Sustainable Ambition

Many of us want to make a positive impact and gain fulfillment with the work we do. Caroline Ouwerkerk is a career and leadership coach who works with people in the social impact space to help them find their purpose and pursue it sustainably. Today, Caroline shares the structures she has put in place for herself to help her disconnect from work, how she models sustainable leadership, how to think about right-sizing our efforts, and the importance of connecting with community.Learn more about Caroline Ouwerkerk:WebsiteConnect on LinkedInThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

How can we sustain our engagement in our work and make our careers regenerative?Continuing the series of conversations about managing our work ambitions over time and at different stages of leadership, I'm joined today by Aybala Şimşek Galpin, CEO of the Turkish bank, Şekerbank.Aybala's story illustrates how our environment and cultural context shape our ambitions. Her career path also shows that alignment of meaning and motivation can sustain us even through periods of intense effort.Learn more about Aybala Şimşek Galpin:Şekerbank: https://www.sekerbank.com.tr/enThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

Learning to embrace leadership and think intentionally about the kind of leader we want to be is important, regardless of where we are in our careers. It's relevant whether we're leading a whole team or just ourselves.Today, Pete Steinberg and I dig into what it means to be a leader and to step into that role.If you're starting a new leadership role at work, it may be time to rethink your leadership approach and consider the kind of leader you want to be in order to make it a more satisfying, sustainable position of authentic leadership.Learn more about Pete Steinberg:WebsiteInnovative ThoughtInstagram: @petesteinbergConnect on LinkedInLeadership Shock: Using Authenticity to Navigate the Hidden Dangers of Career SuccessThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

How do we stay engaged with our careers and make them feel sustainable and regenerative for the long haul?Today, master coach Meredith Mehlberg introduces common traps that keep us feeling stuck and dissatisfied at work, shares what gets us to the point where we can take action for change, plus offers reassurance that finding more fulfillment isn't as arduous as it may seem at the outset.Learn more about Meredith Mehlberg:WebsiteConnect on LinkedInYour Finest Work: Career Fulfillment in a Complicated World Your Finest Work Self-Assessment and Action GuideThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

If you are a workaholic or have workaholic tendencies, you are not alone. Many of us struggle with overwork and assessing the right amount of effort to put towards our ambitions and priorities, without going overboard.Today, Dr. Malissa Clark, author of Never Not Working: Why the Always-On Culture Is Bad for Business—and How to Fix It, joins me for a conversation about workaholism and overwork, what drives it, why more people are struggling with it, and what organizations and individuals can do about it. Learn more about Malissa Clark:WebsiteConnect on LinkedInThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

What is work? And what is the role of work in our lives?For many Americans, work is a primary source of meaning and identity. But what if you embraced a more holistic identity?Today, I'm in conversation with Simone Stolzoff, author of The Good Enough Job, about the roles of work in our modern lives. Simone invites us to embrace more sides of ourselves as we write our stories and, through a broader lens on identity, be more intentional about the role of our work and the ambitions we pursue.Learn more about Simone Stolzoff:WebsiteInstagram: @thepizza_bagelThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

If you live and work in the U.S., you might have daydreamed about finding better work-life balance by moving to another country with different norms and structures around work. But what if the challenges of navigating life and work in the modern world are more pervasive than we think? France-based coach and consultant Sandra Fillaudeau joins me to dig into the challenges French professionals face with work-life integration, how those issues are reflected cross-culturally, and what shifts individuals and organizations can make to help us better navigate the dynamic nature of our lives and work in the modern world.Learn more about Sandra Fillaudeau:Conscious CulturesLes ÉquilibristesConnect on LinkedInThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

Sustainable Ambition is a practice and a journey that is ever-changing and each of our journeys is unique to us.In this episode, I reflect on the Summer Book Series, how I was impacted by the concepts I shared in those episodes, and what I have been learning about Sustainable Ambition over the last several months.I also want to share updates on where I am in my own journey of Sustainable Ambition, not just based on the books, but a view of how I am doing with sustaining my ambition over time and not sacrificing my life or myself in the process.Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

Part of pursuing Sustainable Ambition is examining how we can live our lives more fully, and with more purpose, without sacrificing ourselves.Today's guest, speaker and author, Jodi Wellman, calls us to look death in the face in order to become more alive. And while this might sound dour or heavy, it really isn't.Jodi shares her philosophy for crafting a life well-lived, and it doesn't always require us to make huge changes in our lives. Small things, done in service of our needs, preferences, and goals, really do add up when we stop procrastinating and start living.Learn more about Jodi Wellman:Four Thousand Mondays: https://fourthousandmondays.comInstagram: @fourthousandmondaysConnect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fourthousandmondays/Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

We hear a lot about resilience these days. We say people who overcome obstacles and challenges in life and work must be so resilient. But is that the only way to build our resilience muscles? What does it mean to build resilience in practice?Building resilience is essential to Sustainable Ambition, both to grow in and navigate our careers over time, and to create the lives we desire and sustain ourselves in the process. Today I'm joined again by Luis Velasquez to dig into how we build the resilience that allows us to face challenges and not only survive, but thrive.Learn more about Luis Velasquez:Velas Coaching: http://velascoaching.comConnect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/velasquezluis/Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

Over the months of June and July episodes, I've been sharing books that have delighted me. Some of them have been written by past guests, while others are new books that have really inspired me to think more deeply about sustainability. My hope in sharing these books with you is that you'll be inspired, as I was, and think differently about how you operate this summer. Through this summer book series, perhaps you'll start asking important questions, like, “Well, what do I really want? What is enough? What is worth it? Where might I be settling? And where and when can I allow myself to choose sustainability?” Today's episode is the last in the series and this is for the explorers and the questioners, and those who are looking for a break.Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

This summer and over the June and July episodes, I am sharing books that have really delighted me. Some of them have been written by past guests, while others are new books that have really inspired me to think more deeply about sustainability. My hope in sharing these books with you is that you'll be inspired, as I was, and think differently about how you operate this summer. Through this summer book series, perhaps you'll start asking important questions, like, “Well, what do I really want? What is enough? What is worth it? Where might I be settling? And where and when can I allow myself to choose sustainability?” Today's episode is for those who need inspiration to find inspiration.Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

Over the months of June and July, I will be sharing books that have really delighted me. Some of them have been written by past guests, while others are new books that have really inspired me to think more deeply about sustainability. My hope in sharing these books with you is that you'll be inspired, as I was, and think differently about how you operate this summer. Through this summer book series, perhaps you'll start asking important questions, like, “Well, what do I really want? What is enough? What is worth it? Where might I be settling? And where and when can I allow myself to choose sustainability?” Today's episode offers points for reflection to inspire you to think about what is worth your ambition and effort. What do you do to sustain yourself to support putting in the effort?Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

This summer and over the four episodes in June and July, I will be sharing books that have really delighted me. Some of them have been written by past guests, while others are new books that have inspired me to think more deeply about sustainability. My hope in sharing these books with you is that you will be inspired, as I was, and think differently about how you operate this summer. Through this summer book series, perhaps you'll start asking important questions, like, “Well, what do I really want? What is enough? What is worth it? Where might I be settling? And where and when can I allow myself to choose sustainability?” This episode is for those of us who may need permission to ease into summer and to play a little. Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

How can the arts support our ability to thrive and flourish in life and work?As part of my continuing conversations about creativity and how it intersects with Sustainable Ambition, I'm talking with Dr. Tasha Golden about the role of art in our evolution and its power to help us express ourselves more fully. We also discuss the dangers of “robotic” behavioral norms to our physical and mental wellbeing and how reimagining identity as an evolving narrative rather than a fixed point can help us let go of (some of) our angst and uncertainty as we grow.Learn more about Tasha Golden:Website: https://www.tashagolden.com/sustainableInstagram: @tasha.golden LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/tashagolden/Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

