The BEST Advice From This Year! (You Need to Watch This Before 2026)

Hey everyone, welcome back to my podcast channel. Thank you so much for being here. If you haven't subscribed already, make sure you do so that you never miss

here. If you haven't subscribed already, make sure you do so that you never miss an episode. Now, I want to ask you, what moment changed you the most this year?

an episode. Now, I want to ask you, what moment changed you the most this year?

Where in your life did you grow the most this year, even if it didn't look like growth at the time? What if the toughest moment of your year was actually the moment preparing you for what's next? The end of the year is always a time for

reflection, a time to look back at our journeys, our lessons, and the growth we've experienced. Some moments challenged us, some inspire us, and some

we've experienced. Some moments challenged us, some inspire us, and some remind us of the power of presence, courage, and connection. In this special compilation, we revisit some of the year's most powerful conversations on on

purpose. deeply personal stories from guests whose honesty, insight, and lived

purpose. deeply personal stories from guests whose honesty, insight, and lived experiences offer invaluable guidance as we move into 2026. The perspectives

shared here are more than stories. They're practical road maps for how to grow, reset, and move intentionally into the year ahead. Let's get into it.

>> The number one health and wellness podcast, >> J Shetty. J Shetty, >> the one, the only J Shetty.

Selena and Benny take us into the heart of their love story, sharing how vulnerability, patience, and humor have shaped their relationship. What started

as a friendship between two young artists blossomed into love, reminding us that connection grows through presence, laughter, and small acts of care. I was I was saying that watching both your love story and I know you were

care. I was I was saying that watching both your love story and I know you were saying Selena two seconds ago, you're like, "This is such a safe and cozy space to come to." I'm hoping that today we get to know your love story on a deeper level >> and we get to access really what's in your hearts and minds because I think

>> there's so many interviews and so many things that kind of will touch on the surface level of stuff but I hope we can go deeper. So, what I want to start with is I want to actually rewind >> and I want to rewind to a place where we don't retell the story, but we get to relive your story with you. And I think

there's a difference because when we tell a story, it's like this is what happened, but when we relive it, it's almost like going back to who we were when that happened. So, I want to go back to the first time you ever met, and

I want to hear about it. >> Well, the funny thing is is we actually it was so long ago that we don't remember. We we we know that her mother put us in a meeting together when How old were you? >> 16.

remember. We we we know that her mother put us in a meeting together when How old were you? >> 16.

>> So she was 16. >> Wow. I didn't realize it was that old. >> And and well, I'm like four or five years older than you. So I was probably 20, 21. and her mom was trying to get

her into music and her mom is a amazing the way she goes from room to room gets things gets things to happen and you know and somehow she got us a meeting together and

>> we don't remember that song and you know after we had done songs together there was one time where it was probably 2016 or 17 or something. I remember when

you were in a studio like inner scope studio and I remember I came she doesn't remember it but I remember I came in and I had this talk with you and I remember being like

whoa wow like S's really like a complex person like in a good way and I was like wow she's she's she's so deep and and we had this conversation where I really I

was just really left by being like oh she's deep and then we went and and thought nothing more of it. And then when we did our song together, I remember leaving leave, not not feeling romantic at all. I just remember leaving

and I was talking, you know, cuz when you're a pop star like she is and you're a huge entity and and and you've done so many things in your life before, like people set up all these walls before. So it's like you get like

like before I came in they were like well you know this thing's like this and this is like this and like she might not want to do that and like stuff and they they speak for people so much and then I remember we were so me and the director

were so nervous and then the first second you like disarmed everybody and I remember walking back and Jake was like he's like the guy who directing with me he's like this is going to be so easy what they they made it seem like she was

this is going to be this crazy thing and the warmth I felt from her in that moment. I remember leaving being like, "Wow, Selena's such a cool girl. She's

moment. I remember leaving being like, "Wow, Selena's such a cool girl. She's

>> You don't remember this at all?" >> No, no, she remembers this.

>> I remember the video part, but it was interesting because um yes, I don't have a very good memory, but um I just remember the video shoot. I didn't see

anything romantic nor really felt that, but I had a really good time. And that

was probably the first time after years of doing music together and not together. That was the first time I really got to hang out with him. And it

together. That was the first time I really got to hang out with him. And it

was fun. I had a good time. >> And that was that. Um, and then how it kind of continued was I was always cautious because I always wanted to make

sure that I did protect myself. >> So to be honest, I didn't talk to him very often.

>> I thought she hated. >> Really? I really I knew that was coming.

>> I really did. I thought she didn't like I would see her and I and I would be like, "Does she not like me?" Like and I like we weren't thinking about anything.

I was like, "Wow, she really like didn't talk to me a lot." And I was like, "I thought I was being nice." And like my friends would be like, "No, no." And

then like there was another time I remember and my friends were like, "Oh yeah, she was kind of weird to." And I was like, >> "I'm so sorry."

>> And there was like a few times and I and I didn't know and I was just like, you know, I was like, "That's okay." Okay. >> I thought I was being like polite by not >> She didn't really engage. >> Basically, we I was working on some music and we we

went through some of the demos that we had in Single Soon came up, which is ironic because it was actually nowhere near where I was in my personal life, but Benny happened to do the song. >> No, no, I didn't even do the song. It

was like one of my guys who did this came to fix it and I like came to help out because I was like oh I want their song to I was like I don't like the way this let me just at least help them. I said I was like >> well I'm not sure if it'll be okay cuz I

don't know if Selena likes me or something. And then John Janick the, you know, the president of Innercope, he was like, "Well, why don't you just go into the session? Uh, she usually doesn't have people in, but just go in and like

the session? Uh, she usually doesn't have people in, but just go in and like if there is something that you feel is weird, like try to just smooth it over and talk to her and get in." And I said, "Okay, I'm going to go smooth it over."

So, I went in. It was so funny. Right before I came, her engineer told me like later that she was like, "Benny's coming." And she was like, >> "And here's my reasoning. I'm going to defend myself. I get very nervous around

the producers watching me sing. >> It's just a very intimate thing for me.

I feel like I need to sound a certain way or do whatever to make them happy.

And when I get to record just me and my engineer and maybe someone I trust, I get more out of the experience. So, I just was thinking, okay, well, maybe

he'll stay for 10 minutes and we'll just talk for a second. And 10 minutes turned into like 30. Then he went to the other room and I finished recording and he

stayed there and then Yeah, this is too long. >> No. So, okay. So, here, so from my perspective, here's what happened. I get in there. >> I'm like, >> and I'm like, I got to smooth this. >> I love this back and forth.

>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I was like, I don't have this with anyone. like I I was like I want us to be chill and obviously 99% of it was in my head and uh and I come in, we just start talking about life and her uh ANR is there, one of my friends

is there. We're just we're talking about life and we start talking about dating

is there. We're just we're talking about life and we start talking about dating and I was like, "Yeah, you know, I went out on this date, blah blah blah." And

then I I was talking to her and I said, "Oh my god, I have so many good single guy friends." I was like, "We have dinners at the house all the time. You

guy friends." I was like, "We have dinners at the house all the time. You

should come over sometime." And I wasn't even thinking about anything. and we're

like talking about like our ideal date and like this and that and I wanted to make sure she did the line right. So I was like, "Oh, I'll stay there to like make sure it's good after." And then um so I did. We left. And then

>> you Yeah. I didn't have her cell phone number cuz I she changed her number a bunch. So like I like asked someone. I said, "Hey, uh give me your cell phone

bunch. So like I like asked someone. I said, "Hey, uh give me your cell phone number. I want to say like uh you know, thank and I I wrote I was like, "Oh my

number. I want to say like uh you know, thank and I I wrote I was like, "Oh my god, you were." And and and during that I when I was with her I was like oh my god I was like not only she's like really cool. I was like I want I was like I want to be like I was like I want her to be like in our friend group and I

couldn't even be thinking I was like I want her to be in our friend group and I want to make sure this things smoothed out so the song figures out goes well and everything. So I said let me just text her thank you or whatever and I was

and everything. So I said let me just text her thank you or whatever and I was like you know you were so sweet or something something like that. And then

she writes back. I guess we just were texting throughout the day and she she told me she looked back at our message. She said, "Somehow you started sending like uh selfies where you looked really bad on purpose, like the worst ones in

your started to do this." >> Yes. Which by the way, no girls should really or anyone in their mind right mind to someone they would have a crush on do that. But we were talking about ugly photos like cuz I always say I take

the worst photos sometimes and he's like, "Oh, you said something." And I sent him the worst pictures of me like and like in bed sick and then you know

me at weird photo shoots and now looking back on it I'm I'm just thinking that's these are so weird. I don't know why >> me in that moment yet or not yet. >> Yeah.

>> Oh, you did. Okay. So that's what I was trying to figure out.

>> I had no idea. So I had no idea. And somehow we decide. >> So wait, why did you do that? If you

liked Benny, why were you sending >> Well, because I didn't know that it was going to be like maybe I thought it was just going to be flirting and and not really anything else. Got it. >> But I really started to >> to just I don't know, fall for it.

