The Jon Gordon Podcast

Some of the most inspiring people you'll ever meet aren't those who have had an easy life, but those who have faced incredible adversity and continue to move forward with faith, courage, and hope. In this episode, I sit down with Lisa Dugal for an incredibly moving conversation about faith, resilience, overcoming adversity, and finding hope in life's most difficult moments. Lisa shares her remarkable journey of being adopted, reconnecting with her birth parents, overcoming alcohol addiction, returning to college later in life, and navigating the heartbreaking loss of her husband, Steven. Through it all, she's discovered that our past doesn't have to define our future, that it's never too late to pursue our dreams, and that God has a purpose for each of us. One of the things I love most about Lisa's story is her determination to keep moving forward, even through grief and uncertainty. She's a powerful example of what it means to live with faith, courage, and hope. We also talk about Lisa's inspiring new bestselling book, CHOSEN, proudly published by Gordon Publishing, the publishing company founded by my wife, Kathryn and I. It's a story that reminds us that no matter what we've been through, we are worthy, we have purpose, and our story is still being written. Get your copy of CHOSEN by Lisa Dugal on Amazon now! I hope this conversation encourages you to keep believing, keep growing, and remember that the best is yet to come.

What if discovering your purpose isn't about doing more, but about making yourself available for what God wants to do through you? In this episode, I'm joined by Kristin Johnson, author of the new book I AM AVAILABLE: How to Receive and Live Your Unique Purpose, for a powerful conversation about faith, purpose, and learning to recognize the opportunities God places in front of us. Kristin shares how a simple shift in her morning prayer to "Good morning, God. I'm available" transformed her perspective and ultimately changed the direction of her life. We talk about why distraction is one of the greatest enemies of purpose, the importance of stillness, and how preparing your mind, body, and spirit can position you to make a greater impact. I also share how a similar prayer in my own life led me down the path of writing, speaking, and doing the work I'm called to do today. If you've been searching for greater purpose, clarity, or direction, I believe this conversation will encourage you to slow down, open your heart, and make yourself available. Kristin's new book, I AM AVAILABLE, is proudly published by Gordon Publishing and is available now on Amazon. Get your copy today!

What does it take to truly transform your life? And what happens when you stop seeing yourself as a victim of your circumstances and start taking ownership of your future? In this episode, I sit down with Kurt Wargo, author of The Wellness Triangle: Where Alignment Becomes Transformation, to talk about his incredible journey of overcoming adversity, losing 100 pounds, rediscovering his purpose, and transforming his life from the inside out. Kurt shares how personal loss, career challenges, and years of struggle ultimately led him to discover the importance of aligning three essential areas of wellness: physical health, nutrition, and emotional and spiritual well-being. We talk about the power of mindset, the importance of faith, how adversity can become an opportunity for growth, and why taking care of yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually makes you a better person and leader. Kurt's story is a powerful reminder that your past doesn't have to define your future, and sometimes our greatest challenges prepare us for our greatest purpose. Learn more about Kurt and his book The Wellness Triangle at kurtwargo.com.

How do you stay positive when life gets difficult, negativity creeps in, or you just need a little encouragement? In this special episode, I'm sharing The LIGHT Framework: 5 Ways to Stay Positive, from my book The 7 Commitments of a Great Team. I'll walk you through five simple but powerful principles to help you choose love over fear, focus on what you can control, embrace gratitude, strengthen your faith, and talk to yourself instead of listening to negative thoughts. These are practical ways to overcome challenges, strengthen your mindset, and bring more positivity into your life and the lives of others. This is a special message from Check-In for Mindset Monday, a free weekly online gathering I host with Gordie McClay. Every Monday at 9 AM ET, we come together for 15–20 minutes of encouragement, inspiration, and connection. Our goal is simple: to remind people that they matter, they're not alone, and that sometimes a simple check-in can make all the difference. Whether you're going through a difficult season, struggling, or simply want to start your week with a more positive mindset, I'd love for you to join us! JOIN US LIVE EVERY MONDAY AT 9 AM ET: https://jongordon.com/checkin It's free, open to everyone, and I encourage you to invite someone who could use a little encouragement. And don't forget to check in on the people around you. You never know the difference it might make. Stay positive, and remember, the best is yet to come!

What could you accomplish if you stopped focusing on your limitations and started focusing on your possibilities? Richie Parker was born without arms. He went on to become a mechanical engineer, help contribute to nine NASCAR Cup championships with Hendrick Motorsports, work in college football, and even build and modify cars he drives with his feet. But this conversation isn't really about everything Richie has accomplished. It's about the mindset that made those accomplishments possible… and what you can learn from it. On this episode of The Jon Gordon Podcast, I'm with Richie Parker for a powerful conversation about belief, resilience, faith, problem-solving, and his simple approach to obstacles: Find a way. Richie shares how he learned from an early age not to accept the limitations other people placed on him, how he developed the ability to adapt and solve problems, and why he believes we're all capable of far more than we realize. You'll learn how to shift your focus from limitations to possibilities, develop greater belief in what you're capable of, approach obstacles as problems to solve instead of reasons to quit, and find joy and purpose even in difficult seasons. We also talk about Richie's faith and why he chooses to view the challenges in his life not as a curse, but as an assignment… an opportunity to learn, grow, make the most of what he's been given, and ultimately help others do the same. No matter what challenge you're facing right now, Richie's story will challenge you to stop asking why you can't… and start looking for the way forward. Find a way. Find joy along the way. And help others find their way.