Episodes

Today’s thoughts become tomorrow’s reality. And when you write down those thoughts, it’s a lightspeed jump into your better future. The lovely and super authentic Tara Horstmeyer joins me to talk about life-career seasons, LinkedIn mastery, and the power of “ghostwriting your own life.” Enjoy! 📬 Get the newsletter: Uncaged Secrets 🌐 Show website: UncageYourself.FM *** TIMESTAMPS 03:00 Words that penetrate the soul 05:20 Writing when the emotion is hot 09:18 Tara’s childhood influences 14:02...

Tony Albrecht is one of my favorites. He’s a writer, podcaster, social entrepreneur, and student of the creative process. As the author of In The Creative Arena and co-founder of The Rowdy Creative, he works with people old enough to know they want a different trajectory and young and crazy enough to believe that big change is possible. His work is informed by his recovery from two afflictions, alcoholism and becoming a lawyer. 📬 Get the newsletter: Uncaged Secrets 🌐 Show website: UncageYoursel...

“Employee” is an outdated concept. (Literally, a relic of the Industrial Age.) Learn how power is shifting from employer to employee, and how this completely changes your work and life options. 📬 Get the newsletter: Uncaged Secrets 🌐 Show website: UncageYourself.FM *** TIMESTAMPS 02:12 The old employment agreement 04:04 No one wants a job, they want a life 04:39 RIP employee, welcome Uncaged Pro 06:14 Keeping your job — on your terms 07:37 Stability of the 9-5 + Prosperity of entrepreneurs...

Paige West went “national” in sharing her Quiet Quitting story on CNN, Good Morning America, and elsewhere. Here, we go behind the scenes on what fueled her decisions while also comparing and contrasting Millennial and Gen Z worldviews in the workplace. So good — enjoy! 📬 Get the newsletter: Uncaged Secrets 🌐 Show website: UncageYourself.FM *** TIMESTAMPS 03:51 Doing the “inner” work 08:05 Paige’s formative years 12:16 Friction when weighing professional paths 16:47 Indicators that corporat...

When you take extreme ownership of your career and life, magical things happen. Remember, you care more about your life and career than anyone else. Author and speaker Andy Storch joins us for a masterclass on listening to your inner voice and taking full ownership of your career and life. 📬 Get the newsletter: Uncaged Secrets 🌐 Show website: UncageYourself.FM *** TIMESTAMPS 02:35 Andy’s evolving definition of success 04:50 Dependency on external circumstances 08:10 Andy’s childhood & backst...

You have gifts. But chances are, they're locked up inside of you. A 9-5 job only lets you unleash a fraction of those gifts. Dennis Geelen joins us to tell the story of The Accidental Solopreneur (his recent book). It's a fascinating look at unleashing your gifts and maximizing your potential. Access the newsletter: Uncaged Secrets Cohort course: Uncaged Academy Show website: UncageYourself.FM *** TIMESTAMPS 03:12 What Dennis misses about corporate 06:28 Re-thinking the scripted life 10:50 I...

Paul Millerd, author of The Pathless Path, joins me to talk about "default path" addiction and what it's like to awaken. As former management consultants, we dig hard into this arena too. Enjoy! Access the newsletter: Uncaged Secrets Cohort course: Uncaged Academy Show website: UncageYourself.FM *** TIMESTAMPS 03:12 The Great Contemplation 06:21 How Paul's book affected Matt 08:25 The process of Awakening 09:51 Pre-awakening (most people trapped here) 15:58 Addiction to Default Paths 19:0...

"Quiet quitting" may same new and shocking, but it's an age-old concept. It's about setting your terms at work and prioritizing your desired lifestyle. In this episode, we cut through the noise and discuss practical scenarios for implementing this strategy. Develop advanced-level "quiet quitting" skills in our cohort course: Uncaged Academy. Access the newsletter: learn Uncaged Secrets Show website: UncageYourself.FM *** TIMESTAMPS 02:14 Framing 02:29 What Quiet Quitting is 03:41 The argume...

"No regrets." You've seen it tattooed on arms and in song lyrics. Enough — let's stop trying to suppress this natural human emotion. Instead, let's learn to harness it for our advantage in work and life. Apply the power of regret. See our cohort course: Uncaged Academy. Show website: UncageYourself.FM *** TIMESTAMPS 02:15 Framing 02:36 How we view regret 04:47 Types of regret 09:33 A strategy for using regret 12:24 How Matt uses regret to his advantage *** TAKEAWAYS 1. Per the American ...

Think back to those one-way college lectures or those on-demand courses you've taken. Did you really transform as a person? No. That's why I'm proud to introduce Uncaged Academy to you. It's an immersive, cohort-style approach to learning that focuses on community (friends), accountability, and rapid transformation. With our first cohort in the books, I'm excited to discuss the future of this unique program with you. Make corporate work for YOU. Apply for our cohort course: Uncaged Academy. S...

The universe is speaking: start your side hustle. Everyone's doing it, right? Actually, let's pause and rethink that. Not everyone should ignite this "parallel path" outside of their corporate career. Listen to this episode to help you understand if side-hustling is right for you. Make corporate work for YOU. Apply for our cohort course: Uncaged Academy. Show website: UncageYourself.FM *** TAKEAWAYS 1. Know the difference between "investments" and "side hustles." 2. Side-hustling requires y...

Look around and you'll see people chasing "in-demand" skills and credentials. It's like they're on a hamster wheel. But others seem calmer, in possession of enduring skills that always keep them ahead. This is the difference between Timely and Timeless skills. Which are you fixated on? Make corporate work for YOU. Apply for our cohort course: Uncaged Academy. Show website: UncageYourself.FM *** TAKEAWAYS 1. Are you choosing to build skills that legitimately interest you? This matters if you w...

