SPARKED

Ever feel like the rug got pulled out from under you at work? A project imploded, a promotion evaporated, or your role did a 180 you never saw coming?  If those punches to the gut sound familiar, you know how quickly setbacks can shake your confidence and derail your drive. But what if you could bounce back stronger from those inevitable career curveballs? That's the power of resilience - the ability to adapt, grow, and thrive through adversity. With resilience, you don't just survive challenges, you use them as fuel to soar higher. In today’s episode of SPARKED, I’m joined by Shelly Adele Bliss, one of our fabulous Spark Endeavors team members. Together we unpack the essence of career resilience. We'll explore the core mindsets and habits that allow you to stay grounded yet flexible when things go sideways. Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training.  Presented by LinkedIn.

"How do you finish more of the projects that you start or do you need to complete everything?" This week on the SPARKED podcast, we invited a listener to share what’s going on in their work & life, then pose a specific question to Jonathan Fields and a rotating lineup of wise and kind mentors - the SPARKED Braintrust.  In today’s episode we’re in conversation with: SPARKED BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Charlie Gilkey | Website Charlie is a strategic advisor and executive coach, founder of the Productive Flourishing consultancy, and author of the multi-award-winning book, Start Finishing. LISTENER:  Jade - Sparketype: Maker/Maven QUESTION: Listener Jade poses a question that I’m sure a lot of our Makers and creators have also wondered, what can you do to see more ideas through to completion. Jade shares her experience of feeling tied down in the ‘busy-work’ of her daily job while being called to diversify her income and embrace a ‘side hustle’. So the essence of the question is how do you make the most of the small amount of time you have in the ‘in-between’ moments and how do you follow through more often to generate the outcomes and feelings that you really want to have. And underneath that is the question, do we need to in the first place do any of this or is there magic in the mess of the maker and not centering some of these impulses as the fundamental way we earn our living. YOUR HOST: Jonathan Fields Jonathan is a dad, husband, award-winning author, multi-time founder, executive producer and host of the Good Life Project podcast, and co-host of SPARKED, too! He’s also the creator of an unusual tool that’s helped more than 950,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. 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 Workshop | The Website Presented by LinkedIn. Please note this episode originally aired in 2022 which accounts for some of the timeline references.

Today, we're exploring one woman's journey from being a lawyer to a personal finance consultant. My guest today is Hannah Bell, who stepped off the conventional law career track despite external pressures to stay the course. While practicing law, a profound internal shift occurred listening to personal finance podcasts during long commutes. It was a wake-up call that reconnected her to a deep interest. Hannah realized she could help others align money with their deepest values. Rather than staying stuck, Hannah leaned into her Sparketype profile - her Primary, the Sage, sparked to illuminate insights, her Shadow, the Advisor, guiding growth of others, and her Anti, the Performer, which accounts for the sense of ‘energy drain’ in the courtroom.  Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training.  Presented by LinkedIn.

