Brad and Steve examine how Awe impacts us, gives us perspective, connects us, and alleviates anxiety. In this episode, they discuss stillness, ego, narcissism and addiction. You can find the episode on: iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Check out our exclusive community offers on Patreon here . Get Do Hard Things and The Practice of Groundedness on audible (Or in hard copy: Hard Things here and Groundedness here ). Please write a review on Apple Podcasts and help new listeners d...
Sep 14, 2022•19 min
Brad and Steve celebrate the anniversary (or birthday?) of Brad's book “The Practice of Groundedness” . What would he revise for 2022? Join Brad and Steve as they discuss loneliness, the Perils of Heroic Individualism, consumerism, status, and loyalty. For an expanded look into this topic, read Brad's article “The Perils Of Heroic Individualism (And Ideas For A More Grounded Society)” . You can find the episode on: iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Check out our exclusive commun...
Sep 07, 2022•46 min
Brad and Steve discuss “Quiet Quitting”. They talking about bullshit jobs, not trying hard as a way to protect yourself and keeping space away from something you enjoy doing. Lastly, an exclusive look at Brad's homemade vegetable juice drink. You can find the episode on: iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Check out our exclusive community offers on Patreon here . Get Do Hard Things and The Practice of Groundedness on audible (Or in hard copy: Hard Things here and Groundedness her...
Aug 31, 2022•46 min
Brad and Steve discuss when pushing turns things from being fun to being work. Is it even a problem? So what if your work is fun? Brad struggles to read for pleasure and Steve forgets about making progress. They talk about choosing not to be competitive, putting down boundaries, and staying aware of the enjoyment of your work. You can find the episode on: iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Check out our exclusive community offers on Patreon here . Get Do Hard Things and The Pract...
Aug 24, 2022•20 min
Brad and Steve discuss the “medium is the message” and what it means for how we consume and discuss important topics as individuals, communities, and entire societies. (The article by Ezra Klein referenced in the show is here .) You can find the episode on: iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Check out our exclusive community offers on Patreon here . Get Do Hard Things and The Practice of Groundedness on audible (Or in hard copy: Hard Things here and Groundedness here ). Please wr...
Aug 17, 2022•33 min
Brad and Steve discuss how “audience capture” works both ways: you don't only capture an audience but an audience also captures you. While this is certainly true for folks with leadership roles or public personas, it is true for all of us, and increasingly so in an internet age where it is easier than ever to be connected to everyone, for better and for worse. Please note: this week is part one of a two part series on today's media landscape and how it changes all of us. You can find the episode...
Aug 10, 2022•32 min
Brad and Steve discuss what everyone could learn from the Norwegian model of talent development, and why the United States takes such a difference approach, often to its own peril. They also discuss concrete guidelines for sustainable development in any domain — from sport to intellect to the arts — that you can start applying today. You can find the episode on: iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Check out our exclusive community offers on Patreon here . Get Do Hard T...
Aug 03, 2022•25 min
It is unfortunate that we've got a society where extreme narcissism is a key attribute for so-called “success.” Left unchecked, it can, and does, leave a whole lot of wreckage in its wake. On this episode, Brad and Steve discuss ego, narcissism, innovation, progress and how to keep these traits in check so you control them and they don't control you. A fun intellectual episode that is also filled with a whole bunch of actionable tips. You can find the episode on: iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotif...
Jul 27, 2022•27 min
Brad and Steve break down one of the most important principles for sustainable excellence and mastery without burning out: You get 24 to 48 hours to celebrate the win or grieve the defeat, but then it’s time to get back to doing the work itself. After success, getting back to the work humbles you. After failure, getting back to the work builds motivation. Either way, it’s the best medicine. You can find the episode on: iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Please write a review on A...
Jul 20, 2022•23 min
Welcome to this special bonus issue. Steve does his best revisionist history impression, telling you the story of Paul Bear Bryant's famous Junction Boys football camp, while discussing the origins of ‘old school toughness.' This is adapted from Steve's new book Do Hard Things , which you can buy wherever books are sold! You can find the episode on: iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Please write a review on Apple Podcasts and help new listeners discover the show ! Find Bra...
Jul 15, 2022•23 min
Brad and Steve discuss different models for working with others, ranging from permissive to authoritarian and everything in between. They explore the research on what works best for specific situations, and translate that into practical take-aways. You can find the episode on: iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Please write a review on Apple Podcasts and help new listeners discover the show ! Find Brad and Steve on Twitter: @Bstulberg and @stevemagness Check out our exclusive com...
Jul 13, 2022•28 min
A discussion on consistency, intensity, and the tradeoffs between the two. The big topics discussed include how small steps compounded over time lead to big gains; why it is so tempting to over-do intensity and under-do consistency; how to determine a seven or eight out of ten and differentiate it from a nine or ten out of ten; and when it makes sense to go to the well. This one is jam packed with lots of interesting concepts and practical applications. Don't miss it! You can find the episode on...
Jul 06, 2022•22 min
Brad and Steve discuss the different habits, strategies, and practices that can help you learn when it makes sense to keep going (and grit) versus when it makes sense shut things down (and quit) — be it in a job, in a relationship, or in some other pursuit. Topics explored include job-crafting, values-based decision making, different ways of meeting basic needs, the myth of Sisyphus, and the three things that you want every job to have but nearly every job can only offer two. You can find ...
Jun 29, 2022•16 min
In this behind-the-scenes podcast, Brad interviews Steve on his new book Do Hard Things . Where did the idea for the book come from? How do you go from an idea of “fake toughness” to a fleshed-out framework for the real thing? What are the biggest myths about resilience that trip people up? How do you know when to keeping going versus quit? All of these questions and more are answered in this week’s podcast. It’s your final chance to receive pre-order bonuses for Do Hard Things! Check them out h...
Jun 22, 2022•1 hr 15 min
Brad and Steve are joined by Kyle Klechenko, co-founder, co-owner, and head coach at Strength Ratio, to discuss his new e-book, “Building Foundations: Prioritize Your Health and Well-Being.” The trio discuss the latest science and nuance behind physical activity guidelines, nutrition, sleep, substance-use, bloodwork, pain management, and more. This is a must-listen: it lays out a nice, comprehensive framework for setting yourself up for optimal health and longevity without becoming a stress-cade...
Jun 15, 2022•56 min
Some people love to grind and work long days and on the weekends. Some people like never to work outside of traditional hours. Some people like to brag about how much they work. Other people like to brag about how little they work. When should we work? Is there such a thing as too much work? Too little work? Our good friend, colleague, and always critical thinker Cal Newport (author of Deep Work, Digital Minimalism, and A World Without Email ) joins us for a wide-ranging discussion on work. Part...
Jun 08, 2022•58 min
With the NBA finals here, Brad and Steve use the championship series as a jumping off point to discuss the power of well-oiled teams, where there is both dependence and independence. They contrast this with so-called “super teams” that are made up of all-star individuals. While the duo starts out with a discussion on sports, they end with two universal principles for developing and leading great teams regardless of the arena. You can find the episode on: iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android...
Jun 01, 2022•20 min
It is mental health awareness month, and it is a topic near and dear to our hearts. Mental health and its opposite (mental illness) affects just about everyone at one point or another. On this episode, we detail eleven key concepts for mental health, all based on evidence and with concrete applications and practices. You can find the episode on: iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Notes and Resources: You are Not a Rock by Mark Freeman Check out our exclusive community bonuses on ...
May 25, 2022•31 min
The episode title says it all. Brad and Steve investigate the connection between the wild west of supplements and the wild west of ideas and politicians. They propose some big-swing theories that make a whole lot of sense, and they also provide a very concrete list of what supplements tend to work for what type of people in what situations. You can find the episode on: iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Notes and Resources: Check out our exclusive community bonuses on Patreon . G...
May 18, 2022•28 min
You asked. We answered. This week's episode is a listener AMA, including: 1. What are some recent good books that you’ve read? 2. I know you two are both concerned with social media, how do you manage your own use currently? 3. What do you think of Elon Musk buying Twitter? 4. What projects are you working on? 5. Sleep is something that you say is paramount. How do I balance this with being a new parent? It seems impossible to get any sleep? 6. Is there any role for tools like whoop or fit bits?...
