81% of people work after dinner, drowning in back to back Zoom meetings where they doodle under the table, only to do real work at night. Sound familiar? In this episode, I sit down with Juliet Funt, author and consultant who helps companies turn scrap time into steel, transforming low value work into high purpose, innovative time. We dive into the signs of toxic culture, why anxious deference to the CEO is a red flag, and how to spot when you're stuck in an unhealthy organization. Juliet shares her unconventional path from growing up as Alan Funt's daughter (yes, from Candid Camera) to discovering the power of white space, taking four years to world school her three boys across 14 countries, and why most executives need therapy. Plus, we tackle the fascinating question: do people change via desire or disaster? Her answer might surprise you. If you've ever felt like you're spending unspeakable amounts of time doing work you hate, this conversation will change how you think about your day.

Juliet Funt on Linked In

JFG Can Help

Wasted Payroll Calculator

In This Episode:

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Patrick Lencioni built a multimillion-dollar business, sold 10 million books, and became one of the most influential leadership voices in the world. But here's what you might not know: he never had a five-year plan, turned down opportunities to scale, and prioritized loving his work over maximizing revenue. In this episode, Pat shares the behind-the-scenes story of building The Table Group, why he kept his team at just 15 full-time employees while empowering thousands of consultants, and how saying no to growth actually gave him an unfair competitive advantage. You'll discover why his wife gave him their house fund to start the business, how he protects time with his family despite constant opportunities, and why one of their core values is "we want to love coming to work every day." If you're building something or thinking about starting, this conversation will completely reframe how you think about success.

Use code "ATG" for 20% off the Working Genius Assessment here! 

Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck

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Why can't leaders win anymore? No matter what you say, someone's upset. In this conversation with Carey Nieuwhof, host of one of today's most influential leadership podcasts, we unpack why 49 hours a week on our phones has created 100 different experiences in a room of 100 people. From the woman who won't use plastic cutlery to why your weird uncle believes conspiracy theories, we explore how discipleship by algorithm is fragmenting society. We also talk about the false immediacy of social media, why high performers have the strongest inner critics, the Mount Rushmore of books we recommend, and what it takes to build relationships with people you admire without jumping levels of intimacy. Plus, Carey shares why the work is the reward, how he retaught himself to read books, and why he's pursuing mastery in his 60s. If you're a leader trying to navigate this fragmented world, this conversation is for you.

The Art Of Leadership Academy

In This Episode:

Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck

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What happens when you set a goal for 20,000 followers in six months and hit half a million instead? Caitlin Campbell built a seven-figure coffee business in the public eye, navigating viral videos, negative comments, and sudden fame along the way. In this episode, Caitlin shares how she went from youth pastor to coffee entrepreneur, why video 2000 was the one that changed everything, and the mindset shift that helped her turn trolls into traction. We dive into the reality of building a business on social media, why she's deliberately not opening a brick-and-mortar shop yet, and what it's like when strangers hug you in coffee shops. If you've ever thought about turning your passion into a business or wondered how to stay consistent when the middle feels like a slog, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom. Plus, you'll discover why the algorithm doesn't care if people love you or hate you—it just wants engagement.

Order Caitlin's Coffee: streetbrew.ca

In This Episode:

Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck

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What if everything you thought about optimism was wrong? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Michael Gervais, high-performance psychologist who's worked with the Seattle Seahawks, Felix Baumgartner, and world-class performers across every field. We dive deep into why optimism isn't naive positivity but the ground zero of mental toughness, how Felix overcame crippling claustrophobia to jump from 130,000 feet, and why every world's best performer Michael has worked with is fundamentally optimistic. You'll discover the difference between grounded optimism and naive optimism, why your brain's survival bias is working against you, how to extinguish fear using systematic desensitization, and why mastery requires looseness, not control. Plus, Michael breaks down the power of "yes, and" conversations, becoming a researcher of amazing, and why emotions are running the whole show. If you've ever thought optimism was soft or unrealistic, this conversation will change your mind.

Dr. Michael Gervais' Website: https://findingmastery.com/

In This Episode:

Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck

Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

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Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

You can grab a copy of my book All It Takes Is a Goal from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

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Dr. James Hewitt spent years teaching Fortune 500 companies and Formula One teams how to optimize performance—while ignoring his own advice. Then he found a lump in the shower. In this fascinating conversation, James shares how a late-30s cancer diagnosis forced him to confront a hard truth: he wasn't superhuman. We dive deep into the science of human performance, from why heart rate variability matters more than sleep tracking to how your mindset about stress can fundamentally alter your physiology. You'll discover why the "monk mode" mentality is flawed, how self-compassion beats perfectionism, why vacation research says 3-4 days works better than two weeks, and the 3P model that explains why high performers struggle to celebrate wins. Plus: why James speaks out loud in hotel rooms, his $15,000 watch collection paired with socks full of holes, and the Mount Rushmore of performance books you need to read.

Dr. Hewitt's Website: https://drjameshewitt.com

You can pre-order my NEWEST book, Procrastination Proof, right now!

In This Episode:

Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck

Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

You can grab a copy of my book All It Takes Is a Goal from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today!

Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today!

