Welcome to another solo episode, and I’m really proud of this one. It’s quite personal. If you’ve ever struggled to get something off the ground, or have started something you loved only to have it turn into a chore, this is for you.  

The truth is I’ve been wrestling with what this podcast is actually about - what it’s supposed to be. Somewhere along the way, this thing I loved most in the world slowly turned into something that felt like work.  In trying to make it valuable for everyone else, I lost what drew me to it in the first place.  

So in this episode, I take you through that journey—from chasing my curiosity, to getting pulled into the self-help world, to a moment of clarity that finally revealed the answers I was looking for.

Listening to me fumble my way through this just might give you the inspiration you need to rediscover the passion you’ve lost.

Please enjoy.

Key Takeaways

• Following your curiosity is often where the most energy and joy come from—when you lose that, the work starts to feel heavy.
• Trying to make everything “useful” or “valuable” can strip the life out of creative work.
• Not everything needs to be actionable—sometimes stories and perspectives are more powerful than step-by-step advice.
• People take away different things from the same story, which is why leaving space for interpretation can be more impactful.
• The self-help cycle can keep us stuck—consuming ideas instead of actually applying them.
• You don’t need more answers—you likely already have them. What you need is space to think differently.
• Leading with curiosity might feel selfish, but it often creates the most genuine and engaging work.
• Sometimes the best thing you can offer is a break—a shift in perspective that helps people see their own lives more clearly.

Connect with Bob Mathers

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The Restless Leader Newsletter on Substack: https://bobmathers.substack.com/

Links & Resources

https://growth-mixtape-podcast-with-bob.cohostpodcasting.com/episodes/the-untold-story-of-the-edmund-fitzgerald-with-john-u-bacon-chasing-curiosity-and-sharing-boundless-insights-from-ideas-that-matter

Alan Cross - https://www.ajournalofmusicalthings.com/