SPARKED

In today’s Career Transformation Story, we uncover a profound journey of reclaiming one's creative spark and finding fulfillment through empowering others. It's a tale that takes us from the technical realms of aerospace engineering to the "social engineering" of company culture. My guest today is Adam Kolozetti, co-founder of Enta Solutions - a consultancy fusing team building, process improvement, and video storytelling. But Adam's path was far from linear. Listen in to hear the experience that unveiled Adam's true purpose - helping companies maintain an entrepreneurial spirit as they scale. Which aligns perfectly with his Primary Sparketype® as Maker, Shadow as Maven, and ANTI Sparketype® as Advocate. *** And if you’d like to share your career transformation story on the Sparked podcast, to inspire others who may be feeling stuck or unsure about their own career paths, we encourage you to apply to be a guest and check out the form in the show notes. Because we believe that everyone deserves to find fulfillment and purpose in their work. To apply, please check out this form. We can't wait to hear from you! Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

02-18

33:26

Ever feel like the rise of virtual communication has turned your workdays into a jumble of endless emails, frantic messages, and back-to-back video calls? One minute you're on a Zoom wrangling meeting attendees, the next you're desperately trying to craft the perfect Slack message before your manager thinks you've gone AWOL? If so, you’re not alone. The chaotic world of remote and hybrid work can leave our heads spinning. But what if I told you there are secrets to virtual communication mastery that can bring clarity to the disorder? My guest today has spent years studying the science of how we can all become better virtual communicators.  Andrew Brodsky is an award-winning professor at the University of Texas at Austin and CEO of Ping Group. He's an expert on workplace technology, communication, and productivity. Andrew's new book, PING: The Secrets of Successful Virtual Communication, provides a roadmap for navigating our digitally-infused lives. Guest: Andrew Brodsky, author of PING: The Secrets of Successful Virtual Communication Learn more: Book 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.

02-11

42:18

Ever set an exciting goal that seemed life-changing, only to watch it fade away weeks later? In this episode, I share my proven ‘Success Scaffolding’ framework—a system I developed after diving deep into research on goal achievement and social psychology. This approach has helped me succeed in writing multiple books, launching companies, transforming my health, and achieving numerous other goals over decades. Built around seven key principles (down from eight last year), Success Scaffolding provides the structure and support needed to accomplish meaningful goals. Today we’ll focus on choosing and achieving one transformative goal for 2025. I’ll guide you through creating your personalized scaffolding, showing you how to align your goal with one of the three good life buckets: vitality, connection, or contribution. 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.

02-04

01:04:02

My guest today is Monica Parker, a former lawyer, leader and people developer in big companies who's now a professional organizer. Despite early success and prestige in her business career, Monica felt a persistent yearning for more meaningful, transformative work. Through profound life experiences like a near-death encounter, Monica summoned the courage to start listening to her heart's callings. This led her on an uncharted journey of self-discovery - one that revealed her Primary Sparketype® as Advisor, Shadow as Maven, and Anti as Advocate. You'll hear the crucial role these revelations played in Monica's radical pivot from leading people and developing people in a corporate setting to combining her natural mentoring gifts with the KonMari organizing philosophy. In her current path, she's able to directly witness profound growth as clients purge possessions that no longer "spark joy." ~ 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 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.

01-28

38:49

Have you ever felt that gnawing sense of emptiness? That void inside you that desperately needs to be filled? You keep pushing forward, throwing yourself into activity after activity, but something still feels...off. You're going through the motions, but not truly feeling alive.  If this resonates, you're not alone. Millions are experiencing this state of languishing - falling in that space between depression and flourishing.  My guest today, Corey Keyes, has devoted his life's work to understanding and overcoming this experience. Keyes' latest book, "Languishing: How To Feel Alive Again In A World That Wears Us Down," provides an insightful roadmap for recognizing when we've drifted into languishing and practical steps to reignite that spark of aliveness within us. In this conversation, Keyes shares wisdom from decades of research, exploring the societal factors contributing to widespread languishing and the crucial role of warm relationships, play, purpose and transcendence in our journey back to flourishing. Guest: Corey Keyes, author of Languishing: How to Feel Alive Again in a World That Wears Us Down Learn more: Book 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.