>> So I didn't know any of this. And then we decide, we're like, we're I forget how it happens, but we're like, yeah, let's hang out. And I was like, oh, my friend's having a a birthday party tomorrow. I was like, you just just come

along. And I was like just thinking friend stuff. And then so she comes to

along. And I was like just thinking friend stuff. And then so she comes to mine. And I guess she thought the party was going to be at my house, but I was

mine. And I guess she thought the party was going to be at my house, but I was like, oh. In my head, I was like, oh, she'll just come over and and we can

like, oh. In my head, I was like, oh, she'll just come over and and we can just like grab a drink first and then go there. Like not thinking anything of it.

I was like, we'll just like grab a drink at my friend's wine bar. it's on the way and then we'll go there. You were there and and we were sitting together and she said something like, "Well, you know, because it's a date, I wore blah blah."

And I was like, and in I was like, >> "No, I said if this was a date, I definitely would have dressed like nicer and he just kind of looked at me and I thought we were on a date." >> And I was like, "We're on a date." And

then and then we went and then we didn't really talk about it.

>> Wait, you thought who thought it was a date? >> She thought it was. Oh,

>> she thought it was a date. >> I'm sorry. A nice man takes me out for a drink. I'm assuming it's a date. >> I didn't know. >> But no one had each other out yet.

drink. I'm assuming it's a date. >> I didn't know. >> But no one had each other out yet.

>> No, it was like, let's just hang out. Like, and then we go to my friends, we go to this Thai restaurant. We go to Jit Lada and we're like hanging out and there's a bunch of people there. And then she all of a sudden like leaves.

And she was like, I got to go to I have a video shoot really early in the morning. And I was like, okay. And I was like, but I wasn't like cuz it wasn't a

morning. And I was like, okay. And I was like, but I wasn't like cuz it wasn't a date to me or anything. So, I was like, okay, cool. And I stayed with my friends and stuff. And then she text me after and I remember you being like that was

and stuff. And then she text me after and I remember you being like that was like one of the most fun times I've had in a really long time.

>> Selena, so you technically asked Penny out on the first official date.

>> She did. She did like every >> Walk us through Walk us through that confidence that that energy because I think >> confidence that's the scary part. I

think that's when I recognized that I had some sort of feelings for him.

>> The key takeaway here is that love thrives in authenticity. Showing up even imperfectly allows deep connections to form. It's not about creating the perfect story. It's about cherishing the moments that truly matter. Emma shares

perfect story. It's about cherishing the moments that truly matter. Emma shares

how the smallest, most ordinary moments can become profound teachers. How paying

attention to what's unfolding right in front of us can reveal who we're becoming, what we need, and what's ready to change. It's a reminder that growth doesn't just happen in big milestones. It happens in the quiet shifts and

honest check-ins we allow ourselves. I was going to ask you actually because I want everyone to get up to date with where you are now. Like what is what is your day-to-day life look like? You just said like I wake up and I shower and I go on a walk. Like what does your day-to-day life look like right now? And

what what makes what's it made of and what are the things that you love and look forward to? I recently started riding a bicycle and yes, I started riding a bicycle before my driving ban, but now it's particularly fortuitous

that I also ride a bicycle um for that reason. But >> I thought that was mainstream news.

>> Yeah. Oh my god, I was getting phone calls like it's on the BBC. It's on

international worldwide news. I was like my shame is it's everywhere. This is I mean what I say it's I don't know. I think in a funny way what the sweetest result of it was getting so many messages from being people being like

happened to me too. I feel you. This is awful. It sucks. Um which was kind of nice in a way but um >> lift. >> Yeah, totally. I do need a lift. It's like actually yes. But I think again

>> lift. >> Yeah, totally. I do need a lift. It's like actually yes. But I think again it's funny like I I went from when you work on movies, I don't know if people know this, but like they literally will not ensure you to drive yourself to

work. I've asked so many times. >> You have to be driven. you have to be

work. I've asked so many times. >> You have to be driven. you have to be driven. It's like not a choice. And especially because they need you there,

driven. It's like not a choice. And especially because they need you there, you know, down to the minute basically depending on what they have going on.

And so I went from basically only driving myself on weekends or during holiday to then when I became a student driving myself all the time and yeah, I did not have the experience or skills uh clearly which I now will and and and do.

But I think again this was one of these like awkward transitions I made from kind of living this like very very structured life to living a life where I was like okay I guess I'm going to get myself to this place and I'm going to

like do this thing that I've basically not done since I was 10 years old. So,

it's been a discovery and a journey that's been um yeah, I guess humbling because on a movie set I'm able to do all of these like extremely complex things, stunt, sing, dance, like do this thing, do that, whatever. And I'm like, "Yep,

don't worry about it, guys. No worries. I've got you." And then I get home and I'm like, "Okay, Emma, you seem unable to remember keys. you money to like keep yourself at 30 mph in a in a in a 30 m speed limit. Like you you don't seem

able to do some pretty like basic life things and it it was definitely kind of yeah I had days where I just wanted to turn around to people and be like I used to be good at things. Okay. I used to be really good at things and I know it

doesn't look like that right now but um I I used to I I can do things normally.

Um, so yeah, it's been uh it's been humbling. >> I feel I feel like all of us I feel like all of us can relate to that though because doesn't everyone forget their keys, their wallet, doesn't know where things are? Like these are these are

like ser And by the way, I was I think I was three points away from losing my license before I moved to the States. >> Thank you for that confession. I appreciate that so much >> because I was in the States for I've been in the States now for 9 years and I think it happened just but then all the points get wiped off. >> Wow.

>> And I think I'm now back to six points. I I spent two months in London a year. >> Okay.

>> Every time I go back I seem to >> much better. >> So I'm confessing to lost it.

>> A lot of people actually a lot of people have like taken it upon themselves to come and confess to me which I found like very like very endearing and like really really appreciate it. But no, I think you know I think something I've

been realizing is we most of us live in a state of like I'm just trying to kind of figure it out and keep it together. And the only thing that is different

between us is people's willingness to be honest about that. the degree to which they can admit to actually I'm just like scrabbling around trying to keep the pieces together versus um oh yeah I know everything's amazing and everything's

incredible and I'm having the best day ever and aren't you and you know so I do love the people who who are just willing to be like yeah it's uh it's not going

so well today I'm like great amazing what a good starting point like I don't know failure as a starting point feels like I feel like attempting things is so compelling. And

>> of course, success is wonderful, but I love to see people who are like, I'm really bad at this, but I'm going to try. Like, I love you. That's everything to me. Everything.

>> And that seems to be becoming harder and harder now. >> Like that desire to attempt something that you might not be good at because it's exposed or because everyone will see it or because everyone will hear about it. Yeah. >> Talking about attempting things. I mean,

you're currently studying, right? You're learning. >> Yes. Yes. Well, two things I want to say there is I think in a way I was sort of I mean, I'm someone who's always cared

about vulnerability and authenticity, but I think I was also forced into it to a degree that that maybe even I wasn't ready for. And that like I just started so young that like I had to learn in public. I had to make mistakes in public

and say, "Oh, okay, now I've learned this." And I had to be willing to go back and be like, "Hm, like there were some gaps here." Um, and here's what I know now. And I think people's I agree with you. I think it's becoming

know now. And I think people's I agree with you. I think it's becoming increasingly difficult to learn in public and continuing to learn. I mean,

I think that's one of the reasons why I I have gone back to school and why I continue to do it is because I want to make sure that I have things to say that

are worth saying. And >> I think you can only do that if you take a minute sometimes and listen to some people who aren't you, you know, like not just the sound of my

own my own wonderful voice. Um, so yeah, it's been it's been great. And I think also I needed to I wanted to be inspired. I think being around my favorite piece has been being around young people who still believe that the

world is malleable and things are changeable and that like anything can be done is um such an important energy. There's so much dystopian fiction at the

moment and dystopian movies and so dark. >> It's so dark and I'm just like what happened to thinking about the utopia? what happened to like planning for the

best case scenario like where where did we lose yeah vision excitement imagination possibility so I think it's been um yeah it's been wonderful to be around young

people and just to sit there and listen >> do you ever I mean you clearly read so much do you have to take yourself away to do it in order to be able to do it do you have to cordon off time like how are you still managing to study and learn

because that seems like it's important to you. >> Yeah. You you reminded me as you were talking of one of my spiritual teachers, my monk teacher, who always said to me, if you want to move three steps forward, you have to go three steps deep first. >> Whoa.

>> And what I found often in my life is I'm trying to go four steps forward and I haven't yet gone four steps deep. And so it's almost like I mean this is probably a a terrible analogy, but maybe thinking of the movie The Substance. I don't know if you watched it.

