Building Better Humans Project

As we move into 2026, The Building Better Humans Project is refocusing—by going back to where it all began. In this episode, Glenn Azar shares an honest update on the future direction of the podcast and why now is the right time to return to the show’s roots: unapologetic, no-BS personal and professional development across all the areas of life where people feel stuck, challenged, or overwhelmed. Glenn also addresses the decision to step away from Mayhem Monday as a regular segment. While it was enjoyed by many, consistency, integrity, and capacity matter—and this episode explains why doing fewer things better is essential for long-term growth, both personally and professionally. With over 11 years of podcasting and 1,500+ episodes, this show remains a free, consistent anchor in a crowded personal development space—focused on mindset, discipline, responsibility, leadership, and real-world application. Mayhem sessions may still appear from time to time as bonus episodes, but the core mi

In this episode of the Building Better Humans Project, host Glenn Azar challenges listeners to step up and live life to the fullest. Drawing from a powerful poem by Rudy Francisco, Glenn encourages listeners to remember that they're still alive and to act like it. She shares four areas to focus on: relationships, career, health, and personal growth, and invites listeners to take on new challenges and adventures. With a mix of personal anecdotes and inspiring stories, Glenn  reminds us that life is a gift and that we have the power to choose how we live it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recognizing Negativity Bias: The Silent Confidence Killer In this powerful episode of the Building Better Humans Project podcast, host Glenn explores the concept of negativity bias - our brain's tendency to notice negative experiences faster, feel them more deeply, and remember them longer than positive ones. This isn't just theoretical psychology; it's an ancient survival mechanism that's actively affecting your relationships, career decisions, and emotional wellbeing right now. Glenn shares personal examples from his military background to illustrate how this evolutionary wiring, while once crucial for survival, now silently erodes our confidence and happiness in the modern world. This episode isn't about pointing fingers at others but recognizing this pattern within ourselves. As Glenn powerfully states, "Negativity bias isn't your fault, but it is your responsibility." Through practical tools and a framework for awareness, listeners will discover how to identify when negativity bias is hijacking their tho

The Quiet Saboteur: Understanding Cognitive Dissonance Are you living in alignment with who you say you want to be? In this powerful episode of the Building Better Humans Project podcast, host Glenn Azar tackles cognitive dissonance - that uncomfortable tension we feel when our actions contradict our values. Rather than pointing fingers at others, this "mirror episode" challenges listeners to examine their own patterns and blind spots. Glenn reveals how our brains cleverly change our stories instead of changing our behaviors, keeping us stuck in cycles of justification and excuses that prevent real growth. Through practical examples across health, relationships, finances, career, and personal development, Glenn illuminates how cognitive dissonance quietly sabotages our progress in every area of life. This episode isn't about judgment - it's about awareness and the transformative power of aligning your actions with your values. Timestamps and Key Takeaways: **2:30** - Definition of cognitive dissonance: the un

The Privilege of Pursuing Your Dreams Are you tired of the daily grind? Feeling overwhelmed by the business you built? In this thought-provoking episode, Glenn challenges listeners to reframe their perspective on privilege. It's not about having things handed to you—it's about being in a position to do what you once only dreamed of doing. Glenn shares his personal philosophy on entrepreneurship and why he embraces the challenges of running his own business rather than settling for the predictable 9-to-5 routine that never suited him. This episode offers a refreshing perspective for business owners who might be feeling burnt out or questioning their path. Glenn reminds us that feeling tired from the work you once begged the universe for is actually a blessing—a privilege that comes from creating a life on purpose rather than settling for someone else's vision. Timestamps and Key Takeaways: **1:15** - Redefining privilege: Being able to do what you dreamed about years ago**3:40** - The freedom of en

Resilience in the Face of Adversity Why do some people overcome extreme trauma while others struggle with seemingly minor challenges? In this thought-provoking episode, Glenn explores this fascinating question without judgment or comparison. Through powerful examples of resilience—from UFC fighter Mark Hunt surviving horrific childhood abuse to Victoria Cross recipient Mark Donaldson overcoming his mother's murder—Glenn examines what allows certain individuals to transform their deepest pain into remarkable strength. This episode delves into the stories of extraordinary people who refused to be defined by their trauma. From Grace Tame confronting her abuser to Damian Tomlinson rebuilding his life after losing both legs in Afghanistan, these accounts provide perspective without diminishing anyone else's struggles. Glenn emphasizes that while trauma is real for everyone, moving forward is always possible—even if incredibly difficult. Timestamps and Key Takeaways:**0:00-3:30** - Introduction to

Turn Pro: The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything Are you tired of dabbling in your dreams instead of living them? In this powerful episode, Glenn dives into Stephen Pressfield's transformative concept of "Turning Pro" - that pivotal moment when you stop negotiating with yourself and fully commit to your goals. This isn't about motivation; it's about transformation. The amateur dreams while the professional delivers, and this episode reveals exactly how that shift happens in your mind and daily actions. What separates those who achieve their dreams from those who merely talk about them? It's not talent or luck - it's the decision to operate with professional discipline rather than amateur inconsistency. Glenn breaks down the invisible force of "resistance" that keeps us playing small and offers a practical three-step framework to make the transition from amateur to professional in any area of your life. Episode Highlights: **2:15** - The fundamental difference between amateurs and professionals**5:30** - Un

Embracing Life's Temporary Nature: The Power of Stoic Detachment What if nothing truly belongs to you? In this thought-provoking episode, we explore a transformative Stoic principle that challenges our fundamental understanding of ownership and attachment. Rather than promoting apathy, this perspective offers profound clarity—teaching us to see life as a series of experiences rather than possessions. The result? Less anxiety, deeper appreciation, and a remarkable freedom that comes when we stop clinging to what was never ours to keep. This episode delves into how our suffering often stems from attachment—to people, outcomes, titles, and control. When we shift our perspective to view everything as temporary experiences rather than permanent possessions, we create space to live more fully and authentically. Through personal stories from the Kokoda Track and practical wisdom from ancient Stoics, you'll discover how embracing impermanence can transform your relationship with both joy and loss. Timesta

The Silent Path to Greatness: Lessons from Terence Crawford In a world obsessed with visibility and validation, this episode explores the powerful concept of "quiet greatness" through the lens of boxing champion Terence Crawford's philosophy. What happens when you pursue excellence without seeking attention? When success arrives, it doesn't always bring what you expect. As Crawford wisely observed, "People think success brings friends. It doesn't. It brings silence." This episode unpacks how true achievement often means shrinking circles, revealing who genuinely supports you versus who's simply waiting for your downfall. Timestamps & Key Takeaways: **1:45** - Introduction to Terence Crawford's approach to success* Crawford embodies excellence without seeking attention—training, winning, and returning to work without drama **4:30** - The loneliness of growth and success* When you evolve, your circle naturally shrinks to those who genuinely support your journey **7:15** - Building greatness in silence

The Adventure of Personal Growth: Building Better Humans Through Exploration Are you craving more than just another vacation? In this captivating episode of The Building Better Humans Project podcast, hosts Glenn and Mili dive deep into how adventure serves as the ultimate personal development tool. From living out of a van as teenagers to trekking through PNG jungles, they share how stepping outside your comfort zone creates life-changing experiences that shape who you become. Their stories reveal that adventure isn't about luxury or distance traveled—it's about challenging yourself in new environments and collecting experiences that become the stories you'll tell for decades. The hosts explore how structured adventures like Kokoda Track and Aussie Ten Peaks create powerful bonding opportunities between parents and children, especially during those crucial formative years. They emphasize that adventure doesn't require expensive gear or exotic locations—it could be as simple as climbing your local

The Power of Not Knowing It's Impossible What if the only thing standing between you and achieving the "impossible" is simply not knowing it's supposed to be impossible? In this captivating episode of The Building Better Humans Project podcast, host Glenn shares the remarkable story of George Dantzig, a graduate student who unknowingly solved two mathematical problems that had stumped the world's leading statisticians for years. Why? Because he thought they were just homework assignments. This powerful tale illustrates how our self-imposed mental limits often prevent us from reaching our true potential. Glenn connects this mindset lesson to his experiences guiding people through the challenging Kokoda Track, where he's witnessed countless individuals overcome their own "impossible" barriers. The episode explores how we create invisible ceilings in our minds and offers practical strategies to break through them. Timestamps & Key Takeaways: **2:15** - The story of George Dantzig and how he solved "unsolvabl

Your Inner Circle: The Secret Force That Shapes Your Success Are you fighting an uphill battle toward your goals? The answer might not be in your effort, but in who surrounds you. In this powerful episode of the Building Better Humans Project podcast, Glenn explores how your inner circle can make or break your success. As Jim Rohn famously said, "You're the average of the five people you spend the most time with." Glenn breaks down why this matters more than you think and provides actionable steps to build a circle that fuels your growth rather than drains your energy. Timestamps & Key Takeaways: **1:30** - Why your environment shapes your expectations and standards* Your inner circle determines what you consider "normal" behavior* The people around you are either adding energy or draining it **5:15** - Glenn's personal experience with powerful circles* How military service taught him the value of a solid team* Building Adventure Professionals with growth-minded individuals **8:40** - The 5-step process t

Navigating Life's Complexities: Age, Perception, and Personal Growth Are you ready for a thought-provoking conversation that tackles some of society's most uncomfortable truths? In this episode of The Building Better Humans Project, hosts Glenn and Mili dive deep into the complex topics of age dynamics in relationships, societal perceptions, and the journey of personal growth. They don't hold back as they address the stark difference between consenting adult relationships and the predatory behavior that targets vulnerable young people. The conversation explores how social media has created spaces where people feel emboldened to judge others without context, and how these interactions often reveal more about the critics than those they criticize. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, Glenn and Mili share insights on resilience, anti-fragility, and the importance of taking ownership of your personal development journey. Timestamps:00:02:30 - Introduction to the podcast sponsors and upcoming adventures00:0

Breaking the Procrastination Loop: From Avoidance to Action Are you constantly putting off your dreams with promises of "I'll start Monday" or "when life settles down"? In this compelling episode, host Glenn Azar tackles the truth about procrastination—it's not a time management issue, but an emotional one rooted in fear, overwhelm, and uncertainty. Drawing from his personal experiences transitioning from military life to entrepreneurship, Glenn reveals how procrastination is actually avoidance in disguise and shares how understanding this pattern is the first step to breaking free from it. This episode dismantles the myth that procrastination equals laziness. Instead, Glenn explores the psychological loop of stress, avoidance, temporary relief, and guilt that keeps us stuck. Through real-world examples, including a mentee who delayed launching a podcast for six months only to later build an audience of thousands, he demonstrates how action—not strategy—is the true antidote to procrastinatio

Designing Your Life with Purpose: Vision, Values, and Goal Setting Are you drifting through life without direction? In this powerful episode of the Building Better Humans Project podcast, host Glenn Azar tackles the transformative trio of vision, values, and goal setting. Glenn reveals why most people work hard but never achieve true fulfillment - they're climbing ladders leaning against the wrong walls. This episode offers a practical framework for moving from living by default to living by design. Glenn shares personal stories from his post-military journey and how clarity in vision and values led to creating Adventure Professionals, youth development programs, and this very podcast. He breaks down the dangerous disconnect that happens when we chase success without aligning it to our deeper values, and provides actionable steps to create meaningful momentum in your life. Timestamps and Key Takeaways: **1:30** - Why most people drift through life without direction**3:15** - Vision as your North Star: creatin

Building Humans Project: Mayhem Monday Reflections In this candid episode of Building Humans Project, hosts Mili and Glenn dive into life lessons from sports, parenting challenges, and personal growth. They explore how NRL star Reece Walsh's approach to work-life balance offers valuable insights for everyone struggling to separate professional pressures from personal life. The conversation takes listeners through the hosts' experiences watching the Broncos' remarkable comeback victory, drawing parallels between sporting resilience and life's challenges. Their authentic discussion about parenting reveals the delicate balance between giving children everything they want versus teaching them valuable life lessons about disappointment and gratitude. The episode thoughtfully addresses listener questions about coming out to parents, processing grief, and navigating complicated family relationships. Mili and Glenn share their own experiences with parental relationships, offering vulnerable insights about forgiveness

Embracing Failure as Part of Success Are you avoiding failure? In this thought-provoking episode of the Building Better Humans Project podcast, host Glenn, challenges our conventional understanding of failure. Rather than seeing failure as the opposite of success, Glenn reframes it as an essential component of the journey toward achievement. Every person you admire has likely failed more times than most people have even attempted something new. The difference? They didn't let failure define them—they transformed it into feedback, fuel, and stepping stones toward their goals. This episode dives into how failure is simply data—information telling you that something about your approach needs adjustment. Just as we don't criticize babies for falling when learning to walk, we shouldn't expect perfection from ourselves on first attempts. Through personal stories from business setbacks to challenges on the Kokoda Track, Glenn illustrates how his own failures became the foundation for his current success.

Building Better Humans Podcast: The Power of Morning and Evening Routines Are you living on autopilot or living on purpose? In this eye-opening episode, Glenn Azar dives into why your morning and evening routines might be the most overlooked factor in your personal growth journey. After 1,275 episodes, Glenn shares one of his most passionate beliefs: controlling the "bookends" of your day can transform everything in between. From elite athletes to teenagers at development camps, Glenn has witnessed firsthand how intentional routines create not just order, but identity. This isn't about rigid schedules or endless to-do lists—it's about creating purposeful rituals that set you up for success and recovery. Timestamps & Key Takeaways: **2:15** - Why routines shape your entire life direction* Morning routines set the tone for your day* Evening routines determine how well you recover for tomorrow **5:30** - The difference between drifting and designing your day* Most people have routines but don't realize

Building Resilience: More Than a Badge of Honor Ever felt like resilience is something you either have or don't? Think again. In this compelling episode of the Building Better Humans Project podcast, host Glenn explores the true nature of resilience as a skill that can be developed, not an inherent trait. Drawing from his personal experience transitioning out of a 17-year military career and observations from guiding people through challenging adventures, Glenn dismantles common misconceptions about what it means to be resilient. This episode dives deep into how resilience isn't about avoiding hardship but rather about how we respond when life inevitably knocks us down. Through powerful stories of transformation—from trekking Kokoda to youth camps—Glenn illustrates how our greatest growth often emerges from our deepest struggles. Timestamps and Key Takeaways: **2:15 - What Resilience Really Is**- Resilience isn't about being bulletproof—it's about recovery capacity- The difference between ri

Mastering Emotional Intelligence: The Key to Success Beyond IQ Are you letting your emotions run you, or are you running them? In this compelling episode of the Building Better Humans podcast, host Glenn Azar dives deep into emotional intelligence - the hidden factor that often determines success more than IQ, education, or raw talent. Contrary to popular belief, emotional intelligence isn't about being "soft" or overly emotional; it's about self-awareness, self-control, and performing under pressure. When mastered, it transforms decision-making, strengthens relationships, and keeps you calm while others lose their composure. The episode breaks down emotional intelligence into four critical components: self-awareness (understanding your feelings), self-management (regulating emotions), social awareness (recognizing others' feelings), and relationship management (using awareness to build trust and resolve conflicts). Drawing from his military background, Glenn shares how he learned that true leadership isn't a