Behind The Human with Marc Champagne

How different would your life look today if you stopped preparing for “good enough” and started preparing for “extraordinary”?In this conversation, entrepreneur, investor, author, and extreme-preparation evangelist Randall Kaplan opens up about the surprisingly painful origins of his work ethic: childhood bullying, a debilitating stutter, and a long journey toward becoming a clear, confident communicator.Randall shares the exact mental frameworks he used to transform his life — from landing a book deal through a cold email, to becoming a TED speaker, to interviewing some of the world’s most accomplished leaders on his podcast.We explore extreme preparation, the habits that separate average performers from exceptional ones, and why “no” is often just the beginning of the road to “yes.”Timestamps:00:00 — The question that opens every interview: “Who are you?”02:00 — How photography and beaches shaped Randall’s creative identity04:30 — Building Sandee: cataloging 100,000+ beaches around the world06:15 — How a cold email landed Randall a book deal08:00 — Childhood bullying, stuttering, and the start of extreme preparation10:30 — The breakthrough moment at the McDonald’s drive-thru14:00 — How speech therapy reprogrammed his mind and confidence15:30 — The emotional weight and triumph of giving a TED Talk17:00 — Studying the top TED Talks and dissecting what works19:00 — Cutting a 70-minute keynote into 18 minutes21:15 — Why the painful story had to stay in the talk22:00 — The team behind the TED Talk: coaches, comedians, voice experts26:00 — The Roger Love experience and knowing when not to change28:00 — The balance between outside coaching and trusting your intuition30:00 — Extreme preparation in interviewing: The EPT “torpedo question”32:00 — Why most people aren’t prepared — and how to stand out instantly35:00 — Randall’s research process: thousands of pages, distilled37:00 — “If you’re early, you’re on time; if you’re on time, you’re late.”38:00 — When life derails your plans: broken schedules and mental resets40:00 — Gratitude walks and the 40,000-foot reset42:00 — Never send an email when angry — Randall’s practice46:00 — Why AI should assist your preparation, not replace it47:00 — The small details that cost people opportunities50:00 — A coaching story: preventing a $3M mistake52:00 — The doctor who went from zero net worth to $10M in a year54:00 — The difference between success and stagnation: making a plan56:00 — Closing wisdom: “Why you must do what no one else does”****Get your copy of Personal Socrates: Better Questions, Better Life  Connect with Marc >>> Website | LinkedIn | Instagram |*A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip Saunas.🧠  x 🥵 = 😃*Special props 👇Music: Clouds - Joakim KarudSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Humble the Poet (Kanwer Singh) opens up about the years nobody saw — the debt, the failed deals, the fear, the self-judgment — and how these became the foundation for his creative success and his powerful new book, Anxious. We explore his 90-day nervous system reset, what anxiety really is (and isn’t), how to stop outsourcing your safety, and why progress is simple but never easy. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or tangled in your own thoughts, this episode will feel like a blueprint for reclaiming your mind and building real inner capacity.This is mental fitness at its most practical, honest, and human.Timestamps:00:00 — Who are you?01:00 — Humble breaks down the mechanics of words, poetry, and meaning02:00 — Childhood creativity: the first book and early signs of a writer04:00 — Performing for the first time and peeling off the layers of insecurity06:00 — The four-year tunnel: debt, denial, and rebuilding from zero10:00 — Extreme frugality and the financial habits that changed everything14:00 — Fear, creativity, and learning to feed the wallet vs. the ego17:00 — Discovering business as a creative art form23:00 — Harmony vs. balance: reframing how creatives work25:00 — Curiosity as courage: shifting away from fear-based judgment27:00 — How anxiety blocks opportunity — and why the pendulum has swung too far30:00 — Why anxiety is a signal, not a disease32:00 — The 90-day nervous system reset: dopamine, abstinence, and awareness37:00 — Identifying real addictions: validation, reassurance, overthinking42:00 — Sitting with discomfort: the foundation of mental fitness45:00 — Redefining freedom and building inner capacity49:00 — The burn of real growth — and why Humble sticks with it51:00 — The simplest mental fitness practice: sit quietly for 10 minutes54:00 — Simple vs easy, slow progress, and compassionate self-talk****Get your copy of Personal Socrates: Better Questions, Better Life  Connect with Marc >>> Website | LinkedIn | Instagram |*A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip Saunas.🧠  x 🥵 = 😃*Special props 👇Music: Clouds - Joakim KarudSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Diane Kahn, founder of Humans of San Quentin, shares her transformative experiences interviewing over 3,000 incarcerated individuals. She highlights the power of a simple question—'How are you?'—and how it can break down walls of shame. Diane uncovers the reality that many inmates are victims themselves, pointing out media misconceptions about criminals. She emphasizes the importance of empathy and vulnerability, advocating for second chances and providing insight into the healing power of storytelling.

Andy Mills, an award-winning journalist and storyteller, dives deep into themes of meaning, curiosity, and culture's role in shaping our future. He reflects on his transition from ministry to journalism and the power of storytelling in navigating complex human experiences. Mills emphasizes the need for curiosity amidst societal polarization and discusses his transformative reporting in South Sudan. He also explores his groundbreaking AI series, The Last Invention, advocating for a long-term narrative on technology's impact and the importance of cultural change in addressing global issues.

Tony Conrad, a partner at True Ventures, shares insights from his extensive career in early-stage investing. He delves into the rapid changes brought on by AI and the need for adaptability in today’s world. The conversation takes a poignant turn as he recounts a life-altering experience in an Indian deportation jail, highlighting life's fragility. Conrad emphasizes the importance of culture over ego within teams and discusses how travel has broadened his perspective. Ultimately, he reflects on transitioning from a leader to a mentor in the venture capital landscape.

Lindsay Mattick, creative director and author of the bestselling 'Finding Winnie', shares the fascinating tale of her great-grandfather purchasing a bear cub during WWI, which inspired Winnie the Pooh. She discusses her leap into entrepreneurship, the challenges of writing while pregnant, and how she found the perfect illustrator through serendipity. Lindsay emphasizes the importance of storytelling in branding, reflects on the role of AI in creativity, and shares her daily sunrise walks as a source of inspiration and clarity.

Claude Silver, the Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX and author of 'Be Yourself at Work', dives deep into empathy-driven leadership. She shares her journey of overcoming self-sabotage while writing her book and emphasizes the significance of patience in leadership. Claude discusses how fear and fake urgency contribute to workplace burnout, advocating for genuine connections through rituals like appreciation circles. Her transformative experiences, including a 93-day wilderness expedition, underline the importance of resilience and vulnerability in fostering a thriving work culture.

Dr. Patrick Porter, a neuroscientist and the founder of BrainTap, dives into the transformative power of micro-habits for optimizing brain function. He explains the roles of different brainwaves—beta, alpha, and theta—in enhancing creativity and insight. Dr. Porter shares three daily resets to freshen your nervous system: gentle morning routines, Navy SEAL-style box breathing at midday, and evening gratitude practices. He also discusses the importance of hydration and sleep, revealing how a simple twenty-minute reset can boost productivity significantly.

What if the way you move your body could completely rewrite how you think, feel, and lead?In this conversation, fitness entrepreneur and creator of the 21 Day Fix, Autumn Calabrese, joins Marc to explore how motion heals the mind, why failure is an essential teacher, and how our hardest moments often shape our greatest growth. From her childhood in Cleveland to building one of the most-watched fitness empires on the planet, Autumn opens up about trauma, self-belief, morning rituals, and the micro-habits that keep her centered while impacting millions.Timestamps:00:00 — Who are you?04:00 — From dance to personal training09:30 — Healing old wounds through creation13:00 — Hitting rock bottom and finding Tony Robbins18:00 — Movement as medicine22:00 — The 21 Day Fix origin story28:00 — Speaking dreams into the universe34:00 — Building a new brand and following the signs35:00 — Morning rituals and mindset training40:00 — Micro habits, not extremes45:00 — Evening rituals and breathwork49:00 — What’s next for Autumn and BODi51:00 — Closing reflections****Release details for the NEW BOOK.  Get your copy of Personal Socrates: Better Questions, Better Life  Connect with Marc >>> Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Drop a review and let me know what resonates with you about the show!Thanks as always for listening and have the best day yet!*A special thanks to MONOS, our official travel partner for Behind the Human! Use MONOSBTH10 at check-out for savings on your next purchase. ✈️*Special props 👇Music: Clouds - Joakim KarudSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Scott Britton, an entrepreneur turned consciousness teacher, shares his journey from startup success to profound inner awareness. He discusses how experiences like alopecia and ayahuasca catalyzed his path toward blending meditation with everyday life. Scott emphasizes the power of tracking emotional disturbances to uncover patterns and the importance of integrating spirituality into work. Through practical insights, he encourages treating life as a 'dojo' for consciousness, highlighting that true fulfillment lies in how we experience achievement, rather than the achievement itself.