The ONE Thing
Discover the surprisingly simple truth behind extraordinary results. Learn how the most successful people in the world approach productivity, time management, business, health and habits with The ONE Thing. A ProduKtive® Podcast.
Episodes
Change Your Relationship with The Gap (In Business and in Life)
High achievers know the gap well: the space between where you are and where you want to be. It can drive growth, but it can also become a source of fear, avoidance, and self-judgment.
In this episode, Jay talks with five-time entrepreneur and executive coach Hannah Soto about the three ways business owners and high achievers often relate to the gap. They chase it, believing fulfillment lives on
Getting Unstuck: How to Fix the 3 Most Common Behaviors Holding High Achievers Back
You already know what to do. So why is it so hard to do it consistently?
In this episode, Jay Papasan breaks down three patterns that keep entrepreneurs and high achievers trapped in the gap between knowing and doing. First, we often think we’re clear when we’re really being general. Second, we chase new information instead of mastering the system we already have. Third, we let the 80% masquera
Social Accountability 101: How Peer Pressure Can Help You Achieve Your Goals
You know what to do. You start strong. You have the system, the motivation, and the goal. Then, a few months later, you’re right back where you started. What happened?
In this episode, Jay Papasan breaks down one of the biggest reasons high achievers struggle with consistency: they try to go it alone. The solution is social accountability. Not someone forcing you to follow through, but choosing t
How to Build Resilience (Before You Need It) With Valorie Burton
Resilience is often treated like a personality trait. You either have it or you don’t. But Valorie Burton sees it differently: Resilience is a personal system you can build before life demands it from you.
In this episode, Jay Papasan sits down with Valorie Burton, CEO of the Coaching and Positive Psychology Institute and author of Rules of Resilience, to unpack what it really takes to bounce b
The Isolation of High Achievers: Why All Entrepreneurs Feel Lonely (And How to Fix It)
High performers are often great at building businesses, serving clients, supporting families, and chasing big goals. But there’s one thing they tend to neglect: friendship.
In this episode, Jay shares the story of a lonely night in a Nashville hotel room that became a wake-up call. He realized he had been leaning on too few people and needed to intentionally rebuild his support system. With the
High-Stakes Communication: How to Negotiate Confidently, Ask Smarter Questions, and Build Influence with Phil Jones
Have you ever walked away from a conversation wishing you could go back and say it differently? According to Phil Jones, that doesn’t mean you have a communication problem. You may have a moment problem.
Phil, author of the bestselling book Exactly What to Say, joins Jay to talk about the word choices, principles, and preparation that help people show up better in high-stakes conversations. He
The Habit Lab: How to Build Consistency in Business & Life with Kim Zuroff
High achievers aren’t held back because they don’t know what to do. The challenge is always consistency. Habits are so powerful because they are automatic - and in this episode, you’ll learn how to harness the power of habit to help you hit your most elusive goals.
Today, Jay sits down with Kim Zuroff, Director of Growth and Executive Coach at The ONE Thing, to talk about the art and science of
Brand Building 101: Content Strategy, Storytelling, Positioning and More with Donald Miller
Entrepreneurs know they need to create content, build trust, and stay visible. The hard part is knowing what to say, how often to say it, and how to make sure your message actually leads people toward your business.
In this episode, Jay Papasan sits down with Donald Miller, author of StoryBrand, for a practical masterclass on brand building for entrepreneurs. Donald breaks down how to use conte
The Making of The ONE Thing: What We Cut From the Book (And Lessons We’d Add Today)
Before The ONE Thing became the bestselling book readers know today, it was a much bigger manuscript, more than 400 pages long. In this episode, Jay Papasan goes back to the final stretch before publication to unpack the hard decisions that shaped the book and made it stronger.
Jay shares the lessons behind what got cut, including the idea that low hanging fruit can be a distraction and how mai
The Psychology of Hope: A Blueprint for a More Hopeful Life with Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe
When the world feels heavy, hope can feel fragile, or even out of reach. In this episode, Jay sits down with award-winning behavioral psychologist Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe to unpack what hope really is and why it matters so much in difficult seasons.
Dr. Robyne explains that hope is not the same as optimism. Optimism is often tied to a specific outcome, while hope is the steady belief that no ma
Should Business Leaders Get Political? A Framework for Speaking Up
When something bad happens in the world, every business leader has a difficult decision to make - the decision to speak up, or to stay silent. In the past, silence was the safest option - today, that’s no longer the case. In such a chaotic world full of conflict, inequality, and political polarization, it’s never been more important to get this question right.
In this episode of The ONE Thing P
Why Talented People Go Unnoticed: Career Cheat Codes with Courtney Johnson
A lot of talented people assume that if they work hard enough, they’ll eventually get noticed. Courtney Johnson says that’s simply not how careers work.
In this episode, Jay sits down with Courtney, author of Career Cheat Codes, to unpack the unwritten rules that often separate people who get promoted, hired, and remembered from those who get overlooked. They explore how visibility, relationshi
How Billionaires Set Goals: A Step-by-Step Guide to Achieve Your Goals Using the 4-1-1
If you want to achieve real and sustainable success, you don’t need another productivity system - try this instead.
In this episode, Jay Papasan sits down with Director of Training Chris Dixon to unpack one of the most requested teachings in The ONE Thing community: the 411.
They explain why to-do lists, project management tools, and reactive planning often leave people busy but not truly pr
The Science Behind Sustained Success with Nir Eyal
What if the biggest thing holding you back isn’t your skills, your resources, or even your discipline—but your beliefs?
In this conversation, Jay sits down with Nir Eyal to unpack the hidden force behind motivation and persistence. While most people think success comes from knowing what to do, Nir makes a compelling case that the real driver is belief. If you don’t believe the effort will pay o
Don’t Waste Your Hardest Lessons: Julia Lashay’s 5 Principles of Unshakable Resilience
Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of the loss of a child and experiences of grief. It may be distressing for some listeners. Please listen with care and take the space you need.
Resilience isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build—often in the moments you’d never choose.
In this episode, Jay sits down with Julia Lashay to explore how adversity shapes leadersh
Giving Your Infinite Resources: A Shift In Perspective When The World Feels Heavy
When the world feels heavy, many of us fall into the same cycle: doom scrolling, numbing out, or waiting for things to improve
In this episode, Jay shares a powerful perspective shift inspired by a lesson from Mr. Rogers: instead of just looking for the helpers, as Mr. Rogers suggests - become one. Rather than waiting for change, we must act.
Jay breaks down the science behind action and emo
The Psychology of Sales: How to Close More Deals (Without Feeling Sales-y) with David Priemer
Jay sits down with research scientist-turned-entrepreneur David Priemer to do a deep dive into the proven science and psychology of sales.
In this conversation, David shares how curiosity - not charisma - became his competitive advantage, and the foundation of his newest business, Cerebral Selling. He breaks down the psychology behind buying decisions and explains why the best sales conversatio
Closing the Loop: The Science Behind Feeling Overwhelmed, And What to Do About It
If you feel like you have 30 browser tabs open in your brain, you’re not alone. Most business owners don’t have a capacity problem—they have a clarity problem.
In this episode, Jay Papasan unpacks the science behind overwhelm, including the Zeigarnik effect and additive bias, and explains why unfinished tasks drain your mental bandwidth. When you try to multitask your way out, you only slow eve
The ONE Thing Isn’t A Productivity Book
Most high performers think they have a productivity problem. They don’t. They have a purpose problem.
In this episode, Jay Papasan pulls back the curtain on what The ONE Thing has always been about. Yes, it lives in the productivity section of bookstores. Yes, it teaches focus. But at its core, it’s a purpose book.
Using the iceberg metaphor from the original book, Jay walks through the real
Amy Purdy, Paralympic Medalist: How to Turn Your Greatest Setback into Your Greatest Strength
At 19 years old, Amy Purdy went to work feeling a little run down. Within 24 hours, she was fighting for her life in the hospital. She beat the odds, and survived a life-threatening infection - but she would ultimately lose both legs below the knee as a result. What followed wasn’t a comeback story built on motivation posters. It was a masterclass in agency.
