Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais
Dr. Michael Gervais, a high performance psychologist, interviews world-class athletes, leaders, and thinkers to uncover their mental skills and personal practices. Guests include David Goggins, Brene Brown, and Toto Wolff. The podcast translates their stories into actionable tools for listeners to unlock their own potential. New episodes are released every Wednesday.
Episodes
The Psychology Of Parenting | Dr. Dan Siegel
What if the most important work of parenting isn’t about your child at all... but about understanding yourself?Dr. Dan Siegel is a Harvard-trained clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA, a neuroscientist, and one of the leading voices helping us understand how relationships shape the developing mind. He has authored over 20 books, five of them New York Times bestsellers, including co-au
The Psychology of Fighting Cancer | Dr Valter Longo
If your body already has powerful systems designed to repair and protect you, are your daily habits helping switch them on... or working against them?Dr. Valter Longo is a professor and director of the Longevity Institute at USC, one of the world’s leading researchers on aging, nutrition, and lifespan, and the author of The Longevity Diet and his latest book, Fasting Cancer. His path into
The Psychology Of Winning The Super Bowl | Seattle Seahawks Coach Mike Macdonald
What does it take to build a team that trusts each other enough to go through hard things together... not around them?Mike Macdonald is the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks and one of the youngest head coaches in modern NFL history to win a Super Bowl. His path is an unusual one. He grew up with almost no family pipeline into football, a baseball kid in Georgia who fell in love with the
The Psychology Of Spirituality | Dr. Lisa Miller
What if the reason so many of us are struggling right now isn’t a lack of success… but a lack of connection to something deeper?Dr. Lisa Miller is a clinical psychologist, professor at Columbia University, and author of The Awakened Brain, and her research challenges something many of us have been taught to overlook: that spirituality isn’t optional, and it isn’t just religion… it’s a cor
The Psychology of Awareness | Jon Kabat-Zinn
What if the real crisis we're facing right now isn't political or technological… but a crisis of attention?Jon Kabat-Zinn is a molecular biologist, professor emeritus of medicine, and the founder of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), the program that helped move mindfulness from contemplative tradition into modern medicine, psychology, and high performance. The last time Jon joine
The Psychology Of Not Giving A F*ck | Mark Manson
What if the most important skill of our moment isn't knowing more, but knowing what's actually worth caring about?Mark Manson is the bestselling author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck and Everything Is F*cked, with three #1 New York Times bestsellers and tens of millions of readers around the world. The last time Mark joined Finding Mastery was in 2020, mid-COVID, when uncertainty
The Psychology Of Feeling Loved | Dr Sonja Lyubomirsky
Why is it that so many of us are loved... and yet don’t actually feel loved?Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky is a Professor of Psychology at UC Riverside and one of the world’s leading researchers on happiness. Her newest book, How to Feel Loved, co-authored with relationship scientist Harry Reis, lands at a strange moment: a time when more people than ever say they are connected, and more people th
The Psychology of Being a Super Communicator | Charles Duhigg
Why do so many conversations break down, even when both people are trying to connect?Charles Duhigg is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and the bestselling author of The Power of Habit and Supercommunicators. This is his third conversation on Finding Mastery, and the timing matters. The world has shifted since the last time he and Dr. Michael Gervais spoke. Families, friendships, even
5 Questions to Unlock Your Inner Potential | Dr. Mike Gervais - AMA Vol.29
What questions are tugging at you right now, and how might exploring the answers help you live and perform with more clarity?We're back with another special edition of the Finding Mastery podcast: an Ask Me Anything episode, built from the deep and sometimes vulnerable questions submitted by our community.Joining Dr. Michael Gervais again is Jeff Byers, former NFL player, Co-Founder and C
The Psychology of Performance Under Pressure |Andrew Whitworth
