Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais

In a world increasingly obsessed with self-image and social validation, how do we truly understand the role of self-esteem in our lives? Is it merely a reflection of our ego? What purpose does it serve? These questions form the core of our conversation with Dr. Mark Leary, a former professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University, who retired after 39 years of teaching, publishing 14 bo...

Today’s podcast is a really special one, as we have on CNN’s 2023 Hero of the Year, Dr. Kwane Stewart, a.k.a. “The Street Vet.” Kwane is a veterinarian who provides free veterinary care for the animals society often forgets—the pets of people living without homes. In this heartfelt conversation, Kwane demonstrates the courage it takes to explore the messy edges of emotion, and he opens up about ho...

Today, we’re super excited to share the 14th installment of our Ask Me Anything series. The purpose behind these conversations - behind these AMAs – is to hear from you … to explore the topics and questions that you have been wrestling with on your path to becoming. The goal is to expand on the themes, lessons, and best-practices we’ve discussed on the Finding Mastery podcast in order to make them...

“Be bold, dream big. Take the risk. Figure out what it takes to accomplish your goals, and then you will win. Or if you don't, at least you'll get damn near close… We all need to take risks to keep growing and to keep learning.” Imagine the possibilities if you were to take radical and relentless action towards your biggest (maybe even intimidating) dreams – defying fear and uncertainty.  Tod...

Where are wearables leading us? In the dynamic, fast-paced world of health technology, what does the future hold? What possibilities can we unlock? How can we leverage the power of wearables to transcend mere physical tracking and genuinely enhance our psychological well-being? These questions form the perfect springboard for our conversation with Dr. Kapil Parakh, a renowned cardiologist and the...

What can we learn about success from the phenomenal growth of digital technology and the extraordinary achievements of Silicon Valley teams? And almost more importantly, what can we learn from the shell-shocking failures of some other seemingly great businesses? Today’s guest has been researching the digital transformation of businesses for three decades, and he’s landed on some fascinating— and e...

To date, the Finding Mastery Podcast has been running for 8 years and for over 400 episodes. In that time, we’ve gained extraordinary insights and timeless wisdom from some of the top thinkers and doers in the world. While we have come to realize that there is no singular “golden thread” to how the best in the world operate – we’ve noticed some common themes, skills, and insights that many of thes...

What would you do in the face of a very public and shocking defeat? Would you crumble, or would you use it to grow and learn?  Today’s guest chose growth, transforming one of the most heart-wrenching moments in NFL history into a profound learning experience. In this episode, I'm thrilled to introduce a friend and former colleague from my time with the Seattle Seahawks — the exceptional Tom C...

Welcome to the 13th installment of our Ask Me Anything series, where your questions take center stage and our answers offer you guidance on the road to mastery. The goal behind our monthly AMA series is to dive deep into the questions that challenge and inspire you on your path to becoming your best. We’re stoked about all the excellent questions we received for this 13th AMA. Our co-host, O’Neil...

"You cannot get to courage without walking right through vulnerability." They say opinions are cheap, but the cost of FOPO – the fear of other people's opinions – is anything but. As many of you already know, I've recently released 'The First Rule of Mastery,' a book dedicated to overcoming what I've come to see as the single greatest constrictor of human potential: FOPO. And so, in celebration of...

For the first time in Finding Mastery’s history, we're going where few other podcasts have ventured:  Outer space. And joining us for this historic and very episode is the remarkable NASA astronaut Dr. Woody Hoburg – tuning in directly from the International Space Station (ISS). How incredible is that? This is Part Two of our 3-part series documenting Woody’s epic journey – from Earth to the...

This week, we’re beyond excited to share a very special conversation with you… maybe the most special and ambitious podcast we’ve ever done… Finding Mastery… is going to space. Sometimes, life can present us with moments where even our most meticulous planning and preparation reach their limits. These moments are where we find ourselves at a crossroads, needing to decide whether to boldly leap int...

How can you train your brain to unlock more joy and success in your life? Diving deep into this exciting question is today's guest, Dr. David Eagleman, a revolutionary thinker and trailblazer in the world of neuroscience. "One of the most important things you can do for your brain is to constantly challenge it." As an esteemed Stanford professor and intrepid explorer of the human brain, David's co...

