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Moonshots Podcast: Superstar mindsets and success habits

Mike Parsons & Mark Pearson Freeland
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The Moonshots Podcast goes behind the scenes of the world's greatest superstars, thinkers and entrepreneurs to discover the secrets to their success. We deconstruct their success from mindset to daily habits so that we can apply it to our lives. Join us as we 'learn out loud' from Elon Musk, Brene Brown to emerging talents like David Goggins.

  1. Bio Hacking Series Begins: Food & Diet Hacks

    16H AGO · BONUS

    Bio Hacking Series Begins: Food & Diet Hacks

    In this episode of The Moonshots Podcast, hosts Mike and Mark dive deep into Michael Pollan’s groundbreaking book In Defense of Food, a manifesto challenging the modern diet culture and the industrial food system. With his iconic mantra, “Eat Food. Mostly Plants. Not Too Much,” Pollan explores how the Age of Nutritionism has hijacked our relationship with food and why it’s crucial to return to real, whole foods. Through insightful clips from Pollan and engaging conversations, Mike and Mark uncover how processed foods and health claims have misled us. They also discuss actionable steps we can take to reclaim our health by eating mindfully. Together, they explore key themes such as:  • 🍎 Pollan’s Mantra: Eat Food. Mostly Plants. Not Too Much  • 🧪 The Age of Nutritionism: The Danger of Breaking Food into Nutrients  • 🛒 The Failure of the Western Diet and How to Navigate Supermarkets  • 🍳 Why Home Cooking is the Best Defense Against Processed Food Join the journey to a healthier lifestyle by reconnecting with natural, whole foods and resisting the deceptive practices of the modern food industry. It’s time to rethink what, how, and why we eat. 🔑 Key Concepts and Insights from the Episode 1️⃣ Eat Food. Mostly Plants. Not Too Much. Michael Pollan’s famous mantra has become a guiding principle for healthier eating. It’s a simple philosophy that cuts through the noise of diet fads and nutritional confusion:  • Eat Food: Focus on real, whole foods, not processed products masquerading as food.  • Mostly Plants: Prioritize fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes, reducing reliance on meat and processed foods.  • Not Too Much: Practice mindful eating and portion control to avoid overeating, a key contributor to the failure of the Western diet. 2️⃣ The Age of Nutritionism: Breaking Food Down into Nutrients Pollan argues that Nutritionism—the obsession with individual nutrients—has distorted how we eat and think about food. Instead of seeing food as a whole experience, we now focus on nutrients like carbs, fats, and proteins, often demonizing some and glorifying others.  • This reductionist approach has allowed the food industry to market processed products with health claims despite being far from healthy.  • Pollan points out the dangers of the “good vs. evil” narrative about food, in which we constantly shift between trends like “low-fat” or “low-carb” without seeing long-term health improvements. 3️⃣ The Failure of the Western Diet Pollan and food journalist Michael Moss discuss how the Western diet—heavy in processed foods, sugars, and refined grains—has led to a public health crisis.  • The modern supermarket is filled with highly processed products designed for convenience but detrimental to health.  • Key takeaway: Returning to home cooking with fresh, whole ingredients is the best way to escape the trap of processed foods and reclaim control over our diets. 4️⃣ Why We Need to Defend Food Pollan passionately argues that defending food is critical to our health and well-being. He reminds us that food is more than just fuel; it’s about culture, community, and connection.  • He urges listeners to pay attention to what they buy and eat, rejecting industrialized, ultra-processed products in favor of real food.  • Mindful eating isn’t just good for health—it’s a revolutionary act against a food system that prioritizes profit over well-being. 🎥 Featured Resources  • 🔗 ⁠Episode Link: Moonshots Podcast - In Defense of Food⁠  • 📚 ⁠Buy the Book In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan (Amazon)⁠  • ▶️ ⁠Watch on YouTube: Michael Pollan - In Defense of Food⁠