If asked, most of us would likely say that we want to live with a sense of meaning and purpose. But how many of us truly put that intention front and center in how we make choices for ourselves? In this episode, I'm continuing conversations that explore how creative practices can help us come to a deeper understanding of our ambitions and support us as we seek to live and work in meaningful ways.Podcast executive producer and audio artist, Emily Shaw, joins me to talk about her pursuit of meaning and enjoyment in her life, following her curiosity, how she sustains her personal creative practices, the importance of “doable” goals, and the benefits of embracing discomfort.Learn more about Emily Shaw:WebsiteConnect with Emily on LinkedIn IG: @emilyshawcreates Twitter: @emshawcreatesCandy Ears PodcastThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

Can engaging in creative practices help us on our journey of Sustainable Ambition? Can we apply creative practices to live and work in more fulfilling and satisfying ways?To begin answering those questions, I am joined today by Doug Neill, founder of Verbal to Visual.Doug and I discussed the impact of visual thinking and how it can unlock creativity and improve comprehension. Doug believes that even if you don't consider yourself creative you can discover doodling and sketchnoting as a powerful thinking tool. We also talked about how visualization can help us better understand our commitments and aid in our pursuit of Sustainable Ambition.Learn more about Doug Neill:Verbal to VisualYouTube: @verbaltovisualSimply Sketched SubstackThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

Do you have a hard time allowing your ambitions to shift and change? Do you feel uncomfortable when at times you don't feel as committed to your ambitions? I want to challenge these dominant narratives about success and ambition. So today, I'm digging into why evolving ambitions are inevitable, and even desirable, and offer three alternative ways to reframe ambition so it is sustainable over the course of our lives. Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

Are you afraid to ask yourself what you really, really want?Today's guest presents a compelling example of what it looks like to live boldly, with intention and imagination, from the inside out.Bonnie Wan joins me to discuss the journey of developing The Life Brief and expanding it from her own personal practice to something she now teaches others and brought to life in her new book, why you have to get messy to get clarity, and how to courageously create the life you want.Learn more about Bonnie Wan:The Life Brief WebsiteInstagram: @bonniewanofficialFacebook: @livingthelifebriefConnect with Bonnie on LinkedInThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

Having support structures in place is vital to sustaining our life and work ambitions particularly as we transition through different life stages.Entrepreneurs and people who are self-employed have an acute need for strong support structures because they tend to wear all the hats and stretch themselves too thin. Add in pregnancy and childbirth, and the need for strong support systems is even more intense for women entrepreneurs managing and running their businesses while also caring for new life and recovering from birth.As part of my periodic series where I invite guests across disciplines and experiences to share their insights into shifting narratives of work and life, I spoke with Arianna Taboada. She shares her unique perspective on the need for support systems, particularly for expecting entrepreneurs.Learn more about Arianna Taboada:The Expecting EntrepreneurInstagram: @theexpectingentrepreneurConnect with Adrianna on LinkedInGet the Postpartum Eco-MapThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

We all have ambitions for both our personal and professional lives. The question is how do we pursue them sustainably and with resilience so we can get fulfillment and joy from both. In this new post-pandemic environment, we need new ideas, narratives, and models to consider and to test for ourselves.As part of a new periodic series, I'm speaking with people from a variety of disciplines about how they live and work. In today's conversation with Ashley Donahey, we'll touch on how personal and professional dreams enrich our lives, how our ambitions evolve and take shape as we grow, and why it's so important to find ways to enjoy ourselves along the journey.Learn more about Ashley Donahey:Two Worlds WhiskeyInstagram: @twoworldswhiskeyConnect with Ashley on LinkedInThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

If you're feeling exhausted, overwhelmed or burned out, you're not alone. But rather than push or grind through it as so many of us try to do, today's guest offers a different approach: a resilience plan.In this conversation, Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier and I talk about consciously building a resilience plan so that we can operate at our best and achieve our goals and ambitions without burning out.Learn more about Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier:WebsiteConnect on LinkedInThe Resilience Plan: A Strategic Approach to Optimizing Your Work Performance and Mental HealthThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

