Evolving with Gratitude

What do we do when life gets foggy? In part two of this conversation with Jim Collins, we pick up right where we left off and explore the bug book, simplex stepping, luck versus return on luck, and why not all time in life is equal. We also talk about retirement as a cliff, the power of Who Luck, and what Jim would add to Good to Great after writing What to Make of a Life . If you haven’t listened...

What if you could decode what truly makes you tick? In part one of this two-part conversation, I’m honored to talk with Jim Collins, author of multiple international bestsellers, including Good to Great and What to Make of a Life . Jim rarely does interviews, which makes this conversation especially meaningful. We explore encodings, the deepest intrinsic capacities that shape who we are, what it m...

What if mental health could be strengthened the same way we strengthen physical health, with understanding, structure, and small steps that help us move forward? In this episode, psychiatrist and author Dr. Paul Conti shares a hopeful and practical way to think about mental health through his new book, What’s Going Right: A Powerful New Method for Optimizing Your Mental Health ⁠ . We talk about th...

What if purpose isn’t something we find, but something we build? In this episode, bestselling author and researcher Tom Rath breaks down purpose in a way that feels practical, not pressuring. We talk about why “purpose” can feel loaded, how service and relationships create meaning, and simple ways to notice the impact we are already having, especially in hard seasons. Thrive Global Article: Tom Ra...

What if the way we lead young people is the very thing holding them back? In this episode, Dr. David Yeager, psychologist at UT Austin and author of 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People , shares the “mentor mindset,” a practical approach built on high standards and high support. You will hear why wise feedback works, how the stories we tell ourselves shape motivation, and what real sup...

What if the way we handle disagreement is one of the most important lessons we will ever absorb? In episode 150, George Couros returns for a fun, honest, and deeply practical conversation about what it really takes to move forward together in contentious times. George shares the story behind his new book, Forward, Together , and why the work of building community starts with what we model, not wha...

What if the way you spend money says less about your finances and more about what you actually value? NYT Bestselling author Morgan Housel reveals why smart spending is an art, not a science, and how the choices we make with money are often driven more by status than we'd like to admit. We explore the difference between chasing happiness and finding contentment, why saving is really about purc...

What does it really mean to feel loved? In this conversation with Sonja Lyubomirsky, we explore why being loved isn’t the same as feeling loved, how changing the conversation can shift a relationship, and why loneliness is a moment, not an identity. This one will change how you think about connection. Thrive Global Article: Sonja Lyubomirsky on How to Feel Loved About Our Guest: Sonja Lyubomirsky ...

What does it really take to thrive, not just achieve? In this conversation, award-winning journalist and author Jennifer Breheny Wallace shares why mattering is a fundamental human need and how feeling valued for who we are, not just what we do, supports sustainable achievement, well-being, and connection. We talk about the difference between belonging and mattering, the SAID framework, and small,...

What if change isn’t something to fear but something that can reveal who we really are? Cognitive scientist and podcast host Dr. Maya Shankar shares how to navigate uncertainty, redefine identity, and uncover growth on the other side of change. We talk about finding purpose when life takes an unexpected turn, why “possible selves” matter, and the surprising role distraction and gratitude play in r...

What if the emotions we try to avoid are actually pointing us toward something better? Bestselling author Daniel Pink reveals how regret can become a powerful teacher, helping us make wiser choices, live with more intention, and take the chances that truly matter. We also explore what fuels real motivation, how to master the timing of your day, and why your future self will thank you for acting bo...

What helps us move through fear instead of getting stuck in it? New York Times bestselling author, animal advocate, and mother Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt shares how love, patience, and trust can turn fear into confidence. In this heartfelt conversation, we talk about her new children’s book Kat and Brandy , the healing bond between animals and kids, and the power of kindness and courage to mak...

What if our view of people is darker than reality? Dr. Jamil Zaki, Stanford psychologist and author of Hope for Cynics , shares why many of us mistake cynicism for wisdom and what it’s really costing us. Discover how hopeful skepticism, positive gossip, and small shifts in perspective can help us see more good, build more trust, and live with greater connection. Thrive Global Article: Jamil Zaki o...

What if happiness isn’t about eliminating stress but about learning how to recover and grow from it? In this episode, Tal Ben-Shahar, bestselling author and pioneer in happiness studies, reveals how small daily shifts can boost well-being, why true resilience is about more than bouncing back, and how rethinking expectations can change everything. Thrive Global Article: Tal Ben-Shahar on Happiness,...

What if the traits you’ve been downplaying are actually your biggest advantage in love and life? In this high-energy conversation, Case Kenny—host of New Mindset, Who Dis? and author of The Opposite of Settling —flips the script on dating, self-worth, and the kind of connection that makes you more yourself, not less. We talk about why being “cringe” can be your superpower, the surprising link betw...

We don't resist change because we're lazy. We resist it because it's psychologically costly. Read the article linked below or listed to learn what we can do to overcome it! Thrive Global Article: Why Change Is Psychologically Costly—and What We Can Do About It About Lainie: Lainie Rowell is a bestselling author , award-winning educator, and TEDx speaker. She is dedicated to human flourishing, focu...

What if your next brave act didn’t need to be big—just bold enough to begin? In this heart-expanding episode, I’m joined by the incredible Peter H. Reynolds, beloved author, illustrator, and champion of creativity. Together, we talk about why starting matters more than getting it right, how to nurture creativity in kids (and ourselves), and what it really means to make your mark. Peter shares the...

Are you stuck in performance mode—and calling it growth? In this episode, Eduardo Briceño unpacks The Performance Paradox and what’s keeping so many of us from actually getting better. We talk about the key mindset shift high achievers need, why not all mistakes are created equal, and how to lead with both humility and ambition. If you want to grow on purpose—not just perform—this one’s for you....

What if one sentence could shift the way we think about parenting, leadership, and connection? In this episode, Dr. Aliza Pressman—developmental psychologist and author of The 5 Principles of Parenting shares the mindset that’s reshaped how so many of us set boundaries and hold space for big emotions. We talk about the real meaning of loving limits, how to show up with connection and authority, an...

We say we want less stress, better sleep, more clarity. So why do we skip the one practice that actually delivers? In this episode, we’re talking about journaling—not as a trend, but as a proven, powerful ritual that supports your mental and physical well-being. And no, it doesn’t need to be pretty. It just needs to be real. You’ll hear why the science is clear, why the resistance is real, and how...

Feeling burned out trying to do everything as a parent? You’re not alone—and you’re not failing. In this episode, Myriam Sandler, creator of Mothercould and author of Playful by Design , shares a powerful reframe: independent play isn’t about stepping away from your kids—it’s about helping everyone thrive. We talk about the hidden pressure parents carry, why boredom is a good thing (yes, really),...

What if the key to better sleep isn’t another supplement, app, or expensive gadget—but something already in your head (and your heart)? In this episode, I’m sharing my favorite nighttime ritual—one that’s simple, calming, and grounded in gratitude. It’s not just soothing… it’s science-backed. And it’s helped me fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up feeling more like myself. If your m...

What if defiance wasn’t about rebellion—but about staying true to yourself when the pressure to comply is real? In this episode, Dr. Sunita Sah challenges everything we’ve been taught about obedience and reframes defiance as a skill—one we can practice, refine, and use to show up with integrity. This conversation will shift how you think about discomfort, doubt, and that gut feeling you’ve been tr...

Think staying in your bubble is the safer, easier choice? Turns out, your brain might be lying to you. In this episode, we explore what research really says about connection—and why a quick chat with a stranger might just be the happiness boost you didn’t know you needed. From cocktail parties to elevator rides, we’re flipping the script on awkward small talk and uncovering the power of bold quest...

What if the best life advice didn’t come in a long-winded lecture—but in one short sentence that actually sticks ? In this episode, Gretchen Rubin— New York Times bestselling author of The Happiness Project and Secrets of Adulthood —shares the bold, memorable truths that can shift how we show up every day. From reframing procrastination to recognizing how our senses shape our gratitude, Gretchen b...