How to Disrupt the Monotony: Side Quests That Spark Growth (SuccessFlow Podcast Ep. 143 Replay).

Steven Harris introduces a replay of SuccessFlow Podcast episode 143, focused on “side quests” as intentional, growth-oriented pursuits that disrupt day-to-day monotony without necessarily being a side hustle. In conversation with Phil, they distinguish side quests from passive hobbies, emphasizing challenge, creativity, and measurable endpoints (e.g., running a 5K, writing a weekly newsletter, learning AI). They connect the concept to gaming and “gamifying life,” and share business examples where side projects became major products, including 3M’s Post-it Notes, Google’s Gmail, Stewart Butterfield’s Flickr and Slack, Instagram’s pivot from Burbn, and Twitter emerging from a podcasting company. They also discuss Patagonia’s origins, Jesse Itzler’s “Misogi” annual challenge, and how side quests help prevent burnout by expanding identity beyond career and roles.

00:00 Replay Episode Intro

01:13 What Are Side Quests

02:11 Why Adults Need Them

04:18 Side Quest vs Hobby

05:39 Gaming Origin Metaphor

07:35 Goals Identity Shift

08:34 Side Quests In Business

09:13 Slack Flickr Origin Story

17:01 More Examples Twitter Patagonia

20:26 Your Own Side Quest Ideas

23:00 Misogi Annual Challenge

25:48 AI As A Side Quest

26:39 Who Are You Beyond Work

Follow the SuccessFlow Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠: ⁠⁠@successflowpodcast⁠⁠

To connect with Steven and ways he can help:⁠

Founder/Creator: ⁠⁠⁠www.oppoflowmindset.com⁠⁠ ⁠

Small Business Payroll - PHX Franchise Owner: ⁠⁠⁠www.journeypayrollhr.com⁠ ⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@steven.oppo.flow ⁠

To connect with Phil and contact directly: ⁠⁠⁠https://phillipcrawford.com/⁠ ⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠⁠@PhillipCrawford⁠ ⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@flowstatecrawford⁠

⁠

Acknowledgements:

The Intro and Outro Music credit to Holden Peyton. This podcast episode is produced and published by Dolphin Podcasting, LLC. Launch your podcast today at ⁠⁠⁠www.DolphinPodcasting.com⁠⁠

Junto Summit Takeaways: Evidence, Brotherhood, Fitness & Faith | SuccessFlow Podcast

The hosts reflect on their neighborhood gym shutting down and how losing physical spaces can mark life chapters, while emphasizing the need to pivot and find new options as gym amenities like saunas and cold plunges become more common. They share highlights from their annual Junto Summit in Heber, their sixth summit and fourth at Legacy Lodge, describing how the group’s energy emerges when a framework and intention are set. Key takeaways include deep, judgment-free conversations, the theme of “evidence” through a mock trial exercise examining values and KPIs, and a new physical fitness challenge retesting a two-minute run, plank, and 135-pound bench press. They also discuss a pivotal, respectful conversation about religion and spirituality, and encourage listeners to join or create supportive groups, noting someone asked about a similar women’s group.

01:10 Pivoting to New Fitness

03:09 Junto Summit Recap

06:37 Evidence Mock Trial

07:37 Fitness Gut Check

11:15 Religion Conversation

14:29 Places and Memories

18:23 Last Times Realization

20:41 Build Your Own Group

21:20 Women Want Community Too

23:26 Closing Thoughts

Key Topics:

• The significance of physical spaces in personal and community growth

• The role of vulnerability and deep conversations in group settings

• Physical fitness as a mental and emotional reset

• The importance of community and shared experiences in success

• Reflections on physical spaces and memories that shape us

• The process of building and trusting community groups

• Lessons learned from summits and retreats

Follow the SuccessFlow Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠: ⁠⁠@successflowpodcast⁠⁠

To connect with Steven and ways he can help:⁠

Founder/Creator: ⁠⁠⁠www.oppoflowmindset.com⁠⁠ ⁠

Small Business Payroll - PHX Franchise Owner: ⁠⁠⁠www.journeypayrollhr.com⁠ ⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@steven.oppo.flow ⁠

To connect with Phil and contact directly: ⁠⁠⁠https://phillipcrawford.com/⁠ ⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠⁠@PhillipCrawford⁠ ⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@flowstatecrawford⁠

⁠

Acknowledgements:

The Intro and Outro Music credit to Holden Peyton. This podcast episode is produced and published by Dolphin Podcasting, LLC. Launch your podcast today at ⁠⁠⁠www.DolphinPodcasting.com⁠⁠

Ambitious or Dissatisfied? Finding “Enough” Without Losing Your Drive | SuccessFlow Podcast

In this episode, Steven and Mr. Crawford unpack whether they’re truly ambitious or simply dissatisfied, exploring the idea of being “blissfully dissatisfied” as a mix of gratitude and hunger to grow. They discuss the modern consumption mindset, the moving goalpost problem, and the trap of believing there’s an endpoint where problems disappear, arguing instead that resilience and problem-solving evolve at each level. They contrast relentless striving with a friend who’s content running a successful dental practice without scaling, and reference the importance of defining “enough,” including ideas from the book “Die With Zero.” They also debate ambition without external validation, the desire for freedom and peace, balancing intense work with real rest, and how reflection and curiosity can allow contentment and ambition to coexist.

00:00 Ambition Or Dissatisfaction

00:21 Blissfully Dissatisfied

02:46 No Finish Line

04:16 Defining Enough

06:17 Living Now Vs Later

08:21 Work Like A Lion

09:19 Would You Want It

11:57 Curiosity And Contentment

15:34 Running Toward Or Away

17:16 Hedonic Treadmill

19:01 Purpose And Isolation

Key Topics:

• The concept of blissfully dissatisfied and its role in happiness

• The importance of defining what 'enough' means for each individual

• The idea that problems persist throughout life and resilience is key

• The balance between ambition and contentment in modern life

• The role of reflection, gratitude, and curiosity in fulfillment

• The dangers of the hedonic treadmill and the importance of life design

• The concept of die with zero and enjoying the fruits of labor

• The impact of social comparison and the desire for anonymity

• The challenge of being content while still striving for more

• The importance of having meaningful relationships and purpose

Key Takeaways:

• Being blissfully dissatisfied allows for gratitude and growth simultaneously.

• Defining 'enough' is crucial for happiness and avoiding endless pursuit.

• Problems are constant; resilience and problem-solving skills lead to peace.

• Balance is personal; what works for one may not work for another.

• Reflection and gratitude help in appreciating progress and current state.

• Life design and systems are necessary to manage modern abundance.

• Enjoying the fruits of labor is key to a fulfilling life.

• True freedom comes from having control over your time and choices.

• Ambition can be aligned with contentment through curiosity.

• There is no finish line; continuous growth and reflection are essential.

Follow the SuccessFlow Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠: ⁠⁠@successflowpodcast⁠⁠

To connect with Steven and ways he can help:⁠

Founder/Creator: ⁠⁠⁠www.oppoflowmindset.com⁠⁠ ⁠

Small Business Payroll - PHX Franchise Owner: ⁠⁠⁠www.journeypayrollhr.com⁠ ⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@steven.oppo.flow ⁠

To connect with Phil and contact directly: ⁠⁠⁠https://phillipcrawford.com/⁠ ⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠⁠@PhillipCrawford⁠ ⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@flowstatecrawford⁠

⁠

Acknowledgements:

The Intro and Outro Music credit to Holden Peyton. This podcast episode is produced and published by Dolphin Podcasting, LLC. Launch your podcast today at ⁠⁠⁠www.DolphinPodcasting.com⁠⁠

Behavioral Gravity: Breaking Defaults, Rewiring Habits, and Becoming Your Future Self | The SuccessFlow Podcast

On The SuccessFlow Podcast, the hosts unpack “behavioral gravity”—the invisible pull of habits, environment, and subconscious defaults that keep people stuck in behaviors like social media scrolling, binge-watching, unhealthy routines, and addiction. They discuss how repetition grooves neural pathways, using a ski-slope metaphor and meditation as a way to “smooth the snow” and create new paths. One host shares a practical decision tool—“Should I? Could I? Would I?”—to interrupt unconscious patterns and build evidence of change through disciplined action. The conversation emphasizes identity-based change (e.g., “I’m a runner,” “I’m a non-smoker”), links addiction to underlying pain and coping rather than character flaws, and describes a hypnosis approach focused on subconscious permission, breath-based release, visualization, and reframing. They close by advocating deeper, soul-centered conversations over small talk and inviting listeners to examine what’s pulling them forward or holding them back.

00:00 Identity Over Habit

00:13 Behavioral Gravity Explained

00:55 Dopamine Traps Scrolling Netflix

03:58 Breaking Default Patterns

05:23 Neural Pathways Meditation Reset

06:30 Should Could Would Filter

08:24 Subconscious Triggers And Identity

10:27 Hypnosis For Smoking Cessation

14:30 Silence As A Tool

16:23 Compartmentalizing And Processing Pain

19:59 Beyond Small Talk Meaningful Work

23:01 Your Behavioral Gravity Takeaway

Key Topics

• The concept of behavioral gravity and its impact on habits

• How environment and social media reinforce default behaviors

• Neural pathways and how repetition grooves them in the brain

• Using mindfulness and meditation to rework neural pathways

• The importance of identity in behavior change

• The role of the subconscious mind and hypnosis in breaking habits

• Practical tools like thought prompt filters for decision making

• The significance of deep, meaningful human connections

Key Frameworks

• Neural Pathways Metaphor

• Thought Prompt Filter

• Behavioral Gravity Model

Action Items

• Reflect on your current behavioral gravity and identify what pulls you back into old habits.

• Practice mindfulness and meditation to rework neural pathways.

• Use the thought prompt filter to evaluate new actions: should, could, would.

Follow the SuccessFlow Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠: ⁠⁠@successflowpodcast⁠⁠

To connect with Steven and ways he can help:⁠

Founder/Creator: ⁠⁠⁠www.oppoflowmindset.com⁠⁠ ⁠

Small Business Payroll - PHX Franchise Owner: ⁠⁠⁠www.journeypayrollhr.com⁠ ⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@steven.oppo.flow ⁠

To connect with Phil and contact directly: ⁠⁠⁠https://phillipcrawford.com/⁠ ⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠⁠@PhillipCrawford⁠ ⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@flowstatecrawford⁠

⁠

Acknowledgements:

The Intro and Outro Music credit to Holden Peyton.

This podcast episode is produced and published by Dolphin Podcasting, LLC. Launch your podcast today at ⁠⁠⁠www.DolphinPodcasting.com⁠⁠

Reset Your Nervous System: Polyvagal Theory, the Vagus Nerve, Neuroception, and Co‑Regulation

The hosts shift to why “resetting your nervous system” has become a trend, focusing on the vagus nerve and Dr. Stephen Porges’ polyvagal theory. They discuss how safety requires signals, how people oscillate between nervous system states, and why modern conditioning can make regulation harder. The episode explains parasympathetic “rest and digest,” sympathetic fight-or-flight, and ventral/dorsal vagal pathways, using examples like a baby being soothed and the stress spike of seeing police lights while driving. They cover practical regulation tools such as breathwork (five in/five out), humming, yawning, cold plunges, and noticing physiological cues, plus concepts like neuroception (subconscious scanning for danger/safety) and co-regulation through community, friends, pets, gardening, and equine therapy.

00:00 Introduction to Vegas and Nervous System Trends

00:38 What is Polyvagal Theory and Why It Matters

01:29 The Role of the Vagus Nerve in Stress and Calm

02:10 How Meditation and Breathwork Regulate the Nervous System

03:14 The Three Circuits of Polyvagal Theory

04:34 The Importance of Safety and Signal Processing

06:49 The Vagus Nerve and Gut Regulation

08:31 Practical Techniques to Shift to Parasympathetic State

10:11 Recognizing and Managing Nervous System Oscillations

12:21 The Significance of Yawning and Breathing Patterns

14:23 Real-Life Examples of Nervous System Reactivity

16:05 Neurosception and Threat Detection

17:21 Building Neuroception and Handling Stressful Situations

18:30 Co-regulation and Its Role in Nervous System Health

20:04 The Impact of Environment and Relationships

22:49 Key Takeaways and Practical Advice for Nervous System Regulation

23:49 The Importance of Action Over Thought

24:31 Final Thoughts and Next Steps for Nervous System Health

Key Topics:

• Polyvagal Theory and its three circuits
• The role of the vagus nerve in stress and relaxation
• Techniques for shifting from sympathetic to parasympathetic states
• The concept of neuroception and safety signals
• Co-regulation and its importance in social and emotional health
• Practical methods like breathing, humming, and yawning to regulate the nervous system
• The impact of lifestyle and environment on nervous system health
• The importance of awareness and real-time regulation

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding polyvagal theory helps in managing stress effectively.
• Breathing techniques like slow, deep breaths can shift your nervous system.
• Co-regulation with others or pets can help stabilize your nervous system.
• Yawning and humming are natural ways to activate the parasympathetic system.
• Regularly practicing nervous system regulation supports longevity and well-being.