What does it really take to stay at the top for 16 years and still know who you are when it ends? Andrew Whitworth is a Super Bowl champion, four-time Pro Bowler, and the oldest left tackle in NFL history to start a Super Bowl. He spent 16 seasons protecting the most valuable position on the field, finished his career by winning a championship at 40, and walked off in one of the most
The Psychology Of Money | Tom Bilyeu
Are you playing the game, or being played by it?Tom Bilyeu is an entrepreneur, co-founder of Quest Nutrition, and founder of Impact Theory, one of the most-watched interview platforms in the world. He has spent years studying the systems that shape financial outcomes, and in this conversation with Dr. Michael Gervais, he makes a case that most people find unsettling: the financial system
The Psychology of Happiness | Dr. Laurie Santos
Why do we keep chasing happiness in ways that don't actually work?Dr. Laurie Santos is a cognitive scientist and professor of psychology at Yale, where she created the most popular course in the university's 300-year history, the Science of Well-Being. Since then, that course has reached millions of people around the world, and her podcast, The Happiness Lab, has become one of the most tr
The Psychology of Hunger | Dr Jason Fung
Why do diets so often fail... is it discipline or biology?Dr. Jason Fung is a physician, nephrologist, and one of the most influential voices challenging how we understand metabolism, obesity, and chronic disease. He is the bestselling author of The Obesity Code, The Diabetes Code, and his newest book, The Hunger Code, which explores a deceptively powerful question: what is actually drivi
The Psychology of Winning | Michael Johnson
What separates the athletes who perform when it matters most from those who don't... and can that difference be trained?Michael Johnson is one of the greatest sprinters in history: four-time Olympic gold medalist, nine-time World Champion, and the former world record holder in both the 200 and 400 meters. He was also, by his own account, one of the most psychologically prepared competitor
The Psychology of Truth In a World of Lies | Sam Harris
There's a version of honesty most of us have never tried. Not brutal honesty. Not radical honesty. Something quieter and more demanding than either: a genuine commitment to saying what is true and useful, and nothing else.That is where this conversation begins.Sam Harris, neuroscientist, philosopher, bestselling author, host of the Making Sense podcast, and creator of the Waking Up app, j
The Psychology of Limiting Beliefs | Nir Eyal
What if the biggest barrier between you and your potential isn’t talent - but a belief you’ve never questioned?Nir Eyal is a behavioral design expert and the bestselling author of Hooked, Indistractable, and his newest book, Beyond Belief. In this conversation with Dr. Michael Gervais, he explores a deceptively powerful idea: that beliefs operate like the hidden software of the mind, shap
The Psychology Of YouTube Success | Michelle Khare
What does it look like to bet on yourself, embrace reinvention, and build a YouTube channel that reaches millions?Michelle Khare is the creator and host of Challenge Accepted, the award-winning YouTube series where sherains with elite performers, athletes, and professionals to take on some of the world’s toughest stunts and professions. But this conversation goes far beyond spectacle. It’
Five Questions That Matter | Dr Mike Gervais AMA Vol.28
What questions are tugging at you right now, and how might exploring the answers help you live and perform with more clarity?We’re back with a special edition of the Finding Mastery podcast: another Ask Me Anything episode, built from the deep, thoughtful questions submitted by our community.In this AMA, Michael Gervais is joined by Jeff Byers, former NFL player, Co-Founder and CEO of Mom
The Only Financial Advice You’ll Ever Need | Morgan Housel
What if the hardest part of money isn’t earning it, but knowing how to use it well?Morgan Housel, bestselling author of The Psychology of Money, returns to Finding Mastery to explore the core idea behind his newest bestselling book, The Art of Spending Money. In this next chapter of his work, Morgan shifts the conversation away from accumulation and toward a deeper question: after the bas
Why Young People Are Struggling | Angela Duckworth
Why are young people today reporting the highest levels of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and despair in modern history?Dr. Angela Duckworth is a professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and one of the world’s leading voices on grit, self-control, and the science of thriving. In this conversation with Dr. Michael Gervais, Angela reflects on how her thinking about grit h
