On the X

On today's episode, Chris talks with Dr. Cassie Holmes, a professor at UCLA Anderson School of Management and author of Happier Hour. Cassie shares her research on the science of happiness and explains how managing time effectively can improve life satisfaction. They discuss the concept of time poverty, why both too little and too much discretionary time can impact happiness, and how meaningful ac...

On this special compilation episode of On the X, Chris revisits moments from past conversations with four standout thinkers—Simon Sinek, Jocko Willink, Jason Jaggard, and Brian Gottlieb—to answer one timeless question: What is the most important trait of a leader? From courage to humility, nobility to authenticity, each guest offers a unique lens shaped by deep experience in leadership, personal g...

On today's episode, Chris Irwin speaks with entrepreneur and author Dan Martell about his personal and professional journey. Martell shares how early life challenges, including time in prison, shaped his path toward entrepreneurship. He discusses discovering coding, building multiple businesses, and developing the strategies outlined in his book Buy Back Your Time. The conversation covers time man...

On today’s episode of On the X, Chris Irwin sits down with Connor Beaton—founder of ManTalks, men’s work leader, and author of Men’s Work: A Practical Guide to Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, and Find Freedom. Together, they delve into the emotional challenges many men face but rarely talk about. From unprocessed childhood trauma to the ways society teaches men to suppress anger and fear, C...

On today's episode, Chris sits down with behavioral expert and bestselling author Thomas Erikson to explore the DISC personality model and its practical impact on communication, leadership, and relationships. Erikson shares the origins of the model, explains how his book Surrounded by Idiots became a global phenomenon, and unpacks how color-coded personality types can shape team dynamics, job fit,...

On this episode of On the X, Chris sits down with journalist and author Rhaina Cohen to explore the often-overlooked power of friendship and its role in shaping meaningful, fulfilling lives. Drawing from her book The Other Significant Others, Rhaina challenges traditional ideas about romance, marriage, and emotional support. Together, they unpack the cultural and historical expectations placed on...

On today’s episode, Chris Irwin speaks with James Kerr, author of Legacy, about the leadership principles behind the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team. They discuss the role of character, humility, and service in building a strong team culture, the integration of Maori values, and how cultural heritage shapes leadership. The conversation also explores how teams identify and manage negative influen...

On today's episode, Chris talks with Sarah Robb O’Hagan—former CEO of EXOS and author of Extreme You—about leadership, resilience, and reinvention. They discuss her experience leading major brands like Gatorade, Nike, and Equinox, as well as lessons from setbacks, including the fall of Flywheel Sports. The conversation covers team dynamics, brand turnarounds, evolving workplace culture, and the ro...

On today’s episode, Chris sits down with Tony Horton, the creator of P90X, to talk about what comes after his breakthrough program. Tony shares how he’s moved beyond the P90X legacy to develop new approaches focused on longevity, recovery, and holistic fitness. They discuss the evolution of his philosophy, the role of mindfulness and nutrition, and the importance of adapting fitness as we age. Thi...

On this episode of On the X, David Epstein, bestselling author of Range, joins Chris to unpack why specialization isn’t always the key to success. He challenges the myth of the 10,000-hour rule, explores the science behind talent and learning, and explains how diverse experiences lead to better performance in unpredictable environments. Epstein discusses what separates athletes like Tiger Woods an...

On today's episode, communications strategist and entrepreneur Maha Abouelenein unpacks the mindset of self-reliance in today’s fast-moving world. From building a personal brand rooted in authenticity to balancing a full-time career with side hustles, Maha shares hard-earned lessons from her journey. She explores the value of proactive networking, the role of reputation in the trust economy, and w...

In this episode of On the X, Chris Irwin sits down with bestselling author and behavioral science expert Jonah Berger to unpack the insights behind his latest book, Magic Words: What to Say to Get Your Way. Berger reveals how subtle shifts in language can drastically influence behavior, build trust, deepen connection, and drive action. From leadership and sales to relationships and personal growth...

