The ONE Thing

When something bad happens in the world, every business leader has a difficult decision to make - the decision to speak up, or to stay silent. In the past, silence was the safest option - today, that’s no longer the case. In such a chaotic world full of conflict, inequality, and political polarization, it’s never been more important to get this question right.

In this episode of The ONE Thing Podcast, Jay Papasan tackles the modern leader's biggest dilemma: The choice to speak up. Whether it's a global crisis, a political movement, or social turmoil, the pressure to "say something" is at an all-time high. To find the answer, Jay sits down with four world-class experts - Donald Miller, Phil M. Jones, Julia Lashay Israel, and Valorie Burton - to build a definitive framework for navigating public conflict carefully and intentionally.

This episode is not about telling you what to think. It is about helping you make a wiser decision, one that aligns with your values, your responsibilities, and the impact your voice can have.

Challenge of the Week:

The next time you feel the urge to immediately post, react, or speak out, pause first and get curious. Ask what else you need to understand before adding your voice. That pause may help you create clarity instead of more noise.

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To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods.

We talk about:


[00:00] Should Business Owners Speak Up or Stay Silent?


[07:05] Julia Lashay’s Framework for Posting With Integrity


[11:01] Phil M Jones on Curiosity, Context, and Slowing Down


[14:08] Donald Miller on Regret, Responsibility, and Brand Risk


[16:21] Valorie Burton on Mission, Empathy, and Adding Clarity


[20:56] How this shows up in our lives


[26:02] The 6 Question Framework for Deciding When to Speak


[36:16] Your Weekly Challenge

Links & Tools from This Episode:


The ONE Thing Operating System


Watch and Listen to Julia Lashay full episode here


Watch and Listen to Phil M Jones full episode here


Donald Miller Website


Valorie Burton’s Website


Free Resources


Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email [email protected]  

Produced by NOVA

A lot of talented people assume that if they work hard enough, they’ll eventually get noticed. Courtney Johnson says that’s simply not how careers work.

In this episode, Jay sits down with Courtney, author of Career Cheat Codes, to unpack the unwritten rules that often separate people who get promoted, hired, and remembered from those who get overlooked. They explore how visibility, relationship-building, and personal branding shape career growth, whether you’re applying for a job, growing a business, or trying to expand your influence inside your company.

Courtney shares practical ways to stand out, from sending a thoughtful follow-up note to improving your digital first impression with better lighting, audio, and online presence. She also opens up about how applying The ONE Thing helped her build her platform, land a book deal, and push through imposter syndrome.

Challenge of the Week:

Get visible in one way that feels a little uncomfortable this week. Post on LinkedIn, share a recent win in your company channel, or raise your hand in a room where you’d normally stay quiet. Pick the one that feels scariest and do it anyway.

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To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods.

We talk about:


[00:00] In Corporate, Working Hard Isn’t Enough


[05:53] Getting Your Foot in the Door


[08:36] What Employers Look for in 


[12:58] Do First Impressions Matter?


[17:44] Crafting The Perfect Digital First Impression


[25:52] She Focused on Her ONE Thing


[38:13] The ONE Thing Challenge 

Links & Tools from This Episode:


Read Career Cheat Codes by Courtney Johnson


Connect with Courtney on LinkedIn


Follow Courtney Johnson on TikTok


Free Resources


Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email [email protected]  

Produced by NOVA

If you want to achieve real and sustainable success, you don’t need another productivity system - try this instead.

In this episode, Jay Papasan sits down with Director of Training Chris Dixon to unpack one of the most requested teachings in The ONE Thing community: the 411.

They explain why to-do lists, project management tools, and reactive planning often leave people busy but not truly productive. Then they walk through how the 411 creates a simple, one-page view of your most important goals by connecting the year, the month, and the week.

Jay and Chris also break down the rhythm that makes the 411 work: daily review, weekly reflection, monthly adjustment, and time blocking the actions that matter most. Along the way, they share common mistakes people make, how to avoid turning the 411 into another to-do list, and why simplicity is the key to making this tool stick.

If you’ve ever felt clear on your goals but unsure what to do next, this episode gives you a practical way to close that gap.

Challenge of the Week:

Go download the 411 tool from the1thing.com/resources, then time block 30 minutes at the end of this week to build your first 411. Keep it simple. Start with just one goal for the year, one milestone for the month, and one action for the week.

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To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods.

We talk about:

[00:00] This is How Billionaires Set Goals

[01:25] Why To-Do Lists DON’T WORK.

[10:21] How to Make a 411

[16:09] What Real 411 Progress Looks Like in Practice

[22:58] How To Build Rhythms 

[32:19] How to Update the 411 Month to Month and Year to Year

[37:08] Common Mistakes

[39:59] The ONE Thing Weekly

Links & Tools from This Episode:


The ONE Thing Operating System


Free Resources (Including the 411)


Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email [email protected]  

Produced by NOVA

What if the biggest thing holding you back isn’t your skills, your resources, or even your discipline—but your beliefs?

In this conversation, Jay sits down with Nir Eyal to unpack the hidden force behind motivation and persistence. While most people think success comes from knowing what to do, Nir makes a compelling case that the real driver is belief. If you don’t believe the effort will pay off—or that you’re capable of sustaining it—you’ll quit long before results show up.

They break down the “motivation triangle” of behavior, benefit, and belief, and explore how limiting beliefs quietly shape your decisions, your relationships, and your ability to follow through. You’ll also learn a practical method to uncover those beliefs and replace them with ones that actually serve you.

This episode also tackles a critical question: when should you keep going, and when should you quit? Nir shares a simple three-part framework to help you decide with clarity instead of emotion.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, inconsistent, or ready to give up, this conversation will change how you see yourself—and what’s possible.

Challenge of the Week:

Identify one limiting belief that’s holding you back. Write it down, then ask yourself: “Could the exact opposite be true?” Create a new belief that serves you—and repeat it when things get hard.

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To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods.

We talk about:

[00:00] Introduction to Nir Eyal and Persistence in Success

[05:30] The Motivation Triangle

[10:54] How to Identify and Replace Limiting Beliefs

[23:55] If You Want to Quit, Ask These 3 Questions

[30:16] How Your Brain Filters Reality and Shapes Your Success

[42:39] The ONE Thing Weekly Challenge

Links & Tools from This Episode:


The ONE Thing Operating System


Beyond Belief by Nir Eyal  


Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction (IBSR) / The Work by Byron Katie 


Grit by Angela Duckworth


Research by Gabriele Oettingen on visualization (Mental Contrasting / WOOP) 


Free Resources


Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email [email protected]  

Produced by NOVA

Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of the loss of a child and experiences of grief. It may be distressing for some listeners. Please listen with care and take the space you need.

Resilience isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build—often in the moments you’d never choose.

In this episode, Jay sits down with Julia Lashay to explore how adversity shapes leadership. From losing everything financially during the Great Recession to the unimaginable loss of her son, Julia shares how she found a way forward when life felt impossible.

Instead of pushing past pain, she learned to work through it—starting small, giving herself grace, and using simple tools like the 411 to regain momentum. Along the way, she discovered that purpose isn’t fixed. It evolves. And when you reconnect with it, it becomes the fuel that carries you through even the hardest seasons.

They also unpack the role of failure, why feedback accelerates growth, and how the people around you can either lift you higher or hold you back.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to move forward, this conversation offers a path—one step at a time. 

Challenge of the Week:

Start defining your personal mission statement. If that feels overwhelming, begin with your core values. Clarity around what matters most will help guide everything else.

***

To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods.

We talk about:

[00:00] Julia Lashay's Introduction

[03:14] Losing Everything and Navigating Personal Tragedy  

[10:16] The First Steps to Rebuilding Life

[15:38] Embracing Learning Lessons

[22:46] Surrounding Yourself with the Right People

[29:57] The ONE Thing Weekly Challenge 

Links & Tools from This Episode:


The ONE Thing Operating System 


Julia Lashay (speaker, coaching, resources)


Free Resources


Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email [email protected]  

Produced by NOVA