Beyond Curious ®

👉 Access The 4% Files Treasure Map HERE To Get A Detailed Recap & Summary Of This Series!

👉 Access all of the bonus material from the 4% Files right here

. . .

Today I’m introducing you to someone I consider to be an alchemist.

But the type of alchemy that he practices is far more transformational than turning metal into gold…

He’s an alchemist of genius, helping people reorganize their lives around the work they were actually born to do.

Here’s what I mean by that:

Imagine if you could spend 70% or more of your day doing exactly what you are uniquely suited to do.

You removed the things from your life you are incompetent, competent, or even excellent at… and instead focus PURELY on the work that you feel like you were put on planet Earth to do.

This is the magic of the New York Times bestselling author and beautiful soul, Dr. Gay Hendricks.

In the words of his wife, Katie, “He sees the essence of people and the core pattern blocking their direct experience of essence in about two seconds.”

In his book, The Big Leap, he outlines his process of converting your life experience into the raw material you need to build a home in what he calls “The Zone of Genius.”

Gay has made a profound impact on my life, not only through his work but through the radiance he exudes.

Here’s a small sample as to why Gay is someone I deeply respect and admire:

1. He has a beautiful and deep 40+ year relationship with his wife, Katie. They have co-created a relationship that is their “living laboratory for conscious loving”
2. He practices what he preaches, and at age 77 at the time we recorded this episode he is full of energy and a strong desire to continue sharing his gifts with the world.
3. He has found a way to translate every element of his life (relationship, his books, his business) into a vehicle for elevating his consciousness.
4. He has an ability to (1) identify his own limiting unconscious patterns, (2) leverage his life experience to extract his essence, and (3) communicate what he learned by studying himself in a truly heartfelt way

In other words, Gay is who I want to be when I grow up.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

1. How to come up with your top five life goals
2. What the “Upper Limit Problem” is and why Gay believes it’s the ONLY problem that we need to solve if you desire to always feel good and have life go well all the time
3. How you can STOP worrying (yes, you read that correctly)
4. How to turn your business into a powerful vehicle for spiritual growth
5. How to design a life you never want to retire from

For those following along with the 4% Files in order, this episode is an incredible power up that will help you deepen your awareness of your Player to consciously design a life in alignment with your unique gifts.

This episode helps you identify where you’re unconsciously holding yourself back from your natural brilliance.

I can’t wait for you to listen!

00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Dr. Gay Hendricks, as Brandon opens “The Seventh 4% File” in his 11-part series, explains the purpose of surfacing the show’s most high-impact insights, and points listeners to the “treasure map” in the episode description to get oriented fast.

00:06:11 - Gay rewinds to an early “genius breadcrumb”: getting a tricycle on his birthday and (when rain kept him indoors) channeling that energy into playful problem-solving—setting the stage for how childhood instincts can hint at a lifelong Zone of Genius.

00:10:46 - Gay tells the Mr. Lowen watermelon story: after hours of failure trying to sell whole watermelons, he pivots to selling cold slices for instant gratification—an early lesson in positioning, value, and adapting to what people actually want.

00:14:03 - Brandon turns that childhood story into homework: ask yourself what your first “can’t-wait” toy was—and consider how that excitement might still be a clue to the kind of work you’re built to do now.

00:18:38 - Gay makes his case that “business is spirituality,” drawing on time living in monasteries and walking through major companies: he shares how leaders like Bob Galvin (Motorola) and Bob Shapiro (Monsanto) modeled values like seeing workers as whole humans—and calls “cellular honesty” (naming anger, fear, hurt directly) a deeply spiritual practice in the real world.

00:25:17 - Gay explains how he first discovered the Upper Limit Problem: after dropping off his daughter Amanda at her first sleepaway camp, he spirals into worry-fantasies—only to learn she’s happily playing, and to realize the discomfort was his projection (and his “allergy to feeling good”).

00:29:38 - Gay names one of the core roots: the fear of being “fundamentally flawed.” When things start going well, that old belief can surge and trigger self-sabotage—pulling you back to your familiar set point.

00:33:49 - Brandon + Gay zoom out: Gay reflects on how he used to be a “heady intellectual” disconnected from emotions (and the cost of that), while Brandon frames the Upper Limit Problem as a clarifying lens—language that helps you catch unconscious barriers before they quietly run your life.

00:39:25 - Gay shares a guiding integrity principle from his grandmother—“tell the truth so you don’t have to remember what you said”—then connects Upper Limits to small accidents and illnesses, teeing up the idea that the body can be an early warning system when you’re shrinking back from your own expansion.

00:44:26 - Brandon reveals the “diagram” he printed and wants to live by: treat worry like an addictive reflex, then practice the pivot—notice → release → shift focus → wonder what positive new thing is trying to come through—and ask Gay how to train this transformation in real time.

00:51:06 - Gay defines the deeper payoff of genius work: not just “peace of mind,” but “peace of heart”—the rare calm that comes from contributing. He describes building a life you’d never want to retire from and offers a developmental arc: 30s find your life, 40s build it, 50s+ enjoy it—while encouraging listeners to enjoy it now through genius alignment.

00:55:32 - Gay introduces the “deathbed question” exercise: imagine you’re at the end of your life, declare it a total success, then identify the five specific reasons you can say that—turning vague ambition into a clear scoreboard for the life you actually want.

01:00:23 - Gay shares his first and biggest “wish”: creating a long-lasting, loving relationship where both partners grow in wisdom and love—something he hadn’t witnessed in his family—and how that clarity led him to commit deeply to Katie (later inspiring his book Five Wishes).

01:04:38 - Gay points listeners to where they can go deeper: hendricks.com and the Foundation for Conscious Living, highlighting the abundance of free relationship and “feeling good” resources available there.

01:10:47 - Brandon closes the file with gratitude and a clear ask: if the episode helped you, take a moment to rate the podcast at “RateThisPodcast dot com / Beyond Curious,” so the work spreads further—and he signs off with love and “see you in the eighth file.”

• 4% Treasure Map (in the episode description; no opt-in)
• hendricks.com - Hendricks Institute
• Foundation for Conscious Living
• Toastmasters (mentioned as a tool Gay used with a client to work through public-speaking fear)

👉 Access The 4% Files Treasure Map HERE To Get A Detailed Recap & Summary Of This Series!

👉 Access all of the bonus material from the 4% Files right here

. . .

If you asked me:

“Brandon, what ideas have most permeated your life?”

Of the ideas that I actively use on an almost daily basis and have done so consistently for years, there are really only two of them:

1. The Find Your Four® concept that my entire world is built around
2. +2 Energy

These two concepts unlock the ability to:

1. Build a life doing the things you love the most
2. With the people that bring you the most energy

I’ve gone deep on Find Your Four® already in the first file… but today is an opportunity to go SUPER deep on +2 Energy.

On the surface, it’s a very simple concept:

After every interaction you have, rate your ENERGY level from -2 to +2.

