Thoughtonomy

Grant Gavin

5.0 (3)
SELF-IMPROVEMENT
EVERY TWO WEEKS

Thoughtonomy Podcast, named after the first book published by Entrepreneur, Speaker & Coach, Grant Gavin, will challenge you to question your own thoughts and beliefs that may be holding you back from living a life of fulfilled potential. In a world that wants to think for you, it's important to become consciously aware of how your unconscious thinking patterns may not be serving you well.

26 JAN

Building Emotional Fitness

Welcome to Chapter 6 of the Thoughtonomy Podcast! In this special episode, host Grant Gavin continues this series unpacking each chapter of his book, Thoughtonomy. This week, Grant explores Chapter 6, " Building Emotional Fitness" the second step in reclaiming your thoughts and beliefs from a lifetime of conditioning. Grant dives deep into the core concepts of courage and hacking your thinking. Grant covers the myth of selfishness, the importance of time and managing your energy, and the necessity of prioritizing your well-being in a world that constantly demands your attention. Grant offers actionable tips, gratitude exercises, and a challenge: how to consistently carve out time in your day for self-reflection and growth. He highlights the impact of knowing yourself: “Life doesn’t give you what you expect; life gives you who you are.” Through practical exercises and probing questions, Chapter 6 guides you toward discovering your authentic self, defining your own measure of success, and learning why putting yourself first, without guilt, benefits everyone around you. Whether you feel stuck in the daily grind or are seeking deeper meaning and happiness, this episode will inspire you to strip away the noise, reconnect with your true self, and set your own path for success and fulfilment. ⏱ Timestamped Overview 00:31 – Introducing Chapter Six: Building Emotional Fitness? 01:03 – Understanding the Comfort Zone & Courage. 01:59 – Questioning Conditioned Beliefs. 02:57 – Personal Anecdote: Orlando Conference & Steve Maraboli Quote. 03:46 – Self-Reflection: Who Are You? 06:09 – Defining Success for Yourself. 07:09 – Prioritizing Yourself & Time Management. 08:06 – Energy Management & Practical Tips. 10:03 – Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser. 💬 Quote of the Episode “Life doesn’t give you what you expect. Life gives you who you are.” – Steve Maraboli 👣 Relevant Links Thoughtonomy Book: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/ 🌐 Connect with Thoughtonomy Grant Gavin Website: https://grantgavin.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_gavin0 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggavin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-gavin-9a120a4 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thoughtonomy_Book 🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review! Let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode on social media.

12 min
31/12/2025

Who Are You?

Welcome to Chapter 5 of the Thoughtonomy Podcast! In this special episode, host Grant Gavin continues this series unpacking each chapter of his book, Thoughtonomy. This week, Grant explores Chapter 5, " Who Are You?" the first step in reclaiming your thoughts and beliefs from a lifetime of conditioning. Grant dives deep into the fundamentals of Thoughtonomy, focusing on courage and hacking your thinking, and challenges listeners to push beyond their comfort zones and question inherited beliefs that may be holding them back. Grant covers the myth of selfishness, the importance of time and managing your energy, and the necessity of prioritizing your well-being in a world that constantly demands your attention. Grant offers actionable tips, gratitude exercises, and a challenge: how to consistently carve out time in your day for self-reflection and growth. He highlights the impact of knowing yourself: “Life doesn’t give you what you expect; life gives you who you are.” Through practical exercises and probing questions, Chapter 5 guides you toward discovering your authentic self, defining your own measure of success, and learning why putting yourself first, without guilt, benefits everyone around you. Whether you feel stuck in the daily grind or are seeking deeper meaning and happiness, this episode will inspire you to strip away the noise, reconnect with your true self, and set your own path for success and fulfilment. ⏱ Timestamped Overview 00:31 – Introducing Chapter Five: Who You Are? 01:03 – Understanding the Comfort Zone & Courage. 01:59 – Questioning Conditioned Beliefs. 02:57 – Personal Anecdote: Orlando Conference & Steve Maraboli Quote. 03:46 – Self-Reflection: Who Are You? 06:09 – Defining Success for Yourself. 07:09 – Prioritizing Yourself & Time Management. 08:06 – Energy Management & Practical Tips. 10:03 – Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser. 💬 Quote of the Episode “Life doesn’t give you what you expect. Life gives you who you are.” – Steve Maraboli 👣 Relevant Links Thoughtonomy Book: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/ 🌐 Connect with Thoughtonomy Grant Gavin Website: https://grantgavin.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_gavin0 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggavin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-gavin-9a120a4 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thoughtonomy_Book 🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review! Let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode on social media.

11 min
17/12/2025

Born This Way

Welcome to Chapter 4 of the Thoughtonomy Podcast! In this special episode, host Grant Gavin continues his series unpacking each chapter of his book, Thoughtonomy. This week, Grant explores Chapter 4, "Born this Way," diving deep into the core idea that much of our behaviour and thinking is shaped by our past conditioning, many aspects of which we may not even be aware. Grant reveals the four foundational aspects that influence how we perceive ourselves and the world: the country and era we were born into, our religion, media consumption, and the formative people and communities in our lives. Using personal stories and thought-provoking questions, Grant challenges us to examine the beliefs and patterns we’ve inherited from childhood, and to reflect on whether these are helping or hindering our progress toward the life we want. From reflections on growing up in apartheid South Africa to navigating the influence of media and generational thinking, Grant encourages listeners to be conscious of their mental programming and to actively question and reshape unhelpful beliefs. If you’re ready to challenge your perceptions, reframe your story, and make the unconscious conscious, this episode will give you practical insights and perhaps a few “aha!” moments, to start the journey. ⏱ Timestamped Overview 00:51 – Introducing Chapter Three: Born this Way. 01:51 – The "Born Poor, Die Poor" Quote. 03:51 – The Four Aspects of Conditioning. 04:51 – Country and Environment of Birth. 06:48 – Religion’s Influence. 07:52 – Media’s Impact. 11:08 – Community and Generational Thinking. 13:16 – Questioning Inherited Beliefs 14:33 – Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser. 💬 Quote of the Episode “You can stay a victim, you can stay trapped in a certain way of thinking, but that's never going to benefit you or serve you in terms of the life you want to lead.” – Grant Gavin 👣 Relevant Links Thoughtonomy Book: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/ 🌐 Connect with Thoughtonomy Grant Gavin Website: https://grantgavin.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_gavin0 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggavin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-gavin-9a120a4 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thoughtonomy_Book 🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review! Let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode on social media.

17 min
09/12/2025

Barry Tuck: Navigating AI, Crypto and Personal Branding

Welcome to this episode of the Thoughtonomy Podcast! In this wide-ranging conversation, host Grant Gavin sits down with a longtime friend and dynamic entrepreneur Barry Tuck for a wide-ranging conversation that spans creativity, brand building, digital marketing, and the future of business in a rapidly evolving world. Barry Tuck’s journey as a self-described “guy who does stuff”, a generalist who moved from surf photography to agency ownership, pioneering social media marketing, and later to ventures in blockchain, fintech, and the tokenization of real-world assets. Together, Grant and Barry explore themes drawn from Thoughtonomy: the courage to reinvent yourself, embracing technology like AI and AR in business, the evolving world of crypto, and how cultivating your personal brand can open new doors, even to meeting your life partner. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, agent, or creative looking to future-proof your business, this episode is packed with real-world lessons and encouragement to embrace change, leverage your uniqueness, and keep learning as the digital landscape evolves. ⏱ Timestamped Overview 00:54 – Barry’s beginnings in surf photography, psychology, and transition to photojournalism. 01:48 – Moving from photojournalism into marketing, content creation, and social media. 02:31 – Early adoption of Twitter, building a following, and leveraging celebrity connections. 04:25 – Twitter presence elevated his agency and attracted brand managers and clients. 05:36 – Meeting his wife, Kirstie, via Twitter and the Wonderbra campaign. 08:59 – Use of shock/surprise in marketing, and the importance of brand archetypes. 13:11 – Discussion on differentiation in real estate and the power of authentic social media content. 15:27 – Use of AI tools for marketing efficiency, content creation, and the challenge of updated. 19:02 – Barry’s recommended AI tools, prompt engineering, and using AI as a business partner. 21:06 – Early involvement in crypto, blockchain technology, and the evolution of the space. 23:35 – Crypto investing, risks of meme coins, and importance of utility and research. 28:39 – Asset tokenization and benefits of broader access and transparency. 31:03 – About crypto’s value and differences between cryptocurrencies and asset-backed tokens. 32:54 – Barry’s advice on the importance of holding and researching projects. 35:27 – Resilience, focusing on strengths, and the importance of delegation and systems. 💬 Quote of the Episode “'Be resilient; you’re going to meet all kinds of obstacles but trust the process and stay the course.” – Barry Tuck 👣 Relevant Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrytuck/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barry.tuck Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barrytuck/ 🌐 Connect with Thoughtonomy Grant Gavin Website: https://grantgavin.com/ Thoughtonomy Website: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_gavin0 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggavin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-gavin-9a120a4 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thoughtonomy_Book 🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review! Let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode on social media.

36 min
19/11/2025

The Pebble in Your Shoe

Welcome to Chapter 3 of the Thoughtonomy Podcast! In this special solo episode, host Grant Gavin continues his special series unpacking each chapter of his book, Thoughtonomy. This week, Grant explores Chapter 3, "The Pebble in Your Shoe," diving deep into the hidden beliefs and subconscious patterns that quietly hold us back from our goals. Grant unpacks the powerful metaphor of the pebble in your shoe, a small, persistent discomfort representing self-doubt, fears, and limiting beliefs we often ignore on our personal journeys. Drawing inspiration from the famous quote, "It's not the mountain ahead that wears you out; it's the pebble in your shoe," Grant shares how self-awareness and conscious reflection are the true keys to personal transformation. He encourages listeners to pause, identify these hidden “pebbles,” and make the courageous decision to address them so they can finally break free from self-imposed limitations. With stories from his own life and coaching practice, Grant reminds us that every limiting belief is a decision, one we have the power to change at any moment. If you’ve ever caught yourself saying, “It’s just the way I am,” this episode will challenge you to reconsider, and inspire you to make new choices aligned with the life you want to live. Whether you’re rebuilding after a setback or standing at the start of a daunting new chapter, this episode will empower you to recognize what’s truly holding you back and take decisive action towards your dreams. ⏱ Timestamped Overview 01:01 – Introducing Chapter Three: The Pebble in Your Shoe. 01:56 – The Mountain and the Pebble Metaphor Explained. 03:08 – Living with the Pebble: Unaddressed Pain. 04:14 – Removing the Pebble: Self-Awareness and Universality. 05:25 – Identifying Your Pebble. 06:39 – The Power of Choice and Limiting Beliefs. 07:49 – Personal Experience with Limiting Beliefs. 09:04 – Conditioning and Ongoing Self-Questioning. 10:06 – Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser. 💬 Quote of the Episode “I honestly believe that all of us are imperfectly perfect.” – Grant Gavin 👣 Relevant Links Thoughtonomy Book: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/ 🌐 Connect with Thoughtonomy Grant Gavin Website: https://grantgavin.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_gavin0 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggavin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-gavin-9a120a4 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thoughtonomy_Book 🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review! Let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode on social media.

41 min
05/11/2025

Resilience, Responsibility, & Leadership

Welcome to this episode of the Thoughtonomy Podcast! In this wide-ranging conversation, host Grant Gavin sits down with former Springbok and Sharks stalwart AJ Venter to unpack the messy middle between professional sport and real life. AJ speaks candidly about the hard transition out of rugby, losing most of his savings in the post-2008 property crash, rebuilding a career in business, and why courage and clarity in leadership matter; on the field, in the boardroom, and in South Africa right now. AJ Venter is a former professional rugby player who represented the Springboks and played over 200 matches provincially, most notably for the Sharks and Free State. After retiring, AJ navigated a difficult reinvention, ultimately becoming a shareholder in a UK-based workforce solutions company, Van Wenlock, where he focuses on enterprise client development in the technology and financial sectors. Passionate about resilience, accountability, and community, AJ is also vocal on social platforms about leadership and citizenship in South Africa. The episode highlights on insights for career opportunities, personal growth, and the power of honest conversation. ⏱ Timestamped Overview 00:21 – Who is AJ? Rugby past, more than just rugby. 00:41 – Teams he played for; the one he didn’t: the Bulls. 01:26 – That last-minute 2004 Super Rugby game vs Bulls. 02:15 – Grant and AJ first meet real estate chapter. 03:04 – Only a small % of athletes transition easily; why. 04:09 – Training era shift: from part-time to fully professional. 05:13 – Mid-week learning on off-days wasn’t enough. 05:34 – Retires in 2009 amid the 2008 credit crunch. 06:46 – “Lost almost all my money”; still finding his feet. 07:36 – Brand reality: only a few stars carry it long after. 08:36 – Out of sight, out of mind: brand fades fast. 09:24 – TV extends relevance; inactivity shrinks it. 10:39 – Losing is part of sport MJ example; still a legend. 12:04 – Lessons: dig deep; learn from leaders; near-2004 turnaround. 13:05 – The emotional low; startup stress after rugby. 14:21 – Outside perspectives reframe problems. 15:30 – Starting anyway when it feels like rock bottom. 16:30 – Broadening out: South Africa needs more citizen action. 17:28 – Risks of speaking up; still necessary. 18:58 – His open letter on X; mixed reception. 19:13 – Real risk in SA: safety and family considerations. 20:56 – “Time to be brave in the truth.” 22:40 – 30 years on: acknowledge past, build together now. 25:45 – Shared love of SA; potential and resilience. 27:20 – KZN policing scandal reference; slow change coming. 29:07 – He delivers; leadership requires strength. 30:26 – “Jelly” communication vs a single clear message. 32:07 – All groups suffer when leaders serve self. 34:05 – Shared goal: uplift the poorest; enable dreams. 35:55 – Camaraderie to golf for AJ; why he loves it. 36:39 – His role: open enterprise accounts. 37:52 – Tech contracting market is softer; construction shortages. 39:20 – Loves the work; building across the pond. 39:54 – Book launch story; audiobook timing and energy. 40:49 – Social media opinions can be brutal; still stand up. 💬 Quote of the Episode “Until you do it… it is just talk.” – Matt Peterson 👣 Relevant Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aj-venter-3a99a428/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ajventerSpringbok/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajventer7/ 🌐 Connect with Thoughtonomy Grant Gavin Website: https://grantgavin.com/ Thoughtonomy Website: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_gavin0 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggavin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-gavin-9a120a4 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thoughtonomy_Book 🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review! Let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode on social media.

38 min
01/10/2025

Lucky Gordy on Life and Health

Welcome to this episode of the Thoughtonomy Podcast! In this wide-ranging conversation, host Grant Gavin sits down with Gordon Reid, a Durban-based financial advisor, endurance enthusiast, and community fundraiser. From five surgeries at 40 to finishing Comrades and running 100 km through a game reserve, Gordon shares how a midlife reset turned into a mission: build health, set goals, and use endurance challenges to raise money and momentum for causes that matter. This episode explores personal values, authentic branding, and why accountability and action trump motivation. Gordon Reed is a Durbanite, husband and father of two, and a Discovery financial advisor. Known for rallying support around charities, from CHOC’s “Cows” to conservation initiatives with SANParks Honorary Rangers and Project Rhino, Gordon calls himself an “average guy doing extreme challenges.” His approach blends community, accountability, and practical goal setting, whether he’s training for Comrades, leading in BNI, or advising families on life and health cover. Whether you’re a parent, entrepreneur, advisor, or someone looking for a reset, this episode is a reminder that health is wealth, goals need to be written down, and authenticity is the strongest personal brand. ⏱ Timestamped Overview 00:40 – Intro: Gordon’s background, family, and financial advising. 02:11 – First philanthropy: joining CHOC’s “Cows” after surgeries. 03:23 – Conservation focus: Comrades for Rangers, Rhino Peak Challenge. 04:34 – Midlife reset: fitness journey and “average guy” challenges. 06:29 – Confidence through extreme events and consistent training. 07:52 – Family fuel: daughters on the route and bracelet motivation. 10:23 – Reframing exercise as a privilege, not an obligation. 11:34 – Comrades community, public accountability, inspiration. 13:37 – Everyone has a story: lessons from top performers. 15:16 – Starting hard, momentum builds results over time. 16:39 – Values as a compass for decisions and reducing anxiety. 19:46 – Self-worth, authenticity, and credibility online/offline. 21:47 – Growth mindset: 1% better daily, stretching in business. 22:23 – Career pivot at 47: new studies, life, and health cover. 23:40 – Valuing money: safety, opportunity, and lifestyle goals. 24:27 – Philanthropy: pick a cause, give time, track impact. 25:38 – Supporting tier-2/3 charities and focused giving. 26:50 – Saying no and joining the Run for Rangers story. 28:33 – Recognition: Comrades medal, Advisor of the Year award. 30:18 – Writing down goals and committing to action. 31:32 – Five-year lookback: sliding doors and best decisions. 33:17 – Connecting the dots and seizing opportunities. 35:18 – Health is wealth: stress, loss, and urgency of action. 36:34 – Putting yourself first to serve others better. 💬 Quote of the Episode “Health is the New Wealth.” – Gordon Reid 👣 Relevant Links LinkedIn: Gordon Reid - Discovery Financial Advisor, Vitality Integration Specialist and Commercial Insurance Broker | LinkedIn Facebook: Gords Reid | Facebook Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luckygordy_/ Gordon Reid FGro Website: Gordon Reid | FGro Run for Rangers Website: Home Page - Run For Rangers Endangered Wildlife Trust Website: EWT Home - Endangered Wildlife Trust CHOC / The Cows Charity Website: The Cows - The Cows Jesse Itzler (All Day Running) Website: All Day Running Co. – AllDayRunningCo 🌐 Connect with Thoughtonomy Grant Gavin Website: https://grantgavin.com/ Thoughtonomy Website: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_gavin0 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggavin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-gavin-9a120a4 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thoughtonomy_Book 🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review! Let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode on social media.

40 min
17/09/2025

Lessons from Retailability’s CEO

Welcome to Episode 17 of the Thoughtonomy Podcast! In this insightful conversation, host Grant Gavin sits down with Norman Drieselmann, CEO of Retailability, to unpack one of South Africa’s biggest retail turnaround stories. Norman shares his journey from a young, chartered accountant to a retail leader who spearheaded the acquisition and revival of Edgars, saving thousands of jobs and building one of the country’s largest unlisted fashion retailers. This episode dives into leadership, resilience, scaling businesses, servant leadership, and the bold decisions that shaped Norman’s career and legacy. Whether you’re a young professional, small business owner, or corporate leader, Norman’s story offers practical wisdom on navigating uncertainty, building strong teams, and finding opportunity where others see risk. Norman Drieselmann is the CEO of Retailability, a diversified retail group operating across five African countries with brands including Edgars, Legit, Swagger, Style, and Boardmans. With over 7,500 staff and more than 600 stores, Norman has built Retailability into one of the largest unlisted fashion retailers in South Africa. Known for his strategic vision and servant-leadership style, he played a pivotal role in acquiring and turning around Edgars post-COVID, a move that preserved thousands of jobs in the retail sector. ⏱ Timestamped Overview 00:45 – Introducing Norman Drieselmann: family man, community leader, and CEO of Retailability 03:30 – Retailability explained: 600+ stores, 7,500 staff, and multi-country operations 05:30 – Norman’s shift from chemical engineering to chartered accounting to retail 08:30 – Early career lessons: from Mr Price to Edcon, Massmart, and beyond 11:00 – The Edgars crisis: liquidation fears, jobs at risk, and the opportunity Norman saw 14:20 – Buying Edgars during lockdown: risk, strategy, and “the big five” changes 20:00 – Culture, cost, and customer focus: how Edgars was turned around 24:00 – Riots, floods, and rebuilding: resilience under pressure 28:00 – Leadership lessons: nervous in every board meeting, but prepared and hungry 32:00 – Freedom within a framework: how Norman empowers leaders to scale 36:00 – Leadership style: listening, guiding, and knowing when to step 39:00 – Recognition: Circle of Valour Award at Northwood Boys High 40:00 – What’s next: new formats like Kelso and cellular retail 41:30 – Competing with Shein & Temu: level playing fields and local advantage 43:30 – Advice for young professionals: effort, sacrifice, and seizing every opportunity 45:50 – Advice for small business owners: scalability, systems, and exit readiness 48:20 – Closing thoughts and where to follow Norman online 💬 Quote of the Episode “Worry adds no value. Believe in the plan, focus on the actions, and get it done.” – Norman Drieselmann 👣 Relevant Links LinkedIn: Norman Drieselmann - Retailability (Pty) Ltd | LinkedIn Retailability Website: Retailability (PTY) Ltd 🌐 Connect with Thoughtonomy Grant Gavin Website: https://grantgavin.com/ Thoughtonomy Website: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_gavin0 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggavin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-gavin-9a120a4 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thoughtonomy_Book 🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review! Let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode on social media.

49 min

5

out of 5

3 Ratings

Thoughtonomy Podcast, named after the first book published by Entrepreneur, Speaker & Coach, Grant Gavin, will challenge you to question your own thoughts and beliefs that may be holding you back from living a life of fulfilled potential. In a world that wants to think for you, it's important to become consciously aware of how your unconscious thinking patterns may not be serving you well.

Creator

Grant Gavin
Years Active

2024 - 2026
Episodes

25
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
Show Website

Thoughtonomy