Backstage w/ Matt Stone

Last night’s adventure: beef noodles, long lines, and landing a side-seat at The Daily Show with Jordan Klepper. Sure, the warm-up comic talked longer than the taping itself—but the laughs, the strangers-turned-friends, and the reminder to grab opportunities now made it worth every minute. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus epi...

Today’s journey goes from a random stop in Madagascar to Carnival Cruise’s baffling “sunscreen ice cream” before landing on something that actually matters: why leadership in business has to mean more than vague platitudes and buzzwords. If we don’t define it clearly, and demand leaders who unite rather than divide, we’re just scooping air, or worse. This is a public episode. If you would like to...

On the first day of fall, I dig into why saying “no” never felt right to me—and how reframing it as saying “yes” to my own priorities makes all the difference. This episode is about clarity, focus, and staying on your path without burning bridges along the way. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattstone.substa...

Running on coffee and questionable sleep, I tumble from jet lag into daydreams of New Zealand, bucket lists, and why joy might just be the most underrated business strategy ever. Spoiler: it’s hard to innovate when you’re joyless (and no, more spreadsheets don’t help). *For info on Shannon Hernandez, check out her website here: https://joyfulbusinessrevolution.com This is a public episode. If you...

Back at the mic with proper audio (thank you, Shure SM7B), I dive into the quirks of sound quality, jet lag, and why fall feels so energizing after Tokyo’s humidity. A conversation with my friend Nathan sparks today’s reflection: the strange history of “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” and why it started as an impossible task. We explore what that phrase really means, why “just try harder” oft...

Jet-lagged in Tokyo, sweaty from the humidity, and wondering why my body still hasn’t caught up—today’s quick reflection is about how fast we adapt (or don’t), why old friends make life feel lighter, and the dangerous trap of letting other people’s advice drown out your own gut. Somewhere between balmy evenings and business planning, I’m realizing the answers usually aren’t “out there”—they’re alr...

Today’s reflection on travel, culture, and the role businesses play in shaping the “garden” we all live in — plus a reminder to bring more joy and intentional fun into every day. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattstone.substack.com

Discussing how the way we played as children can light a more joyful path forward as we progress in life and in business. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattstone.substack.com

Exploring the value of looking ahead in difficult times and deciding, in advance, the story you want to tell about how you showed up during the challenge. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattstone.substack.com

Discussing the story of Natalie, a coffee entrepreneur who is always learning, growing, and adapting. If you’re in New York City, visit Natalie’s shop, Macaron Cafe, at 488 7th Avenue. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattstone.substack.com

Discussing the role that repetition plays in laying a foundation over time to make stretching, growing, and adapting even easier. Start small and keep going. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattstone.substack.com

Discussing how sometimes tedious unfinished tasks can be blocks to creativity, and how clearing even one task away can unlock creativity and joy. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattstone.substack.com

Discussing lessons learned from a thrilling US Open match, where the victor seemed to get stronger and more focused when it counted. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattstone.substack.com

Most of us answer “What do you do?” with a job title or task list. But what if you used that question as an opening to share how you see the world—and why solving a certain problem matters to you? In this episode, we’ll explore how to reframe introductions so they focus less on roles and more on vision, impact, and values. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subs...

Discussing the importance of balancing genuine curiosity and openness with clarity of purpose. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattstone.substack.com

Discussing the merits of cultivating uninterrupted moments to allow our brains to wander and create. Referencing a video talk by Harvard’s Arthur C. Brooks. Check out the video here: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattstone.substack.com

Discussing the opportunity to look beyond awareness and choose actions that help others, bring people together, and form bonds to make tomorrow better than today. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattstone.substack.com

Discussing interpretations of the phrase “this too shall pass” and considering a more complete picture of how to survive and thrive through ever-changing circumstances. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattstone.substack.com

Discussing the challenge of doing creative work immediately after returning from a trip. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattstone.substack.com

Discussing the role that distance plays in gaining (or re-gaining) clarity to improve decision-making, manage energy, and prevent self-gaslighting. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattstone.substack.com

Sharing about how one author is collaborating with another artist on an inspiring project, plus a special poem to take you into the weekend. Find Marin Sardy and Pyschic Telephone here: https://substack.com/@marinsardy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattstone.substack.com

Discussing the need for balance in energy spent online vs. offline, as too much online activity can warp our sense of self. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattstone.substack.com

Discussing the importance of prioritizing communities and connections with people who can see your value. More on Melanie Fox and her speech/accent coaching here: https://speechfox.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattstone.substack.com

Discussion of the reason for letting go: To focus on our faith in and commitment to the things that matter the most. Check out Philip Chase’s YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy/featured This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattstone.substack.com

Discussing various observances today, and the Holstee Manifesto, which can be found here: https://www.holstee.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattstone.substack.com