What would you tell your 14-year-old self?

How do you quiet the “not good enough” voice?

Today, Jay welcomes Ryan Holiday, renowned philosopher, bestselling author, and host of The Daily Stoic. With over 10 million copies of his books sold globally, Ryan returns to the podcast to dive deep into the concepts of personal growth, parenting, and finding purpose in a success-driven world.

Ryan reflects on the journey of becoming a parent and discusses the difference between having kids and truly being a parent. He explains why intentional parenting is a radical shift from simply fulfilling biological or legal roles and explores the transformative impact of parenthood on personal and professional ambitions, emphasizing the importance of being prepared for the changes it brings.

Jay also opens up about his own thoughts on parenthood and the life shifts that accompany major decisions, offering a heartfelt glimpse into the conversations he’s had with his wife about the timing of having children. Throughout the conversation, both Jay and Ryan unpack the struggles of balancing a career with personal life, with Ryan drawing from Stoic philosophy to offer guidance on setting meaningful goals, aligning actions with values, and learning from life's obstacles.

In this interview, you'll learn:

How to Embrace Parenthood as a Central Life Purpose

How to Set Goals Based on What’s in Your Control

How to Approach Parenting with Intention and Purpose

How to Learn from Life’s Obstacles and Failures

How to Align Your Career with Personal Values

How to Build Emotional Resilience through Parenthood

Whether through parenting, personal growth, or our professional pursuits, the key is to stay rooted in what truly matters—our values, intentions, and the legacy we leave behind.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

What We Discuss:

• 00:00 Intro
• 01:33 Are You Ready to Become a Parent?
• 05:43 What Type of Goal Should We Set?
• 10:54 Love What You’re Doing
• 18:59 Stuck in Life
• 22:06 Trust the Process
• 26:04 Patience
• 30:18 Process of Accumulating Experiences
• 33:35 What Difference Are You Making?
• 35:57 Raise a Reader
• 40:14 What Are You Struggling With?
• 45:00 General Parenting Tip
• 52:56 Unconditional Parental Love
• 58:50 Do What’s Important to You
• 01:02:04 What is at Stake?
• 01:06:03 Comparison Game
• 01:09:36 Dad Guilt
• 01:15:30 Fear as a Parent
• 01:19:11 This Stops with Me

Episode Resources:

• Ryan Holiday | Website
• Ryan Holiday | Instagram
• Ryan Holiday | Facebook
• Ryan Holiday | TikTok
• Ryan Holiday | YouTube
• Ryan Holiday | LinkedIn
• The Daily Dad: 366 Meditations on Parenting, Love, and Raising Great Kids

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever thought about taking a solo trip?

What do you think you'd learn about yourself if you traveled alone?

Today, Jay unpacks the unexpected benefits of solo travel. Whether you’re an avid traveler or someone hesitant to step out of your comfort zone, traveling alone, even just once, can be one of the most powerful experiences of your life.

Jay explains how solo travel helps break free from the “herd mentality”—when we defer to the preferences of those around us—and instead allows us to deeply understand our own desires and needs. You’ll learn how traveling alone can expand your worldview, teach self-reliance, and push you to explore not just new places but new aspects of yourself.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How to Expand Your Worldview

How to Boost Self-Reliance

How to Connect with New People and Cultures

How to Build Confidence Through Solo Travel

Whether you're seeking new perspectives or personal growth, traveling alone can be a powerful tool to reconnect with your true self.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

01:48 Do You Need to Go on a Solo Trip?

04:50 #1: Learn More About Yourself

11:10 #2: Improve Your Confidence

13:43 #3: Expand Your Worldview

16:53 #4: Develop Self-Reliance

19:49 #5: Master Your Mind

21:54 #6: Beat Boredom and Distraction

23:09 #7: Vigilance

24:55 #8: Get to Know Diverse People

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are your emotional needs?

How do you communicate them clearly?

Today, Jay welcomes back Dr. Nicole LePera, a holistic psychologist, best-selling author, and founder of the SelfHealers Circle, a global community for self-healing. She is the author of the New York Times bestseller "How to Do the Work," and her latest book, "How to Be the Love You Seek," guides readers on breaking cycles, finding peace, and healing relationships. Dr. LePera is known for her approachable, transformative approach to mental wellness, empowering individuals to heal themselves and live authentically.

Nicole talks about how our earliest experiences shape our adult relationships. She explains the concept of trauma bonds—dysfunctional patterns that often stem from childhood but persist into adulthood, affecting how we connect with others. These bonds can feel familiar and even comforting, but they often prevent us from forming healthy, fulfilling relationships.

Jay and Nicole explore how awareness is the first step toward breaking these patterns. They emphasize the importance of understanding our subconscious beliefs and the roles we play in relationships, often unknowingly repeating cycles of pain and misunderstanding. She talks about the importance of staying present, learning to regulate our emotions, and building healthier habits that align with our true selves, and offers practical advice on how to navigate the complexities of love, whether it's setting boundaries with toxic family members or letting go of unrealistic expectations in romantic relationships.

In this interview, you'll learn:

How to recognize trauma bonds

How to break the cycle of reactivity

How to set healthy boundaries

How to cultivate self-awareness

How to develop emotional resilience

How to foster a growth mindset in relationships

Remember, every moment is an opportunity to choose differently, to show up for ourselves with kindness, and to build the relationships we truly deserve.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

What We Discuss:

• 00:00 Intro
• 03:44 You Create Change
• 06:58 Toxic Family Members
• 11:21 Change is Voluntary
• 14:33 Deep Rooted Emotions
• 18:35 Why We Struggle in Relationships
• 22:58 The Unmet Needs
• 27:27 We Project What We Think to Others
• 34:29 Familiarity with Chaos
• 38:18 Is It Genuine Love?
• 41:55 Panic Attack
• 48:54 Chronic Illness
• 53:54 Countering Beliefs
• 57:17 Physiological Shifts
• 01:01:11 What is a Trauma Bond?
• 01:04:25 Attraction Based on Familiarity
• 01:06:24 Inner Child Work
• 01:09:41 The Habit of Showing Up Authentically

Episode Resources:

• Nicole LePera | Website
• Nicole LePera | Instagram
• Nicole LePera | Facebook
• Nicole LePera | TikTok
• Nicole LePera | YouTube
• Nicole LePera | LinkedIn
• How to Do the Work: Recognize Your Patterns, Heal from Your Past, and Create Your Self
• How to Be the Love You Seek: Break Cycles, Find Peace, and Heal Your Relationships

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.