Podcasts about good life project

Have you ever felt like the very identity that defined you was becoming a straightjacket? That the career path, role, or persona you'd so carefully crafted suddenly felt constraining rather than purposeful? If so, you've likely experienced the disorienting - yet potentially catalyzing - transition I'm exploring with my guest today. I'm joined by Laura Gassner Otting. As an author, speaker, and entrepreneur who helped innovate AmeriCorps in the Clinton White House, she's intimately familiar with the psychological terrain one must navigate when shedding an old identity to birth the next evolution. Her new book "Limitless: How to Ignore Everybody, Carve Your Own Path, and Live Your Best Life" provides a roadmap for this journey. *** And before we dive in, a quick note on the state of the show.  So we have been in a season of reimagining here at Spark HQ, taking a look at what we're doing and why, how we're serving, and how best to keep serving you in the future. And as we do that, we've decided to take some time and place the show on hiatus while we deepen into new ideas and formats and ways to keep sharing the awakened work-life love.  So this will be the final episode as we head into a quieter season of incubation and reimagining. We appreciate you coming along for the ride with us, and really look forward to being back with new ways to share new ideas.  *** Find: Laura Gassner Otting   Website  |  Books Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast & the Sparketype® Assessment Read Jonathan's Awake at the Wheel Newsletter More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Have you ever found yourself dreading Monday, counting down the hours until Friday? And wondering, when did work get so devoid of joy and fun? When did we start sacrificing playfulness and authentic connection at the altar of professionalism? And is that really giving anyone, including your employer, what they want and need? Today, we're cracking open the door to a more joyful, fulfilling work experience. One where you can bring your whole, vibrant self without compromise. Where creativity and camaraderie flourish. And the very notion of "work" gets reimagined as a soulful pursuit to be savored. My guest today is Bree Groff, a trailblazing advisor pioneering new ways of working at the intersection of leadership and life. Bree has partnered with industry titans to transform organizational cultures. In her book "Today Was Fun: An Antidote to Humdrum Work Days," Bree maps out 7 liberating rules to reclaim the joy and magic of work. Drawing from years of consulting mastery and hard-won personal insights, she'll illuminate a path to more harmonious, human-centered workplaces and lives. Find: Bree Groff   Website  |   Book Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Have you ever felt like your ambition was unsustainable? That drive to achieve and succeed was slowly draining you, leaving you unfulfilled despite your accomplishments? What if there was a way to align your ambitions with your deepest motivations and capacity for a lifetime of thriving? Today, we're turning our attention to the concept of sustainable ambition. We'll explore a fresh perspective that liberates ambition from its narrow professional confines and redefines it as a fluid force that ebbs and flows across all domains of life. Get ready to shed the toxic notion that ambition requires endless striving and embrace a more balanced "middle way." My guest today is Kathy Oneto, an executive and life-work coach, speaker, facilitator and strategy executive whose mission is to help organizations and individuals live and work differently for greater success and satisfaction. She is the founder of Sustainable Ambition®, host of the Sustainable Ambition podcast, and author of the forthcoming book, Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work. Find: Kathy Oneto  | Website  |  LinkedIn  |  Book Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Jonathan Fields, award-winning author, Webby-nominated producer, business innovator, speaker, host of one of the world's top podcasts, Good Life Project, developer of the Sparketypes, and founder/CEO of Spark Endeavors, joins me on this episode. Jonathan's been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Inc., Forbes, FastCompany, O Magazine, and other notable media outlets.

Ever felt the crushing weight of burnout slowly snuffing out your spark? That bone-deep exhaustion that leaves you questioning if this is really the path for you?  Imagine a world where you can thrive without feeling endlessly drained, where purpose and joy intertwine in beautiful harmony. Today, we're embarking on a profound exploration of burnout - its insidious roots, its soul-sapping consequences, and most importantly, how to reclaim your fire. My guest is Daisy Auger-Domínguez, a trailblazing executive dedicated to building vibrant, supportive cultures. With decades driving transformation at powerhouses like Google and Disney, Daisy is known for innovative solutions to burnout, uncertainty, and fostering high-trust teams. In her book "Burnt Out to Lit Up," Daisy maps the path from depletion to aliveness. Through storytelling and hard-won wisdom, she'll illuminate your journey from burnout's ashes to a life and career that sets your soul ablaze. Find: Daisy Auger-Domínguez  | Website Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Have you ever felt stuck pursuing a path that didn't truly resonate with you? A career, creative endeavor or major life change that you committed to fully, told the world it's what you were doing, and who you were now…only to realize it wasn't what you really wanted?  Today, we're going to explore a more forgiving approach - one that allows you to experiment and gather critical data before going all-in. Imagine if you could "date" a potential pursuit, getting to know it intimately, before deciding whether to take that next step. What if the weight of having to definitively choose was lifted, allowing a sense of playfulness and curiosity to guide your exploration? My partner in conversation today is Charlie Gilkey, a strategic advisor, executive coach, founder of the Productive Flourishing consultancy, and author of the multi-award-winning book, Start Finishing and Team Habits. Charlie brings a wealth of wisdom for trying on new identities through low-risk projects and experiments. Find Charlie Gilkey | Website Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Presented by LinkedIn.

What does it mean to live a good life? Is it about happiness, health, friendship, love, or meaning? What about work, wealth, purpose, service, or something else? Can you live a good life even when things are hard? These are the questions and topics we explore every week in conversation with leading voices from health, science, art, industry, mindset, and culture, like Brené Brown, Matthew McConaughey, Mel Robbins, Alex, Elle, Adam Grant, Elizabeth Gilbert, Yung Pueblo, Maya Shankar, Mitch Albom, Glennon Doyle & hundreds more. The New York Times says, "the show's holistic approach to fulfillment is bound to resonate." Listen now! Hosted on Acast. Visit GoodLifeProject.com to learn more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you tired of feeling drained and unfocused at work? Do you wish you could harness your brain's full creative potential without sacrificing productivity? In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Mithu Storoni, a neuroscience researcher and ophthalmic surgeon, reveals revolutionary insights from her book Hyperefficient: Optimize Your Brain to Transform the Way You Work. Imagine a world where you can effortlessly align your workflow with your brain's natural rhythms, optimizing focus, creativity, and overall performance. Dr. Storoni exposes the flaws of the traditional 9-5 workday, shedding light on how our industrial-era approach to work actively undermines our cognitive abilities. But fear not, for she offers a transformative framework to redesign your workday around your brain's unique needs. Discover how to “find your flame” – the work that ignites your intrinsic motivation, “get in gear” by aligning tasks with your optimal cognitive states, and “run in rhythm” by respecting your brain's neurocycles. You can find Mithu at: Website | LinkedIn | Book Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Ever felt like your emotions were running the show? One moment you're mindfully present, the next hijacked by anxiety over the future or paralyzed by regrets of the past. If this resonates, you're not alone. But what if there was a way to cultivate profound emotional fitness - the ability to embrace the full range of your feelings while navigating life with resilience, empathy and playfulness? My guest today is Dr. Emily Anhalt, a clinical psychologist whose new book "Flex Your Feelings" outlines a pioneering framework for developing this vital emotional agility. Through decades of research and therapeutic work, she has identified seven core traits of emotionally fit individuals and how to strengthen them. Guest: Dr. Emily Anhalt is a psychologist, international speaker, and the CoFounder and Chief Clinical Officer of Coa, the gym for mental health. Find Emily: Book  Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

My guest today is Mitch Joel, a marketing visionary who has been at the forefront of exploring how generative AI can enhance rather than replace human creativity. When brands like Google, Starbucks, and GE want to leverage technology to connect with consumers, they call Mitch. He's the Co-Founder of ThinkersOne, and his books like "Six Pixels of Separation" and "CTRL ALT Delete" have established him as a leading voice on the intersection of technology and human experience. In this conversation, Mitch outlines his "PACE" framework for strategically integrating AI into your creative process. Imagine if you could use these tools not just to accelerate execution, but to actively expand your creative palette, deepen your sense of agency, and elevate your skills to new heights through constant iteration and growth. Guest: Mitch Joel is currently an investor, media personality, podcaster, journalist and Co-Founder of ThinkersOne  Find Anne: Website | Six Pixels | ThinkersOne  Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Today's Career Transformation Story features a trailblazer's journey from the apex of the corporate tech world to embracing the path of the solopreneur coach. It's a tale of reclaiming autonomy and giving voice to one's innermost callings. My guest today is Christian Röpke, who spent over a decade rising through AI leadership roles like Head of AI and Chief Technology Officer at startups in Berlin's white-hot tech scene. Despite the prestigious positions, an insistent voice stirred inside longing for more ownership and creative freedom. With the Primary Sparketype® Sage and Maven as his Shadow, Christian felt an innate drive to enlighten others through deep insight and perspective-shifting wisdom. Yet his corporate roles, however elite, inevitably boxed in that expression. So Christian took a leap into the uncertainty of solopreneurship, now guiding businesses on their AI journeys while finally honoring his soul's work as a catalyst for "aha" moments. ~~~ And if you'd like to share your career transformation story on the Sparked podcast, to inspire others who may be feeling stuck or unsure about their own career paths, we encourage you to apply to be a guest and check out the form in the show notes. Because we believe that everyone deserves to find fulfillment and purpose in their work. To apply, please check out this form. We can't wait to hear from you! Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

In the latest episode of the Marli Williams Podcast, we explore how to build meaningful friendships as adults, what gets in the way and provide a roadmap to create lasting friends with author and community builder, Kat Vellos. Despite living in an hyper-connected world, many of us still struggle with loneliness and having meaningful friendships with others. Kat shares insights from her book, "We Should Get Together," highlighting why creating friendships can be challenging as we age and offering actionable strategies to overcome these hurdles. If you are ready to build authentic friendships, get ready for the blueprint that is going to help you do just that!Kat Vellos is a trusted expert on cultivating meaningful friendships. She's the author of We Should Get Together: The Secret to Cultivating Better Friendships. She's also the creator of the Better Conversations Calendar and the BFF Builder. In her former career as a UX designer and researcher, she made software more user-friendly at large companies you've heard of, but she's a lot happier now, helping people bring more friendship to their lives and workplaces. Kat's writing is read in 100+ countries and she's been interviewed by The New York Times, NPR, Communication Arts, The Good Life Project, and many more.Connect with Kat: Website: weshouldgettogether.comInstagram: @katvellos_authorLinkedIn: Kat VellosPlatonic Action Lab: https://weshouldgettogether.com/platonic-action-lab 1-on-1 Coaching: https://weshouldgettogether.com/coaching Marli Williams is an international keynote speaker, master facilitator, and joy instigator who has worked with organizations such as Nike, United Way, Doordash, along with many colleges and schools across the United States. She first fell in love with transformational leadership as a camp counselor when she was 19 years old. After getting two degrees and 15 years of leadership training, Marli decided to give herself permission to be the “Professional Camp Counselor” she knew she was born to be. Now she helps incredible people and organizations stop waiting for permission and start taking bold action to be the leaders and changemakers they've always wanted to be through the power of play and cultivating joy everyday. She loves helping people go from stuck to STOKED and actually created her own deck of inspirational messages called StokeQuotes™ which was then followed by The Connect Deck™ to inspire more meaningful conversations. Her ultimate mission in the world is to help others say YES to themselves and their big crazy dreams (while having fun doing it!) To learn more about Marli's work go to

Learn more about working with Jonathan to craft your 2×20 Project™. A few months ago, I introduced my personal 2×20 Project™ – taking two years to intentionally design my ideal life for the next twenty. If you missed that powerful first discussion, you'll want to start there. Now, I'm back with an unfiltered update. What if you could take two years to actively craft a path centered around your deepest values like health, passion, and connection? No more drifting on autopilot for me. In this profound follow-up, I pull back the curtain further on my bold life experiments across vitality, relationships, and creative contribution. Some sparked breakthroughs unlocking new simplicity and joy for me. Others faced epic failure…but provided priceless wisdom. You'll hear the raw journey – the identity shifts I experienced, the long-avoided fears I confronted, and the radical decisions emerging from revisiting my priorities. It's all uncensored and straight from my heart. Whether you're feeling restless or craving more intentionality in your own life, this exploration offers an invitation: What could your version of a 2×20 Project™ unveil? A more vibrantly alive life may await after some courageous experiments. Learn more about working with Jonathan to craft your 2×20 Project™. Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, My New Writing Project: Awake at the Wheel More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

What if you could transform uncertainty from a source of anxiety into fuel for discovery? That's the invitation former Google executive turned neuroscientist Anne-Laure Le Cunff extends in this illuminating conversation about living life as a series of tiny experiments. Drawing from her own journey – from prestigious tech career to startup founder to neuroscience researcher – and insights from her new book “Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World,” Le Cunff reveals how breaking free from prescribed life scripts opened the door to genuine curiosity and fulfillment. Whether you're questioning your career path, relationships, or daily habits, this conversation offers a refreshing alternative to traditional goal-setting. Le Cunff's research-backed approach helps you embrace uncertainty while staying grounded in what matters most – your own experience of what brings genuine joy and meaning. Guest: Anne-Laure Le Cunff, author of new book “Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World,”  Find Anne: Website | Book  Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Have you ever felt like the traditional job search process just isn't working for you? That sending out resume after resume into a black hole, praying for any response, is a soul-crushing cycle of rejection and disappointment? If so, you're not alone. What if there was a way to rethink the job hunt? That's where we're heading in today's Sparked Hot Take. Joining me is Madeline Mann, a human resources leader and career strategist who turns job seekers into what she calls "job shoppers." Through her award-winning coaching empire and the insights gained from years as a corporate recruiter, she has reached millions with a radically fresh mindset, which she shares in her new book 'Reverse the Search: How to Turn Job Seeking into Job Shopping.' Guest: Madeline Mann, author of Reverse the Search - How to turn Job seeking into job shopping' Website | Book  Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn. Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training.  Differentiate yourself as a certified professional with a powerful command of the Sparketype® body of knowledge, professional-level tools, processes, engagement formats, and strategies, while equipping yourself to guide individuals, groups and teams through change with confidence and clarity. Learn more & apply to the Certified Sparketype ® Advisor Training and Certification today.

On the outside, Jonathan Fields had it all. He was a successful New York City lawyer pulling in six figures, wearing tailored suits, and working on billion-dollar deals. But on the inside, he was quietly falling apart. Working 100-hour weeks and living on caffeine and takeout had taken a toll, and a sudden health crisis forced him to reckon with a hard truth: the life he'd worked so hard to build was slowly destroying him.That wake-up call didn't just spark a career change—it sparked a full-on reinvention. Jonathan didn't just switch jobs; he left law altogether to become a $12-an-hour personal trainer. Everyone thought he was out of his mind. But that decision opened the door to something far bigger: a journey into entrepreneurship, wellness, and ultimately, his life's work.In this Plot Twist episode, Jonathan shares the raw truth behind his pivot from law to wellness to founding the Good Life Project. He opens up about ego, identity loss, starting over in your thirties, and why success often comes disguised as failure. You'll hear how his Sparketype framework was seeded in the rubble of 9/11 and how teaching yoga reconnected him to a sense of purpose he hadn't felt since childhood.If you've ever felt like you were climbing the wrong ladder, or wondered what it might be like to trade prestige for peace, this episode is for you. It's a story about trusting your gut, letting go of expectations, and building a life that actually feels good on the inside—even if it doesn't make sense to anyone else.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

In today's Career Transformation Story, we're diving deep into one woman's incredible career transition from elite design consultant to launching her own business helping impact-driven organizations tackle their biggest challenges. My guest today is Kat Thackray, founder of a cutting-edge consultancy, People Equals Purpose, focused on transforming team dynamics and organizational culture.  Kat Thackray's Sparketypes: Primary Sparketype® is Maven, Shadow is Scientist, and ANTI Sparketype® is Nurturer. For Kat, hitting the director level at a top design consultancy should have been a dream. But something was missing. As the relentless climb drained her passion and even began manifesting physical symptoms of stress, Kat realized a deeper transformation was required. *** And if you'd like to share your career transformation story on the Sparked podcast, to inspire others who may be feeling stuck or unsure about their own career paths, we encourage you to apply to be a guest and check out the form in the show notes. Because we believe that everyone deserves to find fulfillment and purpose in their work. To apply, please check out this form. We can't wait to hear from you! Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn. Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training.  Differentiate yourself as a certified professional with a powerful command of the Sparketype® body of knowledge, professional-level tools, processes, engagement formats, and strategies, while equipping yourself to guide individuals, groups and teams through change with confidence and clarity. Learn more & apply to the Certified Sparketype ® Advisor Training and Certification today.

Turns out strategy isn't just for business, it's for life. And that's what we're diving into with an old friend today, Seth Godin. Seth is an author, entrepreneur, and teacher who has spent decades helping people find clarity and take purposeful action. In his latest book This Is Strategy: Make Better Plans, Seth challenges us to abandon outdated systems and instant gratification in favor of smart, purposeful choices that shape a better tomorrow. Seth Godin is renowned for his pioneering work in marketing, leadership, and changing the status quo. He has written 21 bestsellers, including classics like “The Dip,” “Linchpin,” and “Tribes.” Seth has also founded several groundbreaking companies and inspired millions through his teachings on everything from effective promotion to the spread of world-changing ideas. Photo credit: Darius Bashar and Archangel Guest: Seth Godin, author of This Is Strategy: Make Better Plans Website | Instagram | Akimbo: A Podcast from Seth Godin Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training.  Differentiate yourself as a certified professional with a powerful command of the Sparketype® body of knowledge, professional-level tools, processes, engagement formats, and strategies, while equipping yourself to guide individuals, groups and teams through change with confidence and clarity. Learn more & apply to the Certified Sparketype ® Advisor Training and Certification today. Presented by LinkedIn.

And how to figure out what matters most to you. Jonathan Fields is the author of several books, including SPARKED: Discover Your Unique Imprint for Work That Makes You Come Alive. He is also the host of two podcasts, Good Life Project® and SPARKED™. This episode is part of our ongoing Sanely Ambitious series.   In this episode we talk about: What a “sparketype” is and how to use it to help your guide your life and make work decisions Embracing uncertainty Meditation and attention training for uncertainty The role of community in navigating uncertainty  How to make exercise meaningful   Sign up for Dan's weekly newsletter here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Ten Percent Happier online bookstore Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Our favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular Episodes   Additional Resources: Sanely Ambitious  

Can social conditioning, past experiences, and external pressure affect the way we explore figuring out our Sparketype? Or, for that matter, any metric we might look to, as a way to help figure out what drives us? And how do we turn down the volume on social conditioning and perceived expectations, determine what our “truest truths” really are, and express ourselves in a more aligned way? Today's listener, Sarah, asks these interesting questions, after re-taking the Sparketypes Assessment a year later and getting a result she felt was much closer to who she really was.  In today's episode we're in conversation with: SPARKED BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Jadah Sellner | Website Jadah is a multi-time founder and CEO of Jadah Sellner Media, the co-creator of the Simple Green Smoothies social and business phenom, sought-after advisor to entrepreneurs, and bestselling author, including her new book, ‘She Builds: The Anti-Hustle Guide to Grow Your Business and Nourish Your Life', now available here. LISTENER: Sarah - Sparketype: Sage (Primary), Scientist (Shadow), Advocate (Anti) QUESTION: Today's listener, Sarah, shares her experience of supporting multi-billion dollar retail businesses, as the head of change management and helping people and businesses work through transformations. She has been the right hand to many high level execs and spearheaded big results and impact but like so many of us, done so at her own expense and with a lot of burnout. It brings her to her main question - can your past experiences, especially challenging or traumatic ones, distort your view of yourself and therefore affect your Sparketype results? Can social conditioning and external feedback interfere with finding work and expression that is more aligned for us - and if so, how do we reduce its impact or even eliminate it altogether? Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn. Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training.  Differentiate yourself as a certified professional with a powerful command of the Sparketype® body of knowledge, professional-level tools, processes, engagement formats, and strategies, while equipping yourself to guide individuals, groups and teams through change with confidence and clarity. Learn more & apply to the Certified Sparketype ® Advisor Training and Certification today.   Presented by LinkedIn.

In today's Career Transformation Story, we meet Lea Holzfurtner, a clinical sexologist, author, and reality TV host based in Berlin. Lea spent seven years ascending the ranks in financial services and martech companies, earning an MBA along the way. Yet, a lifelong fascination with the intricacies of human sexuality refused to be ignored. Through years of evening study, she steadily built expertise in psychology and sexology, letting this curiosity slowly bloom. Then, mustering profound courage, Lea took the ultimate leap - resigning from corporate life to launch her own private practice in Berlin. Which aligns perfectly with her Primary Sparketype® as Advisor, Shadow as Scientist, and ANTI Sparketype® as Performer. *** And if you'd like to share your career transformation story on the Sparked podcast, to inspire others who may be feeling stuck or unsure about their own career paths, we encourage you to apply to be a guest and check out the form in the show notes. Because we believe that everyone deserves to find fulfillment and purpose in their work. To apply, please check out this form. We can't wait to hear from you! Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Ambition is such a loaded word. It's often associated with a relentless drive to succeed, trampling over others as you scrap your way to the top, ignoring your wellbeing, relationships, and any sense of groundedness, meaning, peace or joy along the way. It's what helps you achieve success, we're told. But, what it that was not only wrong, but it also kept you from the work, the relationships, the health, the life–a different kind of success–you didn't just want, but that was actually worth wanting? Today's guest, Jenn Romolini, shares her deeply personal journey, rising to the top of the New York media world, then untangling from that toxic drive and letting go of an ambition that didn't align with her core values and aspirations. Jenn is the author of the raw and emotional memoir Ambition Monster about her reckoning with the workaholism and obsession with work that stemmed from her childhood experiences. First a rising star in the New York publishing world, Jenn appeared to have it all – the coveted career, money, status. But beneath that picture-perfect exterior, the relentless ambition was disconnecting her from her truest self and what truly mattered most. It took a health crisis to forcibly hit pause and have Jenn reassess everything. In this intimate conversation, Jenn shares how losing her voice, literally, became the wake-up call that allowed her to find it again. From realizing her workaholism was a trauma response, to grappling with external measures of success, to finally breaking free and realigning with her core creative calling as a writer. Guest: Jenn Romolini, author of Ambition Monster  Learn more:  Substack | Instagram  Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training.  Differentiate yourself as a certified professional with a powerful command of the Sparketype® body of knowledge, professional-level tools, processes, engagement formats, and strategies, while equipping yourself to guide individuals, groups and teams through change with confidence and clarity. Learn more & apply to the Certified Sparketype ® Advisor Training and Certification today. Presented by LinkedIn.

Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training.  Differentiate yourself as a certified professional with a powerful command of the Sparketype® body of knowledge, professional-level tools, processes, engagement formats, and strategies, while equipping yourself to guide individuals, groups and teams through change with confidence and clarity. Learn more & apply to the Certified Sparketype ® Advisor Training and Certification today. In today's episode we're in conversation with: SPARKED BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Karen Wright | Website Karen is the founder of Parachute Executive Coaching, acclaimed executive coach, advisor to senior leaders for more than two-decades, and the author of two great books, The Accidental Alpha Woman and The Complete Executive. LISTENER: Trisha - Sparketype: Maven/Sage, Anti: Scientist QUESTION: Listener Trisha shares a moment of transition after taking a much needed break from the workforce, which so many of us have done in our lives.  Especially after discovering more about yourself, this becomes a hugely relevant question - in this instance, discovering her Sparketype profile, and wanting to find work that aligns more closely with your primary impulse and is less likely to end in burnout. Trisha is curious to know if there are specific professions that are particularly suited to her Sparketype? Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training.  Presented by LinkedIn.

In today's Career Transformation Story, we uncover a profound journey of reclaiming one's creative spark and finding fulfillment through empowering others. It's a tale that takes us from the technical realms of aerospace engineering to the "social engineering" of company culture. My guest today is Adam Kolozetti, co-founder of Enta Solutions - a consultancy fusing team building, process improvement, and video storytelling. But Adam's path was far from linear. Listen in to hear the experience that unveiled Adam's true purpose - helping companies maintain an entrepreneurial spirit as they scale. Which aligns perfectly with his Primary Sparketype® as Maker, Shadow as Maven, and ANTI Sparketype® as Advocate. *** And if you'd like to share your career transformation story on the Sparked podcast, to inspire others who may be feeling stuck or unsure about their own career paths, we encourage you to apply to be a guest and check out the form in the show notes. Because we believe that everyone deserves to find fulfillment and purpose in their work. To apply, please check out this form. We can't wait to hear from you! Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Ever feel like the rise of virtual communication has turned your workdays into a jumble of endless emails, frantic messages, and back-to-back video calls? One minute you're on a Zoom wrangling meeting attendees, the next you're desperately trying to craft the perfect Slack message before your manager thinks you've gone AWOL? If so, you're not alone. The chaotic world of remote and hybrid work can leave our heads spinning. But what if I told you there are secrets to virtual communication mastery that can bring clarity to the disorder? My guest today has spent years studying the science of how we can all become better virtual communicators.  Andrew Brodsky is an award-winning professor at the University of Texas at Austin and CEO of Ping Group. He's an expert on workplace technology, communication, and productivity. Andrew's new book, PING: The Secrets of Successful Virtual Communication, provides a roadmap for navigating our digitally-infused lives. Guest: Andrew Brodsky, author of PING: The Secrets of Successful Virtual Communication Learn more: Book Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Talking about a good life feels like speaking to success. What makes it up? And we generally say that we must define this for ourselves. Agreed. However, my guest has been studying this for a long, long time, and to have a good life he's found it boils down to three buckets. Categories if you will. Jonathan Fields has come to be known as “the good life guy.” He has a wildly popular podcast called The Good Life Project. I've had Jonathan on my show twice and often reference his profile that looks at what makes us come alive in our work, which you can find at sparketype.com. This conversation happened years ago when I sat down with Jonathan just to dig into what he's found really makes up a good life. He had written a book called The Good Life Project that really put him on the map. I also just dug into Jonathan himself and what got him to the point to embrace this movement and become the leader he's become and is becoming to so many people pursuing a good life. I found the conversation incredibly intriguing and believe it will give you a lot to think about in regards to how you are living, loving and leading.  Sign up for your $1/month trial period at shopify.com/kevin Go to shipstation.com and use code KEVIN to start your free trial. Use my promo code WHATDRIVESYOU for 10% off on any CleanMyMac's subscription plans Join millions of Americans reaching their financial goals—starting at just $3/month! Get $25 towards your first stock purchase at get.stash.com/DRIVE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever set an exciting goal that seemed life-changing, only to watch it fade away weeks later? In this episode, I share my proven ‘Success Scaffolding' framework—a system I developed after diving deep into research on goal achievement and social psychology. This approach has helped me succeed in writing multiple books, launching companies, transforming my health, and achieving numerous other goals over decades. Built around seven key principles (down from eight last year), Success Scaffolding provides the structure and support needed to accomplish meaningful goals. Today we'll focus on choosing and achieving one transformative goal for 2025. I'll guide you through creating your personalized scaffolding, showing you how to align your goal with one of the three good life buckets: vitality, connection, or contribution. Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

If making friends feels hard, then this episode is for you. You will learn... - why making friends as an adult feels hard - exactly WHERE you'll find your people - how to make friends who live close to you - actionable tips to help you find, keep, and strengthen your friendships Our guest, Kat Vellos, is a trusted expert on the power of cultivating meaningful friendships. She's a speaker and author of the book, We Should Get Together: The Secret to Cultivating Better Friendships. She's also the creator of the Better than Small Talk conversation cards and the Better Conversations Calendar. Her work helps people transform disconnection and platonic longing into authentic connection and belonging. In her former career as a user experience designer at Slack and Pandora, she helped millions of people find music they love and enjoy work a lot more. While working full-time at both of those iconic companies, Kat spent her free time researching and writing her debut book We Should Get Together: The Secret to Cultivating Better Friendships. She couldn't stop herself from writing this book because the thirty-something friendship desert is real and she refused to take “how about we meet up in six weeks?” for an answer. So she used her UX research-n-design superpowers to explore the question “how might we design a better experience of adult friendship and simultaneously put a sizable dent in the loneliness epidemic?” Thousands of readers use her book to improve their friendships every day and her writing is read in over 100 countries. She's been interviewed by The New York Times, NPR, Communication Arts, The Good Life Project, and many more. Sign up for Kat's newsletter here and check out her course, Platonic Action Lab. And if you enjoyed this episode, screenshot it and share it on social media! Make sure to tag @maryspodcast Mentioned In This Episode... How Long Til' Black Future Month? by N.K. JemisinEp. 195 on Mary's Cup of Tea: The Most Underrated EmotionWhat if friendship is easier than you think?

My guest today is Monica Parker, a former lawyer, leader and people developer in big companies who's now a professional organizer. Despite early success and prestige in her business career, Monica felt a persistent yearning for more meaningful, transformative work. Through profound life experiences like a near-death encounter, Monica summoned the courage to start listening to her heart's callings. This led her on an uncharted journey of self-discovery - one that revealed her Primary Sparketype® as Advisor, Shadow as Maven, and Anti as Advocate. You'll hear the crucial role these revelations played in Monica's radical pivot from leading people and developing people in a corporate setting to combining her natural mentoring gifts with the KonMari organizing philosophy. In her current path, she's able to directly witness profound growth as clients purge possessions that no longer "spark joy." ~ And if you'd like to share your career transformation story on the Sparked podcast, to inspire others who may be feeling stuck or unsure about their own career paths, we encourage you to apply to be a guest and check out the form in the show notes. Because we believe that everyone deserves to find fulfillment and purpose in their work. To apply, please check out this form. We can't wait to hear from you! ABOUT YOUR HOST: Jonathan Fields Jonathan is a dad, husband, award-winning author, multi-time founder, executive producer and host of the Good Life Project podcast, and co-host of SPARKED, too! He's also the creator of an unusual tool that's helped more than 950,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Have you ever felt that gnawing sense of emptiness? That void inside you that desperately needs to be filled? You keep pushing forward, throwing yourself into activity after activity, but something still feels...off. You're going through the motions, but not truly feeling alive.  If this resonates, you're not alone. Millions are experiencing this state of languishing - falling in that space between depression and flourishing.  My guest today, Corey Keyes, has devoted his life's work to understanding and overcoming this experience. Keyes' latest book, "Languishing: How To Feel Alive Again In A World That Wears Us Down," provides an insightful roadmap for recognizing when we've drifted into languishing and practical steps to reignite that spark of aliveness within us. In this conversation, Keyes shares wisdom from decades of research, exploring the societal factors contributing to widespread languishing and the crucial role of warm relationships, play, purpose and transcendence in our journey back to flourishing. Guest: Corey Keyes, author of Languishing: How to Feel Alive Again in a World That Wears Us Down Learn more: Book Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Have you ever felt that inner tension, that little voice telling you something just doesn't feel right? That you're being asked to go along with something that conflicts with your values and who you truly want to be? If so, you're not alone. And my guest today, Dr. Sunita Sah, has spent decades studying this very phenomenon - the struggle between compliance and defiance.  Dr. Sah is an award-winning professor at Cornell University and an expert in organizational psychology. She leads groundbreaking research on influence, authority, compliance and defiance. A trained physician, she has worked in medicine, consulting and now teaches executives and leaders. Dr. Sah's trailblazing work, including her latest book 'Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes', provides a revolutionary roadmap for staying true to yourself in any situation - whether at work, in relationships, or amongst societal expectations. Guest: Dr. Sunita Sah, author of Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes Learn more: Website & Book Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