Why You’re Tired, Anxious & Inflamed I Dr Tim Spector
What if one of the biggest nutrition mistakes we’re making isn’t what we eat, but what we’re missing?Dr. Tim Spector is one of the world’s leading researchers on the gut microbiome and how it shapes metabolism, immunity, and even mental wellbeing. In this conversation Tim challenges the conventional nutrition playbook, explaining why calories are a poor guide to health, why most diets bac
The Moment You Have to Decide | Brandon Marshall
Data on an NFL sideline is immediate. Decisions are filtered through fear, experience, and instinct.In this episode of The Game Inside the Games, Dr. Michael Gervais and NFL legend Brandon Marshall explore the tension between analytics and intuition—what happens when information is instant, comprehensive, and impossible to ignore. As technology reshapes decision-making on the NFL sideline
The Weight We Carry: Ricardo Lockette on Loss and Healing
Some moments don’t fade. They wait.In this episode of The Game Inside the Games, Dr. Michael Gervais reconnects with Ricardo Lockette as returning to the Super Bowl setting brings old emotions back to the surface. The conversation moves beyond the game itself into grief, loss, and the weight of moments that never fully resolve.Lockette speaks candidly about the Super Bowl heartbreak, the
Brandon Marshall: Inside the Huddle
The huddle is one of the quietest moments in football—and one of the most revealing. Before the play is called, before anyone moves, a team comes together in a space where trust, tone, and connection matter more than words on a whiteboard.In this episode of The Game Inside the Games, Dr. Michael Gervais and All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Marshall go inside the huddle to explore what really
The Loudest Voice in the Stadium: Cam Newton on Self‑Talk
The noise at the Super Bowl can be overwhelming—tens of thousands of voices colliding into a single roar. But the loudest voice a player hears isn’t coming from the stands. It’s the one inside their own head.In this episode of The Game Inside the Games, Dr. Michael Gervais and All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Marshall sit down with former NFL MVP Cam Newton to explore one of the most overloo
One Yard from Everything: Flow, Pressure, and the Play that Changed Football
The Super Bowl isn’t just a physical game — it’s a psychological one.In this special Game Inside the Games episode, Dr. Michael Gervais is joined by NFL coach Matt Patricia and former All-Pro Brandon Marshall to unpack one of the most defining moments in Super Bowl history: Malcolm Butler’s game-winning interception.This episode explores what it looks like to perform under pressure when t
Why Smart People Make Bad Decisions | Ryan Holiday
What does it mean to live wisely in a loud, distracted, and often reactive world?Ryan Holiday—bestselling author and modern Stoic philosopher—returns to explore how wisdom actually works… not as a theory or a prize of age, but as a daily practice of reflection, humility, and courage.Ryan breaks down why wisdom takes work, how Stoic philosophy applies to modern parenting and leadership, an
Why You’re Aging Faster Than You Think | Dr Gabrielle Lyon
What if the real risk to our health isn’t aging itself, but becoming metabolically weak?Dr. Gabrielle Lyon — physician, researcher, and one of the leading voices redefining how we think about health and longevity — shares why muscle sits at the center of lasting strength, energy, and vitality. In this wide-ranging conversation with Dr. Michael Gervais, she explores why health isn’t someth
How To Stay Calm Under Stress | Dan Harris
What changes when anxiety shows up—and you stop trying to outrun it, and start learning how to work with it?Dan Harris—journalist, bestselling author, and host of 10% Happier—returns to Finding Mastery to explore practical ways to work with anxiety. Dan unpacks how meditation, compassionate self-talk, and exposure built his capacity after a panic attack on live TV—and why curiosity is a p
Why You Should Quit Social Media in 2026 | Cal Newport
If you’re trying to be productive, what if the answer isn’t to do more… but to do less, better?On today’s episode, we welcome back Cal Newport — Georgetown computer science professor, bestselling author of Deep Work and Slow Productivity, and one of the most influential voices on focus, sustainable achievement, and the hidden costs of our digital lives. Cal and Dr. Mike pick up where thei
How to Build (and Repair) Love: The Gottmans on What Every Couple Should Know