Have you ever felt like you were following a predetermined path in your career, only to realize it was leading you somewhere you didn't want to go? That relentless pull toward something deeper, something more purposeful, became impossible to ignore? If so, then this installment in our career transformation stories series will resonate. It's the story of one woman's profound journey of self-discovery - ditching the corporate treadmill to unearth work that truly sparks her alive.  My guest today is Theresa White. Theresa is a career coach, entrepreneur and founder who helps professionals gain clarity on finding fulfilling work. But it wasn't so long ago that she found herself trapped in a draining 8-year corporate stint, searching for an exit ramp. Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Is the way we work slowly killing us? Brigid Schulte, author of "Overwhelmed: How to Work Less, Accomplish More, and Finally Start Living," peels back the toxic hustle culture corroding our health and relationships. In this candid discussion, Schulte shares eye-opening research on the work stressors driving burnout epidemics and offers a path to reclaim meaningful work-life balance. Discover actionable tips to redesign your workday, push back against unrealistic expectations, and cultivate the courage to simply say "no" - before it's too late. Guest: Brigid Schulte, author of bestselling books, Overwhelmed and Over Work, Learn more: newamerica.org/better-life-lab Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Unlock the secret to turning every connection into a meaningful relationship that grows your business. In this insightful episode, Mo Bunnell, author of "Give to Grow: How Givers Get Ahead," reveals counterintuitive strategies to build genuine rapport by focusing on others' needs first. Discover how to "fall in love with their problem, not your solution" and provide value before ever expecting anything in return. Master the mindset shift that top entrepreneurs and influencers use to turn casual encounters into deep relationships that pay dividends. Guest: Mo Bunnell, author of the book "Give to Grow: How Givers Get Ahead." Learn more: Website & LinkedIn Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Have you ever felt like you’re just going through the motions day after day, constantly busy but not really making progress on what truly matters most to you? Like at the end of the day, you’ve checked all these boxes, done a million things, but not much of what really mattered to you got done? And all the typical productivity advice feels great for someone else living in some utopian universe, but you’re a real live human, with all the things spinning around, and it just really doesn’t work for you? Well, if that resonates at all, you’re definitely not alone. Imagine if you could find a way to consistently operate at your highest level – accomplishing your most important goals while feeling energized, motivated, and in complete alignment with your core values. A path to get more of the right things done without sacrificing your wellbeing or personal life in the process.  My guest today is Laura Mae Martin, the Executive Productivity Advisor at Google, where she has spent 13 years coaching top executives on optimizing their time and energy. She sends out a wildly popular weekly productivity newsletter read by over 50,000 Google employees. And in her new book Uptime: A Practical Guide to Personal Productivity and Wellbeing, she shares a refreshingly balanced approach to achieving this. What you’re about to hear is a whole lot of mythbusting, practical insights and tips to integrate productive output with space for creative thinking, rejuvenation and realigning your daily actions with your most meaningful intentions, and actually owning the complicated, messy reality of your life. This isn’t about cramming more into each day through brute force. It’s a far more sustainable path of working with your natural cycles, minimizing distractions, and using routines to create an integrated lifestyle where you show up feeling energized and purposeful across all areas of your life.  You can find Laura at: Website | LinkedIn | Episode Transcript PS. This episode originally aired on Good Life Project, listen to the full conversation here. ABOUT YOUR HOST: Jonathan Fields Jonathan is a dad, husband, award-winning author, multi-time founder, executive producer and host of the Good Life Project podcast, and co-host of SPARKED, too! He’s also the creator of an unusual tool that’s helped more than 950,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Meet Barbara Ellen Leicht, a former classroom educator who listened to those inner whispers telling her it was time for a pivot. Despite initial self-doubt from straying from her expected path, Barbara persevered, cultivating a deeper understanding of her core strengths. Today, she wears multiple hats as a career coach empowering others to confidently navigate their professional journeys and a higher education professional supporting students at SUNY Empire State University.But Barbara's transition was no simple task. She'll share the challenges she faced leaving her passion for teaching behind due to personal circumstances requiring comprehensive health benefits. Her evolution is a powerful reminder that our callings can change, and growth arises when we embrace those pivotal moments. And if you’d like to share your career transformation story on the Sparked podcast, to inspire others who may be feeling stuck or unsure about their own career paths, we encourage you to apply to be a guest and check out the form in the show notes. Because we believe that everyone deserves to find fulfillment and purpose in their work. To apply, please check out this form. We can't wait to hear from you! ABOUT YOUR HOST: Jonathan Fields Jonathan is a dad, husband, award-winning author, multi-time founder, executive producer and host of the Good Life Project podcast, and co-host of SPARKED, too! He’s also the creator of an unusual tool that’s helped more than 850,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

In today’s episode, we’re digging into a story of listening to that nagging sense that you were meant for something more - following that deeper calling tugging at you to forge a path that truly aligns with your values and allows your unique gifts to shine. My guest today is Dr. Sabba Quidwai, an educator, entrepreneur and leading voice on cultivating the human skills essential for an AI-driven world. From her childhood dreams of designing video games to feeling friction as a high school teacher, it was a book by Seth Godin that inspired her to fully own her career, and Sabba landed education technology roles at USC and Apple.  But her biggest career transformation came when Sabba discovered her Sparketype profile which revealed her Primary Sparketype® is Scientist, Shadow is Sage, and ANTI Sparketype® is Performer and she took the leap to leave her role at Apple, deepen her doctoral research on human-AI dynamics and start her now thriving consultancy business on AI in Education. And if you’d like to share your career transformation story on the Sparked podcast, to inspire others who may be feeling stuck or unsure about their own career paths, we encourage you to apply to be a guest and check out the form in the show notes. Because we believe that everyone deserves to find fulfillment and purpose in their work. To apply, please check out this form. We can't wait to hear from you! ABOUT YOUR HOST: Jonathan Fields Jonathan is a dad, husband, award-winning author, multi-time founder, executive producer and host of the Good Life Project podcast, and co-host of SPARKED, too! He’s also the creator of an unusual tool that’s helped more than 850,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

My guest today is Philippe Lazaro, communications manager and storyteller at the non-profit Plant With Purpose. Despite initially taking on a traditional marketing role, Philippe found ways to interweave his creative passions as a filmmaker, illustrator, and performer into his work.  Rather than forcing himself into a ill-fitting mold, Philippe gently reshaped his position over 8 years to better align with his Sparketype profile which uncovered his Primary Sparketype® as Performer, the Shadow as Advocate, and ANTI Sparketype® as Essentialist. You'll hear his journey of trial-and-error, building buy-in, and ultimately crafting a role that lets him animate an important cause through powerful storytelling. And if you’d like to share your career transformation story on the Sparked podcast, to inspire others who may be feeling stuck or unsure about their own career paths, we encourage you to apply to be a guest and check out the form in the show notes. Because we believe that everyone deserves to find fulfillment and purpose in their work. To apply, please check out this form. We can't wait to hear from you! ABOUT YOUR HOST: Jonathan Fields Jonathan is a dad, husband, award-winning author, multi-time founder, executive producer and host of the Good Life Project podcast, and co-host of SPARKED, too! He’s also the creator of an unusual tool that’s helped more than 850,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Today, we are incredibly excited to be sharing our new feature on the Sparked podcast, Career Transformation Stories. We've invited guests to share inspiring stories of their career change from reimagining the work they’re currently doing so it feels so much more alive, to leaving behind unfulfilling jobs to find or create new, more inspired, energized, purposeful, meaningful and joy-filled paths. And we're exploring how their Sparketype has played a role in this journey. It’s all about how to transform work into one of the best parts of your life.  In this Career Transformation Story, I’m joined by Monica Rivera. Monica is currently a podcaster, speaker, consultant, and brand expert who found herself at a fateful crossroads. Despite skyrocketing success in the marketing in a large company, and at a remarkably young age, an itch for something more stirred within.     Through a series of experiments like launching her very first passion podcast, Monica began peeling back layers of limiting beliefs. She uncovered her resonant path - constantly learning, sharing wisdom, and helping others confidently tell their personal stories. Which makes perfect sense, because her Primary Sparketype® is Sage, Shadow is Maven, and ANTI Sparketype® is Essentialist. On this candid journey, Monica had to navigate both inner obstacles of doubt, and outer pressures to conform. You’ll hear how her experiences shaped an early drive for financial security that couldn't be ignored, yet also forged the courage to start truly listening to her heart's callings. And if you’d like to share your career transformation story on the Sparked podcast, to inspire others who may be feeling stuck or unsure about their own career paths, we encourage you to apply to be a guest and check out the form in the show notes. Because we believe that everyone deserves to find fulfillment and purpose in their work. To apply, please check out this form. We can't wait to hear from you! ABOUT YOUR HOST: Jonathan Fields Jonathan is a dad, husband, award-winning author, multi-time founder, executive producer and host of the Good Life Project podcast, and co-host of SPARKED, too! He’s also the creator of an unusual tool that’s helped more than 850,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

Listener Marie asks, "When looking for niche job roles that match your criteria, how do you have patience in the process?" Every week on the SPARKED podcast, we invite a listener to share what’s going on in their work & life, then pose a specific question to Jonathan Fields and a rotating lineup of wise and kind mentors - the SPARKED Braintrust.  In today’s episode we’re in conversation with: SPARKED BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Jenny Blake | Website Jenny is a podcaster, career and business strategist, and an award-winning author of three books: Life After College, the groundbreaking Pivot for navigating what’s next, and her recently published Free Time for optimizing what’s now.  LISTENER: Marie, Sparketype: Essentialist/Maven, Anti: Nurturer QUESTION: Listener, Marie, shares a story of her job scouting that is aiming to strike the ideal balance between role & organization fit, skillset match and desirable location. She expresses her frustration with the apparent lack of appealing options and asks is there a way to reframe her situation? Marie puts forward the query, how do you find niche industry roles that match your search criteria and is there a way to look outside the box if you’re feeling discouraged with the search process? YOUR HOST: Jonathan Fields Jonathan is a dad, husband, award-winning author, multi-time founder, executive producer and host of the Good Life Project podcast, and co-host of SPARKED, too! He’s also the creator of an unusual tool that’s helped more than 950,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. The Sparketypes have become a global phenomenon, with nearly 1 million people discovering their profiles. For coaches, consultants, and leaders who recognize the power of Sparketypes in their own lives and in guiding others, we're offering the opportunity to become a Certified Sparketype® Advisor (CSA) in our Fall 2024 cohort, providing you with tools to spark profound client transformations and join a global network of change-makers. Learn more & secure your spot in the Certified Sparketype Advisor Training now. Visit: https://sparketype.com/pros How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Workshop | The Website Presented by LinkedIn. Please note: This episode originally aired in August 2022 which will reflect any time based references.

