The Purpose Mastermind: Helping Leaders Get Unstuck and Live with Meaning in Work, Marriage, and Parenting

Hosted by Mark Delaney

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Episodes

302

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-US

About the show

The Purpose Mastermind is a podcast for leaders who want clarity, direction, and real impact...not just at work, but at home. Too many people succeed professionally while feeling disconnected personally. This podcast helps you close that gap. Each episode will challenge you to stop living problem-focused and start living purpose-focused. You’ll learn how to: Get unstuck and gain clarity about your life direction Discover your purpose and actually live it out daily Strengthen your marriage and show up better for your spouse Lead your kids with intention, not just react to life Bring alignment between your work life and your home life Because leadership isn’t just about what you accomplish. It’s about who you become—and how you love the people closest to you. 👉 Ready to take the next step? Join a free Purpose Challenge by joining our community. https://www.skool.com/purpose-mastermind/about

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 19, 202639 min

E301: Why Do I Feel Like I'm Falling? | A Real Conversation

What do you do when you're doing a lot of the "right" things—but life still feels empty? Max and I hadn't talked in about 10 years. The last time I knew him well, he was a teenager umpiring baseball games for me. Since then, he's played college basketball, earned his degree, built a career in sales, lived in several cities, lost 50 pounds, worked on his health, prayed, meditated—and tried to build a good life. Recently, Max reached out to me and said, "I see what you're doing. I think what you do is relevant for my life right now. Can we connect?" So he came to my home office. We barely said hello before I asked him something unusual: "Would you be willing to record this conversation?" Something told me that whatever Max was wrestling with was probably something thousands of other people were wrestling with too. I was right. Max described his life this way: "It just feels like I'm falling through the sky, trying to grab anything I can." That statement took us into a raw conversation about purpose, relationships, external validation, guilt, disappointment, faith, control, surrender, and the hunger we have for a meaningful life. We talk about: • Why our hearts can be hungry even when the rest of our life looks fine • What our emotions may actually be trying to tell us • Why needing affirmation from other people isn't necessarily weakness • The difference between needing people to fill our bucket and expecting them to fix the holes in it • Why some seasons that feel like failure may actually be a "switchback" on the mountain • What surrender really means when life feels out of control • Why you may not be falling or failing—you may simply be figuring out what comes next At one point, I told Max something I think a lot of people need to hear: There's nothing wrong with you. You're trying to find your place in this world. You're trying to find your people. You're trying to understand what you really want from life. And that's hard. This isn't an interview with someone who has life figured out. It's a real conversation with a 29-year-old man who is trying to figure it out. Maybe that's exactly why it's worth listening to. If you would like to get clarity on your purpose join our free community. On Monday nights we offer free conversations on Zoom to help clarify your purpose. www.purposemastermind.com Support the show

October 12, 202639 min

E300: When Leaders Succeed Publicly but Fail Privately

What happens when your public life looks successful, but your private life is falling apart? For episode 300, Adena and I have a very honest conversation about leadership, family, guilt, failure, and the things we try to hide. Our conversation begins with a powerful letter written by a wife to her husband—a longtime leader and pastor. Her message forces us to wrestle with a difficult question: What happens when the person people see publicly doesn't match what the people closest to us experience privately? The temptation is to cover up the parts of our lives we don't know how to fix. But hiding them doesn't make them disappear. In this episode, we talk about why leaders can succeed publicly while struggling privately, the damage that unacknowledged pain can carry into the next generation, and why guilt may not be telling us what to hide—but what needs to be uncovered. Your life doesn't have to be perfect. But freedom requires honesty. If you would like to get clarity on your purpose join our free community. On Monday nights we offer free conversations on Zoom to help clarify your purpose. www.purposemastermind.com Support the show

October 5, 202638 min

E299: Legacy Isn't What You Leave FOR People—It's What You Leave IN Them | Mike Young

In this episode of The Purpose Mastermind Podcast , Mark Delaney sits down with Mike Young, author of The Farmer's Code , for a conversation about purpose, family, faith, parenting, leadership, and what it really means to build a legacy. Mike grew up in a multigenerational family rooted in agriculture and working together. His original idea for The Farmer's Code was to honor his grandmother as she approached 99 years old. But while writing, Mike discovered something much bigger: legacy isn't primarily about money, property, businesses, or what we leave for the next generation. It's about what we leave in them. Mark and Mike talk about what that looks like in real life—including raising children, building a strong marriage, passing down faith, allowing your children to fail, and eventually learning to release control as they become adults. Mike shares a powerful picture of this transition: eventually your adult children will "fire you" as their parent—and hopefully hire you back as a coach or consultant. You'll also hear about: Why legacy is something you're creating right now , not something you think about at the end of life. The difference between passing down possessions and passing down love. Why children need to see their parents fail, apologize, and ask for forgiveness. How to create family values through what you model, not simply what you say. Why Mike told his children to "own the day and smile." The importance of letting adult children make their own decisions. How faith, leadership, and purpose intersect. Why Mike believes some of his most fulfilling work now comes from investing in other men. This conversation asks a question worth considering: When your life is over, what will remain in the people who knew you? Want clarity on your purpose? If you would like to get clarity on your purpose join our free community. On Monday nights we offer free conversations on Zoom to help clarify your purpose. Purpose Mastermind Community Curious about the health of your marriage? Take our Marriage Assessment: Take the Marriage Assessment Help us bring purpose and hope to more people If you'd like to support the work of The Purpose Mastermind Association: Support the Mission Support the show

September 28, 202633 min

E298: What If You Feel Unqualified for Your Purpose? | Tim Washer

What if the thing you're called to do is also the thing you feel completely unqualified to do? Tim Washer has built an extraordinary career in comedy—studying improv under Amy Poehler, writing for Saturday Night Live , and appearing in comedy sketches with David Letterman and Conan O'Brien. But behind the laughter is a much deeper story about purpose. In this episode of the Purpose Mastermind Podcast, Tim shares the moment he realized comedy wasn't simply something he was good at—it was a gift he had an obligation to use. Mark and Tim talk openly about calling, fear, divorce, shame, vulnerability, community, faith, and what happens when life doesn't unfold the way you expected. In this conversation: Tim shares how he discovered his calling through three simple questions. Why feeling unqualified doesn't necessarily mean you're on the wrong path. What Tim learned from working in comedy at the highest levels. How divorce and disappointment challenged his faith. Why vulnerability is essential for meaningful relationships. How community helps us move beyond shame. What improv can teach us about faith, surrender, and supporting others. Why our gifts aren't simply for us—they're meant to serve other people. Tim's story is a reminder that purpose doesn't require having everything figured out. Sometimes it simply requires taking the next step of obedience—even when you don't feel ready. Connect with Tim Washer YouTube: Tim Washer Instagram: @TimWasher Want greater clarity about your purpose? If you would like to get clarity on your purpose join our free community. On Monday nights we offer free conversations on Zoom to help clarify your purpose. www.purposemastermind.com Want to strengthen your marriage? Take our free Marriage Assessment: https://app.assessmentgenerator.com/assessment/17360 Help us bring purpose and hope to more people. If you'd like to support the work of the Purpose Mastermind, you can donate here: https://markdelaney.com/donate/ Support the show

September 21, 202647 min

E297: A Life Not Worth Living: From Reckless Adventure to Purpose | Thomas Perkins

What happens when you accomplish extraordinary things—but still don't feel like you're enough? Thomas Perkins joined the U.S. Navy at 17 and went on to become a Navy Master Diver, serve in combat in Iraq, earn a Bronze Star for Valor, and set a record with an atmospheric dive to 2,000 feet. After the Navy, his adventures continued through business, flying airplanes, sailing, construction, renewable energy, and more. From the outside, his life looked fearless. But underneath the achievement was a man still searching for something he couldn't quite name. In this episode of the Purpose Mastermind Podcast, Mark talks with Thomas about the journey from chasing achievement and adrenaline to discovering inner peace, purpose, and the freedom of realizing, "I'm okay." Their conversation explores: How achievement can become an endless measuring stick. What happens when you stop living with something to prove. Why problems can become opportunities instead of roadblocks. How fatherhood changed Thomas's understanding of the value of his own life. Why maintaining relationships with adult children requires letting them be individuals. How preparation and repetition helped Thomas descend 2,000 feet beneath the ocean. Why adventure can come from purpose rather than recklessness. How to stop fearing your problems and start using them to build a meaningful life. Thomas also shares the story behind his book, A Life Not Worth Living: What Combat, Courage, and Fatherhood Taught Me About Finding Inner Peace. You don't have to become a Navy Master Diver or dive 2,000 feet beneath the ocean to live courageously. Sometimes courage begins when you stop measuring yourself, recognize the value of your life, and start pursuing the life that's already in your heart. Here is a link to his book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GX2ZWRW9?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback Want clarity on your purpose? If you would like to get clarity on your purpose, join our free community. On Monday nights we offer free conversations on Zoom to help clarify your purpose. www.purposemastermind.com Curious about the health of your marriage? Take our free Marriage Assessment: https://app.assessmentgenerator.com/assessment/17360 Help us bring purpose and hope to more people. If you'd like to support the work of The Purpose Mastermind Association, you can donate here: https://markdelaney.com/donate/ Support the show

September 14, 202640 min

E296: Why Friendship Is More Essential Than We Think | With Alex Alexander

Have you ever felt like everyone around you is busy... yet somehow we're more disconnected than ever? In this episode of the Purpose Mastermind Podcast, Mark sits down with friendship expert and author Alex Alexander to explore why meaningful relationships aren't just a nice addition to life—they're essential to living well. Together they discuss why so many adults feel isolated, the hidden cost of trying to do life alone, and practical ways to build deeper friendships without waiting for the "perfect" relationship to come along. In this episode you'll discover: Why loneliness isn't the only problem—disconnection is. How one meaningful friendship can change the direction of your life. Why every close friend was once just a stranger. How to build friendships as an adult without feeling awkward. The surprising freedom that comes from saying "yes" to people. Why purpose and friendship are deeply connected. If you've ever wondered why life feels heavier than it should—or if you've longed for deeper relationships—this conversation will encourage you to take one small step toward connection today. Connect with Alex Alexander 📖 Are We Friends Yet? https://alexalexander.com/are-we-friends-yet/ 🎙️ Friendship IRL Podcast https://alexalexander.com/friendship-irl-podcast-home/ If you would like to get clarity on your purpose, join our free community. On Monday nights we offer free conversations on Zoom to help clarify your purpose. www.purposemastermind.com Curious about the health of your marriage? Take our free Marriage Assessment: https://app.assessmentgenerator.com/assessment/17360 If you'd like to help us continue creating conversations that bring purpose, hope, and restoration to people around the world, you can support our mission here: https://markdelaney.com/donate/ Support the show

September 7, 202638 min

E295: The Difference Between Controlling People and Empowering Them

What if the people you love don't need more control... What if they need more empowerment? In this episode of the Purpose Mastermind Podcast, Mark sits down with his wife, Adena Delaney, for an honest conversation about one of the biggest struggles many women—and many leaders, parents, and spouses—face: trying to help people by controlling them. Together they explore the difference between creating pressure and creating growth. Through stories from parenting, marriage, teaching, and everyday life, they unpack how respect, surrender, and purpose help people become more than control ever could. In this episode you'll discover: • Why good intentions can still create unhealthy control. • The difference between empowering people and trying to fix them. • How respect unlocks growth in your marriage and family. • Why facing your own heart is the first step to influencing others well. • The powerful "Farmer's Wife vs. Gala" analogy for building a meaningful life. • How one small decision—just "one tire rotation"—can begin changing everything. Whether you're a wife, husband, parent, teacher, coach, or leader, this conversation will challenge you to stop trying to manage people and start helping them become who they were created to be. If you would like to get clarity on your purpose, join our free community. On Monday nights we offer free conversations on Zoom to help clarify your purpose. www.purposemastermind.com Curious about the health of your marriage? Take our free Marriage Assessment: https://app.assessmentgenerator.com/assessment/17360 If you'd like to help us continue creating conversations that bring purpose, hope, and restoration to people around the world, you can support our mission here: https://markdelaney.com/donate/ Support the show

August 31, 202641 min

E294: How Surrender Makes You Stronger | A Conversation with Adena Delaney

Have you ever felt like the harder you try to control life, the more frustrated you become? In this special episode of the Purpose Mastermind Podcast, Mark sits down with his favorite guest—his wife, Adena Delaney—for an honest conversation about marriage, parenting, purpose, weakness, and why surrender is one of the greatest sources of strength. Along the way, they share personal stories from raising three children, becoming grandparents, building The Purpose Mastermind Association, and learning through life's many messes. They explore why trying to control people and circumstances often creates more pain, while surrender opens the door to restoration, healthier relationships, and lasting transformation. In this episode you'll discover: • Why weakness can become one of your greatest strengths. • The surprising reason control creates conflict in relationships. • How purpose helps you move beyond your problems. • Why life isn't about avoiding messes—it's about learning how to walk through them. • How honest conversations create freedom and healing. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, frustrated, or stuck trying to fix everything around you, this conversation will encourage you to stop chasing perfection and begin pursuing the life you were created to live. If you would like to get clarity on your purpose, join our free community. On Monday nights we offer free conversations on Zoom to help clarify your purpose. www.purposemastermind.com Interested in strengthening your marriage? Take our free Marriage Assessment: https://app.assessmentgenerator.com/assessment/17360 If you'd like to help us continue creating conversations that bring purpose, hope, and restoration to others, you can support our mission here: https://markdelaney.com/donate/ Support the show

August 24, 202637 min

E293: What Mountain Biking Taught Us About Mental Health and Purpose

Most of us carry more stress than we realize. We replay conversations. We worry about work. We overthink decisions. And before long, our minds become so crowded that we forget what it feels like to simply be present. In this episode, Mark sits down with his friend Jeff Wells after their first mountain biking adventure together. What begins as a conversation about riding trails quickly becomes a deeper discussion about mental health, friendship, purpose, and why every person needs activities that force them to be fully present. Together they explore: Why physical activity is more than exercise—it's a mental reset. How friendships can change the direction of our lives. The connection between adventure and emotional health. Why purpose grows stronger when we live life with other people. Simple ways to create margin in a world that constantly demands more. Whether you ride mountain bikes or have never touched one, this conversation is really about learning to live with greater freedom, clarity, and purpose. If you would like to get clarity on your purpose join our free community. On Monday nights we offer free conversations on Zoom to help clarify your purpose. www.purposemastermind.com Support the show

August 17, 202652 min

E292: The Only Person That Can Stop You Is You — A Conversation with Jay Samit

## 🎙️ Podcast Episode Title Ideas In this episode of *The Purpose Mastermind*, Mark sits down with Jay Samit — serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, former Nasdaq CEO, painter, and professional magician — for a wide-ranging conversation that will challenge the way you see yourself, your circumstances, and your potential. [^1] Jay has helped launch companies that became household names, mentored a homeless immigrant into a self-made millionaire, and written books now translated into over a dozen languages. [^1] But what drives him isn't wealth or accolades — it's the belief that **anyone can change their life**, once someone removes the blinders. [^1] **In this conversation, you'll hear:** - Why the myth of the "self-made man" is holding you back — and what success really looks like behind the scenes [^1] - How Jay used the **Pygmalion Effect** to transform a couch-surfing young man into a millionaire in under a year [^1] - Why AI isn't just a threat to jobs — it's the most powerful free tool ever handed to everyday people [^1] - The stories of ordinary people who changed nations, built bridges in Africa, and walked from Texas to the White House at age 87 — all driven by a single purpose [^1] - Why **disruption starts with yourself**, not the world around you [^1] - Jay's honest advice to Mark: stop framing purpose from *your* point of view, and start solving the problems people *actually* have [^1] Jay's latest book, *The Second Act Advantage*, is a roadmap for anyone ready to use their experience, wisdom, and the tools of today to build something meaningful — whether that's a business, a nonprofit, or simply a life worth living. [^1] **If you've ever felt like your best chapter is still ahead of you — this episode is for you.** *Find Jay Samit at **jsammit.com** and pick up a copy of **The Second Act Advantage** https://www.amazon.com/dp/1510786627?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback Support the show