The most powerful way to enter a new year is not with resolutions, but with a deeper understanding of how to connect with the people who matter most.As we close out the year, the Finding Mastery team is taking time to rest, re-calibrate and reflect — practicing the same principles we talk about on this podcast. So today, we’re sharing a conversation from the Finding Mastery Vault wit
How to Get Unstuck in Life — Lessons on Love from Sharon Salzberg, Meditation Pioneer
What if the greatest gift you could offer this season isn’t something you buy—but rather the way you choose to meet yourself and others—with kindness?As we pause new releases over the holidays, the Finding Mastery team is taking time to rest, reflect, and be with our loved ones — because we believe relationships are part of the practice of mastery itself.So today, we’re re-releasing a pow
This Is Why You’re Tired, Stressed, and Not Healing | Biohacker, Dave Asprey
What would change if you stopped trying to push through fatigue — and instead learned what your biology is trying to tell you?On today’s episode of Finding Mastery, we sit down with entrepreneur, author, and biohacking pioneer Dave Asprey — founder of Bulletproof, Upgrade Labs, and widely regarded as the father of the modern biohacking movement. This is Dave’s second time on the podcast,
What Microsoft’s Culture Shift Can Teach You in 2026 | Kathleen Hogan
What if the future of work isn’t about technology at all — but about unlocking more humanity in each other?On today’s episode, we sit down with Kathleen Hogan, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer at Microsoft, and one of the key architects behind the company’s cultural reinvention. Kathleen helped lead Microsoft’s shift from a “know-it-all” to a “learn-it-all” culture — embedding em
The First Openly Gay NBA Player On the Power of Courage, Leadership, and Empathy | John Amaechi
What does it really mean to live with courage and conviction?On today’s episode, we sit down with Dr. John Amaechi — organizational psychologist, New York Times bestselling author, and the first openly gay NBA player. Along his journey, John always set out to be himself in a world that repeatedly told him he was too big, too soft-spoken, too smart, too different. In this conversation
How To Live the Good Life - Lessons From The Longest Study On Happiness | Dr. Robert Waldinger
What if the most powerful thing you can do for your health isn’t diet or exercise — but investing in the people you love?Today’s episode is from the Finding Mastery Vault — a timeless conversation with Dr. Robert Waldinger, psychiatrist, Harvard professor, Zen master, and Director of the world’s longest-running scientific study on happiness.In this conversation, we explore the science of
Olympic Gold Medalist: Other People Were Killing My Confidence (And How I Got It Back) - Caroline Marks
What if the key to becoming a champion isn’t about chasing wins—but knowing when to pause, prioritize the inner work, and trust that the rest will follow?On today’s episode, filmed in front of a live audience at California Surf Club, we sit down with Caroline Marks — the 2023 World Surf League Women’s Champion and 2024 Olympic Gold Medalist. By 23, Caroline has already reached the pinnacl
Beyond Lieutenant Dan: Gary Sinise on Love, Loss & Legacy
What if real success is measured not by what you achieve, but by how deeply you give?On today’s episode, we sit down with Gary Sinise—Emmy Award–winning actor and director best known for his roles in Forrest Gump, Apollo 13, and CSI: New York, and founder of the Gary Sinise Foundation—to explore his lifelong arc from self to service.Gary takes us back to the accidental spark of belonging
Bonus Episode: Aaron Lazar & Dr. Michael Gervais on the Mastery of Self and the Journey to Reverse ALS | Impossible Dreams Podcast
Welcome to a special Monday episode on the Finding Mastery channel.Every once in a while, we come across a story or a person that moves us in a profound way — and this is one of those moments.Recently, I was invited by Aaron Lazar to join him on his new podcast, Impossible Dreams. Aaron is an incredible human — a Broadway and television actor, singer, and storyteller — who’s facing ALS wi
How a $120 Billion Company Thinks Like a Startup | Matt Garman, CEO of Amazon Web Services
What if your biggest competitive advantage isn’t how technologically advanced you are — but how psychologically agile your teams are?On today’s episode, we sit down with Matt Garman — CEO of Amazon Web Services — to dig into the leadership frameworks behind one of the world’s most innovative companies. We cover his “one-way vs. two-way doors” decision model, why “minimum lovable product”
95% of Creative People Struggle With THIS | Wieden+Kennedy's Neal Arthur
