Who Thought We'd Be Here?

We do apologize for the poor sound quality in this episode, we had some audio issues throughout this episode, but we're still in good spirits because our good friend of the pod and honorary member of the Who Thought We’d Be Here? family, Will McGuire, stops by to drop knowledge, crack jokes, and remind us why he’s one of our favorite people. Will walks us through his journey of buying Joker Ink, taking risks, and always knowing he was destined to work for himself.

We tackle some big questions: Is college worth it, or does real-world hustle win? What’s “house hacking,” and can people in their 30s actually own homes, or is that a myth like Bigfoot? Oh, and pro tip: Get your credit right if you want those sweet investing opportunities.

But it’s not all business—Will gets real about life as a husband, dad of two, and certified “girl dad,” sharing how parenting has made him more patient, reflective, and more intentional in showing up for his family. We also dig into mental health, the importance of giving yourself grace, and building an imaginary council of advisors in your head, inspired by Think and Grow Rich. Spoiler alert: Will’s head council definitely includes Dumbledore.

Speaking of Harry Potter, don’t miss Steve and Will’s nerd-out session over the wizarding world. Oh, and if you haven’t heard of this groundbreaking new tool called Google, Will has got you covered.

This episode is packed with laughs, insights, and heartfelt moments you don’t want to miss. Will McGuire: businessman, dad, and now, podcast legend.

Check out Joker Ink here 
https://www.jokerink.com/
and here
https://www.instagram.com/jokerink_ny/

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NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh. 

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

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In this reflective and candid episode of Who Thought We’d Be Here?, we tackle resistance, overthinking, and finding balance in life and creativity. Recorded the day after the election, we start with a discussion on seasonal warmth in New York and dive into the struggles and lessons of the week.

Steve opens up about his rough week and the importance of enjoying your own company. We explore the mental and physical release that comes from running and how pushing yourself during the day can lead to better rest at night. Reflecting on the Tao Te Ching and embracing life’s paradoxes, we share insights on staying present through deep breathing and managing emotions in the moment.

The conversation turns to creative challenges, from dealing with resistance while recording the podcast to overcoming perfectionism and imposter syndrome in your work. We emphasize the importance of giving yourself the space to grow in your passion and resisting the pressure to make every episode a cinematic masterpiece.

We also share inspiration from Alan Watts and Jay Shetty, discuss the dream of bringing Steven Pressfield on the show, and talk about facing fear head-on while staying true to your authentic vision.

This episode reminds us that every journey starts somewhere, and it’s okay to solve creative blocks as they come. Whether you're struggling with overthinking, perfectionism, or self-doubt, we’re right there with you.


2:00 Warm in November in NY
4:09 I feel the resistance
6:00 Steve had a rough week
6:53 Enjoying being alone with yourself
8:10 Waking up in the morning feeling like I am going to prevail 
9:22 The physical and mental release that comes along with running
11:20 Do you sleep better at night knowing that you pushed yourself today?
12:30 Recapping the Tao De Ching 
13:37 Being ok with everything in life being a paradox
16:15 The past is nothing more than something that exists in your mind #AlanWatts
17:00 Using deep breathing to embrace your current state of emotions
18:45 Dealing with resistance and overthinking while recording this podcast episode
20:25 this is only the beginning of this podcast, we shouldn’t be applying pressure to ourselves
22:00 Jay Shetty “taking 90 seconds to pause can save your life”
23:00 We gotta get Steven Pressfield on this podcast
26:00 Giving yourself the space to learn and grow in your field of passion
28:05 The struggles of perfectionism in your creative work
32:25 The struggle of imposter syndrome when being compensated for your skills 
33:30 This episode should be called “Solving blocks on the spot”
34:05 Being super sensitive to the energy around you 
40:00 Stop trying to be somebody else vs following your own authentic vision 
43:00 Every episode can’t be a cinematic and emotional masterpiece


#WhoThoughtWedBeHere #PodcastLife #CreativeBlocks #Overthinking #ImposterSyndrome #AlanWatts #JayShetty #StevenPressfield  #RunningMotivation #CreativeJourney #FaceYourFears #BeAuthentic #PodcastCommunity #MotivationalPodcast #BehindTheScenes #TrendingNow

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Shout out to our favorite neighborhood screen printer JOKER INK  https://www.jokerink.com/

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh. 