You’ll start to notice several things:

1. When you feel +2 energy from someone, they most likely feel +2 energy from you
2. Therefore, when you feel +2 energy from someone, odds are the other +2 people in your world will feel it too!
3. When you connect +2 humans to other +2 humans, EVERYONE wins

This simple concept has literally created an energy vortex of transformational humans.

So much so that most people that operate in the “+2 World” are often receiving 10 or more incredibly transformational intros every single week.

This also goes beyond just people though…

Because this simple energy rating scale can help you start to orient your entire life around EVERYTHING you’re doing that gives you +2 energy.

Because this is such an important concept that I talk about all the time, I wanted a deep dive “Masterclass” on this subject that covers perspectives from how people have implemented this concept.

So, I brought on THREE of the humans most responsible for transforming my life with this concept:

1. Randy Molland
2. Mark Fujiwara
3. Jennifer Hill

I can’t wait for you to listen… and even better IMPLEMENT this concept.

It’s truly changed so many people’s lives, so I’d be honored to introduce it to you.

Brandon Fong kicks off the sixth 4% file by introducing the concept of "+2 Energy," a simple yet powerful tool that has significantly shaped his life. He previews the masterclass-style episode featuring three transformational guests—Randy Molland, Jennifer Hill, and Mark Fujiwara—who each offer unique perspectives on how they use this energy-based framework to build meaningful, exponential relationships.

Brandon breaks down the "+2 Energy" framework—rating every interaction from -2 to +2 based on how it impacts your energy. He explains how identifying and connecting with +2 individuals creates a vortex of transformational energy, elevating everyone involved.

Brandon introduces the three guests: Randy Molland (founder of Go Big to Give Big), Jennifer Hill (founder of Optimatch and super-connector), and Mark Fujiwara (wealth advisor and mental health advocate). Each guest shares a deep personal connection to the +2 concept and plays a key role in the energetic ecosystem Brandon has cultivated.

Mark shares how he was first inspired by a Tim Ferriss podcast featuring Jim Collins, which led him to track his energy in 15-minute increments. He reveals how noticing energy drains helped him improve family interactions and realize which relationships were affecting him the most—even if those relationships were financially lucrative.

Randy picks up the story, explaining how he used Mark's framework to categorize people in his CRM by energy rating. He shares the traits of +2 people—service-first, high character, and impact-driven—and how this system helped build an aligned referral network where intros are made purely based on energetic compatibility.

Jennifer describes her daily spiritual routine, including the "anti-jerk" prayer, which helps her attract aligned relationships. She shares how she uses a Google Sheet to track every referral and interaction, recording not only energy levels but also what matters most to each person.

Jennifer relays a concept from neuroscientist Jeanne Fontana—when two aligned people meet, their energy amplifies like sine waves. She explains how differing motivators create resistance, making even well-intentioned relationships energetically draining.

The guests reflect on the power of only engaging with +2 people throughout the day. Mark shares how his energy naturally remains elevated when he's intentional about who he surrounds himself with, reducing the need for constant tracking.

Brandon introduces the acronym CAST (Curious, Aligned, Spiritual, Transformational) to describe the shared traits of the +2 people in his life. He discusses how naming the pattern made it easier to spot and nurture high-vibration relationships.

Randy shares how he began applying the +2 energy lens to hiring. Rather than focusing on resumes, he and his team assess energetic alignment during interviews. The result: a company culture where team members support and check in with each other based on shared energetic values.

Jennifer ties the +2 concept to psychological safety, referencing Google’s Project Aristotle. The study found that psychological safety is the #1 predictor of team success—a quality that naturally thrives in +2-centric relationships.

Brandon explains how +2 relationships often connect at the “0.8% identity” level—the deepest part of a person’s core belief system. These relationships aren't about what someone does but who they are, making long-term transformation inevitable.

Randy and Jen explain how referrals in the +2 world are based on energy and values, not resumes or industries. Because of this, people often become lifelong friends or collaborators even before knowing what the other person does professionally.

Randy explains how in the +2 ecosystem, sharing phone numbers and doing text intros becomes effortless because everyone is trusted and aligned. The joy of seeing a text from a +2 connection is part of the magic of this system.

Brandon shares that some of his deepest +2 relationships were evident within 30 seconds of meeting the person. He emphasizes that +2 energy isn’t intellectual—it’s energetic and heart-based.

Jen tells the story of how her relationship with Ian, a fashion entrepreneur, started transactionally but evolved into a deep, supportive friendship rooted in spirituality and shared personal growth, illustrating how +2 transcends business boundaries.

Jennifer connects +2 energy to abundance, quoting Yasmina Ellis: “What if all our relationships could be exponential?” Surrounding yourself with +2s enhances not just your mental state, but also your material and emotional wealth.

Mark recommends letting go of overthinking and rating your energy immediately after interactions. This prevents rationalization (e.g., “but they pay me a lot”) from clouding the energetic truth.

Randy closes by offering practical tips: let loved ones know if you'll be around a minus energy person, schedule a +2 call afterward, and recognize that a well-placed +2 intro can elevate your credibility and access to higher-level relationships.

1. The 4% Files Treasure Map – A recap and guide to the 11-part series. (Linked in episode description)
2. Go Big to Give Big – Randy Molland’s initiative
3. The Impact Circle – Randy's nonprofit connector platform
4. OptiMatch – Jennifer Hill’s alignment algorithm
5. MarkFujiwara.com – Mark Fujiwara’s website

👉 Access The 4% Files Treasure Map HERE To Get A Detailed Recap & Summary Of This Series!

👉 Access all of the bonus material from the 4% Files right here

. . .

In April 2018, I left the cow poop-smelling college town of Whitewater, Wisconsin (Population 15,000)…

And walked into a $25,000/yr mastermind room in Tempe, Arizona, filled with 7-, 8-, and 9-figure impact-driven entrepreneurs.

I was a 22-year-old college senior and by every traditional standard, I didn’t belong.

Yet somehow, I manifested a way to be there… and my life changed almost instantly.

One of the biggest upgrades came during the very first session when I found myself sitting next to Dr. Benjamin Hardy.

At the time, his blogs were being read by 100M+ people as the #1 writer in the world on Medium.com and he had just published Willpower Doesn’t Work. 

Today, he’s an organizational psychologist, New York Times bestselling author, and co-founder of scaling.com supporting people in realizing impossible goals.

That day marked the beginning of me going deep with Ben’s body of work that would fundamentally shift the trajectory of my life.

But the real tipping point for me came when he released 10x Is Easier Than 2x in 2023.

It was that book — and the 6-week challenge Ben hosted for it — that catalyzed some of the biggest moves that got me to where I’m at today:

• Re-branding to Beyond Curious® and hosting my first ever live event 
• Hiring my amazing Executive Assistant, Kevin, who has saved me thousands of hours and helps to amplify my work
• Connecting to my future self and vision, building my Curiosity Island™ community, and setting the vision to celebrate my 30th birthday by hosting a live Curiosity Island event (which is now 44 days away)

So when I poured the 334+ hours of recorded content on the show to find the best of the best, it was a no-brainer to include one of my interviews with Ben.

In this episode, we cover:

• How to shift your perception of time so that your future self guides your decisions instead of your past.
• How to leverage “impossible” goals as a TOOL to come up with teleporting pathways to achieving your vision
• Why your vision is a DRAFT… and how evolving your vision with better information is a sign of growth, not failure.
• How thinking at 10x or 100x might surface invisible beliefs and identity structures you weren’t consciously aware of that are keeping you stuck
• How to edit your past from the lens of your future to free you from old stories that no longer serve you

As with every episode in the 4% Files, this one is a potent one that I’m confident will make a big difference!

Brandon introduces the fifth installment of the 4% Files series and explains the goal of surfacing the most transformational content from over 334 hours of podcast conversations. He previews today's featured guest, Dr. Benjamin Hardy, whose work has played a pivotal role in Brandon’s own personal transformation.

Brandon shares a helpful resource for new and returning listeners called the “4% Files Treasure Map,” providing a high-level overview of how the series is structured and how best to navigate the episodes.

A powerful quote from Dr. Hardy kicks off the episode: “To actually go for a seemingly impossible goal, you can’t do more, you actually have to do less.”

Brandon recounts how, at age 22, he landed in a $25,000 mastermind group and was serendipitously seated next to Dr. Hardy, marking a major inflection point in his life.

Brandon shares how participating in Ben’s six-week 10x challenge led him to rebrand his podcast to Beyond Curious, host a live event, hire his executive assistant, and start the Curiosity Island community.

Brandon outlines the core themes listeners will hear discussed in the episode: shifting perception of time, leveraging impossible goals, evolving your vision, 10x/100x thinking, and editing your past through the lens of your future self.

Ben describes the 10x leap that started when he pitched the idea of “Who Not How” to Dan Sullivan after a Genius Network presentation, leading to three co-authored bestsellers and a transformation in his career.

Ben explains how studying Michelangelo inspired the 10x concept in the book. He draws parallels between Michelangelo’s relentless pursuit of mastery and the stripping away of non-essential effort to achieve greatness.

Ben contrasts his and Dan Sullivan’s “10x is easier than 2x” model with Grant Cardone’s version of 10x, focusing on depth over brute-force activity. Their 10x model is about doing less but better—shedding 80% of what doesn’t serve.

Ben unpacks how your past and future are both drafts, and how you can reframe your past stories based on who you are becoming. He shares powerful examples of this, including a conversation with his adopted kids.

Brandon reveals his “Spreadsheet of Life” and how he tracks his 10x jumps using a self-built tool. He reflects on the evolution from being a “sidekick” to owning his own narrative and leadership role.

Ben shares how he revisits past experiences, like his parents’ divorce or moments of professional frustration, to upgrade the meaning through his current understanding—highlighting the healing power of continuous reframing.

Ben encourages listeners to define 10x on their own terms—whether that means more income, more peace, or less stress—and explains that growth can come from qualitative, not just quantitative, change.

Ben dives into the difference between doing things out of “need” vs. “want.” Operating from pure want, he explains, is the essence of freedom and essential to 10x transformation.

Ben thoughtfully addresses the idea that vision is not “set in stone” and shares how evolving your vision with new information is a sign of maturity—not failure. He discusses the concept of goals being for learning, not just achieving.

Ben introduces the idea of thinking 100x as a technique to reveal hidden limiting beliefs and outdated identity commitments. It’s a powerful tool to go beyond what's currently imaginable.

• 4% Files Treasure Map – Referenced by Brandon for navigating the entire 11-part series
• Genius Network – The mastermind community where Brandon and Ben first met:
• Dr. Benjamin Hardy’s Books:
• Willpower Doesn’t Work
• Personality Isn’t Permanent
• Be Your Future Self Now
• Who Not How (with Dan Sullivan)
• The Gap and the Gain (with Dan Sullivan)
• 10x is Easier Than 2x (with Dan Sullivan)
• The Science of Scaling

Today we’re opening up The FOURTH 4% File — part 4 of an 11 part Beyond Curious series where I surface the most powerful, high-impact insights buried inside the 334+ hours of published episodes on this show.

In this file, I’m introducing you to someone that has impacted my life in a BIG way… the brilliant Michael Roderick.

I could spend several hours telling you about how awesome Michael is.

In fact, I actually did do that earlier this year…

In September, I reached out to 300+ people to throw him a massive virtual surprise party, just to say thank you:

Turns out I’m not the only one that’s been deeply impacted by him!

Anyways…

This interview may very well be the most I’ve EVER invested in terms of “preparing” for an interview.

I’m talking 100+ hours.

How could that even be possible?

Well, I’ve known Michael for over 5 years now and have not only invested significantly to be a part of his programs…

But our relationship has evolved to the point where we talk once a week, and he’s become a truly transformational thought partner in my life.

So this interview is unique from the perspective that EVERYTHING we talk about, I’ve implemented and gotten BIG results from.

And now it’s time for you to get the best of the best!

In The Fourth File, you’ll learn:

1. Michael’s Thought Leader Triple Threat Framework: Discover which of the 3 thought leader types you naturally embody, and why knowing the order of your archetypes is the key to making your messaging memorable, and your ideas unforgettable.
2. How to craft your “Unforgettable Big Idea” by doing what Michael calls challenging the dominant narrative.
3. How to use Pre-Marketing to make your ideas so compelling that you stop knocking on doors and start opening them for the people already knocking on yours.
4. How to use the power of Indirect Asks to turn your ideas into keys that unlock powerful relationships
5. How to use what Michael calls “Windows Thinking” to come up with innovative and original ideas

At the end of the day, it’s the quality of your thinking and the way you communicate your thinking that will unlock the biggest opportunities for you.

This episode is the masterclass for that!

00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Michael Roderick

Brandon Fong kicks off the fourth installment of the 4% Files series, diving into high-impact insights from past episodes. He introduces today’s guest, Michael Roderick, someone he credits with a massive influence on his life. Brandon sets the stage for a deep-dive into frameworks that bridge identity, connection, and idea development.

01:06 - The Architect vs. Player Operating System Framework

Brandon recaps the foundational files and introduces today's theme—a “power-up” focused on revealing your unforgettable big idea. He explains how today's episode ties into designing a game that supports your highest-impact self.

02:47 - Choice Mapping and the 4% Humans Who Change Everything

Brandon shares a transformative choice-mapping experience from Kim DeYoung that spotlighted Michael Roderick as a pivotal 4% human in his journey, revealing how deeply Michael has influenced his personal and professional growth.

04:31 - The Triple Threat Framework: Celebrity, Scientist, Magician

Brandon previews one of Michael’s most impactful ideas—the Triple Threat—and how understanding your dominant archetype eliminates marketing FOMO and aligns business decisions with your natural operating style.

05:25 - The Power of Packaging Ideas and Challenging Dominant Narratives

Michael and Brandon explore the idea that “thought leaders must have leading thoughts.” They tease the importance of packaging ideas in unforgettable ways and standing apart by challenging dominant market narratives.

