All It Takes Is A Goal
Jon Acuff
Jon Acuff is the New York Times bestselling author of ten books, including his most recent, All it Takes is a Goal.Published in dozens of languages, his work is both critically acclaimed and adored by readers. When he's not writing, Acuff can be found on a stage, as one of INC's Top 100 Leadership Speakers. He's spoken to hundreds of thousands of people at conferences, colleges and companies around the world including FedEx, Range Rover, Microsoft, Chick-fil-A, and Comedy Central. Known for his insights wrapped in humor, Acuff shared the stage with an American Icon when he opened up for Dolly Parton at the Ryman Auditorium.Jon lives outside of Nashville, TN with his wife Jenny and two daughters.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 23, 2026 • 1h 34min
ATG 274 | From $250 Tuesday Nights to The Tonight Show: What John Crist Learned in 13 Years of Comedy
John Crist, stand-up comedian and social media star with over a billion views, shares the odd grind behind a comedy career. He talks spreadsheets of every gig, sleeping in his car while chasing shows, adapting during COVID, the long craft of joke-writing, trade-offs of success, and why live feedback beats AI. Short, honest stories about persistence, touring life, and keeping perspective.
6 snips
Mar 16, 2026 • 17min
ATG 273 | Starting is Fun, But the Future Belongs to Finishers: 3 Soundtracks That Will Change Your Life
Three random Soundtracks cards spark a conversation about why starts are thrilling but finishing creates real results. The episode explores how discomfort signals growth and why comfort often hides stagnation. It challenges listeners to rescue one item from their 'almost' list and replace old thought patterns with new, action-oriented reminders.
Mar 9, 2026 • 19min
ATG 272 | 3 Soundtracks Every Parent with Teens Needs to Hear (Conversation Starters That Actually Work)
Short, practical conversation starters parents can use with teens are showcased. One soundtrack reframes self-talk by comparing it to how you’d talk to a friend. Another models parental vulnerability with simple admissions and apologies. The third invites parents to support teen passions by thinking like investors in their future.
5 snips
Mar 2, 2026 • 17min
ATG 271 | You Don't Have to Be the Smartest Person in the Room, Just the Bravest: 3 Soundtracks for Entrepreneurs
Three mindset “soundtracks” for entrepreneurs: why relationships open the first door but skills win repeat business. How to pair optimistic dreaming with realistic planning using Dream, Plan, Do, Review. And why bravery matters more than being the smartest person—practical courage beats cleverness.
Feb 24, 2026 • 20min
ATG 270 | Family Shows Up: 3 Soundtracks Every Parent Needs for Raising Kids
Three parenting soundtracks are pulled from a card deck and unpacked in short, punchy segments. One urges letting kids be kids instead of fast forwarding their childhood. Another champions choosing tired memories over later regret. The last focuses on building a family culture that shows up for both celebrations and messy challenges.
Feb 16, 2026 • 19min
ATG 269 | Crisis Magnifies Kindness: 3 Soundtracks Every Couple Needs to Hear
Three simple soundtracks for couples are pulled and explored in short, actionable segments. The episode spotlights why time, not money, is the real cost of healthy relationships. It warns against making your partner your accountability partner and explains how crisis makes small acts of kindness much bigger. Practical reminders about avoiding big decisions during crisis round out the conversation.
11 snips
Feb 9, 2026 • 1h 3min
ATG 268 | From Scrap to Steel: How to Turn Wasted Work Into High Value Time
Juliet Funt, author and consultant who helps companies turn low-value 'scrap' work into high-purpose time. She explains how meetings and dashboards drain organizations. She names cultural warning signs like anxious deference and normalized exhaustion. She shares stories from an unusual childhood, worldschooling her kids, and why most change follows pain.
Feb 2, 2026 • 48min
ATG 267 | We Wanted to Love Coming to Work Every Day: Building a Business Without Burnout with Patrick Lencioni
Patrick Lencioni, founder of The Table Group and bestselling author known for The Five Dysfunctions and Working Genius, tells how he built a small, values-driven firm. He explains choosing mission over scale, protecting creative time, saying no to growth that dilutes purpose, and using clarity questions to guide decisions. He also shares family support that made risk-taking possible.
18 snips
Jan 26, 2026 • 1h 9min
ATG 266 | The Algorithm Is Retraining Your Mind (And Why You Can't Win as a Leader)
Carey Nieuwhof, leadership author and podcaster who writes about change and growth, explores how phone-driven algorithms fragment audiences. He discusses why leaders can no longer please everyone. Short takes include social media’s fake intimacy, retraining attention to read deeply, pursuing mastery in later decades, and building real relationships without skipping intimacy levels.
Jan 19, 2026 • 45min
ATG 265 | The Algorithm Doesn't Care If They Love You or Hate You: Building a Coffee Empire with Caitlin Campbell
Caitlin Campbell, a coffee entrepreneur and social media creator, transformed her viral TikTok success into a booming multimodal business, Streetbrew Coffee, after initially setting a goal of 20,000 followers. She shares her journey from youth pastor to coffee mogul, discusses the key mindset shifts that helped her navigate online trolls, and the tactical approach she took to content creation. Caitlin also reveals her plans for a memoir, highlights the importance of community, and emphasizes the value of consistency in pursuing your passion.