That little voice inside, you've heard it before, haven't you? Whispering "This place just isn't letting me thrive." Or maybe you've felt its opposite - those energizing moments when your values aligned perfectly and your whole self showed up effortlessly. If those experiences resonate, pay attention. Because work culture shapes our daily experience, motivation and growth as human beings in powerful ways. Get it right, and you unlock incredible fulfillment. Get it wrong, and every day can grind you down. In today’s episode of SPARKED, I’m joined by Shelly Adele Bliss, one of our fabulous Spark Endeavors team members. Together we’re exploring this often-overlooked catalyst for growth or grumpiness. Because you deserve more than just punching a clock - you deserve a culture that lets you flourish. We dive into the core elements of culture, why it matters to much, how culture affects you, what to look for, and run from, and how to choose or craft a work culture that supports your ability to come alive, not just in work, but in life. ABOUT YOUR HOST: Jonathan Fields Jonathan is a dad, husband, award-winning author, multi-time founder, executive producer and host of the Good Life Project podcast, and co-host of SPARKED, too! He’s also the creator of an unusual tool that’s helped more than 950,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website PS. If you're ready to ignite change and share your story with our community, we encourage you to apply to be a guest on SPARKED. We believe that everyone deserves to find fulfillment and purpose in their careers, and we're on a mission to help you get there. To apply, please check out this form. We can't wait to hear from you! Presented by LinkedIn.

How often have you felt diminished or dismissed, pigeonholed into some generational stereotype that fails to capture your true potential as a human being? Maybe you're a young striver constantly battling the "entitled Gen-Z or millennial" narrative. Or a seasoned veteran having to prove your relevance in a youth-obsessed culture. If these experiences resonate, you're definitely not alone. Question is, what can you do about it? That’s what we’re diving into today with my guest, Dr. Jessica Kriegel. We’re in conversation with: SPARKED GUEST: Dr. Jessica Kriegel | Website  Dr. Jessica Kriegel is driven by data and defined by results. She transforms corporate culture for success. Jessica is a household name for all workplace, labor, leadership, women in the workplace, and job markets. Her renowned “Culture Equation” was acquired by Culture Partners in 2021, where she is currently Chief Scientist of Workplace Culture. Her groundbreaking research is detailed in her debut book “Unfairly Labeled,” a manifesto for equality and transformation in the modern workplace and disrupting the narrative that Baby Boomers and Gen Z are misaligned in the workplace. It is her mission to dispel the stereotype that unfairly labels workers today. She is also host of the show Culture Leaders: uncovering the magic behind the masters of movements, a show about how change catches fire for real transformation. ABOUT YOUR HOST: Jonathan Fields Jonathan is a dad, husband, award-winning author, multi-time founder, executive producer and host of the Good Life Project podcast, and co-host of SPARKED, too! He’s also the creator of an unusual tool that’s helped more than 850,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website PS. If you're ready to ignite change and share your story with our community, we encourage you to apply to be a guest on SPARKED. We believe that everyone deserves to find fulfillment and purpose in their careers, and we're on a mission to help you get there. To apply, please check out this form. We can't wait to hear from you! Presented by LinkedIn.

Have you ever found yourself in a meeting, eyes wide, stomach dropping as a colleague says something that cuts right through you? Maybe it was an offhand comment laced with bias. Or a flat-out prejudiced belief masquerading as opinion. Perhaps it was the sting of outright bullying that left you feeling small and disrespected. If you've been there, you know that awkward, powerless feeling all too well. But what if you had the tools to deftly disarm those moments - to respond in a way that honors your humanity while creating an opportunity for change? My guest today is Kim Scott, author of the groundbreaking books "Radical Candor" and her latest "Radical Respect." Kim's work is paving a courageous new path towards the kind of workplaces we all deserve - cultures steeped in collaboration, where individuality is fiercely celebrated. We’re in conversation with: SPARKED GUEST: Kim Scott | Website | Book Kim Scott is the author of Radical Respect and Radical Candor and co-host of the Radical Candor podcast. Kim was a CEO coach at Dropbox, Qualtrics, Twitter, and other tech companies. She was a faculty member at Apple University and before that led AdSense, YouTube, and DoubleClick teams at Google. ABOUT YOUR HOST: Jonathan Fields Jonathan is a dad, husband, award-winning author, multi-time founder, executive producer and host of the Good Life Project podcast, and co-host of SPARKED, too! He’s also the creator of an unusual tool that’s helped more than 850,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED. More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website PS. If you're ready to ignite change and share your story with our community, we encourage you to apply to be a guest on SPARKED. We believe that everyone deserves to find fulfillment and purpose in their careers, and we're on a mission to help you get there. To apply, please check out this form. We can't wait to hear from you! Presented by LinkedIn.