As we leave January behind, many of us are still in the process of figuring out what we want out of this year. And it's not uncommon to long for a clear path forward as we do.That desire for clarity can put us on a path of aiming for what we should be doing or pursuing. But if our ambitions are going to be sustainable, we have to make them our own.Living with the ambiguity as we define our own ambitions can be a challenge. Today, I want to offer some ways of navigating the uncertainty with a bit more ease.Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

The world of work is changing. And it's not just about what industries are growing or shrinking. Attitudes, behaviors, beliefs, and motivations around work are all shifting.Connie Steele joins me today to discuss the fluid future of work and what it will take to succeed at leading ourselves and others in 2024 and beyond.Learn more about Connie SteeleWebsiteStrategic Momentum PodcastConnect with Connie on LinkedInInstagram: @conniewangsteeleBuilding the Business of YouThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

Welcome to 2024!As we look to a new year, I'm offering some ideas and reflections to set the tone as you craft the year ahead.I  talk about what the James Webb Space Telescope can teach us about shifting our own paradigms and give you several prompts to help you dial in your Sustainable Ambitions for 2024.Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

As we end 2023, I'd like to offer a few prompts and reflections to help you stay grounded as you navigate this challenging time and head into 2024.I truly believe that self-reflection is an important and powerful tool to help us learn about ourselves and craft a more positive and empowering narrative, with learning we can take forward into the future.My hope is that these ideas and prompts will help you end your year with a little more peace.Thanks for Listening!Give the gift of Sustainable Ambition: Check out these books!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

In today's special episode, my dear friend Sonya Thomas turns the tables and interviews me.We explore how the concept of Sustainable Ambition has evolved for me through the conversations I've had with my guests on the show and my research.  We discuss the  importance of defining success on personal terms, aligning ambitions with personal motivations, and the necessity of taking breaks. Sonya shares some of her own journey and experience with ambition and navigating career pivots, and I share updates on my book project.Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

What does it mean to find home? How do we develop a sense of belonging, whether to a place, a community, or even to our work?Today, I'll dive into these questions and more with returning guest, Amy Bonsall.We discuss making hard decisions feel lighter, why “squishy ground” is where the magic happens, and how building belonging helps us to flourish and create the life we want.Learn more about Amy Bonsall: Collective Instagram: @co.ll.ec.ti.ve Connect with Amy on LinkedIn Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

How do we sustain a successful career over time? When we define ambition and success on our own terms, based on what's important to us internally vs. an external yardstick, we can end up with a life and career that are fulfilling and sustainable. My guest today has embodied this approach in his long and successful corporate career and now in a new endeavor after retiring from his corporate role.In this episode, Doug Milliken shares his career journey and how he shaped his roles to align with what he loved to do, what he was good at, and what his organization valued from him. We also talk about how he shaped his team's culture to create psychological safety and honor people's gifts, resulting in increased engagement and higher performance, and how he's now carrying that experience forward into his latest ambition, a new business venture focused on helping companies build powerful cultures. Learn more about Doug Milliken: Creamer & Milliken Connect with Doug on LinkedIn Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

Crafting a fulfilling life and career is the work of a lifetime.My guest today is Karyn Flynn. Karyn has built a varied resume, stepped back from her career to focus on her family, and pivoted in and out of multiple fields and roles. Her trajectory hasn't been straight, but considering her purpose and values and continually leveraging her skills has allowed her to create a more fulfilling, sustainable career and life.She shares how building confidence through your skills and not your title can bolster you through major transitions and why getting clear on your values and holistic goals can help you create a well-rounded life.Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

In this episode, I'm joined by author and journalist Rainesford Stauffer.We discuss her new book, All the Gold Stars: Reimagining Ambition and the Ways We Strive, what happens when ambition defines us, the conversations we should be having about ambition, and getting curious about ambition with a more expansive, holistic view.Learn more about Guest Website Instagram: @rainesford_stauffer All the Gold Stars An Ordinary Age Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me a voice note, ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Go to: https://bit.ly/sapodcast-askOr simply send an email here: podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

