Intentional Wisdom

Greg Campion

Successful people don't succeed by accident. They rely on systems, routines and habits. On the Intentional Wisdom podcast, Greg Campion interviews high-performers in the worlds of sports, business, academia, and more, to understand the systems powering their success. From morning routines to time management, Greg gets into the weeds with these luminaries to find practical, actionable lessons that you can apply in your own life. - Follow Greg on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregorycampion - Subscribe to the bi-weekly Intentional Wisdom newsletter: https://gregcampion.substack.com/

  1. Ep. 40 - Jon Muedder - Craft, Collaboration & Care

    May 21

    Ep. 40 - Jon Muedder - Craft, Collaboration & Care

    Jon Muedder is the Founder, President and Executive Producer of Caravan, a creative production studio based in the Southeast U.S. In this conversation, Greg & Jon discuss:- Jon’s experience building a business “starting from the closet”- How the EOS system helped Jon organize his business for sustainable growth- How obsession and craft separate A players from B players- Books that have influenced Jon as a leader- The impact on Jon and his family from navigating his son Finn’s diagnosis with a terminal genetic disease called Hunter Syndrome- Health & wellness practices that help Jon maintain balanceFull timestamps here:01:17 – Building a high-end content studio05:47 – When outward success didn’t equal happiness06:55 – Finding and implementing EOS10:34 – Corporate values that actually matter 15:00 – Craft, obsession and differentiating A and B players22:07 – Resources and practices that have made Jon a better leader29:50 – The fallacy of work/life balance33:13 – Finn’s story 47:25 – Health & wellness practices Jon follows to find balance53:51 – One thing Jon has figured out in life Links / resources mentioned in the conversation:Organizations:Caravanhttps://www.wearecaravan.tv/https://www.instagram.com/madebycaravanhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/madebycaravan/Project Alivehttps://projectalive.org/‘Finn': Our Storyhttps://projectalive.org/stories/finnBooks:Traction by Gino WickmanEOS Life by Gino WickmanStrength to Strength by Arthur BrooksWorking Genius Assessment by the Table Group5 Types of Wealth (Not Mentioned but Jon loves this book) by Sahil BloomMake sure to subscribe to Greg's weekly Intentional Wisdom newsletter at gregcampion.substack.com

    57 min
  2. Ep.39 - Andy Rafal - Investor Turned Operator

    Mar 29

    Ep.39 - Andy Rafal - Investor Turned Operator

    In this episode, I sit down with Andy Rafal, CEO of OLI—a 50+ year-old chemical engineering software company operating at the intersection of AI and the physical world. Andy and I have known each other for over 20 years, going back to our early days in New York City. This conversation covers his journey from hedge fund investing at Tiger to becoming an operator and CEO—and the lessons learned along the way. We talk about career transitions, decision-making under uncertainty, and what it really means to build something over the long term. We also dig into how AI is reshaping industries—especially those rooted in the physical world—and why the biggest opportunities may lie in bridging the gap between software and real-world systems. Episode Timestamps 00:00 - Intro + what we cover 02:20 - Andy’s early career path: Cornell, law school, and following curiosity 07:15 - Why he turned down law for Tiger 22:43 - Lessons from Tiger: wins, losses, and what actually matters 28:06 - Why curiosity and lifelong learning are career superpowers 30:22 - The transition from investor → operator — and the difference between analyzing a business vs. building one 37:58 - How COVID reshaped leadership, culture, and strategy 38:26 - Building teams, culture, and long-term thinking 41:01 - Taking over a 50+ year-old company founded by his father 41:31 - The challenge of modernizing a legacy business 44:23 - How AI is impacting engineering, chemistry, and real-world systems 48:29 - The risk of AI “getting things wrong with confidence” 49:46 - Writing publicly, learning in public, and finding a voice as a CEO Key Takeaways Career paths are rarely linear—following curiosity often leads to better outcomes than rigid planningInvesting teaches you how businesses work—but operating teaches you how hard it is to build oneNot every decision needs to be perfect—but you need to update your thinking as new information comes inThe biggest opportunities often sit at the intersection of old systems + new technologyAI will transform industries—but human judgment and real-world context still matter deeplyTaking time to think (and not rushing into the next thing) can be one of the most valuable decisions you makeConnect with Andy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-rafal/ Follow Andy on Substack: https://arafal.substack.com/ If you enjoy conversations like this, I write a weekly newsletter called Intentional Wisdom where I share: Notes on health, performance, and longevityCareer insights and lessons from conversations like thisTools and ideas I’m experimenting withYou can subscribe here: https://gregcampion.substack.com/

    1h 1m
  3. Ep.38 - Jon Finkel - Turning 40+ into a Flex

    07/22/2025

    Ep.38 - Jon Finkel - Turning 40+ into a Flex

    Author Jon Finkel returns to Intentional Wisdom to talk all things middle age—health, family, career, and why doing hard things still matters. Jon shares how he's stayed strong (literally) through his 40s by building non-negotiable habits around fitness, taking up competitive swimming, and doing the work that lights him up. We also talk about the importance of being present as a dad, planning epic vacations, and why training for something—anything—is the ultimate midlife unlock. This is a conversation for anyone who wants to keep showing up with intention as the years stack up. Episode Segments[00:00:00] Intro to Intentional Wisdom & Jon Finkel. [00:00:49] Jon Finkel: "World's Most Sophisticated Meathead." [00:01:09] Tackling middle age: health, fitness, relationships, career. [00:06:00] Friends' fitness/career struggles. [00:07:29] Jon's secret: consistency. [00:08:10] Health as life's foundation. [00:11:29] "Bench o'clock Monday" at "Flex Factory." [00:11:55] Train for specific goals. [00:12:28] Jon back to competitive swimming. [00:16:23] Mobility wake-up call [00:17:49] "Knees Over Toes" program. [00:20:06] From stiff to dunking again. [00:39:50] Tailoring parenting to each child. [00:59:45] "Midlife Male" [01:01:00] Jon's newsletter strategy. [01:13:00] Check out Jon's "Books and Biceps." You can learn more about Jon's work by visiting jonfinkel.com or by following him on Twitter @Jon_Finkel or Instagram @Jon_Finkel. Don't forget to follow Greg on Twitter @gregorycampion and subscribe to his bi-weekly newsletter: https://gregcampion.substack.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating and reviewing Intentional Wisdom wherever you get your podcasts. --

    1h 14m
  4. Ep.36 - Kevin Smith - AI, Podcasts & the Future of Learning

    02/05/2025

    Ep.36 - Kevin Smith - AI, Podcasts & the Future of Learning

    In this episode of Intentional Wisdom, Greg speaks with Kevin Smith, CEO and co-founder of Snipd. They discuss Snipd’s journey, integrating AI to enhance the podcast listening experience, managing the emotional roller coaster of startups, and future ambitions. The conversation also touches on leveraging AI in education and personalized learning. Episode segments: (01:27) - Meet Kevin Smith: CEO of Snipd (04:08) - The Journey of Building Snipd (06:37) - Dealing with the Emotional Roller Coaster of Startups (09:05) - Daily Routines and Wellness Tips (11:16) - How Snipd Enhances Podcast Listening (12:59) - Using Snipd with Readwise and Evernote (15:31) - AI-Powered Podcast Features (27:25) - Future of Podcast Discovery and Learning (37:05) - Innovative Ways to Review Information (37:46) - Creating Custom Podcasts with AI (38:03) - Using AI for Summarizing Content (39:50) - Voice Interaction with AI Models (42:55) - AI in Education and Personalized Learning (45:01) - Future of Audiobooks and Snipd (50:00) - Challenges and Innovations in Podcast Apps (56:00) - Potential Acquisitions and Licensing (58:30) - Final Thoughts and Recommendations   Offer Link to get 1 month for free of Snipd Premium:  https://link.snipd.com/Cx7S/intentionalwisdom Company selling audiobooks with DRM:  https://libro.fm/ Open-source software to get your Audible audiobooks out of the closed Audible system for personal use:  https://getlibation.com/ Travel tips for exploring Zurich & Switzerland (from a Zurich lens):  https://www.notion.so/kevinbensmith/Exploring-Zurich-Switzerland-c466fe4b2f7147cc93544dfac375e5f7 Follow Kevin on Twitter/X: https://x.com/KevinBenSmith Follow Greg: https://x.com/gregorycampion Intentional Wisdom newsletter: https://gregcampion.substack.com

