SPARKED

So, what if the single-minded pursuit of a career that made you feel everything important to you wasn't actually the key to feeling fulfilled? What if, in fact, we sometimes put too many good life eggs into the work basket, ignoring the amazing possibilities available to us to find what we need and feel how we want to feel not just from work, but from a whole host of other experiences, interaction...

Have you ever felt yourself spiraling into a sea of unending tasks, where even the simplest work feels like climbing Mount Everest and your once cherished projects now leave you numb? You may wonder if you've lost the spark that drove you or simply lost your way. The truth is, you could be experiencing a state that plagues so many of us today: burnout. I know the crushing weight of burnout all too...

How might you rethink the bargain you've made with work in light of life's recent shifts? As the ground continues to shift beneath our feet, are you wondering if the meaning you once found in your work still holds true? That’s where we’re headed in today’s Sparked podcast, with our guest, bestselling author Bruce Feiler. In today’s conversation, Bruce reveals how mining our personal narrative...

Is it only me, or do you feel like your work and life are pretty strongly affected by seasonal changes? Sometimes in a good way that lets you go deep and get focused, creative and productive. But, sometimes, it’s the exact opposite. Everything slows down and feels like a heavier lift. Well, what if, instead of fighting these natural and biological rhythms, we learned to roll with, and maybe even h...

There are some people you click with instantly at work—your collaboration is effortless, productive and enjoyable. But with others, it seems impossible; misunderstandings and friction mar every interaction. What if there was a way to work with almost anyone—easily, effortlessly and in a way that brings out the very best in both of you - even those you’ve struggled with in the past? My guest today,...

Got a career or business question for the Brainstrust? Submit here. How do you know when it’s time to stop exploring, commit to one or two things, narrow your focus and build? Is that the right path for everyone? And, more importantly, whose voice is in your head when you are making the call?  These are some of the key topics we dive into today, as we explore a story and question submitted by...

Got a career or business question for the Brainstrust? Submit here. So, how do you handle the dance between wanting lead with your creative or artistic side, and earning a grown-up worthy living? In the past few years, we’ve all been through a lot of upheaval. At the same time, this moment has reawakened a burning desire to pursue creative passions. It’s a recipe for big life transition and potent...

Are you struggling to find work that nourishes your soul - yet still provides stability? Do you feel like you’re dancing between security and soulfulness in your day to day responsibilities? You're not alone.   In fact that is the question presented to us today by listener, Elena. Elena, has been a senior office manager for years, and is facing this challenge as she longs for more meanin...

We’ve all heard the phrase, “don’t escalate things.” Especially, in the context of work. But, what if there were moments when escalation, done in the right way and with the right intention, was actually the right move? Are there situations when staying silent, or refusing to push an issue further, actually makes a difficult work circumstance worse?  That’s where we’re headed in today’s SPARKE...

Have you ever struggled with a problem or decision where the solution seemed impossible to see, yet obvious once someone pointed it out? You start kicking yourself for not seeing something that now appears so simple and clear. You're not alone. Nearly everyone has moments where we get stuck, limit our solutions and can't "read the label from inside the jar." How do we gain clarity on our own situa...

While conventional wisdom suggests focusing solely on one career path, Jason Mendelson's story demonstrates how pursuing multiple passions - from music and law to venture capital and writing - can lead to a fulfilling and successful career through a "yes, and" rather than "either/or" approach. SPARKED GUEST BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Jason Mendelson | Website YOUR HOST: Jonathan Fields Jonathan is a dad,...

You’ve heard about it everywhere - AI, ChatGPT. But what does AI have to do, if anything, with how you live and work and play? With the choices you get to make, and the choices that might be taken from you? With the ability to do more of what you love and less of everything else? Especially in the context of work? These are just some of the big questions and ideas I’m exploring with none other tha...

Healthcare professionals often sacrifice their own well-being for their patients, leading to burnout and feelings of isolation, but Yvonne Ator suggests there are ways to practice self-care while maintaining your mission to help others. In today’s episode we’re in conversation with: SPARKED BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Yvonne Ator | Website Yvonne is the Founder of Thriving Physicians and Thriving Idealist...