Overwhelm can happen to anyone, even me.We can set goals and priorities, and they can be the right ambitions, but managing a packed schedule takes intention and thought if we want to avoid burnout.Today, I'm sharing some strategies that helped me make conscious decisions about how I was spending my time in pursuit of my goals during an active few months.Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me a voice note, ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Go to: https://bit.ly/sapodcast-askOr simply send an email here: podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

How can we craft our goals in ways that actually support our well-being? How can we reduce frustration and, in turn, increase fulfillment as we pursue our goals?Today, I'm thrilled to be joined by Valerie Tiberius. Valerie's work explores the ways in which philosophy and psychology contribute to the study of well-being and virtue. Her most recent book, What Do You Want Out of Life? A Philosophical Guide to Figuring Out What Matters has been especially relevant to the way I think about Sustainable Ambition, pursuing our goals, and navigating conflict around them.Learn more about Valerie Tiberius:WebsiteThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me a voice note, ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Go to: https://bit.ly/sapodcast-askOr simply send an email here: podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

Today, I'm in conversation with Ayelet Fishbach, an award-winning psychologist and prolific researcher on the science of motivation.We discuss how motivation connects to both ambition and how to manage our goals. You'll hear how we can make choices about where we want to pull ourselves and how to create the circumstances that best support our efforts. We also delve into the idea that it's okay to be ambitious and try to do a lot in our lives, while also needing to hold our goals and ambitions lightly so that we can offer ourselves more kindness around the pursuit of our goals.Learn more about Ayelet Fishbach:WebsiteThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me a voice note, ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Go to: https://bit.ly/sapodcast-askOr simply send an email here: podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

What lies at the intersection of ambition and expectation? On today's episode, I'm welcoming back Wade Brill to discuss just that. We start first by getting clear—what are definitions of ambitions, ambitious, and expectations? And how do we manage when expectations are present? Expectations are tricky to manage and can cause a lot of suffering. Wade shares practical advice for noticing when expectations are present and how we can have more compassion for ourselves as we navigate these intersections, and we talk about learning to work with expectations to bring more ease into our lives. If you've been struggling with managing expectations of yourself or from others, this episode is for you. Learn more about Wade Brill Website Centered in the City Centered in the City Podcast Instagram: @OneWade Connect with Wade on LinkedIn Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me a voice note, ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Go to: https://bit.ly/sapodcast-askOr simply send an email here: podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

How do we help the next generation define success on their own terms?My guest, Irena Smith, offers wisdom and advice from her years of experience working with college applicants and her own life experience in her memoir, The Golden Ticket: A Life in College Admissions Essays.Her book explores the college application process from the perspective of a parent, college counselor, and admissions officer. She challenges the societal expectations of success, especially for young people, and encourages parents to meet their children where they are and not to force them into pursuing a passion just because it's expected.Many of Irena's insights don't apply solely to young people. In fact, from my perspective, many of the college application questions in her book are good self-reflection questions for us older folks, too, and the questions Irena raises are important for us to consider as we continue to shape and grow our notions of success throughout our lives.In our conversation, we explore the impact and consequences of well-intentioned expectations, be it if they are parental or societal, and we cover the topics of ambition, striving, finding one's spark, and more.Learn more about Irena Smith: Website Sierra Admissions Consulting Facebook Twitter: @irenawrites Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me a voice note, ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Go to: https://bit.ly/sapodcast-askOr simply send an email here: podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

What can we learn about Sustainable Ambition from amazing women who are changing the world?Today I'm talking with Lauren Schiller and Hadley Dynak about their new book, It's a Good Day to Change the World: Inspiration and Advice for a Feminist Future. The women in the book are taking on the seemingly intractable problems of our world and creating change one step at a time and there is so much we can learn from these stories and from the women who brought us the book.Learn more about Lauren Schiller: Inflection Point Instagram: @inflectionpointradio Facebook: @inflectionpointradio Learn more about Hadley Dynak:Peak86Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me a voice note, ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Go to: https://bit.ly/sapodcast-askOr simply send an email here: podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

