Home Podcasts The Greg McKeown Podcast
The Greg McKeown Podcast

The Greg McKeown Podcast

Greg McKeown 374 Episodes Jun 1, 2026

Greg McKeown, author of New York Times bestsellers "Effortless" and "Essentialism", hosts a podcast dedicated to helping listeners design a life that truly matters. Each episode explores strategies for achieving remarkable results without burnout, focusing on essentialism and effective negotiation. New episodes release every Tuesday and Thursday.

Episodes

A CIA Hacker's Take on Fixing Your Brain - Dr.Eric Cole Jun 1, 2026 3724 Dr. Eric Cole has worked in cybersecurity for over 30 years, helping organizations protect their data. He started as a CIA hacker who could access any internet-connected computer. Using this expertise, he built companies focused on defense. Dr. Cole has worked with Lockheed Martin, McAfee, and consulted globally for clients like Saudi Aramco, Nouryon, utility companies, nuclear sites, financial in
Harvard Psychologist: The Reason Your Arguments Always Fail (Do This Instead) - Dr. Julia Minson May 5, 2026 6293 Most of us walk into disagreements armed with arguments, ready to persuade, but Harvard behavioral scientist Dr. Julia Minson's research reveals that persuasion is actually the goal you're least likely to achieve. In this episode, she unpacks the hidden science of receptiveness: why the most influential people in any room aren't the loudest voices, but the best listeners. Julia Minson is a prof
Stop Caring About What Doesn’t Matter - Melani Sanders Feb 17, 2026 3168 Melani Sanders is a digital creator and the fearless founder of the We Do Not Care Movement™. Her viral WDNC reels and posts capture the humor, heart, and chaos of perimenopause and menopause, midlife in general, motherhood, and real life. Get a copy of her book The Official We Do Not Care Club Handbook: A Hot-Mess Guide for Women in Perimenopause, Menopause, and Beyond Who Are Over It Greg McKe
370. The Dangerous Cost of Not Understanding Each Other - William Doherty Jan 6, 2026 5028 William J. Doherty is an educator, researcher, therapist, speaker, author, consultant, and community organizer. He is Professor and Director of the Marriage and Family Therapy Program in the Department of Family Social Science, College of Education and Human Development, at the University of Minnesota, where he is also an adjunct Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health.
369. We've Declared War on Kindness Around the World - Jamil Zaki Jan 1, 2026 5806 Today’s conversation is an invitation to recover a lost technology—the discipline of real understanding. We explore why our confidence in “getting” other people is often the very thing blocking connection, and how a more humble, rigorous form of empathy can change the quality of our relationships, our leadership, and even our society. This episode is about becoming less wrong—on purpose—and discov
368. NFL LEGEND: If You Keep Loving Like This, Every Relationship Will Fail Dec 16, 2025 5777 NFL legend Steve Young joins The Greg McKeown Podcast to discuss his book "The Law of Love," exploring a pivotal moment when Stephen Covey helped him shift from a transactional, self-focused mindset to one centered on unconditional love during his difficult early years replacing Joe Montana. The conversation delves into how reducing "transactional noise" in relationships—the need to be special, ac
367. Poems, Prayers, and the Courage to Believe with Matthew McConaughey Oct 6, 2025 4690 What do we do when logic isn’t enough? Greg sits down with Matthew McConaughey to explore poems, prayers, and the disciplined choice to believe—over cynicism, doubt, and apathy. Together they read new pieces from Poems & Prayers and unpack how language, rhythm, and ritual can metabolize suffering into meaning and forward motion. Buy the Book: Poems & Prayers by Matthew McConaughey Join Greg
366. Ward Clapham on The Secret Weapon for Solving Crime Sep 8, 2025 5780 What if policing could move from reacting to crime to building trust before it begins? In this episode, I speak with Ward Clapham, the former Police Chief in Richmond, Canada, who pioneered the “positive ticketing program.” This simple idea—rewarding positive behavior instead of only punishing negative—transformed community trust and dramatically reduced crime. At the heart of Ward’s leadership
365. The Systems Leader with Robert Siegel Jun 10, 2025 3739 In this conversation, I’m joined by Robert E. Siegel, author of The Systems Leader, to unpack the essential mindset shifts leaders must make in a complex, fast-moving environment. We explore the tensions leaders face—like balancing innovation with execution, and strength with empathy—and how the most effective leaders navigate these paradoxes with clarity and purpose. Drawing from real stories of
364. The Power of Being Shameless, Selfish, and Nosy with Jenny Wood May 20, 2025 3700 What if the only thing standing between you and the life you truly want is the courage to begin? In this episode, I speak with Jenny Wood—former Google executive and author of Wild Courage—about what it means to pursue the essential with boldness. Jenny shares how she walked away from a high-powered role to write the book she felt called to create. We explore the power of being shameless, curious
363. Maximal Fitness with Minimum Time with Ben Greenfield (Part 2) Mar 25, 2025 2533 Greg and guest Ben Greenfield continue in this Part 2 conversation about endurance training strategies, focusing on preparing for Ironman triathlons. Ben shares insights on pacing, nutrition, and psychological resilience, offering tips from the trenches for race day success. They explore the challenges of juggling athletic goals with personal life, emphasizing the importance of maintaining relatio
362. Maximal Fitness with Minimum Time with Ben Greenfield (Part 1) Mar 18, 2025 2455 Greg chats with Ben Greenfield, a trailblazer in health and human optimization, about unlocking potential and redefining personal limits. We put a magnifying glass onto Ben's journey from novice to Ironman, and discover two key breakthroughs: a time-efficient high-intensity training method and a game-changing nutrition strategy for optimal endurance. Gain insights into sustaining high performance

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