06:25 - Relationships at Scale Through Ideas

Michael’s brilliance in merging relationship-building with idea development is highlighted. Brandon explains how Michael’s principles helped him not only meet incredible people but also become a better connector himself.

08:34 - Deep Dive: Celebrity, Scientist, Magician Explained

Michael breaks down the triple threat archetypes. Scientists love the data and analysis, celebrities thrive on people and promotion, and magicians chase novelty and innovation. He discusses how knowing your order helps guide your business strategy.

10:52 - Identifying and Leaning into Your Strengths

Michael walks through how to determine your primary, secondary, and tertiary archetypes based on your “zone of genius, excellence, and competence.” Brandon reflects on how misalignment with your strengths can lead to burnout or frustration.

17:24 - Examples of Each Archetype: Tim Ferriss, Seth Godin, Gary Vee

To help clarify the framework, Michael gives real-world examples: Tim Ferriss as Scientist, Seth Godin as Magician, and Gary Vaynerchuk as Celebrity—highlighting how each uses their natural strengths to lead.

20:57 - Pre-Marketing: Identity and Positioning Before Strategy

Michael introduces the concept of “pre-marketing” as the foundational work of clarifying your identity and market position before executing any marketing tactics. It's the difference between being a thought leader and a parrot.

24:44 - Challenging a Dominant Narrative as a Positioning Tool

Michael elaborates on how positioning your idea against an existing norm (dominant narrative) creates instant intrigue. He uses the metaphor of “Wicked” and the Wizard of Oz to highlight how being the anti-hero can magnetize your tribe.

29:20 - Brandon’s 4% Concept: A Case Study in Challenging Narratives

Brandon shares how Michael helped him identify a market-wide narrative (the 80/20 rule) and challenge it with the “Find Your Four” model, which zooms into the most potent 4% of effort and impact.

33:47 - “Find Your Celine” – The Familiar Before the Innovative

Michael explains the concept of finding your “Celine Dion” before sharing your “Hey Ya” (innovative idea). Drawing from the book The Power of Habit, he illustrates how leading with familiarity opens minds to innovation.

38:01 - Signature Moves for Each Archetype

Michael introduces the idea that each archetype has a “signature move”: Magicians create “black boxes,” Scientists develop “intriguing hypotheses,” and Celebrities thrive in “small crowds.” Understanding these helps you wield your idea effectively.

47:02 - Windows Thinking vs. Doorway Thinking

Michael describes “windows thinking” as a form of idea play where you explore the variables inside any concept, breaking away from rigid thinking (“doorways”) to find novel paths forward.

51:37 - From Vague to Specific: Unpacking Problems to Unlock Help

The duo discusses the importance of specificity. Brandon reflects on how deeper questions can uncover the 4% within a problem, and Michael shows how granular thinking opens clearer paths to support and collaboration.

58:38 - Ambiguity Is Kryptonite for Connectors

Michael reinforces that specificity is key for connection and clarity, and ambiguity is the enemy of effective asks. He encourages identifying beliefs beneath preferences to reach deeper resonance in conversations.

1:02:31 - Collaboration by Archetype: Sizzle Needs Steak

They explore the synergy between archetypes—for example, a magician or scientist partnering with a celebrity amplifies visibility, while celebrities benefit from aligning with substance-rich experts.

1:06:43 - The Power of Indirect Asks

Michael introduces the concept of indirect asks—questions that invite collaboration instead of forcing decisions. This method opens people up, lowers defenses, and leads to more authentic yeses.

1:09:35 - Making Better Asks: Respecting Autonomy

Brandon shares how indirect asks can unlock more creativity and reduce resistance. Michael explains how honoring someone’s autonomy during an ask creates better, longer-lasting connections and results.

1:13:16 - Final Thoughts: Specificity, Autonomy & Market Reinvention

Michael closes by emphasizing the importance of exploring variables, constantly reinventing your message, and how specificity in thinking not only improves problem-solving but positions you for market longevity.

Links & Resources:

1. 🌐 https://gobeyondcurious.com/files – Access all 4% Files bonus resources.
2. 🎙️ Episode #255 with Kim DeYoung on “Choice Mapping”
3. 🎙️ Episode #221 – Brandon’s deep dive into the “Find Your Four” framework
4. 💡 Michael Roderick’s Website: https://www.smallpondenterprises.com

Two weeks ago, I launched The 4% Files -- an 11-part series where I'm surfacing the most powerful, high-leverage insights buried inside 334+ hours of Beyond Curious episodes.

1. The First File revealed how to uncover your 4% — the magical zone where your greatest impact meets your greatest joy
2. The Second File revealed an Operating System to help you to architect a game completely based off of your unique strengths

In the Third File and beyond, we’re shifting into “power-up” territory.

I’m surfacing the “80/20 of the 80/20” of Beyond Curious content that led to a disproportionate impact on my life.

And the first power up is a strange one.

Naming.

Yes, naming.

Today I’m re-surfacing an episode I recorded with my friend, Alexandra Watkins.

Ever heard of the Wendy’s Baconator?

Yep, Alexandra named that.

She’s the author of one of my favorite books, Hello My Name Is Awesome, and has created love-at-first sight names for companies like Amazon, Coca-Cola, Disney, Google, Twitter, and Colgate.

Of all places, why start here?

Here’s the embarrassing truth:

For 139 episodes, my brand and podcast was called 7-Figure Millennials 🤮

That brand was the PERFECT example of me “playing a game” I didn’t consciously choose.

It was what I thought I needed to be, inspired by copying others.

And while that name helped get me started… it quickly became a straightjacket.

Every time I saw it, spoke it, or shared it, I felt a wave of emotional resistance.

Because it didn’t reflect my truth.

Through the deep work that eventually became the Find Your Four™ framework, I knew who I was…

But I didn’t yet know how to express it.

So I hired Alexandra, handed everything I’d uncovered about myself to her and said:

“Please please please help me find a name that will let me be me.”

What came out on the other end was not only Beyond Curious®, but also Curiosity Island™… two core pillars of my world.

These two brands bridged the gap between who I knew I was and how the world saw me.

Which is why I truly believe:

Unlocking the right brand name is a single decision that solves a thousand problems.

Because the moment your brand clicks into alignment, everything gets easier:

1. You attract the right people.
2. You get invited into the right rooms.
3. You show up with more confidence and clarity.
4. You stop being misunderstood.

And in this episode, Alexandra will help you build a brand name that sticks.

We explore:

1. Her signature SMILE & SCRATCH framework for creating memorable brand names
2. Real examples of hilariously bad names (Yes, we talk about P*nis Land and Americans Crapping Metal)
3. Behind the scenes of how she helped to come up with the Beyond Curious® brand

This one was a game changer for me, and I know it can be for you too!

Brandon Fong opens the third 4% file of an 11-part series, sharing insights from 334+ hours of Beyond Curious content. This file introduces an "Architect Power-Up" focused on the often-overlooked but transformational skill of naming, featuring branding expert Alexandra Watkins.

Brandon shares his emotional struggle with misaligned branding—specifically, how "Seven Figure Millennials" caused him deep pain and prevented full self-expression. Naming, he reveals, was the key to aligning identity, environment, and external perception.

