On Purpose with Jay Shetty

Do you feel like people often cut you off when you're talking? When was the last time someone really listened to you? Today, Jay sits down with international keynote speaker and communication coach Vinh Giang for an inspiring conversation about building real confidence and finding your voice. Together, they dive into how the way we speak, and how we feel about speaking, isn’t something we’re born with, but a skill you build through experience, self-awareness, and practice. Vinh breaks down the myth that confident speakers are just born that way. Through his simple “four stages of competence” framework, he explains how with the right tools and consistent practice—anyone can become a powerful communicator, even if you’re naturally shy or introverted. It’s not about changing your personality; it’s about learning to manage your energy and use your voice with intention. Throughout the episode, Vinh shares easy, practical tips, like how to stop people from interrupting you in meetings, how to sound more confident, and how to use your voice to its full potential. One of the most touching parts of the conversation is when Vinh opens up about his father, a refugee who didn’t understand his career choice at first, but later became his biggest supporter. It’s a reminder that communication isn’t just about being heard, it’s also about understanding, connecting, and growing in every part of life. In this interview, you'll learn: How to Move from Shy to Confident with Communication How to Master the Four Stages of Speaking Competence How to Build Self-Awareness with the Record & Review Method How to Boost Vocal Presence and Authority Instantly How to Communicate Effectively as an Introvert How to Reframe “Fake” as “Unfamiliar” When Practicing New Skills Whether you’re a seasoned speaker, a reluctant communicator, or someone simply yearning to be heard, this episode will leave you feeling inspired, equipped, and encouraged to use your voice, not just to speak, but to be seen. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty Unlock your exclusive gift from Vinh Giang, crafted just for the On Purpose community. Visit https://gifts.vinhgiang.com/jayshetty [https://gifts.vinhgiang.com/jayshetty]   Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here [https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe].   Join Jay for his first ever, On Purpose Live Tour [http://jayshetty.me/tour]! Tickets are on sale now. Hope to see you there!   What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 00:29 Are You Struggling to Communicate Clearly? 02:13 The Path to Becoming a Confident Speaker 04:27 Do you have “Unconscious Incompetence?”  06:07 Change Your Habits, Change Your Confidence 08:40 A Simple Way to Build Self-Awareness 12:30 Why You Keep Getting Interrupted (and How to Stop It) 15:57 Why Communication Skills Are More Important Than Ever 19:01 Protecting Your Energy as an Introvert or Extrovert 23:21 How to Create a Routine That Helps You Perform at Your Best 26:25 Why You Cringe at the Sound of Your Own Voice 31:00 What Failure Teaches Us About Growth 35:31 How to Become a Natural Communicator 39:43 Why Mastering Communication Gives You True Freedom 44:49 Vinh’s Most Embarrassing Public Speaking Moment 47:53 Do Accents Hold You Back from Being Understood? 52:57 The Pen-in-Mouth Trick to Sharpen Your Speech 56:20 Don’t Just Learn the Tools, Own Them 59:36 How to Slow Down Your Speech Without Sounding Boring 01:04:45 It’s Not Just What You Say, It’s How People Hear It 01:07:40 Matching Energy: How to Meet People Where They Are 01:13:25 How to Show Up as the Bigger, Bolder Version of Yourself 01:16:02 Why Public Speaking Is Still the #1 Fear 01:18:00 How Filming Yourself Can Instantly Improve Your Speaking 01:25:07 What Makes Steve Jobs’ Speech So Powerful 01:28:35 Why We Sense When Someone Feels Inauthentic 01:34:06 Vinh on Final Five Episode Resources: Vinh Quang Giang | Website [https://www.vinhgiang.com/] Vinh Quang Giang | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/askvinh] Vinh Quang Giang | X [https://x.com/askvinh] Vinh Quang Giang | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@askvinh] Vinh Quang Giang | LinkedIn [https://au.linkedin.com/in/vinhgiang] Vinh Quang Giang | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/askvinh] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

When was the last time you looked back and thought, “If only I knew this earlier”? In this episode, Jay shares the seven life-changing lessons he wishes he’d learned in his teens and twenties—insights that could have reshaped his relationships, career, peace of mind, and sense of purpose. These aren’t just reflections; they’re powerful revelations most of us only discover through struggle, heartbreak, or burnout. Jay dives into what it truly means to speak with intention, to know when it’s time to let go, and to stop outsourcing your self-worth. From learning to stay quiet in a world that rewards noise to realizing that boundaries are an act of self-love—each lesson is a powerful reminder that growth isn’t always about adding more, but about releasing what no longer serves you. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why Saying Less Makes Your Words Matter More. Knowing When It’s Time to Walk Away Why You Should Talk To People, Not About Them. What Stress Reveals About a Person’s True Nature. How to Raise Your Standards Without Guilt. Why Some People Miss the Old You (for the Wrong Reasons). How to Stop Absorbing Others' Emotions and Expectations. This episode is for anyone feeling stuck, overlooked, or overwhelmed. Jay reminds you that you don’t get what you deserve — you get what you accept. And that sometimes the most powerful transformation happens when you choose peace over performance, presence over perfection, and truth over approval. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here. [https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe]  Join Jay for his first ever, On Purpose Live Tour [http://jayshetty.me/tour]! Tickets are on sale now. Hope to see you there!  What We Discussed: 00:00 Intro 01:37 Things I Wish I Knew 03:27 Lesson #1: Speak Less, Say More 11:57 Lesson #2: Let Go Before It Drags You Down 17:34 Lesson #3: Talk to Your Partner, Not About Them 21:43 Lesson #4: Understand the Whole Person, Not Just the Parts You Like 28:05 Lesson #5: You Get What You Tolerate, Not What You Deserve 32:52 Lesson #6: People Cling to the Old You Because It Was Easier to Control 36:22 Lesson #7: “Bad at Texting” Often Means You're Not a Priority See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Do you ever feel like you need to be funny to be liked? How do you handle pressure to always “perform” for others? In this candid, hilarious, and unexpectedly moving episode of On Purpose, Jay sits down with comedian, actor, and podcast superstar Bert Kreischer—famously known for his shirtless stand-up and his ability to keep audiences laughing nonstop. This conversation goes way beyond the jokes as Jay and Bert dive deep into the real stories behind the spotlight, revealing the layers of vulnerability, self-doubt, and emotional growth that make Bert more than just a party-loving comic. Bert shares what it was like growing up with a tough, old-school dad who believed in powering through pain and never showing weakness. That mentality helped shape Bert’s work ethic but also left him carrying emotional weight for years. In one of the most touching moments of the episode, Bert shares how a simple, unexpected conversation with his dad, while they were both high on edibles, changed everything, helping them finally see each other clearly and connect on a deeper level. With Jay’s thoughtful guidance, they unpack Bert’s real-life struggles with anxiety, chasing approval, and feeling like you’re never enough, things so many of us can relate to. Bert is refreshingly honest about his mental health, his parenting ups and downs, and what it's like trying to stay grounded while raising two sharp, hilarious daughters who aren’t afraid to call him out. In this interview, you'll learn: How to Stay Humble While Chasing Big Dreams How to Raise Kids Who Keep You Grounded How to Keep Showing Up Even When It's Hard How to Use Vulnerability as a Superpower How to Manage Anxiety Without Shame How to Turn Criticism into Growth How to Stay Grateful Through Every Stage of Success This episode is full of laughs, a few tear-jerking moments, and plenty of insight into what it really means to show up, be yourself, and keep going, even when it’s hard.  With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here [https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe].   Join Jay for his first ever, On Purpose Live Tour [http://jayshetty.me/tour]! Tickets are on sale now. Hope to see you there!   