Beyond Curious ®

Crazy, but this past Saturday, I turned 30!I’ve been dreaming about how I wanted to celebrate my 30th birthday for ~3 years now.It all started when my friend, Vlad Solovetski, and I were talking about my vision for Beyond Curious, right when I had re-branded.He reacted by saying, “Maybe one day you’re going to have a Curiosity Island.”My response?“FUCK yeah I’m going to have a Curiosity Island!”Want to see the actual video? Here’s the moment when it happened! Thankfully I was recording so I had this captured…Several months later, I was at Dr. Benjamin Hardy’s live event when I set a goal to celebrate my 30th birthday by hosting a Curiosity Island event.Well, that just happened.It’s surreal, because it was everything I could have ever dreamed of and MORE.But beyond making this vision a reality, I also wanted to be incredibly intentional about who I’m choosing to become in this next chapter of my life.And because of this level of intentionality, I’ve decided to completely revamp the Beyond Curious podcast.In this episode, I’ll share three things:The story of how my 3 year Curiosity Island vision came true by taking you behind the scenes of everything that happened at one of the most transformational moments of my life.How I’M evolving in this next decadeHOW the show is evolving to match my own evolution (Hint: I’m shifting away from a weekly interview style show 😮)This was a FUN and unique episode, because I intentionally recorded it as a conversation between just you and I…Because my wife, Leah, and I booked an extra night in the resort where we hosted Curiosity Island, I started by recording the episode while on the beach.I ran out of time, so I continued in the airport, and eventually finished on the airplane (where I’m writing this now!).I can’t wait for you to listen. This is a special one ❤️

👉 Access The 4% Files Treasure Map HERE To Get A Detailed Recap & Summary Of This Series!👉 Access all of the bonus material from the 4% Files right hereThis is it. The GRAND Finale.It’s the fireworks show where you THINK it’s over…Then there’s another grand finale on top of the grand finale.For this final episode of the 4% files, I’m curating clips from 25+ episodes and organizing them into 2 buckets:StoriesStrategyWithin the stories section, I’ve curated the most mind blowing and transformational stories shared on Beyond Curious. These are the stories that stretch your mind as to what’s possible as a human being.You’ll get glimpses of:How Andre Norman went from running a $3m/mo heroin, prostitution, & extortion operation while serving a 100-year prison sentence… to becoming a Harvard fellow, author, speaker & changing the criminal justice systemHow Sean Swarner — a 2x cancer survivor with one lung — summited Everest, the 7 summits + the north & south poles…How Trevor G Blake — a NYT bestselling author & Physicist — used “Mind Movies” to have MULTIPLE 9-figure exits with ZERO employeesHow YOU can preserve your family legacy, heal previous wounds, and re-write your history by interviewing your loved ones… pulling on an interview I did with my late grandfather, Kenny FongHow Marty Cooper changed the world by inventing the cell phone.How Hal Elrod used “The 5 Minute Rule” to recover after being hit by a truck going 70 MPH, breaking 11 bones, suffering permanent brain damage, and being clinically dead for 6 minutes.But that, my friends, is just the warmup, because next we dive into the highest leverage strategies that have created disproportionate results in my life.The first section starts with Relationship Strategies.You’ll learn…From NYT bestselling author, Jon Levy, on how to leverage the “IKEA Effect” to build transformational relationships (I’ve been using this for 12+ years and it’s seriously changed my life)What ONE quote my first ever mentor, a...

👉 Access The 4% Files Treasure Map HERE To Get A Detailed Recap & Summary Of This Series!👉 Access all of the bonus material from the 4% Files right hereI’d be lying if I told you that I wasn’t a bit star struck when I first met Michael Hauge.Here’s what I knew about him:Will Smith himself had said “No one is better than Michael Hauge at finding what is most authentic in every moment of a story.”Russell Brunson, the founder of Clickfunnels, credits Michael’s frameworks as one of the keys that helped grow his software company that has 100,000 active customers and creates millions of dollars a month in sales.For four decades, he has been one of Hollywood’s top story experts and consultants working on projects starring Julia Roberts, Morgan Freeman, and Tom Cruise (to name a few)... and specifically with Will Smith, he consulted on he consulted on the scripts for I Am Legend, Hancock, The Karate Kid, Suicide Squad, and Bright.I had been impacted by his work and was incredibly grateful he agreed to come on the show WAY back when I was just getting started on episode #36 in June 2021.It was during that interview that I did something I was nervous to do:I asked Michael for feedback on a story I was working on.Not only did Michael say yes and give me LIVE coaching on the recording, but he offered to come back for a part TWO where he would review the changes and tweak what I did with the story even more.That SINGLE ask was the start of what has been a transformational relationship with Michael over the last 5 years, and today I’m grateful to call him a dear friend and mentor.Like all of the guests on the 4% files, my life would be fundamentally different if it weren’t for Michael.Here’s why:Yes, Michael has made me a 100,000x better storyteller.Because unlike many storytelling frameworks that solely focus on the “external hero’s journey” (The call to adventure, meeting the mentor, etc.), Michael has become known for what he refers to as the hero’s “inner journey.”The Inner Journey is the deeper storyline that makes a story truly great of how the hero moves from hiding within a protective identity to experiencing his or her true essence.But beyond being a better storyteller, Michael’s storytelling frameworks gave me a blueprint for living a more courageous life.The way Michael teaches story structure gives you a glimpse into this pattern of the human condition that ANYONE must face if they are going to follow their heart and build a life doing what they care about.So as you listen to this one, I invite you to listen from two perspectives:How might I tell better stories to inspire others?How might I apply this pattern to living a more courageous life, doing what matters most to me?I can’t wait for you to listen!Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 – Introduction to Beyond Curious and today’s guest, Michael Hauge.Brandon Fong welcomes listeners to the 10th “4% File,” part of an 11-episode series distilling the most powerful insights from over 334 hours of Beyond Curious conversations. He explains the purpose of the series, reflects on the...

