Have you ever felt like the very identity that defined you was becoming a straightjacket? That the career path, role, or persona you'd so carefully crafted suddenly felt constraining rather than purposeful? If so, you've likely experienced the disorienting - yet potentially catalyzing - transition I'm exploring with my guest today.

I’m joined by Laura Gassner Otting. As an author, speaker, and entrepreneur who helped innovate AmeriCorps in the Clinton White House, she's intimately familiar with the psychological terrain one must navigate when shedding an old identity to birth the next evolution. Her new book "Limitless: How to Ignore Everybody, Carve Your Own Path, and Live Your Best Life" provides a roadmap for this journey.

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And before we dive in, a quick note on the state of the show. 

So we have been in a season of reimagining here at Spark HQ, taking a look at what we're doing and why, how we're serving, and how best to keep serving you in the future. And as we do that, we've decided to take some time and place the show on hiatus while we deepen into new ideas and formats and ways to keep sharing the awakened work-life love. So this will be the final episode as we head into a quieter season of incubation and reimagining. We appreciate you coming along for the ride with us, and really look forward to being back with new ways to share new ideas. 

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Find: Laura Gassner Otting  Website | Books

Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast & the Sparketype® Assessment

Read Jonathan’s Awake at the Wheel Newsletter

More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website

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Have you ever found yourself dreading Monday, counting down the hours until Friday? And wondering, when did work get so devoid of joy and fun? When did we start sacrificing playfulness and authentic connection at the altar of professionalism? And is that really giving anyone, including your employer, what they want and need?

Today, we're cracking open the door to a more joyful, fulfilling work experience. One where you can bring your whole, vibrant self without compromise. Where creativity and camaraderie flourish. And the very notion of "work" gets reimagined as a soulful pursuit to be savored.

My guest today is Bree Groff, a trailblazing advisor pioneering new ways of working at the intersection of leadership and life. Bree has partnered with industry titans to transform organizational cultures.

In her book "Today Was Fun: An Antidote to Humdrum Work Days," Bree maps out 7 liberating rules to reclaim the joy and magic of work. Drawing from years of consulting mastery and hard-won personal insights, she'll illuminate a path to more harmonious, human-centered workplaces and lives.

Find: Bree Groff  Website | Book

Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment,

More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website

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What if you could transform uncertainty from a source of anxiety into fuel for discovery? That’s the invitation former Google executive turned neuroscientist Anne-Laure Le Cunff extends in this illuminating conversation about living life as a series of tiny experiments.

Drawing from her own journey – from prestigious tech career to startup founder to neuroscience researcher – and insights from her new book “Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World,” Le Cunff reveals how breaking free from prescribed life scripts opened the door to genuine curiosity and fulfillment.

Whether you’re questioning your career path, relationships, or daily habits, this conversation offers a refreshing alternative to traditional goal-setting. Le Cunff’s research-backed approach helps you embrace uncertainty while staying grounded in what matters most – your own experience of what brings genuine joy and meaning.

Guest: Anne-Laure Le Cunff, author of new book “Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World,” 

Find Anne: Website | Book 

Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment,

More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, interactions and relationships?

In this week’s SPARKED Hot Take episode, we take on the assumption that work is the only path to purpose, meaning, passion, and happiness. And that everything we dream of has to come from it, sharing stories and experiences from clients who had staked their entire identities on ambitious career goals, only to feel lost once achieved.    

We explore a broader definition of "work" that includes any sustained effort that brings meaning - from relationships to hobbies, while dispelling common myths that limit our visions of success, and reveal how rediscovering joy in all aspects of life can infuse even our work with renewed purpose and vitality. 

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.

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. 

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 well. There have been days where I've found myself trapped in a cycle of responsibilities with no escape in sight, wondering if I'd truly lost my enthusiasm and efficacy.

But I've also discovered there are unconventional ways to reclaim that zest for living and working that burnout has stolen, if we have the courage to experiment with fresh strategies and perspectives.

In this episode, I dive deep into:

• The phenomenon of burnout
• Challenging conventional remedies
• Experiments for fun & potent techniques to reawaken the spark inside you
• How to reignite that beautiful, joyful spirit that wants nothing more than to express your creative best self

Discover the Work That Makes You Come Alive | Take the Assessment

If you LOVED this episode:

• 7 Days to Unlock Your Best Sleep | Dr. Aric Prather
• Nedra Glover Tawwab | Better Boundaries, Better Life
• Terri Cole | Let’s Talk About Boundaries

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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 narratives can uncover clues about the work stories we're longing to tell. He invites us to question what we've been taught about success and reimagine work in ways that reflect our true selves. We ponder questions like: What new definition of success might truly satisfy your soul? What personal stories hold clues to the work you were made for? How might shifting our focus from numbers to meaning unlock more creativity and joy? Tune in for a creative collision of ideas to spark your own rethinking of work.

