Michael Smoak

Michael Smoak is coming to ACL Live at 3TEN on Thursday, Dec 3, for an evening built around the question of purpose and how to lead a life of fulfillment. Smoak is a thought leader and podcast host, and this isn't a standard lecture—the night is billed as an in-depth seminar and discussion, so it's meant to be a conversation rather than a one-way presentation.

The session combines a talk with live coaching and a Q&A, which is where the format really differs from a typical keynote. The coaching and the Q&A are designed to let the audience work through the ideas in real time, so you're not just listening to a set of points—you're applying them as they come up. If you've ever sat through a talk and walked away wondering how any of it actually fits into your own life, that's the part of the night that's meant to bridge that gap.

Smoak's background as a podcast host informs the whole thing. He's used to the conversational, question-and-answer style of a show, and that carries over into the room here. The focus stays on purpose and fulfillment, and the seminar format gives the ideas room to breathe rather than rushing through a list of takeaways. It's a night for anyone who's been thinking about those questions and wants to hear them worked out in a live setting.

It all happens at ACL Live at 3TEN, 310 West Willie Nelson Boulevard, in downtown Austin. The session starts at 8 PM on Thursday, Dec 3, so it's a weekday evening in the city.