Jon Acuff's Blog

Don’t know what to get for that person who has it all? I’ve got you covered. This year’s Try This Gift Guide features 11 items the Acuff house absolutely loved or made in 2025—from the card game that teaches you everything about a person (SkyJo) to the weighted backpack that’s making me look ridiculously in shape (GoRuck), to the brand-new Soundtracks Card Decks that are the perfect stocking stuffer. You’ll also discover the best calendar ever made (yes, I’m biased), customized luggage tags that will save you at the airport, a book about bookstores that will restore your faith in humanity, and the greatest running shoes I’ve ever owned. Most of these are pulled straight from our Amazon order list, so they’re easy to get and quick to ship. Get ready to surprise and delight everyone you know—from travelers to runners to book lovers to that spunky aunt in Santa Fe. Merry Christmas!

The post The Try This Gift Guide 2025: 11 Hidden Gems You Won’t Find Anywhere Else appeared first on Jon Acuff.

I am my niece and nephew’s favorite uncle—mostly because I’m their only uncle, but a win is a win. Election years turn every family gathering into “squirrely uncle season,” and Thanksgiving is ground zero. You’ve got relatives who think differently, believe differently, and this year, vote differently. Before you get into a political argument that could cost you a decades-long relationship, here’s one soundtrack to remember: “Politicians are temporary, family is forever.” In this episode, I’m breaking down why you shouldn’t do long-term damage over short-term politicians, how to set boundaries with difficult relatives, and what Andy Stanley said about winning arguments but losing relationships. This will be the 8th or 9th president of my lifetime—I’ve only had one dad and one mom. Do the math before you flip the table. And whatever you do, don’t grab the pecan pie on your way out. Nuts ruin dessert.

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Last year, I read more than 100 books. This year, I cut that goal down to 25—and actually got more out of them. After realizing I was flying through books without retaining much, I slowed down and found four that earned a permanent spot on my bookshelf. In this episode, I’m sharing my favorite reads of 2024: a cutthroat business memoir from the cofounder of CAA (with an amazing 10-minute meeting trick), a beautifully illustrated book about overthinking, a faith book that pulled me beyond my standard understanding, and a weird poet’s guide to courting your wild twin back from the forest. Whether you’re a business builder, an overthinker, a person of faith, or someone who’s played it too safe, there’s something here for you. Plus, I’ll tell you which of my own books to start with if you’re new to my work.

The post The 4 Books That Changed My Year (And Why I Read 75 Fewer Books) appeared first on Jon Acuff.

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to binge on other people’s success stories? Podcasts, books, courses—it all feels productive, but sometimes it’s just procrastination in disguise. I call it being a success voyeur. You’re peering through the glass, watching other people build remarkable lives, while your own goals collect dust. I know, because I did it too. In 2024, I read 100 books and didn’t change my life one bit. It wasn’t learning—it was hiding. In this episode, I’ll share how I stopped watching success and started creating it again. If you’ve been stuck in research mode, this one’s for you. It’s time to get out of the stands and back into the game.

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I’ve written 11 books, but I didn’t have a 10-year plan. I just got tired of my fearful mindset dictating my entire life. In my mid-30s, I threw my first bottle into the ocean—and it changed everything. In this episode, I’m sharing why you need to throw yours too. Here’s the metaphor: You’re on an island called “My Life,” and the things you create are tiny notes you shove into bottles. When you throw them with courage and conviction, they float away to shores you’ve never seen—bookshelf, Spotify, Etsy, Amazon, maybe even Estonia. Someone opens that bottle and says, “This was made for me.” You’ve never met them. You’ve never been to their city or country. That’s the magic. When we make things, we change. When we share them, other people change. I don’t know what your bottle is—a book, album, business, podcast, painting, or something else entirely—but I know it’s time to throw it. We’re all waiting.

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A viral tweet recently claimed that 30-year-olds today can’t afford what previous generations could—a house they like, a decent car, a $100K salary, and a stay-at-home spouse. Here’s the truth: I was 30 in 2006 and only achieved half of that list. We had seafoam green carpet, a purple bedroom, squirrels living in our roof, a 2-door Camry with 150,000 miles, and a two-hour commute. But we were building something. In this episode, I’m breaking down why people procrastinate when they create impossible-to-achieve dreams, why you shouldn’t be discouraged if you can’t have all of it right now, and why trying anyway is an act of rebellion. Instagram tells you everyone else has it all. The media tells you you’ll never get it. Don’t fall into that procrastination trap. Pick the parts you want first and give a little on the others. In a world addicted to fear, hope is an act of open rebellion. Be a rebel.

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Building a business and building a family both require one thing: being brave enough to be bad at something new. In this episode, Jenny and I talk about the soundtracks that have helped us stay sane through marriage, parenting, and every learning curve in between. From why the honeymoon should come six months in, to how we’ve learned to “not buy tickets” for each other’s anxious train rides, to the soundtrack that reminds us we’re raising adults, not just kids. We also unpack the logic trap of arguing with toddlers (spoiler: snacks solve more than you think) and why drawing hard lines out of frustration never works. These mindsets have kept our home peaceful, our marriage strong, and our family grounded – even in airport meltdowns.

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Building a 7-figure business while staying married for 25 years doesn’t happen by accident. In this follow-up episode, I’m sharing four more marriage secrets that have helped Jenny and me not just survive but thrive together. You’ll discover why “I wouldn’t bet against us” became our rallying cry when people doubted our dreams, how playing to our strengths means I handle parking while she handles money (and why we always go to bed at the same time), and what “hit the squirrel” really means when you’re trying to see the big picture. Plus, I’ll tell you why the best way to learn about someone isn’t dinner—it’s card games. These aren’t just relationship tips; they’re the soundtracks that helped us build a business, raise kids, and create a life we never thought possible.

The post Hit the Squirrel: 4 More Marriage Secrets That Built Our 7-Figure Life appeared first on Jon Acuff.

After almost 25 years of marriage, my wife Jenny and I have learned a few things that actually work—not just the clichés you hear everywhere. In this episode, I’m sharing four practical “soundtracks” we use in our marriage and parenting that have made all the difference. From knowing when to pause an argument (hint: we do better with coffee) to understanding that winners actually quit all the time—just the wrong things—these aren’t your typical relationship tips. You’ll also discover why “everything is always working out for us” isn’t toxic positivity but a powerful mindset shift, and how “family shows up” became our guide for being present when it matters most. These secrets work so well, our kids have started saying them too.

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Feeling overwhelmed by all your goals? You’re not alone—and that’s exactly why we’re starting with something different. Instead of brainstorming more things to do, let’s celebrate what you’ve already accomplished. In this episode, I’m sharing the opening lesson from my Greatest Year Ever program, including the simple “I Did That!” exercise that builds the confidence you need for your biggest goals. You’ve already done hard things—you just haven’t given yourself enough credit. Whether you graduated from school, traveled somewhere new, survived a challenge, or helped someone else, it all counts. Let’s fill up your encouragement tank before we tackle what’s next.

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