Becoming The Hero

Welcome back to the 230th episode of the Hard Thing Podcast.

Today I share my conversation with Frankie Russo.

Frankie Russo, through his Russo Capital firm, has developed a portfolio of companies across multiple industries, including technology, advertising, marketing, automotive, music, agriculture, publishing, and finance. The beneficiaries of his investments have offices in the United States and India and serve 128 US markets. Russo and his team have led two of his companies to become some of America’s fastest-growing, privately-owned organizations for eight years in a row. The Art of WHY (2016), Russo’s first book, was on Amazon’s bestseller list in the self-help category and has been readapted and expanded into the rules-defying Breaking WHY. Frankie’s highest calling is his family, and he happily lives with his wife and six children in Louisiana.

This is part 1 of today's conversation. Come back on Wednesday for part 2.

Andy Bustamante Dinner

Mentioned in this episode:

Post Launch Pre Roll

Hey, there adventurer!

Today's Show is Sponsored by the Breakfast Leadership Podcast

A special thanks to my friend Mike Levit of the Breakfast Leadership podcast for supporting our show. Go ahead and listen to his trailer.

Welcome back to the 15th episode of the Thursday Meditations show!

Like always, today I share some thoughts I've had and some ways that each of us can overcome average.

You might not want to hear today’s episode.

Today I talk about 6 things that we don’t really want to think about because they aren’t sexy, they aren’t flashy, and some of them are against common sentiment.

I believe these are important to think about anyways.

If you are new into personal development, this might not be what you want to hear:

Here are the 6 Things you might not want to hear:

Be Ruthless

Use Force

Read Fewer Books

Simplify

Sacrifice Some Things

Disappoint Some People

Below I have the action items to help you do the above things successfully and strategically. You might not have wanted to hear them, but there they are.

. ***

ACTION ITEMS:

Write Your Core Values

Assess your life against your core values

Write 1 thing to do today that aligns with a core value, and then do it.

***

Thank you so much for listening to the podcast. I really appreciate it because I couldn't keep this going without you. Let's go back to the deal I made you earlier. Did you find value from listening to this episode?

If yes then:

1. Share the podcast with one person who could really use it.

2. Reach out to me on Facebook and Instagram. Let me know how the podcast is going.

3. Leave a rating and a review.

4. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss any episode. We are on Google Play, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Again thanks so much for listening, and stay tuned to next week. Keep doing Hard Things, and Keep Overcoming Average.

Mentioned in this episode:

Post Launch Pre Roll

Hey, there adventurer!

Welcome back to the 8th episode of the Thursday Meditations show! Like always, today I share some thoughts I've had and some ways that each of us can overcome average. *** In today's episode, we talk about the importance of drive and reasons each of us should develop it. By drive, I mean the desire to improve aspects of your life. The idea here is to avoid complacency and to always search for better ways to live. Here are the 4 reasons: 1. You feel more fulfillment. 2. You are better able to help others 3. You Have a Better Perspective 4. You Set a Standard for Others **** *** In the show we also talk about our new show sponsor, Audible. They are a premiere audiobook platform that offers over 180,000 different titles you can listen to from your Iphone, Android or any other device. Audible is offering listeners of the The Hard Thing Podcast a free Audiobook and a free 30 day trial. To take advantage of this, go to audibletrial.com/thehardthingpodcast to get signed up today . *** ACTION ITEMS: 1.Think of one area in which you need to improve 2. Think of one way to improve in that area 3. Do it. *** Thank you so much for listening to the podcast. I really appreciate it because I couldn't keep this going without you. Let's go back to the deal I made you earlier. Did you find value from listening to this episode? If yes then: 1. Share the podcast with one person who could really use it. 2. Reach out to me on Facebook and Instagram. Let me know how the podcast is going. 3. Leave a rating and a review. 4. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss any episode. We are on Google Play, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 5. Check out the blog. 6. Support the Podcast. Go to anchor.fm/thehardthing/support and donate to help us make better content. Again thanks so much for listening, and stay tuned to next week. Keep doing Hard Things, and Keep Overcoming Average. --- Support this podcast: thehardthingpodcast.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Post Launch Pre Roll

Hey, there adventurer!