👉 Access The 4% Files Treasure Map HERE To Get A Detailed Recap & Summary Of This Series! 👉 Access all of the bonus material from the 4% Files right hereHave you ever stopped and stared at the beauty of a leaf?One of the first things you’ll notice is the little veins branching off…They look awfully similar to the branches that the leaf came from…They look awfully similar to the roots underneath the tree…It’s mesmerizing.And it’s also a fractal.Once you start noticing fractals, you’ll start to see them EVERYWHERE.Those ice crystals forming on your windshield? Fractal.The atoms our bodies are made of? Fractal.The beautiful pattern on that pinecone? Fractal.A fractal is simply a repeating pattern that continues at every scale.Yes, they occur all over nature, but they ALSO occur all over our lives.That strength you have that gets you results every time you use it? What if THAT was a fractal? (Hint: it is)That “problem” that keeps occurring in your life? What if THAT is a fractal? (Hint: it is).Today, I’m introducing you to the person that changed my life by bringing “Fractal Thinking” into it — Perry Marshall.Perry has one of the most curious and deep minds that I’ve ever interviewed on the show, and his curiosity has led him all over the place. Perry is…A former mechanical engineer turned famed marketing legendThe founder of the $10M Evolution 2.0 Prize for Origin of Life researchOn a mission to reverse cancerThe pioneer of innovative “80/20 thinking” used by NASA’s jet propulsion labs… to name a few.It was Perry (and his book 80/20 Sales and Marketing) that broke down the fractal nature of the 80/20 rule that actually led to the entire development of my Find Your Four® process and therefore the 4% Files Series.There’s so much we dive into, including:How to stop fighting problems and instead find and defeat the SOURCE of what’s creating all of the problems to begin with… (and what that has to do with a poem written in the year 975)How to solve 95% of a problem by simply shifting the way you define the problem to begin with. How to use “Renaissance Time” to stop reacting and start architecting the life you actually want (and how you can start using it by buying a $13 alarm clock)What makes this episode so powerful is that it goes FAR beyond tactics… it upgrades the way you see the world and solve problems.Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 – Introduction to Beyond Curious and today’s guest, Perry MarshallBrandon Fong welcomes listeners to The 9th 4% File, part of the 11-part Beyond Curious series distilling the most powerful insights from over 334 hours of podcast conversations. He previews why Perry Marshall—engineer turned marketing legend and systems thinker—embodies “beyond curious” thinking. 00:01 – Why Perry Marshall is a once-in-a-generation thinkerBrandon shares his personal journey into direct response marketing and how discovering Perry’s work—especially 80/20 Sales and Marketing—reshaped his worldview through fractal 80/20 thinking and the concept of “finding your 4%.”00:03 – Three ideas to listen for in this episodeBrandon sets the...

👉 Access The 4% Files Treasure Map HERE To Get A Detailed Recap & Summary Of This Series! 👉 Access all of the bonus material from the 4% Files right hereBack in July 2025, I saw a social media post that made my heart stop:The headline prominently said:Rest in Peace Steve SimsJuly 1966 - July 2025Steve Sims was a podcast guest that had a profoundly deep impact in my life. In case you haven’t heard of Steve before, he was coined by Forbes as “The Real Life Wizard of Oz” who helped his clients do things like:Get married by the PopeTake submarine trips to the TitanicHave dinner in front of Michelangelo’s David while being serenaded by Andrea BocelliMeet celebrities like Elton John and Elon MuskHe even once took a group on a private tour of the Tesla gigafactory… followed by a visit to a legal, licensed brothel to learn about the power of communication (yes, seriously).But beyond the crazy experiences…Steve Sims gave me a new blueprint for life.In fact, a few years ago when journaling about the 3 people I most looked up to, Steve’s name was high on that list — right next to my wife and daughter.Even though we only spent a few hours together across these interviews, Steve’s mindset has been running like a background program in my brain ever since I met him.He embodied the values and passions that drive my life today:Family & Heart: He loved his wife and kids deeply, and built his business alongside themDoing the Impossible: His entire life was proof that “impossible” is just a starting pointExperiences: The most inspiring (and wildest) experience designer I’ve ever metFun & Play: He approached life like a big kid—joyful, absurd, and always ready to make you laughBeing Unapologetically You: Steve knew who he was and never tried to be anything elsePure Passion for Life: You could hear it in his voice—he lived with passion, every single dayStorytelling: Hands down my favorite storyteller of all time—he didn’t just live great stories, he delivered them in unforgettable waysSo to honor his legacy, on episode #250 of the show, I stitched together all 3 of our interviews at once.As I dove through my entire podcast library for this series, I HAD to include my interviews with Steve, despite the fact that I only recently published the trilogy.But of course, with this being the 4% Files I had to do something even more epic…You see:The magic of this series is that EVERYTHING I’m sharing I’ve tested personally… for years. None of this is something I just learned about and haven’t implemented in a deep way.So in addition to the truly transformational content that Steve himself shares in the episodes, I actually weave together ~45 minutes of bonus content walking you through exactly how I’ve implemented what I learned from Steve.These episodes with Steve truly showed me what was possible beyond my wildest imagination at the time…But just as a fair warning:This is my LONGEST episode to date, clocking in at 3 and a half hours. So you’re in for a ride if you commit to this one.But if you do, I promise it’ll be worth it.00:00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Steve Sims, as Brandon tees up a “monster” 3+ hour episode surfacing the full Steve Sims...

