Help Wanted – "How to Keep Going When All Else Fails"

Podcast by Money News Network
Hosts: Jason Feifer & Nicole Lapin
Release Date: September 18, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers around navigating personal and professional setbacks. Jason Feifer, editor in chief of Entrepreneur magazine, introduces the concept of the "failure number"—a mindset shift that turns failures into milestones on the path toward ultimate success. The episode is designed to offer encouragement and practical strategies to keep moving forward, no matter how many times you stumble.

Key Discussion Points

1. Understanding the Sting of Failure

• Jason opens by acknowledging the deep emotional impact of failure, whether from a failed project, a rejection, or even a personal relationship.
• Quote: "You failed and it stings... you cannot shake the feeling that you suck and everything you make sucks and you'll never succeed again." — Jason Feifer [02:46]
• He notes how failure can feel definitive and overwhelming.

2. The Netflix-Blockbuster Anecdote and the Beginnings of the "Failure Number"

• Jason shares a story about a friend ("John") whose high-profile merger collapsed, leaving him disappointed but reflective.
• John's key insight came from recalling Netflix's attempted sale to Blockbuster in 2000, which was rejected—a "failure" that later became a footnote to Netflix's immense success.
• Quote: "Netflix tried to sell itself to Blockbuster for $50 million, and Blockbuster laughed Netflix out of the room." — Jason Feifer, sharing John's insight [03:26]
• The lesson: "Their story was and continues to be written."

3. Introducing the Failure Number

• Jason coins the idea of a "failure number":
  • For any big goal, there's a number of failures you'll likely face before succeeding.
  • Examples he gives:
    • "Closing a big sale, maybe your failure number is 9.
    • Finding the right romantic partner, maybe it's 11.
    • Writing a book, maybe it's 5." [04:33]
• Quote: "If you knew that you had to write five failed books before hitting the best seller list, you'd crank through them easily, right?" — Jason Feifer [05:05]
• Conclusion: If failure is seen as incremental progress toward this (unknown) number, each failure feels more like progress than defeat.

4. Accepting the Unknown—But Still Moving Forward

• In real life, we cannot know our failure number in advance, making repeated setbacks feel endless.
• The practical advice:
  • Each failure should be reframed as one step closer to eventual success.
  • "I am now one number closer than I was before, whatever that number is." [05:47]
• This reframe encourages resilience, learning, and a proactive approach to growth.

5. Personal Application—Jason’s Attempts at a TV Show

• Jason shares his own string of failures trying to succeed in TV:
  • "A novel that I co-wrote with my wife was optioned, renewed and then dropped."
  • "I developed a show with a big TV star, but we have had no buyer."
  • "I was in talks to host a business show and then the producers ghosted me." [06:25]
• Quote: "Am I bummed? Yeah, a little. But honestly, I just keep thinking about the failure number. What is the failure number for a TV show? Is it 50? More?" — Jason Feifer [06:45]
• The takeaway: Persistence matters more than knowing when you'll succeed.

6. The Outcome—John's Success After Failure

• Jason updates that his friend's company went on to thrive, hitting nearly $2 billion in revenue after their major setback [07:34].
• Quote: "All of life happens on a continuum. You can never be sure how close or far you are from success. But we must remember that today's outcomes are just a small part of a larger story." — Jason Feifer [07:46]

7. Final Message—Progress in Disguise

• Every setback is part of the continuum and is actually "progress in disguise."
• The episode concludes with encouragement: "Our true goal is to just keep going." [08:15]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Failure does not inherently feel bad. Failure can feel great so long as it's recognized as progress." — Jason Feifer [05:20]
• "Does he treat failure as defining or just disappointing? Much like Netflix's co-founders, he chose to keep going—disappointing, but not defining." — Jason Feifer (about John) [07:26]
• "Every disappointment is progress in disguise." — Jason Feifer [08:15]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 02:46 – Jason introduces the emotional impact of failure.
• 03:26 – The Netflix and Blockbuster anecdote and the concept inspiration.
• 04:33 – Jason explains the "failure number" with real-world examples.
• 05:47 – The practical reframe: Each failure moves you closer to your goal.
• 06:25 – Jason shares his personal string of TV show failures.
• 07:26 – Jason discusses John's choice to keep moving forward after failure.
• 07:46 – Reflection on the continuum of progress and life.
• 08:15 – Closing encouragement: Every disappointment is progress in disguise.

Summary Takeaway

This episode empowers listeners to view repeated setbacks as crucial elements of future success—not as signals to quit. With relatable anecdotes, a memorable mindset shift, and heartfelt encouragement, Jason Feifer and Nicole Lapin offer practical support for anyone facing failure: Recognize, reframe, and simply keep going.