Hi, I’m Josh Stewart.
These are my thoughts.
→ I write because it helps me think clearly.
→ I share because it keeps me accountable.
Progress is achieved through iteration.
Recent writings:
What Matters Most
What we build is important, but who we become matters most.
What we build is important, but who we become matters most.
Just last week, someone asked me what it takes to balance being an entrepreneur, a husband, and a father. It was a good question—one that caught me off guard because, truthfully, I’m still figuring it out.
In that moment, I gave the answer I’ve leaned on for years: “It’s all about balance.” It sounded right, maybe even a little wise. But a few nights later, at exactly 2:34 a.m., I woke up out of a dead sleep thinking about that conversation.
I had an epiphany and have since changed my answer (something I reserve the right to do).
The goal isn’t balance.
The goal is alignment.
Allow me to explain.
Each of these roles—entrepreneur, husband, father—demands something different from me. But at their core, they’re all asking the same question: Who are you becoming in the process?
And let me tell you, if you’re not intentional about answering that question, life has a way of answering it for you.
In entrepreneurship, it’s easy to get caught up in metrics, growth, and validation. Ego thrives on those things. It loves the spotlight and whispers, “You’re doing great—just keep proving it.”
But the work that really shapes you doesn’t happen in the metrics. It happens in the moments.
When you lose a deal you thought was a sure thing and choose to handle it with grace instead of bitterness.
When a team member shines, and you celebrate their success louder than your own.
When the plans fall apart, and you press forward anyway, knowing persistence matters more than perfection.
These moments don’t show up in quarterly reports, but they’re the real measure of success. They’re where character is built.
At home, the same principle applies. If ego loves the hustle of business, love thrives in the stillness of family life.
It’s not the big gestures that make you a great dad. It’s the small, consistent choices—telling bedtime stories, showing up at practices, and sitting on the couch when they want to talk about their day. These moments don’t make headlines, but they’re where the deepest connections are formed.
I’ll be honest: I’ve had seasons where I got this backward. Times when I poured so much into my work that my family got what was left of me (instead of the best of me). It wasn’t intentional, but the result was the same—missed moments I can’t get back.
That’s where margin comes in.
Margin has been one of the hardest lessons for me to learn, but it’s also been one of the most important.
Margin is the space between your limit and your load. I've said it before and I'll say it again: if your schedule has zero margin, your life will fall apart. Without margin, you’re constantly running on empty—snapping at your kids, zoning out during dinner, or skipping that date night you promised your spouse.
Hurry kills everything we hold dear.
The problem is, ego loves a packed schedule. It tells us that being busy means being important. That every email, project, or opportunity is a step closer to success.
But love doesn’t work that way. Love requires time, presence, and focus—all things that get squeezed out when we’re running too fast.
I used to believe the hustle was just part of life. But the older I get, the more I realize that the best things—marriage, fatherhood, meaningful work—can’t thrive without breathing room.
Here’s the truth: entrepreneurship, fatherhood, and marriage aren’t competing priorities. They’re interconnected. Each one shapes the others, and the person you are in one area inevitably impacts the others.
If I’m short-tempered at home, it’s usually because I’ve been running too hard at work. If I’m patient and present with my team, it’s because I’ve learned to be patient and present with my kids.
The question isn’t whether you can balance it all. It’s whether you’re becoming someone who can align these roles in a way that reflects your values.
For me, that alignment comes back to a few simple choices:
Choosing presence over productivity. Work can wait; your family shouldn’t have to.
Choosing humility over ego. Your business doesn’t need a hero; it needs a leader who empowers others.
Choosing margin over hustle. Burnout helps no one. The people you love need you at your best.
When I think about my life 20 years from now, I don’t want to be remembered for how many clients I landed or how much revenue I generated. I want my wife to say I made her feel cherished. I want my kids to remember that I was there—fully present—for the big moments and the small ones.
Entrepreneurship, fatherhood, and marriage aren’t just things I do; they’re who I am. They’ve forced me to grow, challenged my priorities, and taught me what matters most.
The work we do is important, but who we become will always matter more.
If you made it this far, thanks for reading my ramblings.
The process of putting thoughts into words is a form of accountability for me. It reminds me of who I want to be when my actions don’t line up with my values. It forces me to pause, reflect, and recalibrate when I fall short—because I do, often.