In this conversation, Amy walks Jay
Stop Ghosting Your Goals: How to Stay Committed to Your Future Success
Are you ghosting your goals? By February, most people have already given up on the goals they set in January. But what if the reason you keep ignoring your goals isn’t a lack of discipline, but a lack of relationship? In this episode, Jay Papasan invites you to stop “proposing” to your goals every January and start dating them regularly instead.
Jay breaks down why most goals fade by February a
Scaling Your Side-Gig: How Alex Hopes Turned a Passion Project into A Phenomenon
Most people don’t plan for a pivot that changes everything. For Alex Hopes, it started with a moment that stopped his life cold and rerouted it completely. What followed was a decade-long journey of saying yes to what was in front of him, even when it didn’t match the original plan.
In this episode, Jay Papasan talks with Alex, founder of Zilker Bark, about how a simple dog photography project
Rituals of Recovery: What Elite Athletes Can Teach Us About High Performance
Elite athletes don’t just train harder. They recover better. Between points, plays, and games, they use small, intentional rituals to reset their bodies and minds so they can perform again at a high level. In this episode, Jay Papasan makes the case that business owners and leaders need the same approach.
Inspired by a classic Harvard Business Review article, Jay breaks down the difference betw
Public Speaking 101: How Tristan de Montebello Mastered Public Speaking in 7 Months
Public speaking consistently ranks as one of our biggest fears, but what if the real issue isn’t technique at all? In this episode, Jay sits down with
Tristan de Montebello, co-founder of Ultraspeaking, to explore why confidence breaks down when we communicate and how to rebuild it from the inside out.
Tristan shares his rapid journey from beginner to finalist in the World Championship of Publ
Weathering The Storm: How to Stay Afloat when Life Won’t Let Up
How do you stay afloat when everything is falling apart? Life can - and will - hit you hard. And how can you lead others when you feel like you can’t lead yourself?
This week, Jay sits down for an interview with Tiffany Fykes and Sarah Reynolds from Empire Building, to share some of the deeply personal hardships he has navigated in the past several years, and opens up about what it really looks
We Studied 400 High Achievers for 4 Months - This is What We Learned
Big goals have a way of starting strong and slowly falling apart. Motivation fades. Life intervenes. Momentum stalls. In this episode, Jay Papasan shares what actually separates the people who follow through from those who stay stuck in restart mode.
After studying more than 400 entrepreneurs and business owners who went through The First Domino program, Jay distills their success into five repea
Permission to Pause: Reclaim Your Identity Outside of Work with Jen Davis
For years, Jen Davis did what high performers are taught to do. Say yes. Move faster. Carry more responsibility. Lead at a high level and keep pushing. From the outside, her career looked like the definition of success.
Then she was forced to pause. And that pause completely shifted her thinking. She had been running full speed ahead, without realizing the impact it was having on the things that
How to Take Action in 2026: 11 Lessons from Gary Keller, Morgan Housel, and Sahil Bloom
We’re closing out the year with a special highlight reel from some of Jay Papasan’s favorite conversations of 2025, all centered on two big themes: taking action and sustaining action.
On the “taking action” side, Jenny Wood reframes fear as a signal of agency, Pat Flynn walks us through his “DeLorean” future-casting exercise, and Sahil Bloom challenges us to let our calendars prove what truly ma
536. She Turned Her Personal Productivity Journal into a 7-Figure Business w/ Cathryn Lavery
So much of life runs on a “default” operating system—school, work, productivity tools, even your phone. But what happens when that default just doesn’t work for you?
In this episode, Jay Papasan sits down with BestSelf Co. founder Cathryn Lavery to talk about being diagnosed with ADHD at 31, realizing she was a “Mac forced to run PC software,” and how she began designing systems that actually mat
535. 10 Books That Changed My Life (And Why I Give Them Away)
Are you choosing the right book for the season you’re in—or just grabbing whatever looks interesting?
