Next Level University

Latest Episodes:

What Are Things That Feel Like Progress, But Aren’t? (2374) Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

In today’s episode of Next Level University, Kevin and Alan break down a subtle trap that keeps people stuck without realizing it. A quick win, a spike in results, or a moment that feels like momentum can create the illusion of progress when nothing meaningful is actually changing. They challenge how most people measure growth and offer a more accurate way to evaluate whether your actions are producing long-term results.
You will begin to see why short-term changes can mislead you, why consistency outperforms intensity, and how easy it is to mistake activity for real progress. If you have been putting in the effort but still questioning your direction, this episode will help you recalibrate what progress actually looks like.
_______________________
Learn more about:
Join our private Facebook community, “Next Level Nation,” to grow alongside people who are committed to improvement. - https://www.facebook.com/groups/459320958216700
The Next Level Dreamliner is a productivity journal that turns clarity and accountability into consistent action. Grab your copy 👉 https://a.co/d/9fPpxEt
Book Alan’s Business Breakthrough Session. Your first 30-minute coaching call is FREE. Learn how to prioritize success and let your quality of life become the byproduct - https://calendly.com/alanlazaros/30-minute-breakthrough-session
_______________________
NLU is not just a podcast; it’s a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.
For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below. 👇
Website: http://www.nextleveluniverse.com
Instagram:
Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/
Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/
Facebook:
Alan: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
Kevin: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.palmieri.90/

Email:
Kevin@nextleveluniverse.com
Alan@nextleveluniverse.com
LinkedIn:
Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-palmieri-5b7736160/
Alan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/
_______________________
Show notes:
(2:09) What feels like progress but is not
(3:25) Trend line Vs. Short-term results
(6:38) The paradox of feeling like you are losing
(8:41) False progress in events and experiences
(11:14) Sustainability and repeatability matter most
(15:42) Why most people quit too early
(19:13) Outro

Send a text to Kevin and Alan!

🎙️ Hosted by Kevin Palmieri and Alan Lazaros
Next Level University is a top-ranked daily podcast for dream chasers and self-improvement lovers. With over 2,100 episodes, we help you level up in life, love, health, and wealth one day at a time. Subscribe for real, honest, no-fluff growth every single day.

What Should You Tie Your Self-Worth To? (2373) Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

Measure effort, not just outcomes. In this episode, hosts Kevin Palmieri and Alan Lazaros break down why tying self-worth to results creates a fragile foundation for growth. Drawing from years of coaching, personal struggles, and thousands of episodes, they explain why confidence is built through controllable actions such as effort, courage, and keeping promises to yourself.
This conversation reveals the hidden gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it, and why small courageous decisions often become the moments that change a life. Press play and raise the standard you hold yourself to.
_______________________
Learn more about:
Join our private Facebook community, “Next Level Nation,” to grow alongside people who are committed to improvement. - https://www.facebook.com/groups/459320958216700
Book Alan’s Business Breakthrough Session. Your first 30-minute coaching call is FREE. Learn how to prioritize success and let your quality of life become the byproduct - https://calendly.com/alanlazaros/30-minute-breakthrough-session
_______________________
NLU is not just a podcast; it’s a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.
For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below. 👇
Website: http://www.nextleveluniverse.com
Instagram:
Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/
Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/
Facebook:
Alan: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
Kevin: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.palmieri.90/

Email:
Kevin@nextleveluniverse.com
Alan@nextleveluniverse.com
LinkedIn:
Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-palmieri-5b7736160/
Alan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/
_______________________
Show notes:
(5:00) Why results are effects not causes
(6:29) The power of measuring effort instead of outcomes
(12:49) Broken promises and the self-worth cycle
(15:56) Identifying your true level of self-belief
(26:50) One courageous moment can change everything
(29:57) Outro

Send a text to Kevin and Alan!

