The Greg McKeown Podcast

304. Living Life in Crescendo: Lessons from Matt Gutman's Journey (Part 1)

Jun 4, 2024

Matt Gutman, ABC News Chief National Correspondent and author, shares his gripping journey through trauma and resilience. He reveals the impact of his father's tragic death and his mother's illness on his career. Gutman highlights his battle with panic attacks, detailing a pivotal on-air incident that shifted his path. With candid reflections on midlife adaptations and the high stakes of journalism, he emphasizes the importance of mental health and personal growth amid external pressures. A compelling mix of vulnerability and bravery awaits!

35:43

Episode guests

Matt Gutman

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Early traumas molded Matt Gutman's career path and choices, influencing his resilience and success.

Gutman's struggle with anxiety, panic attacks, and perfectionism underscore the importance of prioritizing mental health.

Deep dives

Early Life Challenges and Trauma

Matt Gutman's childhood was marked by significant trauma, including his mother's battle with illness and his father's tragic death in a plane crash. These experiences shaped his early life, leading to moments of intense grief and periodic struggles with the lasting impact of these events on his mental and emotional well-being. Despite these challenges, Gutman excelled in high school, showcasing a pattern of hyper-achievement followed by moments of personal crisis.

Intro

2min

Shaped by Loss: A Journey Through Grief

8min

The Cycles of Productivity and Lifelong Learning

5min

Midlife Reflections and Journalistic Journeys

10min

Unlocking Sales Potential with Intelligent Data

2min

Navigating Pressure and Public Vulnerability

8min

Confronting Mortality and Personal Reckoning

3min

About the Guest:

Matt Gutman is the ABC News Chief National Correspondent whose career and personal journey have captivated millions. With a coverage history spanning nearly 50 countries, Matt has reported from the battlefields of the Middle East and Eastern Europe to natural disasters and key events in the US. He is the author of "No Time to Panic: How I Curbed My Anxiety and Conquered a Lifetime of Panic Attacks," a candid memoir about his battle with panic attacks. He also authored "The Boys in the Cave," detailing the rescue of the Thai soccer team from a flooded cave. Matt currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.

Episode Summary:

Greg dives deep with ABC News Chief National Correspondent Matt Gutman. Matt shares his enthralling journey reporting from hotspots around the globe and delves into his struggle with anxiety and panic attacks, revealing a facet of his life seldom seen on TV. With a career spanning wars, natural disasters, and pivotal events, Matt's life and career are marked by resilience and remarkable bravery.

Matt discloses the profound impact of early traumas, including the loss of his father in a plane crash and his mother's battle with Hodgkin's disease, on his career choices. He also speaks about his tenure at the Jerusalem Post, the burden of perfectionism, and the eventual on-air panic attack that drastically altered his path. The discussion intricately weaves through themes of mental health, high-stakes journalism, and personal growth, making it a compelling listen for anyone interested in human resilience and storytelling.

Key Takeaways:

The Effect of Early Trauma: Matt shares how the loss of his father and his mother's illness shaped his life and career.
Journalism Adventures: His time at the Jerusalem Post and the intense experiences that characterized his early journalism years.
The Burden of Titles: How the prestigious title of ABC's Chief National Correspondent brought an unexpected pressure that contributed to his panic attacks.
Panic Attack Live on Air: Details of the on-air panic attack during the reporting of Kobe Bryant's helicopter crash and its aftermath.
Mental Health Journey: Insights into how Matt confronted and managed his anxiety and panic attacks through various means, including writing his book.

Notable Quotes:

"With great negligence comes great opportunity."
"My greatest characteristic was grit and pluck. It was chutzpah."
"I felt like I had to achieve to a higher standard, and that put more pressure on me."

Resources:

Books: