In this episode of Decisions That Count, Dr. Shawn Watson and Michelle O’Brien sit down with Steven Puri – former Hollywood executive, tech founder, and daily yogi; to unpack the decisions that truly change everything.
From selling his first company at 28 and working with studios like Fox, DreamWorks and Sony, to facing a cancer diagnosis and impending fatherhood, Steven shares how life’s biggest shocks forced him to rewrite his definition of success, legacy, and what actually matters.
If you’ve ever felt trapped in distraction, overwhelmed by decision fatigue, or unsure how to prioritise what really counts, this conversation blends neuroscience, flow states, storytelling, parenthood, and mortality into one powerful blueprint for living with intention.
In this episode, we explore:
- How Steven went from Hollywood visual effects and studio exec roles to founding The Sukha Company
- Why impending fatherhood and a cancer diagnosis reframed his idea of success and legacy
- The biological reality of decision fatigue and how distraction saps our brain’s limited energy
- What flow state actually feels like, and why protecting it changes everything
- The myth of multitasking and the true cognitive cost of constant context switching
- How mindfulness and attention training can rebuild focus in a distracted world
- The role of mentors, humility, and listening in high-stakes decision-making
- Why storytelling in film and media shapes how we see our own lives and choices
Who this episode is for:
Leaders, founders, creatives, parents, knowledge workers, and anyone navigating big life decisions while juggling cognitive overload, productivity pressures, and the pull of “success”.
If you’re asking, “What am I really building my life around?” – this is your episode.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
09:11 The Impact of Decision Fatigue
15:58 Multitasking vs. Monotasking
20:30 Understanding Flow States
29:09 The Value of Listening to Advice
33:10 Pain as a Catalyst for Change
38:00 The Journey to Naming a Company
42:00 Understanding Value Beyond Price
45:02 The Intersection of Productivity and Decision Making
48:02 Podcasts and Personal Growth
53:03 The Magic of Storytelling in Film
58:59 Life Lessons from Mortality and Fatherhood
If this episode sparks something for you, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s standing at a major crossroads.
Because your decisions shape more than your to-do list-they shape your life, your legacy, and the world you impact.
🎧 Listen & Subscribe:
📱 Follow us on Social Media:
Instagram
TikTok
LinkedIn
If this episode helped you see your leadership differently, subscribe, like, and share it with someone navigating big decisions. Drop your biggest insight or question in the comments—we read and reply.
Connect with Steven Puri
Learn more about Steven’s work on focus, flow and meaningful decision-making:
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-puri/
The Sukha Company:
https://www.thesukha.co/media
#DecisionsThatCount #DecisionFatigue #Neuroscience #FlowState #Productivity #Success #Legacy #Parenthood
Key topics and keywords:
Decision fatigue, cognitive overload, decision making, neuroscience, flow state, focus, productivity, Hollywood, storytelling, success, legacy, mentorship, ADHD, mindfulness, parenthood, biohacking, brain optimisation, stress management, The Sukha Company, Steven Puri