Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais

Latest Episodes:

How To Live the Good Life - Lessons From The Longest Study On Happiness | Dr. Robert Waldinger Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

What if the most powerful thing you can do for your health isn’t diet or exercise — but investing in the people you love?

Today’s episode is from the Finding Mastery Vault — a timeless conversation with Dr. Robert Waldinger, psychiatrist, Harvard professor, Zen master, and Director of the world’s longest-running scientific study on happiness.

In this conversation, we explore the science of connection — how relationships literally get into our bodies, lower stress, improve our health, and expand our capacity to live well. We also discuss why loneliness can be as dangerous as smoking, and how small acts of social fitness, paired with the courage to be vulnerable, can change the trajectory of your life.

You’ll learn:

How to build “social fitness” and maintain meaningful relationships over time
Why relationships get into our bodies and improve long-term health
The science behind loneliness, stress, and emotional regulation
What it means to live a psychologically rich and purposeful life
How leaders can foster connection and belonging at work

This episode is timeless — and a powerful reminder: no one does it alone.

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Links & Resources

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Olympic Gold Medalist: Other People Were Killing My Confidence (And How I Got It Back) - Caroline Marks Nov 19, 2025

Show notes

What if the key to becoming a champion isn’t about chasing wins—but knowing when to pause, prioritize the inner work, and trust that the rest will follow?

On today’s episode, filmed in front of a live audience at California Surf Club, we sit down with Caroline Marks — the 2023 World Surf League Women’s Champion and 2024 Olympic Gold Medalist. By 23, Caroline has already reached the pinnacle of her sport, becoming one of the most dominant surfers of her generation. But what makes her story remarkable isn’t just the medals—it’s the emotional and psychological work behind them.

In this conversation, Caroline opens up about rebuilding after the heartbreak of Tokyo, the self-doubt that almost sidelined her, and how therapy, family, and faith in herself helped her rediscover her love for surfing. Dr. Mike and Caroline unpack what it means to train not just the body, but the mind—to develop emotional awareness, to redefine success, and to keep the joy alive in high-stakes environments.

You’ll learn:

How to rebuild confidence and purpose after a major setback
Why emotional awareness is the foundation for high performance
The key to balancing ambition with inner peace
How to strengthen trust—in yourself and in others
What it means to find motivation after reaching the top
Why mastering your emotions is a major competitive advantage

This is a powerful look into the mindset of a young champion who’s rewriting what it means to win...inside and out. Tune in to hear how Caroline Marks is defining mastery on her own terms.

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Links & Resources

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMastery

Location: Thanks to California Surf Club, 239 N Harbor Dr, Redondo Beach, CA.

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Beyond Lieutenant Dan: Gary Sinise on Love, Loss & Legacy Nov 12, 2025

Show notes

What if real success is measured not by what you achieve, but by how deeply you give?

On today’s episode, we sit down with Gary Sinise—Emmy Award–winning actor and director best known for his roles in Forrest Gump, Apollo 13, and CSI: New York, and founder of the Gary Sinise Foundation—to explore his lifelong arc from self to service.

Gary takes us back to the accidental spark of belonging he found in high school theater, the early days building Steppenwolf, and the quiet battle with inadequacy that forged a bias for action and leadership. We trace how portraying Lieutenant Dan in Forrest Gump became an inflection point—culminating in a life-altering moment on stage with 2,000 wounded veterans—and how 9/11 transformed his work into a full-fledged mission to support service members and their families.

Gary also opens a tender window into his home front: his wife’s battle with breast cancer and his late son Mac’s courageous 5½-year fight with chordoma. He shares how showing up—again and again—became a practice, a purpose, and a way through grief.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

How to turn inadequacy into action—and why a bias toward doing builds real confidence
The key to shifting from achievement to contribution without losing your drive
How to lead with presence when others seem steps ahead
Why purpose expands through loss—and how faith, family, and service hold the line
What it means to show up as a caregiver and “battle buddy” through life’s hardest seasons
How to transform creativity into service—and why art can be an act of healing

If you’re craving a reminder that meaning is made in the moments we choose to serve, especially when it’s hard, then this conversation will move you.

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Links & Resources

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMastery

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Links: http://garysinisefoundation.org

YT: @macsinise7489

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Bonus Episode: Aaron Lazar & Dr. Michael Gervais on the Mastery of Self and the Journey to Reverse ALS | Impossible Dreams Podcast Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to a special Monday episode on the Finding Mastery channel.

Every once in a while, we come across a story or a person that moves us in a profound way — and this is one of those moments.

Recently, I was invited by Aaron Lazar to join him on his new podcast, Impossible Dreams. Aaron is an incredible human — a Broadway and television actor, singer, and storyteller — who’s facing ALS with extraordinary courage, humor, and grace. He’s also pushing toward an almost unthinkable goal: to become the 64th person on record to ever reverse symptoms from ALS.

