What if the greatest obstacle to reaching your potential isn't external barriers, but a mindset in which you see yourself as a victim?

Today, I’m stoked to welcome back my good friend and one of my favorite thinkers, Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman. This is Scott’s third time on the podcast, and he always delivers. Scott is a humanistic psychologist, bestselling author, and host of The Psychology Podcast. His new book Rise Above: Overcome a Victim Mindset, Empower Yourself, and Realize Your Full Potential dives deep into what it means to move through suffering with both self-awareness and strength.

In this conversation, we talk about the difference between victimization and a victim mindset, how subtle thought patterns like hostile attribution bias or over-personalization can limit growth, and why a mindset rooted in empowerment is the key to self-actualization.

As you listen, reflect on your own internal narratives…. Maybe even the core triggers for when you tend to blame, deflect, or shrink back when things get hard? How might a shift toward a more powerful mindset — toward a deeper trust in yourself — change how you respond to life’s challenges?

Please enjoy this powerful conversation with my friend, Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman.

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Scott Barry Kaufman: https://scottbarrykaufman.com

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What if one of the most powerful business minds of our time wasn’t a CEO or a founder—and instead, a singer-songwriter who’s been redefining her brand strategy since age 13?

Today, we’re diving into the business brilliance of Taylor Swift — and to help us do it, I’m joined by Kevin Evers, Senior Editor at Harvard Business Review and author of There's Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift.

I got to know Kevin because he was the editor of my most recent book, The First Rule of Mastery. He was fantastic and I fell in love with the way he thought and his deep knowledge and reference points of business. Kevin has spent years studying how great leaders express their ideas, and when he told me he was writing a book about Taylor Swift, I knew we had to have him on to discuss what she’s built.

This conversation is not about her songwriting or her latest mega-tour; it’s about how she built a billion-dollar brand using clarity, intense connection, and creative risk-taking. It’s about strategy, reinvention, and staying relentlessly close to what lights you up — even when that comes with severe risk.

As you listen, use the conversation as a way to reflect on your own relationship with reinvention. Are you playing it safe when boldness is what’s required? How do you stay connected to the core of who you are – stay connected to your purpose — even when external success might tempt you to stay small?

I hope you enjoy this week's awesome conversation with Kevin Evers.

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Kevin Evers; Instagram https://www.instagram.com/there_is_nothing_like_this/ and Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-evers1/

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What if one of the keys to sustaining high performance wasn’t just about going harder, but learning how to recover smarter—and move better—every single day?

This week, we’re pulling one from the Finding Mastery Vaults. It’s a conversation I had with Dr. Kelly Starrett—performance coach to some of the world's top athletes, Olympians, elite military personnel, and corporations, bestselling author of Built to Move, and co-founder of The Ready State.

We originally recorded this in the summer of ‘23 back in our old Mastery Lab studio—but in a time when burnout, physical stagnation, and chronic stress are on the rise, it feels even more relevant now. Kelly’s work bridges the gap between elite performance and everyday movement, helping us all move, feel, and live better.

As you listen, notice how Kelly reframes recovery and mobility as essential daily habits, not extras—and think about the “session costs” in your own life. Are your small behaviors helping you feel ready for the demands of your day… or adding to the strain? Let’s jump into this epic episode from the Finding Mastery vault with Dr. Kelly Starrett.

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For more on Dr. Kelly Starrett go to https://thereadystate.com/starrett-system/

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