In this solo episode, Jay Papasan walks through the ten books he recommends and gifts more than any others. These are not simply his “favorites”—they’re the books that shaped his craft as a writer, helped him level up as an entrepreneur, grounded him in discipline, clarified his thinking about mo
534. The Surprising Science Behind Burnout (And How to Avoid It) w/ Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe
Do you ever feel like you’re doing everything “right”? Performing at a high level, meeting everyone’s expectations, carrying the load—and yet still feel yourself slowly wearing down?
It’s more common than you might realize—and there’s a way out.
Jay Papasan is joined by behavioral psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe to unpack why the people who look the strongest are ofte
533. Jay’s 5 Step Guide to High Impact Giving
We all want to make a difference — but how do you start giving when life already feels full?
In this solo episode, Jay Papasan shares his personal “5 Step Giving Framework,” a simple and strategic way to turn good intentions into consistent action. Drawing from research, experience, and years of purposeful practice with his wife, Wendy, Jay outlines how gratitude, time, money, leadership, and wea
532. It’s Never The Right Time
How many times have you said, “It’s not the right time”? Whether it’s starting a new business, writing your book, or making a big life change, we all fall into the trap of waiting for perfect timing. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t exist.
In this episode, Jay Papasan shares a personal story about finally deciding to adopt a second dog — and how that simple decision revealed a deeper truth about action,
531. NO-vember Special: How to Say No Without Saying No
Every November, Jay Papasan dedicates time to exploring one of the most powerful productivity tools you have—the ability to say no. This year's "No-vember Special" dives deep into 11 different ways to protect your time, energy, and focus, often without ever saying the word "no."
From Steve Jobs' legendary turnaround at Apple to simple scripts you can use in daily life, Jay explains why saying no
530. Turn Your Ideas into Action in 5 Simple Steps
Every year, Americans spend more than $100 billion on education—books, courses, conferences, and training—and research shows that less than 20% ever do anything with what they learn. That means roughly $80 billion of potential goes unrealized every year. This episode is about joining the 20% who act.
Jay Papasan walks you through the T.I.P.P.S. framework—a simple process he’s taught for years to
529. Your Calendar Is Your Scorecard - Are You Winning or Losing? With Sahil Bloom
When Gary and Jay wrote The ONE Thing, they defined success as “getting what you want.” But most of us chase goals we didn’t truly choose. In this episode, author and creator Sahil Bloom shares how he reset his scorecard, left a lucrative path, and built a life aligned with his values—starting with time.
Sahil explains why the worst distractions often look like great opportunities, and how to run
528. The 5 Permission Slips Every High Achiever Needs
Are you constantly trying to please everyone—and still ending up exhausted and unfulfilled?
This week, Jay shares the five permission slips every high achiever needs to hear. From setting healthy boundaries to redefining what success looks like, Jay walks you through how to release perfectionism, protect your energy, and rebuild self-trust. You’ll learn how to give yourself permission to disapp
527. The 100 Best Books for Work and Life
Are you overwhelmed by the sheer number of business and self-help books out there? With more than 40,000 titles published every year, it's impossible to read them all — and most of us don't have the time to waste on the wrong ones. The real challenge is knowing which books will actually help you grow, both personally and professionally.
That's why Jay Papasan sits down with Todd Sattersten, publi
526. The High Achiever’s Paradox
Success expands everything—opportunities, decisions, people, and complexity. Jay calls this the High Achiever’s Paradox: as the pie gets bigger, chronic problems compound. Drawing on coaching transcripts and discovery calls, he spotlights three patterns that get harder with success: (1) honoring time blocks amid constant interruptions, (2) delegating instead of clinging to your competency, and (3)
525. The Art of Spending Money (And Why Most of Us Get It Wrong) with Morgan Housel
Morgan Housel is back on the show to talk about his newest book, The Art of Spending Money. You know him from The Psychology of Money and Same As Ever. This time, we dive into what happens after you’ve earned the money—how to actually use it well.
