Growth Now Movement with Justin Schenck

In this episode of The Growth Now Movement, I sit down with Rob Lawless, a guy who made a bold decision to walk away from a successful corporate career to pursue something most people wouldn't even consider. His goal? Meet 10,000 people, one-on-one, simply for the sake of human connection. Not for business. Not for networking. Not for followers. Just to connect. Rob shares what inspired this mission, which really comes down to something we all lose as we get older: curiosity, wonder, and the willingness to step into someone else's world without judgment. We talk about how, as adults, we often become more guarded, more distracted, and more disconnected. Rob's work is a direct challenge to that. It's about slowing down, being present, and having real conversations that go beyond surface-level small talk. This conversation dives deep into what actually builds meaningful relationships: curiosity, gratitude, consistency, and respect. Rob explains how those four things have allowed him to connect with people from completely different backgrounds, cultures, and belief systems, including faith. We also talk about the reality of social media and how it's distorting connection. While it gives us access to more people than ever before, it often removes depth and replaces it with quick hits of validation. Rob shares why intentional, one-on-one conversations matter more now than ever. He opens up about how COVID forced him to pivot his project from entirely in-person interactions to virtual conversations, which unexpectedly expanded his reach to over 90 countries. What started as a local mission turned into a global movement. We also get into some of the real challenges that come with this work, including awkward conversations, setting boundaries, and staying present with each person while maintaining the energy to keep going. Rob shares the story of how he ended up on The Kelly Clarkson Show and what that experience meant for his mission. We also talk about what happens when he reaches 10,000 people, and what's next. From keynote speaking to writing a book to potentially teaching human connection in universities, Rob is just getting started. This episode is a reminder that at the core of everything we're chasing is connection. And maybe the simplest thing we can do to change our lives is to sit down and truly listen to another human being. In This Episode You Will Learn • Why Rob left corporate life to pursue human connection • How curiosity can transform your relationships • Why adults lose their sense of wonder and how to get it back • The four pillars of meaningful connection: curiosity, gratitude, consistency, and respect • How social media is weakening real human interaction • Why intentional conversations matter more than ever • How COVID expanded Rob's mission globally • How to handle awkward conversations and build deeper relationships • The importance of empathy and perspective • What true connection looks like in today's world

In this episode of The Growth Now Movement, I sit down with peak performance coach Kristin Ericksen to talk about something most people struggle with but rarely address: why we don't finish what we start. Kristin has coached over 3,000 people and she's on a mission to help individuals actually follow through on their goals, not just set them. Because the truth is, most people don't have a goal-setting problem. They have a finishing problem. We break down why traditional SMART goals often fall short and what's really missing for most people, which comes down to two key things: purpose and urgency. Without those, even the best plan falls apart. Kristin opens up about her own turning point during COVID, what she calls her "brick wall moment." It forced her to slow down, surrender control, and get radically focused on what actually mattered. That season completely shifted her trajectory, taking her from the fitness industry into financial services and a more leveraged way of living where she wasn't trading time for money. We dive into her framework around money and wealth building, including the three types of money everyone should understand: fast money, medium money, and slow money. She breaks down how to think about earning, building, and leaving a legacy, along with the foundational financial steps most people skip. We also talk about the importance of protecting your assets before trying to grow them, eliminating high-interest debt, building an emergency fund, and understanding how compound interest works through the rule of 72. Kristin shares why estate planning is not just for the wealthy, but something everyone should think about early. This conversation also goes into the future of work and how AI is rapidly changing the landscape. Kristin shares why learning to use AI is no longer optional, but also why human connection, presence, and intentional disconnection are more important than ever. We talk about her practice of intentionally disconnecting every month to reset and reconnect with what matters most. When it comes to success, Kristin defines it simply: doing what you want, when you want, with the people you want. And she shares the daily habits that help her stay aligned with that vision, including faith, movement, and identifying the three most important things she must accomplish each day. This episode is a powerful reminder that success is not about doing more. It's about doing what matters and actually finishing it. In This Episode You Will Learn • Why most people fail to finish what they start • What's missing from traditional goal-setting frameworks • The importance of purpose and urgency in achieving goals • How Kristin's "brick wall" moment changed her life and career • The difference between hustle and leverage • The three types of money and how to use them • Why protecting your finances comes before growing them • How compound interest works using the rule of 72 • Why estate planning matters for everyone • How AI is changing the future of work • Why human connection and intentional disconnection are critical • Daily habits that create alignment and success