POPULARITY
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.
In today's episode we're revisiting a listener question posed to Jonathan Fields and one of our rotating lineup of wise and kind mentors - the SPARKED Braintrust. 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. LISTENER: Heidi - Sparketype: Advocate/Warrior | Anti Maker QUESTION: Listener Heidi, poses a big question that is very pertinent to this moment in time. She shares her devotion to advocacy particularly around climate activism and asks how do you harness your skillset to show up in work and life and make a meaningful difference? Heidi is hopeful that a lot of us are also asking the same question when it comes to the climate crisis and asks how do you know where to focus your energy to have the biggest impact? 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 650,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. 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.
Sparketypes, “One” Beer, and a singer who is a semi-tone out! Mark Truelson fits the mold of the passionate creative. Join us as he shares his journey from leading innovation at Foster's to becoming a consultant focused on sparking creativity in organizations. Mark explores how leaders can build supportive environments, engage employees, and lower the stakes to drive innovative projects. He introduces the concept of “sparketypes” a framework to uncover and harness our innate creative impulses. And if evidence of his practical creativity were needed, Mark also tells us how he launched his own beer brand (“One”) at the height of the Covid Pandemic. Either tune in now and learn how to start igniting creativity in your workplace OR head to the free Sparketype questionnaire to learn about your own creative style. (link below) LINKS: Mark Truelson- Special Guests Linkedin: https://au.linkedin.com/in/marktruelson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marktruelson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.truelson YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCdiz6JtTfh0LAtC5ZypJYQ Slideshare: https://www.slideshare.net/MarkTruelson Website: marktruelson.com Sparketype Questionnaire https://sparketype.com/ Paul Fairweather - Co-host https://www.paulfairweather.com Chris Meredith - Co-host https://www.chrismeredith.com.au Two Common Creatives https://www.twocommoncreatives.com/podcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 251: Lori and Ellie reflect on Flower Clique's first in-person staff retreat, which prioritized team bonding and relaxation. The retreat featured a session on 'Sparketypes', which provides insights into team members' personality archetypes, such as Mavens, Makers, Scientists, and Performers. These insights aim to enhance personal fulfillment and team efficiency by aligning roles to individual strengths and avoiding burnout. Tune in to discover different creative and leadership archetypes in business, particularly in flower shops, and how you can use the Sparketype quiz to better appreciate and strengthen your team dynamics.Suggestion: Take the quiz first to get your Sparketype, and then come back here to tune in! Take the quiz here: https://sparketype.com/Sponsored by: Flower CliqueFlower Clique Prep SchoolReal Life Retail Florist
"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.
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.
Meet Barbara Ellen Leicht, a former classroom educator who listened to those inner whispers telling her it was time for a pivot. Despite initial self-doubt from straying from her expected path, Barbara persevered, cultivating a deeper understanding of her core strengths. Today, she wears multiple hats as a career coach empowering others to confidently navigate their professional journeys and a higher education professional supporting students at SUNY Empire State University.But Barbara's transition was no simple task. She'll share the challenges she faced leaving her passion for teaching behind due to personal circumstances requiring comprehensive health benefits. Her evolution is a powerful reminder that our callings can change, and growth arises when we embrace those pivotal 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! 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 850,000 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.
In today's episode, we're digging into a story of listening to that nagging sense that you were meant for something more - following that deeper calling tugging at you to forge a path that truly aligns with your values and allows your unique gifts to shine. My guest today is Dr. Sabba Quidwai, an educator, entrepreneur and leading voice on cultivating the human skills essential for an AI-driven world. From her childhood dreams of designing video games to feeling friction as a high school teacher, it was a book by Seth Godin that inspired her to fully own her career, and Sabba landed education technology roles at USC and Apple. But her biggest career transformation came when Sabba discovered her Sparketype profile which revealed her Primary Sparketype® is Scientist, Shadow is Sage, and ANTI Sparketype® is Performer and she took the leap to leave her role at Apple, deepen her doctoral research on human-AI dynamics and start her now thriving consultancy business on AI in Education. 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 850,000 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.
My guest today is Philippe Lazaro, communications manager and storyteller at the non-profit Plant With Purpose. Despite initially taking on a traditional marketing role, Philippe found ways to interweave his creative passions as a filmmaker, illustrator, and performer into his work. Rather than forcing himself into a ill-fitting mold, Philippe gently reshaped his position over 8 years to better align with his Sparketype profile which uncovered his Primary Sparketype® as Performer, the Shadow as Advocate, and ANTI Sparketype® as Essentialist. You'll hear his journey of trial-and-error, building buy-in, and ultimately crafting a role that lets him animate an important cause through powerful storytelling. 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 850,000 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.
Today, we are incredibly excited to be sharing our new feature on the Sparked podcast, Career Transformation Stories. We've invited guests to share inspiring stories of their career change from reimagining the work they're currently doing so it feels so much more alive, to leaving behind unfulfilling jobs to find or create new, more inspired, energized, purposeful, meaningful and joy-filled paths. And we're exploring how their Sparketype has played a role in this journey. It's all about how to transform work into one of the best parts of your life. In this Career Transformation Story, I'm joined by Monica Rivera. Monica is currently a podcaster, speaker, consultant, and brand expert who found herself at a fateful crossroads. Despite skyrocketing success in the marketing in a large company, and at a remarkably young age, an itch for something more stirred within. Through a series of experiments like launching her very first passion podcast, Monica began peeling back layers of limiting beliefs. She uncovered her resonant path - constantly learning, sharing wisdom, and helping others confidently tell their personal stories. Which makes perfect sense, because her Primary Sparketype® is Sage, Shadow is Maven, and ANTI Sparketype® is Essentialist. On this candid journey, Monica had to navigate both inner obstacles of doubt, and outer pressures to conform. You'll hear how her experiences shaped an early drive for financial security that couldn't be ignored, yet also forged the courage to start truly listening to her heart's callings. 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 850,000 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.
Listener Marie asks, "When looking for niche job roles that match your criteria, how do you have patience in the process?" Every week on the SPARKED podcast, we invite 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: Jenny Blake | Website Jenny is a podcaster, career and business strategist, and an award-winning author of three books: Life After College, the groundbreaking Pivot for navigating what's next, and her recently published Free Time for optimizing what's now. LISTENER: Marie, Sparketype: Essentialist/Maven, Anti: Nurturer QUESTION: Listener, Marie, shares a story of her job scouting that is aiming to strike the ideal balance between role & organization fit, skillset match and desirable location. She expresses her frustration with the apparent lack of appealing options and asks is there a way to reframe her situation? Marie puts forward the query, how do you find niche industry roles that match your search criteria and is there a way to look outside the box if you're feeling discouraged with the search process? 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. The Sparketypes have become a global phenomenon, with nearly 1 million people discovering their profiles. For coaches, consultants, and leaders who recognize the power of Sparketypes in their own lives and in guiding others, we're offering the opportunity to become a Certified Sparketype® Advisor (CSA) in our Fall 2024 cohort, providing you with tools to spark profound client transformations and join a global network of change-makers. Learn more & secure your spot in the Certified Sparketype Advisor Training now. Visit: https://sparketype.com/pros 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 August 2022 which will reflect any time based references.
That little voice inside, you've heard it before, haven't you? Whispering "This place just isn't letting me thrive." Or maybe you've felt its opposite - those energizing moments when your values aligned perfectly and your whole self showed up effortlessly. If those experiences resonate, pay attention. Because work culture shapes our daily experience, motivation and growth as human beings in powerful ways. Get it right, and you unlock incredible fulfillment. Get it wrong, and every day can grind you down. In today's episode of SPARKED, I'm joined by Shelly Adele Bliss, one of our fabulous Spark Endeavors team members. Together we're exploring this often-overlooked catalyst for growth or grumpiness. Because you deserve more than just punching a clock - you deserve a culture that lets you flourish. We dive into the core elements of culture, why it matters to much, how culture affects you, what to look for, and run from, and how to choose or craft a work culture that supports your ability to come alive, not just in work, but in life. 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 PS. If you're ready to ignite change and share your story with our community, we encourage you to apply to be a guest on SPARKED. We believe that everyone deserves to find fulfillment and purpose in their careers, and we're on a mission to help you get there. To apply, please check out this form. We can't wait to hear from you! Presented by LinkedIn.
How often have you felt diminished or dismissed, pigeonholed into some generational stereotype that fails to capture your true potential as a human being? Maybe you're a young striver constantly battling the "entitled Gen-Z or millennial" narrative. Or a seasoned veteran having to prove your relevance in a youth-obsessed culture. If these experiences resonate, you're definitely not alone. Question is, what can you do about it? That's what we're diving into today with my guest, Dr. Jessica Kriegel. We're in conversation with: SPARKED GUEST: Dr. Jessica Kriegel | Website Dr. Jessica Kriegel is driven by data and defined by results. She transforms corporate culture for success. Jessica is a household name for all workplace, labor, leadership, women in the workplace, and job markets. Her renowned “Culture Equation” was acquired by Culture Partners in 2021, where she is currently Chief Scientist of Workplace Culture. Her groundbreaking research is detailed in her debut book “Unfairly Labeled,” a manifesto for equality and transformation in the modern workplace and disrupting the narrative that Baby Boomers and Gen Z are misaligned in the workplace. It is her mission to dispel the stereotype that unfairly labels workers today. She is also host of the show Culture Leaders: uncovering the magic behind the masters of movements, a show about how change catches fire for real transformation. 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 850,000 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 PS. If you're ready to ignite change and share your story with our community, we encourage you to apply to be a guest on SPARKED. We believe that everyone deserves to find fulfillment and purpose in their careers, and we're on a mission to help you get there. To apply, please check out this form. We can't wait to hear from you! Presented by LinkedIn.
Have you ever found yourself in a meeting, eyes wide, stomach dropping as a colleague says something that cuts right through you? Maybe it was an offhand comment laced with bias. Or a flat-out prejudiced belief masquerading as opinion. Perhaps it was the sting of outright bullying that left you feeling small and disrespected. If you've been there, you know that awkward, powerless feeling all too well. But what if you had the tools to deftly disarm those moments - to respond in a way that honors your humanity while creating an opportunity for change? My guest today is Kim Scott, author of the groundbreaking books "Radical Candor" and her latest "Radical Respect." Kim's work is paving a courageous new path towards the kind of workplaces we all deserve - cultures steeped in collaboration, where individuality is fiercely celebrated. We're in conversation with: SPARKED GUEST: Kim Scott | Website | Book Kim Scott is the author of Radical Respect and Radical Candor and co-host of the Radical Candor podcast. Kim was a CEO coach at Dropbox, Qualtrics, Twitter, and other tech companies. She was a faculty member at Apple University and before that led AdSense, YouTube, and DoubleClick teams at Google. 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 850,000 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 PS. If you're ready to ignite change and share your story with our community, we encourage you to apply to be a guest on SPARKED. We believe that everyone deserves to find fulfillment and purpose in their careers, and we're on a mission to help you get there. To apply, please check out this form. We can't wait to hear from you! Presented by LinkedIn.
What if you could tap into a state of optimal productivity, creativity, and joy whenever you wanted? I'm talking about flow - that magical feeling when you're so immersed in an activity that the rest of the world seems to melt away. For some of us, slipping into a flow state brings a rush of energy and laser-like focus. We can get more done in less time. New ideas and insights emerge effortlessly. And we feel lit up from the inside out. But here's the thing: flow doesn't just happen randomly. With the right strategies, you can actually cultivate flow purposefully. Joining me into today's SPARKED episode, is our fabulous team here at Spark Endeavors is Shelly Adele Bliss. Together, we'll unpack the science behind flow. What specific states trigger this remarkable state? How, exactly, does it benefit you, both in your work, and also in your life? Most importantly, we explore how you can create the conditions for flow in your own life. 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 850,000 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 PS. If you're ready to ignite change and share your story with our community, we encourage you to apply to be a guest on SPARKED. We believe that everyone deserves to find fulfillment and purpose in their careers, and we're on a mission to help you get there. To apply, please check out this form. We can't wait to hear from you! Presented by LinkedIn.
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: 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. LISTENER: Quentin - Sparketype: Primary: Nurturer, Shadow: Advisor, Anti: Performer QUESTION: Listener Quentin asks a very interesting question, can your interests and therefore your Sparketype, change over time? Or is it a matter of understanding what your primary impulses are and how they are best expressed in different seasons of life, and shifting around them? Quentin puts forward a query we often get at Sparketype HQ - can you do your Sparketype assessment more than once and will it change over the course of your life? But there are some bigger, deeper questions embedded once we dive into what's really going on here. 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 850,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Presented by LinkedIn. This episode was originally published in June 2022 and shares context relevant to that time period.
Have you ever felt like you just don't quite fit into the culture of your workplace? That the way you naturally communicate, in a quieter mode, doesn't align with what's expected and rewarded in a loud culture? If this resonates with you, then you'll want to listen closely to our conversation today, with guest Jessica Chen, an Emmy Award-winning journalist, author, speaker, and CEO of the global business communication company Soulcast Media. In this chat, Jessica and I explore the tension between what she calls "quiet culture" traits like listening more than speaking, keeping your head down to work, and avoiding conflict - and the contrasting "loud culture" traits that are often expected and rewarded in many workplaces. We unpack strategies for how those from quieter backgrounds can get noticed and make an impact without compromising who they truly are. We're in conversation with: SPARKED GUEST: Jessica Chen | Website | Book Jessica Chen is an Emmy-Award winner, author, speaker, and CEO of the global business communication company, Soulcast Media. Jessica is an internationally recognized communication expert and has taught over 2 million people how to improve their communication skills at work. She has been featured in Forbes, Fortune, and Entrepreneur Magazine. Her course on developing executive presence was ranked #1 most watched by global business leaders. Prior to Soulcast Media, Jessica was an award-winning broadcast television journalist at ABC, NBC and NY1. Jessica's upcoming book, “Smart, Not Loud: How to Get Noticed at Work for All the Right Reasons” releases July 2024 by top publishing company, Penguin Random House, and was just named a “Next Big Idea Book Club Must Read 2024.” 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 850,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Presented by LinkedIn.
Have you ever felt like you're being pulled in a million directions, stretched incredibly thin as you try to juggle all the expectations of career, family, and personal fulfillment? Have you struggled with the narrative that women can "have it all" if they just lean in and work hard enough? In today's episode, we challenge this myth of "making it" and explore why it may be causing more harm than good, especially for women. My guest today is Samhita Mukhopadhyay, former executive editor of Teen Vogue and Feministing, and author of the book "The Myth of Making It: A Workplace Reckoning." We'll discuss the toll that unrealistic work-life expectations take on women's well-being, the challenges of advocating for change, and how we can start crafting more meaningful, sustainable lives and careers. If you've ever felt alone in your struggles to balance it all, this episode will remind you that you're not the only one questioning the status quo. We're in conversation with: SPARKED GUEST: Samhita Mukhopadhyay | Book Samhita Mukhopadhyay is the former executive editor of Teen Vogue and the former executive editor at Feministing. Her writing has appeared in New York magazine, The Cut, Vanity Fair, Vogue, The Atlantic, and The Nation. Born in New York City, Mukhopadhyay lives between Putnam County and Brooklyn. 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 850,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Presented by LinkedIn.
