguing that mastery, success, and happiness come from developing rare and valuable skills rather than chasing preexisting interests. Drawing from Cal Newport's So Good They Can't Ignore You, Hardy explains that confidence and passion are byproducts of excellence, not prerequisites. By continuously investing in yourself, building meaningful relationships, and generously applying your skills to help others, you not only achieve financial success but also cultivate a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://medium.com/thrive-global/how-to-develop-mastery-make-millions-and-be-happy-cd9743c40d12 Quotes to ponder: “If you want to love what you do, abandon the passion mindset (‘what can the world offer me?') and instead adopt the craftsman mindset (‘what can I offer the world?').” “Passion comes after you put in the hard work to become excellent at something valuable, not before.” “You're happiest when you're growing and giving.” Episode references: Strategic Coach by Dan Sullivan: https://www.strategiccoach.com/ Genius Network by Joe Polish: https://www.geniusnetwork.com/ Mindset by Carol Dweck: https://www.amazon.com/Mindset-Psychology-Success-Carol-Dweck/dp/0345472322 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1635: Benjamin Hardy challenges the conventional wisdom of "following your passion," arguing that mastery, success, and happiness come from developing rare and valuable skills rather than chasing preexisting interests. Drawing from Cal Newport's So Good They Can't Ignore You, Hardy explains that confidence and passion are byproducts of excellence, not prerequisites. By continuously investing in yourself, building meaningful relationships, and generously applying your skills to help others, you not only achieve financial success but also cultivate a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://medium.com/thrive-global/how-to-develop-mastery-make-millions-and-be-happy-cd9743c40d12 Quotes to ponder: “If you want to love what you do, abandon the passion mindset (‘what can the world offer me?') and instead adopt the craftsman mindset (‘what can I offer the world?').” “Passion comes after you put in the hard work to become excellent at something valuable, not before.” “You're happiest when you're growing and giving.” Episode references: Strategic Coach by Dan Sullivan: https://www.strategiccoach.com/ Genius Network by Joe Polish: https://www.geniusnetwork.com/ Mindset by Carol Dweck: https://www.amazon.com/Mindset-Psychology-Success-Carol-Dweck/dp/0345472322 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3049: Changing jobs for a higher salary can be tempting, but Philip Taylor argues that money alone shouldn't be the deciding factor. Job satisfaction, stability, and lifestyle impact are key considerations, as frequent job-hopping can lead to long-term dissatisfaction. While salary surveys can help determine fair pay, sometimes staying put and building career capital offers more benefits than chasing a bigger paycheck. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://ptmoney.com/changing-jobs-for-more-money-is-it-worth-it/ Quotes to ponder: "You absolutely hate what you do; if you don't, you're likely to be miserable and just go about the motions because you need the money." "When you change jobs just for the money, there's no end to it; you tend to keep job-hopping all your life, flitting like a bee from flower to flower without really gathering anything of substance." "All things being equal, you need to get the best salary that the market will pay." Episode references: PayScale Salary Survey: https://www.payscale.com/ Salary.com: https://www.salary.com/ Money.com Best Places to Live: https://money.com/best-places-to-live/ So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.amazon.com/So-Good-They-Cant-Ignore/dp/1455509124 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We all want to love what we do, but is there really a “dream job” out there that guarantees our career happiness? Experts tell us to “follow our passion”—but what does that even mean? And is it really the key to career fulfillment? In this episode, Matt O'Neill reveals the truth about career happiness and why passion alone won't get you there. Instead of chasing an elusive dream job, you'll discover a revolutionary approach to finding deep satisfaction in your work. Matt shares his personal journey from post-college uncertainty to building a fulfilling career, offering practical strategies for developing rare and valuable skills that create lasting happiness. You'll also learn the four key components that make a job truly wonderful—and how to cultivate them in your current role or future opportunities. If you're ready to transform your professional life and finally feel happy at work, this episode is for you! 0:00 Introduction 5:06 Selling recycled ink 10:12 The four components of workplace happiness 15:47 Developing rare and valuable skills 21:56 Finding purpose in real estate 27:33 The journey to becoming a great CEO 33:09 Seeking autonomy and control in your career 38:15 Embracing the challenge of meaningful work Resources Mentioned: “So Good They Can't Ignore You" by Cal Newport "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell "Mastering the Rockefeller Habits" by Verne Harnish "Traction" by Gino Wickman "Purple Cow" by Seth Godin Ready to live a life of Conscious Happiness? Get the book: Good Mood Revolution: Igniting the Power of Conscious Happiness at https://a.co/d/2pgzwpU What is your Good Mood Superpower? Take the Good Mood Assessment to learn your positive strengths here: https://mattoneill.com/good-mood-assessment/ Ready to elevate your happiness? Consider how 1on1 Happiness Coaching with Matt O'Neill could change your outlook on life. Learn more at https://mattoneill.com/coaching/
