The Art of Accomplishment

Brett and Joe uncover the often hidden complexities behind setting and pursuing goals. They reveal how our relationships with goals reflect deeper truths about ourselves and why embracing genuine desires leads not just to accomplishments, but to a richer, more authentic life.

They talk about:

- Why it's crucial for your goals to reflect what your heart truly wants

- How goals reorient us toward creativity and fulfillment

- The importance of setting aligned goals

- How to use principles and metrics effectively

- The importance of...

Brett and Joe explore how we cope with life’s unpredictability—from global events to personal crises—highlighting why some of us thrive while others falter. In a world of rapid change and unpredictable outcomes, embracing the present moment and adopting clarity in intention can transform uncertainty into a powerful opportunity for growth. They delve into how uncertainty shapes us and how, surprisingly, facing it openly can deepen our relationships and resilience. Join them as they explore:

If your relationship with money has ever caused you grief, this glimpse into transformation could point the way to uncovering the root of your own challenges. Bobby Hobert comes to Joe with a question that sounds familiar to many of us: money struggles and how to step into the version of ourselves that feels so close, yet so elusive. What he finds instead is something deeper and messier: the recognition that trying to "get it right" is often the very thing in the way.

Together with Joe, Bobby explores:

When Nathan Baschez saw a tweet from Joe Hudson about how he raised his girls—no punishments, no shame—he had to know more. So when Joe invited him onto the podcast to talk parenting, he jumped at the chance.

What unfolds is an honest look at parenting in real time. Joe shares how Hand-in-Hand Parenting shaped his family life, how emotional presence trumps perfection, and how parenting became one of his deepest self-development practices.

In this episode, they discuss:

We grow up in a world where seeking approval is assumed, expected. Authority figures (like parents) assume the responsibility of approval or disapproval to teach their offspring how to move through the world. It’s also a kind of currency: it determines who we are, where we belong, what doors open for us. But at some point, some of us begin to wonder—what happens if I stop asking for permission? In this episode, Joe and Brett wrestle with the complexity of approval-seeking and how to break free from it. They explore:

There is a moment when the body becomes foreign, when the timeline of your life no longer extends indefinitely but narrows into an unpredictable horizon. In this episode, Tara sits down with Michael Nagel, a beloved member of the AOA community, to speak candidly about what it means to love and be loved in the face of his cancer diagnosis. They discuss:

Generosity is often relegated to a bit part in our lives, an incidental thing we appreciate when we notice it but not something we consider important to driving our happiness or success. What happens when we put generosity at the center?

In this episode of The Art of Accomplishment, Brett Kistler and Joe Hudson unpack the ways in which giving—whether of time, resources, or presence—is a direct line to our collective humanity and changes the trajectory of our well-being and sense of wholeness.

They touch on:

Our society glorifies self-reliance. We tell ourselves that it is the only way to survive in a world where no one is coming to save us and armor our hearts and mask our faces to avoid appearing weak or being disappointed when we show that we are in need.

In this episode, Joe and Brett deconstruct the mythology of self-reliance and ask: What does it mean to truly receive? How does our fear of vulnerability keep us from intimacy, from connection, from the radical act of trusting another? They explore the ways self-reliance is both survival and...

In this episode of The Art of Accomplishment, Brett and Joe provide a guide to productivity that challenges the notion of productivity itself. Drawing from personal anecdotes and experience, they explore:

Join Brett and Joe as they illuminate the often-overlooked forest amidst the trees of modern productivity culture, providing tools to reclaim joy and efficiency in your work...

Why do some teams thrive in harmony while others crumble under pressure? How can leaders align aspirations with action, transforming their workplaces—and themselves—into engines of meaningful success?  

Brett and Joe recorded a special episode of the podcast in front of a live audience to discuss the impact of workplace culture on decision-making, organizational growth, and personal fulfillment. The conversation dives deep into:

- The challenges of fostering connection, accountability, and trust

- What matters to people in organizations

- The fundamental components of culture

- The interplay betwe...

Purpose is not defined by what we do, but by how we show up to life’s callings—whether in moments of fear, effort, or surrender. In this episode of The Art of Accomplishment, Joe and Brett lead us on a journey to uncover what it means to live with purpose. Not as something to be found, but as something to be recognized. Together, they unpack the myths surrounding purpose, challenging the notion that it is an external destination and reframing it as an inherent part of how we live.

