Strong & Awake

Season 4, Episode 7 | “Worry feels like doing something—but it changes nothing.” In this episode of Strong & Awake, Dane and Mitch explore the pervasive grip of worry and its role as a symptom of deeper internal chaos. They challenge the notion that worry is a solution, instead presenting it as a false sense of control over life's inevitable chaos. Through personal stories and historical examp...

Season 4, Episode 6 | "Do you wanna look perfect or be perfect?" This episode of Strong & Awake challenges the notion of perfectionism and its impact on personal growth. Mitch and Dane explore how the pursuit of perfection often becomes a barrier, preventing us from taking action and learning from our experiences. They discuss the importance of embracing wholeheartedness—bringing your full sel...

Season 4, Episode 5 | Why do we crave the reward without the effort—comfort without discomfort?  In this episode of Strong & Awake, Dane and Mitch dismantle the patience myth, exposing how chasing shortcuts steals your momentum and growth. You’ll discover why leaning into the uncomfortable gap rewires your mindset, how community holds you when you’d normally bail, and simple daily rituals...

Season 4, Episode 4 | "Are you sure you want to give up the whole thing?" In this episode of Strong & Awake, Dane and Mitch challenge the notion of seeking relief from discomfort and explore the transformative power of voluntary discomfort. They discuss how embracing challenges, rather than avoiding them, can lead to personal growth and maturity. Through personal stories and insights, they ill...

Episode 3 | "When you are stuck and don't have the energy, are you a co-conspirator with your bad day?" In this episode of Strong & Awake, Dane and Mitch explore the power of voluntary discomfort as a catalyst for personal growth. They discuss how to break free from the cycle of victimhood and take agency over your day, even when it feels like everything is happening to you. Through personal s...

Season 4, Episode 2 | "Are you chasing fool's gold or real confidence?"  In this Strong & Awake episode, Dane and Mitch dismantle the myth of flashy confidence to reveal that true confidence is forged in quiet, disciplined practice. Through Craig’s roof-and-ladder challenge and examples from The Millionaire Next Door, Steph Curry, and Kobe Bryant, they show that confidence isn’t innate or...

Season 4, Episode 1 “What is the thing you don’t want to do that you know you’ll be better for if you do?” In this Strong & Awake episode, Dane and Mitch strip away the myths of time scarcity and willpower to expose procrastination as a misguided fight-or-flight response. They reveal how a simple “3, 2, 1” countdown or one small action—one push‑up, one breath, one piece of macaroni—can shatter...

Season 4 Trailer Welcome to Season 4 of Strong & Awake by Men & Women Of Discomfort. In this special kickoff episode, Mitch introduces the theme of the season: overcoming the everyday obstacles that trip us up—like procrastination, perfectionism, overwhelm, and worry. But rather than avoiding them, MWOD invites you to face them head-on through voluntary discomfort. Get a glimpse of what’s...

Season 3, Episode 8 | "What if your dream vacation isn’t a destination—but a skill?" Most people chase travel and adventure as a way to escape the grind, but what if the life you're craving isn’t found out there—it’s forged right here, in your daily choices? In this episode of Strong & Awake, Dane and Mitch challenge the lie that adventure requires a plane ticket and show how the way we relate...

Season 3, Episode 7 | "Is peace available in the midst of your chaos?"  In this episode of Strong & Awake, Dane and Mitch challenge the notion that balance and comfort are the ultimate goals in life. They argue that living in perpetual comfort leaves us weak and asleep, and that true fulfillment comes from embracing voluntary discomfort. Through candid discussions, they explore how the pu...

Season 3, Episode 6 | "Don't let cultural norms rob you or trap you into a false sense of what is possible and isn't possible." In this episode of Strong & Awake, Dane and Mitch challenge the pervasive myth that extraordinary achievements can be reached without extraordinary effort. They explore the allure of shortcuts and the cultural obsession with instant results, urging listeners to embrac...

Season 3, Episode 5 | "Are you ready to confront the comfort that's keeping you asleep?" In this episode of Strong & Awake, Dane and Mitch challenge listeners to step into the realm of voluntary discomfort to unlock a life of true freedom. "Freedom from" is a journey from the familiar to the unknown. Comfort, while enticing, often leaves us stagnant and unfulfilled. Through personal anecdotes...

