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The Nathan Barry Show

Nathan Barry

As the CEO of Kit, Nathan Barry has a front row seat to what’s working in the most successful creator businesses.

On The Nathan Barry Show, he interviews top creators and dives into the inner workings of their businesses in his live coaching sessions.

You get unique insight into how creator businesses work and what you can do to increase results in your own business.

One of the things Nathan is passionate about is helping you create leverage.

Creator Flywheels let you create many copies of yourself so you don’t get bogged down with the little things in your business. Flywheels will help you reach a place where you can focus on revenue instead of busywork.

Tune in weekly for new episodes with ideas and tips for growing your business. You’ll hear discussions around building an audience, earning a living as a creator, and Nathan’s insights on scaling a software company to $100M.

Learn how to get more results with less effort and:

Grow faster over time.
Work less hard over time.
Make more money over time.

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  • 27 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 1 hr 9 min
  • English

Episodes 27

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  • #148
    Thursday · 1 hr 8 min

    How to Build an Unforgettable Personal Brand | Chris Do | 148

    Personal brand has become one of the biggest buzzwords in the creator world. Creators everywhere are launching offers, building funnels, and posting consistently, yet very few are creating something people actually remember. I sat down with Chris Do, Emmy award-winning designer and founder of The Futur, to talk about what it really takes to build a personal brand that stands out. We get into why most creators end up serviceable but forgettable, why branding comes down to differentiation, and the three-part framework behind brands people obsess over. Chris also shares why the real work of personal branding happens internally, how to find your voice phrase, and the trust triangle that decides who audiences believe. Partway through, he turns the interview around and starts coaching me, and we go much deeper than I expected. If you're building a personal brand and wondering why it isn't resonating yet, I think you'll get a lot out of this conversation. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:39 What it means to un-bland yourself 02:48 Why branding is all about differentiation 03:04 Why Apple has a brand and Dell doesn't 04:31 How status and identity drive what we buy 07:29 How Target built a brand 10:42 How Kit positions its brand 11:44 Moving from features to meaning 14:11 Why most personal brands are really marketing funnels 16:11 Why personal brand work is internal 16:26 How we lose who we really are 19:04 Chris starts asking the questions 20:24 How getting sick at 24 changed Nathan's identity 21:51 Why we tie our identity to what we do 23:03 Who are you outside of your work? 23:36 Why you are the gift 25:51 How Chris answers "who are you?" 26:36 The difference between design and art 28:45 Why being true to yourself comes first 29:45 Nathan's mission 32:24 Why Chris moved from commercial work to content 33:36 Why your brand needs to stand against something 35:44 Finding your keyword and your nemesis 37:03 Why the best heroes have great enemies 40:39 The three-part personal brand framework 41:49 Chris's own brand triangle 42:33 Workshopping Nathan's personal brand 43:30 Separating who you are from your company 44:44 The story behind Chris's mission 47:25 Why all strategy is autobiographical 48:13 Nathan on feeling like a burden 49:29 Nathan's story about his stepdad 53:49 Chris's read on Nathan's story 56:36 Finding Nathan's rallying cry 59:28 Learning to accept help 1:01:26 Why we trust people who aren't perfect online 1:02:00 The trust triangle 1:04:52 How to find your voice phrase 1:08:21 Final thoughts If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one. Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show Follow Nathan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow Website: https://nathanbarry.com Kit: https://kit.com Follow Chris: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechrisdo X: https://x.com/thechrisdo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechrisdo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thefutur Website: https://thefutur.com Featured in this episode: Kit: https://www.kit.com The Futur: https://thefutur.com Highlights: 03:04 Why Apple has a brand and Dell doesn't 14:11 Why most personal brands are really marketing funnels 40:39 The three-part framework behind Bryan Johnson's brand 49:14 Chris turns the interview around 1:05:17 How to find your voice phrase

    • Transcript
  • #147
    September 24 · 1 hr 12 min

    Forget Courses, Sell This in 2026 To Make 7 Figures | Jasmine Star | 147

    The online business world is changing. People have more information than ever at their fingertips, and the business models that many creators started out selling aren't converting the way they used to. I sat down with Jasmine Star to talk about why traditional courses and memberships are becoming harder to sell, and the new hybrid offer model she now teaches her clients. We get into how to build offers around specific customer results, how to find out what people will actually pay for before you build, and Jasmine’s four-step framework for building a consistent $10K/month business. She also shares how she delivers high-touch coaching at scale, and the best ways to build trust with your audience in today’s “trust recession”. If you’re building an online business and wondering what types of offers still work in today’s crowded online space, I think you’ll get a lot out of this conversation. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:18 Jasmine’s first digital offer 04:00 How her $197 course made $255K 04:40 Why she built a membership 06:22 The problem with traditional memberships 08:28 Building Social Curator 10:27 The creator economy after 2020 12:07 Why courses and memberships stopped working 13:12 The hybrid offer 16:40 How to price an offer 20:02 Turning coaching into a scalable offer 22:27 Who the offer is for 24:28 The 90-day $10K offer 26:30 The $4K Freedom Formula 29:32 How to keep clients accountable 33:50 Why asynchronous coaching works 35:36 Scaling coaching to hundreds of clients 39:25 How to market the offer 44:01 Using webinars to sell 47:13 Why long-form content is coming back 50:04 Measuring content performance 52:43 How Jasmine met Nathan 53:41 How to get high-value clients 55:29 Creating an offer people will pay for 59:55 Finding the right audience 1:00:49 Getting your messaging right 1:04:26 Finding your customer's pain point 1:06:10 Using DMs to build trust 1:09:38 Building a personal brand 1:11:48 Final thoughts If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one. Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show Follow Nathan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow Website: https://nathanbarry.com Kit: https://kit.com Follow Jasmine: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasminestar Website: https://www.jasminestar.com X: https://x.com/jasminestar LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jasmine-star YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@officialjasminestar Featured in this episode: Kit: https://www.kit.com Social Curator: https://www.socialcurator.com Highlights: 03:38 How Jasmine made $255,000 in five days 12:07 Why courses are no longer enough 17:31 How to find what people will actually pay for 33:50 People already have the information 36:15 Why Jasmine’s ROI guarantee isn't a money-back guarantee

