Good Life Project

Growing up outside San Francisco, Tyler Gage went to college intending to spend the next 4 years playing soccer and studying politics. Until he landed in a class called Religion Gone Wild. That one experience touched off an extraordinary journey that would lead him to drop out and spend the next two years in the South American rainforest studying indigenous tribes. Tyler eventually returned to finish school and then, along with his friend, Dan MacCombie, launched RUNA Tea, a company built around the quest to create sustainable livings for thousands of rainforest farmers and their families, while preserving trees and the natural rainforest environment. He had to learn everything, from supply chain creation to local leaf farming to FTC regs to branding, all from the ground up. RUNA tea can now be found in a growing number of stores across the United States. And the venture is not only creating alternative livelihoods for thousands, but planting more than 150,000 trees and supporting local development. In this week's episode, we explore Tyler's incredible journey, what inspired him to leave school to study indigenous tribes in the Amazon, why he felt he needed to return to help the people he studied upon graduating, why he chose their special blend of guaysasa tea as the commercial vehicle, why they chose a "for profit" model to do it and where they're going with RUNA. Enjoy! And, be sure to subscribe on iTunes to listen while you're out on the town. With gratitude, Jonathan

Karen Salmansohn was flying up the ladder in the fast-paced NYC advertising world. But something was missing. She knew her passion lay elsewhere. And she wanted to write, tell stories and reach people on a deeper level. So, she took a leap of faith and decided to become an author. Once she proclaimed her intent to the world, a series of odd "coincidences" seemed to drop from the sky that would accelerate her down her new path. But, Karen isn't so much someone who follows the "usual" path. She likes to create her own special way to do things. And that meant writing a different kind of book. One that required a huge investment not only in words, but in images, design, touch and feel. One that would take a lot more money and risk to do it the traditional way. When she brought her new sensibility to the big publishers, they got spooked and started to back away. Not deterred, she assembled her own teams of designers, she formed collaborations with them to keep up front costs low and built a series of books herself. She knew publishers needed to be able to see, touch and feel the finished product for them to get how powerful what she was doing was. And, when she started circling back to show them what her team had created, she was off to the races. Today Karen has more than 1,000,000 copies of her books in print. Her newest, Instant Happy, just hit the shelves this month. And she's building a new powerhouse brand blending her wit, wisdom and design aesthetic to create inspirational and educational posters for school campaigns. Her first poster "curriculum" focused on anti-bullying. In this week's episode, we explore Karen's fascinating and constantly evolving journey. Enjoy! And if you'd prefer to listen to the mp3 version, just subscribe on iTunes. With gratitude, Jonathan

Julie Rice and Elizabeth Cutler were two moms who moved to Manhattan from Los Angeles and Boulder, Colorado. Life in the the city was great, but both had developed a passion for exercise and indoor cycling and they just couldn't find a place in NY with the level of soul, intensity and community they longed for. So, one day, over lunch, they hatched a plan. If they couldn't find what they wanted, they'd do it themselves. That day, on the back of a napkin, SoulCycle was born. Starting in a little bare bones location on the Upper West Side, SoulCycle has now grown into a national brand. One that's not only changing the lives of thousands of people, but innovating new business, philanthropic and service models and developing merchandise, apparel and more. In this week's episode, filmed on location at one of SoulcCycle's premier locations in Manhattan, we dive deep into their journey, discover what brought them together, what their original vision was, how it's evolved and where they're going. As, always, if you enjoy this week's episode, please share it with friends, either by email or using the social media buttons just under the video. And, if you'd prefer to listen, be sure to subscribe to the show on iTunes. With gratitude, Jonathan

What if you could blow up your schedule and rebuild it exactly the way you wanted? What if you exalted deep-dive, uninterrupted creative time, being hyper-present in the lives of those you truly care about and taking amazing care of your body?  And, then, and only then, added whatever time was left for meetings and other bits of "overhead?" That's exactly what world-renowned venture-capitalist, Techstars co-founder and author, Brad Feld did for 90 glorious days. He went from working 16-18 hour days, flying from meeting to meeting and traveling like crazy to living in the mountains with his wife and golden retrievers for 3 months. And allocating all but 3 hours a day for creation and connection. He still worked. In fact, he got a huge amount of high-level creative work done. but he did it in a radically different way. And, along the way, he found himself face-to-face with a series of surprises and awakenings about the true impact of the way he'd been working on his body, his health and his relationships. In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore this incredible 90-day experiment, the fallout, discoveries and shifts. But, that's just the beginning. We also go deep into the impact of living in a fully-engaged way, being present in the lives of the people who really matter. We jam on the interplay between meaning, happiness, work and play, the sacrifices we make and why. We explore what marathoning gives Brad, beyond pure fitness. We talk about fear, action and building business from a place of service. And, we  wrap with Brad's extraordinary take on what it means to live a good life, where he shares this sage bit of advice from his dad... "Pick your 2% and put everything you've got against it." Watch the episode now. Then, go ahead and share it with a friend, either by email or using the social media buttons right under the video. And if you'd like to listen in audio format instead, just subscribe on iTunes. With gratitude, Jonathan

What if YOU got to choose how, when and why to make art, to build the career, the life, the experiences, products, solutions and impact that make you come alive? That's one of the central ideas in this week's episode with my very special guest, New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur, thought-leader and ruckus-maker, Seth Godin. In this wide-spanning conversation, we explore: What books really mean and why they're different than any other medium The real value of ideas versus actions and outcomes Why you should never be afraid of walking away when the market tells you it's time What his publishing venture The Domino Project was really about and why he ended it Drawing the line between industrial labor and "clean sheet of paper" project-based work Understanding the difference between want and need, stuff and feeling The difference between rapidly scaling, venture capital, mandatory exits and projects The really big change in the world of publishing and what opportunities it opens up How he used Kickstarter to prove demand for his next book & raise more than $200,000 Why his focus has evolved into bigger "life" topics over the last few years Why the question "what project should I pick" is a red-herring and what to do about it Why he keeps his private life out of his professional conversations How he defines living a good life And so much more Join us for a conversation that'll leave you inspired to think about and look at the world differently, and then act on that shift in perspective. And, as always, if you've enjoyed this episode, I'd be grateful if you shared it with friends. +++ Good Life Alert - When was the last time you felt lit-up, connected and on track to build a great living and life? Join Jonathan and his band of Good Life Mentors for 3 ½ days that will change everything and set your world on fire. Check out Camp GLP now. With gratitude, Jonathan

What if the thing most people perceive as a source of weakness to be eliminated was actually the master key to a better life? This very awakening shook my guest on this week's show -- professor, researcher, New York Times bestselling author and all-around super-cool human Brene Brown -- to the very core. It led to not only a series of extraordinary realizations in her research and professional life, but to changes in the way she looked at herself and the world that would leave her profoundly changed. She writes about this process, and her discoveries around the V word - vulnerability - in her new book, Daring Greatly, which is already a huge New York Times bestseller. And for good reason. Turns out... "Within vulnerability lie the seeds of greatness." But, as always, the conversation doesn't stop there. We wind through the personal experiences in her own live that have led to powerful changes in outlook and focus, to what happens when faith meets science, to the intersection between vulnerability, uncertainty, risk, shame and success in business and entrepreneurship and so much more. And be sure to watch til the end, where Brene shares her answer to the question "what does it mean to live a good life?" Truly inspiring. Be sure to subscribe, so you don't miss any future shows. You can also subscribe on iTunes where you'll also get access to the mp3 vault so you can take the shows on the road and listen while you're cruising around. Just enter your email right below the video above. And, be sure to share this episode. Go ahead and click on the share buttons under the video, then email three friends. They'll thank you and you'll all have great conversations around the ideas in the show. +++ Good Life Alert - When was the last time you felt lit-up, connected and on track to build a great living and life? Join Jonathan and his band of Good Life Mentors for 3 ½ days that will change everything and set your world on fire. Check out Camp GLP now. With gratitude, Jonathan  

I stumbled into Helene Godin's By The Way Bakery in Hastings on the Hudson, NY shortly after the place opened. And I immediately fell in love. The vintage, small-town feel, hand-crafted delectables and, wow, the owner right behind the counter with a giant smile and great conversation. Of course, it being my first time in, and with the wife and kid by my side, we HAD to sample a nice assortment of "the goods." Oh the sacrifices we make for family! Three words...Mouth. Water. Ing! Which may surprise you, because the "By The Way" in the name stands for "oh, and it's gluten-free and dairy-free, by the way." Turns out, that's just the first of many surprises. Because Helene opened the bakery after walking out of a hugely successful 22 year career as a hotshot lawyer in New York City. No experience as an entrepreneur. Never baked. Never done anything or dreamed about anything but being a lawyer. Until that day where everything changed. And a bakery bar-none became her quest. In this week's episode, we explore: What led Helene into the practice of law and what kept her there for so long What led her to make such a radical and abrupt change in course How she used the local grocery store to do fast and free market research How she blended a love of taking of care of people with a rapidly-emerging trend What people around her thought about her leap and how she handled her fears and doubts How she rapidly self-educated herself in entrepreneurship and gluten-free baking How she built a network of baked good beta-testers all over town to help develop her products How a relentless commitment to creating something extraordinary drove action How face-to-face local businesses give you a connection you cannot get online What the first year was like and how she learned while she worked How her life and her focus has changed since making the jump What surprises came and awakenings came her way What the impact has been on her relationships What it means to Helene to live a Good Life And so much more. And be sure to share it with all those friends who you know are secretly Jonesing to do what Helene did, but haven't found the courage or the story that proves its possible! Go ahead, email 5 friends. Share this puppy on Facebook.  Oh, and if you're ever in Hastings, do NOT leave without swinging by, saying hello to Helene and grabbing something to eat.

Great ideas have no value until they make it into the world and become great actions, conversations, experiences, products, services, companies and art. Problem is, the most creative people with the biggest ideas are often the worst equipped to be able to make those ideas happen. Enter Scott Belsky and the amazing team at Behance. For the last five years, Belsky and his team have been on a mission to organize and empower the creative community. To create tools, processes, systems and experiences designed to help creative people bring more of their work to the world. Along the way, he's built not only a company fueled by connection and a commitment to personal growth, but a growing catalogue of industry-leading solutions and experiences that now serve millions of creatives globally, including the Action Method tools and system, the Behance.net creative showcase and discovery engine, the 99u community and conference (formerly The 99%, as you'll hear in the interview) and Scott's bestselling book Making Ideas Happen. And, here's the really cool thing. That's still just the beginning, because, Scott's philosophy is "mission centric, medium agnostic." He's not attached to any one particular solution or idea, rather he's fueled to serve the evolving needs of a community in whatever way works best. In this in-depth episode of Good Life Project™, we dive much deeper into the genesis of behance, how their "mission centric, medium agnostic" philosophy has created incredible opportunities, how a commitment to company culture, learning and growth has fueled rapid growth, how to harness the power of "free radicals," what it's like to build a global creative meritocracy that helps discover hidden talent, what fuels Beslky on a personal level, where he and the Behance team are looking to grow in the future and so much more. Enjoy the conversation, but more than that, get your pencil out, there's some serious learning to be had... With gratitude, Jonathan

What if the ability to live a good life was less about vision and planning and more about openness to engagement and serendipity? These are all questions we explore in this week's episode of Good Life Project, featuring music industry exec turned New York Times bestselling author and Shambhala meditation teacher, Susan Piver. In this episode, we explore the power of mindfulness, both as a way of life and a formal practice. We look at the importance of work and drive, but also explore how being open to unplanned opportunities can create a life that unfolds on an entirely different level. We follow Susan's journey from Texas bartender to surprise music executive to book packager to mega bestselling author to meditation teacher. All unexpected, all unplanned, yet powerful and rewarding beyond words. In fact, this entire journey was set in motion when Susan's car broke down one day in Austin, Texas. We'll also dive into her current quest to expand her ability to teach and serve through the launch of her Open Heart Project. We'll see how Susan has tapped the reach of the internet and technology to serve thousands of people globally from the ease of her own home and make meditation accessible and available to the masses. If these ideas sound interesting, go ahead and share this episode with your friends now. Email three friends and click on the social media buttons just under the video to the right. And, if you'd rather listen to the episode than watch, go ahead and enter your email in the subscribe form above to get weekly updates and developments in the Good Life Project.

Over the past dozen years, Chris Guillebeau has been on a quest to figure out how to best to serve the world, while also serving his own desire to grow on a personal level and build a world-class, location-independent business. Many of you will know Chris' name, especially as the author of the fantastic New York Times bestseller The $100 Startup. What you may not know, though, is that a dozen years ago, you could find him eeking out a living selling things on ebay by day and playing jazz music by night. It wasn't a bad blend of gigs. But, moved by the events of 9-11, a then 23 year old Chris yearned to contribute on a level that would change not only his own life, but the world around him. So, he set out on a quest that transported him and his wife, Jolie (who happens to also be a wonderful painter), from the southern calm of Alabama to...a hospital ship in Africa. That experience opened Chris' eyes to needs, challenges and possibilities he'd never seen before. And it set in motion an extraordinary journey that has led to the creation of: A blog that attracts a giant worldwide following at ArtofNoncomformity A series of global ventures at UnconventionalGuides.com and TravelHackingCartel.com Two bestselling books - The Art of Noncomformity and NYT bestseller The $100 Startup A perpetually sold-out global conference in Portland  - World Domination Summit, and... A 5 year quest to visit every country in the world (that's almost at an end). In this episode of Good Life Project™ - We'll dive deep into this transformational journey with Chris Learn more about each step, each project and WHY he leaned into them Do a bit of truth-building and myth-busting about location independent business and travel Explore what big awakenings and shifts in outlook he's had along the way Discover what drives Chris now and how his motivation has evolved over time Learn why the possibility of failure must be on the table for anything worth doing and Find out where he's headed next. As always, if you enjoy the episode, please share it with friends. Just click on any of the social media buttons right under the video to the right. Finally, we'd love to have you on the mailing list so you can get updates on new shows and other developments with Good Life Project™. With gratitude, Jonathan

What if the thing you loved to do most came with a heightened risk of death? Majka Burhardt has built an extraordinary life and career around risk. A professional rock climber, writer, speaker and filmmaker, she goes to parts of the world most people have never heard of and climbs towering faces, spires and mountains many others deem unclimbable. But it's not so much the risk of physical harm that draws her in, nor makes her come alive. There's something much deeper going on. A rich exploration of the interplay between movement, stagnation, creativity, adventure and possibility. Majka's extraordinary approach to the dance between risk, creation and illumination continues to lead her into new ideas, paths and opportunities. It's almost like she's in a state of constant manifestation. Burhardt's current focus and next big adventure will take her and a team of climbers, scientists and filmmakers deep into Mozambique to not only climb, but gather scientific data about a 7,936-foot granite monolith known as Mt. Namuli. She'll be sharing the adventure in the forthcoming documentary film,  The Lost Mountain. In this week's episode of Good Life Project TV, we explore her pursuit of a career that blends physical challenge, travel, connection, storytelling and adventure. As always, if you enjoy this episode, please share it with friends and be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any future episodes. --------------  Image credit: Celin Serbo

Trained as a classical pianist, Whitney Johnson headed to New York City to make it. Not at Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center, but...on Wall Street?!?! In this in-depth interview, we'll discover the major "zag" that took Johnson from the world of music to the world of Wall Street. We'll explore her rise to becoming a top sell-side analyst, a contributor to the Harvard Business Review and president and co-founder of Clay Christensen's investment firm Rose Park Advisors, More than that, though, we'll dive into Johnson's "disrupt yourself" personal philosophy, her drive to build not just a fulfilling living, but an extraordinary, full life and her desire to share what she's learned in her latest book, book Dare, Dream, Do. If you've enjoyed this episode, be sure to share it with friends and subscribe to stay updated for when the next show comes out.  

"Busy is the new fine and stress is the new fat." -Jan Bruce Jan Bruce built a stunning career as a health and wellness media entrepreneur and innovator. She launched and built a number of companies, national magazine brands and, after selling her prior magazine venture to Martha Stewart's Omnimedia, spent a number of years running the business under the umbrella of one of the industry's titans. But, something was wrong. Have lived and breathed health and wellness for years on a professional level, she realized she was no longer living in line with the ideals she was sharing with the world. And, she wasn't the only one. So, Jan stepped back and, with a bit of clarity, eventually stepped down to reclaim her own center, her sanity and her health. And along the way, as is the case with most lifelong entrepreneurs, she discovered she was not the only one in need of help. Millions of other "outward successes" had built lives and lifestyles on top of a house of cards with foundations laid in stress, anxiety and physical decline. And it was causing so much emotional and physical pain. So, she set out to do something extraordinary about it and ended up founding a new online venture - MeQuilibrium.com - designed to help guide people through a series of "interventions," mindset shifts with the goal of putting stress back in its box and empowering people to live fully expressed, healthier lives. In Bruce's words, "we intend to own the ecosystem around stress." As always, if you've enjoyed this episode, feel free to share it with friends and helps spread the inspiration to live a better life!

It had been his lifelong dream to command his own submarine, but what started out as the realization of that dream quickly turned into the biggest challenge of his life. A last minute switch found newly-minted nuclear fast-attack submarine Commander, David Marquet, at the helm of a sub with the worst-rated crew and a turnover-rate that would've destroyed any business. It was a shock to the system, but within the first few days, Marquet began to see things differently. It was an incredible opportunity to not only change the culture on the ship, but to radically rethink both his own and the traditional absolute-authority approach to leadership that the military had become known for. He quickly developed a new approach built upon humility and empowerment that transformed everything. Within 12 months, the worst-performing sub had become the best performing and Marquet's approach to leadership was gaining attention as a potential new model. In this episode, we go deep into that tumultuous time in his life and career. We explore the shock of his new commission, the horrifying incidents that led him to realize how broken the culture and leadership system had become. We dive into how changing a single word would spark a wholesale shift in culture and performance. And we go deep into his new "Leader Leader" approach that led to what most believed was an impossible transformation, under extreme conditions in a remarkably short period of time. Since retiring from the Navy, Marquet now shares his leadership ideas with organizations of all sizes and is the author of the book, Turn This Ship Around: How to Create Leadership at Every Level As always, if you enjoy this episode, be sure to email it around and share it with friends online! And, if you haven't yet subscribed, get on it!

Nick Onken was a successful graphic designer. Until one day, he made a bold proposition to a client that would lead him into a whirlwind photography adventure in Africa. That one experience would begin his journey into the world of commercial photography...and change the course of his career and life. Onken is now a highly sought-after commercial photographer who shoots everything from fashion to cause campaigns all over the world. In this in-depth conversation, we'll explore how: A willingness to be bold and not wait for permission opened doors The decision to dive into photography full-time happened as an organic extension of his design work A devotion to learning and honing his craft took his work and career to a new level Art and money can go together to create work that is well-compensated but is also true art Becoming a professional photographer opened doors to travel and profoundly changed Onken's world-view Tapping his gift and his work to give back is an important part of Onken's life, and So much more Nick also shares what he believes it takes to become a professional photographer and make a leap into a field that so many try to break into without success. As always, if you enjoy this episode, be sure to email it around and share it with friends online! And, if you haven't yet subscribed, get on it!