Latest Interviews
Showing 46–60 of 67 interview transcripts.
Clear all filters- The Diary Of A CEO1h 35m
Jonny Wilkinson: Winning The World Cup Led To My Darkest Days | E131
Jonny Wilkinson, Stephen Bartlett
Former rugby world champion Johnny Wilkinson explores the psychological aftermath of his 2003 victory, detailing his transition from a fear-driven "martyr" archetype to a state of boundless potential he terms "all I can be." Drawing on this personal journey, Wilkinson now hosts the "I Am" podcast and is establishing a mental health foundation to address the crisis of men under 45, while advocating for a lifestyle that prioritizes holistic health, gut microbiome connection, and the freedom to let go of rigid identities. His current mission challenges societal norms by urging individuals to replace reactive survival strategies with present-moment inspiration to unlock true creativity and purpose.
- The Diary Of A CEO1h 41m
The Real Trick To Long Term Motivation: Daniel Pink | E130
Daniel Pink synthesizes research on human motivation, regret, and sales to argue that effective leadership requires replacing strict control with autonomy, mastery, and purpose while shifting focus from abstract "Capital P" goals to daily "small p" contributions. He outlines a systematic framework for processing regret through self-compassion and self-distancing, while simultaneously advising professionals to abandon "if-then" rewards for complex tasks in favor of attunement, buoyancy, and problem-finding strategies. By aligning work schedules with biological chronotypes and utilizing interrogative self-talk, Pink contends that individuals can maximize creativity and performance to turn past failures into actionable future strategies.
- The Diary Of A CEO1h 28m
Israel Adesanya: Becoming World Champion Was The Lowest Day Of My Life!
Israel Adesanya, Stephen Bartlett
UFC champion Israel Adesanya discusses how his early experiences with racism and trauma shaped his philosophy on masculinity, mental hygiene, and the distinction between lasting legacy and temporary fame. Drawing from his career highs and lows, including a 2013 personal crisis, he details his strategies for coping with imposter syndrome, managing public scrutiny, and utilizing martial arts to tame primal aggression. Adesanya further outlines his future plans to reform education through homeschooling and expand philanthropy, emphasizing the importance of owning one's identity without seeking external validation.
- The Diary Of A CEO1h 20m
How To Finally Stop Procrastinating: Oliver Burkeman | E125
Oliver Burkeman, Stephen Bartlett
Author Oliver Berkman challenges the modern self-help industry in his book *Four Thousand Weeks* by arguing that true resilience and productivity emerge from embracing human finitude and anxiety rather than chasing forced optimism. He contends that the widespread "when I finally" mindset and the efficiency trap prevent meaningful action, urging individuals to prioritize "enlarging" activities and radical incrementalism over the illusion of perfect readiness. By reframing imperfection as a natural state and rejecting the addiction to urgency, Berkman posits that accepting our limited lifespan is essential for escaping the paralysis of over-optimization and finding authentic fulfillment.
- The Diary Of A CEO1h 22m
Phones 4u Founder: The Pain Of Becoming A Billionaire: John Caudwell | E124
John Caudwell, Stephen Bartlett
Billionaire Phones For You founder John Caldwell transformed his background of rigid parenting and early business crises into a commercial philosophy built on resilience, a "10% rule" for risk management, and a commitment to maximizing empathy. After navigating severe near-collapse moments, including a Motorola distribution loss and a life-threatening cycling accident, he pivoted toward philanthropy to support vulnerable children and fund research for his son's PANS-PANDAS condition. Caldwell now pledges 70% of his wealth to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and actively mentors young entrepreneurs, viewing his immense success as a compulsion to redistribute resources for societal improvement.
- The Diary Of A CEO1h 25m
Roman Kemp: Why Communication Is More Important Than Ever | E123
Capital FM presenter Roman Kemp details his journey from a burnout-inducing music contract to becoming the network's highest-rated Saturday host, a career built on self-funded grit rather than his parents' celebrity status. Following the suicide of his producer Joe, Kemp created a documentary to address the critical gap in male mental health awareness, highlighting that most men who die by suicide do not view their pain as a disorder and advocating for the "Ask Twice" rule to save lives. While rejecting the label of suicide ambassador, Kemp emphasizes that true happiness for public figures requires grounding in authentic friendships and a commitment to personal well-being over professional ambition.
- The Diary Of A CEO1h 36m
World Leading Psychologist: How To Detach From Overthinking & Anxiety: Dr Julie Smith | E122
Dr Julie Smith, Stephen Bartlett
Clinical psychologist Dr. Julie Smith leverages her three-million-follower platform to disseminate evidence-based mental health education while navigating the psychological toll of public visibility. She distinguishes her public content from clinical therapy, offering practical tools such as breathwork and values-aligned decision-making to help audiences manage anxiety and build resilience. Ultimately, Smith prioritizes family and authentic connection over fame, framing mortality and interpersonal relationships as the core drivers of a meaningful, sustainable life.
