Behind the Brilliance

Season 15 of Behind the Brilliance delivered a mix of leading voices in psychology, entrepreneurship, and life design. This special recap distills the most powerful insights into one place highlighting big ideas and useful tools on happiness, resilience, and building a life and business on your own terms. Guests include Tal Ben-Shahar, Ellen Hendriksen, Jodi Wellman, Rand Fishkin, Chris Guillebeau, Anne-Laure Le Cunff, Elaine Pofeldt, Rae Wynn-Grant, Ahad Khan, and Sieva Kozinsky. The episode also includes a listening guide to match your interest with the relevant episode.  The recap concludes with reflections on the season's central theme: learning to work with human nature rather than against it. Essential listening for anyone who wants to understand what made Season 15 special and where to dive in next.

Chris Guillebeau, bestselling author and creator of The Art of Nonconformity, joins Lisa to explore what it really takes to build a self-directed life. He shares his unconventional path from high school dropout and aid worker in West Africa to global traveler, author of nine books, and entrepreneur. Chris unpacks the philosophy behind his work—why you don’t have to live your life the way others expect—and introduces the concept of time anxiety, the tension between the fear of running out of time and the paralysis of endless choices. The conversation covers everything from the psychology of “enough” and how mortality awareness can sharpen your priorities, to practical strategies for leaving things undone, creating accountability structures, and decluttering your calendar. Chris also opens up about ADHD, therapy, and why you should ask yourself at the end of the day, “Did today matter?” Behind his brilliance: Refusing to accept “no” and always looking for another way. TOPICS COVERED ·       The difference between traditional anxiety and time anxiety ·       Why having more choices creates its own form of paralysis ·       The two types of time anxiety: existential panic and decision overwhelm ·       How ADHD diagnosis changed his relationship with productivity ·       Why working for yourself is actually the conservative choice ·       The myth that independent work is inherently risky ·       Moving from "you can be anything" liberation to burden ·       Why curiosity without follow-through is just floating ideas ·       The seasonality of creative work and energy cycles ·       How to measure success by what you control vs external outcomes ·       The power of asking "Did today matter?" over productivity metrics ·       Why leaving things undone is a radical act in completion culture ·       The difference between hard work and passionate engagement ·       How to use death as a clarity tool rather than anxiety trigger ·       Platform agnosticism and the creator economy evolution ·       The accountability structures that support independent creators ·       Why caring about your work trumps optimization systems ·       Moving from rules-based to values-based decision making ·       The future self trap and why motivation doesn't transfer ·       How to create enough-ness in a never-enough culture

THE SHOW In this episode of Behind the Brilliance, entrepreneur and investor Sieva Kozinsky joins the show to share his journey from first-generation immigrant beginnings to co-founding Enduring Ventures, a holding company that acquires and grows businesses for the long game. Sieva opens up about the fear that fueled his early ventures, the lessons learned from failed startups and pivots, and why fundraising can sometimes blind founders to what really matters. We dive deep into the psychology of selling a company, the art of negotiation with founders, and how legacy is built (or destroyed) in the years after an exit. Sieva also reflects on emotional discipline, meditation, and why surrounding yourself with the right five people may be the single most important factor in your growth. This conversation extends beyond building businesses to explore a useful philosophy for building a life you’ll still be proud of twenty years from now. Behind his Brilliance: His mother and grandmother  TOPICS COVERED How Sieva’s immigrant upbringing shaped his resilience Pivoting from pre-med to entrepreneurship The pivotal college class that changed everything Why early failures were his best education Lessons from building and pivoting StudySoup Bootstrapping vs. raising venture capital (and why he regrets fundraising early) The psychology of fear as a driver in entrepreneurship Emotional discipline: responding instead of reacting The role of meditation in business and life The dangers of selling to universities (and what that taught him) Negotiating with founders who are selling their life’s work Why most entrepreneurs misunderstand exits and valuations The holding company model and why it’s different from private equity How to minimize regret when selling a business Finding the right cofounder and what to look for beyond skills The importance of discomfort in building a meaningful life Why you become the average of the five people closest to you Seeking serendipity and building networks through curiosity