Today's wisdom comes from So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport. 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 → Or, ready to go next level? Join Heroic Elite, a 101-day training program designed to help you unlock your potential and achieve real, measurable results. Optimize your energy, work, and love with a proven system for transformation. Become the best, most Heroic version of yourself. Join Heroic Elite → And finally: 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, we explore the Craftsman Mindset from Cal Newport's So Good They Can't Ignore You. This idea flips the script on "following your passion" and emphasizes mastering skills as the key to meaningful work. I share a powerful dream that confirmed my dedication to my path, reflect on the challenges of entrepreneurship, and discuss how honing skills—like marketing and leadership—has brought meaning to my work. We also touch on examples like Steve Jobs and finding fulfillment in any job through mastery. If you're questioning your path or looking for more purpose in your work, this episode is for you.
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1573: Anthony Ongaro explores why jumping into entrepreneurship isn't always the best choice, especially if driven by societal pressures or fleeting motivations. He encourages mindful decision-making, emphasizing how deeply understanding your values can lead to greater fulfillment in work and life. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.breakthetwitch.com/why-you-shouldnt-start-a-business/ Quotes to ponder: "Starting a business is often romanticized, but not everyone needs to take that path to find fulfillment." "Consider whether entrepreneurship aligns with your values or is simply a distraction from the life you truly want to live." "Success doesn't have to mean running a business, it means living a life that feels meaningful to you." Episode references: Essentialism by Greg McKeown: https://www.amazon.com/Essentialism-Disciplined-Pursuit-Greg-McKeown/dp/0804137382 So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport: https://www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124 The Minimalists: https://www.theminimalists.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1573: Anthony Ongaro explores why jumping into entrepreneurship isn't always the best choice, especially if driven by societal pressures or fleeting motivations. He encourages mindful decision-making, emphasizing how deeply understanding your values can lead to greater fulfillment in work and life. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.breakthetwitch.com/why-you-shouldnt-start-a-business/ Quotes to ponder: "Starting a business is often romanticized, but not everyone needs to take that path to find fulfillment." "Consider whether entrepreneurship aligns with your values or is simply a distraction from the life you truly want to live." "Success doesn't have to mean running a business, it means living a life that feels meaningful to you." Episode references: Essentialism by Greg McKeown: https://www.amazon.com/Essentialism-Disciplined-Pursuit-Greg-McKeown/dp/0804137382 So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport: https://www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124 The Minimalists: https://www.theminimalists.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1555: Cal Newport shares a straightforward three-step framework to tackle large, intimidating projects. By breaking tasks into clear milestones, building momentum with small wins, and maintaining consistent progress, Newport offers a practical method to conquer complex endeavors with focus and discipline. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.calnewport.com/blog/2007/07/20/three-steps-for-completing-large-projects/ Quotes to ponder: "Breaking a project into small, manageable milestones makes even the most daunting tasks approachable." "Momentum builds confidence, and confidence leads to consistent progress." "With discipline and clear goals, large projects transform from overwhelming to achievable." Episode references: Deep Work: https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Work-Focused-Success-Distracted/dp/1455586692 So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1555: Cal Newport shares a straightforward three-step framework to tackle large, intimidating projects. By breaking tasks into clear milestones, building momentum with small wins, and maintaining consistent progress, Newport offers a practical method to conquer complex endeavors with focus and discipline. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.calnewport.com/blog/2007/07/20/three-steps-for-completing-large-projects/ Quotes to ponder: "Breaking a project into small, manageable milestones makes even the most daunting tasks approachable." "Momentum builds confidence, and confidence leads to consistent progress." "With discipline and clear goals, large projects transform from overwhelming to achievable." Episode references: Deep Work: https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Work-Focused-Success-Distracted/dp/1455586692 So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1506: Cal Newport challenges the popular advice of "following your passion" as the key to a fulfilling career. He argues that the relentless pursuit of passion often leads to dissatisfaction and confusion. Instead, Newport suggests focusing on building valuable skills and finding meaning in your work through mastery and contribution. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.calnewport.com/blog/2010/10/16/the-passion-trap-how-the-search-for-your-lifes-work-is-making-your-working-life-miserable/ Quotes to ponder: "Passion is rare. Many people are confused about what exactly they're passionate about." "The happiest, most successful people rarely followed a pre-existing passion. Instead, they found a way to love what they do by mastering something valuable." "Trying to figure out what you're passionate about before you've even started working is a recipe for confusion." Episode references: So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1506: Cal Newport challenges the popular advice of "following your passion" as the key to a fulfilling career. He argues that the relentless pursuit of passion often leads to dissatisfaction and confusion. Instead, Newport suggests focusing on building valuable skills and finding meaning in your work through mastery and contribution. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.calnewport.com/blog/2010/10/16/the-passion-trap-how-the-search-for-your-lifes-work-is-making-your-working-life-miserable/ Quotes to ponder: "Passion is rare. Many people are confused about what exactly they're passionate about." "The happiest, most successful people rarely followed a pre-existing passion. Instead, they found a way to love what they do by mastering something valuable." "Trying to figure out what you're passionate about before you've even started working is a recipe for confusion." Episode references: So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1480: Cal Newport reveals the hidden pitfalls of chasing the "dream job" ideal, arguing that this approach often leads to dissatisfaction and a never-ending pursuit of perfection. Instead, Newport advocates for cultivating mastery and skills, which in turn fosters passion and fulfillment in a career. Listening to this perspective helps reframe the way we think about long-term professional satisfaction. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.calnewport.com/blog/2010/09/10/the-danger-of-the-dream-job-delusion/ Quotes to ponder: "The key to creating work you love is to abandon the idea that there's a perfect job waiting for you." "Skill and mastery, not daydreams, are what provide lasting satisfaction in your career." "Passion follows from success, not the other way around." Episode references: So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1480: Cal Newport reveals the hidden pitfalls of chasing the "dream job" ideal, arguing that this approach often leads to dissatisfaction and a never-ending pursuit of perfection. Instead, Newport advocates for cultivating mastery and skills, which in turn fosters passion and fulfillment in a career. Listening to this perspective helps reframe the way we think about long-term professional satisfaction. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.calnewport.com/blog/2010/09/10/the-danger-of-the-dream-job-delusion/ Quotes to ponder: "The key to creating work you love is to abandon the idea that there's a perfect job waiting for you." "Skill and mastery, not daydreams, are what provide lasting satisfaction in your career." "Passion follows from success, not the other way around." Episode references: So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2860: Mr. 1500 from 1500Days.com shares his unconventional journey from aspiring pilot to computer programmer and blogger, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of career happiness. He highlights the importance of exploring different paths and the joy of discovering unexpected passions along the way. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.1500days.com/ill-figure-out-what-i-want-to-be-when-i-grow-up/ Quotes to ponder: "You're never really sure what will make you happy." "I think life is much more fun when the future is uncertain." "An uncharted path is much more interesting. I'll go where opportunities and passions take me." Episode references: So Good They Can't Ignore You: https://www.amazon.com/So-Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Check out my book Million Dollar Weekend, which helps you start businesses in just 48 hours. Check it out at milliondollarweekend.com. In today's episode, I caught up with a talented, award-winning author and professor of computer science at Georgetown University, Cal Newport. Cal's books are a manifesto for digital minimalism and focus. In this episode he shares his strategies for maintaining efficiency particularly in large organizations where meetings can often be a substitute for poor time management. We also explore how long-term goals can easily be broken down into actionable daily steps and the importance of grabbing control of our digital habits. In this episode, you'll enjoy 3 BIG things: What the difference is between office hours and meetings and why you should avoid the later Why focus is the most in demand resource right in world with short attention span How to balance the content creation algorithms without being on social media at all. All these plus a bunch more ear nuggets along the way. If you loved this episode and want to hear more about how we approach our content creation, check out an episode we made about Youtube strategy that's Episode 310 in this feed. Also check out Cal's books at calnewport.com , his books ‘Deep Work' and ‘So Good they Can't Ignore You' are classics and he has a new book called ‘Slow Productivity' out now. Go check his podcast since that's really his only social media outlet, Deep Questions with Cal Newport