SPARKED

Have you ever wanted to express your needs but held back for fear of rocking the boat? Only to finally explode and regret the fallout? How do you stand up for yourself without compromising important relationships, values, or commitments? Navigating the messiness of holding people and systems accountable without damaging relationships can feel impossible.Which is why it’s so important to have tools that empower you to speak up for yourself in a way that strengthens relationships instead of severing them. We’re asking the question, how can we speak up for our needs and boundaries without severing ties or burning bridges? And at the same time, maintain awareness of unsafe situations that we need to remove ourselves from completely. In today’s episode we’re digging into: Expressing needs and boundaries without damaging relationships  Speaking up against violations/holding people accountable with integrity  The importance of self-care and inner authority before holding others accountable  Removing yourself from harmful situations  Critiquing behaviors rather than identity to allow for change And 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.  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. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find an Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Presented by LinkedIn.

Follow the SPARKED Newsletter on LinkedIn here. What if your 5 senses secretly controlled everything from your mood to your creativity, intelligence, memory, or even your ability to succeed in work and life?  We all tend to take our senses for granted, using them automatically without much thought. But what if curating sensory experiences was a hidden gateway to so much of what we want out of work and life? Today’s episode of SPARKED is a HOT TAKE but with a twist, this conversation originally aired as a LinkedIn Live so after we teased out the topic, we were able to take some listener questions live and answer in real-time. And we’re in conversation with: SPARKED HOT TAKE WITH: Gretchen Rubin | Website Gretchen is one of today’s most influential and thought-provoking observers of happiness and human nature. She’s the author of many bestselling books, such as The Happiness Project, Better Than Before, and The Four Tendencies, which have sold millions of copies in more than thirty languages. Her most recent book is Life in Five Senses. She’s also host of the popular podcast, Happier with Gretchen Rubin, and founder of award-winning Happier app, which helps people track their happiness-boosting habits. And she’s been a good friend for more than a decade now. 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. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find an Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Presented by LinkedIn.

Ever feel like you’ve just outgrown your surroundings, and your environment is actually limiting your growth? Like the desk, room, studio, space that got you here just isn’t working for you any more? Maybe, it’s even working against you? Our workspace has a profound effect on us, our work, and even our wellbeing, relationships, and interactions. It impacts our ability to show up as our best selves, and do our best work. Yet, we rarely ever get genuinely intentional about it.  If your surroundings have started to limit your growth, you’re not alone. Question is, how do we recognize these moments? And, more important, once we do, what can we do about it? In today’s episode we’re digging into: Reimagining physical spaces for creativity and growth   Creating intentional work environments that support wellbeing Outgrowing previous spaces due to personal evolution Designing multi-use spaces for flexibility and collaboration  Leaders rethinking office spaces to bridge remote work divide And we’re in conversation with: 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. 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. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find an Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Presented by LinkedIn.

Have you ever felt like your team could do so much more if you just worked better together? We’ve all been there – stuck in dysfunctional team dynamics, unproductive meetings, and confusion around decision-making. The doubts start to creep in: “Are we even capable of working smoothly together?” “Why does collaboration feel so hard?” When was the last time you joined a new team only to encounter friction, lack of alignment, and difficulties coordinating? Did you start to wonder if you were meant to work together?  That’s where we’re heading in today’s HOT TAKE episode of the Sparked Podcast, unpacking the common pitfalls teams face and how to transform habits to excel together. If you want to become a better leader, manager, or team member, this episode is essential listening. Join Charlie and I for an inspiring dose of teamwork wisdom. 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 and his fantastic new book Team Habits, which is available now. 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. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find an Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Presented by LinkedIn.

Got a career or business question for the Brainstrust? Submit here. We've all been there - mired in a project, job or pursuit and wondering "when will this get easier?" The doubts start to creep in: "Am I cut out for this level of effort? Is this pain just part of the process, or a sign it's not right for me? Why does this feel so hard?" When was the last time you embarked on a new project, pursuit or passion only to hit a wall of doubts and difficulties along the way? Did you start to wonder if it was supposed to be this challenging? Or, trying to assess whether the difficulty you’re feeling is because it’s right and you just need to find a way through it and grow, or it's wrong and it's time to pack it in and move on? That’s where we’re heading in today's episode of Sparked, unpacking the challenges we all face when creating something new from nothing. Along the way, adversity, doubt and discomfort are sure to arise. But how do you know when to push through versus pivot away? Is the hard work indicative that you're on the wrong path, or simply part of any generative process? In today’s episode we’re in conversation with: 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. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find an advisor: CSA Directory Presented by LinkedIn.

Listen to part one here. Change is in the air, and it’s making many of us recoil. But, why? And, what can we do to change how we respond to change? To turn it from something we fear into something we embrace, maybe even seek out. Because the other side holds so much potential and possibility, once we’ve learned how to move through it with so much more grace and ease. That’s the conversation we began in last week’s Part 1 of this powerful conversation about change with the author of FLUX, and change strategist April Rinne. If you haven’t listened to part 1 last week, go back and listen. It’s a critical setup for today’s jam. We explored a different way to approach the change we don’t invite or want, which April calls flux. Then, April shared a number of her 8 Flux Superpowers. And, today, we’re bringing the conversation home as we dive into the remaining superpowers, so you can feel amazingly well equipped to handle almost any kind of change that comes your way, in work or life. SPARKED HOT TAKE WITH GUEST: April Rinne | Website April Rinne is a change navigator: she helps individuals and organizations rethink and reshape their relationships with change, uncertainty, and a world in flux. She’s a trusted advisor, speaker, investor, lawyer, global development executive, adventurer (100+ countries) and insatiable handstander. She is ranked one of the 50 leading female futurists in the word and author of the international bestseller Flux: 8 Superpowers for Thriving in Constant Change. 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. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find an advisor: CSA Directory Presented by LinkedIn.

Change. Just the word makes so many people anxious. But why? Why do so many of us experience change, and even the thought of it, as something negative to be feared and resisted, rather than something positive to be met with hope and excitement, and embraced? That’s the question we’re diving into today with author of the fascinating new book, FLUX, April Rinne. April has studied how cultures worldwide approach change for decades now, and she's found we're all grappling with the same questions - it's just the tools our societies give us that differ. Through her research, April has identified 8 powerful skills or reframes that she calls Flux superpowers, because they help anyone navigate change with so much more grace and ease. So much less fear, and so much more possibility and energy. This conversation was so actionable and valuable, we went deep into all 8 superpowers. Today, we’re sharing part one of this conversation. And, you’re going to want to be sure to not just take notes, but hit that follow button wherever your listening, so you don’t miss part 2, which will be coming up next week.  SPARKED HOT TAKE WITH GUEST: April Rinne | Website April Rinne is a change navigator: she helps individuals and organizations rethink and reshape their relationships with change, uncertainty, and a world in flux. She’s a trusted advisor, speaker, investor, lawyer, global development executive, adventurer (100+ countries) and insatiable handstander. She is ranked one of the 50 leading female futurists in the word and author of the international bestseller Flux: 8 Superpowers for Thriving in Constant Change. 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. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Have you ever looked at someone else, someone you admire, who’s maybe accomplished a lot, and just assumed they must be wildly confident and always winning at everything? You’re not alone. But, the truth, it turns out, is much more complex.  So many of those luminaries are not, in fact wildly, or even remotely confident. And if they are, they go through cycles of profound change, self-doubt, struggle and, when they learn to harness these experiences, revelation and even reinvention. In today's episode, Jenny shares a deeply personal and timely example of her own journey through seasons of confidence, struggle, and renewal. And in an unexpected, yet deeply powerful moment, Jenny shares a ‘Sparked Exclusive’ revealing that she began, almost covertly, creating something ‘from the mess’ in hopes of helping others feel less alone in their struggles. She wonders: Can sharing our human flaws and uncertainties actually complement our expertise and advice, providing value in its own way?  Find out more about Jenny’s vulnerable reveal here: http://itsfreetime.com/secret Watch ‘Save Me’ on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxFNprPOdss 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.  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. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Got a career or business question for the Brainstrust? Submit here. Have you ever felt burned out in work that, at least on paper, seemed so well aligned with your values, passions, interests, skills and Sparketype that, in your mind, you just “shouldn’t” feel this way? Even though you care deeply about what you do, if like so many, you’re feeling so depleted in your work that quitting seems like the only option, you’re not alone.  In today’s Sparked episode, our advice seeker, Danielle, a physician for years, finds herself in that place. She had hoped that pursuing a caring profession would fulfill her Nurturer Sparketype - but in practice, found herself miserable, overextended, and ready to quit. Can reconnecting with her own needs and values show her a better path forward?     Together we explore the topic of burnout, especially in the context of a job that, at least according to its description, should be deeply fulfilling and energy. We tease out how to distinguish what’s being asked of you “on paper,” and the reality of your lived, day-to-day experience. We dive into how we might rekindle meaning and joy in our work, and reclaim energy, and a sense of boundaries and agency.        In today’s episode we’re in conversation with: LISTENER: Danielle - Sparketype: Nurturer/Advisor, Anti - Essentialist 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.  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. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

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.  How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

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 Presented by LinkedIn.

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.  How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions 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. Presented by LinkedIn.

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.  How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions 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. Presented by LinkedIn.

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.  How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions 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. Presented by LinkedIn.

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. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions 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. Presented by LinkedIn.

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.  How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

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.  How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions 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. Presented by LinkedIn.

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. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions 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. Presented by LinkedIn.

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.  How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions 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. Presented by LinkedIn.

We’re often told, the only way to succeed in work - and, in no small part - in life, is to pick one or two things, focus intensively, go all in, and say no to anything that distracts you from that path.  But, is it true? Is that really the only way to be both happy and successful? Or, is there a place for a multi-passionate, diversified “portfolio of pursuits” approach to career-building that can lead not just to never having FOMO, but also to joy, meaning, and success? Turns out, the answer to that last question is yes. But, the question is how? And, the choices made and actions taken by my guest on today’s SPARKED podcast, Jason Mendelson, show just how the pieces can sometimes come together to create a near-magical puzzle of paths that let you pursue multiple passions, while still building an incredible career, and living a truly joyful and connected life. Jason is a multi-faceted creative force, true inspiration and just someone who radiates life. With an early passion for music, he thought recording, performing and composing would be his career. But an injury to his hand put an abrupt end to not just his vision and passion, but his very identity as a musician.  Jason mourned the loss, but soon also realized, the space created when music took a back seat let other passions and interests bubble up, leading him first into the world of tech as an engineer, then the practice of law, then entrepreneurship, venture capital, and philanthropy with a healthy dose of overlap in all. Writing also entered the picture, and has woven in and out of nearly every stage. In fact, Jason’s latest book ‘How to Be a Lawyer, bridges the gap between law school and practice, by explaining what professors won’t tell their students in law school and what employers and clients will actually expect from them.  For him, when it come to his career path, it’s never been about “one and only,” but rather “yes, and,” trusting that his passion for any given endeavor will infuse the others with the energy, joy, and even insights needed to allow all pursuits to rise, and Jason to travel a career path filled with variety, joy, and yes, success. 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.  How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions 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. Presented by LinkedIn.