The Motivated Mind

Have you ever wondered why happiness feels like a moving target—something we’re always chasing but rarely catching? Our ability to dream and plan has driven humanity’s success, but it’s also a double-edged sword. In this episode, I explore the hidden challenge of balancing ambition with contentment and the toll it takes when we’re always focused on what’s next.

If you could go back and change one thing, what would it be? There’s something both exhilarating and humbling about reflecting on our past choices, especially the ones we didn’t make. In this episode, I dive into a personal story about my biggest regret from my twenties. It’s not about a missed opportunity or a bad decision but a recurring pattern that kept me from exploring life’s possibilities.

Ever tried building a new habit, only to find yourself giving up almost as quickly as you started? It’s a familiar struggle. Many of us chalk it up to a lack of discipline or motivation, but it turns out that habit-building may have less to do with our willpower and more to do with human nature. In this episode, I dive into the real reason behind why our habits don't stick with insights from behavioral change expert Katy Milkman.

Ever find yourself thinking, “If only I had more time…” or promising that next time you’ll finally get organized? It’s a cycle that traps many of us—blaming poor time management for our unmet goals. But what if the issue isn’t time at all? In this episode, I dive into the origins of “time management” and reveal why it’s not the magic solution we’ve been led to believe.

We’re all navigating a world where image is everything, but it’s hard to show up as our true selves when so much of life demands a polished facade. When my wife and I had our daughter, Ainsley, our life turned upside down in the best way possible—and then, in a moment of boldness (or madness), I left my stable job to pursue a new path. It was a leap that shifted our lives and pulled me into a new version of myself that even I didn’t quite recognize. In a culture that idolizes a highlight reel, it’s all too easy to lose ourselves in the expectations of others. I share how embracing change forced me to confront the gap between who people think I am and who I really am.