You've probably noticed that everyone with a microphone and an internet connection thinks they have something groundbreaking to say about "living your truth." It's exhausting. Most of these shows feel like they were scripted by a corporate HR department trying to sound edgy. But then there’s The Authentic Society Podcast. It’s different. Honestly, it feels less like a polished production and more like sitting in on a conversation you weren't supposed to hear. It hits different because it tackles the messiness of being a person in a world that constantly asks us to be a brand.
The show doesn't just talk about authenticity; it lives in the friction of it.
The Authentic Society Podcast is hosted by Nate Clayberg. If you haven't heard of him, he's a guy who spends a lot of time thinking about how people find their "why." He isn't just some random influencer. He’s a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and a Certified Career Services Provider. That’s a mouthful, but basically, it means he knows how to look under the hood of a person's life and figure out why the engine isn't turning over. He brings that analytical but deeply human lens to every episode.
What Most People Get Wrong About The Authentic Society Podcast
People hear the word "authentic" and they immediately think of those "Live, Laugh, Love" signs or Instagram influencers crying on camera for engagement. That's not what's happening here. The Authentic Society Podcast isn't about performative vulnerability. It’s about the actual, boring, sometimes painful work of alignment.
Alignment is a big word for Nate.
He talks a lot about the intersection of who you are, what you do, and how the world sees you. Most of us are living in a three-way tug-of-war between those things. You have your "work self," your "family self," and that weird, quiet version of you that only exists when you're driving alone at 11:00 PM. The show explores how to make those three people start talking to each other. It’s about integration.
One of the most refreshing things about the show is the variety of guests. You’ll get a CEO one week and a creative freelancer the next. But they aren't there to give you a "top five tips for success" list. They’re there to talk about the time they realized they were living someone else’s life. That’s the core of the show. It asks: When did you stop pretending?
The "Identity Gap" and Why It Matters
Nate often dives into what he calls the identity gap. This is the space between your potential and your current reality. We all feel it. It’s that low-grade anxiety that hums in the background of your day. The podcast uses real-world stories to bridge that gap.
For example, he’s had guests like Jeff Meyer, who talks about "Fearless Awake" living. They dig into the idea that most people are walking around in a trance, following a script they didn't write. The conversations get deep. Fast. We're talking about the psychological barriers that keep people from pursuing what actually matters to them, whether that’s a career change or just setting better boundaries with their parents.
It’s not just "self-help." It’s more like a philosophy for the modern worker.
Why Nate Clayberg's Approach Stands Out
There are thousands of career podcasts. Most of them are focused on "the hustle." They want to tell you how to optimize your LinkedIn profile or how to negotiate a 10% raise. While that’s fine, it’s superficial. The Authentic Society Podcast assumes that if you don't know who you are, a 10% raise is just going to make you a slightly wealthier person who is still miserable.
Nate uses the CliftonStrengths framework a lot.
If you aren't familiar, it’s a tool that identifies your natural talents. But instead of just giving you a PDF of your results, the podcast explores how those strengths manifest in the real world. If your top strength is "Achiever," the show might explore how that actually makes it hard for you to rest or feel satisfied. It’s nuanced. It acknowledges that your greatest strength is often your greatest weakness if you don't have a handle on it.
The Guests Aren't Just Reading Press Releases
Have you ever listened to a podcast where the guest is clearly just there to sell a book? It’s the worst. You can hear the "marketing voice" from a mile away.
On The Authentic Society Podcast, the vibe is different. Because Nate is a coach by trade, he asks coaching questions. He pushes back. He looks for the "glitch in the matrix"—that moment where a guest says something that contradicts their public persona. He’s looking for the truth, not the talking point.
They’ve covered topics ranging from:
- How to pivot careers when you feel "too old" (spoiler: you aren't).
- The role of faith and spirituality in professional life without being "preachy."
- Building businesses that actually reflect your values rather than just chasing a profit margin.
- Navigating the "mid-life unravelling" that happens when the ladder you've been climbing is leaning against the wrong wall.
It’s heavy stuff, but it’s handled with a sort of Midwestern pragmatism that keeps it from feeling too "woo-woo."
The Reality of Living Authentically in 2026
Let's be real. In 2026, the pressure to "curate" is higher than ever. We have AI tools that can rewrite our thoughts to be more professional and filters that can change our literal faces. In this environment, authenticity is actually a competitive advantage.
If you’re the only person in the room who isn't a carbon copy of a carbon copy, people notice.
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The Authentic Society Podcast argues that being yourself is actually the most practical business strategy you have. Why? Because you can’t be outcompeted at being you. If you’re trying to be the "best" version of someone else, there will always be someone faster, cheaper, or younger. But if you’re operating from a place of genuine strength and personal alignment, you’re in a category of one.
Breaking the "Standard Success" Myth
We’ve been sold a very specific version of what a "good life" looks like. Go to school, get the job, buy the house, wait for the weekend. The podcast spends a lot of time deconstructing this. It highlights people who took the "weird" path.
Maybe they quit the corporate gig to start a woodshop. Maybe they stayed in the corporate gig but changed how they lead their team. The "Society" part of the podcast title is important. It implies that we aren't doing this in a vacuum. We need a community of people who are also trying to be real. It’s hard to be authentic when everyone around you is wearing a mask. The show acts as a sort of digital community for the mask-wearers who are ready to take them off.
How to Actually Apply What You Hear
Listening is easy. Doing is hard. Nate knows this.
The show often wraps up with thoughts on how to take these big, philosophical ideas and actually do something with them on a Tuesday morning. It’t not about radical overnight shifts. Usually, it's about small, incremental changes in how you speak to yourself and how you manage your energy.
Audit your "Shoulds." Think about how many things you do because you "should." I should want that promotion. I should like this hobby. The podcast encourages you to look at those shoulds and see if they actually belong to you or if you inherited them from someone else.
Identify your Strengths. You don't necessarily have to take the CliftonStrengths test, though Nate would probably recommend it. Just pay attention to when you feel "in flow." When does time disappear? When do you feel energized instead of drained? That’s where your authenticity lives.
Find your "Society." Authenticity dies in isolation. You need at least one or two people who will tell you the truth and who you can be honest with. Whether that’s a coach, a spouse, or a friend, find the person who likes the unpolished version of you.
Stop waiting for permission. This is a recurring theme. No one is going to tap you on the shoulder and say, "Okay, you can be yourself now." You have to just start. It will feel awkward. People might even be annoyed by it because your change forces them to look at their own lack of alignment. Do it anyway.
The Authentic Society Podcast isn't going to solve your life. No podcast can. But it provides the mirror. It gives you the language to describe that feeling of "off-ness" you’ve been carrying around. If you’re tired of the surface-level hustle culture and you want to hear how real people navigate the actual challenges of being human, it’s a solid listen.
It’s about more than just a career. It’s about not reaching the end of your life and realizing you were a stranger to yourself.
Start by picking an episode that challenges a belief you currently hold. If you think you're "stuck," find an episode about career pivoting. If you think you're "not creative," find an episode with an artist. The goal is to break the internal narrative that keeps you small. Authenticity isn't a destination you reach; it's a practice you show up for every day. Nate and his guests are just there to remind you that you aren't the only one trying to figure it out.