Podcast
Beyond Curious ®
Hosted by Brandon Fong · EN
Curiosity alone won't change the world, but going Beyond Curious® will.
The people that shape society are the explorers — the brave adventurers willing to take a voyage into the unknown to satisfy their curiosity, fulfill their purpose, and bring their ideas to life.
This show is for those people.
The ones that are relentlessly curious about themselves, their impact, their potential, the people they love, and the world around them.
The ones who CONSTANTLY ask themselves, “What if…”, “I wonder…”, “Why not…”, -- pushing the boundaries of what is possible for themselves and for society at large.
Join me (Brandon Fong) as every week I interview pioneering adventurers who have dared to go Beyond Curious®.
Past guests have included NYT Bestselling authors, main stage TED speakers, unicorn founders...
... and even an occasional Olympian, NFL player, FBI hostage negotiator, former gang leader, decorated air force pilot, illusionist, world-record setting mountaineer, royal Knight, Hollywood legend, Shark from Shark Tank, and even the man that invented the cell phone!
I'm grateful to say that the show holds a top 1% global ranking out of the 3.5M+ global podcasts indexed by Listen Notes.
To hear the full story of how Beyond Curious® was born (show was formally called 7-Figure Millennials) and learn about the vision for the brand, listen to episode #140!
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#281: NYT Bestselling Author of "The Lean Startup" On Building Companies That Create Civilization-Level Impact & Designing Organizations That Endure For 100+ Years… w/ Eric Ries
1w ago00:59:57Tap to summarizeI told Eric Ries that I felt like puking after reading his new book, Incorruptible.Here's why:In The Matrix, right after Neo takes the red pill from Morpheus, Neo is shown the truth for the first time.Neo's reaction is pure overload and he starts barfing all over the floor.In Incorruptible, Eric shares hard truths about how organizations are built… and why success itself so often turns companies against the people and principles that made them worth building in the first place.The reality is SHOCKING and, just like Neo, being shown the truth that bluntly was tough to swallow.But the book isn't all doom and gloom…It's mixed in with hope, beauty, and a CLEAR roadmap of a new way forward to protect the soul of companies we entrepreneurs work so hard to build.The book blew my mind and gave me a whole new level of permission to not only build companies, but entirely new Civic Infrastructures (my favorite concept out of the new book) that create civilization level change.Since reading it, I've been talking about it non-stop to everyone I'm in contact with.Eric has spent his career walking founders from idea → IPO. And he kept watching the same heartbreaking pattern play out over and over:Visionary entrepreneurs would build something they loved, sell it or take it public… and then watch their baby get gutted by short-term thinking, fiduciary "duties," and investors squeezing every last drop of value out of it until there was nothing left of the original soul.So Eric wrote the book on how to build a company that can't be corrupted, and how we might design entirely new civic infrastructure for the world that's coming.A few things we unpacked on the episode:Why nearly every founder unknowingly signs away their company's soul on day one… and the single line in your corporate charter that makes you legally vulnerable to selling to the worst possible buyerEric’s radical redefinition of "profit": What it actually means to be a for-profit company when you account for all the value you create AND destroy across time, space, and human livesHow to design a "spiritual holding company": the 100-year-old structure that protects the soul of a business across generations, so the mission you built it for can never be gutted by short-term decision makingShow Notes Generated With The Help of AI!Introduction to Beyond Curious and today’s guest, Eric Ries.Brandon welcomes listeners and introduces today’s guest, Eric Ries, entrepreneur and bestselling author of The Lean Startup. Eric returns with a bold new vision in his book Incorruptible, challenging conventional corporate governance and proposing new systems to protect the soul of companies. Brandon shares his visceral reaction to the book — comparing it to taking the red pill in The Matrix — and previews key ideas including fiduciary traps, redefining profit, and building “civic infrastructure.”Timestamps & Key Moments00:00:02 – Brandon opens the episode and introduces Eric Ries, highlighting the significance of Incorruptible and the urgency of its message for entrepreneurs navigating today’s rapidly changing world.00:00:34 – Eric recounts the wild reactions he received when he told people he wanted to build a new stock exchange. He compares the idea to “building a second moon,” emphasizing how institutional systems feel untouchable — until you realize they are human-made and can be remade.00:06:18 – Eric shares the behind-the-scenes story of launching the Long-Term Stock Exchange. After years of resistance, he discovers that starting a stock exchange ultimately comes down to filing a 250-page form — revealing how intimidating systems are often less mystical than they appear.00:09:02 – Brandon brings up Eric’s concept of civic infrastructure. Eric explains how invisible institutional systems — from stock exchanges to product standards — quietly shape society, defining what is possible in markets and culture.00:12:00 – Eric explores how everyday transactions (like buying a banana) depend on vast, invisible networks of institutions. He argues that when institutions fail or get disrupted, new ones rush in — but without intentional values, societal damage can follow.00:21:10 – Eric introduces a thought experiment: Would you sell your company to the most evil corporation imaginable? Most founders say “hell no.” But Eric reveals a shocking truth — corporate charters often legally require boards to accept the highest bidder due to fiduciary duty.00:24:05 – Eric tells the true story of Vectura, a healthcare company forced to sell to Philip Morris. Despite public outrage and internal resistance, the board followed shareholder primacy doctrine — leading to massive value destruction.00:27:19 – Brandon and Eric unpack how a single line in most corporate charters — “any lawful purpose” — enables courts to interpret a company’s purpose as maximizing shareholder value, even when that contradicts its mission statement.00:30:16 – Eric radically redefines profit. Through vivid examples (Ponzi schemes, toxic waste dumping, murder-for-hire hypotheticals), he demonstrates how conventional accounting ignores deferred and displaced harm. He proposes a new definition: profit as the maximization of human flourishing.00:37:25 – Eric shares the story of Devoted Health, a rapidly growing healthcare company that defines its product as love. By aligning incentives around genuine care for customers, they create what Eric calls a “virtuous performance loop.”00:41:55 – Eric introduces the concept of the spiritual holding company, using Novo Nordisk as a case study. Founded over 100 years ago, its structure places a nonprofit foundation above the for-profit entity — protecting mission across generations.00:46:48 – Eric warns against delaying governance decisions. “It’s always too early until it’s too late.” He explains how founders are repeatedly advised to postpone protective structures — only to lose control once public or acquired.00:52:06 – A powerful statistic: 76% of founders regret selling their company within one year. Eric reflects on why financial success without mission integrity often leads to emptiness and disillusionment.00:53:22 – Brandon and Eric discuss the idea that companies have souls. Eric emphasizes that corporate governance should be seen as preventative discipline — not a one-time decision — to protect mission over the long term.00:53:58 – Eric shares where to find Incorruptible, including bonus materials, implementation guides, and a secret chapter available at the book’s website. He also encourages listeners to support local independent bookstores.00:55:31 – Eric closes with a powerful reminder: systemic change doesn’t only require policy shifts. Every technique in the book can be implemented today — by founders, leaders, and even consumers who choose where to direct their economic power.Links & ResourcesIncorruptible: Why Good Companies Go Bad and How Great Companies Stay Great by Eric RiesIncorruptible book website (bonus chapter, implementation guides, courses): https://www.incorruptible.coThe Lean Startup by Eric RiesLong-Term Stock Exchange (LTSE)
