On Purpose with Jay Shetty

John Mackey: Not Sure You're on the Right Path In Your Career? (Use THIS Framework When You Feel Lost About What's Next)

For decades, we’ve been told that success and spirituality live in separate worlds. One is about achievement, the other about inner peace. In this conversation, John Mackey shares why he believes the two are deeply connected. Reflecting on the journey of building Whole Foods Market, he explores how purpose, intuition, gratitude, and conscious leadership shaped both his business and his life. From navigating near-failure and selling the company to Amazon, to redefining success beyond money and status, this episode is a powerful invitation to lead with more awareness, build with more heart, and create a life that feels as meaningful on the inside as it looks on the outside. In this episode you'll learn: How to Build a Business With Purpose How to Turn Setbacks Into Growth How to Find Joy in Your Work How to Turn Envy Into Learning How to Create a Culture People Never Want to Leave How to Make Difficult Decisions With Compassion How to Stay Connected to What Matters Most There will be setbacks, doubts, and moments when things don’t go according to plan, but those moments don’t define your journey. What matters is continuing to move forward with purpose, staying connected to what brings you joy, and remembering that success means little if it costs you who you are. John’s book, The Whole Story: Adventures in Love, Life, and Capitalism, talks about why Whole Foods isn’t just a business success story, it’s the story of a retail, cultural, and dietary revolution that has forever changed the industry and the way we eat. Grab a copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Story-Adventures-Love-Capitalism/dp/1637745125 [https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Story-Adventures-Love-Capitalism/dp/1637745125]  With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty JAY’S DAILY WISDOM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX Join 900,000+ readers discovering how small daily shifts create big life change with my free newsletter. Subscribe https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe [https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe]   Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast [https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast]  What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 02:37 Answering the Call to Adventure 05:53 The Search for Meaning and Consciousness 09:42 A Spiritual Awakening Through Psychedelics 13:40 Exploring the Inner Universe 17:45 Envy Steals Joy 19:49 Understanding Ego Death 24:54 The Power of Play and Creativity 27:33 Follow What Brings You Joy 29:36 Confronting Your Inner Critic 33:45 Building a Business With Heart 35:45 The Gift of Being Fully Present 39:10 Responding to Life’s Greatest Challenges 41:35 Turn Mistakes Into Growth 44:24 The Rise of Conscious Leadership 46:15 The Decision to Sell to Amazon 53:34 A Year of Gratitude and Goodbyes 55:23 Attracting Great People to Your Mission 57:10 Letting People Go With Compassion 59:45 John on Final Five Episode Resources: Website | https://johnpmackey.com/ [https://johnpmackey.com/]  Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/iamjohnmackey [https://www.facebook.com/iamjohnmackey]  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/iamjohnmackey/ [https://www.instagram.com/iamjohnmackey/]  LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamjohnmackey [https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamjohnmackey]  X | https://x.com/iamjohnmackey [https://x.com/iamjohnmackey]  Linktree | https://linktr.ee/iamjohnmackey [https://linktr.ee/iamjohnmackey] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Dr. Jill Biden: The Hardest Moments No One Saw (The Untold Story of the White House Years)

Today Jay sits down with former First Lady Dr. Jill Biden where she pulls back the curtain on an extraordinary journey of love, profound loss, and unrelenting public scrutiny. After first rejecting a young senator's marriage proposal five times, she and husband President Joe Biden ultimately built a family rooted in fierce loyalty and unwavering devotion. Jill shares what it takes to navigate life’s hardest moments - from the unimaginable grief of losing her son Beau to cancer, to her son Hunter's battle with addiction, to her husband's ongoing health struggles and heartbreaking political exit. Jill’s story highlights the radical power of staying present, and the impact of making a conscious decision to always choose joy no matter where you are in life.  In this episode you'll learn: How to Move Forward After Major Life Changes How to Cultivate a Lasting Marriage How to Instill Confidence in Those Around You How to Advocate for Your Health How to Navigate Loving Someone Through Addiction How to Survive Unimaginable Grief As you navigate your own journey, remember to lead with compassion and be kind, because we never truly know the hidden struggles behind someone else's smile. In her new book, View from the East Wing: A Memoir, Jill shares her White House experiences for the first time, in her own words. You can order here: https://bit.ly/ViewFromTheEastWing [https://bit.ly/ViewFromTheEastWing]  With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty JAY’S DAILY WISDOM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX Join 900,000+ readers discovering how small daily shifts create big life change with my free newsletter. Subscribe https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe [https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe]   Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast [https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast]  What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 01:26 A New Life Trajectory 06:39 Saying “No” Five Times  08:03 Lessons in Independence 09:56 Building Loving Relationships 15:08 A Blessing in Disguise 17:17 "My Husband Is Not Dying" 19:26 Grieving Loved Ones 21:18 A True Partnership 23:01 Redefining Your Role 23:53 The Weight of the World 25:32 Practicing Radical Presence 26:16 "We Won!" 27:50 Life’s Greatest Gift 31:52 Beyond the Classroom 32:31 The Health Gap 36:06 Panic in the Green Room 38:04 "I Had No Choice" 40:06 The Morning After 42:20 Alternate Realities 44:08 A Cruel Diagnosis 45:31 Strength in the Storm 46:12 An Unimaginable Loss 48:55 Learning to Live With the Pain 50:55 The Intervention 52:42 Breaking the Stigma Around Addiction  54:38 Jill on Final Five Episode Resources: Website | https://joebiden.com/ [https://joebiden.com/]  Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/DrJillBiden/ [https://www.facebook.com/DrJillBiden/]  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/drbiden [https://www.instagram.com/drbiden]  X | https://x.com/DrBiden [https://x.com/DrBiden] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Stop Waiting to “Figure It Out!” (Do THIS In The Next 48 Hours to FINALLY Take the First Step in Finding Your Purpose)

Jay taps into the question so many people quietly carry: “Is this really what I’m meant to do?” With honesty and clarity, he challenges the myths we’ve been taught about purpose, that it’s a single calling, that passion comes first, or that clarity arrives before action. Instead, Jay reframes purpose as something you build through curiosity, experimentation, and small, consistent steps. He reminds us that most people aren’t lost, they’re avoiding what they already know because of what it might cost. Jay offers a practical framework for finding direction. He points to the things that come naturally, what deeply moves or frustrates you, the challenges you’ve lived through, and even who you envy as signals worth paying attention to. These aren’t random, they’re clues guiding you toward the work that’s truly aligned with you. The message is simple but powerful: stop waiting for certainty, start moving, and trust that clarity comes through action. In this episode you'll find: How to Find Your Purpose How to Turn Passion Into Purpose How to Start Before You’re Ready How to Overcome Fear of Failure How to Build Confidence Through Action How to Become More Yourself The quiet ideas you keep returning to, the things that light something up inside you, the dreams you keep pushing aside, they matter for a reason. Start where you are, with what you have, and trust that clarity often comes after action, not before it. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty JAY’S DAILY WISDOM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX Join 900,000+ readers discovering how small daily shifts create big life change with my free newsletter. Subscribe here: https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe [https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe]  Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast [https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast]  00:00 Intro 01:21 The Biggest Lie About “Following Your Passion” 02:20 The Myth of Having One True Calling 03:25 Why You Won’t Feel Certain When You Find It 04:06 Your Purpose Doesn’t Have to Be Your Job 05:36 4 Real Places to Look for Your Purpose 11:02 4 Hidden Obstacles That Keep You Stuck 14:50 Stop Trying to “Find” Your Purpose — Start Testing It 16:25 The 1% Rule That Changes Your Direction 17:44 Stop Talking About It, Start Doing the Work  18:43 Your Environment Shapes Your Future 19:39 Discomfort Means You’re on the Right Path 20:27 The One Action to Take in the Next 48 Hours 22:26 The 3 Paths That Lead You to Purpose See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Always “Too Tired” After Work? 5 Shifts to Optimize Your 5–9 and Finally Build the Life You Want

We often tell ourselves that we’ll start pursuing our goals when we have more time, more energy, or more motivation. But the truth is that lasting change is usually built in the small pockets of time we already have. In this episode, Jay explores how the hours after work can directly shape our lives, revealing why so many people feel stuck despite having big dreams for themselves. Through practical insights and personal stories, Jay shares how to break free from autopilot routines, overcome decision fatigue, and create evenings that leave you feeling fulfilled rather than depleted. He reminds us that success is rarely the result of one dramatic decision, but of consistent choices that align with the person we want to become. The life you imagine for yourself may be closer than you think, it starts with how you spend today. In this episode, you'll learn: How to Reclaim Your Evenings How to Break the After-Work Autopilot How to Batch Tasks and Save Time How to Build Energy Instead of Draining It How to Turn Small Actions Into Big Results How to Use Your 5-to-9 to Change Your Life You don't need a perfect plan, endless motivation, or extra hours in the day to start moving your life forward. Real change is often built through small decisions made consistently, especially on the ordinary days when no one is watching. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty JAY’S DAILY WISDOM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX Join 900,000+ readers discovering how small daily shifts create big life change with my free newsletter. Subscribe here: https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe [https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe]  Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast [https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast]  What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 01:19 Spending Your 5-9 Wrong 04:12 Shift #1: Change Your First Habit After Work 06:31 Shift #2: Batch Small Tasks to Avoid Getting Overwhelmed 07:48 Shift #3: Stop Waiting to Feel Good Before Taking Action  10:55 Shift #4: Give Yourself One Meaningful Goal Each Night 12:48 Shift #5: Build Evenings That Help Regain Your Energy 15:49 Make the Right Choices to Spend Your Evenings Right 20:49 Positively Impact Your Future Years 23:04 Work for the Things You Care About See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Emilie Kiser EXCLUSIVE: The Loss That Changed Her Forever

Emilie Kiser sits down with Jay for her first in depth conversation about the loss of her son, Trigg, and what life has looked like in the months after. Emilie speaks candidly about grief, guilt, marriage, motherhood, and the pressure of navigating tragedy while also  living publicly online. Instead of trying to offer perfect answers, this episode focuses on the reality of surviving something life-altering one moment at a time. The conversation also shines a light on the importance of pool safety, prevention, and the measures that can help protect families from unimaginable loss. Emilie opens up about therapy, boundaries, support systems, and the reality that grief doesn’t disappear, it becomes something you learn to carry. It’s a deeply honest conversation about love, accountability, healing, and finding a way to keep living after life changes forever. In this episode you'll learn: How to Live Alongside Grief How to Support Someone After Loss How to Set Boundaries Online How to Grieve Together as a Couple How to Protect Your Children Better How to Heal One Day at a Time How to Show Up for Your Family in Pain Healing doesn’t mean forgetting. Strength doesn’t mean pretending you’re okay. It simply means continuing to love, continuing to show up, and continuing to hope even when life feels different than before.  With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty JAY’S DAILY WISDOM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX Join 900,000+ readers discovering how small daily shifts create big life change with my free newsletter. Subscribe https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe [https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe]   Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast [https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast]  What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 02:51 Life Before Everything Changed 05:30 Losing a Beloved Son 07:21 Searching for Answers After Tragedy 09:41 The Unimaginable Pain of Losing a Child  12:35 Navigating Grief in the Public Eye 14:17 Accepting There May Never Be Answers 15:43 Facing Judgment Online 18:08 What Grief Teaches You About Life 21:45 Learning to Live With Grief 23:51 Dealing With Public Assumptions 28:18 Living With Regret and Raising Awareness 30:33 Why It All Felt So Cruel 32:07 How Do You Heal After Child Loss? 36:00 Surviving Grief Day by Day 38:06 Returning to Work While Grieving 41:01 The Promise That Kept Her Going 44:52 Learning to Forgive Your Partner 49:55 Living With the Void of Loss 51:14 Keeping Trigg’s Memory Alive 53:16 What is The Most Helpful Thing To Say? 55:51 The Biggest Lesson After Loss 58:09 Preventing Another Tragedy  01:03:31 Balancing Privacy and Public Record 01:06:44 Protecting Trigg’s Final Moments  Episode Resources: Website |  YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@emiliekiser [https://www.youtube.com/@emiliekiser]  Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/emilie.henrichsen/ [https://www.facebook.com/emilie.henrichsen/]  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/emiliekiser/ [https://www.instagram.com/emiliekiser/]  TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@emiliekiser [https://www.tiktok.com/@emiliekiser] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.