Does completing ten menial tasks compare to completing one meaningful task? On today’s solo episode of Potent, Steven explores the process of how to best prioritize essential tasks by zooming out on life goals and reducing unnecessary actions, as well as challenging the notion that doing and being are mutually exclusive, advocating for a harmonious relationship between external productivity and internal fulfillment. By focusing on time leadership over time management, creating outer order to...

Making Sense (Part 1) | Andy Hickman What are your emotions really trying to tell and how can you use them to teach you? On part one of this two-part episode of Potent, Steven is joined once again by Andy Hickman, founder of hēl, as they explore self-awareness and personal growth through a live therapy workshop, highlighting the mapping of experiences and excavating deep emotions through storytelling, sensing, and clarifying exercises. The two also discuss the transformative power of...

TITLE: What's the Purpose of Your Money | YNAB Founder Jesse Mecham Do you have trouble in your relationship with the money you earn? On today’s episode of Potent, Steven is joined by personal finance expert and founder of YNAB, Jesse Mecham, to discuss the philosophy and principles of YNAB (You Need a Budget), an app designed to help users align their spending with their personal values and goals. Jesse shares his journey of using money intentionally and the benefits of giving every dollar a...

What’s holding you back from reaching your fullest capability for creativity? On today’s episode of Potent, Steven is joined by Syracuse University’s Professor Elizabeth Wimer to discuss a range of topics from providing practical advice for avoiding burnout, to understanding the Pareto principle to identify impactful relationships, fostering creativity through thoughtful practices, and leveraging weak ties for idea generation.  The two also touch on cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset and...

Do you know the real cause of why you procrastinate? On today’s solo episode of Potent, Steven tackles the concept of procrastination, and how while many may view it as a lack of discipline, in reality it’s more rooted as a fear response. Through his experience with the Monk Manual and coaching entrepreneurs over the years, Steven identifies patterns and consequences of procrastination he’s observed, such as feelings of shame and lost potential, while detailing practical strategies like...

Does placing too much importance on personal individualism separate us from each other more than we realize? On today’s episode of Potent, Steven is joined by Joe Rutten, Director of the Benedictine Leadership Institute at Mount Marty University, to discuss the importance and impact of communal monasticism based on the principles of St. Benedict. Joe outlines his role, which involves integrating the Benedictine way of life into the university's curriculum and fostering a community-based...

Are you holding yourself back from knowing the real you? On today’s episode of Potent, Steven is joined by Leslie McDaniel to discuss her lifelong journey of self-awareness through personality typology and core gifts, as well as how her curiosity has shaped her life. Through emphasizing body awareness and presence, the two highlight some of the most common pitfalls in self-awareness pursuits and offer practical advice for living a more potent life.  About Today's Guest Leslie is a...

Where is the unrest in your life truly coming from and what can be done about it? On today’s solo episode of Potent, Steven describes his personal journey with the Monk Manual and shares lessons he’s learned about honesty, dealing with unrest, embracing change, and focusing on serving others to achieve personal growth and reach one's full potential.  About Today's Guest Steven Lawson is the founder and creator of the Monk Manual, a productivity company on a mission to fix productivity by...

What’s stopping you from returning to the truest version of yourself? On today’s episode of Potent, Steven is joined by Kelly Wendorf, founder and CEO of EQUUS, as they talk about rewilding, authenticity, and integrating nature-based experiences for personal and professional development, along with the challenges of finding belonging beyond societal labels, specifically presence, and self-awareness. Throughout the episode, the two also discuss embracing wisdom traditions, opening up to new...

Why isn't your life making sense, and how do you fix it? On today’s episode of Potent, Steven is joined by Andy Hickman, founder of hēl, as they discuss the coaching practice’s core principles for achieving wholeness and alignment by reconnecting with physical senses and innate sensibilities. The two emphasize the importance of moving beyond abstract thought to nurture mental, emotional, and action-oriented aspects collectively, along with highlighting the significance of reflection, writing,...

How can you make discomfort work for, rather than against you? On today's episode of Potent, Steven Lawson and Shannon Huffman Polson, founder of The Grit Institute, explore the transformational power of grit, and how you can build grit in your own life to live into a deeper potential through moving towards rather than away from discomfort, change, and difficulty.  Uncover how discomfort, service, and challenging experiences pave the way for transformation and a more purposeful...

How Can You Redesign Your Internal Programming a Live a Full(er) Life? On today's episode of Potent, Steven Lawson and master coach and podcast host Chris Yonker dive into overcoming trauma, the power of spirituality and self-awareness, the impact of mentorship, and the journey toward self-acceptance and deeper connections. About Today's Guest Chris is a Certified Family Business Advisor accredited through The Family Firm Institute. Chris helps to consciously navigate the challenges of...

What does a more Potent you look like? On today's episode of Potent, Steven Lawson is joined by producer Justin Sinclair to discuss the roots behind the Potent Podcast and how exactly we plan to serve. About Today's Guest Steven Lawson is the founder and creator of the Monk Manual, a productivity company on a mission to fix productivity by serving the whole person, mind + body + spirit. After searching high and low for a more wholistic and fulfilling approach to work and human flourishing, he...

Scaling your life and business On today's episode of Potent, Steven Lawson and Brendan McGurgan discuss behaviors for success in life and business, the importance of mindset, finding purpose in one’s work, and what it takes to scale your life. About Today's Guest Brendan is a global business leader who builds profitable, scalable businesses delivering on his strong personal belief that if you have a wonderful product or service then you have an obligation to bring this to the world.  Over...

How might narrative psychology change your life? On today's episode of Potent, Steven Lawson and Dr. Julie Helmrich dive into how shifting one's internal narratives could provide a hidden opportunity to 'unstuck' oneself and live a more potent life. About Today's Guest Dr Julie Helmrich is a psychologist with over 40 years of helping high achieving individuals, committed couples and small business owners shift narratives so that they can get unstuck around health issues, relationship...

Welcome to Potent, the podcast where we explore transformative ideas and practices to help you live into your unique potential and build a more potent life. I'm your host, Steven Lawson, a whole-person productivity coach and the founder of Monk Manual.  This podcast is brought to you by the Monk Manual. The monk manual is dedicated to providing best-in-class tools for helping you build a more potent life, and experience peaceful being and purposeful doing on a daily basis. If you’d like to be...