What does it take to foster confidence, independence, and resilience in the next generation? 

Missy Testerman is 2024’s National Teacher of the Year. Her insights, honed over three decades of teaching elementary schoolers in rural Tennessee, have impacted not just classrooms but the entire educational landscape.

Missy has a unique gift for transforming challenges into opportunities—both for her students and herself. In this conversation, we explore her journey as a first-generation college graduate, her path to becoming a nationally recognized educator, and the lessons she’s learned about leadership, resilience, and the art of teaching.

Missy’s insights go far beyond the classroom – we discuss the importance of building authentic relationships, the role of “productive struggle” in learning, and why love alone isn’t enough to help someone reach their potential.

As you’re listening, you will quickly discover what a Teacher of the Year can teach us about raising our children, influencing & understanding others, and creating an ideal environment for learning.

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What if the way you think about failure has been holding you back? What if reframing failure could be a major breakthrough to unlocking your potential?

Today’s guest is Dr. Amy Edmondson, a Harvard Business School professor and one of the world’s foremost authorities on leadership, psychological safety, and the transformative power of failure. Her research has redefined how teams thrive, how innovation happens, and how individuals can unlock their full potential.

In this episode, we dive into Amy’s framework for failure—how understanding the difference between basic, complex, and intelligent failures can reframe our approach to learning and growth. We also explore the tension between perfectionism and ambition, the significance of purpose in navigating setbacks, and why true belonging is rooted in authentic connection rather than seeking approval.

If you’re ready to rethink failure and discover how it can be your greatest teacher, then tune in for this insightful episode with Amy Edmondson.

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What if the key to achieving your biggest goals in 2025 and beyond isn’t about willpower—what if it's about building the right habits?

Today, we are super excited to re-release one of our favorite episodes from the Finding Mastery vault – one of our earlier conversations with James Clear.

Why this episode, and why now? … As we near the end of January, it’s a great time to check in on the intentions and goals, and resolutions many of us set for 2025. Resolutions are tricky. Research tells us that they usually don’t work. And here’s the opportunity: while resolutions don’t often hold, we do know the science of creating lasting habits. This conversation is about how to make habits stick—not just for January, but for life.

James Clear is one of the world’s leading experts on habit formation. He’s the bestselling author of Atomic Habits, a book that has transformed the way millions of people think about personal growth and sustainable change. In this conversation, James shares the science and psychology behind building small, meaningful habits that create significant results over time.

Whether you’re revisiting this conversation or hearing it for the first time, this is a timely opportunity to rethink how you approach your goals and create systems that set you up for success in 2025 and beyond.

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What does it take to create stories that resonate with millions—and what can those stories teach us about ourselves?

Meg LeFauve, Academy Award-nominated screenwriter of Pixar’s Inside Out and Inside Out 2, has spent her career unlocking the magic of storytelling. But her insights go far beyond the screen. Meg is a master of exploring vulnerability, collaboration, and iteration—essential elements for both storytelling and creative mastery.

In this episode, we dive into the psychology of creativity, unpacking how anxiety and sensitivity can become superpowers, why vulnerability is the key to connecting with others, and the art of crafting characters (and a life) that feel alive.

Meg takes us behind the scenes of Pixar’s creative process, sharing how iconic films are brought to life through relentless collaboration and a commitment to emotional truth. Along the way, she offers practical strategies for navigating the ups and downs of the creative journey and staying energized in the face of challenges.

Whether you’re a creator, a storyteller, or simply curious about what it takes to bring bold ideas into the world, this conversation is a treasure trove of wisdom for living a deeply creative, connected life.

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What if compassion isn’t just a nice to have—but a game-changer for high performance?

Dr. James Doty is a world-renowned neurosurgeon, a clinical professor at Stanford, and the founder of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE). He’s also the NYT bestselling author of Into The Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon’s Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart—a book that has inspired millions to rethink what really drives success and fulfillment.

In this episode, James shares his remarkable journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a leader in neurosurgery and compassion research. We dive deep into how kindness, vulnerability, and mindfulness can supercharge resilience, connection, and peak performance.

We also unpack James’ latest book, Magic Mind, exploring the neuroscience of manifestation—what’s real, what’s hype, and how science can help us unlock our true potential.

If you’re interested in understanding how compassion can be a catalyst for profound change in both your inner and outer world, then this conversation is for you. 

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Is the real battle for mastery fought outside of us—or within—and what does it take to win that fight every day?

I’m so excited for this week’s guest, Steven Pressfield. Steven is a bestselling author and thought leader on creativity, known for his groundbreaking works like The War of Art and The Legend of Bagger Vance. 

