Best Courageous Parents Network Podcasts (2025)

1
512. Stuck Building Your Personal Brand? Here's How to Break Through with Rory Vaden 43:55

Play Pause

7d ago43:55

43:55

What happens when everything you’ve built suddenly disappears? In this episode, Jay Papasan sits down with Rory Vaden—someone who knows what it’s like to lose everything and rebuild from scratch. After Rory and his wife, AJ, were forced out of the business they’d spent 12 years building, they had to start over with nothing but a non-compete, their …

1
How AI is Making “Pump and Dump” Investment Scams Easy for Criminals 43:06

9d ago43:06

43:06

Karen is experienced in investing, but she hopes to boost her retirement savings by joining an investors group on WhatsApp. After a few months of receiving positive trading tips, she follows the advice to invest in several stocks in Asian markets. Her portfolio plummets, losing tens of thousands of dollars. Karen is the victim of a classic “pump an…

1
Mamie Kanfer Stewart on Meeting Smarter: How to Stop Wasting Time at Work (Shortcast) 10:48

11d ago10:48

10:48

In this Shortcast edition, Mamie Kanfer Stewart, co-author of Momentum: Creating Effective, Engaging and Enjoyable Meetings, explains why meetings are one of the biggest productivity drains—and how to fix them. From clarifying desired outcomes to optimizing who’s in the room, Mamie shares practical, people-focused strategies to make meetings more e…

1
511. How to 6X Your Goals Using The ONE Thing with Brandon Turner 39:18

12d ago39:18

39:18

When The ONE Thing first came out, Brandon Turner didn’t just read it—he made it his only book for an entire year, reading it cover to cover more than 20 times. The result? He didn’t just hit his audacious goal of acquiring $50 million in real estate in three years—he soared past it, buying $300 million worth. In this episode, Brandon pulls back th…

1
Mike Vardy on The Productivity Diet: Feeding What Fuels You 42:11

14d ago42:11

42:11

I’m excited to welcome back Mike Vardy to the show. Mike is a productivity strategist, longtime friend of the podcast, and the author of The Productivity Diet: A Practical Guide to Nurturing Your Productive Potential. In this conversation, we dive into how the language, systems, and inputs you choose each day can either nourish or deplete your abil…

1
Archive Episode: Knock Knock, Where’s My Puppy? 48:40

16d ago48:40

48:40

In this 2021 episode, Rochelle scores a great deal on a house in northern Virginia, only to have her dream home transformed a few months later into Pet Scam Central. Day after day, strangers show up on her doorstep, claiming they’ve arrived to pick up a puppy they paid for. Some have driven over six or twelve hours with their family. Unfortunately,…

1
Donald Miller on Productivity: How to Focus, Finish, and Find Meaning (Shortcast) 10:03

18d ago10:03

10:03

In this Shortcast edition, Donald Miller, author of Building a StoryBrand, shares how applying storytelling principles can bring clarity, purpose, and momentum to your personal and professional life. Drawing from narrative theory, Donald explains how to see your life as a story—complete with a clear goal, supporting characters, and an inciting inci…

1
510. 7 Recession-Proof Strategies for Building Wealth in a Down Market 47:00

21d ago47:00

47:00

We spend a lot of time worrying about uncertainty—tariffs, market volatility, the looming threat of a recession. But what if these aren’t just obstacles, but some of the greatest opportunities for your business or career? History shows that recessions often create more millionaires than any other time and open the door for companies to leap ahead. …

1
Cynthia Kane on The Pause Principle: How to Keep Your Cool in Tough Situations 36:37

21d ago36:37

36:37

In this episode, Cynthia Kane, author of The Pause Principle: How to Keep Your Cool in Tough Situations, joins the show to discuss how to improve communication by mastering the art of pausing. Cynthia, a communication expert, explains why taking a moment to pause before reacting in difficult situations can lead to more effective and mindful communi…

1
Archive Episode: Courage of Steele, Part 2: How One Man Fought Back Against His Abusive Caregiver 28:28

23d ago28:28

28:28

In part 2, as 72-year-old Steve Steele is released from jail, not only can he hardly stand or walk, but he is worried about how he will recover the property stolen by Elizabeth, the caregiver who worked for him. That’s where Steve’s attorney, Brent Smith, comes in, waging what becomes a nearly two-year battle.…

1
Cal Newport on Digital Minimalism: How to Reclaim Focus and Control (Shortcast) 9:10

25d ago9:10

9:10

In this Shortcast edition, Cal Newport, author of Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World, shares how we can reclaim our time and attention by taking control of our relationship with digital technology. Rather than rejecting tech entirely, Cal proposes a minimalist approach—using technology with intention and only when it suppo…

1
509. The ADHD Advantage: How Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs Outperform with Tyler Elstrom 45:00

28d ago45:00

45:00

If you’ve ever struggled to get started, finish what you begin, or felt like your brain just doesn’t operate like everyone else’s—you’re not alone. Jay sits down with ADHD coach and entrepreneur Tyler Elstrom to unpack what’s really going on in the ADHD brain, from dopamine regulation to executive function to emotional overwhelm. Tyler introduces t…

1
Jess Cording on Strategies for Managing Stress: Mind, Body, and Spirit (Shortcast) 10:47

27d ago10:47

10:47

In this special Shortcast, Jess Cording, author of The Little Book of Game Changers: 50 Healthy Habits for Managing Stress and Anxiety, shares practical strategies to manage stress and anxiety by making small, sustainable changes across mind, body, and spirit. Jess offers gentle, doable practices that go beyond willpower—emphasizing progress over p…

1
Archive Episode: Courage of Steele, Part 1: Housekeeper Turned Caregiver Steals Homes 23:30

1M ago23:30

23:30

In this 2021 episode, after 72-year-old Steve Steele’s life partner passes away, his housekeeper, Elizabeth, offers to work as his caregiver. Over time, Elizabeth takes over Steve’s finances, even persuading him to deed her his homes. It all comes to a head one Christmas Eve, when Elizabeth accuses Steve, who can hardly stand or walk, of assault, a…

1
508. 5 Strategies to Beat Quality Inflation and Stay Ahead 35:17

1M ago35:17

35:17

Are you succeeding so slowly you think you're failing—or failing so slowly you think you're succeeding?” In this solo episode, Jay Papasan introduces the concept of quality inflation: the idea that the standards for average—and especially extraordinary—performance keep rising every year. Drawing inspiration from the Red Queen Hypothesis and his exp…

1
Shira Gill on How Minimalism and Intentionality Can Transform Your Life 39:42

1M ago39:42

39:42

In this episode, Shira Gill, author of Lifestyle: Your Guide to a More Organized and Intentional Life, joins the show to discuss her approach to minimalism and intentional living. Shira, a professional organizer, shares how she applies the principles of minimalism not just to physical possessions but to all aspects of life—helping to create space f…

1
Reverse Mortgage Scam Leaves Chicago Families Fighting to Save Homes 51:45

1M ago51:45

51:45

Longtime homeowners on Chicago’s West Side trust Mark Diamond to help them access funds and carry out necessary home repairs. However, they are often unaware that they are entering into reverse mortgage agreements. The repairs are never completed, and Diamond disappears with the money, leaving families desperately struggling to save their homes fro…

1
507. Unlocking Wild Courage: How to Turn “Negative” Traits Into Superpowers with Jenny Wood 41:49

1M ago41:49

41:49

What if the very traits you’ve been told to hide are actually your greatest assets? This week, I’m joined by Jenny Wood, former Google executive and author of Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It, to explore nine provocative traits—like being weird, selfish, nosy, shameless, or even brutal—and how to use them as superpowers. Jenny shares…

1
Jim Guinn on Preventing Conflict: How to Get Along with Anyone at Work and Home 35:01

1M ago35:01

35:01

In this episode, Jim Guinn, co-author of How to Get Along with Anyone: The Playbook for Predicting and Preventing Conflict at Work and at Home, joins the show to discuss the art of conflict prevention. Jim, an expert in mediation and conflict resolution, shares practical tools for recognizing and managing conflict before it escalates into full-blow…

1
The NFT Scam Targeting Artists 44:57

1M ago44:57

44:57

Douglas is enjoying a second career as an artist, selling his paintings online and in gallery shows. People occasionally ask about non-fungible tokens (NFTs) of his work. Still, he never gives it too much thought until a woman on LinkedIn approaches him with what seems like the opportunity of a lifetime. Her company can convert his artwork to an NF…

1
506. Transformational Leadership Principles Hidden in Dr. Becky’s Parenting Book (Part 2) 29:58

2M ago29:58

29:58

This episode wraps up our two-part series on what leadership lessons we can learn from parenting expert Dr. Becky Kennedy, author of Good Inside. If you caught part one, you know these lessons aren't just for parents—they’re tools for anyone who wants to show up better in their relationships and at work. We dive into the last three lessons Jay took…

1
505. Transformational Leadership Principles Hidden in Dr. Becky’s Parenting Book (Part 1) 36:41

2M ago36:41

36:41

This episode started as a parenting read and turned into a masterclass in leadership. After picking up Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy, Jay found himself repeatedly thinking, "This is leadership." In the first of a two-part series, he explores the surprising—and incredibly useful—ways that parenting advice maps directly onto leadership. If you're …

1
Baratunde Thurston on Unplugging: How to Reclaim Your Time and Focus (Shortcast) 11:19

2M ago11:19

11:19

In this special Shortcast edition, Baratunde Thurston, shares his experience of unplugging from social media for 25 days—and what he learned about stress, productivity, and the importance of being present. Baratunde reveals how stepping away from constant digital interaction can lead to more meaningful real-world connections and less burnout. In th…

1
Lost But Not Found: The Lost Pet Scam 55:16

2M ago55:16

55:16

When Chloe’s mom experiences a medical emergency, Chloe rushes to be by her side. Amid the stress and chaos of the following days, her mother’s cat, Percy, slips out one evening. Chloe and her family do everything they can to find him, but after several days, Percy still hasn’t returned. Then, they receive a call from the “Tampa Bay Humane Society”…

1
504. How to Rebuild Your Life After Losing Everything with Gene Rivers 32:43

2M ago32:43

32:43

Sometimes the challenges life throws at us are bigger than anything we could have prepared for. In today’s episode, I sit down with my longtime friend Gene Rivers, one of the top instructors and true practitioners of The ONE Thing, to hear the remarkable story of how he and his family survived a devastating hurricane—and what they did next. Gene sh…

1
Melody Wilding on Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from Those in Charge 48:23

2M ago48:23

48:23

In this episode, Melody Wilding, author of Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from People in Charge, joins the show to discuss the often-overlooked skill of managing up. Melody shares insights on how to communicate more effectively with those in higher positions, ensuring that you get the support and guidance you need for your career while maint…

1
Serial Scammer Targets Hockey League Parents, Part 2 50:15

2M ago50:15

50:15

In part two, law enforcement narrows in on Kota Youngblood and his scheme to steal millions of dollars from neighbors and fellow hockey league parents. His cruel lies have many believing that his life and, in some cases, their own lives are in danger from a Mexican drug cartel. The stories are so convincing that some victims are hesitant to talk to…

1
503. 16.5 Proven Audience-Building Secrets 41:56

2M ago41:56

41:56

When Jay Papasan launched the Twentypercenter newsletter, it was his personal version of a Rocky-style training montage. He committed to writing, editing, and publishing a new piece every single week—no matter what. 137 newsletters later, he’s gained more than just consistency. He’s built a powerful, intentional audience and uncovered key lessons a…

1
Courtney Carver on Gentle Rest: How to Stress Less and Live the Life You Want 50:56

2M ago50:56

50:56

In this episode, Courtney Carver, author of Rest More, Stress Less: How to Live the Life You Actually Want, shares her transformative approach to prioritizing rest and reducing stress. Courtney, a simplicity and decluttering expert, discusses how rest is not just a reward but a necessity for productivity, creativity, and overall well-being. In this…

1
Serial Scammer Targets Hockey League Parents, Part 1 47:14

2M ago47:14

47:14

Kota Youngblood is known as a larger-than-life character in his small Texas town, spinning wild tales of military service and work as an undercover federal agent to his neighbors and acquaintances from his son’s hockey league. His deceptions – from investments in rare coins and sports memorabilia to stories about drug cartels and kidnappings – stea…