THE SHOW What happens when you build the company of your dreams, only to realize the dream came with tradeoffs you didn’t see coming? In this candid conversation, Rand Fishkin — cofounder of Moz and SparkToro — shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career: turning a $39 side experiment into a multimillion-dollar SaaS, raising venture capital for the wrong reasons, walking away from a $40M acquisition offer, and rebuilding his identity after leaving the company he founded. Along the way, Rand unpacks the philosophy he lives by now: designing work around the life you want, not the other way around. You’ll learn why audience-first growth changes everything, how “dark social” can reshape your marketing strategy, and why the best companies aren’t built on hustle, but on thoughtful design. If you’ve ever wrestled with status anxiety, questioned the pace you’re working at, or wondered what it would look like to run a business without burning yourself out, this episode will give you fresh perspectives and actionable ideas for building something that lasts — without losing yourself in the process. BEHIND HIS BRILLIANCE: Empathy TOPICS COVERED  ·  Status is a poor reason to raise capital – chasing external validation through VC can distort decision-making and undermine founder well-being. ·  Audience-first beats product-first – building trust and reach before launching a product creates built-in marketing and faster adoption. ·  Design trumps grind – thoughtful business and life design leads to better decisions, fewer hours, and more sustainable success than relentless hustle. ·  Identity can’t be tied to one venture – detaching self-worth from your company enables resilience when endings or pivots come. ·  Opportunity cost is real – turning down an offer (even for the “right” reasons at the time) can shape the trajectory of both the business and your personal life. ·  Measure what matters, not what’s easy – “dark social” means a lot of word-of-mouth and share-driven traffic won’t show up in analytics the way you expect. ·  Life design is part of business design – integrating personal goals, health, and relationships into work choices leads to richer, more fulfilling outcomes. And much more!  Get the Show Notes here.  

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant is a wildlife ecologist, storyteller, and nature show host whose path to success defies every traditional metric of merit. In this candid conversation, Rae shares how she went from struggling in math and science classes to earning a PhD and becoming a leading voice in wildlife conservation. We explore the pivotal role that belief, representation, and access played in shaping her journey from her first exposure to nature through television, to a transformative study abroad trip to Kenya, to an unexpected pivot from lions to black bears. Rae also opens up about hitting emotional rock bottom in her 30s, the identity crisis that followed, and how she rebuilt her life with honesty, humility, and hope. This episode is a testament to what’s possible when we follow our passion, even when our performance or our path doesn’t fit the mold. Behind her brilliance:  Taking a non-traditional approach TOPICS COVERED:  Why passion trumps performance - How to pursue your calling even when traditional metrics suggest you're "not qualified" The representation breakthrough - Why seeing yourself reflected in expertise positions transforms what feels possible Navigating productive discomfort - How to embrace stretching experiences that feel uncomfortable but lead to growth Identity crisis as catalyst - Using rock bottom moments as launching pads for authentic reinvention The marriage blueprint trap - Why relationships fail when one person brings a pre-drawn life plan instead of co-creating Accountability without excuses - The liberation that comes from owning your choices and their consequences Nontraditional paths to traditional success - How to thrive by refusing to fit conventional molds while still achieving recognized accomplishments Environmental justice reframed - Why urban communities often care more about environmental issues than rural ones (despite stereotypes) The privilege of starting over - Understanding what safety nets make radical life changes possible Choosing authenticity over expectations - The courage required to disappoint others in service of being true to yourself