I enjoyed the conversation so much that I knew I wanted to share it with you here on Finding Mastery — to raise awareness, and to honor Aaron’s message about purpose, connection, and resilience in the face of life’s hardest challenges.

Takeaways from this episode:

Why mastery of self — not just mastery of craft — changes the way we meet adversity.
How awareness, self-talk, and gratitude can shift what’s possible in any moment.
What it means to move from “my team” to “the team.”
How purpose and love become anchors when life feels uncertain.
The small, daily practices that help us stay grounded, connected, and alive to what matters most.

Enjoy this conversation with Aaron and me, and let it remind you of the strength that lives inside all of us, even in the storm.

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Links & Resources

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMastery

Get exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors!

Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/

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Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine: findingmastery.com/morningmindset!

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Aaron Lazar: http://www.aaronlazar.com and https://www.youtube.com/@ALImpossibleDreams

ALS: www.als.org

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How a $120 Billion Company Thinks Like a Startup | Matt Garman, CEO of Amazon Web Services Nov 05, 2025

Show notes

What if your biggest competitive advantage isn’t how technologically advanced you are — but how psychologically agile your teams are?

On today’s episode, we sit down with Matt Garman — CEO of Amazon Web Services — to dig into the leadership frameworks behind one of the world’s most innovative companies. We cover his “one-way vs. two-way doors” decision model, why “minimum lovable product” beats perfectionism, and how to push autonomy down while keeping trust and security high.

We also explore what’s really slowing AI adoption (and why replacing junior employees with AI is a terrible idea), why documents beat slide decks for high-stakes calls, and the long-view energy bets—including nuclear—that AWS believes will shape innovation and sustainability. Along the way, Matt shares the personal side of leading at speed: family dinners, golf as a reset, and the “support then challenge” cadence that helps teams sustain pace without burning out.

What you’ll learn:

How to use the “one-way vs. two-way doors” framework to make faster, smarter decisions
Why optimism (not naïveté) is a core competitive advantage for innovators
The key to shipping a minimum lovable product customers actually want
The real frictions in AI adoption—and why replacing juniors with AI backfires
Why long-horizon energy bets (including nuclear) matter for innovation and sustainability

If you’re leading in a fast-moving world—or want to—this conversation offers practical frameworks and a shot of grounded optimism to help your team move faster, smarter, and with more heart.

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Links & Resources

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMastery

Get exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors!

Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/

Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter

Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine: findingmastery.com/morningmindset!

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95% of Creative People Struggle With THIS | Wieden+Kennedy's Neal Arthur Oct 29, 2025

Show notes

What if the real challenge of creativity isn’t coming up with ideas… but creating the conditions where people believe in them enough to fight for them?

Today, we sit down with Neal Arthur, Global CEO of Wieden+Kennedy, the iconic creative agency behind culture-shaping work from Nike’s “Just Do It” to Coca-Cola and McDonald’s. Neal leads one of the world’s most inventive creative agencies, yet his lens on creativity isn’t about chasing brilliance. It’s about building the trust, safety, and belonging that allow great ideas to surface — and stick.

We dig into how he unlocks creativity in a world changing rapidly with AI: the tension between stability and risk, how leaders create conditions for honesty, and what AI means for the future of creativity and culture. We also get personal: how growing up feeling “othered” shaped Neal’s obsession with belonging and creative safety, why pressure rarely produces great work, and how optimism, resilience, and humility fuel constant reinvention.

In this episode you’ll learn:

How to create conditions where pressure drops and creativity rises—even on deadline
Why being “in it” with your team beats top-down mandates for great work
The key to using AI right now: shrink the problem, play, tweak, learn
Why “hard on the work, soft on the people” scales creative excellence
How to navigate risk vs. stability when the future (especially with AI) is uncertain

If you care about unlocking world-class ideas in a rapidly changing world, this one is for you.

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Links & Resources

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMastery

Get exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors!

Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/

Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter

Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine: findingmastery.com/morningmindset!

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Body Language Expert: The #1 Habit That Makes You Unforgettable | Vanessa Van Edwards Oct 22, 2025

Show notes

What if the key to deeper connection isn’t in what you say — but in how your body speaks, listens, and moves?

On today’s episode, we sit down with Vanessa Van Edwards — behavioral researcher, bestselling author, and founder of Science of People. A self-described “recovering awkward person,” Vanessa turned social anxiety into a science-backed toolkit anyone can use to improve communication, connection, and leadership. Vanessa studies what happens beneath words: how posture, tone, eye contact, and presence shape how we’re perceived and how we make others feel.