👉 Access The 4% Files Treasure Map HERE To Get A Detailed Recap & Summary Of This Series! 👉 Access all of the bonus material from the 4% Files right here. . .Today I’m introducing you to someone I consider to be an alchemist.But the type of alchemy that he practices is far more transformational than turning metal into gold…He’s an alchemist of genius, helping people reorganize their lives around the work they were actually born to do.Here’s what I mean by that:Imagine if you could spend 70% or more of your day doing exactly what you are uniquely suited to do.You removed the things from your life you are incompetent, competent, or even excellent at… and instead focus PURELY on the work that you feel like you were put on planet Earth to do.This is the magic of the New York Times bestselling author and beautiful soul, Dr. Gay Hendricks.In the words of his wife, Katie, “He sees the essence of people and the core pattern blocking their direct experience of essence in about two seconds.”In his book, The Big Leap, he outlines his process of converting your life experience into the raw material you need to build a home in what he calls “The Zone of Genius.”Gay has made a profound impact on my life, not only through his work but through the radiance he exudes.Here’s a small sample as to why Gay is someone I deeply respect and admire:He has a beautiful and deep 40+ year relationship with his wife, Katie. They have co-created a relationship that is their “living laboratory for conscious loving”He practices what he preaches, and at age 77 at the time we recorded this episode he is full of energy and a strong desire to continue sharing his gifts with the world.He has found a way to translate every element of his life (relationship, his books, his business) into a vehicle for elevating his consciousness.He has an ability to (1) identify his own limiting unconscious patterns, (2) leverage his life experience to extract his essence, and (3) communicate what he learned by studying himself in a truly heartfelt wayIn other words, Gay is who I want to be when I grow up.In this episode, you’ll discover:How to come up with your top five life goalsWhat the “Upper Limit Problem” is and why Gay believes it’s the ONLY problem that we need to solve if you desire to always feel good and have life go well all the timeHow you can STOP worrying (yes, you read that correctly)How to turn your business into a powerful vehicle for spiritual growthHow to design a life you never want to retire fromFor those following along with the 4% Files in order, this episode is an incredible power up that will help you deepen your awareness of your Player to consciously design a life in alignment with your unique gifts.This episode helps you...

👉 Access The 4% Files Treasure Map HERE To Get A Detailed Recap & Summary Of This Series! 👉 Access all of the bonus material from the 4% Files right here. . .If you asked me:“Brandon, what ideas have most permeated your life?”Of the ideas that I actively use on an almost daily basis and have done so consistently for years, there are really only two of them:The Find Your Four® concept that my entire world is built around+2 EnergyThese two concepts unlock the ability to:Build a life doing the things you love the most With the people that bring you the most energyI’ve gone deep on Find Your Four® already in the first file… but today is an opportunity to go SUPER deep on +2 Energy.On the surface, it’s a very simple concept:After every interaction you have, rate your ENERGY level from -2 to +2.You’ll start to notice several things:When you feel +2 energy from someone, they most likely feel +2 energy from youTherefore, when you feel +2 energy from someone, odds are the other +2 people in your world will feel it too!When you connect +2 humans to other +2 humans, EVERYONE winsThis simple concept has literally created an energy vortex of transformational humans.So much so that most people that operate in the “+2 World” are often receiving 10 or more incredibly transformational intros every single week.This also goes beyond just people though…Because this simple energy rating scale can help you start to orient your entire life around EVERYTHING you’re doing that gives you +2 energy.Because this is such an important concept that I talk about all the time, I wanted a deep dive “Masterclass” on this subject that covers perspectives from how people have implemented this concept.So, I brought on THREE of the humans most responsible for transforming my life with this concept:Randy MollandMark FujiwaraJennifer HillI can’t wait for you to listen… and even better IMPLEMENT this concept.It’s truly changed so many people’s lives, so I’d be honored to introduce it to you.Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Randy Molland, with Jennifer Hill and Mark FujiwaraBrandon Fong kicks off...

👉 Access The 4% Files Treasure Map HERE To Get A Detailed Recap & Summary Of This Series! 👉 Access all of the bonus material from the 4% Files right here. . .In April 2018, I left the cow poop-smelling college town of Whitewater, Wisconsin (Population 15,000)…And walked into a $25,000/yr mastermind room in Tempe, Arizona, filled with 7-, 8-, and 9-figure impact-driven entrepreneurs.I was a 22-year-old college senior and by every traditional standard, I didn’t belong.Yet somehow, I manifested a way to be there… and my life changed almost instantly.One of the biggest upgrades came during the very first session when I found myself sitting next to Dr. Benjamin Hardy.At the time, his blogs were being read by 100M+ people as the #1 writer in the world on Medium.com and he had just published Willpower Doesn’t Work. Today, he’s an organizational psychologist, New York Times bestselling author, and co-founder of scaling.com supporting people in realizing impossible goals.That day marked the beginning of me going deep with Ben’s body of work that would fundamentally shift the trajectory of my life.But the real tipping point for me came when he released 10x Is Easier Than 2x in 2023.It was that book — and the 6-week challenge Ben hosted for it — that catalyzed some of the biggest moves that got me to where I’m at today:Re-branding to Beyond Curious® and hosting my first ever live event Hiring my amazing Executive Assistant, Kevin, who has saved me thousands of hours and helps to amplify my workConnecting to my future self and vision, building my Curiosity Island™ community, and setting the vision to celebrate my 30th birthday by hosting a live Curiosity Island event (which is now 44 days away)So when I poured the 334+ hours of recorded content on the show to find the best of the best, it was a no-brainer to include one of my interviews with Ben.In this episode, we cover:How to shift your perception of time so that your future self guides your decisions instead of your past.How to leverage “impossible” goals as a TOOL to come up with teleporting pathways to achieving your visionWhy your vision is a DRAFT… and how evolving your vision with better information is a sign of growth, not failure.How thinking at 10x or 100x might surface invisible beliefs and identity structures you weren’t consciously aware of that are keeping you stuckHow to edit your past from the lens of your future to free you from old stories that no longer serve youAs with every episode in the 4% Files, this one is a potent one that...

Today we’re opening up The FOURTH 4% File — part 4 of an 11 part Beyond Curious series where I surface the most powerful, high-impact insights buried inside the 334+ hours of published episodes on this show.In this file, I’m introducing you to someone that has impacted my life in a BIG way… the brilliant Michael Roderick.I could spend several hours telling you about how awesome Michael is.In fact, I actually did do that earlier this year…In September, I reached out to 300+ people to throw him a massive virtual surprise party, just to say thank you:Turns out I’m not the only one that’s been deeply impacted by him!Anyways…This interview may very well be the most I’ve EVER invested in terms of “preparing” for an interview.I’m talking 100+ hours.How could that even be possible?Well, I’ve known Michael for over 5 years now and have not only invested significantly to be a part of his programs…But our relationship has evolved to the point where we talk once a week, and he’s become a truly transformational thought partner in my life.So this interview is unique from the perspective that EVERYTHING we talk about, I’ve implemented and gotten BIG results from.And now it’s time for you to get the best of the best!In The Fourth File, you’ll learn:Michael’s Thought Leader Triple Threat Framework: Discover which of the 3 thought leader types you naturally embody, and why knowing the order of your archetypes is the key to making your messaging memorable, and your ideas unforgettable.How to craft your “Unforgettable Big Idea” by doing what Michael calls challenging the dominant narrative.How to use Pre-Marketing to make your ideas so compelling that you stop knocking on doors and start opening them for the people already knocking on yours.How to use the power of Indirect Asks to turn your ideas into keys that unlock powerful relationshipsHow to use what Michael calls “Windows Thinking” to come up with innovative and original ideasAt the end of the day, it’s the quality of your thinking and the way you communicate your thinking that will unlock the biggest opportunities for you.This episode is the masterclass for that!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Michael RoderickBrandon Fong kicks off the fourth installment of the 4% Files series, diving into high-impact insights from past episodes. He introduces today’s guest, Michael Roderick, someone he credits with a massive influence on his life. Brandon sets the stage for a deep-dive into frameworks that bridge identity, connection, and idea development.01:06 - The Architect vs. Player Operating System FrameworkBrandon recaps the foundational files and introduces today's theme—a “power-up” focused on revealing your unforgettable big idea. He explains how today's episode ties into designing a game that supports your highest-impact self.02:47 - Choice Mapping and the 4% Humans Who Change EverythingBrandon shares a transformative choice-mapping experience from Kim DeYoung that spotlighted Michael...

Two weeks ago, I launched The 4% Files -- an 11-part series where I'm surfacing the most powerful, high-leverage insights buried inside 334+ hours of Beyond Curious episodes.The First File revealed how to uncover your 4% — the magical zone where your greatest impact meets your greatest joyThe Second File revealed an Operating System to help you to architect a game completely based off of your unique strengthsIn the Third File and beyond, we’re shifting into “power-up” territory.I’m surfacing the “80/20 of the 80/20” of Beyond Curious content that led to a disproportionate impact on my life.And the first power up is a strange one.Naming.Yes, naming.Today I’m re-surfacing an episode I recorded with my friend, Alexandra Watkins.Ever heard of the Wendy’s Baconator?Yep, Alexandra named that. She’s the author of one of my favorite books, Hello My Name Is Awesome, and has created love-at-first sight names for companies like Amazon, Coca-Cola, Disney, Google, Twitter, and Colgate.Of all places, why start here?Here’s the embarrassing truth:For 139 episodes, my brand and podcast was called 7-Figure Millennials 🤮That brand was the PERFECT example of me “playing a game” I didn’t consciously choose.It was what I thought I needed to be, inspired by copying others.And while that name helped get me started… it quickly became a straightjacket.Every time I saw it, spoke it, or shared it, I felt a wave of emotional resistance.Because it didn’t reflect my truth.Through the deep work that eventually became the Find Your Four™ framework, I knew who I was…But I didn’t yet know how to express it.So I hired Alexandra, handed everything I’d uncovered about myself to her and said:“Please please please help me find a name that will let me be me.”What came out on the other end was not only Beyond Curious®, but also Curiosity Island™… two core pillars of my world.These two brands bridged the gap between who I knew I was and how the world saw me.Which is why I truly believe:Unlocking the right brand name is a single decision that solves a thousand problems.Because the moment your brand clicks into alignment, everything gets easier:You attract the right people.You get invited into the right rooms.You show up with more confidence and clarity.

-- To Access All Bonus Material Mentioned In This Series, Visit gobeyondcurious.com/files -- Last week, I released the FIRST ever 4% File -- the first of an 11-part series where I'm surfacing the most powerful, high-leverage insights buried inside 334+ hours of interviews with some of the most curious minds out there.Quick recap (if you didn't listen yet, or you want a refresher from last week):In the first file, we started by asking a big question:What game am I currently playing in life, and did I choose it consciously?We talked about how society hands us these "default games", and just how easy it is to trick ourselves into thinking we're playing our own game...... when in reality, there may still be elements of the default games we're playing that no longer serve us.. . .The blessing and curse of living in 2025 is that exponential technology is causing more and more of those "default games" to freeze, and some to stop working altogether.And instead of seeing that as a threat, it’s a HUGE opportunity for us to pause, remove any fragments of the default game that may or may not have been handed to us… and design one that’s truly ours.That’s where the Player vs. Architect idea comes in.You have a Player — the version of you running around inside the game — and you have an Architect, the version of you who can step outside the game, see the whole thing, and consciously create it.In File One, we focused entirely on understanding your Player using the Find Your Four™ framework refined within my Curiosity Island™ community.It's the 80/20 of the 80/20 where you find just 4% that creates not only the greatest impact but the greatest joy.In the SECOND File we step into Architect mode.Here's what's on our roadmap for the Second File:For the first time ever on the podcast, I'm taking you inside Curiosity Island by sharing a raw, unscripted conversation that happened earlier this year.You’ll hear the exact breakthrough that completely reframed how we approach goals, accomplishment, and identity evolution… and why the traditional, default ways of setting big visions often don’t serve people like us — people who are using our game as a vehicle to become the next, truest version of ourselves.Then from that conversation, I reveal the core structure of what I now call The Operating System.This is a framework developed out of hundreds of hours of testing and evolution for the Architect version of you to design a game that fits your unique Player.And of course, I'll be giving you some powerful tools to help you as an Architect to design your own game.And finally, you’ll get the tools to start designing your own game.READY PLAYER ONE!Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today’s exploration of the Architect Operating SystemBrandon Fong welcomes listeners to the second installment of the 4% Files series, designed to surface transformational insights from 334+ hours of Beyond Curious content. This episode moves from understanding the "player" (from File 1) to designing the game itself—as the "architect"—through a framework inspired by co-creation on Curiosity Island.00:51 - Recap of File 1 and introduction of the Architect conceptBrandon recaps the major theme of File 1—consciously choosing your life's game—and...