01-21

51:13

Have you ever felt that inner tension, that little voice telling you something just doesn't feel right? That you're being asked to go along with something that conflicts with your values and who you truly want to be? If so, you're not alone. And my guest today, Dr. Sunita Sah, has spent decades studying this very phenomenon - the struggle between compliance and defiance.  Dr. Sah is an award-winning professor at Cornell University and an expert in organizational psychology. She leads groundbreaking research on influence, authority, compliance and defiance. A trained physician, she has worked in medicine, consulting and now teaches executives and leaders. Dr. Sah's trailblazing work, including her latest book 'Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes', provides a revolutionary roadmap for staying true to yourself in any situation - whether at work, in relationships, or amongst societal expectations. Guest: Dr. Sunita Sah, author of Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes Learn more: Website & Book Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

01-15

43:42

What if you could ditch the outdated model of top-down leadership and instead create an environment where anyone can catalyze a collective vision? Where every voice is empowered to contribute their unique brilliance towards extraordinary outcomes? Today, we're rethinking what it truly means to lead in the modern age. My guest today, Keith Ferrazzi, is on a mission to initiate a profound shift - from rigid hierarchies to an inclusive new paradigm he calls "teamship." Keith Ferrazzi is a renowned executive team coach, keynote speaker, influential thought leader, founder of Ferrazzi Greenlight, and author. His latest book, Never Lead Alone: 10 Shifts from Leadership to Teamship, draws on two decades of research and field work to provide a revolutionary roadmap for the future of collaborative work. Guest: Keith Ferrazzi, author of Never Lead Alone: 10 Shifts from Leadership to Teamship 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.

01-07

34:07

In today's episode we're revisiting a listener question posed to Jonathan Fields and one of our rotating lineup of wise and kind mentors - the SPARKED Braintrust. SPARKED BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Jadah Sellner | Website Jadah is a multi-time founder and CEO of Jadah Sellner Media, the co-creator of the Simple Green Smoothies social and business phenom, sought-after advisor to entrepreneurs, and bestselling author. LISTENER: Heidi - Sparketype: Advocate/Warrior | Anti Maker QUESTION: Listener Heidi, poses a big question that is very pertinent to this moment in time. She shares her devotion to advocacy particularly around climate activism and asks how do you harness your skillset to show up in work and life and make a meaningful difference? Heidi is hopeful that a lot of us are also asking the same question when it comes to the climate crisis and asks how do you know where to focus your energy to have the biggest impact? 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 Workshop | The Website Presented by LinkedIn.

01-01

27:53

So much of our lives is governed by the desire to feel safe. I get it. The world can feel like an unstable, scary place. Feeling physically and psychologically safe matters. To our mental and physical health. But, does that come a point where playing it too safe actually causes us harm? Makes our worlds, our relationships, experiences and lives smaller. Less good? Feeling like, deep down, you know there’s more to life than merely existing within the confines of a box that, sure, might feel safe, but also keeps you and your life so much more narrow and limited than it could otherwise be? And, all too often, the confines of that box, that alleged safety, have been drawn by someone else’s expectations.  Our guest today is Chase Jarvis, and his new book “Never Play It Safe: A Practical Guide to Freedom, Creativity, and a Life You Love” serves as an inspiring clarion call to challenge the notion of safety as an excuse for complacency. An award-winning artist, serial entrepreneur, and one of the most influential photographers of the past decade, Chase has created campaigns for iconic brands like Apple, Nike, and Red Bull. He’s also the co-founder and former CEO of CreativeLive, an online education platform that’s helped over 50 million students unlock their creative potential. You can find Chase at: Website | Instagram  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.

12-24

39:49

What if you could approach your path with greater intentionality? Thoughtfully designing how you want to move through both work and life, leveraging your unique gifts to create maximum positive impact? In today's powerful discussion, we'll explore a whole-being framework for leading and living with profound meaning. One that begins by getting anchored in your core purpose as the guiding light. Our guest today is Laysha Ward, accomplished C-suite executive with over 32 years of senior leadership experience at Target. Laysha is a purpose-driven leader with a nationally recognized track record delivering for the consumer brand. An insightful strategist, spokesperson, and author of the new book "Lead Like You Mean It: Lessons on Integrity and Purpose from the C-Suite." Cover photo credit: John Haynes Guest: Laysha Ward, author of the new book "Lead Like You Mean It: Lessons on Integrity and Purpose from the C-Suite." 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.

12-17

34:53

How do you get through each day, let alone build a meaningful, connected and rewarding career when rapid-fire, constant change, groundlessness, unrelenting pace, overwhelm, and even workplace toxicity have become the norm? That’s where we’re headed with my guest today, Gabriella Rosen Kellerman. An author, entrepreneur, start-up executive, and Harvard-trained physician with expertise in behavioral and organizational change, digital health, well-being, and AI, Gabriella began her career in psychiatry and fMRI research. She is the founding CEO of the healthcare technology company LifeLink, and Gabriella has served as Chief Product Officer and Chief Innovation Officer at BetterUp, a transformation platform for global professionals, and as Head of BetterUp Labs.  Her new book, Tomorrowmind: Thriving at Work—Now and in an Uncertain Future which was co-authored with renowned psychologist Martin Seligman, also known as the father of positive psychology, offers critical insights for facing a wildly fluctuating, seemingly perpetually unstable future of work. And in our conversation today, we explore a bit of Gabriella’s background and her own trajectory in her career before diving into five science-backed strategies or workplace superpowers that can help us all thrive at work. From resilience to building rapid rapport at work, there’s a lot of great insight to learn here. You can find Gabriella at: 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.

12-10

52:51

Imagine having the psychological fitness to embrace multiple contradictory perspectives. To navigate uncertainty without anxiety. To hold the tension of opposites and find innovative syntheses. That's exactly what we'll explore in this fascinating discussion - how to develop the "complexity fitness" to dance with the increasing complexities we all face rather than contracting from them. Today we’re joined by Jennifer Garvey Berger, author of four highly acclaimed books, including Unleash Your Complexity Genius (co-authored with Carolyn Coughlin), co-founder and CEO of Cultivating leadership. Jennifer believes that leadership is one of the most vital renewable resources in the world. In this topsy-turvy time, when uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity are raging, we need a new form of leadership for a new era. To that end, Jennifer designs and teaches leadership programs, coaches senior leaders and their teams, and supports new ways of thinking about strategy and people.  Guest: Jennifer Garvey Berger, author of the book Unleash Your Complexity Genius 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.

12-03

32:34

Today you’ll meet Kim Fabian. Despite her early success and drive in the nonprofit sector, Kim found herself drained by the relentless demands of her role. Driven by a desire to escape the intense pressure and sense of misalignment she experienced, she made the decision to leave her role and embark on a journey of self-discovery, realigning her work with what lit her up, and let her reclaim a sense of ease and wellbeing along the way. 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 share your story. To apply, please check out this form. We can't wait to hear from you! Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training.  Presented by LinkedIn.

11-26

34:15

In today's episode of SPARKED, I'm joined by Shelly Adele Bliss, one of our fabulous Spark Endeavors team members. Together we're diving into this often-overlooked catalyst for unshackling your zest for work and life. Because you deserve more than just clock-punching - you deserve work that lets you play and thrive. We'll explore the core elements of playful work cultures and why courting more fun matters so much. You'll learn playful strategies to spark creativity, strengthen teams, and keep motivation soaring. We'll troubleshoot the barriers to bringing more levity into your work, so you can greenlight more smiles and laughter. 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.

Today's career transformation story features, Navid Ladha, who is now a thriving nonprofit consultant and career coach. As a Primary Sparketype, Advisor with an Essentialist shadow, Navid was drawn to roles allowing him to guide others through personal growth while creating systems that added clarity to his and his client’s pursuits. 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 share your story. To apply, please check out this form. We can't wait to hear from you! Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training.  Presented by LinkedIn.