Human School

What is procrastination actually costing you? Turns out, almost everything. In this episode, Miles Adcox welcomes author and speaker Jon Acuff to Human School for an honest, practical, and deeply encouraging conversation about procrastination, overthinking, and the strange ways our minds block the lives we want to live. Jon opens up about his own struggles with anxiety, the danger of old "soundtracks," and why the hardest part of a new goal is often the weight of past failures. Packed with humor and tactical wisdom, Jon and Miles break down how to retire broken soundtracks and finally give yourself permission to be remarkable. Looking to shift the way you think? Onsite offers transformational experiences to help you live the life you deserve. Learn more: https://hubs.la/Q04zCzKf0⁠ In This Episode, You'll Learn: The real psychology behind why we avoid the things we want to do most. How to shift your internal soundtrack using the "Retire, Replace, Repeat" method. Why optimism is a daily practice, not a personality trait. How to separate fear from decision-making so you can finally cross your finish line. Learn more about Jon and grab a copy of Procrastination Proof: https://jonacuff.com/ Stay Connected to Human School: Human School on Instagram: https://hubs.la/Q04zCFsz0 Miles on Instagram: https://hubs.la/Q04zCBRJ0 Learn more about Onsite: https://hubs.la/Q04zCzKf0 Follow Human School on Substack: https://hubs.la/Q04zChTr0 Episode Chapters: 00:00 - Welcome Jon Acuff – Author of Procrastination Proof 02:00 - The 34-Year Delay 06:00 - Growing Up Anxious and Running Hot 09:30 - Scars as Lighthouses & The Power of Going First 13:30 - Mental Health, Rumination, and Mindset 16:00 - Live Coaching: Unpacking Miles' Book Goals & Resistance 22:00 - High Performers and Changing Your Fuel Source 27:00 - Repetition, Symbols, and Soundtrack Cards 31:00 - Experiential Healing, Empathy, and Feedback Loops 35:40 - Writing for Teenagers and Handle-Making 44:50 - Why We Procrastinate: The Bad Solution 49:30 - Jon's Corporate Exit & The Birth of His Blog 54:30 - The Internet, Online Anger, and Identity Follows Activity 58:45 - Finding Peace in the Storm & Practicing Optimism 01:04:00 - Tactical Tools: Paper Shrinks Fear & Owner's Manuals 01:08:50 - Success Hang-ups & The Fear of Being Remarkable 01:14:00 - Unpacking Money Scripts and Celebrating Wins 01:22:00 - Growth is Non-Linear: The Reality of Healing 01:26:40 - Writing Brave & Jon's Upcoming Book on Optimism 01:30:00 - Counseling, Faith, and Following Overreactions 01:36:30 - Writing vs. Rewriting & Fear Gets a Voice, Not a Vote

"They said, 'We need you to stop.' And I said, 'I need me to stop, too.'" Grammy-winning country artist Ashley McBryde joins Miles for a deeply moving, unfiltered conversation as she reflects on her roots in the Ozarks, the complexities of generational trauma, and what it truly means to be seen. Ashley opens up about her long relationship with alcohol, the terrifying night that led her to treatment, and how getting sober allowed her to finally hear her own voice and recognize the person in the mirror. This is a powerful discussion on unlearning old programming, re-parenting your younger self, and why true art doesn't require a dark place. If you’re ready to begin a new chapter, Onsite offers transformational experiences to help you live the life you deserve. Learn more: https://hubs.la/Q04zdx0K0 Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Introducing Ashley McBryde 05:00 – Growing Up in the Ozarks & Early Musical Roots 17:00 – Nervous System Responses, Childhood Trauma, and Inner Child Work 44:00 – Generational Trauma, Religion, and Re-framing Family Dynamics 56:00 – The Reality of "High-Functioning" Addiction & Stepping Into Recovery 1:18:00 – Finding Pure Joy in Sobriety and Making Art Without Suffering Stay Connected to Human School Human School Instagram: https://hubs.la/Q04zdtB60 Miles Instagram: https://hubs.la/Q04zdw7Z0 Subscribe on Substack: https://hubs.la/Q04zdt6t0 Onsite: https://hubs.la/Q04zdx0K0

What happens when the mental health expert becomes the one navigating a family crisis? In this deep and deeply personal conversation, therapist and author Matthias Barker sits down with Miles at the Transform Trauma Conference –– Europe’s largest mental health and wellness conference in Oxford, England –– to open up about his own journey through family estrangement, grief, and reconciliation. Together, they break down the real-world stuff we all deal with: why healing must come before forgiveness, the difference between setting a healthy boundary and running away, the traps of modern pop psychology, and what it actually takes to find "peace with what's possible." Whether you're a mental health professional or just trying to navigate your own family system, this conversation offers real tools for real life. Learn more about Transform Trauma and other Master’s Events: https://mastersevents.com/ Are you unfurling your own stories around family, trauma, and mental health? Onsite offers transformational experiences to help you live the life you deserve. Learn more: https://hubs.la/Q04xQ6_l0 Episode Chapters: 00:00 - Welcome to Human School... LIVE! 01:45 - Meet Matthias Barker: From drama kid to building a platform 05:00 - The Family Crisis: Addiction, divorce, and estrangement 07:00 - Learning from Grief Expert David Kessler 11:00 - The Intersection of Trauma and Grief in Family Conflict 15:30 - Peace with What’s Possible: Rethinking reconciliation 26:30 - The Research on Contempt and Emotional Abuse 31:30 - Boundaries vs. Avoidance: When to engage and when to step back 39:30 - The Danger of Pop Psychology and Weaponized Therapy Speak 49:30 - The Trap of Rumination vs. True Psychological Healing 55:30 - The Hardest and Most Meaningful Parts of Being a Helper Stay connected to Human School Substack: https://hubs.ly/Q04xQ71f0 Miles on Instagram: https://hubs.ly/Q04xQ6Y40 Human School on Instagram: https://hubs.ly/Q04xQ71f0 Onsite: https://hubs.la/Q04xQ6_l0

What if the secret to improving your own life, health, and happiness had nothing to do with self-care and everything to do with giving back? In this episode of Human School, host Miles sits down with long-time music industry veteran and philanthropist Rondal Richardson to flip the script on how we think about generosity. Because you don't need millions of dollars or a massive platform to make a real impact. Today, Rondal shares remarkable behind-the-scenes stories from his 40-year journey in the music business—working alongside legends like The Judds, Garth Brooks, and Naomi Judd—and how an "almost Oprah moment" changed the trajectory of his life. You’ll also discover practical ways to get involved in charity, how to know which organizations and causes to align with, and why the best way to heal your own life is often to show up for someone else. If you're in middle Tennessee, join the Music Community Foundation for a Give Like Dolly event this weekend: https://www.giving9to5.com/ Stay Connected Follow Human School on Instagram: https://hubs.la/Q04xQ4Zt0 Follow Miles on Instagram: https://hubs.ly/Q04xQ50V0 Subscribe to Our Substack: https://hubs.ly/Q04xQ55q0 Looking to dive deeper into your own story? Onsite offers the opportunity to come back to yourself. Learn more here: https://hubs.ly/Q04xQ53Z0 In this episode: 00:00 – Introduction to Rondal Richardson and entertainment philanthropy 00:54 – Meet Rondal Richardson, founder and executive director of the Music Community Foundation 00:03:00 – The story of meeting Miles through Naomi Judd 00:15:30 – The Oprah Winfrey connection 00:23:40 – Rondal’s origin story: starting on the road at age 17 00:32:15 – Touring with Garth Brooks and country music history 00:40:50 – Making the pivot from the music industry to philanthropy 00:46:00 – The psychological and physical benefits of service 01:03:40 – Vetting charities: Charity Navigator, 990s, and finding your cause 01:17:40 – The impact: Raising $350M+ and the work of the Music Community Foundation 01:30:30 – Purpose through pain, community support, and looking forward

We spend an enormous amount of energy trying to learn how to be healthier, less stressed adults – but what if the answer isn't learning something new, but remembering what we knew before we got so complicated? In this special solo episode of The Human School Podcast, host Miles Adcox hands the microphone to his seven-year-old daughter, Birdie Rose. With zero media training and absolute honesty, Birdie shares her thoughts on art, missing teeth, strawberries and ketchup, and what makes her feel closest to the people she loves. In this conversation and reflection, Miles unpacks four unexpected lessons on stress, curiosity, presence, and connection that children carry naturally — lessons that adults spend a lifetime trying to find their way back to. In this episode: 00:00 - Introducing Birdie Rose: The 7-Year-Old Podcast Guest 01:20 - Lesson 1: Curiosity Over Certainty (The Power of "I Don't Know") 04:00 - Lesson 2: Presence Over Productivity (Why Play Doesn't Need a Reason) 05:50 - Lesson 3: Expression Over Impression (Strawberries in Ketchup and PR Filters) 07:45 - Lesson 4: Relationship Over Performance (What Kids Actually Want From Us) 09:40 - Finding Courage: How We Regulate Fear Inside Relationships 11:45 - Final Encouragement from Birdie (And How to Keep Showing Up) If you’re looking for ways to connect back to yourself, Onsite can help. Learn more about our experiences: https://hubs.la/Q04xcj150 Follow Human School: https://hubs.la/Q04xcj450 Follow Miles: https://hubs.la/Q04xch_N0 Subscribe to Substack: https://hubs.la/Q04xcj3y0