Morgan makes the case that money can buy comfort and independence, but not love, health, or meaning. Because it’s easy to measure, many of us fall into
524. How Winners Quit: The 3-Step Strategic Quitting Framework
In this solo episode, Jay revisits a formative moment from middle school that turned “never quit” into his lifelong badge of honor—and how that same belief later became an Achilles heel. Perseverance helped him finish books, build businesses, and do hard things. But persistence misapplied can steal time from our future selves. Jay unpacks why winners actually quit—on purpose—and how sunk costs, lo
523. Create Your Village (Even in a “Me” Culture) with Liz Bohannon
If you’ve ever chased big goals and felt oddly alone while doing it, this one’s for you. Liz Bohannon—founder of Sseko Designs (now part of Noonday Collection) and author of Beginner’s Pluck—makes a compelling case that the connection we crave lives on the far side of our fear of rejection. She shares her RICH framework for social health: Initiative, Rhythms, Communication and Conflict, and Help.
522. From Burnout to Joy: Sarah Reynolds on Health, Family, and Leadership
What if the path out of overwhelm starts with a glass of water? In this conversation, Sarah Reynolds—co-founder of Empower Home—shares how building one small keystone habit led her to lose 110 pounds and rebuild her energy. She explains how focusing on hydration, then adding practices like intermittent fasting, helped her replace perfectionism with progress and even shift the culture of health on
521. Build a Business That Won’t Burn You Out with Chris Ducker
Hustle can help you finish a launch, but it can’t be your lifestyle. In this episode, Jay and Chris dig into what it really means to lead for the long haul: trading glorified exhaustion for intentional sustainability. Chris shares his 2021 brush with burnout—and the hard reset that followed—making the case that energy, not time, is a leader’s most valuable asset. Together, they explore where to st
520. Addicted to Busyness? The Science, the Symptoms, and the Cure
There’s a reason rest feels like stress when you’re hooked on hustle. Jay unpacks why so many high achievers get trapped in a cycle of motion over progress—how the Zeigarnik effect and our dopamine bias for fast wins pull us toward low-value tasks—and what it costs us in value, time, and morale. He then gets tactical: how to own the problem, say “no” more often, and swap performative work for prio
519. 6 Self-Sabotage Habits That Kill Your Progress (And How to Break Them)
What if the biggest thing standing between you and your goals isn’t the economy, the competition, or even your circumstances—it’s you? In this solo episode, Jay Papasan shares six common patterns of self-sabotage uncovered from hundreds of coaching participants and offers simple, actionable ways to break them.
From procrastination and avoidance to people-pleasing, poor boundaries, and constant di
518. How to Find Your Million-Dollar Product with Sam Vander Wielen
Most people think the market is too crowded to stand out, but Sam Vander Wielen proves otherwise. After leaving a legal career she hated, Sam faced enormous personal and professional challenges, yet built an eight-figure business selling legal templates online. Her secret? Embracing authenticity—sharing her real story, letting her brand reflect her true self, and doing the unglamorous work of list
517. How This Couple Transformed Their Marriage, Career & Life with The ONE Thing
Before discovering The ONE Thing, Mauricio and Christine were stuck in survival mode—juggling kids, work, and the chaos of daily life. Everything changed when a copy of The ONE Thing landed on Mauricio’s desk. What started as reluctant curiosity grew into a shared commitment: they embraced the 411 and time-blocking, turning scattered days into intentional progress.
By having weekly conversations
516. The 10 BOLD Truths for Building an Amazing Life with Gary Keller
This week, we’re doing something special. I’m bringing you a live keynote from none other than Gary Keller, where he shares what he calls the “10 Bold Truths”—a collection of powerful ideas designed to help you build an extraordinary life. These truths are the backbone of our BOLD training at Keller Williams, and they align beautifully with the principles behind The ONE Thing.
From mindset and fo
515. The Way: 5 Principles That Create Extraordinary Results with Gary Keller
What does it really take to live your best life? This week, we’re joined by Gary Keller for part one of a special two-part conversation about “The Way”—five powerful concepts for leveling up, drawn from the newly rewritten Bold course.