    59 min
  2. Brené Brown — Strong Ground

    FEB 8

    Brené Brown — Strong Ground

    When everything feels uncertain, strong leaders don’t tighten their grip—they strengthen their foundation. In Show 284, Mike and Mark unpack Brené Brown’s concept of Strong Ground and why clarity, values, and accountability matter more than ever. You’ll learn how courageous leaders navigate uncertainty, how the Playbacktechnique creates instant alignment, and why most teams struggle with communication in the first place. If leadership feels harder right now, this episode offers a grounded path forward. Strong Ground as the foundation for resilient leadership Courage as a skill set, not a personality trait Navigating uncertainty with clarity and values Alignment before action Communication built on discipline and accountability Strong Ground vs. Inefficient MusclesBrené Brown’s metaphor highlights how leaders overuse urgency, control, or reassurance when they lack a stable core. Strong Ground provides the balance and strength needed to lead calmly under pressure. The Four Skill Sets of CourageRevisiting Dare to Lead, courage is framed as a practice leaders can learn—enabling honest conversations, clear boundaries, and consistent accountability. Diving Into UncertaintyAvoiding discomfort weakens leadership. This segment explores how grounded leaders move toward uncertainty with confidence and curiosity. The Playback TechniquePlayback ensures absolute clarity before moving forward. By restating agreements, teams eliminate confusion and prevent misalignment. Why We Suck at CommunicationCommunication failures stem from a lack of clarity, discipline, and accountability—not from a lack of effort or intelligence. Strong Ground Check: Re-anchor decisions to values during change Playback Before Action: Confirm shared understanding explicitly Courage Practice: Treat bravery as a trainable skill Clarity First: Slow conversations to speed execution Accountability Loops: Define ownership and outcomes clearly Get the book on Amazon https://geni.us/OMvekT Recognize when you’re overcompensating instead of grounding yourself Apply Brené Brown’s courage framework to real leadership challenges Use Playback to eliminate confusion and build trust Improve communication through clarity and discipline Lead with steadiness, even when the environment is unstable Expanded Concepts & InsightsKey ThemesConcepts & BreakthroughsHabits, Tools & Mental ModelsListener TakeawaysBecome a Member of the Moonshots Podcast:https://www.patreon.com/Moonshots

    47 min
  3. Elizabeth Gilbert: Big Magic. Unlock Your Creativity!

    FEB 2 · BONUS

    Elizabeth Gilbert: Big Magic. Unlock Your Creativity!

    This is a repost from the Moonshots archive featuring Elizabeth Gilbert and her book Big Magic. We’re sharing it as a companion to the work of Brené Brown — and ahead of our upcoming episode on Strong Ground. Big Magic is a reminder that creativity doesn’t require fearlessness — only curiosity, courage, and the willingness to show up. In this episode of the Moonshots Podcast, hosts Mike and Mark dive into the enchanting world of Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. This book has inspired countless creatives to live beyond fear and embr ace the magic of creativity. Whether you’re an artist, writer, or someone looking to infuse more creativity into your life, this episode offers a treasure trove of insights and practical advice. Listen and Learn More: • Listen to the Episode: ⁠Episode 143 – Elizabeth Gilbert: Big Magic⁠ • Watch on YouTube: ⁠Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert | Book Summary⁠ • Read a Summary: ⁠Creative Living Beyond Fear – Elizabeth Gilbert | Book Summary⁠• Become a Member: ⁠Support the Moonshots Podcast on Patreon⁠ Episode Highlights:  • What is Big Magic?  • Discover the essence of Big Magic and how Elizabeth Gilbert views creative inspiration as a mysterious force that calls us to engage with it.  • Lessons on Confidence:  • Learn why fear shouldn’t stop you from creating and how permitting yourself to fail can lead to unexpected breakthroughs.  • Explore getting comfortable with your fears rather than overcoming them entirely.  • Lessons on Creating:  • Understand the difference between originality and authenticity and why Gilbert champions the latter as the key to meaningful creative work.  • Find out why finishing your creative projects, even imperfect, is more important than striving for unattainable perfection.  • Final Takeaways:  • Mike and Mark wrap up the episode by discussing embracing your inner creative trickster and why taking yourself too seriously might be the most significant barrier to your creative success. Why You Should Listen: This episode will resonate deeply if you’ve ever struggled with fear, self-doubt, or the pressure to be perfect. Gilbert’s approach to creativity is liberating and empowering, reminding us that the journey is just as important as the destination. Listen and Learn More:  • Listen to the Episode: ⁠Episode 143 – Elizabeth Gilbert: Big Magic⁠  • Watch on YouTube: ⁠Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert | Book Summary⁠  • Read a Summary: ⁠Creative Living Beyond Fear – Elizabeth Gilbert | Book Summary⁠• Become a Member: ⁠Support the Moonshots Podcast on Patreon⁠

