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The Grateful Podcast with Jack Wagoner episode 127
Guesting Blaine Bartlett

He wrote a bucket list at 18 with 20 goals he had no idea how to achieve. By 24, every single one was done — without ever asking "how."

Blaine Bartlett has spent 53 years studying how people actually succeed. He's coached executives across five continents, co-hosts Office Hours on Apple TV with David Meltzer, and wrote his first book alongside Stephen Covey, Ken Blanchard, and Brian Tracy. Bob Proctor called his work "some of the best material on prosperity I have experienced."

In this conversation, Blaine reveals why asking "how" too early is the trap that kills every goal, what Napoleon Hill's banned book Outwitting the Devil says about why we drift through life, and why the real purpose of a goal is never to get; it's to grow. He also shares the moment his wife received a terrifying diagnosis and the five words she said that changed their entire journey together.

This is one of the most important conversations I've ever had on this podcast.

⏱️ Chapters:
0:00 — Introduction
1:05 — Marcus Aurelius: "Spend Time with the Dead"
2:30 — Your Belief Systems Are Manufactured
5:01 — 20 Goals at 18, All Done by 24
8:11 — Napoleon Hill's Banned Book
10:09 — Why "How" Should NEVER Come Up Early
12:19 — BECOMING the Commitment (Not Just Making One)
17:35 — What He Calls a "Growl"
23:37 — A Letter from Harvard Changed Everything
28:29 — Energy Follows Attention, Not Intention
30:26 — "It Already Happened. I Just Haven't Arrived."
34:08 — Why You Feel Empty After Getting What You Wanted
42:24 — The Duality of Gratitude and Ambition
44:20 — His Wife's Diagnosis: "There Is an Unexpected Opportunity Here"
46:40 — Be a Center of Distribution

🔗 Connect with Blaine Bartlett:
► Website: https://www.blainebartlett.com
► LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/blainebartlett


📖 Blaine's books on Amazon:
→ Compassionate Capitalism: https://www.amazon.com/sk=blaine+bartlett+compassionate+capitalism
→ The Leadership Mindset Weekly: https://www.amazon.com/sk=blaine+bartlett+leadership+mindset

☕ Magic Mind — My daily performance shot:
→ https://magicmind.com/wagoner20
Use code WAGONER20 for 20% off a package or 48% off a subscription.

🧠 More from Jack:
► Website: https://jackwagoner.co
► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jack_wagoner_/
► 1:1 Coaching: jackcwagoner@gmail.com
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jack_Wagoner

⸻
🎙️ About Jack:
I moved to France alone at 16, started my first business at 17, and launched this podcast because I kept meeting people who had the answers to questions I didn't even know I was asking. My philosophy: you can set massive goals while being deeply fulfilled right now. That's the duality of gratitude and ambit

Support the show

☕ Magic Mind — My daily performance shot:
→ https://magicmind.com/wagoner20
Use code WAGONER20 for 20% off a package or 48% off a subscription.

🧠 More from Jack:
► Website: https://jackwagoner.co
► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jack_wagoner_/
► 1:1 Coaching: jackcwagoner@gmail.com
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jack_Wagoner

⸻
🎙️ About Jack:
I moved to France alone at 16, started my first business at 17, and launched this podcast because I kept meeting people who had the answers to questions I didn't even know I was asking. My philosophy: you can set massive goals while being deeply fulfilled right now. That's the duality of gratitude and ambition.

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Stay grateful, stay hungry.