Doubt isn't protecting you from failure, it's protecting you from your feelings. For every ambitious person, doubt is the silent killer of greatness. Joe breaks down what he's learned from working with Silicon Valley's top performers: doubt isn't an intellectual problem, it’s a misunderstood emotional signal. It’s a protective mechanism to stop you from feeling something uncomfortable, whether it’s a fear of failure or even a fear of success.

Brett and Joe have nailed the PERFECT episode, which means they can finally get this podcast launched! Now they just need to get the perfect album art, title, set…and the perfect list of everything they need to do before they can launch the perfect podcast! In this episode, our hosts tackle everyone’s favourite Achilles heel: perfectionism. It shows up in individuals, teams, organizations, and entire societies. They explore where it comes from, why it has increased dramatically over the past decades, and how it narrows perception, creates internal chaos, and—paradoxically—produces worse results. They discuss: - Perfectionism is fundamentally fear-based, not excellence-based - How perfectionism predicts the same negative health outcomes as chronic stress - The rise of perfectionism over the past 30 years and why things haven’t gotten better - Binary thinking and the illusion of a perfect end state - The childhood roots of perfectionism and chaotic environments - Why perfectionism actually *creates* the chaos it’s trying to prevent - How organizations unintentionally reward fear and stagnation - Practical ways to work with fear, the inner critic, and the nervous system

Chaos is evolution's favorite tool; learn how to use it for growth. When faced with chaos, we often react with fear, limiting our thinking. Joe encourages us to fully feel the fear and to see opportunity within it. By learning to fully feel our emotions we can find greater wisdom and a path forward, even in the midst of chaos.

In this special crossover episode, we are republishing Joe’s appearance on *Charisma on Command* with Charlie Houpert alongside Dr. Alok “Dr. K” Kanojia. They explore what charisma really is and why genuine presence and emotional awareness matter far more than polished performance. Charlie’s opening question, “What is charisma?” unfolds into a deep exploration of authenticity, self-love, and emotional intelligence. Joe and Dr. K contrast performative charisma (built on control, manipulation, or validation-seeking) with true charisma, which arises from inner alignment, vulnerability, and purpose. The three of them discuss how self-acceptance, emotional integration, and listening reshape the way we connect and influence others.

If you struggle with perfectionism, fear of success, or feeling like you have a "tyrant boss" inside your head, this breakdown reveals exactly how to shift that dynamic. In this episode, Joe and Brett analyze a rapid coaching session with a man who is a high-performer for others but frozen when it comes to his own business. They uncover how "stories" about perfectionism keep us stuck, and why trying to be a "good provider" can actually stop you from doing the work. As the man works with Joe to peel back the layers of what’s causing his procrastination, Brett and Joe dive deeper into the topic of procrastination, dissecting the root causes that cause us to freeze when we wish to act and paths forward for reframing both how to approach and to view procrastination. They discuss: - The idea of procrastinator as an identity - Self-judgement, perfectionism, and shame - The emotional roots of procrastination - How to dissolve stuckness - Practical ways to approach procrastination

In this episode, Joe sits down with Johannes Landgraf, CEO of Ona, to dive deep on how bringing the tenets of AOA’s teachings to the company has transformed their leadership, culture, and performance in the fast-moving world of AI. From quadrupling revenue to spending their days with greater enjoyment, Johannes shares how the seeming paradox of scaling a company while deepening connection has impacted him personally and the company at large. They discuss: - How AI and rapid innovation challenge traditional leadership models - Conflict as a source of clarity and alignment - The role of vulnerability and transparency in building organizational trust - Ona’s principles and how their iterative process - Lessons from Ona’s transformation - And much more

Why do so many high achievers feel like frauds? In this episode, Brett and Joe explore a topic near and dear to the hearts of anyone who has ever thought they needed to be someone else to be loved: Imposter Syndrome. Together, they explore: - Our relationship to shame and self-worth - Antidotes to imposter syndrome - The childhood experiences that encourage imposter syndrome - Implications in leadership and business

In this episode, Brett and Joe talk about leadership—not just the title or position, but about what it truly means to lead and be a leader. They explore how leadership emerges in every moment of life, from boardrooms to families to personal choices, and how emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and conviction shape the kind of leader we become.

Brett and Joe deliver a long-awaited episode on procrastination, exploring its real contours—the shame, the avoidance, the misplaced priorities. They reveal how it stems from self-criticism and avoidance, and show how a shift in perspective can turn it into prioritization, creativity, and authentic productivity. Together, they discuss: - How procrastination depends on self-abuse and self-judgment - Procrastination vs healthy prioritization - Emotional avoidance - The importance of iteration, play, and creativity - Practical experiments and exercises for working with procrastination

According to some studies, over 80% of Americans experience time scarcity. In this episode, Joe and Brett explore what’s going on when we feel time scarce. They unpack why so many of us feel starved for time in an era of unprecedented efficiency, and provide clear, actionable insights into how presence and emotional awareness can change our perception of time itself. They cover: - Why time scarcity is more about emotional overwhelm than actual hours - The paradox of saving time but still feeling busier than ever - How presence shifts our experience of time - The role of grief, fear, and shame in the feeling of “not enough” - The importance of rest, integration, and flow states

In this episode, Brett Kistler and Joe Hudson dive into the epidemic of loneliness and its impact on our lives. They explore the roots of loneliness, how it differs from solitude, and why shame and self-perception often amplify the experience. They explore how to transform loneliness into deeper self-connection and meaningful relationships with others. Join them as they discuss: - How loneliness, solitude, and isolation differ - The connection between loneliness and shame - Childhood roots of loneliness and insecure attachment styles - The role of society, mobility, and social media in shaping loneliness today - Practical ways to reconnect with yourself and with others - How VIEW is an antidote to loneliness - Experiments and practical guidance for addressing loneliness

Tara Howley and Janine Parziale dive into stage fright and performance anxiety. Drawing from personal experience and professional expertise, they share how to work with fear rather than fight it—transforming it into a source of energy, presence, and even joy. They discuss: - Understanding the physiology and psychology of stage fright - How to reframe fear as excitement and use it as fuel - Body-based techniques for releasing freeze and nervous system overwhelm - Practical preparation strategies—from nutrition to exercise to mindset - The role of shame, self-consciousness, and compassion in performance anxiety - Embracing mistakes and turning them into moments of connection and magic - Why stage fright can be a gift and how to welcome it

In this episode, Brett and Joe break down the dynamics of feeling stuck and what to do about it. They reveal how subtle patterns from childhood continue to shape our adult experiences. They also share practical strategies to breaking free from emotional, intellectual, and nervous system blockages that hold the pattern of being stuck in place. Tune in to hear about: - Understanding the emotional roots and different forms of stuckness - How childhood experiences shape our adult experiences of being stuck - The relationship between stuckness, anger, and fear - Practical methods for moving stuckness on an emotional and nervous system level - Intellectual frameworks to reframe and overcome patterns of feeling stuck Newsweek article on Andrew Newberg study: https://www.newsweek.com/religion-and-brain-152895 Send us your questions on Twitter, through our website, or in our Circle community! Joe on X: @FU_JoeHudson Brett on X: @airkistler AOA on X: @artofaccomp Visit Us: www.artofaccomplishment.com We invite you to experience our work. Reserve your spot at www.view.life/explore

Three former VCs turned coaches walk into a room…Steve Schlafman of the podcast Downshift sits down with Joe Hudson and Jerry Colonna (author of Re-Boot: Leadership and the Art of Growing Up) to explore the journey of living one's purpose, especially in times of uncertainty and change. They share personal experiences and wisdom on navigating fear, grief, trust, and discovering deeper authenticity and fulfillment from three different stages of life. They explore: - Navigating uncertainty with clarity and compassion - Embracing grief as a pathway to deeper personal transformation - Building trust from an authentic and human-centered place - The difference between transactional and transformative coaching - How to authentically live and express one's purpose

Joe and Brett break down a coaching session from one of Joe’s public coaching workshops. In this episode, Joe encounters a woman who feels like she’s trapped in her head and can’t move forward. As they dissect the shifts that occur during the session, the complexity of confidence and the subtle ways we evade self-doubt are laid out as an opportunity to reflect on how they show up in our own lives. Together, they discuss: - Understanding the nuanced relationship between confidence and doubt - How subtle avoidance strategies—even beneficial ones like somatic work—can unintentionally reinforce stuckness - The power of anger as a tool for clarity, decisiveness, and empowerment - Reframing doubt as something to embrace and learn from rather than to fear - Practical advice for moving through blocks related to self-doubt and perfectionism

Joe and Tara sat down with our friends at Modern Relationships for a conversation about their relationship—their meet-cute, what happened afterwards, the wisdom they have to share with us, and how they shifted their relationship from abusive to one that you can’t help but want for yourself. Together with Erik Torenberg, they discuss: - How to navigate intense triggers and deep emotional challenges - The crucial role of personal growth and transformation - Practical strategies for effective communication and conflict resolution - Moving beyond blame and shame to foster genuine mutual understanding - Embracing change and life transitions as opportunities for deeper intimacy

We’re back with a coaching breakdown! In this episode, Joe and Brett dissect a rapid coaching session focused on self-love. They examine the subtle ways our guest has learned to turn away from himself in the presence of others and point out the breadcrumb trail he follows back to self-connection. This offers an opportunity for those of us watching to see ourselves more clearly and turn toward ourselves with love. Watch them explore the barriers and powerful moments of realization that help us move from self-criticism and doubt into genuine self-welcoming and love.

Attunement invites us to listen deeply not only to others but also to ourselves. But what, really, does it mean to attune? How does it work? What happens when you’re attuned? In this episode of The Art of Accomplishment, Tara Howley sits down with Janine Parziale to deep dive into the practice of attunement and discuss: - How attunement differs from basic active listening - Recognizing when we are genuinely attuned versus disconnected from ourselves and others - Practical ways attunement can improve communication and relationships in both personal and professional contexts - How attunement can transform conflicts and challenging dynamics into deeper connections - The risks and rewards of deep attunement

Brett and Joe uncover the often hidden complexities behind setting and pursuing goals. They reveal how our relationships with goals reflect deeper truths about ourselves and why embracing genuine desires leads not just to accomplishments, but to a richer, more authentic life. They talk about: - Why it's crucial for your goals to reflect what your heart truly wants - How goals reorient us toward creativity and fulfillment - The importance of setting aligned goals - How to use principles and metrics effectively - The importance of celebrating failures Join us for a surprising conversation about goal-setting the AOA way.

Brett and Joe explore how we cope with life’s unpredictability—from global events to personal crises—highlighting why some of us thrive while others falter. In a world of rapid change and unpredictable outcomes, embracing the present moment and adopting clarity in intention can transform uncertainty into a powerful opportunity for growth. They delve into how uncertainty shapes us and how, surprisingly, facing it openly can deepen our relationships and resilience. Join them as they explore: - Human tendencies toward control versus adventure - Common pitfalls: optimism, pessimism, and "realism” - Practical tools for thriving amid unpredictability - The relationship between uncertainty and personal evolution - Real-world stories of navigating uncertainty