Sustainable Ambition

When we ask ourselves, what is the role of work in our lives, there are often two camps: Work is just work or find your passion in your work. But most of us want to find the middle ground between those extremes. Today, I’m revisiting the question of the role work plays in our lives, and how we can make work work better for us. Workplace culture expert Bree Groff joins me to talk about how we can bring more humanity and fun to our work. After all, we spend so many hours of our lives working, why shouldn’t we be enjoying it?Learn more about Bree Groff:Today Was Fun: A Book About Work (Seriously)http://www.breegroff.comInstagram: @bree_groffSubstack: https://breegroff.substack.com/Connect on LinkedInThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastLearn more about my book Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work at: https://sustainableambition.com/books  You can also get order links and pre-order bonuses!Pre-order my book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4hESYMp Send me ideas for what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

I’m flipping the mic again and being interviewed by my friend and past guest, Neha Mandhani, about the journey of writing and publishing my book, Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work. In this conversation, I reflect on the vulnerable, imperfect process of writing and releasing the book because Sustainable Ambition isn’t a magic wand that will give any of us all the answers, it’s a journey of ups and downs that I am on right alongside all of you.Learn more about Neha Mandhani:Connect on LinkedInSubscribe to A New Leadership Manifesto Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastLearn more about my book Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work at: https://sustainableambition.com/books  You can also get order links and pre-order bonuses!Pre-order my book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4hESYMp Send me ideas for what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

In this episode, I share conversations that informed the Sustainable Ambition method and appear in my book, Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work. I wanted to revisit these segments with Heather Ainsworth, Dr. Sahar Yousef, and Jack Hsueh because they are wonderful examples of the pillars of Right Ambition, Right Time, and Right Effort and how they align to create Sustainable Ambition.Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastLearn more about my book Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work at: https://sustainableambition.com/books  You can also get order links and pre-order bonuses!Pre-order my book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4hESYMp Send me ideas for what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

As of this recording, Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work has been out in the world for two weeks and I’ve been so gratified to hear from readers and reviewers that the book and its principles are resonating and that they’re already putting it to use.This episode is a continuation of my conversation with Dr. Dawn Graham about Sustainable Ambition. Here we dive deeper into the practical aspects of the method and how you can apply them in your own life. Learn more about Dawn Graham:The Executive PsychologistConnect on LinkedInThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastLearn more about my book Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work at: https://sustainableambition.com/books  You can also get order links and pre-order bonuses!Pre-order my book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4hESYMp Send me ideas for what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

Before we can step into Sustainable Ambition, we first have to challenge what we’ve been taught to believe about success and ambition.Today I’m sharing an excerpt of the audiobook for Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work. Chapter Two, “ Reclaim Personal Success and Ambition as Your Own,” breaks down why you need to define success on your own terms and offers a broader, more freeing way to think about ambition.Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastLearn more about my book Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work at: https://sustainableambition.com/books  You can also get order links and pre-order bonuses!Pre-order my book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4hESYMp Send me ideas for what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

In this special episode of Sustainable Ambition, I’m doing something different. I’m stepping out of the host seat and into the hot seat!To celebrate the launch of my new book, Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work, Dr. Dawn Graham — corporate psychologist and career coach — joins me as guest host to flip the mic and interview me about the ideas behind the book, my personal journey, and what it really means to pursue ambition sustainably.This conversation is a personal and heartfelt look into why I do this work, and how I hope it supports you on your journey.Learn more about Dawn Graham:The Executive PsychologistConnect on LinkedInThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastLearn more about my book Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work at: https://sustainableambition.com/books  You can also get order links and pre-order bonuses!Order my book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4hESYMp Send me ideas for what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

When we encounter a conflict or constraint that prompts us to question our current path, how do we determine our new way forward?After a long career with Procter & Gamble, including a senior leadership role in R&D, Ashish Chatterjee hit a surprising and painful inflection point — one that challenged everything he thought he knew about success.Ashish’s story is a masterclass in leading through challenges, finding your center again, and building a second act (whether inside or outside a company) with purpose. Whether you’re facing a transition, rethinking your metrics for a meaningful life, or just need a reminder that growth doesn’t end when the ladder does, this one’s for you.Learn more about Ashish Chatterjee:InnovategrnConnect with Ashish on LinkedInThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastLearn more about my book Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work at: https://sustainableambition.com/books  You can also get order links and pre-order bonuses!Pre-order my book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4hESYMp Send me ideas for what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

What does it look like to live your ambition sustainably, with joy, intention, and wholeness?In this episode, I’m joined by Erica Meade, a former tech leader who made an unexpected and inspiring pivot — from product design work to making miniatures, co-founding a startup, and redefining what “work” means on her own terms.Whether you’re at a crossroads, recovering from burnout, or just seeking inspiration to reconnect with your own joy, this episode offers a refreshing, honest look at ambition done differently.Learn more about Erica Meade:PracticeInstagram: @minihouseonthelineConnect on LinkedInThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastLearn more about my book Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work at: https://sustainableambition.com/books  You can also get order links and pre-order bonuses!Pre-order my book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4hESYMp Send me ideas for what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