What if you could ditch the outdated model of top-down leadership and instead create an environment where anyone can catalyze a collective vision? Where every voice is empowered to contribute their unique brilliance towards extraordinary outcomes? Today, we're rethinking what it truly means to lead in the modern age. My guest today, Keith Ferrazzi, is on a mission to initiate a profound shift - from rigid hierarchies to an inclusive new paradigm he calls "teamship." Keith Ferrazzi is a renowned executive team coach, keynote speaker, influential thought leader, founder of Ferrazzi Greenlight, and author. His latest book, Never Lead Alone: 10 Shifts from Leadership to Teamship, draws on two decades of research and field work to provide a revolutionary roadmap for the future of collaborative work. Guest: Keith Ferrazzi, author of Never Lead Alone: 10 Shifts from Leadership to Teamship Learn more: Website & LinkedIn Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

1. Five signs that you might have a boundary problem. 2. Why each of us should stop pretending we're not a needy person. 3. How to stop arguing like a lawyer – and start communicating like a kindergartener – to get what you need.  4. How to know when to end an argument, how to exit a friendship, and how to respond to passive aggressiveness.  About Nedra: Nedra Glover Tawwab, MSW, LCSW, is a New York Times best-selling author, licensed therapist, and sought-after relationship expert. She has practiced relationship therapy for 15 years and is the founder and owner of the group therapy practice, Kaleidoscope Counseling. Every day she helps people create healthy relationships by teaching them how to implement boundaries. Her philosophy is that a lack of boundaries and assertiveness underlie most relationship issues, and her gift is helping people create healthy relationships with themselves and others. Nedra earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. She has additional certifications in working with families and couples and in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, plus advanced training for counseling adults who've experienced childhood emotional neglect. Nedra has appeared as an expert on Red Table Talk, The Breakfast Club, Good Morning America, and CBS Morning Show to name a few. Her work has been highlighted in The New York Times, The Guardian, and Vice and has appeared on numerous podcasts, including Good Life Project, Sofia with an F, and Therapy For Black Girls. She runs a popular Instagram account where she shares practices, tools, and reflections for mental health and hosts weekly Q&As.   TW: @NedraTawwab IG: @nedratawwab To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

So much of our lives is governed by the desire to feel safe. I get it. The world can feel like an unstable, scary place. Feeling physically and psychologically safe matters. To our mental and physical health. But, does that come a point where playing it too safe actually causes us harm? Makes our worlds, our relationships, experiences and lives smaller. Less good? Feeling like, deep down, you know there's more to life than merely existing within the confines of a box that, sure, might feel safe, but also keeps you and your life so much more narrow and limited than it could otherwise be? And, all too often, the confines of that box, that alleged safety, have been drawn by someone else's expectations.  Our guest today is Chase Jarvis, and his new book “Never Play It Safe: A Practical Guide to Freedom, Creativity, and a Life You Love” serves as an inspiring clarion call to challenge the notion of safety as an excuse for complacency. An award-winning artist, serial entrepreneur, and one of the most influential photographers of the past decade, Chase has created campaigns for iconic brands like Apple, Nike, and Red Bull. He's also the co-founder and former CEO of CreativeLive, an online education platform that's helped over 50 million students unlock their creative potential. You can find Chase at: Website | Instagram  Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

What if you could approach your path with greater intentionality? Thoughtfully designing how you want to move through both work and life, leveraging your unique gifts to create maximum positive impact? In today's powerful discussion, we'll explore a whole-being framework for leading and living with profound meaning. One that begins by getting anchored in your core purpose as the guiding light. Our guest today is Laysha Ward, accomplished C-suite executive with over 32 years of senior leadership experience at Target. Laysha is a purpose-driven leader with a nationally recognized track record delivering for the consumer brand. An insightful strategist, spokesperson, and author of the new book "Lead Like You Mean It: Lessons on Integrity and Purpose from the C-Suite." Cover photo credit: John Haynes Guest: Laysha Ward, author of the new book "Lead Like You Mean It: Lessons on Integrity and Purpose from the C-Suite." Learn more: Website & LinkedIn Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

How do you get through each day, let alone build a meaningful, connected and rewarding career when rapid-fire, constant change, groundlessness, unrelenting pace, overwhelm, and even workplace toxicity have become the norm? That's where we're headed with my guest today, Gabriella Rosen Kellerman. An author, entrepreneur, start-up executive, and Harvard-trained physician with expertise in behavioral and organizational change, digital health, well-being, and AI, Gabriella began her career in psychiatry and fMRI research. She is the founding CEO of the healthcare technology company LifeLink, and Gabriella has served as Chief Product Officer and Chief Innovation Officer at BetterUp, a transformation platform for global professionals, and as Head of BetterUp Labs.  Her new book, Tomorrowmind: Thriving at Work—Now and in an Uncertain Future which was co-authored with renowned psychologist Martin Seligman, also known as the father of positive psychology, offers critical insights for facing a wildly fluctuating, seemingly perpetually unstable future of work. And in our conversation today, we explore a bit of Gabriella's background and her own trajectory in her career before diving into five science-backed strategies or workplace superpowers that can help us all thrive at work. From resilience to building rapid rapport at work, there's a lot of great insight to learn here. You can find Gabriella at: Website | LinkedIn Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Imagine having the psychological fitness to embrace multiple contradictory perspectives. To navigate uncertainty without anxiety. To hold the tension of opposites and find innovative syntheses. That's exactly what we'll explore in this fascinating discussion - how to develop the "complexity fitness" to dance with the increasing complexities we all face rather than contracting from them. Today we're joined by Jennifer Garvey Berger, author of four highly acclaimed books, including Unleash Your Complexity Genius (co-authored with Carolyn Coughlin), co-founder and CEO of Cultivating leadership. Jennifer believes that leadership is one of the most vital renewable resources in the world. In this topsy-turvy time, when uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity are raging, we need a new form of leadership for a new era. To that end, Jennifer designs and teaches leadership programs, coaches senior leaders and their teams, and supports new ways of thinking about strategy and people.  Guest: Jennifer Garvey Berger, author of the book Unleash Your Complexity Genius Learn more: Website & LinkedIn Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Today you'll meet Kim Fabian. Despite her early success and drive in the nonprofit sector, Kim found herself drained by the relentless demands of her role. Driven by a desire to escape the intense pressure and sense of misalignment she experienced, she made the decision to leave her role and embark on a journey of self-discovery, realigning her work with what lit her up, and let her reclaim a sense of ease and wellbeing along the way. And if you'd like to share your career transformation story on the Sparked podcast, to inspire others who may be feeling stuck or unsure about their own career paths, we encourage you to apply to be a guest and share your story. To apply, please check out this form. We can't wait to hear from you! Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training.  Presented by LinkedIn.

In today's episode of SPARKED, I'm joined by Shelly Adele Bliss, one of our fabulous Spark Endeavors team members. Together we're diving into this often-overlooked catalyst for unshackling your zest for work and life. Because you deserve more than just clock-punching - you deserve work that lets you play and thrive. We'll explore the core elements of playful work cultures and why courting more fun matters so much. You'll learn playful strategies to spark creativity, strengthen teams, and keep motivation soaring. We'll troubleshoot the barriers to bringing more levity into your work, so you can greenlight more smiles and laughter. Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training.  Presented by LinkedIn.

Today's career transformation story features, Navid Ladha, who is now a thriving nonprofit consultant and career coach. As a Primary Sparketype, Advisor with an Essentialist shadow, Navid was drawn to roles allowing him to guide others through personal growth while creating systems that added clarity to his and his client's pursuits. And if you'd like to share your career transformation story on the Sparked podcast, to inspire others who may be feeling stuck or unsure about their own career paths, we encourage you to apply to be a guest and share your story. To apply, please check out this form. We can't wait to hear from you! Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training.  Presented by LinkedIn.

Today's career transformation story is an inspiring example of how to courageously pivot when the work you once loved no longer aligns with your deepest drives. Kayla Archer's journey began with an all-consuming obsession for competitive ballroom dancing. But the intense singular focus and lack of boundaries eventually led to a challenging environment that neglected her innate curiosities and zest for personal growth and, more or less, obliterated boundaries. Her renaissance journey overcame self-doubts from early academic struggles to ultimately find fulfillment as a learning and talent development leader.   And if you'd like to share your career transformation story on the Sparked podcast, to inspire others who may be feeling stuck or unsure about their own career paths, we encourage you to apply to be a guest and share your story. To apply, please check out this form. We can't wait to hear from you! Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training.  Presented by LinkedIn.

In today's career transformation story, you'll meet Gabriela Pereira, who transitioned from her dream job as a toy designer to founding DIY MFA, an educational company for writers, after leaving her initial career due to health concerns, ultimately realizing she could fulfill her maker passion in a new field. Gabriela Pereira, is the founder of DIY MFA - an online education platform empowering writers to hone their craft outside the traditional MFA system. But Gabriela's journey began with an unexpected detour. After achieving her childhood dream of becoming a toy designer, a personal health crisis forced Gabriela to pivot from the corporate world. Through deep introspection, she realized her true callings were creating new offerings while constantly acquiring knowledge - the essence of her Primary Maker and Shadow Maven Sparketypes.  Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training.  Presented by LinkedIn.

Ever feel like the rug got pulled out from under you at work? A project imploded, a promotion evaporated, or your role did a 180 you never saw coming?  If those punches to the gut sound familiar, you know how quickly setbacks can shake your confidence and derail your drive. But what if you could bounce back stronger from those inevitable career curveballs? That's the power of resilience - the ability to adapt, grow, and thrive through adversity. With resilience, you don't just survive challenges, you use them as fuel to soar higher. In today's episode of SPARKED, I'm joined by Shelly Adele Bliss, one of our fabulous Spark Endeavors team members. Together we unpack the essence of career resilience. We'll explore the core mindsets and habits that allow you to stay grounded yet flexible when things go sideways. Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training.  Presented by LinkedIn.

"How do you finish more of the projects that you start or do you need to complete everything?" This week on the SPARKED podcast, we invited a listener to share what's going on in their work & life, then pose a specific question to Jonathan Fields and a rotating lineup of wise and kind mentors - the SPARKED Braintrust.  In today's episode we're in conversation with: SPARKED BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Charlie Gilkey | Website Charlie is a strategic advisor and executive coach, founder of the Productive Flourishing consultancy, and author of the multi-award-winning book, Start Finishing. LISTENER:  Jade - Sparketype: Maker/Maven QUESTION: Listener Jade poses a question that I'm sure a lot of our Makers and creators have also wondered, what can you do to see more ideas through to completion. Jade shares her experience of feeling tied down in the ‘busy-work' of her daily job while being called to diversify her income and embrace a ‘side hustle'. So the essence of the question is how do you make the most of the small amount of time you have in the ‘in-between' moments and how do you follow through more often to generate the outcomes and feelings that you really want to have. And underneath that is the question, do we need to in the first place do any of this or is there magic in the mess of the maker and not centering some of these impulses as the fundamental way we earn our living. YOUR HOST: Jonathan Fields Jonathan is a dad, husband, award-winning author, multi-time founder, executive producer and host of the Good Life Project podcast, and co-host of SPARKED, too! He's also the creator of an unusual tool that's helped more than 950,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. So what is your Sparketype? Turns out, we all have a unique imprint for work that makes us come alive, this is your Sparketype. When you discover yours, everything, your entire work-life- and even parts of your personal life and relationships - begins to make sense. Until you know yours, you're kind of fumbling in the dark.  How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Workshop | The Website Presented by LinkedIn. Please note this episode originally aired in 2022 which accounts for some of the timeline references.

Today, we're exploring one woman's journey from being a lawyer to a personal finance consultant. My guest today is Hannah Bell, who stepped off the conventional law career track despite external pressures to stay the course. While practicing law, a profound internal shift occurred listening to personal finance podcasts during long commutes. It was a wake-up call that reconnected her to a deep interest. Hannah realized she could help others align money with their deepest values. Rather than staying stuck, Hannah leaned into her Sparketype profile - her Primary, the Sage, sparked to illuminate insights, her Shadow, the Advisor, guiding growth of others, and her Anti, the Performer, which accounts for the sense of ‘energy drain' in the courtroom.  Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training.  Presented by LinkedIn.

Have you ever felt like you were following a predetermined path in your career, only to realize it was leading you somewhere you didn't want to go? That relentless pull toward something deeper, something more purposeful, became impossible to ignore? If so, then this installment in our career transformation stories series will resonate. It's the story of one woman's profound journey of self-discovery - ditching the corporate treadmill to unearth work that truly sparks her alive.  My guest today is Theresa White. Theresa is a career coach, entrepreneur and founder who helps professionals gain clarity on finding fulfilling work. But it wasn't so long ago that she found herself trapped in a draining 8-year corporate stint, searching for an exit ramp. Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Is the way we work slowly killing us? Brigid Schulte, author of "Overwhelmed: How to Work Less, Accomplish More, and Finally Start Living," peels back the toxic hustle culture corroding our health and relationships. In this candid discussion, Schulte shares eye-opening research on the work stressors driving burnout epidemics and offers a path to reclaim meaningful work-life balance. Discover actionable tips to redesign your workday, push back against unrealistic expectations, and cultivate the courage to simply say "no" - before it's too late. Guest: Brigid Schulte, author of bestselling books, Overwhelmed and Over Work, Learn more: newamerica.org/better-life-lab Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Unlock the secret to turning every connection into a meaningful relationship that grows your business. In this insightful episode, Mo Bunnell, author of "Give to Grow: How Givers Get Ahead," reveals counterintuitive strategies to build genuine rapport by focusing on others' needs first. Discover how to "fall in love with their problem, not your solution" and provide value before ever expecting anything in return. Master the mindset shift that top entrepreneurs and influencers use to turn casual encounters into deep relationships that pay dividends. Guest: Mo Bunnell, author of the book "Give to Grow: How Givers Get Ahead." Learn more: Website & LinkedIn Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Have you ever felt like you're just going through the motions day after day, constantly busy but not really making progress on what truly matters most to you? Like at the end of the day, you've checked all these boxes, done a million things, but not much of what really mattered to you got done? And all the typical productivity advice feels great for someone else living in some utopian universe, but you're a real live human, with all the things spinning around, and it just really doesn't work for you? Well, if that resonates at all, you're definitely not alone. Imagine if you could find a way to consistently operate at your highest level – accomplishing your most important goals while feeling energized, motivated, and in complete alignment with your core values. A path to get more of the right things done without sacrificing your wellbeing or personal life in the process.  My guest today is Laura Mae Martin, the Executive Productivity Advisor at Google, where she has spent 13 years coaching top executives on optimizing their time and energy. She sends out a wildly popular weekly productivity newsletter read by over 50,000 Google employees. And in her new book Uptime: A Practical Guide to Personal Productivity and Wellbeing, she shares a refreshingly balanced approach to achieving this. What you're about to hear is a whole lot of mythbusting, practical insights and tips to integrate productive output with space for creative thinking, rejuvenation and realigning your daily actions with your most meaningful intentions, and actually owning the complicated, messy reality of your life. This isn't about cramming more into each day through brute force. It's a far more sustainable path of working with your natural cycles, minimizing distractions, and using routines to create an integrated lifestyle where you show up feeling energized and purposeful across all areas of your life.  You can find Laura at: Website | LinkedIn | Episode Transcript PS. This episode originally aired on Good Life Project, listen to the full conversation here. ABOUT YOUR HOST: Jonathan Fields Jonathan is a dad, husband, award-winning author, multi-time founder, executive producer and host of the Good Life Project podcast, and co-host of SPARKED, too! He's also the creator of an unusual tool that's helped more than 950,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Make sure to go to my website to get my free workshop THE GOOD LIFE PROJECT ! Make sure to pre-order my new book MEANINGFUL MANIFESTATION Now onto today's episode ..... Author of Love is Not the Answer: The Prophetic Political Novel That Might Save Us All From Scott Mackey-- "Hi, I'm Scott I believe that creating new versions of your personal or our collective reality can only happen when we embrace new stories and a new consciousness by taking responsibility for creating the future we desire. This is the cause of peace, joy, abundance and connection. I work with clients to facilitate individual state changes and I write/speak to teach and inspire us all to imagine, to choose and to create new ways of living.  I grew up an Evangelical in rural East Texas, but later staffed both of Obama's presidential campaigns and spent six years based in DC working in foreign policy. Three of these years were spent starting and then running an Afghan advocacy organization that worked with both right and left wing policy figures. Burned out by the reality of systemic politics, I spent the next six years running sales for VC backed green-tech startups. And then…Well, then I finally accepted that not only were the systems of the world I had placed my trust in broken, but I needed help too. I found coaches and teachers, I learned how to reprogram myself by healing my past and choosing my lived experience. I picked at the wounds of my fundamentalist evangelical upbringing, rediscovering God and Love with the help of plant medicine and teachers that reminded me daily practice is the path to knowing the “silent voice within.” _____ Work with me, your host,  here: Thelovelyalea.com  Get my free gifts and guides at thelovelyalea.com Become a Patreon Member to get behind the scenes, extra content, and workshops.patreon.com/thelovelyalea Follow me on Instagram instagram.com/thelovelyalea ( Remember I will never DM you for readings - watch out for Scammers ! ) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thelovelyalea/support