Ideas Are Useless If… (2372) Mar 15, 2026

Show notes

What if having too many ideas is the real reason you are not making progress?
In today’s episode, Kevin and Alan challenge a common belief in personal development. Many people think success comes from creativity and new ideas. But without execution, ideas quickly turn into distractions that stall real growth. They break down why chasing the next concept can feel productive while quietly preventing long-term results.
This conversation explores the psychology behind endless ideation, the dopamine hit of talking about goals, and why the uncomfortable middle of execution is where most people lose momentum. If you feel busy but not moving forward, this episode may explain why.
_______________________
Episode Reference:
#632 - The Art of Impossible With Steven Kotler
Learn more about:
Book Alan’s Business Breakthrough Session. Your first 30-minute coaching call is FREE. Learn how to prioritize success and let your quality of life become the byproduct - https://calendly.com/alanlazaros/30-minute-breakthrough-session
_______________________
NLU is not just a podcast; it’s a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.
For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below. 👇
Website: http://www.nextleveluniverse.com
Instagram:
Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/
Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/
Facebook:
Alan: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
Kevin: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.palmieri.90/

Email:
Kevin@nextleveluniverse.com
Alan@nextleveluniverse.com
LinkedIn:
Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-palmieri-5b7736160/
Alan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/
_______________________
Show notes:
(1:12) The trap of constantly chasing new ideas
(3:32) Why fear of failure fuels endless ideation
(8:55) Dopamine, validation, and talking about goals
(16:42) The illusion of progress in personal development
(25:53) Choosing fewer ideas and executing consistently
(28:08) Outro

Send a text to Kevin and Alan!

Success Is A Paradox (2371) Mar 14, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Next Level University, Kevin and Alan unpack a truth many people miss about success. It often works like a paradox. The same principles that drive real growth can sound contradictory at first. You must fail to succeed, work hard before you can work smart, and care about results without tying your identity to them.
Drawing from years of coaching, thousands of podcast episodes, and their own experiences building businesses and reaching major goals, Kevin and Alan explain why progress rarely feels the way people expect. The people who grow the most are the ones who learn to hold two opposing truths at the same time. If success has ever felt confusing, this episode may shift how you think about growth.
_______________________
Learn more about:
Join Next Level Live: Level up your life in 2026. Completely virtual, completely transformative (Saturday, April 11, 2026) - https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/next-level-live/
_______________________
NLU is not just a podcast; it’s a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.
For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below. 👇
Website: http://www.nextleveluniverse.com
Instagram:
Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/
Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/
Facebook:
Alan: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
Kevin: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.palmieri.90/

Email:
Kevin@nextleveluniverse.com
Alan@nextleveluniverse.com
LinkedIn:
Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-palmieri-5b7736160/
Alan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/
_______________________
Show notes:
(3:03) Why failure is required for real growth
(6:35) The truth about “don’t sweat the small stuff”
(9:25) Why achieving goals often feels underwhelming
(12:24) Why success can still feel like failure
(17:23) Why you must zoom out to see progress
(21:05) Competing to win vs competing to become
(26:30) Life doesn’t get easier you handle hard better
(31:00) The power of “and” instead of “but”
(34:32) Outro

Send a text to Kevin and Alan!

If You Get Significance From Spending Money… (2370) Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

Build the mindset that creates wealth. In today’s episode, hosts Kevin Palmieri and Alan Lazaros examine a powerful shift most people never make when it comes to money, identity, and long-term success. Many people focus on earning more, but far fewer examine the thinking patterns that shape how money is used, invested, or wasted.
This conversation looks at the difference between short-term emotional decisions and strategic choices that build a stronger future. It also highlights why belief, identity, and personal responsibility influence financial outcomes far more than most people realize. If you want to understand why some people consistently build wealth while others repeat the same financial patterns, this episode challenges the mindset behind every decision involving money.
_______________________
Learn more about:
Where learning turns into action. Join “Next Level Book Club” every Saturday:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMkcuiupjIqE9QlkptiKDQykRtKyFB5Jbhc
Join Next Level Live: Level up your life in 2026. Completely virtual, completely transformative (Saturday, April 11, 2026) - https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/next-level-live/
_______________________
NLU is not just a podcast; it’s a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.
For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below. 👇
Website: http://www.nextleveluniverse.com
Instagram:
Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/
Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/
Facebook:
Alan: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
Kevin: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.palmieri.90/

Email:
Kevin@nextleveluniverse.com
Alan@nextleveluniverse.com
LinkedIn:
Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-palmieri-5b7736160/
Alan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/
_______________________
Show notes:
(3:45) Why giving money feels meaningful but can become unsustainable
(6:03) Sustainable generosity versus reckless generosity
(8:31) Consumer mindset versus investor mindset
(11:36) How investors think about purchases and long-term value
(16:05) Identity shift from consumer to investor
(26:59) Why belief determines whether you invest in the future
(31:20) Outro

Send a text to Kevin and Alan!

EVERYONE Needs This Habit (2369) Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

What if the biggest thing holding you back is the one thing you refuse to measure?
In this episode, Kevin and Alan explain why tracking may be one of the most underrated habits in personal development. After years of coaching and thousands of conversations with high performers, they’ve noticed a consistent pattern. Many people say they want better results, yet they avoid looking closely at the numbers that reveal the truth.
Kevin shares real examples of clients who didn’t realize what was happening in their own finances, while Alan breaks down a few simple metrics that can immediately increase clarity and decision-making. If you want to grow your income, strengthen your discipline, and make smarter choices, this episode challenges a habit most people overlook.
_______________________
Learn more about:
Book Alan’s Business Breakthrough Session. Your first 30-minute coaching call is FREE. Learn how to prioritize success and let your quality of life become the byproduct. - https://calendly.com/alanlazaros/30-minute-breakthrough-session
Join Next Level Live: Level up your life in 2026. Completely virtual, completely transformative (Saturday, April 11, 2026) - https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/next-level-live/
_______________________
NLU is not just a podcast; it’s a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.
For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below. 👇
Website: http://www.nextleveluniverse.com
Instagram:
Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/
Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/
Facebook:
Alan: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
Kevin: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.palmieri.90/

Email:
Kevin@nextleveluniverse.com
Alan@nextleveluniverse.com
LinkedIn:
Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-palmieri-5b7736160/
Alan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/
_______________________
Show notes:
(4:34) The most important habit: Tracking everything
(6:14) Why do people avoid looking at their finances
(10:23) The three financial numbers everyone must track
(11:19) Why systems matter more than income
(16:33) You cannot manage what you do not measure
(18:00) Outro

Send a text to Kevin and Alan!

Feedback Keeps You Humble (2368) Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

In today’s episode of Next Level University, hosts Kevin Palmieri and Alan Lazaros confront a quiet truth about growth: if you are not intentionally getting better, you are slowly getting worse. Most people assume skill stays once it’s earned. It doesn’t. Without consistent reps, honest feedback, and real measurement, performance drifts, and standards quietly slip.
They break down why mile markers matter, why testing yourself keeps you grounded, and how long-term mastery is built through disciplined repetition, not motivation. If you want to stay sharp in life, business, and personal development, this episode may change the way you think about progress.
_______________________
Learn more about:
Join Next Level Live: Level up your life in 2026. Completely virtual, completely transformative (Saturday, April 11, 2026) - https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/next-level-live/
_______________________
NLU is not just a podcast; it’s a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.
For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below. 👇
Website: http://www.nextleveluniverse.com
Instagram:
Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/
Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/
Facebook:
Alan: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
Kevin: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.palmieri.90/

Email:
Kevin@nextleveluniverse.com
Alan@nextleveluniverse.com
LinkedIn:
Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-palmieri-5b7736160/
Alan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/
_______________________
Show notes:
(1:32) Skills degrade without daily repetition
(3:17) Why growth requires mile markers
(6:59) When you change, everything changes
(11:03) The power of thousands of reps
(14:11) Why consistent check-ins prevent drift
(16:17) Mastery requires continuous practice
(18:36) Outro

Send a text to Kevin and Alan!

Don’t Feel Good About Bad Things… (2367) Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

