Acclaimed musician, composer and creative visionary, Ben Folds, has created an enormous body of genre-bending music that includes mega-hit pop albums with Ben Folds Five, multiple solo albums, and countless collaborations. He currently serves as the first-ever Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center. Ben's first book “A Dream About Lightning Bugs,” is a story-driven meditation on art, life, and music. You can find Ben Folds at: Instagram | Website ------------- Have you discovered your Sparketype yet? Take the Sparketype Assessment™ now. IT’S FREE (https://sparketype.com/) and takes about 7-minutes to complete. At a minimum, it’ll open your eyes in a big way. It also just might change your life. If you enjoyed the show, please share it with a friend. Thank you to our super cool brand partners. If you like the show, please support them - they help make the podcast possible. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben Folds | Music, Creativity & Nonconformity

What does it mean to live a good life? Is it about happiness, health, friendship, love, or meaning? What about work, wealth, purpose, service, or something else? Can you live a good life even when things are hard? These are the questions and topics we explore every week in conversation with leading voices from health, science, art, industry, mindset, and culture, like Brené Brown, Matthew McConaughey, Mel Robbins, Alex, Elle, Adam Grant, Elizabeth Gilbert, Yung Pueblo, Maya Shankar, Mitch Albom, Glennon Doyle &amp; hundreds more. The New York Times says, "the show’s holistic approach to fulfillment is bound to resonate." Listen now! Hosted on Acast. See&nbsp;acast.com/privacy&nbsp;for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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What if overcoming challenges and living an extraordinary life is simpler than you think? Jeff Karp shares his unlikely journey from a struggling student to pioneering Harvard professor and serial entrepreneur. 
Jeff developed a toolbox of “life ignition” practices to unlock creativity and possibility, despite learning differences. He reveals how embracing curiosity transformed his work and relationships. We explore tools to spark ideas, reframe failure, and lower the “activation energy” for change. Jeff explains how he turned to nature for inspiration to overcome setbacks in the lab, leading to breakthrough innovations. Discover how small mindset shifts can unlock your innate potential. Jeff Karp’s new book is LIT: Life Ignition Tools: Use Nature's Playbook to Energize Your Brain, Spark Ideas, and Ignite Action.
You can find Jeff at: Website | LinkedIn | Episode Transcript
If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Ozan Varol about drinking in life and making big things happen.
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How to Unlock Potential You Never Knew You Had | Jeff Karp

What if writing simple letters of love to yourself could change everything? Liz Gilbert shares an unusual practice that became her lifeline during painful times. 
Discover how tapping into self-compassion through daily letter writing provides surprising wisdom and comfort. Liz explains the transformative power of listening to your heart's guidance - something she now shares with thousands on her popular Substack, Letters From Love. Learn to turn inward and receive the unconditional love and support you crave through this magical daily ritual. Liz provides inspiration and practical guidance to unlock your inner wisdom through writing.
You can find Liz at: Website | Letters From Love with Elizabeth Gilbert | Instagram | Episode Transcript
If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Elizabeth Gilbert about navigating love and loss and finding lightness again.
Check out our offerings & partners: My New Book SparkedMy New Podcast SPARKED. Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elizabeth Gilbert | The Simple Practice That Changed Her Life (and might change yours)

What if facing mortality could unlock the secret to living fully? My guest Alua Arthur, a death doula and author of Briefly Perfectly Human: Making an Authentic Life by Getting Real About the End, knows firsthand how confronting death can transform how we live. In this thought-provoking episode, we dive into taboo topics like grief, loss, and our cultural avoidance of mortality. 
Alua shares insights from her deeply personal journey of embracing end-of-life experiences, leading to more meaning, authenticity, and connection. Learn tangible practices to live more present and purpose-driven lives, reflect on death consciously, craft your own ideal experience, and discuss difficult topics with loved ones. This conversation may shift your entire outlook on how to live well by leaning into our universally shared mortality.
You can find Alua at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript
If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Elizabeth Gilbert about embracing life.
Check out our offerings & partners: My New Book SparkedMy New Podcast SPARKED. Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Thinking About Death Can Change Your Life | Alua Arthur

Are you ready to break free from codependent patterns and create authentic connection? Mark Groves and Kylie McBeath share transformative insights from their new book, Liberated Love: Release Codependent Patterns and Create the Love You Desire on how to heal attachment wounds, set boundaries, and communicate openly to find freedom in your relationships. 
Learn why we conform to societal expectations, how to tap into your body's wisdom, and steps for becoming interdependent without losing yourself. Whether you struggle with anxious attachment, avoidance, or simply desire more fulfillment, Mark and Kylie provide practical tools to stop abandoning yourself, speak your truth, and manifest the healthy, conscious love you desire. Get ready to transform not just your relationships, but your whole life.
You can find Mark & Kylie at: Website | Mark's Instagram | Kylie's Instagram | The Mark Groves Podcast | Episode Transcript
If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Julie & John Gottman about sustaining love in long-term relationships.
Check out our offerings & partners: My New Book SparkedMy New Podcast SPARKED. Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to Be Fully You in a Relationship | Mark Groves & Kylie McBeath

Struggling to focus and finish what matters most? Learn how to build momentum and transform your identity from idea generator to accomplished doer on this episode with Charlie Gilkey, author of Start Finishing: How to Go From Idea to Done. 
Discover why we fail to be productive, then rewire your brain, schedule, and actions to see beyond distractions. Implement "focus blocks" during peak energy times. Make conscious choices to displace low-value activities. Finish a small number of important projects to unlock a compounding effect on your confidence and career. Embrace your natural rhythms and limitations to contribute your gifts, then fully engage your relationships. This conversation provides an operating system to focus your limited time on what's essential.
You can find Charlie at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript
If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Brad Feld about focusing in what really matters in life or what he calls picking your 2% and putting everything up against it.
Check out our offerings & partners: My New Book SparkedMy New Podcast SPARKED. Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben Folds | Music, Creativity & Nonconformity

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