They examine:

In this episode of The Art of Accomplishment, Brett and Joe take us on a poignant journey through the inevitability of death and the profound ways it shapes the experience of life. At the center of their conversation is Brett’s brother, facing a terminal diagnosis, and the extraordinary lessons his life—and the process of his dying—have imparted.

Through anecdotes of BASE jumping, near-death experiences, and profound loss, Brett and Joe explore the paradox of mortality: the closer you are to death, the more vividly you taste life.

Brett and Joe examine:

“Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future,” is a common expression that suggests who you surround yourself with will determine who you become and how you operate. Evidence suggests that there’s some truth to this.

In this episode of The Art of Accomplishment podcast, Brett and Joe explore the makings of effective support networks. Through the lens of BASE jumping, self-discovery work, business, and parenting, they discuss:

Tune in for a stimul...

There’s an elephant in the room! Everyone KNOWS there’s an elephant in the room, and they keep glancing at it—except for one person who is highly committed to ignoring the elephant. The elephant is making a mess. It’s taking up all the air and space in the room, and it’s already crushed poor Bob. Yet instead of talking about the elephant in the room, people are afraid to mention that there’s an elephant. Some people get so uncomfortable that they leave the room, but still say nothing. Everyone is hoping that the person who is ignor...

Most people never consider that fighting can be a useful and healthy practice for our relationships — and that “fighting well” is a skill that can be learned. We resist conflict until it builds up and we reach a breaking point, and then BAM! Our trauma runs the show and we risk re-traumatizing ourselves and others. 

In this episode, Joe and Brett talk about how to fight well. They explore how: 

• Healthy fighting can actually lead to healing, growth, and deeper connection

• The importance of speaking your truth

• What to NOT do during f...

What’s all this fuss about experiments? What’s so great about them, and how does one even go about it? Join Joe and Brett for a deep dive on experiments! Hear about Joe’s early experiences that led him to place experimentation at the core of his self-exploration work and what makes them so important to the work we do at AOA.

Plus, learn about some experiments that Brett and Joe are running right be...

Joe’s favorite definition of pleasure is the noticing of sensations moving in the body—not just the good ones, but all of them. This week, Joe and Brett talk about pleasure and the role it plays in our lives. They discuss:

Tune in for a conversation about the power of p...

Whether we put authority figures on a pedestal or want to stick it to them, authority issues abound in our society. Joe and guest host Alexa Kistler connect over their shared history with authority issues. Together, they breakdown what the impacts can be for both the authority and the person with authority issues:

NOTE: This podcast was recorded prior to the announcement of Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate.

Send us your questions on Twitter, through our...

We heard you! So many of you loved Joe and Brett’s last coaching breakdown that we are back with another. This time, they review a rapid-fire coaching session that starts out exploring jealousy but evolves into a deep dive into setting boundaries and fear of rejection. Together, they explore:

- Opening the heart to opposing viewpoints

- Feeling through fear of rejection

- Grieving lost love to find the love that is always present

Send us your questions on Twitter, through our website, or in our Circle community! 

Joe...

The desire to be seen is a primal human need, and under the guise of many names it drives our behaviors and shapes society. Tara Howley, co-founder of AOA, joins Brett for a conversation about the importance of being seen, why many of us fear it, and how shame colors our experience of it. They also explore the role of curiosity in resolving conflicts and deepening connections, and how our societal mores prevent people from being seen in important ways that have far-reaching consequences. 

They also cover: 

• Signs and symptoms of an unowned or unseen desi...

What does it mean to be “enough” to have a relationship? In this episode, Joe coaches a woman grappling with feelings of inadequacy in relationships. Through their conversation, they uncover her underlying desire for control and fear of self-abandonment. Together, they examine her beliefs about love, worthiness, and connection.

Topics discussed:

Send us your questions on Twitter, through our website, or in our Circle community! 

Joe on X: @FU_JoeHudson 

Brett on X: @airkistler 

AOA on X: @artofaccomp 

Visit Us: www...

Our idea of failure and how we respond to it dramatically shapes our identity and, consequently, how we live our lives. When we fear failure as an end-all-be-all rather than viewing it as an opportunity to learn and iterate, it can significantly hinder our personal growth, creativity, and ability to reach our full potential. In this episode, Brett and Joe explore the transformative power of embracing failure as part of life's journey. They discuss: 

• How shifting focus from outcomes to effort can lead to unexpected and remarkable results 

• Strategies for reframing failure as a stepping stone...

We’ve all experienced passive aggression and can often spot it when it happens to us. Whether we’re on the receiving end or dishing it out, our unowned anger seeps out of us and gets displayed in sometimes unexpected ways. In this episode, Joe and Brett get into the nitty gritty of passive aggression—what it is, how it comes up, some of the myriad ways it can present itself, and the impact it has on our relationships and morale. They also examine what it looks like to be passive aggressive to oneself, the cultural normalizing of passive aggres...

What do you do when you feel stuck? How do you get unstuck? Are you really stuck, or do you feel stuck? What’s the difference? This week, Joe and Brett unpack a rapid-fire coaching session with a woman who felt stuck in her life. They explore the feeling of stuckness and its underlying patterns, discussing what they notice in her real-time expression and the freedom she discovers through her self-inquiry.

Watch the rapid-fire coaching episode on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgLW1piok0k

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be...

Joe sits down with his eldest daughter, Esme, to discuss what it was like to raise a teenager—and what it was like to be raised by Joe as a teenager. They talk about the difference between being a parent and truly knowing your child, teenage rebellion, the things you can see in teen behavior that sheds clues on what's happening at home, and share stories and memories along the way. Tune in for a touching and illuminating conversation!

Send us your questions on Twitter, through our website, or in our Circle community! 

Joe on X...

You’ve got questions, we’ve got reflections on your questions! Join Brett and Joe as they address topics that have been asked of the podcast since the last Q&A. In this episode, they respond to questions about ambition, relating to narcissistic parents, addiction to stress and dysfunction, supporting children through their emotional experiences, and emotional fluidity. 

Send us your questions on Twitter, through our website, or in our Circle community! 

Joe on X: @FU_JoeHudson 

AOA on X: @artofaccomp 

Brett on X: @airkistler 

Visit Us: www.artofaccomplishment.com 

When Stephanie Harrison’s perfect-on-paper life resulted in physical and emotional breakdown, she got curious and went in search of answers to what was causing it and what needed to change. It led her straight to the heart of happiness and flipped the achievement script on its head—much like happened with Joe. In this episode, Joe sits down with Stephanie to talk about her new book, The New Happy, the life experiences that brought them to the work of self-inquiry, and what it means to be happy.

Stephanie Harrison is an expert in the science of happ...

What is the power of gratitude? How does it impact productivity and growth? In this episode, Joe and Brett talk all about gratitude—how it is often overlooked as a path to solve problems, speeds up transformation, and changes self-perception. They explore gratitude as a practice, the challenges of gratitude, using gratitude as a strategy, and allowing versus forcing it.

Send us your questions on Twitter, through our website, or in our Circle community! 

Joe on X: @FU_JoeHudson 

AOA on X: @artofaccomp 

Brett on X: @airkistler 

Visit Us: www.ar...

What brings someone to Master Class? What’s the impact that the course has? Joe sits down with 3 people—one from each year that course has run—to learn about their experiences and what Master Class meant to each of them before, during, and after their journeys. Tune in for a surprising conversation on what happened when they dove head-first into AOA’s Master Class.

Send us your questions on Twitter, through our website, or in our Circle community! 

Joe on X: @FU_JoeHudson 

AOA on X: @artofaccomp 

Brett on X: @airkistler ...

What’s hidden in plain sight? Our assumptions belie our worldview. In this episode, Brett and Joe explore what it means to question the assumptions you have, what happens when you do it, and how it can change, well, everything. 

Send us your questions on Twitter, through our website, or in our Circle community! 

Joe on X: @FU_JoeHudson 

AOA on X: @artofaccomp 

Brett on X: @airkistler 

Visit Us: www.artofaccomplishment.com

We invite you to experience our work. Reserve your spot at www.view.life/explore

When it comes to being understood, whose responsibility is it? What do you do when you feel misunderstood? In this episode, Joe coaches Savannah, who is grappling with feeling wilfully misunderstood by people in all areas of her life. Together with Joe, Savannah explores how state of mind, emotional content, and the desire to control an outcome—even just trying to control whether you’re being understood—impact how we are listened to and understood. She experiments with and discovers the difference between listening to and being in connection with oneself in order to express herself fully and to be und...

