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The Brian Buffini Show

Matthew McConaughey – an Interview on His New Book, “Greenlights” #261

The Brian Buffini Show

Brian Buffini

Entrepreneur, Brian Buffini, Business, Entrepreneurship, Coaching, Good, Life

4.82.4K Ratings

🗓️ 19 January 2021

⏱️ 40 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

“Somewhere down the line in life, in the rearview mirror, all yellows and reds I believe do eventually turn green - or at least reveal a greenlight asset in our life.” – Matthew McConaughey

 

Often, the setbacks that stop us or slow us down in life actually help us to ultimately succeed. In this episode, Brian interviews actor Matthew McConaughey about his memoir, “Greenlights.” Matthew explains how, through all of the successes, failures, joys and sorrows he has experienced, he has found happiness and meaning in his life. He also describes how, by learning to effectively deal with life’s challenges, you can always keep moving forward and enjoy a state of success he calls “catching greenlights.”

 

READ FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

 

YOU WILL LEARN:

  • How “The Greatest Salesman in the World” powerfully impacted him.
  • How his father’s death refocused his priorities.
  • Why he “unbranded” himself to move away from rom-coms to more dramatic roles.

 

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Greenlights,” by Matthew McConaughey

Greenlights

The Greatest Salesman in the World,” by Og Mandino

Emerson's Essays,” by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Self-Reliance,” by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Raising Arizona,” movie

 

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE:

“When faced with the inevitable, get relative.” – Matthew McConaughey

“Be less impressed with things; be more involved.” – Matthew McConaughey

“We all know that, to succeed, we need to do good, hard work. But is it the right kind of hard work?”  – Matthew McConaughey

“When you go and you endure something and you're kind of taking a penance, with each day you kind of build a little bit more honor and strength.” – Matthew McConaughey

“I've never had any trouble turning the page in the book of my life.” – Coach Darrell Royal

“We are the author of our own book.” – Matthew McConaughey

“The way to find the greenlights is by persistence, or pivot or … sometimes knowing when to wave the white flag.” – Matthew McConaughey


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Transcript

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0:00.0

Music

0:14.0

Welcome to the Brian Bafini Show, where we explore the mindsets, motivation and methodologies of success.

0:20.0

Here's your coach, Brian Bafini.

0:23.0

Music

0:40.0

Top of the morning, Tio. Welcome to the Brian Bafini Show, very special guest today.

0:45.0

Oscar winning actor, he's a storyteller, committed husband, father, man of faith.

0:50.0

A most importantly, a man with a rich Irish heritage, Mr. Matthew McConaughey.

0:54.0

And I know you guys know as work, whether it be days and confused, interstellar,

0:59.0

dollars, buyers, club and a true detective and a dozen other great movies I can mention.

1:04.0

But he's written this incredibly popular book called Green Lights.

1:08.0

I was just telling Matthew I read this over the holidays.

1:11.0

You guys know how much I read, how many books I talk about.

1:15.0

This was a kick in the pants. It was good for what ails you as my mother used to say.

1:20.0

And it's just a breath of fresh air.

1:24.0

And we're delighted to have him on the show today.

1:26.0

Matthew, welcome to the show. Thanks for taking some time for us.

1:29.0

Good morning, Brian. Good to be here, man. I'm into whatever's good for whatever ails you.

1:34.0

Yeah. Well, you got it. You know, and you know how the Irish pronounce your name as well.

1:39.0

You know, I want to dive right in. Tell the folks what a green light is.

1:42.0

So green light, I mean, literally on the highway, it's a light that says go on, proceed.

1:48.0

It affirms our way. At a boy. Yes, man, more, please, freedom.

1:53.0

Yes. We love green lights because they do all those things and they do not slow us down or get in our way.

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