In today’s episode we’re in conversation with:

SPARKED BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Bruce Feiler | Website

BRUCE is the author of seven New York Times bestsellers, including LIFE IS IN THE TRANSITIONS, and COUNCIL OF DADS. His TED Talks have been viewed more than four million times, and his latest book, THE SEARCH: Finding Meaningful Work in a Post-Career World offers a new take on finding meaning and purpose at work, based on insights drawn from hundreds of life stories of all vocations and backgrounds.

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. 

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn.

Connect with Jonathan Fields on LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 harness them instead?

Have you ever wondered why periods of reduced productivity feel so frustrating? You know in your gut that ebbs and flows are normal, yet you still feel you should be doing better.   

In this episode, Charlie joins me to discuss how embracing seasons of less can uncover unexpected openings. When motivation wanes and energy flags, fighting it tends to backfire, as you well know Charlie. Instead, we discuss yielding to our inner rhythms, reassessing priorities and pacing ourselves with grace.   

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. His forthcoming book, Team Habits, is set to be published in August 2023.

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. 

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn.

Connect with Jonathan Fields on LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, Michael Bungay Stanier believes we can. In this episode, I speak with Michael about his powerful yet practical new book, How to Work with Almost Anyone.

Michael reveals a key insight: before diving into the what of any work— the tasks, projects and deliverables—you must first have a critical conversation, centered around 5 critical questions.

If you've ever found yourself idling in an unproductive working dynamic that feels stuck in neutral, unwilling or unable to shift gears, listen in as Michael reveals the simple yet transformative formula for how to work well with almost anyone. I believe you'll walk away with renewed hope that even the most challenging colleagues, clients and co-workers have the potential to become powerful collaborators—if only we can summon the courage to have the right kind of conversation.

In today’s episode we’re in conversation with:

SPARKED BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Michael Bungay Stanier | Website

Michael helps people know they’re awesome and they’re doing great. He’s best known for The Coaching Habit, the best-selling coaching book of the century and recognized as a classic. His most recent book, How to Work with (Almost) Anyone, shows how to build the Best Possible Relationship with the key people at work.

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. 

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn.

Connect with Jonathan Fields on LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 SPARKED listener, Angie, a young entrepreneur struggling to find her ideal career. Angie left her nonprofit job a year ago to pursue freelancing. She has been experimenting with different freelance projects like copywriting, curriculum design, and social media management to see what she enjoys.

Angie says she loves the time and creative freedom of freelancing but feels she's "not living up to her potential." Which is something that a lot of us have felt over the course of our careers or during times of transition.

LISTENER: Angie - Sparketype: Performer/Maven

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.

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

Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn.

Connect with Jonathan Fields on LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 potentially transformation.

And that is certainly the case for our advice seeker today, Helen, who asks how can she make a meaningful living from her art and writing, pursue further studies and honor her value around financial security?

After recently ending a long marriage and spending the past few years working to make ends meet, Helen has rediscovered her passion for writing. After spending two decades studying human behavior and helping others through her work, Helen is now ready for a change—if she can figure out a way forward that satisfies both her soul and her practical needs.

In today’s episode we’re in conversation with:

LISTENER: Helen - Sparketype: Maker/Maven

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.

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. 

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 meaningful work aligned with her performer and maven sparketypes. Yet she also needs the financial security of her current role.  

Jenny draws from navigating creative work and steady income through running her own business for over 12 years. She advises Elena to consider roles that better allow her sparketypes to shine through, like facilitation, training, or sales - even within her current organization.   

Intrigued how Elena navigates finding work that nourishes both her soul and need for security? Tune in to learn tangible strategies for balancing meaning with stability - even during times of great uncertainty and change at work.

In today’s episode we’re in conversation with:

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. 

LISTENER:  Elena - Sparketype: (Primary) Performer, (Secondary) Maven, (Anti) Essentialist

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. 

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn.

Connect with Jonathan Fields on LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 SPARKED Hot Take episode, where we look at hot topics in conversation with expert guides from the SPARKED Braintrust. And, today, we’re in conversation with Deborah Owens, an executive coach and corporate trainer with 20 years of experience working with Fortune 500 companies.

Deborah and I discuss the fuzzy line between constructive and destructive escalation, and how to decide if speaking up could actually solve a problem before it spins out of control. Deborah shares scripts that work when requesting clarification from supervisors, and techniques for diffusing tension when unexpected conflict arises. Through personal stories and client examples, she explores how reframing "escalation" as "elevation" can change your whole approach to difficult workplace issues.

We also discuss the important reminder that we are often spinning stories in our minds about what will happen instead of objectively assessing what the best, worst or most likely outcomes might be.

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.

AND 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.

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn.

Connect with Jonathan Fields on LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 situations and start making better decisions?

In today’s episode, Charlie and I discuss the unconscious patterns, assumptions and emotions that keep us from seeing our own situations clearly. We explore simple but powerful techniques for questioning our default perspectives, inverting problems to gain fresh insights and seeking input from others who can serve as mirrors to reflect our blind spots back to us.

You’ll walk away with practical tips and prompts you can use immediately to "get unstuck" and spot options you’ve been missing right under their noses. Charlie explains how questioning old paradigms, reevaluating stakes and shifting mindsets can reveal potential opportunities we have been oblivious to due to being "stuck inside the jar." 

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.

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. 

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn.

Connect with Jonathan Fields on LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever felt like the traditional job search process just isn't working for you? That sending out resume after resume into a black hole, praying for any response, is a soul-crushing cycle of rejection and disappointment? If so, you’re not alone. What if there was a way to rethink the job hunt? That’s where we're heading in today’s Sparked Hot Take.

Joining me is Madeline Mann, a human resources leader and career strategist who turns job seekers into what she calls "job shoppers." Through her award-winning coaching empire and the insights gained from years as a corporate recruiter, she has reached millions with a radically fresh mindset, which she shares in her new book 'Reverse the Search: How to Turn Job Seeking into Job Shopping.'

Guest: Madeline Mann, author of Reverse the Search - How to turn Job seeking into job shopping’

Website | Book 

Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment,

More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, 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. 

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn.

Connect with Jonathan Fields on LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 than truly visionary thinker, Kevin Kelly. Kevin has played a pivotal role in shaping the discourse around technology and its potential impact on society for decades. He was the founding editor of Wired magazine, has written for many of the biggest media outlets on the planet, and is a bestselling author, with an impressive array of books, including What Technology Wants and The Inevitable. His latest book, Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I'd Known Earlier is for anyone seeking to navigate life with grace and creativity.

As Senior Maverick at Wired and co-chair of The Long Now Foundation, Kevin is currently spearheading an ambitious project to build a clock in a mountain that will tick for 10,000 years. In addition to his writing, he hosts a daily blog and weekly podcast about cool tools, as well as a weekly newsletter, Recomendo, that curates recommendations of cool stuff.

In today's episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of emergent technologies, with a focus on AI, and get to some both exciting and unsettling, but important truths (or at least guesses), unearthing some the most groundbreaking ideas and insights that promise to redefine the very fabric of our existence

We talk about: 

• the role of artificial intelligence in shaping our lives
• the impact AI may have on creative work and jobs

While we’re all in the very early days of this conversation, with many unknowns, the possibilities are truly astonishing and the call to become knowledgeable in this space, no matter your job, organizations, or industry, has become paramount. 

SPARKED GUEST BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Kevin Kelly | Website

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. 

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn.

Connect with Jonathan Fields on LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, where she coaches heart-centered, mission-driven Physicians and other helping professionals who seek to make a positive impact in the world. She’s become expert in guiding professionals through the tension between being committed to a vision of impact, and the sense of inequity, disillusionment, moral injury, compassion fatigue or burnout that all too often comes with the quest to live authentically and serve to their fullest potential. 

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. 

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn.

Connect with Jonathan Fields on LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 | 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.

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. 

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn.

Connect with Jonathan Fields on LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 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’, order a copy here.

AND 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.

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn.

Connect with Jonathan Fields on LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"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 inspires people to push past the doubt and indecision that keep great ideas in limbo by helping audiences think bigger and accept greater challenges that reach beyond their current, limited scope of belief. She is a frequent contributor to Good Morning America, the TODAY Show, Harvard Business Review, and Oprah Daily. She served as a Presidential Appointee in the White House and founded, ran, and sold her own global search firm. Her bestselling book, Limitless, was chosen by Robin Roberts as one of Good Morning America's Favorite Books of the Year.

AND 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.

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn.

Connect with Jonathan Fields on LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, 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

Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn.

Connect with Jonathan Fields on LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 encourage you to scroll back and listen as she shares a concept she calls ‘portfolios of community’ and how that can help us to understand where and how to cultivate community as a freelancer.

In this episode you’ll discover surprising insights from the journey of our guest, Joy Batra, and the depth of wisdom she’s collected from the 50 freelancers she interviewed. Joy shares the three main reasons people decide to return to a traditional job and why it might be time to reframe how we look at ‘going back’ to mainstream roles and instead unpack the false dichotomy of freelancing vs. full-time work and embrace the value of a portfolio career.

We discuss how freelancers can navigate the shame and judgment that comes with making unconventional career choices and how flexibility and adaptability are essential for thriving in the ever-changing world of work, which is more important than ever in a hybrid environment.

Get ready to break free from conventional thinking and embrace the boundless opportunities of a portfolio career and life. Join us in this eye-opening conversation with Joy Batra, as we uncover the secrets to living and thriving in a world that is constantly evolving.

SPARKED HOT TAKE WITH: Joy Batra | Website | LinkedIn

Joy Batra is founder of Quartz Consulting, a freelance consulting firm that has advised start-ups, venture capital firms, and Fortune 500 companies. She previously worked at Goldman Sachs, Gunderson Dettmer, JioSaavn, and briefly as a Bollywood actress (long story). Joy spends her days as Head of Legal at Syndicate Protocol and her free time freelancing in the arts. Joy has lived or worked in India, Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand, the UAE, and the UK. She currently splits her time between NYC and Boston. Joy holds a JD/MBA from Harvard University.

AND 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.

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn.

Connect with Jonathan Fields on LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 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

Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn.

Connect with Jonathan Fields on LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 not. The real goal is what it gives us. Which begs a question, are all those productivity methods, tools, strategies actually working for you? Are they giving you back your life? And the free time to choose what matters most, even if it’s just taking a nap or playing, and spend more time doing just that?

This is where we’re heading in today’s provocative hot take with SPARKED Braintrust regular, Jenny Blake. These Hot Take episodes are where we look at hot topics in conversation with expert guides from the SPARKED Braintrust.

In today’s Hot Take episode, Jonathan & Jenny discuss:

• The benefit of scheduling a ‘do not schedule’ time block on your calendar
• Asking what can you batch, delegate or automate?
• The power of A-synchronous communication tools
• How a rolling agenda can save you time and bring less friction to a meeting
• Why we need to run our own experiments on when and what works best for us
• Why we shouldn’t underestimate how helpful systems & processes can be ie. Canned or Guided Responses in your email for repeating conversations

And, today, we’re going on a myth-busting journey, taking a bit of an ax to old school ideas of productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness, and sharing powerful insights and practical tools from her body of work designed not just to help you be more productive, but to literally create a volume of free time you never knew was possible.  

Jenny also reminds us that ‘Free Time’ is not about floating through life as if on perpetual vacation. Free Time is about optionality: the ability to choose when you work, with whom, and on the projects that most excite you—on the work that you and only you can do. It is about moving from friction to flow through the power of focus and smart systems.

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. 

IN CONVERSATION WITH: 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

Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn.

Connect with Jonathan Fields on LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s Career Transformation Story, we're diving deep into one woman's incredible career transition from elite design consultant to launching her own business helping impact-driven organizations tackle their biggest challenges.

My guest today is Kat Thackray, founder of a cutting-edge consultancy, People Equals Purpose, focused on transforming team dynamics and organizational culture. 

Kat Thackray’s Sparketypes: Primary Sparketype® is Maven, Shadow is Scientist, and ANTI Sparketype® is Nurturer.

For Kat, hitting the director level at a top design consultancy should have been a dream. But something was missing. As the relentless climb drained her passion and even began manifesting physical symptoms of stress, Kat realized a deeper transformation was required.

***

And if you’d like to share your career transformation story on the Sparked podcast, to inspire others who may be feeling stuck or unsure about their own career paths, we encourage you to apply to be a guest and check out the form in the show notes. Because we believe that everyone deserves to find fulfillment and purpose in their work.

To apply, please check out this form. We can't wait to hear from you!

Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment,

More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website

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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 out, it should have been the other way around. Small, scrappy businesses, startups, and even individuals have loads to teach us about moving through adversity and thinking creatively.

So in today's SPARKED Hot Take episode, we’re welcoming expert guide, Paulo Savaget, to share his perspective on what he calls, The Four Workarounds, and how some of the most valuable lessons about problem-solving can be learned from the scrappiest groups.

Jonathan & Paulo discuss:

• What Paulo defines as a workaround
• What are the ‘The Four Workarounds’
• What can we learn from scrappy start ups
• Why we need to be courageous and experimental

SPARKED HOT TAKE WITH: Paulo Savaget | Website | LinkedIn

Paulo is associate professor at University of Oxford’s Department of Engineering Science and Saïd Business School. He holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge as a Gates Scholar and has a background working as a researcher, consultant, and entrepreneur, finding innovative solutions for a more inclusive world. He currently resides in Oxford.

AND 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.

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn.

Connect with Jonathan Fields on LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: Joy Batra | Website | LinkedIn

Joy Batra is founder of Quartz Consulting, a freelance consulting firm that has advised start-ups, venture capital firms, and Fortune 500 companies. She previously worked at Goldman Sachs, Gunderson Dettmer, JioSaavn, and briefly as a Bollywood actress (long story). Joy spends her days as Head of Legal at Syndicate Protocol and her free time freelancing in the arts. Joy has lived or worked in India, Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand, the UAE, and the UK. She currently splits her time between NYC and Boston. Joy holds a JD/MBA from Harvard University.