-- To Access All Bonus Material Mentioned In This Series, Visit gobeyondcurious.com/files -- Last week, I announced a new series being released on Beyond Curious® called The 4% Files.In this 11-part series, I’ll surface the most powerful, high-leverage insights buried inside 334+ hours of interviews with some of the most curious minds on the planet.The inspiration?The 80/20 rule… but on steroids.Because 80/20 is fractal, you can 80/20 the 80/20 — which means just 4% of efforts are responsible for over half your results (64% to be exact).So this means the same is true for my podcast…Buried within the 267 previously released episodes, there lies 4% of the content that is the most valuable and potent.AND… because I love you…Within this series, I’m going FAR beyond simply replaying my most powerful episodes.I’m sharing it within an overarching framework and pattern I’ve developed that took me THOUSANDS of hours to develop.In The First File, I reveal this mega framework, and how we’ll be exploring it through the theme of video games.To say I’m excited to share this with you is a massive understatement…As I started poring over all of my content, it's almost as if suddenly the thousands of hours I've invested into creating this show all began to click into place.I can’t wait for you to open the first file!Stay Curious,BrandonP.S. Not only am I creating this series, but I’m also giving away EPIC bonus material to help implement it all.If you truly want to make the most out of this series, you’ll want to check it out here. P.P.S. If you want to see the mini 8 Bit Brandon series I had too much fun creating using Sora (in that GIF you see above) it’s also on that link :) Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 – Introduction to Beyond Curious with host Brandon FongBrandon introduces the "4% Files" — a special 11-part series within Beyond Curious. He shares that this series distills the most impactful insights from over 334 hours of published episodes to help listeners surface their own unique brilliance and consciously design their lives.00:36 - Growing up Zillennial and the video game metaphorBrandon reflects on being born in 1996 and feeling like part of a unique "zillennial" generation. He shares nostalgic stories of playing Super Nintendo with his brother and friends, humorously recalling their odd method of fixing cartridges, then connects it to a powerful metaphor: the “game” of modern life is freezing — and it’s time to choose whether we’re playing consciously or unconsciously.02:02 - Why the “game” of work and life is freezingBrandon explains how linear societal programming prepares us for predefined roles — or “games” — such as doctor, lawyer, or entrepreneur. But with AI rapidly transforming industries, even entrepreneurs aren't immune to unconscious patterns like chasing success for external validation. The key is choosing to play consciously.03:57 - Are you playing your own game… or someone else’s?Brandon dives into the importance of playing a game you’ve intentionally chosen. He warns against blindly following the frameworks of “gurus” and emphasizes a new paradigm: you’re already whole, and the growth journey should come from your truth, not a place of lack.05:43 - Learning to listen to your own wisdomBrandon highlights how many external programs subtly suggest you’re “not...

Two days ago, a question randomly popped into my head:“What if I applied my Find Your Four™ framework to the entire Beyond Curious library?”If you’re new here — Find Your Four™ is a framework I developed inspired by the 80/20 rule (aka Pareto Principle). At its core, it’s about identifying the smallest actions that create the biggest results.It turns out that if you apply 80/20 on the 20% — you get to something even more potent:4% of your efforts = 64% of your results.So I ran the numbers.There are 267 episodes before this one…4% of 267 = 10.68 → round that up = 11 episodesAnd this is how The 4% Files was born.Over the next 11 episodes, I’ll be digging through 334+ hours of Beyond Curious conversations and surfacing just the 4% — the most potent, high-impact ideas I believe can change your life.For more details, listen to the announcement here.Stay tuned for the first episode being released next Tuesday!Stay Curious,Brandon

In his 20s, Keith Hodge was the last person you’d ever expect to become a transformational healer.He spent his nights DJing in clubs, his days snowboarding, and followed the well-worn societal script straight into becoming a tax professional. Life looked “normal” from the outside… until everything collapsed.Within months of starting his corporate career, Keith hit rock bottom after he walked into a doctors office feeling completely drained… and walked out with a chronic fatigue diagnosis and a note excusing him from work for an entire year.Out of pure desperation, Keith followed a friend’s advice and visited a 70-year-old psychic named Mari. He walked into her room skeptical, agnostic, and absolutely not the “spiritual type.”She took one look at him and said words that changed the entire trajectory of his life:“You’re going to be a healer.”Keith’s first reaction was, “What’s a healer?”Fast-forward to today, and Keith has worked with 10,000+ people across the world, dissolving emotional patterns at their root and now helping them step into what he calls “True North Alignment.”Here’s what specifically resonates with me about Keith’s work:Keith helps people shift away from a “you need fixing” paradigm into a transcending paradigm — where transformation happens not through doing, but through being.And if that wasn’t inspirational enough, I’m truly magnetized by Keith’s vision of creating a world of Trauma-Free Children.Imagine:A world where kids are taught how to feel, process, and regulate their emotions instead of suppressing them. Keith believes that by holding children in presence rather than trying to fix or rush their feelings, we can end generational patterns at their root and raise humans who grow up centered, connected, and emotionally whole.This is a beautiful conversation where explore:Why trauma forms in the first place—and why it’s not the “event,” but the unfelt emotion and story created underneath itHow our children can learn emotional regulation as naturally as they learn language.Why boredom, procrastination, anger, and anxiety aren’t “problems”… they’re protectors. (Keith walks me through an example in real time on something I’m working through now related to boredom!)How to make decisions from your heart’s intelligence instead of excitement, fear, logic, or conditioning.Why it’s completely normal to outgrow something that used to be true for you, and how to step forward into a new truthEspecially as a parent, I left this recording with a completely new understanding of what it truly means to raise emotionally healthy children.Whether or not you have kids, this episode will change the way you see your own emotional patterns, your past, and your potential.Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Keith HodgeBrandon welcomes listeners and introduces Keith Hodge, a transformational healer whose mission is to help people reconnect with their true state of being. He outlines three powerful themes explored in the episode: seeing boredom and anxiety as protectors, making heart-led decisions, and creating a world of trauma-free children.01:40 - Exploring boredom, procrastination, and emotional triggersKeith and Brandon begin their deep dive by examining how emotions like boredom and procrastination are not problems, but protective mechanisms. Keith shares how becoming aware of where these emotions are stored in the body is the first step in healing.04:30 - Grounding in presence before storytellingThe conversation kicks off with a moment of grounding, setting the tone for presence. Brandon opts to start by diving into the idea of uncovering and removing limiting...

