New Year, Same Chaos, Smarter Goals episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 8, 2026 · 33 MIN

New Year, Same Chaos, Smarter Goals

from In Moderation · host Rob Lapham, Liam Layton

Ever feel like January dares you to set a giant goal you’ll abandon by the second week? We flip that script with a smarter, kinder approach: monthly goals, clear boundaries, and systems that respect your energy instead of punishing it. Along the way, we riff on time-zone chaos, a viral Brooklyn Bridge “fireworks” hoax, and a running DeLorean bit that somehow keeps steering us back to sustainable change.We open with the truth behind creative burnout: daily posting streaks, analytics anxiety, and the illusion that “more” equals “better.” Then we get tactical. Take real time off without tanking momentum by batching on high-energy days, lowering output when your tank is empty, and treating deep research like a campaign with a clear scope. If you lift, think like an athlete—cycle intensity, plan recovery, and aim for weekly consistency over heroics.Instead of one grand resolution, we offer two on-ramps you can actually keep: pick a date (“I start by March 26”) or pick a condition (“I start after three nights of 7-hour sleep”). From there, switch to monthly goals with one behavior, one metric, and one constraint—three 30-minute workouts, four home-cooked dinners, or one off-screen evening each week. We also take on internet grifters and the dopamine drip of “up 3 percent, down 4 percent,” and explain how to protect your attention so your work stays sharp and your life stays sane.The thread through the jokes and trivia is identity. You don’t need a new year to become the person who shows up—you need a smaller target, a repeatable system, and the grace to reset often. Tap play, set one tiny goal for the next four weeks, and tell us what you’re starting. If this helped, follow, share with a friend who needs a reset, and leave a review so more people find the show. Support the showYou can find us on social media here:Rob TiktokRob InstagramLiam TiktokLiam Instagram

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jan 8, 2026

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Ever feel like January dares you to set a giant goal you’ll abandon by the second week? We flip that script with a smarter, kinder approach: monthly goals, clear boundaries, and systems that respect your energy instead of punishing it. Along the way, we riff on time-zone chaos, a viral Brooklyn Bridge “fireworks” hoax, and a running DeLorean bit that somehow keeps steering us back to sustainable change. We open with the truth behind creative burnout: daily posting streaks, analytics anxiety,...

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New Year, Same Chaos, Smarter Goals

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This episode was published on January 8, 2026.

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