Do you say yes too often?

When was the last time you said no?

In this special live episode recorded at an iHeart event in New York City, Jay Shetty reflects on his journey from speaking to empty rooms to sharing ancient wisdom with millions around the world. He reveals how reframing adversity helps us face life’s “first arrows” without adding the extra pain of self-criticism, and the daily practices that keep him grounded through challenge. With powerful stories, from a Navy SEAL finding purpose through On Purpose while on deployment, to a young cheerleader who radiates joy despite paralysis, Jay shows how resilience and perspective can transform even our hardest moments into sources of strength and growth.

Jay breaks down what it really means to make “wisdom go viral” and why presence, not time, is the key to deeper connection. He shares the courage it takes to say no to protect your energy, how to keep your soul at the center in an AI-driven world, and the creativity that unlocks when seeing life through childlike eyes. This episode is your reminder to slow down, live with purpose, and let curiosity lead you toward greater connection and fulfillment.

In this conversation, you'll learn:

How to Reframe Adversity

How to Build Confidence from Hard Times

How to Protect Your Energy in Service

How to Say No Without Guilt

How to Think With Childlike Creativity

When we pause to reflect, reconnect with what truly matters, and choose to act with purpose, we not only uplift ourselves, we inspire others to do the same. Keep leaning into curiosity, resilience, and compassion, and you’ll find that the path ahead holds far more possibility than limitation.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here.

Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

02:48 It Started with Small, Empty Rooms

04:41 How Do You Approach Adversity?

07:48 The Reservoir of Joy

13:15 Making Wisdom Go Viral

17:25 Why Audio Feels Intimate

21:09 Navigating the Age of AI

25:54 Breaking Free from People Pleasing

31:58 Learning to Adapt When Life Shifts

35:38 Unlocking Creativity with the 30 Circles Test

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is there something from childhood you still carry?

How do you think it still affects you today?

In this special compilation episode of On Purpose, Jay revisits some of the most transformative conversations on trauma, healing, and resilience. Featuring insights from Dr. Gabor Maté, John Legend, Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Bruce Perry, and Anita, Jay uncovers how unaddressed wounds can quietly shape the way we live, and more importantly, how we can begin the journey toward understanding, growth, and true healing.

From Dr. Gabor Maté’s wisdom on the unseen toll of suppressing our authentic selves, to John Legend’s candid reflections on grief and loss, each conversation uncovers a unique layer of what it means to hold pain and still pursue growth. Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce Perry invite us to shift the question from “What’s wrong with me?” to “What happened to me?”—a powerful reframe that transforms shame into compassion. Anita’s story of releasing inherited fears reminds us that even generational wounds can heal when we bring them into the light.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How to Recognize Hidden Trauma

How to Grieve Without Losing Connection

How to Reframe “What’s Wrong” Into “What Happened”

How to Understand the Impact of Childhood Neglect

How to Transform Inherited Fears Into Strength

How to Begin Healing Through Awareness

Healing is never a straight line, but every step you take toward understanding yourself is a step toward freedom. When you give yourself permission to feel, reflect, and release, you begin to transform what once held you back into a source of strength to move forward.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty.

Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here.

Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

01:45 Choosing the Pain That Frees You

05:55 Free Yourself from Outside Opinions

08:15 Trauma Is an Unhealed Wound

10:28 Learning to Carry Grief with Love

15:05 How Childhood Neglect Shapes Adulthood

18:29 Building a Grounded, Centered Self

20:40 The Power of Asking “What Happened to You?”

25:15 The Hidden Impact of Spanking Children

30:38 Maternal Stress Can Transfer to Children

35:47 Choosing to Break Generational Trauma

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.