Exploring the fractal 80/20 framework, Brandon explains how the right brand name affects environmental conditions, actions, and core identity. The right name can remove massive obstacles and unlock thousands of opportunities.

Brandon encourages nonlinear, curious people to consider an external brand that allows them to fully express themselves, rather than defaulting to using their own name.

Alexandra shares a hilarious story about refusing to whitewater raft on terrifyingly named rapids like “Meat Grinder” and “Satan’s Cesspool.” The story becomes a metaphor for the emotional impact and power of names.

Alexandra recounts a wild experience on the Zambezi River where a capsized raft and a swim gone wrong landed her in the wrong country—underscoring how names and unexpected adventures go hand-in-hand in her life.

Brandon and Alexandra discuss how international travel expands creativity by introducing new experiences and forcing people outside their comfort zones. This adventurous spirit shapes Alexandra’s naming genius.

Alexandra credits her mom for encouraging out-of-the-box creativity from a young age, including a high school report where she wrote to prison inmates instead of researching at the library—foreshadowing her inventive problem-solving approach.

Alexandra explains that names are like oil paintings that hang over your desk forever—they should be loved, memorable, and differentiating. She emphasizes that a good name can attract not just customers, but also employees and investors.

From baby brands like "Speesees" to infamous domain name flubs like “PenIsland” and “American Scrap Metal,” Alexandra dives into naming horror stories that perfectly demonstrate what not to do.

Alexandra details how she renamed a frozen yogurt brand from “Zenyo” to “Spoon Me,” leading to viral success, merch sales, and even a real-life marriage. A great name became a customer experience in itself.

From T-shirts to theme slogans, Alexandra explains how “Spoon Me” and similar brand names create a deeper connection between brand and audience—sparking joy and active participation.

Alexandra introduces the SMILE framework:

1. Suggestive
2. Memorable
3. Imagery
4. Legs (extendable theme)
5. Emotional
6. She explains how these elements help a name stand out and build brand love.

From “Meet the Parents” (rehearsal dinner) to “Bloody Married” (post-wedding brunch), Alexandra shares how renaming basic wedding services for a San Francisco hotel led to a 25% increase in sales.

Alexandra discusses how names like “Firetalker PR” and “Church of Cupcakes” allow brands to create memorable themes, personas, and even theme songs, turning names into full-blown experiences.

She breaks down the SCRATCH framework for names to avoid:

1. Spelling-challenged
2. Copycat
3. Restrictive
4. Annoying
5. Tame
6. Curse of knowledge
7. Hard to pronounce
8. Brandon uses “Seven Figure Millennials” as a real-life example of violating multiple SCRATCH rules.

Alexandra emphasizes that clarity doesn’t mean boring—names can be both clear and clever, like “Kryptonite” for bike locks. It's all about avoiding confusion and delivering a memorable experience.

Ditch the corporate brainstorm rooms. Alexandra shares powerful tools for ideation: image searches, thesauruses, metaphors, and looking at the familiar with fresh eyes. Great ideas often come from solo inspiration.

1. Eat My Words – Alexandra Watkins’ brand naming company
2. SMILE & SCRATCH Name Test Tool: Free interactive test
3. Hello, My Name Is Awesome – Alexandra’s book on brand naming: Amazon link
4. Brand Name Course - Alexandra's naming course that Brandon has taken
5. Hire Alexandra - Services Tab on https://eatmywords.com/naming-services/

-- To Access All Bonus Material Mentioned In This Series, Visit gobeyondcurious.com/files --

Last week, I released the FIRST ever 4% File -- the first of an 11-part series where I'm surfacing the most powerful, high-leverage insights buried inside 334+ hours of interviews with some of the most curious minds out there.

Quick recap (if you didn't listen yet, or you want a refresher from last week):

In the first file, we started by asking a big question:

What game am I currently playing in life, and did I choose it consciously?

We talked about how society hands us these "default games", and just how easy it is to trick ourselves into thinking we're playing our own game...

... when in reality, there may still be elements of the default games we're playing that no longer serve us.

. . .

The blessing and curse of living in 2025 is that exponential technology is causing more and more of those "default games" to freeze, and some to stop working altogether.

And instead of seeing that as a threat, it’s a HUGE opportunity for us to pause, remove any fragments of the default game that may or may not have been handed to us… and design one that’s truly ours.

That’s where the Player vs. Architect idea comes in.

You have a Player — the version of you running around inside the game — and you have an Architect, the version of you who can step outside the game, see the whole thing, and consciously create it.

In File One, we focused entirely on understanding your Player using the Find Your Four™ framework refined within my Curiosity Island™ community.

It's the 80/20 of the 80/20 where you find just 4% that creates not only the greatest impact but the greatest joy.

In the SECOND File we step into Architect mode.

Here's what's on our roadmap for the Second File:

For the first time ever on the podcast, I'm taking you inside Curiosity Island by sharing a raw, unscripted conversation that happened earlier this year.

You’ll hear the exact breakthrough that completely reframed how we approach goals, accomplishment, and identity evolution… and why the traditional, default ways of setting big visions often don’t serve people like us — people who are using our game as a vehicle to become the next, truest version of ourselves.

Then from that conversation, I reveal the core structure of what I now call The Operating System.

This is a framework developed out of hundreds of hours of testing and evolution for the Architect version of you to design a game that fits your unique Player.

And of course, I'll be giving you some powerful tools to help you as an Architect to design your own game.

And finally, you’ll get the tools to start designing your own game.

READY PLAYER ONE!

Brandon Fong welcomes listeners to the second installment of the 4% Files series, designed to surface transformational insights from 334+ hours of Beyond Curious content. This episode moves from understanding the "player" (from File 1) to designing the game itself—as the "architect"—through a framework inspired by co-creation on Curiosity Island.

Brandon recaps the major theme of File 1—consciously choosing your life's game—and introduces the player vs. architect framework. He previews how this episode will guide listeners through creating a customized operating system to design their own game.

Listeners are invited to hear an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes conversation from Curiosity Island where core ideas about vision-setting and goal design were first developed. Brandon also introduces the metaphor of the Disney board game Villainous to explain individualized objectives within a shared framework.

Brandon explains how Villainous—a board game where each player has unique goals and strategies—mirrors the approach of designing personal visions. The goal isn't to prescribe a path, but to provide a system for customizing your own.

Brandon sets the stage for a transformative group discussion featuring past podcast guests turned castaways. He introduces contributors by their Curiosity Island (CI) passport numbers and names: Jhana Li, Bob Regnerus, Caitlin Doemner, Michael Roderick, Anthony Englert, Susanne Goldstein, and Todd Herman.

Jhana shares her internal conflict with setting a moonshot goal without deep alignment. She highlights the difference between outcome-based and process-based thinking, revealing the struggle of committing energy to a vision she doesn’t yet fully embody.

Brandon references Benjamin Hardy’s The Gap and the Gain to explain how goals are strategic tools to filter decisions, not measurements of self-worth. He argues for blending outcome-based clarity with process-based flow.

