Backstage w/ Matt Stone

New name, same morning mischief. In this episode, Matt unveils The First Play —a fresh start for your day and your mindset. From Indy’s crossroads to life’s crossroads, he takes on ego, projection, and why curiosity beats “I alone can fix it” every time. Quick listen, big energy—press play on your first play of the day. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscri...

Counting reps? Counting emails? Counting days till Friday? Stop. Slow down, breathe, and actually build something—muscle, momentum, meaning. Quality over quantity, baby. Link to new business pod: https://bbrpod.transistor.fm 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

Today’s curveball: a client canceled last-minute. Instead of sulking, I took a page from my my favorite football team’s playbook—embrace everything, even the boos. Whether it’s rain, rejection, or a reschedule, you can treat it all like fuel. The question isn’t why me? —it’s how can I use this? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonu...

Today’s two-minute trip takes us to Lubango, Angola, before shifting to a bigger question: are you playing life not to lose, or are you playing to win? A subtle mindset shift—away from threat and toward possibility—can change everything about how you show up today. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattstone.su...

On the first day of October, I reflect on what it means to separate “talking days” from “creative days,” and why feedback is fueling my growth as I build The Building Business Relationships Podcast . Honest critique stings less when it pushes you higher—and that’s exactly where I’m aiming. Check out the Preview episode of The Building Business Relationship Podcast here: https://share.transistor.fm...

From apple cider donuts to Puerto Varas, Chile, today’s reflection lands on a bigger question: are we chasing follower counts or building relationships that actually matter? Because 100 people who trust you can change your world more than 10,000 who scroll past you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattstone.s...

Seven weeks of near-daily rambling—er, podcasting—and I’m hooked. From Oregon Ducks football to random reflections, today I’m celebrating the magic of just showing up… and daring you to pick a habit you’ll stick with (no excuses). 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

On Johnny Appleseed Day, I trade apple lore for something heavier: the erosion of rule of law, the disorienting state of leadership, and why promoting values that aren’t currently valued can feel unbearable. No silver linings here—just radical honesty, a restless night, and a reminder to connect with people who still believe in building trust. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss...

We’ve all been there—trying to duct-tape a deal, a project, or a relationship into working when the timing’s all wrong. Spoiler: it’s exhausting. Today’s lesson? Stop rowing like mad and let the wind do some of the work. Sometimes the smartest move is to park it, laugh, and wait for the right breeze. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access t...

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