- The Diary Of A CEO1h 43m
Matt Hancock: Opens Up About His Affair, Mistakes & The Pandemic | E121
Matt Hancock, Stephen Bartlett
Former UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock reflects on the strategic pivots of the pandemic response, admitting that an earlier lockdown could have saved 21,000 lives while outlining the scientific rejection of herd immunity that forced a shift to suppression strategies. His tenure concluded after he resigned to accept responsibility for breaching social distancing rules with colleague Gina Coladangelo, a decision compounded by a public outcry triggered by leaked CCTV footage. Beyond the crisis management and political fallout, Hancock outlines his future advocacy for early dyslexia screening in schools and his enduring belief in empathy as the cornerstone of effective political leadership.
- The Diary Of A CEO1h 32m
James Smith: How To Create The Life You’ve Always Wanted | E120
Adoptee and former corporate sales worker James Smith rebranded from a disillusioned university dropout into a personal trainer who prioritizes income satiation over exponential scaling. His business model relies on polarizing content to cultivate a loyal niche of high-ticket clients while teaching the underlying principles of fitness to ensure long-term client self-sufficiency. Looking ahead, Smith is preparing to publish a third book on confidence and plans to open a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu dojo as he seeks to overcome his avoidant relationship style and become a more present father.
- The Diary Of A CEO1h 34m
Calm App Founder: From $0 To $2 Billion By Making The World Meditate: Michael Acton Smith | E117
Michael Acton Smith, Stephen Bartlett
Michael Acton Smith, founder of the billion-dollar mindfulness app Calm, chronicles his journey from the commercial failures of Perplex City and Moshi Monsters to building a global solution for the mental health crisis. Driven by personal burnout and a realization that meditation could rewire the brain from fear-based reaction to strategic response, Smith transformed Calm into a revenue powerhouse through features like Sleep Stories and a pivot to annual subscription pricing. His narrative underscores a broader cultural shift toward valuing sleep, nutrition, and mental practice as foundational business skills, positioning the treatment of mental health as a prerequisite for solving larger global issues like climate change.
- The Diary Of A CEO1h 4m
Jordan Peterson: How To Become The Person You’ve Always Wanted To Be | E113
Jordan Peterson, Stephen Bartlett
Psychologist Jordan Peterson outlines a philosophy of existential responsibility, arguing that individuals must abandon social personas to pursue truth and self-improvement through structured struggle rather than the pursuit of happiness. He details specific protocols for personal development, including nightly self-audits and assertive career negotiation tactics, while critiquing remote work and pandemic policies as threats to embodied human experience and individual liberty. Ultimately, Peterson and interviewer Stephen Bartlett commit to using their platforms to model radical truth-telling as the necessary foundation for a healthy society and the salvation of humanity.
- The Diary Of A CEO1h 34m
The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck: Mark Manson | E111
Bestselling author Mark Manson details his evolution from a financially successful but emotionally hollow pickup artist to a philosopher of vulnerability and responsible living. He contrasts the fleeting nature of status-driven "highs" with sustainable happiness derived from honesty, generosity, and community, while advising audiences to distinguish between external fault and internal responsibility. Drawing on his own crises following *The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck*, Manson urges individuals to reject the comfort trap of modern affluence in favor of evolving purpose and the ethical imperative of treating others as ends in themselves.
- The Diary Of A CEO1h 45m
Russell Howard: How To Laugh Through Fear, Anxiety & Imposter Syndrome | E109
Russell Howard, Stephen Bartlett
On December 14th, comedian Russell Howard releases his new Netflix stand-up special *Lubricant* and the accompanying documentary *Until the Wheels Come Off*, utilizing a slower, more reflective style to address global crises and personal trauma. Drawing on his family's chaotic history and his own struggles with anxiety, Howard frames humor as an essential mechanism for bridging social divides and navigating the "fake outrage" of modern culture. The project aims to help audiences find common ground through deeply human storytelling while validating the psychological complexities inherent in the comedian's profession.
- The Diary Of A CEO1h 59m
Mel Robbins: This One Hack Will Unlock Your Happier Life | E108
Mel Robbins discusses how childhood trauma and environmental conditioning often misfire the human nervous system, leading to chronic anxiety and self-blame that she addresses by reframing fear as excitement and using the "Five Second Rule" to interrupt harmful habit loops. She introduces practical tools like the "High Five Habit" to bypass the brain's skepticism of verbal affirmations, sharing that her own recovery from debt and suicidal ideation relied on physical interventions that activate the prefrontal cortex. Ultimately, Robbins asserts that while trauma leaves lasting biological scars, consciously rewiring one's response to stress allows individuals to transform their pain into a foundation for helping others.
- The Diary Of A CEO1h 35m
Patrice Evra: Learning How To Cry Saved My Life!
Patrice Evra, Stephen Bartlett
French football captain Patrice Evra recounts his journey from extreme poverty and sexual abuse to becoming a Manchester United legend, detailing how these traumas initially enforced a rigid, toxic masculinity upon him. He later dismantled these harmful patterns through family intervention and a personal philosophy prioritizing emotional vulnerability over suppression. Today, Evra dedicates himself to charitable work in Senegal and public advocacy, using his platform to challenge societal stigmas surrounding male trauma and mental health.