Spark Good Podcast

What if the key to building a more sustainable business isn't working harder—but changing the rhythm of how you work? Many entrepreneurs plan for the year ahead with the best intentions, only to find themselves overwhelmed, reactive, and scrambling to hit goals by the end of the quarter. While The 12 Week Year has long been one of Stephanie's favorite business books, over the years she's made one...

"We're not starting over. We're resetting — moving forward with greater awareness, understanding, and wisdom." - Stephanie Malon-Rufi It's easy to let a busy first half of the year stand in for a good first half of the year. What's harder — and more valuable — is actually stopping to check. In this episode, Stephanie walks through a five-step mid-year check-in built for the halfway point of the ca...

What happens when the business model you carefully designed doesn't work the way you expected? For many entrepreneurs, that moment can feel like failure. But often, it's actually an invitation to pay attention, adapt, and build something even stronger. In this episode of the Spark Good Podcast, Stephanie sits down with Marlee James, founder of Reviving Roots, a holistic mental health and wellness...

It's easy to see the risks that come with change. What's harder to see is the cost of not changing. In this episode, Stephanie shares the story of a business owner who appeared to have a thriving, growing business—but beneath the surface was a pattern many entrepreneurs know all too well: saying yes to every opportunity, staying busy, and working incredibly hard without a clear strategy for growth...

You set the goals. You bought the planner. Maybe you even created the color-coded spreadsheet. And yet... a few months later, you're wondering why you're off track. Most entrepreneurs assume the problem is a lack of discipline, accountability, or a better strategy. But what if the real issue isn't the goal itself? In this episode, Stephanie explores a different possibility: that many business goal...

You're booked. You're busy. Clients are coming in. On the surface, things look good. But if you're honest with yourself, are you building a profitable business—or have you simply created a very demanding job?  In this episode, Stephanie tackles a topic many service-based business owners avoid: profit. Not revenue. Not sales. Profit. The kind that allows you to pay yourself consistently, build a su...

This episode explores the shift that changes everything for service-based business owners — and it's probably not what you think. If you've been stuck trying new tactics, tweaking your offers, or working harder without seeing the traction you want, this conversation will help you step back and look at what may actually be holding your business back. Stephanie shares why so many entrepreneurs stay...

If you've ever told yourself you're "too busy" to look at your business finances — or found yourself dreading that annual tax time reckoning — this episode is for you. Stephanie gets honest about a pattern she carried for years and what it was really costing her, not just financially but in the confidence and clarity she brought to her business every day. In this episode Stephanie shares three pra...

We all start a new quarter, a new season with the best intentions — a solid plan, clear goals, and real motivation to make it happen. But what if the thing slowing you down isn't your strategy or your schedule? In this episode, Stephanie introduces the 13-week cycle framework and her Sustainable CEO Framework to help you set up your next season with clarity, realistic expectations, and the right r...

If you've ever ended a long workday wondering how you were so busy—and yet feel like nothing really moved forward—you're not alone. In this episode, Stephanie Malon-Rufi digs into one of the most frustrating experiences entrepreneurs face: working constantly without seeing the traction, revenue, or momentum you know is possible. She unpacks five common patterns that quietly keep business owners st...

In this episode of the Spark Good Podcast, Stephanie invites you into an honest conversation about something every entrepreneur faces—but few plan for: diminished capacity. Whether it's global uncertainty, community disruption, or personal grief, there are seasons when you simply cannot operate at full speed. Instead of pushing harder or pulling away entirely, what if there was a steadier way to l...

In early 2026, many business owners are navigating an environment where everything feels urgent. Between economic shifts, social disruption, and the everyday pressures of entrepreneurship, it can feel like your attention is constantly being pulled in a dozen directions. In this episode, host Stephanie Malon-Rufi builds on her recent conversation about reactive vs. responsive leadership and tackles...

In early 2026, showing up as a business owner has felt different. Living in the Twin Cities amid increased ICE presence, host Stephanie Malon-Rufi shares she has been grappling with a question many business owners are facing: How do we lead when the world feels on fire? In this episode, she unpacks the difference between reacting and responding — and why that distinction matters more than ever for...