Steven’s journey is a testament to perseverance—he didn’t publish his first novel until he was 52—and his story proves that it’s never too late to embrace your calling. In this conversation, Steven and I dive deep into the nature of Resistance—how it manifests as fear, procrastination, or self-doubt—and what it takes to overcome it. We explore the concept of the “unlived life” and the metaphor of the “underground river” that represents our innate talents and passions. Steven shares his insights on creativity as a sacred connection, how to discover your purpose, and why living authentically is one of life’s greatest battles.

Whether you’re a writer, entrepreneur, athlete, or anyone on the path to mastery, I think you’ll find Steven’s perspective both grounding and inspiring.

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Happy New Year!

The start of the year is such an exciting time – it’s a natural opportunity to reset, ground ourselves, and re-align with who we are… and who we want to become.

In the spirit of the New Year, we have a very special episode for you today – many of you who listen to the podcast may not be aware that Finding Mastery has a whole other very exciting side to our business. With the help of our very own performance strategists, former Olympians, and mindset coaches, we get the opportunity to work with some of the most influential organizations in the world (like Microsoft, Maersk, Salesforce, and many others) to help them solve some of the world’s most dynamic human performance challenges. 

In this episode, I’m joined by two of our incredible Olympians and Finding Mastery mindset coaches: Dr. Nicole Davis, a two-time Olympic silver medalist in indoor volleyball from the Beijing and London games – and Caroline Burckle, an Olympic bronze medalist swimmer from the Beijing games. 

Together, we’re here to help you shape, and bring to life, a powerful intention to set the stage for the coming year. 

Olympians are an incredible subset to teach us about intentions and how to bring them to life because their entire journey to success depends on a disciplined, deliberate, and methodical approach to achieving their ambitions.

Whether you’re setting personal goals, professional aspirations, or just looking to make 2025 your best year yet, Nicole and Caroline have so many gems to offer.

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Happy Holidays

Today, we’re doing something a little bit different – I wanted to take a moment to reflect on something I think many of us experience this time of year: joy, connection, and—if we’re being honest– the holidays can be a time for big emotions. They have this incredible way of amplifying everything. The fun feels extra fun, and the challenging moments?... They can feel extra challenging. From navigating travel to managing family dynamics, or even just trying to stay present while a thousand other things pull at your attention—it’s not always easy to find your footing.

So today, we want to offer you something to help you radically flourish during the holiday season, during the season of big emotions, whatever those emotions might be – a guided mindfulness so you can approach the holidays with a bit more ease, clarity, and joy.

This isn’t about perfection or turning the holidays into a highlight reel. It’s about showing up as your most authentic self, finding those moments of gratitude and connection that can make this time of year special, and letting go of the things that don’t serve you.

This meditation is about 14 minutes—just enough time to hit pause, reconnect with yourself, and set the stage for a holiday season that feels a little more intentional.

So, find a quiet spot and settle in. Here’s to navigating the holidays with presence and purpose.

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What if suffering wasn’t just something to endure but a tool to unlock your full potential? 

Today’s guest is Sean Waxman—a renowned strength and conditioning coach, former Olympic weightlifter, and author of the transformative book Suffer Smarter. He’s also been a close friend for nearly 30 years and someone I constantly enjoy learning from.

Sean’s journey is one of resilience, transformation, and purpose. I do not say those words lightly. He turned the heartbreak of missing the Olympics into a mission to help others discover their own inner strength—both physically and mentally.

Sean’s insights are practical, raw, and deeply inspiring—a powerful reminder of the lessons waiting in life’s hardest moments.

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Can transforming thoughts and beliefs lead to measurable changes in your health and wellbeing?

I’m thrilled to share this week’s conversation with Dr Joe Dispenza. Dr Joe is a New York Times best-selling author, researcher, lecturer, and corporate consultant, known for his transformative teachings on the power of the mind to heal and shape reality. 

Since 2010, Dr Joe has partnered with renowned scientists and universities – including University of California San Diego, Harvard University, Stanford University, and others – to perform extensive research on the effects of meditation on the brain and body.

Inspired by the latest findings in neuroscience, psychoneuroimmunology, epigenetics, and quantum physics, Dr Joe teaches people worldwide to rewire their brains, break free from limiting patterns, and unlock their potential – all of which (and more) is showcased in his most recent film, SOURCE - It's Within You.

If you’re curious about how to harness the mind’s power to alter your experience and achieve greater fulfillment, this conversation is one you’re going to want to listen deeply to.

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