What if the real challenge of creativity isn’t coming up with ideas… but creating the conditions where people believe in them enough to fight for them?Today, we sit down with Neal Arthur, Global CEO of Wieden+Kennedy, the iconic creative agency behind culture-shaping work from Nike’s “Just Do It” to Coca-Cola and McDonald’s. Neal leads one of the world’s most inventive creative agencies,
Body Language Expert: The #1 Habit That Makes You Unforgettable | Vanessa Van Edwards
What if the key to deeper connection isn’t in what you say — but in how your body speaks, listens, and moves?On today’s episode, we sit down with Vanessa Van Edwards — behavioral researcher, bestselling author, and founder of Science of People. A self-described “recovering awkward person,” Vanessa turned social anxiety into a science-backed toolkit anyone can use to improve communication,
Savannah Bananas: Inside The Banana Ball Phenomenon | Jesse Cole
What if instead of chasing a seat at the table, you built an entirely new game — and the world fell in love with it?On today’s episode, we sit down with Jesse Cole, founder and owner of the Savannah Bananas and creator of Banana Ball. Jesse has built one of the most extraordinary, fast-growing sports movements by breaking every rule in the book. In an era where attention is the hardest cu
NHL Hall Of Famer | From Underdog to Hockey Legend - Luc Robitaille, LA Kings President
What if being overlooked; dismissed as too slow or too average, was actually the foundation for becoming one of the greatest of all time?On today’s episode, we sit down with Luc Robitaille; Hockey Hall of Famer, NHL’s all-time leading left-wing scorer, Stanley Cup champion, and President of the LA Kings. Recorded live at the California Surf Club, Luc pulls back the curtain on the mindset
From Panic Attacks to Prime-Time: Howie Mandel’s Survival Story
What if the very thing you’ve been hiding from the world is actually the doorway to real connection?On today’s episode, we sit down with legendary comedian, TV host, actor, and producer Howie Mandel - best known for Deal or No Deal, America’s Got Talent, and decades of stand-up. But the real story isn’t what Howie does. It’s how he thinks.In this candid and deeply human conversation, Howi
The Truth About Hair Thinning | Nutrafol’s Giorgos Tsetis
What if your deepest insecurity could become the catalyst for building something extraordinary?On today’s episode, we sit down with Giorgos Tsetis - engineer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Nutrafol. As a young model, Giorgos faced the fear of hair thinning head-on and made a radical choice: to engineer a healthier, science-backed path. That choice would eventually serve millions and bui
Why Most Athletes Break - And How We Didn’t | Brandie Wilkerson and Melissa Humana-Paredes
What does it take to win an Olympic medal—while navigating the mental and emotional rollercoaster of the Games?On today’s episode, Dr. Gervais sits down with Olympic silver medalists Brandie Wilkerson and Melissa Humana-Paredes, their legendary coach Marcio Sicoli, and moderator David Belasco to go behind the curtain of Team Canada’s incredible 2024 beach volleyball run.This is more than
Stop Letting Your Emotions Hijack Your Success | Travis Bradberry
What if your success as a leader, parent, or partner depends less on IQ — and more on emotional intelligence?On today’s episode, we sit down with Dr. Travis Bradberry — best-selling author and one of the world’s leading voices on emotional intelligence (EQ). With over 5 million books sold, including his latest The New Emotional Intelligence, Dr. Bradberry has spent decades studying how EQ
You’ll Fail at Love…Until You Realize This | Simon Sinek
What if our deepest human needs, for connection and belonging, hold the real answers for navigating a world racing ahead with technology?On today’s episode, we sit down with Simon Sinek, globally renowned thinker, bestselling author, and long-time friend of the show. Back for a second conversation with us, Simon brings his trademark clarity and storytelling to the questions that matt
Depression Is the Past, Anxiety Is the Future – How to Live in the Present | Tim Ferriss
What if reframing one simple word, and one simple practice, could reshape how you experience your life?On today’s episode, we sit down with Tim Ferriss, bestselling author of The 4-Hour Workweek, host of The Tim Ferriss Show, angel investor, and relentless experimenter in human potential. Known for his curiosity and cultural impact, Tim opens up about the intentional practices that suppor
From Chernobyl to World Champion | Oksana Masters
