When was the last time you truly embraced yourself, inside and out? My guest Cleo Wade, New York Times–bestselling author and poet shares her incredible wisdom for finding inner peace amid life's changes in her new book, Remember Love: Words for Tender Times. We explore how poetry anchors us when lost, tuning into natural rhythms, and growing through grief. Cleo reads 3 deeply moving passages that remind us of our inner light and intrinsic self-worth. Her words stayed with me long after the episode ended, and I hope it does the same for you. You can find Cleo at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Sue Monk Kidd about life transitions and changing lanes.  Check out our offerings & partners:  My New Book Sparked My New Podcast SPARKED.  Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever felt stuck in life? Psychiatrist Phil Stutz says leaning into adversity is the secret to getting unstuck. His unconventional methods have helped celebrities and everyday people find meaning and purpose when they felt lost. Now, in his new book Lessons for Living: What Only Adversity Can Teach You, Stutz shares the tools and wisdom from 40 years of therapy on how to face hardship and grow through life's storms. This fascinating conversation may challenge everything you thought you knew about living well. You can find Phil at: Website | Instagram | Lessons for Living | Episode Transcript If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Jud Brewer about anxiety and what we can do about it in a very practical and hands-on way.  Check out our offerings & partners:  My New Book Sparked My New Podcast SPARKED. Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Audio excerpted courtesy of Penguin Random House Audio from Lessons for Living: What Only Adversity Can Teach You by Phil Stutz; Read by JC Mackenzie © 2023, Phil Stutz ℗ Penguin Random House, LLC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In an era of polarization, we’ve lost the art of gathering, listening, and connecting across divides. How can we rediscover the power of discourse to build mutual understanding? Priya Parker, Anand Giridharadas, and Jonah Berger reveal simple but transformative tools to help us relearn how to truly listen, relate, and influence. Through stories and guidance, we uncover how to create spaces for bearing witness to shared humanity, open minds and hearts through persuasive conversation, and choose words that connect rather than divide. Join us as we uncover a path back to empathy, dignity, and healing in our fractured world. Episode Transcript You can find Priya at: Website | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with Priya You can find Anand at: Website | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with Anand You can find Jonah at:Website | Twitter | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with Jonah Check out our offerings & partners:  My New Book Sparked My New Podcast SPARKED.  Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever felt like you've lost your sense of self? Psychotherapist Sara Kuburic joins me to discuss her experience with profound "self-loss" and the journey back to oneself. In her insightful new book, It's On Me: Accept Hard Truths, Discover Your Self, and Change Your Life, Sara blends personal stories with psychology and neuroscience to offer wisdom and practical steps for reconnecting with your true self. Born a refugee, Sara brings both personal experience and professional expertise to this vital topic. We explore the emptiness of self-loss, often triggered by major life changes, and how self-discovery is an ongoing practice of curiosity, playfulness and courage to experiment with who you want to be - imperfections and all. You can find Sara at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Nedra Glover Tawwab about how boundaries affect our sense of self.  Check out our offerings & partners:  My New Book Sparked My New Podcast SPARKED.  Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the secret to a fulfilling life was simpler than you thought? My guest Simon Sinek offers a visionary perspective on transforming work into a source of passion and purpose. Simon believes we all have the capacity to live inspired, safe, and fulfilled lives, yet too many are deprived of this. He may be best known for starting a movement with his TED talk and book Start With Why, which explores how great leaders inspire action by putting purpose before product. He’s gone on to write global bestsellers like Leaders Eat Last and The Infinite Game, sharing his insights on creating fulfillment in business and life. In this powerful conversation, Simon shares practical wisdom on building environments where we and others can thrive, along with insightful stories. His message: bringing care, dignity, and connection to everything we do allows us to live our best lives. You can find Simon at: Website | Instagram | A Bit of Optimism podcast | Episode Transcript If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Brené Brown about how vulnerability can be a powerful source of connection.  Check out our offerings & partners:  My New Book Sparked My New Podcast SPARKED. Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever felt like your brain just operates differently? Like no matter how hard you try, you're perpetually distracted or struggling to focus? You're not alone. Psychiatrist Dr. Sasha Hamdani shares her personal ADHD journey and provides research-backed techniques to better understand and thrive with your uniquely wired brain. We dive into practical self-care tools from her book, Self-Care for People with ADHD: 100+ Ways to Recharge, De-Stress, and Prioritize You! to help manage symptoms, prioritize yourself, and embrace your neurodiversity. Dr. Hamdani aims to empower those with ADHD and neurodiverse brains to navigate the world with more clarity, ease and success. You can find Sasha at: Focus Genie App | Instagram | Episode Transcript If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor about whole brain living.  Check out our offerings & partners:  My New Book Sparked My New Podcast SPARKED Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After experiencing profound personal tragedy, Michael Tennant made it his life's mission to cultivate empathy in himself and others. In our conversation, the Founder of Curiosity Lab and author of The Power of Empathy: A Thirty-Day Path to Personal Growth and Social Change shares his journey to understanding this powerful yet often neglected skill. Michael provides practical steps we can take to grow in empathy, imaginatively step into another’s shoes, and build more inclusive, connected communities. Though it takes courage, empathy’s rewards are immense—it can heal relationships, bridge divides, relieve isolation, and open the door to human connection. You can find Michael at: Website | Actually Curious Card Decks | Instagram | Episode Transcript If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Terry Real about the power of us.  Check out our offerings & partners:  My New Book Sparked My New Podcast SPARKED. To submit your “moment & question” for consideration to be on the show go to sparketype.com/submit.  Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if confidence was an illusion stopping you from an amazing life? Today we're unpacking how chasing confidence distracts us from meaningful growth and connection. Instead, cultivate awareness, bravery and conviction to take unconfident action. Learn to make decisions and live fully, even when uncertain. You’ll unlock growth and impact without needing magical confidence. Episode Transcript If you LOVED this episode be sure to check out other solo episodes with Jonathan, easily organized HERE as a Spotify playlist. Check out our offerings & partners:  My New Book Sparked My New Podcast SPARKED Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if ancient indigenous wisdom could guide us to live a good life today? My guest James Vukelich Kaagegaabaw, a descendant of the Ojibwe tribe, reveals hidden insights encoded in their language after dedicating over 20 years to studying and translating their stories. His fascinating new book, The Seven Generations and The Seven Grandfather Teachings,, unpacks unconventional yet powerful Ojibwe concepts of truth, humility, respect, love, courage, honesty and wisdom. James' journey to reconnect with his heritage and its uncommon notions of how to live a moral life delivered the soulful antidote our modern lives need. His insights and passion bring this everyday wisdom for living a good life into focus. You can find James at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Violet Duncan about the power of Indigenous wisdom.  Check out our offerings & partners:  My New Book Sparked My New Podcast SPARKED. To submit your “moment & question” for consideration to be on the show go to sparketype.com/submit.  Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sharing something special from our friend Dan Heath, NYT bestselling author and host of the new podcast What It’s Like To Be... The show explores the world of work by interviewing interesting people doing interesting work that helps them enjoy a good life. You’ll be a fly on the wall as Dan talks to couples therapist Laura Heck: How can she spot a bad client before they walk in the door? What’s her favorite activity to try with struggling couples? You’ll hear what it’s like to walk in her shoes… You can hear more episodes of What It’s Like to Be… and get insights on Instagram at @whatitsliketobepodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does anxiety feel like it's spiraling out of control? You're not alone. In this episode, we dive into the neuroscience behind anxiety and gain research-backed techniques to find calm, from embracing acceptance to short-circuiting unhelpful rumination. Hear perspectives on shifting your relationship with anxiety from: Dr. Jud Brewer Dr. Wendy Suzuki Ellen Hendriksen, Ph.D. Ethan Kross Discover the surprising upsides of this complex emotion. If you've struggled with overwhelming anxiety or want to transform your mindset, this research-packed episode will give you new tools to unlock relief and resilience. Episode Transcript You can find Dr. Jud at: Website | Instagram | Unwinding Anxiety App | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with Jud You can find Dr. Wendy at: Website | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with Wendy You can find Ellen at: Website | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with Ellen You can find Ethan at: Website | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with Ethan Check out our offerings & partners:  My New Book Sparked My New Podcast SPARKED. To submit your “moment & question” for consideration to be on the show go to sparketype.com/submit.  Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you struggled to speak up when it matters most? My guest Sam Horn has devoted her career to helping people transform awkward moments into open communication. In this episode, Sam shares her expertise on how to find your voice, even on eggshells. We explore essential skills like awareness, listening, and empathy to shift from reactive to proactive in challenging interactions. Sam dives into strategies from her newest book, Talking on Eggshells: Soft Skills for Hard Conversations, so you can turn conflicts into clarifying, satisfying conversations. If you’ve felt too intimidated to speak your truth, this episode will give you hope. You can find Sam at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Zoe Chance about the language of influence.  Check out our offerings & partners:  My New Book Sparked My New Podcast SPARKED. To submit your “moment & question” for consideration to be on the show go to sparketype.com/submit.  Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do we sometimes feel unsafe or anxious for no reason? Neuroscientist Stephen Porges, Ph.D. shares how his groundbreaking polyvagal theory reveals the hidden workings of our nervous system. He and his son Seth Porges, explore in their new book Our Polyvagal World: How Safety and Trauma Change Us, how subjective feelings of safety versus danger shape our health, happiness and ability to connect. Learn how becoming "neuroception architects" adept at transmitting cues of safety through our voice, face and presence can override default survival circuits - helping us consciously create environments that nurture true security. You can find Stephen & Seth at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Dr. Jud Brewer about anxiety, safety, and habits.  Check out our offerings & partners:  My New Book Sparked My New Podcast SPARKED. To submit your “moment & question” for consideration to be on the show go to sparketype.com/submit.  Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Modern life is silently destroying our health. But what if the real culprit isn't too much fat, but too little muscle? Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, a physician researching the overlooked importance of muscle for metabolism, immunity, and disease prevention, reveals how the loss of muscle mass as we age secretly undermines health. In her groundbreaking book, Forever Strong: A New, Science-Based Strategy for Aging Well, Dr. Lyon shares how you can slow, stop and even reverse muscle loss through science-based nutrition and exercise. Imagine if simply building muscle could lower disease risk and make you feel better. Dr. Lyon is on a mission to revolutionize aging. If you want to thrive in midlife and beyond, this conversation could change your life. You can find Dr. Lyon at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with David A. Sinclair, Ph.D. about increasing lifespan.  Check out our offerings & partners:  My New Book Sparked My New Podcast SPARKED. To submit your “moment & question” for consideration to be on the show go to sparketype.com/submit.  Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've been sold a story that aging means decline. But what if that was a lie? My guest Karen Walrond flips the script on aging with her new book Radiant Rebellion: Reclaim Aging, Practice Joy, and Raise a Little Hell. She argues we can embrace getting older as a time of growth, joy, and possibility. Karen shares how we can rewrite narratives around aging illuminated by purpose, wisdom, levity, and curiosity. Imagine aging not as something to endure, but to embrace. Karen shows us how through exercises, perspective shifts, and reimagining living itself. Get ready to reclaim aging and live your most vibrant years ahead. You can find Karen at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Tara Brach about making peace with the truth about our lives.  Check out our offerings & partners:  My New Book Sparked My New Podcast SPARKED. To submit your “moment & question” for consideration to be on the show go to sparketype.com/submit.  Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dive into the captivating tale of Yunha Kim. An immigrant who exceeded expectations, yet felt unfulfilled despite having every hallmark of success. From thriving in Wall Street's corridors to becoming a passionate entrepreneur, living with 5 workmate-roommates as they built from scratch. Yet, fulfillment evaded her until she combined tech and a personal challenge - her own battle with chronic insomnia. Today, we unpack Yunha's incredible journey, from the pressures of Shark Tank to becoming a beacon of change in the tech industry. Discover how she's not just building apps but impacting lives. You can find Yunha at: Website | Sleep Reset Instagram | Yunha's Instagram | Episode Transcript If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Brad Feld about the journey from finding your purpose to guiding people through founding companies to find their own purpose.  Check out our offerings & partners:  My New Book Sparked My New Podcast SPARKED. To submit your “moment & question” for consideration to be on the show go to sparketype.com/submit.  Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Life will knock us down. But how we get back up defines us. Where do we find the resilience to face hardship? How do we transform struggle into meaning? Mark Nepo, spiritual teacher and bestselling author of The Book of Awakening, returns with his new book Falling Down and Getting Up: Discovering Your Inner Resilience and Strength, to share the winding path to inner strength. Having battled cancer and profound loss, Mark knows the value of falling with grace, mining obstacles for their hidden gifts, and holding nothing back. His gentle wisdom guides us to live courageously through life’s storms, embrace imperfection, and keep getting back up. Mark shows how every fall can lift us higher. You can find Mark at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Anne Lamott about embracing all parts of life. Check out our offerings & partners:  My New Book Sparked My New Podcast SPARKED. To submit your “moment & question” for consideration to be on the show go to sparketype.com/submit.  Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Colorado's new poet laureate Andrea Gibson takes the stage to illuminate and heal through raw, vulnerable spoken word poetry. A pioneering LGBTQ voice, Andrea discusses poetry's power, the courage growth requires, and their guiding ethos that authenticity matters more than suffering. Despite fear, their immersive performances resonate deeply, changing hearts and making listeners feel less alone. In recent years, they have been very public about their cancer journey, not to draw attention to their mortality, but to help others appreciate life's brevity and feel the urgent call to truly live. This stirring conversation reaffirms poetry's power to reveal our common humanity. You can find Andrea Gibson at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Morgan Harper Nichols about the power of language to connect people.  Check out our offerings & partners:  My New Book Sparked My New Podcast SPARKED. To submit your “moment & question” for consideration to be on the show go to sparketype.com/submit.  Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you make the right call when faced with high-stakes decisions? Shane Parrish devoted his career to decoding the art and science of decision-making after being overwhelmed with life-and-death choices in his 20s. Now, the founder of Farnam Street and acclaimed author of the New York Times bestseller  Clear Thinking: Turning Ordinary Moments into Extraordinary Results reveals his insights on how anyone can short-circuit defaults, see past blindspots, and set themselves up for success before big decisions arise. Shane’s techniques helped me understand my own thinking and how to refine it in a much more nuanced way. Learn how small tweaks to your approach can lead to extraordinary results. You can find Shane at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Dan Pink about how time and timing affect our choices.  Check out our offerings & partners:  My New Book Sparked My New Podcast SPARKED. To submit your “moment & question” for consideration to be on the show go to sparketype.com/submit.  Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if chasing outer success still leaves us feeling empty inside? My guest Suneel Gupta can relate. After selling his startup, he realized achievements weren’t enough. Rediscovering the Hindu concept of dharma—expressing your essence through work—he found new purpose. In our conversation, Suneel shares insights from his book Everyday Dharma to reveal practical ways we can honor our inner fire through our daily work. How can we live with more meaning and purpose? Suneel shares abundant tools to help you discover and express your calling. You can find Suneel at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the solo episode I recorded about discovering what makes you come alive, what we call your Sparketype. Check out our offerings & partners:  My New Book Sparked My New Podcast SPARKED. To submit your “moment & question” for consideration to be on the show go to sparketype.com/submit.  Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.