AND 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.

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn.

Connect with Jonathan Fields on LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 right ask, at the right time, with someone willing and able to help you, could very well be life-changing, so it’s a muscle worth learning to flex more often.

We also dive into practical steps that help you know how to most-effectively communicate your request for help.

In part two of today’s Hot Take episode, Jonathan & Deborah discuss:

• The ‘Big Ask’ that changed Deborah’s career trajectory
• Why you need to be super specific when you ask
• The importance of of modelling
• A powerful mind-shift when approaching asking for help
• And why we should be bold and try a ‘life-changing ask’

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.

AND 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.

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn.

Connect with Jonathan Fields on LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 doing us a lot of harm and, in turn, causing a lot of suffering, and keeping us from not only succeeding at a higher level in every area of life, but also creating opportunities to more deeply connect with other people. 

But, how do we ask for help, in a world where no one teaches us how, and we’re concerned about how our request will land?

The reality is none of us have all the answers, and while we could probably figure out many things on our own, why would you when you could garner support from someone who has walked the path before you? Why wouldn’t you ask for guidance and potentially save yourself time, money, stress and disappointment? And build deeper relationships along the way.

In part one of today’s Hot Take episode, Jonathan & Deborah discuss:

• Why should we ask for help & why it’s so difficult
• Research that reveals the surprising reasons we don’t ask for help
• The benefit of garnering support from someone who has walked the path before you
• And why we should ask for what we actually need rather than what we think we can get

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.

AND 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.

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn.

Connect with Jonathan Fields on LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 beyond, you will, inevitably, be disappointed along the way. Sometimes with yourself, other times by the reaction or response from others. What you do, how you handle these moments, is critically important, not just to long-term success, but to how you feel along the way. 

In today’s Hot Take episode, Jonathan & Cynthia discuss:

• Why don't we talk about creative disappointment?
• The issue with being ‘bright sided’ too early
• Understanding failure as a part of the learning process versus adding to a story about our identity
• The importance of sitting with something instead of rushing through it
• Powerful questions to ask yourself

Today we are diving into creative disappointment. We look at what it is, why it can impact us so deeply and the lasting impression it can leave if we don’t have a way to process it. Cynthia offers a reflection on the issue with being ‘bright-sided’ too early and why it’s important to sit with something instead of rushing through it.

We offer some new perspectives, frames and tools for the creative person / entrepreneur and a way to look at failures and setbacks as an inevitable part of the learning process, as opposed to affixing greater meaning to them and, in turn, to our identities. To round out the conversation Cynthia offers some powerful questions we can ourselves and work through with a trusted friend or professional to uncover what’s really occurring when we experience creative disappointment.

As always, we hope you enjoy this Sparked Hot Take on what it means to be creative, to grieve how we thought things would go and how to move through it rather than bury it. We hope it supports you the next time you’re experiencing something similar.

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.

AND 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.

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn.

Connect with Jonathan Fields on LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if this was the year you actually did the thing that you have dreamed of doing, the thing that’s been in the back of your mind for months or years, maybe even decades? The thing that when you think about it, your whole body responds – exhilarated in part, energized. You can feel it in your heart. And if you’re being honest, maybe along with that tingling of excitement, there’s even a touch of fear and doubt.

Well, what if this was the year and now was the time to begin? How would that feel to you? If it’s even remotely inspiring or appealing and motivating, this very special episode is for you. If you’re ready, but if you’re not even sure where to begin, this episode is for you.

This is a special episode for SPARKED and is part of our ‘January Kickstart Your Life Series’, and the focus is on a very powerful framework that I have been developing and testing, using and refining for years that I call Success Scaffolding.

I am going to walk you through the 8 critical elements that are immensely powerful, unlock keys and guideposts that’ll let you – maybe for the first time ever feel so much more confident and have a real actionable roadmap to finally do that thing that you have yearned to do. 

This framework will help you get there and keep you inspired and supported along the way. And I’m also gonna do something I have never done before. As I share each element, I will also share how I tapped this very framework to conceive, launch, and grow this powerful new body of work, set of tools, products, experiences, trainings, books, and the entire company, that is Spark Endeavors, around these things I call the Sparketypes, which as you probably know, is a set of archetypes that I developed to help people discover and then center work that makes them come alive. The power of Success Scaffolding is that it kept me going through incredible challenges and self-doubt.

My greatest hope is that it serves as a template for you to do and be and make real whatever it is that inspires you. Not someday, but starting today.

You can find the 1-page worksheet HERE.

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn.

Connect with Jonathan Fields on LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You’ve spent years becoming really good at what you do. Expert level. And, you’ve reached the end of your ability to serve clients on an individual basis. It’s time to scale. But, how do you scale a business and find ways to duplicate yourself when offering highly-skilled, one to one services? Especially, without degrading the quality of the service you envision? Is that even possible? If so, what would it take? And, how do Sparketypes play into these questions?

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:  Ryan - Sparketype: Maker/Scientist | Essentialist

QUESTION: Today’s listener Ryan, spent 15 years as a CEO of three companies, one of which he scaled into a market leader with 11-million users across 45 states. He has raised funding, built huge teams and acquired nearly a dozen companies across this time. He has taken this knowledge and founded a company providing executive coaching for entrepreneurs and is consistently booked out with happy clients. Now, he wants to scale, but is conscious of his one on one capacity and is now asking, how can you ensure that you can successfully scale without losing the special sauce that currently helps his clients?

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. 

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn.

Connect with Jonathan Fields on LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So many of us look at the world we live in, and wonder how we might make a bigger impact. After a decade in academic setting, with a focus on career advising and HR, today’s guest, Claire, is now a parent to two children at the beginning of their teen years, and a new leader in elected government. And, she’s proud of how she accomplished this, even in light of her Anti Performer impulse. 

Jonathan & Karen discuss:

• The potential blindspot of trading time for money
• Time doesn't always equal value and results
• Truly reviewing how many projects you have on your plate, including being human
• Altruism and gift economy blended with the reality of needing to be remunerated 

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: Claire - Sparketype: Advisor/Essentialist | Performer

QUESTION: Listener Claire wants to devote herself to not just making a big impact on her community, but also being there for her family, exploring the development and launch of a communal housing project with a focus on the values of sustainability and simplicity, and reimagining how she might bring her vision and services to those in need, in a more egalitarian and equitable way. She’s deeply concerned about what she sees as the commoditization and consumerization of people and services.

And, she’s wondering, what’s really possible here? How can she affect the greatest change, in her community and her own and family’s lives? What decisions and models might help her figure out what to say yes and no to? 

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. 

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn.

Connect with Jonathan Fields on LinkedIn.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do we find the time to make our own art? How do you blend your own creative or expressive practice with running a business?

Today’s listener Claudia presents this question. She has been running a successful Paint Your Pottery Studio with her sister, which impressively survived the pandemic, and is now seeing revenues go back up as people yearn to make and gather.

Jonathan & Cynthia offer:

• JF’s Three stages of business growth
• How to delegate or alter your role to find the spark
• How to find learning opportunities in your existing situation
• How to use a specific project as a way to cultivate a creative pursuit
• And the real reason we don't make time for our creativity

LISTENER: Claudia - Sparketype: Maker/Maven, Anti - Performer

QUESTION: Today’s listener Claudia, has been running a successful Paint Your Pottery Studio with her sister, which impressively survived the pandemic, and is now seeing revenues go back up as people yearn to make and gather.

Claudia loves being part of the community they’ve built around the business, enjoys teaching pottery to kids and is glad to be finally in a creative field. However she’s feeling the pull to prioritize her own artistic expression and finds that while the business is successful and gives her a certain sense of stability, the day to day load of the business doesn’t allow her time to make her own art.

And, now the lease is due for renewal next year, and she’s trying to figure out if she should she stay and build, or go and refocus on her own Sparked expression? 

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.

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. 

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

External influences like social conditioning and past experiences can affect how we identify our true motivations and passions, as demonstrated by Sarah's experience with the Sparketypes Assessment, where taking it a second time after personal growth led to results that felt more authentic.

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: Sarah - Sparketype: Sage (Primary), Scientist (Shadow), Advocate (Anti)

QUESTION: Today’s listener, Sarah, shares her experience of supporting multi-billion dollar retail businesses, as the head of change management and helping people and businesses work through transformations. She has been the right hand to many high level execs and spearheaded big results and impact but like so many of us, done so at her own expense and with a lot of burnout.

After becoming a new mom in the depths of the Global Pandemic, she resigned from her executive position. Now Sarah is at a crossroads with a solid foundation of skills and accomplishments but this time wants to create a chapter of work that is more aligned with her innate impulses. She shares that she has achieved success in the past with hustle and no spark and this time wants to find more flow and bring back the spark.

To do this she wants to have a deeper understanding of her Sparketype, especially since she received a different result having retaken the assessment after all the above shifts. It brings her to her main question - can your past experiences, especially challenging or traumatic ones, distort your view of yourself and therefore affect your Sparketype results? Can social conditioning and external feedback interfere with finding work and expression that is more aligned for us - and if so, how do we reduce its impact or even eliminate it altogether?

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. 

