“The Power of Consistency, Mastering Your Brain States, Wisdom from Matthew McConaughey | EP 047

We’re back, and we’re leveling up. In this episode, we recap Will McGuire’s last visit, hype up our plans to bring on new, fascinating guests, and celebrate sticking with this podcast journey. Spoiler alert: we’re kind of proud of ourselves.

We dive into the life hacks that are changing our game: yoga for better sleep, avoiding your phone in the morning, and hypnotizing yourself into becoming the best version of you.

Along the way, we tackle some hard truths: stop half-assing things (shoutout #MatthewMcConaughey), control the controllable (thanks, John Cena), and admit that scrolling on social media might be ruining your brain (yikes). But hey, Deepak Chopra says you do have enough time to meditate, so there’s hope.

As always, we sprinkle in some ridiculous tangents—color TV is the root of all evil, #veganrecipes are everywhere on our Instagram feed, and apparently Tom Glavine is the number 47 GOAT. Plus, every time you watch our #podcast , you’re helping us feed our dogs. What’s not to love?

2:00 Recap of Will’s previous episode, More guests are coming
6:00 Expanding our podcast
8:20 Proving to ourselves that we could stick with the podcast consistently
9:15 We’re looking for new and interesting guests
12:10 Wanted Ad: Looking for Good Person
14:50 “You can’t shoot for the moon when you don’t even work at nasa yet”
20:00 Taking stock of the progress we’ve made so far
23:00 Incorporating yoga to improve your sleep cycle and circadian rhythm
24:40 Avoiding being on your #smartphone right away in the morning hours
26:30 Beta and alpha brain states and hypnotizing yourself to be the best version
29:20 the importance of keeping your body in peak condition
29:45 Our podcast instagram news feed is just #veganrecipes
31:00 Discussing how proud we are of our whoop scores
32:35 Giving up wrestling for yoga? No fucking way
33:50 Little habits make big gains
34:50 Your future self will thank you for putting in the work
35:22 stop half assing things and don’t bullshit yourself- Matthew McConaughey
36:50 Color TV is the root of all evil
37:55 the science behind scrolling on socials and comparing yourself to others 38:55 becoming aware of the fact that many of our problems have ourselves at the root #selfreflection
39:10 Deepak Chopra says you do have enough time to meditate
41:29 Consuming our podcast mindfully is better for you than mindlessly scrolling on TikTok
43:00 Nothing like a spirited conversation to get the podcast going
43:10 What could happen or change in your life if you cut your screen time down
45:00 Watch our podcast so we can feed our dogs
46:35 “Control the controllable” - John Cena
47:00 Tom Glavine is indeed number 47, Troy Percival is not
47:35 Shoutout to angels in the outfield and #MatthewMcConaughey

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"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

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We do apologize for the poor sound quality in this episode, we had some audio issues throughout this episode, but we're still in good spirits because our good friend of the pod and honorary member of the Who Thought We’d Be Here? family, Will McGuire, stops by to drop knowledge, crack jokes, and remind us why he’s one of our favorite people. Will walks us through his journey of buying Joker Ink, taking risks, and always knowing he was destined to work for himself.

We tackle some big questions: Is college worth it, or does real-world hustle win? What’s “house hacking,” and can people in their 30s actually own homes, or is that a myth like Bigfoot? Oh, and pro tip: Get your credit right if you want those sweet investing opportunities.

But it’s not all business—Will gets real about life as a husband, dad of two, and certified “girl dad,” sharing how parenting has made him more patient, reflective, and more intentional in showing up for his family. We also dig into mental health, the importance of giving yourself grace, and building an imaginary council of advisors in your head, inspired by Think and Grow Rich. Spoiler alert: Will’s head council definitely includes Dumbledore.

Speaking of Harry Potter, don’t miss Steve and Will’s nerd-out session over the wizarding world. Oh, and if you haven’t heard of this groundbreaking new tool called Google, Will has got you covered.

This episode is packed with laughs, insights, and heartfelt moments you don’t want to miss. Will McGuire: businessman, dad, and now, podcast legend.

Check out Joker Ink here
https://www.jokerink.com/
and here
https://www.instagram.com/jokerink_ny/

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NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

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In this reflective and candid episode of Who Thought We’d Be Here?, we tackle resistance, overthinking, and finding balance in life and creativity. Recorded the day after the election, we start with a discussion on seasonal warmth in New York and dive into the struggles and lessons of the week.

Steve opens up about his rough week and the importance of enjoying your own company. We explore the mental and physical release that comes from running and how pushing yourself during the day can lead to better rest at night. Reflecting on the Tao Te Ching and embracing life’s paradoxes, we share insights on staying present through deep breathing and managing emotions in the moment.

The conversation turns to creative challenges, from dealing with resistance while recording the podcast to overcoming perfectionism and imposter syndrome in your work. We emphasize the importance of giving yourself the space to grow in your passion and resisting the pressure to make every episode a cinematic masterpiece.

We also share inspiration from Alan Watts and Jay Shetty, discuss the dream of bringing Steven Pressfield on the show, and talk about facing fear head-on while staying true to your authentic vision.

This episode reminds us that every journey starts somewhere, and it’s okay to solve creative blocks as they come. Whether you're struggling with overthinking, perfectionism, or self-doubt, we’re right there with you.


2:00 Warm in November in NY
4:09 I feel the resistance
6:00 Steve had a rough week
6:53 Enjoying being alone with yourself
8:10 Waking up in the morning feeling like I am going to prevail
9:22 The physical and mental release that comes along with running
11:20 Do you sleep better at night knowing that you pushed yourself today?
12:30 Recapping the Tao De Ching
13:37 Being ok with everything in life being a paradox
16:15 The past is nothing more than something that exists in your mind #AlanWatts
17:00 Using deep breathing to embrace your current state of emotions
18:45 Dealing with resistance and overthinking while recording this podcast episode
20:25 this is only the beginning of this podcast, we shouldn’t be applying pressure to ourselves
22:00 Jay Shetty “taking 90 seconds to pause can save your life”
23:00 We gotta get Steven Pressfield on this podcast
26:00 Giving yourself the space to learn and grow in your field of passion
28:05 The struggles of perfectionism in your creative work
32:25 The struggle of imposter syndrome when being compensated for your skills
33:30 This episode should be called “Solving blocks on the spot”
34:05 Being super sensitive to the energy around you
40:00 Stop trying to be somebody else vs following your own authentic vision
43:00 Every episode can’t be a cinematic and emotional masterpiece


#WhoThoughtWedBeHere #PodcastLife #CreativeBlocks #Overthinking #ImposterSyndrome #AlanWatts #JayShetty #StevenPressfield #RunningMotivation #CreativeJourney #FaceYourFears #BeAuthentic #PodcastCommunity #MotivationalPodc

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NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

In this special Thanksgiving episode of Who Thought We’d Be Here?, we’re here to keep you company on the way to your family gathering or maybe on that walk before dinner with your favorite cousin. The focus today is all about gratitude, self-reflection, and enjoying the season.

We kick things off with a reminder to embrace the moment and focus on what you’re blessed with rather than what’s lacking. If you’re dreading family questions like “Are you still single?”—don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with some lighthearted advice and gratitude-centered perspectives.

The conversation touches on what we’re grateful for this year, including personal growth, family support, and even the podcast itself. We encourage you to reflect on where you see yourself by next Thanksgiving and think about how to set yourself up for success in the coming year.

There’s also a shoutout to #RamDass and a heartfelt moment about being grateful for yourself—because sometimes, that’s the most important form of gratitude.

Of course, no Thanksgiving episode is complete without food talk. We debate the merits of turkey versus side dishes, discuss the mystery of Mississippi pot roast, and even throw pineapple and ham steak into the mix. Don’t forget to comment with your favorite Thanksgiving dish!

We wrap things up with a blooper reel where things get a little out of hand, and a reminder to support Who Thought We’d Be Here? by subscribing, following, and sharing with friends.

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving—don’t forget, it’s all about gratitude!


Timestamps

0:35 Listen to this on the way to hang out with your family
1:10 Be happy to be here
1:35 Don’t focus on the lack, focus on what you are blessed with
1:55 This episode is for you if you are dreading your aunt asking you if you’re still single
2:25 What are you grateful for this year (Steve)
3:53 Bring gratitude to your thanksgiving gathering this year
4:15 Reflecting on where you see yourself on #thanksgiving next year
5:00 How do I want to set myself up for success ?
6:05 JP shares what he’s grateful for this year
7:10 Sometimes you have to be grateful for yourself
7:35 Shoutout to #RamDass
8:00 Being grateful for the podcast and the people who support us
9:00 Try to be your best self as much as possible, whatever that looks like for you
9:50 Support us by subscribing and following as well as downloads, comments, sharing this with a friend
10:15 Pineapple & Ham Steak?
11:00 Happy Thanksgiving and turkey is overrated, it’s all about the side dishes
12:30 What in the lords name is a Mississippi pot roast?
13:15 Comment your favorite thanksgiving dish?
14:00 BLOOPER REEL



#WhoThoughtWedBeHere #PodcastBlooperReel #ThanksgivingPodcast #BehindTheScenes #PodcastLife #EpicFails #ThanksgivingLaughs #BloopersAndBlunders #LaughterIsTheBestMedicine #KeepItReal #PodcastHumor #trendingnow

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NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

In this reflective and empowering episode, we dive deep into the subtle yet loud voice of self-doubt and how it impacts your relationships, mindset, and growth. Starting in our brand-new recording space, we explore the art of creating hope for the future and the wisdom behind Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching (Ep. 9). Along the way, we uncover insights about recognizing coincidences (shoutout to Dr. Joe Dispenza), embracing gratitude—even at Thanksgiving dinners—and reading signs from the universe.