It's easy to get caught in the loop of looking to external markers of success and constantly striving toward ever-moving goalposts of what it means to be successful.Today, I'm in conversation with the CEO of Hello!Lucky, Sabrina Moyle.Sabrina shares her journey through founding the company with her sister, redefining success on her own terms, and the inner work she's done to support creating a sustainable, creative, joyful life for herself and her family. We discuss finding our purpose in our day-to-day and she shares valuable insight about managing time and nurturing the community around us.Learn more about Sabrina Moyle: Hello!Lucky Instagram: @helloluckycards @helloluckykids Escargot for It: A Snail's Guide to Finding Your Own Trail & Shell-ebrating Success Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me a voice note, ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Go to: https://bit.ly/sapodcast-askOr simply send an email here: podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

What is performance and what does it mean to perform?For many, performance implies being inauthentic. But what if we defined performance as being wholly present, uninhibited by our fears, and unrestrained in expressing our instincts?In today's episode, I'm reflecting on my conversations with D'Arcy Webb and Charles Gilbert and on what it really means to perform, how it intersects with our goals and doing our best work, and how it impacts the way we show up for others.Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me a voice note, ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Go to: https://bit.ly/sapodcast-askOr simply send an email here: podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

How do we sustain our ambition and creativity over time? Over a lifetime, even?I had the pleasure of sitting down with Charles (Charlie) Gilbert, a lifelong creative, a writer, a composer, a director, and a teacher. In this episode, Charlie talks about sustainable creative habits, how retirement has opened up new possibilities for his work, and his big ambitions for this chapter of his life. He also shares his perspective on defining success, particularly in an industry where rejection can be the norm, and the importance of support and partnership in pursuing creative goals.Ambition isn't just for the young. Both Charlie and D'Arcy demonstrate that we can be ambitious at any age, if we so choose. Learn more about Charlie Gilbert: Website Facebook: @chasgilbert LinkTr.ee The SAVI Singing Actor Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me a voice note, ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Go to: https://bit.ly/sapodcast-askOr simply send an email here: podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

Today, I'm in conversation with D'Arcy Webb.D'Arcy is an award-winning speech and vocal coach with decades of experience and decades of sustained ambition. In this episode, D'Arcy talked about what it's like to be ambitious at this stage of her life and how she's able to sustain her drive. She also talked about the power of using your voice, no matter your age, and how stepping into that kind of power can change your life. Learn more about D'Arcy Webb: Website Connect on LinkedIn Instagram: @darcythespeechdiva Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me a voice note, ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Go to: https://bit.ly/sapodcast-askOr simply send an email here: podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

What is sustainable? What is ambition?What happens when you put these two seemingly incongruous words together?Some people think they are mutually exclusive, but I disagree. In this episode, I dive into what I mean by each of these terms with a hope that you can better understand that these two words can live together, making you a believer in Sustainable Ambition, too.Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much.Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcast Send me a voice note, ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Go to: https://bit.ly/sapodcast-ask Or simply send an email here: podcast@SustainableAmbition.com Sign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

Today, I'm in conversation with Olga Trusova, author of the new design book, Calm Living.In this episode, Olga introduces us to design thinking principles and exercises that we can use to design our spaces and experiences so they work better for us and support us in doing our best work.She offers accessible ways to shape your space and how you work to really work for you, not against you, and to create calm instead of chaos.This is an invitation to make simple, accessible design choices to make your days more sustainable. Olga shows us how to do this with intention and experimentation.Let's step into Calm Living with Olga Trusova.Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcast Send me a voice note, ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Go to: https://bit.ly/sapodcast-ask Or simply send an email here: podcast@SustainableAmbition.com Sign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

Today I'm in conversation with Christina Wallace, author of the new book, The Portfolio Life: How to Futureproof Your Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger Than Your Business Card.Charles Handy coined the term Portfolio Life in 1989 to argue that your life's work shouldn't be defined by one job, but that it could be a collection of passions, interests, and hobbies. Christina expands that definition to include relationships, community, personal growth and impact, creating a full portfolio across work and life. In the episode, you'll hear how the portfolio life invites you to own your agency in crafting the life you deserve.Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcast Send me a voice note, ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Go to: https://bit.ly/sapodcast-ask Or simply send an email here: podcast@SustainableAmbition.com Sign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

Today, I'm joined by Jessica Marati Radparvar.Jessica serves as inspiration as someone who is practicing Sustainable Ambition, crafting a life with work that works for her. In Jessica modeling this for us, it makes it feel more possible for all of us to thrive in life and work.Jessica works in the field of sustainability, and regularly sees firsthand how building resilience is critical for impact practitioners who carry the weight of, and champion, making change in the world. As she says, “You can't drive change from an empty cup.”Today we'll discuss how Jessica practices Sustainable Ambition in her life and work, as well as cover the work she does to support changemakers in the world.Learn more about Jessica:ReconsideredConnect with Jessica on LinkedInThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get the full show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcast Send me a voice note, ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the podcast! Go to https://bit.ly/sapodcast-askOr, simply send an email: podcast@sustainableambition.comGet my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter. Sign up at sustainableambition.com/subscribe

In today's episode, I'm joined by Dana Miranda. Dana is the author of the forthcoming book, You Don't Need A Budget, and her work brings visibility and voice to the diverse experiences we have with money and finance that aren't currently being recognized and expressed in our culture.You might find for yourself that traditional financial and money management tips don't resonate with you, and Dana is offering new perspective through her media company, Healthy Rich.What you'll hear in today's conversation is how our work is inextricably tied to money, and our relationship with money is inextricably tied to both our histories and personal experiences and the goals we set for our lives. Getting comfortable with our own views on money can be foundational to our Sustainable Ambition.Let's hear how with Dana Miranda.Learn more about Dana Miranda:https://www.healthyrich.coLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/justdanamirandaThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get the full show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcast Send me a voice note, ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the podcast! Go to https://bit.ly/sapodcast-askOr, simply send an email: podcast@sustainableambition.comGet my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter. Sign up at sustainableambition.com/subscribe

Almost all of us know what it's like to struggle to stay focused and get work done.And so many of us are plagued by feeling too busy. It's hard to find time to do all we want or need to do, yet I wonder if part of our busyness problem is actually a distraction problem.In his book, Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life, Nir Eyal writes about the idea of, “people making time for what they want by making a conscious effort to control their time and attention.”So of course I was excited to speak with him about why we should take responsibility and set intentions around how we use our time, why we get distracted in the first place, and why we should be shooting for traction not just focus.Let's hear what Nir Eyal can teach us about becoming indistractable.Learn more about Nir Eyal:WebsiteConnect with Nir on LinkedIn Follow Nir on Youtube Twitter: @nireyalFacebook: @nirandfarInstagram: @neyal99Resources:Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your LifeFree Indistractable Bonus ContentThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get the full show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcast Send me a voice note, ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the podcast! Go to https://bit.ly/sapodcast-askOr, simply send an email: podcast@sustainableambition.comGet my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter. Sign up at sustainableambition.com/subscribe

During the pandemic, the cultural tides around work ambition turned. People were over their ambitions.Consider these stats: In 2022, Gartner found that more than 50% of surveyed workers said they were questioning the purpose of their jobs and the role work should play in their lives. Also in 2022, the Mckinsey Health Institute found that one in four employees experienced burnout symptoms. And in mid-2022, 29% of employees who resigned from their jobs said they did so for better work-life balance, according to the Society for Human Resource Management.Maybe you recognize yourself in one of those numbers. And yet as we move away from the pandemic, there is a thawing and a movement with people wanting to reclaim their ambition. I've been exploring ambition on the podcast for the last two years, and so for the 100th episode, I'm going to look back and reflect on conversations with guests, and how their insights and my research have sharpened my thinking about the three core pillars of Sustainable Ambition: Right Ambition, Right Time, and Right Effort.Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcast Send me a voice note, ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Go to: https://bit.ly/sapodcast-ask Or simply send an email here: podcast@SustainableAmbition.com Sign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

