The Game Changing Attorney Podcast with Michael Mogill

What's stopping you from keeping the promises you make to yourself? In this episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael and Jessica Mogill unpack the real cost of breaking commitments to yourself and why most New Year's resolutions fail before February. From outgrowing old friend groups to walking away from prestigious obligations that no longer serve you, this conversation challenges you to stop negotiating with yourself and start building a life that reflects your actual priorities. Here's what you'll learn: Why breaking small commitments to yourself erodes your ability to follow through on bigger goals How to recognize when relationships and obligations are holding you back instead of pushing you forward What it takes to stay a student of your craft even when you think you've figured it all out This episode is a challenge to stop breaking promises to yourself and start building the discipline required to become who you say you want to be. ---- 05:26 — Why breaking small commitments to yourself erodes your ability to follow through on bigger goals 06:02 — How to build discipline through stacking small wins that compound over time 06:50 — The power of recording your goals on video to create accountability 09:47 — Understanding envy and why people give you a hard time when you remind them of what they gave up on 14:24 — The concept of insouciance and why you should stop playing the validation game as an adult 15:32 — Recognizing the trade-offs and opportunity costs of every commitment you make 20:34 — Why maintaining a student mindset prevents stagnation even after decades in business ---- Links & Resources: Peter Diamandis Elon Musk Interview CES ---- Learn what sustainable growth can look like for your firm at crispcoach.com. ---- Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel. ---- Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O’Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more. ---- If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: 411. AMMA — What to Do when Everyone Wants Something From You 288. AMMA — The Art of Being Decisive 194. AMMA — The Harsh Truth About Entrepreneurial Success

What if the reason you're not achieving extraordinary results isn't because you're doing too little, but because you're doing too much? In this encore episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael Mogill sits down with Jay Papasan, Vice President at Keller Williams Realty and bestselling author of The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results. Jay breaks down why the popular concept of balance is a fallacy, how multitasking is actually killing your productivity, and why discipline is not what you think it is. From understanding the truth about willpower to mastering the focusing question that changes everything, this conversation delivers a master class in achieving more by doing less. Here's what you'll learn: Why multitasking is a lie that's costing you 28% of your day and lowering your IQ by 11 points How to use selective discipline and the 66-day habit formation principle to make success automatic What the focusing question is and how it creates clarity around your most leveraged activities Want to achieve extraordinary results? This episode shows you exactly how to get there. ---- Show Notes: 03:52 – The origin story of The One Thing, from a 14-page handwritten essay to a bestselling book 05:59 – Why focusing on one thing is such a challenge despite being simple 09:01 – Walking through the process of using extreme Pareto to narrow down priorities 13:04 – Debunking the myth of multitasking and why it's costing you 28% of your day 19:36 – The Green Beret story: how training creates habits that last decades 28:26 – Defining willpower as different from discipline and why it's a limited resource 30:16 – A powerful study on parole judges that proves willpower depletion is real 36:47 – Counterbalancing instead of balance and why it matters for business and life 47:23 – How purpose gives you direction and a clear sense of priority ---- Links & Resources: The One Thing by Jay Papasan Atomic Habits by James Clear Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin Willpower Doesn’t Work by Benjamin Hardy Grit by Angela Duckworth Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod The Pareto Principle ---- Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel. ---- Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O’Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more. ---- If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: 383. AMMA — Why Comfort Will Quietly Destroy Your Law Firm 334. Dr. Benjamin Hardy — From Limiting Beliefs to Limitless Potential: A Guide to Personal Growth 78. Dr. Katy Milkman — How to Change: The Science of Getting From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be

If you’re carrying the same problems into the new year, it’s not because you don’t know what to do. It’s because you’ve been avoiding the hard calls. In this episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael and Jessica Mogill kick off the new year by answering real questions from law firm owners submitted during our Crisp workshops. These are not theoretical leadership conversations. They are real scenarios about bad hires, private equity pressure, painful lessons, and the habits required to lead at a higher level in 2026. If you’re entering the new year with uncertainty about your decisions, your team, or your direction, this episode brings clarity to what actually matters. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why keeping the wrong person on your team costs more than the discomfort of letting them go How to think about private equity without fear and what actually makes a firm competitive What leadership habits matter most in 2026, including extending your time horizon and protecting sleep quality This is not a motivational reset. It’s a reality check for the year ahead. ---- 02:14 – The bad apple problem and why keeping the wrong person always costs more 04:25 – The real question leaders avoid when it comes to firing decisions 05:00 – How to think about private equity without fear or distraction 08:55 – What actually makes a law firm competitive long-term 09:06 – Why pain is the fastest teacher and how lessons really stick 12:33 – Extending your time horizon to reduce stress and make better decisions 15:23 – Why sleep, recovery, and clarity are leadership advantages 17:25 – How to think selfishly in the right way as a firm owner ---- Links & Resources: Private equity Sleep hygiene ---- Learn what sustainable growth can look like for your firm at https://crisp.co/coach ---- Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel. ---- Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O’Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more. ---- If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: 420. The Sleep Science That Separates Elite Performers with Dr. Michael Breus 377. AMMA — Market Chaos: How to Not Just Survive, But Thrive 240. Jessica Mogill — Why Hiring A-Players is Important