Gary and I walk through each idea, starting with the Misogi Challenge: setting a focused, time-limited challenge that pushes you beyond your comfort zone and trans
514. Why Smart People Stay Stuck in "Getting Ready" Mode with Pat Flynn
If you love learning but find yourself stuck in preparation mode, this episode is for you.
I sit down with Pat Flynn—entrepreneur, host of Smart Passive Income, and author of Lean Learning—to talk about why consuming more information doesn’t always lead to better results. Pat shares how learning can become a form of procrastination, why we fall into the trap of information overload, and how to br
513. The Mid-Year RESET: How to Course-Correct Your 2025 Goals Before It's Too Late
Can you believe we’re already halfway through 2025? If you’re like me, you’ve probably had your head down, working hard, only to look up and wonder where the year went. It’s normal to drift away from your original goals or even forget them entirely by this point in the year. Life gets complex, priorities shift, and sometimes what mattered in January doesn’t feel as urgent now. The good news? It’s
512. Stuck Building Your Personal Brand? Here's How to Break Through with Rory Vaden
What happens when everything you’ve built suddenly disappears? In this episode, Jay Papasan sits down with Rory Vaden—someone who knows what it’s like to lose everything and rebuild from scratch. After Rory and his wife, AJ, were forced out of the business they’d spent 12 years building, they had to start over with nothing but a non-compete, their expertise, and a lot of hard-won lessons.
That pa
511. How to 6X Your Goals Using The ONE Thing with Brandon Turner
When The ONE Thing first came out, Brandon Turner didn’t just read it—he made it his only book for an entire year, reading it cover to cover more than 20 times. The result? He didn’t just hit his audacious goal of acquiring $50 million in real estate in three years—he soared past it, buying $300 million worth.
In this episode, Brandon pulls back the curtain on exactly how he did it. We talk about
510. 7 Recession-Proof Strategies for Building Wealth in a Down Market
We spend a lot of time worrying about uncertainty—tariffs, market volatility, the looming threat of a recession. But what if these aren’t just obstacles, but some of the greatest opportunities for your business or career? History shows that recessions often create more millionaires than any other time and open the door for companies to leap ahead.
In this episode, I break down the seven strategie
509. The ADHD Advantage: How Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs Outperform with Tyler Elstrom
If you’ve ever struggled to get started, finish what you begin, or felt like your brain just doesn’t operate like everyone else’s—you’re not alone. Jay sits down with ADHD coach and entrepreneur Tyler Elstrom to unpack what’s really going on in the ADHD brain, from dopamine regulation to executive function to emotional overwhelm.
Tyler introduces the “INCUP” framework—five triggers that can help
508. 5 Strategies to Beat Quality Inflation and Stay Ahead
Are you succeeding so slowly you think you're failing—or failing so slowly you think you're succeeding?”
In this solo episode, Jay Papasan introduces the concept of quality inflation: the idea that the standards for average—and especially extraordinary—performance keep rising every year. Drawing inspiration from the Red Queen Hypothesis and his experience coaching high achievers, Jay breaks dow
507. Unlocking Wild Courage: How to Turn “Negative” Traits Into Superpowers with Jenny Wood
What if the very traits you’ve been told to hide are actually your greatest assets? This week, I’m joined by Jenny Wood, former Google executive and author of Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It, to explore nine provocative traits—like being weird, selfish, nosy, shameless, or even brutal—and how to use them as superpowers.
Jenny shares how embracing qualities like “shameless” self-ad
506. Transformational Leadership Principles Hidden in Dr. Becky’s Parenting Book (Part 2)
This episode wraps up our two-part series on what leadership lessons we can learn from parenting expert Dr. Becky Kennedy, author of Good Inside. If you caught part one, you know these lessons aren't just for parents—they’re tools for anyone who wants to show up better in their relationships and at work.
We dive into the last three lessons Jay took from Dr. Becky’s work: The Power of Repair, Re
505. Transformational Leadership Principles Hidden in Dr. Becky’s Parenting Book (Part 1)
This episode started as a parenting read and turned into a masterclass in leadership.
After picking up Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy, Jay found himself repeatedly thinking, "This is leadership." In the first of a two-part series, he explores the surprising—and incredibly useful—ways that parenting advice maps directly onto leadership. If you're mission-driven, leading a team, or simply trying
504. How to Rebuild Your Life After Losing Everything with Gene Rivers
Sometimes the challenges life throws at us are bigger than anything we could have prepared for. In today’s episode, I sit down with my longtime friend Gene Rivers, one of the top instructors and true practitioners of The ONE Thing, to hear the remarkable story of how he and his family survived a devastating hurricane—and what they did next.
Gene shares what life was like before the hurricane hit,
503. 16.5 Proven Audience-Building Secrets
When Jay Papasan launched the Twentypercenter newsletter, it was his personal version of a Rocky-style training montage. He committed to writing, editing, and publishing a new piece every single week—no matter what. 137 newsletters later, he’s gained more than just consistency. He’s built a powerful, intentional audience and uncovered key lessons about what it takes to grow something meaningful.
502. How High Performers Build Resilience in Chaotic Times with Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe
What if the ability to bounce back isn’t something you’re born with—but something you can build?
This week, you’ll hear from Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe, a behavioral psychologist and expert on resilience and stress. Robyne breaks down how resilience is not just about “toughing it out”—it’s about building habits that create consistent, calm comebacks even in the face of chaos. We talked about how hig
501. 5 Principles from The ONE Thing Every College Student Needs
It’s graduation season—and whether you’ve got a child, a niece or nephew, or just a young person in your life heading to or already in college, you’re probably wondering how to best support them in this new chapter.
In this episode, Jay gets personal. He walks through the highs and lows of his own college years—from social misfires and major indecision to joining the rugby team and becoming a dou
500. Who Do You Want to Become? with Geoff Woods
This milestone episode marks 500 episodes and over 6 million downloads of The ONE Thing Podcast—and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than bringing Geoff Woods back to the mic.
Geoff helped launch this podcast and spent years leading The ONE Thing company. In this episode, we look at what’s happened since he moved on. From becoming Chief Growth Officer at a multinational conglomerate
499. The 4 Hidden Thieves Destroying Your Productivity with Jordan Freed
You’ve probably heard of the Four Thieves of Productivity: the inability to say no, fear of chaos, poor health habits, and an environment that doesn’t support your goals. But have you ever stopped to ask—which one is stealing the most from you right now?
This week, Jay Papasan is joined by his coach and the Head Coach of The ONE Thing, Jordan Freed, for a powerful reexamination of the Four Thieve
498. 12 Years of The ONE Thing: How to Reclaim Your Time and Stay on Track
Twelve years ago, The ONE Thing was published, and it’s been incredible to see its impact—over 3.75 million copies sold in 42 languages. To celebrate, we’re sharing a live session from our annual convention, where I walk through a powerful framework for reclaiming time and staying focused on what matters most.
Most of us set goals backward, reacting to what’s in front of us rather than working in
497. Tiny Experiments: The Neuroscience of Getting Unstuck with Anne-Laure Le Cunff
We all want to build better habits, be more productive, and achieve our goals—but sometimes, the pressure to be perfect gets in the way. Enter Anne-Laure Le Cunff, a former neuroscience researcher and the brains behind Ness Labs, whose new book, Tiny Experiments, offers a simple yet powerful approach to personal growth.
Anne-Laure introduces us to the concept of pacts—small commitments designed t
496. Your Freedom Number (Wealth Series Part 3)
What would it take for you to never have to work again—unless you wanted to? That’s the core idea behind your freedom number. It’s not just about becoming a millionaire; it’s about having enough unearned income to live your life mission without relying on a paycheck.
In this episode, we walk you through the three key data points needed to chart your financial future:
Where you are today
Where y
495. The 9½ Habits of Wealth Building (Wealth Series Part 2)
Wealth isn’t built in spreadsheets. It isn’t just about understanding finance books or listening to podcasts. True wealth is built in habits—the actions we take (and the ones we avoid) every single day.