Season 3, Episode 4 | "Does it have to be this way?" In this episode of Strong & Awake, Dane and Mitch explore the profound impact of voluntary discomfort on mental health. They challenge the cultural norm of seeking comfort and immediate gratification, arguing that it leads to anxiety, depression, and a sense of unrest. By embracing discomfort intentionally, individuals can achieve a deeper,...

Season 3, Episode 3 | "Are you treating your relationships like a project?" In this episode of Strong & Awake, Dane and Mitch challenge the common misconception of equating productivity with relationship success. They explore the discomfort of choosing presence over efficiency, sharing personal stories that highlight the tension between productivity and genuine connection. The discussion empha...

Season 3, Episode 2 | Comfort is Costly. In this episode of Strong & Awake, Dane and Mitch tackle the often daunting topic of personal finance, exploring how voluntary discomfort can lead to financial freedom. They share personal stories of overcoming debt and the transformative power of making uncomfortable financial decisions. From budgeting to tackling debt, the conversation offers a fresh...

Season 3, Episode 1 | "Why do we crave change yet struggle to achieve it?" In this episode of Strong & Awake, Dane and Mitch tackle the perennial challenge of New Year's resolutions and why they often fail. They explore the common pitfalls of quick fixes and the allure of comfort, offering a compelling argument for embracing voluntary discomfort as a path to genuine transformation. Through per...

Season 3 Teaser: A Season of Change Your future self sent a message—it's time for change! Whether it’s a New Year’s resolution or just a long-overdue shift, this season of Strong & Awake is dedicated to helping you make it happen. We’re tackling the top resolutions and life changes that people chase year after year, but with a twist—no more strategies that don’t work. This season is all about...

Season 2, Episode 9 | "Without some version of these six words, the change you seek is going to be determined by something other than you."  In this episode of Strong & Awake, Dane and Mitch challenge listeners to confront the drift of life and the allure of comfort that keeps us asleep. They introduce a powerful six-word mantra: "Up until now, from now on," as a tool for personal transfo...

Season 2, Episode 8 | "Action means action. Now means now, stand now."  In this episode of Strong & Awake, Dane and Mitch challenge the illusion of progress that comes from merely thinking about change rather than taking action. They explore the concept of "Stand Now," urging listeners to break free from the comfort traps that keep them stagnant. They emphasize the importance of immediate...

Season 2, Episode 7 | "If I wasn't concerned with the outcome, but was more concerned with being in the experience, what would that open up for me?"  In this episode of Strong & Awake, Dane and Mitch explore the concept of playing infinite games versus finite games in life. They challenge the traditional mindset of winning and losing, urging listeners to focus on growth rather than just t...

Season 2, Episode 6 | “Course correction isn’t bad news—it’s the work. It’s the ongoing practice of staying awake and adjusting along the way.” In this episode of Strong & Awake, Dane and Mitch explore the concept of course-correction and the inner dialogue that often holds us back. They discuss the importance of waking up, practicing with intention, and knowing your purpose. Through personal...

Season 2, Episode 5 | "Are You Prioritizing Comfort Over Profit in Your Life?" In this episode of Strong & Awake, Dane and Mitch tackle the insidious nature of comfort and its impact on our lives. They explore how our craving for convenience often leads to unprofitable decisions and how prioritizing voluntary discomfort can yield significant returns. Using the metaphor of profit in business, t...

Season 2, Episode 4 | "We're so used to being consumers, we're consumed, and we think it's normal. Freedom is to release." In this episode of Strong & Awake, Dane and Mitch explore the concept of "Traveling Light". They discuss how overpacking—whether it's physical items for a trip or emotional and mental burdens—can weigh us down and distract us from what truly matters. They emphasize the imp...

Season 2, Episode 3 | "Fueling first is not just a nice-to-have thing, it's mission critical." In this episode of Strong & Awake, Dane and Mitch challenge the myth of invincibility and the dangers of running on empty. They explore the critical importance of "fueling first" in our daily lives. Just as we maintain and fuel our cars, we must consider how our lack of fuel is impacting our own ener...

Season 2, Episode 2 | "Are you playing the role, or is the role playing you?" In this episode of Strong & Awake, Dane and Mitch explore the four archetypical roles we all play in life: victim, hero, guide, and rescuer. They discuss how recognizing and choosing these roles can transform your life. From pickleball to the literature we consume, this episode challenges you to wake up to the roles...