Is creativity just for artists? Nope.

In this episode, we break down what creativity actually is – and how to cultivate more of it in your everyday life. From Martha Beck’s take on left-brain vs. right-brain thinking to AI’s role in amplifying (not replacing) creativity, we explore what it means to think expansively.

Plus, how a spontaneous subway adventure (with a little AI help) turned into the ultimate exercise in creative thinking.

Want to tap into your own creative genius? Let’s dive in.

Episode Highlights:

• Left brain vs. right brain: What Martha Beck teaches about creativity
• AI and creativity: Why better questions lead to better answers
• Why creativity isn’t just about art—it’s about how we think
• How a subway ride became an unexpected creative adventure

Resources:

• Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert – Amazon
• The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck – Amazon
• Beyond Anxiety by Martha Beck – Amazon
• A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink – Amazon

If you had to give advice to a group of students about life and career – without a script – what would you say? Join us as we unpack a spontaneous talk given to postgrad PR students and explore the bigger questions: What makes you, you? How do you bring that into your career? And why do so many of us chase external success before understanding ourselves?

From the power of self-reflection to Keith Cunningham’s game-changing P = G + C formula, we discuss why figuring out who you are is the key to doing meaningful work. Plus, how many people would stay in their chosen careers if money weren’t a factor?

Episode Highlights:

• Why self-awareness matters more than skills.
• A powerful thought experiment: What if money wasn't an issue?
• Passion = Growth + Contribution – Keith Cunningham’s life-changing formula.
• How changing paths can help you find purpose.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Road Less Stupid by Keith Cunningham – Amazon
• Positive Psychology – Tal Ben-Shahar’s work – website
• The Billion-Dollar Question Exercise – A framework for rethinking your career.

What if you could tap into a state where time disappears, creativity skyrockets, and productivity increases by 500%? That’s the power of Flow State.

From a game-changing trip to Dubai to the neuroscience behind flow, we explore cultivating this elusive state in work, sports, and even everyday tasks. Plus, discover low’s kryptonite and how to design your life for more focused, fulfilling work.

And if you think flow is only for those who love what they do? Think again. We’ll also dive into a factory worker’s surprising flow hack and how you can reframe even mundane tasks to access this powerful state.

Ready to tap into your zone of genius? Let’s go.

Episode Highlights:

• What is Flow State? The science behind peak performance.
• How an unplanned trip led to ultimate flow.
• Why your phone might be killing your best work.
• Simple hacks to access your peak state.

Resources:

• Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi – Amazon
• The Art of Impossible by Steven Kotler – Amazon
• Study on Flow & Productivity: 500% boost in output – Study Link
• Pomodoro Technique: The 25-minute focus hack – Website

Your physical state isn’t just about fitness – it’s the foundation for everything else. Taking care of your body is the ultimate hack for mental clarity and emotional resilience. We break down simple, effective ways to reset – think grounding, breathwork, and yes, even a spontaneous dance party. If you’ve been feeling stuck, sluggish, or just off, this one’s for you. Let’s get you back to full power.

What we cover:

• How your physical state influences your mindset and emotions
• The power of breathwork, movement, and grounding to reset your energy
• The gym that broke Stel (but also transformed him) - SAOR Studio
• Why how you set goals matters just as much as what they are
• Simple, doable practices to take charge of your state – starting now

Try This: Take off your shoes and walk barefoot outside, play your favorite song and dance like nobody’s watching, or just take a deep breath (we’ll guide you through it in this episode).

What does it really mean to have a growth mindset—beyond the buzzwords? From the sneaky ways we trap ourselves in fixed thinking to the discomfort that comes with real growth, we unpack how to break free from limitations (even the ones we don’t realize we have). Plus: the “Lobster Theory” of growth, the drama triangle you didn’t know you were playing in, and why the world seems more fixed than ever.

Episode Highlights:

• Every Day, You Get Better or Worse – The uncomfortable truth about growth.
• The Labels We Give Ourselves – How subconscious beliefs hold us back.
• The Drama Triangle – Are you the victim, rescuer, or persecutor? (Spoiler: You’re probably all three.)
• The Lobster Theory – Why growth is painful but necessary.
• Breaking Free – How to shift from stuck to unstoppable.

Resources:

• The Drama Triangle by Stephen Karpman - Article
• The Lobster Growth Analogy (Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski) - YouTube
• Book: Mindset by Carol Dweck - Amazon

Aging. It's happening to all of us, but are we thinking about it all wrong? Join us as we dive into the science, psychology, and societal obsession with longevity. From the mind-blowing "Counterclockwise" study to the surprising secrets of nuns who lived the longest, we challenge the fear-driven approach to aging and explore how mindset, community, and purpose might be the real fountain of youth. Plus, a wild story about a doctor whose patients all looked 20 years younger.

Episode Highlights:

• The Power of Perception – How acting younger makes you younger.
• The Nun Study – Why positivity predicts longevity.
• Mindset & Aging – Are we making it worse by focusing on it?
• The Longevity Doctor – One physician’s surprising anti-aging approach.
• Energy Has No Age – The role of connection and purpose.

Resources:

• Counterclockwise by Ellen Langer - Amazon
• The Nun Study (longevity & positivity) - study
• Letting Go by David R. Hawkins - Amazon

Independence is empowering, but can it hold us back from real connection? James, Mary & Stel get candid about self-reliance, vulnerability, and how to create deeper, more meaningful relationships – with others and ourselves. It's a conversation that pushes the boundaries of comfort zones and explores what it truly means to connect.

Key Topics Discussed

• Can self-reliance make connection harder?
• Balancing vulnerability and strength in relationships and leadership.
• Strategies for setting uncompromising standards while fostering collaboration.
• The importance of creating "containers" that support shared goals and values.
• Tools for self-reflection: Use personality assessments and leverage AI to deepen self-understanding.

Your life doesn’t run on time – it runs on energy. We’re flipping the script on productivity by diving into what fuels us, what drains us, and why protecting your energy is the ultimate life hack. We share personal experiences, chat about managing energy instead of time, and explore moments of transcendent clarity that remind us of what’s possible. No fluff…just practical insight to help you stay in your power and thrive.

Key Topics Discussed

• Paying attention to who and what gives you energy (vs. drains you)
• Managing your energy vs. your time
• Stel’s life-changing trip to Dubai
• Celebrating the things that power us up.

Books and Experts Referenced:

• Dan Sullivan: LinkedIn
• Manage Your Energy, Not Your Time by Tony Schwartz and Catherine McCarthy: HBR
• Million Dollar Coach by Taki Moore: Amazon
• One Thing Thursday newsletter: Subscribe at the bottom of the onprpose.com homepage
• Strategic Coach: Website
• The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck: Amazon

What’s in it for Them? by Joe Polish: Amazon