It’s graduation season—and whether you’ve got a child, a niece or nephew, or just a young person in your life heading to or already in college, you’re probably wondering how to best support them in this new chapter. In this episode, Jay gets personal. He walks through the highs and lows of his own college years—from social misfires and major indeci…

This milestone episode marks 500 episodes and over 6 million downloads of The ONE Thing Podcast—and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than bringing Geoff Woods back to the mic. Geoff helped launch this podcast and spent years leading The ONE Thing company. In this episode, we look at what’s happened since he moved on. From becoming Chi…

You’ve probably heard of the Four Thieves of Productivity: the inability to say no, fear of chaos, poor health habits, and an environment that doesn’t support your goals. But have you ever stopped to ask—which one is stealing the most from you right now? This week, Jay Papasan is joined by his coach and the Head Coach of The ONE Thing, Jordan Freed…

Twelve years ago, The ONE Thing was published, and it’s been incredible to see its impact—over 3.75 million copies sold in 42 languages. To celebrate, we’re sharing a live session from our annual convention, where I walk through a powerful framework for reclaiming time and staying focused on what matters most. Most of us set goals backward, reactin…

We all want to build better habits, be more productive, and achieve our goals—but sometimes, the pressure to be perfect gets in the way. Enter Anne-Laure Le Cunff, a former neuroscience researcher and the brains behind Ness Labs, whose new book, Tiny Experiments, offers a simple yet powerful approach to personal growth. Anne-Laure introduces us to …

What would it take for you to never have to work again—unless you wanted to? That’s the core idea behind your freedom number. It’s not just about becoming a millionaire; it’s about having enough unearned income to live your life mission without relying on a paycheck. In this episode, we walk you through the three key data points needed to chart you…

Wealth isn’t built in spreadsheets. It isn’t just about understanding finance books or listening to podcasts. True wealth is built in habits—the actions we take (and the ones we avoid) every single day. In part two of our special wealth-building series, Jay Papasan shares nine and a half habits that can put you on the path to financial independence…

Wealth building doesn’t have to be complicated, but most of us were never taught the fundamental principles that make it possible. In this first episode of our three-part series, Jay Papasan breaks down "The Path of Money"—a straightforward model originally shared by Gary Keller in The Millionaire Real Estate Investor. Jay shares his own journey fr…

What if success wasn’t enough? Stu McLaren, a pioneer in the world of online communities and membership businesses, faced this question head-on. By all accounts, he had built something incredible—Wishlist Member, a massively successful membership platform powering over 70,000 communities. Yet, in the quiet of a rainy night at a remote family camp, …

Have you ever felt like a fraud? Like you're just one step away from being "found out"—that you're not as capable as others believe you to be? If so, you're not alone. Imposter syndrome affects up to 70% of high achievers at some point, making them question their worth and downplay their accomplishments. In this episode, we explore the roots of imp…

What do you do when your company isn’t clear about where it’s going? When your role feels ambiguous? When you and your team get off track? Chris Dixon, our Director of Training, has spent years coaching leaders and teams of all sizes—from Fortune 50 companies to small real estate teams. In this episode, he shares the three most common challenges he…

It’s February, and love is in the air—but are you in love with your goals? In this Valentine’s-themed episode, Jay Papasan dives into a transformative way of thinking about goals: treating them as a relationship rather than a simple task list. He explores how most goal-setting systems fail because they skip the “dating” phase and rush straight into…

What does it take to achieve long-term, exponential success? Dorie Clark, the best-selling author of The Long Game, joins Jay Papasan to discuss how to create lasting impact through resilience, focus, and strategic decision-making. Dorie reflects on her journey, from facing years of invisibility and rejection as an aspiring author to becoming a sou…

Are you constantly busy but feeling unfulfilled? In this episode, Jay Papasan explores the hidden costs of busyness and how it impacts our stress levels, empathy, and ability to focus on priorities. He shares research-backed insights into why we fall into this trap and practical strategies to break free. Jay discusses how busyness can act as a shie…

If you’re feeling stretched thin, juggling competing priorities, or stuck in a cycle of busyness, you’re not alone. Many leaders and entrepreneurs face the same challenges. In this episode, Jay Papasan sits down with Shawn Blanc, founder of The Focus Course, to explore how to navigate overwhelm, create focus, and build clarity in both life and work…

‘Tis the season for resolutions. Chances are, you’ve hit the new year with a new resolution—something you wanted to change about your life. In this episode, Jay explains how you can actually stick to your resolution and make your new habit last. Jay breaks down the research behind behavior change and habit formation, giving you three clear actions …

If you’re listening to this podcast you’re probably a high achiever. A doer. Someone who is in constant motion. That’s all great, but don’t forget to pause and reflect. Purposeful reflection will lead you to more success and satisfaction. Here are the nine reflection questions Jay goes over in today’s episode: What did I accomplish? What challenges…