Nicole LePera: How to Break the Cycle of Trauma Bonds & Stop Toxic Relationship Habits

Today, we reflect on the moments that shaped us, challenged us, and quietly transformed us over the past year. Not just the highlights, but the heartbreaks, the pauses, the uncomfortable in-between seasons that forced us to grow in ways we didn’t fully understand at the time. In this special end-of-year compilation, you’ll hear powerful, deeply human insights from voices like Selena Gomez, Cardi B, Madonna, Novak Djokovic, Mel Robbins, Codie Sanchez, and more. Each conversation reveals how love, loss, pressure, purpose, spirituality, money, and self-belief intersect in real life, and why growth so often comes from moments we never would have chosen. You’ll hear Selena and Benny reflect on how love grows through safety, patience, and showing up imperfectly. Cardi B opens up about depression, heartbreak, and how time, accountability, and resilience helped her reclaim her power. Madonna shares why cultivating an internal, spiritual life is essential in a noisy, distracted world, while Novak Djokovic explores the tension between ambition, self-worth, and purpose even at the peak of success. Mel Robbins challenges us to reclaim our energy by letting go of other people’s opinions, and Codie Sanchez reframes money, risk, and opportunity as skills that can be learned rather than fears to avoid. Together, these conversations remind us that growth isn’t linear, healing takes time, and the most meaningful progress begins when we listen inward, protect our energy, and move forward with intention. In this episode, you'll learn: How to Turn Hard Seasons Into Personal Growth How to Build Love Through Vulnerability and Safety How to Heal After Heartbreak Without Rushing the Process How to Embrace Failure as a Starting Point, Not an Ending How to Let Go of Other People’s Opinions and Reclaim Your Energy How to Build Resilience Through Accountability and Time How to Move Forward With Purpose, Not Pressure Give yourself permission to heal at your own pace, to learn without shame, and to start again as many times as you need. Protect your energy, listen to what truly matters to you, and trust that small, intentional steps create meaningful change over time. 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 01:20 Selena X Benny: Love Story 04:48 A Misunderstanding In The Studio 10:35 Love Blossomed From Friendship 12:27 The Little Things Matter 13:01 Emma Watson: Day To Day Activities & Hobbies 16:53 Honesty In Hardships 18:04 Staying Authentic To Yourself 20:01 Four Steps Forward, Four Steps Deep 23:07 Embracing Failure Creates Space For Resilience 24:34 Depression, Vulnerability & Divorce 28:53 Time Heals All 33:48 Handling Constant Criticism & Pressure 36:45 Madonna: 28 Years On A Spiritual Path 42:24 The Third Space Theory 44:16 Spiritual Practices To Keep You Going 48:30 Have You Really Dated a Narcissist? 50:15 Why Money Breaks Relationships 56:51 When Intimacy Needs Don’t Match 01:00:37 Cody Sanchez: Using Credit Cards the Smart Way 01:03:57 Do You Really Need Money to Start? 01:08:23 When Success Still Feels Like Not Enough 01:17:28 Where Your Energy Is Really Going 01:22:44 The Let Them TheorySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

31 Des 1h 27min

Jay sits down with Rob Dial for a powerful conversation about discipline, purpose, and why so many people stay stuck even when they know exactly what they should do. Rob reframes discipline not as punishment or pressure, but as an act of self-respect, explaining why choosing discomfort today is often the deepest form of self-love. From building consistency to reshaping identity, he reveals why real change has nothing to do with motivation or willpower, and everything to do with designing a life where doing the right thing becomes automatic. Drawing from his own journey, Rob shares hard-earned lessons on following curiosity, embracing failure, and staying consistent long before results appear. He challenges the idea that purpose is something you “find” all at once, offering instead a more grounded path—one built through action, experimentation, and committing fully to the season you’re in. Together, Jay and Rob explore how fear, past pain, and self-judgment quietly hold people back, and how small, imperfect steps can begin healing old wounds while building confidence, competence, and momentum in the present. In this interview, you'll learn: How to Build Discipline When Motivation Disappears How to Stay Consistent Even When You Fall Off Track How to Focus on One Habit for 100 Days How to Design Your Environment for Better Habits How to Turn Discipline Into Self-Love How to Not Quit Even When You Don’t See Results How to Make 2026 Your Best Year by Doing Less, Not More Focus on what you can control today. Do one thing well. Create habits that support the person you want to become, and be patient with yourself as you grow into them. If You Listen to The Mindset Mentor with Rob Dial on your favorite podcast app. 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 00:58 How Can You Actually Get Ahead in Life? 04:44 Should You Do What You Love? 11:45 What to Do When You’re Unhappy at Work 20:57 Why We Talk Ourselves Out of Our Passions 28:05 Understanding Your True Motivation 32:39 How to Build a New Skill From Scratch 38:01 How to Stay Consistent When Changing Your Life 46:26 Focus on One Thing for 100 Days 51:25 How to Set Lasting Goals for the New Year 56:23 How to Stop Fixating on the Negative 01:00:49 How to Take Control of Your Life 01:02:50 A New Way to Think About Aging 01:05:00 The Power of Believing It’s Already Yours Episode Resources: Rob Dial | Website Rob Dial | Instagram Rob Dial | Facebook Rob Dial | YouTube Rob Dial | TikTokSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

29 Des 1h 7min

Today, Jay sits down with longtime friend and Grammy-nominated devotional artist Jahnavi Harrison for a deeply personal conversation about faith, creativity, and living a life of service. Together, they reflect on spiritual grounding as a daily practice, not rooted in perfection but in the ability to remain steady through uncertainty and change. Jay and Jahnavi explore the often unseen journey behind purpose-driven work, how passion gradually becomes discipline, and discipline shapes a life of devotion. They unpack the courage it takes to walk a less conventional path, especially in a world that often values conformity and external validation. Through stories of growing up between two worlds, wrestling with self-expression, and finding healing through music and mantra, they invite us to reconsider success not as achievement, but as alignment. As the conversation unfolds, their focus turns to prayer, service, and staying connected when you feel lost. Jay and Jahnavi share why speaking to God, serving others, and creating space for vulnerability can become powerful anchors during difficult seasons. Ultimately, this conversation reminds us that spirituality isn’t about having everything figured out, it’s about showing up with sincerity, listening deeply, and choosing to give, even when the path ahead is unclear. In this interview, you'll learn: How to Find Peace Through Sacred Sound How to Stay Grounded When Life Feels Overwhelming How to Turn Doubt Into a Deeper Faith How to Express Yourself When You Feel Invisible How to Trust Your Intuition Over External Pressure How to Integrate Spirituality Into Everyday Life How to Reconnect With Purpose Through Service How to Talk to God in Your Own Way You are allowed to take your time, to find your voice in your own way, and to choose a path that feels meaningful rather than impressive. Healing and purpose don’t come from perfection, but from showing up sincerely and trusting that what you offer with love will return in its own time. Check out Jahnavi’s Grammy nominated album Into the Forest here. 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 04:06 What Truly Defines Who You Are 06:06 Are You Actively Seeking Truth? 08:54 Where a Love for Music First Began 10:31 Understanding Devotional Mantra Music 13:31 Growing Up With an Unconventional Education 21:35 Navigating Identity and Belonging 24:27 Learning to Trust Your Inner Confidence 25:27 When Parents Are Doing Their Best 27:49 Questioning Life Within a Spiritual Community 31:02 From Curiosity to Creative Mastery 34:51 Experiencing the Divine Through Sound 36:43 Creating Space for Others to Feel Free 39:39 When Music Becomes Healing 41:35 Turning Personal Prayer Into Shared Experience 45:23 The Biggest Misconceptions About Spiritual People 49:17 Growing Up Surrounded by Spiritual Validation 51:05 Holding a Safe Space for Spiritual Exploration 54:22 Navigating a Crisis of Faith 56:45 What It Feels Like to Lose Faith 59:35 Using Meditation to Access Stillness 01:03:09 Asking Yourself, “Am I Being of Service?” 01:09:20 Jahnavi on Final Five Episode Resources: Jahnavi Harrison | Website Jahnavi Harrison | Instagram Jahnavi Harrison | Facebook Jahnavi Harrison | YouTube Jahnavi Harrison | XSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

26 Des 1h 21min

Grief has a way of showing up when we least expect it, especially during seasons that are meant to feel joyful. Today, Jay brings together powerful conversations with different guests who have each experienced grief in deeply personal ways. Together, these stories reveal how grief manifests uniquely for each person, often unfolding in many forms at once. Kate Cassidy opens up about losing her partner and shares how healing didn’t come from grand moments, but from small, intimate rituals. Nicole Avant reflects on the tragic loss of her mother and reveals how forgiveness, faith, and gratitude became tools for resilience rather than bitterness. Karan Johar speaks about losing his father to cancer and how their honest conversations before his passing gave him a sense of closure many people never get, reminding us not to wait to say what matters most. Taylor Hill honors the different forms of grief that are often minimized, including miscarriage and the loss of a beloved pet. In this episode, you'll learn: How to Sit With Grief Without Rushing Healing How to Find Comfort in Small Daily Rituals How to Focus on a Life Lived, Not Just a Loss How to Say What Matters Before It’s Too Late How to Hold Space for Someone Without Fixing Them How to Honor Invisible or Unspoken Losses How to Let Love, Not Loss, Lead Your Healing If you’re carrying loss right now, know that you are not alone, even when it feels isolating. Healing often happens quietly, in small routines, honest conversations, moments of stillness, and the permission to feel exactly what you feel. 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 01:13 Finding Healing After Loss 07:27 Learning to Listen to the Signs 10:20 Keeping Memories Alive 13:07 Moving Through Tragic Loss 19:08 Why Grief Is Proof of Deep Love 20:18 Celebrating a Life Well Lived 24:24 Understanding That Nothing Is Permanent 29:24 The Conversations You Wish You’d Had 33:20 Creating Space to Grieve Freely 41:09 The Grief of Losing a Dear FriendSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

24 Des 51min

Today, Jay welcomes the legendary James Cameron. Award-winning filmmaker, explorer, and innovator known for pushing the boundaries of storytelling and technology, to explore the inner world behind one of the most influential storytellers of our time. The conversation extends beyond filmmaking to an exploration of imagination, purpose, and the courage it takes to follow your calling before the world validates it. James shares how his childhood fascination with science fiction, nature, and drawing became a refuge for creativity, long before success ever entered the picture. From sketching imaginary worlds as a child to trusting his instincts without formal film training, he reveals how curiosity, solitude, and relentless self-belief quietly shaped a life of visionary storytelling. James reflects on failure, rejection, and the unseen moments that nearly ended his journey before it truly began. He opens up about being fired early in his career, the constraints that led to creating The Terminator, and why commitment often requires choosing conviction over comfort. Through stories of sacrifice, creative pressure, and building teams that feel like family, James reveals that success was never about money or recognition but about honoring the responsibility of meaningful storytelling. In this interview, you'll learn: How to Trust Your Creative Instincts Early How to Turn Failure Into Fuel How Constraints Unlock Creativity How to Lead Without Losing Empathy How to Balance Solitude and Collaboration How to Create Work That Moves People How to Stay Purpose-Driven Through Success How to See Others With Deeper Understanding Every challenge you face is a lesson in resilience, empathy, and courage. The world doesn’t need perfection, it needs presence, honesty, and people willing to care deeply. 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 01:43 An Early Fascination With Science Fiction 04:44 Inspiring the Next Generation of Artists 06:34 The Solitary Nature of Creative Work 08:44 When Storytelling Becomes a Calling 12:16 Finding a Market for Your Imagination 16:33 How to Capture and Record Your Dreams 22:42 Different Approaches to the Creative Process 24:17 What is Your Creative Vision? 29:29 Lessons on Family, Community, and Belonging 32:01 Why We Only Protect What We Love 38:58 Can AI Ever Develop Consciousness? 39:14 What Creation Really Requires 44:33 How to Bounce Back After Failure 47:16 Creating Within Constraints 51:28 Learning What You Can Negotiate 53:34 Are You a Risk Taker? 01:01:32 Recognizing Consciousness Beyond Humans 01:04:15 Exploring the Depths of the Ocean 01:09:57 Letting Go of the Work You’ve Created 01:14:41 The Deeper Message Behind Films 01:21:28 Humanity’s Natural Capacity for Empathy 01:24:14 James on Final Five Episode Resources: James Cameron | Instagram James Cameron | FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

22 Des 1h 32min

Today, Jay sits down with Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Alex Warren for an extremely open and honest conversation about loss, resilience, and turning pain into purpose. Alex opens up about losing both of his parents at a young age, growing up in instability, and being forced to parent himself while he was still just a kid. Through stories of grief, homelessness, and survival, he reflects on how these early experiences shaped his worldview, his faith, and his relentless drive to keep going when everything around him felt uncertain. What emerges is a powerful reminder that our hardest chapters often become the foundation of our greatest strength. Alex shares how music became his lifeline, a way to articulate emotions he couldn’t put into words and a place to process loss without running from it. From teaching himself to sing and play guitar, to sleeping in cars while posting covers online, his journey is a testament to perseverance in the face of uncertainty. Alex speaks candidly about imposter syndrome, insecurity, and the challenge of staying grounded amid global success, revealing that even at the highest levels of achievement, the longing to feel “enough” never fully disappears. Jay guides the conversation toward self-compassion, helping Alex explore the importance of extending the same grace to himself that he’s learned to offer others. In this interview, you'll learn: How to Turn Deep Loss Into Purpose How to Keep Going When No One Believes in You How to Build Resilience After Childhood Trauma How to Find Meaning in Painful Experiences How to Forgive Without Excusing Harm How to Become the Person You Needed Growing Up You don’t need perfect conditions, unwavering confidence, or universal approval to move forward. What you need is the willingness to keep showing up, to keep learning, and to keep choosing who you want to become, especially on the hardest days. 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 01:01 How to Navigate Success Without Losing Yourself 03:10 Remembering a Father Who Gave Everything 07:13 Growing Up Surrounded by Love 08:30 When Did You First Realize Your Life Was Different? 09:34 Parenting Yourself as a Child 10:45 The Universal Need to Belong 12:17 How Early Childhood Shapes Who You Become 15:28 Redefining What Success Really Means 19:58 Growing Up with an Abusive Parent 22:50 The Lasting Pain of Losing Someone You Love 24:10 Understanding Your Parents’ Hidden Struggles 32:02 Protecting Your Dream At All Costs 34:35 Lessons Loss Teaches You 35:49 The Fear of Being Left Behind 37:48 How Everything in Life Becomes a Lesson 41:35 How Do You Want to Be Remembered? 46:13 Living Out of a Car at 17 51:26 Surviving What Should’ve Broken You 56:45 Using Music to Process Grief 59:41 Meeting the Love of Your Life 01:02:25 Finding Someone Who Stays No Matter What 01:04:31 Why Shedding an Old Identity is Important 01:07:14 Creating the Perfect Wedding 01:10:02 Facing Your Greatest Inner Struggle 01:12:38 Becoming the Parent You Never Had 01:15:02 Learning to Live with Insecurity 01:18:44 You Don’t Have to Prove Yourself 01:23:36 Alex on Final Five Episode Resources: Alex Warren | Website Alex Warren | Instagram Alex Warren | YouTube Alex Warren | TikTok Alex Warren | Facebook Alex Warren | XSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

19 Des 1h 29min

Today, Jay sits down with Dr. Shadé Zahrai to explore how self-doubt quietly influences our decisions, and what it takes to rebuild trust in ourselves. Shadé unpacks the psychology behind impostor syndrome, fear of failure, and the inner stories that convince people they’re not ready or not enough. Together, they examine how the brain’s need for certainty drives worst-case thinking, and why that protective instinct often keeps us stuck, even when opportunity is right in front of us. Shadé offers grounded frameworks, from shifting “should” into “could” to create more possibility, to designing simple action plans that help regain a sense of control when things feel overwhelming. Shadé reflects on purpose, care, and leaving people better than we found them, while Jay highlights that trusting yourself doesn’t mean never experiencing doubt. Together, they explore how self-image is shaped by the feedback we internalize, why criticism tends to linger longer than praise, and how healing emotional “scars” allows us to move forward without self-sabotage. In this interview, you'll learn: How to Trust Yourself Again How to Stop Letting Self-Doubt Inform Your Decisions How to Reframe Impostor Syndrome as Growth How to Turn Fear Into Forward Action How to Shift From “Should” to “Could” How to Take Action When You Feel Stuck How to Heal the Self-Image Behind the Self-Doubt Confidence isn’t the absence of fear; it’s the willingness to move forward even when fear is present. Every step you take, no matter how small, strengthens your trust in yourself and reminds you that you are capable of learning, adapting, and becoming more than you were yesterday. Pre-order Shadé’s new book, Big Trust, to dive deeper into the framework for rebuilding self-trust and breaking free from self-doubt: https://www.shadezahrai.com/bigtrust 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 01:47 What Drives Self-Doubt? 02:58 The Power of Your Self-Image 06:54 The Four Pillars of Self-Image 08:44 Struggling With Self-Acceptance 15:35 How Lack of Acceptance Fuels Perfectionism 20:50 Shifting From Comparison to Emulation 27:55 Becoming Before You Believe 32:14 Why the Brain Craves Certainty 38:00 Do You Ever Feel Like You’re Not Enough? 44:24 Learning to Detach From Labels 56:04 The Self-Talk That Keeps You Grounded 01:01:11 Believing You’re Capable 01:06:22 Everyone Experiences Self-Doubt! 01:08:56 What Actually Replaces Self-Doubt? 01:15:20 Getting the Job Even When You Feel Underqualified 01:24:13 Understanding Key Differences Between Men and Women 01:26:53 Why Constant Complaining Signals Low Self-Trust 01:37:12 Growth After Trauma 01:43:52 Why We Focus on What We Can’t Control 01:50:42 Learning to Adapt to Your Emotions 01:56:26 Creating Your “I Could, I Will” List 02:00:07 Shadé on Final Five Episode Resources: Dr. Shadé Zahrai | Website Dr. Shadé Zahrai | Instagram Dr. Shadé Zahrai | YouTube Dr. Shadé Zahrai | TikTok Dr. Shadé Zahrai | LinkedinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

17 Des 2h 17min

**This interview was filmed on November 29th, prior to the heartbreaking and tragic events in Bondi over the weekend. Our hearts are with everyone in Australia during this incredibly difficult time. __________ Today, Jay travels to Australia to sit down with Chris Hemsworth at the Crystalbrook Byron, not the superhero the world knows, but the grounded, introspective man shaped by his upbringing in the Australian outback. Chris opens up about his early years living in an Indigenous community, the adventures that sparked his imagination, and the strong family roots that still keep him centered. Jay explores how those moments from Chris’s childhood laid the foundation for the man he is today. Chris opens up about the pressure and anxiety he faced in the early stages of his acting career and how the pursuit of excellence often came at the cost of inner peace. He talks about the constant pull between ambition and being present, the balance of preparation and surrendering to the creative process and the grounding force of lifelong friendships. In one of the most personal moments of the conversation, Chris talks about learning of his father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and how it changed his relationship with time, family, and legacy. He reflects on the emotional experience of documenting their journey together, navigating memory loss, caregiving, vulnerability, and the urgency it created to slow down and show up fully for the people who matter most. In this interview, you'll learn: How to Stay Present in a High-Pressure Career How to Reconnect With Your Childhood Self How to Build True, Grounding Friendships How to Be Fully There for Aging Parents How to Slow Down and Be Intentional With Your Time How to Balance Ambition With Inner Peace How to Bring More Curiosity Into Relationships We forget sometimes that the best parts of life aren’t about achievement or perfection. They’re about being present, staying connected, and having the courage to show up. Every challenge and moment of doubt is a chance to look inward and reconnect with what really matters. 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 01:08 Discovering Gratitude in Childhood 05:10 First Encounters With Fame 08:24 Arriving Somewhere You Never Planned 13:40 Losing Yourself to the Role 15:34 The Weight of High Expectations 20:31 Managing Mental Overload 25:31 Naming Your Stressors 28:56 The Fear of Saying No 31:29 Passing Down Healthy Money Values 34:03 Navigating Your Way Through Grief 38:22 How Family Keeps You Grounded 41:39 What Makes a Real Friend? 44:48 The Alzheimer’s Diagnosis 54:11 Realizing How Precious Time Truly Is 57:41 Witnessing Your Parents Grow Older 01:01:55 Honoring the People Who Raised You 01:06:50 The Rare Feeling of Getting It Right 01:10:18 Messages for Your Younger Self 01:13:57 Staying Connected to Your Childlike Self 01:19:39 Lessons We Learn From Our Children 01:22:30 Being Fully Present With Your Partner 01:28:12 Helping Children Understand Alzheimer’s 01:31:18 Appreciating the Beauty in Life 01:34:24 Knowing When It’s Time to Slow Down 01:38:47 Who Takes Care of the Caregiver? 01:42:30 Chris on Final Five Episode Resources: Chris Hemsworth | Instagram Chris Hemsworth | X Chris Hemsworth | YouTube Chris Hemsworth | TikTok Chris Hemsworth | FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

15 Des 1h 51min