    1h 7m

  4. JAN 27 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Crucial Conversations — How to Speak with Clarity, Candor, and Tactical Empathy

    Most personal, professional, and leadership failures don’t come from bad intentions — they come from poor conversations. The words left unsaid. The feedback softened into silence. The tension avoided until it becomes dysfunction. In this Moonshots Master Series, Mike and Mark go deep on the art and discipline of high-stakes conversations — the moments where emotions run high, opinions differ, and outcomes truly matter. Drawing from world-class thinkers like Joseph Grenny, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, and Dale Carnegie, this episode shows why conversation mastery is one of the highest-leverage skills you can develop. This isn’t about winning arguments or manipulating people. It’s about learning how to speak honestly without breaking trust, how to listen beneath the words, and how to turn friction into forward momentum. You’ll discover why: Avoided conversations silently erode performance and relationships Candor without care creates resistance — and care without candor creates mediocrity Empathy, when practiced deliberately, becomes a strategic advantage Genuine curiosity outperforms persuasion every time In this Master Series, you’ll learn how to: Recognize when a conversation becomes “crucial” — before it derails Deliver clear, direct feedback while strengthening relationships Use tactical empathy to surface hidden fears, motivations, and constraints Replace emotional reactions with calm, intentional responses Build conversational habits that compound trust and influence over time This episode reframes communication as a learnable, repeatable skill — not a personality trait. By the end, you’ll approach difficult conversations with confidence, clarity, and control, knowing how to say what matters most without damaging the relationship. If you want better teams, stronger relationships, and real influence — it starts with mastering conversations.

    47 min
  5. Brené Brown: Atlas of the Heart | Emotional Intelligence, Naming Emotions & Values-Based Living

    JAN 26

    Brené Brown: Atlas of the Heart | Emotional Intelligence, Naming Emotions & Values-Based Living

    SEO Title Brené Brown: Atlas of the Heart | Emotional Intelligence, Naming Emotions & Values-Based Living (Moonshots Podcast #283) What if the key to personal growth, better relationships, and stronger leadership isn’t doing more—but understanding what you feel? In Moonshots Podcast Episode 283, Mike and Mark explore Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown, a groundbreaking framework for building emotional intelligence through language, courage, and clarity. Brené challenges us to notice the emotional patterns we repeat—and asks whether avoiding certain feelings is quietly limiting our growth. This episode begins with a powerful intervention: if we want different results in life, we must be willing to feel what we’ve been unwilling to feel before. Drawing on psychology, neuroscience, and lived experience, Brené explains why “naming is taming”—how accurately labeling emotions reduces emotional reactivity and restores choice. Mike and Mark unpack key emotional states such as envy, comparison, and schadenfreude, reframing them through a team mindset inspired by Abby Wambach. Instead of seeing others’ success as a threat, we learn how emotional awareness helps us move from scarcity to connection. The episode closes with a practical exploration of emotional regulation vs. emotional suppression, showing how emotions can become reliable data—guiding us toward values-based decisions, intentional living, and healthier relationships. 📘 Get the book: Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown👉 https://geni.us/zk32Ho4 If you’re interested in: Emotional intelligence and self-awareness Brené Brown’s Atlas of the Heart Naming and understanding emotions Managing envy, comparison, and triggers Living and leading with values This episode offers a clear, grounded roadmap for navigating the emotional landscape of modern life—with more courage and less confusion. 🎧 Listen now and learn how emotions, when understood, become one of your greatest strengths. Become a Member of the Moonshots Podcast:https://www.patreon.com/Moonshots

    52 min
  6. Brené Brown: Essential Wisdom

    JAN 19 · BONUS

    Brené Brown: Essential Wisdom

    Casandra ⁠Brené Brown⁠ is an American professor, lecturer, author, and podcast host. Brown is known in particular for her research on shame, vulnerability, and leadership, and for her widely viewed ⁠TEDx talk in 2010⁠.  Since then she has written six number-one New York Times bestselling books, hosts two podcasts, and has filmed a lecture for Netflix as well as a series about her latest book, Atlas of the Heart on HBO Max. ⁠The Gifts of Imperfection⁠⁠Daring Greatly⁠⁠Rising Strong⁠⁠Braving the Wilderness⁠⁠Dare to Lead⁠⁠Atlas of the Heart⁠Brown holds the Huffington Foundation's Brené Brown Endowed Chair at the University of Houston's Graduate College of Social Work and is a visiting professor in management at McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. Thanks to our monthly supporters

