Lead on Purpose with James Laughlin How to run a business with your spouse - our year in review
Reflecting on the challenges and wins of running a business together, the duo shares personal milestones like their engagement and a memorable family trip. They candidly discuss the pressures of merging work and life, highlighting lessons in communication and boundaries. The couple also unpacks the struggle with digital products and emphasizes the importance of clarity amidst distractions. Finally, they advocate for reclaiming thinking time and share transformative book recommendations for a successful 2026.
39:35
Private Engagement Reveal
- James and Caroline announced they got engaged in September during a walk from Bondi to Coogee with whales breaching.
- They plan to elope in New Zealand next year and asked listeners for location suggestions.
Book Launch Hit Number One
- James launched Habits Of High Performers and aimed for the bestseller list, eventually hitting number one in week one.
- They tested a marketing strategy despite doubts and beat established authors on the list.
South Africa Trip As Personal Win
- James describes a personal trip to South Africa as a meaningful personal win involving family, wildlife, and culture.
- The trip reminded him of his privilege and provided deep personal connection.
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Intro
00:00 • 1min
Why reflect on the year together
01:08 • 3min
Professional wins: growth and the book
03:38 • 2min
The book launch strategy and success
05:50 • 2min
Personal highlights: engagement and travel
07:58 • 1min
Personal wins: fitness and family life
09:23 • 3min
What didn't go well: digital product challenges
12:18 • 56sec
Scaling risk: dependence on front-facing work
13:15 • 1min
Investing in productization and next steps
14:23 • 2min
Personal misses and renewed commitments
16:33 • 3min
Lessons learned: control and locus of influence
19:39 • 2min
Ad break
21:27 • 44sec
Picking battles and parenting lessons
22:12 • 3min
Appreciating simplicity and clarity
24:58 • 3min
Why clarity is rare and social media's impact
27:39 • 3min
Practical clarity tools and values check
30:14 • 2min
Books that shaped their year
31:59 • 5min
Invitation: 2026 goal-setting workshop
36:49 • 2min
Outro
38:37 • 56sec
#74745
Through Shifts and Shocks
Steve Vamos
'Through Shifts and Shocks' by Steve Vamos provides guidance for leaders navigating organizational change and disruption.
The book explores strategies for adapting to uncertainty and building resilience.
It offers insights on fostering innovation and leading with purpose during turbulent times.
Vamos emphasizes the importance of communication, collaboration, and a customer-centric approach.
The book provides practical advice for creating a culture of continuous improvement.
'Through Shifts and Shocks' aims to empower leaders to steer their organizations through challenges and emerge stronger.
#593
• Mentioned in 47 episodes
Main Street Millionaire
How to Create Financial Success
Codie Sanchez
In 'Main Street Millionaire: How to Create Financial Success', Alexzandra De La Iglesia provides a straightforward and accessible four-step process to help entrepreneurs and small business owners achieve financial success.
The book focuses on identifying the ideal customer and implementing strategies to maximize sales, making it easier for anyone to create a strategic plan for financial growth.
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• Mentioned in 136 episodes
Unreasonable Hospitality
The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect
Will Guidara
In 'Unreasonable Hospitality,' Will Guidara shares his experiences as the General Manager of Eleven Madison Park and The NoMad, highlighting the importance of hospitality in any business.
The book emphasizes that simply offering a great product is not enough; organizations must also focus on creating authentic connections and memorable experiences for both customers and employees.
Guidara provides practical advice on setting expectations, managing teams, and adapting to unexpected situations, all while maintaining a commitment to hospitality that goes beyond mere service.
His approach is applicable across various industries, not just limited to restaurants and luxury businesses.
#21
• Mentioned in 331 episodes
The Psychology of Money
Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness
Morgan Housel
In 'The Psychology of Money,' Morgan Housel delves into the psychological and emotional aspects of financial decisions.
The book consists of 19 short stories that illustrate how personal history, worldview, emotions, and biases influence financial outcomes.
Housel emphasizes the importance of behavior over knowledge in managing money, highlighting the power of compounding, the dangers of greed, and the pursuit of happiness beyond mere wealth accumulation.
He advocates for a frugal lifestyle, long-term perspective, and a balanced approach to investing, stressing that financial success is more about mindset and discipline than about technical financial knowledge.
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• Mentioned in 31 episodes
Breaking the habit of being yourself
How to Lose Your Mind and Create a New One
Joe Dispenza
In this book, Dr. Joe Dispenza explains how to break the habit of being yourself by changing your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
He combines insights from quantum physics, neuroscience, brain chemistry, biology, and genetics to show how you can recondition your body and mind to achieve better health and a more fulfilling life.
The book emphasizes the importance of meditation, mental rehearsal, and emotional transformation to override automatic thoughts and feelings.
It provides step-by-step tools to make measurable changes in any area of your life, helping you to live in the present, overcome environmental and temporal limitations, and create a new reality aligned with your desired future.
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• Mentioned in 53 episodes
The Wealth That Money Can't Buy
Robin Sharma
Robin Sharma's "The Wealth That Money Can't Buy" explores the idea that true wealth extends beyond material possessions.
It emphasizes the importance of cultivating strong relationships, pursuing personal growth, and finding meaning in life.
The book encourages readers to prioritize their well-being and create a life of purpose, rather than solely focusing on financial accumulation.
It offers practical strategies for achieving a balanced and fulfilling life, emphasizing the interconnectedness of personal and professional success.
Ultimately, it challenges readers to redefine their understanding of wealth and pursue a life of genuine richness.
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• Mentioned in 65 episodes
The untethered soul
Michael A. Singer
In 'The Untethered Soul', Michael A. Singer explores the nature of the self and how to achieve spiritual growth by recognizing and releasing the inner blockages that prevent us from experiencing true happiness.
The book emphasizes the importance of accepting reality as it is, rather than trying to control or resist it.
Singer provides practical advice on how to manage negative thoughts, cultivate a positive mindset, and live in harmony with the natural flow of life.
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• Mentioned in 31 episodes
Habits of High Performers
Essential principles to thrive in life and work
James Laughlin
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#154
• Mentioned in 118 episodes
The Alchemist
Paulo Coelho
Paulo Coelho's "The Alchemist" is an allegorical novel that follows Santiago, a shepherd boy, on a journey to fulfill his Personal Legend.
The story blends elements of fantasy and realism, exploring themes of self-discovery, following one's dreams, and listening to one's intuition.
Along his journey, Santiago encounters various characters and challenges that teach him valuable lessons about life and the importance of perseverance.
The book's simple yet profound message has resonated with readers worldwide, inspiring them to pursue their passions and embrace the journey.
The Alchemist is a timeless tale of self-discovery and the pursuit of one's dreams.
#12240
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Visualize
Maya Raichoora
Join me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goals
In this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with my partner in life and business, Caroline, for a conversation we usually have off camera.
We look back on 2025 and reflect on what really went well, what didn’t, and the lessons we’ve learned from running a business together while building a life together.
We talk openly about growth, pressure, boundaries, clarity, and why success often looks very different behind the scenes than it does on the outside. We also share a personal update that we haven’t spoken about publicly before.
This episode is honest, reflective, and very real.
What we cover:
- The biggest highs and hardest moments from 2025, personally and professionally
- What running a business together has taught us about communication, boundaries, and trust
- The pressure points that show up when work and life collide, and how we navigate them
- Why clarity is so rare, how distraction keeps people stuck, and what actually helps
- The lessons we’re taking into 2026, and how reflection creates better goals
- A personal milestone that made 2025 one we’ll never forget
If you’re building something meaningful, navigating a relationship alongside ambition, or simply wanting to reflect before setting your next goals, this conversation will give you perspective, reassurance, and a few hard truths you might need to hear.
Here is the list of book recommendations:
Habits of High Performers – James Laughlin
Main Street Millionaire – Cody Sanchez
Unreasonable Hospitality – Will Guidara
The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
Visualize – Maya Raichoora
The Untethered Soul – Michael A. Singer
Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself – Dr. Joe Dispenza
The Wealth Money Can’t Buy – Robin Sharma
Through Shifts and Shocks – Steve Vamos
The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel
- If you’re interested in having me deliver a keynote or workshop for your team contact Caroline at caroline@jjlaughlin.com
Website: https://www.jjlaughlin.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6GETJbxpgulYcYc6QAKLHA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesLaughlinOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameslaughlinofficial/ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/life-on-purpose-with-james-laughlin/id1547874035 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3WBElxcvhCHtJWBac3nOlF?si=hotcGzHVRACeAx4GvybVOQ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslaughlincoaching/
James Laughlin is a High Performance Leadership Coach, Fo
Send me a personal text message
Join me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goals
- If you're interested in booking me for a keynote or workshop, contact Caroline at caroline@jjlaughlin.com