All It Takes Is A Goal
Jon Acuff is the New York Times bestselling author of ten books, including his most recent, All it Takes is a Goal.
Published in dozens of languages, his work is both critically acclaimed and adored by readers. When he's not writing, Acuff can be found on a stage, as one of INC's Top 100 Leadership Speakers. He's spoken to hundreds of thousands of people at conferences, colleges and companies around the world including FedEx, Range Rover, Microsoft, Chick-fil-A, and Comedy Central. Known for his insights wrapped in humor, Acuff shared the stage with an American Icon when he opened up for Dolly Parton at the Ryman Auditorium.
Jon lives outside of Nashville, TN with his wife Jenny and two daughters.
Episodes
258 episodes
ATG 257: Politicians Are Temporary, Family Is Forever: Your Thanksgiving Survival Guide
I am my niece and nephew's favorite uncle—mostly because I'm their only uncle, but a win is a win. Election years turn every family gathering into "squirrely uncle season," and Thanksgiving is ground zero. You've got relatives who think differe...
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14:40
ATG 256: The 4 Books That Changed My Year (And Why I Read 75 Fewer Books)
Last year, I read more than 100 books. This year, I cut that goal down to 25—and actually got more out of them. After realizing I was flying through books without retaining much, I slowed down and found four that earned a permanent spot on my b...
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Season 1
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Episode 256
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19:35
ATG 255: Stop Being a Success Voyeur
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to binge on other people’s success stories? Podcasts, books, courses—it all feels productive, but sometimes it’s just procrastination in disguise. I call it being a success voyeur. You’re peering th...
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Season 1
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Episode 255
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14:52
ATG 254: Throw Your Bottles: Why the World Needs What You're Afraid to Create
I've written 11 books, but I didn't have a 10-year plan. I just got tired of my fearful mindset dictating my entire life. In my mid-30s, I threw my first bottle into the ocean—and it changed everything. In this episode, I'm sharing why you need...
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Season 1
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Episode 254
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13:09
ATG 253: Be a Rebel: Why Hope is an Act of Open Rebellion in a World Addicted to Fear
A viral tweet recently claimed that 30-year-olds today can't afford what previous generations could—a house they like, a decent car, a $100K salary, and a stay-at-home spouse. Here's the truth: I was 30 in 2006 and only achieved half of that li...
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Season 1
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Episode 253
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15:36
ATG 252: The One Word That Will Sextuple Your Success (It's Not What You Think)
81% of Americans want to write a book. Only 2% actually do. What's the difference between wanting and doing? One word: deadline. In this episode, I'm breaking down why deadlines are the secret weapon for finishing any goal—whether you're writin...
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Season 1
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Episode 252
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16:57
ATG 251: Marriage, Kids, and Snacks: 3 Soundtracks That Keep Us Sane
Building a business and building a family both require one thing: being brave enough to be bad at something new. In this episode, Jenny and I talk about the soundtracks that have helped us stay sane through marriage, parenting, and every learni...
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Season 1
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Episode 251
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18:40
ATG 250: Hit the Squirrel: 4 More Marriage Secrets That Built Our 7-Figure Life
Building a 7-figure business while staying married for 25 years doesn't happen by accident. In this follow-up episode, I'm sharing four more marriage secrets that have helped Jenny and me not just survive but thrive together. You'll discover wh...
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Season 1
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Episode 250
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21:35
ATG 249: 4 Marriage Secrets That Actually Work (And Changed Our Family)
After almost 25 years of marriage, my wife Jenny and I have learned a few things that actually work—not just the clichés you hear everywhere. In this episode, I'm sharing four practical "soundtracks" we use in our marriage and parenting that ha...
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Season 1
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Episode 249
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24:50
ATG 248: I Did That! The Confidence-Building Exercise That Changes Everything
Feeling overwhelmed by all your goals? You're not alone—and that's exactly why we're starting with something different. Instead of brainstorming more things to do, let's celebrate what you've already accomplished. In this episode, I'm sharing t...
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Season 1
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Episode 248
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22:56
ATG 247: Big Life, Small Worries: The 8 Words That Will Change Everything
I recently told someone they should print out these 8 words and carry them in their wallet (which makes me sound ancient because who has a printer anymore?) But seriously, if you only remember 8 words from me in 2025, let it be these: "Big life...
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Season 1
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Episode 247
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13:54
ATG 246: Mindset Reboot: The First Step to a Remarkable Life
What if the formula for a remarkable life was so simple you could write it on a sticky note? In this episode, I share the exact mindset shift that took me from stuck in Atlanta traffic to building a life I love. You’ll hear the story of how I s...
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Season 1
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Episode 246
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20:33
ATG 245: Hope Hard, Work Hard: Why Hope Has Become Controversial (And Why You Need It Anyway)
Apparently, hope is controversial now. Who knew? I've been posting about hope lately, and people have been telling me I'm tone deaf because the supply chain is broken and the economy is terrible. One of my friends literally can't be happy until...
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Season 1
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Episode 245
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13:59
ATG 244: Try Again: The Two Words That Stand Between You and Your Biggest Goals
There are only two words standing between you and the book you've always wanted to write, the business you want to start, and yes, even millions of dollars. Just two words. According to the University of Scranton, 92% of New Year's resolutions ...
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Season 1
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Episode 244
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12:22
ATG 243: Today Is An Adventure
I'm going old school today—70s and 80s motivational guru style. You know those thick plastic binders with cassette tapes that made you want to run through walls? That's the energy I'm bringing. This episode is different. It's a short, highly mo...
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Season 1
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Episode 243
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10:26
ATG 242: Summer Soundtracks Part 6: Throw Shorter Pity Parties
Let’s end this series with one of the most powerful mindset shifts I’ve learned:Throw shorter pity parties.In the final episode of my Summer Soundtracks Series, I’m sharing why it’s okay to feel the sting of failur...
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Season 1
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Episode 242
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17:48
ATG 241: Summer Soundtracks Part 5: Growth Is the Goal, Not Comfort
This one hit me right between the eyes.In Part 5 of my Summer Soundtracks Series, I’m talking about a mindset I’m still learning to believe: Growth is the goal, not comfort.It’s easy to quit when things get awkward...
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Season 1
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Episode 241
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17:02
ATG 240: Summer Soundtracks Part 4: Win the Way You've Won Before
In Part 4 of my Summer Soundtracks Series, I’m unpacking a simple but powerful mindset shift: Win the way you’ve won before.You’ve already succeeded at something in your life—and that win left clues. Today I’ll show you how to find them,...
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Season 1
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Episode 240
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18:57
ATG 239: Summer Soundtracks Part 3: Be Your Bodyguard, Not Your Bully
In Part 3 of my Summer Soundtracks Series, I’m talking about one of the most important mindset shifts I’ve ever made: Be your bodyguard, not your bully.How you talk to yourself matters. A lot. In this episode, I’ll walk y...
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Season 1
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Episode 239
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19:35
ATG 238: Summer Soundtracks Part 2: Surround Yourself with Friends Who Throw Fuel, Not Water
This is Part 2 of my Summer Soundtracks Series, and I’ve got another soundtrack for you:“Surround yourself with friends who throw fuel, not water.”We’re talking about the kind of people who help your dreams grow—an...
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Season 1
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Episode 238
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19:41
ATG 237: Summer Soundtracks Part 1: I Am the CEO of My Actions, Not My Outcomes
Have you ever felt frustrated trying to control things that are completely out of your hands? In this episode, I'm kicking off a new summer series where I randomly pick cards from my Soundtracks Conversation Deck and share the mindset shifts th...
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Season 1
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Episode 237
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18:33
ATG 236: The "Too Busy" Lie and 2 Systems That Will Change Everything with Mo Bunnell
Do you ever catch yourself saying "I'm too busy" when someone asks you to connect? Mo Bunnell, author of Give to Grow, says that's one of five lies keeping us stuck—and he's got the research to prove it. In this episode, Mo breaks down...
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Season 1
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Episode 236
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50:22
ATG 235: 3 Things I Learned From Simon Sinek That Changed Everything
A few years ago, Simon Sinek and I had the same editor. Since then, I've had the chance to learn from him, and let me tell you—it's been a game changer.In this episode, I'm sharing three lessons Simon taught me: why you should be able to...
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Season 1
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Episode 235
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16:53
ATG 234: Awesome is Never Accidental
I've never met someone who accidentally got in shape. Or accidentally had a great marriage. Or accidentally built a million-dollar business. You know why? Because awesome is never accidental.In this episode, I'm sharing how this...
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Season 1
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Episode 234
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14:02
ATG 233: 37 Ways to Have the Greatest Summer Ever (Part 2)
Ready to continue making this your most intentional summer? In this episode, I'm sharing the final 19 ways to elevate your summer from average to extraordinary. From buying the weirdest thing at your local farmer's market, to exploring your dre...
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Season 1
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Episode 233
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20:43