THE SHOW Most of us are running on autopilot, checking boxes, chasing goals, and pushing toward some imagined finish line without stopping to ask if this is how we really want to spend our lives. In this conversation, Jodi Wellman, author of You Only Die Once and founder of the 4,000 Mondays framework, makes the case for using mortality as a tool, not a threat. She shares why contemplating the end of life can snap us out of numb routines and guide us toward choices that create more vitality, meaning, and joy right now. We talk about why achievement can feel hollow, how to spot the “dead zones” in your life, and the surprising power of small changes to make life feel bigger. Whether you have been wondering if there is more to life than your to do list or you just want to feel more alive in your everyday routines, this conversation is a reminder that your Mondays are numbered so make them count. Behind her brilliance: Love and the Grim Reaper    TOPICS COVERED ·  Mortality as Motivation: Facing the reality of death as a way to live more fully, not morbidly. ·  4,000 Mondays Concept: Using your finite number of Mondays as a framing device to clarify what matters. ·  Vitality + Meaning = Fulfillment: Living wider (fun, novelty, aliveness) and deeper (purpose, connection). ·  The Hedonic Treadmill: The idea that high achievers constantly move the goalpost and lose perspective on satisfaction. ·  Experimentation as a Way of Life: “You don’t have to detonate, you can dabble.” ·  Regret Minimization Framework: Inspired by Jeff Bezos and reframed here as: “What would you regret not doing?” ·  Role of Rituals and Values: Structuring life around recurring rituals and clearly defined personal values. ·  Self-Compassion and Inner Talk: The importance of being kind to yourself in the pursuit of growth. ·  Redefining Success and Retirement: Moving from performance-based identities to interest-based living. ·  Comparison and Individual Journeys: Why your life design has to be uniquely yours, and how social media distorts that.  

Elaine Pofeldt, former Fortune Small Business editor, uncovered a hidden economy of one-person businesses quietly earning 7 figures and spent years interviewing the entrepreneurs behind them. In this conversation, she reveals the surprising industries dominating this space, why professional services often outperform tech, and the frameworks that actually work for building sustainable solo wealth. From starting smart while keeping your day job to using AI as your secret weapon, Elaine breaks down the real strategies behind million-dollar one-person businesses. No hype, no hustle culture required. Plus: why health and boundaries aren’t “extras” but essential business infrastructure, and how to design a career that serves your life instead of consuming it. Essential listening for anyone who wants financial freedom without chasing passive income or playing the venture capital game. Behind Her Brilliance: Family   TOPICS COVERED Elaine’s journey from fiction writing to journalism   The evolution of business journalism and rise of entrepreneurship in the public imagination   How AI and automation empower solo business owners   The origin story of The Million Dollar, One Person Business   Why peer learning and relatable case studies matter   Common traits among successful solo entrepreneurs   The emotional and mental stamina required to succeed independently   The role of physical health, boundaries, and self-awareness in entrepreneurial success   How older professionals and people with disabilities are reshaping the business landscape   Flexible business models that support life design   Building walk-away money and choosing clients wisely   The underestimated power of tools like planners, automation apps, and AI assistants   Lifestyle design, digital nomadism, and work-from-anywhere strategies  

THE SHOW Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, Harvard-trained psychologist and author of multiple bestsellers including Happier, joins Lisa to explore the psychology and habits that lead to happiness in modern times. He uncovers the myths that keep successful people miserable and why our pursuit of the next achievement isn’t the answer. He shares his personal journey from academic achievement to profound unhappiness, breaks down the difference between experiencing emotions and being consumed by them, and offers a counterintuitive approach to emotional health through passive observation. The conversation covers everything from the achievement trap and social media's impact on happiness to practical parenting strategies and the future of leadership in a post-pandemic world. Behind his brilliance: Curiosity and passionate effort Visit BehindtheBrilliance.com for the show notes   TOPICS COVERED Why successful people often feel secretly empty The myth of constant happiness and toxic positivity culture Passive observation: witnessing emotions without being consumed by them The psychology of "enough" and escaping achievement addiction Why fighting your feelings makes them persist The role of curiosity in emotional wellbeing and personal growth Social media's impact on perfectionism and life satisfaction How to create space between stimulus and response during overwhelming moments The difference between hard work and effort in personal development Turning emotional dissatisfaction into positive life changes Modern loneliness epidemic and the paradox of digital connection Building authentic relationships based on values rather than demographics The symbiotic relationship between leadership and management Why power and control are ineffective leadership tools Parenting strategies for raising emotionally intelligent children The importance of modeling emotional regulation for kids How to develop discipline without relying on motivation or willpower Why retirement isn't the answer to work dissatisfaction The value of experimentation and changing periods to question marks in life

SUMMARY Anne-Laure Le Cunff, founder of Ness Labs and author of Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World, joins Lisa to reveal her unconventional career journey from Google engineer to startup founder to neuroscience student to successful entrepreneur with Ness Labs. Growing up outside Paris with parents who prioritized financial security, she landed a dream job at Google with the status and paycheck that signaled success. But she soon realized that the ladder she was climbing was leaning against the wrong wall. This conversation explores cognitive scripts that keep us stuck, the importance of experimentation over rigid goal-setting, navigating uncertainty, and designing a life aligned with internal rather than just external metrics of success. Anne-Laure shares insights on managing different types of burnout, the psychology of major transitions, and how she uses tools like journaling and AI to support her work and decision-making. Behind her brilliance: Curiosity Say hi to Anne-Laure on X/Twitter: @neuranne TOPICS COVERED Breaking free from cognitive scripts The problem with traditional goal-setting Building an experimental mindset Why “feeling lost” is the price we pay for having freedom Career transitions and identity beyond job titles Navigating impostor syndrome Burnout (including when you love your work!) Redefining success using internal vs. external criteria Managing time and energy without a corporate structure Redefining the relationship between time, money, and personal values Building a business organically and leveraging momentum Using AI as a creative thinking partner Growing up with multicultural influences Examining default coping mechanisms like alcohol (and Anne-Laure’s journey to sobriety) Letting curiosity lead personal and professional decisions And much more!

THE SHOW Ahad Khan, CEO of Kajabi, shares how his Midwestern roots shaped his approach to building software for "regular people," his experiences navigating investment banking, startup acquisitions, and the creator economy. Ahad reveals his philosophy on people-first decision making, the power of work-life integration over balance, and why choosing character over compensation has been the thread connecting every major career move. The conversation explores the evolution of the creator economy, the challenges of remote leadership, and practical strategies for staying present as both a CEO and father of three. Behind His Brilliance: Immigrant parents who modeled hard work, presence, and the courage to build a life around what matters most Get the show notes here.  TOPICS COVERED ·       Why pivoting early (or late) is worth it ·       Growing up in Northeast Ohio and the "regular people" advantage in tech ·       Why his father said "you can be any kind of engineer you want" ·       Investment banking culture in Chicago vs. New York stereotypes ·       The power of choosing people over compensation in career decisions ·       Early startup lessons and the importance of founder character ·       MileIQ: solving real problems for people who drive for work ·       Navigating Microsoft's acquisition and cultural transformation under Satya Nadella ·       The bootstrap advantage: how 9 years without funding built Kajabi differently ·       Creator economy vs. entertainment: building sustainable businesses ·       The $6 billion paid out to Kajabi creators and the subscription vs. take-rate model ·       Transitioning from CFO to CEO and the weight of leadership ·       Work-life integration: taking kids to school as non-negotiable priority ·       Remote leadership strategies and building a documentation culture ·       Why human customer support beats automation every time ·       The hardest part of being CEO: communicating the "why" behind decisions ·       Redefining success: involved parent, good husband, teammates who like you   Behind Your Brilliance: What's one decision you could make this week to better align your work life with your core values?