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

In this special Thanksgiving episode of Who Thought We’d Be Here?, we’re here to keep you company on the way to your family gathering or maybe on that walk before dinner with your favorite cousin. The focus today is all about gratitude, self-reflection, and enjoying the season.

We kick things off with a reminder to embrace the moment and focus on what you’re blessed with rather than what’s lacking. If you’re dreading family questions like “Are you still single?”—don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with some lighthearted advice and gratitude-centered perspectives.

The conversation touches on what we’re grateful for this year, including personal growth, family support, and even the podcast itself. We encourage you to reflect on where you see yourself by next Thanksgiving and think about how to set yourself up for success in the coming year.

There’s also a shoutout to #RamDass and a heartfelt moment about being grateful for yourself—because sometimes, that’s the most important form of gratitude.

Of course, no Thanksgiving episode is complete without food talk. We debate the merits of turkey versus side dishes, discuss the mystery of Mississippi pot roast, and even throw pineapple and ham steak into the mix. Don’t forget to comment with your favorite Thanksgiving dish!

We wrap things up with a blooper reel where things get a little out of hand, and a reminder to support Who Thought We’d Be Here? by subscribing, following, and sharing with friends.

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving—don’t forget, it’s all about gratitude!


Timestamps

0:35 Listen to this on the way to hang out with your family
1:10 Be happy to be here
1:35 Don’t focus on the lack, focus on what you are blessed with
1:55 This episode is for you if you are dreading your aunt asking you if you’re still single 
2:25 What are you grateful for this year (Steve)
3:53 Bring gratitude to your thanksgiving gathering this year
4:15 Reflecting on where you see yourself on #thanksgiving next year 
5:00 How do I want to set myself up for success ?
6:05 JP shares what he’s grateful for this year
7:10 Sometimes you have to be grateful for yourself
7:35 Shoutout to #RamDass
8:00 Being grateful for the podcast and the people who support us
9:00 Try to be your best self as much as possible, whatever that looks like for you
9:50 Support us by subscribing and following as well as downloads, comments, sharing this with a friend
10:15 Pineapple & Ham Steak?
11:00 Happy Thanksgiving and turkey is overrated, it’s all about the side dishes
12:30 What in the lords name is a Mississippi pot roast?
13:15 Comment your favorite thanksgiving dish?
14:00 BLOOPER REEL



#WhoThoughtWedBeHere #PodcastBlooperReel #ThanksgivingPodcast #BehindTheScenes #PodcastLife #EpicFails #ThanksgivingLaughs #BloopersAndBlunders #LaughterIsTheBestMedicine #KeepItReal #PodcastHumor #trendingnow 

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Shout out to our favorite neighborhood screen printer JOKER INK  https://www.jokerink.com/

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh. 

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

In this reflective and empowering episode, we dive deep into the subtle yet loud voice of self-doubt and how it impacts your relationships, mindset, and growth. Starting in our brand-new recording space, we explore the art of creating hope for the future and the wisdom behind Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching (Ep. 9). Along the way, we uncover insights about recognizing coincidences (shoutout to Dr. Joe Dispenza), embracing gratitude—even at Thanksgiving dinners—and reading signs from the universe.

Key takeaways include:

How to spot and shift negative self-talk, whether in your daily routines or during workouts.
Why meaningful relationships are essential and how to evaluate friendships with honesty and love.
The importance of releasing unhealthy dynamics and supporting others' creative ventures.
A timely reminder: You can’t take on new opportunities while clinging to the past.
And yes, we’ll discuss why ruling a country might actually be like cooking a small fish. 🐟

From tackling self-doubt to navigating personal growth with grace, this episode is packed with relatable moments, ancient parables, and actionable advice to help you take things less personally and live with more intention. Plus, Lola sneezes (adorably), and we solve the mystery of whether house phones still exist!