>> Okay, fine. Okay. Terrible. Let's let's remove No, no, no. Let's forget about it. But but it's that idea of like every extra step you take

it. But but it's that idea of like every extra step you take >> when you haven't learned and you haven't experimented and you haven't attempted >> is taking away from your ability to move forward. And sometimes I think when we

feel stuck or when we think things are not moving or they're not progressing, >> we may be a sign to say, well, pause and go deeper for a second or pause and go inward for a second. And so to me, hearing that from you, I I find that and

and I'm I definitely fail at this all the time. >> There are so many times I'm trying to push more forward than I've gone deep. >> And so whenever I notice that myself and I notice that I'm just kind of trying everything and nothing is working, it's

actually just the universe and self saying to me, go read, go study. And so

I found that I've had to really carve out time to make time to do what I love, which is to read and study. But I found that I'm someone who doesn't love 30 minutes a day. I'm not that kind of a reader. I'm someone who needs to read

for 3 or 4 hours, if not more. And so I found that carving out deep immersive time is more important to me than this kind of mechanical 30 40 minutes a day,

which is great for you if that works for you as a habit. It doesn't extremist reading >> as opposed to I don't need to read every day. So I'll try and I try once a month

on a weekend to just absorb into a subject that I love and I'll take a course. I'll go to a class. I'll watch a TED talk online. I'll read as many books

course. I'll go to a class. I'll watch a TED talk online. I'll read as many books as I can and I try and immerse myself that way. What's your learning style?

I'm the same as you. And actually um someone who I really respect and ask for advice for often and I ask for feedback on on myself. He said to me, Emma, I

think if you did 90% of what you wanted to do at 50% of the speed, you would get so much more like life would be so much better. And I was like, "Wow, 50% of the speed and only 90% of what I want to do." And he was like, I think that's the

minimum to be honest. And I was like, wow. But I think it, yeah, what you said resonates. I think I often have to remind myself that it's not about

resonates. I think I often have to remind myself that it's not about speedily getting somewhere. It's just not the point. Things are supposed to happen um with a certain timing. >> The key takeaway here is that life's

transitions, even the awkward or challenging ones, are opportunities to grow. Struggle doesn't diminish our past achievements. It humanizes us. Being

grow. Struggle doesn't diminish our past achievements. It humanizes us. Being

honest about where we are and embracing failure as a starting point creates space for real learning, authenticity, and resilience. It brings me so much joy to share this with you and to give something back in the process. Juny is

now available at Whole Foods Market nationwide, and I'd love for you to try it for free. Head to drinkjuny.com/j and get a complimentary can of Juny on

me at any Whole Foods market. Radi and I created Juny with a simple intention to help you feel better from the inside out. It's a sparkling adaptogenic drink crafted with ashwagandha lion's mane and green tea to boost your mood, support

your focus, and give you clean natural energy that stays with you throughout the day. So go to drinkjuny.com/j and run to your nearest Whole Foods

the day. So go to drinkjuny.com/j and run to your nearest Whole Foods Market for your free Juny. I can't wait for you to try it. Cheers. Cardi B opens up about the difficult chapters she has walked through in her life. Career

pressures, relationship struggles, and the loneliness that followed. If you've

ever been in a season that felt heavy or impossible to move through, her story shows how accountability, reflection, and time can help you rebuild and grow.

Talk to me about that depression for for you as confident as you are, as bold as you are, to be so vulnerable, and I'm so sorry you went through that, but to be so honest and open about the fact that a year ago you were in this dark

depression, it seems like the worst it had ever been. >> Yeah.

>> What what got you there? Why Why were you feeling so low? It was just a lot of pressure from my career and I also felt like my marriage like I felt the love dying

from my end from from from my end from his end I was very lonely because I chose to be lonely chose to be lonely I was saying like you know what I can't go through this anymore I have to put a stop to it but when I said I was going

to put a stop to it. Cuz you could say you going to put a put a stop to it and you could you could go a month without being around somebody. It's not it's not until you it's not

when you say so. It's when your heart say so. >> I kept telling myself I will not contact this person for a month. I will not give in. I will not forgive this easy. I will

not go back. I will not go to the pattern. I will not go through it. But I

was crying every day. I was hurt every day. I was out here in LA in a mansion by myself. I was thinking about it every single day. And when your heart is not done, your

by myself. I was thinking about it every single day. And when your heart is not done, your heart is not done. Then I told myself, I'm pregnant.

I'm going to accept the I'm going to accept my flaws, the flaws that I bring in this marriage, I'm going to apologize for it and I'm going to work on it.

And when I take accountability and you take advantage of me taking accountability and you take that as a see I know she be back instead of me

taking accountability and you taking advantage of that. It really just killed everything. And while it was dying, I had a human growing in me. And I just

everything. And while it was dying, I had a human growing in me. And I just had and I just kept thinking like it's like, what's life going to be without

this person? What's life going to be without raising my last child? Without

this person? What's life going to be without raising my last child? Without

this person, what's life going to be with that person not being my friend anymore? Without nothing. When you have those type of thoughts, it will make you

anymore? Without nothing. When you have those type of thoughts, it will make you sad. It will get you depressed. It will have you lost. But I overcame that. And I am the the

sad. It will get you depressed. It will have you lost. But I overcame that. And I am the the

strongest that like I have ever been. Like I almost feel like when was I ever my strongest? My the I felt my strongest when I was 22, 23, 24. That's when I

my strongest? My the I felt my strongest when I was 22, 23, 24. That's when I felt like my strongest. And I was like living in a power. And that's how I feel

right now. like I feel like I live in a power and it took months for the heart to say

right now. like I feel like I live in a power and it took months for the heart to say you're done instead of my mouth in my brain. My heart had to be like you're

done cuz you could say it and you could take actions but even if you take actions if you're not done you're not done. Like I kept asking like around that time I was working with Shakira and I was like how the did you over overcame this? Like

>> how did you overcame this? And it's like it's going to happen. And it's like it will never happen. And it happened. It took some crying. It took some thoughts, scary thoughts. It

>> But I'm here, honey. >> Yeah. >> I'm I'm here and I'm the strongest I've been. And I'm just >> I love hearing that. >> But it was hard. >> I can tell. I I can tell. I can see it

as I'm speaking to you. It's it's not easy and I think those moments in all of our lives are are the most difficult moments. What did you do for your mental health at that time? What what did you do? What actions did you take? What did

you have to do to keep yourself together and come back the strongest you are right now? I think there are so many people who are listening who have

right now? I think there are so many people who are listening who have probably been through similar things who feel broken, feel hurt, feel lost and confused. What worked for you that helped you come back the strongest

confused. What worked for you that helped you come back the strongest you've ever been? I don't know if it was just time because I kind of did a little

bit of everything. Like I I did do therapy. I did saw I did saw a therapist. She's

really good by the way. It was like on Zoom and it was like I I was telling myself like it's like I can't believe I'm telling a whole stranger my feelings, my thoughts, my personal business for three hours straight.

I was just like, "What the [ __ ] am I doing? That just feels so weird." Yeah.

>> I was in the I did therapy for I did a couple of sessions.

They ain't gave me no nothing. Um I was all spring, all summer recording.

It just wasn't like enough. I just felt like I just had to let it die >> on its own. Let things die on its own. And the bad thing about it is that it's like not only am I dealing with that, that's that's my personal life. I was

also dealing with fans putting pressure on me cuz they want, you know, they want an album, they want products from me. I had people that don't like me talking

down on me. And then I had peers trying to start patterns with me and all of that while I was going through a mentaling breakdown at home. So it was

just a lot. It was like I'm trying to work it. I'm trying to sleep it.

After I gave birth to my daughter, my my baby girl, I was just like, it take a break from work and I was just going out every weekend with my friends.

It was scary talking to somebody else and giving them a little piece of me, not just out my heart, just a little piece of me. And but I overcame that

and I just that's why I feel like I just became a little bit more better like just resetting.

>> Yeah, it's a good it's a good reminder that time is the ultimate reset. >> Mhm.

>> And time does have a healing power that we you know the cliche of time heals all wounds.

>> But it's the truth. >> But it's tr Yeah, it's a cliche because there's truth in it. Yeah,

>> there's some reality in it that time and distance and and being patient enough. I

was I was working with a client recently who was going through a breakup and when we would speak in the first month, she would tell me every single day that she

couldn't stop thinking about the guy she was breaking up with. That broke up with her. And then the second month, she'd tell me every other day. And then the

her. And then the second month, she'd tell me every other day. And then the third month you told me once a week. Yeah. >> And then the fourth month you were just telling me once a month. And I was like, you don't see it, but I see >> Yeah.

>> that it's affecting you less and less and less as time goes on. But when it's you, you feel like you're just still stuck there. And so it's such a great reminder that time is the ultimate reset and time does heal. And and just because

time heal like in the meantime, don't don't think that like you shouldn't like try to get help because it's like therapy didn't really help me like that.

>> It didn't work for you. >> Not as much. Well, maybe because maybe because I didn't get to the part of where you get the help. >> Mhm.