What do public speaking and self-discovery have in common? Tristan de Montebello, founder of Ultraspeaking, and Joe sit down for a conversation. They discover they share similar philosophies and approaches that fuel their respective teachings and compare notes on the power of allowing the present to unfold before you, the importance of listening and silence, and the wisdom that becomes available when you learn to trust that everything you need to know already exists within you. 

Check out Ultraspeaking and connect with Tristan: https://ultraspeaking.com/aoa 

On X: https://x.com/Montebello and https://x...

Listening! What is it? How do you do it? What’s so important about it, and how does it feel? In this episode, Brett and Joe talk about listening, which is a fundamental component of the VIEW mindset and core to living a fully aligned life. They explore what it means to really listen, how it can change your reality, relationships, and business, and share thoughts on what it is as well as what it isn’t. 

Send us your questions on Twitter, through our website, or in our Circle community! 

Joe on X: @FU_JoeHud...

Why the f$%& don’t we just feel joy all the time!? So much of what we do in life is in pursuit of joy. In this episode, Brett and Joe talk about what joy is, what allows us to feel joy, and what gets in the way of our full experience of it. They also explore how joy is related to feeling safe, some practical tips on experiencing joy, and how joy impacts business and leadership.

Send us your questions on Twitter, through our website, or in our Circle community.

@FU_JoeHudson
@artofaccomp

In this episode, Ali Abdaal explores with Joe Hudson what comes next after publishing his best-selling book, Feel Good Productivity. They discover what lies behind Ali’s drive to always be doing, the magic of connection, and how being in connection creates more meaning, creativity, and satisfaction in life.

Ali is a doctor turned entrepreneur and the world’s most-followed productivity expert. He is the host of the podcast, “Deep Dive with Ali Abdaal,” the YouTube Channels, “Ali Abdaal” and “Deep Dive with Ali Abdaal” His book, Feel Good Productivity, is out now.

Send us your questions o...

Joe and Brett talk about a pattern of obligation and responsibility and how it relates to the emotional experience of love. They discuss why this pattern comes to be, as well as how it manifests itself in different areas of our lives.

Watch the full rapid-fire coaching session: https://youtu.be/NJLJJeFvrfQ

Related Episodes:

How Love Gets Confused

What is Selfishness?

Who is the Voice in Your Head?

Send us your questions on Twitter, through our website, or in our Circle community.

@FU_JoeHudson
...

Joe speaks with Jonny Miller about the nervous system, the role it plays in our lives, and how we can work with it to access deeper joy and vitality.

Jonny hosts the Curious Humans podcast and teaches Nervous System Mastery, an online course.

Send us your questions on Twitter, through our website, or in our Circle community.

@FU_JoeHudson
@artofaccomp
@airkistler

artofaccomplishment.com

We invite you to experience our work. Reserve your spot at view.life/explore

Joe interviews Brett about his experience crafting and facilitating a high-flying retreat in the Utah desert and his lifelong journey of learning to embrace fear.  

For more about the retreat, visit welcomingfear.com

Send us your questions on Twitter, through our website, or in our Circle community.

@FU_JoeHudson
@artofaccomp
@airkistler

artofaccomplishment.com

We invite you to experience our work. Reserve your spot at view.life/explore

Joe and Brett share a tool from our courses called Emotional Inquiry. This is a practice that can reduce self-judgment, change bad habits, and improve our ability to communicate with others.

To download the guided exercise, visit view.life/ei.

Send us your questions on Twitter, through our website, or in our Circle community.

@FU_JoeHudson
@artofaccomp
@airkistler

artofaccomplishment.com

We invite you to experience our work. Reserve your spot at view.life/explore

Brett interviews Joe about his approach to training coaches and facilitators in the Art of Accomplishment. They talk about the foundations of great coaching, the dangers of coaching with unseen motives, and how a commitment to self-discovery supports the capacity to facilitate others in transformation.

Send us your questions on Twitter, through our website, or in our Circle community.

@FU_JoeHudson
@artofaccomp
@airkistler

artofaccomplishment.com

We invite you to experience our work. Reserve your spot at view.life/explore