Jon Acuff's Blog

We can’t get coffee together, but we could take a walk. And on that walk, I’d tell you something that might surprise you: your mission in life is sales. Not the kind you’re picturing. From the moment you wake up to the moment you fall asleep, you’re selling the most important product that’s ever existed, a remarkable life, to the most important person you’ll ever meet, yourself. In this episode, I’m breaking down why owning your life feels so overwhelming, why blaming your parents, society, or even cavemen for your problems keeps you stuck, and why no one, not a politician, boss, celebrity, or friend, has more power over you than you have over yourself. It’s time to stop pointing fingers and start recognizing the influence you’ve had all along.

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What thoughts are running through your mind on repeat? In this episode, I’m sharing five powerful soundtracks that will help you build bravery in your life. You’ll discover why nobody is for everybody (vegan restaurants don’t care about BBQ fans), how to beat imposter syndrome by being better today than you were yesterday, and why some beats none when perfectionism tries to stop you. I’ll also reveal the four words that get me through every hard run in January (“I’ll feel awesome after”) and the most powerful question you can ask to rediscover your purpose: Who am I doing this very difficult job for? From hospital CEOs doing it for the donor walk to teachers showing up for the person they used to be, this question clarifies everything. Thoughts turn into actions. Actions turn into results. Let’s make sure you’re playing the right soundtracks.

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What if the thoughts running through your head on repeat could be the difference between staying stuck and moving forward? In this episode, I’m sharing five powerful soundtracks that help me choose bravery when fear gets loud. You’ll discover why “It’s just a puddle” changed how I parent and handle everyday stress, how to shift from “Woe is me” to “Wow is me” (one letter that changes everything), and why being the CEO of yourself isn’t enough if you’re still a terrible boss to yourself. I’ll also show you how to focus on the fix instead of the fear, and why feeling uncomfortable is actually a sign your old comfort zone is having a hard time keeping up with you. These aren’t just catchy phrases. They’re the thoughts that turn into actions, and actions that turn into results. This is episode 5 of our Bravest Summer Ever series, but you don’t need to have heard the others to get massive value from these five soundtracks.

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You’re either practicing bravery or you’re practicing fear. There’s no neutral when it comes to mindset. In this fourth episode of the Bravest Summer Ever series, I’m breaking down the third key to bravery: practice. Research shows that just 5 minutes of negative news makes people more depressed, less likely to help others, and convinced the world is a negative place. When you binge the news, scroll political tweets, or read angry Facebook posts, you’re practicing fear. So how do you practice bravery instead? Simple. Look at your calendar for the next 7 days and ask: where do I want to be brave this week? Whether it’s a big podcast interview, giving tough feedback, or posting about your work, find 1 to 3 practice moments and figure out your plan. The key to mindset is spending more time talking to yourself than listening to yourself. You get better at anything you practice, so let’s practice bravery.

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What’s brave for me won’t be brave for you, and vice versa. I once had a woman share that driving over a bridge was a brave moment for her. I drive over bridges all the time without thinking about it, but paperwork? That sends my heart rate through the roof. In this third episode of our Bravest Summer Ever series, I’m breaking down the second key to bravery: curiosity. Most people aren’t curious about themselves because they’re running so quickly through life. But when you get curious, you develop self awareness, which is a superpower all its own. I’ll teach you three questions to ask yourself to identify your brave moments and give you homework that will change how you see your week. When you’re curious, you learn about yourself. When you learn about yourself, you can be braver than ever before. Because bravery is one size fits you, not one size fits all.

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Want to know the secret to bravery? It’s not what you think. In this episode, part of my “Bravest Summer Ever” series, I’m revealing the first of three keys to bravery, and it’s so obvious you might miss it: goals. Here’s the truth: no one is brave “just because.” That would be dumb. Bravery is uncomfortable, challenging, and requires sacrifice. So why would anyone choose it? Because they have big, beautiful, sexy goals they’re in love with. Goals that get them out of bed at 4:55 AM. Goals they can’t stop thinking about. I’d rather watch YouTube than write some days, but I want to hold a finished book in my hand, so I have to be brave enough to focus. Desire leads to bravery. Every successful goal requires it, and every goal inspires it. So let me ask you a tough question: What do you want? You don’t have to tell me, but you better tell yourself.

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Fear had a pretty good run the last few years. It kicked our butts, didn’t it? But I’m over it, and I think it’s time we take back the territory we lost. That’s why I’m starting a new 5 episode series called “Bravest Summer Ever.” In this first episode, I’m breaking down three reasons why we need to talk about bravery right now: fear had its moment and it’s enough already, bravery is the only thing every successful person has in common (it’s the skill that unlocks every other), and most importantly, you can learn it. Bravery isn’t something you’re born with or without. It’s a skill anyone can master. I’ll share definitions of bravery, from “motion despite emotion” to “putting miles between you and your desire to quit,” and give you your first homework assignment: What does brave mean to you? Over the next few weeks, you’re going to become braver than you’ve ever been. Let’s rally.

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After 14 years of travel, I finally achieved Delta Diamond Medallion Status. But here’s the thing: it took me over a decade even though I fly 100 times a year. Why? Because time is the currency I care about most. In this episode, I’m breaking down what your airline choice reveals about your priorities and why understanding your real values changes everything. If you live in Atlanta, Delta is unbeatable with Sky Clubs and first class upgrades. But I live in Nashville, and flying Delta means adding 2 to 4 hours to every trip through connections. That’s 200 hours a year I’d lose. Your words don’t reveal what you care about, your actions do. Whether it’s airlines, yard work, or cars, the choices you make every day show who you really are. I’ll teach you how to match your actions to your intentions, because that’s the soundtrack that always leads to excellence. The choices you make, make you.

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I used to introduce myself as a “late bloomer” on hundreds of podcast episodes. It sounded casual, even humble. But here’s what I was really saying: “I should have learned this earlier. Smarter people figured this out years before I did. I’m behind.” That broken soundtrack has been quietly wreaking havoc in my life for years. In this episode, I’m exposing one of the most dangerous phrases you might be saying right now and showing you the four words you should say instead. Whether you learn something new at 30, 50, or 70, whether you accomplish a goal this year or next, whether you finally clean that garage or lose those 20 pounds, there’s no official age when you’re supposed to do any of it. Shame cannot answer the question: “When was I supposed to know this?” Because there is no answer. You’re not a late bloomer. You’re right on time.

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Why do some people totally bomb when a conversation really counts? In this episode, therapist and author Jason VanRuler breaks down the five communication types that explain how we connect, where we fail, and why we keep repeating the same patterns. From Peacemakers who avoid conflict to Sparks who struggle to go deep, Jason reveals how childhood shaped your communication style and what happens when stress makes the real you show up. We also dive into the bullseye method for vulnerability (not everyone gets the middle), why cutting people off isn’t a badge of honor, and the three phrases that will change your relationships: “If it matters to you, it matters to me,” “Can I explain this?” and simply “Maybe.” Plus, Jason shares why you need a new therapist when you can guess what they’re going to say, the watches and hobbies we’ve both obsessed over, and why he cries on planes flying home. If you’ve ever wondered why communication breaks down when it matters most, this episode will show you exactly what’s happening and how to fix it.

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