Transcribe →I'm BACK… Civilization-Level Impact, Choosing Forgiveness After 32 Years Wrongfully Imprisoned, Homicidal Super Chickens, & Psychedelic-Level Breathwork Breakthroughs Coming Up On Beyond Curious
2w ago00:06:15Tap to summarizeIt's been just about 3 months since I last published an episode of Beyond Curious…I’ve missed you guys!!This pause has been a beautiful reset for me, there's a LOT going on behind the scenes, including some projects I can't wait to tell you about soon.But today I'm excited to announce that I'm BACK with a few episodes that have made a profound impact on me since I’ve recorded them.Today is a mini preview, because over the coming weeks I'm releasing 4 episodes bi-weekly, starting May 26th.Here's the schedule:🗓️ May 26th: NYT Bestselling Author of "The Lean Startup" On Building Companies That Create Civilization-Level Impact & Designing Organizations That Endure For 100+ Years… w/ Eric ReisI told Eric that I felt like puking after reading his new book, Incorruptible.Here's why:In the Matrix, right after Neo takes the red pill from Morpheus, Neo is shown the truth for the first time.Neo's reaction is pure overload and he starts barfing all over the floor.In Incorruptible, Eric shares hard truths about how organizations are built... and why success itself so often turns companies against the people and principles that made them worth building in the first place.The reality is SHOCKING and, just like Neo, being shown the truth that bluntly was tough to swallow.But the book isn't all doom and gloom...It's mixed in with hope, beauty, and a CLEAR roadmap of a new way forward to protect the soul of companies we entrepreneurs work so hard to build.The book blew my mind and gave me a whole new level of permission to not only build companies, but entirely new Civic Infrastructures (my favorite concept out of the new book) that create civilization level change.Since reading it, I've been talking about it non-stop to everyone I'm in contact with and I'm so excited for this book to be put into the hands of as many people as possible.🗓️ June 9th: Choosing Unconditional Love & Forgiveness After Spending 32 Years In Prison For A Crime He Didn't Commit… w/ Alphonso JamesAlphonso was 17 years old, sitting on his mom's porch in the summer of 1985, eating breakfast and talking about life when a police car rolled up.The officer told his mom it was nothing serious…They were just canvassing the neighborhood and wanted to ask Alphonso a few questions.12 hours of interrogation later, they slid a document in front of him and said his mom was waiting in the lobby… all he had to do was sign and he could go home with her.He signed it.The next morning, he learned he'd been charged with first-degree murder.Alphonso was sentenced to 105 years in prison for a murder he had absolutely nothing to do with.What followed is legitimately one of the craziest ones I’ve heard on the show. This one you can’t miss…🗓️ June 23rd: What Homicidal Super Chickens & No-Stat NBA All-Stars Have To Do With Unlocking Team Intelligence… w/ Jon LevyJon was on the show back in Episode 122 and is one of my favorite thinkers in the world of relationships.He's the founder of The Influencers — a secret dining experience and community with Nobel laureates, Olympians, celebrities, and executives.This time, we’re diving into his brand new book, Team Intelligence: How Brilliant Leaders Unlock Collective Genius, and what it really takes to unlock collective genius.Jon is hilarious.We talk about…What homicidal super chickens can teach us about team dysfunctionWhy your most important team members might be the ones no one’s measuring or rewardingThe ONE universal characteristic you need to be a leader that most books or business schools don’t talk about.If you’re a leader ready to unlock the collective intelligence of your team or community, this one is for you!🗓️ July 7th: How To Achieve Psychedelic-Level Breakthroughs & Remove "Energy Clots" From Your Body… Just By Breathing… w/ Kurtis Lee ThomasQuick context:I've never been drunk in my life and have never done any form of psychedelics.But I'd kept hearing about breathwork being a really profound experience — especially from people who'd done ayahuasca, bufo, and other alternative medicines.So when my friend Collin introduced me to Kurtis, I attended one of his sessions and was blown away. I’m a superfan and have now turned breathwork into a multiple times per week practice and invested in joining Kurtis’ breathwork membership and am LOVING it.As for the future of the show…I'd still love to experiment with another big series (similar to The 4% Files) where I weave bigger threads together, but I'm not actively working on that yet.In the meantime, when I really want to interview someone in the format you're used to, I'll do it and release it when it feels right.I'll see you May 26th with Eric Ries 🙂
Transcribe →#280: Announcing: Beyond Curious 2.0
Feb 2401:50:15Tap to summarizeCrazy, but this past Saturday, I turned 30!I’ve been dreaming about how I wanted to celebrate my 30th birthday for ~3 years now.It all started when my friend, Vlad Solovetski, and I were talking about my vision for Beyond Curious, right when I had re-branded.He reacted by saying, “Maybe one day you’re going to have a Curiosity Island.”My response?“FUCK yeah I’m going to have a Curiosity Island!”Want to see the actual video? Here’s the moment when it happened! Thankfully I was recording so I had this captured…Several months later, I was at Dr. Benjamin Hardy’s live event when I set a goal to celebrate my 30th birthday by hosting a Curiosity Island event.Well, that just happened.It’s surreal, because it was everything I could have ever dreamed of and MORE.But beyond making this vision a reality, I also wanted to be incredibly intentional about who I’m choosing to become in this next chapter of my life.And because of this level of intentionality, I’ve decided to completely revamp the Beyond Curious podcast.In this episode, I’ll share three things:The story of how my 3 year Curiosity Island vision came true by taking you behind the scenes of everything that happened at one of the most transformational moments of my life.How I’M evolving in this next decadeHOW the show is evolving to match my own evolution (Hint: I’m shifting away from a weekly interview style show 😮)This was a FUN and unique episode, because I intentionally recorded it as a conversation between just you and I…Because my wife, Leah, and I booked an extra night in the resort where we hosted Curiosity Island, I started by recording the episode while on the beach.I ran out of time, so I continued in the airport, and eventually finished on the airplane (where I’m writing this now!).I can’t wait for you to listen. This is a special one ❤️
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#279: The 11th File 4% Files Grand Finale
Feb 1704:57:08Tap to summarize👉 Access The 4% Files Treasure Map HERE To Get A Detailed Recap & Summary Of This Series!👉 Access all of the bonus material from the 4% Files right hereThis is it. The GRAND Finale.It’s the fireworks show where you THINK it’s over…Then there’s another grand finale on top of the grand finale.For this final episode of the 4% files, I’m curating clips from 25+ episodes and organizing them into 2 buckets:StoriesStrategyWithin the stories section, I’ve curated the most mind blowing and transformational stories shared on Beyond Curious. These are the stories that stretch your mind as to what’s possible as a human being.You’ll get glimpses of:How Andre Norman went from running a $3m/mo heroin, prostitution, & extortion operation while serving a 100-year prison sentence… to becoming a Harvard fellow, author, speaker & changing the criminal justice systemHow Sean Swarner — a 2x cancer survivor with one lung — summited Everest, the 7 summits + the north & south poles…How Trevor G Blake — a NYT bestselling author & Physicist — used “Mind Movies” to have MULTIPLE 9-figure exits with ZERO employeesHow YOU can preserve your family legacy, heal previous wounds, and re-write your history by interviewing your loved ones… pulling on an interview I did with my late grandfather, Kenny FongHow Marty Cooper changed the world by inventing the cell phone.How Hal Elrod used “The 5 Minute Rule” to recover after being hit by a truck going 70 MPH, breaking 11 bones, suffering permanent brain damage, and being clinically dead for 6 minutes.But that, my friends, is just the warmup, because next we dive into the highest leverage strategies that have created disproportionate results in my life.The first section starts with Relationship Strategies.You’ll learn…From NYT bestselling author, Jon Levy, on how to leverage the “IKEA Effect” to build transformational relationships (I’ve been using this for 12+ years and it’s seriously changed my life)What ONE quote my first ever