March 2, 2025 • 58 mins
In this episode, Steven explores the deeper themes of change, resilience, and identity as portrayed in One Piece Chapter 21: Town. By examining Luffy’s carefree attitude, Nami’s skepticism, and the town’s struggle to rebuild after Buggy’s tyranny, he uncovers what it truly means to reclaim one’s sense of purpose and move forward despite hardships.
Listeners will gain insights into how environments shape personal growth, the importance of letting go of the past, and the role of self-determination in carving out a new path. Steven breaks down how embracing change, rather than fearing it, is the key to progress and how the people we surround ourselves with can either hold us back or push us forward.
If you’re feeling stuck, hesitant to move forward, or struggling with the weight of past experiences, this episode will challenge you to redefine your journey, take control of your own narrative, and confidently embrace the unknown.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:11):
Orange Town may seem like just anotherstop in Luffy's journey, but in One
Piece, towns are never just backdrops,right?
These places are, like, alive-they'reshaped by the people who live there, and
sometimes, the people who oppress them.
(00:31):
In Orange Town's case, you can reallyfeel the fear Buggy has drilled into the
citizens.
It's in every cracked street, quiet look,and how, you know, people avoid standing
out.
Buggy's presence is everywhere, even inthe silence.
And and that silence says a lot.Buthere's the thing-every town Luffy visits
(00:57):
becomes more than just a setting.
Each place is like a little test, for himand, let's be honest, for the audience,
too.
Orange Town isn't just where Buggyhappens to rule; it's where Luffy steps
up, where the citizens decide if they'regonna keep living in fear or break free.
(01:21):
These environments-you could say they'realmost characters themselves.
They push Luffy forward, forcing him toadapt and prove his resolve.
And isn't that kind of what life does tous?
Think about it.
The places we live, work, and hang out in?
They shape us, whether we notice it ornot.
(01:44):
A toxic environment can completely drainyou, while a supportive one can lift you
up, help you dream bigger-literallychange how you see yourself.
And it's not just about ambition.
I mean, honestly, if the people and theenergy around you aren't helping you
(02:08):
grow, they're probably holding you back.Iremember this time when I moved to a new
city-no friends, no safety net-and I was,well, I was nervous as hell.
But something about the newness of it allpushed me to see opportunities I might've
ignored before.
I had to learn, you know, to beresilient, to recognize when something
(02:36):
was worth chasing.
It wasn't easy, but it shaped me in ways,uh, staying comfortable never could've.
And what about you?
Like, really think about this one (02:44):
How does your environment-your job, your
relationships, even the energy of yourhome-affect you?
Is it helping you see your potential, oris it quietly holding you back?
Sometimes we get so used to how thingsare, we don't even realize they're not
(03:08):
letting us grow.So here's something totry today: just take a moment to look
around.
Are the habits you formed, the people youspend time with, the spaces you exist
in-are they lifting you up or keeping youstagnant?
If the answer's no, then maybe it's timeto change something.
(03:33):
Maybe start with something small, likeseeking out a place or a person that
sparks growth in you.
The right environment can, honestly, itcan change everything.You know, when we
think about Nami, one of the first thingsthat comes to mind is how cautious she
(03:56):
is, right?
She's smart, strategic-but she doesn'ttrust easily.
And and, honestly, you can't blame her.
Her guarded nature really makes sensewhen you consider her past.
She's been through some, uh, seriouslytough situations, situations that taught
(04:20):
her to watch her back and trust no one.
And that attitude?
Well, it's kind of survival for her.
What's really interesting is how Nami'sdistrust contrasts so sharply with
Luffy's approach.
I mean, Luffy wears his heart on hissleeve, doesn't he?
He believes in people.
Like, almost recklessly so.
(04:42):
For Nami, though, pirates representgreed, betrayal, people looking out for
themselves.
You can see why she's, like, not exactlyjumping at the chance to join forces with
someone like Luffy.
Her skepticism isn't just natural-it's,uh, necessary.
(05:03):
Because for her, trusting the wrongperson could be dangerous.
It could cost her everything.And, really,that's, that's true in real life, too,
right?
Our experiences shape how we interactwith others.
Some people trust easily, and and theiropenness can be refreshing, even
(05:24):
inspiring.
But others?
Others have been hurt, betrayed-and thathistory makes them build walls instead.
Those walls, they can protect us, butthey can also, you know, keep out the
good as much as the bad.
And that's the tricky part.I can think ofa time when I built my own walls, and let
(05:49):
me tell you-it wasn't easy to let themdown.
You go through something-like, maybesomeone lets you down or takes advantage
of your trust-and suddenly, it's like,you've got this instinct to keep everyone
at arm's length.
But here's the thing (06:08):
being too guarded?
It can stop you from formingrelationships that are actually, you
know, meaningful.
I realized, at some point, that I wasmissing out on good connections because I
was too busy protecting myself from badones.
(06:30):
If you've ever been in that place, youknow it's a hard balance to strike.That's
why Nami's story hits so close to homefor a lot of people, I think.
She's looking out for herself, and on onelevel, that makes her strong.
But it also shows how past trauma canmake you see every new opportunity, every
(06:52):
new relationship, as a threat.
And honestly?
That's exhausting.
It makes you wonder, doesn't it?
How many people-how many goodopportunities-have I maybe missed out on
because I couldn't let my guard down?
So, here's something worth askingyourself-are past experiences stopping
(07:18):
you from trusting others who mightactually have good intentions?
Are you keeping people at a distance,maybe out of a fear of being hurt again?
It's worth a second thought, right?
Maybe even try practicing small acts oftrust, whether in friendships, at work,
or even in, like, personal goals.
(07:42):
It doesn't have to be big.
Just something that reminds you that noteveryone is out to take advantage of you.
That sometimes, letting someone in couldlead to something strong, something
meaningful.One of the saddest thingsabout Orange Town is how its people have
(08:05):
just accepted Buggy's rule.
You see it in how they act, how theyavoid making eye contact, how they've
stopped fighting back.
It's like they've decided that this isjust how life has to be now.
And honestly?
That's what fear does, doesn't it?
It makes the unacceptable feel normal.
(08:27):
And and, really, that's not just apirate-town problem, right?
Fear keeps a lot of us trapped-whetherit's in toxic relationships, bad jobs, or
just situations that you know, deep down,you don't deserve.
But standing up to those situations?
(08:48):
Oh man, that can feel impossible,especially when you're up against someone
or something that seems so much morepowerful than you.
Kind of like Buggy, right?
I mean, the guy has a literal cannoncrew-no wonder people feel powerless.And
here's the thing-fear is sneaky.
(09:10):
It builds walls around you, and overtime, you start to believe those walls
can't come down.
But look at Luffy.
When he shows up, he doesn't care aboutBuggy's reputation, he doesn't hesitate.
His confidence shakes things up, makesthe townspeople start to wonder if maybe,
(09:31):
just maybe, they don't have to live likethis forever.
That's the power of even one personrefusing to back down-it's contagious.
I'll tell you, I've been in situationswhere I've seen injustice in action-times
when I really had to ask myself, am Igonna say something or just stay quiet?
And and let me be real (09:53):
it's scary.
I mean, your brain starts thinking of allthe ways speaking up could go wrong.
But the few times I did push past thatfear?
That's when real change started happening.
Not, like, overnight or anything, butenough to remind me that silence only
(10:19):
keeps things the same.So, how about you?
Are there areas in your life where fearis keeping you stuck?
Maybe it's not a flashy pirate captainholding you down, but is it a toxic job?
A bad friendship?
A system you've just accepted as "the waythings are"?
What if, just for a second, you imaginedchallenging that?
(10:45):
Like, what would actually happen if youdidn't let fear win?
Here's a thought-don't try to take downthe whole system in one move.
Start small.
Pick one moment where you can safelystand up for yourself or someone else.
Maybe it's speaking up in a meeting,setting a boundary with someone, or just
(11:09):
saying, you know, "this isn't okay."Practice that confidence-because the more
you do it, the stronger you feel.
Fear might be powerful, but it's notinvincible.
And as Luffy shows us, sometimes all ittakes is one person to make others
believe that, too.When you think aboutBuggy's leadership style, it's, well,
(11:36):
it's all about fear, isn't it?
He doesn't inspire loyalty; he demands it.
His crew follows him not because theybelieve in him, but because they're
afraid of what'll happen if they don't.
And that's the thing about fear-it canforce obedience, but it never, like,
(11:57):
fosters genuine loyalty.
Buggy's crew isn't there out of respect;they're there because they're terrified.
And and that creates a pretty shakyfoundation, doesn't it?
Now, compare that to Luffy.
Luffy doesn't order people around orscare them into following him.
(12:20):
He leads with action, and he earnsrespect just by being who he is-someone
who believes in his crew and in his dream.
That's the difference.
When you lead through respect, you buildsomething stronger, more, uh, resilient.
(12:40):
The people who stand beside you do so bychoice, not because they're scared of
what'll happen if they leave.Andhonestly, this isn't just, you know,
pirate dynamics.
It shows up in real life, too.
In workplaces, friendships, evenfamilies-you can see the difference
(13:02):
between leadership built on fear versusleadership built on trust and respect.
Some leaders control and manipulate,demanding results without caring about
the people involved.
But the best leaders?
They inspire.
They listen, they support, and theycreate space for people to thrive.I think
(13:28):
back to a boss I once had.
I mean, this guy led with fear-constantcriticism, public callouts, no real
support.
And and let me tell you, it wasexhausting, working in that environment.
You're motivated by survival, not by anyreal belief in what you're doing.
(13:51):
But then I had another leader who did theexact opposite-someone who took the time
to listen, to encourage, and to actuallybelieve in my potential.
And the thing is, I wanted to dobetter-not because I was afraid of
consequences, but because I feltmotivated, empowered even.
(14:15):
That's the power of leadership groundedin respect.So think about your own life
for a second.
Are you being led by fear, or by respect?
And if you're the one leading, askyourself-how are you showing up for the
people looking to you?
Are you inspiring them to grow, or areyou intimidating them into compliance?
(14:41):
It matters, right?
Because leadership, whether it's on apirate ship, in an office, or even within
a circle of friends, sets the tone foreverything else.
And if you're stuck under poor leadership?
Well, that's a tough spot to be in.
But maybe, just maybe, it's worth askingif there's room to create positive change.
(15:06):
Could you have a conversation, set aboundary, or push for a better dynamic?
If not, then-and this might sting-itcould be time to think about moving on to
a place where you're valued, where you'rerespected.
Because life's too short to spend itunder Buggy's rule, don't you
(15:28):
think?Alright, so here's the thing aboutOrange Town-it's not just a backdrop for
the battle between Luffy and Buggy, right?
It's this microcosm, this little worldthat shows us something way bigger.
When Luffy walks into that town, hedoesn't just see walls or streets.
(15:49):
He sees potential.
Change.
And and that's kind of amazing when youthink about it, because it's easy to look
at something broken and think, "That'sjust the way it is.
Can't change that." But Luffy?
He doesn't accept that.
Not even for a second.
It makes me think-how often do we comeacross situations in our own lives that
(16:15):
feel immovable?
A bad job, a tough family dynamic, maybeeven, I don't know, something internal,
like self-doubt or fear.
And and we kind of just tell ourselvesit's too big, too complicated to fix.
But what if that's not true?
(16:36):
What if taking one small step could leadto something bigger?
Like, real change?That's what's sopowerful about this chapter.
Luffy doesn't wait for permission,doesn't stop to explain himself, doesn't
overthink it.
He just takes action.
Now, I'm not saying you should chargeinto every situation headfirst-though,
(17:01):
let's be real, that's peak Luffy behavior.
But sometimes, the first step-no matterhow small-sets everything else in motion.
Think about history even-the big shifts,the moments of progress?
They all started because someonesomewhere said, "You know what?
(17:24):
Enough." I remember a time in my own lifethat felt, well, stuck.
Like, no matter what I did, nothing wasgonna change.
I was almost ready to just accept it, youknow?
But then, I decided to try something.
Just one small shift-a conversation, arisky decision, something like that.
(17:47):
And suddenly, what felt impossiblestarted to, I don't know, loosen up.
It's not magic, but sometimes action-anyaction-is the key to breaking that
illusion of permanence.So let me ask youthis: what's one area in your life-maybe
(18:07):
it's your job, your community, or justsomething personal-where you feel stuck?
And what's keeping you from being theperson who says, "Enough"?
Like, what's really holding you back fromtaking that first step?
It's worth considering, right?
And here's something to try.
(18:28):
Just pick one really small action.
Maybe it's speaking up in a meeting,maybe it's finally sending that email, or
reaching out to someone who challengesthe norm.
Whatever it is, take that step towardshaking things up.
Surround yourself with people who supportyou, who encourage you not to settle.
(18:53):
Because sometimes, all it takes is onebrave move to open up possibilities you
didn't even know were there.Loyalty's afunny thing, isn't it?
Take Buggy's crew, for example.
On the surface, they're sticking by him,but you can tell-it's not out of respect
(19:15):
or admiration.
It's fear.
Straight-up fear.
They obey because they're scared ofwhat'll happen if they don't.
Compare that to Luffy's crew, who followhim not because they have to, but because
they believe in him.
It's night and day, really.
(19:36):
One kind of loyalty is rooted in trust,the other in intimidation.
And and that makes all the difference.
You know, this idea of loyalty-it's notjust about pirates, right?
It's something we all wrestle with in ourrelationships, careers, friendships.
(19:58):
There's always this question of, "ShouldI stay, or should I go?" And and it's not
always easy to tell.
Sometimes, loyalty feels like the rightthing, but in reality, it's holding us
back, especially when it's built on fear,guilt, or just obligation instead of real
(20:20):
respect or belief in what we're loyalto.I remember a time I faced this dilemma
myself.
There was this situation-I won't get toodeep into the details-but let's just say
I felt stuck.
I stayed out of loyalty, convincingmyself it was the right thing to do, but
deep down, I knew.
(20:42):
I knew it wasn't good for me.
Walking away?
Oh man, it was tough.
It felt like I was breaking some unspokenrule.
But once I did, everything started toshift-just like that.
Suddenly, I had room for betteropportunities, better connections.
(21:02):
Holding on out of obligation wasn'tletting me grow.
Letting go was where the real growthstarted.
So, how about you?
Are there places in your life-your job,your friendships, maybe even your own
habits-where you're sticking around notbecause you believe in them, but because
(21:24):
you're afraid of what happens if youleave?
Tough question, right?
But it's worth asking.
Loyalty should go both ways.
When it doesn't, sometimes the bravestthing you can do is let go and move
forward.And if you're thinking, "Butleaving feels impossible," well, you're
(21:48):
not alone there.
It's scary.
But start small-evaluate the things, orpeople, or commitments in your life.
Ask yourself, are they aligned with yourvalues?
Do they actually, truly serve you?
Or are you just hanging on because itfeels safer than the alternative?
(22:10):
If it's the latter, well, maybe it's timeto take that first step toward something
better.Let's talk about Nami for a moment.
Her way of navigating the world?
Oh, it's fascinating.
She doesn't have the raw strength ofLuffy or Zoro, but she's got something
(22:31):
just as powerful-strategy.
I mean, she's constantly shiftingalliances, right?
She pretends to work for Buggy, butbehind the scenes, she's already planning
to steal from him.
And honestly, that's not justclever-that's survival at its finest.
(22:53):
What makes Nami so interesting is thatshe's always thinking several steps ahead.
It's like, she knows when to play along,when to wait, and when to act.
And and that's such a valuable skill,isn't it?
In life, success doesn't always hinge onbrute force or going all in.
(23:15):
Sometimes, it's about playingsmart-reading the room, adapting to the
situation without compromising who youare.
It's knowing when to hold back, and whento strike.And the best part?
Nami's not just about deception ormanipulation.
Playing both sides, in her case, is lessabout being sneaky and more about
(23:41):
positioning herself for success.
It's about staying flexible, stayingadaptable.
She doesn't rush in blindly, and honestly?
That kind of thinking can be, uh,game-changing in real life, too.
There was a time-this is just me now-whenI had to negotiate for something, and the
(24:03):
stakes felt big.
My gut reaction was to push back hard, tostand my ground before even hearing the
other side.
But instead, I thought, okay, what if Ijust step back for a second?
Observe, adjust my approach, and move inwhen the timing's right?
(24:23):
And you know what?
It worked.
It wasn't about being passive-it wasabout being deliberate.
And keeping my emotions in check?
Oh, that made all the difference.So let'sflip this back to you for a second.
Are you the type to react emotionally tosituations, or do you take a breath,
(24:47):
assess, and think ahead?
Do you know when it's time to wait,observe, and then strike at the right
moment?
It's definitely something worth askingyourself the next time you're faced with
a tricky situation.
And here's something I'd challenge you totry.
(25:08):
Start thinking two steps ahead, whetherit's in your personal goals, career
moves, or even in handling conflicts.
And don't worry-it's not about trying tocontrol every little detail.
It's about learning to read thesituation, adjusting your approach, and
(25:30):
staying sharp enough to act when thetiming's just right.
Think of it as building adaptability as askill, you know?
Because in the right hands, strategy-likeNami's-can be just as powerful as
strength.Luffy's conviction, man, it'sone of his defining traits, isn't it?
(25:55):
No matter the situation, no matter theodds, he stays true to himself-to his
dream.
He doesn't waver.
It's like this inner compass that, nomatter how chaotic things get, keeps him
steady.
And and, honestly, it's hard not to feelinspired by that.
(26:19):
What's fascinating, though, isn't justthat Luffy believes in himself-it's that
his belief, it's kind of contagious,isn't it?
You see it time and time again.
People who start off doubting him-whetherit's Nami, Usopp, or even, uh, enemies
(26:39):
who never stood a chance-eventually startto see things Luffy's way.
And why?
Because he leads with conviction.
He shows, through his actions, what'spossible when you don't let fear or doubt
define you.Compare that to Buggy, right?
Buggy relies on-what?-fear, intimidation.
(27:03):
That's his whole thing.
But Luffy doesn't need to scare anyoneinto following him.
He wins them over just by being himself.
And and, doesn't that make you wonder, inreal life, how often we underestimate the
power of just believing in ourselves?
I mean, real conviction-that's magnetic.
(27:24):
When you truly believe in something,other people feel it.
They want to be part of it.
It's like a ripple effect.Now, I'll behonest here-this kind of confidence isn't
always easy to find.
I've had moments where I questionedmyself, where self-doubt almost stopped
(27:46):
me in my tracks.
There was this one time-oh man, I wasoffered this big opportunity, like
life-changing, right?
And and the first thing I thought wasn't,"Wow, I can do this!" No, it was, "What
if I mess up?
What if I'm not ready?" That fear, thathesitation-it was loud.
(28:09):
But something told me to just go for it.
Push through.
And you know what?
It turned out better than I could'veimagined.
It wasn't perfect, but taking that leap?
That's what made all the difference.So,here's a question for you.
(28:30):
Are you doubting yourself because of whatother people might think?
Or maybe it's those little voices in yourown head, telling you you're not ready,
not good enough?
And-and, just for a moment-imagine whatwould happen if you ignored that noise.
(28:50):
If you went after your dream with thesame conviction, the same unshakable
belief, as someone like Luffy.
What could you accomplish?
Here's a small challenge for today.
Write down one big goal-just one-and listout all the reasons you believe in it.
Not why it's hard, not why it might notwork, but why you think it matters.
(29:15):
Keep it somewhere you'll see it every day.
And and then, here's the real part-starttaking small, consistent actions to make
it happen.
Because here's the truth (29:26):
fear?
It's always going to be there.
But confidence?
Confidence comes from proving toyourself, step by step, that you can
handle more than you think.
And once you start?
Oh man, that belief, it just builds andbuilds.Alright, let's dive into fear,
(29:49):
because if there's one thing keepingpeople stuck-whether it's the folks in
Orange Town or us in real life-it's fear,isn't it?
Buggy's entire rule over the town isbuilt on it.
He doesn't inspire trust or loyalty; hedoesn't earn respect.
(30:10):
No, he uses fear as a weapon, andhonestly, it works.
People obey.
They stay quiet.
But they're not living, not really.
They're just surviving, and man, isn'tthat a trap we can all fall into
sometimes?I mean, think about it-howoften do we let fear run the show?
(30:33):
Whether it's fear of failure, fear ofjudgment, or even fear of change, it's
like this invisible cage we don't evenrealize we're in sometimes.
You get so used to it, it just feelsnormal.
The townspeople in Orange Town?
(30:55):
They've stopped questioning Buggy'scontrol.
To them, that fear, that oppression-it'sjust how things are.
And let's be real, don't we do that too?
We stay in bad jobs, bad relationships,bad habits, thinking that's just the way
life has to be.But here's what'swild-fear can be, like, the biggest liar.
(31:17):
It tells you the walls are too high, therisks are too great.
But you step back, and you realize, maybethose walls aren't as solid as you
thought.
You see it in One Piece.
When Luffy shows up?
He walks right in-completely unfazed byBuggy's reputation.
(31:41):
And that kind of confidence?
It shakes people out of their fear.
It makes them start to think, "Hey, maybewe don't have to live like this." And
honestly, that kind of shift?
It's everything.And-and let me getpersonal for a second.
There was a moment in my own life, a timewhen fear had me frozen.
(32:06):
I'd been given this huge opportunity, oneI'd worked for for years, but all I could
think about was, like, everything thatcould go wrong.
What if I failed?
What if people laughed?
And-and I almost said no.
Almost.
But something in me whispered, "Try." Andman, let me tell you, taking that leap
(32:32):
didn't just get me through that moment-itstarted a domino effect of opportunities
I never even saw coming.
It wasn't that the fear disappeared.
I just stopped letting it drive.
So here's my question to you-what's onefear holding you back?
Is it fear of speaking up?
(32:54):
Fear of stepping outside your comfortzone?
And honestly, is that fear even real?
Or is it just uncertainty dressed up likedanger?
You'd be surprised how much of itvanishes the moment, like, you take even
the tiniest step forward.And you don'thave to tackle it all at once.
(33:18):
Start small.
Face one fear today, somethingmanageable, like setting a boundary,
trying something new, or speaking up,even if your voice feels shaky.
And here's a trick-reframe it.
Instead of seeing fear as this, like,big, immovable thing, see it as
(33:41):
excitement.
Focus not on what you stand to lose, buton what you might gain.
Because, honestly?
Freedom-the kind of freedom that breaksyou out of whatever's holding you
back-starts with one small moment ofcourage.Let's take a step back and talk
(34:03):
about pirates, alright?
More specifically, the moral codes theylive by-or, in some cases, don't live by.
Because if you look at Luffy and Buggy,it's like night and day.
Buggy's all about selfishness and greed,using his power to intimidate and control.
(34:25):
Luffy, though?
He's the opposite.
His code is about respect, freedom, andthis weird, amazing belief in trusting
people until they give him a reason notto.
It's the kind of code that makes youthink, "How do I decide what kind of
person I wanna be?"What jumps out here isthat even in a world as chaotic as the
(34:52):
Grand Line, people still create their ownprinciples.
Their own way of deciding what's rightand wrong.
Luffy doesn't need some written-downrules to guide him.
He just chooses-every single time-to actin a way that aligns with his personal
values.
Buggy?
(35:13):
Well, his "code" is more like, "What canI get out of this." And, honestly, isn't
that so telling?
Because the way you treat people, thechoices you make?
They shape the kind of relationships andopportunities you attract.
Whether it's friendships, careers, oreven just everyday interactions, morality
(35:39):
is always about the choices you make-notthe rules someone else puts in place.And
this makes me think about how this playsout in real life.
I mean, let's face it, none of us areswinging swords on pirate ships, but we
all live by some kind of code, don't we?
(36:01):
Whether it's in how we handle work,friendships, or tough decisions, we're
constantly choosing what kind of personwe want to be.
And believe me, I know-it's not alwayseasy.
Sometimes standing by your principlesfeels like, I don't know, the harder
(36:22):
choice.
Maybe it even costs you something in theshort term.
But in the long run?
Oh man, it's always worth it.Let me sharea quick story.
There was this one time-this was early inmy career-when I had to make a pretty
tough decision.
I was in a situation where doing whatfelt right?
(36:44):
It was definitely gonna burn some bridges.
Like, there were easier paths I could'vetaken.
But they didn't sit right with me, youknow?
They didn't align with who I was, or whoI wanted to be.
And yeah, making the harder choice stungat first.
(37:04):
But the thing is-acting with integrityjust opens the door to the right kinds of
opportunities.
The ones that actually fit who you are.
Looking back, I wouldn't trade thatdecision for anything.
It taught me that sticking to yourprinciples isn't about short-term wins.
(37:26):
It's about the kind of success thatlasts.So here's my question for you-what
values do you hold above everything else?
What's your personal "pirate code," so tospeak?
And this might sound harsh, but-are yourdaily actions actually lining up with
(37:48):
those values?
It's so easy to say you stand forsomething, but when life throws
curveballs, it gets messy, doesn't it?
That's when your real code shows up.
Here's a challenge for today (38:02):
take a moment to define your core values.
Write them down, own them, and use themas your guide.
And-and this is key-make at least onedecision today that reflects those
principles.
Even if it's the harder choice.
Because, just like in One Piece, moralityisn't about rules someone else wrote-it's
(38:28):
about the story you're writing foryourself.
And let's be real (38:31):
wouldn't you rather be the kind of person who leads with
integrity, who others respect becauseyour actions always match your words?
In the end, that's the kind of successthat really lasts, don't you
think?Alright, let's dive into this ideaof perception, because wow, does it play
(38:57):
a major role in the story of Orange Town.
You've got the citizens, right?
They look at Luffy and immediately lumphim into the same category as Buggy.
In their eyes, all pirates are thesame-cruel, selfish, dangerous.
But if you know Luffy, you know thatcouldn't be further from the truth.
(39:20):
He's not about taking, he's about giving.
He helps people, protects them, andhonestly, he's got one of the purest
hearts in the story.
And yet, because of that "pirate" label,he's misjudged right out of the gate.And
isn't that just so real?
Think about it-how often are we judgedbased on stereotypes or first impressions?
(39:45):
Maybe it's how we look, where we're from,or, I don't know, even our job titles.
People make these snap decisions aboutwho we are, and let's be honest, they're
not always right.
And and living with those misconceptions?
Oh man, it's hard.
(40:05):
It's easy to feel trapped by the labelspeople put on you.
But here's the thing-how others see youisn't the whole story.
What really matters is how you choose toact, day in and day out, to show who you
truly are.I'll share a little story frommy own life.
(40:28):
There was a period when, uh, I wasstarting out in my career, and I felt
like I was constantly beingunderestimated.
People would see me-young, quiet, notfitting the "usual" mold-and assume I
didn't know what I was doing.
And yeah, at first, it stung.
(40:49):
I wanted to explain myself, to prove themwrong with words.
But you know what?
That never works.
What really changed things wasconsistency.
I focused on my actions-showing up, doingthe work, sticking to my values.
Slowly, people's perceptions began toshift.
(41:12):
Not because I argued with them, butbecause I let my actions speak louder
than their assumptions.
And that?
Oh man, that lesson has stayed with meever since.And that's what Luffy does,
too, right?
He doesn't stand there trying to convincethe citizens that he's different from
(41:36):
Buggy.
He just acts.
He saves them, stands up for them, showswho he really is through pure, unwavering
action.
And over time, well, their perception ofhim changes.
It's proof that labels don't defineus-our choices do.
So here's my question for you-are therelabels you've been stuck with?
(42:00):
Labels that feel unfair or way off themark?
And if so, have you thought about howmuch power you actually have to rewrite
what people see?
It's tough, I know.
But it's possible.
And it starts with aligning your actionswith your truth, no matter what people
(42:21):
might say or assume in the short term.Ifyou're feeling judged unfairly, here's a
small step you can take.
Think about one situation where someone'sperception of you feels out of sync with
who you really are.
Then ask yourself, what's one action-justone-that could shift how they see you?
(42:44):
Maybe it's showing kindness where theyexpect indifference.
Maybe it's speaking up when they assumesilence.
Whatever it is, let your actions do thetalking.
Because when you stay consistent, whenyou act with integrity, those old labels?
(43:04):
They start to fade.
And what takes their place-well, that'sup to you.When we look at Buggy, his
leadership style?
Oh, it's all fear, pure and simple.
He uses intimidation to keep his crew inline-like, "Follow me or else." And-and
(43:26):
sure, it works.
They obey him, but not because theyrespect him, not because they believe in
what he stands for, because let's faceit, what does he even stand for?
It's all about survival for them.
But that kind of leadership, it's fragile.
The second they see a way out?
(43:48):
They're gone.
Now, compare that to Luffy.
Luffy doesn't order people around,doesn't scare them into loyalty.
He leads by example, you know?
He acts with conviction, with purpose,and that draws people to him naturally.
His crew-Nami, Zoro, Usopp-they don'tfollow him because they're afraid.
(44:13):
They follow him because they believe inhim, in what he's fighting for.
And and that difference?
Oh man, it's huge.
Fear-based leadership might give youcontrol for a while, but respect-based
leadership?
That builds something way stronger, waymore lasting.And the fascinating thing
(44:37):
is, you see this dynamic everywhere,right?
In workplaces, in friendships, even infamilies.
Some leaders, or people in positions ofpower, they rule with manipulation, with
fear, keeping everyone on edge.
Others, though?
The ones we look up to, the ones whoinspire us?
(45:01):
They lead with trust, with encouragement.
They create an environment where peoplefeel seen, valued, and honestly, safe to
grow.
That's the kind of leadership that lasts,that makes a real difference.I've
experienced both kinds of leadership inmy life.
At one job I had, the boss just, well,ruled with criticism, you know?
(45:28):
Everything was about managing throughfear-public callouts, constant pressure.
And yeah, it worked in the short term.
People delivered results, but man, it wasdraining.
On the flip side, I had a mentor once whoapproached things so differently.
They listened, they encouraged, andinstead of focusing on what went wrong,
(45:52):
they helped us see what we could improveon and how.
And that?
Oh, it was so empowering.
It pushed me to do better because Iwanted to, not because I was afraid of
failing.
I wanted to rise to meet their belief inme.So, how about you?
(46:15):
Think about the people who have led orinfluenced you-whether it's a manager, a
team captain, or even someone in yourfriend group.
Were they inspiring you or intimidatingyou?
And now flip it-how do you lead in yourown life?
Whether it's at work, at home, or evenjust in the ways you show up for your
(46:40):
friends, are you fostering trust, or areyou, maybe without realizing it, pushing
with control?
And if you're stuck under a fear-basedleader, well, that's tough.
But maybe this is a moment to reflect-tothink about whether there's space to
(47:02):
create change, to open a dialogue thatpushes for something better.
And if not?
Maybe it's time to start considering,quietly, what it'd take to move into a
space or a team that values you for whoyou are.
Because in the end, leadership built onrespect isn't just better-it's more
(47:27):
fulfilling, for everyone involved.Zoro'sfight against Cabaji-man, it's such a
standout moment, isn't it?
Here's a guy who's already badly injured,bleeding and all, but he doesn't stop.
No hesitation, no second-guessing.
He just keeps pushing forward.
(47:47):
And the moment he cuts himself-oh, sointense-it's like this raw, physical
declaration (47:55):
"I'm not done yet." He literally shows that even pain won't hold
him back.
And that?
That's what willpower looks like.
And let's be real, that scene?
It's not just about, you know, how toughZoro is physically.
It's about how adversity-those momentswhen you feel beaten down, when every
(48:20):
part of you is saying "quit"-is exactlywhere real strength is found.
Everyone faces hardships, setbacks, pain.
But it's your response that defines whathappens next.
Do you let the pain stop you, or do you,I don't know, use it as fuel to keep
going?I'm reminded of a time in my ownlife-like, there was this period when I
(48:43):
just couldn't seem to catch a break.
One setback after another.
You start to doubt yourself, right?
Wonder if anything you're doing evenmatters.
And-and for a while, I felt stuck.
But eventually, I reached this pointwhere I thought, okay, what if I stop
(49:06):
seeing all these obstacles as blocks?
What if they're, like,tests-opportunities to grow?
That shift in mindset?
Oh, it didn't make things easier, but itmade me stronger.
It changed how I approached everythingafter that.
And maybe that's, uh, the point here.
True strength, it's not about neverfalling down.
(49:29):
It's about not giving up when you do.
Think about Zoro-he doesn't pretend thefight's easy, doesn't deny the pain.
He just doesn't let it define him.
And that, that's what separates peoplewho keep growing from those who, kind of,
(49:50):
let struggles hold them back.So, whatabout you?
Like, really think about it-what's onechallenge in your life right now that
you're avoiding?
And I get it-facing it might feel, well,impossible.
But honestly?
What if the thing you're running from isexactly what you need to confront to get
(50:13):
to the next level?
What if adversity isn't the block-it'sthe way through?
Here's something to try.
Pick one struggle-not all of them, justone-that you're dealing with.
And commit to facing it, not in somehuge, dramatic way, but step by step,
(50:36):
with resilience.
Begin to see it as, I don't know, anopportunity for growth, for proving your
strength.
Because here's the thing-adversity?
It's never easy, but it's where thestrongest parts of us are built.When
Luffy defeats Buggy, it's easy to see itas just another victory for the Straw Hat
(50:59):
crew, right?
But-and this is important-it's so muchmore than that.
Luffy's win doesn't just end Buggy's rule.
It frees Orange Town, breaks the grip offear that had, you know, become the norm
for its people.
The fight wasn't just about Buggy'sdefeat-it was about showing the
(51:22):
townspeople that living in oppressionisn't the only way forward.
And doesn't that feel so relatable, inits own way?
Most of us, at some point, have felttrapped-maybe by a toxic relationship, or
a bad job, or even by something internal,like self-doubt.
Those "traps," they're like walls wethink we can't break through.
But here's the thing (51:46):
liberation?
It doesn't need to start with a massive,dramatic escape.
Sometimes, it's just a shift in how youthink-a moment where you decide, "This
(52:08):
doesn't have to define me."What'sfascinating about One Piece is how often
Luffy becomes that spark-the person whodoesn't just tell people they can change,
but shows them it's possible.
He doesn't wait for permission, doesn'toverthink whether or not he's capable.
He just acts, just starts something.
(52:32):
And that first step?
It inspires others.
It's a chain reaction of courage, ofchoosing freedom over fear.
And-and it makes me wonder-what would ittake for us to do the same?I had my own
"Orange Town moment" once-okay, notfighting a flashy pirate, but you get it.
(52:55):
I was stuck in a situation that feltunchangeable, like no matter what I did,
I'd be in the same spot a year, fiveyears down the line.
It wasn't easy to admit it, but...I waswaiting for someone, or something, to
come along and "fix" it for me.
Spoiler alert (53:15):
no one did.
I had to decide, one day, to take onesmall step on my own.
It wasn't, like, some grandtransformation overnight, but getting
started?
That changed everything.
Suddenly, those walls I thought were sosolid didn't seem so permanent anymore.
(53:37):
So let's bring it back to you for asecond.
Is there something in your life thatfeels like your own Buggy?
Some force that's keeping you stuck,that's stopping you from moving forward?
And-and here's the big question-are youwaiting for someone else to come in and
(53:57):
save you?
Or are you ready to say, "Enough," andmake the decision to free yourself?Here's
a challenge for today.
Pick one area where you feel stuck, justone.
Then ask yourself-what's one single stepyou can take to push back against that
(54:19):
feeling?
Maybe it's having a tough conversationyou've been avoiding, or maybe it's
something small, like just writing anaction plan for change.
Whatever it is, start there.
Because liberation, in the end, isn'tjust about breaking out-it's about
(54:41):
choosing to take back your power, onedecision at a time.You know, Orange Town
wasn't just about a battle.
It was about something much bigger-aboutfear, courage, and what it takes to break
free from the things that hold us back.
Buggy ruled through intimidation andcruelty, but Luffy?
(55:04):
He showed that real strength doesn't comefrom fear.
It comes from conviction, from trust,from action.
And as we wrap up today's episode, I wantyou to think about something.
Are there labels or expectations thatyou're letting define who you are?
Are there people you're following,whether at work, in your social circles,
(55:31):
or in life, who might not really deserveyour loyalty?
And most importantly-are the decisionsyou're making every day ones that reflect
the person you truly wanna be?Becausehere's the thing-true freedom isn't just
about leaving bad situations behind.
(55:53):
It's about stepping into your own story,about realizing that you're the one in
control of what happens next.
The people of Orange Town didn't know it,but they'd let fear shape their lives for
too long.
And it wasn't until Luffy came in, untilsomeone showed them that change was
(56:16):
possible, that they found their owncourage to take the first step toward
something better.
And isn't it so true for all of us?
Sometimes all it takes is that firststep-one moment of courage-and the walls
that seemed so permanent start to comedown.
(56:36):
It's not easy; I won't pretend it is.
But if there's one thing we've seenthroughout this story, it's that change
doesn't wait for permission.
It starts when you decide to takeaction.So here's my challenge for you.
Take some time this week to look at yourown life.
(57:00):
What's one thing-just one-that's beenholding you back?
And what's one small, manageable step youcan take toward breaking free?
Maybe it's setting a boundary, taking arisk, or reaching out to someone who
inspires you.
Whatever it is, start there.
(57:21):
And remember, the moment you take controlof your story, that's the moment real
change begins.
Thanks for spending your time with metoday, diving into the incredible world
of One Piece and the lessons it has tooffer.
Until next time, remember to keep pushingforward, keep believing in yourself, and,
(57:47):
of course, keep watching anime!
Orange Town may seem like just anotherstop in Luffy's journey, but in One
Piece, towns are never just backdrops,right?
These places are, like, alive-they'reshaped by the people who live there, and
sometimes, the people who oppress them.
(00:31):
In Orange Town's case, you can reallyfeel the fear Buggy has drilled into the
citizens.
It's in every cracked street, quiet look,and how, you know, people avoid standing
out.
Buggy's presence is everywhere, even inthe silence.
And and that silence says a lot.Buthere's the thing-every town Luffy visits
(00:57):
becomes more than just a setting.
Each place is like a little test, for himand, let's be honest, for the audience,
too.
Orange Town isn't just where Buggyhappens to rule; it's where Luffy steps
up, where the citizens decide if they'regonna keep living in fear or break free.
(01:21):
These environments-you could say they'realmost characters themselves.
They push Luffy forward, forcing him toadapt and prove his resolve.
And isn't that kind of what life does tous?
Think about it.
The places we live, work, and hang out in?
They shape us, whether we notice it ornot.
(01:44):
A toxic environment can completely drainyou, while a supportive one can lift you
up, help you dream bigger-literallychange how you see yourself.
And it's not just about ambition.
I mean, honestly, if the people and theenergy around you aren't helping you
(02:08):
grow, they're probably holding you back.Iremember this time when I moved to a new
city-no friends, no safety net-and I was,well, I was nervous as hell.
But something about the newness of it allpushed me to see opportunities I might've
ignored before.
I had to learn, you know, to beresilient, to recognize when something
(02:36):
was worth chasing.
It wasn't easy, but it shaped me in ways,uh, staying comfortable never could've.
And what about you?
Like, really think about this one (02:44):
How does your environment-your job, your
relationships, even the energy of yourhome-affect you?
Is it helping you see your potential, oris it quietly holding you back?
Sometimes we get so used to how thingsare, we don't even realize they're not
(03:08):
letting us grow.So here's something totry today: just take a moment to look
around.
Are the habits you formed, the people youspend time with, the spaces you exist
in-are they lifting you up or keeping youstagnant?
If the answer's no, then maybe it's timeto change something.
(03:33):
Maybe start with something small, likeseeking out a place or a person that
sparks growth in you.
The right environment can, honestly, itcan change everything.You know, when we
think about Nami, one of the first thingsthat comes to mind is how cautious she
(03:56):
is, right?
She's smart, strategic-but she doesn'ttrust easily.
And and, honestly, you can't blame her.
Her guarded nature really makes sensewhen you consider her past.
She's been through some, uh, seriouslytough situations, situations that taught
(04:20):
her to watch her back and trust no one.
And that attitude?
Well, it's kind of survival for her.
What's really interesting is how Nami'sdistrust contrasts so sharply with
Luffy's approach.
I mean, Luffy wears his heart on hissleeve, doesn't he?
He believes in people.
Like, almost recklessly so.
(04:42):
For Nami, though, pirates representgreed, betrayal, people looking out for
themselves.
You can see why she's, like, not exactlyjumping at the chance to join forces with
someone like Luffy.
Her skepticism isn't just natural-it's,uh, necessary.
(05:03):
Because for her, trusting the wrongperson could be dangerous.
It could cost her everything.And, really,that's, that's true in real life, too,
right?
Our experiences shape how we interactwith others.
Some people trust easily, and and theiropenness can be refreshing, even
(05:24):
inspiring.
But others?
Others have been hurt, betrayed-and thathistory makes them build walls instead.
Those walls, they can protect us, butthey can also, you know, keep out the
good as much as the bad.
And that's the tricky part.I can think ofa time when I built my own walls, and let
(05:49):
me tell you-it wasn't easy to let themdown.
You go through something-like, maybesomeone lets you down or takes advantage
of your trust-and suddenly, it's like,you've got this instinct to keep everyone
at arm's length.
But here's the thing (06:08):
being too guarded?
It can stop you from formingrelationships that are actually, you
know, meaningful.
I realized, at some point, that I wasmissing out on good connections because I
was too busy protecting myself from badones.
(06:30):
If you've ever been in that place, youknow it's a hard balance to strike.That's
why Nami's story hits so close to homefor a lot of people, I think.
She's looking out for herself, and on onelevel, that makes her strong.
But it also shows how past trauma canmake you see every new opportunity, every
(06:52):
new relationship, as a threat.
And honestly?
That's exhausting.
It makes you wonder, doesn't it?
How many people-how many goodopportunities-have I maybe missed out on
because I couldn't let my guard down?
So, here's something worth askingyourself-are past experiences stopping
(07:18):
you from trusting others who mightactually have good intentions?
Are you keeping people at a distance,maybe out of a fear of being hurt again?
It's worth a second thought, right?
Maybe even try practicing small acts oftrust, whether in friendships, at work,
or even in, like, personal goals.
(07:42):
It doesn't have to be big.
Just something that reminds you that noteveryone is out to take advantage of you.
That sometimes, letting someone in couldlead to something strong, something
meaningful.One of the saddest thingsabout Orange Town is how its people have
(08:05):
just accepted Buggy's rule.
You see it in how they act, how theyavoid making eye contact, how they've
stopped fighting back.
It's like they've decided that this isjust how life has to be now.
And honestly?
That's what fear does, doesn't it?
It makes the unacceptable feel normal.
(08:27):
And and, really, that's not just apirate-town problem, right?
Fear keeps a lot of us trapped-whetherit's in toxic relationships, bad jobs, or
just situations that you know, deep down,you don't deserve.
But standing up to those situations?
(08:48):
Oh man, that can feel impossible,especially when you're up against someone
or something that seems so much morepowerful than you.
Kind of like Buggy, right?
I mean, the guy has a literal cannoncrew-no wonder people feel powerless.And
here's the thing-fear is sneaky.
(09:10):
It builds walls around you, and overtime, you start to believe those walls
can't come down.
But look at Luffy.
When he shows up, he doesn't care aboutBuggy's reputation, he doesn't hesitate.
His confidence shakes things up, makesthe townspeople start to wonder if maybe,
(09:31):
just maybe, they don't have to live likethis forever.
That's the power of even one personrefusing to back down-it's contagious.
I'll tell you, I've been in situationswhere I've seen injustice in action-times
when I really had to ask myself, am Igonna say something or just stay quiet?
And and let me be real (09:53):
it's scary.
I mean, your brain starts thinking of allthe ways speaking up could go wrong.
But the few times I did push past thatfear?
That's when real change started happening.
Not, like, overnight or anything, butenough to remind me that silence only
(10:19):
keeps things the same.So, how about you?
Are there areas in your life where fearis keeping you stuck?
Maybe it's not a flashy pirate captainholding you down, but is it a toxic job?
A bad friendship?
A system you've just accepted as "the waythings are"?
What if, just for a second, you imaginedchallenging that?
(10:45):
Like, what would actually happen if youdidn't let fear win?
Here's a thought-don't try to take downthe whole system in one move.
Start small.
Pick one moment where you can safelystand up for yourself or someone else.
Maybe it's speaking up in a meeting,setting a boundary with someone, or just
(11:09):
saying, you know, "this isn't okay."Practice that confidence-because the more
you do it, the stronger you feel.
Fear might be powerful, but it's notinvincible.
And as Luffy shows us, sometimes all ittakes is one person to make others
believe that, too.When you think aboutBuggy's leadership style, it's, well,
(11:36):
it's all about fear, isn't it?
He doesn't inspire loyalty; he demands it.
His crew follows him not because theybelieve in him, but because they're
afraid of what'll happen if they don't.
And that's the thing about fear-it canforce obedience, but it never, like,
(11:57):
fosters genuine loyalty.
Buggy's crew isn't there out of respect;they're there because they're terrified.
And and that creates a pretty shakyfoundation, doesn't it?
Now, compare that to Luffy.
Luffy doesn't order people around orscare them into following him.
(12:20):
He leads with action, and he earnsrespect just by being who he is-someone
who believes in his crew and in his dream.
That's the difference.
When you lead through respect, you buildsomething stronger, more, uh, resilient.
(12:40):
The people who stand beside you do so bychoice, not because they're scared of
what'll happen if they leave.Andhonestly, this isn't just, you know,
pirate dynamics.
It shows up in real life, too.
In workplaces, friendships, evenfamilies-you can see the difference
(13:02):
between leadership built on fear versusleadership built on trust and respect.
Some leaders control and manipulate,demanding results without caring about
the people involved.
But the best leaders?
They inspire.
They listen, they support, and theycreate space for people to thrive.I think
(13:28):
back to a boss I once had.
I mean, this guy led with fear-constantcriticism, public callouts, no real
support.
And and let me tell you, it wasexhausting, working in that environment.
You're motivated by survival, not by anyreal belief in what you're doing.
(13:51):
But then I had another leader who did theexact opposite-someone who took the time
to listen, to encourage, and to actuallybelieve in my potential.
And the thing is, I wanted to dobetter-not because I was afraid of
consequences, but because I feltmotivated, empowered even.
(14:15):
That's the power of leadership groundedin respect.So think about your own life
for a second.
Are you being led by fear, or by respect?
And if you're the one leading, askyourself-how are you showing up for the
people looking to you?
Are you inspiring them to grow, or areyou intimidating them into compliance?
(14:41):
It matters, right?
Because leadership, whether it's on apirate ship, in an office, or even within
a circle of friends, sets the tone foreverything else.
And if you're stuck under poor leadership?
Well, that's a tough spot to be in.
But maybe, just maybe, it's worth askingif there's room to create positive change.
(15:06):
Could you have a conversation, set aboundary, or push for a better dynamic?
If not, then-and this might sting-itcould be time to think about moving on to
a place where you're valued, where you'rerespected.
Because life's too short to spend itunder Buggy's rule, don't you
(15:28):
think?Alright, so here's the thing aboutOrange Town-it's not just a backdrop for
the battle between Luffy and Buggy, right?
It's this microcosm, this little worldthat shows us something way bigger.
When Luffy walks into that town, hedoesn't just see walls or streets.
(15:49):
He sees potential.
Change.
And and that's kind of amazing when youthink about it, because it's easy to look
at something broken and think, "That'sjust the way it is.
Can't change that." But Luffy?
He doesn't accept that.
Not even for a second.
It makes me think-how often do we comeacross situations in our own lives that
(16:15):
feel immovable?
A bad job, a tough family dynamic, maybeeven, I don't know, something internal,
like self-doubt or fear.
And and we kind of just tell ourselvesit's too big, too complicated to fix.
But what if that's not true?
(16:36):
What if taking one small step could leadto something bigger?
Like, real change?That's what's sopowerful about this chapter.
Luffy doesn't wait for permission,doesn't stop to explain himself, doesn't
overthink it.
He just takes action.
Now, I'm not saying you should chargeinto every situation headfirst-though,
(17:01):
let's be real, that's peak Luffy behavior.
But sometimes, the first step-no matterhow small-sets everything else in motion.
Think about history even-the big shifts,the moments of progress?
They all started because someonesomewhere said, "You know what?
(17:24):
Enough." I remember a time in my own lifethat felt, well, stuck.
Like, no matter what I did, nothing wasgonna change.
I was almost ready to just accept it, youknow?
But then, I decided to try something.
Just one small shift-a conversation, arisky decision, something like that.
(17:47):
And suddenly, what felt impossiblestarted to, I don't know, loosen up.
It's not magic, but sometimes action-anyaction-is the key to breaking that
illusion of permanence.So let me ask youthis: what's one area in your life-maybe
(18:07):
it's your job, your community, or justsomething personal-where you feel stuck?
And what's keeping you from being theperson who says, "Enough"?
Like, what's really holding you back fromtaking that first step?
It's worth considering, right?
And here's something to try.
(18:28):
Just pick one really small action.
Maybe it's speaking up in a meeting,maybe it's finally sending that email, or
reaching out to someone who challengesthe norm.
Whatever it is, take that step towardshaking things up.
Surround yourself with people who supportyou, who encourage you not to settle.
(18:53):
Because sometimes, all it takes is onebrave move to open up possibilities you
didn't even know were there.Loyalty's afunny thing, isn't it?
Take Buggy's crew, for example.
On the surface, they're sticking by him,but you can tell-it's not out of respect
(19:15):
or admiration.
It's fear.
Straight-up fear.
They obey because they're scared ofwhat'll happen if they don't.
Compare that to Luffy's crew, who followhim not because they have to, but because
they believe in him.
It's night and day, really.
(19:36):
One kind of loyalty is rooted in trust,the other in intimidation.
And and that makes all the difference.
You know, this idea of loyalty-it's notjust about pirates, right?
It's something we all wrestle with in ourrelationships, careers, friendships.
(19:58):
There's always this question of, "ShouldI stay, or should I go?" And and it's not
always easy to tell.
Sometimes, loyalty feels like the rightthing, but in reality, it's holding us
back, especially when it's built on fear,guilt, or just obligation instead of real
(20:20):
respect or belief in what we're loyalto.I remember a time I faced this dilemma
myself.
There was this situation-I won't get toodeep into the details-but let's just say
I felt stuck.
I stayed out of loyalty, convincingmyself it was the right thing to do, but
deep down, I knew.
(20:42):
I knew it wasn't good for me.
Walking away?
Oh man, it was tough.
It felt like I was breaking some unspokenrule.
But once I did, everything started toshift-just like that.
Suddenly, I had room for betteropportunities, better connections.
(21:02):
Holding on out of obligation wasn'tletting me grow.
Letting go was where the real growthstarted.
So, how about you?
Are there places in your life-your job,your friendships, maybe even your own
habits-where you're sticking around notbecause you believe in them, but because
(21:24):
you're afraid of what happens if youleave?
Tough question, right?
But it's worth asking.
Loyalty should go both ways.
When it doesn't, sometimes the bravestthing you can do is let go and move
forward.And if you're thinking, "Butleaving feels impossible," well, you're
(21:48):
not alone there.
It's scary.
But start small-evaluate the things, orpeople, or commitments in your life.
Ask yourself, are they aligned with yourvalues?
Do they actually, truly serve you?
Or are you just hanging on because itfeels safer than the alternative?
(22:10):
If it's the latter, well, maybe it's timeto take that first step toward something
better.Let's talk about Nami for a moment.
Her way of navigating the world?
Oh, it's fascinating.
She doesn't have the raw strength ofLuffy or Zoro, but she's got something
(22:31):
just as powerful-strategy.
I mean, she's constantly shiftingalliances, right?
She pretends to work for Buggy, butbehind the scenes, she's already planning
to steal from him.
And honestly, that's not justclever-that's survival at its finest.
(22:53):
What makes Nami so interesting is thatshe's always thinking several steps ahead.
It's like, she knows when to play along,when to wait, and when to act.
And and that's such a valuable skill,isn't it?
In life, success doesn't always hinge onbrute force or going all in.
(23:15):
Sometimes, it's about playingsmart-reading the room, adapting to the
situation without compromising who youare.
It's knowing when to hold back, and whento strike.And the best part?
Nami's not just about deception ormanipulation.
Playing both sides, in her case, is lessabout being sneaky and more about
(23:41):
positioning herself for success.
It's about staying flexible, stayingadaptable.
She doesn't rush in blindly, and honestly?
That kind of thinking can be, uh,game-changing in real life, too.
There was a time-this is just me now-whenI had to negotiate for something, and the
(24:03):
stakes felt big.
My gut reaction was to push back hard, tostand my ground before even hearing the
other side.
But instead, I thought, okay, what if Ijust step back for a second?
Observe, adjust my approach, and move inwhen the timing's right?
(24:23):
And you know what?
It worked.
It wasn't about being passive-it wasabout being deliberate.
And keeping my emotions in check?
Oh, that made all the difference.So let'sflip this back to you for a second.
Are you the type to react emotionally tosituations, or do you take a breath,
(24:47):
assess, and think ahead?
Do you know when it's time to wait,observe, and then strike at the right
moment?
It's definitely something worth askingyourself the next time you're faced with
a tricky situation.
And here's something I'd challenge you totry.
(25:08):
Start thinking two steps ahead, whetherit's in your personal goals, career
moves, or even in handling conflicts.
And don't worry-it's not about trying tocontrol every little detail.
It's about learning to read thesituation, adjusting your approach, and
(25:30):
staying sharp enough to act when thetiming's just right.
Think of it as building adaptability as askill, you know?
Because in the right hands, strategy-likeNami's-can be just as powerful as
strength.Luffy's conviction, man, it'sone of his defining traits, isn't it?
(25:55):
No matter the situation, no matter theodds, he stays true to himself-to his
dream.
He doesn't waver.
It's like this inner compass that, nomatter how chaotic things get, keeps him
steady.
And and, honestly, it's hard not to feelinspired by that.
(26:19):
What's fascinating, though, isn't justthat Luffy believes in himself-it's that
his belief, it's kind of contagious,isn't it?
You see it time and time again.
People who start off doubting him-whetherit's Nami, Usopp, or even, uh, enemies
(26:39):
who never stood a chance-eventually startto see things Luffy's way.
And why?
Because he leads with conviction.
He shows, through his actions, what'spossible when you don't let fear or doubt
define you.Compare that to Buggy, right?
Buggy relies on-what?-fear, intimidation.
(27:03):
That's his whole thing.
But Luffy doesn't need to scare anyoneinto following him.
He wins them over just by being himself.
And and, doesn't that make you wonder, inreal life, how often we underestimate the
power of just believing in ourselves?
I mean, real conviction-that's magnetic.
(27:24):
When you truly believe in something,other people feel it.
They want to be part of it.
It's like a ripple effect.Now, I'll behonest here-this kind of confidence isn't
always easy to find.
I've had moments where I questionedmyself, where self-doubt almost stopped
(27:46):
me in my tracks.
There was this one time-oh man, I wasoffered this big opportunity, like
life-changing, right?
And and the first thing I thought wasn't,"Wow, I can do this!" No, it was, "What
if I mess up?
What if I'm not ready?" That fear, thathesitation-it was loud.
(28:09):
But something told me to just go for it.
Push through.
And you know what?
It turned out better than I could'veimagined.
It wasn't perfect, but taking that leap?
That's what made all the difference.So,here's a question for you.
(28:30):
Are you doubting yourself because of whatother people might think?
Or maybe it's those little voices in yourown head, telling you you're not ready,
not good enough?
And-and, just for a moment-imagine whatwould happen if you ignored that noise.
(28:50):
If you went after your dream with thesame conviction, the same unshakable
belief, as someone like Luffy.
What could you accomplish?
Here's a small challenge for today.
Write down one big goal-just one-and listout all the reasons you believe in it.
Not why it's hard, not why it might notwork, but why you think it matters.
(29:15):
Keep it somewhere you'll see it every day.
And and then, here's the real part-starttaking small, consistent actions to make
it happen.
Because here's the truth (29:26):
fear?
It's always going to be there.
But confidence?
Confidence comes from proving toyourself, step by step, that you can
handle more than you think.
And once you start?
Oh man, that belief, it just builds andbuilds.Alright, let's dive into fear,
(29:49):
because if there's one thing keepingpeople stuck-whether it's the folks in
Orange Town or us in real life-it's fear,isn't it?
Buggy's entire rule over the town isbuilt on it.
He doesn't inspire trust or loyalty; hedoesn't earn respect.
(30:10):
No, he uses fear as a weapon, andhonestly, it works.
People obey.
They stay quiet.
But they're not living, not really.
They're just surviving, and man, isn'tthat a trap we can all fall into
sometimes?I mean, think about it-howoften do we let fear run the show?
(30:33):
Whether it's fear of failure, fear ofjudgment, or even fear of change, it's
like this invisible cage we don't evenrealize we're in sometimes.
You get so used to it, it just feelsnormal.
The townspeople in Orange Town?
(30:55):
They've stopped questioning Buggy'scontrol.
To them, that fear, that oppression-it'sjust how things are.
And let's be real, don't we do that too?
We stay in bad jobs, bad relationships,bad habits, thinking that's just the way
life has to be.But here's what'swild-fear can be, like, the biggest liar.
(31:17):
It tells you the walls are too high, therisks are too great.
But you step back, and you realize, maybethose walls aren't as solid as you
thought.
You see it in One Piece.
When Luffy shows up?
He walks right in-completely unfazed byBuggy's reputation.
(31:41):
And that kind of confidence?
It shakes people out of their fear.
It makes them start to think, "Hey, maybewe don't have to live like this." And
honestly, that kind of shift?
It's everything.And-and let me getpersonal for a second.
There was a moment in my own life, a timewhen fear had me frozen.
(32:06):
I'd been given this huge opportunity, oneI'd worked for for years, but all I could
think about was, like, everything thatcould go wrong.
What if I failed?
What if people laughed?
And-and I almost said no.
Almost.
But something in me whispered, "Try." Andman, let me tell you, taking that leap
(32:32):
didn't just get me through that moment-itstarted a domino effect of opportunities
I never even saw coming.
It wasn't that the fear disappeared.
I just stopped letting it drive.
So here's my question to you-what's onefear holding you back?
Is it fear of speaking up?
(32:54):
Fear of stepping outside your comfortzone?
And honestly, is that fear even real?
Or is it just uncertainty dressed up likedanger?
You'd be surprised how much of itvanishes the moment, like, you take even
the tiniest step forward.And you don'thave to tackle it all at once.
(33:18):
Start small.
Face one fear today, somethingmanageable, like setting a boundary,
trying something new, or speaking up,even if your voice feels shaky.
And here's a trick-reframe it.
Instead of seeing fear as this, like,big, immovable thing, see it as
(33:41):
excitement.
Focus not on what you stand to lose, buton what you might gain.
Because, honestly?
Freedom-the kind of freedom that breaksyou out of whatever's holding you
back-starts with one small moment ofcourage.Let's take a step back and talk
(34:03):
about pirates, alright?
More specifically, the moral codes theylive by-or, in some cases, don't live by.
Because if you look at Luffy and Buggy,it's like night and day.
Buggy's all about selfishness and greed,using his power to intimidate and control.
(34:25):
Luffy, though?
He's the opposite.
His code is about respect, freedom, andthis weird, amazing belief in trusting
people until they give him a reason notto.
It's the kind of code that makes youthink, "How do I decide what kind of
person I wanna be?"What jumps out here isthat even in a world as chaotic as the
(34:52):
Grand Line, people still create their ownprinciples.
Their own way of deciding what's rightand wrong.
Luffy doesn't need some written-downrules to guide him.
He just chooses-every single time-to actin a way that aligns with his personal
values.
Buggy?
(35:13):
Well, his "code" is more like, "What canI get out of this." And, honestly, isn't
that so telling?
Because the way you treat people, thechoices you make?
They shape the kind of relationships andopportunities you attract.
Whether it's friendships, careers, oreven just everyday interactions, morality
(35:39):
is always about the choices you make-notthe rules someone else puts in place.And
this makes me think about how this playsout in real life.
I mean, let's face it, none of us areswinging swords on pirate ships, but we
all live by some kind of code, don't we?
(36:01):
Whether it's in how we handle work,friendships, or tough decisions, we're
constantly choosing what kind of personwe want to be.
And believe me, I know-it's not alwayseasy.
Sometimes standing by your principlesfeels like, I don't know, the harder
(36:22):
choice.
Maybe it even costs you something in theshort term.
But in the long run?
Oh man, it's always worth it.Let me sharea quick story.
There was this one time-this was early inmy career-when I had to make a pretty
tough decision.
I was in a situation where doing whatfelt right?
(36:44):
It was definitely gonna burn some bridges.
Like, there were easier paths I could'vetaken.
But they didn't sit right with me, youknow?
They didn't align with who I was, or whoI wanted to be.
And yeah, making the harder choice stungat first.
(37:04):
But the thing is-acting with integrityjust opens the door to the right kinds of
opportunities.
The ones that actually fit who you are.
Looking back, I wouldn't trade thatdecision for anything.
It taught me that sticking to yourprinciples isn't about short-term wins.
(37:26):
It's about the kind of success thatlasts.So here's my question for you-what
values do you hold above everything else?
What's your personal "pirate code," so tospeak?
And this might sound harsh, but-are yourdaily actions actually lining up with
(37:48):
those values?
It's so easy to say you stand forsomething, but when life throws
curveballs, it gets messy, doesn't it?
That's when your real code shows up.
Here's a challenge for today (38:02):
take a moment to define your core values.
Write them down, own them, and use themas your guide.
And-and this is key-make at least onedecision today that reflects those
principles.
Even if it's the harder choice.
Because, just like in One Piece, moralityisn't about rules someone else wrote-it's
(38:28):
about the story you're writing foryourself.
And let's be real (38:31):
wouldn't you rather be the kind of person who leads with
integrity, who others respect becauseyour actions always match your words?
In the end, that's the kind of successthat really lasts, don't you
think?Alright, let's dive into this ideaof perception, because wow, does it play
(38:57):
a major role in the story of Orange Town.
You've got the citizens, right?
They look at Luffy and immediately lumphim into the same category as Buggy.
In their eyes, all pirates are thesame-cruel, selfish, dangerous.
But if you know Luffy, you know thatcouldn't be further from the truth.
(39:20):
He's not about taking, he's about giving.
He helps people, protects them, andhonestly, he's got one of the purest
hearts in the story.
And yet, because of that "pirate" label,he's misjudged right out of the gate.And
isn't that just so real?
Think about it-how often are we judgedbased on stereotypes or first impressions?
(39:45):
Maybe it's how we look, where we're from,or, I don't know, even our job titles.
People make these snap decisions aboutwho we are, and let's be honest, they're
not always right.
And and living with those misconceptions?
Oh man, it's hard.
(40:05):
It's easy to feel trapped by the labelspeople put on you.
But here's the thing-how others see youisn't the whole story.
What really matters is how you choose toact, day in and day out, to show who you
truly are.I'll share a little story frommy own life.
(40:28):
There was a period when, uh, I wasstarting out in my career, and I felt
like I was constantly beingunderestimated.
People would see me-young, quiet, notfitting the "usual" mold-and assume I
didn't know what I was doing.
And yeah, at first, it stung.
(40:49):
I wanted to explain myself, to prove themwrong with words.
But you know what?
That never works.
What really changed things wasconsistency.
I focused on my actions-showing up, doingthe work, sticking to my values.
Slowly, people's perceptions began toshift.
(41:12):
Not because I argued with them, butbecause I let my actions speak louder
than their assumptions.
And that?
Oh man, that lesson has stayed with meever since.And that's what Luffy does,
too, right?
He doesn't stand there trying to convincethe citizens that he's different from
(41:36):
Buggy.
He just acts.
He saves them, stands up for them, showswho he really is through pure, unwavering
action.
And over time, well, their perception ofhim changes.
It's proof that labels don't defineus-our choices do.
So here's my question for you-are therelabels you've been stuck with?
(42:00):
Labels that feel unfair or way off themark?
And if so, have you thought about howmuch power you actually have to rewrite
what people see?
It's tough, I know.
But it's possible.
And it starts with aligning your actionswith your truth, no matter what people
(42:21):
might say or assume in the short term.Ifyou're feeling judged unfairly, here's a
small step you can take.
Think about one situation where someone'sperception of you feels out of sync with
who you really are.
Then ask yourself, what's one action-justone-that could shift how they see you?
(42:44):
Maybe it's showing kindness where theyexpect indifference.
Maybe it's speaking up when they assumesilence.
Whatever it is, let your actions do thetalking.
Because when you stay consistent, whenyou act with integrity, those old labels?
(43:04):
They start to fade.
And what takes their place-well, that'sup to you.When we look at Buggy, his
leadership style?
Oh, it's all fear, pure and simple.
He uses intimidation to keep his crew inline-like, "Follow me or else." And-and
(43:26):
sure, it works.
They obey him, but not because theyrespect him, not because they believe in
what he stands for, because let's faceit, what does he even stand for?
It's all about survival for them.
But that kind of leadership, it's fragile.
The second they see a way out?
(43:48):
They're gone.
Now, compare that to Luffy.
Luffy doesn't order people around,doesn't scare them into loyalty.
He leads by example, you know?
He acts with conviction, with purpose,and that draws people to him naturally.
His crew-Nami, Zoro, Usopp-they don'tfollow him because they're afraid.
(44:13):
They follow him because they believe inhim, in what he's fighting for.
And and that difference?
Oh man, it's huge.
Fear-based leadership might give youcontrol for a while, but respect-based
leadership?
That builds something way stronger, waymore lasting.And the fascinating thing
(44:37):
is, you see this dynamic everywhere,right?
In workplaces, in friendships, even infamilies.
Some leaders, or people in positions ofpower, they rule with manipulation, with
fear, keeping everyone on edge.
Others, though?
The ones we look up to, the ones whoinspire us?
(45:01):
They lead with trust, with encouragement.
They create an environment where peoplefeel seen, valued, and honestly, safe to
grow.
That's the kind of leadership that lasts,that makes a real difference.I've
experienced both kinds of leadership inmy life.
At one job I had, the boss just, well,ruled with criticism, you know?
(45:28):
Everything was about managing throughfear-public callouts, constant pressure.
And yeah, it worked in the short term.
People delivered results, but man, it wasdraining.
On the flip side, I had a mentor once whoapproached things so differently.
They listened, they encouraged, andinstead of focusing on what went wrong,
(45:52):
they helped us see what we could improveon and how.
And that?
Oh, it was so empowering.
It pushed me to do better because Iwanted to, not because I was afraid of
failing.
I wanted to rise to meet their belief inme.So, how about you?
(46:15):
Think about the people who have led orinfluenced you-whether it's a manager, a
team captain, or even someone in yourfriend group.
Were they inspiring you or intimidatingyou?
And now flip it-how do you lead in yourown life?
Whether it's at work, at home, or evenjust in the ways you show up for your
(46:40):
friends, are you fostering trust, or areyou, maybe without realizing it, pushing
with control?
And if you're stuck under a fear-basedleader, well, that's tough.
But maybe this is a moment to reflect-tothink about whether there's space to
(47:02):
create change, to open a dialogue thatpushes for something better.
And if not?
Maybe it's time to start considering,quietly, what it'd take to move into a
space or a team that values you for whoyou are.
Because in the end, leadership built onrespect isn't just better-it's more
(47:27):
fulfilling, for everyone involved.Zoro'sfight against Cabaji-man, it's such a
standout moment, isn't it?
Here's a guy who's already badly injured,bleeding and all, but he doesn't stop.
No hesitation, no second-guessing.
He just keeps pushing forward.
(47:47):
And the moment he cuts himself-oh, sointense-it's like this raw, physical
declaration (47:55):
"I'm not done yet." He literally shows that even pain won't hold
him back.
And that?
That's what willpower looks like.
And let's be real, that scene?
It's not just about, you know, how toughZoro is physically.
It's about how adversity-those momentswhen you feel beaten down, when every
(48:20):
part of you is saying "quit"-is exactlywhere real strength is found.
Everyone faces hardships, setbacks, pain.
But it's your response that defines whathappens next.
Do you let the pain stop you, or do you,I don't know, use it as fuel to keep
going?I'm reminded of a time in my ownlife-like, there was this period when I
(48:43):
just couldn't seem to catch a break.
One setback after another.
You start to doubt yourself, right?
Wonder if anything you're doing evenmatters.
And-and for a while, I felt stuck.
But eventually, I reached this pointwhere I thought, okay, what if I stop
(49:06):
seeing all these obstacles as blocks?
What if they're, like,tests-opportunities to grow?
That shift in mindset?
Oh, it didn't make things easier, but itmade me stronger.
It changed how I approached everythingafter that.
And maybe that's, uh, the point here.
True strength, it's not about neverfalling down.
(49:29):
It's about not giving up when you do.
Think about Zoro-he doesn't pretend thefight's easy, doesn't deny the pain.
He just doesn't let it define him.
And that, that's what separates peoplewho keep growing from those who, kind of,
(49:50):
let struggles hold them back.So, whatabout you?
Like, really think about it-what's onechallenge in your life right now that
you're avoiding?
And I get it-facing it might feel, well,impossible.
But honestly?
What if the thing you're running from isexactly what you need to confront to get
(50:13):
to the next level?
What if adversity isn't the block-it'sthe way through?
Here's something to try.
Pick one struggle-not all of them, justone-that you're dealing with.
And commit to facing it, not in somehuge, dramatic way, but step by step,
(50:36):
with resilience.
Begin to see it as, I don't know, anopportunity for growth, for proving your
strength.
Because here's the thing-adversity?
It's never easy, but it's where thestrongest parts of us are built.When
Luffy defeats Buggy, it's easy to see itas just another victory for the Straw Hat
(50:59):
crew, right?
But-and this is important-it's so muchmore than that.
Luffy's win doesn't just end Buggy's rule.
It frees Orange Town, breaks the grip offear that had, you know, become the norm
for its people.
The fight wasn't just about Buggy'sdefeat-it was about showing the
(51:22):
townspeople that living in oppressionisn't the only way forward.
And doesn't that feel so relatable, inits own way?
Most of us, at some point, have felttrapped-maybe by a toxic relationship, or
a bad job, or even by something internal,like self-doubt.
Those "traps," they're like walls wethink we can't break through.
But here's the thing (51:46):
liberation?
It doesn't need to start with a massive,dramatic escape.
Sometimes, it's just a shift in how youthink-a moment where you decide, "This
(52:08):
doesn't have to define me."What'sfascinating about One Piece is how often
Luffy becomes that spark-the person whodoesn't just tell people they can change,
but shows them it's possible.
He doesn't wait for permission, doesn'toverthink whether or not he's capable.
He just acts, just starts something.
(52:32):
And that first step?
It inspires others.
It's a chain reaction of courage, ofchoosing freedom over fear.
And-and it makes me wonder-what would ittake for us to do the same?I had my own
"Orange Town moment" once-okay, notfighting a flashy pirate, but you get it.
(52:55):
I was stuck in a situation that feltunchangeable, like no matter what I did,
I'd be in the same spot a year, fiveyears down the line.
It wasn't easy to admit it, but...I waswaiting for someone, or something, to
come along and "fix" it for me.
Spoiler alert (53:15):
no one did.
I had to decide, one day, to take onesmall step on my own.
It wasn't, like, some grandtransformation overnight, but getting
started?
That changed everything.
Suddenly, those walls I thought were sosolid didn't seem so permanent anymore.
(53:37):
So let's bring it back to you for asecond.
Is there something in your life thatfeels like your own Buggy?
Some force that's keeping you stuck,that's stopping you from moving forward?
And-and here's the big question-are youwaiting for someone else to come in and
(53:57):
save you?
Or are you ready to say, "Enough," andmake the decision to free yourself?Here's
a challenge for today.
Pick one area where you feel stuck, justone.
Then ask yourself-what's one single stepyou can take to push back against that
(54:19):
feeling?
Maybe it's having a tough conversationyou've been avoiding, or maybe it's
something small, like just writing anaction plan for change.
Whatever it is, start there.
Because liberation, in the end, isn'tjust about breaking out-it's about
(54:41):
choosing to take back your power, onedecision at a time.You know, Orange Town
wasn't just about a battle.
It was about something much bigger-aboutfear, courage, and what it takes to break
free from the things that hold us back.
Buggy ruled through intimidation andcruelty, but Luffy?
(55:04):
He showed that real strength doesn't comefrom fear.
It comes from conviction, from trust,from action.
And as we wrap up today's episode, I wantyou to think about something.
Are there labels or expectations thatyou're letting define who you are?
Are there people you're following,whether at work, in your social circles,
(55:31):
or in life, who might not really deserveyour loyalty?
And most importantly-are the decisionsyou're making every day ones that reflect
the person you truly wanna be?Becausehere's the thing-true freedom isn't just
about leaving bad situations behind.
(55:53):
It's about stepping into your own story,about realizing that you're the one in
control of what happens next.
The people of Orange Town didn't know it,but they'd let fear shape their lives for
too long.
And it wasn't until Luffy came in, untilsomeone showed them that change was
(56:16):
possible, that they found their owncourage to take the first step toward
something better.
And isn't it so true for all of us?
Sometimes all it takes is that firststep-one moment of courage-and the walls
that seemed so permanent start to comedown.
(56:36):
It's not easy; I won't pretend it is.
But if there's one thing we've seenthroughout this story, it's that change
doesn't wait for permission.
It starts when you decide to takeaction.So here's my challenge for you.
Take some time this week to look at yourown life.
(57:00):
What's one thing-just one-that's beenholding you back?
And what's one small, manageable step youcan take toward breaking free?
Maybe it's setting a boundary, taking arisk, or reaching out to someone who
inspires you.
Whatever it is, start there.
(57:21):
And remember, the moment you take controlof your story, that's the moment real
change begins.
Thanks for spending your time with metoday, diving into the incredible world
of One Piece and the lessons it has tooffer.
Until next time, remember to keep pushingforward, keep believing in yourself, and,
(57:47):
of course, keep watching anime!
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!