Today we discuss success, defining your values, and changing the world.

Welcome back to the 133rd episode of the Hard Thing Podcast.

Today I share my conversation with The Millenial Whisperer himself, Chris Tuff.

Here are some highlights from today's show:

• Chris' hardest thing was remaking himself and changing his metric of success
• Chris also decided to quit drinking
• We each need to moderate our hula hoops
• We need to look at ourselves and understand our purposes
• We level up our lives by evolving our currencies
• One way to ask someone for something is by masking it in your dream
• But we have to reserve our asks for only the most important things
• You get one free ask from every person
• People go in for the ask way too early
• Go to the deep end in order to better connect with people
• Relationships aren't built with just one touch-point
• Pretend your Google and do more of what people go to you to ask questions

We also got some great action items from today's guest:

1. Ask someone about their dreams

2. Give someone a give

3. Perform the "You're Google" Exercise

4. Write your purpose/passion

Thanks for listening to the show. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

 Leave a rating and a review.

Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss any episodes. We are on Google Play, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. 

Buy one of our Shirts or Hoodies

https://thehardthingpodcast.com/shop/

Again thanks so much for listening, and stay tuned to next week. Keep doing Hard Things, and Keep Overcoming Average.

Here's an amazing opportunity!

Sit down and have dinner with myself and an undercover CIA Agent.

That's right, have dinner with an undercover spy!

My guest, Andrew Bustamante is graciously offering my listeners the opportunity to sign up for a dinner with him and me.

All you gotta do is sign up here: https://listen.thehardthingpodcast.com/undercover-dinner

It is first come first serve and there is only room for 1 person, so hurry quick.

You sign up and then get yourself to Utah and I'll handle the rest.

I look forward to having dinner with you.

Mentioned in this episode:

Post Launch Pre Roll

Hey, there adventurer!

Here's an amazing opportunity!

Sit down and have dinner with myself and an undercover CIA Agent.

That's right, have dinner with an undercover spy!

My guest, Andrew Bustamante is graciously offering my listeners the opportunity to sign up for a dinner with him and me.

All you gotta do is sign up here: https://qt690.infusionsoft.com/app/orderForms/Private-dinner-with-Justin-Lewis-and-Andrew-Bustamante

It is first come first serve and there is only room for 1 person, so hurry quick.

You sign up and then get yourself to Utah and I'll handle the rest.

I look forward to having dinner with you.

Welcome back to the 132nd episode of the Hard Thing Podcast.

Today I share my conversation with former Super Bowl Champion, Jimmy Farris.

Here are some highlights from today's show:

• Jimmy had to remake himself after leaving the NFL and that process took some deep introspection
• When you rebuild yourself you don't have to throw away everything
• Refining yourself takes deep intellectual work.
• It pays to try new things

We also got some great action items from today's guest:

1. Start reading more books

2. Be open to trying your interests

Thanks for listening to the show. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Support the Show:

 Patreon donation link: 

https://www.patreon.com/thehardthingpodcast

Audible (Free Audiobook):

audibletrial.com/thehardthingpodcast 

Share the podcast with one person who could really use it.

 Leave a rating and a review.

Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss any episodes. We are on Google Play, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. 

Buy one of our Shirts or Hoodies

https://thehardthingpodcast.com/shop/

Again thanks so much for listening, and stay tuned to next week. Keep doing Hard Things, and Keep Overcoming Average.

Mentioned in this episode:

Post Launch Pre Roll

Hey, there adventurer!

Here's an amazing opportunity!

Sit down and have dinner with myself and an undercover CIA Agent.

That's right, have dinner with an undercover spy!

My guest, Andrew Bustamante is graciously offering my listeners the opportunity to sign up for a dinner with him and me.

All you gotta do is sign up here: https://qt690.infusionsoft.com/app/orderForms/Private-dinner-with-Justin-Lewis-and-Andrew-Bustamante

It is first come first serve and there is only room for 1 person, so hurry quick.

You sign up and then get yourself to Utah and I'll handle the rest.

I look forward to having dinner with you.

