The New Rules Podcast

What if the thing you're chasing… is the thing that will expose you? In a world obsessed with visibility, scale, and opportunity, we rarely stop to ask a better question: Are we actually ready for what we're asking for? This episode explores the idea of "little rooms"—the unseen, often overlooked seasons where real formation happens. Before the spotlight. Before the platform. Before the moment. There's a process. And most people try to skip it. In this conversation, we unpack: Why the spotlight doesn't build you—it reveals you The danger of chasing exposure without formation How constraints actually unlock creativity Why small, unseen seasons matter more than big moments The tension between scaling and staying authentic What it really means to become before you perform This isn't just about leadership. It's about identity. Because the real question isn't: "How do I get there faster?" It's: "Who am I becoming on the way?" Whether you're leading, building, creating, or simply trying to stay grounded in a fast-moving world—this conversation is for you. More of a visual person? You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel: Youtube: www.youtube.com/@WriteNewRules To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader! LinkedIn: / adriancrawford-nrc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writenewrules/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@writenewrules 00:00 – Intro 02:12 – Entering the Creative Zone 03:06 – Creativity & Advancing Humanity 06:04 – Introducing "Little Rooms" 08:37 – Why This Chapter Matters 14:15 – Leaving Breadcrumbs for Others 16:22 – The Power of Humble Beginnings 17:46 – Constraints Create Creativity 18:53 – Outkast & "Little Rooms" Origin 22:12 – "Lightning in a Bottle" 24:19 – Regret & Presence 25:01 – Honoring the Process 28:59 – Spotlight Reveals You 30:12 – Skill vs Exposure 31:48 – Discovering Your Strengths 32:08 – Scaling vs Creativity Tension 34:26 – What Happens When You "Make It" 38:06 – Reading: Freedom of the Basement 39:24 – Become vs Perform 40:28 – Being Present in the Process 43:06 – Your Scoreboard Matters 44:41 – Scaling Without Losing Yourself 47:18 – Conviction Through Formation 49:02 – Authenticity vs Opportunity 50:41 – Writing New Rules 52:22 – Building the Next Generation 55:02 – Legacy Over Success 59:03 – Final Charge: Don't Despise the Little Rooms

What if the decisions you're making… aren't actually yours? In this episode, we unpack a question that exposes the hidden forces shaping your life: 👉 "If you failed… what's the one phone call you wouldn't want to make?" Because behind your ambition, hesitation, and even your success…there may be a voice you've never confronted. We explore: Why most people are driven by voices they don't even recognize How fear disguises itself as ambition, caution, or even humility The story of a CEO whose decisions were being shaped by something deeper Why high performers still feel stuck or paralyzed under pressure How past experiences quietly control present decisions This is a deep dive into: Identity vs. conditioning Awareness vs. autopilot Truth vs. internal narratives We also unpack: The "echo" inside your mind and how it forms Why self-awareness is the foundation of leadership How to separate your voice from fear, trauma, and expectation The cost of not doing internal work And why clarity starts with asking better questions 🧠 The Exercise Take 10–15 minutes. No distractions. Ask yourself: 👉 "If I failed… who is the one person I wouldn't want to call?" Then go deeper: Why them? What would they think? When did that fear start? How has it shaped my decisions? This is where the work begins. Pre-Order the Book This episode continues our journey through Magnum Opus: The Art of Becoming One of One. Pre-order the book here: http://magnumopusproject.co If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs it. And in the meantime — keep writing new rules. More of a visual person? You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel: Youtube: www.youtube.com/@WriteNewRules To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader! LinkedIn: / adriancrawford-nrc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writenewrules/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@writenewrules 00:00 – The question that exposes everything 00:20 – Intro + Oscars conversation 02:30 – Ambition vs ego 05:30 – Authenticity vs image 08:00 – Discipline behind greatness 11:00 – Enter "The Chisel" 12:00 – The one phone call question 13:30 – The CEO story (breakdown moment) 16:00 – Pressure, identity, and leadership 18:00 – Perfection vs uncertainty 20:00 – The hidden voice behind decisions 22:30 – Most people aren't aware of it 24:00 – Becoming self-aware 26:00 – Fear, shame, and past experiences 27:30 – What's actually shaping you 30:00 – Personal example (father + identity) 31:30 – The "echo" in your mind 33:00 – Why success requires emptying yourself 36:00 – The truth about sacrifice 38:00 – How to separate your voice 40:00 – The exercise explained 43:00 – This isn't about blame 45:00 – Clarity and alignment 47:30 – Final challenge