Several years of being in corporate will teach you certain beliefs and worldviews about what a "successful" life looks like. We can't fall victim to these dangerous ideas. So, in this episode, we shed light on 7 brutal lies you're told about work. Enjoy. Want to create Time Freedom at work? Here's your guide. Show website: UncageYourself.FM *** TIMESTAMPS 02:26 We've all been conditioned 02:45 Shaping your role like an executive 04:43 How to handle nosy bosses 05:56 Dangers of single-sourc...

I joined mental health expert Tim Perreira as a guest on his show, Tuesdays With Tim. This is a recast of that session. We cover why modern work makes us feel caged, plus some psychological and physical health strategies for taking control of your work situation (and life). Want to create Time Freedom at work? Here's your guide. Show website: UncageYourself.FM *** TIMESTAMPS 02:55 Thumbnail of Matt's life 04:55 Experiments with entrepreneurship 06:07 Should you leave corporate? 07:36 "Corp...

Kason Morris is a master of reinvention. He's already redesigned his career six times across five sectors, strategically leveling up his skills in the process. Kason has decades of experience as a learning and development executive in big tech while also serving as a career and lifestyle coach. Here, we talk about design thinking as a principle, the importance of self-reliance, and specific strategies for operating within corporate on your terms. Want to create Time Freedom at work? Here's your...

It’s easy to show up to a new role or company and wait for them to hand you work. It’s hard to walk into an environment and shape your experience. But it’s the latter approach that’s going to generate the most rewarding outcomes — for you and the organization. This episode lays out a strategy for creating your own Rules of Engagement, including my "top 5" battle-tested rules. Weekly newsletter for Uncaging yourself: Wednesday Wisdom Show website: UncageYourself.FM *** TAKEAWAYS 1. Know yours...

Work-Life Balance is BS. It's a misguided concept that leaves people with regret and untapped potential. Friend and fellow coach Paul Conley joins me to dive into this "balance" myth and other strategies that keep people from living their fullest lives. Weekly newsletter for Uncaging yourself: Wednesday Wisdom Show website: UncageYourself.FM *** TIMESTAMPS 02:34 Paul's focus 05:22 The myth of Work-Life Balance 08:51 Should we seek meaning (purpose) at work? 12:17 The (anti?) benefits of fit...

Creativity isn't just some abstract topic for artists. Think beyond the "in-demand skills" of today and learn how to build creative muscles that unlock a better life for you. William Willis (aka The Prolific Creator) joins us to share his transformative story (flowing between big tech and a "creator" entrepreneur), plus enlightening tips for cultivating meaning and tangible rewards inside and outside of corporate. Weekly newsletter for Uncaging yourself: try Wednesday Wisdom Show website: Uncag...

What are you optimizing for? In other words, what are you trying to generate more of in your life? Most people have superficial answers. But dig deep, and you'll find what they want: some version of freedom. This episode introduces a framework for creating freedom, professionally and personally. Learn strategies and tactics for Uncaging yourself: try Wednesday Wisdom. *** TIMESTAMPS 02:41 Freedom is a feeling 04:46 Intro to Freedom Framework 05:04 Time Freedom 06:52 Financial Freedom 08:2...

Do you believe in self-destiny? Well, then you'd better master your days. This is a practical and actionable episode focused on controlling the bookends of your day: morning and night. This is where you unlock freedom. Learn strategies and tactics for Uncaging yourself. Try Wednesday Wisdom. *** TIMESTAMPS 02:58 Why your bookends matter 04:18 Strategies for managing energy (not time) 10:51 Prioritize mornings or nights? 12:58 Morning rituals + deep work 15:03 Keeping corporate at bay 15:...

The universe is speaking: start your side hustle. Everyone's doing it, right? Actually, let's pause and rethink that. Not everyone should ignite this "parallel path" outside of their corporate career. Listen to this episode to help you understand if side-hustling is right for you. *** TAKEAWAYS 1. Know the difference between "investments" and "side hustles." 2. Side-hustling requires you to adopt a business owner mindset. 3. Following your passion isn't what makes a side hustle effective. ...

Default thinking says, "I just need to suck it up at work." That's nonsense. You can take control of your corporate job and create Time Freedom — right where you are. Learn the biological reasons why we feel overrun at work, plus 3 strategies (plus tactics) for creating Time Freedom. Break free of the Corporate Cage: join the Uncaged Academy. *** TIMESTAMPS 03:03 The Time Freedom mindset 03:53 That caged feeling 04:45 Why work overtakes us 07:00 How Henry Ford screwed us 09:30 Freedom fr...

What path should you take? The Safe Path is predictable and comfortable. But then there's the Passion Path, where you know you'll encounter a life of adventure and excitement. This question applies equally to life and career. Listen up to discover a mental model for approaching safety vs. passion. Break free of the Corporate Cage: join the Uncaged Academy. *** TIMESTAMPS 02:35 A question of two paths 04:28 Contemplating passion 05:39 Truly, what is safety? 07:00 Too much safety = masochis...

This is a personal and emotional episode. In the months leading up to quitting corporate in March 2022, I recorded my thoughts and feelings. This episode is a compilation of those recordings — a personal journal, if you will. I discuss why I needed to make the leap, including the strategy and mindset that made it possible. I hope it helps you identify the “leaps” worth making in your life. Ready to take ownership of your career and life? I’ve got something next-level for you: the Uncaged Acade...