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  • #146
    September 17 · 1 hr 2 min

    $300M+ Founder: What Nobody Tells You Before Selling Your Business | Ankur Nagpal | 146

    Should you sell your business, or build it to own forever? Ankur Nagpal sold Teachable for $250 million and Carry for $76 million. I bootstrapped Kit and turned down a $200 million acquisition offer from Spotify. We took very different paths as founders. I sat down with Ankur to break down why we made those choices and how they've played out. We get into the key considerations for selling a company vs. building it to own forever, why raising venture capital can quietly trap founders into a specific kind of business, and the hiring and go-to-market tactics Ankur used to build two companies from scratch. Ankur also shares how founders can use the QSBS tax break to keep millions more from an exit. If you've ever thought about selling your business, or you're trying to decide whether to bootstrap or raise venture capital, this is the episode to listen to before you make that call. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:37 Teachable's Story 03:39 Why Ankur Sold Teachable 04:47 Nathan's Approach to Building 07:16 Building to Sell vs. Building to Keep 08:34 Carry's Story 09:30 Understanding QSBS Tax Benefits 16:06 Being Bought vs. Having to Sell 16:40 Why Raise Capital for Carry? 18:25 Bootstrapping vs. VC 22:54 Lessons for Second-Time Founders 26:10 Ankur's Next Chapter: USVC 28:36 Recruiting Great Talent 32:24 Our Contrarian Beliefs 34:50 Go-to-Market Strategies 39:18 Ankur's AI Content Strategy 46:25 Staying Focused 48:58 Content Workflows 59:16 Product Market Fit Evolution 01:02:08 Closing Thoughts If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one. Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show Follow Nathan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow Website: https://nathanbarry.com Kit: https://kit.com Follow Ankur: X: https://twitter.com/ankurnagpal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankurnagpal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ankurna Featured in this episode: Teachable: https://teachable.com Carry: https://carry.com Highlights: 03:00 The Perfect Exit? 10:40 QSBS Tax Benefits For Founders 18:30 Bootstrapped vs. VC: Which is Higher Status? 23:20 Product Market Fit for Second-Time Founders 32:20 Our Contrarian Beliefs

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  • #145
    September 10 · 1 hr 17 min

    $100M YouTube Lawyer Reveals How to Protect Your Channel in 2026 | Tyler Chou | 145

    What does it take to turn a YouTube channel into a valuable, sellable business? That's what I wanted to explore with this week’s guest, Tyler Chou (aka The Creators' Attorney). Having spent 20 years as an entertainment attorney at giants like Disney and BuzzFeed, Tyler now represents some of YouTube's biggest channels, helping them navigate exits and build sustainable enterprises. In this episode, Tyler pulls back the curtain on the legal mistakes creators often make, the crucial steps to take to protect your assets, and why sometimes, a creator doesn't need to sell at all - they just need a sabbatical. Tyler shares insights on how to build a business that can eventually sell for 8 or 9 figures, and what investors are really looking for beyond just views. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:09 Private equity looks to buy YouTube channels 03:52 Creator burnout 04:52 Protecting your IP and avoiding mistakes 08:20 Diversifying revenue beyond AdSense and brand deals 10:43 Avoiding misclassification lawsuits 12:46 The problem with reaction channels 17:45 Why buyers love recurring revenue and technical products 23:11 The power of artificial scarcity 28:20 How to make your brand less dependent on the creator 37:48 Should creators sell their business? 43:49 You might need a sabbatical, not an exit 45:00 How to protect yourself from predatory buyers 51:08 Hiring operators to run products 54:19 The power of angel investors on your cap table 56:29 The value of books for creators 1:11:08 Building a network of channels 1:14:10 Where to find Tyler If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one. Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show Follow Nathan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow Website: https://nathanbarry.com Kit: https://kit.com Follow Tyler: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCreatorsAttorney LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thecreatorsattorney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecreatorsattorney Featured in this episode: Kit: https://www.kit.com Highlights: 01:38 - Why private equity is buying YouTube channels 07:50 - The power of building independent revenue streams 12:58 - Why reaction channels are worthless to buyers 38:00 - The surprising downsides of taking an exit 59:20 - The power of books for creator credibility

    • Transcript
  • #144
    September 3 · 1 hr 18 min

    How to ACTUALLY Sell a Creator Business | Pat Flynn & Liz Wilcox | 144

    What does it actually take to sell a creator business? That’s what I wanted to get into with Pat Flynn and Liz Wilcox, who sat down with me to share some big news. After 18 years of building Smart Passive Income, Pat has officially sold the business - and Liz is the new owner. In this episode, Pat and Liz take us through the entire process, from why Pat decided it was time to let go, to how they valued and structured the deal, why Liz was the right person to take over, and how they planned the transition to make sure the audience felt supported. We also get into what makes a creator business sellable, including building systems, community, recurring revenue, and a brand that can thrive beyond its founder. If you're building a creator business and want to understand how to make it more valuable, transferable, and ultimately sellable, I think you'll get a lot out of this conversation. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:15 Pat's big announcement 02:48 Liz's journey to acquiring SPI 04:30 How SPI became a sellable business 06:27 Pat's massive success with Pokemon 08:21 The impact of SPI's community 10:47 Why Pat let go of SPI 12:38 Prioritizing community over profit 14:10 The financial aspects of the deal 16:15 The future of Smart Passive Income: Team WIN 18:30 What makes a business sellable 20:00 Merging Liz's brand into SPI 21:23 10x is easier than 2x 22:50 The challenge of selling a personal brand 24:50 The intentional transition process If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one. Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show Follow Nathan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow Website: https://nathanbarry.com Kit: https://kit.com Follow Pat: X: https://twitter.com/PatFlynn Website: https://patflynn.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@patflynn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patflynn Follow Liz: Website: https://www.lizwilcox.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thelizwilcox LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-wilcox-58740b1b0 Featured in this episode: Kit: https://www.kit.com Smart Passive Income: https://www.smartpassiveincome.com Built to Sell: https://builtosell.com Will It Fly?: https://patflynn.com/book/will-it-fly The Virtual Campground: https://thevirtualcampground.com Highlights: 01:15 - The big announcement 07:12 - Liz's personal mission for SPI 14:32 - The Pokémon channel's incredible growth 25:27 - The profound impact of communities 35:40 - Negotiating and structuring a business sale

    • Transcript
  • #143
    August 27 · 59 min

    How the Author of Atomic Habits ACTUALLY Makes Money | James Clear | 143

    When James Clear last spoke on the Craft & Commerce stage, Atomic Habits hadn't even been released. Now, it's sold over 30 million copies worldwide. I was delighted to welcome James back to the same stage 8 years later to unpack what he’s learned from creating one of the bestselling books of the last decade. In this conversation, James shares his insights on how to create a timeless product, how he built an email list of over 4 million subscribers, and the revolutionary publishing model he’s building with Authors Equity. James also answers burning questions from the audience on simplifying complex ideas, building lasting entrepreneurial friendships, protecting your identity as a creator in public, and James’s personal mission in life. If you’ve ever wondered what goes into creating a bestselling book, I think you’ll get a lot out of this episode. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:07 Expectations for Atomic Habits' success 02:54 Selling 30M+ copies 04:48 Timeless marketing principles 07:18 Positioning for long-term book sales 09:39 Building the world's largest single-author newsletter 12:44 Current effective growth tactics 14:01 Cross-pollinating platforms for growth 16:51 The vision behind Authors Equity 20:51 The Atomic Habits tipping point 23:09 Why books are an underrated business model 24:48 Simplifying complex ideas 27:54 Cultivating lasting entrepreneur friendships 31:33 Protecting your identity as a public creator 35:30 Why choose traditional publishing over self-publishing? 39:17 Mining for stories and metaphors 43:24 What makes Authors Equity different? 48:50 Daily habits for rebuilding momentum 51:50 James’s life mission 54:24 Authors Equity: working with self-published authors 58:05 James's parting thoughts: 10-year and 1-hour timeframes If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one. Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show Follow Nathan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow Website: https://nathanbarry.com Kit: https://kit.com Follow James: Website: https://jamesclear.com Newsletter: https://jamesclear.com/3-2-1 X: https://twitter.com/jamesclear LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesclear Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesclear Featured in this episode: Kit: https://www.kit.com Atomic Habits: https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits Authors Equity: https://www.authorsequity.com Highlights: 02:10 - James's initial expectations for Atomic Habits 09:39 - How James built the world's largest single-author newsletter 23:09 - Why books are an underrated business model 48:50 - James’s daily habits for rebuilding momentum 51:50 - James’s life mission

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  • #142
    August 20 · 53 min

    How to Turn Your Creator Business Into an Empire | Ben Greenfield | 142

    Many creators dream of building an empire, but how many actually pull it off while still making time for family and personal passions? That's what I wanted to dig into with Ben Greenfield. He’s been podcasting since 2008 and has built a massive personal brand around health and wellness. But what really fascinated me is how he's leveraged that brand to launch not just one, but two other businesses that are scaling to entirely different levels: a supplements company and a revolutionary health tech platform. I sat down with Ben to break down his entire revenue pie, his strategies for growing multiple companies, and how he keeps his personal brand from becoming the bottleneck in his rapidly expanding empire. If you've built a creator business and are wondering what it would take to turn it into something much bigger, I think you'll get a lot from this episode. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:12 The early days of podcasting 03:00 Early revenue and online ventures 04:15 The lightbulb moment: Scaling IP online 05:59 Mapping out Ben Greenfield Life revenue 06:33 Audience and platform scale 07:31 Podcast revenue breakdown 09:18 Coaching and its growth potential 11:03 Life Network and Life Market 12:16 Total personal brand revenue breakdown 13:19 Integrated ad packages and whitelisting 16:09 Affiliate revenue and long-term partnerships 17:27 Team structure for Ben Greenfield Life 20:29 Lessons for scaling content businesses 22:45 Lifestyle design and work-life balance 23:52 Launching Kion 28:44 Disentangling personal brand from Kion 31:32 Leveraging brand for launch, then scaling independently 35:44 The new venture 39:55 Life OS's rapid growth and scale 42:47 The power of recurring revenue models 44:31 Intentional scaling beyond personal brand 47:47 Building an empire vs. a lifestyle business 49:30 Ben's daily lifestyle and routine 52:16 Wrap-up and where to find Ben If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one. Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show Follow Nathan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow Website: https://nathanbarry.com Kit: https://kit.com Follow Ben: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bengreenfieldlife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bengreenfieldfitness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bengreenfield Website: https://bengreenfieldlife.com Featured in this episode: Kit: https://www.kit.com Boundless: https://shopbengreenfieldlife.com/products/boundless-updated-revised Kion: https://getkion.com Highlights: 04:15 - The lightbulb moment: Scaling IP online 12:16 - Total personal brand revenue breakdown 20:29 - Lessons for scaling content businesses 31:29 - Don't let your brand be the bottleneck 47:47 - How to build both empire and lifestyle businesses

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  • #141
    August 13 · 1 hr 10 min

    The $10 Offer That Made $750,000 | Shawn Blanc | 141

    I recently sat down with Shawn Blanc, a creator I've known for years, to talk about what it takes to keep reinventing yourself and your business over a long career. Shawn has spent the last 15 years building and evolving his business, from an ebook and sponsorships to his flagship Focus Course, masterminds, retreats, and eventually a completely new direction. In this episode we discuss what Shawn calls “the burden of opportunity”, how to decide which opportunities are worth pursuing, and what happens when you realize the thing holding your business back might actually be you. Shawn also shares how he knew it was time to move on from the business that had built his career, and how that decision ultimately led to one of the biggest breakthroughs his business has ever had. If you're building a creator business and thinking about what the next version of it should look like, you'll get a lot out of this conversation. Timestamps: 01:13 Early Days: From Apple Blogger to Product Creator 04:35 First Product Launch 13:00 The "Bling Ding": $100K in a Week 20:37 The Burden of Opportunity: How to Say No 30:00 Business Stagnation 35:45 The Power of Community 45:40 The Pivot 51:00 The Big Breakthrough 55:10 Biggest Lessons If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one. Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show Follow Nathan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow Website: https://nathanbarry.com Follow Shawn: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnblanc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnblanc X: https://twitter.com/shawnblanc Website: https://shawnblanc.net Featured in this episode: The Focus Course: https://special.thefocuscourse.com Highlights: 20:37 The Burden of Opportunity: How to Say No 45:40 The Pivot 51:00 The Big Breakthrough

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  • #140
    August 6 · 1 hr 1 min

    $1M CEO: How to ACTUALLY Sell Online Courses in 2026 | Sam Vander Wielen | 140

    Are online courses really dead? I recently sat down with attorney-turned-entrepreneur Sam Vander Wielen to discuss her latest course launch that generated over half a million dollars in just four days. In this episode, Sam shares the exact strategies she uses to consistently achieve massive success with her webinars and online courses, proving that these methods are far from "dead" in today's creator economy. We also discuss the power of personalized customer interactions, Sam’s genius email list strategy that keeps her audience engaged and growing, and how she tackles the challenges of AI while maintaining an authentic and profitable brand. If you have a course or are thinking of building one, you need to watch this entire episode. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction: Courses, Launches, & AI 01:20 Breaking Down a $500k Launch 02:49 Consistent Revenue Beyond Launches 04:48 Refilming with Kit Studios 06:17 Webinar Sign-ups & Email List Growth 14:00 The Weekly Lead Magnet Newsletter Strategy 20:30 The Unscalable Strategy: Personalized Videos 25:00 Unreasonable Hospitality & Handwritten Notes 31:00 The Impact of Podcasting on Business Growth 35:00 Order Bumps: Adding $100k to a Launch 36:00 AI and the Legal Industry 41:00 Financial Splurges: Cars & Property 44:00 Investing in Your Team If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one. Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show Follow Nathan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow Website: https://nathanbarry.com Kit: https://kit.com Follow Sam: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samvanderwielen Website: https://www.samvanderwielen.com Podcast: https://www.samvanderwielen.com/podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samvanderwielen Featured in this episode: Kit: https://www.kit.com Typeform: https://www.typeform.com Sam's book: https://www.samvanderwielen.com/book Highlights: 01:20 Breaking Down a $500k Launch 14:00 Newsletter Strategy 20:30 The Power of Personalized Videos

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  • #139
    July 30 · 1 hr 10 min

    Forget Courses, Launch This In 2026 To Double Your Revenue | Layla Pomper | 139

    What does it take to build a $1.5M business with only a 20,000-person email list and a YouTube channel? I sat down with Layla Pomper, the founder of ProcessDriven, who has done exactly that. Layla built her business to 150,000 YouTube subscribers teaching small business owners how to systemize their operations. What I found particularly insightful was her journey from services to courses, and back to a hybrid model that's now allowed her to triple her income. She shares what she's seeing many creators miss, her unique approach to sales calls, and the "one weird trick" that made all the difference in her business. If you have a course or are thinking of building one, you need to watch this entire episode. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:16 Layla's revenue ceiling with courses 02:47 Layla's original course model 04:32 How Layla added services to break through the ceiling 06:45 Pricing model of Layla's services 08:15 Explanation of Layla's pricing structure 11:00 Layla's counterintuitive sales strategy 14:08 Key metrics Layla tracks in her business 17:13 Finding and fixing bottlenecks 20:44 The power of a small, engaged email list 23:19 Revenue per subscriber analysis 25:26 Simplifying complex business models 32:46 The best of products and services combined 40:15 Turning client questions into YouTube content 49:00 The value of customer conversations in services 57:24 The tailored productized service structure 1:01:36 Mistakes when adding services 1:03:07 The critical mistake of undercharging 1:04:09 Layla's lead generation strategy 1:07:08 YouTube content strategy and calls to action If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one. Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show Follow Nathan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow Website: https://nathanbarry.com Kit: https://kit.com Follow Layla: Website: https://www.processdriven.co YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaylaPomper LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laylapomper Featured in this episode: Kit: https://www.kit.com The Goal: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11128.The_Goal Built to Sell: https://builtosell.com SCORE: https://www.score.org Highlights: 01:29 – Breaking through the infamous revenue ceiling 12:07 – The powerful impact of listening in sales 30:30 – The circularity of business growth 43:10 – Creating content by answering real questions 55:18 – Giving customers what they actually want

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  • #138
    July 23 · 1 hr 36 min

    How To Stand Out as a Writer in the Age of AI (2026) | David Perell | 138

    My conversation with David Perell, host of the "How I Write" podcast and a truly prolific creator, took my understanding to a whole new level. He's one of the few people who has consistently challenged my thinking on how we communicate ideas effectively. In this episode, I dove deep with David into critical questions like: Does writing still hold its weight in today's crowded digital landscape? What specific elements should creators prioritize to make their words resonate? And importantly, how do you stand out when everyone else is shouting? David shares his incredible insights into the craft of writing, the power of observation, and his unique philosophy on identifying and leveraging "currents" to amplify your message. This was easily one of my favorite conversations on the show. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:15 Obsessed with the Craft of Writing 02:45 The "Bit" as a Writing Concept 05:10 Why People Struggle with Writing 07:11 From Seeking Attention to Having Something to Say 10:40 The Discipline of Public Writing 13:58 Capturing and Curating Ideas 20:05 Riding Internet Currents 26:50 Identifying and Leveraging Currents 32:10 Tying Timeless Ideas to Timely Moments 39:15 Uncorrelated Sources of Inspiration 45:36 The "How I Write" Podcast 47:20 Production Value and Set Design 1:00:40 YouTube Growth and Packaging 1:04:40 The Guest Maximization Strategy 1:10:00 Creating "The Modern World" Series 1:16:00 The Modern Pollution of Man-Made Environment 1:19:30 Interplay of the Creator Economy and the Modern World 1:22:15 Creating the World You Want to Live In 1:29:26 Using Art and History to Hone Taste 1:34:00 The Soul-Stirring Work 1:35:40 Where to Find David If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one. Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show Follow Nathan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow Website: https://nathanbarry.com Kit: https://www.kit.com Follow David: X: https://twitter.com/david_perell Website: https://www.perell.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidperell Featured in this episode: Kit: https://www.kit.com Modern World (YouTube Channel): https://www.youtube.com/@TheModernWorld Building a Second Brain: https://www.buildingasecondbrain.com The Artist's Way: https://juliacameronlive.com/books/the-artists-way Highlights: 01:15 – The obsession with writing as a craft. 20:05 – Understanding and leveraging internet "currents" for content. 40:30 – Why consuming uncorrelated content elevates your work. 59:20 – The art of deep communication in interviewing. 1:29:26 – Cultivating taste by actively discerning what you love and hate.

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  • #137
    July 16 · 1 hr 15 min

    I Asked a Speaking Coach to Roast My Biggest Speech | Mike Pacchione | 137

    I recently sat down with my speaking coach, Mike Pacchione, for this totally unprecedented episode where we dissect, minute by minute, my full keynote speech from this year's Craft + Commerce conference. We’re not holding anything back. Mike points out my flaws, celebrates my strengths, and reveals all the chaos that happens backstage that the audience never sees. If you've ever delivered a product launch, feared public speaking, or just want to understand the art of a compelling presentation, you'll learn so much from our candid conversation. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:03 Breaking Down the Keynote 02:22 The Chaos Before the Stage 04:02 The Missing Walk-Out Music 07:44 The "Be a Zero" Concept 09:47 Avoiding Speaker Voice 13:17 Building Tension and Specificity 19:19 The Stephen Colbert Joke 20:52 The Dad's Wisdom Story 28:16 The Challenge of Technical Terms 34:03 Debating Product Announcement Timing 40:35 The Elusive Applause Moment 48:29 Katie's Spotlighting an Audience Member 53:05 The Landing Page Humiliation Slide 01:01:00 The New York City Event Space Announcement 01:07:07 The Closing and Audience Reaction 01:12:00 Rehearsal Techniques and Speaker Notes If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one. Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show Follow Nathan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow Website: https://nathanbarry.com Kit: https://kit.com Follow Mike: Freebie: https://bestspeech.co/nathan Website: https://bestspeech.co LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpacchione Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpacc X: https://x.com/mpacc Featured in this episode: Kit: https://www.kit.com John Koenig - The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows: https://www.youtube.com/user/johnkoenig The State Change Method - Wes Kao: https://weskao.com The Happiness Project - Gretchen Rubin: https://gretchenrubin.com/books/the-happiness-project Tim Urban TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/tim_urban_inside_the_mind_of_a_master_procrastinator Framer: https://www.framer.com Highlights: 01:03 – Mike critiques my keynote opening 11:50 – The secret behind my opening pause 25:06 – How real-world stories prove product value 31:09 – The unexpected success of a borrowed joke 53:10 – The power of a critical feedback slide

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  • #136
    July 9 · 58 min

    #1 Speaking Coach Explains How to Master Speaking (In Just 58 Minutes) | Mike Pacchione | 136

    I've always brought Mike Pacchione in to coach every speaker at my Craft + Commerce conferences, including myself, because he has an uncanny ability to help people transform their talks from good to truly great. Mike's number one goal? For the audience to forget it's even a speech. In our conversation, Mike unpacks his framework for crafting compelling stories, why you should almost never tell them in chronological order, and his genius TED acronym for tension, editing for emotional impact, and the right details. He also shares invaluable insights on designing an ending that resonates and even how to strategically use humor (especially if you're not naturally funny). This episode is packed with lessons I've learned firsthand from Mike over the years. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Making the audience forget it's a speech 04:06 Setting the room up for success 06:14 The power of stories in speeches 08:39 Story selection and placement 10:42 Why you don't need to tell stories in order 11:11 Mike's TED acronym for storytelling: Tension 14:55 Editing for emotional impact 20:02 Crafting an engaging middle of a speech 22:57 Asking questions to build tension 24:37 Describing people in vivid detail (loglines) 30:48 Crafting a powerful ending 33:09 The "one more thing" strategy 40:07 Controlling the emotional arc of a talk 40:50 Using humor effectively 44:09 The power of awkward silence and tension 45:53 Cueing the audience for laughs and applause 48:14 Leading the audience with your emotions 50:57 Mike's take on using AI for speeches 55:24 How to work with Mike Pacchione 56:47 Mike's free resource If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one. Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show Follow Nathan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow Website: https://nathanbarry.com Kit: https://www.kit.com Follow Mike: Freebie: https://bestspeech.co/nathan Website: https://bestspeech.co LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpacchione Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpacc X: https://x.com/mpacc Featured in this episode: Kit: https://www.kit.com Duarte: https://www.duarte.com Atomic Habits: https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits WP Engine: https://wpengine.com ConvertKit: https://convertkit.com Highlights: 02:01 – Getting the audience to forget it's a speech 15:30 – Ending your story in the middle for maximum impact 26:06 – Sarah: The person who eats quinoa for a cheat meal 37:05 – Why you should never end your talk on Q&A 53:02 – The point of a speech is to make an emotional connection

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  • #135
    July 2 · 1 hr 4 min

    From Zero to $1M Before 30 - My Exact System | Mallory Rowan | 135

    How do you build significant wealth in a way that feels sustainable and joyful, rather than sacrificing your mental and physical health? That's what I explored in my conversation with Mallory Rowan, who achieved a million-dollar net worth by age 29, but not without first hitting a wall of burnout at 22. Her story isn't just about financial metrics; it's a testament to redefining success and building a life where financial freedom supports personal well-being. I was particularly struck by her "Six Solutions Theory" and how she challenges the conventional wisdom about ambition versus balance. Join me as Mallory shares her unique approach to turning profit into compounding assets and creating a business that serves her life, not the other way around. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:06 Burnout at 22: Ignoring the whispers 03:59 The toxic cycle of business, health, and happiness 07:22 When you realize the limit keeps moving 10:14 The collision of creativity and finances 13:17 Rebuilding after burnout 18:03 The difference between revenue and profit 21:02 Making investing goals exciting 27:26 Getting specific about building wealth 30:45 The cottage purchase and creative financing 32:02 Active income and first down payment 34:03 The million dollars invested goal 41:17 Why net worth goals matter more 52:27 Having it all: Ambition and avoiding burnout 55:28 Why behind the goal: The Toddler Test 57:38 The categories: non-negotiables, nice-to-haves, experiments 01:00:04 How a nest egg enables lighter living and creativity If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one. Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show Follow Nathan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow Website: https://nathanbarry.com Kit: https://www.kit.com Follow Mallory: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malloryrowan YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theinbetweenersco TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@malloryrowan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malloryrowan?originalSubdomain=ca Website: https://malloryrowan.com Featured in this episode: Kit: https://www.kit.com Highlights: 01:06 – Ignoring the whispers before burnout screams 15:00 – Strategically building "boredom" into your business model 25:21 – The "Thumbnailing" approach to problem-solving 41:17 – Why net worth goals offer true financial freedom 01:00:04 – How a solid nest egg allows for lighter, more playful business decisions

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  • #134
    June 25 · 1 hr 5 min

    How I Went From $0 To 6 figures on Instagram (67-Minute Masterclass) | Gannon Meyer | 134

    How do actually make meaningful money on Instagram? That's what I wanted to find out when I sat down with Gannon Meyer. He's figured out how to turn social media attention into actual revenue. My guest today, Gannon, went from living with his girlfriend's mom to building a thriving business in just 12 months, and he credits a huge part of that transformation to what he shares in our conversation. We dive deep into his "free, segment, upsell" framework for converting Instagram followers into paying customers, and I even get a direct critique of my own content strategy. If you're looking to monetize your audience on Instagram, you won't want to miss Gannon's insights. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:14 Converting Instagram attention into revenue 03:33 Client examples and creator income levels 06:47 The "Free, Segment, Upsell" funnel framework 08:39 Using open-ended questions for better segmentation 10:50 How ManyChat and AI interpret responses 13:12 Real-world example: Adrian's camera business 15:52 Good vs. bad open-ended questions 18:18 Crafting a CTA for your free content 22:00 Storytelling frameworks for strong retention 30:07 Maximizing engagement with Instagram Stories 33:22 The impact of CTAs on Instagram reach 35:01 Why comments are crucial for discoverability 44:19 The truth about views vs. revenue 47:55 Deep diving into solving problems for revenue 51:08 How Gannon's 'whiteboard' videos attract clients 53:22 Gannon's life transformation in 12 months 58:50 The realization: being willing to be wrong in public 1:04:15 The power of putting yourself out there If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one. Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show Follow Nathan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow Website: https://nathanbarry.com Kit: https://www.kit.com Follow Gannon: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gannon.meyer YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gannonmeyer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gannonmeyer Featured in this episode: Kit: https://www.kit.com Highlights: 01:30 Gannon's approach to helping people sell their products 16:17 How to ask open-ended questions effectively 30:57 The PSA story framework for Instagram 46:12 Why high views don't always equal high revenue 59:57 The power of being willing to be wrong in public

