Achieve Your Goals With Hal Elrod: Success | Productivity | Personal Development | Lifestyle | Business

Have you ever walked into a room or given a presentation and immediately felt awkward? Or maybe you struggle with confidence or imposter syndrome at live gatherings or even on Zoom meetings? If so, this episode is for you.  As you'll hear from today's guest, confidence isn't the absence of awkwardness—it's feeling it, acknowledging it, and showing up anyway. And she has the tools to help you do just that. Vanessa Van Edwards is a behavioral researcher, the founder of Science of People, and the best-selling author of Cues and Captivate. Her 'You Are Contagious' Ted Talk is phenomenal and has over 6 million views for good reason.  Vanessa has spent her career studying the hidden cues and social signals that shape how people perceive us, and how we can take control of those signals to build trust faster and connect more deeply. In our conversation, Vanessa breaks down charisma into a simple, learnable framework: warmth + competence. We talk about the four ways we "signal" others with verbal and physical cues, wh

Rising inflation has turned everyday expenses into a constant source of stress, leaving millions of people stuck living paycheck to paycheck and wondering if they'll ever feel truly "okay" with money. While traditional budgeting plans promise control, they often deliver guilt and overwhelm instead. That's why I'm excited to be joined by Mike Michalowicz, bestselling author of 11 financial books, including the mega-bestseller Profit First, to talk about his newest book, The Money Habit: The Worry-Free Way to Financial Independence. Mike's helped over a million people build real financial peace, and in this conversation, he breaks down what "financial independence" actually means and why the "financial freedom" fantasy can leave you feeling disappointed. We talk about why most people are naturally wired to spend their paycheck fast (and the surprising behavioral science behind it), why budgeting fails for so many people, and the simple "behavioral intercept" that makes managing money feel almost automatic. Mike

If you struggle with sleep, pain, or anxiety, you've probably tried many medications and sleeping pills only to end up frustrated by side effects, poor results, and thinking that you're treating symptoms instead of actually feeling better. That's why I'm excited to welcome back Joe Sheehey, founder of Cured Nutrition and a former aerospace engineer who left his corporate career at Lockheed Martin to improve the lives of millions of people. Joe's path to entrepreneurship was influenced by his own mental health battles, a life-saving turning point in college, and a growing conviction that there has to be a better, more holistic approach to healing than the medications most doctors prescribe. Joe breaks down what cannabinoids like CBD, CBN, and low-dose THC actually do in the body and why the proper dosage is the difference between improving versus feeling anxious and turned off. We talk about how the stigma that clouds people's minds about the health benefits from cannabis keeps people from exploring options th

If you want 2026 to be your best year yet, one of the simplest ways to accelerate personal growth is to let a great book challenge the way you think, lead, love, and live. In today's episode, I'm sharing six (6) books that I believe can genuinely change your life this year. Whether your focus is setting bigger goals, strengthening your marriage, becoming a more effective leader, building a thriving family culture, or shifting your relationship with money, there's something here for everyone. I'll walk you through why each book made the list, what I learned from it, and how you can apply the lessons right away, no matter what time of year it is. And at the end, I'll invite you to share your favorite books that have had an impact on your life. Because the best recommendations often come from like-minded people who are committed to becoming the best versions of themselves. Enjoy! KEY TAKEAWAYS The Best Framework for Your Best Year Ever The Love Dare: Daily Actions That Transform Marriage Wealthy and Well-Known:

If you've been feeling emotionally drained from relationship conflict or disagreeing with people that you love, this episode is for you. Despite how technology and social media have made it incredibly easy to stay connected with family, friends, and our communities, many people feel more divided and disconnected than ever. That's why I'm thrilled to introduce you to Kelsey Blahnik, a clinical social worker and therapist who works on the front lines of emotional and relational tension. From families and friendships to workplaces, in our increasingly divided political culture, Kelsey helps people navigate conflict without losing themselves or the people they care about. Kelsey is the creator and author of The And Way: Assertive Peacemaking in a Divided World, a powerful therapeutic framework that challenges conventional behavior. She explains that most of us believe we have only two options in conflict—fight or flight—when, in reality, there's nuance to consider when choosing the best path forward. We explore h