-

Welcome back to the 131st episode of the Hard Thing Podcast.

Today I share my conversation with Andrew Hallam.

Here are some highlights from today's show:

• Andrew's was diagnosed with cancer right after completing a large race
• The principles of accumulating wealth include tracking expenses and income
• Giving to charity only works when you find yourself connected to the receivers

We also got some great action items from today's guest:

1. Focus on controlling your attitude

2. Give more charity in order to build a connection

3. Create and achieve stepping stone goals

Thanks for listening to the show. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Support the Show:

 Patreon donation link: 

https://www.patreon.com/thehardthingpodcast

Audible (Free Audiobook):

audibletrial.com/thehardthingpodcast 

Share the podcast with one person who could really use it.

 Leave a rating and a review.

Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss any episodes. We are on Google Play, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. 

Buy one of our Shirts or Hoodies

https://thehardthingpodcast.com/shop/

Again thanks so much for listening, and stay tuned to next week. Keep doing Hard Things, and Keep Overcoming Average.

Mentioned in this episode:

Post Launch Pre Roll

Hey, there adventurer!

Here's an amazing opportunity!

Sit down and have dinner with myself and an undercover CIA Agent.

That's right, have dinner with an undercover spy!

My guest, Andrew Bustamante is graciously offering my listeners the opportunity to sign up for a dinner with him and me.

All you gotta do is sign up here: https://qt690.infusionsoft.com/app/orderForms/Private-dinner-with-Justin-Lewis-and-Andrew-Bustamante

It is first come first serve and there is only room for 1 person, so hurry quick.

You sign up and then get yourself to Utah and I'll handle the rest.

I look forward to having dinner with you.

-

Today we discuss radical honesty, the power of glucose, and discipline.

Welcome back to the 130th episode of the Hard Thing Podcast.

Today I share my conversation with Andrew Bustamante. You can reach out to Andrew by visiting his website everydayspy.com or any of his social media accounts @everydayspy

Here are some highlights from today's show:

• The hardest thing for Andy was choosing to leave the CIA
• Maintaining discipline while undercover is of the utmost importance
• Making sure you do the little things will keep you alive
• Andy performed a cleansing ritual in between assignments
• The only way to successfully operate at full capacity with someone in a relationship is through complete and total honesty

We also got some great action items from today's guest:

1. Go o everydayspy.com/self

2. Wake up and immediately drink 500 ml of water, wait 15 minutes then eat 4 - 7 oz. of fresh fruit

3. Think about the little things

4. Be radically honest with your partner

Thanks for listening to the show. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Support the Show:

Share the podcast with one person who could really use it.

 Leave a rating and a review.

Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss any episodes. We are on Google Play, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

Again thanks so much for listening, and stay tuned to next week. Keep doing Hard Things, and Keep Overcoming Average.

Mentioned in this episode:

Post Launch Pre Roll

Hey, there adventurer!

Today we discuss core values, experimenting, and constantly reinventing yourselves.

Welcome back to the 129th episode of the Hard Thing Podcast.

Today I share my conversation with the founder of blinds.com, Jay Steinfeld. Jay is very active on LinkedIn.

Here are some highlights from today's show:

• Jay shares how he dealt with the death of his wife.
• Finding your core values is essential
• Experimenting is the only to find success
• Jay shares that oftentimes hard things never get any easier
• Success is not extrinsic

We also got some great action items from today's guest:

1. Work on evolving your core values

2. Learn to accept good and bad

3. Ask yourself "Now what do I do"

4. Add gratitude to the mix

Thanks for listening to the show. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Support the Show:

 Patreon donation link: 

https://www.patreon.com/thehardthingpodcast

Audible (Free Audiobook):

audibletrial.com/thehardthingpodcast 

Share the podcast with one person who could really use it.

 Leave a rating and a review.

Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss any episodes. We are on Google Play, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. 

Buy one of our Shirts or Hoodies

https://thehardthingpodcast.com/shop/

Again thanks so much for listening, and stay tuned to next week. Keep doing Hard Things, and Keep Overcoming Average.

Mentioned in this episode:

Post Launch Pre Roll

Hey, there adventurer!