Susanne critiques traditional "hit-the-number" goals and advocates for “fuzzy goals” focused on who you become along the journey. Her deeper north star is upgrading human consciousness, and she explains how her projects serve that overarching vision.

Brian uses a health analogy—aspiring to look like Ryan Gosling—as a humorous but insightful example of how people evolve away from early goals, and how that possibility makes public commitment feel risky.

Todd reframes moonshots as evolving visions, using his own journey from basketball to coaching to illustrate how feelings and future identity—not exact goals—should lead decision-making.

The castaways explore the power of intentional direction with flexible pathways. Instead of rigid focus, they advocate for staying open to universal nudges and timeline shifts that may better align with your purpose.

Michael compares moonshots to improv theater: creatives need containers and constraints to spark innovation. The group embraces this idea as central to making moonshots actionable and fun.

Todd recalls a conversation with a Top Chef contestant where the most creative dishes were made under tight constraints. The castaways agree that moonshots should function the same way—setting focused boundaries without emotional attachment.

Jhana proposes rebranding “moonshots” as one of many useful constraints or “markers” that offer directionality without rigidity. Her metaphor of plotting markers across an ocean voyage becomes a visual metaphor for flexible but intentional growth.

Brandon shares his current moonshot—a 4% ecosystem-building event—and emphasizes his emotionally detached but playful approach to making bold moves. His framing encourages iteration and experimentation over perfection.

After reflecting on the castaways' input, Brandon unveils the operating system that arose from this organic conversation. He defines its four cycles: Moonshot Vision, Moonshot Vehicles, Minimum Viable Moonshots, and Moonshot Portals.

The first cycle helps you articulate the future you’re committed to and who you must become to make it real. Brandon offers his own moonshot vision as an example: a world where everyone knows their true self and contributes their unique brilliance.

Cycle two explores platforms and tools that serve your vision. Brandon shares his three vehicles—Find Your Four, the Beyond Curious podcast, and Curiosity Island—and how they support his broader moonshot.

Cycle three emphasizes launching bold, testable projects on a 3-month to 3-year timeline. Brandon shares examples including the founding of Curiosity Island and launching a closed-loop economy inside the community.

The final cycle focuses on 2–8 week sprints that collapse time and catalyze nonlinear growth. Brandon shares the creation of RAD (a gift for Michael Roderick) and the 4% Files series itself as examples of transformative moonshot portals.

Brandon encourages listeners to take imperfect action by drafting their own Moonshot Vision. He reminds listeners that this is an iterative process, and tools are available at gobeyondcurious.com/files to assist with refining their 4% game.

Brandon replays wisdom from two previous guests—Todd Herman (Ep. 76) and Shannon Graham (Ep. 49)—about the psychological weight and transformative potential of honestly answering “What do you want?” This sets up a reflective exercise for listeners to explore their true desires.

• 🌐 Free Bonus Materials: Workbooks, Slides & Custom GPTs
• 🎙️ Todd Herman – Episode 76: The Alter Ego Effect, peak performance, and defining what you want
• 🎙️ Shannon Graham – Episode 49: Expanding vision beyond what's realistic to create world-changing impact
• 🎙️ Perry Marshall – Episode 177: Referenced for the “problem well-defined” quote and systems thinking
• 🎙️ Maxine Cunningham (CI011) – Creator of Pick My Brain, which powers the Curiosity Island Economy
• 🧠 Ben Hardy – "10x is Easier Than 2x" / "The Gap and the Gain" (Referenced for goal setting psychology)
• 🎧 Castaway Guests Featured:
• Jhana Li (CI002)
• Bob Regnerus (CI003)
• Caitlin Doemner (CI008)
• Maxine Cunningham (CI011)
• Michael Roderick (CI014)
• Anthony Englert (CI015)
• Susanne Goldstein (CI019)

-- To Access All Bonus Material Mentioned In This Series, Visit gobeyondcurious.com/files --

Last week, I announced a new series being released on Beyond Curious® called The 4% Files.

In this 11-part series, I’ll surface the most powerful, high-leverage insights buried inside 334+ hours of interviews with some of the most curious minds on the planet.

The inspiration?

The 80/20 rule… but on steroids.

Because 80/20 is fractal, you can 80/20 the 80/20 — which means just 4% of efforts are responsible for over half your results (64% to be exact).

So this means the same is true for my podcast…

Buried within the 267 previously released episodes, there lies 4% of the content that is the most valuable and potent.

AND… because I love you…

Within this series, I’m going FAR beyond simply replaying my most powerful episodes.

I’m sharing it within an overarching framework and pattern I’ve developed that took me THOUSANDS of hours to develop.

In The First File, I reveal this mega framework, and how we’ll be exploring it through the theme of video games.

To say I’m excited to share this with you is a massive understatement…

As I started poring over all of my content, it's almost as if suddenly the thousands of hours I've invested into creating this show all began to click into place.

I can’t wait for you to open the first file!

Stay Curious,

Brandon

P.S. Not only am I creating this series, but I’m also giving away EPIC bonus material to help implement it all.

If you truly want to make the most out of this series, you’ll want to check it out here. 

P.P.S. If you want to see the mini 8 Bit Brandon series I had too much fun creating using Sora (in that GIF you see above) it’s also on that link :) 

Brandon introduces the "4% Files" — a special 11-part series within Beyond Curious. He shares that this series distills the most impactful insights from over 334 hours of published episodes to help listeners surface their own unique brilliance and consciously design their lives.

Brandon reflects on being born in 1996 and feeling like part of a unique "zillennial" generation. He shares nostalgic stories of playing Super Nintendo with his brother and friends, humorously recalling their odd method of fixing cartridges, then connects it to a powerful metaphor: the “game” of modern life is freezing — and it’s time to choose whether we’re playing consciously or unconsciously.

Brandon explains how linear societal programming prepares us for predefined roles — or “games” — such as doctor, lawyer, or entrepreneur. But with AI rapidly transforming industries, even entrepreneurs aren't immune to unconscious patterns like chasing success for external validation. The key is choosing to play consciously.

Brandon dives into the importance of playing a game you’ve intentionally chosen. He warns against blindly following the frameworks of “gurus” and emphasizes a new paradigm: you’re already whole, and the growth journey should come from your truth, not a place of lack.

Brandon highlights how many external programs subtly suggest you’re “not there yet.” Instead, he urges listeners to trust their own wisdom and filter external advice through the lens of their own game. This becomes the foundation for the 4% Files.

Brandon introduces a defining analogy: there’s a Player version of you (who acts) and an Architect version (who designs the game). Inspired by a conversation with his wife and a Google Doc called “personality test synthesis,” this concept reframes how we should approach personal growth.

Brandon lays out the framework for the 4% Files series:

1. Know your player
2. Design your game
3. Use the power-ups
4. He introduces the idea of “player” and “architect” power-ups — insights that have created disproportionate results in his own journey.

Brandon begins walking through the “Find Your Four” framework — a distillation of the Pareto Principle. He explains how 4% of your actions drive 64% of your results and outlines how to uncover your 20%, 4%, and 0.8% layers of impact and joy.

