Shows
Ever Forward Radio with Chase ChewningStop Trying, Start Doing: How to Overcome Fear, Procrastination, and People-Pleasing with Carla OndrasikThis episode is brought to you by Caldera Lab and Audible. Author and mindset disruptor Carla Ondrasik unpacks the radical idea behind 'stop trying'. Carla challenges the culturally accepted virtue of "trying," revealing it as a fear response that keeps us stuck in inaction and self-sabotage. Through personal stories—from pitching hit songs to Cher to rewriting her own future through visualization—Carla shares why doing, not trying, is the true path to success. This conversation explores how trying shows up in our language, our relationships, and our goals, and offers clear, compassionate strategies for unlearning inherited patte...
2025-11-171h 00
The Karol Markowicz ShowThe Karol Markowicz Show: Stop Trying, Start Doing: Carla Ondrasik on Taking Action and Finding Real MotivationIn this episode of The Karol Markowicz Show, motivational speaker and author Carla Ondrasik joins Karol to discuss her inspiring new book, Stop Trying. Carla explains how shifting your mindset from “trying” to “doing” can transform your life, career, and relationships. She opens up about her personal journey, the power of self-awareness, and why true motivation comes after action—not before it. The two also explore how fear of success can hold people back and why it’s never too late to start moving toward your goals. The Karol Markowicz Show is part of the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Podcast Netw...
2025-11-1221 minThe Clay Travis and Buck Sexton ShowThe Karol Markowicz Show: Stop Trying, Start Doing: Carla Ondrasik on Taking Action and Finding Real MotivationIn this episode of The Karol Markowicz Show, motivational speaker and author Carla Ondrasik joins Karol to discuss her inspiring new book, Stop Trying. Carla explains how shifting your mindset from “trying” to “doing” can transform your life, career, and relationships. She opens up about her personal journey, the power of self-awareness, and why true motivation comes after action—not before it. The two also explore how fear of success can hold people back and why it’s never too late to start moving toward your goals. The Karol Markowicz Show is part of the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Podcast Netw...
2025-11-1221 min
Quite FranklyTRYING vs DOING, Fed Shutdown ENDS?, Ostrich Massacre | Carla Ondrasik 11/10/25We're welcoming author and former music industry executive, Carla Ondrasik, to the show in the first hour to talk about the importance of the language we use to describe our goals. ( https://www.carlaondrasik.com/ ) In the second half, we've got a partial Government shutdown that is officially ending after 41 days, and news of a crazy mass murder of 300 Ostrich in Canada. Lines open all along the way as we kick off this fresh week!
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2025-11-112h 07
Hollywood in Toto with Christian TotoHiT 313: Colbert and Co.'s Biggest Flaw Can't Be FixedIn this thought-provoking episode of The Hollywood in Toto Podcast, host Christian Toto breaks down the current late-night TV landscape and examines why the mainstream media continues to defend far-Left talk show hosts like Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Fallon. We explore how much cultural influence late-night comedians still have, and whether their political bias has alienated half the country.Christian also revisits Jimmy Kimmel’s one-week suspension, revealing how it impacted his audience, his reputation, and the broader public perception of late-night comedy. Is late-night TV still relevant—or has it become an echo chamber for prog...
2025-10-2932 min
The Sharyl Attkisson Podcast313. Stop Trying! (It Could Transform Your Life)Author Carla Ondrasik's new book, "Stop Trying!" explains why you might succeed more if you try less.Order Sharyl's bestseller “Slanted: How the News Media Taught Us to Love Censorship and Hate Journalism” at Harper Collins, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books a Million, IndieBound, Bookshop!Subscribe to both of Sharyl's podcasts: “The Sharyl Attkisson Podcast” and “Full Measure After Hours.” Leave a great review, and share with your friends! Support independent journalism by visiting the new Sharyl Attkisson store.Visit Sharyl Attkisson's Free Substack, SharylAttkisson.com and www.FullMeasure.news for original reporting. Do your own research. Make up your own mind. Think for yourself.