Life is full of starts and finishes and the quality of your next beginning can be tied to the quality of your last ending.

Welcome back to another episode of The Hard Thing Podcast. I’m your host Justin Lewis and I’m here to walk with you through the journey of discovering solutions to whatever hard thing is in your life right now and in the process learn how to deal with whatever hard thing life tries to throw at you.

Today’s episode is going to be different than normal. For those of you who are new to the show, usually I sit down and have a discussion with someone who’s overcome or accomplished incredibly hard things. Usually we talk about how they managed to do that and how you and I can emulate their example. 

That’s not what we’re talking about today.

In fact, that’s not what we’re talking about for the next few weeks until January 3rd 2022. Yes that’s right, this will be the last episode of The Hard Thing Podcast until 2022. In the next few weeks when you usually would be listening to The Hard Thing Podcast, take a moment and call a friend you haven’t talked to in a while.

So since this is the last episode this year, I thought I’d take a moment and talk about the most important principles I’ve learned this year. That will be a great way to round out the year.

Before we get into the meat of the show, let me first take a moment to invite you to go to ourrescue.org and learn about Operation Underground Railroad. They are my absolute favorite non-profit organization because they put their lives at risk to go undercover to dens of thieves and murderers to rescue children who’ve been stolen and sold into sex-slavery. The brave women of OUR try their best to put an end to human trafficking and what they need right now is more awareness. So go to ourrescue.org and get to know the problem of human trafficking and what solutions are out there.

Now, let’s talk about 2021.

1. Your relationships are one of your most valuable resources

Recently I contracted COVID 19 and then I got better. But as happens for a lot of people I started feeling intense feelings of anxiety and depression. It was like nothing I’d ever felt. During this period, the thing that most helped me was being around friends and family. Reaching out to people I deeply cared about was infinitely more rewarding because I was suffering and connecting helped relieve that suffering. People are the world’s greatest gift.

1. Some is always better than none

Many times you’ll be tempted not to do what you say you’re going to do. You won’t want to wake up early and work out. You won’t want to go to that extra class. You won’t want to ask for help. You won’t want learn a new skill. Sometimes all of your internal forces will be pushing you not to do that thing. This isn’t an excuse to slack or give up. In those moments when your discipline is weak, just do any amount of your desired behavior. Any amount is better than none. A shorter workout is better than none. Calling and saying hi is better than not. Even texting is better than not. Doing anything is better than nothing. Keep pushing yourself to do more, but don’t overlook doing at least a little.

1. Emotional Detachment is essential for adaptation

As I’ve said before, you can choose results or methods. Too many times, we get attached to the “way we’ve always done it.” If you really want to see results, you have to detach yourself emotionally from what you are doing and learn new ways of doing things. 

1. Seeds must be planted constantly

I found this out based on looking for podcast guests. Whenever I would get a guest booked I felt great. This year I had some really amazing people on the show. A couple times, I would enjoy this feeling of having booked an awesome guest and forget to book the next guest. Bad idea! Seeds must be constantly planted if they are to be...

Welcome back to the 128th episode of the Hard Thing Podcast.

Today I share my conversation with Scott Glassman, who just wrote a recent book A Happier You.

Here are some highlights from today's show:

• We talk about depression
• The importance of Gratitude
• You need to spotlight the great things in your life and your strengths in order to balance out all of the negative thoughts you have.

We also got some great action items from today's guest:

1. Talk to somebody

2. Practice gratitude before bed

3. Look at your strengths

4. Do the viacharacter.org survey

Thanks for listening to the show. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Support the Show:

 Patreon donation link: 

https://www.patreon.com/thehardthingpodcast

Audible (Free Audiobook):

audibletrial.com/thehardthingpodcast 

Share the podcast with one person who could really use it.

 Leave a rating and a review.

Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss any episodes. We are on Google Play, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. 

Buy one of our Shirts or Hoodies

https://thehardthingpodcast.com/shop/

Again thanks so much for listening, and stay tuned to next week. Keep doing Hard Things, and Keep Overcoming Average.

Mentioned in this episode:

Post Launch Pre Roll

Hey, there adventurer!