SPARKED

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.

What if you could tap into a state of optimal productivity, creativity, and joy whenever you wanted? I'm talking about flow - that magical feeling when you're so immersed in an activity that the rest of the world seems to melt away. For some of us, slipping into a flow state brings a rush of energy and laser-like focus. We can get more done in less time. New ideas and insights emerge effortlessly. And we feel lit up from the inside out. But here's the thing: flow doesn't just happen randomly. With the right strategies, you can actually cultivate flow purposefully. Joining me into today’s SPARKED episode, is our fabulous team here at Spark Endeavors is Shelly Adele Bliss. Together, we'll unpack the science behind flow. What specific states trigger this remarkable state? How, exactly, does it benefit you, both in your work, and also in your life? Most importantly, we explore how you can create the conditions for flow in your own 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 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.

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: 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: Quentin - Sparketype: Primary: Nurturer, Shadow: Advisor, Anti: Performer QUESTION: Listener Quentin asks a very interesting question, can your interests and therefore your Sparketype, change over time? Or is it a matter of understanding what your primary impulses are and how they are best expressed in different seasons of life, and shifting around them? Quentin puts forward a query we often get at Sparketype HQ - can you do your Sparketype assessment more than once and will it change over the course of your life? But there are some bigger, deeper questions embedded once we dive into what’s really going on 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 850,000 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 Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Presented by LinkedIn. This episode was originally published in June 2022 and shares context relevant to that time period.

Have you ever felt like you just don't quite fit into the culture of your workplace? That the way you naturally communicate, in a quieter mode, doesn't align with what's expected and rewarded in a loud culture? If this resonates with you, then you'll want to listen closely to our conversation today, with guest Jessica Chen, an Emmy Award-winning journalist, author, speaker, and CEO of the global business communication company Soulcast Media. In this chat, Jessica and I explore the tension between what she calls "quiet culture" traits like listening more than speaking, keeping your head down to work, and avoiding conflict - and the contrasting "loud culture" traits that are often expected and rewarded in many workplaces. We unpack strategies for how those from quieter backgrounds can get noticed and make an impact without compromising who they truly are. We’re in conversation with: SPARKED GUEST: Jessica Chen | Website | Book Jessica Chen is an Emmy-Award winner, author, speaker, and CEO of the global business communication company, Soulcast Media. Jessica is an internationally recognized communication expert and has taught over 2 million people how to improve their communication skills at work. She has been featured in Forbes, Fortune, and Entrepreneur Magazine. Her course on developing executive presence was ranked #1 most watched by global business leaders. Prior to Soulcast Media, Jessica was an award-winning broadcast television journalist at ABC, NBC and NY1. Jessica’s upcoming book, “Smart, Not Loud: How to Get Noticed at Work for All the Right Reasons” releases July 2024 by top publishing company, Penguin Random House, and was just named a “Next Big Idea Book Club Must Read 2024.” 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. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Presented by LinkedIn.

Have you ever felt like you're being pulled in a million directions, stretched incredibly thin as you try to juggle all the expectations of career, family, and personal fulfillment? Have you struggled with the narrative that women can "have it all" if they just lean in and work hard enough? In today's episode, we challenge this myth of "making it" and explore why it may be causing more harm than good, especially for women. My guest today is Samhita Mukhopadhyay, former executive editor of Teen Vogue and Feministing, and author of the book "The Myth of Making It: A Workplace Reckoning."  We'll discuss the toll that unrealistic work-life expectations take on women's well-being, the challenges of advocating for change, and how we can start crafting more meaningful, sustainable lives and careers. If you've ever felt alone in your struggles to balance it all, this episode will remind you that you're not the only one questioning the status quo.  We’re in conversation with: SPARKED GUEST: Samhita Mukhopadhyay | Book Samhita Mukhopadhyay is the former executive editor of Teen Vogue and the former executive editor at Feministing. Her writing has appeared in New York magazine, The Cut, Vanity Fair, Vogue, The Atlantic, and The Nation. Born in New York City, Mukhopadhyay lives between Putnam County and Brooklyn.  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. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Presented by LinkedIn.

Have you ever felt that the cutthroat, win-at-all-costs mentality celebrated in business today leaves you feeling empty instead of fulfilled? In chasing status and wealth above all else, are we sacrificing our humanity along the way? How can we redefine success to prioritize significance over promotion and real human connection over control?   My guest today, James Rhee, proposes a radically more holistic vision of business and life in his new book Red Helicopter: Lead Change with Kindness. James argues that when leaders stay grounded in kindness and intrinsic motivation, they unlock the potential for companies to become true forces for good.  His story reveals how embracing empathy over ego and leading with compassion enabled him to turn around the fashion retailer Ashley Stewart. Now he's on a mission to inspire more leaders to follow his lead.  Together, James and I explore questions like: What will it take to integrate work and life instead of balancing them? How can we regain a sense of agency and demand accountability from those in power? And what will it take to prepare young people to bring their whole selves as they navigate the future of work? We’re in conversation with: SPARKED GUEST: James Rhee | Website | Book James Rhee is a high school teacher turned private equity investor and CEO. James’ leadership story first grabbed global attention during his unlikely seven-year tenure as Chairman and first-time CEO at fashion retailer Ashley Stewart. After his radical approach fueled a transcendent comeback story for the company, James concretized his leadership philosophy—kindness plus a little math—in the form of red helicopter, his media-education platform. A graduate of Harvard Law School, he is now a Senior Lecturer at Duke Law School and MIT Sloan School of Management and the Johnson Chair of Entrepreneurship at Howard University—the first joint appointment of its kind in history. His TED Talk and Dare to Lead interview with Brené Brown have captured the imagination of millions. He is the author of Red Helicopter (HarperOne; April 9, 2024).  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. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Presented by LinkedIn.

This 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 the bestselling author of Life After College, her groundbreaking books PIVOT, and Free Time, and also an incredible career and business strategist. LISTENER: Megan - Sparketype: Maven/Maker QUESTION: How do you know when the best time to make a jump is, especially when you’re clear on exactly what you’re jumping into and, in fact, have already started building it on the side?  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. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn. Presented by LinkedIn.

* Discover Your Sparketype here * What if you've been searching for purpose, passion, joy and energy in all the wrong places? Or, if you’re limiting yourself to “having” to find only in the thing you get paid to do. In today's SPARKED Hot Take, we challenge the notion that meaning at work only comes from your job. Sure, when you can find it in your job, that’s amazing. And we’ve created lots of tools to help you do that. But, we’ve also uncovered a bunch of other ways you come alive that have nothing to do with a paycheck.  Joining me from our fabulous team here at Spark Endeavors is Shelly Adele Bliss. Together, we open your eyes to the sparks of fulfillment hiding in plain sight in what we call the 4 domains of work. Beyond the confines of your paid work lives a world of possibility where you can come alive. Once you know what to look for. 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. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn. Presented by LinkedIn.

You may not think of your work as your religion, but for many, it’s trying to become exactly that! Without us even realizing it. Question is – is that a good thing? A bad thing? Or just a thing? Today’s guest, sociologist, Associate Professor of Ethnic Studies at UC Berkeley, and Co-Director of the Berkeley Center for the Study of Religion, Carolyn Chen, has a lot to say about this silent, yet deeply impactful, phenomenon. She spent years studying workplace culture, with a focus on the near-religious cultures of Silicon Valley. As home to startups, major tech companies, and some of the world’s most innovative and, arguably, faithful entrepreneurs and professionals, she noticed the lines between doing meaningful work and religion have not only been blurred, but work has, in many ways, squeezed out and even become employees’ religion. Problem is – the goal is not personal and societal betterment, but rather in service of one central purpose: working harder and smarter, and generating innovation and profit. In our conversation, we explore big questions like why are so many people leaving traditional religion? How do religion and spirituality meet our needs in the first place, and what are the ways big tech or corporations are filling those gaps? What does it look like for us to choose what we want to worship and find meaning and belonging in healthy, nontraditional spaces? And, is this conversion of work into faith, actually a societally destructive phenomenon, even while organizations benefit from it?  We’re in conversation with: SPARKED GUEST: Carolyn Chen | Website | Instagram Carolyn is the author of Getting Saved in America: Taiwanese Immigration and Religious Experience and co-editor of Sustaining Faith Traditions: Religion, Race and Ethnicity among the Latino and Asian American Second Generation. Her latest book, Work Pray Code: When Work Becomes Religion in Silicon Valley, is an account and exploration of her time spent interviewing the best and the brightest in the tech world to unfold how tech giants are reshaping spirituality to serve their religion of peak productivity.   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. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Presented by LinkedIn.

What if much of what you’ve been told about how to come alive and get ahead in work was, well, wrong? That’s what today’s guest, Bonnie Hammer argues. And she’d know. As the Vice Chair of NBCUniversal, with decades at the highest levels of business, she’s the author of the new book 15 Lies: How Women are Taught to Fail and the Truth That Sets Them Free.  In our conversation, Bonnie stresses the difference between common platitudes and what actually moves the needle. Together we dig into the importance of having truth tellers who give "tough love" and challenge you rather than just affirm you and discuss, why she believes "faking it til you make it" is terrible advice, and so much more. We’re in conversation with: SPARKED GUEST: Bonnie Hammer | Book Bonnie Hammer is Vice Chair of NBCUniversal, where she’s spent decades transforming every facet of the television business. Under her leadership, the company’s cable group and studios achieved record-setting profits, garnered 167 Emmy nominations, and launched hit series including Suits, Psych, The Sinner, Battlestar Galactica, Mr. Robot, and hundreds more. She’s occupied virtually every industry position from production assistant to studio head—often being tapped for cutting edge roles. Bonnie is also the author of the new book 15 Lies: How Women are Taught to Fail and the Truth That Sets Them Free.   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. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Presented by LinkedIn. PS. We’re about to launch a program - Career Clarity Lab™ - that’s been five-years in the making. It’ll be entirely online and priced for accessibility. It will answer so many of the questions you’ve had about finding and doing work that truly makes you come alive. And, it will guide you through a step-by-step process to make it happen. We’re looking to launch this program soon, but if you’d like to learn more now and be on our early-notice list (and qualify for a pretty big discount during our pre-launch window)...  Learn more here.

* Discover Your Sparketype here * We all want to feel more alive in work, and also in life. But, how? Where do we even begin. I'm sure you've noticed there are certain activities that light you up at work. When you're doing them, you lose track of time, enter a state of flow, and feel deeply energized, like you’re fueled by purpose, meaning and joy.. But there are also tasks that drain you, no matter how motivated you are.  Turns out, we all have a set of impulses that are unique to us, and they inform what kind of work fills us up, and what empties us out. We call these your Sparketypes, and we’ve been leading research on the Sparketypes since 2018, building on input from nearly 900,000 people, generating a database of more than 45-million data-points. We’ve learned a thing or two about what it takes to come alive at work, and figured it was time to start sharing a lot more of that with you here on the SPARKED podcast. Joining me from our fabulous team here at Spark Endeavors is Shelly Adele Bliss and together, we take a deep dive into our Sparketype framework and today, we’re starting out with a simple question. What ARE the Sparketypes, and why should you discover yours? 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. How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Read more on the Sparked Newsletter on LinkedIn. Presented by LinkedIn.

Are you unintentionally shutting down those around, so you you never get the benefit of their wisdom? Or, are you the one being shut down? In work, in relationships, in life? Have you ever wondered what your coworkers, friends, or even kids really think but don’t say? I’m sure you’ve experienced those rare moments when someone finally opened up and offered a perspective that shifted your whole view. But what about all the times they stayed silent? How much wisdom have you missed out on along the way? In today’s SPARKED Hot Take episode, we’re joined by Jeff Wetzler, to explore the invisible blockers causing people to withhold their truth from us. What deep-seated human dynamics lead us to hold back ideas and struggles from the very people who could help? We’re in conversation with: SPARKED GUEST: Jeff Wetzler | Website Jeff Wetzler, author of forthcoming book, ‘Ask: Tap Into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You for Unexpected Breakthroughs In Leadership and Life’  has been on a quarter-century quest to transform learning opportunities. Blending a unique set of leadership experiences in the fields of business and education, he’s pursued this quest as a management consultant to the world’s top corporations, as a learning facilitator for leaders around the world, as Chief Learning Officer at Teach For America, and most recently, as co-CEO of Transcend, a nationally recognized innovation organization. He lives in New York with his wife, two children, and their puppy. 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 Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Presented by LinkedIn. PS. We’re about to launch a program - Career Clarity Lab™ - that’s been five-years in the making. It’ll be entirely online and priced for accessibility. It will answer so many of the questions you’ve had about finding and doing work that truly makes you come alive. And, it will guide you through a step-by-step process to make it happen. We’re looking to launch this program in late-April, but if you’d like to learn more now and be on our early-notice list (and qualify for a pretty big discount during our pre-launch window)...  Learn more here.

This 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: Paula - Sparketype: Essentialist/Maven, Anti: Performer QUESTION: Listener Paula shares a powerful story about a season of devotion to her family and her family business, and her emerging passion to shift focus to something new, and how that brings up all sorts of questions about everything from familial responsibility to purpose, passion and the freedom to choose your next move. Paula wrote in to share her story with us, so we’ve asked Shelley from our team to “read it into the conversation,” for us. 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 Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory Presented by LinkedIn. PS. We’re about to launch a program - Career Clarity Lab™ - that’s been five-years in the making. It’ll be entirely online and priced for accessibility. It will answer so many of the questions you’ve had about finding and doing work that truly makes you come alive. And, it will guide you through a step-by-step process to make it happen. We’re looking to launch this program in late-April, but if you’d like to learn more now and be on our early-notice list (and qualify for a pretty big discount during our pre-launch window)...  Learn more here.