What if I told you that one of the most dominant athletes of our time began her life in unimaginable hardship - and then rewrote her story, chapter by chapter?This week, we revisit one of the most powerful conversations in the Finding Mastery vault with Oksana Masters; multi-sport Paralympic gold medalist and one of the most decorated Paralympic athletes in U.S. history (with 19 medals).B
The 5 Types of Wealth That Will Change Your Life | Sahil Bloom
What if the real risk isn’t failure—it’s spending your whole life chasing a version of success that was never yours to begin with?That question sparked a radical transformation in Sahil Bloom’s life. A NYT best-selling author, entrepreneur, and investor, Sahil once had a sobering realization: he might only see his parents 15 more times in his lifetime. That gut-check moment became a catal
The Narcissist Expert: How To Spot Them, Survive Them & Why They're Everywhere - Dr. Ramani
What if some of the traits that drive high performance – are also at the very core of narcissism? This week on Finding Mastery, we welcome clinical psychologist and narcissism expert Dr. Ramani Durvasula to explore one of the most complex psychological dynamics of our time.Narcissism isn’t always loud or obvious. Dr. Ramani breaks down how narcissism lives on a spectrum, from subtle
Millions Watched Me Dance — No One Saw My Trauma I Derek Hough
What if one of the greatest choreographers and dancers of our time found mastery not in movement… but in stillness?This week on Finding Mastery, we’re joined by Derek Hough—four-time Emmy Award winner, six-time Dancing with the Stars champion, and one of the most respected dancers and choreographers in the world.This conversation isn’t just about dance. It’s about self-discovery, emotiona
Why Most Relationships Fail (And How to Break the Cycle) — Yung Pueblo
What are the three things you need to know to love better? This week, we’re joined by Yung Pueblo — a meditator, poet, bestselling author, and one of the most impactful modern-day wisdom teachers whose work is grounded in lived experience.Diego shares his deeply personal journey: from hitting rock bottom in his early twenties to rebuilding his life through Vipassana meditation, emoti
What AI Can't Replace: The Ancient Skills That Will Save Us | Soren Gordhamer
The question is not if AI will advance. It will. The real question is whether humans will advance with it?This week on The Finding Mastery Podcast, we sit down with Soren Gordhamer — founder of Wisdom 2.0, a global movement exploring the intersection of mindfulness, purpose, and technology.Soren’s latest book, The Essential: Discovering What Really Matters in an Age of Distraction, invite
Ask Me Anything: Finding Purpose, Raising Resilient Kids & Navigating Workplace Politics | Vol. 27
How do you stay true to your values when others are playing political games? What if your purpose feels too small compared to others? And how do we raise kids who can handle life's inevitable hard blows?We're back for Part 2 of our special Finding Mastery Ask Me Anything with Dr. Michael Gervais and our good friend—author, documentarian, podcaster, football analyst, and renaissance man, Y
How Not to Die | How Alex Honnold Trains His Mind to Stay Calm 3,000 Feet Above Ground
How do you stay calm and focused when you’re 3,000 feet off the ground — with no ropes, no safety lines, and no room for error?Legendary climber and free soloist Alex Honnold returns to The Finding Mastery Podcast for a raw, insightful conversation about mindset, being great with fear, and what it means to live at the edge of human performance.Alex is best known for his historic, ropeless
The Mindset Shifts That Built a Billion Dollar Brand — TheRealReal's Julie Wainwright on Reinvention & Leadership
What does it take to rebuild your life after public failure — and bet on yourself again?This week, we sit down with Julie Wainwright — a trailblazing entrepreneur who went from the CEO of Pets.com during the dot-com crash to building The RealReal into a billion-dollar luxury resale powerhouse… all in her 50s.Julie was one of only 23 women to ever take a company public — and she did it aft
From Jordan to Kobe: The Keys to a Championship Mindset with Mindfulness Coach George Mumford
What can we learn from the same person who helped unlock greatness in Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Phil Jackson? The answer is: a lot.Meet George Mumford — the mindfulness coach behind some of the most legendary names in sport. Known as “The Mindfulness Performance Whisperer,” George has worked with elite NBA players, Olympic athletes, world-class artists, and top-tier CEOs to help th