This is it—the final installment of my 50 by 50 series. I've spent four episodes breaking down 50 lessons I learned in my first half-century on this planet (yes, I said half-century). In this episode, I'm covering the final 27 lessons, from "dream big, start small" to why you need at least one Cajun friend. You'll discover why your richest-looking friends might be your poorest, why you should buy an alarm clock and leave your phone in the kitchen, why the opportunity that will change your life often shows up as an annoyance, and why that glass of water on your nightstand at 3 AM is the greatest drink ever invented. Plus, I'll tell you why you should have kids before you're ready, why every industry is smaller than you think, and why you're the cavalry you've been waiting for. Whether you're turning 30, 40, 50, or beyond, these lessons will make you think, laugh, and hopefully grow.

You can pre-order my NEWEST book, Procrastination Proof, right now!

In This Episode:

Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck

Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

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Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

You can grab a copy of my book All It Takes Is a Goal from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

Episode Artwork Photo by Taylor Smith on Unsplash

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I just turned 50, and milestone birthdays make me reflective. Here's what I realized: I liked my 40s way more than my 30s. I'm happier, in better shape, more connected relationally, accomplishing more goals, but taking more vacation. Why? What did I do in my 40s that made it the best decade of my life? In this episode, I'm sharing the first 25 lessons from my list of 50 things that took me 50 years to learn. From "everyone should write at least one book" to "your phone is a casino that runs on time," these lessons cover everything—money, marriage, mentors, mountains, and why you need to own a good suitcase. Some are practical, some are profound, and all of them will make your life better if you apply them. This is part one of a two-part series, so next week I'll share the final 25 lessons to close out the year.

You can pre-order my NEWEST book, Procrastination Proof, right now!

In This Episode:

Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck

Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

You can grab a copy of my book All It Takes Is a Goal from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

Episode Artwork Photo by James Donaldson on Unsplash

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I just turned 50, and I've learned some things the hard way. In this episode, I'm sharing four more life lessons that took me half a century to figure out—lessons I wish I could tell my 30-year-old self. You'll discover why successful people are time machines who can shave years off your journey, why anxiety isn't something to fix but something to redeploy (this one changed everything for me), and why there's money on the ground everywhere if you're willing to pick it up. I'll also tell you why you should have kids before you're ready—because if you wait until you have enough money or the perfect career, you'll miss out on years with them. Ready is a myth. My 40s were better than my 30s, my 30s were better than my 20s, and I'm genuinely excited about my 50s because I know they're going to be even better. Here's to 50 and beyond.

You can pre-order my NEWEST book, Procrastination Proof, right now!

In This Episode:

Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck

Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

You can grab a copy of my book All It Takes Is a Goal from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

Episode Artwork Photo by Maud Bocquillod on Unsplash

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I'm turning 50 on December 19 (presents welcome), and as I approach the half-century mark, I've been reflecting on the lessons that have meant the most to me. When you're in your 20s, you don't have hard-fought wisdom, but at 50, there's no denying you've been around the block a few times. In this episode, I'm sharing the first five of ten life-changing lessons: how your thought life becomes your life life, why you reap what you sow (and how that's made me write 12 books), why a naturally negative person like me discovered that positivity has a better ROI, why you are the cavalry you've been waiting for, and the truth about having enough time. These aren't just philosophical musings—they're the practical principles that turned my life around at 34 and have shaped everything since. If you only steal one lesson from this list, make it the first one about soundtracks. Stay tuned for the final four lessons next week.

You can pre-order my NEWEST book, Procrastination Proof, right now!

In This Episode:

Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck

Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

You can grab a copy of my book All It Takes Is a Goal from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

Episode Artwork Photo by Jacek Dylag on Unsplash

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Don't know what to get for that person who has it all? I've got you covered. This year's Try This Gift Guide features 11 items the Acuff house absolutely loved or made in 2025—from the card game that teaches you everything about a person (SkyJo) to the weighted backpack that's making me look ridiculously in shape (GoRuck), to the brand-new Soundtracks Card Decks that are the perfect stocking stuffer. You'll also discover the best calendar ever made (yes, I'm biased), customized luggage tags that will save you at the airport, a book about bookstores that will restore your faith in humanity, and the greatest running shoes I've ever owned. Most of these are pulled straight from our Amazon order list, so they're easy to get and quick to ship. Get ready to surprise and delight everyone you know—from travelers to runners to book lovers to that spunky aunt in Santa Fe. Merry Christmas!

My Gift Guide:

SkyJo Card Game

GoRuck Backpack

Soundtracks Card Deck

The Heart Aroused by David Whyte

Galaga Handheld Arcade

150 Bookstores You Need To Visit Before You Die by Elizabeth Stamp

Tom Bihn Bags, I personally use the Pilot bag, our family has loved the Large Tote bag this year 

The Greatest Year Ever Calendar

Brooks Hyperion Max 2 running shoes

Pomodoro Timer

Customized luggage tags

As a bonus gift to yourself, you can pre-order my NEWEST book, Procrastination Proof, right now!

In This Episode:

Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card Deck

Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!

Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!

Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

You can grab a copy of my book All It Takes Is a Goal from your favorite bookstore or at my website!

Episode Photo by Nathan Lemon on Unsplash

Sign up for the Remarkable You Community today!