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
5 snips
Mar 2, 2026 • 18min
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 • 22min
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 • 20min
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 5min
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 • 50min
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 11min
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 • 46min
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.
21 snips
Jan 12, 2026 • 1h 17min
ATG 264 | Hope Is an Act of Open Rebellion: Why Optimism Is the Secret Weapon of World-Class Performers
Dr. Michael Gervais, a high-performance psychologist known for working with elite athletes like the Seattle Seahawks, explores the transformative power of optimism. He discusses how grounded optimism fosters mental toughness, contrasting it with naive positivity. Gervais shares insights on using systematic desensitization to overcome fears, the importance of kind self-talk, and the role of emotional intelligence in high performance. Listeners will gain practical strategies to cultivate optimism and harness it as a secret weapon in their pursuits.
20 snips
Jan 5, 2026 • 1h 8min
ATG 263 | The Hyper-Optimizer's Trap with Dr. James Hewitt
Dr. James Hewitt, a former elite racing cyclist and human performance scientist, dives into the paradox of high performance and personal health. He shares his life-altering cancer diagnosis, prompting a shift from hyper-optimization to self-compassion. Discover how heart rate variability challenges conventional sleep tracking, the importance of short vacations over longer ones, and why perfectionism stifles success. James also reveals fascinating personal quirks, like his unique hotel room rituals and the surprising impact of a well-timed break on productivity.
71 snips
Dec 29, 2025 • 17min
ATG 262: 50 by 50: The Final 27 Lessons I Learned by Age 50
Discover the final 27 lessons learned by age 50, from the value of dreaming big while starting small to the wisdom of having a Cajun friend for life's rich experiences. Learn why opportunities often disguise themselves as annoyances and how the glass of water on your nightstand can be a game-changer. Explore the importance of building a welcoming home and prioritizing your health with one healthy meal a day. Plus, find out why you should ditch your phone for better sleep and be your own cavalry in life!