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Turns out strategy isn’t just for business, it’s for life. And that’s what we’re diving into with an old friend today, Seth Godin. Seth is an author, entrepreneur, and teacher who has spent decades helping people find clarity and take purposeful action. In his latest book This Is Strategy: Make Better Plans, Seth challenges us to abandon outdated systems and instant gratification in favor of smart, purposeful choices that shape a better tomorrow.

Seth Godin is renowned for his pioneering work in marketing, leadership, and changing the status quo. He has written 21 bestsellers, including classics like “The Dip,” “Linchpin,” and “Tribes.” Seth has also founded several groundbreaking companies and inspired millions through his teachings on everything from effective promotion to the spread of world-changing ideas.

Photo credit: Darius Bashar and Archangel

Guest: Seth Godin, author of This Is Strategy: Make Better Plans

Website | Instagram | Akimbo: A Podcast from Seth Godin

Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment,

More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you satisfy an impulse to build a living around multiple passions and be in constant learning and growth mode, in a work world that keeps pushing you to pick a single passion or skill-set, become an expert and just keep doing that one thing for life? 

Jonathan & Jenny offer:

• Closing the communication gap with multiple resumes / portfolios
• Pitching your varied skillset as an asset and differentiator not a detractor
• Is it about the size of the organization or actually the scope of opportunity for growth / learning?
• Finding your thriving style instead of trying to ‘fit or pigeon hole’
• How to query all the ‘shoulds’
• Find your guiding lights, even if you’re not connected with them directly

Concept mentioned: Steven Johnson ‘The adjacent possible’ - quick explainer

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: Sarah, Sparketype: Maven/Performer

Today's listener Sarah shares that when she works in less purposeful, single-focused, non-growth-oriented roles she becomes drained and uninspired once the initial novelty has worn off. She wants to reclaim ‘play’ and variety, pursue different passions and she’s fine always learning and not being an established expert in any one domain.

But, Sarah feels like potential employers want to hire people who are committed to one craft and is feeling pressured to pick a path or profession that feels too limiting. And, she’s not alone. So, how do you handle expressing an impulse for many things when the world of work wants you to be one thing?

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. 

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s listener Paulina asks, as an Essentialist who thrives and is energized by chaos, problem solving and ‘putting out fires’, when you run your own consultancy and need to wear all the hats, but things settle into a fairly dialed-in mode where that Essentialist impulse isn’t so organically activate any more, how do you keep feeling Sparked? And it is more about finding satisfaction and joy in everyday, non chaotic work or finding ways to get back into Essentialist mode again.

Jonathan & Deb offer:

• How to reframe chaos
• Could expansion be the next exciting challenge?
• How Creative destruction can keep you in your purpose
• Can you break your business and reimagine without giving it away?
• All customers want to know is did you get the results and can you duplicate it?

In today’s episode Jonathan is 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: Paulina’s Sparketype - Primary: Essentialist, Shadow: Maven, Anti: Performer

QUESTION: Today’s listener Paulina, describes herself as the kind of person who runs towards fires and loves creating systems and strategies to make things simpler and easier for her clients and has been getting incredible results. But she shares that as time has gone on and things have gotten more predictable, she’s lost that spark that I used to have. 

So whilst building the business and not quite at the point of delegating or hiring, she asks if it’s possible to find fulfillment in the necessary day to day maintenance of running a business or is there a way to reimagine the experience and feel sparked by her work again?

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.

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. 

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. 

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. 

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. 

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. 

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan & Cynthia talk about:

1. What is the purpose of inspiration
2. Who are your creative ancestors
3. The dance between consuming vs being inspired by vs deconstructing & learning
4. Tapping into how a creative work makes you feel and how to infuse your creativity
5. The humbling nature of writing and many drafts needed
6. How to listen out for your inner bullsh*t detector

We’re super-excited to be introducing some fresh new formats to the mix here on the SPARKED podcast. Our new Hot Takes segments, which we launched a few weeks back, tackle hot topics in conversation with expert guides from the SPARKED Braintrust. And, today, we’re sharing this Hot Take with Cynthia Morris.

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. 

Today we shine the spotlight on creative inspiration and how to turn it into action taking and output. We explore the purpose of inspiration, understanding who our creative ancestors are, and more. And in this time of reimagining, global burnout and upheaval we look at the difference between passively consuming, being simply inspired and the desire to deconstruct and learn from the art we’re enjoying. Cynthia shares a great strategy for journaling to connect with your ‘artist self’ and we both reflect on the many drafts it takes to create great work and the humbling nature of writing.

Enjoy this Sparked Hot Take on creativity, inspiration and expression, we hope it ignites some creative action taking of your own.

Learn more about Cynthia Morris: Website

More on Sparketypes: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can social conditioning, past experiences, and external pressure affect the way we explore figuring out our Sparketype? Or, for that matter, any metric we might look to, as a way to help figure out what drives us? And how do we turn down the volume on social conditioning and perceived expectations, determine what our “truest truths” really are, and express ourselves in a more aligned way? Today’s listener, Sarah, asks these interesting questions, after re-taking the Sparketypes Assessment a year later and getting a result she felt was much closer to who she really was. 