In this deeply resonant conversation, I sit down with Moe Carrick — author, consultant, and advocate for more human-centered workplaces — to explore the role of work in our lives and what it really takes for people to thrive.Moe brings both research and lived experience to the table, sharing the seven human needs we bring to work, how they shift over time, and why we must move beyond the “ideal worker” and “perfect mother” myths. She challenges conventional narratives about ambition, wellbeing, and gender roles, and calls for a new kind of partnership between employers and employees. Moe outlines a more hopeful vision of work, where we can navigate the integration of life and work with a sense of agency and shape our lives to work better for us.Learn more about Moe Carrick:MoementumConnect on LinkedInThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastLearn more about my book Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work at: https://sustainableambition.com/books  You can also get order links and pre-order bonuses!Pre-order my book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4hESYMp Send me ideas for what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

How we think about and plan our time matters, especially if we want to focus on the ambitions and goals in life and work that truly matter to us.My guest, Laura Vanderkam, has been studying time management for over fifteen years. In our conversation, she offers a fresh perspective on common narratives about how much time we have and how we use it. Her approach is both optimistic and practical, with concrete tools and insights to put into your own practice of managing your time.Learn more about Laura Vanderkam:WebsiteInstagram: @lvanderkamBest of Both Worlds PodcastBefore Breakfast PodcastThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastLearn more about my book Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work at: https://sustainableambition.com/books  You can also get order links and pre-order bonuses!Pre-order my book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4hESYMp Send me ideas for what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

As leaders, we have to ask ourselves, how can we create more sustainability for ourselves and our teams?Among the challenges modern leaders face are the emotional demands of their roles, whether we want to acknowledge emotions in the workplace or not.Dina Denham Smith joins me to dig into the myths and misperceptions around how emotions impact workplaces, why we can’t keep ignoring emotions at work, and how leaders can better navigate being there for their team members in a meaningful way.Learn more about Dina Denham Smith:WebsiteConnect on LinkedInThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastLearn more about my book Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work at: https://sustainableambition.com/books  You can also get order links and pre-order bonuses!Pre-order my book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4hESYMp Send me ideas for what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

As the Sustainable Ambition podcast reaches its 150th episode, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the journey and the invaluable insights shared by various guests on the show. The podcast has consistently explored the concept of Sustainable Ambition, exploring how to be ambitious without sacrificing yourself or your life. But the scope and lens of the show has also expanded to reconsider and rethink conventional narratives about success and ambition, and crafting new ways of living and working that bring personal success and satisfaction, sustainably.This milestone episode serves as a comprehensive roundup of themes and advice from episodes 101 to 150. I’ll share my perspective on the fundamental challenges we face when we seek more life-work sustainability, how we can reframe success in a sustainable way, and a key mindset shift that brings more peace and ease on the journey of Sustainable Ambition.Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastLearn more about my book Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work at: https://sustainableambition.com/books  You can also get order links and pre-order bonuses!Pre-order my book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4hESYMp Send me ideas for what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

How can we pursue our ambitions without sacrificing our lives or ourselves in the process?It’s easy to get overextended while following our passions, but we can use those moments to learn our limits and what we need to do in order to sustain ourselves for the long term. In this episode, I talk with Cheri Magid about her art and how creative practices can help us live and work in more fulfilling and satisfying ways.Cheri leads a full, ambitious, creative life and today, she shares how investing in her creativity helps her stay committed to her work, her interests, and her values without sacrificing herself.Learn more about Cheri Magid:WebsiteInstagram: @cherimagidConnect on LinkedInListen to Excerpts of Fail MaryThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

So far this year, my guests and I have been discussing how we can do things differently through experimentation, creativity, and innovation to optimize our life and work for personal success, satisfaction, and sustainability.I’ve often focused on what we can do individually to ensure sustainability in our life and work, because we can’t rely solely on outside forces to do so. But as Dr. Richard Safeer points out, we have to both take personal responsibility and we need support from those around us, including our organizations, to truly shape a happier, healthier, and more resilient workforce.Today, Dr. Safeer explains why external support is critical for wellbeing and shares smart, simple tips to move forward as organizations and team leaders supporting a wellbeing culture.Learn more about Richard Safeer:WebsiteConnect on LinkedInA Cure for the Common Company: A Well-Being Prescription for a Happier, Healthier, and More Resilient WorkforceA Cure for the Common Workday: Journaling Towards a Happier and Healthier WorkdayThanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

At the beginning of the year, it can feel like we have to go all-in right away toward our goals. But it’s important, maybe even essential, to pace ourselves.Today, Merideth Mehlberg returns to dive into how we can optimize our work, not with a full steam ahead press, but by stepping into our own knowing, listening to our bodies, simplifying, and embracing ease, experimentation, and evolution. It’s a more sustainable approach to start the year.Learn more about Merideth Mehlberg:Website: https://meridethmehlberg.com/Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meridethmehlberg/Book: Your Finest Work: https://yourfinestwork.com/Your Finest Work Self-Assessment and Action Guide: https://yourfinestwork.com/assessment/Thanks for Listening!If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much!Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcastSend me ideas for what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.comSign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe