What does it truly cost a human being to lead a nation through an existential war while the world watches from afar? President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reveals the psychological toll of continuous survival, the grim realities of geopolitical negotiation, and what keeps him still standing. Volodymyr Zelenskyy is the President of Ukraine, having led the nation through its darkest historical hours following the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022. A former lawyer, comedian, and actor turned wartime leader, he transitioned from satirical television to the global stage. His current administration focuses on securing Ukraine's sovereignty, managing international diplomacy, and defending democratic freedom against imperial aggression. In this episode, he explains: ■ The Burden of Command: How constant psychological pressure and nightly military briefings push his endurance to its limits under relentless wartime pressure. ■ The Fatal Miscalculation: Why Russia's catastrophic military mistake came from a failure to recognize Ukrainians as a distinct people willing to fight for their freedom. ■ The Turning Point of Atrocity: How witnessing the aftermath of war in liberated towns transformed a political conflict into deeply personal tragedy where easy forgiveness became impossible. ■ The Cost of Staying: Why the refusal to evacuate Kyiv was driven by the absolute need to remain visible and prevent the nation from surrendering out of fear. ■ The Geopolitical Reality: How true diplomatic peace requires holding aggressive regimes fully accountable for their crimes rather than shifting the blame onto global energy markets. This episode was recorded on October 16, 2026. The English audio for President Zelenskyy uses AI voice technology, with permission, based on human translation and editorial review. Chapters * 00:00:00 Intro * 00:02:07 How Is Zelensky Really Doing? * 00:06:15 "I Don't Sleep": The Human Cost of War * 00:09:53 What Keeps Zelensky Going * 00:11:24 Growing Up in Soviet Ukraine * 00:13:18 His Family Killed by the Nazis * 00:13:38 From Law Student to Comedian * 00:15:50 He Played a President on TV, Then Became One * 00:17:21 Why Zelensky Left Comedy for Politics * 00:20:36 When Did the Russia-Ukraine War Really Start? * 00:25:12 Putin's Plan to Rebuild the Soviet Union * 00:33:31 Why Putin Invaded in 2022 * 00:36:46 Did Biden's Weakness Let Putin Invade? * 00:40:12 The Warnings Before the Invasion * 00:41:59 Where Zelensky Was When Russia Invaded * 00:47:01 Would This Have Happened Under Trump? * 00:49:06 How Russia Planned to Take Kyiv * 00:53:32 The 40-Mile Convoy: Why Russia Failed * 00:55:26 Biden's Evacuation Offer: "I Need Ammunition" * 00:59:51 Was Zelensky Scared? * 01:02:37 The Moment the War Became Real * 01:05:19 Russia's Big Mistake: Parade Uniforms * 01:12:40 The Battle for Hostomel Airport * 01:15:04 What Happened in Bucha * 01:21:20 His Hardest Day: "I Wanted Revenge" * 01:23:55 How the War Has Changed Him * 01:29:15 Being a Father During the War * 01:32:22 His Mum's Daily Phone Calls * 01:33:19 What Russia Occupies Now * 01:36:12 Russia's Strikes Across Ukraine * 01:37:14 What Putin Really Wants * 01:39:37 Will Putin Use Nuclear Weapons? * 01:41:09 Trump Says Ukraine Needs a New President * 01:46:01 How This War Ends: Trump, Putin & a Ceasefire * 01:48:22 Zelensky's Message to America The Diary Of A CEO: ◼ Join DOAC circle here - https://doaccircle.com/ ◼ Buy The Diary Of A CEO book here - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/BWjLTZK ◼ Shop The Diary Of A CEO collection: https://thediary.com/collections/shop ◼ Get email updates - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/5IB1H6E ◼ Follow Steven - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/AGU9QP4

What if everything you thought you knew about the final moments of life was completely wrong? Dr. Christopher Kerr dives into the realities of dying and what over 1,500 patient interviews reveal about human consciousness. Dr. Christopher Kerr is a pioneering hospice physician, neurobiologist, and CEO who has spent nearly three decades studying the profound psychological and spiritual experiences of the dying. His groundbreaking research on end-of-life dreams and visions challenges conventional medical views on mortality and grief. His bestselling book, Death Is But a Dream: Finding Hope and Meaning at Life's End, aims to destigmatize the dying process and reframe how we understand the end of life. Trigger Warning: Please note there are mentions of grief and death, including the death of children within this conversation. In this episode, he explains: ■ The Reality of Death: Dying is a gradual, peaceful dimming of the senses rather than a painful or terrifying medical event. ■ End-of-Life Visions: Over 80% of patients experience remarkably vivid, comforting dreams and visions of deceased loved ones as they approach death. ■ The Shift in Priorities: Dying individuals stop caring about worldly achievements or legacy, focusing entirely on relationships and ensuring they are not a burden to family. ■ Healing Old Wounds: Terminal patients frequently experience profound psychological transformation and resolve deep-seated childhood trauma in their final days. ■ The True Meaning of Life: Human existence is ultimately defined by our capacity for interdependency and love rather than individual accomplishments. Chapters * 00:00:00 Intro * 00:02:11 Why I’ve Interviewed Over 1,500 Dying Patients * 00:03:29 Do Dying People See Their Loved Ones Who’ve Passed? * 00:09:14 The Interview That Changed Me Most * 00:11:31 How Deathbed Dreams Differ From Normal Dreams * 00:13:46 Is This Biological or Spiritual? * 00:16:03 Are Dying Patients Just Delirious? * 00:17:04 The Biggest Misconceptions About Death * 00:18:25 Do People Really Have Regrets When They Die? * 00:19:17 What Dying Patients Actually Care About * 00:21:29 Are We Chasing the Wrong Things in Life? * 00:26:39 Is Dying Painful? * 00:27:42 How Dying Patients Find Peace * 00:28:42 How Modern Medicine Has Changed the Way We Die * 00:31:37 Making Peace With People Before You Die * 00:32:45 Lessons From the Dying You Can Use Today * 00:33:43 Facing Extreme Regret at the End of Life * 00:39:03 Ads * 00:41:12 Do Dying People Want More Time? * 00:42:48 Is the Longevity Movement Missing the Point? * 00:43:50 What Determines a Peaceful Death * 00:44:30 What Happens When People Die Alone * 00:46:53 How Dying Brings Unresolved Trauma to the Surface * 00:48:17 Is There Life After Death? * 00:51:00 Psychedelics at the End of Life * 00:51:41 Should We Worry About Having Regrets? * 00:52:51 What Caring for the Dying Taught Me * 00:53:26 How to Cope When Someone You Love Dies * 00:59:05 Losing My Father * 01:03:36 Ads * 01:04:46 How Hope Changes as We Die * 01:07:05 Do People Stop Living Once They Know They’re Dying? * 01:07:43 Do We All Die Alone? * 01:08:52 How Death Can Heal * 01:10:08 Why We Need to Stop “Fighting” Death * 01:12:29 My Cancer Diagnosis & How It Changed My View of Death * 01:15:45 What Is the Meaning of Life? * 01:17:03 How Death Is Different for Children If you’ve been affected by the themes in this episode, support is available. UK: Cruse Bereavement Support - cruse.org.uk The Compassionate Friends - tcf.org.uk US: The Compassionate Friends - compassionatefriends.org The Dougy Center - dougy.org International - findahelpline.com Follow Dr. Christopher Kerr: Facebook - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/9WpG1ky Instagram - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/3UJBOLb LinkedIn - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/6uC41Jv YouTube - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/5YduPEb Book: Death Is But a Dream: Finding Hope and Meaning at Life’s End - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/53Kcbph More information on his studies and patient videos can be found at: https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/4vkysI3 To contact: https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/91kvvNr The Diary Of A CEO: ◼ Join DOAC circle here - https://doaccircle.com/ ◼ Buy The Diary Of A CEO book here - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/BWjLTZK ◼ Shop The Diary Of A CEO collection: https://thediary.com/collections/shop ◼ Get email updates - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/5IB1H6E ◼ Follow Steven - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/AGU9QP4 Sponsors: Pipedrive - https://pipedrive.com/CEO Cometeer - https://www.cometeer.com/steven using code STEVEN for $30 off

Do we find meaning in life - or do we have to create it ourselves? Join three guests in a meaning discussion: Greg Koukl, a Christian apologist and founder of Stand to Reason, Alex O’Connor, philosopher, writer, and host of the Cosmic Skeptic channel, and Dr K, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, mental health educator, and co-founder of Healthy Gamer. In this moment, they explore what happens when faith, philosophy and psychology attempt to answer the same question. From our fear of death to the need for control and something bigger than ourselves, this discussion reveals some unexpected forces that may be shaping how meaningful our lives feel. Listen to the full episode here! Spotify: https://g2ul0.app.link/p43YVx5X95b Apple: https://g2ul0.app.link/D5jelW9X95b Watch the Episodes On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/%20TheDiaryOfACEO/videos

Are you trapped in a cycle of digital distraction, and brain fog despite working harder than ever? Dr. Sahar Yousef reveals how to take back control of your attention, stop digital addiction, and unlock your true cognitive potential. Dr. Sahar Yousef is a renowned cognitive neuroscientist, professor at UC Berkeley, and the founder of the Becoming Superhuman Lab. She specializes in cognitive neuroplasticity, human performance, and optimizing the biological operating systems of the brain. Her ground-breaking research focuses on building practical frameworks that help high-performers achieve extreme focus, strategic automaticity, and deep workflow mastery without burning out. Join Steven and Dr Sahar Yousef for the first ever live streamed DOAC Workshop, and apply now at https://doacworkshops.com/. In this episode, she explains: ■ The Attention Trap: Technology platforms are deliberately engineered by behavioral neuroscientists to maximize engagement and exploit your brain's survival wiring rather than support your productivity. ■ The Grayscale Hack: Switching your phone's color to grayscale significantly reduces neurological stimulation and can instantly reclaim hours of your scrolling every single week. ■ The Focus Sprint: Breaking your major goals down into granular execution lists with strict time blocking allows you to leverage anticipatory brain networks and double your output. ■ The Myth of Multitasking: Task-switching creates severe attentional baggage that drains your cognitive energy and makes you up to 60% slower than monotasking. ■ The Power of Boredom: Why allowing your mind to wander is the vital mechanism that activates neural network problem-solving and produces your best creative insights. Chapters * 00:00:00 Intro * 00:02:27 What's Holding Us Back Today? * 00:06:48 Why Should We Listen To You? * 00:08:20 What's Stopping Us From Being Productive? * 00:12:14 The Productivity Toolkit * 00:14:17 Why Is Focus Essential For Your Health? * 00:17:34 Does Productivity Software Actually Work? * 00:21:50 Why Do We Feel Pressured To Reply Instantly? * 00:24:58 How To Separate Signal From Noise * 00:27:20 Why The Modern World Fights Our Biology * 00:29:11 How To Stop Avoiding Discomfort * 00:32:40 How Big Tech Hijacks Your Brain * 00:43:52 How To Break Phone Addiction * 00:53:17 Ads * 00:55:19 The Focus Sprint: How To Double Your Productivity * 01:00:48 How To Prioritise Tasks: MITs Vs. LITs * 01:04:29 How To Find Your Goals: Finding Your Everest * 01:08:42 What Creates True Human Connection? * 01:13:52 Why Small Steps Work Better * 01:17:46 How To Avoid Distractions: Should You Work To Music? * 01:19:58 Do Productivity Timers Actually Work? * 01:24:50 Why Boredom Is Good For You * 01:30:49 How To Spark Creative Ideas * 01:33:17 How To Stop Overthinking And Negative Thoughts * 01:36:18 Ads * 01:37:27 How To Find Your Chronotype * 01:46:11 How Big Tech Manipulates The Public * 01:51:21 What Tech Companies Hide About AI * 01:55:44 Why Is Thinking For Yourself Getting Harder? * 01:59:52 Why Multitasking Doesn't Work * 02:05:52 How To Become Luckier In Life Follow Dr. Sahar Yousef: YouTube - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/1wlOOZy Instagram - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/8bkc1Uq LinkedIn - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/9DlHLga TikTok - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/FyYDi72 Facebook - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/1zDXa74 Go to MMM Institute - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/t7Wy1O to take the Digital Dependence Index, test your attention span, and more. You will get your personal results and see how you compare to others, while contributing to global open research. Go to MyChronotype - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/51zrfNX to take the chronotype assessment for free use the code: DOAC Independent Fact Check: https://stevenbartlett.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/DOAC-Dr-Sahar-Yousef-Independent-Research-Further-Reading.pdf The Diary Of A CEO: ◼ Join DOAC circle here - https://doaccircle.com/ ◼ Buy The Diary Of A CEO book here - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/BWjLTZK ◼ Shop The Diary Of A CEO collection: https://thediary.com/collections/shop ◼ Get email updates - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/5IB1H6E ◼ Follow Steven - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/AGU9QP4 Sponsors: Ketone - https://ketone.com/STEVEN for 30% off your subscription order Linkedin Talent Solutions - http://linkedin.com/DOAC

AI At Work: Mass Unemployment Or A New Era Of Human Potential? Nick Hanauer is a billionaire entrepreneur, venture capitalist and outspoken advocate for a more inclusive economy. Daniel Priestley is a bestselling author, entrepreneur and co-founder of multiple businesses helping people build and scale companies. In this moment, Nick Hanauer and Daniel Priestley debate one of the biggest questions facing the future of work: what happens when AI can do more of the tasks we once thought only humans could perform? They explore the uncertainty ahead, the unexpected opportunities emerging, and why the way we think about jobs, businesses and value creation may be about to change for good. Listen to the full episode here! Spotify: https://g2ul0.app.link/J19xuXhj85b Apple: https://g2ul0.app.link/CZYh3Skj85b Watch the Episodes On YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/TheDiaryOfACEO/videos Sponsor: Asana - try it at https://asana.com

Are you letting the past or fear of failure hold you back from achieving ultimate business success? Dana White, the relentless CEO behind the UFC, reveals the exact psychological frameworks and savage business tactics required to dominate your industry and build an empire. Dana White is the President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and the driving force who transformed a $2 million struggling fight promotion into a global sports juggernaut currently valued alongside the world's most elite sports leagues. Now expanding his empire into Power Slap and Zuffa Boxing, White has mastered the brutal mechanics of scaling businesses in highly competitive, chaotic environments. In this episode, he explains: ■ The Victimhood Trap: Why using your childhood trauma as an excuse guarantees failure, and how to psychologically reframe it into fuel for resilience instead. ■ The Loyalty Mandate: How treating business like a literal war requires building a tight-knit team of absolute "killers". ■ Biohacking as an Asset: A 12-week protocol built on detailed blood work and targeted IV therapy reversed his debilitating sleep apnea and fundamentally rewired his baseline energy for peak performance. ■ The Myth of "Making It": Why true entrepreneurs must become addicted to solving daily chaos to stay ahead of competitors and reach the top of your industry. ■ Weaponizing Your Gut: The exact mindset shift required to take massive risks when everyone else claims your vision is entirely impossible. Chapters * 00:00:00 Intro * 00:02:17 What Made Dana White a Fighter * 00:04:37 What His Childhood Really Looked Like * 00:06:07 How His Relationship With His Dad Changed * 00:08:05 Why Dana White Has Always Challenged Authority * 00:10:18 What He’s Trying to Teach His Son * 00:11:11 Why There’s No Such Thing as a Day Off * 00:13:25 How Getting Kicked in the Face by Business Changed Him * 00:14:46 Why Nobody Owes You Anything * 00:16:06 Why Most People Aren’t Cut Out to Be Entrepreneurs * 00:17:45 The Principles That Made the UFC Successful * 00:19:55 Why Who You Hire Can Make or Break a Business * 00:21:51 The Rare Skills Behind Dana White’s Success * 00:27:41 Why He Built a Family Through Business * 00:32:09 Why Great Leaders Stay in the Weeds * 00:33:22 I Love the Haters * 00:35:17 How Extreme Focus Fueled His Success * 00:37:29 What Transformed His Energy and Health * 00:39:54 Ads * 00:39:55 Why You Either Have the Killer Instinct or You Don’t * 00:42:01 Why You Have to Be a Savage in Business * 00:44:43 Can You Learn the Killer Instinct? * 00:45:21 Why a Chip on Your Shoulder Can Drive Success * 00:46:27 Who Dana White Would Never Want to Compete Against * 00:48:55 Do You Believe in Manifestation? * 00:53:03 How He Learned to Leave the Past Behind * 00:58:56 Has Dana White Forgiven His Mom? * 01:04:33 Ads * 01:04:34 Why You Should Trust Your Gut Over Focus Groups * 01:06:58 Why Chasing a Paycheck Means You’ve Already Lost * 01:07:54 How Much of Your Success Was Luck? * 01:11:14 Why You Can’t Be Afraid to Take Risks * 01:18:11 What Are You Still Chasing? * 01:22:13 The One Last Goal He Has to Accomplish * 01:24:40 Why Dana Believes He’ll Win at Boxing Follow Dana White: YouTube - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/Fgajy25 Instagram - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/6pRqwZs Facebook - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/GmEyz0C Twitter/X - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/Ddv4Kda UFC - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/F71pA3 The Diary Of A CEO: ◼ Join DOAC circle here - https://doaccircle.com/ ◼ Buy The Diary Of A CEO book here - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/BWjLTZK ◼ Shop The Diary Of A CEO collection: https://thediary.com/collections/shop◼ Get email updates - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/5IB1H6E ◼ Follow Steven - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/AGU9QP4 Sponsors: Cometeer - https://cometeer.com/DOAC use code DOAC for $20 off Function Health - https://functionhealth.com/DOAC

Paul Rosolie is a conservationist, author and founder of Jungle Keepers, who has spent years exploring and protecting some of the most remote areas of the Amazon rainforest. In this moment, Paul shares the unbelievable journey that led him deep into the Amazon, where rumours of an uncontacted tribe became something far more real. He shares the emotions when coming face to face with those living separate from the modern world… and what this encounter taught him. Listen to the full episode here! Spotify: https://g2ul0.app.link/fk52Ml7u85b Apple: https://g2ul0.app.link/heJRtQmv85b Watch the Episodes On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheDiaryOfACEO/videos Paul Rosolie: https://www.paulrosolie.com/

Are you chasing material success to fill an emotional void from your childhood? Adam Neumann speaks about the psychological lessons and spiritual frameworks that he learned after the most publicized corporate collapse in modern history. Adam Neumann is the visionary entrepreneur who cofounded WeWork, growing it into a $47 billion global empire before stepping down amid unprecedented public scrutiny. He is now partnered with legendary venture firm a16z, and founder of Flow; an innovative residential real estate company designed to solve the modern loneliness epidemic by fostering genuine community. In this episode, he explains: ■ The Ego Trap: How a massive $4.2 billion investment offer in the back of a taxi instantly derailed WeWork's mission, showing rapid financial success can blind founders to their core values. ■ The Foundation of Failure: Why experiencing a traumatic childhood or public business collapse is not a curse, but rather the exact mechanism required to build unbreakable psychological resilience. ■ The Technology Shabbat: Why disconnecting from all electronic devices for 24 hours every week is a necessary practice to break addiction, quiet noise, and discover yourself. ■ The True Measurement of Partners: Why you must evaluate your investors, friends, and life partners solely by how they treat you on your absolute worst day. ■ Influence vs. Control: The counterintuitive leadership principle that true power requires leading from the bottom up. Chapters * 00:00:00 Intro * 00:02:11 Growing Up on a Kibbutz * 00:03:11 How His Mother’s Behaviour Shaped Him * 00:03:58 Why He Struggled at School as a Child * 00:09:08 The Childhood Experiences That Left a Lasting Impact * 00:13:46 Why He No Longer Sees Trauma the Same Way * 00:15:35 Why Money Isn’t His Definition of Success * 00:18:40 How Failure Changed His Definition of Success * 00:21:48 Why the Idea of “We” Became So Powerful * 00:27:20 Why You Have to Dream Bigger Than Feels Possible * 00:30:45 What Kept Him Going at His Lowest Point * 00:34:24 How to Overcome Self-Doubt * 00:34:35 The Self-Doubt Behind Building WeWork * 00:43:52 Why Hard Work Still Matters * 00:47:13 Ads * 00:52:37 What Makes a Great Team Member? * 00:54:55 What Happened When He Met Masayoshi Son * 00:55:34 How to Build Strong Foundations Before You Scale * 01:14:19 Ads * 01:15:01 How to Find the Signal in the Noise * 01:15:29 Who Should You Listen to When Everyone Has an Opinion? * 01:35:09 Why Focus Is Essential for Success * 01:51:06 What Went Wrong at WeWork * 02:02:30 The Advice From His Wife That Changed His Perspective * 02:10:15 The 5 Biggest Lessons He Learned * 02:11:25 The Letter Ben Horowitz Sent When Everything Fell Apart * 02:12:29 His Final Message to Entrepreneurs Follow Adam Neumann: Adam’s X: https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/5svUr6b Flow Instagram: https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/EyH0BGY Flow TikTok: https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/GcyYR7H Flow Linkedin: https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/DctJqQ9 Flow YouTube: https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/1lIOLPI The Diary Of A CEO: ◼ Join DOAC circle here - https://doaccircle.com/ ◼ Buy The Diary Of A CEO book here - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/BWjLTZK ◼ Shop The Diary Of A CEO collection: https://thediary.com/collections/shop◼ Get email updates - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/5IB1H6E ◼ Follow Steven - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/AGU9QP4 Sponsors: Wispr - Get 14 days of Wispr Flow for free at https://wisprflow.ai/steven Pipedrive - https://pipedrive.com/CEO

What if the right work-life balance looks completely different at every stage of your life Nicola Kilner is the Co-Founder and CEO of DECIEM, the company behind The Ordinary, one of the world’s most disruptive and successful beauty brands. In this moment, Nicola Kilner reveals what the earliest days of building DECIEM really looked like, why the traditional rules of work-life balance didn’t always apply, and how an intense startup culture helped shape the company it became. She also explains why knowing exactly what you’re not good at can be one of a leader’s greatest strengths and the lesson she learned when the skills that helped build a startup were no longer enough to lead it at scale. Listen to the full episode here! Spotify: https://g2ul0.app.link/qzeuYcCBF6b Apple: https://g2ul0.app.link/uzyOKKoBF6b Watch the Episodes On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheDiaryOfACEO/videos Nicola Kilner: https://theordinary.com/en-gb/about-us/our-founder.html Wayfair - Visit http://Wayfair.com to start your home refresh

How do you transform childhood trauma and crippling doubt into a relentless drive for greatness? Druski reveals the psychological forces behind comedy, life, and self-belief to help you break past rejection and master your ultimate purpose. Druski is a cultural phenomenon, megastar comedian, and the creator of an independent production empire who has rapidly ascended to the top of the entertainment industry. He breaks down how humor was used to navigate a traumatic childhood and manifest his current success. His insights provide a playbook for silencing external noise, overcoming avoidant attachment, and betting everything on yourself. Trigger Warning: Please note there are mentions of child abuse and violence within this conversation. In this episode, he explains: ■ The Trauma of Humor: How growing up in a high stress, physically abusive household forced him to use comedy as a tool to read the room and defuse tension. ■ The "No Plan B" Strategy: Why facing the barrel of a gun during a street scam triggered a radical mental shift, empowering him to commit entirely to his vision. ■ The Avoidant Attachment Trap: The reasons why successful individuals often struggle with romantic trust, and how a lack of a healthy parental relationship creates deep rooted intimacy fears. ■ The Power of Silence: Why discovering your true calling requires the painful, counter intuitive act of isolating yourself in total silence. ■ Bypassing the Gatekeepers: The exact mindset required to overcome corporate rejection by self-funding your own creative projects. Chapters * 00:00:00 Intro * 00:02:24 What My Childhood Tapes Meant To Me * 00:06:45 When He Knew He Wanted to Be an Entertainer * 00:09:25 Healing From Childhood Trauma * 00:12:23 Why Letting Go of Grudges Matters * 00:18:41 How Childhood Trauma Shaped His Fear of Commitment * 00:22:49 Why Druski Dropped Out of College * 00:28:06 Druski Opens Up About Depression * 00:29:54 How Comedy Changed His Life * 00:33:34 Ads * 00:35:56 The Video That Changed Me * 00:38:50 How Druski Got His Start in Comedy * 00:55:07 What It Really Takes to Be Successful * 00:57:56 What Greatness Really Means * 00:59:58 How Long Does Success Really Take? * 01:04:25 Ads * 01:05:34 Proving My Mum I Was Right * 01:11:23 Why Relationships Matter in Business * 01:14:52 How Druski Protects His Brand * 01:18:40 Trump-Duski Moment * 01:24:03 How Netflix and Amazon Rejected Druski * 01:29:21 When He Realized How Big He Had Become * 01:35:39 What’s Next for Druski? * 01:39:04 What He Would Tell His Younger Self Follow Druski: Instagram - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/AFJZRtQ YouTube - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/3aPmgjD X - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/ERpL6Qo TikTok - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/44HhZzn Twitch - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/CBSxHy9 The Diary Of A CEO: ◼ Join DOAC circle here - https://doaccircle.com/ ◼ Shop The Diary Of A CEO collection: https://thediary.com/collections/shop ◼ Get email updates - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/5IB1H6E ◼ Follow Steven - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/AGU9QP4 Sponsors: Cometeer - https://cometeer.com/DOAC use code DOAC for $20 off Eight Sleep - http://eightsleep.com/steven use code STEVEN for up to $200 off Wayfair - Visit http://Wayfair.com to start your home refresh

Discover the spiritual and psychological creative process that legendary producer Rick Rubin uses to help the world's biggest artists transcend and achieve greatness. Rick Rubin is the co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, and the author of the philosophical bestseller The Creative Act: A Way of Being. Having collaborated with icons like Jay-Z, Johnny Cash, Adele, Tom Petty, and Kanye West, Rubin does not rely on commercial metrics or audience testing to guide his workflow. He shares practical strategies for dismantling the prisons of identity, harnessing the power of "indefensible" ideas, and cultivating a state of pure creative freedom. In this episode, he explains: ■ The "Indefensible" Act: Why the greatest artistic breakthroughs defy logic and market research. ■ The Vacuum Strategy: How walking away from obligations that no longer serve you creates an energetic void, allowing the universe to present massive unexpected opportunities. ■ The Audience Trap: Why focusing on commercial incentives and audience expectations completely undermines the creative process. ■ Deconstructing the Greats: The psychological traits that separate good musicians from generational icons. ■ The Trauma of Success: Rubin opens up about his crippling depressive episode at age 33 after a corporate restructuring at Def Jam. Chapters * 00:00:00 Intro * 00:02:38 Rick Rubin’s "Indefensible" Rule * 00:05:24 How a Meme Became Rick Rubin's "The Way of Code" * 00:10:34 Why Risk Beats "More of the Same" * 00:16:43 How Jay-Z's 99 Problems Was Made * 00:20:47 Transcendental Meditation & Finding What You Love * 00:29:00 Is Creativity Innate? * 00:33:51 Stop Comparing Yourself * 00:35:47 The "Lazy Workaholic" & Avoiding Deadlines * 00:38:23 The 4 Phases of Creativity * 00:41:04 Should You Quit Your Job to Chase Your Dream? * 00:48:15 How Rick Rubin Knows an Artist Will Be Great * 00:54:15 Feeling Boxed In? The “Reset Button" for Your Life * 00:57:50 Ads * 00:59:47 Your Identity Is the Trap: How to Start Over * 01:07:39 My Depressive Episode at 33 and What It Taught Me * 01:17:11 How to Be More Original * 01:27:52 Is AI Dangerous? * 01:29:24 Can AI Be Creative? * 01:35:09 What Makes a Great Artist in the AI Era? * 01:40:27 Studio Miracles * 01:46:45 When the World Rejects Your Work * 01:54:24 The Ace of Spades Story: Why Jay-Z Walked Away From Cristal * 02:01:00 Ads * 02:02:24 What If Your Art Isn't Good? * 02:07:03 What Made Jay-Z Different: Inside His Writing Process * 02:17:35 What Makes Kanye Brilliant + Were Great Artists Born Great? * 02:22:51 The Artists Who Changed Rick Rubin * 02:31:50 Why Rick Rubin Made the Jay-Z Documentary * 02:42:18 Who Would You Thank? Follow Rick Rubin: Instagram - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/2PaPSZI X - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/88EVXdF YouTube - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/HGY2CrI The Way of Code - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/CTcdN7D Tetragrammaton - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/vdp2of The Diary Of A CEO: ◼ Join DOAC circle here - https://doaccircle.com/ ◼ Buy The Diary Of A CEO book here - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/BWjLTZK ◼ Shop The Diary Of A CEO collection: https://thediary.com/collections/shop◼ Get email updates - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/5IB1H6E ◼ Follow Steven - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/AGU9QP4 Sponsors: Ketone - https://ketone.com/STEVEN for 30% off your subscription order Fiverr - https://fiverr.com/diary and get 10% off your first order when you use code DIARY

Is buying a home still the smartest financial decision you can make? David Bach is a bestselling author, financial expert and creator of The Automatic Millionaire, one of the most influential personal finance books of the last two decades. In this moment, David Bach challenges one of the biggest debates in personal finance: whether owning a home is still worth it. He explores the decisions that quietly shape long-term wealth, why some people struggle to build financial security, and the difference between simply earning money and actually keeping it. Listen to the full episode here! Spotify: https://g2ul0.app.link/SnK5eeqn85b Apple: https://g2ul0.app.link/eydpDFHn85b Watch the Episodes On YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/TheDiaryOfACEO/videos David Bach: https://davidbach.com/

Are you using AI to strengthen your brain - or slowly teaching it not to think for itself? Dr Daniel Amen is a renowned brain health expert who has scanned the brains of Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, and Kendall Jenner. He is joined by Dr Terry Sejnowski, a pioneer in computational neuroscience and co-creator of the Boltzmann machine with Geoffrey Hinton, a groundbreaking neural network that helped lay the foundation for modern AI. In this moment, Dr Amen and Dr Sejnowski break down how AI affects memory, learning and critical thinking. They explain why the real risk may not be the fact we’re using chatbots, but how we use them - and reveal the simple ways AI can become something that strengthens your thinking rather than replacing it. Listen to the full episode here! Spotify: https://g2ul0.app.link/Zyn6iMBw55b Apple: https://g2ul0.app.link/uQ7ncAEw55b Watch the Episodes On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheDiaryOfACEO/videos

Are you sabotaging yourself with terrible communication habits and unconscious body language? Unlock the secrets of human connection to cultivate charisma, forge deeper connections, and eliminate awkward small talk for good. Vanessa Van Edwards is a behavioral researcher and the author of Cues, Captivate, and her new book, Conversation. She returns to decode the underlying dynamics that shape relationships, providing actionable techniques to bypass social autopilot. She helps master non-verbal cues to prevent communication friction from harming your career and personal life. In this episode, she explains: ■ The Conversation Blueprint: How to navigate the three distinct psychological levels of interaction ■ The Autopilot Trap: Why socially scripted questions like "How are you?" or "What do you do?" actually destroy connection. ■ The Mechanics of Rizz: The exact science behind conversational turn taking, why speaking for more than 45 seconds creates friction. ■ Command with Body Language: How to instantly project warmth and competence by finding your maximum resonance point. ■ The Five Story Archetypes: How to decode the psychological narratives of the people around you. Chapters * 00:00:00 Intro * 00:02:16 How to Connect With Anyone * 00:03:25 Why Great Conversation Is a Superpower * 00:06:46 The 3 Questions That Build Instant Connection * 00:18:04 The Fastest Way to Build a Real Connection * 00:23:50 How to Get to Know Someone Fast * 00:32:46 Why Genuine Curiosity Makes You More Charismatic * 00:35:37 The Questions That Secretly Kill Conversations * 00:40:45 What’s Worse: Talking Too Much or Too Little? * 00:44:20 How to Know If You Talk Too Much * 00:45:27 How to Spot a Conversational Narcissist * 00:48:39 Ads * 00:55:16 How to Know If You’re a Conversational Narcissist * 01:08:55 The Real Reason First Dates Go Wrong * 01:13:52 Can You Go Too Deep Too Quickly? * 01:18:08 How to Rewrite the Story You Tell Yourself * 01:22:55 The Psychology of Taking Control of Your Life * 01:25:21 Ads * 01:30:07 What Science Reveals About Luck and Success * 01:36:09 The 5 Personality Archetypes Explained * 01:42:41 Why Your Personality Changes How You Should Communicate * 01:51:50 The Psychology of the “Unlucky Struggler” * 01:55:48 How to Escape an Awkward Conversation * 01:59:13 How to Build Aura and Rizz * 02:00:35 How to Become More Charismatic * 02:04:56 The Hidden Habits That Kill Your Charisma * 02:09:04 What “Aura” Actually Means * 02:13:26 The Eye Contact Trick That Builds Connection * 02:16:16 How to Become an Exceptional Listener * 02:22:28 Who This Book Was Really Written For Let Steven know if you feel “lucky” here! https://doyoufeelluckychallenge.web.app/ Follow Vanessa: YouTube - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/4sKjzqT Instagram - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/8fFNJdo TikTok - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/CWueu1F You can pre-order Vanessa’s book, Conversations here: https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/A69YXE2 The Diary Of A CEO: ◼ Join DOAC circle here - https://doaccircle.com/ ◼ Buy The Diary Of A CEO book here - https://smarturl.it/DOACbook ◼ Shop The Diary Of A CEO collection: https://thediary.com/collections/shop ◼ Get email updates - https://bit.ly/diary-of-a-ceo-yt ◼ Follow Steven - https://g2ul0.app.link/gnGqL4IsKKb Sponsors: Fiverr - https://fiverr.com/diary and get 10% off your first order when you use code DIARY Shopify - https://shopify.com/bartlett

Are you dealing with a master manipulator? Learn how to identify the hidden red flags of liars, psychopaths and narcissists before they cause lasting damage. Dr. Leanne ten Brinke, a renowned psychologist and director of the Truth and Trust Lab at the University of British Columbia, breaks down the science of deception and toxic behavior. Drawing from her extensive peer-reviewed research and her eye-opening book, Poisonous People, she shares practical, evidence-based strategies to help you recognize dark personality traits and protect your mental well being. In this episode, she explains: ■ The Warning Signs: How to spot the early behavioral red flags of the "Dark Tetrad" (psychopathy, narcissism, Machiavellianism, and sadism) before you get hurt. ■ The Manipulation Playbook: The exact psychological tactics toxic individuals use to control and deceive others, including what gaslighting actually means. ■ The Lie-Detector Myth: Why relying on eye contact, fidgeting, and body language is actually a terrible way to catch a liar. ■ The Two Faces of Narcissism: How to identify the different types (including why one completely crumbles at the slightest criticism), and the devastating toll of working for a psychopathic boss. ■ Defense Strategies: Proven techniques to outsmart dangerous personalities, set ironclad boundaries, and dramatically improve your life. Chapters * 00:00:00 Intro * 00:02:21 Why This Research Into Psychopathy Matters * 00:02:58 Why Psychopathy Is Getting More Attention * 00:04:05 Can You Spot a Psychopath in 5 Seconds? * 00:05:30 How Facial Expressions Reveal What People Really Feel * 00:08:56 Can You Predict If Someone Is Guilty? * 00:09:59 Three Signs Someone Might Be Lying * 00:13:46 Can Anyone Learn to Spot a Liar? * 00:20:29 Why the Eye Contact Myth Gets Body Language Wrong * 00:21:53 Psychopathy, Narcissism, Machiavellianism and Sadism Explained * 00:34:49 The Biggest Myths About Psychopaths Debunked * 00:36:28 How Common Are Dark Personality Traits? * 00:38:05 Are Dark Traits Caused by Genetics or Childhood? * 00:41:13 How to Increase Your Chances of Becoming a Good Parent * 00:44:23 What Happens Inside a Psychopath's Brain? * 00:46:06 Can Dark Personality Traits Be Cured? * 00:49:30 Ads * 00:51:32 Why Being Lied to Makes You Feel Distant * 00:57:14 Can You Be Warm and Competent at the Same Time? * 00:59:57 Why Dark Personality Traits Don't Get You Ahead * 01:04:41 How to Spot Red Flags in Dating Profiles and Relationships * 01:12:44 Ads * 01:13:52 Why Setting Boundaries Matters More Than You Think * 01:17:05 7 Rules for Dealing With Dark Personalities * 01:19:07 How to Spot Gaslighting and Coercive Control * 01:23:29 7 Rules for Dealing With Dark Personalities Continued * 01:30:37 How to Communicate With Dark Personalities * 01:33:28 How to Become a Better Detective of People's Cues * 01:34:00 Why You Should Avoid Face to Face Negotiations * 01:37:53 Three Mistakes People Make With Dark Personalities * 01:39:37 How the 10% Do the Damage and the Biggest Lie About Success * 01:41:10 What Is the Greatest Lie We've All Been Told? Independent Fact Check: https://stevenbartlett.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/DOAC-Leanne-ten-Brinke-Independent-Research-Further-Reading_final.pdf Follow Leanne: YouTube - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/EkuzZ3K Instagram - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/2MRcXEs TikTok - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/EL537g7 You can purchase Leanne’s book, ‘Poisonous People: Psychopathy, Narcissism, Manipulation, Sadism: How to Resist Them and Improve Your Life’, here: https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/3lYxLjb Learn more from the online resources, here: Assess your own levels of (light and) dark traits - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/1OsGuG0 Get support - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/4F2i8Oj The Diary Of A CEO: ◼ Join DOAC circle here - https://doaccircle.com/ ◼ Buy The Diary Of A CEO book here - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/BWjLTZK ◼ Shop The Diary Of A CEO collection: https://thediary.com/collections/shop ◼ Get email updates - https://bit.ly/diary-of-a-ceo-yt ◼ Follow Steven - https://g2ul0.app.link/gnGqL4IsKKb Sponsors: Fiverr - https://fiverr.com/diary and get 10% off your first order when you use code DIARY Wispr - Get 14 days of Wispr Flow for free at https://wisprflow.ai/steven