In today’s episode we’re in conversation with:

SPARKED BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Jadah Sellner | Website

Jadah is a multi-time founder and CEO of Jadah Sellner Media, the co-creator of the Simple Green Smoothies social and business phenom, sought-after advisor to entrepreneurs, and bestselling author, including her new book, ‘She Builds: The Anti-Hustle Guide to Grow Your Business and Nourish Your Life’, now available here.

LISTENER: Sarah - Sparketype: Sage (Primary), Scientist (Shadow), Advocate (Anti)

QUESTION: Today’s listener, Sarah, shares her experience of supporting multi-billion dollar retail businesses, as the head of change management and helping people and businesses work through transformations. She has been the right hand to many high level execs and spearheaded big results and impact but like so many of us, done so at her own expense and with a lot of burnout. It brings her to her main question - can your past experiences, especially challenging or traumatic ones, distort your view of yourself and therefore affect your Sparketype results? Can social conditioning and external feedback interfere with finding work and expression that is more aligned for us - and if so, how do we reduce its impact or even eliminate it altogether?

Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment,

More on Sparketypes: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan & Charlie discuss:

1. Stop conflating stability and freedom

2. How career gaps can be perceived

3. How to find freedom when some industries are slow moving

4. How many times can you start over?

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:  Alyse - Sparketype: (Primary) Scientist, (Secondary) Sage, (Anti) Maker

QUESTION: Today’s listener Alyse shares a story and question that will resonate with so many. Returning to corporate work after maternity leave, she no longer feels energized by her previous role. And, by the way, this experience is so universal for so many who are finding themselves returning to work in different ways, after being changed by these last few years. Having discovered her Scientist Sparketype, she now understands her yearning to push into the next unknown, explore new burning questions and solve different problems. And she’s starting to realize why she dreads feeling bored at work and is, in her words, perpetually impatient for what might come next. 

Alyse wants to move on from repetitive work and find something more self-directed and mission oriented, like criminal justice reform. But is worried about her resume, which is becoming a list of short stints at very different places. She’s feeling the “should” of settling down for several years and building tenure in a secure and well paid job, while also feeling that if you’re going to spend days away from your young family, ideally you’d want to spend that time doing something valuable and interesting. 

Which sets up the query, how do you balance your need for novelty and full-expression with a value around security? And how many times can you start over, or is that just the nature of modern careers these days.

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. 

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan & Cynthia discuss:

1. When considering options believing there are ‘no false steps’
2. Does your age affect your willingness to run ‘career experiments’?
3. What actually is a portfolio career?
4. Studying a process versus a specific domain or industry
5. Getting really clear about what you want your days to look like

Ever hear the phrase portfolio career? It’s become shorthand for blending different things to create a career and a living that draws upon and expresses different interests and passions. In today’s episode, listener Michael, shares the story of his ‘portfolio career’ as he describes it and the pros and cons with that working style.

Michael has gained experience in teaching, tutoring, managing a not-for-profit program and even coaching and is now completing a masters in design. As graduation approaches, he is contemplating what to do next. When reflecting on his portfolio career he shares a love of the flexibility, freedom and creativity it enables, and a dislike of the responsibility, organization and lack of security that it brings.

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: Michael - Sparketype: Advisor/Maven | Nurturer

QUESTION: Listener Michael poses the question, do you follow your latest area of interest and continue to collect portfolio career roles or should you find a traditional employer and potentially more job security and collaboration?

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. 

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan & Cyndie discuss:

1. Creating a tool for folks to feel seen and understood
2. If we can know ourselves and find work that makes us come alive, imagine what that could do on a societal and global level for problem solving, innovation, productivity and wellbeing levels
3. What it means to be ‘pathologically steeped in possibility’
4. Making things that move people
5. And JF reveals the one thing he still hoards

What does it actually take to find and do work that makes you come alive? Or, as we say, that sparks you? And, what does that even mean? 

Today we’re taking you deeper into the mysterious world of the Sparketypes, sharing where they came from, how the global phenom that’s become the Sparketype Assessment took shape and led, eventually to the book, SPARKED, and this very podcast. And we’ll talk about how discovering your Sparketype profile can help you reimagine and reinvent your work and career to feel so much more alive. And, to help tease these ideas out, I’ve invited a dear friend and collaborator, big hearted human renowned keynote speaker, community builder, personal power alchemist, bestselling author, and all around truth-teller, Cyndie Spiegel, to lead the conversation. 

YOUR HOST: Cyndie Spiegal - Website

YOUR GUEST: 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 Workshop | The Website

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