>> I mean, I did do this like six sessions. I don't know. I don't know how long. Um,

like sometimes when I give advice to girls, I be like, "Bitch, boss up. Boss

up. Go to work. Get pretty." But even when I was doing that, I had like a pain in my heart. And sometimes when I was going out with my friends and I was having a good time, it will always be like around 4:30 a.m. when it's time to go home

and I'm drunk and I'm thinking to myself, I am alone. I don't have nobody to talk to and it feels really weird and it feels very lonely especially when you're used to that. However,

don't don't avoid that. Don't like don't avoid that. But it will be time that will heal it. It will be time. Time just heals everything.

>> When you said again last week, you were saying when you put new music out, it was kind of the lowest you'd felt in another year. Mhm. >> What's the hardest part for you to take that criticism? Because like you said, you're quick with it. You've got

that criticism? Because like you said, you're quick with it. You've got

responses. You've lived in a place where you had people coming at you. Why is it so hard to put out something you love? It seems like you really put your heart into your work. Yeah.

>> And so when you put that out, is is that why the criticism hurts the most?

Because you put so much heart and soul into your work. >> Yes. Because I put like a lot. I always

I don't like what like I'm not a lazy person >> and I do understand my flaws. Well, it's

not really my flaws because a lot of people will say something about my accent, right? But it's funny because my accent to some people might be my flaw,

accent, right? But it's funny because my accent to some people might be my flaw, but it's also my superpower and what makes me unique. Some people say that I have a Spanish a Spanish accent, but I really don't really have a Spanish

accent. I have a very unique accent. I talk very unique. when you try

accent. I have a very unique accent. I talk very unique. when you try your best to like perfect your accent, perfect your flows, perfect everything.

I always try to perfect at everything that I'm doing at the time. I always

trying to perfect it. Like even when I was a stripper, like it's like, okay, I'm a stripper, but I'mma be the best pole dancer in here. And I'mmaing bust

my ass, bust my knees, get practice every day until I could be the best at it. That's the same with music. I'm gonna perfect it. That's the same with

it. That's the same with music. I'm gonna perfect it. That's the same with my um marketing. I'm gonna perfect it. That's the same with my business. I'm

gonna perfect it. I like to perfect things and and if it's not the best things, if I if I'm not the best at it, I could say that I tried to be and I worked my ass off to be and I didn't make it easy >> for myself. So when people just throw it

in your face and then make other narratives on top of it with that, it's like that is so mean. And and it's also like different narratives of you like

it's like wow you you don't even know me. You don't even know me and you making all these stories, scenarios, all this this over one song.

>> The key takeaway here is that time is one of the greatest healers. Growth

often comes through discomfort. And while therapy and external support absolutely help, the ultimate reset is patience self-awareness and persistence. Difficult chapters can lead to profound transformation if we let

persistence. Difficult chapters can lead to profound transformation if we let them. Next up, Madonna discusses the role of spirituality in navigating

them. Next up, Madonna discusses the role of spirituality in navigating life's ups and downs. Her spiritual practice has been a guiding force throughout her life, helping her stay driven, aware, and intentional. She

emphasizes the importance of reflection and taking space for yourself, especially in a world increasingly dominated by work and digital distractions. What's your intention for being here today? Why now? Why today?

distractions. What's your intention for being here today? Why now? Why today?

>> Well, in the past, I've usually done interviews to promote my work, whether that's music or a tour or film. Um, but today I would like to talk about my

spiritual life and the spiritual path that I've been on for over 28 years.

This wisdom uh has helped me navigate the the ups and downs of life for lack of a better expression. People ask me a lot through the years like what is the

better expression. People ask me a lot through the years like what is the reason you're still sane? What is the reason you keep going? Why have you not fallen by the wayside like other people? Um definitely a lot of my peers who who

are no longer with us like what would you say is the key? And I would say that is my spiritual life. I absolutely would not be where I am or who I am if I did

not have that. It's helped me enormously as I said um navigate the ups and downs of life. So, I I feel like I would like to share that with people.

of life. So, I I feel like I would like to share that with people.

So, that's really the point of I'm not I'm not here to promote a product or um I don't want anyone to buy anything. I just um I want to share something with

with people that has pretty much saved my life. That sounds dramatic, but it's true.

>> Yeah. It seems like it's something that's extremely meaningful to you and a deep part of your life that often I feel you don't get to share in other spaces.

So even though it's been a part of your life for nearly three decades, maybe you haven't shared parts of it before. What would your life look like if you didn't find it?

>> I would believe that the physical world is all there is. I would believe all the illusions and that would be my downfall and that is most people's downfall. What

does spirituality mean to you? Because I think that word itself means so many things to so many people. >> Yes. I mean a spiritual life or a spiritual path could could could be mean a lot of things. Um I know that you have

a spiritual path and >> and for me it's not really about like who's is the best or you know it's whatever works for you. I've been studying Cabala for 29 years. So since 1996. >> Mhm. >> Yeah.

It's a long time. >> It's a long time. >> And I'm not a frivolous person. I don't

suffer fools gladly. I If something If I think there's something false about it or corrupt or not authentic, I wouldn't have stuck around for so long. I I've had the same

teacher for all this time. I feel like almost like it's my responsibility to share with people because I feel like I feel like people need guidance. People

need enlightenment. And for me, a spiritual life is having an internal life. Because you know this, I'm sure. You know, if we get caught up in the

life. Because you know this, I'm sure. You know, if we get caught up in the belief system that our value in the world is based on people loving us or

other people's approval or how much money you have or how many fabulous outfits you have or how many followers you have on Instagram. Those things

don't make us happy. Those things don't bring us peace. So having an internal life and being able to look internally and having some kind of practice, whatever that might look like, your prayer, your meditations, that those t

the time you take out of every day to stop and take stock like contemplate. We

live in a very busy chaotic world. Lots of noise, lots of distraction. I mean,

how many times have you heard people say, "Oh, you know, social media and like all the, you know, people can't walk down the street without listening to music. Everybody has to be visually stimulated all the time." Like, there is

to music. Everybody has to be visually stimulated all the time." Like, there is no peace. There is no quiet. We're we're not comfortable being quiet with ourselves and

no peace. There is no quiet. We're we're not comfortable being quiet with ourselves and looking inward and asking ourselves, why am I here? What am I doing? Or what is

my intention in this specific choice I'm making right now? Whether it's about my work or the way I'm raising my children, decisions that I make about everything really. >> Yeah.

>> I have to ask myself. And if you don't have a spiritual life, you're never going to stop and ask any questions. You're just going to plow through life.

And if you just and and you're going to see everything that happens to you as just a random event. And I don't believe that anything is random. I think

everything that happens to us is meant to happen to us um to teach us some kind of a lesson. But you know the question is are you aware enough? Are you awake enough? Are you interested enough to find out what that reason is? Like why

enough? Are you interested enough to find out what that reason is? Like why

did this happen to me? What is my lesson? I don't want to go through life seeing everything that happens to me as random. But I also don't want to go through life as a victim. And I've had a pretty challenging life. And it's easy

to fall into the trap of feeling sorry for yourself or like being a victim or you know why why isn't this happening to other people? Why is it happening to me?

Why don't I have what that person has? I'm sure you know the expression comparison is the killer of joy. So you know it's like to you got to to get out of that game. You have to have a spiritual life. You just have to >> You're reminding me of

something beautiful that I came across called the third space theory. Have you heard of it?

>> It's this idea that as humans around 50 years ago, we had three spaces. So we

had work, we had home, and then you had a temple, a synagogue, a church, a community center, or a third space. And the point of that third space, it's kind of what you're saying, was a place that you could look back at work and home and

you could reflect on your life. You could take stock. You could introspect.

But as time's gone on, what's happened is we lost that third space. We stopped

going to temple, church, community, whatever it may, >> a place of self-reflection.

>> A place of self-reflection. >> And we ended up with working home. And

then after the pandemic, we lost work. And so now we're in one space and we don't have a different vantage point to where we are anymore, which is what I think you're saying.

>> Go back on even one more step. That to me is like a prison. Get if you get if you remove the spiritual life, spiritual practice, you remove the workplace, then

you you're in the home. And then removed once more from home is you're looking at your phone.

>> Which is even takes you out of home. >> It's a great point. Yeah.

>> So, where are you? You're nowhere. >> We're all living in the virtual world.

Yeah. We're living in the virtual world. Not even in the material world. We're just

>> Yes. But a virtual and a virtual world is not a bad world. But if you don't have consciousness, there's really no point to living. >> Yeah. It's Yeah. So it's it's it's interesting to think about that because I feel like everyone can relate to the

idea that if we all had we need physical spaces to sometimes make us do internal things.

>> Yes. I mean some kind of ritualistic behavior h has to happen.

>> What have been your rituals? I'm intrigued. What I'm curious what are your spiritual practices and rituals that have been so supportive and emblematic of your journey that have kept you going at the times as you said

there were so many times you could give up or things could go wrong or you kept pushing and you kept they kept you locked. What were they? What are they?