Brandon introduces the three nested layers:

• 20%: Your environment — where your genius naturally emerges
• 4%: Your potent actions and qualities — often unconscious
• 0.8%: Your core identity and beliefs — the energetic foundation powering everything

Brandon shares the Plus Two energy framework from episode 238, explaining how to identify and surround yourself with people who elevate your energy and co-create trust-based, expansive feedback loops that support growth.

Brandon breaks down his 4% into three core elements and shows how they appear in real life:

• Clear energy — the felt experience people have with him - A blend of curiosity, love, enthusiasm, appreciation, and resonance. He often hears “I love your energy” and treats it as meaningful feedback. He shows up with high presence, asks thoughtful questions, reflects people’s strengths, and intuitively tunes to the room.
• Metacognitive synthesis — how he thinks and builds solutions - He breaks complexity into simple mental models, recombines patterns into new frameworks, and uses precise questioning to turn ambiguity into clarity. This includes his “fractal” 4% thinking and constant optimization to increase leverage.
• Clear transmission — how his ideas land with people - He blends storytelling with structured frameworks so ideas land both logically and emotionally, making them immediately usable.

He notes this understanding came from many iterations (he jokes he’s on “version 42”) and from others helping him “read the label on his jar.”

Brandon introduces the final layer: your 0.8% core identity. He shares his values, shaped by guest Darius Mirshahzadeh (ep. 121), and explains how beliefs like childlike curiosity and conscious storytelling fuel every action.

Listeners are guided through a powerful self-inquiry process using a custom GPT designed to extract their 20%, 4%, and 0.8% layers. Prompts include:

• Tell a story of a meaningful and fulfilling accomplishment
• Share a challenge you solved uniquely
• Name three people you admire and why

Brandon wraps the episode with encouragement: finding your 4% is not the end, but the beginning of a new journey. He shares that your brilliance doesn’t need to be earned — it only needs to be expressed. File Two will explore how to design your own game based on the 4% insights.

• Find Your Four™ Workbook & Bonus Materials — Includes journaling prompts, bonus tools, and access to the custom GPT.
• Episode 238: Plus Two Framework — Deep dive into identifying high-energy relationships.
• Episode 221: Find Your Four™ Masterclass — Original episode explaining the foundational metaphor.
• Episode 121: Darius Mirshahzadeh on Core Values — Influence behind Brandon’s core values framework.

Two days ago, a question randomly popped into my head:

“What if I applied my Find Your Four™ framework to the entire Beyond Curious library?”

If you’re new here — Find Your Four™ is a framework I developed inspired by the 80/20 rule (aka Pareto Principle). 

At its core, it’s about identifying the smallest actions that create the biggest results.

It turns out that if you apply 80/20 on the 20% — you get to something even more potent:

4% of your efforts = 64% of your results.

So I ran the numbers.

There are 267 episodes before this one…

4% of 267 = 10.68 → round that up = 11 episodes

And this is how The 4% Files was born.

Over the next 11 episodes, I’ll be digging through 334+ hours of Beyond Curious conversations and surfacing just the 4% — the most potent, high-impact ideas I believe can change your life.

For more details, listen to the announcement here.

Stay tuned for the first episode being released next Tuesday!

Stay Curious,

Brandon

In his 20s, Keith Hodge was the last person you’d ever expect to become a transformational healer.

He spent his nights DJing in clubs, his days snowboarding, and followed the well-worn societal script straight into becoming a tax professional. 

Life looked “normal” from the outside… until everything collapsed.

Within months of starting his corporate career, Keith hit rock bottom after he walked into a doctors office feeling completely drained… and walked out with a chronic fatigue diagnosis and a note excusing him from work for an entire year.

Out of pure desperation, Keith followed a friend’s advice and visited a 70-year-old psychic named Mari. 

He walked into her room skeptical, agnostic, and absolutely not the “spiritual type.”

She took one look at him and said words that changed the entire trajectory of his life:

“You’re going to be a healer.”

Keith’s first reaction was, “What’s a healer?”

Fast-forward to today, and Keith has worked with 10,000+ people across the world, dissolving emotional patterns at their root and now helping them step into what he calls “True North Alignment.”

Here’s what specifically resonates with me about Keith’s work:

Keith helps people shift away from a “you need fixing” paradigm into a transcending paradigm — where transformation happens not through doing, but through being.

And if that wasn’t inspirational enough, I’m truly magnetized by Keith’s vision of creating a world of Trauma-Free Children.

Imagine:

A world where kids are taught how to feel, process, and regulate their emotions instead of suppressing them. Keith believes that by holding children in presence rather than trying to fix or rush their feelings, we can end generational patterns at their root and raise humans who grow up centered, connected, and emotionally whole.

This is a beautiful conversation where explore:

• Why trauma forms in the first place—and why it’s not the “event,” but the unfelt emotion and story created underneath it
• How our children can learn emotional regulation as naturally as they learn language.
• Why boredom, procrastination, anger, and anxiety aren’t “problems”… they’re protectors. (Keith walks me through an example in real time on something I’m working through now related to boredom!)
• How to make decisions from your heart’s intelligence instead of excitement, fear, logic, or conditioning.
• Why it’s completely normal to outgrow something that used to be true for you, and how to step forward into a new truth

Especially as a parent, I left this recording with a completely new understanding of what it truly means to raise emotionally healthy children.

Whether or not you have kids, this episode will change the way you see your own emotional patterns, your past, and your potential.

Brandon welcomes listeners and introduces Keith Hodge, a transformational healer whose mission is to help people reconnect with their true state of being. He outlines three powerful themes explored in the episode: seeing boredom and anxiety as protectors, making heart-led decisions, and creating a world of trauma-free children.

Keith and Brandon begin their deep dive by examining how emotions like boredom and procrastination are not problems, but protective mechanisms. Keith shares how becoming aware of where these emotions are stored in the body is the first step in healing.

The conversation kicks off with a moment of grounding, setting the tone for presence. Brandon opts to start by diving into the idea of uncovering and removing limiting beliefs vs. stepping directly into your true self.

Keith explains how emotional tracing works by using the body as a guide. He discusses how unconscious reactions surface and how presence allows us to meet them in real time for healing, especially in early childhood development.

Keith shares a powerful story of holding presence for his two-year-old son’s emotional meltdowns and how regulation, not repression, creates resilience. He speaks to the importance of helping children feel, not fix, their emotions.

Brandon asks how to hold presence for a child in socially pressured environments like planes or restaurants. Keith explains that true presence isn’t location-based—it stems from regulation within the parent.

Keith shares how his vision for trauma-free children emerged and how it involves holding children in presence so they learn emotional regulation. He explains how generational healing requires adult self-work first.

Keith unpacks the mechanics of story creation in both adults and children, emphasizing that not all emotions need to be turned into lifelong narratives. He offers insights into how children—and we—can feel emotions without forming stories.

Brandon brings up boredom as a subtle emotional trigger and Keith guides him in real time to trace the feeling, helping him uncover anxiety as the emotion beneath boredom.