2025-10-2732 min
Hear Us OutStop Trying! Start Doing: A Conversation with Carla OndrasikWe’ve all been told to keep trying — try harder, try smarter, try until you make it. But what if that mindset is actually what’s holding you back?In this episode, we’re joined by Carla Ondrasik, longtime music executive and author of Stop Trying, to unpack why trying sets us up for failure — and how breaking free starts with one simple shift: stop trying, start doing.Carla shares real talk from the trenches of the music industry and her own personal story, revealing how “trying” often becomes a way to avoid commitment, clarity, and real actio...
2025-10-2051 min
Duane's World"Stop Trying" and John Bolton's indictmentToday I have for you a special guest and good friend who has written a wonderful new book that you should check out. Also, the latest on Boltongate and more.Watch this episode here.
2025-10-181h 02
The Ed Morrissey ShowWhat's next for the hostages, Israel, and Ukraine?Few if any entertainers have been more engaged in supporting the hostages and their families than Five For Fighting's John Ondrasik. We discuss the joy of their release, the struggles facing those families who lost loved ones over the last two years, and the hard work by Donald Trump and his team to achieve what seemed impossible a week earlier. John has plenty to say about the warped moral compass of the entertainment industry, and its origins in Academia. We also discuss his upcoming tour, and his wife Carla's new book, Stop Trying!
2025-10-1527 min
The iHeart SoCal Show'Stop Trying' and Start DOING! Hear my chat with motivational speaker & author Carla OndrasikAccording to author and motivational speaker Carla Ondrasik, if you feel like you’re spinning your wheels and falling short of your goals, the problem isn't that you're not trying hard enough—it's that you're trying at all. Carla knows a thing or two about getting things done. She was a powerhouse in the music industry, serving as the former vice president of Creative Writer Development for EMI Music. She helped bring hit songs to life for icons like Barbra Streisand, Cher, Mariah Carey, and Christina Aguilera, and even discovered, signed, and developed her own husband, musical artist John On...
2025-10-1526 min
TJ TroutTJ Hour 2"Stop Trying, Start Living" Carla Ondrasik on News Radio KKOBSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2025-10-1131 min
The Spectacle Podcast: The Official Podcast of The American SpectatorStop Trying and Start DoingIn this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, publisher Melissa Mackenzie welcomes guest Carla Ondrasik, author of Stop Trying, for a fascinating conversation about the language of effort and the psychology of action. Carla challenges one of our most common phrases, “I’m trying”, and explains why it may be holding us back more than helping us. As Carla puts it, trying is purely mental, an intention without motion, while doing is physical, measurable, and real. She also dives into the Zeigarnik Effect, the psychological tendency to fixate on unfinished tasks. A cluttered to-do list, she explains, is a series of open loop...
2025-10-0946 min
Master of Life Awareness 🧠"Stop Trying" by Carla Ondrasik - Book PReview - The Life Transforming Power of Trying Less and Doing MoreStop Trying by Carla Ondrasik illuminates the deception in a mindset built on trying, which can lead to anxiety, procrastination, perceived loss of control, fatigue, fear of failure, lack of follow-through, and overall life dissatisfaction. Importantly, this book offers a way out of the rut and into practical, progressive action. If you’re struggling to get things done or meet your goals, the problem isn’t that you’re not trying hard enough, it’s that you’re trying in the first place.The Life-Transforming Power of Trying Less and Doing More...
2025-10-0819 min
The Papaya PodcastThe One About Doing vs. Trying with Carla OndrasikIn this conversation, Sarah and Carla Ondrasik delve into the concept of productivity and focusing on the importance of action over mere attempts. Carla shares her journey and insights on how the word 'try' can hinder progress and how embracing failure can lead to growth. They discuss the challenges of saying no and the significance of being true to oneself in the pursuit of goals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2025-10-0645 min
School for Startups RadioOctober 6, 2025 – No Try Carla Ondrasik and The Empathy Gap Daniel MurrayCarla Ondrasik – Former EMI Music Publishing VP, Now Motivational Speaker & Author
Stop building in the intention and the potential for failure before you even start. Change that word with ‘I’m going to do this,’ and you’re going to trigger a series of events that literally happen in your brain to more doing.
Carla Ondrasik is a former music publishing executive turned motivational speaker and author whose work is grounded in psychology, habit science, and clinical research. During her more than 20-year tenure in the music industry, she served as a vice president at EMI Music P...
2025-10-0653 minThe Ed Morrissey ShowHow to Stop Trying and Start DoingAre you self-sabotaging by "trying"? Carla Ondrasik explains how to break the cycle that holds us back in careers, relationships, and everything else in her new book, Stop Trying: The Life-Transforming Power of Trying Less and Doing More. Carla and I have a great conversation about the book, her journey, and her passion for helping people break through.
2025-09-2740 minThe Ed Morrissey ShowJohn Ondrasik Talks: Free Speech, Shopping Carts, and the UNFive for Fighting star John Ondrasik returns for a wide-ranging interview. We talk about entrepreneurship and shopping carts, as well as his music. His wife Carla has a new book coming out as well. However, we then delve deep into the Jimmy Kimmel controversy and free speech, in which John speaks as a creator in both music and commentary. That takes us to the topic of the Charlie Kirk memorial, Donald Trump's speech at the UN, Ukraine, and much more!
2025-09-2546 min
Total Information AMStop Trying!: The Life-Transforming Power of Trying Less and Doing MoreKMOX Debbie Monterrey speaks with Author Carla Ondrasik, former Music Executive about her new book 'Stop Trying!: The Life-Transforming Power of Trying Less and Doing More'
2025-09-2507 min
LOVE SOMEONE with DelilahCARLA ONDRASIK: "Stop Trying"When we "try" we're really just giving ourselves permission to postpone success, is the message from Carla Ondrasik, author of "Stop Trying: The life-transforming power of trying less and doing more." Carla's book, which hits shelves today, outlines the steps and strategies to train your brain to filter out the noise, make choices, and step into the activity you've decided upon to meet a goal. A successful music executive who discovered and signed her now-famous husband, John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting, Carla knows what she's talking about. She's been putting it into practice for a very lo...
2025-09-2334 min
Minimalist Moms Podcast | Simple Living for Overwhelmed MomsHow Eliminating One Word Can Shift Your Mindset (& Unlock Sustainable Success) | Carla Ondrasik (EP408)If you’re struggling to meet your goals, the problem may not be effort—it’s that you’re still trying. In this episode, author and motivational speaker Carla Ondrasik joins me to share insights from her new book, Stop Trying!: The Life-Transforming Power of Trying Less and Doing More. Drawing from her unconventional childhood, career in music publishing, and experience as a mother, Carla challenges the way we use the word “try” and makes the case for a powerful mindset shift: replacing trying with doing. We dive into the psychology of language, the difference between half-hearted attempts and decisive acti...
2025-09-2343 min
Lifting Leaders PodcastWhat Brings Us Hope? Taking Action! Stop Trying and do more with Carla Ondrasik!What better way to kick off our new, Season Five series, “What Brings Us Hope,” (that’s one!) than to celebrate with one of our absolute, all-time favorite guests, for the third time, Carla Ondrasik (that’s two!)? And we are thrilled and honored to be sharing this episode on the very day that Carla’s new book, STOP TRYING – The Life-Transforming Power of Trying Less and Doing More, is launching! (that’s three!). Yes, listeners…that’s right! You can get it hot off the press today!! Listen in, as Carla shares a bit of her journey, over the past 20 years, to...
2025-09-2255 minLifting Leaders PodcastWhat Brings Us Hope? Taking Action! Stop Trying and do more with Carla Ondrasik!What better way to kick off our new, Season Five series, “What Brings Us Hope,” (that’s one!) than to celebrate with one of our absolute, all-time favorite guests, for the third time, Carla Ondrasik (that’s two!)? And we are thrilled and honored to be sharing this episode on the very day that Carla’s new book, STOP TRYING – The Life-Transforming Power of Trying Less and Doing More, is launching! (that’s three!). Yes, listeners…that’s right! You can get it hot off the press today!! Listen in, as Carla shares a bit of her journey, over the past 20 years, to...
2025-09-2255 min
The Mom RoomCarla Ondrasik on Music, Motherhood & Letting Go of PerfectionEp 537. This week, Renee chats with Carla Ondrasik, former music publishing executive turned mentor and author, about success, identity, and why sometimes the best thing you can do is stop trying. Carla shares stories from her career developing chart-topping artists like Barbra Streisand, Mariah Carey, and Christina Aguilera — and what walking away from the industry taught her about worth, balance, and family.
They dive into the pressure so many women feel to prove themselves, the danger of tying identity to achievement, and the freedom that comes from redefining success on your own terms. Carla’s up...
2025-09-1651 minThe Mom RoomCarla Ondrasik on Music, Motherhood & Letting Go of PerfectionEp 537. This week, Renee chats with Carla Ondrasik, former music publishing executive turned mentor and author, about success, identity, and why sometimes the best thing you can do is stop trying. Carla shares stories from her career developing chart-topping artists like Barbra Streisand, Mariah Carey, and Christina Aguilera — and what walking away from the industry taught her about worth, balance, and family.
They dive into the pressure so many women feel to prove themselves, the danger of tying identity to achievement, and the freedom that comes from redefining success on your own terms. Carla’s up...
2025-09-1647 min
Passion to Power for CreativesHollywood iNSIDER Michelle Zeitlin, MORE ZAP Productions & ManagementDon't TRY! CARLA ONDRASIK has Advice & A BOOK!Summary of this Episode:Summary In this engaging conversation, Michelle Zeitlin interviews Carla ONDRASIK, a motivational coach and author, about her philosophy of 'doing' rather than 'trying.' Carla shares insights from her upcoming book, discusses the importance of finding one's passion, and offers practical advice for navigating the modern music industry. The conversation also touches on personal anecdotes, including Carla's life as a shopping cart heiress and her experiences in the music world alongside her husband, John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting.TakeawaysTrying is a holding pattern, not true action.Passion...
2025-09-0131 min
Win Make Give with Ben KinneyStop Trying, Start Doing: The Secret to Achieving More with Less Effort with Carla OndrasikChad Hyams and Bob Stewart host Carla Ondrasik, author of "Stop Trying," as she shares her insights on the detrimental effects of the word "try." Highlighting its misuse as an excuse for inaction, Carla encourages a shift toward decisive actions. Discussing her transformative journey from a challenging upbringing to a successful career in the music industry, Carla urges listeners to eliminate "try" from their vocabulary, inspiring action and change. Explore how altering language and mindset can bring fulfilling results in both personal and professional life. Connect with Carla at Carla Ondrasik's Website Purchase "...
2025-08-1138 min
The Jōrni PodcastEpisode 304 - Quit Trying and Start Doing with Carla OndrasikAugust 1, 2025The Jōrni PodcastEpisode 304 - Quit Trying and Start Doing with Carla OndrasikIn this episode, we explore why putting in more effort doesn't always lead to better outcomes and how this mindset can trap us in frustration and burnout. Drawing from her extensive experience, our guest shares a fresh approach to breaking free from perfectionism and focusing on what truly creates progress.We unpack the critical difference between trying and doing, learning how releasing unrealistic expectations can transform our lives. Shifting our focus toward intentional action instead of c...
2025-08-0134 min
Soul Aligned Self CareStop Trying So Hard: Why Hustle Isn’t Helping and What to Do Instead with Carla OndrasikWhat if the real reason you feel stuck, scattered, or burned out isn’t because you’re not trying hard enough, but because you’re stuck in the cycle of trying?
In this powerful and deeply refreshing conversation, I sit down with Carla Ondrasik, creative mentor, former music publishing exec, and author of the soon-to-be-released book Stop Trying - The Life-Transforming Power of Trying Less and Doing More.
On this episode we are talking about why we’ve been lied to about what it takes to succeed, and how to finally step off the hamster wheel of h...
2025-07-3039 min
Wham Bam Thank You PamStop Trying! Author Carla Ondrasik on Fear, Procrastination, and Getting UnstuckThis week on Wham Bam Thank You Pam, I sit down with Carla Ondrasik—former music publishing exec turned creative mentor and author of the upcoming book Stop Trying! Carla spent decades helping artists like Barbra Streisand, Mariah Carey, Cher, and her husband (Five for Fighting's John Ondrasik) climb the charts. Now, she’s helping the rest of us ditch the word “try” and start doing. We talk fear, procrastination, how to eat the frog, and what happens when you stop waiting and start acting. Plus, how a random hot tub encounter led to Mel Robbins endorsing her book.You...
2025-07-2940 min
The Mindset and Self-Mastery ShowStop Trying: A New Approach To Success With Carla Ondrasik“The problem is that you're trying in the first place.”
In this episode, Nick speaks with Carla Ondrasik, a former music publisher turned author and speaker. Carla shares her unique background, including her experience with the Department of Defense and her journey in the music industry. They dive into her philosophy of 'Stop Trying,' emphasizing the importance of mindset and the detrimental effects of the word 'try.'
What to listen for:
The philosophy of “Stop Trying” is solid, so give it a go
Trying often leads to excuses and a lack of accountability
Success is not guaranteed by trying...
2025-07-0338 min
The Self Esteem and Confidence Mindset: Confidence Strategies for Ambitious ProfessionalsStop Saying 'I’m Trying': How to Build Real Confidence and Take Aligned Action with Carla OndrasikIn this powerful episode of The Self Esteem and Confidence Mindset Podcast, I’m joined by transformational coach Carla Ondrasik to explore why the word “trying” could be quietly holding you back from true growth and self-confidence. We break down how language shapes identity, why saying “I’m trying” weakens your commitment, and how to shift into aligned, empowered action.Carla shares practical mindset tools to stop self-sabotage, replace hesitation with clarity, and build confidence by owning your decisions. If you’re ready to move from doubt to action and start showing up fully in your life o...
2025-05-1235 min
Over 50 & Flourishing with Dominique SachseStop Trying, Start Living: Carla Ondrasik on the Power of DoingWhat if living your best life isn't about trying harder, but doing differently? In this episode, we're joined by Carla Ondrasik — creator of The No Try Philosophy and former V.P. of Creative Writer Development at EMI Music Publishing. Throughout her career, Carla helped bring hit songs to life for legends like Barbra Streisand, Cher, Mariah Carey, and Christina Aguilera, contributing to millions of records sold worldwide. Now, she's stepping into the spotlight with her upcoming book, Stop Trying!. Carla shares her creative journey, her powerful mindset shift, and how you can stop striving and start truly living.
P...
2025-04-281h 00
Lifting Leaders PodcastHaving Trouble Sticking To Your New Year’s Resolutions? A Bit of Advice from Carla OndrasikWe are a few weeks into 2025 and, already, resolutions are being ditched and forgotten. Want to know why 80% of our New Year’s resolutions fail by February, each year? If you have ever had trouble sticking to your annual New Year’s resolutions, you will want to listen to this week’s episode! We are excited to welcome back speaker, facilitator, wife of Jon Ondrasik (aka: Five For Fighting), and soon-to-be best-selling author, Carla Ondrasik. If you’ve followed our podcast over the past year, you may recall that Carla was with us, in March of 2024 (Episode 89) where she talked a...
2025-01-1340 minLifting Leaders PodcastHaving Trouble Sticking To Your New Year’s Resolutions? A Bit of Advice from Carla OndrasikWe are a few weeks into 2025 and, already, resolutions are being ditched and forgotten. Want to know why 80% of our New Year’s resolutions fail by February, each year? If you have ever had trouble sticking to your annual New Year’s resolutions, you will want to listen to this week’s episode! We are excited to welcome back speaker, facilitator, wife of Jon Ondrasik (aka: Five For Fighting), and soon-to-be best-selling author, Carla Ondrasik. If you’ve followed our podcast over the past year, you may recall that Carla was with us, in March of 2024 (Episode 89) where she talked a...
2025-01-1340 min
Problem SolversStop Trying, and Start DoingCarla Ondrasik hates the word "try." She says it's holding you back from taking action achieving your goals. On today's episode, Carla will give you a better way to approach big and scary tasks: No more trying allowed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-11-1136 min
Problem SolversStop Trying, and Start DoingCarla Ondrasik hates the word "try." She says it's holding you back from taking action achieving your goals. On today's episode, Carla will give you a better way to approach big and scary tasks: No more trying allowed.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-11-1135 min
Lifting Leaders PodcastMining for Red Threads – Striking Gems from G. Victoria Campbell, Andrew Coopman, and Carla Ondrasik
Some of the best gems appear when you least expect it. We actually found a red thread that linked our previous two episodes, featuring G. Victoria Campbell and her partner, Andrew Coopman (Treeson, the eco-musical), and Carla Ondrasik (powerful speaker, writer, and leader of “Don’t Try…DO! initiative). Banking off what we heard from these dynamic guests, we unpack the Huffington Post article, “Don’t Overthink – Just Do." We Hope you will listen in, for this short but powerfully rich episode. Have you taken the opportunity to complete our HOPE survey yet? We Need Your Voice!
2024-03-1930 minLifting Leaders PodcastMining for Red Threads – Striking Gems from G. Victoria Campbell, Andrew Coopman, and Carla Ondrasik
Some of the best gems appear when you least expect it. We actually found a red thread that linked our previous two episodes, featuring G. Victoria Campbell and her partner, Andrew Coopman (Treeson, the eco-musical), and Carla Ondrasik (powerful speaker, writer, and leader of “Don’t Try…DO! initiative). Banking off what we heard from these dynamic guests, we unpack the Huffington Post article, “Don’t Overthink – Just Do." We Hope you will listen in, for this short but powerfully rich episode. Have you taken the opportunity to complete our HOPE survey yet? We Need Your Voice!
2024-03-1930 min
Lifting Leaders PodcastTry or Do? That Is The Question!It’s a question that is surfacing, more and more, these days. Do you want to try to make a positive difference, or will we make a difference? Please join us as our delightful guest, self-proclaimed natural-born motivator, Carla Ondrasik, challenges our thinking on this topic. Listen in as Carla shares her story, beginning with her childhood, where independence and doing was encouraged, through a career of “doing” fascinating jobs that tested her skills and fortitude and ultimately helped her find the love of her life, musician John Ondrasik, known to many as Five For Fighting. Carla walks us throug...
2024-03-1153 minLifting Leaders PodcastTry or Do? That Is The Question!It’s a question that is surfacing, more and more, these days. Do you want to try to make a positive difference, or will we make a difference? Please join us as our delightful guest, self-proclaimed natural-born motivator, Carla Ondrasik, challenges our thinking on this topic. Listen in as Carla shares her story, beginning with her childhood, where independence and doing was encouraged, through a career of “doing” fascinating jobs that tested her skills and fortitude and ultimately helped her find the love of her life, musician John Ondrasik, known to many as Five For Fighting. Carla walks us throug...
2024-03-1153 min