    56 min

  7. JAN 11 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    New Year Resolutions

    Every January starts with big intentions—but most resolutions don’t survive the year. In this episode of the Moonshots Podcast, Mike and Mark explore how to set New Year resolutions that actually stick by shifting the focus from motivation to mastery, from intensity to consistency. Instead of chasing overnight success, this episode breaks down the power of small, repeatable actions through Darren Hardy’s idea of the Compound Effect. You’ll learn why tiny habits, done consistently, outperform dramatic but short-lived bursts of effort—and how this principle applies to health, work, and personal growth. To help you sustain momentum beyond January, Mike and Mark turn to Carol Dweck, exploring the behaviors that build a growth mindset. When challenges appear—and they always do—you’ll discover how leaning into difficulty, rather than avoiding it, becomes the key to long-term progress. As February fatigue sets in, Ryan Holiday offers a powerful reminder: discipline is about what you say no to as much as what you say yes to. This episode reframes discipline not as restriction, but as clarity—protecting what matters most from distraction. Finally, Jim Collins closes the journey with a compelling story on persistence and the value of setting ambitious, long-term goals. You’ll explore whether a Big Hairy Audacious Goal has to feel achievable—and why stretching beyond your comfort zone may be exactly what keeps your resolutions alive. This episode is a practical, mindset-shifting guide for anyone who wants this year to be different—not because of willpower, but because of better systems, smarter goals, and disciplined follow-through.

    52 min
  8. Jon Kabat-Zinn — The 9 Attitudes of Mindfulness (Part Three)

    12/29/2025

    Jon Kabat-Zinn — The 9 Attitudes of Mindfulness (Part Three)

    In the final part of our exploration of Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Nine Attitudes of Mindfulness, Mike and Mark slow things down—intentionally. This episode is an invitation to rest, to release the constant pressure to improve, and to rediscover the power of presence without agenda.Jon opens the conversation by reframing rest itself. True rest, he suggests, is not collapse or avoidance, but a no-agenda way of being—where nothing needs to be fixed, achieved, or optimised. From this place, mindfulness naturally deepens.The episode then explores non-striving, one of the most misunderstood attitudes of mindfulness. Jon reminds us that growth doesn’t come from forcing outcomes, but from allowing life to unfold as it already is. When striving drops away, awareness has room to do its work.From there, Jon reflects on gratitude and generosity, encouraging us to meet each moment with appreciation and to be generous not just with things—but with our time, attention, and energy. These attitudes shift mindfulness from an inward practice to a way of relating to the world.As the episode unfolds, Jon beautifully weaves all nine attitudes together through the lens of heartfulness, showing how mindfulness is not a collection of techniques, but an integrated way of living with presence, compassion, and care.In the closing bonus reflection, Jon turns to mind-wandering and the rehabilitation of the present moment, a cornerstone of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Rather than seeing distraction as failure, he reframes it as an opportunity—each noticing becomes a gentle return to now.This episode matters because it offers an antidote to burnout culture. Instead of pushing harder, it invites us to trust awareness, soften our effort, and remember that the present moment is already enough.🎧 Episode Clips FeaturedIntro — Truly Resting & No AgendaJon introduces the idea of deep rest and what it means to show up without trying to get anywhere.Non-Striving (2:04)Letting go of outcomes and discovering how growth happens naturally when we stop forcing change.Gratitude & Generosity (1:16)Enjoying the moment thoroughly and offering generosity through presence, time, and attention.Heartfulness (1:58)How the nine attitudes interconnect into a lived, embodied practice of mindfulness.Bonus: Rehabilitation of the Moment (3:42)Mind-wandering, awareness, and reclaiming the present moment through MBSR.Become a Member of the Moonshots Podcast:https://www.patreon.com/Moonshots

    52 min
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4.7
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About

The Moonshots Podcast goes behind the scenes of the world's greatest superstars, thinkers and entrepreneurs to discover the secrets to their success. We deconstruct their success from mindset to daily habits so that we can apply it to our lives. Join us as we 'learn out loud' from Elon Musk, Brene Brown to emerging talents like David Goggins.

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