The Pocket with Chris Griffin

Jesse Sebastiani, known as MTV Jesse, is a social media personality and former creator for Nelk. He dives deep into the loneliness that often accompanies fame, reflecting on how success affected his personal relationships. Jesse talks about the importance of normal experiences, the challenge of leaving a successful brand, and the choice to embrace sobriety. He also shares insights on managing anxiety, the costs of obsession, and his desire for genuine connections. The conversation captures the complexities behind the glamorous facade of influencer life.

Cru Mahoney, a fitness enthusiast and content creator skilled in calisthenics, running, and jiu-jitsu, shares his insights in a lively conversation. They dive into the importance of valuing character and relationships over wealth, debate trendy shoe culture, and discuss navigating complex dating dealbreakers. The pair also explore the challenges of monetizing passion without sacrificing creative integrity, the nature of progress in fitness, and how to build genuine connections in a new city.

Patrick Murtagh, a professional athlete and NFL international-pathway player, shares his gripping journey through the highs and lows of the league. He discusses the brutal reality of injury, recounting the day he snapped his leg and ankle in a freak accident. Patrick opens up about the isolation he faced while recovering away from family and explores the profound lessons from his father and his family's roots in Papua New Guinea. He emphasizes resilience, optimism, and the importance of chasing dreams even amidst setbacks.

Join Laird Hamilton, a legendary big-wave surfer and pioneer of tow-in surfing, as he shares his journey and mindset. He reveals the secret of 'delusional confidence' as a superpower and how it helped him navigate risk and failure. Laird emphasizes that true fulfillment comes from within—not from external validation. He discusses mortality, spirituality, and the exhilarating experience of riding waves, highlighting the importance of character over mere success. Prepare for some enlightening 'ah-ha' moments!

Today I sit down with Robin Sharma - one of the greatest authors of all time. Robin has sold over 25 million books, he is the bestselling author of The 5AM Club, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, The Everyday Hero Manifesto, and The Wealth Money Can’t Buy. Robin has such a calming presence. I feel everything quiet down the moment he walked in the door. We explore the truths about success, the traps of chasing money, and the hidden forms of wealth that actually bring fulfillment. Robin shares powerful stories and frameworks that will change how you see life, work, and meaning. Key Discussion Points: The Johannesburg janitor who lived with dignity and mastery Why pressure and challenge create greatness The secret power of silence and early mornings The hidden cost of chasing money and climbing the wrong mountain The 8 forms of wealth that money can’t buy Follow Robin: https://www.instagram.com/robinsharma/ Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/morechrisgriffin/ Chapters: 00:00 The Janitor Who Called It His Office 04:00 Pressure Is Not the Enemy 07:00 4AM: The New 5AM 10:00 Why We Don’t Give Ourselves Permission 13:00 Intimacy, Trust, and Feeling Safe 18:00 Cutting Out Energy Vampires 21:00 The 8 Forms of Wealth 25:00 Everyone Needs Their Own “Painting” 29:30 Don’t Climb the Wrong Mountain 32:00 The Five Question Morning Maximizer 36:00 The Four Interior Empires 39:00 What Business Is Really About 44:00 Minimalism vs. Maximalism 49:00 The Hospital Window Story 52:00 Kindness, Karma, and Keeping Promises 1:00:00 Who Will Cry When You Die? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elliot Bewick is 20 and already saying the stuff everyone’s whispering about. We get into why Gen Z feels empty, why complaining is everywhere, and how stories and confidence actually change your life. No fluff. Just real talk, laughs, and a few hard truths.  Key Discussion Points: • Why complaining is just emotional noise and nobody’s getting better from it • The “we’re all in a simulation” mindset and why it wrecks motivation • Confidence vs ego and which one helps you actually win in life • Loneliness, validation, and why social media makes everything worse • How picking a story for your life is the move that changes everything Follow Elliot: https://www.instagram.com/elliotbewick/ Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/morechrisgriffin/ Chapters: 0:00 The Problem With People That Complain 6:30 Why Complaint Culture Is Ruining Gen Z 12:00 How Social Media Fuels Complaining 18:00 Truth, Delusion, and the Simulation Trap 24:00 Why Faith and Belief Still Matter for Gen Z 30:00 Confidence vs Ego And Knowing the Difference 36:30 Storytelling as the Human Superpower 43:00 The Dangers of Chasing External Validation 50:00 Why Influencers End Up Lonely 57:00 Authenticity Isn’t an Excuse to Be Lazy 1:04:00 Elliot’s Social Media Blow-Up 1:11:30 The Power of Setting Delusional Goals 1:19:00 When Confidence Backfires 1:27:00 Why So Many Young Men Feel Lost 1:35:00 The Belief Driving Elliot at 20 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ian Fonzian, an entrepreneur and fitness athlete, shares his inspiring transformation from a shy kid battling cystic acne to a dynamic content creator. He discusses leaving Raw Dawg at its peak to refocus on long-term goals, including launching a gym and an ice cream company. Ian reflects on how military service shaped his views on leadership and loneliness, and how solo travel boosted his confidence. He opens up about mental struggles and the importance of pursuing purpose through physical challenges.