The difference between those who scale and those who stall isn't talent. It's the willingness to act when every instinct says quit. In the Season 6 finale of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael Mogill revisits the most powerful conversations from 2025. From David Kolbe's insights on understanding your instinctive strengths to James Amaro's blueprint for building accountability culture, James Lawrence's discipline in mastering discomfort, Verne Harnish's framework for scaling past plateaus, and Kat Cole's philosophy of relentless self-improvement, this episode distills the season’s most actionable wisdom into one comprehensive guide for growth. Here's what you'll learn: Why understanding your conative strengths can prevent years of burnout and misalignment in your career and your team How deliberate discomfort and daily disciplines train your mind to refuse quitting when adversity hits What it takes to build an accountability culture that drives KPIs without sacrificing team morale or losing top talent The leaders who dominate 2026 will be the ones who stopped waiting and started executing on what they already know they should be doing. ---- 3:04 — David Kolbe explains the four action modes and how understanding your conative strengths changes everything 9:57 — Why your Kolbe result doesn't change over time and what that means for your career 13:16 — James Amaro shares how he rebuilt his firm from 6 people to over 80 after losing almost everything 17:07 — The accountability culture that took profit from 5% to 34% 23:24 — Triathlete James Lawrence reveals his genetic testing results 28:17 — Mental toughness requires doing activities you hate 36:32 — Verne Harnish on why ambitious goals drive energy while attainable goals kill it 42:09 — Founder Mode: why you can delegate everything except the soul of your business 52:18 — Kat Cole's journey from Hooters hostess to leading billion-dollar brands 56:44 — “The Hotshot Rule” for relentless improvement ---- Links & Resources: Kolbe Assessment  Amaro Law Firm  James Lawrence (Iron Cowboy)  Iron Hope  Verne Harnish  Scaling Up  AG1 ---- Learn what sustainable growth can look like for your firm at https://crisp.co/coach ---- Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel. ---- Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O’Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more. ---- If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: Episode 423: How to Actually Scale Your Standards Episode 404: The Dangers of Premature Growth with Eric Siu Episode 365: Discipline Is a Daily Decision

What you let into your life matters just as much as what you work on. In this episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael and Jessica Mogill break down the books, habits, tools, and experiences that actually added value to their lives this year. From business and fiction reads to recovery, breathwork, entertainment, and everyday performance habits, this conversation cuts through recommendations and trends to focus on what held up in real life. Here’s what you’ll learn: What habits and tools actually improve your sleep, recovery, and day-to-day energy How to be more intentional with your downtime and choose entertainment that’s genuinely worth your time Which books, apps, and routines will continue to add value as your life gets fuller and more demanding If you’re going to be selective about anything, be selective about what earns a place in your life. ---- 03:01 – Why most business books stop being useful and the one Michael keeps rereading 05:12 – The fiction book that pulled Michael back into reading and why it worked 06:41 – How Michael chooses movies and shows that are actually worth the time 09:56 – Why this was a standout year for gaming and the underdog game that won everything 12:31 – The recovery gadget Michael thought was a gimmick but now uses consistently 14:09 – Breathwork, daily clarity, and the app that made the habit measurable 16:14 – Sleep, meal timing, and the change that most improved daily decision making 23:07 – The productivity app that dramatically reduced screen time 26:53 – The AI experience that genuinely felt like stepping into the future 31:31 – The documentary that had a lasting emotional impact 34:56 – The snack Michael relies on and why NFL teams consume thousands of them 38:36 – Closing reflections on being more selective with what earns space in your life ---- Links & Resources: Michael Mogill’s Favorites Roundup: Gear, Books, Games, Tech, and Wellness Essentials The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir F1 Mr. Robot Clair Obscur: Expedition 33  “Don’t Let Me Drown” by Burna Boy  a16z Podcast Murph Workout Nike x Hyperice Hyperboot Yudemon HRV App AG1’s AGZ Episode 420. The Sleep Science That Separates Elite Performers with Dr. Michael Breus Bryan Johnson Opal NewYorkTurk Nex Playground ---- Learn what sustainable growth can look like for your firm at crispcoach.com. ---- Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel. ---- Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O’Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more. ---- If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: 420. The Sleep Science That Separates Elite Performers with Dr. Michael Breus 402, How to Hack Your Biology for an Unfair Edge with Dave Asprey 123. Game Changing Authors: Lessons from Best-Selling Writers