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  • #133
    June 18 · 1 hr 5 min

    Million Dollar Founder Explains How To Avoid Burnout In 2026 | Steve Kamb | 133

    Why did this founder fire himself from his own company? That's what I wanted to find out when I sat down with Steve Kamb, founder of Nerd Fitness. We've known each other for a long time, and I've watched him build an incredible audience and business. But then, to my surprise, he "fired" himself – twice! Steve shares the surprising truth about chasing growth, the pitfalls of wearing the wrong hat in your own business, and how he rediscovered his passion for writing. His journey is a powerful reminder that sometimes, the true path to fulfillment means stepping away from the very thing you've so diligently built. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:10 Firing myself (twice!) from Nerd Fitness 05:37 The five years I spent in the wrong seat 07:20 The "If you're not growing, you're shrinking" myth 10:37 How I realized writing is what lights me up 12:55 When to double down on strengths vs. fix weaknesses 18:19 The curated "all I do is win" internet vs. real life 20:20 Sharing my failures: cancer, Google changing, divorce 23:09 The overwhelming positive response to vulnerability 24:06 How my book was born and evolved 30:17 My visit to the Museum of Failure 33:55 My PACT framework: Pause, Accept, Change, Try 40:22 Everything old is new again in content 49:00 The value of Craft + Commerce and community 56:14 Longevity in creative work: falling in love with the craft 1:02:43 How to Try Again: Where to find the book If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one. Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show Follow Nathan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow Website: https://nathanbarry.com Kit: https://www.kit.com Follow Steve: How To Try Again (Book): https://howtotryagain.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevekamb LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevekamb YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/stevekamb X: https://x.com/SteveKamb Nerd Fitness: https://www.nerdfitness.com Featured in this episode: Kit: https://www.kit.com How to Try Again: https://howtotryagain.com Nerd Fitness: https://www.nerdfitness.com The Museum of Failure: https://failuremuseum.com

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  • #132
    June 11 · 1 hr

    Business Expert: The Secret Power of IP To Grow Your Business | Mo Bunnell | 132

    Codifying your knowledge into intellectual property (IP) is a crucial step for scaling any business, but what my guest Mo Bunnell shared in this episode completely changed my perspective on how to do it and the incredible impact it can have. Mo, author of Give to Grow and founder of the Bundle Idea Group, has built an astonishing career training professionals at some of the world's most prestigious organizations. He walked me through the evolution of his IP, from humble beginnings to the sophisticated materials he uses today to secure multi-six-figure contracts. This isn't something he typically breaks down publicly, and I was genuinely surprised by the tangible examples and actionable steps he provided for transforming a service-based business into an IP-driven powerhouse. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:29 Codifying your system in a weekend 05:07 From intuition to framework: creating IP 08:00 The evolution of training materials 11:20 Essential elements of effective IP 18:30 The economics of B2B and corporate clients 21:00 How to get your first pilot clients 26:00 Overcoming B2B objections 29:00 Translating B2C IP to B2B corporate world 31:00 Identifying high-leverage industries and roles 34:00 Lowering the bar on perfection for B2B 37:00 Lead magnets for decision-makers vs. users 41:40 Advanced lead magnet strategies 45:20 The power of public workshops 49:40 Scaling beyond yourself: travel and certification 52:45 Michael Hyatt's Business Accelerator growth 56:00 The annuity effect of corporate training If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one. Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show Follow Nathan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow Website: https://nathanbarry.com Kit: https://www.kit.com Follow Mo: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mobunnell Bunnell Idea Group: https://bunnellideagroup.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd0dvX8kfxF_MMz6IZT17kw Give to Grow: https://bunnellideagroup.com/givetogrow Featured in this episode: Kit: https://www.kit.com The Snowball System: How to Win More Business and Turn Customers into Raving Fans: https://www.amazon.com/Snowball-System-Business-Customers-Raving/dp/1640950343 Unreasonable Hospitality: https://www.amazon.com/Unreasonable-Hospitality-Remarkable-Giving-People/dp/0593418193 Highlights: 01:04 – How Mo started codifying his IP 04:08 – The power of IP to scale a business 11:22 – Four components of world-class IP 18:49 – The "this changes everything" B2B opportunity 37:04 – Lead magnets for buyers versus users 43:09 – James Clear's strategic review request 56:00 – The annuity model of B2B corporate training

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  • #131
    June 4 · 1 hr 1 min

    Russell Brunson: How To Build a Mass Movement | 131

    I’ve always been fascinated by how some companies manage to create not just customers, but passionate communities who become true advocates. My guest today, Russell Brunson, has mastered this, building ClickFunnels to a staggering 100,000+ users *without any outside funding*. In our conversation, Russell broke down the exact framework he used to achieve this, a framework born from studying thousands of successful movements across history, politics, and even religion. If you've ever wondered how to inspire loyalty that goes beyond a simple transaction and transforms your audience into a committed tribe, this episode reveals the secrets to building a movement, not just a business. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:16 Studying Successful Movements 03:30 From Educator to Movement Leader 04:58 The Three Core Elements of a Movement 06:25 The Attractive Character (The Guide) 07:05 The New Opportunity (Not Just an Improvement) 09:24 The Future-Based Cause 12:12 Universal Principles in Movements 13:17 The Power of Positioning 18:47 Crafting the New Opportunity 27:12 The Importance of Customer Alignment 28:16 Cutting Through the Noise with Your Message 33:23 The Power of Customer Stories 35:12 Why General Messaging Can Be More Powerful 46:17 Milestones and Awards for Motivation 50:50 Creating Belief and Encouraging Progress 52:33 Scaling with Progressive Achievement 59:55 Where to Learn More from Russell Brunson If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one. Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show Follow Nathan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow Website: https://nathanbarry.com Kit: https://www.kit.com Follow Russell: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russellbrunson Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2qUDKqTsz00csykCYgdLuA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russellbrunson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russbrunson X: https://x.com/russellbrunson Website: https://russellbrunson.com Featured in this episode: Kit: https://www.kit.com Expert Secrets: https://expertsecrets.com ClickFunnels: https://www.clickfunnels.com Highlights: 06:09 – Every Movement Needs a Guide 11:00 – The Power of a Future-Based Cause 24:50 – The Importance of Actively Choosing Your Dream Customer 47:50 – The Two Comma Club: Gamifying Entrepreneurial Success 57:20 – Why People Care More About a Plaque Than Money

