James Brackin started coaching people twice his age at 17. At 21, he’s hosted over 300 episodes of the You Can Too Podcast and built a life completely on his own terms — without college, without a corporate job, and without waiting for permission.
In episode 93 of The Grateful Podcast, we go deep on what it really takes to live with intention in your early 20s — from investing in yourself with money you don’t have, to navigating self-doubt, to redefining success outside of social expectations.
We talk about:
• The Be-Do-Have mindset
• Escaping the trap of chasing outcomes
• Why most people are just not “f*cking around enough to find out”
• How to build credibility as a young creator
• Why true success is internal, not external
Whether you’re 18 or 38, this conversation will challenge the way you think about ambition, balance, and what it means to live a life worth living.
Timestamps:
00:00 Breaking the Mold: Early Success and Self-Investment
03:43 Navigating the Balance: Fast-Paced Living vs. Slow Reflection
06:56 Building Connections: The Power of Community and Environment
09:53 Unlocking Opportunities: How to Attract Influential Guests
12:51 Defining Success: Internal vs. External Validation
16:05 Finding Your Own Path: The Challenge of Societal Expectations
19:15 Investing in Yourself: The Value of Personal Growth
22:11 Emotional Intelligence: The Key to Personal Development
25:15 The Journey of Self-Discovery: Embracing Change and Growth
29:27 The Power of Presence and Anticipation
33:24 The Duality of Gratitude and Ambition
38:31 Redefining Happiness and Expectations
39:15 Designing a Life of Enjoyment
43:33 The Role of Environment and Beliefs
49:06 Embracing Imposter Syndrome
52:54 Trusting Intuition and Discernment
57:04 The Importance of Honesty and Self-Awareness
🔗 Connect with James:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesbrackiniv/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jamesbrackiniv
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-brackin-iv-506069216
🎙️ Listen to You Can Too Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/44fMq0nBTx7YUg0oxXfCeC
📺 Listen on your favorite platform:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-grateful-podcast-with-jack-wagoner/id1725776061
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5EsTEpQAjU4BxUrDoFyZ6b
Subscribe for more deep conversations with thinkers, seekers, and soulful creators. 🙏
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🧠 More from Jack:
Newsletter (Magic, Meaning & Momentum): https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/aa6b0945-43aa-43c8-b320-0fde6998f852?email=%7B%7Bemail%7D%7D
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jack_wagoner_/
1:1 Coaching & Dream-Chasing Guidance: jackcwagoner@gmail.com
💬 If you found this conversation meaningful, send it to a friend and leave a review. It really helps more people find this kind of soul-nourishing content.
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🎙️ About Jack:
I’m an 18-year-old high school student with a big dream: to show the world that you can be grateful and ambitious at the same time. Through The Grateful Podcast, I explore what it means to live a meaningful life—one deep conversation at a time.
#GratefulPodcast #JamesBrackin #SelfImprovement #YoungEntrepreneur #PersonalGrowth #BeDoHave #LifeDesign