The ONE Thing

• 503. 16.5 Proven Audience-Building Secrets

  When Jay Papasan launched the Twentypercenter newsletter, it was his personal version of a Rocky-style training montage. He committed to writing, editing, and publishing a new piece every single week—no matter what. 137 newsletters later, he’s gained more than just consistency. He’s built a powerful, intentional audience and uncovered key lessons about what it takes to grow something meaningful. In this solo episode, Jay shares 16 and a half of the most valuable lessons he’s learned along the way. From the importance of patience and vulnerability to the surprising power of simplicity and repetition, Jay opens up about the creative systems and mindset shifts that helped him grow from 89 subscribers to over 12,000—with zero paid ads. Whether you’re starting a newsletter, podcast, YouTube channel, or just building something of your own, these lessons will help you create with purpose—and keep going long enough to see it pay off. Challenge of the Week: Pick one idea you’ve been waiting to start—a newsletter, podcast, blog, or creative habit—and publish the first version this week. Don’t overprepare. Don’t wait until it’s perfect. Just hit send. Then, create a simple system that will help you show up consistently from here on out. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: Why creativity snowballs once you start creating consistently How quality beats quantity—and why 1,000 true fans is enough The critical role of systems, habits, and reader feedback in sustainable growth Links & Tools from This Episode: Build Your Audience Resources Kevin Kelly's “1000 True Fans” Read Humor, Seriously by Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas Read Getting Things Done by David Allen Read Atomic Habits by James Clear Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email [email protected] or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA

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• 502. How High Performers Build Resilience in Chaotic Times with Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe

  What if the ability to bounce back isn’t something you’re born with—but something you can build? This week, you’ll hear from Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe, a behavioral psychologist and expert on resilience and stress. Robyne breaks down how resilience is not just about “toughing it out”—it’s about building habits that create consistent, calm comebacks even in the face of chaos. We talked about how high achievers fall into the “when-then” trap, why your family relationships are the glass balls you can’t afford to drop, and how naming your emotions for just 90 seconds can change your entire day—and maybe even your future. We also explore how chronic stress hijacks your brain, how to get back to shore when you’re overwhelmed, and why the answer isn’t in hydrogen water or another hype cycle. It’s in the basics—sleep, movement, quiet rituals, and trusted people who check your blind spots. Challenge of the Week: When you reunite with someone you love—your partner, your kids, a teammate—let your face light up. Let them feel how good it is to be seen, and how good it is to come home. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: How to recognize and interrupt the “when-then” trap The 90-second rule that can reduce long-term emotional distress Why showing up for your relationships is a resilience strategy Links & Tools from This Episode: Learn more: drrobyne.ca Follow Dr. Robyne on Instagram: @dr_robynehd Connect with Dr. Robyne on LinkedIn Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email [email protected] or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA

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• 501. 5 Principles from The ONE Thing Every College Student Needs

  It’s graduation season—and whether you’ve got a child, a niece or nephew, or just a young person in your life heading to or already in college, you’re probably wondering how to best support them in this new chapter. In this episode, Jay gets personal. He walks through the highs and lows of his own college years—from social misfires and major indecision to joining the rugby team and becoming a double major in French and English. But more importantly, he shares what we wish college students learned… and what they actually do. Back in 2015, the ONE Thing team interviewed 15 students from across the country who had read the book and tried to apply its principles. With a little coaching and a few worksheets, they surfaced six core discoveries that can serve any young adult stepping into independence: Lay a Future Foundation – Even a vague purpose provides powerful direction. Set Mid-Term Targets – Clarity around “where you want to be when college ends” helps shape present-day decisions. Make a Success List, Not a To-Do List – Prioritize ruthlessly, especially when everything feels urgent. Think Big – Sometimes we create unnecessary limits. Big goals can make hard things feel smaller. Time Block for Willpower – Willpower isn’t on will-call. Structure your calendar to match your energy. Clarify Core Values – Use your values as a compass for choices, especially when you're on your own. Whether you're a parent, a mentor, or a recent grad yourself, this episode will inspire you to share the tools of focus, goal setting, and intention with someone who needs them most. Challenge of the Week: Identify a college-aged person in your life. Then go to the1thing.com/college to download the free college guide. Consider giving them a copy of The ONE Thing and the Core Values Deck as a graduation gift—and don’t just give it. Follow up. Ask if they’d like to go through it together. Help them put these tools into practice. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: Why “figuring out your ONE Thing” matters even when you’re young The halo effect of getting clear on your goals Why willpower should be scheduled, not summoned Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing College Guide The ONE Thing Core Values Deck Episode 483: Are You Using This Simple Tool to Make Better Decisions? Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email [email protected] or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA

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• 500. Who Do You Want to Become? with Geoff Woods

  This milestone episode marks 500 episodes and over 6 million downloads of The ONE Thing Podcast—and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than bringing Geoff Woods back to the mic. Geoff helped launch this podcast and spent years leading The ONE Thing company. In this episode, we look at what’s happened since he moved on. From becoming Chief Growth Officer at a multinational conglomerate to founding a company and writing a book on AI leadership, Geoff shares the role that asking big questions played in every chapter of that journey. At the heart of our conversation is one question: Who do I want to become? Geoff talks candidly about moving from certainty to curiosity, detaching identity from outcomes, and using both The ONE Thing framework and emerging tools like AI to craft a future you’re proud of. He opens up about struggling with self-worth after stepping away from The ONE Thing, and how redefining success through values like fatherhood, friendship, and internal validation helped him build something even more meaningful. Whether you’re in a transition or just ready for more, this episode will challenge you to dream bigger—and act bolder. Challenge of the Week: Sit down with pen and paper. Fast forward 30 years and imagine sitting with your future self. Ask: – Who have I become? – What does my life look like? – What would this version of me tell me to start, stop, or double down on today? Give yourself time and space to journal. Don’t rush to the “right” answer. Just start searching. Trust the dominoes will fall. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: Why asking the right question changes everything How to build new habits that support your future identity Using AI as a thought partner to clarify your purpose Links & Tools from This Episode: Learn more at aileadership.com Connect with Geoff Woods on LinkedIn Read The AI-Driven Leader by Geoff Woods Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email [email protected] or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Any text or materials generated by artificial intelligence (AI) should be reviewed for accuracy and reliability as there may be errors, omissions, or inaccuracies. Produced by NOVA

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• 499. The 4 Hidden Thieves Destroying Your Productivity with Jordan Freed

  You’ve probably heard of the Four Thieves of Productivity: the inability to say no, fear of chaos, poor health habits, and an environment that doesn’t support your goals. But have you ever stopped to ask—which one is stealing the most from you right now? This week, Jay Papasan is joined by his coach and the Head Coach of The ONE Thing, Jordan Freed, for a powerful reexamination of the Four Thieves—this time through the lens of coaching. Jordan brings a coach’s eye to these common productivity killers, helping you not only identify your thief, but also design simple, practical solutions to reclaim your focus. We talk about how environment is often the real culprit behind people-pleasing, why building a digital and physical “bunker” is key to getting deep work done, and how to turn fear of chaos into clarity through better planning. You’ll also learn Jordan’s hierarchy of health and how to build better habits by starting with the basics: breath, water, and sleep. Whether you're constantly saying yes to the wrong things or find yourself paralyzed by the unknown, this episode will help you take back control—and protect what matters most. Challenge of the Week: Engineer your bunker. Physically and digitally, design a space that helps you focus on your ONE Thing. Turn off unnecessary notifications, block distractions, and create boundaries so your environment supports—not sabotages—your goals. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: How people-pleasing is often rewarded and reinforced in our work and personal lives Why your environment might be the hidden thief behind your inability to say no How to use prompting and priming to build new, healthier habits Links & Tools from This Episode: The 66-Day Challenge Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email [email protected] or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA

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