What’s the hardest part about letting go?

What helped you start healing after that?

Today, Jay sits down with Grammy Award–winning artist Cardi B for a rare and intimate conversation that reveals the woman behind the spotlight. From an early age, Cardi carried big dreams and an unshakable belief that she was meant for more. She opens up about the quiet moments she spent planning her future, the determination that pushed her beyond the challenges of her upbringing, and the resilience that continues to drive her today. Cardi reflects on how those experiences not only fueled her success but also shaped her greatest mission, creating a better life for her children.

Together, Jay and Cardi dive into the complex balance between success and struggle, from the weight of constant scrutiny to her most vulnerable battles with depression and the pain of being misunderstood. Cardi opens up about the loneliness she’s faced, the toll of public criticism, and how she found the strength to rise again when life felt overwhelming. Cardi reflects on the challenges of balancing motherhood and career, the values she’s determined to instill in her children, and why building independence has been the key to protecting everything she’s worked so hard for.

Cardi also shares how her unwavering faith and deep connection with God have been the foundation of her resilience. She reminds us that real strength isn’t found in perfection, but in the decision to rise after every setback, to hold onto hope when the world doubts you, and to keep working relentlessly toward the life you envision.

In this interview, you'll learn:

How to Stay Strong Through Criticism

How to Keep Your Mental Health in Check

How to Balance Motherhood and Career

How to Find Your True Calling

How to Break Free From Your Environment

How to Use Faith to Overcome Struggles

How to Keep Working When Life Gets Hard

Every setback is an invitation to grow, every criticism a chance to reaffirm your worth, and every season of struggle is a reminder that brighter days are possible. Trust the path you’re on, lean into your resilience, and protect the vision you hold for your life, because it is always worth fighting for.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

01:21 An Early Passion for Reading

02:29 What Would You Do With One Day of Anonymity?

03:32 Dreaming, Planning, and Envisioning

07:03 Discovering Your True Calling

09:22 Where Do You Get Your Personality From?

10:29 Embracing Your Quiet Side

12:12 How Environment Shapes Growth

19:34 Defining Success On Your Own Terms

22:30 Protecting Your Peace from Negativity

27:33 When Your Heart Isn’t Ready to Let Go

31:44 Overcoming Heartbreak and Loss

34:29 Time Heals All Wounds

36:48 Proving Your Hard Work Is Worth It

42:05 Keep Believing in Yourself

45:40 Feeling Misunderstood

50:34 Balancing Work and Motherhood

52:40 Teaching Children Not to Be Lazy

57:14 Raising Disciplined and Strong Adults

01:00:08 The Little Things That Make You Happy

01:02:20 Redefining Love

01:05:42 Am I the Drama?

01:09:02 Speaking Your Mind Without Fear

01:12:07 Age Brings Wisdom

01:14:33 Does Life Ever Get Easier?

01:17:36 The Power of Daily Prayer

01:20:18 Cardi on Final Five

Episode Resources:

Cardi B | Website

Cardi B | YouTube

Cardi B | Instagram

Cardi B | X

Cardi B | TikTok

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you say yes too often?

When was the last time you said no?

In this special live episode recorded at an iHeart event in New York City, Jay Shetty reflects on his journey from speaking to empty rooms to sharing ancient wisdom with millions around the world. He reveals how reframing adversity helps us face life’s “first arrows” without adding the extra pain of self-criticism, and the daily practices that keep him grounded through challenge. With powerful stories, from a Navy SEAL finding purpose through On Purpose while on deployment, to a young cheerleader who radiates joy despite paralysis, Jay shows how resilience and perspective can transform even our hardest moments into sources of strength and growth.

Jay breaks down what it really means to make “wisdom go viral” and why presence, not time, is the key to deeper connection. He shares the courage it takes to say no to protect your energy, how to keep your soul at the center in an AI-driven world, and the creativity that unlocks when seeing life through childlike eyes. This episode is your reminder to slow down, live with purpose, and let curiosity lead you toward greater connection and fulfillment.

In this conversation, you'll learn:

How to Reframe Adversity

How to Build Confidence from Hard Times

How to Protect Your Energy in Service

How to Say No Without Guilt

How to Think With Childlike Creativity

When we pause to reflect, reconnect with what truly matters, and choose to act with purpose, we not only uplift ourselves, we inspire others to do the same. Keep leaning into curiosity, resilience, and compassion, and you’ll find that the path ahead holds far more possibility than limitation.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here.

Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

02:48 It Started with Small, Empty Rooms

04:41 How Do You Approach Adversity?

07:48 The Reservoir of Joy

13:15 Making Wisdom Go Viral

17:25 Why Audio Feels Intimate

21:09 Navigating the Age of AI

25:54 Breaking Free from People Pleasing

31:58 Learning to Adapt When Life Shifts

35:38 Unlocking Creativity with the 30 Circles Test

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is there something from childhood you still carry?

How do you think it still affects you today?

In this special compilation episode of On Purpose, Jay revisits some of the most transformative conversations on trauma, healing, and resilience. Featuring insights from Dr. Gabor Maté, John Legend, Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Bruce Perry, and Anita, Jay uncovers how unaddressed wounds can quietly shape the way we live, and more importantly, how we can begin the journey toward understanding, growth, and true healing.

From Dr. Gabor Maté’s wisdom on the unseen toll of suppressing our authentic selves, to John Legend’s candid reflections on grief and loss, each conversation uncovers a unique layer of what it means to hold pain and still pursue growth. Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce Perry invite us to shift the question from “What’s wrong with me?” to “What happened to me?”—a powerful reframe that transforms shame into compassion. Anita’s story of releasing inherited fears reminds us that even generational wounds can heal when we bring them into the light.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How to Recognize Hidden Trauma

How to Grieve Without Losing Connection

How to Reframe “What’s Wrong” Into “What Happened”

How to Understand the Impact of Childhood Neglect

How to Transform Inherited Fears Into Strength

How to Begin Healing Through Awareness

Healing is never a straight line, but every step you take toward understanding yourself is a step toward freedom. When you give yourself permission to feel, reflect, and release, you begin to transform what once held you back into a source of strength to move forward.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty.

Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here.

Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

01:45 Choosing the Pain That Frees You

05:55 Free Yourself from Outside Opinions

08:15 Trauma Is an Unhealed Wound

10:28 Learning to Carry Grief with Love

15:05 How Childhood Neglect Shapes Adulthood

18:29 Building a Grounded, Centered Self

20:40 The Power of Asking “What Happened to You?”

25:15 The Hidden Impact of Spanking Children

30:38 Maternal Stress Can Transfer to Children

35:47 Choosing to Break Generational Trauma

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever felt taken for granted by a friend?

Do you find yourself always making the effort?

Today, Jay dives into the delicate line between real and fake friendships, revealing the subtle cues that help us identify who truly has our best interests at heart. He explains that genuine friends honor your boundaries, celebrate your authenticity, and encourage your growth, while superficial friends may pressure you into compliance, keep score, gossip, or feel threatened by your success. Drawing on psychological insights around attachment styles, envy, and social debt, Jay highlights how friendship dynamics are less about labeling people as good or bad, and more about recognizing behaviors that either uplift or drain us.

Jay reminds us that true friendship is grounded in honesty, generosity, and shared growth. Real friends don’t keep score, they celebrate your wins as their own and stand beside you through every change. Most importantly, Jay challenges us to reflect on how we show up for others, emphasizing that being a genuine friend requires patience, compassion, and courage. This conversation isn’t just about recognizing fake friends; it’s about becoming the kind of friend who makes others feel seen, valued, and safe..

In this episode, you'll learn:

How to Spot a Fake Friend

How to Protect Your Boundaries

How to Handle Envy in Friendships

How to Know If You’re “Too Much” or “Not Enough”

How to Build Friendships That Grow With You

How to Be a Real Friend

When we surround ourselves with people who celebrate our growth, and choose to show up for others in the same way, we build friendships that not only endure but also bring out the best in who we are meant to become.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here.

Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

01:07 Are Your Friendships Genuine?

02:20 #1: Watch How They Handle Your Boundaries

08:50 #2: Are They Keeping Score?

12:39 #3: Share Your Good News and See How They React

17:48 #4: Do They Make You Feel Like You're ‘Too Much?’

19:43 #5: Observe How They Talk About Others

23:04 #6: Do They Want the Best From You or For You?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you think fame makes people happy?

Would you give up money for peace of mind?

Today, Jay sits down with Emma Watson, actress, activist, and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, for a rare and deeply personal conversation. Beloved around the world as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films, Emma has since become a powerful voice for gender equality and sustainability. In this exclusive interview, Emma reflects on her decision to step away from Hollywood and shares how time for study and self-discovery has allowed her to redefine success, find fulfillment, and reclaim her voice.

