Nationally acclaimed author and founder of the Every Monday Matters movement, Matthew Emerzian, sits down with Steve Riley to have a conversation about purpose, connection, and building a life that truly matters.

Matthew’s story did not begin with a breakdown. From the outside, it looked like he had it all. He lived in Beverly Hills, working in the music industry with world-famous bands like U2 and Coldplay. He traveled, enjoyed success, and was part of an exciting, fast-paced world. Then, one night after a blind date arranged by his parents’ best friends, he realized something that would change the course of his life. Despite the outward success, he had no real purpose or direction.

That realization sent him searching for meaning. He began therapy, which he jokingly calls his “expensive friend,” and started exploring the idea of human-centered design. He wanted to understand how to design a life that put people first, starting with himself, extending to others, and reaching into his work and the world around him.

This search led him to create Every Monday Matters, a movement that inspires people to live intentionally and remember that they matter. Over time, it grew into a global message: I matter, you matter, we matter.

In this episode, Matthew and Steve explore how that philosophy can transform a law practice. They discuss how “Every Monday Matters” can guide client relationships, strengthen workplace culture, and influence leadership. They talk about why empathy, self-awareness, and kindness are not just good values, but essential tools for success.

Matthew shares ways to integrate these values into daily habits so they create real change. He explains how living with intention can improve both personal fulfillment and professional impact. His message is clear: when you believe you matter, it changes how you show up for everyone around you.

Matthew walked away from the high life to build a more meaningful one. Today, through Every Monday Matters, he helps people discover purpose in their own lives, one intentional choice at a time.

Catch Matthew Emerzian live at this year’s Summit! Matthew will take the Summit stage as a keynote speaker with Human-Centered Leadership: How to Prioritize Mental Health, Increase Well-Being, and Mitigate Burnout Across High-Performing Teams. Drawing from his personal journey and his Every Monday Matters movement, Matthew will share The Mattering Mindset — a proven playbook for reducing burnout, building connection, and inspiring purpose-driven growth. You’ll leave with practical tools to create a thriving, people-centered organization where every person knows they matter. Join us for $300 off by using code KEYNOTE300 when registering!

In this episode, you will hear:

• Matthew Emerzian’s inspiring story of founding the Every Monday Matters movement 
• How the “You Matter” philosophy can influence professional practices, especially in law, and personal fulfillment 
• Insights into the pressures of unmet life milestones and the role of mentorship for overcoming personal crises 
• The power of mindsets like “I matter, you matter, we matter” in altering workplace dynamics and fostering positive cultures 
• Human-centered leadership and empathy in creating supportive work environments 
• How values like kindness and self-awareness can drive personal and organizational growth 
• Practical resources, such as the “You Matter” book and a downloadable worksheet, to apply these concepts in everyday life and work 
• A surprise from Matthew for Summit attendees who bring him their completed worksheet (linked in the Supporting Resources)

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Supporting Resources:

• Matthew Emerzian: www.matthewemerzian.com
• Every Monday Matters: www.everymondaymatters.com
• Matthew on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-emerzian
• Matthew's email: [email protected]
• Worksheet: Your Integrated Mattering Plan: atticusadvantage.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IntegratedMatteringPlan-MatthewEmerzian.pdf
• You Matter: Learning to Love Who You Really Are by Matthew Emerzian: www.amazon.com/You-Matter-Learning-Love-Really/dp/B082T33YF5
• The Summit: atticussummit.com (Use discount code: KEYNOTE300 for $300 off!)
• Subscribe to the Atticus Newsletter

If there’s a topic you would like us to cover on an upcoming episode, please email us at [email protected].

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.