Search a title or topic

Over 20 million podcasts, powered by 

Player FM logo
show episodes
 
Dive into the minds of the world’s greatest athletes, leaders, thinkers, and doers with Dr. Michael Gervais—a high performance psychologist and world-renowned expert on the relationship between high performance and the mind. Dr. Gervais’s client roster includes Super Bowl winning NFL teams, Fortune 50 CEOs, Olympic medalists, internationally acclaimed artists, and more. On Finding Mastery, Dr. Gervais sits down with the best at what they do, like David Goggins, Brene Brown, Toto Wolff, socce ...
  continue reading
 
Artwork

1
American Masters: Creative Spark

American Masters | PBS

icon
Unsubscribe
icon
Unsubscribe
Monthly
 
How do today’s masters create their art? American Masters: Creative Spark presents narrative interviews that go in-depth with an iconic artist about the creation of a single work. Each episode offers a unique window into the world of art and the creative process of artists and cultural icons across a wide range of disciplines, from music and comedy to poetry and film. Explore more at www.pbs.org/creativespark
  continue reading
 
Loading …
show series
 
For Tony-winning playwright and theater director George C. Wolfe, the “landscape of America is rich and complicated and messy.” He takes the greatest joy in putting that messiness on the Broadway stage. This time, he’s directing the Broadway revival of “Gypsy,” widely considered the best of the Golden Age musicals. Alongside the show’s lead actor A…
  continue reading
 
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 …
  continue reading
 
What does it take to thrive in today’s high-pressure, constantly shifting world? We’re back with a special Finding Mastery Ask Me Anything with Dr. Michael Gervais! In this AMA, we're thrilled to welcome our good friend, Yogi Roth, for a powerful conversation on navigating life's most challenging moments. Drawing from our extensive experience with …
  continue reading
 
How do you lead with conviction—without losing your center? Tenzin Seldon is a global climate advocate, human rights leader, and one of the first Tibetan-Americans to rise through the ranks of elite institutions like Stanford and Oxford. But her story isn’t about prestige—it’s about purpose. Born to Tibetan refugee parents, Tenzin’s life has been s…
  continue reading
 
What does it take to build one of the most respected teams in the NFL — and lead it with heart, grit, and humility? This episode is a special one. Recorded right in the heart of Seahawks territory in Seattle, I got to sit down with my friend, John Schneider, General Manager of the Seattle Seahawks. John has spent over a decade helping to build one …
  continue reading
 
You might know rapper and actor Daveed Diggs from his performances in Broadway’s “Hamilton” or 2024’s “Nickel Boys.” But he is also one-third of the hip-hop group clipping. Known for their love of genre storytelling, the group’s new album “Dead Channel Sky” is not their first foray into science fiction. Along with William Hutson and Jonathan Snipes…
  continue reading
 
What if our skin—our most visible organ—is actually one of the best gateways to longevity and vibrant health? This week’s guest is Dr. Carolina Reis Oliveira—a brilliant scientist, a bio-chemist with a focus in stem cells and tissue engineer who’s redefining what it means to age well. As co-founder and CEO of OneSkin, Carolina’s using cutting-edge …
  continue reading
 
What does it take to create a workplace where people thrive—where leadership is human-centered, purpose-driven, built for the future, and knows how to get results? Today, as part of our Modern Leadership series I’m excited to sit down with Ellyn Shook, the former Chief Leadership & Human Resources Officer at Accenture, to explore the evolving lands…
  continue reading
 
What does it take to stay emotionally grounded in an industry built on ego? This week, we sit down with Judd Apatow—the legendary director, producer, and comedy mastermind behind some of the most influential films and TV shows of the past three decades. From "Freaks and Geeks" to "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," Judd has not only created cultural touchsto…
  continue reading
 
What does it take to lead at the highest levels—while staying true to who you are? Today’s guest is Rhonda Morris, the former VP and Chief Human Resources Officer of Chevron. Rhonda is a powerhouse—sharp, competitive, and deeply committed to helping others perform at their best. How do I know that? Because we’re friends. Her journey started back in…
  continue reading
 
How do you stay ahead in an industry that never stops evolving? Today, we are diving into the mind of one of the most prolific, boundary-pushing, and curious creators of our time—Diplo. Perhaps you know him for his music career—with Grammy award winning hits and game-changing collaborations, or for headlining some of the biggest festivals in the wo…
  continue reading
 
The best leaders aren’t just great decision-makers—they build cultures. So what does it actually take to create a thriving, high-performance culture? Today’s guest, Matt Breitfelder, is one of the most influential leadership architects in modern business. As Partner and Head of Human Capital at Apollo — one of the world’s leading asset management c…
  continue reading
 
What does it take to go from nothing to something—and then scale it into meaningful impact? I want to introduce you to someone you may not be familiar with, unless you’re in the innovation space -- JoAnn Garbin. JoAnn has led innovation teams at some of the world’s most influential companies—including Microsoft, and she is one of those rare minds w…
  continue reading
 
Singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus has been building up to this moment her entire career. With her new album, “Forever Is a Feeling,” she is ready to write about love. Coming off the heels of a Grammy Award-winning run with her supergroup, boygenius, Dacus has signed a major label contract with Geffen for her solo work. In this episode, Lucy Dacus talks …
  continue reading
 
What happens when your biggest obstacle isn’t the mountain—it's your own self-doubt? Sasha DiGiulian is one of the world’s top rock climbers and a pioneer in the sport—with multiple first female ascents, national titles, and a world championship under her belt. Sasha’s unique approach to navigating fear, risk, and doubt is masterful. In this conver…
  continue reading
 
How much control do we really have over our emotions? And what if the key to mastering them is easier than you think? This week’s conversation is a special one. It was recorded in front of a live audience at Live Talks Los Angeles, where I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Dr. Ethan Kross, one of the world’s leading experts on emotion…
  continue reading
 
What if one of the unlocks for living “the good life” lies in the simple act of giving, even when you have nothing? Today's guest is an icon of entrepreneurship, resilience, and generosity - John Paul DeJoria - a cofounder of not one but two billion dollar companies, Patrón Tequila and Paul Mitchell Hair Care Products. What you might not know, thou…
  continue reading
 
What happens when everything you’ve built your identity around—your talent, your success, your career—comes crashing down? Ryan Leaf’s story is one of the most dramatic arcs in professional sports. Once the No. 2 overall draft pick behind Peyton Manning, Ryan saw his NFL career unravel under the weight of expectations, addiction, and ultimately, pr…
  continue reading
 
How do the best in the world channel the intensity of their emotions—like frustration, anxiety, and love—into creative power that impacts the world? Serj Tankian is a Grammy-winning artist, activist, and frontman of the iconic rock band System of a Down. Known for his dynamic vocals and thought-provoking lyrics, Serj blends creativity, activism, an…
  continue reading
 
What does it mean to develop mastery of self and mastery of craft? That’s a foundational question. Today, I’m really excited to welcome back to the podcast, one of the great minds of our time—Robert Greene. You probably know Robert as the author of some of the most influential books on human behavior—The 48 Laws of Power, Mastery, and The Laws of H…
  continue reading
 
Alicia Graf Mack has been entrusted with carrying the torch of ballet and modern dance into the future. As a dancer, she has battled through adversity to perform alongside artists like Beyoncé, John Legend and Andre 3000. As a teacher, she has helped bridge the past into the future, educating new generations of students. In this episode, Alicia Gra…
  continue reading
 
In this fast-evolving business landscape, how do leaders turn setbacks into opportunities for growth? Today, I’m thrilled to share this conversation with Deb Cupp—the President of Microsoft Americas. Deb embodies the best of leadership – and I don’t say that lightly. I’ve had an up-close view of how she works – she comes alive at the intersection o…
  continue reading
 
How do a UFC fighter, Olympic skier, and extreme climber manage high pressure moments? This is an episode unlike any we’ve done before. Last summer you may remember that a few members of the Finding Mastery Team, along with Olympian and X-Games Champion Kaya Turski, UFC Champion Vitor Belfort, and famed climber Tommy Caldwell, went aboard the USS R…
  continue reading
 
The Super Bowl can mark the pinnacle of a team’s journey—but when the final whistle blows, another game begins: the game of transition. For NFL players, the end of a season isn’t just about the scoreboard—it’s about identity, loss, and what comes next. Some teams prepare for this reality. Others ignore it, only to face the reality later. In this ep…
  continue reading
 
For two weeks, players are surrounded by relentless media, soaring expectations, and the weight of a lifetime of preparation. Some rise under the pressure. Others crumble. In this episode of The Game Inside the Games, Dr. Michael Gervais and Brandon Marshall unpack what makes the Super Bowl build-up so uniquely intense—and how the best athletes tra…
  continue reading
 
The Super Bowl isn’t always won by the best team—it’s won by the team that adapts when everything falls apart. In this episode of The Game Inside the Games, Dr. Michael Gervais and Greg Olsen break down the hidden battle of the Super Bowl—the fight to stay mentally agile when the game doesn’t go as planned. Greg shares firsthand insights from Super…
  continue reading
 
For the players on the field, the Super Bowl is the ultimate test of skill and composure. But just above them, in the broadcast booth, another high-stakes performance is unfolding—one with no second chances, no instant replay, and no room for error. In this episode of The Game Inside the Games, Dr. Michael Gervais sits down with Greg Olsen, former …
  continue reading
 
The Super Bowl is more than just a game—it’s a test of mindset, resilience, and the ability to perform under the brightest lights. In this special Game Inside the Games series, Dr. Mike is joined by NFL legends Greg Olsen and Brandon Marshall to explore the unseen psychological battles that define champions. Kicking off the series, Mike breaks down…
  continue reading
 
What does it take to foster confidence, independence, and resilience in the next generation? Missy Testerman is 2024’s National Teacher of the Year. Her insights, honed over three decades of teaching elementary schoolers in rural Tennessee, have impacted not just classrooms but the entire educational landscape. Missy has a unique gift for transform…
  continue reading
 
What if the way you think about failure has been holding you back? What if reframing failure could be a major breakthrough to unlocking your potential? Today’s guest is Dr. Amy Edmondson, a Harvard Business School professor and one of the world’s foremost authorities on leadership, psychological safety, and the transformative power of failure. Her …
  continue reading
 
What if the key to achieving your biggest goals in 2025 and beyond isn’t about willpower—what if it's about building the right habits? Today, we are super excited to re-release one of our favorite episodes from the Finding Mastery vault – one of our earlier conversations with James Clear. Why this episode, and why now? … As we near the end of Janua…
  continue reading
 
What does it take to create stories that resonate with millions—and what can those stories teach us about ourselves? Meg LeFauve, Academy Award-nominated screenwriter of Pixar’s Inside Out and Inside Out 2, has spent her career unlocking the magic of storytelling. But her insights go far beyond the screen. Meg is a master of exploring vulnerability…
  continue reading
 
What if compassion isn’t just a nice to have—but a game-changer for high performance? Dr. James Doty is a world-renowned neurosurgeon, a clinical professor at Stanford, and the founder of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE). He’s also the NYT bestselling author of Into The Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon’s Quest to Disc…
  continue reading
 
Is the real battle for mastery fought outside of us—or within—and what does it take to win that fight every day? I’m so excited for this week’s guest, Steven Pressfield. Steven is a bestselling author and thought leader on creativity, known for his groundbreaking works like The War of Art and The Legend of Bagger Vance. Steven’s journey is a testam…
  continue reading
 
Happy New Year! The start of the year is such an exciting time – it’s a natural opportunity to reset, ground ourselves, and re-align with who we are… and who we want to become. In the spirit of the New Year, we have a very special episode for you today – many of you who listen to the podcast may not be aware that Finding Mastery has a whole other v…
  continue reading
 
Happy Holidays Today, we’re doing something a little bit different – I wanted to take a moment to reflect on something I think many of us experience this time of year: joy, connection, and—if we’re being honest– the holidays can be a time for big emotions. They have this incredible way of amplifying everything. The fun feels extra fun, and the chal…
  continue reading
 
What if suffering wasn’t just something to endure but a tool to unlock your full potential? Today’s guest is Sean Waxman—a renowned strength and conditioning coach, former Olympic weightlifter, and author of the transformative book Suffer Smarter. He’s also been a close friend for nearly 30 years and someone I constantly enjoy learning from. Sean’s…
  continue reading
 
Can transforming thoughts and beliefs lead to measurable changes in your health and wellbeing? I’m thrilled to share this week’s conversation with Dr Joe Dispenza. Dr Joe is a New York Times best-selling author, researcher, lecturer, and corporate consultant, known for his transformative teachings on the power of the mind to heal and shape reality.…
  continue reading
 
What if the most important part of a young athlete’s experience is the car ride home? Today, I’m excited to share a special conversation I had with football legend Greg Olsen on his podcast, Youth Inc. For those who aren’t familiar, Greg is a football broadcaster for FOX Sports and 3x pro-bowler tight-end who played in the NFL for 14 seasons. Now –…
  continue reading
 
How does an integrative approach to living “the good life” - one that blends mental, physical, and spiritual development — help to unlock new levels of human potential? That’s a big question. To help us answer it, I am honored to welcome one of my own mentors to the podcast for this week’s conversation – Dr. Cristina Versari. Cristina is a pioneer …
  continue reading
 
What does it take to cultivate a mindset that thrives on challenge and discomfort?... To have the courage to be radically honest with yourself to experience extraordinary growth? And how can having that courage lead to personal growth and winning multiple times on the world-stage? Today we’re joined by the legendary Kerri Walsh Jennings. Kerri is a…
  continue reading
 
Author Min Jin Lee talks to us about the power of the social novel. Her epic historical fiction novel, “Pachinko,” is frequently cited as one of the best books of the 21st century. Lee’s exploration of the immigrant experience, identity and empathy has a timeless quality that feels as relevant as ever in our current moment. In this episode, Min Jin…
  continue reading
 
What happens when athletes translate their competitive edge and discipline from sports into the business world? Today, we have an extraordinary guest—Jeff Byers. Jeff is a former NFL player turned entrepreneur, cofounder, and CEO of Momentous, a leading company in human performance nutrition. With a unique background in professional sports and busi…
  continue reading
 
Today, we are stoked to share Volume 25 of Finding Mastery’s Ask Me Anything. Joining us, as always, is our co-host O’Neil Cespedes, and today’s AMA is a little bit different – instead of having O’Neil read your questions, we had you call in to ask questions yourselves. We loved this format, it was great to hear some of your voices, and we dove int…
  continue reading
 
What if the pursuit of happiness is making us miserable? On the podcast today to help us answer that question is Dr. Arthur Brooks. Arthur is a Harvard professor, social scientist, and bestselling author known for his work on well-being, leadership, and human flourishing. His journey is anything but traditional—starting out as a professional musici…
  continue reading
 
How do we navigate all the changes that come with radical growth – the fortunes, the fame, social challenges…all while staying true to ourselves? Today’s guest is Deryck Whibley, lead singer and guitarist for the iconic punk rock band Sum 41. Over two decades, Sum 41 has sold over 15 million records, earned Grammy nominations, and won numerous awar…
  continue reading
 
Actor Michael Urie is a breath of fresh air. He talks to us about his journey in acting from the suburbs of Dallas, Texas to the Broadway stage. It was an unlikely path filled with generous doses of hard work, talent and passion. Urie explains how he first fell in love with musical comedies and how it changed everything for him. Even if you’ve neve…
  continue reading
 
What makes rational people adopt irrational beliefs? And, what can we do to bridge the growing divide in society? Here to help us answer those questions is today’s guest, Dr. Dan Ariely. Dan is a renowned behavioral economist, Duke University professor, and author, known for his groundbreaking research on human decision-making, irrationality, and t…
  continue reading
 
Wondering how to create time for your life priorities when it’s not part of your employer’s culture? Then this is the AMA for you. Back once again is my co-host O’Neil Cespedes, and in today’s conversation, we get into topics like: How to design your own life based on *your* priorities Bridging the gap between who we were in our younger years and w…
  continue reading
 
Today’s episode is a special one. It wasn’t recorded in our studio, but live from Balboa Theater in San Diego for a Live Talks LA event, where I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with one of the most influential thinkers of our time: Malcolm Gladwell. This conversation was so much fun – we explored his writing process, the lessons he learn…
  continue reading
 
Loading …
Listen to this show while you explore
Play