The Double Win

You’re not a brain on legs. And if upgrading your mindset or sharpening your thinking hasn’t delivered the breakthrough you expected, it may be time to pay attention to the one stream of data AI can’t access: your body’s real-time signals.In this episode, Michael and Megan sit down with science journalist Caroline Williams to unpack interoception—your internal sensory system. It’s the mechanism that helps you interpret what’s happening inside your body and quietly shapes your response. Together, they explore why modern life makes it so easy to override those signals and introduce simple shifts that make a big difference.If you’ve felt stuck in your head, worn out from pushing through, or unsure how to care for yourself in a high-demand season, this conversation offers a different path—habits that are practical, sustainable, and refreshingly free.Memorable Quotes“Anything you do with your body is gonna affect the signals that are going from within your body to your brain. And that changes how your brain predicts what you are capable of and what's gonna happen next.”“We can either be attending to the outside world or the internal world. You can't be doing it both at the same time. So if you are constantly out there, you can't be in here. And so you need to be able to have the ability to tune in, deal and then tune back out again.”“[Our lives today] don't really match up with what we were designed for. So we have to then seek out the movement that we don't get in our everyday lives.”“The relationship between moving and brain health isn't about how much time you spend exercising, it's about how much time you spend sedentary. So it's about breaking up the sedentary time.”“One of these things that seem to be gathering momentum a little bit is the idea of movement snacks. So throughout the day, it's like the equivalent of food snacks. You can quite easily snack all day long without really noticing, and the calories add up, right? It's the same with exercise, with movement.”“One of the easiest parts of lifestyle to protect your brain health and your capacity long-term is physical activity.”“We must remember that making time to properly give ourselves a break is helping us to function better afterwards.”“The way that embodied cognition works is that when you are moving forward through space, it gives the illusion of, of moving forward and making progress sort of mentally as well as physically.”“Most of what we need to look after ourselves, we already have if we just make time for it.”Key TakeawaysYour Inner Sense Offers Real Data. Interoception is how your brain interprets signals from inside your body to shape emotion, energy, and decision-making.Modern Life Trains Us to Override the Body. When you’re always “out there” (screens, noise, urgency), you lose access to what’s happening “in here.”Your Brain was Built to Move While Thinking. Cognitive strength isn’t separate from the body—it depends on the body being engaged.Break Up Sedentary Time. Frequent movement throughout the day matters more than one intense workout. Try “movement snacks” instead of an all-or-nothing exercise plan.Go For a Walk. Walking boosts creativity, lowers confrontation in hard conversations, and increases bonding through synchronization.Rest Is a Skill, Not a Luxury. Waking rest and deep breathing can restore the nervous system when sleep alone isn’t enough.Wearables? Maybe. Is your favorite wearable helping you tune into your inner sense, or outsourcing it? If the (sometimes contradictory) data increases anxiety or confusion, it may be time to return to lived experience as the primary guide.ResourcesInner Sense by Caroline WilliamsMove! by Caroline Williamswww.carolinewilliams.netWatch on YouTube at:  https://youtu.be/L7ksuXGCp3QThis episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound

Morning routines can become one more place we feel behind, especially when life shifts. In this episode, Michael and Megan talk with bestselling author Hal Elrod about The Miracle Morning After 50 (co-authored with aging expert Dwayne Clark). Along with the SAVERS basics (Silence, Affirmations, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, and Scribing) they explore the “after 50” focus on healthspan, purpose, flexibility, and overlooked free practices.Hal also shares the common derailers and how to rebuild momentum with small steps that stick. Whether you’re in midlife or building sustainable habits now, this conversation will help you craft a morning ritual that fits real life and grows with you.Memorable Quotes“The thing to remember is that what we affirm repeatedly becomes our reality, right? And so it's [helpful to affirm] what you're committed to, why it's important, and what you're gonna do to get there.”“And if you think about it, we are an extension of the earth… And so, for me, I try to live my life as closely in alignment with nature as I possibly can.”“My belief on purpose is that it's something we get to make up as we go along. We can have more than one purpose because I think people put a lot of pressure on purpose… You get to make it up. That's the best part about purpose. And you can try it on for a week, and you're like, ‘You know what? I wanna try a different purpose,’ or ‘I wanna have two or three.’ It's fluid, it's fun, it's joyful.”“If somebody took a peek at your schedule, does it really reflect what you say is most important in your life—whether that's health or family, or happiness, or whatever it is?”“You live, on average, about five years after you retire from purpose. But if you can keep the purpose going, it doesn't matter if you're retired or not retired, or working for a nonprofit or working for a for-profit. It doesn't matter as long as you're making a contribution.”“As we get older, the needs of our bodies, our minds, our hearts—those things shift. And if we're trying to just sort of do the same old thing that we've done that maybe worked for us 20 years ago, or even 10 years ago, it doesn't always produce the same results.”Key TakeawaysMake Your Morning Ritual Doable. The goal isn’t a perfect routine, but a sustainable one that adapts as life changes.Healthspan Matters. Living longer isn’t the point if your quality of life declines. Daily practices can support both longevity and vitality.Start Small and Let It Build. Hal’s challenge: wake up 10 minutes earlier and pick one practice to focus on. Then, expand gradually.Consistency Beats Intensity. Miss a day? Don’t spiral. Hal’s advice: “Never let one missed day turn into two.”Don’t Over-Engineer It. Build a routine that works when the stars don’t align, especially when travel, stress, or caregiving hits.Nature is a Free Advantage. Morning light, time outside, and grounding practices can offer real benefits without expensive biohacks.Purpose Protects Your Life. Especially after retirement or major transitions, meaning and contribution are essential for thriving.ResourcesThe Miracle Morning After 50 (Hal Elrod & Dwayne Clark)The Miracle Morning (Hal Elrod)miraclemorning.comhalelrod.comWatch on YouTube at:  https://youtu.be/o-T03QPI6CwThis episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound

Why do we procrastinate, overspend, or neglect habits we know matter? In this episode, UCLA professor Hal Hershfield reveals how our connection (or lack of connection) to our future selves shapes everything from health and finances to ethics and life satisfaction. Drawing on decades of research, Hal introduces practical tools—including reverse time travel, temptation bundling, and vivid imagination exercises—that help close the gap between intention and action. This conversation is equal parts science, story, and strategy for anyone who wants to live with more agency and hope.Memorable Quotes“It involves thinking about trade-offs between now and later, and thinking about sort of balancing out our happiness and our satisfaction over time between the version of us who exists right now and the version of us who exist in the future.”“People change, and we change much more than we expect to. And the reason I think that that's not something to fear is because it means that we have some control over our lives. It means that we can become different versions of us, we can change aspects of ourselves.”“It may be scary at first to recognize that my life could look different in 10 years than I expect it to be. But the reality that we know from decades of research is that as a human being, we're quite good with grappling with change. We're quite resilient. We have a healthy, what's called ‘psychological immune system,’ which basically means we can sort of fend off the changes that we don't want and sort of learn to live with the way that life has become.”“What the research has found is that if we make the process of achieving a goal more fun, more enjoyable, more pleasurable, we're just—and this shouldn't surprise anybody—we're a lot more likely to stick it out.”“If we want to spur action, if we wanna take some agency, we not only need to think about the way that we want things to look differently, but we also need to figure out what's the contrast between now and later? And what are the—and this is really important—what are the overcomeable obstacles?”“There's lots of little things where we can cut corners and, you know, we get some gain in the present, but we might get punished in the future. And what we've found in several papers is that the people who feel connected to their future selves are actually more likely to, to take this sort of more difficult but ethical path.”“That's the irony of procrastination. It hurts while we're procrastinating. It hurts after we procrastinated too…[We can instead think] ‘I don't wanna do it now. There’s a good chance I'm not gonna wanna do it in the future, so I might as well just do it now.’ Just do it and eliminate all that feeling of negativity along the way.”“We can take anything that feels like it's painful, unpleasant, et cetera, and pair it with something that's a temptation.”Key TakeawaysYou Have Agency. Life will always include uncertainty and unpredictable events, but your responses and daily choices still matter.The Present Is Loud. The Future Is Abstract. Making the future more concrete helps counteract our tendency to overvalue short-term comfort.Three Common Mistakes Sabotage Progress. Getting stuck in the present, under-planning, or projecting today’s feelings too far forward can derail growth.Reverse Time Travel Makes Goals Feel Closer. Starting in the future and working backward reveals obstacles—and opportunities—you’d otherwise miss.Temptation Bundling Reduces Friction. Pair necessary habits with enjoyable experiences to increase follow-through without relying on grit alone.Small Choices Compound Into Identity. Your future self isn’t created in one moment—but in thousands of ordinary ones.Resourceswww.halhershfield.com Your Future Self: How to Make Tomorrow Better Today (Book)Watch on YouTube at:  https://youtu.be/FbLoVyZ-eTUThis episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound

Why does it feel like everything is falling apart, even as our lives get materially easier in so many ways? Michael Hyatt talks with author and cultural thinker Virginia Postrel about why progress becomes invisible, how nostalgia for the “good old days” distorts reality, and why modern change moves unevenly.They explore why humans crave beauty and meaning (not just function) and how AI is reshaping the future of work. A clear theme emerges throughout the wide-ranging conversation: change is inevitable, and how we respond matters. Resilience, margin, and an entrepreneurial mindset make all the difference.If you’ve felt powerless against “big systems,” this episode is a reminder that innovation is often personal, practical, and close to home: start where you are, solve what you can, and expect the unexpected.Memorable Quotes“The issues of character never go away. They are eternal human questions, and we forget because we have sort of nostalgic views of the past.”“Even the smartest AI can’t figure out what people want—what people are dissatisfied with. And a lot of innovation comes from that. We tend to focus on big technologies. And even big technologies come from a lot of incremental improvements… A lot of improvements come from people saying, ‘I’m dissatisfied with this,’ or ‘Here’s something I figured out.’”“Human beings don’t just value function. They value pleasure, and they value meaning, and pleasure and meaning are things that are very much conveyed through the look and feel of objects or places.”“Agency is problem-solving. It’s you solving problems in your life, or whatever that might be—and it’s sort of reversed, too, which is that if you assume that it’s someone else’s job to solve your problem, you sort of give up your sense of agency.” “A lot of leadership is figuring out what gifts individuals have and getting them moving in the right direction… A big part of leadership as problem-solving is people problem-solving—getting people in the right roles and thinking about how those roles mesh.”“Expect that you’re going to be in a world that changes, because that’s the world we live in. It’s the world we’ve been living in for hundreds of years. The other thing is: understand this didn’t start with you. Other people have gone through amazing and scary and terrifying changes, and our civilization has lived to tell the tale.”Key TakeawaysProgress Becomes Invisible Quickly. We normalize improvements fast—and forget what life used to require in drudgery, time, and basic comforts.Change Is Uneven: Bits vs. Atoms. Software accelerates rapidly, while physical-world progress (like housing) can be slowed by policy, cost, and complexity.Dynamism vs. Stasis Shapes How We Face the Future. Some people see change as positive-sum opportunity; others experience it as zero-sum threat.Agency Grows Through Problem-Solving. When we assume “someone else” must fix things, we trade away our sense of control and possibility.Resilience Requires Margin. Financial cushion, emotional bandwidth, and community support help you absorb shocks and adapt.Entrepreneurship Is Bigger Than Business. You can be “entrepreneurial” by starting groups, building community, or solving everyday problems—not just launching companies.Resourcesvpostrel.com (Website)vpostrel.substack.com (Substack Newsletter)The Future and Its Enemies (Book)The Substance of Style (Book)The Power of Glamor (Book)The Fabric of Civilization (Book)Watch on YouTube at:  https://youtu.be/yCMHIdYYS-AThis episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound

Why do high-achievers feel perpetually behind, even while consuming more content than ever? In this conversation, Pat Flynn explains the trap of “overlearning” and how it quietly keeps us stuck in motion without progress. You’ll learn how to shift from “just-in-case” learning to “just-in-time” learning, create real momentum with a simple four-step framework, and protect what matters most with practical boundaries. Along the way, Pat shares how these principles helped him build multiple successful businesses (including a Pokémon channel with millions of followers) without sacrificing his family, health, or joy.Memorable Quotes“We all, in a way, are not just our overlearning, but we're getting over-inspired. We're so connected with so many amazing people out there who teach us this and push us over here, and then we're pulled over this way. We're spread so thin it's we're we're not seeing any results in our own life.”“Now we all have access to all the same kind of information, but we're still treating it as if it's scarce…However, we now live in a buffet line of information… and we're not quite evolved to absorb all of this because we're stuffing our plates full. Not only are we getting bloated and and and slowed down, but we're also getting force-fed on these platforms.”“This is the difference between ‘just-in-case learning,’ which is what we've all been doing, and ‘just-in-time learning,’ which is learning what you need to know to just take that next step. Because truly the action of taking that next step, the results of that one way or another—whether there are good results or bad results—can teach you so much more than just absorbing this information and never taking any action at all.” “[Silence] allows me to be with myself and to digest the things that I've already learned, to think about my priorities and the things I've already committed to. It allows me to make creative connections between things that I have already picked up instead of just getting more puzzle pieces to try to figure out where they go.”“I mean I was always taught that again, ‘The more you know the more successful you'll be,’ and there's always seemingly opportunities to inject more of that learning. And it has this sort of fake productivity that goes along with it, because it is only truly productive, in my opinion, when you actually put into action those things that you do read or listen to or watch.”“At our authors retreat, a theme across most of the people there was not optimizing for revenue, not optimizing for scale, but optimizing for peace. And that was huge to think about.”“If I give myself five months to learn, I'm gonna take five months to learn it. If I give myself five hours to learn, I'm gonna take five hours to learn it. So I almost use time as a tool to help me get to the point of action and then understanding sooner.”“I've developed this rule called the 20% Itch Rule, and that is, out of all the things you do, 80% of your time is dedicated to the things you've already committed to, the things that, the responsibilities you have, the things that you've already said, yes to. The last 20% of time, allocate for curiosity, for play, for experimentation.”Key TakeawaysOverlearning Is a Hidden Productivity Trap. Constant consumption creates a sense of progress without producing results—and often adds more “to-dos” than your life can hold.Shift from “Just-in-Case” to “Just-in-Time.” Learn only what you need for the next step, then take action. Real learning accelerates through doing.Use the 4-Step Lean Learning Cycle. Identify the next step → choose one resource → implement → review. Repeat.Silence Helps You Digest What You Already Know. Pat’s “silent car” habit creates space for integration, creativity, and clarity.Watch for “Junk Sparks.” Many ideas are just distractions dressed up as opportunity—especially when algorithms reduce the friction to buy, click, or binge.Try the “20% Itch Rule.” Dedicate 80% of your time to current commitments and responsibilities, and reserve 20% for curiosity, experimentation, and play—without blowing up your life.Optimize for Peace, Not Scale. More revenue isn’t always worth the hidden cost. A Double Win means there’s still room for what makes you feel most alive.ResourcesSmart Passive Income (Pat’s Business)Superfans (Book)Lean Learning (Book)Watch on YouTube at:  https://youtu.be/aLp6hHTrYQsThis episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound

Why do leaders jump so quickly to giving advice? And why does it so often backfire? In this episode, Michael Bungay Stanier explains why the “advice monster” is one of our biggest leadership liabilities—and how seven simple questions can help you listen better, coach smarter, and build stronger connections. Filled with humor, story, empathy, and practical scripts, this episode is a masterclass in everyday leadership.Memorable Quotes“When you ask a question and they actually have to think about it, you're literally creating new neural pathways in their brain—or at least they're creating their own neural pathways—so they're literally becoming smarter right in front of you.”“More deeply than an ‘answer,’ much of the time people want to feel deeply heard, deeply seen, and deeply encouraged. And your ‘answer’ often means they feel less seen, less heard, and less encouraged.”“One of the great moments of claiming adulthood is being clear on what you want to say ‘yes’ to—and knowing that inevitably you have to say ‘no’ to things to get that.”“Every time you jump in with your ideas and your opinions and your advice—particularly if it's your default reaction—you’re basically reinforcing, ‘I'm better than you are. I'm smarter and wiser and older and faster and just generally better than you. You are not as good as I am.’ There’s a degree to which you're diminishing that other person rather than helping them.”“There's a time and a place where [giving advice] is the right thing to be doing. The way I define coaching is: Can you stay curious a little bit longer? Can you rush to action and advice-giving a little bit more slowly?”“One of the phrases I've started saying to people who are going through a tough time is simply, ‘I'm Team Michael. I'm Team Megan.…I'm Team whoever that person might be.’ It’s my way of saying, ‘I love you and I want the best for you, and I don't even know what to do—or I can’t think of anything to do—so I'm just trying to be with you in this moment.’”“One of the questions that I’ve found most helpful—particularly if I'm the more senior person in the relationship—is: ‘What needs to be said that hasn't yet been said?’”Key TakeawaysThe “Advice Monster” Is Real. Our instinct to help by offering answers often diminishes others. Curiosity, not certainty, is what truly empowers people.Questions Create Ownership. When people generate their own ideas, they’re more confident, more committed, and more capable.Seven Questions Change Everything. Michael’s practical framework gives you a simple playbook for better conversations. His personal favorite? “And what else?”Curiosity Deepens Every Relationship. Parents, partners, bosses—everyone benefits when you resist the urge to fix and choose to listen instead.Better Conversations Start With Permission. Rather than assume what someone needs, lead with humility and ask: How can I be most useful here?Coaching Is for Everyday Life. You don’t have to be a professional coach for this to matter. These tools transform team meetings, parenting moments, and even difficult conversations at home.ResourcesThe Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay StanierThe Advice Trap by Michael Bungay StanierHow to Work With (Almost) Anyone by Michael Bungay StanierBox of Crayons (Curiosity-driven leadership program)Watch on YouTube at:  https://youtu.be/WOjq8aMbr5kThis episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound

Why do some ideas spark movements while others fizzle? Joel—author of The Idea Machine, veteran publisher, and Chief Content Officer at Full Focus—explains how books transform vague thoughts into precise, shareable frameworks. You’ll hear the case for analog reading, how writing unlocks buy-in at work, and why AI and books actually belong together. Practical, contrarian, and deeply encouraging for any high achiever who wants clearer thinking and better communication.Memorable Quotes“Ideas that start in the mind of an author as just kind of a gooey, fuzzy idea. And in the course of writing, it forces them to get clear on it. It forces them to get specific about it and develop it in a way that actually becomes useful.”“Not only can these ideas live in a way that we can understand them, but they can live through time. And that's one of the greatest things about a book—that it perpetuates ideas across time.”“It forces you to get clear. It forces you to develop an argument. It forces you to develop a line of thought that other people can follow. And without that, you're kind of left with a grab bag of ideas that are probably cool. They're great, but they're not in a system that can be used or explained or anything like that.”“I think this is true for leaders. They have a lot of personal charisma and people want to follow them, but that's not enough. You really do have to go to the discipline of getting these ideas clear for yourself so that they can be clear to other people.”“Part of what we've done is we've just de-skilled ourselves in reading and we just need to re-skill ourselves in reading.”“Never read a book 'cause you're supposed to. Read books because they delight. You read books because they're entertaining to you. Read books because you get something out of it that you really like.”Key TakeawaysBooks Are Tech. Treat books as an information technology that lets ideas scale with precision and longevity.Writing Creates Clarity. If you want buy-in, don’t rely on vibes—write the memo. Make your idea explicit and specific.Right Format, Right Job. Use audio/ebook for breadth and speed. Reach for print when you need depth, notes, and recall.AI Is a Companion. From library science to today’s models, AI extends the book’s mission—use it to augment (not replace) critical thinking.Build a Daily Reading Habit. Aim for 30–60 minutes a day (top and bottom of day works). Follow your curiosity. Quit the books that don’t serve you.ResourcesThe Idea Machine by Joel J. MillerMiller’s Book Review (Joel’s Substack)Watch on YouTube at:  https://youtu.be/e36acyYWBnMThis episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound

Why do so many high achievers secretly struggle with anxiety, burnout, and overwhelm? Dr. Elizabeth Stanley, Army veteran, Georgetown professor, and author of Widen the Window, joins Michael Hyatt to explain the hidden science behind stress and resilience. Drawing on her personal story of trauma, her background in the military, and her training in somatic therapy, Elizabeth reveals why talk therapy alone often falls short—and how body-based practices can change everything. This conversation is honest, practical, and deeply hopeful for anyone who feels stuck in patterns of stress.Memorable Quotes“We're all in it together and we're all experiencing the particular lawful ways that this human mind and body works in this particular poly-crisis world. Of course, people are struggling. It's kind of why it's my passion to help people understand ‘You're not alone in this.’”“We are wired organically to be able to mobilize the energy to manage a crisis or a stressful situation, and then recover. Our ancestors that shared the same wiring that we have did not have 24/7 constant activation and constant demands the way that we do in modern life today.”“The science term there is allostatic load, and the more our stress load grows, the less capacity we have in our mind and body to meet the next challenge, so that it becomes a bit of a vicious cycle, and we know that we're on the edge of our window or outside of our window of tolerance.”“We are built so that we learn the downregulation through the soothing we receive from our parents and other early caregivers. And that presumes that our early caregivers and parents were regulated enough to do that for us.”“If we're redirecting it somewhere that the survival brain perceives as safe, that actually starts conditioning. A process that makes the system move back in the way that we're organically built, which is to go through stress and recover naturally.”“When we don't perceive agency, when we feel powerless or helpless, that actually leads to higher levels of arousal and it really resolidifies the prior conditioning. So being able to access that choice point is really critical in beginning to shift it.”“If our parents had narrowed windows, if they were coping with a lot of stress and trauma, or if they were absent, if they had mental illness or they were incarcerated, they aren't able to help us wire those things. It's one of the ways that narrowed windows get transmitted intergenerationally and why trauma can become intergenerational.”Key TakeawaysYou’re Not Broken. Chronic anxiety and overwhelm are signs of dysregulation, not defects. They’re the evidence of what you’ve walked through—but don’t determine what’s ahead.Your Body Knows the Way. Healing starts by listening to the signals of your nervous system. The key is not to minimize our reactions, but to listen and practice strategies that help us return to baseline.Talk Therapy Isn’t Enough. True healing requires engaging the body and nervous system. Trauma-informed, body-based therapy can lead to breakthroughs when just thinking and talking isn’t enough.Agency Is Key. Learning to notice choice points rewires the brain toward safety. The quickest way out of powerlessness is regaining a sense of agency.Resilience Can Be Trained. Simple, repeated practices expand your “window of tolerance.” It takes time and intention, but you can widen your window.ResourcesWiden the Window by Elizabeth StanleyElizabeth Stanley’s Mindfulness-Based Mind Fitness Training (MMFT)Watch on Youtube at:  https://youtu.be/Z607BPgbxi4This episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound

What if the key to a meaningful life isn’t doing more—but doing less, with intention? In this powerful conversation, Michael and Megan talk with Oliver Burkeman, author of Four Thousand Weeks and Meditations for Mortals, about the myths of productivity, the illusion of control, and why accepting our finite nature might be the best thing we can do for our peace, purpose, and productivity.Memorable Quotes“It's the relaxation of now I can just do the things that matter the most… I can just sort of dive in because I'm no longer trying to make all my actions feel like they are part of some process of eventually getting to total domination of my time and perfect optimization.”“You are being confronted again with this ridiculous thing that it is to be a human—which is to be capable of imagining basically an infinite amount of possibilities and eventualities, but ultimately being a sort of finite material animal and having to choose only some of them.”“Almost everybody who is trying to sort of optimize themselves into absolute control, you know, they're not succeeding. Life is miserable and they're letting people down all over the place.”“There isn't any system or philosophy or approach or sports nutrition drink that is going to enable you to sort of win the battle with human limitation… Now, we figure out how to flourish in absolutely fantastic and wonderfully meaningful and interesting and lucrative ways within those limitations rather than running away from them.”“There's a way of going with the flow that is actually more constructive and productive as well as more peaceful and meaningful.”“I really found that just sort of expecting discomfort from things that matter to me—whether that is a piece of work or an aspect of relationships or parenting—just knowing that it's going to feel uncomfortable sometimes because it's bringing me to my edge and my limitations makes a huge, huge difference.”“A lot of our productivity is the result of anxiety. And I would like to live a productive life for other reasons.”Key TakeawaysRadical Acceptance is Key. Once you stop trying to win the battle with your human limitations, everything changes.Distraction is Avoidance in Disguise. Most often, we’re dodging discomfort—and the way out lies in tolerating discomfort.Optimization is Not Salvation. We think we can problem-solve our lives, but tools and systems will always fall short. They’re meant to augment, not make us infinite.Meaning is Here, Now. The moments that build a life don’t happen  when everything is done—but in the doing itself.Resources4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver BurkemanMeditations for Mortals by Oliver BurkemanThe Imperfectionist (Newsletter)Watch on YouTube at:  https://youtu.be/571YmI5h_CsThis episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound

What if the key to thriving isn’t managing your circumstances perfectly—but rooting yourself in the connections that matter most? In this heartfelt conversation, Michael and Megan talk with Elizabeth Oldfield, author of Fully Alive, about reclaiming depth, community, and soul-level steadiness in a culture addicted to speed and distraction. Elizabeth draws on ancient wisdom, modern insight, and her own experience living in intentional community to offer a hopeful path forward.Memorable Quotes“You need to put your roots down deep into love and work out how to find some steadiness.”“When we are honest about our full humanity, we give other people permission to do that, and that's a necessary starting point for actually growing up our souls rather than pretending that we all know what we’re doing and we’re holding it all together.”“Where we put our attention is essentially who we become.”“I have this sense that fully aliveness is in connection, deep connection, horizontally and vertically.”“Hurrying and destruction are not how we flourish, and we’re constantly being encouraged to do those things. So we need to provide some counter pressure towards slowness and steadiness and presence.”Key TakeawaysConnection Is the Core of Flourishing. Relationships—messy, costly, inconvenient—are where we become more fully human.Attention Shapes Who You Become. Distraction isn’t just a nuisance; it’s a soul-shaping force. Guard your focus.Structure Time Around Your Values. A “rule of life” puts what matters most in place first, so the rest fits around it.Commitment Fuels Depth. Vulnerability without commitment fizzles; together they form lasting community.Ancient Practices Still Work. Sabbath, liturgy, and shared rhythms anchor us in what endures.ResourcesFully Alive by Elizabeth OldfieldThe Sacred podcast by Elizabeth OldfieldWatch on YouTube at:  https://youtu.be/-anckhHSdHMThis episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound

After experiencing burnout and adrenal fatigue, author and entrepreneur Chris Ducker realized hustling harder wasn’t the answer. He gets candid about burnout, recovery, and why joy-filled practices are essential for leaders who want to last. Two of his favorites: bonsai gardening and birdwatching. He also makes a compelling case for getting outside. It’s a refreshing invitation back to an embodied, sustainable way of life.Memorable Quotes“I hadn't necessarily been burning the candle on both ends. But what I had been doing was a little too much of pretty much everything.”“You don't need to break in order to take a break.”“Self-care actually is a strategy, and it's a strategy that you can use to your advantage, particularly from a business owner standpoint.”“Ultimately you're the engine, you're the spark, you're the difference maker. But even engines need a little maintenance.”“Hobbies, particularly creative hobbies, if you spend a minimum of two hours a week on your hobby, you will be as much as 30% more productive in your work.”“Any kind of success that costs you your health or your family or your joy isn't really actually success.”“We want that big win, that big roar. And you only get that by being really consistent and the real game here is patience. It's consistency, it's showing up when it's not sexy, when it's not flashy, it's doing the unsexy work.”Key TakeawaysBurnout Isn’t Just Overwork. Stress from life, context, and even unsustainable pace can take you down. Your body always keeps the score.Self-Care Is Strategy. Leaders last when they guard their health and energy—because even engines need maintenance.Hobbies Heal. Joyful pastimes don’t just prevent burnout; they restore creativity and can boost productivity by up to 30%.Step Outside. Just 15 minutes in nature can reset your mind and body. Make it nonnegotiable.Small Shifts, Big Change. Consistent micro moves compound into lasting transformation.ResourcesThe Long Haul Leader by Chris DuckerYoupreneur communityWatch on YouTube at:  https://youtu.be/GOLw7Vz4kRAThis episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound

If your conversations are starting to feel more like combat, you’re not alone. In this powerful episode, Michael and Megan sit down with Jefferson Fisher—trial attorney, social media sensation, and author of The Next Conversation—to talk about the small shifts that create major breakthroughs in communication. From regulating your nervous system to choosing connection over triumph, this episode is packed with practical, actionable tools you can use today.Memorable Quotes“When you set out to win an argument, you often will lose the relationship. If you only see it as something to win, that means you’re going to lose a lot more.”“Who wants to be around the person who always has to be right? That is somebody who is lonely.”“Instead of seeing arguments as something to win, you see them as something to unravel.”“You don’t have to like it. You just gotta understand it.”“That’s the key with connection: I can disagree with you and still connect with you. I can still be unhappy, I can still be mad at you, and still connect with you.”“You are in complete control of the pace of the conversation.”“When you don’t say it with control, you end up reacting rather than responding. It’s just your natural fight or flight will take over and you’re going to start responding more emotionally.”“You gotta let them pour it all out before they’ll ever be willing to accept anything that you say.”Key TakeawaysArguments Aren’t Battles. If your goal is to win, you’ve already lost. Reframe arguments as something to unravel, not conquer.Start With Self-Control. Nervous system regulation is the key to effective communication—especially when things get tense.Use “Small Talks.” Short, verb-based phrases like “be still” or “practice kindness” can center you in high-stakes conversations.Connection > Agreement. We don’t always have to be on the same page to cultivate a meaningful relationship.Confidence Follows Action. Speak with assertiveness, not apology. Confidence grows as you use your voice.ResourcesThe Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk MoreJefferson Fisher on InstagramThe Jefferson Fisher PodcastWatch on YouTube at:  https://youtu.be/kJsQe3S3rw0This episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound

What do you do when business feels hard—and you assume it’s your fault? In this raw and rich conversation, Michael and Megan sit down with Dave Ramsey to talk about what really goes into building a business that lasts. Drawing from his 30+ year journey with Ramsey Solutions, Dave shares stories of failure, clarity, succession, and the slow handoff of legacy—along with what most founders get wrong about growth. If you’ve ever felt behind, discouraged, or unsure how to lead your business into the future, this episode will show you the next light on the path.Memorable Quotes“The dirty little secret is: Everyone’s money is messed up.”“As long as I can clearly see the next step, it gives me tremendous energy and focus and hope.”“We’ve learned with all the bruises to look for the next thing but not to sell out to it.”“You gotta change the word. The word is: I experimented. I didn’t fail.”“You give other people the credit when things are right and take the hit when things are wrong. Because it is your job as the leader.”“People are our greatest blessing and they also give us the most trouble.”“I have to constantly stop and say: Let them do it. You did hand it off. Don’t take it back. They’re doing okay.”Key TakeawaysBusiness Is Hard. If you’re a small business owner struggling to make it all work, you’re in really good company. The struggle is normal, and you’re not alone.Cut Through the Fog. You don’t need to know the whole path. You just need enough clarity to light your next steps.Good News: You’re the Problem. If your business is stuck, look in the mirror. That’s not shame—it’s a solvable problem.Succession Starts Now. Planning for legacy doesn’t mean you’re quitting. It means you’re a good steward. Whether you have five team members or 500, the time to start is now.ResourcesBuild a Business You Love by Dave RamseyThe Ramsey ShowRamsey Solutions EntreLeadershipWatch on YouTube at:  https://youtu.be/oOoV5G1Zi8EThis episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound

What if the answer to your overwhelm isn’t a new planner or app—but a walk around the block, a shared meal, or a Saturday spent gardening? In this episode, Michael and Megan sit down with Arthur Boers, author of Living into Focus and Shattered, to talk about the kind of practices that help us resist the pressure of a hyperconnected world and even heal from generational trauma by reconnecting to what matters most. If you’ve ever longed to feel more grounded, whole, or present, this conversation will give you the language—and tools—you’ve been missing.Memorable Quotes“Technoloy itself is not the problem. Technology is human manipulation of nature for human priorities… The question is: Do we master technology or does technology master us?”“What we ought to do is raise the thresholds against things that are not the priority… And then the other thing is lower the threshold for things that are your priorities."“Focal practice is just helping us reclaim things that we knew or did before and helping us prioritize them, helping us have a different perspective on them.”“Compassion is the way forward. It doesn’t help to school people who are struggling with these things—but to listen to them with patience and kindness and compassion can, in fact, make a difference.”“Focal practices are about getting away from just acting automatically. That’s how I was raised: If you act automatically, it’s right. You’re justified… I’ve had to unlearn that.”“It means a willingness to live with ambiguity and to live with pain and to live with things that aren’t resolved and hold there—that’s a hard learning.”Key TakeawaysFocal Practices Are More Than Habits. Focal practices aren’t just routines—they’re meaningful rhythms that require intentionality, foster connection, and reorient us to what matters most.Technology Calls For Discernment. Technology isn’t going anywhere—but the way we engage with it should be thoughtful. The key to balance? Honest conversations in community.We Need Yellow Lights. In a culture of nonstop green lights (and plenty of red-light alarmism), we need more yellow lights—space to pause, reflect, and consider what’s truly right for the moment.Brake Your Enthusiasm. Eager to dive headfirst into focal practices? That’s your cue to slow down. Start small, stay consistent, and let the benefits build over time.An Unexpected Path to Healing. Focal practices don’t just bring focus—they can bring healing. By creating spaces of safety, embodiment, and rhythm, they can support recovery from trauma and help us move toward greater wholeness.ResourcesLiving into Focus by Arthur BoersShattered: A Memoir by Arthur BoersThe Way is Made by Walking by Arthur BoersArthurBoers.comWatch on YouTube at:  https://youtu.be/ypJvOm0z8IUThis episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound

What if your health breakthrough doesn’t start in the gym or the kitchen—but in your mind?In this powerful conversation, Michael and Megan sit down with Dr. Josh Axe to explore why so many people feel stuck in cycles of stress, illness, or plateau—and how to shift toward real, lasting wellness. Drawing from his background in functional medicine and personal experience with a life-altering spinal infection, Dr. Axe shares the most overlooked key to healing and how you can start applying it today.Memorable Quotes“The number one determining factor of longevity for you is having strong relationships.”“If you wake up first thing in the morning and get outside, it’s one of the single greatest things you can do for longevity and your microbiome.”“This is all about training your nervous system and encouraging your body that ‘This is going to happen.’”“There’s a lot of people that win at all costs, but they never end up winning. We hear all the stories. They’re never truly winning.”Key TakeawaysThe Biology of Belief. What you believe about your body impacts everything from gut function to recovery speed. Healing starts with mindset.The Root of the Issue. Many chronic health challenges are driven by unresolved trauma—and show up in unexpected places like digestion and fatigue.The Power of Visualization. Mentally rehearsing health and healing isn’t “woo-woo”—it’s neuroscience.Top Four Longevity Habits. Hear from an expert what four rituals can add years to your life.ResourcesThink This, Not That by Dr. Josh AxeDrAxe.comAncient NutritionYou Are the Placebo by Dr. Joe DispenzaWatch on Youtube at:  https://youtu.be/2-dvOt-zcdMThis episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound

What is a calling? How does it shape our work and life? What’s the hidden cost of pursuing it (and what can we do about it)? In this engaging, high-energy conversation, Michael and Megan sit down with Dr. Arianna Molloy—calling researcher, author, and professor—to unpack the power and pitfalls of purpose-driven work.Arianna reveals the four key elements of a true calling, practical safeguards to prevent burnout, and three concrete shifts anyone in any field can make to start experiencing a greater sense of purpose and meaning at work.  She also explains why humility—not just passion—is the key to sustainable success. If you’ve ever struggled to balance meaningful work with a healthy life, this episode is a must-listen.Memorable Quotes“Burnout from a calling isn’t just, ‘I don’t know what I’m doing anymore.’ It’s, ‘I don’t know who I am anymore.’”“To learn how to rest well, to learn how to have good boundaries actually protects that healthy sense of your calling.”“It is so important that work is not all that you have and all that you are because, guess what? At the end of the day, [your work] is going to change and shift… If we hold that with a closed hand, it’s not going to go well.”“[Calling is] really relational. It’s a relationship with yourself, the caller, and it’s a relationship with the community that you impact.”“Most of the time, [calling] happens upon reflection… In the moment, it’s not so obvious. This subtle sense of peace, or just a feeling like, ‘I think this is right.’”“We don’t honor that need and importance of play as much as we could.”“The lynchpin is humility. Part of humility is the willingness to learn more, to know that you don’t know everything and that is not a threat—it’s actually exciting.”Key TakeawaysThe Bright and Dark Sides of Calling. A strong sense of purpose can fuel motivation, but without boundaries, it can also lead to burnout and identity loss.The Four Elements of a True Calling. Calling isn’t just about passion—it requires meaning, an identified caller, skill development, and a connection to community.How to Reframe Your Work. Even if your current job doesn’t feel like a calling, job crafting—adjusting your tasks, relationships, or mindset—can create a deeper sense of meaning.The Role (and Definition) of Humility. True calling requires both confidence in your strengths and an openness to growth and makes it possible to step away from work without guilt.The Power of Rest. Sustainable success isn’t just about doing more—it’s about recognizing your limits and practicing the right kind of rest to restore energy and creativity.ResourcesHealthy Calling by Arianna MolloyArianna Molloy’s WebsiteConnect on LinkedInWatch on YouTube at:  https://youtu.be/upMwbYdyViwThis episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound

Entrepreneurship promises freedom—but it also comes with a unique set of challenges that many don’t talk about. In this episode, The Double Win Show welcomes Bryan and Shannon Miles, co-founders of Belay and the nonprofit O’nr, to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to build a thriving business without losing yourself in the process.From hiring their first virtual assistant in 2011 (who later became CEO!) to navigating the emotional weight of selling a business, Bryan and Shannon share their hard-won lessons on leadership, transitions, and making decisions that align with your values.Memorable Quotes“Here’s the magic phrase: ‘In order to be faithful to my existing commitments, I have to say no.’”“I am responsible for myself and my leadership. And I know that if I extend myself too far, I’m not the best version of who I want to be.”“If I’m saying yes to everything and I’m overcommitting and my schedule is absolutely full, there’s no space for creativity. There’s no space for dreaming. There’s no space for new ideas or realizations.”“A lot of business owners are lonely, actually isolated.”“As leaders, part of our job is just kind of to help people settle and know they’re safe.”“Stewardship is just simply managing something for a season of time… While we’re there with our employees and leaders, we’re stewarding our relationships with them.”Key TakeawaysThe Loneliness of Leadership. If you’re feeling isolated as a business owner, there’s good news: You’re not the only one.The Skill of Saying No. Implement this mental shift to help you stop overcommitting without the guilt.Getting Buy-In For Change. What leaders get wrong when making major business changes—and what to do to help your team ride the wave.Living Your Priorities Today. Why Bryan and Shannon took a vacation nine months after starting a business—and the opportunity that followed.The Operator/Owner Difference. Are you owning a business or trapped in it?ResourcesBelay SolutionsO’nrNoFo BrewWatch on YouTube at:  https://youtu.be/pGdaYmIJPHkThis episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound

We all know that habits shape our lives. But which habits actually matter? In this episode of The Double Win Show, Michael and Megan sit down with Dr. Andrew Abella, founding dean of the Bush School of Business and author of Superhabits, to discuss a framework for building a flourishing life. Andrew shares how ancient wisdom, backed by modern science, reveals the core virtues that drive success—and how anyone can develop them. If you’ve ever wondered where to start when it comes to personal growth, this episode is your answer.Memorable Quotes“Cultivating self discipline is not about stifling a desire. It’s about redirecting it gently into a more productive direction.”“There is a specific set of habits that is far superior.”“Vitrues are specific habits of excellence.”“Every [virtue] all of us have inside us. They just need to be activated… by practicing them.”“There’s a freedom that comes from growing in self-discipline, because instead of being a prey to whatever desire that you have, you’re in charge.”“For an adult who’s looking at harmless social media, the problem is you are wasting your desire to know on stuff that is not going to help you.”Key TakeawaysThe Four Pillars of Success. Prudence, justice, courage, and self-discipline form the foundation of a flourishing life, shaping how we think, act, and grow.The “Which Habit?” Problem. Most habit books focus on how to build habits, but the real challenge is knowing which habits will lead to lasting success.The Power of Restraint. Simple acts of restraint—like pausing before reacting or delaying instant gratification—build your no muscle for the other areas of life.The Role of Leisure. True rest isn’t about doing nothing—it’s about engaging in activities that refresh the mind and restore creativity.ResourcesSuperhabits by Dr. Andrew AbelaSuperhabits SubstackGrowVirtue (The SuperHabits App)The Anatomy of Virtue GraphicAndrew Abela’s LinkedInWatch on YouTube at:  https://youtu.be/RAJeu68fIJ4This episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound

In this episode of The Double Win Show, Michael and Megan sit down with bestselling author Jay Papasan to talk about the secret to extraordinary success: focus. Jay unpacks why most people struggle with distraction, how to create an environment for deep work, and why small, consistent actions lead to massive results over time.Memorable Quotes“Our focus muscle depends on how long we’ve been using it and how much distraction we have to deal with every day.”“If it’s important enough, it belongs on my calendar.”“When you get really good at your one thing, you don’t just get many results. Your impact gets larger and larger over time.”“Extraordinary starts this way: It starts small and it grows so much faster than we can imagine.”“There’s two groups of people in life: doers who don’t have space to dream and dreamers who don’t have space to do.”“It creates anxiety and fear because it matters. We don’t want to fail at the things that matter most to us.”“Our culture rewards busy people who move fast and get things done.”“It should always be situational. When do we need to be fast? When do we need to be slow?”“If you’re going to do something extraordinary, it’s not going to be because you did millions of things. It’s going to be because you did that thing and the handful of things that matter around it extraordinarily well.”“Everything in life that matters happens pretty slowly.”Key TakeawaysThe Focus Bunker: How to design a workspace that protects your attention so you can do your best workThe Domino Effect: The science behind tiny actions that lead to exponential growthThe Myth of Busyness: Why getting a lot done doesn’t mean you’re moving forward (and what does)The Value of Slow: How taking your time can actually speed up your success—and why the best things take timeRituals for High Performance: Small habits that make big results inevitable (and how you can implement them today.)ResourcesThe One Thing by Gary Keller & Jay PapasanThe One Thing PodcastWatch on YouTube at:  https://youtu.be/UnMEk4qAJcwThis episode was produced by Sarah Vorhees Wendel of VW Sound