How to Lead Through Crisis—Building Trust, Courage, and Culture at Alaska Airlines | Ben Minicucci
What does it take to be a great leader in moments of calm and crisis? And how do you maintain strength in a heartfelt way? Ben Minicucci is the CEO of Alaska Airlines — where he leads with a values-first approach rooted in trust, accountability, and care. With a background in engineering, military service, and operations, Ben is redefining what it means to lead a high-perf
Cognitive Psychologist: Break Free from a Victim Mindset | Scott Barry Kaufman
What if the greatest obstacle to reaching your potential isn't external barriers, but a mindset in which you see yourself as a victim? Today, I’m stoked to welcome back my good friend and one of my favorite thinkers, Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman. This is Scott’s third time on the podcast, and he always delivers. Scott is a humanistic psychologist, bestselling author, and host
The Taylor Swift Playbook — Bold Moves, Loyal Fans, and Lasting Impact | Kevin Evers
What if one of the most powerful business minds of our time wasn’t a CEO or a founder—and instead, a singer-songwriter who’s been redefining her brand strategy since age 13?Today, we’re diving into the business brilliance of Taylor Swift — and to help us do it, I’m joined by Kevin Evers, Senior Editor at Harvard Business Review and author of There's Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius
Future-Proof Your Body: Become Durable, Mobile, and Pain-Free with Dr. Kelly Starrett
What if one of the keys to sustaining high performance wasn’t just about going harder, but learning how to recover smarter—and move better—every single day?This week, we’re pulling one from the Finding Mastery Vaults. It’s a conversation I had with Dr. Kelly Starrett—performance coach to some of the world's top athletes, Olympians, elite military personnel, and corporations, bestselling a
Ask Me Anything: Dr. Michael Gervais on Self-Worth, Resilience, and Finding Light in the Cracks
What does it take to thrive in today’s high-pressure, constantly shifting world?We’re back with a special Finding Mastery Ask Me Anything with Dr. Michael Gervais! In this AMA, we're thrilled to welcome our good friend, Yogi Roth, for a powerful conversation on navigating life's most challenging moments. Drawing from our extensive experience with elite performers, educators, and healthcar
The Power of Quiet Leadership—Action, Impact, and the Climate Crisis with Tenzin Seldon
How do you lead with conviction—without losing your center?Tenzin Seldon is a global climate advocate, human rights leader, and one of the first Tibetan-Americans to rise through the ranks of elite institutions like Stanford and Oxford. But her story isn’t about prestige—it’s about purpose.Born to Tibetan refugee parents, Tenzin’s life has been shaped by activism, faith, and a deep connec
Seattle Seahawks General Manager on Talent, Teamwork, and Tough Conversations | John Schneider
What does it take to build one of the most respected teams in the NFL — and lead it with heart, grit, and humility?This episode is a special one. Recorded right in the heart of Seahawks territory in Seattle, I got to sit down with my friend, John Schneider, General Manager of the Seattle Seahawks.John has spent over a decade helping to build one of the NFL’s most competitive and consisten
Can You Reverse Aging? The Surprising Role of Skin in Longevity | Dr. Carolina Reis Oliveira
What if our skin—our most visible organ—is actually one of the best gateways to longevity and vibrant health?This week’s guest is Dr. Carolina Reis Oliveira—a brilliant scientist, a bio-chemist with a focus in stem cells and tissue engineer who’s redefining what it means to age well. As co-founder and CEO of OneSkin, Carolina’s using cutting-edge biotechnology to not only improve how skin
Lift As You Rise: Purpose-Driven Approach to Leadership with Ellyn Shook
What does it take to create a workplace where people thrive—where leadership is human-centered, purpose-driven, built for the future, and knows how to get results?Today, as part of our Modern Leadership series I’m excited to sit down with Ellyn Shook, the former Chief Leadership & Human Resources Officer at Accenture, to explore the evolving landscape of leadership and workplace cultu
Judd Apatow: "Never Stop Learning and Never Stop Growing"
What does it take to stay emotionally grounded in an industry built on ego? This week, we sit down with Judd Apatow—the legendary director, producer, and comedy mastermind behind some of the most influential films and TV shows of the past three decades. From "Freaks and Geeks" to "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," Judd has not only created cultural touchstones but has become known as one of H
