In the spirit of familial destruction, How To Destroy Everything is proud to present, Toughen Up, written and performed by Stephen Kearin. Toughen Up is the story of an American family turned upside down, spilling out every last skeleton in its closet. Join us for a darkly comic traumatic memoir...a Traumoir, if you will. 

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Introducing David Blaine: I Nearly Died Doing This (How to Conquer Fear and Push Your Limits) from On Purpose with Jay Shetty.

Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

What’s a fear you want to overcome?

How do you stay calm under pressure?

What if the only limits you had were the ones you refused to break? Today, in this spellbinding episode, world-renowned illusionist, endurance artist, and master of the impossible, David Blaine, sits down for a deep and insightful conversation that goes far beyond magic. Known for his jaw-dropping stunts, being buried alive, standing encased in ice for days, and holding his breath underwater for over 17 minutes, David has captivated audiences worldwide. But behind the spectacle lies a profound philosophy of discipline, resilience, and the boundless potential of the human mind.

Jay and David explore what drives someone to willingly push themselves to their absolute limits, both physically and mentally. David opens up about his mindset, revealing how he prepares for extreme feats that defy human expectations. He explains the power of visualization, breathwork, and sheer willpower in overcoming pain, fear, and doubt. But this conversation isn’t just about physical endurance, it’s about the mental and emotional strength required to navigate life’s greatest challenges. David shares personal stories of setbacks and perseverance, showing that even in moments of failure, there is wisdom to be gained.

In this interview, you'll learn:

How to Train Your Mind to Overcome Fear

How to Build Unbreakable Mental Resilience

How to Use Breathwork to Enhance Endurance

How to Stay Calm Under Extreme Pressure

How to Push Past Your Physical Limits

How to Cultivate Childlike Curiosity for Creativity

How to Reframe Failure as a Stepping Stone

No matter what obstacles stand in your way, remember: you are stronger than you think, and capable of more than you realize. Believe in yourself, stay curious, and never stop challenging what’s possible.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here.

Join Jay for his first ever, On Purpose Live Tour! Tickets are on sale now. Hope to see you there!

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

01:41 The Subway Trick that Started It All

04:39 Lessons from the Above the Below

09:10 What Happens When You Don’t Feel Hunger

11:34 Pushing the Body Beyond Its Limit

17:25 The Capabilities of the Human Body

22:52 The Knife Stunt   

26:25 The Bullet-Catch Trick

30:12 Break Free from Your Comfort Zone

32:27 Push the Boundaries of Your Growth

34:41 Some Stunts are Just Too Dangerous

41:46 Pushing Yourself Without Risking Your Life

45:04 Failure Leads to Continuous Learning

47:26 The Riskiest Illusion 

49:29 Processing the Pain of Grief

53:32 Everything is About Perspective

57:14 Open Up Your Mind with Books

01:01:24 Every Person is Unique

01:03:06 The Bridge Jump, Anything is Possible

01:09:13 David on Final Five 

Episode Resources:

David Blaine | Website

David Blaine | YouTube

David Blaine | Instagram 

David Blaine | Facebook 

David Blaine | X 

David Blaine Do Not Attempt

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

Wherein Danny returns, at last, to the scene of the crime(s). Danny (alongside Darren and Sandy) go back to his childhood home, The Royal Manor, and Danny confronts his past head-on. In this, the season one finale of How to Destroy Everything, old feelings will burst to the surface, the ghosts of the past will be reckoned with, and the future will become all the more clear. 

Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything.

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Wherein Danny and Darren check in one last time with Sandy and talk about the entirety of her podcast journey. In doing so, they discover the incredible strides that Sandy has made in her own personal evolution. Additonally, Danny and Darren bring on Danny's wife, Katie, to discuss her perspective on how the podcast has changed her husband. And finally, our intrepid hosts make a big announcement about what's next for the show. 

Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/DESTROY get on your way to being your best self

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Wherein Danny and Darren finally track down their white whale: a member of the support group founded to bring together people who had been sued and harrassed by Richard Jacobs. But as Danny and Darren get into the details of said group, so much more is revealed than they ever imagined possible -- about the group, yes, but also about Danny and where he goes from here...

Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything.

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Wherein Danny and Darren watch the "death video" Richard made for Danny back in the 1980s. Also, the boys discuss Richard's view of death and his conception of the "afterlife" with Danny's brother. It's the death episode!

Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wherein Danny and Darren sit down once more with Danny's brother and delve deeper into understanding each other's perspectives. Danny's brother brings a unique point of view - one of understanding for Richard and even empathy for him, compelling Danny to reevaluate some of the conclusions he's drawn about his father.

Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything.

This episode is sponsored by/brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at www.betterhelp.com/destroy and get on your way to being your best self.

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Wherein Danny and Darren sit down with Danny's brother and discuss how they survived their childhood as the sons of Richard Jacobs, how their perspectives differ, and whether or not Richard can be fairly compared to a shark.

Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wherein Danny and Darren dive deeper into Beth's relationship with Richard, which includes a shocking revelation that Danny's dad had been operating dating profiles on his sons' behalf. Additionally, Sandy discusses her dating life beyond Richard, and Darren checks in with Danny about his anger.

For tickets to Danny's improv show at the Groundlings, head to www.groundlings.com/shows/theunderstudies.

And if you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything.

Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Wherein Danny and Darren bring the podcast full circle by exploring the moment that started it all from a different persepective: Danny's wife. As she illuminates her side of the disaster that led to the termination of Danny's relationship with his dad, our intrepid hosts then speak to the other wife, that of Danny's brother. How does a narcissist affect his kids when they grow up, get married, and have families of their own? What better way is there to find out than by talking to the wives.

Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

For tickets to Danny's improv show at the Groundlings, head to www.groundlings.com/shows/theunderstudies.

If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at: www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything.

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Wherein Danny and Darren interview Stephen Kearin, a mentor to Danny over the last several decades (and Danny's self-described "Irish Rabbi"). Stephen shares his own incredible family story and the boys try to glean some lessons that Danny can apply to his own relationship with Richard. 

For tickets to Danny's improv show at the Groundlings on Thursday, March 6th at 10 PM, head here: https://groundlings.com/shows/theunderstudies

HTDE Live Show: https://www.stl-style.com/event-details/how-to-destroy-a-live-show-q-a

Listen to HTDE on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, and please remember to subscribe, rate, and review! 

If you would like to support this podcast, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/HowToDestroyEverything

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