You can plan, prepare, and strategize, but some lessons only reveal themselves once you jump.

This week Shawn sits down with the powerhouse sisters behind The Elf on the Shelf, Chanda Bell and Christa Pitts, to explore the truth behind the Shawnism: “You Can’t Know What You Don’t Know.”

Shawn, Chanda, and Christa dig into the value of knowing the worth of your idea, the evolution of vision, and why authenticity, paired with the courage to adapt, is the magic ingredient behind lasting success. Chanda and Christa also share how a simple family tradition grew into a global phenomenon, and how much of that journey required learning on the fly, trusting their instincts, and moving forward before they had all the answers.

This is an episode for anyone staring down a new beginning. Go for it. The learning will meet you on the path.

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Sometimes the smartest move isn’t to fight harder… it’s to step back and fight better.

This week Shawn catches up with actress, dancer, designer, and creative powerhouse, Megan Batoon, for a deep, refreshingly honest conversation about what it really means to lose the battle to win the war.

The two discuss how messy and consistent action can save you when perfection can’t, the importance of recognizing the fights that drain you versus the ones that actually move you forward, and why quitting isn’t always a failure, sometimes it’s just an intermission.

If you’ve ever wrestled with whether to pivot, pause, or press on, this chat will give you the clarity to choose the battles that actually help you win the war.

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Leadership is not about glory. Leadership is about gratitude.

This week Shawn chats with NFL quarterback, Jaxson Dart, to talk about one of the most powerful lessons any leader can learn: “Use We Instead of I.”

From the locker room to the boardroom, Jaxson and Shawn talk what it really means to lead through teamwork, and why true leadership is about taking responsibility when things go wrong and sharing credit when things go right.

The two also dive into what it takes to be the first in and the last to leave, how to handle the highs and lows of being the face of a team, and why success, in sports and life, is always built on the shoulders of others.

Because in the end, every win, like every touchdown, is a team effort.

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When it comes to success, it’s not about avoiding uncertainty — it’s about learning to dance with it. This week we dig back into the vault as Shawn sits down with actor and writer Lukas Gage (The White Lotus, Euphoria, You) to unpack the Shawnism: Embrace Uncertainty.

Lukas and Shawn discuss how they’ve both learned to get comfortable with the unknown, what it really means to bet on yourself and trust your instincts, and how to find peace (and even power) in life’s most unpredictable moments. Lukas also shares how he’s navigated the ups and downs of Hollywood, and the power of saying no to projects that don’t align, even when the paycheck says otherwise.

This is a fantastic episode that will remind you that every successful human has one thing in common: the ability to thrive in uncertainty.

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Anyone can have a great idea—but turning that idea into something people actually buy? That’s the real grind.

This week Shawn sits down with the legendary founder of The Onion, Scott Dikkers, to discuss the Shawnism, “Making Stuff Is Easy, Selling Stuff Is the Hard Part.”

From the challenges of keeping a company thriving after the founders move on, to balancing humility with hustle, Scott shares what he’s learned from building one of the most iconic comedy brands of all time. The two also talk about why a great product helps but isn’t enough, why failure is the best teacher, and how “selling” your work doesn’t have to mean selling out.

This is another great episode packed with honesty, hard-earned wisdom, and of course, some humor. Because as Scott will tell you, making stuff is easy… selling it is the real punchline.

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In a world where chaos can hit faster than your morning email refresh, staying calm isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a superpower.

This week, Shawn invites speaker, investment manager, and author of Conscious Wealth, Brandon Hatton, onto the show to break down the Shawnism: “Calm is Power,” and why self-control and preparation are key to thriving through life’s messiest moments.

The two discuss how consciousness fuels calmness, how financial success can sometimes create more storms than it solves, and how redefining “wealth” has nothing to do with numbers and everything to do with mindset, growth, and grace under pressure.

From learning to find peace in uncertainty, to mastering what you mentally digest, this episode is a roadmap for anyone seeking clarity in the chaos. Because as Brandon reminds us: Calm isn’t passive, it’s powerful.

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How often do the best leaders lead by example, not title?

This week Shawn is joined by podcast host and the CEO of Calm, David Ko, to unpack the power and discipline behind the Shawnism: “Rarely Pull the CEO Card.”

The two discuss why great leaders resist the urge to “because I said so,” and instead, win people over through clarity, vulnerability, and conviction. They also share their thoughts on what it means to lead with persuasion instead of authority, how real influence comes from helping your team understand the why, and how sometimes the best thing a CEO can do is step back and let merit take the lead.

This episode is thoughtful, refreshing, and may help you resist that urge to take control of things better left for others.

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In a noisy world where everyone’s eager to be heard, slow down, ask better questions, and practice the lost art of presence. Talk less.

This week Shawn sits down with executive producer, philanthropist, and CEO of Explore.org, Charles Annenberg, to explore the overlooked power of listening. The two discuss how listening can transform “no’s” into new opportunities, why simplicity is often just complexity refined, and what nature teaches us about silence. They also talk about the importance of letting compliments stick, and why creativity is the ultimate tool for possibility.

Just like watching a video on Explore.org: Press play, kick back, take a breather, and listen. This episode is full of some incredible thoughts, especially for those of us that need a little help pressing the reset button.  

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When life knocks you off balance, do you fight it—or learn to roll with it?

In this episode, Shawn sits down with renowned fitness personality, Steve Cook, to unpack the reason why adaptability might just be the most underrated superpower you can build.

The two dive into the pressure of perfection, the cost of always going full throttle, and how learning to “roll with it” applies in both fitness and life. Steve also opens up about the moments when pushing harder only led to burnout, and why sometimes the smartest move is to step back, breathe, and let the wave pass before you find your footing again.

This conversation is a reminder that strength isn’t just about grinding harder. Sometimes, it’s about knowing when to flow.

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If emotions drive your behavior, mastering them just might change your life.

This week Shawn Nelson talks with Dr. Travis Bradberry—bestselling author of Emotional Intelligence 2.0 and The New Emotional Intelligence—to break down the hard truth behind personal growth: It’s not complicated, but it is hard.

Shawn and Dr. Bradberry unpack why the road to all the good, attractive, intersecting outcomes you want in life isn’t about hacks or quick fixes—it’s about doing the work. They also explore why EQ (unlike IQ) can grow and evolve if you’re intentional, how emotions steer behavior long before logic kicks in, and why true joy is measured by the quality of our relationships.

From learning to lose small battles to win the war, to the four essential skills of emotional intelligence, this conversation will challenge the way you see yourself—and give you the tools to change.

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