SPARKED – Details, episodes & analysis

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

Have you ever felt like you were drifting through life, unsure if the path you’re on is truly aligned with who you are and what you want? Even for someone like me, who has dedicated his life to exploring meaning, purpose, and how to craft a life you truly love, I recently found myself at a crossroads wondering – is the way I’m feeling today, especially about my work, really how I want to feel for the next 20 years of my life? I know, it sounds crazy. After all, I’ve done extensive work to uncover my core values, the “Sparketype” that makes me come alive, and the missions that ignite my passion. And for the most part, I spend my days doing work that matters, surrounded by people and cultures I care deeply about. Yet that inner voice kept whispering – is this really it? Is there another level, another blend of simplicity, significance and joy that I’m being called to explore? That persistent questioning led me to secretly launch what I’ve dubbed my “two by 20” project. For the last 9 months, I’ve been on an intensive journey of learning, doing, and building – running a series of intentional experiments across my work, relationships, health and creativity. All with the goal of figuring out what adjustments I may want to make to set myself up for a truly enlivened next 20 years of contribution and self-expression. So if you’ve ever hit a milestone and thought “What’s next?”, even if your life is good, I invite you to join me on this adventure. Stay tuned as I reveal the backstory, guidelines and early experiments that may just inspire you to craft your own “two by 20” and step into your most vibrant work and life yet. Episode Transcript Check out our offerings & partners:  Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the Wheel Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes

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.

How do you balance the desire to try something new whilst also wanting to feel like an expert in your field? And how do you know when you are expert ‘enough’ to guide others on a subject? Jonathan & Cynthia offer: How to gain confidence when our skills are invisible to us How to see our own expertise & talent How to have patience while learning new subject matter How to reframe teaching & releasing needing to know everything before beginning to guide others In today’s episode we’re in conversation with: SPARKED BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: 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. LISTENER: Lily - Sparketype: Advisor/Maven QUESTION: Today’s listener, Lily, is posing that question. She shares that she is craving something new to sink her teeth into, especially as a Maven, but also wants to feel like enough of an expert to market herself confidently and not feel like a fraud. The real question being how do you build credibility and expertise in a new career field and sell your services with confidence or do we all have to go through the inevitable dip before the new skills settle in? And how do you move through that as a high achiever with high expectations of yourself? 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. 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 Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Loss and grief. They’re experiences none of us will escape. But some losses are so deep, they shatter your model of the world and lead to a re-examination of how you want to spend your time on the planet. In work, in relationships, in life.  That’s the theme of today’s conversation on the SPARKED Podcast where, following the loss of a child, listener, Scott, finds himself at a sudden crossroads in mid-life. He’s left a long career in financial services in search of something new and more fulfilling. Something that feels more intentional that will quench the quest for knowledge and creative thirst of his Maven/Maker Sparketype combo.  We discuss: Why saying no to everything might not be ideal advice Reframing to move with grief not past it  Offering yourself grace in world shattering transitions   In today’s episode we’re in conversation with: SPARKED BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Karen Wright | Website Karen is the founder of Parachute Executive Coaching, acclaimed executive coach, advisor to senior leaders for more than two-decades, and the author of two great books, The Accidental Alpha Woman and The Complete Executive. LISTENER: Scott - Sparketype: Maven/Maker QUESTION: Listener Scott, has left a long career in financial services in search of something new and more fulfilling. Something that feels more intentional that will quench the quest for knowledge and creative thirst of his Maven/Maker Sparketype combo. While Scott’s experience was unique and profound and many people’s biggest fear, many of us have endured existential disruptions over the last few years that have led to re-examine all parts of work and life. And, we’ve wondered, how do we best use our time when we’re closing the chapter on something we’ve done for decades? How do we honor and integrate the profound upheaval and change grief and loss can instigate? And how do we open up the next chapter intentionally and without feeling drawn into things that don’t serve our interests, innate impulses and full expression? 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. 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 Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Last week on SPARKED we heard from DJ Didonna about the potential life changing experience of taking a sabbatical. And after much pondering and planning, Jonathan did just that, a month stepped away from two companies and almost all work responsibilities to pursue a creative project or two. So this week on SPARKED, Jonathan shares his reflections on the experience. He shares: How he prepared to take the time away from his multiple roles What he aimed to achieve A surprising discovery about his humanness Was it long enough? And would he do it again? Missed last week's ep? Listen here. Find more about DJ Didonnas project here: Website | Learn About Your Sabbatical Style  More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

What if you could take anywhere from a month to a year off work to clear your mind, pursue a creative vision, travel or just create the space to reclaim your energy, focus and inspiration? Safe bet, most people would jump on that opportunity. But then comes the reality check. Sure, it’d be amazing, but I could never make it happen. But, what if you could? What if taking a sabbatical is actually more doable than you ever imagined? What if there were ideas, tools, and strategies that would help you step away and reset your mind, body, and life? My guest today on SPARKED, DJ DiDonna, says, it's not only more doable than most people imagine, it may actually hold the key to your ability to reset and regimagine the way you work for years to come.   DJ is the founder of The Sabbatical Project, a research and advocacy nonprofit that is on a mission to define, explore, and research sabbaticals and their impact on non-academics. His work on sabbaticals has appeared in TIME magazine, Fast Company, the Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Quartz, Fortune and at TEDx in Silicon Valley. And today, we dive into some of the ideas and stories that appear in his upcoming book based on hundreds of interviews with sabbatical-takers from across the world.  You can find DJ at: Website | Learn About Your Sabbatical Style | LinkedIn More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Jonathan & Charlie discuss: Work ways vs team habits How the pandemic, #MeToo and Black Lives Matter came together to show us that the social order is not working - the system is broken, so what are we going to do about it? The difference between understanding something in theory vs in practice How do you express the language of belonging and inclusion in remote teams vs co-located teams And a powerful question to ask to build belonging in your teams This week we’re bringing you another SPARKED Hot Takes segment, where we tackle hot topics in conversation with expert guides from the SPARKED Braintrust. And, today, we’re hearing from Charlie Gilkey. Charlie is a strategic advisor, executive coach, founder of the Productive Flourishing consultancy, author of the multi-award-winning book, Start Finishing and the creator of the Momentum app. Today we take a deep dive into team habits and look at how the past few years of global disruption and rapid change have forced us to re-examine what it means to belong and feel supported in our workplaces and what habits and rituals might support this. Charlie gives us some interesting insight on how we took for granted the social fabric that just existed in workplaces before we went remote and we ask how do you express the language of belonging and inclusion in remote teams vs co-located teams? And, he offers a powerful question to ask your employees & colleagues to build belonging in your teams. Enjoy this Sparked Hot Take on work ways, team habits and the importance of cultivating belonging and inclusion in all work spaces. Learn more about Charlie Gilkey: Website More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

So many people have said yes to the quest to blaze their own paths in business over these last few years, whether founding a company, a private practice or any other endeavor. When building a business from scratch, it can feel like we need to wear all the hats. All the time. So how do we do that when not everything is a natural talent or drive or impulse? Often, we yearn to do just parts we’re good at, and that light us up. And we want to run from all the other necessary, but emptying work. But there’s no one else to do that work. Jonathan & Jadah discuss: How can you reframe what sales means to you What do you actually need to start a business Reimagining ways of getting more support Coaching in a field you once worked in Giving yourself grace as a beginner In today’s episode we’re in conversation with: SPARKED BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Jadah Sellner | Website Jadah is a multi-time founder and CEO of Jadah Sellner Media, the co-creator of the Simple Green Smoothies social and business phenom, sought-after advisor to entrepreneurs, and bestselling author, including her new book, ‘She Builds: The Anti-Hustle Guide to Grow Your Business and Nourish Your Life’, now available for pre-order. LISTENER: Natalie - Sparketype: Nurturer/Advisor QUESTION: Listener, Natalie, shares her story of the past year and all the big shifts, including a personal journey into wellness, healing modalities and mindfulness while working as an ICU Registered Nurse and then losing her job due to a medical issue. She reframed that moment as an opportunity to follow her emerging passion and build a business as a wellness coach and a meditation teacher. And she’s wondering how to stand in the work that lights you up when you’re starting something new and, by the very nature of a new business, you have to do so many other things that don’t play nice with what Sparks you? Are there unique ways we can approach structure, process, technology, marketing, sales, systems and more that bring less resistance and more ease to the experience? 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. 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 Website Presented by LinkedIn.

What do you do when the job you’ve had for years and the organization you work for change in ways that no longer feel compatible with you doing your best work, showing up as your best self and truly coming alive? Today’s listener, Gretchen, shares how major changes to her job as a college professor, after decades in the classroom, and also awakening to the call to let a different part of her take the lead, are inspiring new questions and insights. In a bid to add some variety to her role she began mentoring her college's football team, and much to her surprise, found that she really enjoyed it, potentially even more than teaching, a profession she’d been doing for over 20 years. As she considers her next steps, she wonders whether you adapt an existing role to your evolving interests, and if so, how? And is there a way to put your unique spin on a longstanding, traditional profession to reimagine doing it in a way that Sparks you again? 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: Gretchen, Sparketype: Advisor/Sage 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. 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 Website Presented by LinkedIn.