086 It Doesn't Feel Like Fear. It Feels Like Conviction with Slade Combs

What if the thing shaping your life isn't something you're even aware of? For more than twenty years, Slade Combs worked in advertising, helping companies understand what motivates people to act. Along the way, he became fascinated by something much deeper: the hidden fears that quietly influence the decisions we make every day. Then his own life changed. After developing a serious heart condition, Slade began questioning the success he'd spent years pursuing. What followed was a complete reimagining of his life, his work, and his understanding of purpose. In this conversation with Rivers, Slade shares why our deepest fears often masquerade as certainty, how childhood experiences can shape the lens through which we see the world, and why he believes the greatest thing we've suffered can become our greatest gift. Whether you agree with every idea or simply find yourself thinking differently afterward, this episode invites an honest question: What if some of the things you've always been certain about deserve a second look? In this episode: Why unconscious fears rarely feel like fear The surprising connection between childhood experiences and adult decisions How a life-threatening health scare changed Slade's definition of success Why purpose may be found on the other side of our greatest struggles How curiosity can open the door to personal growth Reflection Journal Every story has two stories: the one you just heard and the one it stirs in your own life. Download this episode's free Reflection Journal in the description and spend a few minutes exploring the questions this conversation might awaken in your own story. To learn more about Slade and his work, click here.