Your feelings are not always your friend. In this episode, Kevin and Alan examine how emotions quietly influence the decisions that shape your results, identity, and future. Drawing from years of coaching, building businesses, and producing thousands of episodes, they highlight a pattern they see constantly. Many people reward themselves emotionally for choices that feel good in the moment but slowly undermine long-term progress.
This episode challenges you to pay attention to what your emotions are reinforcing and whether those signals are aligned with the life you want to build. Listen carefully. The decision that feels good today may deserve a second look.
_______________________
Learn more about:
Book Alan’s Business Breakthrough Session. Your first 30-minute coaching call is FREE. Learn how to prioritize success and let your quality of life become the byproduct. - https://calendly.com/alanlazaros/30-minute-breakthrough-session
Join our private Facebook community, “Next Level Nation,” to grow alongside people who are committed to improvement. - https://www.facebook.com/groups/459320958216700
Join Next Level Live: Level up your life in 2026. Completely virtual, completely transformative (Saturday, April 11, 2026) - https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/next-level-live/
_______________________
NLU is not just a podcast; it’s a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.
For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below. 👇
Website: http://www.nextleveluniverse.com
Instagram:
Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/
Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/
Facebook:
Alan: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
Kevin: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.palmieri.90/

Email:
Kevin@nextleveluniverse.com
Alan@nextleveluniverse.com
LinkedIn:
Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-palmieri-5b7736160/
Alan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/
_______________________
Show notes:
(3:04) Why feelings quietly drive our choices
(5:15) What you tie your self-esteem to matters
(10:18) Good decisions that don’t feel good
(13:40) Why inputs matter more than outcomes
(20:32) The long-term thinking takeaway
(21:24) Outro

Send a text to Kevin and Alan!

Choices And Consequences (2366) Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

Why do small choices today quietly become the life you are living years later?
In today’s episode, Kevin and Alan examine a principle most people overlook. Outcomes rarely appear overnight. They grow from the decisions repeated day after day. Many habits seem harmless in the moment because the consequences take time to surface. That delay is what makes them powerful.
This episode looks at how daily choices shape long-term results and the patterns that influence identity and performance. When you start to see cause and effect more clearly, the way you make decisions begins to shift. Press play and take a closer look at the habits shaping your future. Your next result may already be forming.
_______________________
Learn more about:
Join Next Level Live: Level up your life in 2026. Completely virtual, completely transformative (Saturday, April 11, 2026) - https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/next-level-live/
_______________________
NLU is not just a podcast; it’s a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.
For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below. 👇
Website: http://www.nextleveluniverse.com
Instagram:
Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/
Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/
Facebook:
Alan: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
Kevin: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.palmieri.90/

Email:
Kevin@nextleveluniverse.com
Alan@nextleveluniverse.com
LinkedIn:
Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-palmieri-5b7736160/
Alan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/
_______________________
Show notes:
(1:15) How small choices shape long-term outcomes
(5:39) The compound effect of habits over time
(9:39) Why adversity teaches the long game
(12:23) Choices create consequences
(14:32) Next Level Live event announcement
(15:06) Outro

Send a text to Kevin and Alan!

It Takes Courage To Admit Your Truth (2365) Mar 08, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Next Level University, hosts Kevin Palmieri and Alan Lazaros explore a hard truth about personal growth. You cannot change what you refuse to admit. Drawing from their own experiences building businesses, coaching clients, and producing thousands of episodes, they explain why the ego often protects comfort instead of truth. They unpack how denial and distorted self-perception quietly slow progress, while honest self-awareness becomes the starting point for better decisions and meaningful growth.
If you want stronger results in life, leadership, and personal development, the first step is seeing yourself clearly. Press play and confront the truth that can unlock your next level.
_______________________
Learn more about:
Book Alan’s Business Breakthrough Session. Your first 30-minute coaching call is FREE. Learn how to prioritize success and let your quality of life become the byproduct. - https://calendly.com/alanlazaros/30-minute-breakthrough-session
Track the Work. Earn the Results. To know more about the "Next Level Fitness Accountability Group," reach out.

Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/
Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/

_______________________
NLU is not just a podcast; it’s a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.
For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below. 👇
Website: http://www.nextleveluniverse.com
Facebook:
Alan: https://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros
Kevin: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.palmieri.90/

Email:
Kevin@nextleveluniverse.com
Alan@nextleveluniverse.com
LinkedIn:
Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-palmieri-5b7736160/
Alan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/
_______________________
Show notes:
(3:30) The five stages of facing hard reality
(5:50) How ego protection sabotages success
(9:23) Accepting your strengths and weaknesses
(14:39) Why accurate thinking drives real growth
(17:42) The cost of living in self-deception
(18:31) Accurate data creates better decisions
(20:11) Outro

Send a text to Kevin and Alan!

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