If you've ever felt trapped in your own thoughts, frustrated by repeating emotional patterns, or exhausted from chasing happiness that never quite lasts, this episode will challenge everything you think you know about personal growth. As today's guest reveals, a lot of our suffering doesn't come from our circumstances—it comes from the unconscious beliefs that shape how we experience reality. Aaron Abke is a spiritual teacher, founder of 4D University, and the author of The Three Beliefs of Ego: A Sufferer's Guide to Freedom. With a background in theology, a masters degree in biblical studies, and millions of followers drawn to his thought-provoking teachings, Aaron offers a rare ability to bridge psychology, spirituality, and ancient wisdom in a way that's both deeply grounded and radically freeing. In our conversation, Aaron breaks down the three (3) core ego beliefs and explains how they quietly drive anxiety and inner conflict. We explore why happiness rooted in outcomes often falls short, how ego resists

As the digital world of AI accelerates faster than ever, it's tempting to automate, optimize, and outsource nearly every part of our lives. But what if the path we're on is, ironically, pulling us further away from a meaningful life and genuine happiness?  In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with my good friend Ryan Levesque to explore a powerful, yet contrarian concept he calls Return to Real—and why it may be the thing we need most when AI is making us feel more disconnected than ever before. Ryan is a renowned entrepreneur, author, and creator of the ASK Method, who has built and scaled several successful companies. His perspective weaves together business strategies, neuroscience, ecology, and spirituality to challenge how we've come to define success and what leads to true happiness and fulfillment. In our conversation, Ryan breaks down three (3) transformative shifts for living well in the age of AI. He explains why the best things in life don't scale, why optimizing for oxytocin is more

If you've ever struggled with challenges in your relationships, emotional triggers, or just feeling stuck in old patterns, you're not alone. Those cycles are hard to break, and it often feels like no matter how hard you try, you end up repeating the same behaviors, sabotaging your goals with limiting beliefs. But as today's guest reveals, you're not broken; this is your subconscious telling you that you're ready to heal. Thais Gibson, PhD, is an author, researcher, and founder of The Personal Development School, whose groundbreaking work has helped millions of people unravel emotional blocks, heal core wounds, and defeat the limiting beliefs that quietly sabotage our lives. Thais is certified in more than a dozen therapeutic modalities and has an extraordinary ability to take complex neuroscience and translate it into simple, actionable tools that anyone can use to change their life from the inside out. In our conversation, Thais explains the science behind why we get stuck, how childhood conditioning shapes

During the holiday season, many people break from their daily routines by staying up late, having drinks, and overeating, and tell themselves they'll get serious again on January 1st. But if you want next year to be the best year of your life, waiting until the new year to begin is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.  In today's episode, I'm sharing why the final weeks of the year are your greatest opportunity to prepare mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually for the future you want to create. The truth is, the decisions you make in December will undoubtedly impact the momentum, mindset, and confidence you carry into the new year. I'll also walk you through some of the practices I'm focusing on right now, including my commitment to 30 minutes of silence every day for 30 days, and how listening to that voice—call it your intuition, your soul, or divine downloads from God—can guide you to make decisions that align with what matters most. Finally, I'll show you how to use your Miracle Morning w

Goldman Sachs recently predicted that up to 300 million jobs could be displaced by AI by 2030, a staggering shift that is already creating overwhelm, exhaustion, and a deep sense of instability for millions of people. People are nervous and afraid, and who can blame them? But what if this moment of uncertainty is actually your chance to reclaim control of your life, your freedom, and your future? Today, I'm joined by my longtime friend Amber Vilhauer—marketing visionary, bestselling book launch strategist, founder of NGNG Enterprises, and one of the most grounded, service-oriented entrepreneurs I've ever met. Amber has helped thousands of authors, leaders, and CEOs build meaningful impact online, all while staying deeply rooted in humanity and connection. In our conversation, Amber shares why AI doesn't have to be a threat, why authenticity and alignment will define the next era of entrepreneurship, and how to navigate the coming wave of job displacement by leaning into your unique strengths, voice, and value

When life feels overwhelming, the natural reaction for most people is to retreat, drift into some form of depression, and assume the pain or challenge they're experiencing is permanent.  But what if the hardest season of your life could become the catalyst for your greatest transformation? Today's episode is all about accessing inner strength, gratitude, and possibility when life tries to knock you down. I'm joined by my good friend Matt Drinkhahn, author of The Eternal Optimist: It's Never Too Late and host of The Eternal Optimist Podcast. Matt is an executive coach to high-performing entrepreneurs, a devoted husband and father, and one of the most genuinely positive human beings I've ever met. But what makes his wisdom so powerful isn't that life has been easy for him—it's that he became an eternal optimist when life literally knocked him down so bad, he could barely walk for 9 months. In our conversation, Matt opens up about the most challenging period in his life when a devastating zipline accident left h

Isn't it easier to feel grateful when life is going well? Everything seems simpler when things are great personally, professionally, financially, and your relationships are thriving. But what about when life gets tough? Maybe you're dealing with a broken heart, struggling to pay your bills, or facing a loved one's hospitalization. In those overwhelming moments, practicing gratitude can feel impossible, but it's also when we need it most. In today's episode, I'm exploring why heartfelt gratitude has its greatest power not when life is easy, but when life is hard—and how  to shift your consciousness from resistance to acceptance. I'll share personal stories from the most difficult moments of my life and how gratitude became the most powerful medicine for peace and healing. Finally, I'll walk you through a simple three-step daily journaling process to help you shift from resistance to acceptance and from suffering to strength. When you learn to practice heartfelt gratitude, you can move beyond surface-level than

When you see someone talking to themself in public, your first thought might be that person is a little crazy and maybe has mental health issues. But what if it's actually one of the most powerful forms of self-leadership? In today's episode, I'll show you how using your own voice can immediately transform your mental and emotional state, elevate your focus, and help you lead yourself through any challenge. I'll share a story about a close friend who inspired me with his daily "self-talk" practice, and how I came to realize he wasn't acting crazy—he was actually being very intentional. Over time, I discovered that speaking affirmations and prayers out loud with intensity, not just thinking them silently, has a far more profound impact on my mental, emotional state, and physical nervous system. Lastly, I'll walk you through a simple 14-day challenge that you can track and rate the impact it's having on you. Because the truth is, silence helps you observe your mind, but your voice can lead it. KEY TAKEAWAYS W

What if aging didn't have to mean slowing down or fading out—but instead became the most vibrant and meaningful chapter of your life? Too many people see 50 and beyond as a slow decline, but the truth is, the way you think, move, and care for your body can completely redefine how you experience your later years. Today, I'm joined by my friend and co-author of The Miracle Morning After 50: A Proven Path to Joy, Vitality, and Purpose for Aging Adults, Dwayne J. Clark. Dwayne is the CEO of Aegis Living and a longevity expert who's spent 40 years studying the daily habits and mindset of over 80,000 people—many who've lived well into their 90s and beyond.  In our conversation, Dwayne shares the powerful lessons he's learned from interviewing dozens of centenarians, how inflammation is a significant factor of aging, and why longevity is as much about attitude and perspective as it is about science.  We also explore how to adapt your Miracle Morning practices to thrive after 50. We talked about how movement, meditat

Feelings of regret can be one of life's heaviest burdens. I'm sure most people have choices and decisions that they've regretted in their lives, and I'm no different. But what I've learned is that regret doesn't have to be a source of suffering; it can be one of our greatest teachers if we let it. In today's episode, I thought I'd share a very personal letter that I recently wrote to my kids about the biggest regrets of my life. Things like all the precious moments that I've missed that I'll never get back, and moving away from loved ones I wish I'd stayed close to. These are the lessons that taught me that family and loved ones should always come first, no matter what. Ultimately, this episode is about learning to release the weight of regret and transform it into wisdom. We can't change the past, but we can use it to shape a more intentional, love-centered future. My hope is that you'll reflect on your own life, forgive yourself for what you can't undo, learn from it, and make different choices moving forwa