Together, we explore the subtle science of connection — from how warmth and competence support charisma to the micro-cues that determine trust, likability, and confidence. This is an episode for anyone who wants to show up with authenticity, read the room better, and make their communication more impactful.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How to use posture and physical space to project calm confidence
Why warmth must come before competence to build trust fast
How to eliminate vocal fry and question-inflection for stronger communication
The key to spotting and disarming contempt before it festers
How to teach kids “micro social skills” that build courage and connection

It’s a grounded, science-backed guide to showing up with more presence — and helping others feel at ease in your orbit.

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Links & Resources

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMastery

Get exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors!

Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/

Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter

Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine: findingmastery.com/morningmindset!

Follow on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X

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Savannah Bananas: Inside The Banana Ball Phenomenon | Jesse Cole Oct 15, 2025

Show notes

What if instead of chasing a seat at the table, you built an entirely new game — and the world fell in love with it?

On today’s episode, we sit down with Jesse Cole, founder and owner of the Savannah Bananas and creator of Banana Ball. Jesse has built one of the most extraordinary, fast-growing sports movements by breaking every rule in the book. In an era where attention is the hardest currency, he’s turned baseball into a full-blown entertainment experience — part sport, part show, and all heart.

From selling out ballparks across America to giving foster families standing ovations mid-game, Jesse’s vision is driven by one principle: Fans First. He shares the habits and systems behind that mindset — from his “Learn, Change, Plus” culture of constant improvement to the leadership lessons that came from adopting two daughters during COVID. It’s a conversation about leading with joy, embracing risk, and using creativity as a form of love.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How to design sold-out experiences by removing friction — and why iteration beats perfection
Why culture must evolve from “team” to “teammates”
The simple system that keeps the Savannah Bananas innovating nightly
Why “winning” is redefined as a remarkable show and shared joy–not just the score
How Jesse and his wife Emily turned their foster journey into Bananas Foster
What it means to “play your own game” — in business and in life

This is a masterclass in building something meaningful — not by following the rules, but by following your heart.

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Links & Resources

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMastery

Get exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors!

Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/

Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter

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Banana Foster: https://bananasfoster.org/

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NHL Hall Of Famer | From Underdog to Hockey Legend - Luc Robitaille, LA Kings President Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

What if being overlooked; dismissed as too slow or too average, was actually the foundation for becoming one of the greatest of all time?

On today’s episode, we sit down with Luc Robitaille; Hockey Hall of Famer, NHL’s all-time leading left-wing scorer, Stanley Cup champion, and President of the LA Kings. Recorded live at the California Surf Club, Luc pulls back the curtain on the mindset that carried him from ninth-round afterthought to hockey immortality: the daily commitment to get a little better, the discipline to quiet corrosive self-talk, and the belief that being underestimated can be a gift.

Luc’s story is the stuff of legend. In this candid, emotionally intelligent conversation, we dig into self-talk, flow, and the small daily behaviors that compound into greatness—plus how to transition from athlete to executive without losing your edge (or your humanity).

You’ll learn:

How to move from negative mind → positive mind → no mind (flow)
The simple rituals Luc used to build consistency and confidence
Why service to the team is the quickest path out of doubt
How elite organizations align inputs (not just talk about “winning”)
What modern leadership looks like when you prioritize people

If you’ve ever been underestimated—or are leading people who are—this conversation will give you a grounded blueprint for turning doubt into durable confidence.

Links & Resources

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMastery

Get exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors!

Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/

Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter

Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine: findingmastery.com/morningmindset!

Follow on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X

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From Panic Attacks to Prime-Time: Howie Mandel’s Survival Story Oct 01, 2025

Show notes

What if the very thing you’ve been hiding from the world is actually the doorway to real connection?

On today’s episode, we sit down with legendary comedian, TV host, actor, and producer Howie Mandel - best known for Deal or No Deal, America’s Got Talent, and decades of stand-up. But the real story isn’t what Howie does. It’s how he thinks.

In this candid and deeply human conversation, Howie shares his lifelong journey with OCD and anxiety, his complex relationship with performance, and how comedy became both a shield and a bridge. Together with Dr. Mike, he explores what it means to embrace our humanness, manage the noise inside our heads, and show up vulnerably - onstage and off.

You’ll learn:

How Howie Mandel transformed lifelong struggles with OCD and anxiety into creative fuel.
Why vulnerability—even accidental—creates the deepest connections.
How to become “comfortable with discomfort” and why that unlocks mastery.
The difference between chasing fame and living from true contentment.
Why engagement—not achievement—is the real key to a fulfilling life.

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if you brought your hidden self into the light, this episode is your invitation to find out.

Links & Resources

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMastery

Get exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors!

Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/

Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter

Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine: findingmastery.com/morningmindset!

Follow on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.