Joe Boyd on the Call to Adventure, Overcoming Fear, and Writing Your Own Story

Joe Boyd:

• Instagram: @yesandjoeboyd
• Called for Adventure: calledforadventure.com
• Speaking Requests: joeboyd.net
  

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Most of us reject our true calling before we ever say yes to it. We feel the pull, but fear makes us resist—until something forces us forward. – Joe Boyd

Joe Boyd has spent his life at the intersection of storytelling, faith, and transformation. From seminary to stand-up comedy, from pastoring to producing films, his journey has been anything but linear. Today, as a consultant, speaker, and storyteller, Joe helps individuals and organizations navigate change by embracing the narrative framework of the Hero’s Journey—a path that always begins with a call to adventure.

But here’s the problem: most of us resist that call. We talk ourselves out of it. We cling to certainty, even when we know deep down it’s time for something new. Joe’s story offers a powerful lens for understanding why we hesitate—and how to move forward anyway.

In this episode, Joe shares:

👉 Why most of us reject our calling before we ever say yes—and how fear keeps us stuck.
👉 How self-preservation convinces us to stay in situations that no longer serve us, even when we know it’s time to move on.
👉 The surprising power of writing your future story—and how it can create clarity and momentum.
👉 Why failure and loss aren’t obstacles to growth but the very things that make transformation possible.
👉 How flourishing isn’t about doing more—it’s about leaning into what you’re already great at.

Joe’s journey—from pastoring to improv, from filmmaking to coaching—reveals the patterns we all face in transition. If you’ve ever felt stuck between where you are and where you know you need to be, this episode is for you.

Rejecting the Call: Why We Resist Change (Even When We Know It’s Time)

Joe describes his own journey as “meandering.” From early childhood, storytelling was his natural language. He loved Bible stories—not as moral lessons, but as grand epics, no different from Star Wars or Marvel. That love led him to seminary, then church leadership, where he built a successful ministry in Las Vegas.

But despite outward success, something felt off.

I was pastoring, but I was questioning my own faith. And when you’re a pastor, questioning your faith isn’t just personal—it’s vocational trauma.

That tension eventually pushed him out of full-time ministry and into an unexpected new world: improv comedy. Trained by The Second City, Joe spent years performing on the Las Vegas Strip before transitioning into film, production, and business leadership. But even then, fear and self-preservation kept him from making the leap to his true calling.

I think I knew it was time to start doing my own thing, but I kept saying no to it. I told myself I needed stability. I let the fear of the unknown keep me stuck. And it took longer than it needed to.

💡Most of us say no before we say yes—not because we don’t hear the call, but because fear convinces us we’re not ready. The truth? No one ever feels ready. The call always comes before we feel prepared.

The Fear of Stepping Into Something Bigger

So, what keeps us stuck? Why do we resist change, even when we know deep down it’s the right move?

According to Joe, the answer is simple: self-preservation.

Even when we’re miserable, at least we know what tomorrow will look like. Fear tells us that the unknown might be worse. And so we stay.

This is why so many people stay in dysfunctional jobs, relationships, or situations long past their expiration date. Certainty—even painful certainty—feels safer than the unknown.

And here’s where it gets deeper: it’s not just fear of loss. It’s fear of inadequacy.

It’s one thing to fear losing your job. It’s another to fear that you don’t actually have what it takes to do something else. And that kind of fear is sneaky. It keeps you in place way longer than you should be.

Joe’s turning point came when he finally acknowledged this fear—and realized it wasn’t based on reality. He had the skills, the experience, and the passion. He just had to start saying yes.

💡If you feel stuck, ask yourself: Am I actually trapped? Or am I just afraid I don’t have what it takes? Fear lies. The truth is, you already have everything you need to take the next step.

The Power of Writing Your Future into Existence

One of Joe’s core practices for navigating transition is an exercise he calls “writing your future story.”

Most of us live in the tension between where we are and where we want to be. But until we articulate that vision, it’s just a vague feeling. Writing it down forces clarity. And once you see it, you start to believe it.

Joe uses this exercise in his workshops, guiding people to write a vivid, detailed vision of their life five years from now. Not just what they hope will happen, but what they are actively creating.

The result?

Once you believe something is possible, you start seeing the pathways to make it happen. The fear starts to fade because the future isn’t just a scary unknown anymore—it’s something you’re already stepping into.

Joe experienced this firsthand. When he wrote his own five-year vision, he assumed his career shift would take years. In reality, it took seven months. Once he wrote it down, the path became clear.

💡If you feel stuck, try this: Write a detailed vision of your life five years from now. Where are you? What work are you doing? How do you feel? The act of writing clarifies your desires—and makes the next steps obvious.

The Role of Pain and Failure in Growth

Joe believes that every transformation is preceded by pain.

Failure and loss aren’t obstacles to growth. They are growth. Every great story includes struggle because struggle is what makes us change.

He points to the wisdom of Richard Rohr, who teaches that life has two halves:
1️⃣ The first half is about building—creating an identity, chasing success, proving yourself.
2️⃣ The second half is about surrender—letting go, mentoring others, and living with open hands.

Many people never transition to that second half because they resist the pain that forces growth. But Joe has found that pain—when faced honestly—always leads to something new.

If something dies in your life, something else is about to live. That’s just how it works. But you can’t rush the process. You have to let yourself grieve first.

💡If you’re experiencing loss—whether it’s a job, a relationship, or a dream—trust that it’s making space for something new. Grieve fully, but don’t cling to what’s gone. New life is already on the way.

Flourishing: What It Means to Live Fully Alive

When asked what flourishing looks like to him today, Joe’s answer is simple:

Flourishing means knowing who I am and doing what I’m great at. No more chasing things I ‘should’ do—just fully stepping into the work I was meant to do.

For Joe, this means:

✔ Using his gifts fully. No more trying to round out weaknesses—just leaning into his natural strengths.
✔ Helping others step into their stories. Acting less as the hero and more as the guide.
✔ Staying present. Not obsessing over the past or future, but living fully in this moment.

💡Flourishing isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being fully you. Stop trying to be everything to everyone. Step into the role you were made for.

Where to Connect with Joe Boyd

Joe’s work helps people step into their own Call to Adventure—whether they’re navigating career shifts, personal transitions, or simply seeking clarity on their next step.

👉 Website: calledforadventure.com
👉 Instagram: @yesandjoeboyd

If you’re feeling stuck between where you are and where you know you need to be, Joe’s message is clear: The call has already come. You don’t have to feel ready. You just have to start walking.