>> Well, one really important thing is studying. Making time every week to sit down and study. I mean you can study the Bible, you can study the poetry of

Cahil Gibbran or you can study the vadas. You you know >> and you did that right? You actually

studied different traditions on your >> I mean to be honest before I discovered Cabala I I was looking for answers. And >> why do you think that was? Why were you

looking for answers? Because I had everything that people would assume would give you happiness. I had successful career. I had fame, fortune, monetary things,

happiness. I had successful career. I had fame, fortune, monetary things, physical things, but I wasn't happy. And I naturally sought out, well, when I was

a dancer, I had a roommate. She was a Buddhist, and she would get up and chant every day. And so I was very intrigued by that. Like nothing bothered her. You

every day. And so I was very intrigued by that. Like nothing bothered her. You

know what I mean? Everything bothers me. Everything bothers me. I'm, you know, I'm a Leo. I'm I'm Italian. I'm very dramatic. Um I wouldn't say she was

peaceful all the time, but I was just struck by her confidence >> and her um knowingness that everything was happening for a reason. She never

got upset about things. And this is in the beginning of my career when I was living in New York and I was broke and a lot of crazy things happened to me.

Really scary traumatic things. And I would always ask her, her name is Mariana, would always say, "What? Like why are you like never upset?" So I attributed that to her spiritual life, but it didn't speak to me. And then

later on I started practicing yoga, Ashtanga yoga, and my teacher Eddie um Stern, he still has a >> love Eddie. He's great. >> You know Eddie? Yeah. Yeah, he's amazing. I got quite caught up in and competitive about like first series, second series, third series. But one

thing I noticed is that a lot of people would come into his his practice, his studio where he taught, and they wouldn't even do the poses. They would

just go and sit in front of the statue of Ganesha or light candles or prayer.

And I realized and Eddie pointed it out to me cuz sometimes I would have injuries. I would or I would be traveling and I couldn't practice yoga.

injuries. I would or I would be traveling and I couldn't practice yoga.

and he'd say, "Look, are you breathing?" And I'd say, "Yes." And he said, "You're practicing yoga." So, I realized that I was too still too caught up in the

practicing yoga." So, I realized that I was too still too caught up in the physical poses. He's like, "No, you don't understand. You're missing the

physical poses. He's like, "No, you don't understand. You're missing the whole point. The poses are just something that you do to breathe

whole point. The poses are just something that you do to breathe through, to calm your nervous system down, and to bring you back to your

center." And that really spoke to me. there was a big um no it was a painting

center." And that really spoke to me. there was a big um no it was a painting on the wall of the yoga studio that says desire and detachment >> and I I said what does that mean and he said well of course we want we want all

the beautiful things in life we want all the pleasures we want all the happiness we want every we want it all there's nothing wrong with that but you can't be attached to it because then if you're attached to it and you don't have it what's going to happen to you >> the key takeaway here is that cultivating an internal life through

spirituality reflection or mindful practice anchors us amidst life's chaos.

Understanding our experiences as lessons rather than random events allows growth, purpose, and resilience. Dr. Orner masterfully explores the dynamics of narcissism and relationships, showing how our interactions often reflect

deeper patterns within ourselves. She reminds us to look beyond surface labels and understand the real drivers of our behavior and choices in relationships.

Everyone feels like they've dated a narcissist. >> Mhm. >> How accurate are they?

>> 100% accurate because we all have parts of ourselves that are narcissistically oriented, meaning they are to protect our sense of self. Some people move more

to the extreme and they're really like deeply wounded and and have to spend a lot of energy protecting themselves and working around their ego. But most of us

in certain situations were provoked to behave in more narcissistic ways and when we're offered other conditions we can be more open and interested in the world. Mhm.

>> So, it's usually the way it's used in pop language, it's usually just like a word that covers up a whole other world of things. I think when people talk about, "I've dated a narcissist," they're like, "That person didn't give me enough attention."

>> And what's that about that? There there could be so much there like what what went on between the two of you? Why? What happened? Where were you in that?

It's It doesn't tell you much. >> Yeah. I'm so happy to hear that because I do think that >> the word is a relief. It's not that it's wrong. It's just that don't stop unpacking it there.

>> Yeah. >> So those words are really helpful for you to >> categorize, summarize your experience, >> but don't feel that that's the end of the investigation. >> Like there's so much more.

>> Exactly. >> And you're actually doing yourself a disservice.

>> Yeah. And the moment you're thinking about I found a word that finds all the problem outside of me, you're deluding yourself. >> When you find couples come in with financial issues. >> Mhm. >> Is it really about money? >> Money is a big issue for people. Money

financial issues. >> Mhm. >> Is it really about money? >> Money is a big issue for people. Money

is a big issue for people. You know, the question of money, one of the questions that people that couples deal with when they're fighting or debating about money

is the deep question of mine versus ours. What's mine and what are we sharing?

And the most concrete version of it is money. But it's everything. It's time.

It's attention. It's air time. It's sex. It's so much is like mine versus ours.

But money is like especially in our culture, money is like the most concrete way to talk about it and to fight about it. Like if you're making more money than your spouse or than your partner, who pays for dinner? Like what what's

what's the vibe between the two of you? Is it shared money or is it No, we're still going Dutch, right? Fights about money are are are about the concreteness

of money, but they're also about where do I begin and end and what's us together. And then there's a whole other thing with money, which is money is also

together. And then there's a whole other thing with money, which is money is also something to do with our relationship with reality, right? you you I mean back to the idea

of someone hiding a suitcase with bills, unpaid bills under the bed. Like how

realistic is your relationship with reality, with what you have, with what you're making? Like when people talk about money, they're talking about reality in certain ways.

you're making? Like when people talk about money, they're talking about reality in certain ways.

>> What I I usually ask people, how do you think money should play out between the two of you? If you're making more money than your partner, what is your ideology on this? What do

you really think should happen? Does that give you more power?

Does that mean you should be making more of the decisions? Does that mean your partner should be paying for less? How do you think about it? Each of you just what's your basic ideology? Which is hard for people to acknowledge, right? They they want to

ideology? Which is hard for people to acknowledge, right? They they want to feel like no, money doesn't matter, but it matters to everyone in some way or another. They have an ideology. So, are they willing to put it on the table to

another. They have an ideology. So, are they willing to put it on the table to be honest with how they think about it? And then once you compare these ideologies, then we can have a discussion. It's back to the idea of like the the couple creating

the their political backdrop like what is the politics of this relationship? Are you like socialist or are you capitalist? Are you what's your economic >> system? Disagree. What if we vote

differently? >> You probably will disagree on some level. You will somewhere you will

differently? >> You probably will disagree on some level. You will somewhere you will disagree and then it's going to get interesting. It's going to be like >> a congress like right debating what's the right way to do it.

>> But it's better to have that debate on the table rather than acted out in those like what was that film? There was that. Oh my god. It's a film in which um the there's a shipwreck. There's this couple that are sitting at the dinner table and

they're looking at each other like who's going to pull out the credit card? >> Oh, I don't know.

>> Brilliant scene. Everything about their relationship was in that scene. >> I don't know.

>> With her kind of pretending she lost her card. >> Oh, okay.

>> And him reluctantly pulling out his credit card. And then there was it was just like perfect.

>> I was thinking of a movie called Fair Play. >> I didn't see that. >> Did you see that?

>> I heard about it. I didn't see it. >> I would think you'd I I don't know if you'd enjoy it. I don't know your taste in movies, but I think it's really interesting. It's a story about where it's a movie made about uh a couple who

interesting. It's a story about where it's a movie made about uh a couple who are competing for the same job because they work at the same company. >> Oh.

>> But it's really dark. And it really goes into that >> the psychology of competition, gender

roles, the pay gap. everything >> and it shows how it tow it just it just shows you what's going

on inside of our heads that doesn't often come out >> and and and just how we all feel and it's so interesting how society and all of this has such a play on how we feel about

>> our role and who we are today we have so many more people to look that and view and see how their lives are going. I had I had a friend who his girlfriend made more money than him.

>> Mhm. >> And he did really well for himself, but she made more money than him. So she but she expected him to pay for everything >> and she wanted him not only to pay for dinners and rent and she wanted him to buy her a car. She because she believed

that that's because he's a man. >> Because he's the man. >> That's how she should be treated. And

that was, you know, that was for her. >> Imagine them having a conversation.

>> They ended up breaking up. >> But what would their conversation sound like? >> Literally this.

>> I deserve this. I'm a queen. >> I'm a princess. I'm like, this is how I should be treated like this. >> You think she would she said something like this?

>> She said stuff like this. Yeah. Yeah. >> Wow. That's amazing. >> Yeah.

>> That's amazing. And you see a lot of this language on Tik Tok and things like that about what a high value man is, what a high value woman is. And a lot of the language and vocabulary out there today. >> What's what is it? What is meant by a high value man? >> I mean there's lots of different definitions, but generally it's someone

who does has a good career, makes a lot of money, does well for themselves, and you know that the obvious definition of it. >> Well, it's not obvious.

>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No, but the >> to me it's not obvious.

>> Yeah. But it's just interesting to hear how these societal ideas kind of because then we're like, "Oh, but you're not with a high value man, you know, and and it's really interesting because in my world, a high value man would be someone

who has good values like the good values being like ethics."

>> Ethics. Yeah. Exactly. Like character, moral character, strength and courage and bravery and you know, honesty and you know, that's what I would consider a high value person forget a high value man. Yeah. >> Um, and it's interesting how all this

language at play kind of cascades ideas quickly like you said >> because it's easier rather than saying I'm with a good man, it's easier to say I'm with a high value man. But you know what does that mean? >> Right.

>> Um, yeah. I was going to ask you, >> do more people want more intimacy or more sex?

>> I think it dep first of all it's it's a complicated thing to draw the line between intimacy and sex. >> Oh, interesting. Okay. >> And I think it depends very much on the

stage of the relationship early on. One of the things I mean we all know that one of the things that binds people one of the strongest glues is sex like passion and excitement about

each other and like you know wanting to get into bed together. And then

at some point people start coming to terms with like differences differences in scripts, differences in appetite. I know that the the like the stereotype is that men are more

focused on sex and want more sex and women want less or it's less important to them. I don't think that's actually true. I think again it's very hard to

to them. I don't think that's actually true. I think again it's very hard to make generalizations and it changes between like straight and queer couples.

So it's it's really not necessarily about the biology but um but I think typically there there are different focuses for men and women and then later in the

relationship things change because I think later in the relationship the the the line between sex and intimacy gets very blurry. Mhm. >> And I think generally everyone wants

both intimacy and sex. Everyone wants it and everyone wishes it for themselves and and wants it in large quantities. Everyone needs it, but they focus on different things

>> and no one has energy for it >> and no one has energy for it. And

anyway, a lot of it is about wanting to feel desire of some sort. >> That's what it is.

>> That's really what it is. and not necessarily wanting, you know, oh, I need to have it three times a week or I need this or I need that. It's it's it's

a lot about the experience of desire and being desired that is really kind of the the thing we all want. The the to be living in desire rather than living in a

certain kind of deadness. The key takeaway here is that self-awareness is essential. Relationships challenge us to explore our patterns. And understanding

essential. Relationships challenge us to explore our patterns. And understanding

those dynamics allows us to set boundaries, make healthier choices, and build relationships that honor our values. We all want to feel better, to have more energy, and more focus throughout the day. That's why I

co-founded Juni, a sparkling adaptogenic drink made with powerful ingredients like ashwagandha and lion's mane. It's designed to boost your mood, support your focus, and give you natural energy, all without the crash. A new classic

re-imagined. We're so excited to officially launch our new lemonade iced

re-imagined. We're so excited to officially launch our new lemonade iced tea flavor. When we created Juni, my goal was simple. I wanted to make drinks

tea flavor. When we created Juni, my goal was simple. I wanted to make drinks that help you feel balanced and energized without compromise. Our

upgraded take on the classic Arnold Palmer is crisp, refreshing, and crafted with adaptogens to support energy, focus, and mood, all with zero sugar. Be

among the first to try it. Available exclusively at drinkingjuny.com, where you can use the code onpurpose 20 for 20% off your first order. Cheers to your

daily mood boost. Cody Sanchez dives into financial literacy, debunking myths about credit, debt, and the resources needed to start a business. For anyone

who's ever felt overwhelmed by money, even small actions like opening a credit card, this will help you feel more confident in your financial decisions.

Walk me through the myths about credit cards and debit cards that people can solve right now. Is there a special credit card they should be getting? Is

there one that's better? what should they be looking out for? What does APR mean? You know, walk me through the hidden things behind credit cards that

mean? You know, walk me through the hidden things behind credit cards that we all feel stupid about when you see an ad and you're like, I have no idea what that means.

>> Yeah, it's so true. You know, I had an employee actually, Christian, who's in from the UK, too. And we were ridiculing him mercely actually because he only had a debit card to pay for things and I didn't even know that the UK was completely different.

>> No, there's there are credit cards, but it's not it's not >> he said it's not normal. I was like, you're a 28-year-old man, you don't have a credit card. He was like, "You are you need to travel more, Cody." And I was like, "Sorry." But um then we got him a credit card so he could start establishing credit here. But moral of

the story is here's I think the couple first steps to financial freedom. You

know, if you want to set up your kid for success, you actually want them to get a credit card really early. Doesn't so much matter what type of credit card.

I'm not like the points guy where I like to operationalize and optimize every aspect of a credit card. I think that is almost more work than trying to make more money. But I think if you go from any of the major banks, there are a lot

more money. But I think if you go from any of the major banks, there are a lot of rules around credit cards. So they're really not allowed to mess with you so much on interest rates. There's a lot of protections for consumers. So don't

stress too much about which one. Which one seems like it has some nice perks for you and you can get the most amount of money that you need. Cool. So that's

step one. And if you can do that for your kids when they're in high school, they will actually have more access to the first pillar I think of wealth, which is resources. We all know what's what's the saying takes money to make

money, right? And so if you come from nothing, well, you can start actually

money, right? And so if you come from nothing, well, you can start actually building up your resource pile just from your credit, which you can start at a young age. You don't need to be rich to do that. And then after resources, you

young age. You don't need to be rich to do that. And then after resources, you pile on knowledge, right? The rich pass on how to invest. We need to start doing that to our next generation. Then you pass on wealth accumulation. That's

where you start to to pile on your own money. And then finally, you pass on, you know, the ability to invest to continue to move cyclally your money around and make it work for you. But that's where I would start is like you start with a credit card. You have a debit card really just because you want to get cash out sometimes if you're going to the club and buying drinks or

whatever people do these days that are cooler than me. And that's where I would start and then I would move to this next level of okay if I have some credit now we need to focus on earning. So how do I make more money? And uh but I think most

people skip that first step because credit is scary. And like listen, Charlie Mer, Warren Buffett's partner, obviously very famous dude, but he has a line I love, which is um men only go broke by three things and it's whiskey,

women, and leverage. And leverage means debt, right? Warren Buffett gave him a little adage to it at the end. And he goes, I think actually what my friend meant to say was it's really just the last one. It's really just leverage. And

Warren Buffett, one of the richest guys in the world, said he doesn't like debt.

But here's the problem, Jay. He's highly levered. He has a massive amount of debt. Why? Because he has debt on assets and other people's things as opposed to

debt. Why? Because he has debt on assets and other people's things as opposed to personal guarantees on his own. He's not mortgaging his house to buy these companies. He is raising debt on a company in order for it to make more

companies. He is raising debt on a company in order for it to make more money. And so, if you don't understand all that right now, that's where I want

money. And so, if you don't understand all that right now, that's where I want you to dive in a little bit more. But you can start with a debit and a credit card.

>> Yeah. No, I I think it's so important to understand debt. And you see that when you see a celebrity buy a new home and you realize they borrowed to buy that home, they didn't buy it in cash even though they have the cash and it's

available to them. And I think that idea is so foreign. So if someone's thinking about starting a business right now or wants to grow a business and the number one thing you hear is, "Well, I don't have any money. I don't know how to fund it." How much do you actually need to start a business? >> I think you never suffer from a lack of

it." How much do you actually need to start a business? >> I think you never suffer from a lack of money. You suffer from a lack of knowledge on how to get money. the

money. You suffer from a lack of knowledge on how to get money. the

richest people in the world, they never use their own money entirely to buy things. And if you can like sit on that for a second and let that sit in, then I

things. And if you can like sit on that for a second and let that sit in, then I think you can really open up your eyes to the fact that all around you there are deals right now. And there is money that is waiting for the actually rarest

of things, which is a human who wants to work really hard and has a good idea where to put the money. And so you actually don't need money to start a business. I don't think you need it at all. What you need is some access to it.

business. I don't think you need it at all. What you need is some access to it.

And so, you know, next week I'm going to the SBA, the Small Business Administration, and they just ran out all of these new programs for new business owners where they will one do grants where they give you money. A

grant means you take this money, you don't have to give it back. The

government is going to give it to you, maybe because you're a minority or a woman or have a core needs business. They also do a ton of loans. You know,

they'll loan you 90% of the purchase price of a business if you need one. And

all around us are also people who want to invest. And so like there's a website called percent and on percent if you have a small business and you need some debt for a small business you can actually get debt from your small

business through uh you know website. But I think the most important part is not just tactically it's like can I change my belief to believe that money is all around me and I do not need to have only my own money in order to get rich and I want more people to think that way. It's hard. I get it.

>> Do you think everyone needs a side hustle right now? I have two thoughts.

