Author James Clear on Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions | Tips To Extend Your Car’s Life - CBS Mornings on the Go Recap

Podcast: CBS Mornings on the Go

Published: 2025-12-30

Duration: 28 minutes

Guests: James Clear, Jonah Kaplan, Audra Fordin, Dr. John LaPook

Summary

This episode covers strategies for maintaining New Year's resolutions with James Clear, explores vehicle maintenance tips with Audra Fordin, and discusses potential Medicaid fraud in Minnesota.

What Happened

James Clear discusses the common pitfalls of New Year's resolutions and how small, incremental changes can lead to significant results. He highlights the idea of becoming 1% better every day and emphasizes the importance of clarity and progress as key motivators. Clear suggests focusing on identity change rather than specific outcomes to sustain resolutions.

Audra Fordin, owner of Great Bear Auto Repair, offers practical advice on extending the life of a car. She notes that preventative maintenance every 5,000 miles and replacing air filters can lead to significant savings on repair costs, which have risen by 38% since 2021.

Jonah Kaplan reports on an alleged fraud scandal involving daycare centers in Minnesota, where federal prosecutors warn that Medicaid fraud could reach $9 billion. The FBI has increased its investigative presence in the state following the viral video that sparked the investigation.

Dr. Jon LaPook provides insight into essential health checklists for the new year. He underscores the importance of having a primary care team and regular mental health screenings to maintain overall well-being.

The episode also touches on the rising costs of car ownership, with the average sticker price of a new vehicle now exceeding $51,000. This, coupled with 28% of Americans having auto loans greater than their vehicle's value, highlights the financial challenges facing car owners today.

James Clear's new book, 'The Atomic Habits Workbook,' is mentioned as a resource for those looking to keep their New Year's resolutions. The workbook offers strategies for making small changes that can lead to significant improvements, emphasizing systems over goals.

Key Insights

• Incremental improvements, such as becoming 1% better each day, can lead to significant long-term results, as they compound over time and contribute to sustained personal growth.
• Preventative car maintenance every 5,000 miles and regular air filter replacements can significantly reduce repair costs, which have increased by 38% since 2021.
• Federal prosecutors are investigating a potential Medicaid fraud scandal in Minnesota's daycare centers, with estimates suggesting the fraud could reach $9 billion.
• The average sticker price of a new vehicle now exceeds $51,000, and 28% of Americans have auto loans greater than their vehicle's value, highlighting the financial burden of car ownership.