Introduction
Narrowing this list down to just 5 was a near impossible task. All ‘DOAC’ episodes are fantastic so in all honesty just close your eyes, scroll, pick at random and I’m sure you’ll find immense value. Steven’s hit podcast is a real Commuter Mob favourite, as his content can be inspiring, educational, shocking, and funny, sometimes all at once.
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E101: The Happiness Expert That made 51 million People Happier: Mo Gawdat
If I could recommend just one episode of this fantastic podcast to anyone, it would be this one. Steven and his team evidently agree because they have pinned it as the top episode on their Spotify profile. Mo is a fascinating and extremely intelligent man, notably the ex-chief business officer of Google X. He is renowned for being a ‘Happiness Expert,’ and over the course of this nearly 2-hour episode, it is easy to see why. He speaks about a seemingly wishy-washy topic with an almost clinical tone and advises practical ways to achieve happiness. He shares all of his wisdom through the context of his own personal tragedy of losing his son, making even one of the most intelligent people on the planet relatable and vulnerable. This episode should truly be a mandatory listen by law.
How I Manipulated the World’s Richest Men: “They Lost $100 Million in One Night!” Molly Bloom (Molly’s Game)
This episode is great because just hearing about Molly’s story is fascinating enough (naturally, Molly’s story became the hit movie ‘Molly’s Game’), but then listening to Steven pick apart all of her personal attributes that facilitated her success is even more interesting. Molly ran an illegal poker game for Hollywood A-listers and opens up about the highs and lows of that extraordinary period in her life. This is such an immersive episode; the 90 minutes will fly by, so it’s a great listen to pass commuting time.
The Man That’s Ageing Backwards: “I Use My Son’s Blood to Reverse My Age! I’m Now 18!” Bryan Johnson
This interview is a real credit to Steven and his prowess as an interviewer. The title of this podcast seems like clickbait, but controversial guest Bryan Johnson really does have some extreme practices, which he consequently receives a lot of judgment for. These ‘odd’ practices include taking 100+ pills a day, sleeping at 20:30 without fail, and never eating past 11 am. One of the more unique of his meals is a mushroom covered in chocolate.
At the end of the episode, in a heartfelt moment, Bryan sincerely thanks Steven for his compassionate interview where he reserves judgment and, in doing so, portrays a clear and honest look at the man behind the shocking headlines. Though most people would agree that a life that looks like Bryan’s would not be for them, it’s a fascinating episode where I think one can see the merit his ideologies hold, especially as we enter a world with exponentially increasing AI. Certainly one to get you thinking as you learn of a fascinating gentleman’s unconventional and eccentric life mission.
E228: Matthew Walker: The Worlds No.1 Sleep Expert! (The 6 Sleep Hacks you Need!)
Sometimes it’s easy to click on these podcasts with the extraordinary and remarkable guests and listen passively, unable to relate and see how you can apply the knowledge to your own life. Admittedly not many of us can relate to the peculiar ways of life from people like Bryan Johnson (mentioned above) or the multi-billion-dollar businesses Steven will be discussing the week after that. However, this episode is different because we all sleep. It’s such a simple episode and so practical I felt empowered and excited to learn of how simple changes to my approach to sleep could start to change my life in a big way.
One point Matthew made which really stuck with me is the lack of seriousness Governments have approached the topic of sleep with. For all the science behind the benefits of good sleep and the damage poor sleep can cause, it’s baffling that there has been no public health message prioritising guidance around sleep. We see these kinds of messages for smoking/ alcohol/ gambling and more recently vaccinations against Covid-19 but nothing regarding the importance of sleep. With the evidence of good sleep now so abundantly obvious, you can’t help but feel this needs to become an agenda Governments promote. So Commuter Mobsters, make sure you’re well rested! Perhaps listen to this podcast and have a snooze on your next journey.
E204: Barbara Corcoran Turning $1,000 to $1 Billion!
Barbara is one of the most financially successful guests Steven has ever had. Starring as a Shark in the hit US TV show ‘Shark Tank’ (America’s Dragon’s Den), she’s no stranger to cutting a savvy deal and is an inspirational businesswoman for many. Based purely on the success she’s achieved, you would be forgiven for thinking it was plain sailing for Barbara, but in classic ‘DOAC’ style, Steven breaks down the story of his guest, and we learn of the many challenges she faced in her journey to the top. Notably, we find out that Barbara struggled with her dyslexia and was far from a star pupil in school, as you may have expected her to be. Interestingly, she attributes her success in later life to her struggles in school: ‘If I didn’t have a hard time in school, I don’t think I would have been successful.’
Barbara talks us through the tale of how she disrupted the New York real estate market, not without some shocking setbacks, such as her then boyfriend and business partner running off with her secretary, vowing she’d never be successful without him. One of my favourite ‘Diary of a CEO’ podcasts and certainly a great use of your commuting time. Give it a listen!
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many great podcasts out there that are perfect for productively passing the time during your commute. Additionally, there are numerous fantastic episodes within these great podcasts. That’s why we created this list to give you a starting point for ‘Diary of a CEO,’ one of Commuter Mob’s favourites. By listening to these 5 episodes, you’re sure to get hooked and will likely dive into the couple of hundred more available on popular streaming sites. So, get stuck in, and get your morning off to a brilliant start. Safe travels!