What if the rise of astrology, "manifestation," and modern spirituality isn't random… but a response to something deeper? In this episode, we dive into a conversation most people are afraid to have: Why are so many people turning to "magic" right now? Is it really about spirituality… or something else? Are we actually searching for identity, control, and purpose in the wrong places? And what's the difference between faith, self-discovery… and subtle forms of control? This isn't a surface-level conversation. It's raw, honest, and explores the tension between: Faith vs. control Identity vs. illusion Truth vs. what feels true We also unpack: The rise of astrology and "witch culture" How social media has shaped identity and distorted self-perception Why humans are wired to seek something beyond themselves The tension between curiosity, superstition, and control And whether we're all, in some way… living under a "spell" Pre-Order the Book Pre-order the book here: http://magnumopusproject.co More of a visual person? You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel: Youtube: www.youtube.com/@WriteNewRules To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader! LinkedIn: / adriancrawford-nrc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writenewrules/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@writenewrules 00:00 – Intro & setting the stage 02:40 – "We're building something that doesn't exist yet" 04:40 – How social media reshaped identity 05:30 – Why people are turning to the supernatural 07:10 – Would that make Christians "magicians"? 12:00 – Why people are drawn to astrology 14:00 – It all comes back to control 16:00 – The desire to "become the source" 20:40 – Control, anxiety, and modern habits 25:00 – Superstition, obsession, and faith 35:30 – Faith vs. controlling outcomes 52:00 – Are we living under a "spell"?

Why are you really doing what you're doing? Most people can explain what they do. Some can explain how they do it. Almost nobody can explain their real why. In this episode of The New Rules Podcast, Adrian Crawford and Breezy unpack one of the most powerful principles from Magnum Opus — The Scalpel. The practice of asking yourself "why" isn't soft self-help. It's surgical. It cuts through performance, press releases, and public image to expose the origin story underneath. Because here's the truth: The first answer you give is usually a press release. The real answer lives in the basement. We explore: Why most people are terrified of their real motives The difference between curiosity and interrogation How shame blocks self-discovery Why humans compromise themselves just to belong What happens when you disconnect from your origin story Why integration work creates freedom And how asking "why" can literally bring you back to life This conversation is vulnerable, layered, and honest — especially around topics like mission vs. family, superficial desires vs. deeper motives, and the pressure to give socially acceptable answers. If you've ever felt like: You're performing instead of living You're successful but not satisfied You're disconnected from your deeper motives Or you're tired of giving "marketing why" answers This episode is for you. Pre-Order the Book: This episode continues our journey through Magnum Opus: The Art of Becoming One of One. Pre-order the book here: http://magnumopusproject.co If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs it. And in the meantime — keep writing new rules. More of a visual person? You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel: Youtube: www.youtube.com/@WriteNewRules To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader! LinkedIn: / adriancrawford-nrc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writenewrules/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@writenewrules 00:00 – The Question That Sets You Free 01:06 – Why Most People Are Afraid of Their Real "Why" 02:24 – Where the "Why" Practice Came From (Therapy + Five Minutes of Real Time) 03:18 – Is This the Same as Simon Sinek's Start With Why? 04:38 – Poverty, Fear, and the Survival-Driven Career Path 07:16 – Why Asking "Why" Feels So Exposing 11:34 – The Scalpel: Why Is Surgical, Not Soft 17:26 – The Jordan Story: Origin Narratives & Superficial Desires 20:00 – Curiosity vs. Interrogation 23:39 – Overthinking Your Motives 26:13 – Should You Question Other People's Motives? 31:21 – Why We Give Press Release Answers 35:12 – What Happens When You're Disconnected from Your Why 39:40 – Common "Marketing Why" Responses 44:00 – Mission vs. Family (An Honest Conversation) 47:04 – What Happens When You Live Connected to Your Why 48:51 – "I Think I'm Alive Because of the Integration Work" 50:16 – Magnum Opus & The Long Game

We're living in a pivotal time. In a world that rewards performance, platforms, personas, and amplifies approval, it's easy to slowly drift away from who you actually are. In this episode, we explore "The Unbecoming." Not the act of becoming someone new — but the painful process of shedding the character you've been playing. In This Episode: Why performance culture is exhausting How approval can slowly become a prison The difference between talent and performing for validation Guilt vs. shame ("I did something bad" vs. "I am bad") Why freedom always costs something The power of being able to walk away The question that changes everything: "Where are you?" Pre-Order the Book This episode continues our journey through Magnum Opus: The Art of Becoming One of One. Pre-order the book here: http://magnumopusproject.co If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs it. And in the meantime — keep writing new rules. More of a visual person? You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel: Youtube: www.youtube.com/@WriteNewRules To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader! LinkedIn: / adriancrawford-nrc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writenewrules/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@writenewrules 00:00 – We're Living in a Pivotal Time 02:00 – Why Everyone Feels Exhausted 07:00 – The Character You Don't Know You're Playing 10:50 – Everything Is Performative 15:00 – Talent vs Performance 19:40 – Your Backstage Reality Gets Exposed 20:15 – The Lady Gaga "Unbecoming" Moment 23:00 – When You Realize You're Not Being Yourself 25:30 – How Performance Becomes a Prison 28:40 – The Role of Shame 33:40 – Guilt vs Shame 36:00 – Can Unbecoming Destroy Your Life? 38:20 – Changing the Scoreboard 39:50 – Freedom Is Dangerous 41:15 – The Cost of Authenticity 43:40 – Under Pressure, You Get Exposed 49:10 – Where Do You Begin? 55:10 – The Question: Where Are You? 59:10 – How to Start Rebuilding