Emma shares the challenges of growing up in the public eye, carrying enormous responsibility from such a young age, and the courage it took to step back from a thriving career to prioritize her health and personal growth. She reflects on how fame blurred the lines between who she was and the roles she played, and how learning to embrace vulnerability, discomfort, and imperfection has become central to her growth.

Together, Jay and Emma explore the power of speaking truth with kindness, the importance of creating art from personal experience, and why building authentic relationships rooted in honesty and care matters more than any external achievement.

In this interview, you'll learn:

How to Be Honest With Yourself

How to Learn From Discomfort

How to Embrace Failure as a Starting Point

How to Separate Who You Are From What You Do

How to Build Truly Supportive Friendships

How to Step Away While Staying True to Yourself

How to Speak Truth With Kindness

How to Live Aligned With Your Values

Every day is a chance to pause, return to what matters most, and take even the smallest step toward living with honesty and purpose. You’re allowed to evolve, to begin again, and to create a life that feels whole and meaningful, one choice, one conversation, one truth at a time.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here.

Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

02:35 Choosing to Show Up for Yourself

05:50 Designing a Life You Truly Enjoy

09:09 Admitting When Life is Challenging

11:06 Rediscovering the Joy of Learning

17:27 Why Discomfort Can Be Your Greatest Teacher

21:13 Taking Accountability With Grace and Courage

23:10 Sensitivity as Your Superpower

26:16 Lessons From a Nontraditional Childhood

30:38 Do You Still Need the Spotlight?

34:16 The Healing Power of Taking a Pause

41:38 Living Under Intense Public Pressure

44:55 Living Between Two Worlds

49:15 How Did You Become Hermione?

54:03 Separating Self From the Role You Play

57:54 The Hidden Cost of Never Slowing Down

01:07:40 Dating is Complicated For Everyone!

01:09:57 Revealing the Real You to Others

01:11:44 Emma’s One-Woman Play

01:20:08 What is Real Love?

01:26:27 Finding Love Beyond the Fantasy

01:32:35 Facing the Question: Why Are You Not Married Yet?

01:38:47 Trust Versus Telling the Truth

01:41:29 Choosing Partnership, Not Obligation

01:44:56 Asking Yourself the Hard Questions

01:48:25 How Fame Reshapes Everyday Life

01:51:44 What Did It Really Take to Step Away?

01:56:45 Learning to Trust Your Inner Voice

02:00:21 Loving Yourself Without Judgment

02:05:45 Finding Acceptance in Community

02:08:00 What Makes a Real Friend?

02:13:58 What Work Are You Avoiding?

02:32:20 Honoring the People Who Shape Us

02:44:01 Remembering Our Shared Humanity

Episode Resources:

Emma Watson | Instagram

Emma Watson | Facebook

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s the biggest shift you wish you’d made sooner?

What advice would you give your younger self before 30?

In this special reflection, Jay opens up about the lessons he wishes he’d known before turning 30, insights that could have spared him time, energy, and unnecessary stress. Now, at 38, he shares eight counterintuitive truths from psychology and human behavior that have reshaped the way he lives, loves, and works.

From realizing that people think about us far less than we imagine, to understanding that burnout comes more from a lack of meaning than from long hours, Jay invites us to reexamine the subtle habits and hidden fears that quietly drain our lives.

These aren’t just ideas, they’re practical tools to help you stop overthinking, release old fears, and make choices that align with the life you truly want.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How to Rely on Discipline Over Motivation

How to See Most Fears as Echoes of the Past

How to Use Belonging to Fuel Lasting Change

How to Prevent Burnout by Finding Meaning

How to Stop Your Brain From Distorting the Future

Growth isn’t about waiting for the “right” moment—it’s about shifting how we see ourselves and the choices we make daily. The lessons Jay shares are powerful reminders that every season, good or bad, is temporary, and that true peace comes from living a life of meaning, not perfection.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here.

Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast

What We Discuss:

00:00 Introduction

00:55 Are They Really Thinking About You?

04:26 Being Busy Doesn’t Always Mean Productive

07:33 Depth Over Breadth

11:04 Discipline Is Easier Than Motivation

14:14 Fear Is Just the Past on Repeat

18:27 You Are Who You Surround Yourself With

23:14 Are You Experiencing Burnout?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.