    1h 10m
  5. Ep.35 - Jonathan Goodman - Winning at Business without Winning the Internet

    01/14/2025

    Ep.35 - Jonathan Goodman - Winning at Business without Winning the Internet

    Jonathan Goodman is a successful entrepreneur, author, and host of the popular Obvious Choice podcast, a top podcast for coaches, entrepreneurs, and small business owners. Jon’s been featured in a number of business and fitness publications including Men's Health, Forbes, Entrepreneur, and many more. Over 200 coaches and small business owners in more than 120 countries have purchased business development materials from him. The basis for Jon and Greg’s conversation is Jon’s new book: The Obvious Choice: Timeless Lessons on Success, Profit, and Finding Your Way Jon and Greg took a unique approach to this conversation with Jon analyzing Greg’s side business (Intentional Wisdom) through the frameworks he lays out in the book. Episode timestamps: (04:14) – Doing interesting sh$t in real life (07:50) – Why Jonathan wrote The Obvious Choice (11:46) – Don’t prioritize likes and follows over real customers (14:08) – Analyzing Greg’s business through Jonathan’s frameworks (25:33) – Why coaching may be the business model of the future (40:21) – How trust transcends expertise Follow Jonathan Goodman: • Twitter: @itscoachgoodman • Instagram: @itscoachgoodman • YouTube: Jonathan Goodman • LinkedIn: Jon Goodman • Podcast: The Obvious Choice • Weekly Newsletter: 5 Reps on Friday Get Jonathan’s Latest Book: The Obvious Choice: Timeless Lessons on Success, Profit, and Finding Your Way Follow Greg: Twitter/X @gregorycampion Intentional Wisdom newsletter: gregcampion.substack.com

    56 min
  6. Ep.33 – Oliver Burkeman – Embracing Imperfection & Enjoying Life

    10/08/2024

    Ep.33 – Oliver Burkeman – Embracing Imperfection & Enjoying Life

    In this episode of the Intentional Wisdom Podcast, Greg Campion engages in a deep conversation with Oliver Burkeman, acclaimed author and journalist known for his books '4,000 Weeks' and 'Meditations for Mortals.' They discuss critical life philosophies including the concept of living intentionally, scruffy hospitality, and handling the modern world's overwhelming flow of information. This episode delves into the significance of balancing productivity with enjoyment, the pitfalls of perfectionism, and the importance of accepting life's inherent uncertainties. Episode segments: (02:46) - Why Oliver wrote his new book, Meditations for Mortals (04:36) - The Concept of Imperfectionism (06:56) - Greg’s experience as a “guinea pig” for the new book (18:31) - Why life is more like a Kayak than a Super Yacht (24:38) - Perfectionist Fantasy and Daily Life (34:10) - The Case for 'Daily-ish' (37:31) - Balancing Health and Enjoyment (39:01) - The Problem with Perfectionism (44:31) - People Pleasing and Authenticity (51:35) - Scruffy Hospitality (55:16) - Navigating the Attention Economy (01:03:21) - Applying Insights to Life (01:08:37) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts Related links: - Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman: https://www.amazon.com/Meditations-Mortals-Embrace-Limitations-Counts/dp/0374611998 - Oliver’s Twitter/X account: https://x.com/oliverburkeman - Greg’s newsletter: https://gregcampion.substack.com/

    1h 9m
4.9
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Successful people don't succeed by accident. They rely on systems, routines and habits. On the Intentional Wisdom podcast, Greg Campion interviews high-performers in the worlds of sports, business, academia, and more, to understand the systems powering their success. From morning routines to time management, Greg gets into the weeds with these luminaries to find practical, actionable lessons that you can apply in your own life. - Follow Greg on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregorycampion - Subscribe to the bi-weekly Intentional Wisdom newsletter: https://gregcampion.substack.com/