Have you ever felt that the cutthroat, win-at-all-costs mentality celebrated in business today leaves you feeling empty instead of fulfilled? In chasing status and wealth above all else, are we sacrificing our humanity along the way? How can we redefine success to prioritize significance over promotion and real human connection over control? My guest today, James Rhee, proposes a radically more holistic vision of business and life in his new book Red Helicopter: Lead Change with Kindness. James argues that when leaders stay grounded in kindness and intrinsic motivation, they unlock the potential for companies to become true forces for good. His story reveals how embracing empathy over ego and leading with compassion enabled him to turn around the fashion retailer Ashley Stewart. Now he's on a mission to inspire more leaders to follow his lead. Together, James and I explore questions like: What will it take to integrate work and life instead of balancing them? How can we regain a sense of agency and demand accountability from those in power? And what will it take to prepare young people to bring their whole selves as they navigate the future of work? We're in conversation with: SPARKED GUEST: James Rhee | Website | Book James Rhee is a high school teacher turned private equity investor and CEO. James' leadership story first grabbed global attention during his unlikely seven-year tenure as Chairman and first-time CEO at fashion retailer Ashley Stewart. After his radical approach fueled a transcendent comeback story for the company, James concretized his leadership philosophy—kindness plus a little math—in the form of red helicopter, his media-education platform. A graduate of Harvard Law School, he is now a Senior Lecturer at Duke Law School and MIT Sloan School of Management and the Johnson Chair of Entrepreneurship at Howard University—the first joint appointment of its kind in history. His TED Talk and Dare to Lead interview with Brené Brown have captured the imagination of millions. He is the author of Red Helicopter (HarperOne; April 9, 2024). 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 650,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Presented by LinkedIn.
This week on the SPARKED podcast, we invite 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: Jenny Blake | Website Jenny is the bestselling author of Life After College, her groundbreaking books PIVOT, and Free Time, and also an incredible career and business strategist. LISTENER: Megan - Sparketype: Maven/Maker QUESTION: How do you know when the best time to make a jump is, especially when you're clear on exactly what you're jumping into and, in fact, have already started building it on the side? 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 850,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn. Presented by LinkedIn.
* Discover Your Sparketype here * What if you've been searching for purpose, passion, joy and energy in all the wrong places? Or, if you're limiting yourself to “having” to find only in the thing you get paid to do. In today's SPARKED Hot Take, we challenge the notion that meaning at work only comes from your job. Sure, when you can find it in your job, that's amazing. And we've created lots of tools to help you do that. But, we've also uncovered a bunch of other ways you come alive that have nothing to do with a paycheck. Joining me from our fabulous team here at Spark Endeavors is Shelly Adele Bliss. Together, we open your eyes to the sparks of fulfillment hiding in plain sight in what we call the 4 domains of work. Beyond the confines of your paid work lives a world of possibility where you can come alive. Once you know what to look for. 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 650,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn. Presented by LinkedIn.
Jonathan Fields is an award winning author, entrepreneur, webby-nominated producer, and host of one of the world's top podcasts - the Good Life Project. He has been featured in outlets including: The New York Times, CNN, The Guardian, and FastCompany. His most recent book: “Sparked” provides a simple framework for helping individuals to discover the work that makes them come most fully alive, and it is the focus of this conversation. You'll learn: — Jonathan's philosophy of “Maximum Sustainable Generosity” and how this helps him to avoid burnout — The 10 “Sparketypes” and how Jonathan's assessment can provide deep insights into the work that you find most meaningful and energising — The relationship between your primary sparketype, shadow sparketype, and anti-sparketype — Why thinking small and an experimental mindset are vital if you want to make a meaningful impact in the world. And more. You can learn more about Jonathan's innovative work at jonathanfields.com and take the assessment at https://sparketype.com. --- Jonathan Fields—the Good Life Guy—delivers insights that spark purpose, possibility, and potential. On a decades-long quest to discover what makes people come fully alive, Jonathan is an award-winning author, Webby-nominated producer, business innovator, and host of one of the world's top podcasts, Good Life Project. The Wall Street Journal named Good Life Project one of the top self-development podcasts, and Apple featured it on-stage during its legendary annual product event. Jonathan is featured widely in the media, including The New York Times, FastCompany, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur, CNN, The Guardian, O Magazine, SELF, Allure, Outside, Elle, Vogue, Fitness and thousands of other outlets. In addition to writing award-winning and bestselling books like SPARKED: Discover Your Unique Imprint for Work that Makes Us Come Alive, How to Live a Good Life and Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt Into Fuel For Brilliance, Jonathan has founded several companies with a focus on maximizing human potential. The most recent is Spark Endeavors, where he is the chief architect and driving force behind the world's first purpose, engagement, and flow archetypes–the Sparketypes®. This powerful tool has been tapped by over 600,000 individuals and organizations, generating more than 30-million data-points and a rapidly growing body of stories, use-cases, applications, and insight-based solutions to help transform how we work, lead and live. On the live or virtual stage, Jonathan captivates with eye-opening ideas, stories, and science. He draws not just from his own experience, but also the wisdom of the many global visionaries he's interviewed, along with insights from the vast data-set generated by the Sparketype Assessment. It all adds up to a rare ability to take audiences on a joyful journey of discovery. Jonathan's unique insights and solutions inspire people to put what they learn into action. --- Interview Links: — Jonathan's website - https://www.jonathanfields.com — Jonathan's books - https://amzn.to/3wdZQOd
You may not think of your work as your religion, but for many, it's trying to become exactly that! Without us even realizing it. Question is – is that a good thing? A bad thing? Or just a thing? Today's guest, sociologist, Associate Professor of Ethnic Studies at UC Berkeley, and Co-Director of the Berkeley Center for the Study of Religion, Carolyn Chen, has a lot to say about this silent, yet deeply impactful, phenomenon. She spent years studying workplace culture, with a focus on the near-religious cultures of Silicon Valley. As home to startups, major tech companies, and some of the world's most innovative and, arguably, faithful entrepreneurs and professionals, she noticed the lines between doing meaningful work and religion have not only been blurred, but work has, in many ways, squeezed out and even become employees' religion. Problem is – the goal is not personal and societal betterment, but rather in service of one central purpose: working harder and smarter, and generating innovation and profit. In our conversation, we explore big questions like why are so many people leaving traditional religion? How do religion and spirituality meet our needs in the first place, and what are the ways big tech or corporations are filling those gaps? What does it look like for us to choose what we want to worship and find meaning and belonging in healthy, nontraditional spaces? And, is this conversion of work into faith, actually a societally destructive phenomenon, even while organizations benefit from it? We're in conversation with: SPARKED GUEST: Carolyn Chen | Website | Instagram Carolyn is the author of Getting Saved in America: Taiwanese Immigration and Religious Experience and co-editor of Sustaining Faith Traditions: Religion, Race and Ethnicity among the Latino and Asian American Second Generation. Her latest book, Work Pray Code: When Work Becomes Religion in Silicon Valley, is an account and exploration of her time spent interviewing the best and the brightest in the tech world to unfold how tech giants are reshaping spirituality to serve their religion of peak productivity. 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 650,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Presented by LinkedIn.
What if much of what you've been told about how to come alive and get ahead in work was, well, wrong? That's what today's guest, Bonnie Hammer argues. And she'd know. As the Vice Chair of NBCUniversal, with decades at the highest levels of business, she's the author of the new book 15 Lies: How Women are Taught to Fail and the Truth That Sets Them Free. In our conversation, Bonnie stresses the difference between common platitudes and what actually moves the needle. Together we dig into the importance of having truth tellers who give "tough love" and challenge you rather than just affirm you and discuss, why she believes "faking it til you make it" is terrible advice, and so much more. We're in conversation with: SPARKED GUEST: Bonnie Hammer | Book Bonnie Hammer is Vice Chair of NBCUniversal, where she's spent decades transforming every facet of the television business. Under her leadership, the company's cable group and studios achieved record-setting profits, garnered 167 Emmy nominations, and launched hit series including Suits, Psych, The Sinner, Battlestar Galactica, Mr. Robot, and hundreds more. She's occupied virtually every industry position from production assistant to studio head—often being tapped for cutting edge roles. Bonnie is also the author of the new book 15 Lies: How Women are Taught to Fail and the Truth That Sets Them Free. 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 650,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Presented by LinkedIn. PS. We're about to launch a program - Career Clarity Lab™ - that's been five-years in the making. It'll be entirely online and priced for accessibility. It will answer so many of the questions you've had about finding and doing work that truly makes you come alive. And, it will guide you through a step-by-step process to make it happen. We're looking to launch this program soon, but if you'd like to learn more now and be on our early-notice list (and qualify for a pretty big discount during our pre-launch window)... Learn more here.
* Discover Your Sparketype here * We all want to feel more alive in work, and also in life. But, how? Where do we even begin. I'm sure you've noticed there are certain activities that light you up at work. When you're doing them, you lose track of time, enter a state of flow, and feel deeply energized, like you're fueled by purpose, meaning and joy.. But there are also tasks that drain you, no matter how motivated you are. Turns out, we all have a set of impulses that are unique to us, and they inform what kind of work fills us up, and what empties us out. We call these your Sparketypes, and we've been leading research on the Sparketypes since 2018, building on input from nearly 900,000 people, generating a database of more than 45-million data-points. We've learned a thing or two about what it takes to come alive at work, and figured it was time to start sharing a lot more of that with you here on the SPARKED podcast. Joining me from our fabulous team here at Spark Endeavors is Shelly Adele Bliss and together, we take a deep dive into our Sparketype framework and today, we're starting out with a simple question. What ARE the Sparketypes, and why should you discover yours? 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 650,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn. Presented by LinkedIn.
Are you unintentionally shutting down those around, so you you never get the benefit of their wisdom? Or, are you the one being shut down? In work, in relationships, in life? Have you ever wondered what your coworkers, friends, or even kids really think but don't say? I'm sure you've experienced those rare moments when someone finally opened up and offered a perspective that shifted your whole view. But what about all the times they stayed silent? How much wisdom have you missed out on along the way? In today's SPARKED Hot Take episode, we're joined by Jeff Wetzler, to explore the invisible blockers causing people to withhold their truth from us. What deep-seated human dynamics lead us to hold back ideas and struggles from the very people who could help? We're in conversation with: SPARKED GUEST: Jeff Wetzler | Website Jeff Wetzler, author of forthcoming book, ‘Ask: Tap Into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You for Unexpected Breakthroughs In Leadership and Life' has been on a quarter-century quest to transform learning opportunities. Blending a unique set of leadership experiences in the fields of business and education, he's pursued this quest as a management consultant to the world's top corporations, as a learning facilitator for leaders around the world, as Chief Learning Officer at Teach For America, and most recently, as co-CEO of Transcend, a nationally recognized innovation organization. He lives in New York with his wife, two children, and their puppy. 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 650,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Presented by LinkedIn. PS. We're about to launch a program - Career Clarity Lab™ - that's been five-years in the making. It'll be entirely online and priced for accessibility. It will answer so many of the questions you've had about finding and doing work that truly makes you come alive. And, it will guide you through a step-by-step process to make it happen. We're looking to launch this program in late-April, but if you'd like to learn more now and be on our early-notice list (and qualify for a pretty big discount during our pre-launch window)... Learn more here.
This week on the SPARKED podcast, we invite 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: Jenny Blake | Website Jenny is a podcaster, career and business strategist, and an award-winning author of three books: Life After College, the groundbreaking Pivot for navigating what's next, and her recently published Free Time for optimizing what's now. LISTENER: Paula - Sparketype: Essentialist/Maven, Anti: Performer QUESTION: Listener Paula shares a powerful story about a season of devotion to her family and her family business, and her emerging passion to shift focus to something new, and how that brings up all sorts of questions about everything from familial responsibility to purpose, passion and the freedom to choose your next move. Paula wrote in to share her story with us, so we've asked Shelley from our team to “read it into the conversation,” for us. 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 650,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Presented by LinkedIn. PS. We're about to launch a program - Career Clarity Lab™ - that's been five-years in the making. It'll be entirely online and priced for accessibility. It will answer so many of the questions you've had about finding and doing work that truly makes you come alive. And, it will guide you through a step-by-step process to make it happen. We're looking to launch this program in late-April, but if you'd like to learn more now and be on our early-notice list (and qualify for a pretty big discount during our pre-launch window)... Learn more here.
Follow the SPARKED Newsletter on LinkedIn here. What if our biggest regrets secretly held the keys to unlocking our greatest potential in work and life? What if it was the path to self-improvement, clarified priorities, and more courageous living? That's what we're exploring in this episode of Sparked, with my guest, bestselling author Daniel Pink. This conversation originally aired as a LinkedIn Live so after we teased out the topic, we were able to take some listener questions live and answer in real-time. And we're in conversation with: SPARKED HOT TAKE WITH: Daniel Pink | Website Dan is the author of several influential books on business, work, and human behavior, including Drive, A Whole New Mind, and To Sell is Human. His latest work, The Power of Regret, offers a fascinating look at the psychology and potential benefits of one of life's most common yet overlooked emotions. 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 650,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find an Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Presented by LinkedIn.
Imagine, being in your 20s, fresh out of washing dishes at a local restaurant, borrowing just enough money to open a tiny, local deli with a friend who shared your passion for food, community, and business? Now, imagine that, decades later, that single decision would profoundly change the lives of not just thousands of regular customers, but millions of people, around the world? What my guest today, Ari Weinzwieg, didn't realize, when starting Zingerman's Deli with a $20,000 loan from the bank, and a degree in Russian History from the University of Michigan, was that he was seeding a revolution. Actually, in hindsight, maybe he did. Now 17 companies later and sitting as the CEO and co-founding partner of Zingerman's Community of Businesses, Ari sees commerce as an engine of impact, expression and service that changes people's lives. Ari and his ideas have set off a global ripple of compassion, dignity, imagination, and aliveness in the world of business, inviting people to reimagine a profoundly different, radically expansive and inclusive way of defining success. Named by Inc Magazine as one of “The World's 10 Top CEOs,” he's forging a new way in business that rejects the norm and is grounded in purposeful vision, passion, and anarchy theory. He's written extensively about the values and beliefs that have kept the now iconic Zingerman's Delicatessen, his first business venture, afloat and successful for over 40 years in weekly newsletters and the numerous books he's authored, such as A Lapsed Anarchist's Approach to the Power of Beliefs and A Lapsed Anarchist's Approach to Managing Ourselves. You can find Ari at: Website | Instagram HOSTED BY: 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 650,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training. This powerful training and certification is designed to help you: Deliver more outstanding service while helping your clients and/or team members live a more-fulfilling life, and craft a more purpose-led, meaningful, and alive career path. Better understand how to powerfully motivate and inspire employees or teams to perform at the highest levels, so that they generate exceptional results and do more of what makes them come alive. AND… get there much faster with next-gen tools that do what no others can. Learn more HERE. Next Training starts March 2024 Presented by LinkedIn. Please note this episode originally aired in December 2022 which will be relevant to some references about world news.
