Steven Kotler studied journalism, poetry, and writing in school. When he told others about his plans to conduct a neurobiological study, some literally laughed in his face. But Steven’s interviews with Flow State experts made him an authority on the subject, and he set out to help others reach peak performance.
 
He now works with entrepreneurs, athletes, and leaders of some of the biggest companies in the world, helping them reach this state of “Flow” to become up to 500% more productive. He is also a 4 x NYT Bestselling Author. According to Steven, Flow is how you turbo boost your results beyond all expectations.
 
In this episode of Why Not Now?, Steven and Amy Jo talk about overcoming imposter syndrome, how to get into Flow and how living a “Flow” Lifestyle can bring more purpose and happiness into our lives. They also talk about the difference in mindset between peak performers and non-peak performers.
 
Steven tells Amy Jo that we have 5 major intrinsic motivators: curiosity, passion, purpose, autonomy, and mastery. To perform at our best, they must all point in the same direction. That is when we reach our Flow State.

Learn more about Steven: https://www.stevenkotler.com/
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Steven Kotler - Living in "Flow" to Reach Your Peak Performance (Ep 319)

What happens when a high-achieving doctor and sports chiropractor decides to rewrite the rules of health? Dr Kenna Ducey-Clark, Founder and CEO of HealthStyle by Dr. Kenna, is doing just that. 

In this episode, Amy Jo dive's into Dr. Kenna's transformational journey. She spent years working with elite athletes, helping them optimize their performance, but her biggest pivot came when she turned that expertise inward, confronting her own hidden health struggles. 

Dr. Kenna shares how a bold Why Not Now? moment at an airport changed her life - leading her to join Renegade and build a groundbreaking approach that blends science, holistic health, and intuitive wellness. Now, she’s on a mission to help high-performing women stop keeping their health challenges a secret and start prioritizing their well-being - physically, mentally, and spiritually.

From working with champion athletes to coaching executives, Dr. Kenna reveals how women can apply an athlete’s mindset to their own lives, extending their "runway" and redefining what it means to truly thrive. She and Amy Jo also tackle why women’s health is broken, the power of listening to your body, and the future of functional medicine as wealth and influence shift into female hands.

If you’ve ever felt like you're pushing through exhaustion, waiting for the right time to prioritize yourself - this episode is your wake-up call and permission to take the first step toward becoming the champion of your own health.

Learn more about Dr. Kenna: https://www.healthstylebydrkenna.com/

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Mixing Science + Soul to Age Less with Renegade Dr. Kenna (Ep 333)

In this powerful re-airing of one of Why Not Now?’s most impactful episodes, Amy Jo Martin sits down with the incomparable Glennon Doyle - author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Untamed, CEO and Founder of Treat Media, and one of today’s most vital voices in personal transformation. Glennon opens up about the life-altering “Why Not Now?” moment that began on a cold bathroom floor and led to her sobriety, awakening, and purpose-driven path. With unmatched honesty and grace, she explores what it means to feel all your feelings - especially the hard ones - and why facing life unfiltered is the ultimate act of courage.

Amy Jo and Glennon dig into imposter syndrome, the art of writing, sharing stories when scars are still wounds, and what happens when we stop chasing dirty pink bunnies and start living as the wild cheetahs we were born to be. Glennon also shares raw reflections on control, love, and the lifelong battle with body image, offering solidarity and hard-earned wisdom along the way.

This episode is a masterclass in truth-telling, filled with warmth, depth and revelations that linger long after the final word. Whether you’re navigating change, wrestling with self-trust or simply seeking a spark to live more untamed, Glennon’s words will meet you exactly where you are. Be sure to check out her newest book, We Can Do Hard Things.

Learn more about Glennon: https://glennondoyle.com/

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The Only Way Out Is Through: Glennon Doyle on Sobriety, Truth and Living Untamed (Ep 334)

In this bold and enlightening episode of Why Not Now?, Amy Jo Martin revisits her candid conversation with NYU professor, bestselling author, and entrepreneur Scott Galloway. Known for his unapologetic take on everything from tech monopolies to personal growth, Scott shares the pivotal “Why Not Now?” moment that led him to walk away from a successful life in San Francisco and start over in New York.

You’ll learn how Scott evaluates major life decisions, why failure isn’t fatal (but playing it safe might be), the keys to healthy relationships and a healthy life, and how to build your own "kitchen cabinet" of advisors for navigating change. He also unpacks the role of social media in shaping public discourse, the coming disruption in higher education, and why forgiveness - especially toward yourself - is a cornerstone of resilience.

Whether you're facing a career crossroads, feeling pressure to conform, or simply need a reset in how you approach risk and ambition, this episode delivers both perspective and practical takeaways. Scott’s unfiltered insights and Amy Jo’s thoughtful questions create a conversation that’s as challenging as it is inspiring.

Learn more about Scott: https://www.profgalloway.com/

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Scott Galloway - Unfiltered Lessons in Power, Pivoting & Personal Growth (Ep 335)

In this episode of Why Not Now?, we revisit Amy Jo’s interview with bestselling author, speaker, and global thought leader Mel Robbins - and the conversation is as raw, real, and revelatory as ever.

Mel opens up about her incredible journey from burned-out attorney to one of the most booked female speakers in the world. At the heart of her transformation? A single moment at an Oprah Winfrey event that sparked a visceral reaction and led to a cascade of courageous decisions. Mel shares how she built her powerhouse platform by learning to trust her inner wisdom - and by inventing one of the simplest, most powerful tools for action: The 5 Second Rule.

You’ll learn how to spot your own “Why Not Now?” moments, how to use your energy gauge to make better decisions, and why starting before you're ready might just be the secret to real progress. 

From facing bankruptcy to building a seven-figure business, Mel’s story is a masterclass in resilience, clarity, and courage. Whether you're feeling stuck, seeking purpose, or just need a push to get out of your head and into motion - this episode delivers.

Learn more about Mel: https://www.melrobbins.com/

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Mel Robbins: The 5 Second Rule – Stop Overthinking, Start Doing (Ep 336)

What if your most painful moment could lead to your most meaningful work? In this episode of Why Not Now?, we revisit Amy Jo Martin’s conversation with Scott O’Neil - CEO of LIV Golf and former CEO of the Philadelphia 76ers - one of the most raw and riveting conversations in the show’s history. 

A titan in the sports and entertainment industry, Scott shares how a deeply personal tragedy - the loss of his best friend to suicide - became the catalyst for his bestselling book Be Where Your Feet Are and a complete re-evaluation of what matters most.

From leading billion-dollar organizations to navigating family, grief, and growth, Scott talks about embracing vulnerability, managing intensity, and why "balance" is a myth, but presence is everything. He opens up about getting fired from his dream job, redefining success, and how he used 200 cold calls to pivot his career during one of his lowest chapters.

Whether you’re in the thick of a transition, craving more presence in your life, or simply trying to figure out what’s next, this conversation is for you. Scott doesn't just talk about leadership, he embodies it, with heart and humility.

You'll walk away with tools to build resilience, lead with heart, protect your time, and create meaningful connections in your work and at home.

Learn more about Scott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-o-neil/

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Be Where Your Feet Are: LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil (Ep 337)

What happens when you’re on top of the world—and everything changes overnight? In this raw and unfiltered episode of the Why Not Now? podcast, Amy Jo Martin reunites with entrepreneur, author, and cultural force Sophia Amoruso. This is Sophia's second time on the show, nearly a decade after her first appearance. 

From founding Nasty Gal and Girlboss to navigating public scrutiny, financial highs and lows, and deeply personal transitions, Sophia opens up about what she's learned from building (and rebuilding) her life and career.

You will get a rare behind-the-scenes look at the real woman behind the brand, including her thoughts on intentionality, burnout, reinventing your identity, and learning to say "Why Not Stop?" as much as “Why Not Now?” 

Sophia shares her approach to time, money, trust, and relationships - with a refreshingly honest take on startup culture, success, and failure.

You’ll also hear about her latest venture, Trust Fund; a disruptive early-stage investment fund, and her unexpected passion for poker, which she’s parlayed into strategic business development. She also shares what she’s learned about ambition, regret, and aging gracefully in the spotlight.

Learn more about Sophia: https://www.sophiaamoruso.com/

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From Girlboss to Trust Fund: Sophia Amoruso’s Bold New Era (Ep 338)

In this special Why Not Now? episode, Amy Jo Martin hands the mic to her AI agent, Renegade Rox, to introduce a live fireside chat with Amanda Ducach, Founder and CEO of Ema - recorded live at the SHE Media CoLab during SXSW 2025. Amanda, a femtech pioneer, built one of the world’s first agentic AI platforms for women’s health, before ChatGPT made headlines.

Amanda shares how Ema uses AI to transform women’s healthcare by meeting users where they are. From identifying hidden signs of suicide ideation to helping women advocate for their own medical decisions, Ema is revolutionizing AI-powered care navigation.

You’ll hear insights into the challenges and opportunities of building AI without a tech background, how Amanda turned pain into purpose, and why this moment is a trampoline, not a trap, for women in healthcare and tech.