0:40 New recording space
3:50 Creating hope for future episodes
4:40 Book club LIVE!
6:45 Verse 9 “Tao Te Ching” by Lao Tzu
7:45 Noticing coincidences - Dr. Joe Dispenza
8:50 Thanksgiving / Be grateful for your family / Don’t yell at your uncle 
10:00 Signs from The Universe
11:46 Learning to not be hard on yourself 
13:20 Seeing progress keeps us going
14:00 Negative Self Talk while running and working out
16:10 This too shall pass
18:50 That old bitch known as Self Doubt”
20:20 Did you have an entirely bad day or a rough 10 minutes?
21:57 Noticing negative self talk in the moment
23:30 Resistance is loudest when you are following your passion
25:30 The importance of meaningful relationships and connections
27:15 The difficulty of honestly analyzing the relationships and friendships in your life
29:07 Addiction plays a part in unhealthy dynamics with people in your life
30:23 There’s no hard feelings in growing apart
32:00 Having hard conversations is part of the deal on this podcast
33:14 Making your circle smaller can be the best thing for you
35:15 Discovering the driving forces in your life
36:12 You’re lying to yourself about prioritizing your time
38:23 “You have to release people with love”
41:06 The importance of supporting your friends in their creative ventures
42:01 Lola sneezes #adorable
42:35 You can’t take on new and exciting opportunities while still clinging to the past
43:10 House phones still exist?!? No way
44:00 Solving the puzzle of what does and does not belong in your life
45:10 How to respond and evolve by not taking things personally 

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Shout out to our favorite neighborhood screen printer JOKER INK  https://www.jokerink.com/

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh. 

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

In this episode, we dive deep into the journey of self-awareness, personal growth, and creative evolution, exploring themes that resonate with anyone navigating change or creative pursuits.

We kick off by defining what this podcast truly represents and drawing inspiration from the likes of Rich Roll and other influential voices. Conversations center around embracing awareness and taking the necessary steps toward change, reflecting on JP’s “dharma,” and exploring abundance with a nod to Deepak Chopra.

We challenge black-and-white thinking, tackle self-doubt, and discuss the importance of doing video content for the right reasons. The episode also touches on protocols for personal discipline, cringing at past work while owning growth, and staying grounded by comparing our journeys to no one else's.

Humor lightens the episode with a bee-in-the-face moment and Jerry Seinfeld-esque callbacks. At the same time, we delve into deeper truths—why morals guide what we really want, the ongoing sacrifices in personal evolution, and how the universe often points us in the right direction when we start small.

We explore the impact of consuming purposeful content, staying off our phones, and fostering non-alcohol-centric social experiences. JP shares a vulnerable moment of messing up, but it’s met with levity, reflection, and a commitment to growth.

The episode wraps with shameless affiliate plugs, talk of a “Whoop” group, and a teaser for Will’s upcoming episode.

Whether you’re here for the laughs, the life lessons, or both, this episode delivers a thoughtful and entertaining mix of insight and inspiration.

0:33 episode 43
2:30 uncut episodes
3:20 defining the podcast
4:00 rich roll
4:40 episode 673
5:20 awareness, taking steps
6:20 JPs dharma
7:00 abundance deep ask chopra
8:00 doing video for the right reasons
9:15 black and white thinking
10:30 comparing your journey 
11:55 rewiring self doubt
12:15 bee in jps face
13:00 protocols with yourself
13:55 cringing at our past work
15:00 what I actually want to do / morals
16:30 there’s always something more to give up
17:10 pedaling poison
18:30 the universe will show you what you’re supposed to be doing
19:10 start w the small stuff
19:40 i like being the belle of the ball
20:25 creating a social exp that doesn’t revolve on alcohol
20:50 Jerry Seinfeld from bee movie is back
21:30 dealing w comparison
23:11 consuming purposeful content
23:25 getting off your phone
27:39 break
27:50 JP fucked up
29:12 we’ll fix it in post
30:05 the old me would’ve lost my shit
31:30 we’re definitely recording
31:50 I don’t wanna be mad all the time anymore 
32:30 cultivating awareness 
33:20 comment it’s ok that JP fucked up
33:40 shameless plugging of affiliates
34:40 whoop group
35:00 preview of wills episode

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Shout out to our favorite neighborhood screen printer JOKER INK  https://www.jokerink.com/

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh. 