How do you blend a well-paying job and a side passion that lights you up? This week 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: Deborah Owens | Website After a long career in leadership in some of the biggest companies in the world, Deborah founded her own consulting firm, Corporate Alley Cat, where she advises and coaches People of Color in all aspects of career visioning and development. She has this incredible ability to see what's happening under the surface in any given situation, and ask questions that get to the heart of the matter and reveal possibilities that feel both empowering and expansive. LISTENER: Liana - Sparketype: Nurturer/Maven QUESTION: In today's episode, listener Liana shares a conundrum that many of us have pondered. Do you stay in the well-paying job and build up your savings or do you go part-time in order to do more of what lights you up and as Liana puts it ‘live your best life sooner.' The question being, what do you value more money or your time? And is that even a real dichotomy? 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 650,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training. This powerful training and certification is designed to help you: Deliver more outstanding service while helping your clients and/or team members live a more-fulfilling life, and craft a more purpose-led, meaningful, and alive career path. Better understand how to powerfully motivate and inspire employees or teams to perform at the highest levels, so that they generate exceptional results and do more of what makes them come alive. AND… get there much faster with next-gen tools that do what no others can. Learn more HERE. Next Training starts March 2024 Presented by LinkedIn. PLEASE NOTE: This episode of SPARKED originally aired in May of 2022.
Have you ever felt like you're drowning in stress, no matter what you try? That the weight of it all seems impossible to overcome? I've been there too. Today I'm speaking with Dr. Aditi Nerurkar, a Harvard stress expert on a mission to help us reframe and reset our relationship with stress. In my experience, we often feel alone when stressed, as if we're the only ones struggling. The truth is stress touches us all. As Aditi shares, stress is a natural and healthy human response, but in modern life it can become overactivated, leaving us burnt out and fatigued. The good news? There are simple, daily mindset shifts we can make to reboot our brains and bodies - no expensive spas or months in Bali required. Rather than preaching toxic resilience, she provides real-world solutions tailored to the realities of modern life - from the myth of multitasking to the vital role of social connections. She prescribes time-efficient, cost-free techniques accessible to anyone, helping us change our relationship with stress and find balance once more. SPARKED HOT TAKE WITH: Dr. Aditi Nerurkar | Website Dr. Aditi Nerurkar is a nationally sought-after speaker, television correspondent, and author of the new book The Five Resets: Rewire Your Brain and Body for Less Stress and More Resilience. With over two decades of clinical experience, she offers a reimagined approach to overcoming stress and burnout using five science-backed mindset shifts. HOSTED BY: 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 650,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training. This powerful training and certification is designed to help you: Deliver more outstanding service while helping your clients and/or team members live a more-fulfilling life, and craft a more purpose-led, meaningful, and alive career path. Better understand how to powerfully motivate and inspire employees or teams to perform at the highest levels, so that they generate exceptional results and do more of what makes them come alive. AND… get there much faster with next-gen tools that do what no others can. Learn more HERE. Next Training starts March 2024 Presented by LinkedIn.
When was the last time you asked yourself if your career is truly headed where you want to go? Do you feel like you're just coasting along or following someone else's script? It's tempting but playing it safe is no way to build a career that allows you to grow into your best self. In today's conversation, Grace helps you grab the wheel and chart a course aligned with your true aspirations. We'll explore how to move past the myth of “work-life balance” and integrate your personal and professional lives in an intentional way. Grace shares how to define your unique “cardinal direction,” take control of your career GPS, and build “professional equity” as you move ahead. She also reveals how to course-correct when you veer off track so you can leave a legacy you're proud of. SPARKED HOT TAKE WITH: Grace Puma | Book Grace Puma is the former executive vice president and COO of PepsiCo, and before that held senior positions with United Airlines, Kraft Foods, Motorola, and Gillette. A board member of both Organon & Co and Target, she has been ranked on the “Most Powerful Latina” list by Fortune magazine and recognized as the “Executive of the Year” by Latina Style magazine. Puma holds a BA in business administration and economics from Illinois Benedictine University. She lives in Tampa, Florida. HOSTED BY: 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 650,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training. This powerful training and certification is designed to help you: Deliver more outstanding service while helping your clients and/or team members live a more-fulfilling life, and craft a more purpose-led, meaningful, and alive career path. Better understand how to powerfully motivate and inspire employees or teams to perform at the highest levels, so that they generate exceptional results and do more of what makes them come alive. AND… get there much faster with next-gen tools that do what no others can. Learn more HERE. Next Training starts March 2024 Presented by LinkedIn.
Have you ever felt like creativity is a gift only meant for others? Like you just weren't born part of that illustrious and somewhat mysterious “creative class?” Total bunk. Creativity lives inside all of us—and uncovering it could unlock meaning and joy in every aspect of your life? In this conversation, Cynthia and I explore the myths holding us back from full creative living. She reveals three brutally hard truths of innovation, and why the creative life isn't about chasing comfort. We discuss how to awaken your senses, see with new eyes, and understand your unique blend of creativity. In today's episode we're digging into: How do you know when you are being creative? What are the signs or feelings that indicate you have tapped into your own creativity? Where does the "muse" or creative inspiration come from - is it something within us or does it come from outside of us? How can we challenge what we think we know and let ourselves be surprised in order to expand creativity in our work and relationships? How can we cultivate and tune our senses to see familiar things in new ways and spark creativity? SPARKED HOT TAKE WITH: Cynthia Morris | Website Cynthia is the founder of the Original Impulse creative studio and atelier and coaching program for writers, she's also an author, workshop facilitator, trusted advisor and coach. HOSTED BY: 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 650,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training. This powerful training and certification is designed to help you: Deliver more outstanding service while helping your clients and/or team members live a more-fulfilling life, and craft a more purpose-led, meaningful, and alive career path. Better understand how to powerfully motivate and inspire employees or teams to perform at the highest levels, so that they generate exceptional results and do more of what makes them come alive. AND… get there much faster with next-gen tools that do what no others can. Learn more HERE. Next Training starts March 2024 Presented by LinkedIn.
Have you ever felt that nagging sense that you're capable of achieving so much more, yet held yourself back because taking a leap felt too risky? I know I have. We all have big dreams inside us - of launching that business, asking for the promotion, or finally working up the courage to leave the unfulfilling job. But so often, we shy away from fully pursuing those dreams because we worry about stability, acceptance from others, or our own self-doubt. We're in conversation with: SPARKED HOT TAKE WITH: Deborah Owens | Website After a long career in leadership in some of the biggest companies in the world, Deborah founded her own consulting firm, Corporate Alley Cat, where she advises and coaches People of Color in all aspects of career visioning and development. She has this incredible ability to see what's happening under the surface in any given situation, and ask questions that get to the heart of the matter and reveal possibilities that feel both empowering and expansive. 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 650,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training. This powerful training and certification is designed to help you: Deliver more outstanding service while helping your clients and/or team members live a more-fulfilling life, and craft a more purpose-led, meaningful, and alive career path. Better understand how to powerfully motivate and inspire employees or teams to perform at the highest levels, so that they generate exceptional results and do more of what makes them come alive. AND… get there much faster with next-gen tools that do what no others can. Learn more HERE. Next Training starts March 2024 Presented by LinkedIn.
Have you ever started the new year feeling unstoppable, only to hit February and realize your plans need a major refresh? I've been there too. The ambitious goals we set in January can seem so achievable in the moment. But life has a way of asserting itself. Unexpected challenges arise. Priorities shift. New opportunities emerge. The question is: what do you do when you find yourself at this crossroads? Do you rigidly cling to outdated plans and force failure? Or do you have the courage to tear up the blueprint and start again aligned with your new reality? My guest today, Charlie Gilkey, is intimately familiar with this entrepreneurial rite of passage. In our conversation, Charlie shares his wisdom on what to do when you realize it's time to reconsider your goals. With insight gained from years of experience, he reveals how to take stock of where you actually are right now, not where you hoped to be, and create an updated plan aligned with that reality. With Charlie's guidance, you'll learn how to rework your plans while honoring the past and creating space for the emergence of new possibilities. SPARKED BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Charlie Gilkey | Website Charlie Gilkey has advised hundreds of teams, from Fortune 100 companies to tiny nonprofits, through Productive Flourishing, the coaching and training company he founded. Charlie is the author of the critically acclaimed Start Finishing: How to Go From Idea to Done. His latest book is Team Habits: How Small Actions Lead to Extraordinary Results. 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 650,000 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 Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training. This powerful training and certification is designed to help you: Deliver more outstanding service while helping your clients and/or team members live a more-fulfilling life, and craft a more purpose-led, meaningful, and alive career path. Better understand how to powerfully motivate and inspire employees or teams to perform at the highest levels, so that they generate exceptional results and do more of what makes them come alive. AND… get there much faster with next-gen tools that do what no others can. Learn more HERE. Next Training starts March 2024 Presented by LinkedIn.
Money. Some view it as a dirty word. Others live their entire lives in pursuit of it. There is so much mythology and misinformation about what it really takes to build life-changing levels of wealth. Even if we find a way to be well-informed, and are fortunate to be in a position to be thinking about building wealth, so many are still left to deal with the often triggering family and cultural patterns, assumptions and values we've adopted, and been pummeled by, around money. What if you could reshape your entire relationship with money? I'm willing to bet that at some point you've felt confused, overwhelmed, or just plain frustrated when it comes to personal finance. It's not easy to navigate, especially when so many supposed “experts” seem to be speaking a different language. But what if you had a guide, a mentor who could decode it all for you in simple, practical steps? Someone to help you adopt a realistic, yet affluence-friendly mindset and stop just getting by paycheck-to-paycheck? In our conversation, we dive into the assumptions, misinformation and missteps that so often become the dominant tropes in personal finance. Then, Vivian shares specific insights, strategies and tips designed to help equip you with tools and knowledge to understand finances and build your own generation-changing wealth strategy, no matter where you are in life. We explore ways to maximize earnings, how to negotiate your true worth at work, overcome investing fears, adopting simple, effective habits to grow wealth, and then tap this resource not just for your own security and wellbeing, but also to make the world a better place. And we're in conversation with: SPARKED BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Vivian Tu | Website | Book Vivian Tu, is a former Wall Street trader turned personal finance phenom, educator, and now author of the new book, Rich AF: The Winning Money Mindset That Will Change Your Life. After burning out in the toxic environment of high finance, Vivian found a new purpose: making financial literacy accessible – after she realized there was a huge unmet need for judgment-free financial advice. Especially for people who've traditionally been excluded from a level of financial intel that can be lifechanging. She started creating viral TikTok videos packed with no-BS money advice. Now, with millions of loyal followers, she's become a leading voice empowering everyday people to get smart about money and achieve financial freedom. 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 650,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training. This powerful training and certification is designed to help you: Deliver more outstanding service while helping your clients and/or team members live a more-fulfilling life, and craft a more purpose-led, meaningful, and alive career path. Better understand how to powerfully motivate and inspire employees or teams to perform at the highest levels, so that they generate exceptional results and do more of what makes them come alive. AND… get there much faster with next-gen tools that do what no others can. Learn more HERE. Next Training starts March 2024 Presented by LinkedIn.
*Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training. Next Training starts March 2024. Why do we feel so bad when we say no to people? Even to complete strangers who request our time, advice or even money out of the blue? What's going on there? What is the deeper psychology of our inability to comfortably and shamelessly just say no? Even to people and things that sound genuinely interesting, but are not landing at a moment when we have the capacity to say yes? This dilemma shows up at work all the time, and also in every other part of life and personal relationships. We worry about disappointing others, missing out on something better, or even jeopardizing work relationships. But what if reclaiming the lost art of "no" opened up space for what matters most? If you struggle to decline without guilt, tune in for permission to reframe "no" as an act of self-care. In today's episode we're digging into: What are some of the reasons people feel compelled to perpetually say yes and have difficulty saying no? What motivations compel chronic people-pleasers to overcommit? How can systems eliminate the need for repeated no's? What decision filters discern a clear yes from an energy-draining maybe? SPARKED HOT TAKE WITH: Jenny Blake | Website Jenny is a podcaster, career and business strategist, and an award-winning author of three books: Life After College, the groundbreaking Pivot for navigating what's next, and her recently published Free Time for optimizing what's now. 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 650,000 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 Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training. This powerful training and certification is designed to help you: Deliver more outstanding service while helping your clients and/or team members live a more-fulfilling life, and craft a more purpose-led, meaningful, and alive career path. Better understand how to powerfully motivate and inspire employees or teams to perform at the highest levels, so that they generate exceptional results and do more of what makes them come alive. AND… get there much faster with next-gen tools that do what no others can. Learn more HERE. Next Training starts March 2024 Presented by LinkedIn.
Many of us have felt the call to create our own professional path and start our own business. The call is especially strong when your why is deeply personal and mission driven. And, sometimes, that even means walking away from something else that, from the outside looking in, is everything you'd ever want. How do you handle these moments, make good decisions, and find the courage to step into the unknown? In today's episode, we tackle questions that can arise when making decisions about what path to take, such as how do you avoid the sunk cost fallacy and know when to walk away? And if flooded with ideas or directions, how do you stay focused and committed to one project or path? And we're in conversation with: SPARKED BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Raina Kumra | LinkedIn | Website Start-up founder, advisor, and food activist Raina Kumra. As the Founder of Spicewell, CEO of Juggernaut and partner at The Fund LA, Raina Kumra is on a mission to help people have greater access to nutrient-dense food and better health at scale. After 25 years of working in the tech industry, Raina realized that Big Food requires as much work as Big Tech and Big Pharma when she helped heal her family using Ayurvedic practices mid- pandemic. Named one of Fast Company's Most Creative People in Business, she's mastered new territory in each chapter of her storied career. After a decade in digital advertising working with brands like Nike and Coke, Raina knew she could create a greater impact on the world. 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 650,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training. This powerful training and certification is designed to help you: Deliver more outstanding service while helping your clients and/or team members live a more-fulfilling life, and craft a more purpose-led, meaningful, and alive career path. Better understand how to powerfully motivate and inspire employees or teams to perform at the highest levels, so that they generate exceptional results and do more of what makes them come alive. AND… get there much faster with next-gen tools that do what no others can. Learn more HERE. Next Training starts March 2024 Presented by LinkedIn.
