You Are Heroic with Brian Johnson

The best big ideas from life-changing books, plus the tools to live them. Brian Johnson helps you move from Theory to Practice to Mastery and flourish in Energy, Work, and Love. More wisdom in less time so you can activate your best, every day. More at heroic.us

Freak Out Lately?: Summary and Lessons (Heroic +1 #2030) 10/21/2026

PNTV: The Confident Mind by Dr. Nate Zinsser 10/20/2026

How to Teach Your Kids Philosophy: Speak Loudly; Use Words When Necessary (Heroic +1 #2029) 10/20/2026

A Tool for Your Mind: Talk to Yourself!! (Don’t Listen!!) (Heroic +1 #2028) 10/19/2026

Want Charisma?: Do These Three Things (Heroic +1 #2027) 10/18/2026

PNTV: The Power of Showing Up by Dan Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson 10/17/2026

PNTV: The Power of Showing Up by Dan Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson 🚀 Start your FREE 7-day trial of Heroic OS: → 👇 Get the Notes on The Power of Showing Up by Dan Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson for FREE to follow along: → In this episode of Philosopher's Notes TV, Brian is back at the chalkboard to unpack why showing up predictably, not perfectly, is the single most powerful thing you can do for your kids. We invite you into the virtual classroom to look inside the Philosopher's Note on The Power of Showing Up by Dan Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson. Subtitled How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired, this book is a deeply researched, deeply human guide from a Harvard-trained psychiatrist and neuroscientist who has shaped Brian's own parenting journey for over 20 years. There are no perfect human beings, and you will not be the first. If you're ready to stop chasing perfection and start showing up predictably for the people who matter most, this episode is your roadmap! Grab a copy of the book on Amazon here: → ⏱️ Video Chapters & Big Ideas Explored: 0:00 — Cold Open: There Are No Perfect Human Beings 0:36 — Introduction: The Power of Showing Up 2:32 — Idea 1: You Don't Need to Be Perfect, Just Predictable 5:14 — Idea 2: The Four S's (Safe, Seen, Soothed, Secure) 8:21 — Idea 3: Show Up, Show Up, Show Up (Creating a Coherent Narrative) 10:55 — Idea 4: Make Deposits in Your Relational Trust Fund 12:16 — Idea 5: History Is Not Destiny 13:35 — Summary & Plus One: Moving from Theory to Practice to Mastery 🧠 Deep Dive: The Core Concepts You Don't Need to Be Perfect, Just Predictable: As Abraham Maslow observed, there has never been one single perfect person, and none of us will be the first. Dan and Tina's core message is to stop chasing perfection and start showing up predictably instead. When you fall short, repair, let it go, and show up for the next moment. It is not about never missing, it is about being predictably awesome. The Four S's: For kids to develop secure attachment, they need to feel safe, seen, soothed, and secure. One of the simplest, most powerful ways to help your kids feel seen is to put your phone away when they come to you with a bid for connection. That single habit shows your kids, your spouse, and everyone around you that they matter more than the screen. /episode/index/show/brianjohnson/id/43220048

What Do You Admire: In YOUR Loved Ones? (Heroic +1 #2026) 10/17/2026

How to Flip the Switch: You Master This Yet? (Heroic +1 #2025) 10/16/2026

PNTV: Raise the Player, Not the Pressure by Brandon Guyer 10/15/2026

PNTV: Raise the Player, Not the Pressure by Brandon Guyer 🚀 Start your FREE 7-day trial of Heroic OS: → 👇 Get the Notes on Raise the Player, Not the Pressure by Brandon Guyer for FREE to follow along: → In this episode of Philosopher's Notes TV, Brian is back at the chalkboard to unpack the ultimate parent-and-coach playbook for raising confident, resilient young athletes. We invite you into the virtual classroom to look inside the Philosopher's Note on Raise the Player, Not the Pressure by Brian's dear friend and former MLB player Brandon Guyer. Subtitled The Parent and Coach Playbook for Confident, Happy Athletes, this tiny-but-mighty book is packed with hard-won wisdom from Brandon's career as a pro ballplayer (and current mental toughness coach for the University of Virginia, formerly with the LA Angels) on how to help our kids fall in love with competition instead of fearing it. If you're ready to trade pressure for presence and help your young athlete become a winner on and off the field, this episode is your roadmap! Grab a copy of the book on Amazon here: → ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 — Cold Open: You Can't Make Winning the Focus 0:40 — Introduction: Raise the Player, Not the Pressure 2:39 — Idea 1: Win the Ultimate Game (Marcus Freeman & Becoming the Best "You") 6:37 — Idea 2: The Fun Factor (Why Kids Really Play, and Magnus Carlsen) 9:01 — Idea 3: The Pressure Paradox (Be a Signal, Not a Source of Stress) 11:03 — Idea 4: The Before, During & After Playbook (Trust Yourself, I Love You, I Love Watching You Compete) 19:31 — Idea 5: Win or Learn (Building Antifragile Confidence) 25:30 — Summary & Plus One: Moving from Theory to Practice to Mastery 🧠 Deep Dive: The Core Concepts Win the Ultimate Game: You can't make winning the focus, you have to make becoming a winner the focus. Brian shares the story of helping Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman and his team win the ultimate game: becoming the best version of themselves, on and off the field. Character equals fate, so teach the cardinal virtues first, and the other wins tend to follow. The Before, During & After Playbook: Brandon's simple three-phase framework turns any competition into a chance to build trust and connection. Before: two words, "trust yourself." During: be a calm, loving signal so your kid knows they're safe no matter how they're playing. After: lead with "I love watching you compete," not a breakdown of their performance. Safety comes before analysis, every time. /episode/index/show/brianjohnson/id/43220038

What’s THE Most Creative Act in the Universe?: Turning Around Glitches (Heroic +1 #2024) 10/15/2026

Now That You Don’t Need To Be Perfect: You Can Be Good (Heroic +1 #2023) 10/14/2026

PNTV: Lives of the Stoics by Ryan Holiday 10/13/2026

You Fall Short Lately?: Bring Forth Your Best!! (Heroic +1 #2022) 10/13/2026

Next-Level Metamorphosis: The Cicada on My Desk (Heroic +1 #2021) 10/12/2026

Raise the Player: Not the Pressure (Heroic +1 #2020) 10/11/2026

PNTV: The Daily Dad by Ryan Holiday 10/10/2026

PNTV: The Daily Dad by Ryan Holiday 🚀 Start your FREE 7-day trial of Heroic OS: → 👇 Get my Notes on The Daily Dad by Ryan Holiday for FREE to follow along: → In this episode of Philosopher's Notes TV, Brian is back at the chalkboard to unpack the ultimate daily playbook for fatherhood, family, and intentional parenting. We invite you into the virtual classroom to look inside the Philosopher's Note on The Daily Dad by Ryan Holiday. Subtitled 366 Meditations on Parenting, Love, and Raising Great Kids, this book is an extraordinary deep dive into becoming the best version of yourself for the people who matter most. Written with Ryan’s trademark Stoic intensity, it delivers a direct kick in the butt for fathers (and mothers!) looking to lead their families with character, discipline, and presence. If you are ready to stop giving lip service to your values and start modeling the exact behaviors you want your children to inherit, this episode is your roadmap! If you are ready to quit making excuses, step out of your comfort zone, and go all-in on showing up for your kids, this episode is your roadmap! Grab a copy of the book on Amazon here: → ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 — Introduction: Meditations on Parenting, Love, and Raising Great Kids 1:53 — Idea 1: Teach by Example (A Little Fellow Is Watching You) 4:48 — Idea 2: Character Equals Fate (Embodying the Cardinal Virtues) 8:30 — Idea 3: Always Be a Fan (Jimmy V & "My Bags Are Packed") 12:27 — Idea 4: Struggling & Enduring (Saying "Good" Jocko-Style to Life's Setbacks) 14:44 — Idea 5: Time Flies (Tempus Fugit & 18 Summers) 18:22 — Summary & Plus One: Moving from Theory to Practice to Mastery 🧠 Deep Dive: The Core Concepts Teach by Example: Your children will listen to some of what you say, but they will watch all of what you do. As Ralph Waldo Emerson famously put it, "Who you are speaks so loudly, I cannot hear what you say." Whether it's your walk, your tone, or your daily habits, your kids are constantly mirroring you. Being worthy of your children's imitation is the single greatest challenge—and commitment—of a parent's life. Always Be a Fan ("My Bags Are Packed"): Ryan shares the powerful story of legendary basketball coach Jimmy Valvano, whose dad packed his bags for the national championship when Jimmy was just a little kid dreaming out loud. Believing in your kids means being their biggest cheerleader, helping them clarify what they want, and using their personal goals to teach them foundational life skills like nutrition, movement, sleep, and focus. /episode/index/show/brianjohnson/id/43220028

The Zone of No Judgment: Yoda Says… (Heroic +1 #2019) 10/10/2026

Believe It: Motivation = Value x Expectancy (Heroic +1 #2018) 10/09/2026

PNTV: The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher 10/08/2026

PNTV: The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher 🚀 Start your FREE 7-day trial of Heroic OS: → 👇 Get my Notes on The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher for FREE to follow along: → In this episode of Philosopher's Notes TV, Brian is back at the chalkboard to unpack a powerful guide to transforming how we communicate in our most important relationships. We invite you into the virtual classroom to look inside the Philosopher's Note on The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher. Subtitled Argue Less, Talk More, this book delivers an extraordinary, science-backed framework written by a seasoned trial lawyer to help you master modern communication. If you are tired of getting pulled into unproductive arguments, losing your emotional control under pressure, or struggling to express your needs, this episode outlines a practical roadmap to reclaim your peace, assert your values, and build deeper connections. If you are ready to quit accepting every invitation to an argument, step out of your comfort zone, and go all-in on mastering your next conversation, this episode is your roadmap! Grab a copy of the book on Amazon here: → ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 — Introduction: Argue Less, Talk More in Your Most Important Relationships 1:38 — Idea 1: Aligning with Your Values (The End-of-Life Funeral Exercise) 5:20 — Idea 2: Rule #1: Say It with Control (Flipping the Switch with Your Breath) 9:15 — Idea 3: Rule #2: Say It with Confidence (Submissive vs. Aggressive vs. Assertive) 12:01 — Idea 4: Rule #3: Say It to Connect (Using the WOOP Method Before You Speak) 16:40 — Idea 5: The 47-Second Masterclass Recap 18:12 — Summary & Plus One: Moving from Theory to Practice to Mastery 🧠 Deep Dive: The Core Concepts Say It with Control, Confidence, and Connection: Jefferson Fisher organizes communication around three essential rules: Say It with Control: When physiological "fight-or-flight" triggers kick in, slow your heart rate down by utilizing a "conversational breath"—taking a deep belly exhale before speaking. Say It with Confidence: Strike the virtuous mean between submissiveness (respecting others but not yourself) and aggressiveness (respecting yourself but not others) by operating with assertiveness (respecting both). Say It to Connect: Always know what you want before entering a dialogue, framing the conversation as an opportunity to learn and deepen the relationship rather than something to prove or win. WOOP Your Conversations: To ensure your next conversation succeeds, apply Gabriele Oettingen’s WOOP process before speaking: define your Wish/Outcome (deepening connection and resolving the issue), identify the Obstacles (getting defensive or aggressive), and establish a clear Plan ("If I feel myself getting heated, then I will take a deep breath"). /episode/index/show/brianjohnson/id/43220018