Whether you're a founder, investor, healthcare leader, or AI curious, this episode offers real-world use cases of AI in healthcare, explores the data gaps in women’s medicine, and sparks ideas for how to build and invest in scalable solutions.

Thanks to the SHE Media team for allowing us to repurpose their content so that this important message can reach a larger audience. 

Learn more about SHE Media: https://www.shemedia.com/

Learn more about Ema: https://www.emaapp.co/

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AI That Saves Lives: Amanda Ducach on the Future of Women’s Health (Ep 339 Live at SXSW)

In this Why Not Now? episode, Amy Jo Martin interviews award-winning architect, designer, and creative entrepreneur Ben Uyeda - on location at his breathtaking Reset Hotel, nestled on 180 acres beside Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California.

Ben shares how he went from filming DIY design videos on YouTube to co-founding one of the most talked-about new eco-conscious hotels in the California High Desert. 

With no traditional hospitality background, Ben used modular architecture, AI-powered marketing, and an unwavering focus on values to bring his bold vision to life, one incremental “paperclip” moment at a time. 

Tune in for insights on:
* Designing for simplicity, sustainability, and scale
* The intersection of architecture, AI, and the creator economy
* Building physical spaces that help people reset from digital overload
* How creative risk-taking and resourcefulness fuel innovation
* Behind-the-scenes stories of building a hotel in the desert—with flash floods, tariffs, and all

From bonsai trees and rock carving to SEO strategy and immersive travel trends, this episode is a masterclass in modern entrepreneurship, creative leadership, and experiential design.

Whether you're a designer, builder, content creator, or conscious traveler, this conversation will inspire you to rethink what’s possible and reconnect with nature, creativity, and your own “Why Not Now?” moment.

Learn more about Ben & Reset: https://www.stayreset.com/

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Ben Uyeda on Creativity, Risk & Building Reset (Ep 340)

In this inspiring episode of Why Not Now? with Amy Jo Martin, we meet Dr. Shaggy, Dallas-based cosmetic dentist, entrepreneur and visionary. She is a Renegade in every sense of the word. 

Affectionately known as the “Frank Lloyd Wright of Smiles,” Dr. Shaggy is redefining what it means to build a brand through purpose, confidence, and function - one smile at a time. 

From launching her first dental practice during the peak of the pandemic to expanding into Austin, she shares how she’s grown a multi-million dollar smile empire by blending aesthetics with rehabilitation, and business savvy with pure heart.

This episode dives deep into what it means to invest in yourself. Dr. Shaggy gets candid about her nontraditional path, immigrant upbringing, what it took to bet on herself, and how she continues to elevate others, from her patients (including NFL players) to fellow dentists through her Veneer Mastery courses.

You will walk away with insights on:
* Building and evolving a personal brand with intention
* Navigating imposter syndrome while scaling success
* Setting boundaries as a founder and business leader
* Knowing when to make things happen vs. letting them happen
* Investing in yourself to unlock new levels of confidence

Whether you're in Dallas, Austin or beyond, Dr. Shaggy’s story will ignite your belief in what’s possible when you bet on yourself and lead with love.

Learn more about Dr Shaggy & Veneer Lounge: https://veneerloungeaustin.com/

For more info about Ohio VC Fest 2025 head to: https://ohiovcfest.com/

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Confidence by Design: Dr. Shaggy on Discipline, Dentistry and Doing Things Differently (Ep 341)

In this episode of Why Not Now? with Amy Jo Martin, serial entrepreneur and tech leader Sam Goodner reveals how Swiss Army precision shaped his entrepreneurial philosophy, and how a keynote by Amy Jo helped him finally write his new book - “Like Clockwork”.

Sam’s journey spans global adventures, unicorn startups with billion dollar evaluations, and building the #1 Microsoft consulting partner in the world from Austin, TX. He shares the behind-the-scenes playbook that led to multiple exits and lessons learned in both boardrooms and bunkers.

Whether you're a founder, executive, or dreamer on the edge of your next big leap, this conversation offers sharp insights and real-world examples that will shift how you think about business, parenting, and purpose.

You’ll learn:
* The concept of “unfair advantage” and how to discover yours
* What young professionals must do to stay ahead in the AI age
* Why operational scalability is every founder’s secret weapon
* The exact Why Not Now? moment Sam went from procrastinating to publishing
* How serving in the Swiss Army shaped his mindset for life and leadership
* A 10-year family plan to travel the world—and how it worked

Sam’s book, "Like Clockwork: Run Your Business with Swiss Army Precision" is available now. 

Learn more about Sam: https://samgoodner.com/

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Steven Kotler - Living in "Flow" to Reach Your Peak Performance (Ep 319)

Why Not Now? with Amy Jo Martin

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