Finding Mastery: Conversations With Michael Gervais

What if your biggest competitive advantage isn’t how technologically advanced you are — but how psychologically agile your teams are?On today’s episode, we sit down with Matt Garman — CEO of Amazon Web Services — to dig into the leadership frameworks behind one of the world’s most innovative companies. We cover his “one-way vs. two-way doors” decision model, why “minimum lovable product” beats perfectionism, and how to push autonomy down while keeping trust and security high.We also explore what’s really slowing AI adoption (and why replacing junior employees with AI is a terrible idea), why documents beat slide decks for high-stakes calls, and the long-view energy bets—including nuclear—that AWS believes will shape innovation and sustainability. Along the way, Matt shares the personal side of leading at speed: family dinners, golf as a reset, and the “support then challenge” cadence that helps teams sustain pace without burning out.What you’ll learn:How to use the “one-way vs. two-way doors” framework to mak

What if the real challenge of creativity isn’t coming up with ideas… but creating the conditions where people believe in them enough to fight for them?Today, we sit down with Neal Arthur, Global CEO of Wieden+Kennedy, the iconic creative agency behind culture-shaping work from Nike’s “Just Do It” to Coca-Cola and McDonald’s. Neal leads one of the world’s most inventive creative agencies, yet his lens on creativity isn’t about chasing brilliance. It’s about building the trust, safety, and belonging that allow great ideas to surface — and stick.We dig into how he unlocks creativity in a world changing rapidly with AI: the tension between stability and risk, how leaders create conditions for honesty, and what AI means for the future of creativity and culture. We also get personal: how growing up feeling “othered” shaped Neal’s obsession with belonging and creative safety, why pressure rarely produces great work, and how optimism, resilience, and humility fuel constant reinvention.In this episode you’ll learn:How

What if the key to deeper connection isn’t in what you say — but in how your body speaks, listens, and moves?On today’s episode, we sit down with Vanessa Van Edwards — behavioral researcher, bestselling author, and founder of Science of People. A self-described “recovering awkward person,” Vanessa turned social anxiety into a science-backed toolkit anyone can use to improve communication, connection, and leadership. Vanessa studies what happens beneath words: how posture, tone, eye contact, and presence shape how we’re perceived and how we make others feel.Together, we explore the subtle science of connection — from how warmth and competence support charisma to the micro-cues that determine trust, likability, and confidence. This is an episode for anyone who wants to show up with authenticity, read the room better, and make their communication more impactful.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to use posture and physical space to project calm confidenceWhy warmth must come before competence to build trust fastH

What if instead of chasing a seat at the table, you built an entirely new game — and the world fell in love with it?On today’s episode, we sit down with Jesse Cole, founder and owner of the Savannah Bananas and creator of Banana Ball. Jesse has built one of the most extraordinary, fast-growing sports movements by breaking every rule in the book. In an era where attention is the hardest currency, he’s turned baseball into a full-blown entertainment experience — part sport, part show, and all heart.From selling out ballparks across America to giving foster families standing ovations mid-game, Jesse’s vision is driven by one principle: Fans First. He shares the habits and systems behind that mindset — from his “Learn, Change, Plus” culture of constant improvement to the leadership lessons that came from adopting two daughters during COVID. It’s a conversation about leading with joy, embracing risk, and using creativity as a form of love.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to design sold-out experiences by removing

What if being overlooked; dismissed as too slow or too average, was actually the foundation for becoming one of the greatest of all time?On today’s episode, we sit down with Luc Robitaille; Hockey Hall of Famer, NHL’s all-time leading left-wing scorer, Stanley Cup champion, and President of the LA Kings. Recorded live at the California Surf Club, Luc pulls back the curtain on the mindset that carried him from ninth-round afterthought to hockey immortality: the daily commitment to get a little better, the discipline to quiet corrosive self-talk, and the belief that being underestimated can be a gift.Luc’s story is the stuff of legend. In this candid, emotionally intelligent conversation, we dig into self-talk, flow, and the small daily behaviors that compound into greatness—plus how to transition from athlete to executive without losing your edge (or your humanity).You’ll learn:How to move from negative mind → positive mind → no mind (flow)The simple rituals Luc used to build consistency and confidenceWhy serv

What if the very thing you’ve been hiding from the world is actually the doorway to real connection?On today’s episode, we sit down with legendary comedian, TV host, actor, and producer Howie Mandel - best known for Deal or No Deal, America’s Got Talent, and decades of stand-up. But the real story isn’t what Howie does. It’s how he thinks.In this candid and deeply human conversation, Howie shares his lifelong journey with OCD and anxiety, his complex relationship with performance, and how comedy became both a shield and a bridge. Together with Dr. Mike, he explores what it means to embrace our humanness, manage the noise inside our heads, and show up vulnerably - onstage and off.You’ll learn:How Howie Mandel transformed lifelong struggles with OCD and anxiety into creative fuel.Why vulnerability—even accidental—creates the deepest connections.How to become “comfortable with discomfort” and why that unlocks mastery.The difference between chasing fame and living from true contentment.Why engagement—not achievem

What if your deepest insecurity could become the catalyst for building something extraordinary?On today’s episode, we sit down with Giorgos Tsetis - engineer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Nutrafol. As a young model, Giorgos faced the fear of hair thinning head-on and made a radical choice: to engineer a healthier, science-backed path. That choice would eventually serve millions and build a billion-dollar wellness brand.This is more than a story about hair. It’s about identity, confidence, stress, and what it takes to transform pain into purpose. Giorgos shares openly about the anxiety of losing something that defined him, the science behind whole-body health, and the leadership lessons that fueled his journey from struggle to impact.In this conversation, you’ll discover:Why hair health is a mirror of overall wellnessHow stress and lifestyle choices trigger genetic predispositionsThe importance of integrity and clinical rigor in building trustThe leadership philosophy that carried Nutrafol to a billion-doll

What does it take to win an Olympic medal—while navigating the mental and emotional rollercoaster of the Games?On today’s episode, Dr. Gervais sits down with Olympic silver medalists Brandie Wilkerson and Melissa Humana-Paredes, their legendary coach Marcio Sicoli, and moderator David Belasco to go behind the curtain of Team Canada’s incredible 2024 beach volleyball run.This is more than a sports story, it’s a masterclass in resilience, trust, and unlocking human potential under the world’s brightest spotlight. From navigating emotional turbulence to breaking routines that held them back, this conversation reveals the uncommon mindset and team culture that fueled their breakthrough.In this conversation, you’ll learn:How radical honesty built trust that carried them through pressureWhy shared values created unshakable team alignmentThe emotional reality of Olympic highs and lowsHow breaking routines unlocked their best performanceLessons in leadership, resilience, and culture from the Olympic stageThis rare in

What if your success as a leader, parent, or partner depends less on IQ — and more on emotional intelligence?On today’s episode, we sit down with Dr. Travis Bradberry — best-selling author and one of the world’s leading voices on emotional intelligence (EQ). With over 5 million books sold, including his latest The New Emotional Intelligence, Dr. Bradberry has spent decades studying how EQ shapes performance, relationships, and well-being.In this conversation, we explore what emotional intelligence looks like in action: how it shows up in leadership under pressure, how it impacts the quality of your relationships, and what happens when it’s missing. You’ll learn:Why EQ often outperforms IQ and technical skills as a predictor of successHow to recognize blind spots that undermine relationships and performanceWhat leaders with high EQ do differently when stakes are highStrategies for cultivating self-awareness and self-regulationWhy EQ is central to living a “great life”Tune in to hear Dr. Bradberry share practic

What if our deepest human needs, for connection and belonging, hold the real answers for navigating a world racing ahead with technology?On today’s episode, we sit down with Simon Sinek, globally renowned thinker, bestselling author, and long-time friend of the show. Back for a second conversation with us, Simon brings his trademark clarity and storytelling to the questions that matter most: What does it mean to be human in an age of measurement, data, and artificial intelligence? Why do friendships not only enrich our lives but help us survive? And how can we reorient toward what’s real, irreplaceable, and deeply fulfilling?In this conversation, you’ll learn:Why friendship isn’t just “nice to have,” but essential for health, happiness, and survival.The hidden costs of measuring everything, and how it can pull us away from our humanity.How to think about AI not as dystopia, but as a reflection of what makes us uniquely human.The practices Simon uses to deepen belonging and strengthen relationships.How to

What if reframing one simple word, and one simple practice, could reshape how you experience your life?On today’s episode, we sit down with Tim Ferriss, bestselling author of The 4-Hour Workweek, host of The Tim Ferriss Show, angel investor, and relentless experimenter in human potential. Known for his curiosity and cultural impact, Tim opens up about the intentional practices that support calm, focus, playful awareness, and deep presence in his everyday life.Tim explores how language shapes experience, why play is essential (not optional), and how to design your days for the states that matter most. He also shares the thinking behind Coyote, his new card game built to spark laughter, sync groups, and unlock connection, not just competition.What you’ll learn in this episode:How a single word reframed can shift your nervous system and your dayPractical ways Tim cultivates calm, focus, and presenceWhy play is essential to performance, creativity, and connectionDesigning for “states” vs. chasing outcomesThe inte

What if I told you that one of the most dominant athletes of our time began her life in unimaginable hardship - and then rewrote her story, chapter by chapter?This week, we revisit one of the most powerful conversations in the Finding Mastery vault with Oksana Masters; multi-sport Paralympic gold medalist and one of the most decorated Paralympic athletes in U.S. history (with 19 medals).Born in Ukraine with birth defects caused by radiation exposure from Chernobyl, abandoned to an orphanage, and later adopted in the U.S, Oksana’s journey is a masterclass in grit, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of agency. Her story is not only about becoming a world-class athlete - it’s also about reclaiming her narrative, finding freedom through adversity, and turning deep pain into fuel for thriving.What you’ll learn in this episode:How Oksana transformed unimaginable hardship into strength and purposeWhy reclaiming agency - even in the smallest ways - can change the trajectory of a lifeThe role joy and play can have

How do you know when you have “enough” money—and what does that mean for how you live?In this episode of Finding Mastery, we sit down with Brian Werdesheim, expert financial advisor and founding member of the Summa Group at Stifel Financial Corporation, to explore the deeply personal and emotional relationship we have with money. Brian goes beyond numbers and spreadsheets, asking the questions that matter: What are your dreams? Your values? Your full life story? This conversation will challenge you to rethink your approach to wealth—not just as a goal, but as a means to a meaningful life.Together, we reveal why saving alone isn’t enough and unpack the mindset wealthy people use to grow money with purpose. This conversation invites you to define what “enough” truly means—beyond finances—and build a healthier relationship with money that serves your whole life.In this conversation, you’ll learn:Why understanding your values is critical before making financial decisionsHow wealthy people leverage a mindset

What if the real risk isn’t failure—it’s spending your whole life chasing a version of success that was never yours to begin with?That question sparked a radical transformation in Sahil Bloom’s life. A NYT best-selling author, entrepreneur, and investor, Sahil once had a sobering realization: he might only see his parents 15 more times in his lifetime. That gut-check moment became a catalyst for deep change—he left his high-powered career, moved across the country, and set out to architect a life rooted in meaning rather than momentum.In this conversation, Sahil shares the mental frameworks, emotional reckoning, and actionable systems he’s used to redesign his life. Together, Sahil and Dr. Mike unpack the hidden cost of conventional success, the power of mortality to clarify purpose, and how to build a life worth living.You’ll learn:Why “success” can become a trap—and how to redefine it for yourselfThe simple framework Sahil uses to make high-quality life decisionsHow to overcome fear when walking away from s

What if some of the traits that drive high performance – are also at the very core of narcissism? This week on Finding Mastery, we welcome clinical psychologist and narcissism expert Dr. Ramani Durvasula to explore one of the most complex psychological dynamics of our time.Narcissism isn’t always loud or obvious. Dr. Ramani breaks down how narcissism lives on a spectrum, from subtle manipulation and gaslighting to full-blown disorders, and how it shows up in high performers, workplaces, relationships, and even within ourselves.In this conversation, we explore:The 4 major types of narcissism and how gender influences their expressionWhy high achievers may unknowingly enable narcissistic tendenciesHow to recognize gaslighting, and why we often miss itHer 5-step framework for managing narcissistic relationshipsThe cost of constantly accommodating others at the expense of your own wellbeingThis conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating tough personalities, leadership challenges, or recovering from

What if one of the greatest choreographers and dancers of our time found mastery not in movement… but in stillness?This week on Finding Mastery, we’re joined by Derek Hough—four-time Emmy Award winner, six-time Dancing with the Stars champion, and one of the most respected dancers and choreographers in the world.This conversation isn’t just about dance. It’s about self-discovery, emotional resilience, and the quiet power of going inward.Derek opens up about the intense challenges he faced growing up—from early trauma and feeling like an outsider to finding belonging in rhythm and movement. He shares the surprising moment that forced him to stop dancing—and what he found in the stillness that followed.This episode explores:Why comfort, not control, was the key to Derek’s healingHow early trauma shaped his drive for perfection—and how he redefined successWhat it takes to lead others through fear and unlock performance through empathyThe shift from external validation to internal alignmentThe daily practices tha

What are the three things you need to know to love better? This week, we’re joined by Yung Pueblo — a meditator, poet, bestselling author, and one of the most impactful modern-day wisdom teachers whose work is grounded in lived experience.Diego shares his deeply personal journey: from hitting rock bottom in his early twenties to rebuilding his life through Vipassana meditation, emotional honesty, and the daily discipline of inner work. Together, we explore what it means to heal, how to let go of reactivity, and how real love is shaped through compassion, kindness, and growth.In this powerful conversation, Yung Pueblo reveals:The 3 things you need to know to love betterHow emotional maturity is built through repetition and presenceWhy meditation changed his life — and how it can support yoursWhat “letting go” really meansHow to build relationships rooted in healing, not painThis one’s for anyone on the path of self-discovery, deeper love, or emotional transformation.Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for mo

The question is not if AI will advance. It will. The real question is whether humans will advance with it?This week on The Finding Mastery Podcast, we sit down with Soren Gordhamer — founder of Wisdom 2.0, a global movement exploring the intersection of mindfulness, purpose, and technology.Soren’s latest book, The Essential: Discovering What Really Matters in an Age of Distraction, invites us to slow down, turn inward, and reconnect with what truly counts — even as the world speeds up around us.In this conversation, we explore:How suffering and early identity struggles shaped Soren’s lifeWhy achievement alone isn’t enough for true fulfillmentHow to stop performing and start beingWhy cultivating inner power is essential in the age of AIIf you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by technology or stuck chasing external success, this episode offers a grounded path forward — toward presence, purpose, and authentic living. Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more conversations at t

How do you stay true to your values when others are playing political games? What if your purpose feels too small compared to others? And how do we raise kids who can handle life's inevitable hard blows?We're back for Part 2 of our special Finding Mastery Ask Me Anything with Dr. Michael Gervais and our good friend—author, documentarian, podcaster, football analyst, and renaissance man, Yogi Roth. Through thoughtful questions from our community, we dive deep into the messy realities of modern life: workplace politics, purpose discovery, and parenting with intention.Drawing from years of experience with elite performers and leaders, we explore practical strategies for maintaining integrity in competitive environments while building the inner foundation that sustains long-term success and fulfillment.Key insights we explored:When workplace politics get messy - How to protect your team's expertise while staying true to your valuesPurpose doesn't need to be grand - Why "being a great parent" is just as meaningful

How do you stay calm and focused when you’re 3,000 feet off the ground — with no ropes, no safety lines, and no room for error?Legendary climber and free soloist Alex Honnold returns to The Finding Mastery Podcast for a raw, insightful conversation about mindset, being great with fear, and what it means to live at the edge of human performance.Alex is best known for his historic, ropeless ascent of El Capitan — captured in the Oscar-winning film Free Solo (which you should watch if you haven’t seen it yet). But in this episode, we go far beyond climbing.We explore:How Alex manages fear, consequence, and risk with rare mental clarityWhat it takes to perform under pressure — and when to walk awayHow fatherhood and loss reshaped his relationship with ambition and dangerThe underrated power of optimism and framing hard moments as growthThis isn’t just a conversation about climbing. It’s about the psychology behind pushing your limits, the skill of regulating your mind under stress, and how to chase a bold, purpos