THE SHOW In this episode of Behind the Brilliance, Dr. Ellen Hendriksen, clinical psychologist and author of How to Be Enough, joins the show to explore the nuances of perfectionism—from its seductive productivity perks to its hidden emotional costs. She shares her own journey from high-achieving student to recovering perfectionist, breaks down the psychology of procrastination and emotional suppression, and offers practical strategies for redefining self-worth, navigating achievement hangovers, and aligning with intrinsic values. The conversation also touches on the loneliness epidemic, community building, and how shifting from "have to" to "choose to" can transform how we show up in our lives.   Behind her Brilliance: Investing in what connects us to others instead of what sets us apart   TOPICS COVERED Why pivoting early (or late) is worth it A new definition of perfectionism—and why it’s a trap The two pillars of maladaptive perfectionism: overvaluation and rigid standards The myth of emotional perfectionism Rules vs. values (and how rules often masquerade as values) Demand sensitivity and the burden of internal expectations The achievement hangover: chasing the next milestone without fulfillment The difference between goals and values Procrastination as anxiety in disguise Visualizing your future self to beat avoidance Practical tools to embrace imperfection and act anyway Community, connection, and healing the loneliness epidemic The value of empathy in creative and professional work

Lisa summarizes Season 14, Defying the Odds, with reflections on the strategies shared and helpful recaps. 240 – Dr. Andrew Newberg 241 – Cin Fabre 242 – Tyler Denk 243 – Jim Fielding 244 – Dr. Valerie Daniels-Carter 245 – Simone Stolzoff 246 – Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg 247 – Andrew Barnes 248 – Jamila Souffrant 249 – Kevin Kelly   Subscribe to CUE at BehindtheBrilliance.com to be the first to know when the new season streams.

THE SHOW Kevin Kelly is a modern creative pioneer. He was a polymath before it was cool. His career as a writer, founder, photographer, and editor extends across industries and continents. A world traveler and lifelong learner, Kevin’s ideas such as 1000 True Fans have inspired a generation of builders and artists to exercise full agency over their creative pursuits. Kevin was on a short list of dream guests I’ve long held for Behind the Brilliance, and our conversation did not disappoint. He was candid and thoughtful as we covered a wide range of topics including career and life design, religion, decision making, unpopular opinions, and much more. This is an excellent listen for the dreamers, doers, and builders who want to hear the embodiment of integrating passion, purpose, and profit with thoughtful optimism.  Behind His Brilliance: Luck + Not caring what others think Say hi to Kevin on X (Twitter): @kevin2kelly   THE GUEST KEVIN KELLY | AUTHOR + CO-FOUNDER, WIRED ​​ Kevin Kelly is Senior Maverick at Wired magazine. He co-founded Wired in 1993, and served as its Executive Editor for its first seven years. His newest book is Excellent Advice for Living, a book of 450 modern proverbs for good living. He is co-chair of The Long Now Foundation, a membership organization that champions long-term thinking and acting as a good ancestor to future generations. And he is founder of the popular Cool Tools website, which has been reviewing tools daily for 20 years. From 1984-1990 Kelly was publisher and editor of the Whole Earth Review, a subscriber-supported journal of unorthodox conceptual news. He co-founded the ongoing Hackers’ Conference, and was involved with the launch of the WELL, a pioneering online service started in 1985. Other books by Kelly include 1) The Inevitable, a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller, 2) Out of Control, his 1994 classic book on decentralized emergent systems, 3) The Silver Cord, a graphic novel about robots and angels, 4) What Technology Wants, a robust theory of technology, and 5) Vanishing Asia, his 50-year project to photograph the disappearing cultures of Asia.  He is best known for his radical optimism about the future.   TOPICS COVERED -the decision making framework Kevin developed over 5 decades of his career -the inception and growth of WIRED -why pursuing a range of interests can be more valuable than specializations (with important caveats) -Kevin’s religious conversion and how it changed his life -important reflections on leveraging and time management -how a trip to Asia changed Kevin’s life And much more!