Introducing The Sustainable Ambition Podcast. Host Kathy Oneto talks with experts, authors, and friends with insight on her philosophy to life and work focused on three concepts: Right Ambition, Right Time, and Right Effort. On the podcast, Kathy shares ideas for navigating your career at different stages of life and work. You'll learn to define your own success. You'll embrace a consciously ambitious approach to better align life and work. And no matter what you choose to take on, you'll have the resilience to tackle the challenge and the practices you need to sustain your energy.Each new person who embraces Sustainable Ambition makes it easier for all of us to thrive in life and work.Thanks for Listening!Sign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter: sustainableambition.com/subscribeWhat question would you like to hear answered on the podcast? Send me a voice note: speakpipe.com/TheSustainableAmbitionPodcastOr simply email me to share feedback or ask a question: podcast@SustainableAmbition.com

Are you called to honor more than one side of yourself in your life and work? Then this episode is for you! You, too, might be an ampersand. Or perhaps we all could be if we weren't forced to choose.What is an ampersand you might ask? Meet Jessica Wan, an ampersand herself and host of The Ampersand Manifesto podcast. Jessica explains ampersands as those who are multi-passionate, lead double lives, and straddle two completely different worlds.In this conversation, learn more about Jessica's experience working in two worlds (a career in business and her career as a singer and performer) and the themes she's gleaned from the podcast interviews of others also leading double lives. Hear her counsel to shift away from feeling like we must choose, and rather to pay attention to what's calling to you at this moment, allowing yourself to step into a full identity.Jessica - Thank you for championing this movement for the ampersand life! And for encouraging us all to be holistic individuals, embracing multiples sides of ourselves.Resources MentionedFind Jessica: www.jessicawan.comReach Jessica: j@jessicawan.comThe Ampersand Manifesto Podcast: https://anchor.fm/ampersand-manifesto/episodes/Welcome-to-the-Ampersand-Manifesto-e1lnocgThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcast Send me a voice note, ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Go to https://bit.ly/sapodcast-ask or submit a question or comment for future episodes at podcast@SustainableAmbition.com I'd love to hear what's on your mind! Take the Sustainable Ambition Listener Survey: http://bit.ly/sapodcast-survey Get my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter. Sign up https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

Tricia Montalvo Timm is a board director, venture investor, speaker, and author. She is also a first-generation Latina and one of the few to have attained the triple achievement of reaching the C-suite, joining the boardroom, and cracking the venture capital ceiling.Today we discuss her new book, “Embrace the Power of You,” which is for those who are code-switching or struggling to belong in the corporate landscape and for those of us who want to support creating inclusive environments. Tricia shares her own journey of self-acceptance to show others how they can do the same. The book offers tools and knowledge needed to get to the other side of the fear people can have that can keep them from fully stepping into their authentic selves. it also offers guidance for business leaders.In this conversation, Tricia shares why people feel like they need to hide parts of their identity, gives us guidance on how we can all support creating inclusive environments, and affirms that you are enough and your differences are beautiful and valuable.Tricia - Your book is powerful. Thank you for sharing your story and encouraging others to do the same and step into their authentic selves.Resources MentionedFind Tricia: https://triciatimm.com/Get the book: https://triciatimm.com/embrace-the-power-of-you/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ptimm/Twitter: https://twitter.com/tricia_timmInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/pmontalvotimm/Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcast Send me a voice note, ideas for what you'd like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Go to https://bit.ly/sapodcast-ask or submit a question or comment for future episodes at podcast@SustainableAmbition.com I'd love to hear what's on your mind! Take the Sustainable Ambition Listener Survey: http://bit.ly/sapodcast-survey Get my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter. Sign up https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe