Happy New Year! In this special episode of Paradigm Shifting Books, hosts Stephen and Britain Covey revisit a foundational principle from their grandfather, Stephen R. Covey, to set the tone for the year: "Life is not about accumulation, it is about contribution."

Moving beyond typical New Year's resolutions focused on achievement and acquisition, Stephen and Britain explore why shifting your focus to giving rather than getting is the key to deeper happiness and lasting fulfillment. They unpack the difference between "Primary Greatness" (character, integrity, contribution) and "Secondary Greatness" (titles, fame, fortune), explaining that while pursuing external success is not wrong, building a life on the bedrock of contribution is what makes success meaningful and enduring.

Britain shares a powerful personal story from the NFL, highlighting how veteran teammate Brandon Graham consciously fights a culture of transactional relationships by contributing to every new player. This serves as a model for choosing connection over comparison in any environment. Stephen reflects on a recent family experience serving at a local ministry, which recentered him on what truly matters as a parent.

Backed by research from Harvard, UCLA, and thinkers like Adam Grant, this conversation is a timely reset for anyone feeling the pressure to constantly achieve and acquire. It is a call to find greater joy in 2026 by focusing on the unseen, noble work of contributing to the people right in front of you.

What We Discuss

• [00:00] Introduction to Paradigm Shifting Books
• [00:57] Contribution over accumulation: a core principle
• [02:00] Research and studies supporting contribution
• [03:46] Primary vs. secondary greatness
• [04:46] Personal reflections on contribution
• [07:02] NFL insights: Brandon Graham's example
• [14:44] Family and community contributions
• [17:29] Conclusion and reflections for the new year

Notable Quotes

• [01:17] “Life is not about accumulation. It’s about contribution.” – Stephen R. Covey
• [04:02] “You can have secondary greatness without primary greatness, but it won’t last.” – Stephen R. Covey
• [05:24] “My happiness is greatly affected when I live out of a desire for contribution more than accumulation.” – Britain Covey
• [06:57] “ You don't have to be an extrovert to have contribution to other people.” – Britain Covey

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram
• YouTube

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn

In this episode of Paradigm Shifting Books, hosts Stephen and Britain Covey explore Disrupt Yourself with the author herself, Whitney Johnson, to discuss the powerful framework for understanding personal growth, career evolution, and why progress often feels uncomfortable before it feels rewarding. Drawing on Clayton Christensen’s theory of disruptive innovation, Whitney applies the same principles used to explain market shifts to individual lives, revealing how meaningful growth requires intentional disruption.

Stephen reflects on why this episode is especially timely, inviting listeners to use moments of pause, like the holiday season, to reflect on where they are in their careers and lives. Through Whitney’s explanation of the S-curve of learning, the conversation unpacks why starting something new feels slow and discouraging, why momentum eventually accelerates, and why mastery can quietly become a trap. Growth, they explain, is not linear, it is cyclical.

The episode also dives into the seven accelerants that move people up the S-curve, including taking the right risks, embracing constraints, stepping back to grow, and reframing failure as a tool rather than a verdict. Whitney shares deeply personal stories from her time on Wall Street and her decision to disrupt her own career, offering a model for navigating change with courage and clarity.

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone feeling stuck, restless, or ready for their next chapter, and for leaders seeking to better understand how growth unfolds in themselves and others.

What We Discuss

• [00:00] Introduction
• [00:36] Holiday Reflection
• [01:33] Disrupt Yourself by Whitney Johnson
• [03:17] The S-Curve of Learning
• [08:15] Applying the S-Curve to Personal Growth
• [12:34] Seven Variables for Growth
• [16:08] Embracing Failure as a Tool for Growth

Notable Quotes

• [05:34] “Disruption isn’t just about products, it’s about people.” – Whitney Johnson
• [05:38] “If I'm going to accomplish what I feel I need to in life, I may need to disrupt myself.”– Whitney Johnson
• [09:13] “Every time I start something new, I am at the base of the S-curve, and growth is happening but it's not yet apparent.”– Whitney Johnson
• [10:56] “ When you know where you are, you increase your capacity to grow. You orient yourself and so that can impact you, and it can help you grow the people around you. So the S-curve is basically telling you where you are on the mountain..” – Whitney Johnson
• [16:46] “ Failure and mistakes are not actually the problem.It's the shame that we associate with the mistakes.” – Whitney Johnson

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram
• YouTube

Book

• Disrupt Yourself by Whitney Johnson

Whitney Johnson

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn

In this episode of Paradigm Shifting Books, Stephen and Britain Covey return to the foundational principles behind Michael Bungay Stanier’s bestselling book The Coaching Habit. Building on their previous conversation about The Advice Trap, they unpack why most people jump too quickly into giving answers and how learning to “stay curious longer” transforms leadership, mentoring, and everyday conversations.

Stephen walks through the seven core coaching questions that form the backbone of Michael’s work, explaining how these simple prompts help leaders shift from advice givers to effective guides. Britain brings a unique perspective from the world of professional sports, reflecting on what great coaching looks like in high-pressure environments and why the best coaches help players discover insights for themselves.

Together, they explore how these seven questions create clarity, empower others, and strengthen relationships, whether in the workplace, on the field, or at home. This episode is a practical, wisdom-packed guide for anyone who wants to influence others in a more meaningful and effective way.

What We Discuss

• [00:00] Introduction
• [00:46] Overview of Michael Bungay Stanier’s books
• [01:51] The seven coaching questions
• [03:13] Brit’s perspective: Athlete’s perspective on coaching
• [05:27] Guiding others to their own solutions
• [07:20] Applying coaching in leadership
• [08:13] When direct advice is needed

Notable Quotes

• [01:22] " The main principle is this, which is to stay curious longer and to rush to advice a little more slowly." – Stephen
• [02:49] " Literally, if you just ask these questions, then you automatically are, in a way, like a pretty effective coach." – Stephen
• [05:12]  I've always loved that concept of like, in order for you to influence someone, you almost have to help them come up with this idea or their own version of it organically.” – Britain
• [05:27] “ All these questions, they’re a guide to help other people come up with their own solutions. Because those solutions will always stick more.”– Britain

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram
• YouTube

Book

• The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier
• The Advice Trap by Michael Bungay Stanier

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn

In this episode of Paradigm Shifting Books, hosts Stephen and Britain Covey explore Michael Bungay Stanier’s transformative work, The Advice Trap, a companion to his earlier book, The Coaching Habit. Michael delves into the concept of the “Advice Monster,” explaining how the impulse to offer quick solutions often leads to ineffective problem-solving. Instead, he advocates for staying curious longer to encourage deeper understanding and foster self-sufficiency in others. This approach not only enhances leadership and coaching skills but also improves personal relationships and parenting.

Throughout the episode, Michael breaks down the three types of advice monsters: Tell It, Save It, and Control It, and offers practical tips on how to tame them. By shifting the focus from providing answers to asking the right questions, you’ll learn how to empower others to think critically and solve problems on their own. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to improve their coaching, leadership, and communication skills, especially in work environments, parenting, or coaching settings.

What We Discuss

• [00:00] Introduction
• [03:50] Three types of advice monsters and how they manifest in everyday life
• [07:40] How giving advice too quickly leads to solving the wrong problem
• [12:18] The art of asking questions instead of offering solutions
• [15:01] How the advice trap shows up in parenting, and how space can empower others
• [19:13] Why seeking control prevents growth and what true empowerment looks like

Notable Quotes

• [03:25] "The advice monster is a sneaky impulse that wants to jump in with answers before we truly understand what’s going on." – Michael Bungay Stanier
• [10:29] "We all rush to solve problems, but sometimes the first problem isn’t even the real problem." – Michael Bungay Stanier
• [12:00] "Advice is everywhere, but what people really need is space to think and explore for themselves." – Michael Bungay Stanier
• [19:13] "The act of listening to understand is not about being smart, it’s about giving up control and empowering the other person." – Michael Bungay Stanier

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram
• YouTube

Book

• The Advice Trap by Michael Bungay Stanier

Michael Bungay Stanier

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn

In this episode of Paradigm Shifting Books, Stephen and Britain Covey dive into the profound teachings of Viktor Frankl, the legendary Austrian psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor. This episode marks the first in the Legendary Series, where the two highlight timeless authors whose ideas have had a lasting impact. Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning serves as the foundation for a deep exploration of how suffering can be endured when individuals find meaning in it.

Frankl’s insights are especially relevant in today’s world, as they demonstrate that even in the darkest circumstances, the human spirit has the power to choose its response. He shows that purpose can provide a lifeline through suffering. Whether navigating personal challenges or seeking deeper fulfillment, Frankl’s wisdom offers transformative guidance.

This episode explores two of the most impactful paradigms from Frankl’s work, examining the power of personal freedom in choosing one’s response and the essential role that meaning plays in survival.

What We Discuss

• [00:00] – Introduction to the Legendary Series
• [02:34] – Who is Viktor Frankl?
• [03:24] – The Freedom to Choose Your Attitude
• [06:42] – The Power of the Gap Between Stimulus and Response
• [13:10] – Finding Meaning in Suffering
• [15:04] – The Importance of Action

Notable Quotes

• [05:08] " Everything can be taken from a man, but one thing, the last of the human freedoms. To choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances to choose one's own way." – Viktor Frankl
• [07:44] "The most beautiful thing about the human condition is that there’s a space in between stimulus and response. In that gap lies our freedom and our growth." – Britain Covey
•  [17:19] ”This book is a way that can help you realize that there is a meaning, there is a purpose for you in this life. There is something unique for you that only you can do.” – Stephen H. Covey

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram
• YouTube

Book

• Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn

In this episode of Paradigm Shifting Books, hosts Stephen and Britain Covey dive into the fascinating science behind how habits quietly shape almost half of what we do each day. Joined by The Power of Habit author Charles Duhigg, they explore how cues, routines, and rewards work together to create powerful loops in the brain. By understanding how these loops operate, we can start to take real control over them.

Stephen and Britain unpack the “Golden Rule of Habit Change” and explain why relying on willpower alone often doesn’t work. They emphasize that habits can’t simply be erased; they need to be replaced with something new. To bring the science to life, they share personal stories, like Britain’s candy jar detours and how simple tools like phone-locking devices can make a real difference.

They also connect Duhigg’s research to the ideas in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and Atomic Habits, showing how these three books build on one another. This episode is a practical and inspiring listen for anyone who wants to build better habits, break old patterns, and take back control of their daily routines.

What We Discuss

• [00:00] Introduction
• [00:34] The science of habits
• [02:34] "The Power of Habit" and foundational habit books
• [06:57] Why Charles Duhigg wrote "The Power of Habit"
• [09:18] The challenge of changing habits
• [12:09] The habit loop: cue, routine, reward
• [20:58] Awareness as the first step to change
• [24:43] The golden rule of habit change

Notable Quotes

• [21:25] "You can’t erase a habit. You can only replace it." – Charles Duhigg
• [06:25] "We all have these little habits. And some of them are positive, some negative, and some neutral." – Britain Covey
• [11:30] "Under pressure, you don’t rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your habits." – Stephen Covey

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram
• YouTube

Book

• The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
• Atomic Habits by James Clear

Charles Duhigg

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn

In this episode of Paradigm Shifting Books, Stephen and Britain Covey explore a core principle from Dr. Craig Manning’s The Fearless Mind, how to turn fear into focus. Drawing from Dr. Manning’s work with Olympians, NBA champions, and top business leaders, they unpack the truth that fear cannot be eliminated but it can be reframed and redirected.

Britain opens up about one of the most pressure-filled experiences in sports: returning punts in the NFL before a stadium of 80,000 fans. He shares a deeply personal poem, Your Bravest Self, written as a reminder that courage is not the absence of fear, but the choice to move forward despite it. Together, they discuss how learning to carry fear rather than silence it, can unlock calm, clarity, and confidence.

They close with three simple, actionable steps inspired by Dr. Manning’s teachings: breathe, anchor, and act. They explain how these can help anyone, whether you are facing a high-stakes meeting, a big presentation, or a defining moment in life.

Tune in to discover how to reframe fear as your invitation to focus and perform at your best when it matters most.

What We Discuss

• [00:00] Introduction
• [00:17] Turning fear into focus from The Fearless Mind
• [02:22] Britain’s real-life experience facing fear in the NFL
• [04:33] The poem “Your Bravest Self” and its meaning
• [08:19] Redirecting fear
• [10:02] Three steps to turn fear into focus
• [11:51] Free throw routine analogy

Notable Quotes

• [01:33] “You can't eliminate fear, but you can train your mind to handle it differently.” — Stephen
• [08:17] “It's okay to feel fear. Stop trying to silence it, stop trying to get rid of it. You just redirect it.” — Britain
• [09:00] “'I think the best version of you is the one who feels all the fear and the struggle and still goes through it.” — Britain
• [14:07] “Do not see fear as your enemy. It's your invitation to focus.” — Stephen
• [10:47] “I literally reminded myself when I was feeling the fear to take a deep breath, anchor myself, and then take action.”— Stephen

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram
• YouTube

Books

• The Fearless Mind by Dr. Craig Manning
• The Man in the Arena speech by Theodore Roosevelt

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn

In this episode of Paradigm Shifting Books, hosts Stephen and Britain Covey are joined by leadership expert Liz Wiseman, author of ‘Multipliers’. Together, they dive into the powerful principles that distinguish "multipliers", leaders who amplify the intelligence and abilities of others, from "diminishers," who, despite good intentions, unknowingly hold people back. Liz shares her research and experiences, revealing how leadership can either bring out brilliance or unintentionally stifle growth. This conversation highlights how these concepts can apply not only in the workplace but also in teams, families, and everyday life.

Stephen and Britain reflect on how these insights have shaped their own approaches to leadership. They discuss the importance of seeing potential in others and creating environments where people feel empowered to contribute their best. Stephen points out that it's not about being the smartest leader, but about finding ways to help others shine, while Britain shares how creating space for both safety and challenge is key to unlocking peak performance. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to foster growth, collaboration, and leadership in all areas of life.

What We Discuss

• [00:00] Introduction
• [01:23] The Power of Contributorship
• [04:10] Multipliers vs. Diminishers
• [13:35] Safety and Stretch: The Core of Leadership
• [20:10] The Importance of Viewing Genius in Others
• [22:36] Contribution over Competition

Notable Quotes

• [06:34] "Sometimes really, really smart people don't make the best managers." – Liz Wiseman
• [24:59] "People want to come to work every day wanting to contribute everything that they have." – Liz Wiseman
• [15:37] "What these leaders do is they create an environment where people feel safe, but then they create stretch." – Liz Wiseman
• [24:20] "Multipliers believe people are smart, and there is a way they are smart. It's my job to find it and use it." – Liz Wiseman

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
• Instagram
• YouTube

Book

• Multipliers by Liz Wiseman

Liz Wiseman

• The Wiseman Group Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Britain Covey

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Stephen H. Covey

• LinkedIn