Follow the SuccessFlow Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠: ⁠⁠@successflowpodcast⁠⁠

To connect with Steven and ways he can help:⁠

Founder/Creator: ⁠⁠⁠www.oppoflowmindset.com⁠⁠ ⁠

Small Business Payroll - PHX Franchise Owner: ⁠⁠⁠www.journeypayrollhr.com⁠ ⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@steven.oppo.flow ⁠⁠

To connect with Phil and contact directly: ⁠⁠⁠https://phillipcrawford.com/⁠ ⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠⁠@PhillipCrawford⁠ ⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@flowstatecrawford⁠

⁠Acknowledgements:

The Intro and Outro Music credit to Holden Peyton. This podcast episode is produced and published by Dolphin Podcasting, LLC.

Launch your podcast today at ⁠⁠⁠www.DolphinPodcasting.com⁠⁠

Charleston Trip Recap: Ghost Stories, Yellow Fever, Fort Sumter & Robert Smalls.

On the SuccessFlow podcast, the hosts recap a summer trip to South Carolina, spending time in Charleston before a family beach stay in Myrtle Beach. They discuss Charleston’s historic wealth and elegance, its role as a major port and early American hub, and visits to sites like the Battery, Fort Sumter, and the USS Yorktown museum. The conversation dives into local ghost lore, including the story of Lavinia and John Fisher and the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon’s harsh conditions. They also cover Charleston’s yellow fever outbreaks, mass graves reportedly built over, and how floods exposed bones. The episode highlights rice plantations and trade, mentions Robert Smalls’ escape on the Confederate ship Planter and his later career in Congress, and closes with trip anecdotes and podcast updates.

00:00 Infamous Last Words

00:14 Back on the Podcast

01:06 Charleston Trip Recap

03:31 Historic Sights and Tours

04:47 Charleston Ghost Lore

05:08 Lavinia Fisher Tale

09:05 Dungeon and Justice

10:21 Arizona Hauntings

11:06 Yellow Fever Trench

14:16 Rice Wealth and Naming

15:33 Robert Smalls Escape

17:55 Myrtle Beach and Firehouse

19:54 Church Brunch Surprise

Follow the SuccessFlow Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠: ⁠⁠⁠@successflowpodcast⁠⁠⁠

To connect with Steven and ways he can help:⁠

Founder/Creator: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.oppoflowmindset.com⁠⁠ ⁠⁠

Small Business Payroll - PHX Franchise Owner: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.journeypayrollhr.com⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@steven.oppo.flow ⁠⁠⁠

To connect with Phil and contact directly: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://phillipcrawford.com/⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@PhillipCrawford⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@flowstatecrawford⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠@PhillipCrawford⁠

⁠

Acknowledgements:

The Intro and Outro Music credit to Holden Peyton. This podcast episode is produced and published by Dolphin Podcasting, LLC. Launch your podcast today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.DolphinPodcasting.com⁠⁠

The Kybalion Explained: 7 Hermetic Principles for Taking Extreme Ownership. In a solo summer episode, Phil explores Hermeticism through The Kybalion, a modern text that distills the tradition into seven principles, and connects them to Buddhism, Stoicism, Daoism, and ideas like karma and Newton’s third law. The episode walks through mentalism (all is mind), correspondence (as above, so below), vibration (everything moves and “vibes” shape interactions), polarity (opposites differ by degree and can be transmuted), rhythm (tides and cycles that require pacing and neutrality), cause and effect (operate as a conscious cause through accountability and extreme ownership rather than reacting), and gender (masculine/feminine generative forces distinct from biological sex). Listeners are challenged to pick one principle to observe during the week, read the free public-domain Kybalion, and reflect at the year’s halfway point to guide actions in the second half.

00:00 Extreme Ownership Intro

00:23 Why Hermeticism Now

02:05 Seven Principles Overview

03:17 Principle One Mentalism

05:08 Principle Two Correspondence

06:10 Principle Three Vibration

08:59 Principle Four Polarity

10:15 Principle Five Rhythm

11:19 Principle Six Cause Effect

13:11 Principle Seven Gender

15:05 Try One Principle

Key Topics:

• The seven Hermetic principles from the KybalioT

• Connections between ancient wisdom and modern psychology

• Practical applications of mentalism, vibration, and polarity

• How these principles influence mindset and energy

• The role of cause and effect in personal accountability

Key Takeaways:

• The universe is a mental construction, and thoughts create reality.

• Patterns repeat across scales, from atoms to galaxies.

• Everything vibrates; our emotions and energy influence our environment.

• Opposites are two ends of the same spectrum, and balance is key.

• Cause and effect govern all outcomes, emphasizing personal responsibility.

Resource: The Kybalion

Follow the SuccessFlow Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠: ⁠⁠@successflowpodcast⁠⁠

To connect with Steven and ways he can help:⁠

Founder/Creator: ⁠⁠⁠www.oppoflowmindset.com⁠⁠ ⁠

Small Business Payroll - PHX Franchise Owner: ⁠⁠⁠www.journeypayrollhr.com⁠ ⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@steven.oppo.flow ⁠⁠

To connect with Phil and contact directly: ⁠⁠⁠https://phillipcrawford.com/⁠ ⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠⁠@PhillipCrawford⁠ ⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@flowstatecrawford⁠

⁠

Acknowledgements:

The Intro and Outro Music credit to Holden Peyton. This podcast episode is produced and published by Dolphin Podcasting, LLC. Launch your podcast today at ⁠⁠⁠www.DolphinPodcasting.com⁠⁠

Why Podcasting Is Smart for Business (Not Fame): Trust, Team Culture, and Scalable Relationships.

Steven Harris explains why smart businesses start podcasts to become better businesses, not influencers, positioning a podcast as a business development tool that creates marketing as a byproduct. He outlines key benefits: personal development through consistency, clearer thinking, communication, and storytelling; internal alignment by sharing company philosophy and culture with current teams and new hires; and stronger external relationships as clients, partners, and prospects hear your voice, gain value early, and build trust that shortens the sales cycle. He describes using short 15–20 minute episodes to educate at scale, build authority, and generate referrals, plus simple production and repurposing workflows using Riverside, Descript, and Opus Clip, or outsourcing to Dolphin Podcasting. He also frames podcasting as a legacy asset for family and future listeners.

00:00 Podcasts Build Trust

00:28 Podcasting For Business

02:39 Reason One Personal Growth

04:10 Podcasting Shapes Culture

07:30 Relationships And Referrals

10:25 Simple Recording Workflow

12:04 Measure Real Outcomes

12:59 Repurpose Into Content

13:58 Legacy And Purpose

15:33 Final Encouragement

Episode Resources:

Virtual Recording Studio: Riverside

Podcast Video Editor: Descript

Podcast Clip Generation and Scheduling: Opus Clip

Podcast Post-Production: Dolphin Podcasting

Key Topics

• Podcasting as a business development tool

• Personal growth through consistent content creation

• Building team culture and alignment via podcasts

• Using podcasts to strengthen client and partner relationships

• Content repurposing and social media strategy

Key Takeaways:

• Podcasting enhances personal discipline and confidence.

• A weekly podcast creates deep insights into your business.

• Podcasts serve as a scalable way to educate clients and partners.

• Consistent content builds trust and shortens sales cycles.

• Outsourcing podcast production makes it accessible for small businesses.

Follow the SuccessFlow Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠: ⁠⁠@successflowpodcast⁠⁠

To connect with Steven and ways he can help:⁠

Founder/Creator: ⁠⁠⁠www.oppoflowmindset.com⁠⁠ ⁠

Small Business Payroll - PHX Franchise Owner: ⁠⁠⁠www.journeypayrollhr.com⁠ ⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@steven.oppo.flow ⁠⁠

To connect with Phil and contact directly: ⁠⁠⁠https://phillipcrawford.com/⁠ ⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠⁠@PhillipCrawford⁠ ⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@flowstatecrawford⁠

⁠Acknowledgements:

The Intro and Outro Music credit to Holden Peyton. This podcast episode is produced and published by Dolphin Podcasting, LLC. Launch your podcast today at ⁠⁠⁠www.DolphinPodcasting.com⁠⁠