Lodestar Book: The Podcast
Welcome to the Lodestar Podcast, hosted by Jim McCann and Dr. George S. Everly Jr., your guides through the vast world of self-help literature. We sift through the noise to bring you the core insights and actionable advice from the most credible and scientifically-backed self-help books of the past century. Each episode distills the essence of these transformative works, blending research with real-world experience to inspire and empower you on your journey of personal growth. Whether you're seeking to overcome challenges, achieve your goals, or simply be your best self, Lodestar is here to illuminate the path to a fulfilling...
Mastering Digital Balance: Insights from Jim McCann and Dr. George S. Everly Jr

Can social media be both a blessing and a curse? Join us on the Lodestar Podcast as we welcome Dr. George S. Everly Jr., a leading psychologist, to explore the complex dynamics of social media. Jim McCann and Dr. Everly delve into the dark and light sides of online interactions, emphasizing the importance of guarding your happiness against the superficial judgments of strangers. Discover how the quality of your social interactions can significantly impact your well-being, and learn practical tips to recognize mood triggers that can steer your emotions.Â
In this enlightening episode, we unpack actionable strategies t...
The Real Ingredients for Achieving Greatness

Have you ever wondered why some people with high IQs don't achieve the expected levels of success? On this episode of the Lodestar Podcast, we’re unraveling this mystery with Dr. George S. Everly Jr., a prominent clinical psychologist. Dr. Everly shares compelling findings from Terman's landmark IQ study, challenging the long-held belief that high IQ alone is a sure path to greatness. Discover how traits such as optimism, tenacity, and fortitude can often overshadow raw intelligence in determining one's success.
Join hosts Jim McCann and Dr. Everly as they dissect these surprising insights and provide actionable st...
Thriving in Challenging Work Environments: Lessons in Resilience with Jim McCann and Dr. George S. Everly Jr

Ready to transform your mindset and supercharge your personal growth? Join us on the Lodestar Podcast, where Jim McCann and Dr. George S. Everly Jr. share invaluable insights from their vast experiences in business and psychology. Jim recounts his time at Flowers Companies, highlighting their unique approach to fostering a challenging yet rewarding workplace culture. Discover how their innovative program, Fresh University, equips employees with the tools and inspiration needed to thrive both personally and professionally. You'll learn why investing in personal development is not just beneficial but essential for a fulfilling life.
Jim also shares a...
Turning Failures into Stepping Stones: Resilience and Transformation with Jim McCann and Dr. George S. Everly Jr

Have you ever wondered how some people manage to turn their setbacks into stepping stones for success? Join us on the Lodestar Podcast as we unravel this enigma with our esteemed guest, Dr. George S. Everly Jr., a leading psychologist renowned for his work in resilience and disaster recovery. Jim McCann and Dr. Everly engage in a captivating conversation that explores the transformative power of personal narratives in overcoming adversity and failure. Inspired by the wisdom of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, you'll learn how the stories we tell ourselves can either hinder or propel us towards our goals.<...
Navigating Guilt, Regret, and Shame for Personal Growth

What if you could transform your feelings of guilt and regret into powerful catalysts for personal growth? On this episode of the Lodestar Podcast, Jim McCann and Dr. George S. Everly Jr. tackle this question by exploring the complexities of guilt and regret. Jim introduces a unique technique he learned for rewiring the brain to handle moments of shame—an intriguing mix of laughter and eye movement. Dr. Everly complements this by stressing the necessity of owning up to our actions, viewing guilt as a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block.
Join us as we dissect ho...
The Foundations of Effective Time Management

Discover the transformative power of time management and redefine how you approach your day with us on the latest episode of the Lodestar Podcast. Join Jim McCann and Dr. George S. Everly Jr. as we unpack the concept of time as the ultimate non-renewable resource and challenge the outdated notion of work-life balance. Instead, we introduce the empowering idea of work-life integration, which harmonizes professional and personal life for continuous growth and rejuvenation.
Jim shares his personal evolution from the elusive chase for balance to a more fulfilling integration of work and life, while Dr. Everly offers...
The Benefits of Embracing Uncertainty

Unlock the secret to living a fulfilling and proactive life with our latest Lodestar Podcast episode! Join us as we uncover the transformative power of a crescendo mindset with insights from Cynthia Covey-Heller's book "Living Life in Crescendo." Co-hosts Jim McCann and Dr. George S. Everly Jr. bring their unique perspectives to the table. Jim shares a personal connection to the Covey family, reflecting on Stephen Covey's enduring legacy and the profound impact of choosing growth over stagnation as we age. Meanwhile, Dr. Everly delves into the psychological science behind positivity and certainty, helping you understand how to rewire...
Understanding Self-Fulfilling Prophecies

Transform your mindset and elevate your performance with the Lodestar Podcast! Discover how a simple shift in perspective can make all the difference between success and failure. Through the lens of Jim McCann's unforgettable golf game and Dr. George S Everly Jr.'s experience with the US Olympic team, we illuminate the profound impact a positive mindset can have on achieving your goals.Â
Listen as we unpack the concept of the self-fulfilling prophecy and explore how mental rehearsal techniques can lead to remarkable performance gains, even at the highest levels of competition. Gain practical insights you can i...
Mastering Your Mindset: Turning Challenges into Opportunities for Growth

Unlock the secret to transforming life's challenges into opportunities for growth in our latest episode of the Lodestar Podcast. Join Jim McCann and Dr. George S. Everly Jr. as we explore the profound impact of mindset on your personal journey. With insights from the legendary Hans Selye, the father of stress theory, we dissect how your perception of events can alter your path to success. Hear compelling stories, including an unforgettable lesson from the great Zig Ziglar, illustrating how a shift in perspective can turn delays and setbacks into unexpected gifts.
Tune in to gain practical tools...
Introduction to Jim McCann & George S. Everly Jr.

Growing up in South Ozone Park, Queens, I learned the value of hard work from my father and the men around him, doing all the jobs no one else wanted. That foundation propelled me, Jim McCann, to eventually launch 1-800-Flowers, an endeavor that defined my career. My co-host, Dr. George S. Everly Jr., shares his journey from Catonsville, Maryland, navigating through an extensive academic path that led him to groundbreaking work on the brain’s stress response. Together, we distill these formative experiences into practical advice for achieving your personal and professional goals.
Join us on th...
Lodestar Book: The Trailer

Unlock the secrets to personal transformation and mastery of your own mind as we explore the 10 timeless tenets of self-improvement. Join us on the Lodestar podcast, where hosts Jim McCann and Dr. George S. Everly Jr. distill centuries of wisdom from ancient texts and religious scriptures into actionable insights. Discover how every thought and action can reshape your brain through the science of neuroplasticity. Embrace the power to become an optimist and unleash your full potential.
In this enlightening episode, we delve into the human pursuit of becoming a better person, tracing its roots back to the...