Meaningful Mischief

Independence is empowering, but can it hold us back from real connection? James, Mary & Stel get candid about self-reliance, vulnerability, and how to create deeper, more meaningful relationships – with others and ourselves. It's a conversation that pushes the boundaries of comfort zones and explores what it truly means to connect.

Key Topics Discussed

• Can self-reliance make connection harder?
• Balancing vulnerability and strength in relationships and leadership.
• Strategies for setting uncompromising standards while fostering collaboration.
• The importance of creating "containers" that support shared goals and values.
• Tools for self-reflection: Use personality assessments and leverage AI to deepen self-understanding.

Your life doesn’t run on time – it runs on energy. We’re flipping the script on productivity by diving into what fuels us, what drains us, and why protecting your energy is the ultimate life hack. We share personal experiences, chat about managing energy instead of time, and explore moments of transcendent clarity that remind us of what’s possible. No fluff…just practical insight to help you stay in your power and thrive.

Key Topics Discussed

• Paying attention to who and what gives you energy (vs. drains you)
• Managing your energy vs. your time
• Stel’s life-changing trip to Dubai
• Celebrating the things that power us up.

Books and Experts Referenced:

• Dan Sullivan: LinkedIn
• Manage Your Energy, Not Your Time by Tony Schwartz and Catherine McCarthy: HBR
• Million Dollar Coach by Taki Moore: Amazon
• One Thing Thursday newsletter: Subscribe at the bottom of the onprpose.com homepage
• Strategic Coach: Website
• The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck: Amazon

What’s in it for Them? by Joe Polish: Amazon

Conflict doesn’t have to be a battlefield—it can be a breakthrough. In this episode, we unpack the stories we tell ourselves, why asking better questions is the ultimate plot twist, and how a little curiosity can dissolve even the toughest tensions. Plus, we dive into simple, science-backed hacks to calm your system (widen your gaze, anyone?) and reclaim your cool in the heat of the moment. Growth starts here.

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

Powered By Purpose by Sarah Rozenthuler

Understanding Ho'oponopono

Sleep isn’t just downtime – it’s a superpower. In this episode, we dive into the eye-opening impact of sleep deficits (spoiler: your late nights might be hitting harder than happy hour), lessons learned from chasing better sleep, and why quality rest is the ultimate life hack for sharper thinking and better judgment. Because when it comes to sleep, the difference between surviving and thriving is only a few Zzzs away.

Key Topics Discussed

• Why sleep is the one thing you can’t phone in
• The impact of sleep deficits on judgment and performance
• How James, Mary, and Stel set themselves up for a good night
• Why the number of hours you sleep isn’t the best metric to monitor

Books and Experts Referenced:

• Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker
• The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
• Sleep is Your Superpower TEDtalk
• Huberman Lab Podcast:

Faith comes in many forms – religion, belief, conviction – but what’s really guiding us? From trusting the unseen to betting on ourselves, this conversation digs into what anchors us and how faith shapes our decisions, identities, and everyday mischief.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why faith is often avoided as a topic of conversation.
• The intersection of faith, belief, and energy.
• The difference between belief and faith.
• How faith shapes our values and decisions, both personally and professionally.
• The importance of curiosity and open-mindedness.

Tools and Practices Mentioned:

• The power of intention: Aligning thoughts, feelings, and actions to achieve goals.
• Energy and focus: How intentionality and faith can shape outcomes.
• Curiosity over certainty: Embracing questions about the unknown as part of personal growth.

Books and Experts Referenced:

• Learned Optimism by Martin Seligman: Amazon
• Huberman Lab Podcast: Website

In this episode of Meaningful Mischief, Mary, Stel, and James dive into the world of values—what they are, how they guide us, and why they’re essential for meaningful living. From personal stories to practical tips, they unpack how understanding and aligning with your values can transform your decisions, relationships, and daily life.

Key Topics Discussed:

• What are values, and why are they important?
• Personal and professional values: How they intersect and evolve.
• Practical exercises to uncover your values:
  • Reflect on who you admire and why.
  • Analyze how you spend your time and attention.
  • Ask the question: “What’s important to me?”
• Stories of how values shape decisions, from friendships to entrepreneurship.
• The role of values in creating purpose and achieving alignment in life.

Resources Mentioned:

The Breakthrough Experience by Dr. John Demartini

• Book: The Breakthrough Experience: A Revolutionary New Approach to Personal Transformation
• Seminar: The Breakthrough Experience Seminar
• Documentary: Breakthrough (2024) - IMDb

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck

• Book: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
• Publisher's Page: Mindset by Carol S. Dweck - Penguin Random House Canada
• Author's Profile: Carol Dweck - Wikipedia

The Five Whys Method (Root Cause Analysis from Toyota)

The Five Whys Method (Root Cause Analysis from Toyota)

In this episode of Meaningful Mischief, Mary, Stel, and James dive into the pervasive stress in today’s world—what causes it, how to manage it, and why it’s a natural part of growth. From simple breathing techniques to cultivating daily rituals, this episode unpacks practical strategies to navigate pressure and emerge stronger. Tune in to explore how you can turn stress into a tool for growth and deeper meaning.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The global rise in stress and anxiety post-COVID.
• Recognizing acute stress vs. chronic stress.
• Tools for managing stress, including morning rituals, gratitude practices, and mindfulness.
• The importance of safe spaces and authentic expression.
• Shifting focus from self to others as a pathway to reducing stress.
• How stress and pressure can be catalysts for personal and professional growth.

Tools and Practices Mentioned:

• Morning Rituals: Meditation, exercise, journaling, and juicing.
• Breathing Techniques: Learn about mindful breathing from Huberman Lab.
• Vision Expansion Exercise: Open your peripheral vision to relax your nervous system.
• The ABCDE System for Optimism: From Learned Optimism by Martin Seligman.
• Meditation Resource: Vipassana Meditation.

Books and Experts Referenced:

• Learned Optimism by Martin Seligman
• The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck
• Tony Robbins on Emotional State
• Huberman Lab Podcast

In this episode of Meaningful Mischief, Mary, Stel, and James explore strengths—what they mean, how to uncover them, and why they are essential for a fulfilling and impactful life. From finding your flow state to leveraging your strengths in your career and relationships, this episode dives deep into understanding what makes you uniquely you.

Key Topics Discussed:

• What are strengths, and how do they differ from skills or hobbies?
• The role of flow state in discovering your strengths.
• Overdone strengths: When a strength becomes a blind spot.
• Using tools and assessments to uncover your strengths.
• The importance of aligning strengths with contribution and impact.

Tools Mentioned:

• Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI): SDI by Core Strengths
• Kolbe A Index: Kolbe A Index
• PRINT Assessment: PRINT Assessment by The Paul Hertz Group
• Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni: Working Genius Assessment

Resources for Reflection:

• Ask 10 people what they think your strengths are.
• Reflect on past experiences where you felt in flow or deeply fulfilled.
• Journaling prompt: What gives you a sense of self-worth?

What happens when three entrepreneurs stop pretending they’ve got it all figured out?

They make Meaningful Mischief.

This isn’t your typical "rise and grind" podcast. We’re here for the real talk, the belly laughs, and the "what were we thinking?!" moments—all while unpacking what it really takes to build something meaningful.

New episodes drop every Tuesday. Start with one—you’ll be hooked.

🔗 Link in bio to subscribe.

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