On today's episode, Chris sits down with Admiral William McRaven to discuss leadership under fire, the anatomy of crisis, and the lessons forged in both war and peace. As a former Navy SEAL commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, McRaven reflects on his 37-year military career—including his role in the mission to eliminate Osama bin Laden—and how those experiences shaped his worldview. He al...

In this episode of On the X, Chris sits down with bestselling author Daniel Pink to unpack one of our most universal — and misunderstood — emotions: regret. Drawing from his World Regret Survey, Daniel reveals the four core types of regret that shape our lives and explains why confronting regret, rather than denying it, can be a powerful catalyst for growth. They explore the science behind regret’...

On today’s episode, Chris sits down with Dr. Belisa Vranich to discuss the fundamentals of breathwork and its impact on physical and mental health. They explore the importance of functional, diaphragmatic breathing and how modern habits have altered natural breathing patterns. Dr. Vranich explains how to assess and improve your breathing mechanics, the role of breath in performance and recovery, a...

On today’s episode, Chris sits down with Dr. Sunita Sah, a professor of management at Cornell University, and the author of Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes. They discuss the role of defiance in everyday life, the effects of social pressure and insinuation anxiety, and the importance of psychological safety. Dr. Sah also shares insights from her book, including the idea of “quiet...

On today’s episode, Chris sits down with Taya Kyle, wife of ‘American Sniper’ Chris Kyle, to discuss her journey after his passing. She shares her experiences with grief, the challenges of raising a family through loss, and the role of mental health in the healing process. They also talk about the work of the Chris Kyle Foundation, which supports military families, and explore therapeutic approach...

On today’s episode, Chris sits down with Chase Jarvis, award-winning photographer, entrepreneur, and founder of CreativeLive, the world’s largest online learning platform for creatives. Chase and Chris explore the intersection of mental health, creativity, and personal growth. They discuss reimagining mental health as a fitness discipline, the courage to follow your own path, and balancing intuiti...

On today’s episode, Chris sits down with Spartan Race founder Joe De Sena to discuss the origins of obstacle course racing, the challenges of building Spartan, and the mindset needed for success. Joe shares how his upbringing, martial arts, and wrestling shaped his resilience, his connection with Richard Branson, and his vision for Spartan’s future—including its potential as an Olympic sport. On t...

On today's episode, Chris sits down with Dr. Ross Zafonte, a leading expert in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and rehabilitation medicine, to discuss the latest advancements in TBI research and recovery. Formerly the President of Spaulding Rehabilitation Network and Chair of PM&R at Harvard Medical School, he has authored over 300 publications and the definitive textbook Brain Injury Medicine: Princ...

 On today's episode, Chris sits down with performance coach and bestselling author Steve Magness to explore the real science behind resilience and mental strength. Drawing from his latest book, The Internal Game, Steve challenges the common belief that grit alone is the key to success. Instead, he reveals how true toughness is cultivated through self-awareness, smarter strategies, and a deeper und...

On today's episode, Chris sits down with legendary outdoorsman, author, and MeatEater founder Steve Rinella. They dive into the philosophy of hunting, conservation, and the primal connection between humans and the wild. Rinella shares his insights on ethical hunting, the challenges facing America’s wilderness, and his latest show Hunting History. On the X is an IRONCLAD Original. More about The Na...

In this episode of On the X, Chris sits down with 7-time CrossFit Games champion Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr to uncover the mindset, discipline, and resilience behind her record-breaking success. Tia shares her journey from Olympic weightlifting to CrossFit dominance, the mental strategies that helped her push through pain and setbacks, and how she approaches training, competition, and life beyond the po...

In this episode of On the X, Chris sits down with entrepreneur Brian Gottlieb to discuss the essential qualities of great leadership, why traditional education didn’t work for him, and how he still built a thriving business. They dive into the power of mission, vision, and culture in shaping successful companies and why resilience and unconventional thinking are key to lasting success. To learn mo...

In this episode of On the X, Chris sits down with Dr. Jerry Rosenbaum, a leading expert in psychiatry and psychedelic research, to discuss the role of psychedelics in mental health treatment. As the Director of the Center for the Neuroscience of Psychedelics at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Rosenbaum explores how substances like psilocybin and MDMA are transforming the way we treat depressio...