In this episode I elaborate on a quote that changed my life. I share why fear is the ultimate price tag for everything you want, how I’ve learned to trust the unknown, and why clarity only comes after you take the leap. This one’s for anyone feeling stuck, overthinking their next move, or waiting for the “perfect time” to start. If you’ve been looking for a sign - this is it. Key Discussion Points Why uncertainty is the cost of all your dreams The Steve Jobs quote that shaped my life How to get out of your own way and stop overthinking Turning fear into fuel and risk into reward Why taking the leap before you’re ready is the only way forward Blow up your podcast and apply to work with Chris: https://thepodcastjungle.com/apply Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/morechrisgriffin/ Chapters: 0:00 – The quote that shaped my life 2:40 – Why uncertainty is the price tag of your dreams 5:30 – Lessons from The Alchemist & discovering purpose 7:50 – Getting out of your own way 10:20 – The pressure of growth & building a team 12:30 – How trust creates calm in chaos 14:30 – Clearing noise to invite clarity 16:20 – Choosing what feels right, even in the dark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rory Sutherland, a renowned thinker in advertising and behavioral science, captivates listeners with his insights on consumer behavior. He discusses how illogical ideas, like the success of Red Bull, often drive innovation and profits. Sutherland explores the psychology behind frozen yogurt trends and the unexpected success of ventures like Airbnb. He emphasizes that emotion often outweighs logic in decision-making, leading to remarkable breakthroughs. With humor and wit, Rory highlights the quirks of human behavior that shape our choices.

Today’s guest is ex-CIA officer and founder of EveryDaySpy, Andrew Bustamante. We went deep on the truth about government, money, perception, persuasion, and what real success actually looks like. He revealed how spy training connects to everyday life, why the CIA isn’t what conspiracy theories claim, and how the systems around us are designed to keep us predictable. What stood out most is his blunt honesty: happiness is a slippery pursuit, financial success is the only objective success, and once you see how the world really works, you can never unsee it. Key Discussion Points: The truth about the CIA vs conspiracy theories Influence vs persuasion (and how you’re being steered daily) How the world really works vs how we’re taught it runs Why governments don’t care about you (and never did) A debate on money, success, and what truly matters Learn more about Andrew: Find your Spy Superpower: https://yt.everydayspy.com/4oEHBby Read Andrew’s CIA book ‘Shadow Cell’: https://geni.us/ShadowCellBook  Follow Andy on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Andrew-Bustamante Explore Spy School: https://everydayspy.com/  Support Andy's sponsor Axolt Brain: https://axoltbrain.com/andy Listen to the podcast: https://youtube.com/@EverydaySpyPodcast Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/morechrisgriffin/ Chapters: 1:30 – CIA breathwork and field prep 6:40 – Debunking CIA conspiracies 11:20 – What the CIA actually does 16:45 – Influence vs persuasion explained 22:10 – How algorithms control your thinking 27:30 – The red pill: once you see it, you can’t unsee it 33:20 – How the world runs vs how the world works 38:50 – Governments don’t care about you 44:30 – Systems built to keep you predictable 50:40 – External validation vs real success 56:10 – Heated debate: what money really means 1:02:30 – Net worth and how it changes everything 1:08:00 – Curiosity vs commitment: why most stay stuck 1:13:10 – Raising kids with perspective outside the US 1:18:20 – Working for nothing vs working for something Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices