Singer and entertainer Jon Mero is with us! His voice is incredible… his musical acumen is nothing short of astounding… but his heart… and who he is as a human... is even more impressive. He was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa… and now resides in Atlanta, Georgia building an incredible career.
He’s been a finalist on NBC’s The Voice. He’s gotten to sing on movie soundtracks like Pitch Perfect 3 (alongside Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson). And most recently… a single he did with LONIS… was featured on the ABC tv show “Station 19.” He’s walking out a true story of talent, grit, faith and entrepreneurial spirit and I can’t wait for this conversation!
RESOURCES:
Jon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonmero/
Jon’s Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/jonmero
Jon Mero’s The VOICE Blind Audition: https://mitchmatthews.com/335
Jon’s first appearance on DREAM THINK DO: www.mitchmatthews.com/151
“3 Keys for Sticking with a Dream (in 15 minutes or less): mitchmatthews.com/320/
“Dreaming BIG No Matter What” with Amberly Lago: https://mitchmatthews.com/310/
“True Grit: Stories you didn’t hear in History Class but should have!” with Ben Stein: www.mitchmatthews.com/173
MINUTE BY MINUTE:
MITCH’S MINUTE:
I loved this convo.
One of my favorite moments was Jon’s quote:
“The reason why we miss today is because we think there is a moment in the future that’s more important than today.”
Whew… that’s wisdom. AND a cautionary tale… right?
I love how Jon says he’s still working on living in the moment, BUT that understanding was at the core of him KILLING his blind audition for The Voice. He was in THAT moment… fully. And you could TOTALLY tell. True joy. Fully there. No matter the outcome. Okay… it didn’t hurt that 4 chairs turned and they almost got in a fist fight over him… BUT living in the moment helped. HA!
How about YOU? What stood out to you? Was it something Jon said? Was it the vibe? Was it a thought or a memory that this convo sparked? Let me know. I shared some of my favorites… now I want to hear from YOU! Leave a comment below and let’s do this!
In this episode we are going to talk about the importance of injecting a little adventure into our lives. C.S. Lewis once said, "Some journeys take us far from home. Some adventures lead us to our destiny." Sure, adventure can mean climbing peaks in Peru or Nepal… but there are other ways that we can inject a little novelty and adventure in our daily lives… even if you live in the burbs, like I do! In fact, I make the case using some good ol’ research-backed arguments, but I also share a way that I’ve been experiencing a little “adventure” lately. And it doesn’t cost me a thing… but it’s been a way that I’ve been finding some rest and restoration. And as you’ll hear… it’s also been teaching me A LOT about life and business. Check it out… and then join me in finding a little “adventure” no matter where you live!
EPISODES MENTIONED:
Ruth Soukup | Surprising Secrets For Living the Good Life - (click here)
Beating the "MEH" with LAURA SANCHEZ-GREENBERG - www.mitchmatthews.com/308
A Hiro’s Journey - mitchmatthews.com/322
The Rest vs. Restoration Experiment - mitchmatthews.com/330
MORE ABOUT THIS EPISODE:
For some ADVENTURE might mean a trip to the big city... or it might be going to the other side of the planet.
"Some journeys take us far from home. Some adventures lead us to our destiny."
- CS Lewis
Amelia Earhart once said, "Adventure is worthwhile in itself."
"You can't define adventure... and what it means to you... until you've wrestled with it. True adventure happens beyond what you might think is safe... or obtainable. That's where you see miracles happen. Adventure is the distance between the present and the fulfillment of your dreams! And how you navigate the "in-between" is the great unknown.”
- Clay Croft - Creator of the Expedition Overland
(Find out more here: www.xoverland.com)
BUT... you might be saying...
"THAT IS NOT ME!!! I LIVE in the burbs... I have a house filled with kids, schedules, dogs, cats and a bird... I can't be traipsing around the globe looking for ADVENTURE!!!"
I get it... I'm right there with you!!!
Here’s a brief history of “Adventure and me”:
ADVENTURE NOW:
As a result… I live in a suburb of a moderate sized city... in a state where the highest elevation is 1,670 feet. Literally, it’s: Hawkeye Point Hawkeye Point which is the highest natural point in Iowa at 1,670 feet (510 m). It is approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km) north of Sibley on the eastern side of SR 60 and approximately 3.5 miles (5.6 km) south of the Iowa-Minnesota state border.
My favorite part is the directions say,
“The high ground lies 100 feet (30 m) due south of an old silo.”
But remember:
ADVENTURE isn't a location... it's a mindset!
Also remember…
"Stay curious. It will lead to a life of adventure!"
- Mitch Matthews
It's sooooo important... and this is backed up by SCIENCE!!!
I’m betting you remember Episode 308 - Beating the "MEH" with LAURA SANCHEZ-GREENBERG. www.mitchmatthews.com/308 (More from Laura below.)
In that episode, we talked about how novelty is critical. Mixing things up. Trying new things. Stretching yourself. Growing.
So sure... if you can go climb a mountain... DO it!!!
BUT if you’re in a suburbs in the flat lands… (like me)... you need to find other ways to experience adventure!
DEFINING ADVENTURE
For OUR purposes, let’s define adventure as:
Yvon Chouinard... rock climber, world adventurer and founder of Patagonia once said,
"It's not truly adventure until something goes wrong."
You might get some of that at work... or at home. You might say... I've got a teenager... stuff goes wrong all the time! LOL! BUT seriously... what if you introduced some adventure WITH your teenager. What if?
My Invitation:
Dreaming BIGGER... thinking BETTER and doing MORE is all about living an amazing life and that's what I want from you... if you're living in Nepal... or Fiji... NYC… or a really nice little suburb.
Adventure is out there... we just have to find it.
Amen?
RESOURCES:
In the episode, I mention that past DREAM THINK DO guest Laura Sanchez-Greenberg had provided some SCIENCE and RESEARCH to back up today’s episode… so I wanted to provide it here… in her own words.
She shared...
“Novelty and “sustainable happiness” studies suggest that doing new things is good for our well-being and some authors have suggested that fulfilling our need for novelty is a basic requirement for optimal functioning (Gonzalez-Cutre et al 2016).
Research here tied to the self-determination theory (SDT is the so-often-attributed to Daniel Pink’s Autonomy, Mastery, Purpose triangle from his book “Drive” – this model is actually research by Deci and Ryan (1980, 2000) which Pink translated.) The research notes that novelty is a basic tenant of being self-determining. Without novelty, then you wouldn’t know if you were self-determining as it would just be more of the same. In simpler terms: How do you know if you are choosing for yourself (autonomy), if you are competent (mastery) if nothing changes?
Some suggested things to read:
Laura continues…
“I’d say pointing to Barbara Fredrickson’s work “Positivity” is also good.
The bottom line is, although there is novelty specific research, the word itself takes on all the research that’s there and gives it name.
When we change our view, our brain activates, it learns, it absorbs.
So the important role that awe plays in happiness, that nature plays in happiness, importance of learning in happiness… all of these are related to novelty – we change our environment, learn something new, feel awe… all novelty.
So “novelty” is a catch all for so much of the research (I use the word as a shortcut).
Super nerdy research:
In the Suburbs… grab your lip smacker… put out a bird feeder and let that Cardinal surprise you; better yet, let the seeds call it to you in winter where the red pops on the snow background (they don’t migrate). Smell coffee. Take a peek at a chipmunk… take a walk and for a minute, check out how bark on a tree can form art… all sorts of novelty.”
I want to hear from YOU!
What do YOU think? Is finding some adventure… some novelty important? Did you need to be reminded of that? (I know I do!!!) What’s one way you want to inject some adventure into your world? What’s a way to experience a little novelty? Share something you love to do… or something you’re going to try! I can’t wait to hear from YOU! Comment and let me know.
George H. Xanthis is our guest. He’s an amazing actor from Australia who plays John in the TV Series, “The Chosen.” You’re probably aware… but if not… The Chosen is the first ever multi-season TV series based on the life of Jesus. It’s a phenomenon… from a spiritual sense but also from an entrepreneurial perspective. In fact, it’s the #1 crowd funded media project of all time! With over $10 million raised… two seasons done and available… and as of today… over 270 million views in over 180 countries. Incredible. And George is in the middle of all of that! Plus, he’s a force for good inside AND outside the show. We’ll talk about how he got his start in acting, how his journey with “The Chosen” began, what it’s been like playing such a significant role and what he’s learned about life, work and faith… as a result. Plus, this represents our first interview in this NEW season. So I take a slightly different approach with the conversation… and I think you’re going to dig it. So, let’s get to the conversation!
RESOURCES:
Would you like more info on The Chosen? Click here
George’s Instagram:/www.instagram.com/georgehxanthis
If you’re an actor and/or you know someone who is… be sure to check out George’s “ACT UP!” Podcast: Click here
Check out George’s efforts to help the Sydney Children’s Hospital on Cameo: Click here
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: George’s NEWEST role is in FX’s newly announced “American Crime Story” called “Impeachment” where he plays George Stephanopoulous. (NOTE: We couldn’t talk about this during our interview because he wasn’t released to announce it yet.) Check it out here: Click here.
Other “RELATED” episodes:
A Prayer for YOU and YOUR dreams! www.mitchmatthews.com/314
Hiro’s Journey [so far]. What a Puppy’s been teaching me about pursuing dreams and living life: www.mitchmatthews.com/322
DREAM BIG… no matter what! (With Amberly Lago): www.mitchmatthews.com/310
The Gift of Being Fully Present [Part 3]: www.mitchmatthews.com/304
More about THIS episode:
George Xanthis came through acting training, comedy and improv as well. He even spent some time with the The Groundlings Improv troupe in LA.
He’s had a lot of different experiences… and he’s also got a heart for helping other actors… so he has his own podcast called “Act Up” where he and his guests discuss their craft and specific strategies to navigate everything from the audition room, day-to-day on set as well as performing in front of live audiences.
He also believes in giving back… so he’s on CAMEO… where he’s doing video messages to fans… but he’s also raising money for The Sydney Children’s Hospital. Plus, he and some of his fellow cast members just did a marathon session on instagram to help raise funds for people who are hurting in Afghanistan.
Plus, I asked YOU for your input via Facebook and we got a LOT of response… so I’ll be peppering them in during our convo! (Click here to follow me… so YOU can get in on our next “Listener Lightning Round Questions!”)
I love the guy… and I think you will too! Let’s get to this.
MINUTE BY MINUTE:
MITCH’S MINUTE & NOW… I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Okay… obviously… we’re doing things a little differently in THIS season. I’ve added the official “Mitch’s Minute” at the end to offer my thoughts. I got fired up… so I think it was more like 7 minutes… but I really wanted to share some of my favorite take aways.
How about YOU!? What’s something that stood out to you? What’s something that grabbed you? What did you think? I’d love to hear from you. Drop a comment below and let me know!
You asked for it… so I’m digging into it! How do you go from being “interested in becoming a speaker” to actually building a speaking business? It’s not easy… (run from anyone who tells you it is) BUT the steps to get there are a lot clearer than you might imagine. In today’s episode we’re going to get you the 5 keys to becoming a PAID speaker! The EXTRA good news is that ANYONE can start to implement these steps IMMEDIATELY! So, if you’ve got a message that’s burning in you… something you know would help people… something that could make an impact… then THIS episode is for YOU! We’ll show you a path to start speaking more AND increase your chances for being paid well as you do!
RESOURCES:
To find out more about Mitch’s “Next-Level Speaker Event 2021” Click Here.
This event will help you get the marketing pieces in place to reach more of the people you want to reach, score the stages you want to speak on and get paid well to do it!
Download the PDF at https://mitchmatthews.com/332
MORE ABOUT THE EPISODE:
While I was on sabbatical… I’d asked YOU… the DREAM THINK DO family… about what you’d like me to dig into once I got back. I listed off a number of themes and topics:
THEMES:
SPECIFIC (or more general) TOPICS:
Well… I heard from you and one of the big areas that many of you wanted to hear about was “Speaking and building a Speaking Business.”
I wanted to go after that right away… so we’re digging in today!
5 Keys to go from “FREE” to “FEE” as a Successful (and profitable) Speaker.
Key 1: START!
It’s not a surprise, but when people ask me about the best ways to get started as a Speaker… my response is always short, sweet, accurate and to the point. I say, “Get started!”
It’s not a throw away answer. It's the absolute truth. The best way to start… is to start.
_____________________________
“START where you are. Use what you have. DO what you can.” - Arthur Ashe
_____________________________
In the episode, I share some of my “humble beginnings” stories but I also explain how those speaking events… where it felt no one was looking… led to my first paid gig with a Fourtune 100 company!
Key 2: Create a Tangible Talk
That’s right. Before you ever get paid… get started by creating a talk. In the episode, I explain why… but I also introduce you to the strategy of Creating an Idea Map. (Make sure to download the Participant Guide… above. It will give you an example of what I’m talking about!)
Key 3: Deliver that Tangible Talk
Once you have your tangible talk… find ways to deliver it. We’ll talk about ways to do it AND I’ll share a story of how giving a “free” talk in a public library led to a $20K gig!
_____________________________
“Getting STARTED gets you needed practice and it gets you into what we call
“The Speaker Jet Stream!”
_____________________________
KEY 4: Know The Process!
This was something that was totally in my blindspot! I didn’t know the process for being selected as a speaker for bigger events and stages. And since I didn’t know… I wasn’t confident. And Event Planners and Selection Committees could pick up on it… so I didn’t get the opportunities.
BUT once I started to understand the process… and more important… the BIGGEST concern of decision makers (which surprised me)... I was able to secure the types of stages and events I’d hoped for!
KEY 5: Create a One Sheet!
You want to make it easy for the Search Committees to SELL you to the final decision-makers. Having a solid One Sheet will help you to do that. More importantly… the process of putting an effective One Sheet together will help you get all your KEY marketing in place!
MINUTE BY MINUTE
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
What stood out to you? What’s something small but significant you are going to try? Let me know by dropping a comment below. I want to hear from you!
Maybe it’s just giving yourself permission to START! Maybe it’s putting together a talk on a subject you LOVE. Maybe it’s scheduling a space to give that talk. Maybe it’s reaching out to organizations who might need your help and your message! Maybe it’s joining us for our Next Level Speaker event so you can get a powerful ONE SHEET in place and done in one weekend! Whatever it is… BIG or small… BOLD or more subtle… take a step.
And hey… one step would simply be to comment below and say, “I’m IN! I’m going to START!” I can’t wait to hear from you… because hey… I know the world needs to hear from YOU! (You’ve got wisdom and stories in you the world needs!!! So let’s do this!) Amen?
You asked for it… so I’m digging into it! How do you go from being “interested in becoming a speaker” to actually building a speaking business? It’s not easy… (run from anyone who tells you it is) BUT the steps to get there are a lot clearer than you might imagine. In today’s episode we’re going to get you the 5 keys to becoming a PAID speaker! The EXTRA good news is that ANYONE can start to implement these steps IMMEDIATELY! So, if you’ve got a message that’s burning in you… something you know would help people… something that could make an impact… then THIS episode is for YOU! We’ll show you a path to start speaking more AND increase your chances for being paid well as you do!
RESOURCES:
To find out more about Mitch’s “Next-Level Speaker Event 2021” Click Here.
This event will help you get the marketing pieces in place to reach more of the people you want to reach, score the stages you want to speak on and get paid well to do it!
Download the PDF at https://mitchmatthews.com/332
MORE ABOUT THE EPISODE:
While I was on sabbatical… I’d asked YOU… the DREAM THINK DO family… about what you’d like me to dig into once I got back. I listed off a number of themes and topics:
THEMES:
SPECIFIC (or more general) TOPICS:
Well… I heard from you and one of the big areas that many of you wanted to hear about was “Speaking and building a Speaking Business.”
I wanted to go after that right away… so we’re digging in today!
5 Keys to go from “FREE” to “FEE” as a Successful (and profitable) Speaker.
Key 1: START!
It’s not a surprise, but when people ask me about the best ways to get started as a Speaker… my response is always short, sweet, accurate and to the point. I say, “Get started!”
It’s not a throw away answer. It's the absolute truth. The best way to start… is to start.
_____________________________
“START where you are. Use what you have. DO what you can.” - Arthur Ashe
_____________________________
In the episode, I share some of my “humble beginnings” stories but I also explain how those speaking events… where it felt no one was looking… led to my first paid gig with a Fourtune 100 company!
Key 2: Create a Tangible Talk
That’s right. Before you ever get paid… get started by creating a talk. In the episode, I explain why… but I also introduce you to the strategy of Creating an Idea Map. (Make sure to download the Participant Guide… above. It will give you an example of what I’m talking about!)
Key 3: Deliver that Tangible Talk
Once you have your tangible talk… find ways to deliver it. We’ll talk about ways to do it AND I’ll share a story of how giving a “free” talk in a public library led to a $20K gig!
_____________________________
“Getting STARTED gets you needed practice and it gets you into what we call
“The Speaker Jet Stream!”
_____________________________
KEY 4: Know The Process!
This was something that was totally in my blindspot! I didn’t know the process for being selected as a speaker for bigger events and stages. And since I didn’t know… I wasn’t confident. And Event Planners and Selection Committees could pick up on it… so I didn’t get the opportunities.
BUT once I started to understand the process… and more important… the BIGGEST concern of decision makers (which surprised me)... I was able to secure the types of stages and events I’d hoped for!
KEY 5: Create a One Sheet!
You want to make it easy for the Search Committees to SELL you to the final decision-makers. Having a solid One Sheet will help you to do that. More importantly… the process of putting an effective One Sheet together will help you get all your KEY marketing in place!
MINUTE BY MINUTE
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
What stood out to you? What’s something small but significant you are going to try? Let me know by dropping a comment below. I want to hear from you!
Maybe it’s just giving yourself permission to START! Maybe it’s putting together a talk on a subject you LOVE. Maybe it’s scheduling a space to give that talk. Maybe it’s reaching out to organizations who might need your help and your message! Maybe it’s joining us for our Next Level Speaker event so you can get a powerful ONE SHEET in place and done in one weekend! Whatever it is… BIG or small… BOLD or more subtle… take a step.
And hey… one step would simply be to comment below and say, “I’m IN! I’m going to START!” I can’t wait to hear from you… because hey… I know the world needs to hear from YOU! (You’ve got wisdom and stories in you the world needs!!! So let’s do this!) Amen?
Have you been feeling like you’re wanting to make some changes? A new day? Some new perspectives? A shift that YOU create as opposed to something that you’re told to do. A new mission. Me too! Seriously… I’m BACK and as you’ll hear... I’m fired up! That’s right… after a sabbatical… I’m excited to be back. And in this episode, I’m going to invite you into what’s NEXT! We’re going to get “R.E.A.L.” to talk about where we’re headed with the podcast but also (maybe even more importantly) where I’m wanting to go with my own life. And as you hear it… you believe this is going to be really encouraging for YOU on YOUR journey into YOUR next season too. Of course... I tell some fun stories along the way… like what happened when a potential client told me to “toggle it back.” (It was a kick to the gut at the time… but it was also a true turning point!) I’m so excited for you to listen to this one and join me as we move into what’s NEXT. Strap in and I guarantee it’s going to be an ADVENTURE! Let’s do this!!!
STUFF and FORMER EPISODES MENTIONED:
I mentioned my son Alex’s new book was just released. Check it out here.
Here’s my interview with Alex when his FIRST novel was published: https://mitchmatthews.com/271/
I talked about my sabbatical (and why it was needed) along with rest and restoration here: https://mitchmatthews.com/330/
MORE ABOUT THIS EPISODE:
I’m so excited to be back! We’re talking about where I’m feeling called to take DREAM THINK DO in this next season. We’re going to be talking about being REAL and taking that to new levels.
And hey… I’m a speaker and a teacher… so I HAVE to work an acronym into things. Job hazard. LOL! So, when I say, “Being R.E.A.L. at new levels,” this is what we’re talking about:
The “R” stands for being REAL and AUTHENTIC.
“Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It’s about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen.” - Brene Brown
We’re going to talk more about what THIS actually means for us DREAM THINK DOERs… especially as we move ahead. But we’re taking the REALNESS to new levels and it’s going to be goooooood!
The “E” reminds us that we’re going to be ENTREPRENEURIAL and ENTREPRENEURIALLY-MINDED as we move forward.
You don’t have to be an entrepreneur to benefit from some of the things that we’ll be talking about… but I want to encourage you to be entrepreneurially-minded! And hey… I heard from you all loud and clear that it’s time to start bringing entrepreneurial concepts and strategies back into DTD and I can’t wait!
“Learn to sell. Learn to build. If you can do both, you will be unstoppable in ANY role or position you find yourself!” - Naval Ravikant
The “A” stands for ADVENTURE.
With all of the wildness in life… it may feel a little wild and overwhelming at times. BUT you were MADE for adventure. We were made to do incredible things. And sometimes the best way to deal with some of the craziness and unpredictability that can come in life… is to inject some ADVENTURE that you choose! Intentional… calculated… risk. Being a novice. Trying something. Taking a step. You agree? You in?
“Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.” - T.S. Eliot
The “L” stands for… well… you’re going to have to listen to the episode to hear THAT one.
It may or may not surprise you… but it may be the MOST IMPORTANT principle as we move forward into this next season!
Lastly… an INVITATION:
If you’re IN (woot woot)… please do one of the following:
It’s time to dream bigger dreams… it’s time to think even better… it’s time to do more of what you were put on the planet to do AND it’s time to be more YOU than you’ve ever been!!!
You in? I hope so! Let’s do this!!!
THE EPISODE AT A GLANCE: