Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais

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 connec...

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 pinnacle of her...

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 he...

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 with ext...

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” beats pe...

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, yet his...

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, connect...

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 currency,...

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 that ca...

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, Howie sha...

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 build a bi...

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 a sport...

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 shapes...

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 matter most...

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 support calm,...

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). Born in...

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 catalyst for...

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 manipul...

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, emotional resil...

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, emotional ho...

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 , invites us t...

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, Yogi Roth...

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 ascent...

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 after faci...

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 them maste...