Ever feel like you spend way too much time in the tactical details and lose sight of the bigger picture? Especially when you don't have to be doing much of the detailed work, but you somehow can't stop yourself from it? You're not alone. We've all felt the temptation to retreat into the comfort zone of tackling familiar tactical tasks instead of venturing into unknown strategic domains. But what drives this tendency? How much of it is practical necessity versus psychological coping mechanism or a fear-based response to the unknown? In today's episode we ask, why do leaders often get stuck spending too much time on tactical details and "in the weeds" instead of thinking more strategically? SPARKED HOT TAKE WITH: 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. 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 650,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training. This powerful training and certification is designed to help you: Deliver more outstanding service while helping your clients and/or team members live a more-fulfilling life, and craft a more purpose-led, meaningful, and alive career path. Better understand how to powerfully motivate and inspire employees or teams to perform at the highest levels, so that they generate exceptional results and do more of what makes them come alive. AND… get there much faster with next-gen tools that do what no others can. Learn more HERE. Next Training starts March 2024 Presented by LinkedIn.
Overwhelm has become the post-pandemic pandemic. And it's showing up in all parts of life - personal, professional, social, health and beyond. So many feel like they're one seemingly small thing away from completely shutting down. That your work, task and emotional load has hit a saturation point, leaving you unsure how to move forward. And terrified of the one more thing that gets piled on and ends up taking you down. All too often, the response is not to get proactive, and there's no judgment here, it's hard to act when you feel like you don't have the capacity to. So, we end up numbing out, in myriad ways. Which is, by the way, different from run-of-the-mill burnout. Question is, what's really going on here, and what can we do about it? In today's episode we're digging into: How is the feeling of being "blown" or "numb" different from regular stress or burnout? Why does shame and a sense of "not enoughness" often accompany these feelings of numbness or system overload? If lowering expectations temporarily could help, how do you navigate when your workplace won't allow that reprieve? What are practical ways to "turn down the volume" on inputs overwhelming your capacity and ability to cope? How can you add supportive, energizing elements back into your life to increase resilience against this numbness and stress saturation? And we're in conversation with: SPARKED BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Yvonne Ator | Website Yvonne is the Founder of Thriving Physicians and Thriving Idealist, where she coaches heart-centered, mission-driven Physicians and other helping professionals who seek to make a positive impact in the world. 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 650,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training. This powerful training and certification is designed to help you: Deliver more outstanding service while helping your clients and/or team members live a more-fulfilling life, and craft a more purpose-led, meaningful, and alive career path. Better understand how to powerfully motivate and inspire employees or teams to perform at the highest levels, so that they generate exceptional results and do more of what makes them come alive. AND… get there much faster with next-gen tools that do what no others can. Learn more HERE. Next Training starts March 2024 Presented by LinkedIn.
What story will your audience notice and act on? How do you cut through noise to connect? And why does it seem so difficult for people and organizations to communicate clearly? In today's SPARKED hot take episode, messaging expert Ben Guttmann joins me to explore simplifying communication to ensure it resonates. Together, we tackle why most messages fail and how to design ones that compel action. Ben reveals the gap between hyper-distracted modern brains and Stone Age instincts. And why must we meet audiences where they are? He also offers interesting insights on how to use constraints to spark creative breakthroughs. In today's episode we're digging into: How do we simplify messaging and communicate complex ideas effectively? How can we better understand our target audience and what motivates them? What principles and techniques make messages more salient, focused, and empathetic? How can we minimize friction and guide audiences smoothly to where we want them to go? And we're in conversation with: SPARKED HOT TAKE WITH: Ben Guttmann | Website | Book Ben Guttmann is a marketing entrepreneur and educator, and is the author of Simply Put: Why Clear Messages Win — and How to Design Them. Ben is the former co-founder and managing partner at Digital Natives Group, an award-winning agency that worked with the NFL, I Love NY, Comcast NBCUniversal, Hachette Book Group, The Nature Conservancy, and other major clients. Currently, Ben teaches digital marketing at Baruch College in New York City and consults with a range of thought leaders, venture-backed startups, and other brands. 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 650,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training. This powerful training and certification is designed to help you: Deliver more outstanding service while helping your clients and/or team members live a more-fulfilling life, and craft a more purpose-led, meaningful, and alive career path. Better understand how to powerfully motivate and inspire employees or teams to perform at the highest levels, so that they generate exceptional results and do more of what makes them come alive. AND… get there much faster with next-gen tools that do what no others can. Learn more HERE. Next Training starts March 2024 Presented by LinkedIn.
Imagine feeling like no matter how hard you work, how much you contribute, you just can't seem to get the recognition or advancement or even feedback you deserve. It's frustrating. Especially that last part. Can you remember a time when a vague performance review left you unsure what to actually change? Or when subtle biases infected feedback, limiting your growth? I'm sure a lot of us can. So how can we craft a more growth-oriented, collaborative feedback process? Together we question, what are the common pitfalls that undermine performance reviews and inhibit collaborative communication? And, how can we reframe performance management as a partnership, not an adversarial process? Deborah reveals research showing marginalized groups often receive far less actionable feedback, impeding their advancement. In today's episode we're digging into: What constitutes vague, non-actionable feedback versus concrete, constructive feedback? How can unconscious biases negatively impact performance reviews, especially for marginalized groups? Why do managers sometimes fail to give direct feedback due to "protective hesitation"? What strategies can employees use to obtain clear, helpful feedback for growth? How can both managers and employees reframe performance conversations as collaborative rather than adversarial? And we're in conversation with: SPARKED HOT TAKE WITH: Deborah Owens | Website After a long career in leadership in some of the biggest companies in the world, Deborah founded her own consulting firm, Corporate Alley Cat, where she advises and coaches People of Color in all aspects of career visioning and development. She has this incredible ability to see what's happening under the surface in any given situation, and ask questions that get to the heart of the matter and reveal possibilities that feel both empowering and expansive. 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 650,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training. This powerful training and certification is designed to help you: Deliver more outstanding service while helping your clients and/or team members live a more-fulfilling life, and craft a more purpose-led, meaningful, and alive career path. Better understand how to powerfully motivate and inspire employees or teams to perform at the highest levels, so that they generate exceptional results and do more of what makes them come alive. AND… get there much faster with next-gen tools that do what no others can. Learn more HERE. Next Training starts March 2024 Presented by LinkedIn.
How do we transcend “us vs them” thinking? In turbulent times how do we build bonds instead of walls? In today's episode, Talia Fox joins me to explore the skills that shape conscious connection. Talia reveals the nightmare of disconnection plaguing our teams and work culture and shares frameworks to transform noise and vitriol into understanding and connection. In today's episode we're digging into: How do we move beyond an "us vs them" mentality to create unity and understanding? What skills can help us deeply listen, observe, and connect across divides? How do we speak our truth while also elevating collective humanity? What gets in the way of conscious communication and connection? How can we lead with curiosity instead of certainty to bridge differences? SPARKED HOT TAKE WITH: Talia Fox | Book Talia is the CEO of KUSI Global, is a Harvard Fellow with a Masters in Education from Howard. With over 20 years of experience, she helps major organizations maximize human potential. In her forthcoming book, The Power of Conscious Connection, Talia shares her methodology for helping individuals and organizations foster connected cultures. 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 650,000 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 You Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training. This powerful training and certification is designed to help you: Deliver more outstanding service while helping your clients and/or team members live a more-fulfilling life, and craft a more purpose-led, meaningful, and alive career path. Better understand how to powerfully motivate and inspire employees or teams to perform at the highest levels, so that they generate exceptional results and do more of what makes them come alive. AND… get there much faster with next-gen tools that do what no others can. Learn more HERE. Next Training starts March 2024 Presented by LinkedIn.