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  • #130
    May 28 · 49 min

    How To Actually Break Free From Your Limiting Beliefs (Nir Eyal) | 130

    Can you truly break through your own limitations and achieve what seems impossible? Today, I sit down with my friend Nir Eyal, the author of three bestselling books, including his latest, *Beyond Belief*, which just hit the New York Times bestseller list. Nir recently blew my mind when he told me he doesn't "believe in jet lag" after flying from Europe to Asia, and that was just the appetizer for our conversation. In his typical science-backed style, Nir reveals the surprising research behind why some people persist where others quit, and how our beliefs—not always our circumstances—are often the key to unlocking our full potential. He shares practical, data-driven strategies I'm already applying in my own life and creative work, and I think you will too. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:26 Belief and Placebos 05:25 Why Placebo Effect is Getting Stronger 06:59 When Pain is Not Suffering 10:10 Hypnosedation and Unlocking Potential 15:35 Applying Beliefs to Creative Process 19:10 Chasing Happiness vs. Decreasing Suffering 21:47 Why Positive Thinking Can Be Harmful 26:34 Applying Belief-Shifting to Relationships 31:03 Changing Your Mind and Beliefs 35:35 Belief Problems, Not People Problems 37:25 High Expectations, Low Control Leads to Burnout 40:03 Internal vs. External Locus of Control 44:27 The Rat Experiment and Persistence 47:47 What's Next for Nir Eyal If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one. Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show Follow Nathan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow Website: https://nathanbarry.com Kit: https://www.kit.com Follow Nir: Website: https://www.nirandfar.com X: https://twitter.com/nireyal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nireyal Beyond Belief: https://www.nirandfar.com/beyondbelief Featured in this episode: Kit: https://www.kit.com Beyond Belief: https://www.nirandfar.com/beyondbelief Highlights: 01:31 – How belief separates suffering from symptoms 06:17 – Why I don't want to hear about side effects 15:06 – How I stopped suffering in my creative process 25:29 – Visualizing how to deal with discomfort 30:39 – Who I become when I hold onto a belief 38:40 – Formula for burnout: high expectations, low control 44:45 – How a change in belief increased a rat's persistence

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  • #129
    May 21 · 1 hr 4 min

    James Clear: How To Actually Make It As An Author In 2026 | 129

    What actually makes a bestseller? My two guests this episode, James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, which has sold over 30 million copies worldwide and is the best-selling book of the last decade, knows a thing or two about it. I also sit down with Madeline McIntosh, CEO of Penguin Random House US, where she's overseen the publication of over 1000 books. Together, James and Madeline have co-founded Authors Equity, a publishing model that completely inverts how authors are typically paid and how books are brought to market. In our conversation, they break down everything you need to know about publishing today, what works, what's broken, and how they're revolutionizing the industry with a win-win approach for authors. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:21 Publishing transformations Madeline has witnessed 02:59 Madeline's motivation for founding Author's Equity 05:14 The Author's Equity model compared to traditional publishing 09:20 Why the author's equity model is beneficial 14:03 The power of aligned incentives 18:22 Author pain points solved by Author's Equity 21:00 Selecting custom teams for each book 24:45 Author's Equity's willingness to learn from authors 28:22 Self-published authors joining Author's Equity 31:07 Who Author's Equity is not for 34:00 The win-win philosophy of Author's Equity 36:05 Crafting books that sell for years 39:00 The importance of building an audience as a nonfiction author 41:40 The timeless desire and new vessel for delivering information 46:00 Getting your best work in front of readers 50:08 What makes books keep selling in year two and beyond 53:10 Leveraging seasonal buying and promotional efforts 55:22 The New York Times Bestseller list: commercial vs. psychological 1:00:30 The most accurate bestseller list 1:02:10 Reaching out to Author's Equity If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one. Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/show Follow Nathan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry X: https://twitter.com/nathanbarry YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow Website: https://nathanbarry.com Kit: https://kit.com/?utm_campaign=29661554-nathan_barry_show&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_term=nathanbarryshow&utm_content=youtube_description Follow James: Website: https://jamesclear.com X: https://twitter.com/JamesClear Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesclear LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesclear Follow Madeline: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelinemcintosh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madmci Featured in this episode: Kit: https://www.kit.com Authors Equity: https://authorsequity.com/ Atomic Habits: https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits Highlights: 01:21 – Publishing before the internet and email 09:20 – Authors no longer have to choose 21:00 – Hand-selecting custom teams for each book 31:07 – Avoiding books with a short shelf life 47:03 – Value in the push and pull of ideas 50:28 – The book has to sell itself 1:00:30 – The most accurate bestseller list

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