Take courage friends. The way is often hard, the path is never clear, and the stakes are very high. Take courage.  For deep down, there is another truth: you are not alone. By Wayne B. Arnason In this joint episode of the Social Change Leaders Podcast and Spark Good Podcast, longtime collaborators and friends Stephanie Malon-Rufi and Traci Warnberg-Lemm reunite to name the moment we're living in —...

As the year winds down, many entrepreneurs fall into one of two traps — either pushing harder than ever to "finish strong," or checking out completely until January. But what if the smartest CEOs do something different? What if your reset for 2026 actually starts now ? In this final episode of the Q4 Reset Mini-Series , Stephanie brings everything together — from finding focus to building consiste...

Big bursts of hustle can get attention — but consistency builds real growth. In this episode, Stephanie explores what it really takes to move beyond the endless hustle cycle and build steady, sustainable momentum in your business. She shares why those short bursts of energy often lead to burnout — and how small, repeatable CEO habits can help you create stability, clarity, and calm progress instea...

If you're ending the day wiped out — even when you're not working 70-hour weeks — you're not alone. So many entrepreneurs assume exhaustion comes from long hours or hustling too hard. But there's another, quieter culprit that drains your energy and keeps you feeling behind. In this episode, I share the surprising reason so many business owners feel stretched thin, the subtle warning signs to watch...

As entrepreneurs, we're constantly pulled in a hundred directions — by clients, opportunities, and the never-ending to-do list. But what if being scattered isn't just happening to you… what if it's a choice you're unknowingly making? In this episode of the Q4 Reset Mini-Series, Stephanie challenges a deeply ingrained belief about "being busy" and invites you to rethink how you decide what matters...

Every fall, entrepreneurs tend to go one of two directions: they either push harder than ever trying to squeeze every last win out of the year… or they quietly give up, telling themselves it's too late to make a difference. Both approaches can derail your momentum. In this kickoff to my 5-part Q4 mini-series, I'm sharing what I've learned about finishing the year strong — including why I stopped r...

Labor Day marks more than just a holiday—it's a reset point. New rhythms. Fresh routines. A chance to step into the final stretch of the year with renewed energy. But here's the question: How are you showing up in your business right now? In this episode, Stephanie shares why she's shifting the Spark Good Podcast into intentional seasons (instead of forcing a weekly grind) and introduces a brand-n...

What if the structure you're resisting is the very thing that could set you free? In this episode, Stephanie Malon-Rufi explores how planning like a CEO—with clear focus and intentional structure—can reduce overwhelm, eliminate distractions, and help you build sustainable momentum in your business. Whether you feel like to-do lists are running the show or you're great at planning but struggle to f...

Know Your Numbers, Own Your Business - Part 2 of the "Small Shifts, Big Payoffs" Series for Becoming a Sustainable CEO What if understanding your business numbers could be the key to the clarity, freedom, and impact you're craving?  In this episode, Stephanie pulls back the curtain on one of the most overlooked habits of early-stage and mission-driven entrepreneurs: tracking your numbers. Whether...

Part 1 of the "Small Shifts, Big Payoffs" Series for Becoming a Sustainable CEO If you've ever ended your workday wondering, "What did I even get done today?"—this episode is for you. We're kicking off a brand-new 4-part series exploring the small, intentional shifts that can lead to big results in your business. In today's conversation, Stephanie unpacks what it really means to step into the role...

In this episode of the Spark Good Podcast, host Stephanie Malon-Rufi explores what it really means to "do it scared"—to take bold action even when confidence is nowhere in sight. Drawing inspiration from a weekend of meaningful experiences, Stephanie unpacks how these moments reveal powerful truths about entrepreneurship. She dives into the psychology of confidence, including: Why confidence is a...

How to Hit Reset on Your Business Without Starting Over Spring is a powerful season of renewal — and it might be the perfect time for a reset in your business. In this episode, Stephanie explores why so many entrepreneurs find themselves feeling stuck, scattered, or unsure about what's really moving the needle by Q2 — and what to do about it. You'll learn how to recognize signs that you might need...