Turn Up the Heat: It’s Time to Activate (Heroic +1 #2017) 10/08/2026

Be That Guy: Celebratory Love (Again!) (Heroic +1 #2016) 10/07/2026

PNTV: Building a Life Worth Living by Marsha M. Linehan 10/06/2026

Take the Burr Out: Pro Tip for the Day (Heroic +1 #2015) 10/06/2026

Who’s YOUR Angel?: Appreciate How Blessed You Are (Heroic +1 #2014) 10/05/2026

Mundane Miracles: & The Broken Pump (Heroic +1 #2013) 10/04/2026

PNTV: The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins 10/03/2026

PNTV: The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins 🚀 Start your FREE 7-day trial of Heroic OS: → 👇 Get my Notes on The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins for FREE to follow along: → In this episode of Philosopher's Notes TV, Brian is back at the chalkboard to unpack a viral sensation that is revolutionizing how we handle stress and relationships. We invite you into the virtual classroom to look inside the Philosopher's Note on The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins. Subtitled A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About, this book delivers a powerful mental framework for dropping micromanagement and regaining your peace of mind. If you are exhausted from trying to control or change the people around you, this episode outlines a simple two-part philosophy to reclaim your agency, step out of frustration, and focus on what truly matters. If you are ready to quit wasting energy on things you cannot control, step out of your comfort zone, and go all-in on living your own best life, this episode is your roadmap! Grab a copy of the book on Amazon here: → ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 — Introduction: Stop Micromanaging the World Around You 1:09 — Mel Robbins' Collection & The Prom Night Origin Story 2:58 — Idea 1: Let Them (The Rain, Sneakers, and Taco Stand Origin Story) 4:28 — Idea 2: Let Them as a Tool (Ancient Philosophy & Modern Science) 8:45 — Idea 3: Let Me (Taking Proactive Agency Over Your Own Life) 11:42 — Idea 4: Influence Over Motivation (Being the Change You Want to See) 15:13 — Idea 5: A Love Note (You Are the Hero We've Been Waiting For) 16:38 — Summary & Plus One: Moving from Theory to Practice to Mastery 🧠 Deep Dive: The Core Concepts Let Them as a Mind Tool: In ancient Sanskrit, the word mantra literally translates to "a tool of the mind." Repeating "let them" acts as an immediate mental circuit-breaker whenever you find yourself trying to control external situations or people. This connects deeply with Stoicism's core rule—focusing exclusively on what is within your direct power—as well as the Buddhist equation that suffering equals pain times resistance. Let Them + Let Me: The "Let Them" mindset is only the first half of the equation. Once you grant others the freedom to be who they are, you must activate the second part: "Let Me." Rather than staying trapped in criticism or complaining, step into Viktor Frankl's gap between stimulus and response, take proactive agency over your life, and use targeted thinking to define who you aspire to be. /episode/index/show/brianjohnson/id/42950913

Efficient vs. Effective: Tasks vs. People (Heroic +1 #2012) 10/03/2026

Receiving Celebratory Love: Sure Feels Good (Heroic +1 #2011) 10/02/2026

PNTV: How Life Imitates Chess by Garry Kasparov 10/01/2026

PNTV: How Life Imitates Chess by Garry Kasparov 🚀 Start your FREE 7-day trial of Heroic OS: → 👇 Get my Notes on How Life Imitates Chess by Garry Kasparov for FREE to follow along: → In this episode of Philosopher's Notes TV, Brian is back at the chalkboard to unpack the ultimate playbook for applying grandmaster strategy directly to your life. We invite you into the virtual classroom to look inside the Philosopher's Note on How Life Imitates Chess by Garry Kasparov. Written by the legendary world champion and advisor to Netflix’s The Queen's Gambit, this book explores how the deep tactics of the chessboard can help us navigate life's ultimate game. If you are tired of playing on autopilot and ready to learn how to recover your center under intense pressure, refine your personal rating system, and turn setbacks into strategic victories, this episode is for you. If you are ready to quit waiting for talent to carry you, step out of your comfort zone, and go all-in on a life of deep mastery, this episode is your roadmap! Grab a copy of the book on Amazon here: → ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 — Introduction: Playing the Ultimate Game to Win 1:28 — Garry Kasparov's Legacy & The Johnson Family Chess Addiction 2:41 — Idea 1: Overalls & Effort (Why Talent Only Counts for a Fraction) 7:00 — Idea 2: The Inner Game (Recovering Your Center in Under Five Seconds) 10:24 — Idea 3: Rating Systems (Applying Grandmaster Performance Metrics to Daily Life) 12:43 — Idea 4: The Fastest Way to Improve (Reviewing Your Most Painful Losses) 18:21 — Idea 5: The Ultimate Game (A Heartwarming Ritual on the Drive to Tournaments) 22:00 — Summary & Plus One: Unleashing the Heroic Grandmaster Within 🧠 Deep Dive: The Core Concepts Overalls and Effort: Thomas Edison famously remarked that opportunity is often missed because it comes dressed in overalls and looks a lot like hard work. When looking at grandmasters or elite performers, we often fall into the trap of assuming their success is entirely due to natural talent. While talent determines the speed at which we pick up a skill, it is effort that translates talent into skill, and further effort that turns skill into outstanding achievement. Effort ultimately counts twice. The Painful Loss Strategy: If you want to systematically elevate your life, the fastest way to improve is not by adding new habits—it is by identifying and removing your existing mistakes. When working with his grandmaster coach Tamás, the very first homework assignment Emerson was given was to produce his 10 worst, most painful chess losses. By facing our failures directly rather than avoiding them out of shame, we can vacuum up our personal kryptonites and free up immense reserves of human energy. /episode/index/show/brianjohnson/id/42950908

“Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow!”: Me Walking on Rocks (Heroic +1 #2010) 10/01/2026

You Are Heroic with Brian Johnson

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