I turn 30 in just about 3 months. As I sat down to reflect on what’s changed my career trajectory the most over the past decade, one thing stood out above everything else.I call it Slipstreaming.It’s a strategy I first used when I was 21 that helped me go from “broke college student” to working side-by-side with one of my mentors, traveling the world, getting flown into $25K mastermind rooms, and ultimately building the life I live today.In today’s episode, I’m finally breaking it all down.And instead of just telling you what it is, I show you — by weaving together audio from:A course I created 8 years ago with my mentor Jonathan LeviClips from past Beyond Curious guests like Todd Herman, Jessica Von Innerbrenner, and Lee Holden — who each used a similar method to create transformational opportunities in their livesWhether you're a teen, twentysomething or thirtysomething, or you’re further along in your journey and want to empower the next generation — this one is worth a listen.Here’s a peek at what you’ll learn:Why “learning from someone ahead of you” can shortcut years of trial and error (and how I still do this today)The psychology behind why the slipstream technique works (hint: IKEA furniture has something to do with it)When I realized that even though this strategy changed my life, I needed to let go of it in the way I originally learned to do itIn a world changing so fast that many of tomorrow’s most important jobs don’t even exist yet, I’m excited for the right people to hear this.If you know someone navigating their career path, I hope you’ll consider sharing this with them — it completely changed my life.Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today’s guest, Brandon FongBrandon opens the episode with a deeply personal reflection: with just 99 days left before turning 30, he takes listeners on a unique solo journey into a strategy that completely transformed his life — one he calls the “Slipstream Technique.” He sets the stage by reflecting on speaking engagements with incoming college freshmen and the overwhelming uncertainty facing today’s youth in a rapidly evolving world.00:56 - The spark that changed Brandon’s life at 21Brandon introduces the moment that shifted his life trajectory in his early 20s and how it became a repeating pattern among many high achievers he interviewed. He introduces the “Slipstream Technique” as a powerful, unconventional method for career acceleration — one that doesn’t rely on traditional education or job applications.03:53 - Flashback: The original Slipstream course intro with Jonathan LevyBrandon plays the introduction to the original “Ultimate Advantage” course recorded in 2018 with his mentor, Jonathan Levy. Jonathan shares how Brandon reached out using the strategy and ended up becoming an integral part of his company, Superhuman Enterprises.06:07 - A day in the life: How Brandon’s strategy created dream opportunitiesBrandon recounts his then-current daily life in Tel Aviv — traveling, working alongside thought leaders, and helping shape educational programs that impact hundreds of thousands. Jonathan highlights how Brandon became one of the most valued, trusted, and highly paid members of his team — all without a traditional job application.08:26 - Defining the Slipstream Technique: A...

Five years ago, I hit “publish” on a wild experiment.(If you want a laugh, check out episode #1. I listened to it and was cringing like crazy)It wasn’t called Beyond Curious back then — but the mission underneath it was the same:To explore what it really means to live a rich life… not just financially, but emotionally, spiritually, and consciously.Fast forward to today, and this week marks the 5-year anniversary of this show.And here’s the funny thing — I didn’t even realize the anniversary was coming up until very recently.My first thought was, “oh shit, I should probably do something special for the anniversary episode.”But with a 2 week trip to Italy, my daughter’s 2 year old birthday party, and some live event planning, I didn’t really have time to think about it 😆That’s when I realized something epic:I DID have a perfect episode to release for the anniversary — a conversation with my friend and Curiosity Island Castaway Susanne Goldstein where she turned the tables and interviewed me!I met Susanne about a year ago and am incredibly grateful for the awarenesses she’s brought in many domains, specifically around Consciousness and Energetics.So while I had NO idea what Susanne was going to ask me, in this episode, we explore:Why discovering your uniqueness is actually the path to realizing your oneness.How playing pool as a kid became a foundational vehicle for my curiosity & how my curiosity WORKS (I didn’t fully realize this until this conversation)How empathy and curiosity are intertwined — and why seeing the world through someone else’s eyes can dissolve separationWhy your “future self” isn’t someone you’ll meet later… but a version of you that already exists (and what this has to do with me manifesting two mirrors!)If you’ve been walking alongside me on this journey — whether since episode 1 or episode 260+ —  I can’t wait for you to listen!Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Susanne GoldsteinBrandon celebrates the 5-year anniversary of Beyond Curious, reflecting on the journey from its humble, cringe-worthy beginnings to an uninterrupted 265-week streak. He introduces a special episode where Susanne Goldstein turns the tables to interview him, diving into themes like curiosity, empathy, consciousness, and how his childhood shaped his mindset.01:25 - The “Perfect” Unplanned Anniversary EpisodeBrandon shares how, despite a whirlwind trip to Italy and family events, he realized he had already recorded the perfect anniversary episode with Susanne. He previews key highlights: how discovering your uniqueness leads to realizing your oneness, pool as a metaphor for curiosity, and a wild story about manifesting mirrors.04:28 - Susanne Kicks Off the Interview and Sets the ToneSusanne takes the reins, introducing Brandon as the mind behind the Beyond Curious movement and Curiosity Island. She celebrates his gift of conversational curiosity and tees up a deep, exploratory discussion on what drives him.06:13 - The Octopus Story: A Symbol of CuriositySusanne recounts their first conversation sparked by a show about octopuses and how it signaled Brandon’s natural ability to dive deep into any topic. She probes how he navigates unfamiliar territory with others by focusing on their motivation.08:22 - Why Brandon Is Obsessed with CuriosityBrandon explores the foundational role curiosity...

On August 7th, I had a session with my friend Keith Hodge where he supported me in connecting deeper with my vision and future self.In that session, a new awareness came through:To step into the next level of my vision and impact, I would need to shift my relationship with judgement.(I’ll explain more what I mean by this in a second)A day or so later after that session, I stumbled across a podcast interview from someone I didn’t know at the time: Dr. Steven Young.I almost skipped it. The message could’ve easily gotten buried in 50+ WhatsApp notifications.But something nudged me to listen.…And I’m SO glad I did.What I heard in that episode hit me like a cosmic 2x4 — in the most beautiful way.I counted five synchronicities between what Steven shared and the exact thoughts, questions, and awarenesses that had been bubbling up for me.Most of them were things I hadn’t shared with anyone. It was like he was reading my mind 😆One of the biggest synchronicities was the fact that he has worked to consciously remove judgement language from his vocabulary, specifically:Good / BadRight / WrongPositive / NegativeAND that he had a course that, through the teachings of Hermetics, would share how to dissolve this language. I went through the course and was BLOWN away, and also was so grateful that he agreed to come on the show.This conversation is packed with deep wisdom about how we shape our reality, often without realizing it.In this episode with Dr. Steven Young, we explore:Why the traditional SMART goal framework might actually limit growth — and how to guarantee better results by doing what Dr. Young calls, “Approaching Life Obliquely” How you can increase awareness of the unconscious language you’re using that may be inhibiting your growth… including removing judgement language. 3 Fundamental Shifts in How You View Reality: Why your perception of time, your awareness of context, and your ability to zoom between dual and non-dual perspectives might be unconsciously shaping your entire life — and how learning to shift these frameworks gives you new tools to navigate reality with greater clarity and power.If you’re someone who values elevating your consciousness, language as a tool for transformation, and spiritual growth, this is a HUGE episode for you.Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today’s guest, Dr. Steven YoungBrandon opens by welcoming listeners and sharing the synchronistic story of how he discovered Dr. Steven Young, whose teachings on dissolving judgment and shifting perception deeply resonated with him. Brandon also previews three mind-expanding themes listeners can expect in the episode: why SMART goals may limit growth, the power of upgrading unconscious language, and transformative shifts in perceiving reality.00:04:41 - Who is Dr. Steven Young?Brandon introduces Dr. Steven Young’s profound body of work, highlighting his 36 years of research into harmonizing mind, body, and spirit. Dr. Young has launched five businesses, treated 9,000+ patients holistically, and now helps others craft a reality based on harmony, not separation.00:06:09 - The story behind a viral Shaolin monk photo and a dream come trueDr. Young recounts how a dream about actor...

My wife, Leah, turned the big 3-0 yesterday!To celebrate her, we’re doing two things:We’re in Florence, Italy for two weeks eating copious amounts of gelato, pizza, and gnocchi… introducing our 2 year old daughter to our favorite cityI’m releasing this episode to share what I love most about her, using some AI music to add an extra little oomph!So this episode is part love letter… Part reflection on the biggest wisdom Leah has brought into my life (that I think will serve you too)…And part creative experiment—sharing a unique way you can use AI to express gratitude and bring joy to the people who make your life meaningful.I can say with 100% certainty: I would not be the person I am today without Leah.I’m grateful for the opportunity to share the heart and wisdom of someone that means so much to me — can’t wait for you to listen!Stay Curious,BrandonP.S. Did you want to get direct links to the songs I share in this episode? Check them out below…If It Weren’t For HerMoose BootiesThe Way She LovesThese Are The DaysShow Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Leah (Brandon’s Wife)Brandon sets the tone for a special episode recorded in celebration of his wife Leah’s 30th birthday, which they’re celebrating in Florence, Italy—a city that has played a significant role in their love story. He shares how the episode is both a love letter to Leah and a reflection on the systems of love and support that enable creative dreamers.00:56 - The love story behind Florence: Engagements, announcements, and milestonesBrandon recounts their deep connection with Florence, from Leah’s study abroad experience to their engagement, pregnancy announcement, and now, visiting with their daughter. It’s a heartfelt journey through time in a city they love.01:42 - Celebrating the supporters behind every dreamerBrandon dives into the purpose of the episode: honoring Leah as the biggest support system in his life. He emphasizes the importance of the people who stand behind the dreamers—those who make wild ideas possible.02:58 - Creating AI music as a tool for love and reflectionBrandon introduces the episode’s unique format—original AI-generated songs written for Leah. He shares how music creation has deepened their connection and invites listeners to use this process for expressing love and appreciation.04:30 - Behind the scenes: Why “If It Weren’t for Her” captures Leah’s magicBrandon explains the inspiration behind his first song, “If It Weren’t for Her,” and how he used ChatGPT and reflection to create it. He breaks down three key themes: Leah as CEO of their household, her unwavering support, and her role as the bringer of joy and color.06:00 - Leah as CEO of the household: Grounding a space cadet entrepreneurBrandon shares how Leah helps him function in day-to-day life—planning, organizing, and maintaining social connections. He highlights how her strengths balance his and keep their family rooted and connected.07:41 - The “joy and color painter”: How Leah adds flavor to lifeBrandon reflects on the contrast between his utilitarian college days and Leah’s culinary artistry. Her passion for...

Last week, we released part one of a two-part series featuring Marcia Martin — the woman who helped pioneer the self-help empire.In case you missed it…Marcia was one of the original pioneers behind EST (now known as Landmark Forum). She helped grow it from a 30-person seminar into a worldwide phenomenon with 800,000+ graduates, worked behind the scenes with Tony Robbins, helped catalyze The Secret, and was part of the early movement that sparked the coaching industry as we know it today.Part one was all about her story — the raw, wild, and fascinating origin of the self-help movement.But today…We go deep into how you can create a movement that lasts — learning directly from the woman who helped build one of the most influential transformational empires of all time.Specifically, we explore how you can:Build a movement the way nature grows — by creating virality without using social mediaLeverage Marcia’s “Three Faces” framework to get in touch with your deepest inner truth — and teach, lead, and create from that place of authenticity.Design training experiences that engage both your body and your mind to create transformation that actually lastsCan’t wait for you to listen!Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Marcia MartinBrandon welcomes listeners to part two of his interview with Marcia Martin, one of the original architects of the Self Help Empire. He recaps part one and previews what’s to come: the nature-inspired strategy Marcia used to build viral movements before social media, her Three Faces framework, and how to design transformative learning experiences that engage both body and mind.00:32 - Marcia explains how true movements grow organicallyMarcia begins with a profound insight: nature holds the answers to movement-building. By authentically sharing with one person, teaching them to share, and then teaching them to teach others, a self-sustaining, viral movement emerges—no social media required.02:36 - Three key takeaways from this episodeBrandon outlines the episode’s focal points: building movements like nature, Marcia’s “Three Faces” framework to unlock deep authenticity, and the integration of physical and intellectual learning for true transformation.04:20 - The dark side of power, fame, and cult-like dynamicsMarcia reflects on her time working with Werner Erhard and the transformation of noble movements into cultish hierarchies. She shares how unchecked power and adoration can lead even good people astray and why deep self-awareness is essential.06:22 - Why admitting you're wrong is harder than it seemsMarcia discusses the human resistance to admitting mistakes and the psychological trap of justifying bad behavior to maintain a powerful image.09:30 - The weight of leadership and the responsibility of influenceMarcia shares her lifelong mission to help others feel safe enough to grow. She reflects on how trust and love from others have been her gift—but also a burden she’s had to rise to.11:26 - The duality of certainty and curiosity in leadershipBrandon and Marcia explore the seductive power of certainty. While certainty can drive action, Marcia cautions that it often blocks collaboration, compromise, and higher truth. True leadership requires balancing conviction with curiosity.13:15 - The three stages of consciousness and how they evolveMarcia lays out a powerful framework for understanding consciousness: from victimhood to personal empowerment to living with purpose. She explains how real fulfillment only comes when your actions serve something bigger than yourself.16:20 - Consciousness is not static; it's...

Today, I get to introduce you to someone who fundamentally helped create the personal development industry as we know it.In the 1970s, Marcia Martin was one of the original pioneers behind EST (now known as Landmark Forum).She was there during the very first 30-person seminar… and helped the organization grow to 800,000+ graduates, sparking a movement that would go on to impact 3.5 million people worldwide.(And yes, she did all of this back when she had to manage all of this using a “card box” paper filing system)But her career didn’t just end with EST…She helped Tony Robbins launch Unlimited Power, worked behind the scenes with Jack Canfield, helped to make the filming of The Secret happen, and supported the creation of the Hoffman Process, Wealth Dynamics, and countless others who would go on to shape an entire generation of transformation.During my first few conversations with Marcia, I could tell there was so much to cover that a single episode wouldn’t quite do it justice.So this is why we’re splitting this episode into two parts.In Part 1, we dive deep into Marcia’s story and her perspective on the origin of the self-help movement… including a crazy concoction of both genuine breakthroughs and psychological manipulation that shaped the industry.Specifically, we explore:How as a hungry 20-something, Marcia “accidentally” stumbled into the very first EST seminar because of a free hot dog and ended up filling 10,000+ person stadiums and putting EST on the map.What it was actually like behind the scenes of EST: the brilliance, the breakthroughs… and the darker practices that pushed people to their psychological limitsHow even the most noble visions to “save humanity” can spiral into manipulation, control, and cult-like dynamics once ego and power enter the equation — and what Marcia learned from watching that unfold firsthandIf you’ve ever been impacted by personal growth work in any form — from Tony Robbins to Landmark to modern-day coaching — this is a must-listen.Marcia’s story (and her new book: Sex, Power, and Transformation) gives you a front-row seat to where it all began.Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Marcia MartinBrandon Fong introduces Marcia Martin, a pioneering figure in the personal development industry who helped build the foundation of what would become EST and eventually Landmark Forum. He outlines her significant influence, from helping launch Tony Robbins’ Unlimited Power to working with Jack Canfield on The Secret, the Hoffman Process, and more. Brandon also highlights key themes to listen for—transformation, manipulation, and the evolution of the self-help movement.00:39 - Marcia reflects on building EST from 30-person seminars to 800,000 graduatesMarcia gives an early glimpse into the astonishing growth of the movement—from a small seminar in 1971 to nearly a million people impacted by the end of the decade.01:41 - From paper files to global influence: Marcia's impact beyond ESTBrandon recounts Marcia's extensive influence in the personal development world, including helping global brands and being knighted for her humanitarian work.03:21 - A sneak peek into three pivotal elements of the episodeBrandon teases listeners with three themes: the fateful hot dog moment that led Marcia to EST, the brilliance and psychological limits within the training, and how noble missions can spiral into manipulation.05:03 - Launching into the interview: Brandon and Marcia begin their conversationBrandon welcomes Marcia