THE SHOW Jamila Souffrant’s expertise in personal finance is informed by her own experience turning financial uncertainty into financial freedom. She and her husband saved $169,000 in 2 years and redefined their future with smart money decisions. Now she’s guiding people from diverse backgrounds to more fulfilled lives through her personal finance podcast, Journey to Launch, and her new book, Your Journey to Financial Freedom. ​​Jamila’s work has been featured in Money Magazine, CNBC, and more. The Journey To Launch Podcast was listed by the NYTimes as a podcast to help you get better with your money.   We covered a wide range of topics at the intersection of lifestyle and personal finance including creating financial independence, decoupling time and money, how to approaching spending vs saving vs earning, the specific mindset work that’s critical to the personal finance journey and much more. We touched on FIRE which stands for Financial Independence Retire Early which is a movement that targets building a nest egg and retiring to do what you’d prefer to do with your time whether that’s work that earns less, more time with family, or something else. This episode is penultimate installment of our season long discussions around integrating work and life. Money is obviously a hufge part of that so this conversation helps to frame up our motivations for how much we work, what we work on, and what we do with our earnings.   THE GUEST JAMILA SOUFFRANT | PERSONAL FINANCE EXPERT + AUTHOR ​​Jamila Souffrant is the author of Your Journey To Financial Freedom: A Step-by-Step Guide to Achieving Wealth and Happiness ((Hanover Square Press December 5, 2023) shares  and the host of the Journey To Launch podcast. She is a go-to thought leader in the personal finance field and her work has been featured in BuzzFeed, ESSENCE, Refinery 29, Money Magazine, CNBC, CBS, Business Insider and more. The Journey To Launch Podcast has over 4+ million total downloads and was listed by the NYTimes as a podcast to help you get better with your money.  Jamila and her husband saved $169,000 in two years. They live in Brooklyn, NY with their three children.   TOPICS COVERED -the difference between financial independence and financial freedom and why it matters -redefining luxury in non-monetary terms -the necessity of simplicity on the journey to financial freedom -age, regret, and keeping the journey in context -how to create an effective spending plan -Jamila’s hardest money lesson learned -finding the balance between productivity and punishment And much more!

A dynamic and growing group of companies and organizations are moving to a 4 day work week. Andrew Barnes is the pioneer behind this movement. It all started with an experiment to see what would happen if his team worked 4 days instead of 5. The results were so breathtaking that he never looked back. Now there's an entire organization - including research, a book, and tools - dedicated to making the work world more efficient.   Through his company – New Zealand's largest corporate trustee company, Perpetual Guardian – Andrew announced a 4 day week trial, with staff receiving an extra day off work, on full pay, each week. The trial was an undeniable success, sparking widespread international interest and winning a number of global awards. Today, Barnes is considered the pioneer and architect of the global 4 day week movement. As co-founder of 4 Day Week Global with his partner, Charlotte Lockhart, they are conducting the largest ever trials, currently taking place across the UK, US, Canada, South Africa, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. More than 250 companies around the world with over 100,000 staff are taking part in the trials to change their workplaces combined with a global research programme involving academics from leading universities. Continuing our season long thread on creating work/life integration, this conversation is an excellent primer for both employers and employees on creating a 4 Day Work Week. Andrew is the literal pioneer of this movement so I invited him to BTB to discuss how it was born, the concerns many leaders have, why the movement has picked up steam, and how you – whether you’re a leader or a team member – can use these ideas to create a more sustainable and effective approach to work. We spent a lot of time at the top of this conversation exploring Andrew’s background because I think that context is important once he starts discussing the 4 Day Work Week. That said, if you want to skip to the topical portion, it begins around minute 25. Behind His Brilliance:  Finding opportunity anywhere Say hi to Andrew on X/Twitter @andrewhbarnes   TOPICS COVERED -how Andrew built a career as an international entrepreneur -Andrew’s reflections on betting on himself (and why you should too) -the keys to navigating organizational change -how and why the 4 Day Work Week became a thing -the art and science of designing down time -the counterintuitive ways less work powers more efficiency -how to save your company from meeting culture -how to trial a 4 day week in your organization -addressing employee concerns about the 4 day week -the 4 day week’s impact on wage expectations (spoiler: workers value their time!) -the legislative activity around a 4 day work week And much more!

Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg is the author of ‘What’s Your Problem?’ which was released by Harvard Business Press. He is also the co-author (with Paddy Miller) of Innovation as Usual, a Harvard Business Review Press book on the art of driving innovation in regular organizations. Thomas has worked with managers in nearly all parts of the globe, including China, India, Russia, Singapore, Britain, France and his native country, Denmark. His research has been featured in Harvard Business Review, The Economist, The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, BBC Radio, Bloomberg Businessweek and the Financial Times. His work on innovation led HR Magazine to recognize him as a “Top 20 International Thinker”. This conversation is a continuation of a string of conversations about work and creating more effective life/work integration. I’m leaning in on this topic because most of us have experienced periods of persistent angst around work, frustration with recurring work problems, and difficulty managing work relationships. This series of episodes delivers practical advice that you can use right away to be more effective and derive more satisfaction from work. This episode deep dives on problem solving which in my opinion is a universally useful skill to develop. As Thomas points out, most of us aren’t thinking about problems the right way – something he calls framing – which prevents us from being able to effectively talk about and solve problems. This is a winding conversation filled with useful insight on professional and personal problem solving so It’s worth taking notes. Behind His Brilliance: Curiosity and seeking the odd things Say hi to Thomas on X/Twitter @thomaswedell

THE SHOW Simone Stolzoff is a designer, and workplace expert who is the former design lead at the global innovation firm IDEO. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, and many other publications. He’s the author of The Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work. This conversation is, in my opinion, among the most important in the history of the show. It’s not particularly dramatic, but it’s hard for me to overstate the importance of the ideas and practical applications we discussed around life design, work, the relationship between to work and identity, and why carefully curating these things instead of letting them happen is an absolute must if you want to create more meaning and satisfaction at the intersection of your work and life. We covered a wide range of things including the Western tendency toward work as a status symbol, how to make a career pivot, questions to consider when reflecting on the context of your career in your life, how to recover from an achievement hangover, the joys and perils of being self-employed, and much more. No matter what your career or employment status is, there’s something for you in this conversation. It’s especially timely as we all start thinking about a new year and what we might want to change where our careers are concerned. Behind His Brilliance: Amazing people who share their stories Say hi to Simone on X/Twitter @simonestolzoff   THE GUEST SIMONE STOLZOFF | AUTHOR, THE GOOD ENOUGH JOB Simone Stolzoff is a designer, and workplace expert who is the former design lead at the global innovation firm IDEO. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, and many other publications. He’s the author of The Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work.     TOPICS COVERED The problem with tying personal identity to work How to diversify your identity outside of work How to stop chasing status at work (and what to do instead) Rethinking designing life around work How to avoid achievement hangovers Simone’s advice on pivoting and taking risks The gift and challenge of being self-employed How to create structural protection against overwork And much more!