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

Join our exclusive community on GROUPED where you can find uncut episodes, messaging with your hosts, and early access to promotions

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Join Whoop with our promotional code and get your first month free!

https://join.whoop.com/us/en/Whothoughtwedbeherepod/

Sign up for online therapy with our referral link.
Get 20% off your first month with our podcast's link:

Shout out to our favorite neighborhood screen printer JOKER INK  https://www.jokerink.com/

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh. 

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

Join our exclusive community on GROUPED where you can find uncut episodes, messaging with your hosts, and early access to promotions

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Join Whoop with our promotional code and get your first month free!

https://join.whoop.com/us/en/Whothoughtwedbeherepod/

Sign up for online therapy with our referral link.
Get 20% off your first month with our podcast's link:

Shout out to our favorite neighborhood screen printer JOKER INK  https://www.jokerink.com/

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh. 

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

We're 40 episodes into this "podcast" thing and we feel like we're just getting started. Thanks to anyone listening, whether you've been with us since day one or you're new to the "Who Thought We'd Be Here? bandwagon, we appreciate each and every one of you.

In this episode, Steve and JP chat about how to create the life you want to manifest with affirmations, and how much of a difference maker it can be to set future goals for yourself.  They discuss what it takes to maintain consistency in putting out content and podcasts, and how the creation of this podcast has changed their productivity and what it means to have a traditional job. 

JP gifts Steve with "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield, a book about pushing through creative blocks and fighting back against resistance in all facets of your professional and personal life. They also take a look at how far the podcast production has come in the last year, and what goals they would like to accomplish throughout the winter and into the renewal of next spring. 

Join our exclusive community on GROUPED where you can find uncut episodes, messaging with your hosts, and early access to promotions

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Join Whoop with our promotional code and get your first month free!

https://join.whoop.com/us/en/Whothoughtwedbeherepod/

Sign up for online therapy with our referral link.
Get 20% off your first month with our podcast's link:

Shout out to our favorite neighborhood screen printer JOKER INK  https://www.jokerink.com/

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh. 

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

Join our exclusive community on GROUPED where you can find uncut episodes, messaging with your hosts, and early access to promotions

https://app.grouped.com/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Join Whoop with our promotional code and get your first month free!

https://join.whoop.com/us/en/Whothoughtwedbeherepod/

Sign up for online therapy with our referral link.
Get 20% off your first month with our podcast's link:

Shout out to our favorite neighborhood screen printer JOKER INK  https://www.jokerink.com/

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh. 

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

This episode is brought to you by: 

the fact that we want to keep podcasting and love doing this shit. 

Steve & JP (and Eleanor) are back again with a little bit shorter than usual episode on this crisp, autumn day.  The fellas return to the roots of the podcast by bringing back their book exchange, with Steve gifting JP "The Book of Secrets" by Deepak Chopra, all about unlocking the hidden dimensions of your life and the deep personal potential of yourself.  Steve touches on his reading habits and his love for the literature of Wayne Dyer. We're going to keep this tradition alive every couple of episodes, stay tuned for more recommendations, reviews, and let us know if you have recs of your own!

They also get real about their views on religion, and how no belief system is perfect but that each one has it's own unique lessons to be learned from. JP even tells his favorite story from the Bible, "The Prodigal Son" with a different twist on how to be kind to both others and yourself.

This is our 12th week in a row of releasing a new episode of "Who Thought We'd Be Here?" and we are really proud of the consistency and dedication that we have been putting into these episodes.  We couldn't do this without the people who listen every single week, and we'd love to hear from those who appreciate the content that we are putting out.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, and let us know what we can do in the comments to help you build a better self with our platform.

Join our exclusive community on GROUPED where you can find uncut episodes, messaging with your hosts, and early access to promotions

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Join Whoop with our promotional code and get your first month free!

https://join.whoop.com/us/en/Whothoughtwedbeherepod/

Sign up for online therapy with our referral link.
Get 20% off your first month with our podcast's link:

Shout out to our favorite neighborhood screen printer JOKER INK  https://www.jokerink.com/

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh. 

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!