mentor, Brenda Campbell, shared with me at 17 that serves as the foundation to building relationships that unlocks results while putting the relationship first.From the bestselling author of Hooked & Indistractible, Nir Eyal, how to leverage “Psychological Reactance” to increase the likelihood of someone supporting you.How to get the “Green Light” before starting a conversation to far increase the likelihood of a conscious and positive interaction from my dear friend, Jem Fuller.How Blake Fly landed $50,000 worth of speaking gigs from a Frosted Flakes cereal box, and how you can leverage creative outreach to bring smiles to people’s faces while creating big resultsHow to build relationships at SCALE by unlocking the collective intelligence of a group by using “Purpose Questions” from one of the best facilitators in the world, Jon BerghoffNext, we dive into Identity & Belief Strategies — how to upgrade the most foundational elements of your being to create ripple effects in every area of your life.You’ll learn:From the author of The Core Value Equation, Darius Mirshahzadeh, how to make your core values FUNCTIONAL… and how those values shape the internal conversations in your mind and the external conversations in your business that ultimately define your reality.From leadership strategist Susan Drum, how to leverage music as a tool to transmute negative emotional states and dissolve limiting beliefs so you can consciously shift your identity.From performance coach Todd Herman, how to intentionally create an Alter Ego to access parts of yourself that already exist use a physical totem to trigger that identity shift on command.From the founder of the Octopus Movement, Perry Knoppert, how to embrace an identity as a non linear octopus to break out of linear thinking and unlock creative solutions that can change the worldFrom Oxford quantum physicist, cosmologist, & former $500m international finance director Jude Currivan, how we have scientifically proven that the universe is “non locally unified” and how that understanding can shift your fundamental understanding of realityFrom the creator of the Energy Operating System and former Disney producer, Susanne Goldstein, how your “Human” is fundamentally different from your consciousness… and how learning to operate from both simultaneously changes how you experience challenges, emotions, and growth.Then, finally, we dive into timeless Business Strategies, with the intention of leveraging your business to elevate your consciousness and create a deep impact in the world.You’ll learn:From serial entrepreneur Mike Koenigs, the fastest path to making a billion dollars and how raising your prices can radically transform your identity while amplifying your impact, and counterintuitively create a SIMPLER business model.From Archangel founder Giovanni Marsico, the fundamental mindset shift required to serve people who are “more successful” than you by owning your value and gift you can provide to others.From the founder of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, Brian Scudamore, how an Italian gelato experience shifted his entire company's branding, and how to leverage your brand to become a magnet to attract the exact customers, partners, and opportunities you most want to serve.From former Ch...
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#278: The 10th File: The Powerup That Helps You Write Stories That Paint New Realities… w/ Michael Hauge
Feb 1001:18:52Tap to summarize👉 Access The 4% Files Treasure Map HERE To Get A Detailed Recap & Summary Of This Series!👉 Access all of the bonus material from the 4% Files right hereI’d be lying if I told you that I wasn’t a bit star struck when I first met Michael Hauge.Here’s what I knew about him:Will Smith himself had said “No one is better than Michael Hauge at finding what is most authentic in every moment of a story.”Russell Brunson, the founder of Clickfunnels, credits Michael’s frameworks as one of the keys that helped grow his software company that has 100,000 active customers and creates millions of dollars a month in sales.For four decades, he has been one of Hollywood’s top story experts and consultants working on projects starring Julia Roberts, Morgan Freeman, and Tom Cruise (to name a few)... and specifically with Will Smith, he consulted on he consulted on the scripts for I Am Legend, Hancock, The Karate Kid, Suicide Squad, and Bright.I had been impacted by his work and was incredibly grateful he agreed to come on the show WAY back when I was just getting started on episode #36 in June 2021.It was during that interview that I did something I was nervous to do:I asked Michael for feedback on a story I was working on.Not only did Michael say yes and give me LIVE coaching on the recording, but he offered to come back for a part TWO where he would review the changes and tweak what I did with the story even more.That SINGLE ask was the start of what has been a transformational relationship with Michael over the last 5 years, and today I’m grateful to call him a dear friend and mentor.Like all of the guests on the 4% files, my life would be fundamentally different if it weren’t for Michael.Here’s why:Yes, Michael has made me a 100,000x better storyteller.Because unlike many storytelling frameworks that solely focus on the “external hero’s journey” (The call to adventure, meeting the mentor, etc.), Michael has become known for what he refers to as the hero’s “inner journey.”The Inner Journey is the deeper storyline that makes a story truly great of how the hero moves from hiding within a protective identity to experiencing his or her true essence.But beyond being a better storyteller, Michael’s storytelling frameworks gave me a blueprint for living a more courageous life.The way Michael teaches story structure gives you a glimpse into this pattern of the human condition that ANYONE must face if they are going to follow their heart and build a life doing what they care about.So as you listen to this one, I invite you to listen from two perspectives:How might I tell better stories to inspire others?How might I apply this pattern to living a more courageous life, doing what matters most to me?I can’t wait for you to listen!Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 – Introduction to Beyond Curious and today’s guest, Michael Hauge.Brandon Fong welcomes listeners to the 10th “4% File,” part of an 11-episode series distilling the most powerful insights from over 334 hours of Beyond Curious conversations. He explains the purpose of the series, reflects on the magnitude of the project, and sets the stage for revisiting one of the show’s most influential guests.00:00:54 – How to use the 4% Files Treasure Map.Brandon addresses new listeners who may be jumping into the series mid-stream, explaining how the Treasure Map in the episode description recaps the entire journey and how earlier files provide essential context for the deeper insights ahead.00:01:48 – Introducing Hollywood storytelling legend Michael Hauge.Brandon formally introduces Michael Hauge, highlighting his reputation as a mentor, friend, and one of Hollywood’s most respected story experts, known especially for his insights into fear and the hero’s inner journey.00:02:12 – Brandon’s personal origin story with storytelling and podcasts.Brandon recounts discovering podcasts in 2015 while traveling in Spain and how hearing Russell Brunson credit Michael Hauge’s work led him down a deep path into story theory, particularly the Heroes Two Journeys framework.00:03:04 – Outer journey vs. inner journey in storytelling.Brandon explains what distinguishes Michael’s work from traditional hero’s journey teachings: a focus on the hero’s inner transformation—moving from fear and protective identity toward true essence—which gives stories their emotional power.00:03:55 – Michael Hauge’s Hollywood career and influence.Brandon outlines Michael’s decades-long career consulting on major films and working with top actors and studios, including praise from Will Smith that underscores Michael’s ability to find authenticity in story moments.00:04:32 – The first Beyond Curious interview that changed everything.Brandon reflects on recording episode 36 with Michael in 2021, sharing how asking for live story feedback on air—despite being nervous—sparked a long-term mentorship and collaboration.00:05:14 – From mentorship to Curiosity Island.Brandon describes how Michael supported the early idea of a story-driven mastermind, later evolving into the Curiosity Island community, where Michael became one of its founding citizens.00:06:53 – What to listen for in this episode.Brandon previews key highlights: Michael’s definition of story, his six-step storytelling framework, his favorite question for uncovering emotional depth, and the unexpected philosophy that led to relationships with Will Smith and Russell Brunson.00:07:43 – Bonus resources and modernized story coaching.Listeners are told where to download Michael’s six-step chart and about a new bonus episode where Michael interviews Brandon and reconstructs the modern origin story of Curiosity Island in real time.00:09:01 – Michael Hauge joins the conversation.Michael greets Brandon and the audience, marking the transition from introduction into the main interview.00:09:07 – Growing up around movies and popcorn.Michael shares a formative childhood story about his father’s candy store near a movie theater in Salem, Oregon, explaining how free popcorn runs to the theater sparked his lifelong love of film.00:12:27 – Family, storytelling, and early influences.Michael reflects on his mother’s background as an English teacher and a family culture rich in storytelling, noting how humor, conflict, and “bad things happening” shaped his subconscious understanding of what makes stories compelling.00:14:34 – From preschool teacher to Hollywood hopeful.Michael recounts teaching in Head Start programs, navigating the Vietnam-era draft deferment, and eventually moving to Los Angeles—despite fear and uncertainty—to pursue a career in film.00:18:06 – What is a story, really?Michael defines story as the recreation or imitation of life that allows an audience to emotionally experience events that aren’t literally happening, grounding his explanation in character, desire, conflict, empathy, and transformation.00:21:04 – Why fear is at the heart of transformation.Michael explains that the deepest stories revolve around characters moving from fear to courage, and that inner change—not just external success—is what resonates most powerfully with audiences.00:24:32 – How “fun” led to Will Smith and Russell Brunson.Michael shares how following curiosity and enjoyment—rather than strategic networking—led him to collaborations with major figures, including the creation of the Heroes Two Journeys seminar with Christopher Vogler.00:31:09 – Michael’s favorite storytelling question.Michael reveals the single most powerful question he asks when developing stories: What terrifies the hero more than anything? He explains how digging beneath surface fears uncovers universal emotional truths.00:41:29 – The six-step storytelling framework.Michael walks through his “Six Step Success Story” model—Setup, Crisis, Pursuit, Conflict, Climax, and Aftermath—showing how each beat is essential for persuasive and emotionally resonant storytelling.00:54:52 – Truth vs. fact in business storytelling.Michael clarifies that effective business stories must be true in essence, even if they use composite characters or condensed events, emphasizing ethical responsibility and emotional clarity.00:57:09 – Origin stories vs. client success stories.Michael explains why every busines...
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#277: The 9th File: The Power Up That Unlocks “Fractal Thinking” & A Toolbelt To Solve Your Hairiest Problems… w/ Perry Marshall
Feb 301:37:31Tap to summarize👉 Access The 4% Files Treasure Map HERE To Get A Detailed Recap & Summary Of This Series! 👉 Access all of the bonus material from the 4% Files right hereHave you ever stopped and stared at the beauty of a leaf?One of the first things you’ll notice is the little veins branching off…They look awfully similar to the branches that the leaf came from…They look awfully similar to the roots underneath the tree…It’s mesmerizing.And it’s also a fractal.Once you start noticing fractals, you’ll start to see them EVERYWHERE.Those ice crystals forming on your windshield? Fractal.The atoms our bodies are made of? Fractal.The beautiful pattern on that pinecone? Fractal.A fractal is simply a repeating pattern that continues at every scale.Yes, they occur all over nature, but they ALSO occur all over our lives.That strength you have that gets you results every time you use it? What if THAT was a fractal? (Hint: it is)That “problem” that keeps occurring in your life? What if THAT is a fractal? (Hint: it is).Today, I’m introducing you to the person that changed my life by bringing “Fractal Thinking” into it — Perry Marshall.Perry has one of the most curious and deep minds that I’ve ever interviewed on the show, and his curiosity has led him all over the place. Perry is…A former mechanical engineer turned famed marketing legendThe founder of the $10M Evolution 2.0 Prize for Origin of Life researchOn a mission to reverse cancerThe pioneer of innovative “80/20 thinking” used by NASA’s jet propulsion labs… to name a few.It was Perry (and his book 80/20 Sales and Marketing) that broke down the fractal nature of the 80/20 rule that actually led to the entire development of my Find Your Four® process and therefore the 4% Files Series.There’s so much we dive into, including:How to stop fighting problems and instead find and defeat the SOURCE of what’s creating all of the problems to begin with… (and what that has to do with a poem written in the year 975)How to solve 95% of a problem by simply shifting the way you define the problem to begin with. How to use “Renaissance Time” to stop reacting and start architecting the life you actually want (and how you can start using it by buying a $13 alarm clock)What makes this episode so powerful is that it goes FAR beyond tactics… it upgrades the way you see the world and solve problems.Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 – Introduction to Beyond Curious and today’s guest, Perry MarshallBrandon Fong welcomes listeners to The 9th 4% File, part of the 11-part Beyond Curious series distilling the most powerful insights from over 334 hours of podcast conversations. He previews why Perry Marshall—engineer turned marketing legend and systems thinker—embodies “beyond curious” thinking. 00:01 – Why Perry Marshall is a once-in-a-generation thinkerBrandon shares his personal journey into direct response marketing and how discovering Perry’s work—especially 80/20 Sales and Marketing—reshaped his worldview through fractal 80/20 thinking and the concept of “finding your 4%.”00:03 – Three ideas to listen for in this episodeBrandon sets the stage:Stop fighting symptoms and defeat problems at their sourceWhy a problem clearly defined is 95% solvedThe power of “Renaissance Time” and deep thinking rituals00:04 – Perry Marshall joins the conversationPerry enters the show, setting an open, exploratory tone as Brandon invites him to begin with a story that frames the entire episode.00:05 – Beowulf, Grendel, and the origin of real problem-solvingPerry retells Beowulf as a systems metaphor: killing Grendel (the symptom) doesn’t solve the problem—Grendel’s mother (the source) lives at the bottom of the swamp. True solutions require confronting what everyone avoids.00:09 – The swamp as the “elephant in the room”Perry explains how the swamp represents taboo truths—organizational, cultural, personal, or scientific—that people build walls around instead of confronting directly.00:11 – Going beyond curiosity: choosing truth over comfortBrandon connects Beowulf’s descent to Perry’s quote from Evolution 2.0: choosing to pursue truth even if it costs everything, defining “beyond curious” as a lived commitment.00:13 – Why curing cancer became personalPerry recounts losing his father to cancer at age 17, later losing close loved ones, and how these experiences quietly shaped his openness to tackling cancer when the opportunity emerged.00:16 – How engineering thinking unlocks new perspectives on cancerPerry explains how his background in electrical engineering and systems thinking allows him to see cancer not as chaos, but as an evolutionary process gone unchecked—an insight missed by siloed disciplines.00:19 – The evolution rabbit hole that changed everythingA disagreement with Perry’s brother sparks a deep investigation into evolutionary theory, revealing that cells actively engineer themselves—contrary to the “random mutation” narrative taught in popular science.00:23 – Cancer redefined: evolution turned on and never turned offPerry reframes cancer as cells activating their evolutionary toolkit without a proper “off switch,” revealing why current definitions—and treatments—often fail.00:25 – Stage ‘negative one’ and detecting cancer before it existsPerry shares breakthroughs from researchers who can detect pre-cancerous stress signals in the bloodstream, potentially enabling prevention years before diagnosis.00:29 – Why defining the problem is the real breakthrough“A problem clearly defined is 95% solved.” Perry explains how most failures—personal, organizational, or medical—stem from solving the wrong problem entirely.00:30 – Beowulf applied to families, institutions, and sciencePerry draws parallels between dysfunctional families, churches, bureaucracies, and scientific communities—each protecting unspoken truths to preserve stability.00:35 – Why old ideas often hold the real answers“If you need a new idea, read an old book.” Perry explains how forgotten scientific frameworks—some over a century old—resurface once technology catches up.00:40 – Fractals, 80/20, and the hidden math of realityPerry reveals how discovering fractals helped him see 80/20 as a fundamental law of nature—not just business—governing everything from biology to behavior.00:44 – 80/20 beyond business: addiction, nature, and life itselfExamples ranging from alcoholism to pest control illustrate how self-reinforcing systems naturally follow 80/20 dynamics.00:48 – Finding your 4% by embracing your natural strengthsPerry explains how success accelerates when people stop forcing themselves into roles they’re unsuited for and instead align with their innate abilities.00:52 – Curiosity, shame, and blocked explorationDeep emotional work reveals how unresolved shame suppresses curiosity, creativity, and growth—both individually and collectively.01:02 – Shame as the root of what we refuse to talk aboutUsing the Genesis story, Perry identifies shame as humanity’s most universal inhibitor—and the clearest signal pointing toward the real problem.01:05 – Renaissance Time: the habit that changes everythingPerry describes his daily ritual of uninterrupted reflection—no phone, no media—and why reading pre-Gutenberg wisdom sharpens judgment in a noisy world.01:08 – Why deep thinking is required for real transformationPerry explains why he requires Renaissance Time from clients—and why constant stimulation destroys clarity, curiosity, and strategic insight.01:11 – Where to explore Perry Marshall’s workPerry shares resources for learning 80/20 thinking and evolutionary science, encouraging listeners to build lives aligned with curiosity, meaning, and long-term impact.01:14 – The Matrix, curiosity, and choosing meaning over comfortPerry closes with a powerful metaphor: choosing curiosity and purpose may mean eating “slop” instead of steak—but it’s how world-changing missions begin.🔗 Links & Resources<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/16IlNU8zh6LfBF6e7-vmhp3FN72G1UwN9vEWGDfTaT1U/edit?usp=sharin...
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#276: The Eighth File: The Power Up That Reveals How To Make The “Impossible” Happen From The Man Who Makes It Look Easier Than Brushing His Teeth… w/ Steve Sims
Jan 2703:28:37Tap to summarize👉 Access The 4% Files Treasure Map HERE To Get A Detailed Recap & Summary Of This Series! 👉 Access all of the bonus material from the 4% Files right hereBack in July 2025, I saw a social media post that made my heart stop:The headline prominently said:Rest in Peace Steve SimsJuly 1966 - July 2025Steve Sims was a podcast guest that had a profoundly deep impact in my life. In case you haven’t heard of Steve before, he was coined by Forbes as “The Real Life Wizard of Oz” who helped his clients do things like:Get married by the PopeTake submarine trips to the TitanicHave dinner in front of Michelangelo’s David while being serenaded by Andrea BocelliMeet celebrities like Elton John and Elon MuskHe even once took a group on a private tour of the Tesla gigafactory… followed by a visit to a legal, licensed brothel to learn about the power of communication (yes, seriously).But beyond the crazy experiences…Steve Sims gave me a new blueprint for life.In fact, a few years ago when journaling about the 3 people I most looked up to, Steve’s name was high on that list — right next to my wife and daughter.Even though we only spent a few hours together across these interviews, Steve’s mindset has been running like a background program in my brain ever since I met him.He embodied the values and passions that drive my life today:Family & Heart: He loved his wife and kids deeply, and built his business alongside themDoing the Impossible: His entire life was proof that “impossible” is just a starting pointExperiences: The most inspiring (and wildest) experience designer I’ve ever metFun & Play: He approached life like a big kid—joyful, absurd, and always ready to make you laughBeing Unapologetically You: Steve knew who he was and never tried to be anything elsePure Passion for Life: You could hear it in his voice—he lived with passion, every single dayStorytelling: Hands down my favorite storyteller of all time—he didn’t just live great stories, he delivered them in unforgettable waysSo to honor his legacy, on episode #250 of the show, I stitched together all 3 of our interviews at once.As I dove through my entire podcast library for this series, I HAD to include my interviews with Steve, despite the fact that I only recently published the trilogy.But of course, with this being the 4% Files I had to do something even more epic…You see:The magic of this series is that EVERYTHING I’m sharing I’ve tested personally… for years. None of this is something I just learned about and haven’t implemented in a deep way.So in addition to the truly transformational content that Steve himself shares in the episodes, I actually weave together ~45 minutes of bonus content walking you through exactly how I’ve implemented what I learned from Steve.These episodes with Steve truly showed me what was possible beyond my wildest imagination at the time…But just as a fair warning:This is my LONGEST episode to date, clocking in at 3 and a half hours. So you’re in for a ride if you commit to this one.But if you do, I promise it’ll be worth it.00:00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Steve Sims, as Brandon tees up a “monster” 3+ hour episode surfacing the full Steve Sims trilogy—plus his own commentary between each interview segment.00:01:36 - Brandon kicks off the trilogy compilation (“buckle your seatbelts”), then we get a teaser straight from Steve: an absurdly epic Florence dining experience beneath Michelangelo’s David—complete with a lesson hidden in the punchline “no one’s ever asked.” 00:02:57 - Brandon zooms out on imagination and identity (“you can’t become a version of yourself you can’t conceive”), name-dropping Napoleon Hill and Einstein while framing why Steve’s worldview can permanently expand what feels possible. 00:05:34 - Brandon introduces Steve’s backstory and impact (bricklayer → bouncer → luxury concierge and experience designer), then shares the heartbreaking context: Steve passed away July 7, 2025 from cancer, and this release honors his legacy by stitching all three episodes together.00:07:17 - Brandon explains the special 4% Files format: after each interview installment, he’ll return with implementation-focused commentary—what he actually applied and what created compounding results over time—then transitions into episode one (recorded October 2021).00:13:09 - Steve (story): A client wants to recreate how he originally “won” his wife—college picnic rug, boom box, and all—so Steve rebuilds the moment down to the exact vibe, including tracking down working boomboxes and even figuring out how to record a cassette in the modern era.00:15:29 - Steve reveals the ridiculous-but-brilliant workaround to “you can’t rent a public park”: he stations attractive women walking dogs on long leashes in a moving perimeter—because “men are terrified of attractive women”—to keep strangers from wandering into the recreated proposal scene.00:26:03 - Steve (principle): “Control the front door.” As a doorman, he learns you don’t filter people out to be exclusive—you filter to prevent chaos later. Then he introduces “silly password” mechanics (Sesame Street / Teletubbies-type prompts) that inject positivity before anyone even enters. 00:29:18 - Steve describes bouncing a wealthy, entitled guy for refusing to play the childish password game—and how the resulting “rude doormen” press turned into the best marketing they could have gotten, making even more people want in. 00:31:03 - Brandon reflects on how the “velvet rope” concept applies to business: designing the filter up-front prevents 99% of downstream problems—then pivots toward Bluefishing strategies. 00:48:12 - Brandon (commentary bridge): He connects Steve’s patterns (filters, contrast, and bold asks) to how Brandon has applied them in real life—setting up the “implementation” framing that will recur between each installment.00:01:04:08 - Brandon introduces Part 2 with three things to watch for: (1) listening under what people say (Elton John + realtor examples), (2) leveraging “Unpolished” to stand out, and (3) Steve’s experience design (including a Tesla gigafactory → brothel contrast day).00:01:06:15 - Part 2 begins with Brandon and Steve riffing on “Sims the Sequel,” setting the tone for another rapid-fire, story-heavy sprint.00:01:08:12 - Steve (insight): We live in a “gotcha society” that loves laughing at people—so most people hide their dreams to avoid ridicule. Steve’s job, as he sees it, is listening past the words to the real desire underneath. 00:01:10:00 - Steve revisits the core responsibility of proximity to high-status people: guard the front door. If someone misbehaves at Elton John’s Oscar party, it reflects on you, so curation is a form of integrity—not elitism. 00:01:11:38 - Steve (story): A brash caller wants a photo + autograph with Elton “before he dies.” Steve clocks the request as shallow and doesn’t even take the guy’s contact info—because it’s about status props, not meaning. 00:01:13:45 - A second caller sounds similar, but Steve shifts the conversation with one question—“Why?”—and the whole emotional temperature changes, revealing a completely different motivation.00:01:15:01 - Steve (story payoff): The real “why”: the caller’s dad drove him to school with an Elton John cassette on repeat; years after his dad’s death, hearing Elton briefly “brings his dad back” for three minutes—so he just wants to say thank you. 00:01:17:16 - Steve orchestrates the moment at the Oscar party; when the story lands, both men tear up and hug. Steve highlights the lesson: solving the surface request would’ve missed what the person truly needed—asking “why” created the impact. 00:01:35:41 - Steve (unpolished connection): He sends clients bizarre physical “touches” (scribbles on in-flight magazines, random artifacts) and expects they might hate it—until a long-time client says the “worthless crap” is exactly why they remember him: “Don’t stop.”00:01:38:47 - Steve underlines the meta-lesson Brandon just said out loud: the human element. Imperfect, obviously-human mail signals care in a world drowning in polished automation.00:01:44:55 - Steve (tactic): Approaching someone famous? Start with “You don’t know me” to remove their anxiety and let them actually listen—then offer value (e.g., “I noticed three things that could improve your marketing/branding”). 00:01:47:58 - The guy Steve approaches laughs—then reveals the project was shut down six months ago… and Steve’s first two suggestions would’ve saved it. Result: Steve...
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#275: The Seventh File: The Power Up That Helps You Conquer Your Hidden Fears & Build a Life In Your “Genius Zone” w/ Dr. Gay Hendricks
Jan 2001:12:03Tap to summarize👉 Access The 4% Files Treasure Map HERE To Get A Detailed Recap & Summary Of This Series! 👉 Access all of the bonus material from the 4% Files right here. . .Today I’m introducing you to someone I consider to be an alchemist.But the type of alchemy that he practices is far more transformational than turning metal into gold…He’s an alchemist of genius, helping people reorganize their lives around the work they were actually born to do.Here’s what I mean by that:Imagine if you could spend 70% or more of your day doing exactly what you are uniquely suited to do.You removed the things from your life you are incompetent, competent, or even excellent at… and instead focus PURELY on the work that you feel like you were put on planet Earth to do.This is the magic of the New York Times bestselling author and beautiful soul, Dr. Gay Hendricks.In the words of his wife, Katie, “He sees the essence of people and the core pattern blocking their direct experience of essence in about two seconds.”In his book, The Big Leap, he outlines his process of converting your life experience into the raw material you need to build a home in what he calls “The Zone of Genius.”Gay has made a profound impact on my life, not only through his work but through the radiance he exudes.Here’s a small sample as to why Gay is someone I deeply respect and admire:He has a beautiful and deep 40+ year relationship with his wife, Katie. They have co-created a relationship that is their “living laboratory for conscious loving”He practices what he preaches, and at age 77 at the time we recorded this episode he is full of energy and a strong desire to continue sharing his gifts with the world.He has found a way to translate every element of his life (relationship, his books, his business) into a vehicle for elevating his consciousness.He has an ability to (1) identify his own limiting unconscious patterns, (2) leverage his life experience to extract his essence, and (3) communicate what he learned by studying himself in a truly heartfelt wayIn other words, Gay is who I want to be when I grow up.In this episode, you’ll discover:How to come up with your top five life goalsWhat the “Upper Limit Problem” is and why Gay believes it’s the ONLY problem that we need to solve if you desire to always feel good and have life go well all the timeHow you can STOP worrying (yes, you read that correctly)How to turn your business into a powerful vehicle for spiritual growthHow to design a life you never want to retire fromFor those following along with the 4% Files in order, this episode is an incredible power up that will help you deepen your awareness of your Player to consciously design a life in alignment with your unique gifts.This episode helps you identify where you’re unconsciously holding yourself back from your natural brilliance.I can’t wait for you to listen!Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Dr. Gay Hendricks, as Brandon opens “The Seventh 4% File” in his 11-part series, explains the purpose of surfacing the show’s most high-impact insights, and points listeners to the “treasure map” in the episode description to get oriented fast.00:06:11 - Gay rewinds to an early “genius breadcrumb”: getting a tricycle on his birthday and (when rain kept him indoors) channeling that energy into playful problem-solving—setting the stage for how childhood instincts can hint at a lifelong Zone of Genius.00:10:46 - Gay tells the Mr. Lowen watermelon story: after hours of failure trying to sell whole watermelons, he pivots to selling cold slices for instant gratification—an early lesson in positioning, value, and adapting to what people actually want.00:14:03 - Brandon turns that childhood story into homework: ask yourself what your first “can’t-wait” toy was—and consider how that excitement might still be a clue to the kind of work you’re built to do now.00:18:38 - Gay makes his case that “business is spirituality,” drawing on time living in monasteries and walking through major companies: he shares how leaders like Bob Galvin (Motorola) and Bob Shapiro (Monsanto) modeled values like seeing workers as whole humans—and calls “cellular honesty” (naming anger, fear, hurt directly) a deeply spiritual practice in the real world.00:25:17 - Gay explains how he first discovered the Upper Limit Problem: after dropping off his daughter Amanda at her first sleepaway camp, he spirals into worry-fantasies—only to learn she’s happily playing, and to realize the discomfort was his projection (and his “allergy to feeling good”).00:29:38 - Gay names one of the core roots: the fear of being “fundamentally flawed.” When things start going well, that old belief can surge and trigger self-sabotage—pulling you back to your familiar set point.00:33:49 - Brandon + Gay zoom out: Gay reflects on how he used to be a “heady intellectual” disconnected from emotions (and the cost of that), while Brandon frames the Upper Limit Problem as a clarifying lens—language that helps you catch unconscious barriers before they quietly run your life.00:39:25 - Gay shares a guiding integrity principle from his grandmother—“tell the truth so you don’t have to remember what you said”—then connects Upper Limits to small accidents and illnesses, teeing up the idea that the body can be an early warning system when you’re shrinking back from your own expansion.00:44:26 - Brandon reveals the “diagram” he printed and wants to live by: treat worry like an addictive reflex, then practice the pivot—notice → release → shift focus → wonder what positive new thing is trying to come through—and ask Gay how to train this transformation in real time.00:51:06 - Gay defines the deeper payoff of genius work: not just “peace of mind,” but “peace of heart”—the rare calm that comes from contributing. He describes building a life you’d never want to retire from and offers a developmental arc: 30s find your life, 40s build it, 50s+ enjoy it—while encouraging listeners to enjoy it now through genius alignment.00:55:32 - Gay introduces the “deathbed question” exercise: imagine you’re at the end of your life, declare it a total success, then identify the five specific reasons you can say that—turning vague ambition into a clear scoreboard for the life you actually want.01:00:23 - Gay shares his first and biggest “wish”: creating a long-lasting, loving relationship where both partners grow in wisdom and love—something he hadn’t witnessed in his family—and how that clarity led him to commit deeply to Katie (later inspiring his book Five Wishes).01:04:38 - Gay points listeners to where they can go deeper: hendricks.com and the Foundation for Conscious Living, highlighting the abundance of free relationship and “feeling good” resources available there.01:10:47 - Brandon closes the file with gratitude and a clear ask: if the episode helped you, take a moment to rate the podcast at “RateThisPodcast dot com / Beyond Curious,” so the work spreads further—and he signs off with love and “see you in the eighth file.”Links & Resources4% Treasure Map (in the episode description; no opt-in)hendricks.com - Hendricks InstituteFoundation for Conscious LivingToastmasters (mentioned as a tool Gay used with a client to work through public-speaking fear)
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#274: The Sixth File: The “+2” Power Up That Aligns Your Energy to Cultivate Exponential, Transformational Relationships w/ Mark Fujiwara, Randy Molland, & Jennifer Hill
Jan 1301:05:19Tap to summarize👉 Access The 4% Files Treasure Map HERE To Get A Detailed Recap & Summary Of This Series! 👉 Access all of the bonus material from the 4% Files right here. . .If you asked me:“Brandon, what ideas have most permeated your life?”Of the ideas that I actively use on an almost daily basis and have done so consistently for years, there are really only two of them:The Find Your Four® concept that my entire world is built around+2 EnergyThese two concepts unlock the ability to:Build a life doing the things you love the most With the people that bring you the most energyI’ve gone deep on Find Your Four® already in the first file… but today is an opportunity to go SUPER deep on +2 Energy.On the surface, it’s a very simple concept:After every interaction you have, rate your ENERGY level from -2 to +2.You’ll start to notice several things:When you feel +2 energy from someone, they most likely feel +2 energy from youTherefore, when you feel +2 energy from someone, odds are the other +2 people in your world will feel it too!When you connect +2 humans to other +2 humans, EVERYONE winsThis simple concept has literally created an energy vortex of transformational humans.So much so that most people that operate in the “+2 World” are often receiving 10 or more incredibly transformational intros every single week.This also goes beyond just people though…Because this simple energy rating scale can help you start to orient your entire life around EVERYTHING you’re doing that gives you +2 energy.Because this is such an important concept that I talk about all the time, I wanted a deep dive “Masterclass” on this subject that covers perspectives from how people have implemented this concept.So, I brought on THREE of the humans most responsible for transforming my life with this concept:Randy MollandMark FujiwaraJennifer HillI can’t wait for you to listen… and even better IMPLEMENT this concept.It’s truly changed so many people’s lives, so I’d be honored to introduce it to you.Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Randy Molland, with Jennifer Hill and Mark FujiwaraBrandon Fong kicks off the sixth 4% file by introducing the concept of "+2 Energy," a simple yet powerful tool that has significantly shaped his life. He previews the masterclass-style episode featuring three transformational guests—Randy Molland, Jennifer Hill, and Mark Fujiwara—who each offer unique perspectives on how they use this energy-based framework to build meaningful, exponential relationships.02:11 - What is Plus2Energy? Brandon explains the core conceptBrandon breaks down the "+2 Energy" framework—rating every interaction from -2 to +2 based on how it impacts your energy. He explains how identifying and connecting with +2 individuals creates a vortex of transformational energy, elevating everyone involved.05:02 - Meet the guests: Randy Molland, Jennifer Hill, and Mark FujiwaraBrandon introduces the three guests: Randy Molland (founder of Go Big to Give Big), Jennifer Hill (founder of Optimatch and super-connector), and Mark Fujiwara (wealth advisor and mental health advocate). Each guest shares a deep personal connection to the +2 concept and plays a key role in the energetic ecosystem Brandon has cultivated.08:16 - Mark’s origin story with +2: from Tim Ferriss to spreadsheetsMark shares how he was first inspired by a Tim Ferriss podcast featuring Jim Collins, which led him to track his energy in 15-minute increments. He reveals how noticing energy drains helped him improve family interactions and realize which relationships were affecting him the most—even if those relationships were financially lucrative.12:23 - Randy builds a system to scale +2 relationshipsRandy picks up the story, explaining how he used Mark's framework to categorize people in his CRM by energy rating. He shares the traits of +2 people—service-first, high character, and impact-driven—and how this system helped build an aligned referral network where intros are made purely based on energetic compatibility.16:50 - Jennifer operationalizes +2 with spreadsheets and the “anti-jerk” prayerJennifer describes her daily spiritual routine, including the "anti-jerk" prayer, which helps her attract aligned relationships. She shares how she uses a Google Sheet to track every referral and interaction, recording not only energy levels but also what matters most to each person.22:49 - The neuroscience of +2: amplifying energy through alignmentJennifer relays a concept from neuroscientist Jeanne Fontana—when two aligned people meet, their energy amplifies like sine waves. She explains how differing motivators create resistance, making even well-intentioned relationships energetically draining.26:11 - Plus 2 as a lifestyle: When +2 becomes your default settingThe guests reflect on the power of only engaging with +2 people throughout the day. Mark shares how his energy naturally remains elevated when he's intentional about who he surrounds himself with, reducing the need for constant tracking.29:58 - Brandon’s CAST acronym: Naming the traits of +2 humansBrandon introduces the acronym CAST (Curious, Aligned, Spiritual, Transformational) to describe the shared traits of the +2 people in his life. He discusses how naming the pattern made it easier to spot and nurture high-vibration relationships.33:04 - Hiring with +2 in mind: Redefining company cultureRandy shares how he began applying the +2 energy lens to hiring. Rather than focusing on resumes, he and his team assess energetic alignment during interviews. The result: a company culture where team members support and check in with each other based on shared energetic values.36:11 - Psychological safety and the Google Project Aristotle studyJennifer ties the +2 concept to psychological safety, referencing Google’s Project Aristotle. The study found that psychological safety is the #1 predictor of team success—a quality that naturally thrives in +2-centric relationships.43:24 - Brandon on the 0.8%: Connecting at the identity levelBrandon explains how +2 relationships often connect at the “0.8% identity” level—the deepest part of a person’s core belief system. These relationships aren't about what someone does but who they are, making long-term transformation inevitable.45:16 - Referring through energetic alignment, not business alignmentRandy and Jen explain how referrals in the +2 world are based on energy and values, not resumes or industries. Because of this, people often become lifelong friends or collaborators even before knowing what the other person does professionally.47:02 - Phone numbers, text intros, and removing frictionRandy explains how in the +2 ecosystem, sharing phone numbers and doing text intros becomes effortless because everyone is trusted and aligned. The joy of seeing a text from a +2 connection is part of the magic of this system.48:42 - Recognizing +2s instantly: Brandon’s 30-second ruleBrandon shares that some of his deepest +2 relationships were evident within 30 seconds of meeting the person. He emphasizes that +2 energy isn’t intellectual—it’s energetic and heart-based.51:25 - Plus2 beyond business: Transformational connections from unexpected placesJen tells the story of how her relationship with Ian, a fashion entrepreneur, started transactionally but evolved into a deep, supportive friendship rooted in spirituality and shared personal growth, illustrating how +2 transcends business boundaries.54:41 - Abundance through energy: Wealth, relationships, and the Yasmina principleJennifer connects +2 energy to abundance, quoting Yasmina Ellis: “What if all our relationships could be exponential?” Surrounding yourself with +2s enhances not just your mental state, but also your material and emotional wealth.55:10 - Mark’s tips for implementi...
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#273: The Fifth File: The Power Up That Turns Your Future Self Into a Tool for Teleporting to Your Goals… w/ Dr. Benjamin Hardy
Jan 601:28:25Tap to summarize👉 Access The 4% Files Treasure Map HERE To Get A Detailed Recap & Summary Of This Series! 👉 Access all of the bonus material from the 4% Files right here. . .In April 2018, I left the cow poop-smelling college town of Whitewater, Wisconsin (Population 15,000)…And walked into a $25,000/yr mastermind room in Tempe, Arizona, filled with 7-, 8-, and 9-figure impact-driven entrepreneurs.I was a 22-year-old college senior and by every traditional standard, I didn’t belong.Yet somehow, I manifested a way to be there… and my life changed almost instantly.One of the biggest upgrades came during the very first session when I found myself sitting next to Dr. Benjamin Hardy.At the time, his blogs were being read by 100M+ people as the #1 writer in the world on Medium.com and he had just published Willpower Doesn’t Work. Today, he’s an organizational psychologist, New York Times bestselling author, and co-founder of scaling.com supporting people in realizing impossible goals.That day marked the beginning of me going deep with Ben’s body of work that would fundamentally shift the trajectory of my life.But the real tipping point for me came when he released 10x Is Easier Than 2x in 2023.It was that book — and the 6-week challenge Ben hosted for it — that catalyzed some of the biggest moves that got me to where I’m at today:Re-branding to Beyond Curious® and hosting my first ever live event Hiring my amazing Executive Assistant, Kevin, who has saved me thousands of hours and helps to amplify my workConnecting to my future self and vision, building my Curiosity Island™ community, and setting the vision to celebrate my 30th birthday by hosting a live Curiosity Island event (which is now 44 days away)So when I poured the 334+ hours of recorded content on the show to find the best of the best, it was a no-brainer to include one of my interviews with Ben.In this episode, we cover:How to shift your perception of time so that your future self guides your decisions instead of your past.How to leverage “impossible” goals as a TOOL to come up with teleporting pathways to achieving your visionWhy your vision is a DRAFT… and how evolving your vision with better information is a sign of growth, not failure.How thinking at 10x or 100x might surface invisible beliefs and identity structures you weren’t consciously aware of that are keeping you stuckHow to edit your past from the lens of your future to free you from old stories that no longer serve youAs with every episode in the 4% Files, this one is a potent one that I’m confident will make a big difference!Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Dr. Benjamin HardyBrandon introduces the fifth installment of the 4% Files series and explains the goal of surfacing the most transformational content from over 334 hours of podcast conversations. He previews today's featured guest, Dr. Benjamin Hardy, whose work has played a pivotal role in Brandon’s own personal transformation.00:54 - Introducing the 4% Files Treasure Map & orientation to the seriesBrandon shares a helpful resource for new and returning listeners called the “4% Files Treasure Map,” providing a high-level overview of how the series is structured and how best to navigate the episodes.01:52 - Dr. Benjamin Hardy on the power of impossible goalsA powerful quote from Dr. Hardy kicks off the episode: “To actually go for a seemingly impossible goal, you can’t do more, you actually have to do less.”02:05 - Brandon’s first encounter with Dr. Hardy at Genius NetworkBrandon recounts how, at age 22, he landed in a $25,000 mastermind group and was serendipitously seated next to Dr. Hardy, marking a major inflection point in his life.03:38 - The 10x Challenge: Catalyst for major life transformationsBrandon shares how participating in Ben’s six-week 10x challenge led him to rebrand his podcast to Beyond Curious, host a live event, hire his executive assistant, and start the Curiosity Island community.05:05 - Five transformational themes explored in this episodeBrandon outlines the core themes listeners will hear discussed in the episode: shifting perception of time, leveraging impossible goals, evolving your vision, 10x/100x thinking, and editing your past through the lens of your future self.08:07 - How Ben’s partnership with Dan Sullivan was bornBen describes the 10x leap that started when he pitched the idea of “Who Not How” to Dan Sullivan after a Genius Network presentation, leading to three co-authored bestsellers and a transformation in his career.13:24 - Michelangelo and the art of 10x masteryBen explains how studying Michelangelo inspired the 10x concept in the book. He draws parallels between Michelangelo’s relentless pursuit of mastery and the stripping away of non-essential effort to achieve greatness.18:26 - 10x versus 2x: The philosophical and strategic differencesBen contrasts his and Dan Sullivan’s “10x is easier than 2x” model with Grant Cardone’s version of 10x, focusing on depth over brute-force activity. Their 10x model is about doing less but better—shedding 80% of what doesn’t serve.25:30 - Editing your past through the lens of your futureBen unpacks how your past and future are both drafts, and how you can reframe your past stories based on who you are becoming. He shares powerful examples of this, including a conversation with his adopted kids.33:24 - Brandon’s personal system for tracking 10x jumpsBrandon reveals his “Spreadsheet of Life” and how he tracks his 10x jumps using a self-built tool. He reflects on the evolution from being a “sidekick” to owning his own narrative and leadership role.38:12 - Revisiting and rewriting the same stories with new insightBen shares how he revisits past experiences, like his parents’ divorce or moments of professional frustration, to upgrade the meaning through his current understanding—highlighting the healing power of continuous reframing.43:35 - Defining your own 10x and embracing qualitative leapsBen encourages listeners to define 10x on their own terms—whether that means more income, more peace, or less stress—and explains that growth can come from qualitative, not just quantitative, change.44:08 - Need vs. Want: The path to true freedomBen dives into the difference between doing things out of “need” vs. “want.” Operating from pure want, he explains, is the essence of freedom and essential to 10x transformation.49:29 - Brandon asks about changing your vision: Vivid Vision vs. DraftsBen thoughtfully addresses the idea that vision is not “set in stone” and shares how evolving your vision with new information is a sign of maturity—not failure. He discusses the concept of goals being for learning, not just achieving.54:35 - 100x Thinking: Surface hidden commitments through radical expansionBen introduces the idea of thinking 100x as a technique to reveal hidden limiting beliefs and outdated identity commitments. It’s a powerful tool to go beyond what's currently imaginable.Links & Resources:4% Files Treasure Map – Referenced by Brandon for navigating the entire 11-part series Genius Network – The mastermind community where Brandon and Ben first met: Dr. Benjamin Hardy’s Books:Willpower Doesn’t WorkPersonality Isn’t PermanentBe Your Future Self NowWho Not How (with Dan Sullivan)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?...
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