What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 02:45 The Wildest Plane Stories You’ve Ever Heard 04:25 Why a Marriage Built on Laughter Works 06:01 When Your Family Becomes Your Funniest Critics 07:16 Were You Always the Funny One? 09:08 How Bert Mastered the Art of Storytelling 14:35 Growing Up with a Tough-Love Dad 17:56 What It’s Like Seeing Your Parent Cry for the First Time 20:40 Realizing Your Parents Are Human Too 23:36 When Your Dad Realizes He Can Use Your Fame   24:35 What It’s Like to Share Your Success with Your Parents 29:05 The Lifelong Quest for a Parent’s Approval 35:08 How a 6-Figure Deal with Will Smith Changed Everything 37:20 The Moment You Know You Have to Chase Your Talent 42:50 Embracing the Power of Pressure 44:09 Is There a Pain You Can’t Laugh Through? 47:06 Letting Your Kids See You Cry 49:56 Why the Way You Tell a Joke Matters 51:43 How Your Kids Really See You 54:05 The Challenge of Uninterrupted Family Time 56:51 Just Show Up and Do the Work 01:01:33 Success Was Never a Straight Line 01:07:24 Don’t Let Greatness Become Familiar 01:11:12 Living with Anxiety When Life Doesn’t Slow Down 01:17:26 Building a Healthier Relationship with Alcohol 01:19:29 How Tracking Your Fitness Can Change You 01:22:00 Bert on Final Five Episode Resources: Bert Kreischer | Website [https://www.bertbertbert.com/] Bert Kreischer | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bertkreischer] Bert Kreischer | X [https://x.com/bertkreischer] Bert Kreischer | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@bertkreischer] Bert Kreischer | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@bertkreischer] Bert Kreischer | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/BertKreischer/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

What usually holds you back from starting a conversation? Can you remember a time you avoided someone out of fear of saying the wrong thing? Jay sits down with behavioral researcher and bestselling author Vanessa Van Edwards for a powerful conversation that blends science, honesty, and so many surprising moments. Vanessa, who refers to herself as a “recovering awkward person,” shares how her biggest social struggles became the driving force behind her mission to crack the code on human connection. Together, Jay and Vanessa dive into the fascinating world of charisma, exploring the 97 cues, from eye contact to tone of voice, that quietly shape how we’re seen and understood. Vanessa breaks down why so many of us feel overlooked or underestimated—and introduces “signal amplification bias,” a concept that explains why the signals you think you’re sending might not be landing the way you expect. Vanessa shows us how confidence isn’t always something you’re born with but something you can build, with intention and awareness. The conversation goes even deeper as they unpack the tricky balance between warmth and competence, especially for women in the workplace, and how vulnerability isn’t a weakness, but often your greatest strength. They explore how to create those magic “me too” moments that form instant connections, spot the hidden red flags in communication, and let go of the need to be liked by everyone in order to be truly seen by the right people. In this interview, you'll learn: How to Make a Great First Impression Without Saying a Word How to Break the Ice with a Simple “Hey” How to Balance Warmth and Competence in Any Conversation How to Create Connection Using “Me Too” Moments How to Exit a Conversation Gracefully (Without Offending Anyone) How to Spot a Liar Using Body Language and Micro-Expressions How to Ask Better Questions That Spark Real Conversations How to Recognize the Difference Between Charisma and Manipulation Whether you struggle with social anxiety, want to level up your leadership presence, or are just tired of surface-level small talk, this episode is packed with practical tools and uplifting wisdom to help you connect with more authenticity and power. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here [https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe].   Join Jay for his first ever, On Purpose Live Tour [http://jayshetty.me/tour]! Tickets are on sale now. Hope to see you there!   What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 00:51 From Awkward to Empowered: Overcoming Social Anxiety 02:43 How Do You Really Want People to See You? 06:44 Why Aren’t Your First Impressions Landing? 10:01 Why They’re Not Getting Your Signals (And What to Do About It) 13:33 Want to Be More Attractive? Try Being More Available 15:40 One Simple “Hey” That Can Spark a New Connection 19:16 Your Vibe Teaches People How to Treat You 22:06 Speak with Power: Unlock Your Full Vocal Power 23:47 3 Conversation Starters That Actually Work 29:49 Making Friends Doesn’t Have to Be Hard 31:17 Why Compliments Alone Don’t Build Connection 33:30 Break the Ice Without Sounding Like Everyone Else 38:36 Stop Trying to Be Interesting, Do This Instead 40:48 The Art of a Smooth and Respectful Exit 44:32 Use These Nonverbal Cues to Steer the Conversation 47:41 Spot Inauthentic Behavior Before It Costs You 54:28 Why People-Pleasing Feels Safer But Actually Holds You Back 57:48 How to Tell If Someone’s Lying (Without Saying a Word) 01:00:04 When Narcissists Feel Like the Most Charismatic People 01:03:46 Want to Really Get to Know Someone? Take a Road Trip 01:04:45 How Dopamine Makes You More Memorable 01:08:23 Every Answer Can Be a Gateway to Connection 01:10:51 How Asking Better Questions Inspires Growth 01:13:10 Discover Your Social Battery: Introvert, Extrovert, or Ambivert? 01:15:10 You Might Be an Ambivert and That’s a Superpower 01:19:07 The Two Ways Friendships Evolve Over Time 01:22:30 Choose Friends Who Inspire Awe 01:25:20 The Double Standard Faced by Highly Competent Women 01:33:09 Before You Make That Connection, Ask Yourself This  01:34:34 Life’s Too Short for Shallow Connections, Find Your People 01:36:29 Vanessa on Final Five Episode Resources: Vanessa Van Edwards | Website [https://www.scienceofpeople.com/] Vanessa Van Edwards | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/vvanedwards] Vanessa Van Edwards | X [https://x.com/vvanedwards] Vanessa Van Edwards | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@ScienceOfPeople] Vanessa Van Edwards | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@vvanedwards] Vanessa Van Edwards | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/vvanedwards/] Vanessa Van Edwards | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessavanedwards] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

What’s something that really helps you feel energized in the morning? Do you ever give yourself a moment to reset during the day? Today, Jay shares a powerful reminder, rest isn’t something you need to earn, it’s something you absolutely need. If you’ve ever felt guilty for taking a break or felt like you had to justify a vacation, this conversation challenges that mindset and offers a refreshing shift. Rest is not a luxury, it's the fuel for everything we do. Just like your phone needs to recharge, your body, mind, and soul require consistent, intentional recovery. Jay offers simple, practical habits you can start using right away to feel more rested and centered. From scheduling micro-breaks throughout your day, trying out the box breathing method, to practicing the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique to bring yourself back to the moment, these tools are small shifts that can make a big difference. You’ll also be encouraged to create tech-free spaces, embrace short daily walks in nature, and carve out intentional pauses in your schedule. In this episode, you'll learn: How to Schedule Micro-Breaks Every 60–90 Minutes How to Redefine Rest as a Need, Not a Reward How to Release Guilt and Shame Around Taking Breaks How to Hydrate and Refocus During Short Breaks How to Reframe Rest as a Tool for Productivity and Creativity Making space to breathe, reflect, and recover won’t just help you feel better, it will help you show up better, think clearer, and live more purposefully. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here [https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe]. Join Jay for his first ever, On Purpose Live Tour! Tickets [http://jayshetty.me/tour] are on sale now. Hope to see you there! What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 01:20 When Was The Last Time You Felt Truly Rested? 03:39 Regular Breaks Increase Productivity And Creativity 06:21 Rest Isn't Something You Earn, It’s Something You Need 07:53 #1: Set The Habit Of A Micro Break 11:15 #2: Practice Intentional Breathing Exercises 12:49 #3: Spend Time In A Mindfulness Practice 15:47 #4: Establish Tech-Free Zones in Your Home 18:55 Rest Is A Necessity, Not A Luxury See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.