I think most people would agree that music, and especially lyrics, is one of the most powerful forms of human expression. If you've ever heard a song that just resonated so strongly with what's going on in your life and made you rethink what truly matters, I think you'll relate to this episode.  Today, I'm talking about a song from Teddy Swims that completely shifted my perspective on love, gratitude, and what's most important in life. At the time, I was in the midst of a petty argument with my wife and dealing with conflict in my marriage. It was a great reminder that, in the end, love and connection in our relationships are what life is all about. So, if you're dealing with some challenging situations in your life, my hope is that this episode inspires you to pause and take a moment, grab your journal, or apply it to your S.A.V.E.R.S., and write down some of the things or people you're grateful for. It worked for me, and I hope it will work for you too. P.S. I also wanted to let you know that you can pre-or

What if the chronic medical issues that you’re struggling with are just being treated at a surface level and the real cause of the illness or autoimmune condition lies much deeper? The unfortunate reality is that traditional healthcare has forced us to accept medications and quick fixes that manage symptoms instead of resolving the root issue. Today’s guest is someone who I trust dearly and has helped me significantly improve my own health and cognitive function. Dr. Philip Oubre is my personal functional medicine doctor, a board-certified physician who helps patients uncover and heal the root causes of chronic illness. After training in conventional medicine, he discovered its limits firsthand and shifted his focus and career to functional medicine which has yielded tremendous results in helping people reverse chronic disease naturally through nutrition, detoxification, and lifestyle optimization. In our conversation, Dr. Oubre outlines the six root causes of chronic illness, dispels some common myths of con

When life knocks us down or tragedy strikes us or our loved ones, it’s easy to think life is unfair and wonder, “Why me?”  But what if your greatest challenges—past and present—are actually divine opportunities for growth and contribution? My good friend, John O’Leary, knows this better than most. At just 9 years old, a gas can exploded, burning 100% of his body, and he was given virtually zero chance of survival. Yet he not only survived, he thrived, and has shared his inspiring story with millions of people around the world.  And if that wasn’t enough, his life story was told in the new Sony Pictures film, Soul on Fire, which was released last week. I took my wife and teenage kids to see it, and we all agreed that it is literally one of the best movies we have ever seen! In today’s podcast episode, John joins me to share many heartfelt life lessons he learned from his father (who passed away 15 days after watching the movie), and he gives the backstory on one of the most powerful things his dad ever said: “

Do you ever find yourself going through life on autopilot—settling for routines, habits, and outcomes that fall short of what you truly want? Without even realizing it, we often accept mediocrity in our health, relationships, work, or personal growth by telling ourselves it’s “good enough” or “better than most.” ​ When we look back on our lives, the last thing anyone wants is to be overwhelmed with regret, wishing we had done things differently, that we hadn’t settled for less, and instead lived in alignment with what mattered most. As a follow-up to last week’s episode, today I’m sharing The Mediocrity Intervention: a five-step process to help you recognize where you’re falling short of what matters most and how to rise above it. I’ll walk you through the five (5) universal reasons we settle and give five simple steps to break free and realign with your highest potential. ​ Mediocrity isn’t an insult—it’s a reality check. And my hope is that this episode will inspire you to raise your standards and take the

If someone asked you if your family, health, or relationships are your top priorities, you’d likely say, “Of course!”. But would your calendar or eating habits tell a different story? Today, I’m going to walk you through a simple three-step process to help you identify, affirm, and live in alignment with what matters most to you. This idea was inspired by a speech I gave at a mastermind, where I felt called to speak not about books or business, but about life’s most important priorities. I’ll share some of my own struggles with being hyper-focused on work and the powerful lessons I learned during my battle with cancer that forced me to reevaluate everything. My hope is that this episode inspires you to pause and reflect on your own life. I encourage you to set aside 10 minutes today to write down what matters most to you, why it matters, and one small change you can make this week to align your schedule with your values. Taking these simple steps now will help to ensure that years from now, you can look back