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Guiding you toward a life of purpose, progress, and personal growth. Each week, James interviews world-class thinkers, including prime ministers, Olympic gold medalists, billionaires, and visionaries, to uncover the habits, tools, and mindsets that drive meaningful success.
Hosted by James Laughlin—a 7-time world champion drummer, sought-after keynote speaker, and high-performance leadership consultant—this podcast brings you conversations with extraordinary individuals who have shaped industries, inspired nations, and achieved greatness.
Whether you're building confidence, breaking through barriers, or discovering your purpose, Lead on Purpose is your guide to turning challenges into opportunities and ambitions into achievements.
444 Episodes
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Order my new book Habits of High Performers here → www.thehabitbook.com In this episode, I sit down with Barry LaBov, award-winning author of The Power of Differentiation and brand strategist who has worked with Harley-Davidson, Audi, and other global icons. What you will take from this episode: The #1 myth about personal branding and what to do insteadA simple way to uncover your unique differentiationWhy doing less, with focus, builds loyalty and trustHow Harley-Davidson turned custom...
Order my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com In this episode, I sit down with Mark Hannaford, founder of World Extreme Medicine, to explore a life spent leading medical teams in the world’s harshest environments. Mark shares frontline lessons from Ukraine, expeditions gone sideways, and what it really takes to deliver high level care when resources are low and risk is high. What you will take from this episode: How to lead specialists under pressure wi...
Grab a copy of my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com In this solo episode, I’m opening up about what’s been happening behind the book, the stages, and the lessons I’ve been learning along the way. From standing on stages across New Zealand, to conversations with world leaders, to the launch of my book hitting number one, it’s been a big month and I want to share what it really feels like on the inside. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why refusing to settl...
Order my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com What if the real test of leadership is not title but integrity? In this episode of Lead on Purpose, I sit down with Noel Massie, former UPS executive who led hundreds of thousands of people, to unpack practical leadership you can use on the floor today. We dig into servant leadership, the four by five method, and how integrity, ethics, and intentionality turn managers into coaches who truly influence behaviour. ...
Order my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com What if your brand’s real growth lever isn’t features but happiness? In this episode of Lead on Purpose, I sit down with Mark, co-founder of Squint Consulting, to unpack why we are living through an unhappiness crisis and how the smartest brands grow by deliberately creating happier customers and happier teams. We explore the simple model behind happy brands and how it reshapes products, pricing, and culture. ...
Order my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com What if your team’s real advantage isn’t talent but connection? In this episode of Lead on Purpose, I sit down with Jon Gordon, bestselling author of The Energy Bus and The Seven Commitments of a Great Team. We dive into what makes teams thrive, on the field, in the office, and at home. Jon explains why connection drives commitment, how culture is created by daily actions, and why true positivity fuels resilienc...
Order my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com What if you could take control of your health the same way a CEO takes control of a business? In this episode of Lead on Purpose, Dr Darshan Shah joins me to unpack the science of longevity, prevention, and performance. A surgeon turned health optimisation expert, Darshan reveals the biomarkers, daily habits, and mindset shifts that can help you live longer and healthier. We cover: • Why “feeling good” ...
Grab a copy of my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com In this solo episode, I’m celebrating a milestone that’s been years in the making. My new book, Habits of High Performers, is finally on shelves across New Zealand and Australia. It’s bold, bright orange, and packed with timeless truths that can change how you approach work, health, relationships, and life. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why habits, not luck or hustle, are what separate high performers...
Pre-order my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com What would you do if your life began with a kidnapping? For Shelly Tygielski, that early experience planted a seed that shaped her perspective on courage, community, and the power of showing up. In this episode of Lead on Purpose, Shelly shares her extraordinary journey, from the terrifying day she was taken at age two to becoming an unlikely meditator, bestselling author, and founder of global movements tha...