In part two of our special wealth-building series, Jay Papasan shares nine and a half habits that can put you on the path to financial independence. From living below your means to investing wisel
494. The Path of Money (Wealth Series Part 1)
Wealth building doesn’t have to be complicated, but most of us were never taught the fundamental principles that make it possible. In this first episode of our three-part series, Jay Papasan breaks down "The Path of Money"—a straightforward model originally shared by Gary Keller in The Millionaire Real Estate Investor.
Jay shares his own journey from an English-French major with no financial back
493. How The ONE Thing Made Success Finally Feel Right for Stu McLaren
What if success wasn’t enough?
Stu McLaren, a pioneer in the world of online communities and membership businesses, faced this question head-on. By all accounts, he had built something incredible—Wishlist Member, a massively successful membership platform powering over 70,000 communities. Yet, in the quiet of a rainy night at a remote family camp, he realized he wasn’t fully aligned with his purp
492. The Science of Self-Doubt: Transform Fear Into Your Superpower
Have you ever felt like a fraud? Like you're just one step away from being "found out"—that you're not as capable as others believe you to be? If so, you're not alone. Imposter syndrome affects up to 70% of high achievers at some point, making them question their worth and downplay their accomplishments.
In this episode, we explore the roots of imposter syndrome, how it manifests, and why it’s so
491. The 3 Growth Killers Every Leader Must Solve with Chris Dixon
What do you do when your company isn’t clear about where it’s going? When your role feels ambiguous? When you and your team get off track?
Chris Dixon, our Director of Training, has spent years coaching leaders and teams of all sizes—from Fortune 50 companies to small real estate teams. In this episode, he shares the three most common challenges he sees inside organizations and the proven solutio
490. Beyond Goal Setting: The Relationship That Makes Success Inevitable
It’s February, and love is in the air—but are you in love with your goals? In this Valentine’s-themed episode, Jay Papasan dives into a transformative way of thinking about goals: treating them as a relationship rather than a simple task list. He explores how most goal-setting systems fail because they skip the “dating” phase and rush straight into commitment, leaving you disengaged and directionl
489. How to Win The Long Game (When Everyone Else Plays Short) with Dorie Clark
What does it take to achieve long-term, exponential success? Dorie Clark, the best-selling author of The Long Game, joins Jay Papasan to discuss how to create lasting impact through resilience, focus, and strategic decision-making.
Dorie reflects on her journey, from facing years of invisibility and rejection as an aspiring author to becoming a sought-after speaker, consultant, and professor. Her
488. The Hidden Cost of Being "Busy" (And What To Do Instead)
Are you constantly busy but feeling unfulfilled? In this episode, Jay Papasan explores the hidden costs of busyness and how it impacts our stress levels, empathy, and ability to focus on priorities. He shares research-backed insights into why we fall into this trap and practical strategies to break free.
Jay discusses how busyness can act as a shield, masking deeper fears of failure or discomfort
487. "First One In, Last One Out" Doesn’t Scale: Learn Smarter Leadership Strategies
If you’re feeling stretched thin, juggling competing priorities, or stuck in a cycle of busyness, you’re not alone. Many leaders and entrepreneurs face the same challenges.
In this episode, Jay Papasan sits down with Shawn Blanc, founder of The Focus Course, to explore how to navigate overwhelm, create focus, and build clarity in both life and work. Shawn shares actionable strategies, including t
486. You’re Underestimating How Long It Takes to Form a Habit
‘Tis the season for resolutions.
Chances are, you’ve hit the new year with a new resolution—something you wanted to change about your life. In this episode, Jay explains how you can actually stick to your resolution and make your new habit last.
Jay breaks down the research behind behavior change and habit formation, giving you three clear actions you need to take to succeed. Plus, he shares th
485. 9 Questions Top Performers Ask to Start the Year Strong
If you’re listening to this podcast you’re probably a high achiever. A doer. Someone who is in constant motion. That’s all great, but don’t forget to pause and reflect. Purposeful reflection will lead you to more success and satisfaction.
Here are the nine reflection questions Jay goes over in today’s episode:
What did I accomplish?
What challenges did I face?
Where did I fail?
Who supports
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