Ask “why” and watch new ideas bloom (S4) S43E2

Welcome to the “Inspirations for Your Life” podcast! I’m John C. Morley—Serial Entrepreneur, Engineer, Marketing Specialist, Video Producer, Podcast Host, and Podcast Coach. My passion is to unlock potential, challenge assumptions, and spark transformation. Today, we’ll dive into the true power of questions—their ability to open doors, fuel innovation, and drive us toward deeper success and fulfillment. Each point in today’s episode is your invitation to think bigger, quest further, and never stop growing.   [1️⃣] Ask “why?” and watch new ideas bloom. The humble “why?” is the root of all creativity. When we dare to question, we refuse to accept things merely as they are. Asking “why?” dismantles the walls of routine and sparks that first glimmer of invention. It’s how children discover the world and how leaders uncover solutions. The next big breakthrough might start with you challenging the status quo—so ask “why?” and see what incredible ideas emerge.   [2️⃣] “How?” opens doors. To every dream, there’s a practical path forward—but only if you’re willing to ask “how?” This question is the key that transforms wishes into action. It’s the first stone laid on the road from possibility to reality. By constantly asking “how?”, you empower yourself to break through barriers, discover strategies, and make tangible progress toward even your wildest ambitions.   [3️⃣] Good questions spark action. When you ask powerful, thoughtful questions, you ignite the energy that moves things forward. Questions clarify your vision, zero in on challenges, and force you to break inertia. Action flows from inquiry, not passivity. It’s not only about finding answers—it’s about starting the journey and inspiring those around you to move, too.   [4️⃣] “Why” is the engine of progress. Progress isn’t accidental; it’s powered by a relentless pursuit of purpose—a constant push to ask not just what is, but why things are that way. The “why” digs past surface-level answers and searches for the bigger picture. That drive to seek deeper meaning propels science, business, and personal growth. Every evolutionary leap starts with the courage to question your own path.   [5️⃣] Inquiry reveals truth. There’s so much in life that’s hidden in plain sight. Without inquiry, we only skim the surface. But daring to ask questions—especially the tough, uncomfortable ones—rips away illusions. It’s how you peel away layers and get to genuine understanding, whether you’re seeking the truth in relationships, in business, or in your own decision-making.   [6️⃣] Curiosity starts with “why.” All human advancement is born from curiosity. That urge to wonder, to dig deeper than what you see, begins with “why?” When you’re curious, you constantly seek new perspectives, absorb new information, and grow. Curiosity is the force that ensures you never get stuck—because there’s always a “why?” that needs answering.   [7️⃣] New worlds begin with a question. Entire fields of knowledge, innovations, and movements trace their beginnings to someone brave enough to ask a question no one else considered. Whether it’s sailing across the ocean or inventing the internet, every new frontier starts with the question, “What if?” or “Why not?” Your willingness to pose new questions can usher in worlds of new opportunity for yourself and others.   [8️⃣] One “why” leads to the next. Progress is never a one-step leap; it’s a series of explorations, each answer leading to a new, deeper question. The chain reaction of asking “why” builds unstoppable momentum. If you keep digging, you’ll find opportunities, insights, and solutions no one else even sees.   [9️⃣] “What if?” expands the mind. When you ask “what if?”, rigid thinking gives way to endless creativity. This question isn’t just about possibility—it’s about challenging assumptions and opening yourself to bold alternatives. “What if?” is the birthplace of innovation, inviting you to see your circumstances through a kaleidoscope of new perspectives.   [🔟] “How do we fix this?” creates possibility. Ownership over problems begins with a willingness to face them. By asking how to fix something, you cast complaints aside and step into the role of problem-solver. It’s an empowering habit that draws out solutions, fosters resourcefulness, and brings teams together in the spirit of progress.   [1️⃣1️⃣] “Why not?” challenges limits. Limits are often self-imposed or simply assumed. Questioning “why not?” exposes those false boundaries and replaces them with bold, liberating possibility. Pushing these limits turns dreams into goals and goals into real accomplishments.   [1️⃣2️⃣] The right question can rewrite your destiny. Sometimes, a single question can cause the entire trajectory of your life to shift. It might nudge you toward a career you love, a journey you’d never have taken, or a version of yourself that’s stronger and wiser. Don’t underestimate the power of asking something new—the right question changes everything.   [1️⃣3️⃣] Growth

Episode Transcript

(00:23):
Well, hey guys, it is John C.
Morley here, serial entrepreneur.
Start of a new week, but not a
new Master Topic, as you know, we start
that on Saturday and we roll from Saturday
through Friday.
That's how our Master Topic week works and
each day we have a granular topic.
If you're coming here for the very first
time, I want to take this opportunity to

(00:43):
personally thank you and welcome you.
If you're coming back and you've been to
the show many times before, well, welcome back.
It's great to have you with me here.
This is the show that gives you the
motivation, inspirational nuggets to help you live a
better, more productive, enjoying and fulfillable life.
All right, guys.
So if you haven't checked out BelieveMeAchieved.com,

(01:04):
what are you waiting for?
Go check that out.
That is after the show.
You can go to BelieveMeAchieved.com.
You can get replays of the current show,
other shows, short form content, long form content,
articles, and so much more, guys.
So definitely check that out.
Oh, and if you're thirsty, you might notice
here that I've got a beverage.
I've got a hot, like, well, special health
drink.

(01:25):
It's basically two tablespoons of molasses and some
Lipton decaf tea.
And I got to tell you, it's probably
yummy, really good, has a light, sweet taste
to it.
And I'm getting all my nutrients and proteins
in with that.
So it's a great health drink that I
have after my breakfast in the morning.
So great to have you here.

(01:46):
If you want to get yourself something hot,
maybe a hot tea, maybe something cold, maybe
it could be water, like RO water, like
I normally drink in the evenings.
Maybe something sweet.
Maybe you want breakfast.
Maybe you want a snack.
Chocolate, nuts, health, tart, it's totally up to
you.
Feel free to get that and come on
back to the show.
Without any further ado, I'd like to kick
this show off, everyone, all right?

(02:07):
Are you ready?
Okay, guys.
So before I do that, I want to
first thank everyone and also let you know
that in just about, well, November, December, two,
little more, little less than two and a
half, two months and two and a half
weeks, we'll be done with series four and
we'll be on to series five.

(02:27):
That means we'll be on the air officially
four years in a row.
Wow.
I cannot believe that.
That's an amazing accomplishment.
All right, guys.
So let's kick this off.
Welcome to the Inspirations for Your Life ever
popular show, hosted by who?
Me, Chauncey Morley, serial entrepreneur.
Also an engineer, marketing specialist, video producer, podcast

(02:51):
host, podcast coach, and a passionate lifelong learner.
And of course, let's not forget a graduate
student.
And in this special episode, I'm going to
dive into how asking questions can transform your
mindset and open doors and guide you to
outstanding achievement.

(03:14):
Every question you ask is a key.
Every moment of curiosity is, well, a step
towards growth.
Join me now as I help you explore
how unasked questions become missed chances and how
the habit of inquiry unlocks possibility.

(03:38):
Are you ready, guys?
Because this is going to be a real
rocky but fun ride to ask some great
questions.
Number one, every question unlocks possibility.
When you ask, you invite new perspectives and

(04:00):
fresh solutions into your life.
Questions serve as, well, the keys, the pillars
to unexplored rooms in your mind where innovation
and opportunity dwell.
The power to change your world often starts
with just one well-chosen question.

(04:22):
People say to me, John, you know, I
ask questions, but I don't get answers.
I just get more questions.
Well, that's okay, because sometimes we need to
get more questions that eventually we will get
an answer.
And I want to tell you something right
now.
When you ask a question, you may not
necessarily get the answer today.
You might get it later on.
You might get it tomorrow, next week.
But that's okay.

(04:43):
Your mind's still working on it.
The best time to ask a question, by
the way, is just before you go to
sleep, because your mind will be working on
it all night.
Not that your mind doesn't work on it
during the day, but it'll be a little
more focused since you're not going to be
doing anything else.
Number two, guys, unasked questions are missed chances.
Each time you hold back from asking, well,

(05:05):
you close the door on a chance to
learn, to grow, or connect.
Opportunities slip away and they're unseen when curiosity
is contained.
Let your voice be heard now.
Never underestimate the transformative impact of speaking up

(05:28):
and seeking answers.
I think some people are scared to speak
up because they don't necessarily know if they
know the answers, and that's okay.
You know, learning is what life's about.
And I've said to you, if you're not
making mistakes in life, well, guess what?
You are not learning, okay?
You are not learning.

(05:51):
That's important to understand.
You are not learning.
And if you're not learning, then that's a
very, very big problem, okay?

(06:11):
Does that make sense?
Why don't we ask questions?
I think we don't ask questions because sometimes

(06:32):
we get stuck.
And we feel that because we're stuck, we
don't necessarily know what to do.
And that what to do is about a
very interesting thing, all right?

(06:52):
The interesting thing comes down to something different
than what we expected it to be, okay?
As I said, we want to seek answers,
but it's not about this chase for answers.
It's about this playful query to get an
answer.
When we're so strong to have to get

(07:14):
the answer, that's not when the answer is
going to come.
The answer is going to come when we're
doing something else, we're in the shower, we're
not focused on getting the answer.
That's when our subconscious mind is working on
coming up with the answer.
But that frustrates a lot of people, why
they can't get the answer now, right?

(07:34):
So just go with the flow and enjoy
the divine timing.
Number three, guys, questions invite discovery.
Curiosity is the compass for discovery.
Every question sparks a journey toward understanding, moving
you closer to new insights and breakthroughs.

(07:55):
Progress starts when you are willing to admit
what you do not know and are open
to finding out.
I think that's a key thing.
We have to be open to these great
possibilities.
Big changes start small.
The most powerful transformations begin with the tiny

(08:16):
overlooked questions.
It's the cumulative effect of small wonders that
sets the stage for systematic shifts in your
mindset, relationships, and, of course, your career.
Embrace the humble beginnings, guys.
They can grow into, well, greatness.
Number five, guys, wonder fuels invention.

(08:40):
It's that curiosity, it's that playful spirit.
No invention ever became or began with certainty.
It began with a wonder, with a what
if.
Let's take the microwave, for example, right?
When the famous, does everybody know who was
the inventor?
Who was the inventor of the microwave?

(09:03):
Does anybody know?
Just take a guess if you happen to
know.
I know it's not a tech show, but
the inventor of the microwave, is an interesting
gentleman, and that's Percy Spencer.
And so, working at this military, let's say,

(09:28):
contracting company, that developed different types of technology.
Well, one day, he had a candy bar
in his pocket.
And he discovered at lunchtime that the candy
bar had melted.
They're working with radar and different types of
signals like that.
And so he said, I wonder if I

(09:50):
could take this signal and put it in
a box.
Maybe we could use it to cook things.
Voila, the microwave was born.
The act of wondering what if, or why
not, is at the core of every innovation
that we have in our lives.
Nurture your curiosity.
Let yourself imagine beyond the obvious.

(10:12):
And you'll create things you never thought or
dreamed were possible.
Time for a little more of this beverage.
Mm, really good, guys.
Really, really good.
Two tablespoons of molasses.
My InstaHot, which is like 195, 198.
Stir with the tablespoon a little bit, and
then dunk the decaf Lipton teabag in there.

(10:33):
Let it brew for a couple minutes.
A couple ice cubes so that it's not
boiling hot.
Just warm when I need to drink it.
Number six, guys, questions grow your mind.
Your mind is like a muscle, stretching and
strengthening each time you ask why, how, or
what.
Questioning deepens understanding, sharpens intelligence, and keeps you

(10:57):
adaptable in a changing world.
Growth is guaranteed for those who keep questioning
what's going on.
Who asks the what if, the why, the
when, how.
Number seven is ask and you'll find a
way.
The answer to every challenge starts with the

(11:18):
decision to ask.
Solutions reveal interesting things.
And they reveal themselves by giving bold enough
ways for us to seek them out, an
act of inquiry.
And they often point the way forward, even

(11:40):
through uncertainty.
Number eight, questions expand horizons.
Each question pushes the boundaries of your knowledge
and awareness.
By searching for new perspectives, you broaden both
your ambitions and your competence.

(12:02):
Setting your sights beyond old limitations is the
key, guys.
Number nine, curiosity is the seed of greatness.
Great achievements grow from seeds of curiosity.
Those who let questions take root within their
minds are destined to aspire higher and reach
further.
Let wonder fuel your journey to greatness so

(12:25):
you can enjoy your victories.
Number 10, every answer begins with a bold
question.
Bravery lies in asking what others overlook or
fear.
Every real advancement, whether personal or professional, can
be traced back to someone daring to inquire.
Be bold, ask what matters, and you'll learn.

(12:49):
Number 11, doubt sparks deeper understanding.
Welcoming your doubts, they are signposts pointing you
toward richer insights.
Questioning things you thought you knew.
Encourages more investigation, learning, and of course, ultimately,
a more resilient confidence.

(13:11):
Number 12, progress favors the curious.
Growth and improvement naturally follow those willing to
ask curiosity, as it breeds resilience, agility, and
inventiveness.
Making continual progress not a possibility, but a
promise.
Number 13, those who ask lead.

(13:31):
Leaders distinguish themselves by asking better questions.
Guidance, vision, and influence stem from a foundation
of curiosity, a willingness to listen, explore, and
understand before acting.
Number 14, asking how turns dreams into plans.

(13:53):
The bridge between ambition and achievement is built
by the question, how.
This one inquiry transforms visions into concrete steps.
Empowering, let's say, purposeful action on your biggest
goals.
Number 15, an open mind asks and listens.

(14:15):
True learning requires not just asking folks, but
listening to the answers.
With each open-minded question, you gain wisdom
and foster connections that enrich every part of
your life.
Number 16, small questions build big futures.
Don't dismiss the little queries.

(14:38):
They're the building blocks of success, the cornerstones.
Small questions accumulate, formulating a foundation for lasting
change and expansive achievement.
Number 17, growth lives in the gaps of
unasked questions.
Where questions are neglected, growth stagnates.

(15:00):
Identify and fill the gaps in your understanding
or skill, and you will open new channels
for transformation.
Number 18, curiosity over comfort wins every time.
Comfort zones are the enemy of progress.
When you abandon comfort for curiosity, you stretch
further and achieve more than you imagined possible.

(15:25):
Number 19, discovery is just a question away.
Innovation and insight frequently hide just beyond your
current understanding.
One well-timed question is often all it
takes to uncover new knowledge, techniques, or relationships.
Number 20, guys, imagination starts by wondering what

(15:51):
if.
Creativity blossoms when you dare to ask what
if.
The question that transforms mudane into the magic
and routine into revolution.
Number 21, new paths open to those who
question the old.
Progress requires challenging.

(16:13):
What's always been done, there might be a
better way or a slightly different change or
variable you can make to have a different
outcome.
Einstein said, doing the same thing over and
over again, expecting different results, that's insanity.
So why would we do that?
The new adventures, the careers, and the inventions
await those ready now to question tradition and

(16:34):
why something's been done the same way over
and over again.
Number 22, success follows those who keep wondering.
The curious persist when others quit.
And as a result, success becomes inevitable.
Never lose your urge to wonder.
Let it guide your decisions and growth.

(16:55):
Number 23, guys, great minds crave new questions.
Intelligence and greatness aren't about knowing all the
answers.
They're about constantly seeking better questions.
With each new query, the mind grows smarter
and wiser and life becomes a little more

(17:17):
richer and more enjoyable.
Number 24, guys, every problem hides a question
worth asking.
In the midst of every challenge is an
unanswered question.
How, why, or what now?
Find it, and you'll find your path to

(17:40):
resolution or at least improvement.
Number 25, the future belongs to the inquisitive.
Time for another sip of this beverage.
Wow.
You might be one of those who actually
see me on camera.
I have a metal straw.
The reason for that is so molasses can

(18:00):
stain your teeth.
So I use a straw so it goes
past the teeth and doesn't like just kind
of wash over them.
So that's handy.
Curious minds will inherit tomorrow.
Remember that.
By continually asking and adopting, you remain relevant,
innovative, and ready for whatever's next.

(18:21):
Number 26, every why unlocks a new how.
Whenever you ask why, you open the door
to solutions.
The how of progress, fulfillment, and discovery surfaces
when you go one layer deeper.
Just one layer deeper.

(18:42):
Making that choice to go one level deeper
can make this like real epitome moment happen
to you.
Okay?
That's important to understand.
And when you understand that, life is going
to change for you.
Now, it's not going to change overnight.
And if you're looking for it to change

(19:02):
tomorrow, I'm sorry.
It may not change tomorrow for you.
So keep embracing the future.
And as you embrace the future, you will
wonder what's going on.
And you'll wonder why things are changing so
much.
And the reason they're changing, I'll tell you
why, is because you are starting to gain
a different perspective in your life.

(19:24):
That's important, guys.
Gaining a perspective that allows you to ask
different questions and now approach a problem or
challenge a different way, that's mind-blowing.
Right?
I mean really mind-blowing.
Number 27.
Questions challenge the impossible.

(19:46):
Barriers dissolve for those who question them.
Whenever you're told something can't be done, ask
and you may find a way that others
missed.
Some people may get frustrated with you because
they're used to just doing everything the way
everyone else does, and they don't want to

(20:07):
see change.
So you may not always be embraced with
people that are going to support you, but
that's okay.
Allow that to permeate through you and just
do it anyway.
Be respectful, but know that some people on
your journey might not be willing to make
it work for you or to work with
you.
And that's completely okay.

(20:28):
Number 28.
Honest questions attract answers.
Authenticity begins by being honest with yourself and
others.
When your questions come from genuine need or
a true curiosity, the answers sparked that you

(20:48):
receive are likely to be both powerful and
true.
And I think that can be hard for
some people because they ask a question like,
oh my gosh, what rabbit hole am I
going down?
Well, the rabbit hole you're going down is
one that maybe you didn't understand, but now
you're gaining new insight to it.
Now you're gaining an entirely new insight to

(21:11):
it.
And that's a very, very big thing.
A very, very big thing.
And hopefully you'll be able to understand that.
Number 29, guys.
When you stop asking, you stop advancing.

(21:31):
You stop learning.
You allow complacency to sit in, and complacency
is the result of certitude.
No good.
Forge ahead by keeping your sense of inquiry,
your wonder alive.
Progress and evolution are reserved for the perpetually
curious.

(21:53):
That's pretty powerful, guys.
So those that ask questions get ahead.
Those that ask questions learn.
Those that ask questions are destined for success.
Number 30, guys.
Hope is hidden in curiosity.
Whenever you feel stuck, remember that asking what's

(22:15):
next or how could this work plants seeds
of hope, curiosity.
And it doesn't just change what you know.
It changes how you feel about every possibility
ahead.
And so the thing is, if you think
about this like a one or two-year
-old or a four or five-year-old,

(22:37):
there's something that happens once they get into
their teens.
They start to put restrictions in their life
because of things that they don't believe are
possible.
They start to get beliefs in their head
that either they put there or other people
put there.
And so whenever a young child is asked
these questions, they become a lot more powerful

(22:58):
and resourceful because of their belief, right?
The belief of something makes it so.
And I know that sounds so crazy, but
everything in our world is energy.
You and I are energy.
We are vibrating molecules and atoms very fast
right now.
And because of that, we're able to exist.
Even my laptop, my mouse, everything, it's vibrating.

(23:21):
It's so many revolutions per second.
And that's a key, guys, knowing that we
are not really solid beings.
We're energy.
And energy has the quality of being able
to change and grow.

(23:41):
And I think that's something that many people
don't realize that we are energy, that we
can change.
Oh, time for another swig of this.
This is really good.
And all finished.
So you might be asking me, and it's
a great question because I ask people, people
message me all the time.
What are the health benefits of molasses?

(24:07):
Well, there are a lot.
So it's a byproduct of sugar production, and
it has a lot of potential health benefits.
It's nutrient rich.
It's a good source of essential nutrients, including
iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and selenium.
Molasses are particularly high in iron, which is
essential for red blood cell production and can

(24:27):
help prevent iron deficiencies, anemia, et cetera.
Bone health, the calcium and magnesium in molasses
contribute to bone health and may prevent osteoporosis.
Antioxidant properties, molasses contains antioxidants such as polyphenols,
which may help protect cells from damage and
reduce the risk of chronic disease.
Digestive health, molasses is a good source of

(24:49):
fiber, which can promote regular movements of waste
from your body.
Blood sugar control, molasses has a lower glycemic
index than white sugar, meaning it may cause
a slower rise in blood sugar levels.
This can be beneficial for people with diabetes
or pre-diabetes.
Heart health, potassium and magnesium in molasses may

(25:10):
help regulate blood pressure and reduce the risk
of heart disease.
Other potential benefits, some studies suggest that molasses
has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and immune boosting
properties.
However, it's important to note that these health
benefits are based on some evidence that we've
gathered, but not big studies.
Bottom line is they are helpful to a

(25:30):
lot of people.
So definitely make molasses.
I usually have two tablespoons a day in
the boiling hot water.
Stir it up and then put the teabag
in for a few minutes.
So I used to do it with orange
juice, but what happened with orange juice is
it started to change the taste.
And I really didn't enjoy my orange juice
in the morning.
And I said, how can I make this?

(25:51):
But I don't want to just drink it
alone.
What can I mix it with?
I was like, oh, I get it.
I love tea.
Let me try putting the hot water in
and then let me try doing the tea.
And let's go from there.
Because what I used to do is put
the hot water in the glass.
Maybe it was a plastic glass or whatever.
And I put the water in there on
top of the two tablespoons of molasses.
I'd mix it around.
Then I'd pour some water.
Then I'd put some orange juice.

(26:11):
And it didn't really taste the greatest.
This actually has a nice, light, sweet taste.
It's not over sugary.
It's nice.
So guys, letting go is not weakness.
It's wisdom.
Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is
release what no longer serves you.
Freeing space for inquiry, insight, and growth.

(26:34):
Wisdom isn't about holding on.
It's about knowing what to pursue and what
to release.
And that might sound like something you don't
want to deal with.
But releasing is the key.
Because when we release things, we can put
more things in our lives.
We have room for more things in our

(26:54):
lives.
And I think that's a very important thing
to understand is that it's got to be
something that flows in your life.
If you try to push something, well, it's
not going to work out very well.
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm John C.
Morley, serial entrepreneur.
I invite you to tune in to Inspirations
for Your Life, as well as many of

(27:15):
my other shows, by visiting after the show,
24 hours a day, BelieveMeAchieve.com.
Short-form, long-form content for some expert
advice on unlocking workplace motivation, personal motivation, and
elevating your leadership game to an entirely new
level.
So if you're ready to become a better
version of yourself, check out BelieveMeAchieve.com and

(27:37):
start making my nuggets part of your daily
motivational diet.
And I can tell you guys, your life
will change.
Not only will you notice the change, but
people around you will be like, hey, something's
different, Mark.
Something's different with Sarah.
I don't know what it is.
Give it a try.
I think you'll be pretty impressed.

(27:58):
Have yourself a great day and a great
rest of your evening.
Be well, everyone.