Growth can get chaotic, but the real danger lies in small oversights. Minor issues, like hurried hiring and quality slips, can drastically lower standards. The mundane work behind success is crucial; it’s often repetitive and unglamorous. Leaders must focus on training capable successors while avoiding mediocre hires. Recognizing when minor problems signal a larger standards issue is vital for sustainable growth. Remember, in business, there’s no finish line, only a path of continuous improvement.

Kara Goldin, the visionary founder of Hint and bestselling author of Undaunted, shares her remarkable journey of building a new beverage category. She reveals the challenges of overcoming industry skepticism, including a Coca-Cola executive's dismissal of her unsweetened flavored water. Kara emphasizes the importance of pushing through doubt, learning from failures, and using customer feedback over expert opinions. Her insights on perseverance and conviction are a powerful reminder to embrace bold ideas, even when others doubt them.

Discover how your toughest years can fuel your future success. The discussion highlights the value of setbacks and learning experiences as key advantages. Explore the importance of shifting from short-term thinking to considering five- and ten-year outcomes. The Navy SEAL analogy drives home how embracing uncertainty fosters resilience. Plus, insights on scaling your firm and making critical decisions even with incomplete information are shared. It’s all about moving forward with clarity and intention.

You can outwork a lot of things, but you can’t outwork bad sleep. In this episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael Mogill sits down with Dr. Michael Breus, renowned clinical psychologist and sleep expert, to break down the science, strategy, and psychology behind truly restorative sleep. From understanding your body’s nightly repair cycle to optimizing your environment for peak recovery, this conversation is a masterclass in reclaiming your energy, focus, and longevity. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why sleep impacts every organ system — and how your body repairs physical and emotional stress while you rest How to determine your optimal sleep amount (and whether you’re actually getting enough) What it takes to create a truly high-performance sleep environment and avoid the traps that wreck recovery If you want to win tomorrow, it starts with how you recover tonight. ---- Show Notes: 02:57 — Sleep 101: what deep sleep and REM actually do (physical repair vs. emotional “metabolism”) and why the glymphatic system matters. 10:26 — There’s no one-size-fits-all “optimal” sleep — how to know your right amount and when low sleep becomes a red flag for underlying disorders. 15:16 — Sleep debt and social jet lag: when catching up works (teens) and when it backfires for adults. 18:06 — The “napa-latte” and smart napping: how to use short naps and caffeine to survive a bad night without sabotaging the next one. 20:02 — The sleep system audit: mattress, pillow, air quality, light, sound, and temperature — the practical adjustments that move the needle. 29:29 — Which gadgets help vs. harm: why mouth tape is dangerous, when nasal dilators work, and the limits of sleep trackers. 32:34 — Alcohol and meal timing: how much, how early, and the three-hour rule to protect your deep sleep. 39:00 — Caffeine and cannabis timing: caffeine’s half-life, green tea/matcha alternatives, and how THC/CBD impact REM and HRV. 45:06 — Supplements decoded: magnesium, vitamin D, and why most people don’t need nightly melatonin — plus important dosing pitfalls. 51:09 — Creatine and sleep deprivation: what current research actually supports (and what it doesn’t). ---- Links & Resources: Dr. Michael Breus Sleep, Drink, Breathe: Simple Daily Habits for Profound Long-Term Health by Dr. Michael Breus Orion Sleep Oura Ring WHOOP Strap ---- Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel. ---- Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O’Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more. ---- If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: 399. AMMA — Why Sleep and Nutrition Are Secret Weapons for Scaling Firms 396. Why High Performers Can’t Afford to Ignore Wellness with Dr. Taz Bhatia 125. Health Hackers: Mastering Habits to Operate at Peak Performance

Leadership often demands unpopular decisions that others can’t fully understand. Great leaders face criticism for choices that push boundaries while navigating the emotional toll of high standards. Emphasizing growth, the importance of delivering tough feedback with integrity is highlighted, as is the need to sidestep complacent influences. Human biology favors comfort, but embracing discomfort fosters true progress. Authentic leadership aligns with personal values and often means taking on added responsibility after success.