One, I do not believe that you have to go allin on the thing that you want to do in life. I think that is told to you by people who had survivorship bias, like it worked for me, so it's going to work for you. And what do we know to be

true? 90% of startups fail over any 5-year period. And so, I actually think

true? 90% of startups fail over any 5-year period. And so, I actually think that the way to never have risk in building a business, if you want to do a startup and have no risk, I think you keep your job. You do really well at

that job while you're doing it. You use your salary to fund your side hustle or your next venture. You keep moving forward on it until your side hustle matches the cost of living that you have, your cash flow, and then you leave

your business or your job to go start your business once you have enough money from inflow of the business. And I think we've told too many people and idealized this idea of entrepreneurship when in fact, you know, I had three or four

businesses fail. If I had just left my job that paid me good money, I would

businesses fail. If I had just left my job that paid me good money, I would have been sleeping on somebody's couch. And so, you can have a side hustle, but please keep it on the side for a minute until you make sure it's not just a

passion project, it is a profit project. >> Yes. Yeah. And and I think that's the smartest, wisest advice. I'm in the same boat. >> When I started doing what I do today, I had a full-time job. It didn't pay great, but it paid enough to get by. It

paid my bills. It means it means I wasn't creating from a place of stress.

And when you're creating something new from just stress, it can be quite debilitating. Now, sometimes stress can be the greatest motivator. It can propel

debilitating. Now, sometimes stress can be the greatest motivator. It can propel you. It can be your launch pad. But you got to kind of get it right. Too much

you. It can be your launch pad. But you got to kind of get it right. Too much

stress and you fall apart. Too little stress and you stay in the golden handcuffs. That's right.

>> And I think that's where I see a lot of people stuck today is I meet a lot of people who I feel have tied on the golden handcuffs but not using that as the investment. So, it's like I want to have a lifestyle with the money I make.

the investment. So, it's like I want to have a lifestyle with the money I make.

I don't want to use it to build a new life. The key takeaway here is that access and education, not just effort, create opportunity. Taking the time to understand resources and systems allows us to leverage them effectively and take

control of our financial futures. NovakJovich reflects on the delicate balance of stress, motivation, and purpose. Even after reaching the pinnacle of tennis, he emphasizes that growth comes from passion, self-awareness, and the desire to

inspire others. And if you've ever felt weighed down by pressure, his

inspire others. And if you've ever felt weighed down by pressure, his perspective shows how it can become a launchpad rather than a trap. Do you

feel like in your career you've achieved everything you set out to as a tennis player?

>> Uh, yes, and more than that. And at the same time, I still want to do more. And

I know that that comes in a big part from a good place. Meaning from a place of purpose, inspiration, motivation, love for the sport, passion for the

sport, passion to make people happy when they watch me. If I'm doing that and I I have a feeling that I am by still actively being on the tennis tour and having my tennis career, active tennis career, I'm still spreading that light

by playing tennis and inspiring younger generations. That's something that that comes from a good heart, a good place. But what comes from maybe a uh I would say not necessarily a bad place but less of a good place. I have identified that

as well is my feeling of not being enough. And that goes back to my very very beginning of my life and my relationship particularly with my father and not

being not doing enough, not being good enough. uh etc etc. So now that I'm talking about it, I kind of get emotional about it because it's still deep inside of me and it's kind of the battle that I that I also go through

often because a lot of people even closest people in my life ask me you know what more do you want? You know you have achieved everything.

What do you want? What why why do you keep going? And I tell them the the good part that I told you that I still really strongly feel it's inside of me and I feel like as long as I have the capacity or ability to compete for the biggest

titles in in my sport, I want to keep going. And also partly the part that I didn't mention that inspires me to keep going is to test my limits mentally and

physically. Because when I was starting to break through into professional tennis,

physically. Because when I was starting to break through into professional tennis, I remember when you reach your 30, you start counting your days to your retirement. Like after 30, you know, that's it pretty much. Even though there

retirement. Like after 30, you know, that's it pretty much. Even though there was some exceptions like Jimmy Connor is the legend of our game. He played I think semi-finals or finals of of US Open when he was 40 and you know still

still you know dominating the tour. So there were very but very few exceptions.

Nowadays it's different. Why? Because I think the care for the body has improved so much. I mean now not only top 10 or 15 guys or girls on the tour have like

so much. I mean now not only top 10 or 15 guys or girls on the tour have like multiple people in their squad to take care of them. You have top 50 people

that are taking care of them. It's due to the improvement of course of the conditions for the players and you know we earn more across the board. So, it

gives you it allows you to hire more people that would take care of your body. And I think that it's also a a kind of a a curiosity from my side. How

body. And I think that it's also a a kind of a a curiosity from my side. How

how far can I go? You know, I'm I'm 38 this year, you know, how long can I push my own limits? And I don't feel like I do have limits. And I feel like the limits are normally constructs in our mind. I've seen the episode you did with

Brian Johnson the other day and then he talked about you know he's by a lot of people's opinion very extreme but you know he dedicated his own entire life to

getting the data and understanding what are the best conditions for the longest living life that he can have for himself which I think it's something that is admirable and you know I give him huge credit for that and it I understand

because as professional athlete, you know, the care for your body and your mind and the devotion to the daily habits is so tough because

when you want to change a certain habit, science says it takes at least 21 days, right, for the brain to start growing, you know, new neurons that are reprogramming.

But if you don't have the right environment, that's going to be very, very challenging. So that was also one of the things that I wanted to reflect

very challenging. So that was also one of the things that I wanted to reflect on in your question is the environment is the one that can be very stimulative to you. It can be really supportive or it can be pulling you down. So it's

to you. It can be really supportive or it can be pulling you down. So it's

super important even though we we always encourage ourselves to be independent in terms of what we do, what we eat, how we sleep, how you know how we lead our lives and what we do and how we can live the best version of our lives possible.

But at the same time, we are social beings. >> We are very tribal beings. And even if it's the smallest community, we still want to belong to that community. We

still want this community to support us. Even if it's one person or two, but it's super important in the end of the day because, you know, making tough choices.

These are tough choices because society when you go out there, you know, super majority of the places where you go to eat or people that you see, it's a kind of a vicious cycle and they lead their life in a certain way that maybe doesn't

coincide or correspond to your choices that you want to make the new choices or maybe the new changes. So it's really hard, you know what I mean? Living in

the in the big city and deciding you want to go through transformational journey on a daily basis where being exposed to >> to something that is contrary to what you're trying to achieve. >> I feel like it's it's reinventing

yourself constantly. You know, for me, I've had this kind of upbringing, had a

yourself constantly. You know, for me, I've had this kind of upbringing, had a great foundation, and you know, I've achieved incredible things. I was

dreaming of becoming number one in the world and becoming a Wimbledon champion.

And that was my dream. I achieved that dream within two days. I won Wimbledon and at the same same day became number one in the world in 2011 in front of my family in front of president of Serbia who was there. I mean it was with a welcoming of hundreds

of thousands of people on the way back. It's just you know once in a lifetime type of experience and when you do something for the first time obviously that big it's just like you're you're flying to the moon. I mean you're not

you it's a kind of an out of body experience. But then I I felt like I had to set new goals and because I was you know at the at the time 2011 I was 23 years old 24. So okay what do I do next? You know I feel like I'm at you know

peak of my powers and I want to so so then I want to win multiple slams then I want to win all slams at once then I want to win gold medal for my country then I want to make history and so forth so forth. So I think goal oriented mind

particularly in sports but also in business or anything really I think is super important because the clarity in from my experience is something that is

essential to have also peace of mind and to have a calm heart that you know what you're doing and that you set your goals, your short-term goals, your long-term goals and you know exactly the strategy that you need to implement to

achieve them. And you surround yourself with the people who are supporting you,

achieve them. And you surround yourself with the people who are supporting you, but also people who are telling you what you don't want to hear, you know, giving you constructive criticism or maybe giving you non-constructive criticism

and then putting you very down. But that's also part of the journey. It's

also learning how to get up >> like a phoenix and rise and and and try to develop a thick skin, so to say. So it's it's a constant process really. I I

don't see myself fully satisfied if if that's maybe a shorter answer because I have that part of me which is like uh you know I think I can still do more but

I'm the other side of me is like of course I'm fully I'm happy and I'm proud and in a way I can't wait one day for me to reflect on everything but while I'm

still in my active career I don't have time. Tennis has a longest season of all sports. January starts January, ends almost end of November. And of course, I

sports. January starts January, ends almost end of November. And of course, I earn my right in a way to be selective with tournaments where I play. So that's

what I'm doing. I'm not playing as much. I'm focusing on the big ones. And I'm

trying to incorporate all these other things inside of my career and basically expand the platform and use my voice for other things than just the tennis court.

And I'm, you know, super blessed to be in a position that I am. But as I said, it's a constant journey and process. >> The key takeaway here is that purpose-driven effort transforms challenges into growth. Whether in sport

or life, aligning motivation with passion and community allows us to turn pressure into performance and inspiration. Mel Robbins teaches us about the power of our attention, energy, and boundaries. By letting go of the need to control others perceptions,

we reclaim our own agency and how these small intentional choices in work, relationships, and self-expression create meaningful change. It's so

interesting how we think love is overaring, but actually overing is overenabling that person and overwhelming that person. >> Yes. And it's control. >> It's control. You're not like if you

think about what love really is and for me love is two things. It's consideration, right?

It's having someone in mind. If you pour in oat milk instead of the cow milk because that's what they like, that's an act of love. It's also admiration. And

admiration is the ability to see something in somebody that you deeply admire. M

>> I want to go back to something that you said though because >> it was genius

and it had me think about the idea of the power of your time and energy and you were talking about imagine if like your time and your energy had dollars associated with it

>> because I don't think we value it. Mhm. >> And I started to think about one of the biggest obstacles because what's ultimately happening when you start to use let them and let me is you're going to see that you've turned other people

into a major problem. And you have turned them into a problem in four ways.

First of all, you allow them to stress you out, but you're not going to do that anymore because you're going to let them be. But the second way that you've made them a major problem in your life is that you give so much weight to other people's

opinions. And in the example you were just talking about, what was happening

opinions. And in the example you were just talking about, what was happening is by asking you, "What do you think, Rody was doing what we all do?" But most

of us do it subconsciously and we don't even realize it, which is before we even ask ourselves what feels right for us. We stop and consider what we think somebody's going to think. And you have that like really brilliant thing that I've heard you say a bazillion times that I love. It's not what you think,

you think, and think. And I'm like, "Wait, what?" But but so I want to play this out because this is so important was a huge thing for me. If you open up your favorite social media platform, we've all had the experience where you

go and you pick a photo and you then put it up and you're like, "Okay, should I put filter on this?" And you start to then question, "Is this the right photo?" And then you go back to your photo roll. And then you start working

photo?" And then you go back to your photo roll. And then you start working on the caption. Should I put emoji? Is this too much? Should I do this? And

then you are worried. Why? Because you're actually thinking about what other people are going to think or do in response to what you're posting. >> Yes.

>> Which means if you take the value of it, right, you just overvalued something that you will never be able to control ever, ever, ever, ever. And yet

you're doing it subconsciously. And what typically happens is if you notice, everybody's got hundreds of draft posts. >> Yeah. >> You know what that is? That is a graveyard of energy you wasted on something that you didn't you'll never

be able to control because the average person has 70,000 random thoughts a day.

You can't even control half the crap that goes in your own mind.

>> So what makes you think any post is going to guarantee that any human being thinks anything? And the let them theory revealed to me, Jay, how often I was subconsciously valuing

thinks anything? And the let them theory revealed to me, Jay, how often I was subconsciously valuing >> Oh, for sure. >> Someone else and that like are they going to think negative? Are they going to think this? Are they going to think too much? And there's a such a simple

way to change this. You just let them think negative thoughts. That's it.

The next time you catch yourself stopping to consider what you're going to post or what your colleagues might react to and that's what's keeping you silent, say to yourself, let them think negative thoughts because that's what

you're actually afraid of. >> Yeah. >> And so when you say let them think negative thoughts, something wild happens. You accept the reality that no matter what you do, it doesn't guarantee that anybody thinks anything. >> Yeah.

>> And then you say, "Let me." And here's where this gets really cool.

Let me remind myself I can think what I want and I can do what I want. And your

social media in particular, as you and I both know, it's your self-expression.

That's what it's there for. >> Mhm. >> And if you can't allow yourself to express yourself there, then it's going to be everywhere where you edit yourself because you're not just letting people think negative thoughts. >> For sure. But if you operate in a way

now and you now take the value, you take the money back. We're not going to pay Jay the money for his opinion. I'm going to take the money back. And where I'm going to put the value is operating in a way that makes me feel proud of myself.

>> Because when I operate in a way, whether I'm posting something or I'm speaking in a meeting or I'm showing up and not responding to my dramatic whatever, I'm proud of myself. And when you're proud of yourself, you don't even

consider what other people are thinking. because you've just anchored all of your worth inside of yourself. >> Yeah. >> And that's why this is another reason why this is so unbelievably powerful. >> Yeah. And and the truth is no one's

thinking about you for as long as you think. >> True. >> No one's thinking about you for as much as you think. No one's thinking about you as much as they even say they're thinking about you. And we just, like you said, we keep draining that energy

consumed by it. You reminded me of the beautiful Charles Horton Culie quote and he wrote this in 1890 and he said the challenge today is I'm not what I think

I am. I'm not what you think I am. I am what I think you think I am. Which means

I am. I'm not what you think I am. I am what I think you think I am. Which means

we live in a perception of a perception of ourselves. So if I think Mel thinks I'm not smart, >> then I don't think I'm smart. So it's not even reality. It's not even factually proven or checked or tested. >> By the way, everything in the Let them

Them theory, this book is literally every thought, those 70,000 thoughts, that's what you're addressing in this book. >> And let them two words gets rid of this fear. Yeah,

>> it literally does >> because I was talking I've talked to at least three friends this week and all of them are concerned by either, hey Jay, I'm thinking about posting a video on social media. I'm scared of what people will think. So that's for their professional or their passion. I've got

will think. So that's for their professional or their passion. I've got

another friend who's worried that a lot of our other friends are talking about him negatively >> because he's recently fallen out with them. >> Okay. >> And so he's worried like what are they saying? They're all talking to each other. What what rumors are they

saying? They're all talking to each other. What what rumors are they spreading about me? Like maybe it's not true. >> And the thing that they're holding on to is they just can't let they can't let them. And it's >> No, but they can. >> Yeah.

>> See, I don't think they have the tool. >> Yeah. >> See, here's the thing. If you're worried that people are gossiping about you, let them let them gossip about you. Here's

why. You can't control it. >> It's gonna happen anyway. >> Yes. And so if you can't control it, why on earth would you allow any time or energy to be wasted? >> Yeah.

>> It's an act of self- torture. So if you are worried that people are gossiping about you, first of all, let them gossip about you. >> Yeah. because they're going to do what they're going to do because you cannot change what other people do. You can't

control what they think. You can't control what they do. If they're going to gossip, they're going to gossip. So, let them gossip. And when you say that, it's a relief because you actually acknowledge the thing that you've been afraid of. And it's like you're allowing it without allowing it. But then don't

afraid of. And it's like you're allowing it without allowing it. But then don't forget you have power. >> Yeah. >> Let me remind myself that I get to choose what I think about myself. >> I get to decide what I do. Yeah. and what I don't do, whether or not I

respond or not. And I get to decide who I spend time with. And so the bigger question becomes, if you're busy worrying about, which means you're

expending time and energy, people who are gossiping about you, why would you want to be friends with them? >> Yeah. And so now you take responsibility

for your own part in chasing people that aren't treating you in a way that you deserve. >> Yes.

>> And you recognize that the power here is in just letting people be. And when you let people be, your relationships get better because people reveal who they are and where you stand. And then you get to choose how much time you spend or not. >> Yeah.

>> And not everybody in your life deserves an explanation. they don't deserve a response necessarily. And so you also get to choose who you tell your story to or who you apologize

necessarily. And so you also get to choose who you tell your story to or who you apologize to or who how you respond to it. And that's where your power is. And and I'm not saying this makes it easy because you're probably in a situation

like that going to have to say, "Let them. Let them. Let them." And then you're going to see them on social media and you're going to be like, "Should I block them? Should I not block them? Are they going to see if I do that? Should I not?" Let them

block them? Should I not block them? Are they going to see if I do that? Should I not?" Let them >> let them know their lives and if I want to unfollow them, let me do that because I get to choose what comes into my space or not. The key takeaway here is that

your time, energy, and focus are valuable. Protect them, use them intentionally, and don't let external validation dictate your actions. Once

you make that shift, then you make space for freedom, growth, and fulfillment to grow from within. As we close this episode and this year, remember this.

Life is not about perfection. It's about presence. Growth is not linear. But

every moment, struggle, draw your reflection is a step forward. The

lessons are clear. Embrace failure as a starting point. Show up authentically in your relationships and life. Give yourself time to heal and grow. Protect

your energy, attention, and focus. Pursue your purpose with passion and courage. The past year has shaped us, challenged us, and reminded us of what

courage. The past year has shaped us, challenged us, and reminded us of what matters. As we move forward, carry these lessons into your next chapter. You're

matters. As we move forward, carry these lessons into your next chapter. You're

capable, you're growing, and your life is a canvas to become your best self.

Thank you so much for listening to this conversation. If you enjoyed it, you'll love my chat with Adam Grant on why discomfort is the key to growth and the strategies for unlocking your hidden potential. If you know you want to be

more and achieve more this year, go check it out right now. You set a goal today, you achieve it in 6 months, and then by the time it happens, it's almost a relief. There's no sense of meaning and purpose. You sort of expected it and

a relief. There's no sense of meaning and purpose. You sort of expected it and you would have been disappointed if it didn't