Imagine staring up at 3,000-foot vertical wall of rock—a wall that no one has climbed before—and taking that first grab, exploring uncharted territory, physically and psychologically. Tommy Caldwell did just that.  Tommy is a legendary professional big wall rock climber who redefined the boundaries of human achievement by scaling the steepest, most barren face of Yosemite's El Capitan—th...

Welcome to the 12th installment of our Ask Me Anything (AMA) series! The goal behind this series - behind these conversations – is to answer your questions and explore the topics that come up for you on your own journey to becoming your best self. We’re back with our favorite co-host—O’Neil Cespedes—and today, we’ve got a special one for you… As many of you know, on November 7th, my new book, The...

In a world where choices seem endless, could it be that our 'free will' is nothing more than an illusion?  When it comes to things like choosing a morning run over an extra hour of sleep, opting for an apple instead of that enticing pint of ice cream, or quitting your job on a whim… …What's truly guiding these decisions? Is it willpower, biology, environment, or perhaps a unique strength of c...

Have you ever felt the overwhelming pressure to be perfect in an imperfect world? To excel in every aspect of life in a society that is constantly demanding more? Welcome to the club. Thomas Curran has dedicated his career to understanding the complex and often elusive personality trait of perfectionism. A professor of psychology at the London School of Economics, Thomas’s research delves deep int...

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we sit down with the inspirational Paula Schneider, CEO of Susan G. Komen®, to explore her awe-inspiring journey through uncharted waters in both leadership and her personal battle against breast cancer. Paula exemplifies how true grit and relentless self-belief can overtake fears and redefine how you approach success in every aspect of life. This rich co...

Could improv comedy be the key to unlocking human potential? Our guest today isn't just tossing around this idea—he's used the alchemy of the improv stage to forge groundbreaking strategies that are sure to ripple through business, sport, and life itself. Let's set the stage for Kelly Leonard. His title—Vice President of Creative Strategy, Innovation, and Business Development—only begins to captur...

Welcome to the 11th installment of our Ask Me Anything series. The purpose behind these AMAs – is to hear from YOU and have conversations… to explore the topics and questions that you have been wrestling with on your path to becoming. The goal is to expand on the themes, lessons, and best-practices we’ve discussed on the Finding Mastery podcast in order to make them even more applicable to your ow...

Why do some people excel in the toughest of conditions while others fall short? This age-old question finds its answer in the lives and experiences of today’s guests: Rich Diviney and Brent Gleeson, both former Navy SEALs and known authors, speakers, and human performance consultants. Drawing on their background in Naval Special Warfare, Rich and Brent share their unique perspective on the blend o...

Success - in any arena - often demands a delicate dance between fearlessness, finesse and dedication. Mikaela Shiffrin, a true luminary in alpine skiing, has mastered this equilibrium like no other. With an astounding 88 World Cup wins to her name, Mikaela stands as the greatest alpine skier in history. Period. She's a two-time Olympic Champion, seven-time World Champion, and five-time Overall Wor...

When it feels like the whole world has written you off, do you give in or keep going? Today's guest, Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Geno Smith, kept going. After spending 10 seasons in the NFL—enduring frustrating injuries, several trades, and the threat of becoming a “lifetime backup quarterback” —Geno stepped in as starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks last season. With the media deeming t...

Step into the riveting world of Tu Lam, whose journey from war-torn Saigon to becoming a Green Beret is a tale of courage, resilience, and modern-day samurai wisdom. Born amidst chaos, he escaped Vietnam's turmoil, eventually finding a new life in America. Enthralled by stories of elite warriors, he chased his dream, enlisting in the US Military right after high school. Deploying to over 20 countr...

Today, we’re really excited to share the 10th installment of our Ask Me Anything (AMA) series! Thanks for coming along this journey with us over the last 10 months—sending in your questions and sharing your notes of appreciation. It’s an honor to sit down and film each video.  We’re stoked on this 10th AMA and all the excellent questions we received. Our co-host, O’Neil Cespedes, is back agai...