THE SHOW Dr. Valerie Daniels-Carter is founder and president of V&J Holdings, the largest female-owned franchise organization in the United States. As one of the best known fast-food operators in the United States with more than 130 units across multiple brands, Valerie has partnered with influential leaders like NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal to expand her operations. She sits on the board of the Green Bay Packers and is a minority owner of the Milwaukee Bucks. As a seasoned leader, Valerie has learned what it takes to create and sustain success when you don’t have a head start. Valerie was candid about her challenges and how she persisted to create a life and career that aligns with her values. We covered a wide range of topics from how she landed her first franchise location to how she identifies great partners along with more personal topics like grief and her reflections on the role of family and faith in her life.  Behind Her Brilliance: Faith, Family, Friends, Passion   THE GUEST VALERIE DANIELS-CARTER | PRESIDENT, V&J HOLDING COMPANIES Dr. Valerie Daniels-Carter is one of the most preeminent business owners in the United States. In addition to auspiciously commandeering several restaurants branded operations in the United States, she has been widely recognized for her adroit business ingenuity.  She is the President and CEO of V&J Foods, Holding Companies, Inc. (V&J Holdings), a multi-brand/multi-state operation. It is recognized as the largest female owned franchise organization in the country.  Dr. Daniels-Carter’s quick-service restaurant empire operations are comprised of Auntie Anne’s Soft Pretzels, Burger King, Coffee Beanery, Nino’s Southern Sides, MyYoMy Frozen Yogurt, Pizza Hut and Captain D’s Seafood along with numerous Real Estate ventures. Prior to establishing V&J Holding Companies, Inc., she worked in banking and finance.    TOPICS COVERED How Valerie landed her first franchise location Valerie’s secret to scaling to 100+ locations How Valerie creates partnerships with other leaders The role of faith in Valerie’s life and business Valerie’s work in sports and philanthropy Valerie’s reflections on grief and hard lessons How Valerie thinks about work/life integration And much more!

THE SHOW Jim Fielding is casting the kind of light we all need to free us from the anxiety of being enough and doing enough. Throughout his illustrious career as an executive as the world’s most recognizable companies, he found that authenticity and kindness were the secrets to achieving the kind of success he most craved. But these realizations didn’t come easy. After struggling with coming out, building international teams, and climbing corporate ladders, Jim left it all behind to lean into a new chapter where he brings his whole self to his work. This conversation is a must listen for anyone who wants to design a more meaningful professional life that delivers fulfillment and stability without sacrificing authenticity. Behind His Brilliance: Family Say hi to Jim on Instagram @allpridenoego THE GUEST JIM FIELDING | EXECUTIVE + AUTHOR, ALL PRIDE, NO EGO Jim Fielding is a partner at Archer Gray, and president of its Co-Lab Division. A retail and media industry veteran, Jim served as president of Disney Stores Worldwide, and led global consumer experiences at DreamWorks and Twentieth Century Fox. His early career experience included top global brands, from The Gap to Lands' End. Jim later served as CEO of Claire's Stores, Inc. He is author of ALL PRIDE, NO EGO: A Queer Executive's Journey to Living and Leading Authentically (Wiley, August 15, 2023). Jim's expertise combines storytelling, product innovation, merchandising, and consumer experiences. He is an active community leader and philanthropist, a founder of the Queer Philanthropy Circle, and serves on the board of directors for the Indiana University Foundation. Jim has served as an executive-in-residence for IU's Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and a board member for GLSEN, Make-A-Wish International, and American Red Cross. He is based in Atlanta, GA and Northport, MI.  TOPICS COVERED Jim's path into retail and how he found success How authenticity accelerated Jim’s elevation as an executive How Jim navigates high pressure situations Jim’s advice on designing effective teams and collaborative cultures Jim’s advice to professionals weighing their options A fresh perspective on failure – and how to fail up Why Jim stopped chasing the next promotion and title The ah ha moment that healed years of trauma And much more!

Tyler Denk is making a name for himself as a CEO who building a modern company that brings fresh energy to an old space: e-mail. He’s powering the world’s most beloved newsletters through Beehiiv, the company he founded in 2021. beehiiv is an all-in-one product suite for newsletter.  Tyler joined Morning Brew as the second employee, leading product and engineering, and helped them scale up until the acquisition by Business Insider in 2020. He then had a stint at Google as a Product Lead on the YouTube Music team, before ultimately leaving to start beehiiv in 2021, where he is currently the CEO. Tyler’s story is an inspiring journey in strartups and aligning personal values with business vision. Behind His Brilliance: Family Say hi Tyler on X/Twitter: @denk_tweets