Note: This is a post from Adam Baker, founder of Man Vs. Debt.

In Episode 6 of the Man Vs. Debt Podcast, we cover what I think are the six keys to living a truly flexible life… a topic about which I’m obviously really passionate!

But to start off, here’s something new! As part of our podcast, you can now call in with your questions.

We’re not recording these episodes live, at least not yet, but if you call our special voicemail number, you can leave your name and your question, and we’ll address as many as possible either in the podcast or maybe even as a full blog post here on Man Vs. Debt!

That number is 574-387-3328 – that’s 574-3VS-DEBT.

Like we said, leave your name (at least your first name, but your full name is great too) and your question. Can’t wait to see who will be the first to call!

Listen to Episode 6 here!

You can also download the .mp3 file here; simply right-click or option-click and choose “Save link as.”

What Can We Learn From the News

I start off this episode of the podcast by getting back into our segment called “What Can We Learn From the News.”

Story #1 is the recent Facebook IPO. Here’s a look at this a CNN Money that talks about “what went wrong” and the Washington Post’s take on everything from key stockholders to some of the technical glitches.

I share my two key takeaways on the whole debacle, and then we move on to Story #2, this CNNMoney article that gave the latest average wedding costs, courtesy of The Knot.

Wait’ll you see what it was… it blew my mind, and I’m curious to know what you think!

The six keys to a flexible life

This is the main topic I focus on in today’s podcast. We talk about each of these keys in depth and I give some examples from my own life on how these have made such a difference.

1. Flexibility in attitude.

2. Flexibility in living arrangements.

3. Flexibility in income.

4. Flexibility in your work situation.

5. Flexibility in needs.

6. Flexibility in relationships.

Your challenge this week:

Listen to these explored in depth on the podcast, then write down one way you can increase your flexibility in each of these six areas.

How you can help the podcast explode:

Share your questions! Chances are, if you’re wondering about any aspect of selling your crap, paying off your debt and doing what you love, someone else will be too, and we’d love to answer!

Don’t forget – that number is 574-387-3328 – that’s 574-3VS-DEBT. Call us today!

And if you’ve listened and enjoyed any of the podcasts so far, would you consider leaving a quick, passionate review in iTunes?

Click here to view and/or subscribe inside of iTunes!

[share_sc]

Xoxoxo,

-Baker

The post The 6 Keys to a Flexible Life — Episode 6 — Man Vs. Debt Podcast appeared first on Man vs Debt.

Note: This is a post from Adam Baker, founder of Man Vs. Debt.

In Episode 5 of the Man Vs. Debt Podcast, I get back in the swing of this podcasting thing by talking about “Regrets of the Dying” and the lessons I learned while filming our documentary.

I’ve been away from the podcasting mic for way too long!

I’m back this week with a more transparent and shorter podcasting format (recorded at our temporary house out here in San Francisco).

I knew my past (heavily structured) format was holding me back from getting back in front of the mic and sharing an update – so I took my own advice and just TOOK ACTION in the face of the problem.

Listen to Episode 5 here!

You can also download the .mp3 file here; simply right-click or option-click and choose “Save link as.”

In this shorter podcast, I start by talking about an article I found this some time ago via Kelly Oxford, and its original source is from a nurse who worked with terminally ill patients.

Read it here: Nurse reveals top 5 regrets of the dying

In this episode I talk about these five regrets – including “I wish I didn’t work so hard,” which really resonated for me right now!

Next, I share the 3 core takeaways I learned while on the road filming “I’m Fine, Thanks,” our documentary project about the danger of complacency and living a scripted life.

Over the last 2-3 months filming this movie I’ve realized:

1. Complacency is an incredibly universal problem. We talked to dozens of people from all ages, races and backgrounds, and everyone had experienced it at some point in their lives. Most people experienced it multiple times.
2. Complacency is challenging to quantify. It’s vague – there are these pop-culture phrases like “keeping up with the Jones” or whatever that dance around the idea, but there aren’t a lot of books and movies that really point to this specific issue. That’s kind of good for us – I mean, we have an opportunity to really tell this story and shine a light on this issue in a new way.
3. Most people who combat complacency have a specific “AHA” moment. Not everyone, but many, many people we talked to – they had a moment, a very specific question or event, that led them to change their thinking and move away from complacency.

Your challenge this week:

One concept I absolutely believe in is the power of writing down what I call your V.N.S. That’s just a fancy way of saying your Very Next Step, the action you have to take next to move forward.

I want you to, first, pick your one big idea – the thing that sits in the back of your mind that you truly wish you could bring into being. And second, I want you to write down your specific, actionable Very Next Step that moves you toward that goal.

Just write it down. My very next step is: ________________________. That alone is hugely powerful, and I believe you’ll be surprised at how the action of writing it brings it about in your life.

You’ll hear my thoughts and tips on how to make this brief exercise even more powerful at the end of the podcast.

How you can help the podcast explode:

As I’ve been traveling, I’ve had the chance to listen to quite a few really great podcasts, and one thing I heard that I wanted to start in this episode was that the hosts sometimes took the time to thank the community members who had reviewed or rated the show in iTunes.

I gave a shoutout to a few special reviews so far, but mostly, I’m just thrilled with ALL the feedback, because it’s really a large part of what motivated me to really commit to my own VNS – to sit down, record my thoughts on these topics, and get this podcast published.

So thank you VERY much for that. And if you’ve listened and enjoyed any of the podcasts so far, would you consider leaving a quick, passionate review in iTunes?

Click here to view and/or subscribe inside of  iTunes!

[share_sc]

It feels great to be back on the podcast!

Xoxoxo,

-Baker

The post Regrets of the Dying and Lessons Learned on our Film Tour — Episode 5 — Man Vs. Debt Podcast appeared first on Man vs Debt.

Note: This is a post from Adam Baker, founder of Man Vs. Debt.

In Episode 4 of the Man Vs. Debt Podcast, we cover how you can “Rally Your Friends and Loved Ones.”

We’ve talked about this here on the blog before, as it’s one of the single biggest issues that holds people back.

Note: We also cover this content on the final day of Week 1 in You Vs. Debt.

Listen to Episode 4 here!

You can also download the .mp3 file here; simply right-click or option-click and choose “Save link as.”

What We Can Learn From The News:

At the beginning of each podcast, I cover three news stories from the past week. We attempt to have a little fun and pull out a positive nugget from each story featured.

• Story #1: Wikipedia Blackout a Grand Gesture or Grandstanding?
• Story #2: What Would You Do With A Billion Dollar Bank Error?
• Story #3: Heroes of the Concordia Crash

Why having your friends and family on board is important:

1. It’s been the #1 factor of any positive change in my life.
2. Realizing that “the meaning of any communication is the response it elicits.”

1. Realize you can’t change them.
2. Let them change organically.
3. Start with WHY it’s important to you.
4. Seek their input. Listen.
5. Leverage outside influences.
6. Lead by example.
7. Make it a routine.

[share_sc]

How you can help the podcast explode:

Our first three episode have been downloaded or streamed over 25,000 times!  Whoo-hoo!

If you’ve listen and enjoyed any of the podcasts so far, would you consider leaving a quick, passionate review in iTunes?

Click here to view and/or subscribe inside of  iTunes!

Thanks again for everything!

Xoxoxo,

-Baker

The post Rally Your Friends and Loved Ones — Episode 4 — Man Vs. Debt Podcast appeared first on Man vs Debt.

Note: This is a post from Adam Baker, founder of Man Vs. Debt.

In Episode 3 of the new podcast, we cover the “6 Phases of Debt Reduction.”

Having talked to thousands of people (on all different parts of their debt journey) over the last few years, I’ve noticed a couple patterns that have emerged.

It seems that almost everyone, regardless of income level, country, or age, goes through 6 clear phases when taking back control of their financial life.

Listen to Episode 3 here!

You can also download the .mp3 file here; simply right-click or option-click and choose “Save link as.”

[share_sc]

What We Can Learn From The News:

At the beginning of each podcast, I cover three news stories from the past week. We attempt to have a little fun and pull out a positive nugget from each story featured.

• Story #1: The Most Unusual Job Interview Questions of 2011
• Story #2: NBC’s Super Bowl Ads Sell Out at Record Prices
• Story #3: If you think Suze Orman’s new Pre-Paid Debit Card is a bad idea, you’re an “idiot”.

I also pointed out what was the best Super Bowl ad last year (by far): Young Darth Vader.

The 6 Phases of Debt:

1. Free Your Mind… (I show off my singing voice – can’t miss it)
2. Wake Up!
3. Suck it up and Budget.
4. Stop Buying Crap.
5. Earn More Money.
6. Bringing it all together (for the long-term).

We cover an overview of each of the 6 phases, along with tips on what to focus on if you are in that phase of the game.

Help the podcast reach even more people!

We’re still Top 10 in our “investing” category of iTunes. And still being featured as “New and Noteworthy in iTunes”.

Help us keep up the amazing momentum!

Word of mouth is still the most amazing method to spread the news. Is there a friend, coworker, and family member that would enjoy the podcast? Send it to them!

You can also click here to view and/or subscribe via iTunes!

If you are extra impressed, don’t forget to leave a review inside of iTunes. This really helps!

[share_sc]

Which phase of battling debt are you in?

Xoxoxo,

-Baker

The post The 6 Phases of Debt Reduction — Episode 3 — Man Vs. Debt Podcast appeared first on Man vs Debt.

Note: This is a post from Adam Baker, founder of Man Vs. Debt.

Episode 2 of the new podcast is now live!

We are so happy with the amazing response to the podcast! After just the first episode we were featured as “New & Noteworthy” for the Business category of podcasts in iTunes.

Not only that, but we also cracked into the Top 10 Investing Podcasts in iTunes! (For those wondering, iTunes really only has one category called “investing” for all financial topics, even though we rarely actually talk about investing concepts.)

Yet again, you guys have given us some great momentum for a fun new project. Thanks so much!

Listen to Episode 2 here!

You can also download the .mp3 file here; simply right-click or option-click and choose “Save link as.”

[share_sc]

Notes on Episode #2:

• We continued our popular “What we can learn from the news!” section with stories on Louis C.K., Verizon’s new $2 fee, and Wikipedia’s enormous end of year fundraiser!

• We then talk about what I call “traditional” goal setting approaches. This includes picking multiple categories for your goals and setting short, medium, and long-term goals for each category. We cover the well-known S.M.A.R.T. system and what we like and don’t like about this system.

• Leo Babauta, popular blogger at Zen Habits, joins us to talk about his “No Goals” philosophy and why he’s choosing to move away from traditional goal setting practices. Leo provides some great points and really helps open up the conversation about when setting goals can be good… and when it can backfire!

• Next, I provide my own spin on goal setting and resolutions, along with what my team and I will be using to measure our progress and success. (Hint: It’s actually in between the traditional planning and Leo’s suggestions!)

• Finally, we wrap up with a specific challenge for you to take (you’ll need a piece of paper)!

You can also check out Man Vs. Debt editor and community manager Joan’s take, The Minimalist Guide to Visual Goal-Setting, here!

I really think you’ll enjoy this episode! Give it a listen over the weekend and let me know what you think!

Help the podcast reach even more people!

The best possible way to help is share the podcast with people who you know would enjoy it! Word of mouth is still the most amazing method to spread the news.

You can also click here to view and/or subscribe via iTunes!

If you are extra impressed, don’t forget to leave a review.

Thanks to “Patty2Cakes”, “MvDfan”, and “Cliff” for the first couple reviews in iTunes!

[share_sc]

Here’s to all of us having an amazing 2012!

Xoxoxo,

-Baker

The post Goals or No Goals? — Episode 2 — Man Vs. Debt Podcast appeared first on Man vs Debt.

I’m really excited to launch the first episode of the brand new Man Vs. Debt podcast!

Our team has been working hard on exploring the ins and outs of the podcasting world – and to be honest – I’m really, really enjoying it so far.

Listen to Episode 1 here!

You can also download the .mp3 file here; simply right-click or option-click and choose “Save link as.”

[share_sc]

Notes on Episode #1:

• We start with a section that will be named “What we can learn from the news!” in future episodes. News is typically boring, negative, annoying… or all of the above. We try to spin that around and actually learn something from it!

• Next, we talk about finding your “Big Why.” That’s the deep reason that you desire a change in your life.

• Then we visit the audio from my recent TEDx Talk which explores the question, “What does FREEDOM mean to you?” Even if you’ve already seen the video, you may be able to pick up something new while playing the audio in the background.

• Before we wrap up, I share a quick interview I recorded with Hannah Loaring. Hannah is a MvD community member who recently paid off $26,000 in just 9 months and completely changed her internal confidence and key relationships. She sheds a lot of insight into her recent success!

As always, I really appreciate your insight, comments, and suggestions.

We have nearly a page of improvements, features, and fun things we’d like to add in the next couple of episodes – and I know you guys will help us add plenty of fantastic ideas to it!

A special thanks goes out to Cliff Ravenscraft for working with me on getting set-up and optimized and Pat Flynn for inspiring me to “be everywhere” with the message.

How you can help the podcast jump out the gates!

The best possible way to help is to listen to the first 2-3 episodes as we put them out – and let us know what you think!

Click here to view and/or subscribe via iTunes!

(It may take an hour or so for the podcast to show in iTunes, but if you subscribe it WILL download even if it’s not showing yet.)

If you really enjoyed the episode, please leave a quick review (this is done by clicking “view in iTunes”). Great reviews is how iTunes knows which podcasts to share and recommend with others!

So as you are SAFELY driving to your friends and family this Christmas and New Years (or you are hitting the gym for that new workout), pop in the podcast and give it a listen. Exciting times!

[share_sc]

Have and amazing holiday season!

Xoxoxo,

-Baker

The post Your Big Why and Defining Your Freedom — Episode 1 — Man Vs. Debt Podcast appeared first on Man vs Debt.