The Human Side of Human Resources: Creating Authentic Connection with Rhonda Morris
What does it take to lead at the highest levels—while staying true to who you are?Today’s guest is Rhonda Morris, the former VP and Chief Human Resources Officer of Chevron. Rhonda is a powerhouse—sharp, competitive, and deeply committed to helping others perform at their best. How do I know that? Because we’re friends.Her journey started back in Oakland, California playing sports with th
Diplo - Grammy Award Winning DJ: “Don't Be Afraid of Failing”
How do you stay ahead in an industry that never stops evolving?Today, we are diving into the mind of one of the most prolific, boundary-pushing, and curious creators of our time—Diplo.Perhaps you know him for his music career—with Grammy award winning hits and game-changing collaborations, or for headlining some of the biggest festivals in the world (including a concert in Cuba where 500,
Leadership's Missing Link: How Empathy Unlocks Human Potential with Matt Breitfelder
The best leaders aren’t just great decision-makers—they build cultures. So what does it actually take to create a thriving, high-performance culture?Today’s guest, Matt Breitfelder, is one of the most influential leadership architects in modern business. As Partner and Head of Human Capital at Apollo — one of the world’s leading asset management companies — he’s charged with attracting so
Innovation Expert: Embrace the Creative Process and Find Joy in the Unknown | JoAnn Garbin
What does it take to go from nothing to something—and then scale it into meaningful impact?I want to introduce you to someone you may not be familiar with, unless you’re in the innovation space -- JoAnn Garbin. JoAnn has led innovation teams at some of the world’s most influential companies—including Microsoft, and she is one of those rare minds who can dance between deep technical system
World Champion Climber Sasha DiGiulian on Risk, Fear, and Thriving Under Pressure
What happens when your biggest obstacle isn’t the mountain—it's your own self-doubt?Sasha DiGiulian is one of the world’s top rock climbers and a pioneer in the sport—with multiple first female ascents, national titles, and a world championship under her belt. Sasha’s unique approach to navigating fear, risk, and doubt is masterful. In this conversation, you’ll hear how Sasha balances the
Manage Your Emotions So They Don’t Manage You | Dr. Ethan Kross
How much control do we really have over our emotions? And what if the key to mastering them is easier than you think?This week’s conversation is a special one. It was recorded in front of a live audience at Live Talks Los Angeles, where I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Dr. Ethan Kross, one of the world’s leading experts on emotion and self-control. He’s a pioneering psych
How John Paul DeJoria Built Billion-Dollar Brands | Founder of Patrón and Paul Mitchell
What if one of the unlocks for living “the good life” lies in the simple act of giving, even when you have nothing? Today's guest is an icon of entrepreneurship, resilience, and generosity - John Paul DeJoria - a cofounder of not one but two billion dollar companies, Patrón Tequila and Paul Mitchell Hair Care Products. What you might not know, though, is that before building bi
NFL Stardom to Rock Bottom: Ryan Leaf on Redemption & Resilience
What happens when everything you’ve built your identity around—your talent, your success, your career—comes crashing down?Ryan Leaf’s story is one of the most dramatic arcs in professional sports. Once the No. 2 overall draft pick behind Peyton Manning, Ryan saw his NFL career unravel under the weight of expectations, addiction, and ultimately, prison. And here’s what makes his story powe
System of a Down’s Serj Tankian on Turning Passion Into Purpose
How do the best in the world channel the intensity of their emotions—like frustration, anxiety, and love—into creative power that impacts the world?Serj Tankian is a Grammy-winning artist, activist, and frontman of the iconic rock band System of a Down. Known for his dynamic vocals and thought-provoking lyrics, Serj blends creativity, activism, and mindfulness into his music, poetry and a
Robert Greene on Power, Purpose, Struggle, and Love
What does it mean to develop mastery of self and mastery of craft? That’s a foundational question.Today, I’m really excited to welcome back to the podcast, one of the great minds of our time—Robert Greene. You probably know Robert as the author of some of the most influential books on human behavior—The 48 Laws of Power, Mastery, and The Laws of Human Nature. Today, we go beyond the
