The ONE Thing
Episodes
Don’t Waste Your Hardest Lessons: Julia Lashay’s 5 Principles of Unshakable Resilience
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of the loss of a child and experiences of grief. It may be distressing for some listeners. Please li...
Giving Your Infinite Resources: A Shift In Perspective When The World Feels Heavy
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
When the world feels heavy, many of us fall into the same cycle: doom scrolling, numbing out, or waiting for things to improve In this episode, Jay...
The Psychology of Sales: How to Close More Deals (Without Feeling Sales-y) with Davie Priemer
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jay sits down with research scientist-turned-entrepreneur David Priemer to do a deep dive into the proven science and psychology of sales. In this ...
Closing the Loop: The Science Behind Feeling Overwhelmed, And What to Do About It
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you feel like you have 30 browser tabs open in your brain, you’re not alone. Most business owners don’t have a capacity problem—they have a c...
The ONE Thing Isn’t A Productivity Book
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most high performers think they have a productivity problem. They don’t. They have a purpose problem. In this episode, Jay Papasan pulls back the...
Amy Purdy, Paralympic Medalist: How to Turn Your Greatest Setback into Your Greatest Strength
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
At 19 years old, Amy Purdy went to work feeling a little run down. Within 24 hours, she was fighting for her life in the hospital. She beat the odds, ...
Stop Ghosting Your Goals: How to Stay Committed to Your Future Success
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Are you ghosting your goals? By February, most people have already given up on the goals they set in January. But what if the reason you keep ignoring...
Scaling Your Side-Gig: How Alex Hopes Turned a Passion Project into A Phenomenon
02 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most people don’t plan for a pivot that changes everything. For Alex Hopes, it started with a moment that stopped his life cold and rerouted it comp...
Rituals of Recovery: What Elite Athletes Can Teach Us About High Performance
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Elite athletes don’t just train harder. They recover better. Between points, plays, and games, they use small, intentional rituals to reset their bo...
Public Speaking 101: How Tristan DeMontebello Mastered Public Speaking in 7 Months
19 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Public speaking consistently ranks as one of our biggest fears, but what if the real issue isn’t technique at all? In this episode, Jay sits down wi...
Weathering The Storm: How to Stay Afloat when Life Won’t Let Up
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
How do you stay afloat when everything is falling apart? Life can - and will - hit you hard. And how can you lead others when you feel like you can’...
We Studied 400 High Achievers for 4 Months - This is What We Learned
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Big goals have a way of starting strong and slowly falling apart. Motivation fades. Life intervenes. Momentum stalls. In this episode, Jay Papasan sha...
Permission to Pause: Reclaim Your Identity Outside of Work with Jen Davis
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For years, Jen Davis did what high performers are taught to do. Say yes. Move faster. Carry more responsibility. Lead at a high level and keep pushing...
How to Take Action in 2026: 11 Lessons from Gary Keller, Morgan Housel, and Sahil Bloom (537)
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re closing out the year with a special highlight reel from some of Jay Papasan’s favorite conversations of 2025, all centered on two big themes...
536. She Turned Her Personal Productivity Journal into a 7-Figure Business w/ Cathryn Lavery
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
So much of life runs on a “default” operating system—school, work, productivity tools, even your phone. But what happens when that default just ...
535. 10 Books That Changed My Life (And Why I Give Them Away)
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you choosing the right book for the season you’re in—or just grabbing whatever looks interesting? In this solo episode, Jay Papasan walks thr...
534. The Surprising Science Behind Burnout (And How to Avoid It) w/ Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do you ever feel like you’re doing everything “right”? Performing at a high level, meeting everyone’s expectations, carrying the load—and ye...
533. Jay’s 5 Step Guide to High Impact Giving
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We all want to make a difference — but how do you start giving when life already feels full? In this solo episode, Jay Papasan shares his personal ...
532. It’s Never The Right Time
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How many times have you said, “It’s not the right time”? Whether it’s starting a new business, writing your book, or making a big life change,...
531. NO-vember Special: How to Say No Without Saying No
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every November, Jay Papasan dedicates time to exploring one of the most powerful productivity tools you have—the ability to say no. This year's "No-...
530. Turn Your Ideas into Action in 5 Simple Steps
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every year, Americans spend more than $100 billion on education—books, courses, conferences, and training—and research shows that less than 20% ev...
529. Your Calendar Is Your Scorecard - Are You Winning or Losing? With Sahil Bloom
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When Gary and Jay wrote The ONE Thing, they defined success as “getting what you want.” But most of us chase goals we didn’t truly choose. In th...
528. The 5 Permission Slips Every High Achiever Needs
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you constantly trying to please everyone—and still ending up exhausted and unfulfilled? This week, Jay shares the five permission slips every...
527. The 100 Best Books for Work and Life
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you overwhelmed by the sheer number of business and self-help books out there? With more than 40,000 titles published every year, it's impossible ...
526. The High Achiever’s Paradox
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Success expands everything—opportunities, decisions, people, and complexity. Jay calls this the High Achiever’s Paradox: as the pie gets bigger, c...
525. The Art of Spending Money (And Why Most of Us Get It Wrong) with Morgan Housel
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Morgan Housel is back on the show to talk about his newest book, The Art of Spending Money. You know him from The Psychology of Money and Same As Ever...
524. How Winners Quit: The 3-Step Strategic Quitting Framework
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this solo episode, Jay revisits a formative moment from middle school that turned “never quit” into his lifelong badge of honor—and how that ...
523. Create Your Village (Even in a “Me” Culture) with Liz Bohannon
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve ever chased big goals and felt oddly alone while doing it, this one’s for you. Liz Bohannon—founder of Sseko Designs (now part of Noon...
522. From Burnout to Joy: Sarah Reynolds on Health, Family, and Leadership
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if the path out of overwhelm starts with a glass of water? In this conversation, Sarah Reynolds—co-founder of Empower Home—shares how buildin...
521. Build a Business That Won’t Burn You Out with Chris Ducker
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hustle can help you finish a launch, but it can’t be your lifestyle. In this episode, Jay and Chris dig into what it really means to lead for the lo...
520. Addicted to Busyness? The Science, the Symptoms, and the Cure
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There’s a reason rest feels like stress when you’re hooked on hustle. Jay unpacks why so many high achievers get trapped in a cycle of motion over...
519. 6 Self-Sabotage Habits That Kill Your Progress (And How to Break Them)
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if the biggest thing standing between you and your goals isn’t the economy, the competition, or even your circumstances—it’s you? In this s...
518. How to Find Your Million-Dollar Product with Sam Vander Wielen
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most people think the market is too crowded to stand out, but Sam Vander Wielen proves otherwise. After leaving a legal career she hated, Sam faced en...
517. How This Couple Transformed Their Marriage, Career & Life with The ONE Thing
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Before discovering The ONE Thing, Mauricio and Christine were stuck in survival mode—juggling kids, work, and the chaos of daily life. Everything ch...
516. The 10 BOLD Truths for Building an Amazing Life with Gary Keller
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we’re doing something special. I’m bringing you a live keynote from none other than Gary Keller, where he shares what he calls the “1...
515. The Way: 5 Principles That Create Extraordinary Results with Gary Keller
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does it really take to live your best life? This week, we’re joined by Gary Keller for part one of a special two-part conversation about “The...
514. Why Smart People Stay Stuck in "Getting Ready" Mode with Pat Flynn
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you love learning but find yourself stuck in preparation mode, this episode is for you. I sit down with Pat Flynn—entrepreneur, host of Smart Pa...
513. The Mid-Year RESET: How to Course-Correct Your 2025 Goals Before It's Too Late
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can you believe we’re already halfway through 2025? If you’re like me, you’ve probably had your head down, working hard, only to look up and won...
512. Stuck Building Your Personal Brand? Here's How to Break Through with Rory Vaden
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when everything you’ve built suddenly disappears? In this episode, Jay Papasan sits down with Rory Vaden—someone who knows what it’...
511. How to 6X Your Goals Using The ONE Thing with Brandon Turner
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
510. 7 Recession-Proof Strategies for Building Wealth in a Down Market
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 obs...
509. The ADHD Advantage: How Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs Outperform with Tyler Elstrom
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
508. 5 Strategies to Beat Quality Inflation and Stay Ahead
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 intr...
507. Unlocking Wild Courage: How to Turn “Negative” Traits Into Superpowers with Jenny Wood
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
506. Transformational Leadership Principles Hidden in Dr. Becky’s Parenting Book (Part 2)
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 y...
505. Transformational Leadership Principles Hidden in Dr. Becky’s Parenting Book (Part 1)
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 hi...
504. How to Rebuild Your Life After Losing Everything with Gene Rivers
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 frie...
503. 16.5 Proven Audience-Building Secrets
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When Jay Papasan launched the Twentypercenter newsletter, it was his personal version of a Rocky-style training montage. He committed to writing, edit...
502. How High Performers Build Resilience in Chaotic Times with Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if the ability to bounce back isn’t something you’re born with—but something you can build? This week, you’ll hear from Dr. Robyne Hanle...
501. 5 Principles from The ONE Thing Every College Student Needs
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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, ...
500. Who Do You Want to Become? with Geoff Woods
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
499. The 4 Hidden Thieves Destroying Your Productivity with Jordan Freed
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
498. 12 Years of The ONE Thing: How to Reclaim Your Time and Stay on Track
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 celebr...
497. Tiny Experiments: The Neuroscience of Getting Unstuck with Anne-Laure Le Cunff
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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-...
496. Your Freedom Number (Wealth Series Part 3)
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 abou...
495. The 9½ Habits of Wealth Building (Wealth Series Part 2)
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
494. The Path of Money (Wealth Series Part 1)
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 epi...
493. How The ONE Thing Made Success Finally Feel Right for Stu McLaren
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
492. The Science of Self-Doubt: Transform Fear Into Your Superpower
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
491. The 3 Growth Killers Every Leader Must Solve with Chris Dixon
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
490. Beyond Goal Setting: The Relationship That Makes Success Inevitable
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 transfor...
489. How to Win The Long Game (When Everyone Else Plays Short) with Dorie Clark
27 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
488. The Hidden Cost of Being "Busy" (And What To Do Instead)
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you constantly busy but feeling unfulfilled? In this episode, Jay Papasan explores the hidden costs of busyness and how it impacts our stress leve...
487. "First One In, Last One Out" Doesn’t Scale: Learn Smarter Leadership Strategies
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re feeling stretched thin, juggling competing priorities, or stuck in a cycle of busyness, you’re not alone. Many leaders and entrepreneurs...
486. You’re Underestimating How Long It Takes to Form a Habit
06 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
‘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. I...
485. 9 Questions Top Performers Ask to Start the Year Strong
30 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 fo...
484. The Key to Gary Keller’s Extraordinary Success
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Whenever Jay and Gary are out giving talks about The ONE Thing, they inevitably hear someone say, “Oh, you can do that because you are Gary Keller.”...
483. Are You Using This Simple Tool to Make Better Decisions?
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If someone asked you to name your core values, you might quickly list a few. But have you ever paused to deeply reflect on them? Are you honest with y...
482. Find the Habit That Changes Everything in 2025
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The second Friday in January is “Quitters’ Day,” according to Strava, a company that helps people track their fitness goals. That’s because mo...
481. How to Stay Calm and Focused During the Holiday Madness
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
December is chaotic. The kids are out of school. Family is visiting, or you're traveling. There are parties you should go to and gifts you should buy....
480. Is Your Serial Achievement an Addiction? Here’s How to Break the Cycle
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Here at The ONE Thing, we’re all about helping people be successful. Most folks would assume we value serial high achievement, but we don’t. In th...
479. Lead Your Team Like a Navy Captain with Daryle Cardone
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Captain Daryle Cardone has 5,000 sailors entrusted to him, many of them in their 20s without much experience in life, much less in battle. He has two ...
478. New Beginnings
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you have something you’ve been dreaming about doing for a while, but keep finding reasons to put it off? Take this episode as a sign to go do it ...
477. Focus, Failures, and Finding Your One Thing with Jay Papasan & Nikki Miller
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s time for the host to sit in the hot seat. For over 70 episodes, Nikki Miller asked guests insightful questions, connecting their theories to pr...
476. Never Lead Alone with Keith Ferrazzi
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can you imagine freeing up 30% of executives’ time, while also increasing joy and resilience in the workplace? Keith Ferrazzi joins the show today t...
475. Productive Failure with Dr. Manu Kapur
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Learning, innovation, and growth all rely on failure. The discomfort of failure bakes important lessons into our brains. The uncertainty that precedes...
474. The Uncomfortable Questions That Could Save Your Key Relationships
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Fifteen years ago, when Jenn Lewis was first asked questions from The Goal Setting Retreat, she cried. To be fair, her partner JP hadn’t told her wh...
473. The Monotony of Success
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is your business actually stalling out or are you just bored? How can you tell the difference? And if you are just bored, how can you overcome that? N...
472. The Magic of Getting Anything You Want
30 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jay Papasan, Nikki Miller, and one hour of pure The ONE Thing fundamentals: It doesn’t get any better than this. Recorded at the Keller Williams Fam...
471. Hope for Cynics
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We often hear the term “naive optimism,” but the fact is, most of us are living in “naive cynicism.” Dr. Jamil Zaki joins the show today to ex...
470. Give to Grow: How to Build Your Career with Mo Bunnell
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Investing in a generous relationship not only exponentially grows your relationship with a person, but it exponentially grows your network. If you are...
469. Hyperefficient: Optimize Your Brain to Transform the Way You Work
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mental fatigue is real. We live in a world where we have to make a thousand good decisions each day, and we’re expected to be highly creative at our...
468. Beyond the Hammer with Brian Gottlieb
02 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Gottlieb enjoys his motorcycle rides and his cigars, but most of all he’s passionate about empowering his employees to find purpose in their w...
467. The Quest for the American Dream with Mark Matson
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The American Dream is still alive and well, and Mark Matson wants to make sure everybody knows it. Mark joins us on the show to talk about his new boo...
466. LEAD BIGGER: The Transformative Power of Inclusion
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What does “inclusion” mean anyway? Lately, “inclusion” is a buzzword, and when paired with “diversity” and “equity” it generates a lot...
465. The Secret Language of the Body
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Push it down and power through. That’s how many of us have become high-achievers. But that’s also how many of us have developed physical and emoti...
464. Leveraging The ONE Thing to Grow your Business
05 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“How do you use the concept of The ONE Thing in a company environment?” One of our loyal listeners sent us this great question. We spend today’...
463. Unfairly Labeled - How Your Workplace Can Benefit From Ditching Generational Stereotypes
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Your company culture should not be designed around what generation your workers come from. It should not rely on being physically present in the offic...
462. Clockwise: A Quest for Maximum Productivity
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Time is the most precious resource in any environment, but it does not often get treated that way at work. Talented workers’ time gets eaten up by m...
461. The Reluctant CEO
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jay Papasan did not plan on being the CEO of ProduKtive. As the co-founder, he had to step in when the current CEO left for another opportunity. As Ja...
460. Goal Setting Retreat - The Origin Story
08 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Almost 20 years ago Jay and Wendy Papasan were young parents with toddlers who just needed to get away for a weekend and have a deep conversation abou...
459. Demystifying marketing with the incredible power of The ONE Thing
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After Matt Diamante read The ONE Thing, he decided to give it a try. The ONE thing he chose was to post on social media every day. Now, after only 18 ...
458. Chris and Nikki Mid Year Check-In
24 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How many of us set goals at the beginning of the year and then tuck them away until it’s time to make new goals the next year? In this episode, Nikk...
457. GOOD JUDGMENT: Making Better Business Decisions with the Science of Human Personality
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Most people overestimate their ability to read people’s personalities. This leads to hiring the wrong people for the wrong roles, managing people in...
456. Intentionality: A Groundbreaking Guide to Breath, Consciousness, and Radical Self-Transformation
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are you struggling to feel fulfilled even after achieving your goals? Do you find yourself running on autopilot, disconnected from your true desires? ...
455. Look Good, Feel Better
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When Caitlin Spears was rejected by America’s Next Top Model, it sent her into a spiral of body dysmorphia, depression, and anxiety. It took her yea...
454. I’ll Start Again Tomorrow: And Other Lies I’ve Told Myself
27 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re looking for an hour and half morning routine that will make you successful and happy in 90 days, this isn’t the podcast episode for you....
453. Why Most Startups Fail
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The top reason why startups fail isn’t about funding, technology, or the market. It’s because of people issues. Josh Yellin joins the show today t...
452. Discover Your Core Values
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you don’t know your core values, you can end up being wildly successful, but miserable. If you don’t know your team members’ core values, the...
451. Mind Magic with Dr. James Doty
06 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When Dr. James Doty was a kid growing up in tough circumstances, he happened into a magic store and met a woman who taught him the manifestation techn...