In this episode, I sit down with Alex Pease, a former Navy SEAL whose extraordinary story—both heart-wrenching and deeply inspiring —threads through The Courage Gap. Alex’s journey reveals the truest measure of courage: the willingness to embrace vulnerability and give ourselves grace.

We dive into the universal need to belong, the power of authentic leadership, and why forgiving our failures is essential—not just for healing the past, but for unlocking our future.

If you’ve ever resisted lowering your guard, struggled to make peace with your past, or wished for the courage you admire in others, this conversation is for you. Alex’s insights will challenge, inspire, and remind you that true strength—and the most meaningful connections—come from facing our fears and the parts of ourselves we might otherwise want to hide.

Compelling listening for anyone ready to step into a braver, more authentic life, this is one of my most inspiring conversations.

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In this episode, I unpack a key principle from The Courage Gap—one I learned early in life: “Growth and comfort can’t ride the same horse.” Because while staying in our comfort zones might feel safe, over time, it can slowly cause us to shrink on the vine of our own lives.

I share a few personal stories of my own dance with discomfort, including the time I risked looking like a borderline stalker as I refused to let my fear of feeling awkward keep me from taking the very actions that would open new doors and enable me to travel far… literally!

We’ll explore why the “tyranny of a comfortable life” can keep us stuck, what Maslow observed about our deep need for growth, and how neuroscience shows that even the smallest brave actions can rewire our brains and strengthen our ‘courage muscles’ over time.

If there’s something you’ve been putting off or playing small around, I hope this episode gives you the nudge (or loving kick) you need to step into your ‘courage gap’ and make peace with discomfort!

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In this episode, I speak to General Stanley McChrystal to explore the intersection of courage and character—two mutually reinforcing virtues being put to the test in today’s world. Building on his powerful Foreword for The Courage Gap and themes from his upcoming book On Character, we discuss how to find the courage to do the right thing, particularly when uncertainty is high and there’s a lot at stake. Together, we explore why anchoring to core principles is essential for staying true to ourselves and shaping a better world.

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• Stan’s new book On Character