Sunday Email: Podcast of 2024 / New Year

Read time: ~4.00 minutes

Happy Sunday!

Every Sunday I offer strategies for the week ahead and a thought to fuel your action.

Hopefully, you all had a wonderful holiday with your family.

We’re approaching that familiar moment again—turning the calendar to a new year.

There’s something powerful about January 1st. It feels like a fresh start, a reset button. December 31st marks the finish line, and January 1st marks a brand-new starting line.

Life is complex and often uncontrollable, but the symbolic nature of a new year gives us a sense of clarity and momentum—a chance to pause, reflect, and—most importantly—grow.

As we step into 2025, I want to offer you a small gift: five podcasts that have helped me learn, grow, and evolve. If you’re looking to ignite your curiosity, improve yourself, or simply enjoy engaging content, these are my recommendations.

1. Founders with David Senra

We can only read so many books, but there’s so much wisdom we don’t want to miss. Founders lets us scale our learning.

David Senra is obsessed with understanding history’s greatest entrepreneurs and innovators—people like Walt Disney, Steve Jobs, and Henry Ford. Each episode dissects a biography or memoir, walking you through the lessons, habits, and mindsets that shaped these icons.

It’s like gaining a mentor from history’s best minds. If you’re looking to absorb more knowledge in less time, this is your podcast. Bonus: David’s entire library of book highlights is now available via an AI tool, letting you search his insights anytime.

2. Acquired with Ben Gilbert & David Rosenthal

I love understanding how great companies are built—the successes, the failures, the pivotal decisions.

Acquired tells the deep, fascinating stories of iconic businesses like Amazon, Nike, and Apple. Ben and David approach each episode like a masterclass, spending months analyzing the companies, breaking down what worked and what didn’t.

These episodes are long, but they’re worth every minute. Whether you’re a business junkie or just curious about how the best became the best, you’ll walk away smarter.

3. The Tim Ferriss Show with Tim Ferriss

Tim Ferriss is one of the best interviewers I know. He has a gift for asking the right questions, the kind that uncover insights most of us would miss.

Listening to The Tim Ferriss Show feels like sitting in on a private conversation between Tim and world-class performers—entrepreneurs, athletes, writers, and thinkers. Tim’s ability to dig deep, combined with his curiosity, produces episodes full of actionable wisdom.

It’s inspiring and practical. If you want to evolve yourself or your business, this podcast is a guide.

4. The AI Daily Brief

AI is everywhere, and it’s changing fast. You don’t need to be an expert, but you do need to be aware.

The AI Daily Brief delivers the most important news, breakthroughs, and trends in AI—all in under 15 minutes. It’s bite-sized, easy to follow, and keeps you informed without being overwhelmed.

Even if you’re unsure how AI applies to you yet, staying in the loop will prepare you to recognize opportunities as they arise.

5. SmartLess with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes & Will Arnett

This one’s for when you need to laugh.

SmartLess is less about structured interviews and more about being a fly on the wall as three friends—Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett—banter, joke and surprise each other with celebrity guests.

It’s lighthearted, relatable, and hilarious. Sometimes, you need content that makes you smile, and SmartLess delivers. If you’re a sports fan, start with the Peyton Manning episode. It’s one of my favorites.

We all learn and grow in different ways.

As we step into the new year, I hope you lean into whatever fuels your curiosity and growth. Whether it’s these podcasts, a new book, or a new habit, give yourself permission to evolve.

I’m grateful for the chance to share this space with you each Sunday. Here’s to a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2025!

A Thought To Ponder This Week

2024 was a year of change for me.

Some bigger than others.

But this year will be one that I forever remember. It changed me.

The drivers of change aren’t always desired experiences. But we all have the opportunity to control how we view the experiences and situations we endure.

That is one of the few things in our control.

For me, I choose to view it through a lens of growth as opposed to despair.

In these times of closure and a new beginning we tend to see things through a bit more positive lens though.

So, the challenge for all of us to tackle this year is to keep this lens. The lens of growth. The mentality that we control our perceptions.

And to carry this through the lulls and daily grind during the year. Not just at the beginning and end.

That seems like a worthy and controllable resolution.

The best is ahead!

-Matt