I Dare You Podcast

By Darrin JohnsonBusiness Entrepreneurship Health & Fitness Mental Health Education Self-Improvement

I Dare You Podcast episodes

December 30, 2025Episode 206: How to Make 2026 Your Best Year with Darrin Johnson
Two days left in 2025. Are you beating yourself up about the goals you didn't hit—or are you ready to design the life you actually want in 2026?
In this episode, I'm giving you the blueprint that top 1% performers use to create their future instead of just reacting to whatever life throws at them. This isn't another pep talk—it's a definite plan.
You'll discover:
The 5 powerful questions that will get you crystal clear on what's holding you back from becoming your Future Self
The calendar "cheat code" that will change everything about how you design your 2026 (hint: 90% of people never do this)
Why getting specific with your goals is the only way to make the universe, God, and your network show up for you
The 5-Step Walk It Back exercise to reverse-engineer your dream life
Plus, I'm giving you FREE access to the Launch Your Dare Planning System—two powerful worksheets based on Dr. Benjamin Hardy's Future Self framework. Download them at idareyoupod.com and spend 60-90 minutes doing the work that will change your year.
Your Future Self is waiting. The only question is: are you daring enough to meet them?
I dare you.
Connect with Darrin Johnson:
www.idareyoupod.com
Instagram: @idareyoupod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IDareYouPod
TikTok: @idareyoupod
24 min
December 23, 2025Episode 205: Here's the One Thing AI Can Never Replace with Lawrence Ford
What if everything you thought made you valuable is about to be replaced by AI? And what if that's the best thing that could happen to you?
In this episode, I sit down with Lawrence Ford—futurist, investor, and author of The World Does(n’t) Need You: The End of Work — Reclaiming Purpose in the Age of AI. Known as the "Shaman of Wall Street" by The Washington Post, Lawrence walks between two worlds: capital and consciousness, Wall Street and wisdom.
This isn't another tech podcast about how AI works. This is about what happens when the knowledge economy collapses, when degrees and credentials no longer guarantee value, and when one out of three jobs could be lost in the next three years. Lawrence calls this the Third Season—that sacred space between breakdown and breakthrough where we're forced to ask: Who am I, and why am I here?
You'll discover:
Why AI is the "new fire" and what that means for your future
How to partner with AI instead of competing against it
The difference between knowledge and wisdom—and why only one matters now
Why your purpose isn't a luxury anymore; it's a mandate
Practical steps to discover your irreplaceable gift
The I Dare You Challenge: Go be you.
If you've been feeling like the ground is shifting beneath you, this conversation will help you understand why—and what to do about it.
Special Offer: Get three exclusive FREE PDFs designed specifically for I Dare You listeners—including the Future Self Blueprint worksheet, a complete book study guide, and a 90-day action plan. Available only until December 31st at www.idareyoupod.com
Connect with Lawrence:
www.lawrenceford.org or consciouscapital.org
39 min
December 16, 2025 Episode 204: How Chasing Perfection Is Blocking Your Breakthrough with Matt Drago
What happens when you stop trying to be perfect and just let yourself be?
In this episode, I sit down with actor Matt Drago to talk about his incredible journey bringing the independent film Somewhere in Montana to life—and the lessons he learned along the way about creativity, authenticity, and what it means to truly show up.
Matt is a world-renound actor living in Los Angeles. Best known for his role as Fabian in SOMEWHERE IN MONTANA, he has appeared in a variety of other projects including Disney's Counting Scars viral video, What Would Jesus Do: The Journey Continues, Ridley Scott's Prophets of Science Fiction, and the popular audio drama podcast No Other Way.
He also has his own production company, which is currently in development on its first feature film. Outside of performing, Matt enjoys karate (he is a 4th degree black belt) and is an avid sports fan.
Special Offer: Get three exclusive FREE PDFs designed specifically for I Dare You listeners—including the Back to the Future Blueprint worksheet, a complete book study guide, and a 90-day action plan. Available only until December 31st at www.idareyoupod.com
Connect with Matt:
Instagram: @mattdrago
www.mattdrago.com
40 min
December 09, 2025Episode 203: Your Future Self Blueprint with Darrin Johnson
Stop setting goals the wrong way. In this game-changing episode, I reveal what’s really holding you back—and introduce a completely different approach backed by cutting-edge psychology.
Discover the revolutionary concept that you're not driven by your past—you're pulled forward by your vision of your Future Self. Learn how to escape "The Excellence Trap" that keeps high performers stuck, master the 5-Step Back to the Future Blueprint to reverse engineer your ideal life, and understand why being good at everything prevents you from being great at what matters most.
I share personal stories from my own transformation, tactical exercises you can do today, and the research-backed strategies that have helped thousands of high achievers design their Future Self and close the gap between who they are and who they're becoming.
Key Takeaways:
Why your "self-image cruise control" is sabotaging your progress
The 10-Year Telescope strategy to get radically specific about your future
How to reclaim 10+ hours per week by eliminating what your Future Self would never tolerate
The identity-first approach that makes your behaviors automatically align with your goals
Special Offer: Get three exclusive FREE PDFs designed specifically for I Dare You listeners—including the Back to the Future Blueprint worksheet, a complete book study guide, and a 90-day action plan. Available only until December 31st at www.idareyoupod.com
Inspired by Dr. Benjamin Hardy's transformative book Be Your Future Self Now.
I Dare You Challenge: Write a letter to yourself from your Future Self on December 31st, 2026. What will that person thank you for doing today?
One year from today, you'll be a year older. Will you be a year better?
Connect with Darrin Johnson:
www.idareyoupod.com
Instagram: @idareyoupod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IDareYouPod
TikTok: @idareyoupod
25 min
December 02, 2025Episode 202: Stop Saving Your Way to Broke with Lillian Zhang
In this episode, I sit down with Lillian Zhang, author of The New Money Rules: The Gen Z Guide to Personal Finance. Her debut book aims to help young people globally overcome money anxiety and develop the habits and foundation they need to thrive.
Lillian Zhang is a personal finance educator who helps Gen Z and millennials build confidence with money through practical, relatable content. A Silicon Valley professional and a Haas School of Business graduate from the University of California, Berkeley, she blends real-world experience with actionable guidance that resonates with young adults navigating today’s financial landscape.
Lillian has been featured on CNBC Make It, Business Insider, Bloomberg, ABC’s Good Morning America, and Yahoo Finance. At just 25 years old, Lillian is changing the conversation around money for an entire generation.
Her massive following on TikTok and Instagram is evidence that her message is breaking through.
What you’ll learn:
Why Gen Z is ditching the latte factor advice and focusing on growing their income instead.
Why talking openly about money isn't taboo anymore—it's empowering.
Money hacks and simple strategies you can implement today
The important difference between two types of side hustles you
Order The New Money Rules at your local independent book store or at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/New-Money-Rules-Personal-Finance/dp/B0DW678THW
Want more I Dare You insights? Sing up for my weekly email with free, road-tested strategies you can implement in your life: www.idareyoupod.com
Connect with Lillian:
www.lillianzhang.com
TikTok: @lillianzhang
Instagram: @bylillianzhang
Youtube: @lillianzhang_
35 min
November 25, 2025 Episode 201: Your Ego Is Sabotaging Your Success with Jim Murphy
What if the biggest obstacle between you and the life you want isn't your circumstances—it's your ego?
In this episode, I sit down with Jim Murphy, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Inner Excellence and performance coach to some of the best athletes and leaders in the world.
Jim's story isn't about overnight success. He's a former pro baseball player who lost his career to injury, spent five years in the desert wrestling with his identity, and emerged with a message that's transforming lives at the highest levels of sport and business.
Jim works with Olympians and championship teams, but this conversation isn't just for elite athletes. It's for anyone chasing success thinking it will finally make them happy. Anyone who looks good on the outside but feels empty inside. Anyone tired of the endless treadmill of trying to be enough.
We dive deep into mastering your ego, training your heart, and why your hardest moments might be the most important things that ever happen to you.
Plus: Exclusive for I Dare You Podcast listeners: Grab 3 free custom PDFs (Effortless visual synopsis, workbook, and Be At Ease worksheet) at idareupod.com.
Connect with Jim:
www.innerexcellence.com
Instagram: @innerexcellence
40 min
November 18, 2025Episode 200: The Big 10: Top Lessons from the First 200 Episodes with Darrin Johnson
Two hundred episodes. I’m still not chasing charts—I’m chasing change. In this milestone episode, I pull together the 10 biggest lessons from every interview, solo riff, on-stage presentation, and conversation with YOU. If you’re new here, you picked the perfect moment to jump in.
Here’s the heartbeat:
Consistency beats motivation. Small, boring inputs create the biggest outcomes.
You can’t have it all, but you can have all that matters. Your calendar tells the truth.
Time is your sharpest weapon. Block it, guard it, use it with intent.
Wellness is the long game. Think decades. Train strength. Prioritize healthspan.
Identity drives habit. Become the person your future self will thank.
Your mindset is a battlefield. Curate your inputs like your life depends on it.
Avoid the drift. Master your mornings. Make the first hour the best hour.
Your comfort zone is killing your dream. Fear is a compass, not a stop sign.
Action wins. Every choice is a vote for who you’re becoming.
Follow the community on Instagram at @IDareYouPod and grab my Friday email at idareyoupod.com.
The magic you’re looking for is in the work you’re avoiding. Let’s go.
Plus: Exclusive for I Dare You Podcast listeners: Grab 3 free custom PDFs (Effortless visual synopsis, workbook, and Be At Ease worksheet) at idareupod.com.
Connect with Darrin Johnson:
www.idareyoupod.com
Instagram: @idareyoupod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IDareYouPod
TikTok: @idareyoupod
33 min
November 11, 2025 Episode 199: How to Pause, Reframe, and Lead Under Pressure with Tony Miltenberger
Tony Miltenberger is a pastor, Army veteran, executive coach, podcaster, and author of Wisdom in the Wound: How God Uses Your Past to Shape Who You’re Becoming.
Tony brings over 15 years of leadership experience in non-profit leadership and is the creator and host of the Follow 2 Lead Podcast, with over 400 episodes recorded to date.
His message blends real-world grit with spiritual wisdom and practical tools to help you live a better life.
Tony is a devoted husband and father who draws strength and inspiration from his family. He has been married to his high school sweetheart, Karen, for over 20 years, and together they are raising three incredible children, Connor, Caleb, and Shiloh.
Plus: Exclusive for I Dare You Podcast listeners: Grab 3 free custom PDFs (Effortless visual synopsis, workbook, and Be At Ease worksheet) at idareupod.com.
Connect with Tony:
www.follow2leadcoaching.com
Instagram: @follow2leadpodcast
Instagram: @twmilt
34 min
November 04, 2025 Episode 198: The Boundaries Blueprint: How to Stop People‑Pleasing with Dr. Jen Fry
For high achievers who are tired of being everything for everyone, this episode is your permission slip to stop over-explaining and apologizing for setting boundaries in life.
My special guest, Dr. Jen Fry, is a TEDx speaker, conflict expert, and author of a dynamite new book, “I Said No: A No-BS Guide to Boundaries Without the Guilt.”
She owns JenFryTalks and also owns Coordle, a B2B tech company tackling youth sports travel chaos.
Jen understands how conflict within athletics, corporate, or professional settings can impact a team. Jen wants to help you build the skills you need to navigate those hard but essential conversations and come out on top.
She is a veteran coach with over 15 years of experience at the collegiate level with coaching stints at Elon University, University of Illinois - 2011 National Runner-up, Washington State University, and Norfolk State University.
She received her PhD in Sports Geography from Michigan State University.
Connect with Dr. Jen Fry:
www.jenfrytalks.com
Instagram: @jenfrytalks
29 min
October 28, 2025Episode 197: Stop Being Nice, Start Being Kind with Darrin Johnson
In this solo episode, I challenge everything you thought you knew about leadership and communication. Are you being "nice" or are you actually being kind? Spoiler alert: there's a massive difference, and it's costing you credibility, power, and results.
I reveal why people-pleasing is sabotaging your leadership and provide a clear framework to become a Kind, Clear, and Assertive Leader: You'll learn:
The critical distinction between "nice" (people-pleasing) and "kind" (people-growing)
A quick diagnostic tool to determine if you’re too nice!
Two micro-scripts you can use immediately to have difficult conversations with clarity and empathy
The I Dare You Kindness Framework to become a Kind Leader
Three non-negotiable rules that will transform how you lead
Whether you're leading a team, managing up, or navigating personal relationships, this episode gives you the tactical tools to stop avoiding hard conversations and start having them with dignity, respect, and results.
This episode will fundamentally change how you show up at work and in life.
The I Dare You “Kind Framework”: (Kind, Clear, Assertive)
Step 1: Prepare the truth (Give specific evidence)
Step 2: What is the impact? (Deliver in a calm, clear, and kind manner)
Step 3: Make the assertive ask (specific request - no fuzzy agreements)
Step 4: Set boundaries (Clear next steps / decisions of what happens next)
Step 5: Reinforce respect (affirm them / thank them)
Plus: Exclusive for I Dare You Podcast listeners: Grab 3 free custom PDFs (Effortless visual synopsis, workbook, and Be At Ease worksheet) at idareupod.com.
Connect with Darrin Johnson:
www.idareyoupod.com
Instagram: @idareyoupod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IDareYouPod
TikTok: @idareyoupod
26 min

About I Dare You Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to the I Dare You Podcast, a candid conversation with today's top entrepreneurs and business leaders about leading with more joy and purpose and living a meaningful life. This podcast is all about helping you break through and get after the life you desire. You'll be encouraged to live just outside your comfort zone and take the courageous next steps to become the person - and leader - you were meant to be.