Despite the common myth that sustained high-level performance without breaks is the key to business success, this approach is unrealistic and harmful - instead, effective leadership requires acknowledging human limitations and building in recovery time to prevent burnout and maintain long-term excellence. In today’s episode we’re in conversation with: SPARKED BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Charlie Gilkey | W...

In this episode, Jadah Sellner shares her transformative annual family retreat practice that combines personal and business goal-setting through structured reflection and planning exercises, which she has successfully used since 2017 with both her family and business clients. SPARKED HOT TAKE WITH: Jadah Sellner | Website Jadah is a multi-time founder and CEO of Jadah Sellner Media, the co-creator...

"Wonderhell," as coined by Laura Gassner Otting, describes that paradoxical state where success brings both celebration and the burden of untapped potential, and in her book she provides practical strategies to navigate this duality without unnecessary suffering. SPARKED HOT TAKE WITH: Laura Gassner Otting | Website   Laura Gassner Otting is an Author, Catalyst, and Executive Coach and inspir...

Join us as leadership expert Morra Aarons-Mele explores how anxiety can be transformed from a perceived weakness into a powerful driver of success and leadership in this episode of SPARKED, where we examine the surprising connection between high-functioning anxiety and extraordinary achievement. AND HOSTED BY: Jonathan Fields Jonathan is a dad, husband, award-winning author, multi-time founder, ex...

Are you tired of the 9-to-5 grind? Have you ever wondered what it takes to build a fulfilling and sustainable portfolio career? In today's SPARKED Hot Take episode, we’re back with Joy Batra for part two of our fascinating conversation on community building as a freelancer and how to approach a portfolio or freelance career as a whole. If you missed the first part of our conversation with Joy, I e...

Different decision-making styles (from spontaneous to methodical) each have their merits, but ultimately, while seeking input from others can be valuable, trusting your own judgment and taking ownership of your choices leads to better decisions. SPARKED HOT TAKE WITH: Karen Wright | Website Karen is the founder of Parachute Executive Coaching, acclaimed executive coach, advisor to senior leaders f...

Question - when it comes to work, do you really care about being more productive, or is the real goal to get all the important stuff done, but in a way that actually gives you back more free time to do the things, in both work and life, that you’re genuinely passionate about and excited to do? Because, they’re not the same.  Sometimes, we talk about productivity as if it’s the end-goal. It’s...

We constantly encounter complex problems at home, in our places of work, and in society at large. Even if we had all the time and money in the world, sometimes no good solution can be found. So, what should we do, especially when we can’t wait? The answer: a workaround. For ages, global corporations have been lecturing small organizations and not-for-profits on how to get things done. As it turns...

While the recent trend of professionals leaving traditional jobs for freelancing offers greater freedom, many are discovering they miss the built-in sense of community and belonging that comes with traditional workplace environments, which Joy Batra explores in her book "The Freelance Mindset" along with strategies for building new professional connections as a freelancer. SPARKED HOT TAKE WITH: J...

Following on from last week’s episode we dig deeper into how to ask for help in a way that is more likely to actually get you the support or guidance you are looking for. Deborah shares supportive guidelines and a powerful shift in approach that will change how you look at asking for help. She shares that it is worth being bold when it comes to asking for what you need and reminds us that the righ...

There’s a mythology in work and in life, of the individual who goes out and does all the things they want to do, completely on their own. The Self-reliant, capable of anything and everything human. We have a misguided story that that kind of self-sufficiency is an achievement, that anything less than that is a burden, and asking for help is a sign of weakness, lack, or inability. This myth is doin...

It’s a challenge we all deal with. We show up, work incredibly hard, strive to create something powerful, unique, impactful. And, yet, it lands with a thud. Maybe not an outright failure, but also nowhere close to what you thought could or would happen.  Creative disappointment is a part of the process of making anything great. Whether it’s a book, a brand, a company, product, culture, or bey...