The New Rules Podcast

E114: Toxic V. Tough

The world is changing faster than most people are prepared for. AI is reshaping the workforce. The pressure is increasing. And a lot of people feel stuck trying to keep up. But the real issue isn't what's happening around you. It's who you're becoming in response to it. In this episode, we break down why toughness, resilience, and adaptability are becoming the most valuable traits you can build—and why most people are avoiding them. We talk about: Why toughness is misunderstood in today's culture The difference between toxic environments and necessary pressure How AI is creating opportunity (not just fear) Why confidence is built through doing hard things What separates people who adapt… from those who fall behind If you've been feeling stuck or unsure of your next move—this episode will challenge you. Because the truth is: The world isn't slowing down. You just have to become someone who can keep up.   Pre-Order the Book This episode continues our journey through Magnum Opus: The Art of Becoming One of One. Pre-order the book here: http://magnumopusproject.co If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs it. And in the meantime — keep writing new rules. More of a visual person?  You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel:  Youtube: www.youtube.com/@WriteNewRules   To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader!   LinkedIn:  / adriancrawford-nrc  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writenewrules/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@writenewrules   00:00 – Intro: The World Is Changing Fast 02:00 – What You Can Control 04:30 – Fear + Future Planning 06:30 – AI + Job Market Shift 09:30 – Opportunity in AI 10:45 – "Toxic Culture" Debate 12:00 – Why Toughness Matters 14:30 – Finding Yourself Is Hard 17:00 – Comfort vs Weakness 18:45 – Growth = Pain 20:30 – Confidence Comes From Action 22:30 – Building Toughness Daily 25:00 – Discipline (Athletes & Military) 27:00 – Pressure + Leadership 30:00 – Loving the Process 32:30 – Suffering Builds Connection 34:00 – Resilience Is Learnable 35:30 – Discomfort vs Danger 37:00 – What Real Toughness Is 40:00 – Emotional vs Physical Strength 43:00 – Handling Criticism 45:00 – Strength + Wisdom 46:30 – The Most Valuable Skill 48:00 – Creators vs Consumers 49:30 – Adapting to Change 50:30 – Being Present 51:30 – Who Will Win Next 53:00 – Final Challenge

E113: Little Rooms: Humble Beginnings

What if the thing you're chasing… is the thing that will expose you? In a world obsessed with visibility, scale, and opportunity, we rarely stop to ask a better question: Are we actually ready for what we're asking for? This episode explores the idea of "little rooms"—the unseen, often overlooked seasons where real formation happens. Before the spotlight. Before the platform. Before the moment. There's a process. And most people try to skip it.     In this conversation, we unpack: Why the spotlight doesn't build you—it reveals you The danger of chasing exposure without formation How constraints actually unlock creativity Why small, unseen seasons matter more than big moments The tension between scaling and staying authentic What it really means to become before you perform     This isn't just about leadership. It's about identity. Because the real question isn't: "How do I get there faster?" It's: "Who am I becoming on the way?"     Whether you're leading, building, creating, or simply trying to stay grounded in a fast-moving world—this conversation is for you.   More of a visual person?  You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel:  Youtube: www.youtube.com/@WriteNewRules  To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader! LinkedIn:  / adriancrawford-nrc  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writenewrules/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@writenewrules 00:00 – Intro 02:12 – Entering the Creative Zone 03:06 – Creativity & Advancing Humanity 06:04 – Introducing "Little Rooms" 08:37 – Why This Chapter Matters 14:15 – Leaving Breadcrumbs for Others 16:22 – The Power of Humble Beginnings 17:46 – Constraints Create Creativity 18:53 – Outkast & "Little Rooms" Origin 22:12 – "Lightning in a Bottle" 24:19 – Regret & Presence 25:01 – Honoring the Process 28:59 – Spotlight Reveals You 30:12 – Skill vs Exposure 31:48 – Discovering Your Strengths 32:08 – Scaling vs Creativity Tension 34:26 – What Happens When You "Make It" 38:06 – Reading: Freedom of the Basement 39:24 – Become vs Perform 40:28 – Being Present in the Process 43:06 – Your Scoreboard Matters 44:41 – Scaling Without Losing Yourself 47:18 – Conviction Through Formation 49:02 – Authenticity vs Opportunity 50:41 – Writing New Rules 52:22 – Building the Next Generation 55:02 – Legacy Over Success 59:03 – Final Charge: Don't Despise the Little Rooms

E112: The One Phone Call You Don't Want to Make

What if the decisions you're making… aren't actually yours? In this episode, we unpack a question that exposes the hidden forces shaping your life:   👉 "If you failed… what's the one phone call you wouldn't want to make?" Because behind your ambition, hesitation, and even your success…there may be a voice you've never confronted. We explore: Why most people are driven by voices they don't even recognize  How fear disguises itself as ambition, caution, or even humility The story of a CEO whose decisions were being shaped by something deeper Why high performers still feel stuck or paralyzed under pressure How past experiences quietly control present decisions This is a deep dive into: Identity vs. conditioning  Awareness vs. autopilot Truth vs. internal narratives We also unpack: The "echo" inside your mind and how it forms Why self-awareness is the foundation of leadership How to separate your voice from fear, trauma, and expectation The cost of not doing internal work And why clarity starts with asking better questions   🧠 The Exercise Take 10–15 minutes. No distractions. Ask yourself:  👉 "If I failed… who is the one person I wouldn't want to call?" Then go deeper: Why them? What would they think? When did that fear start? How has it shaped my decisions?   This is where the work begins.   Pre-Order the Book This episode continues our journey through Magnum Opus: The Art of Becoming One of One.   Pre-order the book here: http://magnumopusproject.co   If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs it. And in the meantime — keep writing new rules.   More of a visual person?  You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel:  Youtube: www.youtube.com/@WriteNewRules   To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader!   LinkedIn:  / adriancrawford-nrc  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writenewrules/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@writenewrules   00:00 – The question that exposes everything  00:20 – Intro + Oscars conversation  02:30 – Ambition vs ego  05:30 – Authenticity vs image  08:00 – Discipline behind greatness  11:00 – Enter "The Chisel"  12:00 – The one phone call question  13:30 – The CEO story (breakdown moment)  16:00 – Pressure, identity, and leadership  18:00 – Perfection vs uncertainty  20:00 – The hidden voice behind decisions  22:30 – Most people aren't aware of it  24:00 – Becoming self-aware  26:00 – Fear, shame, and past experiences  27:30 – What's actually shaping you  30:00 – Personal example (father + identity)  31:30 – The "echo" in your mind  33:00 – Why success requires emptying yourself  36:00 – The truth about sacrifice  38:00 – How to separate your voice  40:00 – The exercise explained  43:00 – This isn't about blame  45:00 – Clarity and alignment  47:30 – Final challenge

E111: Magic, Identity, and The Search for Meaning

What if the rise of astrology, "manifestation," and modern spirituality isn't random… but a response to something deeper?  In this episode, we dive into a conversation most people are afraid to have: Why are so many people turning to "magic" right now?  Is it really about spirituality… or something else?  Are we actually searching for identity, control, and purpose in the wrong places? And what's the difference between faith, self-discovery… and subtle forms of control?     This isn't a surface-level conversation. It's raw, honest, and explores the tension between: Faith vs. control  Identity vs. illusion  Truth vs. what feels true We also unpack:  The rise of astrology and "witch culture"  How social media has shaped identity and distorted self-perception Why humans are wired to seek something beyond themselves The tension between curiosity, superstition, and control  And whether we're all, in some way… living under a "spell"    Pre-Order the Book   Pre-order the book here: http://magnumopusproject.co    More of a visual person?  You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel:  Youtube: www.youtube.com/@WriteNewRules To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader! LinkedIn:  / adriancrawford-nrc  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writenewrules/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@writenewrules   00:00 – Intro & setting the stage 02:40 – "We're building something that doesn't exist yet" 04:40 – How social media reshaped identity 05:30 – Why people are turning to the supernatural 07:10 – Would that make Christians "magicians"? 12:00 – Why people are drawn to astrology 14:00 – It all comes back to control 16:00 – The desire to "become the source" 20:40 – Control, anxiety, and modern habits 25:00 – Superstition, obsession, and faith  35:30 – Faith vs. controlling outcomes  52:00 – Are we living under a "spell"?

E110: THE SCALPEL: ASK YOURSELF WHY

Why are you really doing what you're doing? Most people can explain what they do. Some can explain how they do it. Almost nobody can explain their real why. In this episode of The New Rules Podcast, Adrian Crawford and Breezy unpack one of the most powerful principles from Magnum Opus — The Scalpel. The practice of asking yourself "why" isn't soft self-help. It's surgical. It cuts through performance, press releases, and public image to expose the origin story underneath. Because here's the truth: The first answer you give is usually a press release. The real answer lives in the basement. We explore: Why most people are terrified of their real motives The difference between curiosity and interrogation How shame blocks self-discovery Why humans compromise themselves just to belong What happens when you disconnect from your origin story Why integration work creates freedom And how asking "why" can literally bring you back to life This conversation is vulnerable, layered, and honest — especially around topics like mission vs. family, superficial desires vs. deeper motives, and the pressure to give socially acceptable answers. If you've ever felt like: You're performing instead of living You're successful but not satisfied You're disconnected from your deeper motives Or you're tired of giving "marketing why" answers This episode is for you. Pre-Order the Book: This episode continues our journey through Magnum Opus: The Art of Becoming One of One. Pre-order the book here: http://magnumopusproject.co     If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs it. And in the meantime — keep writing new rules.   More of a visual person?  You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel:  Youtube: www.youtube.com/@WriteNewRules   To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader!   LinkedIn:  / adriancrawford-nrc  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writenewrules/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@writenewrules     00:00 – The Question That Sets You Free  01:06 – Why Most People Are Afraid of Their Real "Why" 02:24 – Where the "Why" Practice Came From (Therapy + Five Minutes of Real Time) 03:18 – Is This the Same as Simon Sinek's Start With Why? 04:38 – Poverty, Fear, and the Survival-Driven Career Path 07:16 – Why Asking "Why" Feels So Exposing 11:34 – The Scalpel: Why Is Surgical, Not Soft 17:26 – The Jordan Story: Origin Narratives & Superficial Desires 20:00 – Curiosity vs. Interrogation 23:39 – Overthinking Your Motives 26:13 – Should You Question Other People's Motives? 31:21 – Why We Give Press Release Answers 35:12 – What Happens When You're Disconnected from Your Why 39:40 – Common "Marketing Why" Responses 44:00 – Mission vs. Family (An Honest Conversation) 47:04 – What Happens When You Live Connected to Your Why 48:51 – "I Think I'm Alive Because of the Integration Work" 50:16 – Magnum Opus & The Long Game