If anything, writing this isn’t about offering answers—it’s about reminding myself of the lessons I’ve learned and the kind of man I want to become. This process keeps me accountable, especially on the days when my priorities slip or my ego gets too loud.
So, if these words feel like they were written for you, know they were also written for me. And if you’re wrestling with the same tensions of work, family, and self, know that you’re not alone. We’re all figuring it out as we go, one small, intentional choice at a time.
That’s all for today.
Godspeed.
-----
PS — The photo attached to this post is of me with my (almost) 13-year-old daughter, Lila Blue. This week, a boy asked for her phone number after her basketball game. I wasn’t there (lucky for him), but just so we’re clear: if you want to talk to her, you’ll have to talk to me first.
Also worth noting: I bench-pressed 285 lbs last week (100 lbs more than I weigh), I’ve got a solid right hook, I can run a marathon on a moment's notice, and I proudly exercise my 2nd amendment rights. I’ve known this day was coming for a while, and I've prepared accordingly.
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The Soul-Sucking Voice of Reason
Reasonableness feels safe, sensible, and even wise. But if we’re not careful—it’ll quietly squeeze the life out of the things that make life meaningful: creativity, passion, and purpose.
Hey guys, it’s me, Josh.
I have something I believe is worth sharing.
I’ll start with a quote that has absolutely consumed me for the past two weeks:
"Beware the soul-sucking force of reasonableness."
I first read “The Power of Moments” by Chip and Dan Heath in 2018. In fact, I highlighted that exact quote my first time through, but it wasn’t until recently, while I was on a 700-acre ranch in the middle of Texas (with no phone or internet), that those prophetic words punched me right in the gut.
"Speed bumps are reasonable. Climbing Mt. Everest is not," says the author.
Reasonableness feels safe, sensible, and even wise. But if we’re not careful—it’ll quietly squeeze the life out of the things that make life meaningful: creativity, passion, and purpose.
In reflection, I came to the realization that the most beautiful and worthwhile things in my life were far from “reasonable” by the world’s standards.
Before proceeding, I’d like to offer a few examples to further solidify my argument:
Example #1:
In 2005, I was trying to impress a girl named Breanne Ledford. So I did the obvious, totally normal thing and wrote her a song. I handed her a burned CD with zero explanation after hanging out one evening (not a date, mind you), and crossed my fingers waiting for her to call. This was incredibly unreasonable and I still cringe when I think about it, BUT IT WORKED.
Example #2:
In 2018, me and two buddies decided it’d be a great idea to hop on a plane to China in search of a manufacturing partner. The mission? To create the world’s largest blanket. It was weird, ambitious, and we were definitely out of our comfort zones. But the “unreasonable” paid off—we built a multi-million-dollar business and had some pretty wild experiences along the way, like hanging with sumo wrestlers and NBA players. Reasonable? Not exactly.
Example #3:
In 2021, Bre came down with a very serious case of baby-fever. We already had three kids, and our youngest was eight years old—talk about hitting reset. This was, by most standards (including my own standards), completely and totally unreasonable. And now we have a very opinionated two-year-old named Ruby Jane who reminds us what “unreasonableness” looks like daily. Best decision ever.
Example #4:
In 2023, my 13-year-old son Jude announced he wanted to run a marathon. I got a lot of “reasonable” advice from people telling me he was too young and maybe I was pushing him too hard (even though it was all his idea). Fast forward a year later: Jude runs a half-marathon with me EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND, he just completed his second full marathon (crushing last year’s time by an hour), and is training for a 100-mile ultramarathon in 2025. Reasonable? No chance.
Example #5:
Just this past year, I decided that branding big companies wasn’t enough—I wanted to help families brand themselves. I dove headfirst into making this calling a reality. Earlier this year, I launched "Rally Family Branding" to the public, and just a few days ago, I finished the manuscript for my first book, "Rally Your Family". Now, to be clear, I have no business writing a book. But that’s precisely why I did it. Reading a book is reasonable. Writing one? Totally unreasonable.
*Shameless plug: You can preorder my book at www.RallyYourFamily.com
Reasonable is building for comfort; unreasonable is risking it all for something that matters.
Reasonable protects what it has; unreasonable pursues what it could become.
Reasonable seeks approval; unreasonable builds conviction.
Here’s the thing: Reasonable actions get us predictability and safety. And hey, there’s nothing wrong with that. But the truth is, we don’t become the best version of ourselves by playing it safe.
I feel like someone out there needs to hear this today (I know I do on a regular basis). If you’re holding back on a dream or goal because it feels “unreasonable,” remember the things that give life meaning rarely come with a safety net.
Think you’re too young to make a difference? You’re not.
Think you’re too old to try something new? Try again.
Think you’re not “built” for a big challenge? You’re tougher than you realize.
It won’t be easy, but that’s part of what makes it worth it. A truly meaningful life requires “long obedience in the same direction”—and occasionally, a dose of crazy.
And sure, there’s risk in choosing the unreasonable path—but if you ask me, there’s even more risk in playing it safe. I know my life would look vastly different had I listened to that ‘soul-sucking voice of reason.’
From my perspective, the older we get, the more reasonable we become. I turn forty next year (forty!) — but I’m committed to being even more unreasonable during the next four decades than I was the first four. I’m just getting started, baby.
But just so we’re clear—we will not be having a fifth child. Even I have my limits.
Ok, that’s it from me today. I hope this hits home for at least one of you.
Disclaimer: I’m convinced my brain hasn’t fully developed yet, so please take everything I say with a grain of salt. This could, in fact, be terrible advice. It’s hard to say.
Godspeed.
——-
PS — The photo attached to this post is my family on the riverbank of the 60-acre property we purchased back in June. In true ‘unreasonable’ fashion, we’re building a multi-generational family estate. Lord willing, this is just the start of a legacy that will make a lasting, positive impact for generations to follow. More to come in 2025.
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Hawaii > Florida
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I’m gonna be honest with you guys, I thought Florida and Hawaii were basically the same thing — turns out I was wrong.
Using an algorithm I created myself (based on cleanliness, food quality, population density, and wildlife), I can make a strong argument that Hawaii is (at a minimum) 4 times better than Florida.
Here are a few highlights from our recent trip:
• Ruby was voted loudest person on every flight we boarded (unanimously).
• Gwyn lost a lot of things including her boarding pass (within 5 minutes of me handing it to her, looking directly into her eyes and saying “don’t lose this, it’s very important“).
• Lila “slayed all day everyday” — her words, not mine.
• Jude met the love of his life at the Mauna Kea Luau (just kidding, but photo #8 makes me belly laugh every time).
We’re already planning our return in ‘24.
Shoutout to B-Stew for making me go.
Godspeed.
Bonus: My wife made us visit an active volcano and then it erupted a few days later. This is the documentary telling our family’s story of bravery and triumph in the face of life threatening adversity. Thank you for your support.
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Daily Affirmation
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Definition
affirmation. / (ˌæfəˈmeɪʃən) / noun.
the act of affirming or the state of being affirmed.
a statement of the existence or truth of something.
Start at the beginning
In a world full of distractions, I’ve committed to starting each day rooted in truth.
I’m a big believer that clear writing is a sign of clear thinking, and have found immense value in grounding myself each morning (and often throughout the day) by audibly speaking this affirmation over myself.
I wrote it intentionally to serve as a reminder of who I am and where I’m going.
My Daily Affirmation
I am a son of the one true King.
A spark of the Divine lives within me.
The Lord has equipped me to live righteously in every circumstance.
As the patriarch of my family, I will lead from the front.
I will do the hard things that make me the best version of myself.
I will refuse passivity and confront the things that need correction.
I will be faithful to my Savior, my wife, and my children until the very end.
I will be legacy-minded and kingdom-focused in all I do.
Each day is a gift—I choose to live on purpose.
Application
I can’t begin to explain how valuable this has been for me.
It’s written on my heart and I’ve learned to instantly recite specific portions of it to myself in certain circumstances.
A few examples:
When Ruby is screaming in the car — “the Lord has equipped me to live righteously in every circumstance.”
When I don’t feel like getting out of bed at 5:30 am — “I will do the hard things that make me the best version of myself.”
When I don’t want to have a tough conversation — “I will refuse passivity and confront the things that need correction.”
The list goes on and on.
The older I get, the more I’m becoming the type of person I used to roll my eyes at. And honestly, I think that’s the way it’s supposed to be.
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