Through ancient Chinese wisdom and personal experience, poet and spiritual teacher Mark Nepo reveals how life's second half can be our most profound creative awakening.

In this intimate conversation about his new book The Fifth Season: Creativity in the Second Half of Life, Nepo shares how aging isn't about decline but rather an invitation to strip away the non-essential and access deeper wisdom, offering a refreshing perspective for anyone seeking to live more authentically at any age.

You can find Mark at: Website | Mark's Substack | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversations we had with Mark about resilience, learning to fail with grace, and discovering how every setback can lead us higher.

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Discover why being proudly mediocre at something you love might be the key to unlocking joy, meaning, and even spiritual practice in your life.

In this perspective-shifting conversation, leadership consultant Karen Walrond shares insights from her new book, In Defense of Dabbling: The Brilliance of Being a Total Amateur, revealing how letting go of the pressure to excel can transform simple activities into powerful portals for self-discovery, connection, and personal growth. Learn the seven surprising attributes that make intentional amateurism a radical act of self-care in our achievement-obsessed world.

You can find Karen at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversations we had with James Victore about making your art and owning your point of view. 

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Feel stuck despite knowing exactly what you want to do?

Neuropsychotherapist Britt Frank reveals why stuckness isn't a character flaw but a brain state you can change, sharing science-backed strategies from her book The Getting Unstuck Workbook: Practical Tools for Overcoming Fear and Doubt - and Moving Forward with Your Life. Learn why willpower isn't the answer and discover practical tools to shift from stasis to movement, transform your inner critic into an ally, and use the surprising power of play to unlock your potential.

You can find Britt at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversations we had with Charlie Gilkey about finishing projects that matter.

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From gazing at stars on the Navajo reservation to becoming NASA's first African American spacewalker, Dr. Bernard A. Harris Jr. shares how to transform setbacks into launching pads for extraordinary achievement.

In this powerful conversation, he reveals how seeing Earth from space changed his perspective on humanity, and offers practical wisdom from his new book, Embracing Infinite Possibilities: Letting Go of Fear to Find Your Highest Potential, about discovering your true calling and pursuing seemingly impossible dreams.

You can find Bernard at: Website | LinkedIn | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversations we had with Kathryn Sullivan about her journey to space.

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In this collection of intimate essays, we explore what happens when we prioritize genuine presence over performance, deep connection over financial success, and authentic expression over social expectations.

Through personal stories and practical insights, learn how small shifts in how we show up, communicate, and measure success can transform our relationships and creative impact. Whether you're feeling behind in life, seeking more meaningful conversations, or yearning to express yourself more freely, these reflections offer both comfort and actionable wisdom for living with greater authenticity and purpose.

You can find Jonathan's new writing project: Awake at the Wheel | Instagram | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you'll also love the written essays from this episode. You can find them at Awake at the Wheel.

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Ever wondered why some people move past hardships while others get stuck in them?

In this transformative conversation, Columbia professor Scott Barry Kaufman reveals the crucial difference between experiencing hardship and adopting a victim mindset, sharing research-backed strategies from his book, Rise Above: Overcome a Victim Mindset, Empower Yourself, and Realize Your Full Potential. Learn how shifting your perspective on boredom, lowering certain life expectations, and changing simple self-talk patterns can unlock new levels of personal power and possibility.

You can find Scott at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversations we had with Brené Brown about embracing Vulnerability to fuel creative growth.

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What if showing up as your most authentic, playful self was the key to doing truly brilliant work?

Bree Groff, author of Today Was Fun: A Book About Work (Seriously), shares her radical rules for injecting more joy, creativity and aliveness into your professional life. An eye-opening listen for anyone who wants to finally merge work and life into one joyful expression of their fullest self.

You can find Bree at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversations we had with Seth Godin about turning the workplace into a wellspring of fulfillment and innovation.

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Former college football player turned minister Danté Stewart reveals what happens when you stop shrinking yourself to fit others' expectations and start trusting your own evolution.

Drawing from his acclaimed memoir Shoutin' in the Fire, Stewart shares intimate stories about navigating faith, identity, and belonging, offering a fresh perspective on what it means to grow beyond your community's boundaries while staying true to yourself.

You can find Danté at: Website | Instagram | Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversations we had with Rabbi Steve Leder about how to live, what really matters.

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Ever wonder why some relationships thrive through challenges while others crumble? In this spotlight episode, leading relationship researchers share the exact patterns that predict relationship success, revealing why conflict isn't the problem—it's how we navigate it that matters.

Learn practical tools from the Gottmans' decades of research, discover how self-awareness shapes stronger connections with Yung Pueblo, and explore science-backed strategies for deepening friendships with expert Danielle Bayard Jackson.

Episode Transcript

You can find Julie & John Gottman at: Website | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with The Gottmans

You can find Yung Pueblo at: Website | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with Yung

You can find Danielle at: Better Female Friendships | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with Danielle

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Harvard professor Alison Wood Brooks reveals why those perfectly polished conversations we see in movies and TV are actually making it harder for us to connect in real life.

In her new book Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves, she shares the surprising science behind why messy, imperfect conversations often lead to deeper connections, and offers her practical TALK framework for transforming everyday interactions into meaningful moments of genuine connection. Learn why face-to-face conversations generate 30 times more laughter than digital ones, and discover simple techniques for asking better questions that create real understanding.

You can find Alison at: Website | Instagram| Episode Transcript

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversations we had with Priya Parker about making impossible conversations possible.

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Check out our offerings & partners: 

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