If we’re lucky, we’ll come across certain individuals in our lives and there will be an immediate connection. Be it a new bromance or a romance, it doesn’t take long for the conversation to get deep, personal, real. These are the good ones. The relationships which satisfy our souls and make us better individuals.

Santana is one of those extraordinary human beings. Santana and I (Vinny) met recently and quickly realized we’re both writers, dreamers, doers—human beings who long to discover and embrace what it is we’re really doing on this planet. Santana’s journey has been an utterly captivating one so far; things are just heating up. 

Most recently his curiosity led him to Thailand to compete in Muay Thai, known as “the art of eight limbs.” Yet his year in Thailand brought more than he could have imagined, blowing wide open the door of his inner world and his past, his trauma, his pain. He went to fight. He learned to love, others and himself.

The man is on a spiritual quest, a global, lifelong mission to do the things which satisfy his soul and enrich his experience of life on earth. He’s a modern man who embraces the multitude of facets which we may aspire to be: the warrior, the sage, the student, the lover, the friend. This was an epic conversation spanning his time in Thailand, his aspirations and plethora of experiences he hopes to have in the future, the ancient tea related rituals which brought him to Japan, fears that hold us back, and much more. 

Santana on Instagram

Listen to more episodes of The Dare to Dream Podcast on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ and ⁠Spotify⁠!

You can also find us on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠YouTube⁠!

For Vincent's writing from Japan, travel photography and more, check out:⁠ https://vincentvanpatten.com/⁠

To take the first step in living a story worth telling, consider coaching with Gregory: ⁠https://gregoryrussellbenedikt.com/⁠

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Gregory is 17 hours into his conversational journey to speak with 100 people about their biggest dreams. He is quickly learning that nearly everyone is craving freedom. Financial freedom. Creative freedom. Lifestyle freedom. The freedom to do WHAT they want, WHEN they want to do it, with WHO they want to do it with. And when he asks about the plan to obtain this freedom, he is seeing the same formula again and again.
Step #1: Sell time and personal freedom to someone else 
Step #2: Sacrifice and do work you don’t love to make lots of money
Step #3: Use this money to buy back personal freedom (hopefully/eventually)
It brings to mind the parable about the fisherman and the businessman. The moral of this parable is: If freedom is the goal, don’t sacrifice freedom to make money in order to buy back freedom. Why not just focus on creating freedom now?
After 17 hours of conversation, Gregory is sitting with the same question. Tune into this solo episode to hear his thoughts on spending the time/energy NOW to design a life that creates the freedom everyone is craving.

Listen to more episodes of The Dare to Dream Podcast on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ and ⁠Spotify⁠!

You can also find us on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠YouTube⁠!

For Vincent's writing from Japan, travel photography and more, check out:⁠ https://vincentvanpatten.com/

⁠To book your FREE Dream Session with Gregory, visit: ⁠https://gregoryrussellbenedikt.com/

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Why do we create? Why throughout history have artists painted, written, composed music, taken photos or performed dance routines in their rooms for nobody to see? 

As creatives, we’re enticed by the prospect of turning our art, whatever that may be, into our livelihood. Some of us will be lucky enough to do so. But if the only reason we create is because of an illusory promise of success, we may wait a lifetime until we finally feel appreciated, seen, heard, understood. 

Artists, which we all are, create to understand what it means to be alive on a deeper level. Artists create to feel their souls grow. That is why I started writing in the first place, and why I’ll never stop. 

The reward, the recognition—that is merely icing on the cake if it ever does come at all. We are all artists, as there’s life within us that longs to be released and feel a breath of air. 

I’m still at the beginning of my creative journey, but if I started writing just for the promise of one day "making it” I would have given up a long time ago. 

There have been innumerable moments of doubt, questioning, insecurity; that's part of it. Still, I’ve returned to writing for no other reason than to understand myself. Because of this, nearly six years into taking my writing seriously, people have noticed.

In this episode of DTD, I (Vinny) discuss a breakthrough week I had with one of my stories I published online based on this idea.

If you continue doing your thing, whatever that me be: a sport, a creative pursuit, a job you enjoy, a passion, even just questioning, persevering, exploring, you never know when things will fall into place.

Doors will open. The sun will shine brighter. You will feel deeper, and despite what the world thinks, you’ll at least know you’re on the path of understanding who you are in a more profound way. What greater reward is there?

I had a lot of fun on this episode meandering through several other inspiring topics that have lit me up lately! Enjoy. Much love y'all.

Read article: Create For No Other Reason Than To Make Your Soul Grow

Listen to more episodes of The Dare to Dream Podcast on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ and ⁠Spotify⁠!

You can also find us on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠YouTube⁠!

For Vincent's writing from Japan, travel photography and more, check out:⁠ https://vincentvanpatten.com/

⁠To take the first step in living a story worth telling, consider coaching with Gregory: ⁠https://gregoryrussellbenedikt.com/

⁠Join Vincent's Newsletter⁠ Citoyens du Monde⁠

Join Gregory's Newsletter ⁠The Renaissance⁠

Want to prove something? Prove that you are enjoying the process of figuring yourself out and chasing your current ambitions and curiosities.

These are words from the uber-successful entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk that he says applies to anyone under 40.

In this solo episode, Gregory expands on Gary's advice and shares the powerful life lessons he has been learning recently.

Expect to learn why:

If you feel the pressure of "having it made" or "being fully formed" this episode is for you.

Show Notes:

Listen to more episodes of The Dare to Dream Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

You can also find us on Instagram and YouTube!

Vinny sits down with his friend Eli, an artist and creative soul who has allowed her curiosity to guide her life in fascinating directions. Originally from Montreal, Canada, there was a point in Eli's life when the mask of old had to come off to make way for something more genuine, more real.

After this realization, Eli traveled the globe garnering experiences while honing in on who she really is and what lights her up inside. Like every journey, there were hardships, peaks and valleys; that's what makes it a human endeavor. Both while traveling and at home, Eli has studied cultures, art styles, places, and herself above all else. After years of travel, she found herself in New Zealand, which she's called home for the past five and a half years.

What emanates from Eli's soul is a calling to create.

Not only for herself, although her creative expression is varied and inherent; but, driven by personal experience and curiosity, Eli has felt impelled to tell the stories of others. This has recently comprised minority groups in both Zealand and here in Japan, a country that has enamored her for years. Eli imparts these important human stories primarily by creating documentaries. She's currently here in Japan exploring her interests while working on a new project.

This ambition to understand, to share, to make—has guided her on a path that is truly beautiful.

On this episode we discuss:

- The realization which caused Eli to shift from a materialistic facade to a more genuine understanding of who she is.

- The years Eli spent traveling the world, garnering experiences and understanding.

- Why action is the only way to beat your self doubt.

- The individual mark of an artist

- Minorities in Japan

- Passion, and flowing with where it takes you.

- Rediscovering things you loved to do.

- The personal experience which sparked Eli's interest in minority groups in New Zealand and Japan.

Show Notes:

Connect With Eli On Instagram

Listen to more episodes of The Dare to Dream Podcast on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ and ⁠Spotify⁠!

You can also find us on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠YouTube⁠!

For Vincent's writing from Japan, travel photography and more, check out:⁠ https://vincentvanpatten.com/⁠

To take the first step in living a story worth telling, consider coaching with Gregory: ⁠https://gregoryrussellbenedikt.com/⁠

Join Vincent's Newsletter⁠ Citoyens du Monde⁠

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Over the past two weeks, Greg and I (Vinny) made soul-enriching memories in my home city, Osaka, Japan as well as sunny Fukuoka and a rain-drenched Nagasaki. Along the way, we often brainstormed on our biggest, most outrageous ambitions. One anchor of our trip was the following quote on the Rich Roll Podcast by legendary editor and founder of Wired Magazine, Kevin Kelly:

“Do something in your twenties that looks nothing like success. That experience, as unsuccessful as it might look then, might become the touchstone for your success later on.”

Greg’s back home to continue on his path. I’m in Japan traversing mine. We’re on opposite sides of the planet, bound by this striving for something that we believe is richer than traditional success. What we strive for more than anything is a life without regret, a story worth telling. This is the time of our lives to throw caution in the wind and go for it. 

We leave it all on the field in this sentimental, inspiring, passionate episode of The Dare to Dream Podcast, where we discuss the funniest stories and biggest revelations from a truly life-changing trip which opened up our hearts and brought us even closer as brothers, if that was at all possible.

We are so unbelievably grateful to be alive, experiencing this beautiful world with all of you. 

Show Notes:

Listen to more episodes of The Dare to Dream Podcast on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ and ⁠Spotify⁠!

You can also find us on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠YouTube⁠!

For Vincent's writing from Japan, travel photography and more, check out:⁠ https://vincentvanpatten.com/⁠

To take the first step in living a story worth telling, consider coaching with Gregory: ⁠https://gregoryrussellbenedikt.com/

⁠Join Vincent's Newsletter⁠ Citoyens du Monde⁠

Join Gregory's Newsletter ⁠The Renaissance⁠

I (Gregory) was a guest on my friend Stacey's podcast recently and we talked about the comfort zone. She asked me about how people can get out of their comfort zone more, and I was struck by a big thought. I realized that most people (including myself) try to take the intellectual approach. We read books like The Comfort Crisis and Daring Greatly to inspire us. We listen to David Goggins and Cameron Hanes to motivate us. But these are all feeding the more advanced, cognitive parts of our brain. And it's this rational, logical side that is keeping us stuck in the first place.

It tells us that we might fail, struggle, or get laughed at if we step outside our comfort zone. These are all real possibilities and they often do end up happening. So what should you do instead? Turn off most of your brain. Successfully getting out of your comfort zone is not rocket science, brain surgery, or advanced mathematics. All you need is basic motor functioning. And the best part? YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET IT RIGHT!!

All you have to do is drag your body into a space, place, or activity that scares you. Once there, you can flounder, stutter, stumble, or make a complete fool of yourself. It doesn't actually matter what happens next because you have already succeeded. Let go of all attachments to the outcome so that even if you fail miserably, you are still winning. Said differently, the best way to get out of your comfort zone is simply to stop thinking. Use that small but mighty lizard brain that your great reptilian ancestors gave you and go do something scary. You will learn more in 60 seconds of bombing an open mic than a lifetime of thinking about how to become a stand-up comedian.

Get out there and live a story worth telling.

The boys are back together and it feels so good! It’s the morning of an adventure; before heading down south from Vinny's home in Osaka, Japan to Fukuoka, Greg and Vinny discuss some of the concepts they’ve been fired up on lately, revolving around this ancient wisdom:

“Segui il tuo corso e lascia dir le gente,” wrote the 14th-century Italian poet Dante Aligheri, (“Follow your own road and let people talk”).

Walking your own path is never going to be easy, but it’s the only sort of life worth pursuing. Vinny and Greg draw on favorite reads, philosophers and recent experiences to inspire you to do just that. 

Show notes:

Listen to more episodes of The Dare to Dream Podcast on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ and ⁠Spotify⁠!

You can also find us on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠YouTube⁠!

For Vincent's writing from Japan, travel photography and more, check out:⁠ https://vincentvanpatten.com/⁠

To take the first step in living a story worth telling, consider coaching with Gregory: ⁠https://gregoryrussellbenedikt.com/⁠

Join Vincent's Newsletter⁠ Citoyens du Monde⁠

Join Gregory's Newsletter ⁠The Renaissance⁠

Max Tegmark: The Case for Halting AI Development | Lex Fridman Podcast

Alan Watts, The Wisdom of Insecurity

Jonathan Van Putten has been on an incredible journey of transformation and healing through breathwork. After experiencing several business heartbreaks and years of battling various addictions, Jonathan's life was changed in a single afternoon. Four years later, he now has five different certifications in breathwork facilitation and coaching. Tune in to learn how he has used breathwork and cold plunging to kick his addictions, start feeling his emotions, and connect deeply to his biggest dream.

In this episode expect to learn:

And much more.

This was one of the most fun conversations I've had in a while. You will leave the conversation feeling calmer, happier, and more connected to your deepest desires.

Show notes:

Over the past year, I (Vinny) have been asked in different ways if I’m always happy. This has made me ask myself, why? This question of whether I’m always happy has made me wonder if it seems as if I’m putting on a front; if people think that who they see isn’t the real me.

Well, I can tell you I hurt; I feel just as deeply as anybody. That doesn’t mean the man you see with the unwavering smile is some fraud.

That person is one of faith. The smile isn’t fake — yet it’s for you, and it’s for me too — to remind me how good this life can be, that nothing’s so important, so dark, so painful, as to take away my faith. I have an unwavering faith in the beauty of life.

It takes courage to have faith.

It takes courage, knowing well that life is damn well difficult, to be joyful despite that. I have an undying faith, because even though things may be tough right now, there is always a light ahead if we just keep moving.

It’s so much easier to give up.

To say it’s all for nothing and succumb.

I’m a human being, and I hurt as much as anybody. This doesn't mean we can't feel low. Of course we can, and should allow ourselves to feel those negative emotions, too. But we decide how we'll face life, each and every day.

At times I want to give up. But I can’t. Neither can you.

Be courageous. Have faith.

So no, I’m not happy all the time. Still, I choose to face life with a smile.