The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett
54 films. Global fame. But what price did he pay?
In this powerful conversation, Matthew McConaughey opens up about the dark side of fame, the one decision that changed his life, and why resistance not talent was the real key to his success.
Matthew McConaughey is an Academy Award–winning actor and Hollywood icon, best known for roles in Dallas Buyers Club, Interstellar, True Detective, The Gentlemen, and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Beyond acting, he is a bestselling author, with his memoir Greenlights becoming a global phenomenon, and his new book Poems & Prayers continuing to inspire readers worldwide.
If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to survive Hollywood, why fame comes at a cost, or how Matthew McConaughey found meaning beyond the big screen, this is the conversation you don’t want to miss.
He explains:
◼️How living in Australia at 18 changed the direction of his life
◼️How turning down $14.5 million helped him save his career and self-worth
◼️Why becoming a father was the 1 goal that always mattered most to him
◼️How young men are more lost than ever, and what they truly need
◼️Why a life without struggle is a dangerous life
(00:00) Intro
(02:35) What Makes You the Person You Are Today?
(06:35) Love and Values Instilled in Childhood
(14:45) What Did You Want to Be as a Kid?
(16:13) Youth Exchange in Australia
(23:58) Studying Law in Texas and Wanting a Change
(26:32) Telling His Dad He Wants to Go to Film School
(36:32) What’s Going On With Young Men
(41:03) What Made You Drift?
(42:25) The Loss of Your Father
(50:07) Do You Miss Your Dad?
(53:56) Matthew’s 10 Goals in Life
(01:01:45) Doing the Hard Thing Today
(01:07:26) The Expectation Gap and Pursuing the Divine
(01:21:51) The Power of Faith
(01:26:17) Why People With Faith Are Happier
(01:36:02) How Did You Become the Best?
(01:41:55) I Refused 14.5 Million Dollars
(01:47:54) Why People End Up Stuck
(01:56:23) What Is Your Greatest Weakness
(02:14:09) What Makes You the Person You Are Today?
Follow Matthew:
Instagram – https://bit.ly/467Alhh
Facebook – https://bit.ly/46oVFh0
YouTube – https://bit.ly/46oBe3K
You can purchase his new book ‘Poems & Prayers’, here: https://amzn.to/3IqqCtc
Look out for his new film ‘The Lost Bus’ on Apple TV+.
Based on a true story, Matthew plays a bus driver who saves 22 children from the 2018 Paradise Valley fires in California.
The Diary Of A CEO:
◼️Join DOAC circle here – https://doaccircle.com/
◼️Buy The Diary Of A CEO book here – https://smarturl.it/DOACbook
◼️The 1% Diary is back – limited time only: https://bit.ly/3YFbJbt
◼️The Diary Of A CEO Conversation Cards (Second Edition): https://g2ul0.app.link/f31dsUttKKb
◼️Get email updates – https://bit.ly/diary-of-a-ceo-yt
◼️Follow Steven – https://g2ul0.app.link/gnGqL4IsKKb
Sponsors:
Pipedrive – http://pipedrive.com/CEO
Vanta – https://vanta.com/stevenStan Store – https://stevenbartlett.stan.store for your 14-Day free trial
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Chapman: Overcoming Failure Anxiety, Finding Love & Life-Changing Therapy
On this weeks podcast, we have Jim Chapman. You may know him from Youtube, Instagram and dare I say it… the ex husband of another high profile Youtube star. You will hear Jim speaking about…
Moment 2 – Nir Eyal On How To Stop Procrastinating
In these ‘Moment’ episodes of my podcast, I’ll be selecting my favourite moments from previous episodes of The Diary Of A CEO. In this episode Nir Eyal, International Best-Selling Author, lecturer and inventor explains the psychological…
Elizabeth Day Opens Up About Heartbreak, Miscarriage & Failure
This week I am joined by Elizabeth Day – an English novelist, journalist and broadcaster. She was a feature writer for The Observer for the best part of a decade and currently writes for You…
Moment 1 – Johann Hari On Why We’re Becoming Less Happy And More Lonely
In these ‘Moment’ episodes I will be selecting my favourite sections from previous episodes of The Diary Of A CEO. In this episode Journalist and Author Johann Hari, most well known for writing the New York…
Rio Ferdinand Reveals The Training Ground & Dressing Room Secrets That Made United Unbeatable.
This week’s podcast guest, is not like any I’ve had on before… I am proud to introduce to you my friend, and football legend Rio Ferdinand. As a former Football player, he is one of…
Ant Middleton Opens Up About His Personal Demons, Being “Cancelled” & His Spirituality
Ant Middleton is an adventurer, military vet, television host and author who is has become a majorly respected authority when it comes to survival and endurance techniques due to his experience within the elite and…
World Leading Sex Therapist – How To Avoid Having Bad Sex – Kate Moyle
In this week’s podcast I am sharing some of my own sexual experiences which I have never shared before – Things which have gone well and what has caused some relationships, I’ve cared deeply about…
A Billionaire’s Guide To Healing Your Mind And Extending Your Life – Christian Angermayer
My guest this week is Christian Angermayer. Christian is a friend and definitely the most interesting person I know. He has founded and invested in businesses in some of the most fascinating and mind-blowing areas…
Jack Maynard: The Untold Story: How Being Thrown Out The Jungle Changed My Life Forever
Jack Maynard is a British YouTuber who is best known for his parodies, vlogs and collaborations with other famous YouTubers including Joe Sugg, Oli White and Caspar Lee. Jack’s Youtube channel took off extremely quickly, amassing…
Extremely Honest Q&A
For this weeks podcast I decided I was going to do something a little bit different. This week all of you will be interviewing me. I asked you to ask me any question you like…