In a powerful moment, Keith walks Brandon through a live emotional tracing session, helping him locate where boredom manifests in his body and trace it back to an underlying feeling of anxiety.

Keith shares his transformative journey from working in tax to becoming a world healer. A chronic fatigue diagnosis forced him to confront his disconnection from self, leading to his first encounter with a psychic named Mari.

Brandon explores how identity-based "shoulds" from society or personal history can limit growth. Keith explains how our emotions shape these identities and how to spot when evolution is asking us to shift.

Brandon and Keith discuss the liminal space of outgrowing your old teachings, methods, or brand, and stepping into a new, truer version of yourself—one that’s guided by presence, not past success.

Keith powerfully differentiates between decisions made from excitement and those made from intuition. He explains that excitement often comes from protective patterns, while true intuition arises from grounded presence.

Keith outlines how to tell the difference between stories created by past wounds and genuine intuitive signals. He emphasizes that true heart intelligence is consistent and unwavering, unlike fleeting emotions or excitement.

Wrapping up, Keith encourages listeners to trust their heart’s wisdom, tune into its consistent signals, and let it guide decisions instead of the mind. Brandon expresses deep gratitude for Keith’s presence and teachings.

• Keith Hodge's Website: Learn more about Keith’s root healing method and transformational work.
• Intuity International - A transformational healing hub offering training and 1:1 sessions that clear emotional blocks at the root so real, lasting change can unfold.

I turn 30 in just about 3 months. 

As I sat down to reflect on what’s changed my career trajectory the most over the past decade, one thing stood out above everything else.

I call it Slipstreaming.

It’s a strategy I first used when I was 21 that helped me go from “broke college student” to working side-by-side with one of my mentors, traveling the world, getting flown into $25K mastermind rooms, and ultimately building the life I live today.

In today’s episode, I’m finally breaking it all down.

And instead of just telling you what it is, I show you — by weaving together audio from:

• A course I created 8 years ago with my mentor Jonathan Levi
• 
  
• Clips from past Beyond Curious guests like Todd Herman, Jessica Von Innerbrenner, and Lee Holden — who each used a similar method to create transformational opportunities in their lives
• 
  

Whether you're a teen, twentysomething or thirtysomething, or you’re further along in your journey and want to empower the next generation — this one is worth a listen.

Here’s a peek at what you’ll learn:

• Why “learning from someone ahead of you” can shortcut years of trial and error (and how I still do this today)
• 
  
• The psychology behind why the slipstream technique works (hint: IKEA furniture has something to do with it)
• 
  
• When I realized that even though this strategy changed my life, I needed to let go of it in the way I originally learned to do it

In a world changing so fast that many of tomorrow’s most important jobs don’t even exist yet, I’m excited for the right people to hear this.

If you know someone navigating their career path, I hope you’ll consider sharing this with them — it completely changed my life.

Brandon opens the episode with a deeply personal reflection: with just 99 days left before turning 30, he takes listeners on a unique solo journey into a strategy that completely transformed his life — one he calls the “Slipstream Technique.” He sets the stage by reflecting on speaking engagements with incoming college freshmen and the overwhelming uncertainty facing today’s youth in a rapidly evolving world.

Brandon introduces the moment that shifted his life trajectory in his early 20s and how it became a repeating pattern among many high achievers he interviewed. He introduces the “Slipstream Technique” as a powerful, unconventional method for career acceleration — one that doesn’t rely on traditional education or job applications.

Brandon plays the introduction to the original “Ultimate Advantage” course recorded in 2018 with his mentor, Jonathan Levy. Jonathan shares how Brandon reached out using the strategy and ended up becoming an integral part of his company, Superhuman Enterprises.

Brandon recounts his then-current daily life in Tel Aviv — traveling, working alongside thought leaders, and helping shape educational programs that impact hundreds of thousands. Jonathan highlights how Brandon became one of the most valued, trusted, and highly paid members of his team — all without a traditional job application.

Brandon outlines how the Slipstream Technique helped him go from broke student to global entrepreneur. He teases real-world examples of others who used similar strategies to leapfrog traditional paths and work with top industry leaders.

Brandon plays a powerful clip from episode 76 with Todd Herman, author of The Alter Ego Effect. Todd shares the serendipitous story of meeting and being mentored by legendary business philosopher Jim Rohn after boldly completing a challenge Rohn gave him — and becoming the only person to ever do so.

In a clip from episode 225, Jessika shares how she escaped a restrictive cult and used free work to pitch herself for a dream job in the art world — ultimately landing major opportunities including a $500,000 children's book deal. Her story illustrates the power of offering time and value up front.

Brandon shares a segment from episode 226 with Qigong master Lee Holden. Lee reveals how curiosity, initiative, and service led to his mentorship with Mantak Chia — and eventually 12 trips to Asia as his ghostwriter. This apprenticeship became the cornerstone of Lee’s now global career.

Brandon reflects on launching the Ultimate Advantage course with Jonathan, earning over $44,000 in its first week. He points listeners to the still-available Udemy version and shares pride in its lasting impact.

Brandon unveils the 5-step Slipstream Technique:

1. Find someone doing what you want.
2. Selflessly help them achieve their goals.
3. Make it impossible for them to say no.
4. Overdeliver.
5. Define the relationship moving forward.

He emphasizes that the best roles often don’t exist until you create them.

Brandon explores the behavioral science behind the technique — focusing on the “IKEA Effect,” or why people value what they help build. By giving influencers the chance to invest in you, you increase your perceived value, deepen trust, and build reciprocal relationships.

Brandon explains why starting with free value creates immediate goodwill, deepens trust, and positions you as an irreplaceable asset rather than an expense — a strategy that helped him rise quickly and create opportunities from nothing.

Brandon shares a key nuance — while mentors are busy, many want to invest in those who show initiative, implement feedback, and express gratitude. It's your job to close the loop and show you're worth mentoring.

Brandon offers a recent personal insight: while mentorship helped shape his career, he learned not to become overly dependent. Trusting your own voice is essential as you evolve. Mentors are valuable guides, but only you can steer your life’s vision.

Brandon closes the episode with heartfelt gratitude to Jonathan and all his mentors. He encourages listeners — especially teens and 20-somethings — to consider an alternative path, and reach out to him on LinkedIn for support or questions. He teases his upcoming 30th birthday episode where he'll reflect on a decade of lessons.

• 🎓 Create Your Dream Job: A Networking Guide (Udemy) — Light version of the Ultimate Advantage course.
• 📚 The Alter Ego Effect by Todd Herman
• 🎨 Jessika von Innerebner’s episode (#225): From Escaping a Religious Cult to Collaborating with Disney and landing a $500,000 Children's Book Deal
• 🧘‍♂️ Lee Holden’s episode (#226): Qigong Master Reveals How to Slow Down to Increase Effectiveness
• 💡 Jonathan Levy – Superhuman Enterprises and The Superhuman Academy Podcast
• 🔗 Connect with Brandon Fong on LinkedIn