What truly ignites your inner spark? Does the work you're doing fuel your fire or is it time to rewrite stale stories of “success”? How do you know when logic alone can no longer guide your path? Karen offers insights on protecting space for what matters, even within traditional careers. Because radical change may not be required to reclaim meaning. Subtler shifts can get you closer to the feeling you seek. In today's episode we're digging into: How do you know when it's time to make a career change based on passion versus just building your resume? How do you expand your vision beyond job titles to purposeful pursuits that energize you? When is it time to make a change based on joy rather than advancement? What are some tools we can use to reawaken creativity suppressed by corporate culture? When changing paths, how do you get support from loved ones affected by your choice? SPARKED HOT TAKE WITH: 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. 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 650,000 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 You Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training. This powerful training and certification is designed to help you: Deliver more outstanding service while helping your clients and/or team members live a more-fulfilling life, and craft a more purpose-led, meaningful, and alive career path. Better understand how to powerfully motivate and inspire employees or teams to perform at the highest levels, so that they generate exceptional results and do more of what makes them come alive. AND… get there much faster with next-gen tools that do what no others can. Learn more HERE. Next Training starts March 2024 Presented by LinkedIn.
*Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training, Next Training starts March 2024 * When is it time to walk away from work? How do you know when that creative spark has faded? Have you ever felt torn between loyalty to a job, cause or team, and honoring your own well-being? In this conversation, we address those pivotal questions that arise when it feels like time for a change. We explore a set of inquiries and prompts to think about when deciding if a job, creative endeavor or passion project has run its course. In today's episode we're digging into: How do you know when it's time to quit something you once loved? What are the signs your mind and body send when it's time for change? How do you walk away with integrity and care for the community you built? What are the hidden costs of staying somewhere that your spark has faded? How can you reinvigorate stagnant projects before deciding to quit? SPARKED HOT TAKE WITH: Jenny Blake | Website Jenny is a podcaster, career and business strategist, and an award-winning author of three books: Life After College, the groundbreaking Pivot for navigating what's next, and her recently published Free Time for optimizing what's now. 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 650,000 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 You Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training. This powerful training and certification is designed to help you: Deliver more outstanding service while helping your clients and/or team members live a more-fulfilling life, and craft a more purpose-led, meaningful, and alive career path. Better understand how to powerfully motivate and inspire employees or teams to perform at the highest levels, so that they generate exceptional results and do more of what makes them come alive. AND… get there much faster with next-gen tools that do what no others can. Learn more HERE. Next Training starts March 2024 Presented by LinkedIn.
Why do we stay silent when we know things aren't right? How can leaders spark truth-telling in turbulent times? And how can we foster environments that make it feel safer and worthwhile for people to voice opinions or issues? Together we tackle why people don't speak up more, the often devastating impact of staying quiet, both on ourselves and on others, and what we can do to change that. Shed explains why psychological safety alone isn't enough. We also need courage, and to know our voice matters. He offers insights on changing culture, and reducing fear just enough, while raising the stakes, so people take the risk to contribute. In today's episode we're digging into: We dig into questions like, how do leaders reward truth-telling, even when it's hard to hear? Why must inclusion of diverse views be centered? We discuss the behaviors that encourage participation at all levels. And how to have constructive dialogue, not just top-down criticism. Imagine work cultures where speaking up is welcomed, not just tolerated. Where complex issues are explored from all sides, with open-minded curiosity, not closed-minded certainty. And we're in conversation with: SPARKED BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Stephen ‘Shed' Shedletzky | Website | Book Speaker and author of “Speak-Up Culture: When Leaders Truly Listen, People Step Up”, Stephen Shedletzky. Stephen, or Shed, as most folks call him, is a leadership coach and advisor who helps leaders make it safe and worth it for people to speak up. Over the years, he's taken on roles like Chief of Staff, Lead Igniter & Head of Brand Experience, Training & Development. He's led a global team of speakers and facilitators, as well as hundreds of his own keynotes, workshops and team and leadership development programs. 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 650,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Presented by LinkedIn.
How do we build a future of work that moves fast, makes amazing things happen, yet is more humane? One where care, wellbeing, and innovation coexist? In today's episode, we dive into the often brutal state of workplace culture, how it celebrates pace and drive, but often at the cost of humanity and sustainability, and we talk about how we can continue to move fast and do big things, but also do it in a way that respects the person along the way. Anne offers insights on driving urgency while avoiding collateral damage to people. In today's episode we're digging into: How can we innovate rapidly while avoiding collateral damage? What needs rebuilding to restore trust between employers and employees? How can inclusion and diversity become true competitive edge? What makes storytelling essential when guiding teams through change? Why is recovery so crucial for organizations - just as for individuals? And we're in conversation with: SPARKED BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Anne Morriss | Podcast | Book Anne has spent 20 years building mission-driven enterprises and worked with organizations globally on leadership, culture, and change. She serves on nonprofit boards, co-hosts the Fixable podcast from the TED Audio Collective, and is the author of Move Fast and Fix Things: The Trusted Leader's Guide to Solving Hard Problems. 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 650,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Presented by LinkedIn.
Tune in to this weeks podcast about Sparketypes and how they can impact your life!
Have you ever struggled to find the right words when tensions run high? Wanted to stand up for what you believe in but risked fueling the fire? In divided times, how do we speak out thoughtfully, with intelligence, heart and nuance? Today we're exploring moving through polarizing moments with intention, in this episode we ask, What if there was a way to stand up for what you believe in, while still seeing the humanity in those you disagree with and also stepping into the conversation in a more intentional and responsive way, rather than reactive, misguided or harmful way? When circumstances lead to strong disagreement, mixed with deep emotion, and a sense of urgency, people often feel an expectation to speak or act with immediacy, yet taking a stance, let alone a public stance, comes with certain very real risks and responsibilities. How do you determine the right course aligned with your values? In today's episode we're digging into: When is it right to speak out or stay silent amid turmoil? How do you move forward thoughtfully when tensions run high? What's the cost of reactionary and divisive actions? How do we maintain empathy and humanity in dehumanizing times? How do we speak our truths, advocate for a point-of-view, which also honors complexity, nuance, and humanity along the way? And we're in conversation with: SPARKED BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Yvonne Ator | Website Yvonne is the Founder of Thriving Physicians and Thriving Idealist, where she coaches heart-centered, mission-driven Physicians and other helping professionals who seek to make a positive impact in the world. 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 650,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Presented by LinkedIn.
Beyond money, what truly matters is meaning and purpose - feeling like your work and life make a difference. Studies show significance is key to satisfaction.Yet workplaces often keep us from these feelings. Seth Godin explores how to transform work into a source of fulfillment and purpose.Seth has inspired many through his insights on work culture, leadership and spreading ideas. His latest book, The Song of Significance serves as a manifesto for creating a more human-centric workplace.We discuss:Embracing change as the new normalReimagining the workplace to enroll, empower and trust everyoneHow the past few years have trained us to embrace changeThe importance of taking responsibility for meaningful workRediscovering the value of human connection at workThis is a must-listen for anyone seeking a more purpose-driven approach to work. Seth's book can help transform workplaces and create an environment where everyone can do their best work.You can find Seth at: Website | InstagramIf you LOVED this episode:You'll also love my January episode, featuring the Sparketypes and how to better align your work with who you are, in order to experience more meaning, purpose, and possibility.Check out our offerings & partners: My New Book SparkedMy New Podcast SPARKEDVisit Our Sponsor Page For a Complete List of Vanity URLs & Discount Codes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.