Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
Finding Focus, Fulfillment & The Power of Serendipity
Special Guest: Steven Puri
Free giveaway https://www.paulieskaja.com/opt-in1
In this episode, I sit down with Steven Puri, founder and CEO of Sukha Co., a company dedicated to helping people improve focus and work-life balance. Steven takes us on a fascinating journey through his career—from interviewing newsmakers as a teenager to working as a junior software engineer, then breaking into the world of Hollywood visual effects. He shares behind-the-scenes stories from blockbuster films like Independence Day and Braveheart and his leadership experience at 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks, where he oversaw major franchises like Die Hard, Wolverine, Star Trek, and Transformers.
We dive into the evolution of filmmaking, exploring how action sequences and CGI have changed storytelling. Steven reflects on the thrill of working with top-tier action writers and what he misses most about Hollywood—mainly the creative spark of original storytelling. But ultimately, he realized that working on endless sequels wasn’t fulfilling. That’s when he shifted gears to something more meaningful—helping people find clarity and productivity in their lives.
Steven gets real about feeling overwhelmed and procrastinating, particularly in the mornings, and how he developed strategies to combat those struggles. His journey led him to build a focus-driven community and create the Sukha app, rooted in the Sanskrit concept of deep, fulfilling happiness. He shares how productivity isn’t just about getting things done—it’s about building a life filled with joy, connection, and purpose.
We also talk about the power of serendipity and how success often comes from unexpected opportunities. Steven shares wisdom from his parents—what he calls “Cliffisms”—and how life lessons shape our choices and perspectives.
Key Takeaways:
- Overwhelm and procrastination often come from a lack of clarity—getting clear on what you truly want is the first step.
- Serendipity plays a huge role in success; staying open to life’s twists and turns can lead to amazing opportunities.
- Creativity thrives when the mind is engaged in something else—capture those fleeting ideas before they disappear!
- True productivity isn’t about grinding harder—it’s about building a life that allows for joy, connection, and meaning.
We wrap things up with a lighthearted chat about Christmas traditions, favorite holiday movies (yes, Die Hard is one of them!), and, of course, chocolates.
Tune in and discover how you can bring more focus, fulfillment, and serendipity into your life!