Dan Koe, author of the book The Art of Focus, the collection of essays Purpose & Profit, and the renowned newsletter: Future/Proof.

This episode is even better on Youtube: https://youtu.be/x3KW3_tlZoM

On this episode, he explains how he developed his 4-hour workday philosophy that earned him millions of dollars by his mid-twenties, and how his worldview continues to evolve.
We discussed his recent experiments in trying to get AI to write like him, and his take on the future of the creator economy.

To secure your spot at the Future-Proof Creator Summit, go here: https://thelivinginternet.com/

To read Dan's Future/Proof letters, go here:
https://letters.thedankoe.com/

Get on the waitlist for Eden at: https://waitlist.eden.so

Get your copy of The Art of Focus: https://theartoffocusbook.com/

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Dennis McKenna, ethnopharmacologist, joins me for a profound conversation about the evolution of consciousness, mushrooms, and unconventional career paths.

Get your ticket to the Creator Economy Convention: https://www.thelivinginternet.com/

Join the free Living Internet Alliance community: https://living-internet-alliance.circle.so/join?invitation_token=226e75d9ce467200f26b8d69c30cc6fce33321b1-4df96578-ddf5-46b9-bd0c-81882743ba7d

Check out Jesse's wood art: https://www.oakmoss.ca/

Take courses from the McKenna Academy: https://mckenna.academy/course-list/

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Join us as we delve into the world of online writing and content creation with Hussain Ibarra, a self-proclaimed "beginner" with over 22,000 users on X.

Hussein shares his journey from being a disenchanted engineering intern to becoming a successful online writer and mentor. We discuss the importance of consistency, the role of personal branding in the creator economy, and practical tips for starting your own writing venture. Whether you're stuck in a 9-to-5 or looking to improve your online presence, this episode offers invaluable insights.

Get your ticket to the Creator Economy Convention: http://thelivinginternet.com?via=jesse

Read Hussain's Letters on Substack: https://hussainibarra.substack.com/
Read Hussain's threads on X: https://x.com/HussainIbarra

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:14 Weekly Meetings and Podcast Beginnings
01:15 Journey from Engineering to Writing
02:08 Early Struggles and Discovering Online Writing
04:17 Balancing Work, Studies, and Writing
09:59 Developing a Unique Writing Voice
17:41 Understanding the Creator Economy
26:39 Creator Economy Convention Announcement
32:26 The Loneliness of the Creator's Journey
34:17 Facing Skepticism and Self-Doubt
35:47 Overcoming Identity Hurdles in Writing
41:47 The Power of Delusional Aspirational Rates
44:51 The Importance of Physical Fitness for Creativity
50:01 Effective Writing Strategies for Attention
56:16 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
57:55 Starting Your Creator Journey

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Breaking Free from Perfectionism

Read Matt's Substack article (yes, the one we discuss in the episode!) here:
https://mattbuffa.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips

Join The Living Internet Alliance, a free community for up-skilling your social, creative, and financial mastery:
https://living-internet-alliance.circle.so/join?invitation_token=226e75d9ce467200f26b8d69c30cc6fce33321b1-4df96578-ddf5-46b9-bd0c-81882743ba7d

Join Matt Buffa and Jesse James Carver as they explore the struggle of perfectionism and its impact on creativity.
Through a casual conversation about spirituality, anxiety, and the quest for self-improvement, we unpack the importance of letting go and embracing imperfection to make progress.

00:00 Realization and Taking Things Too Seriously
00:56 The Concept of Letting Go
02:53 The Perpetual Need for Self-Improvement
03:39 The Burden of Shoulds and Guilt
06:59 The Red Light Syndrome and Authentic Conversations
08:31 Balancing Podcasting and Personal Life
20:45 Creative Habits and Systematizing Work
24:24 The Challenge of Writing and Perfectionism
33:44 Reflecting on the Creative Wayfinder
34:24 Introducing a New Course Concept
35:11 Exploring the Unblocked Carver Metaphor
35:56 The Process of Carving and Creativity
38:54 Sharpening Your Axe: Preparation vs. Procrastination
41:17 Overcoming Resistance and Starting Projects
43:18 The Role of Ego in Creativity
50:57 Integrating the Self and Ego
57:43 The Zen Approach to Creativity
01:05:48 Final Thoughts and Sign Off

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This episode is with Josh Terry, a high performance coach who helps ambitious creators to achieve greatness without getting stuck in overwhelm and burnout.

Follow his Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshterryplays/

Watch his Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOLdtkK1XqV6ikuHUqfetnQ

Get your early-bird ticket to the Creator Economy Convention:

https://thelivinginternet.com/

Support the show

Check out the Unblocked Carver newsletter here:

https://www.oakmoss.ca/unblockedcarver

This episode explores the profound connection between story, myth, and healing with Brian Maierhofer, an associate marriage family therapist, writer, and self-described "keeper of stories."

Brian shares his transformative journey from struggling with substance use at 20 to discovering Jung and Campbell in a Hawaiian wilderness therapy program's library. We dive deep into how ancient myths and the hero's journey reveal fundamental patterns of psychological death and rebirth that are essential for modern healing.

The conversation covers somatic therapy and the revolutionary concept of the "body-mind" - not two systems connected, but one integrated unit where your body literally maps your subconscious mind. Brian explains how chronic pain, anxiety, and addiction often stem from our brain perceiving suppressed sensations as threats, and how somatic tracking can rewire these patterns.

We also discuss male initiation rites, the lack of cultural containers for transformation in modern society, and practical advice for building an authentic creator business. Brian emphasizes becoming a "relational being" online and letting your audience guide your niche through genuine connection.

Guest: Brian Maierhofer - Associate Marriage Family Therapist, Writer, Former TV Professional
Host: Jesse James Carver - Wood Carver, Creator of Unblocked Creators Podcast

Join us at the Creator Economy Convention in Vancouver, June 5-7, 2026!

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Tesla Quote & Introduction
1:19 - Welcome to Unblocked Creators
3:04 - Introducing Brian Maierhofer
7:20 - Brian as "Keeper of Stories"
9:46 - Academic Origins & Discovery of Jung
12:36 - Why Myth Matters for Modern Psychology
15:06 - The Wasteland & Desert Journeys of the Soul
19:25 - Understanding the Unconscious Mind
23:00 - Male Initiation & Rights of Passage
25:03 - The Myth of Icarus: Failed Initiation
30:04 - Indigenous Initiation Ceremonies
37:31 - Plant Medicine & Cultural Integration
42:14 - Somatic Therapy & The Body-Mind Unity

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Non‑duality is the absence of mentally fabricated boundaries.”
In this wide‑ranging conversation, creator and teacher Dan Goldfield unpacks what that means in real life; how freeing ourselves from constant interpretation dissolves suffering, and why you don’t need hours of meditation to find rest.

We cover Dan’s path from 20 years as a professional drummer/teacher to publishing hundreds of short teachings (Insight Timer, YouTube), and the non‑dual lineages that shaped him (Advaita Vedanta, Zen, Dzogchen, plus lessons from modern Theravada). Dan explains “non‑meditation” (dissolving the line between practice and life), how effort can become the problem, and practical ways to relate to pain, anxiety, and tension, including his experience with the Alexander Technique.

We also reconcile spirituality with business and the creator economy: service over self, authenticity, and empathy‑driven marketing. You’ll hear why “being of benefit” is both the spiritual path and the most sustainable growth strategy for modern creators.

Follow Dan Goldfield on X — @itsdangoldfield
Watch more from Dan on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@itsdangoldfield

Join us in person: Creator Economy Convention (Vancouver, BC • June 5–7, 2026) Founder tickets are $200 off for a limited time: http://thelivinginternet.com
Your ticket includes access to our Circle community and optional accountability groups, and access to the three-day long convention and three meals throughout the weekend.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Energy, frequency, vibration: opening and setup
00:42 - Meet Dan Goldfield and the origin of his short teachings
04:45 - What is non‑duality? “Absence of mentally fabricated boundaries”
06:30 - The rain example: freedom from interpretation vs reactivity
08:44 - Lineages that shaped Dan: Advaita, Zen, Dzogchen (and modern Theravada)
09:45 - When effort backfires: “gladdening the mind” vs letting go
16:27 - What is non‑meditation? Dissolving the boundary between practice and life
22:21 - “I’m unhappy and in pain”—when to use supportive practices
24:37 - Alexander Technique: releasing self‑created tension and chronic pain
32:02 - Reconciling spirituality and money; creators, service, and authenticity
38:13 - From drums to Dharma business: courses, $10k launch, and focus
43:06 - “Being of benefit” as the test of enlightenment and the creator’s path
1:16:32 - How to find rest now: awareness, gaps in anxiety, and the cloud frame story
1:24:02 - Where to find Dan + Creator Economy Convention details and $200 off

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Paul Musso is a full time philosophy professor and solopreneur. After receiving his PhD in Philosophy from the University of Pennyslvania, he decided to begin pursuing a career teaching philosophy online. His main focus is teaching people how to build their own philosophy of life, which he calls a “micro-philosophy”. His work is primarily found on Substack, and he just released a free course on Stoicism as a way of life, titled Philosophy As The Art Of Living.

Get tickets to The Creator Economy Convention: https://www.thelivinginternet.com

Read Paul's Substack writings here: https://themicrophilosopher.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search

Register for Paul's Micro-Philosophy: Foundations, and build your own personal philosophy of life, by clicking here: https://stan.store/paulmussophilosophy/p/the-microphilosophy-foundations-course-access

Support the show

Check out the Unblocked Carver newsletter here:

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