Claim OwnershipLead on Purpose with James Laughlin
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© 2026 Lead on Purpose with James Laughlin
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Guiding you toward a life of purpose, progress, and personal growth. Each week, James interviews world-class thinkers, including prime ministers, Olympic gold medalists, billionaires, and visionaries, to uncover the habits, tools, and mindsets that drive meaningful success.
Hosted by James Laughlin—a 7-time world champion drummer, sought-after keynote speaker, and high-performance leadership consultant—this podcast brings you conversations with extraordinary individuals who have shaped industries, inspired nations, and achieved greatness.
Whether you're building confidence, breaking through barriers, or discovering your purpose, Lead on Purpose is your guide to turning challenges into opportunities and ambitions into achievements.
461 Episodes
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In this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with Mary Holm, author of Rich Enough, to unpack how everyday Kiwis can build wealth simply, avoid common money traps, and focus on what actually leads to a rich life. What we cover: Why “rich enough” beats chasing more, and what money can and cannot do for happinessThe two KiwiSaver choices that matter most: risk level first, low fees secondWhy low fee index investing and patience usually outperform chasing returnsHow to balance KiwiSaver wi...
In this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with Elise Balsillie from Thryv to unpack what small and medium businesses can do to keep up with the pace of AI, automation, and digital change, without losing their culture, their margins, or their sanity. What we cover: How Thryv runs a fully remote team of around 400 people across Australia and New Zealand, and the culture systems that make it workWhy remote can improve both productivity and customer service, including flexible hours that...
Join me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goal In this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with Dr Jack Groppel, co founder of the Human Performance Institute, to explore the hidden cost of achievement, and what it really takes to win in your career without losing yourself and the people you love. What we cover: The “watch me” drive, people pleasing, and how early approval seeking fuels ambitionWhy world class achievement can mask insecurity, and the persona...
Join me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goals In this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with Chris Naugle to unpack why money feels awkward for so many people, and how to shift from scarcity and stress into clarity and control. What we cover: Why money feels scarce, and how wealth starts with creation and solving other people’s problemsRich vs wealthy, and why looking successful often means living on credit and giving it all backGiving as a practical money...
Join me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goals In this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with Cecilia Robinson, serial entrepreneur and Co chair of B416 (Before 16), to unpack what’s driving the youth mental health crisis and what parents can do about it. - Why is anxiety rising so fast in young people? - What happens when we over protect kids in the real world and under protect them online? - How do you raise independent, resilient kids in a sm...
Join me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goals I’m breaking down my exact goal-setting system and the annual planning method I use with my private clients to help them stop starting over and actually follow through. This episode is about clarity, alignment and action. Not hype. Not motivation. And not beating yourself up when things don’t go to plan. I walk you through the thinking behind my annual reset process and explain how to reflect on the past year with...
Join me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goals In this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with my partner in life and business, Caroline, for a conversation we usually have off camera. We look back on 2025 and reflect on what really went well, what didn’t, and the lessons we’ve learned from running a business together while building a life together. We talk openly about growth, pressure, boundaries, clarity, and why success often looks very different beh...
Join me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goals In this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with former Olympic Team Physiotherapist and author of The Back Fix, Antony Bush, to explore some big questions. Why do one in five of us suffer chronic pain? Why is back pain now the world’s greatest disability? How does movement and strength shape our pain, happiness and even mortality? Antony breaks down what it means to be an analog creature struggling i...
Join me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goals In this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with former UK Special Forces operator and performance coach Simon Jefferies to unpack how to perform under pressure without burning out. From surviving brutal SBS selection to building simple systems for state control, mindset and habits, Simon shares how anyone can train their mind like an elite operator. What we cover: Why fewer than ten percent pass UK Special Force...
Order my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com In this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with former All American wrestler and high performance coach Jim Harshaw Jr to unpack what it really takes to go from good to great without burning out. From a blue collar upbringing to the NCAA podium and training as an Olympic hopeful, Jim shares how he rebuilt his entire life through structure, coaching and an environment of excellence. What we cover: Jim’s j...
Order my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com In this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with ADHD coach Sharon from The Functional Family to unpack what ADHD really is, why the old labels do more harm than good, and how leaders can create environments where neurodivergent people actually thrive. With over 20 years of study, formal ADDCA training, and the lived experience of raising three boys with ADHD, Sharon blends science, systems, and humour ...
Grab a copy of my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com In this solo episode, I am sharing lessons from my recent time in Hong Kong, Singapore and Fiji, and what I am learning from leaders, innovators and real world conversations on the ground. From delivering keynotes to sitting with the head of Meta for Asia Pacific over lunch, this episode is about mindset, growth and staying curious. In this episode, you will discover: Why a possibilitarian mindset is a co...
Order my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com In this episode of Lead On Purpose, I chat with Kasim about AEO and how it's changing the way we get found online. We also dive into hiring, as he shares his seven step system for finding top performers anywhere in the world. We wrap up with a powerful reminder to stop overthinking and just ship it. What we cover: How AEO differs from SEO and why personal authority now matters mostWhy schema markup and social ...
Order my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com Replace guesswork with data and make your ads pay for themselves. In this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with Hikari of Omneky, an AI-powered platform that turns creative and performance data into higher return on ad spend across every major channel. Based in the Bay Area and building in AI since 2018, Hikari shares a clear, human take on what to do now, what to ignore, and how to use agents and automati...
Order my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com Replace the meeting after the meeting with real talk in the room. In this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with Keith Ferrazzi — New York Times bestselling author of Never Eat Alone and Never Lead Alone, world-renowned executive team coach, and one of the foremost experts on collaboration and leadership transformation. Keith has coached some of the world’s top organisations, from Fortune 100 companies to g...
Order my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com What if your team’s biggest problem isn’t what’s said — it’s what’s left unsaid? In this episode of Lead on Purpose, I sit down with Steven Gaffney, author of Unconditional Power and creator of the CHAT framework for consistently high achieving teams. We unpack why honesty, emotional safety, and proactive communication are the foundations of real performance — not just effort. We cover: The hidden cost of wi...
Order my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com What if your health span is shrinking because life got too comfortable? In this episode of Lead on Purpose, I sit down with Dr Paul Taylor to unpack Death by Comfort. We get practical about ultra-processed foods, protein-first meals, and movement habits that rewire your metabolism, brain, and daily energy. Simple, science-backed tools you can use today. We cover: What ultra-processed foods are, the NOVA syst...
Order my new book Habits of High Performers here → www.thehabitbook.com In this episode, I sit down with Barry LaBov, award-winning author of The Power of Differentiation and brand strategist who has worked with Harley-Davidson, Audi, and other global icons. What you will take from this episode: The #1 myth about personal branding and what to do insteadA simple way to uncover your unique differentiationWhy doing less, with focus, builds loyalty and trustHow Harley-Davidson turned custom...
Order my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com In this episode, I sit down with Mark Hannaford, founder of World Extreme Medicine, to explore a life spent leading medical teams in the world’s harshest environments. Mark shares frontline lessons from Ukraine, expeditions gone sideways, and what it really takes to deliver high level care when resources are low and risk is high. What you will take from this episode: How to lead specialists under pressure wi...
Grab a copy of my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com In this solo episode, I’m opening up about what’s been happening behind the book, the stages, and the lessons I’ve been learning along the way. From standing on stages across New Zealand, to conversations with world leaders, to the launch of my book hitting number one, it’s been a big month and I want to share what it really feels like on the inside. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why refusing to settl...
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