May 11, 2022•59 min
The NFL draft just went down last week. For football fans it is a very exciting time. For everyone else, it is a fascinating look at just how hard identifying talent can be. In this episode, Brad and Steve use the NFL draft as a starting point for a broader discussion on what we choose to measure in work and life and why. You can find the episode on: iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Notes and Resources: Check out our exclusive community bonuses on Patreon . Get a copy of The Pr...
May 04, 2022•31 min
In light of the news that Elon Musk might actually buy twitter, Brad and Steve explore how they use social media in their own lives and they offer some new and interesting ideas about owning your energy and attention in an increasingly frenetic and commercialized world. You can find the episode on: iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher Notes and Resources: Here is the Jonathan Haidt article and Derek Thompson article mentioned in the show. And the podcast conversation between the tw...
Apr 27, 2022•59 min
This week we are joined by Michelle Segar, who is a researcher at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, studying sustainable behavior change. The discussion revolves around when and why habits fail, and how you can still make the right choice in those moments. It is a great and actionable conversation on a framework for progress that is different than and complementary to the power of habits. You can find the episode on: iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher *** Check out Michelle'...
Apr 20, 2022•54 min
Brad and Steve share a framework for “minimum effective dosing” of habits for health and performance. They provide a menu of evidence-based health and performance habits with the biggest bang for the buck, and then discuss how to harmoniously integrate these habits with everything else you have going on. You can find the episode on: iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher *** Check out our exclusive community bonuses on Patreon . Get a copy of The Practice of Groundedness! Please writ...
Apr 13, 2022•47 min
Many people are experiencing a chronic low-grade fatigue. It can manifest as multiple snooze-button taps, mid-day crashes, struggling to find motivation for things that once made you tick, or some combination of all these things. This episode explores the two big reasons underlying this sort of low-grade chronic fatigue and what you can do about it in order to regain and reclaim your energy. You can find the episode on: iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher *** Check out our exclusi...
Apr 06, 2022•46 min
How do we handle uncertainty in life? In this episode, Brad and Steve take on what to do when your world seems a bit out of whack. They dive into how to make better decisions , whether you should rely on intuition or rational thought processes, how to take care of your body during crazy times, and why there is no such thing as a bad decision. If your life feels a bit chaotic, this podcast is for you. You can find the episode on: iTunes and Apple Podcasts Spotify Android Stitcher *** Get The Prac...
Mar 30, 2022•34 min
This is a conversation for the ages. Brad and Steve are joined by a special guest, Eric Zimmer, a former heroine addict now successful coach, entrepreneur, and podcast host. You'll immediately sense that Eric is a kindred spirit to everything the Growth Equation Podcast stands for. The trio go deep on what addiction thinks and feels like, how Eric worked his way into recovery, and the key lessons therein for all of us—regardless of your current state and station in life. It was also fascinating ...
Mar 23, 2022•1 hr 17 min
In this episode, Brad and Steve get personal and discuss what is top of mind for them when it comes to their own health and longevity, including why Brad has decided to lose some weight (and how he's going about it), why Steve is changing his relationship with sport performance, and how so many controversial and polarizing topics (such as weight loss) need not be. You'll be sure to enjoy this intimate and thoughtful discussion on tough topics with themes and lessons that are applicable to everyo...
Mar 16, 2022•36 min
This week on The Growth Equation Podcast, Brad and Steve check in with NYC Marathon Champion, Olympian, coach, and friend Shalane Flanagan. The trio first discuss the challenges that come with transitions. Shalane candidly describes the hard and dark days she faced when transitioning away from being an athlete and how she struggled to see her purpose and meaning. Brad, Steve and Shalane then turn to how to cope with impostor syndrome. Shalane offers tricks such as finding your specific role and ...
Mar 09, 2022•1 hr 2 min
There have been many recent articles, essays, and books arguing against ambition—and some might even say the pursuit of personal excellence. In this episode of the podcast, Brad and Steve provide a counter argument and bring some much-needed nuance to this discussion. It is not ambition that is bad. It is the ways in which many people channel it, and the ways in which the culture encourages us to channel it. Understanding this empowers us to better self-direct our ambition as individuals, and fo...
Mar 02, 2022•39 min