Pre-order my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com What if the secret to high performance isn’t balance—but choice? In this episode, I sit down with Jason Paris, CEO of One New Zealand, to unpack leadership, creativity, and building partnerships at a world-class level. Jason’s led one of NZ’s largest organisations through rapid change—while refusing to miss a single moment that matters with his family. From turning Vodafone into One NZ to forging game-chan...
Pre-order my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com What if your healthspan, not your lifespan, was your greatest asset? In this episode, I sit down with Bill Gifford, co-author of the bestselling book Outlive (with Dr Peter Attia) and a leading expert on the science of longevity. We explore how to live longer, feel stronger, and stay mentally sharp through simple, evidence-based habits. Here’s what we cover: The two daily habits that make the biggest d...
Grab a copy of my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com In this solo episode, I’m sharing something a little different. As of now, these 1:1 solocasts won’t be weekly anymore. Instead, I’ll be dropping more intentional updates once or twice a month — focused on what’s actually shaping me behind the scenes. This is one of those episodes. In this episode, you’ll discover: What a cab driver, a psychologist, and a billion-dollar founder taught me this monthThe min...
Pre-order my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com What if we’ve been taught to set goals the wrong way all along? In this episode, I sit down with Caroline Adams Miller, a pioneering expert in positive psychology and bestselling author of Big Goals. Caroline’s work has transformed how the world approaches goal setting—from vague wishes to science-backed strategies that actually work. She’s coached leaders, elite athletes, and mission-driven humans on ho...
Pre-order my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com What if joy, not pressure, is the real marker of success? In this episode, I sit down with Renzie Hanham, a martial arts master and mental skills coach who has shaped Olympic athletes, business leaders, and everyday high performers. He’s one of the minds behind the globally respected Red to Blue framework, and someone I deeply admire for his wisdom, humility, and presence. We explore decades of experienc...
Grab a copy of my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com In this 1:1 episode, I’m unpacking the 3 biggest lessons I’d give my 20-year-old self. Lessons that still apply no matter your age. They’re simple, practical, and life-changing. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why you shouldn’t commit to one job, one company, or one career path too earlyHow a simple 20% rule with your income can set you up for financial freedomThe most underrated success habit (hint: it c...
Pre-order my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com What if winning gold isn’t about talent—but about trust? In this episode, I sit down with Olympic high jump champion Hamish Kerr—New Zealand’s first-ever gold medalist in the event. We unpack what really sets elite performers apart: not just relentless work ethic, but the mindset, habits, and team behind them. Hamish shares the unfiltered truth about what it takes to win on the world stage—and how he alm...
Grab a copy of my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com In this 1:1 episode, I’m sharing a mindset shift that can change everything for your business, career, and life. It’s the difference between being busy and being valuable. Between generalist and expert. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why doing less—and going deeper—can multiply your incomeHow to identify your WMI: What’s Most Important vs. What’s Most ImminentThe simple $10,000 factory story that expla...
Pre-order my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com What if the key to your next level isn’t you, but the person beside you? In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with Monique Helstrom—former Chief of Simon Sinek and now one of the world’s most sought-after executive-assistant coaches. We explore what it really takes to build a high-performing partnership between a visionary leader and their EA—and why most leaders are getting it wrong. This episode is ...
Grab a copy of my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com In this 1:1 episode, I’m sharing a short excerpt from one of the chapters in my upcoming book Habits of High Performers—a section called Do The Work. It’s a small glimpse into the mindset that high performers rely on when motivation runs out and the real work begins. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why ultra-endurance athlete Dean Karnazes is the definition of discipline—and how he built itThe 4 mental ha...
Pre-order my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com What if the story you’ve been telling yourself… isn’t true? In this moving and eye-opening episode, I sit down with award-winning journalist and author Jehan Casinader, whose book This Is Not How It Ends shook me—in the best way. We explore how the stories we carry (often from childhood) shape how we live, love, lead… and burn out. We dive into: The one question Jehan asks to instantly shift his mindsetH...
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