Key takeaways include:

How to spot and shift negative self-talk, whether in your daily routines or during workouts.
Why meaningful relationships are essential and how to evaluate friendships with honesty and love.
The importance of releasing unhealthy dynamics and supporting others' creative ventures.
A timely reminder: You can’t take on new opportunities while clinging to the past.
And yes, we’ll discuss why ruling a country might actually be like cooking a small fish. 🐟

From tackling self-doubt to navigating personal growth with grace, this episode is packed with relatable moments, ancient parables, and actionable advice to help you take things less personally and live with more intention. Plus, Lola sneezes (adorably), and we solve the mystery of whether house phones still exist!

0:40 New recording space
3:50 Creating hope for future episodes
4:40 Book club LIVE!
6:45 Verse 9 “Tao Te Ching” by Lao Tzu
7:45 Noticing coincidences - Dr. Joe Dispenza
8:50 Thanksgiving / Be grateful for your family / Don’t yell at your uncle
10:00 Signs from The Universe
11:46 Learning to not be hard on yourself
13:20 Seeing progress keeps us going
14:00 Negative Self Talk while running and working out
16:10 This too shall pass
18:50 That old bitch known as Self Doubt”
20:20 Did you have an entirely bad day or a rough 10 minutes?
21:57 Noticing negative self talk in the moment
23:30 Resistance is loudest when you are following your passion
25:30 The importance of meaningful relationships and connections
27:15 The difficulty of honestly analyzing the relationships and friendships in your life
29:07 Addiction plays a part in unhealthy dynamics with people in your life
30:23 There’s no hard feelings in growing apart
32:00 Having hard conversations is part of the deal on this podcast
33:14 Making your circle smaller can be the best thing for you
35:15 Discovering the driving forces in your life
36:12 You’re lying to yourself about prioritizing your time
38:23 “You have to release people with love”
41:06 The importance of supporting your friends in their creative ventures
42:01 Lola sneezes #adorable
42:35 You can’t take on new and exciting opportunities while still clinging to the past
43:10 House phones still exist?!? No way
44:00 Solving the puzzle of what does and does not belong in your life
45:10 How to respond and evolve by not taking things personally

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Shout out to our favorite neighborhood screen printer JOKER INK https://www.jokerink.com/

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

In this episode, we dive deep into the journey of self-awareness, personal growth, and creative evolution, exploring themes that resonate with anyone navigating change or creative pursuits.

We kick off by defining what this podcast truly represents and drawing inspiration from the likes of Rich Roll and other influential voices. Conversations center around embracing awareness and taking the necessary steps toward change, reflecting on JP’s “dharma,” and exploring abundance with a nod to Deepak Chopra.

We challenge black-and-white thinking, tackle self-doubt, and discuss the importance of doing video content for the right reasons. The episode also touches on protocols for personal discipline, cringing at past work while owning growth, and staying grounded by comparing our journeys to no one else's.

Humor lightens the episode with a bee-in-the-face moment and Jerry Seinfeld-esque callbacks. At the same time, we delve into deeper truths—why morals guide what we really want, the ongoing sacrifices in personal evolution, and how the universe often points us in the right direction when we start small.

We explore the impact of consuming purposeful content, staying off our phones, and fostering non-alcohol-centric social experiences. JP shares a vulnerable moment of messing up, but it’s met with levity, reflection, and a commitment to growth.

The episode wraps with shameless affiliate plugs, talk of a “Whoop” group, and a teaser for Will’s upcoming episode.

Whether you’re here for the laughs, the life lessons, or both, this episode delivers a thoughtful and entertaining mix of insight and inspiration.

0:33 episode 43
2:30 uncut episodes
3:20 defining the podcast
4:00 rich roll
4:40 episode 673
5:20 awareness, taking steps
6:20 JPs dharma
7:00 abundance deep ask chopra
8:00 doing video for the right reasons
9:15 black and white thinking
10:30 comparing your journey
11:55 rewiring self doubt
12:15 bee in jps face
13:00 protocols with yourself
13:55 cringing at our past work
15:00 what I actually want to do / morals
16:30 there’s always something more to give up
17:10 pedaling poison
18:30 the universe will show you what you’re supposed to be doing
19:10 start w the small stuff
19:40 i like being the belle of the ball
20:25 creating a social exp that doesn’t revolve on alcohol
20:50 Jerry Seinfeld from bee movie is back
21:30 dealing w comparison
23:11 consuming purposeful content
23:25 getting off your phone
27:39 break
27:50 JP fucked up
29:12 we’ll fix it in post
30:05 the old me would’ve lost my shit
31:30 we’re definitely recording
31:50 I don’t wanna be mad all the time anymore
32:30 cultivating awareness
33:20 comment it’s ok that JP fucked up
33:40 shameless plugging of affiliates
34:40 whoop group
35:00 preview of wills episode

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Shout out to our favorite neighborhood screen printer JOKER INK https://www.jokerink.com/

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

Join Whoop with our promotional code and get your first month free!

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Shout out to our favorite neighborhood screen printer JOKER INK https://www.jokerink.com/

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

Join Whoop with our promotional code and get your first month free!

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Sign up for online therapy with our referral link.
Get 20% off your first month with our podcast's link:

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Shout out to our favorite neighborhood screen printer JOKER INK https://www.jokerink.com/

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!