On this episode, Katie chats the kind and thoughtful Mark Maynard. He's a consultant, leadership coach, keynote speaker, and author who transitioned from decades in the hospitality industry to the entrepreneurial world. 

Their conversation dives deep into leading with love and living with purpose. Mark shares his profound belief in combining purpose, strategy, and action in business, and how these principles help leaders and their teams thrive. 

They also discuss his personal and professional retreats for goal-setting and reflection, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, optimism, trust, and patience in leadership. Plus, we talk about creating and repairing bonds within teams.

Mark's insights are sure to enrich your week and spark something new in you, whether you're in a management position or not. So join us, and let's light up your life and leadership journey together!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• Connect with Mark Maynard on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Maynard Consulting
• Book Recommendations:
  • Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans
  • How to Know a Person by David Brooks
  • The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle

Connect with Katie on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also get free resources to help you on your purpose journey at www.katiesandoe.com.

On this episode, Katie chats with Carrie Johnson, an entrepreneur and thought leader with 30 years of experience in business and organizational strategy, founder of Girls on the Run of Lancaster-Lebanon, and an inspiring community leader. 

They dive deep into what it means to discover and be your truest self in a world obsessed with perfection. Carrie shares her wisdom on finding true self-awareness and the importance of a supportive village. They also explore the metaphor of uncovering the 'diamond' within us and practical ways to reconnect with ourselves. 

Get ready for an enriching conversation that will help you reflect on your own journey and maybe spark something new in you!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• Connect with Carrie Johnson on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Drop Below the Surface Retreats
• Morning Pages Exercise by Julia Cameron

Connect with Katie on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also get free resources to help you on your purpose journey at www.katiesandoe.com.

On this episode, Katie chats with the super cool Dr. A.J. Merlino, Executive Director of Learning Innovation & Workforce Solutions at Thinking Through AI. A.J.'s got an impressive background in professional music, endurance athletics, and higher education. 

They dive deep into getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. Need a blueprint? A.J.'s got you covered: reframe failure, don't take things personally, stay curious, appreciate your growth, and find your flow state. It's a fascinating convo about pushing limits and celebrating the messy journey of learning and growth. 

Tune in to discover actionable steps to thrive through discomfort and continuously spark something new in your life.

EPISODE RESOURCES

• Connect with A.J. Merlino on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Thinking Through AI

Connect with Katie on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also get free resources to help you on your purpose journey at www.katiesandoe.com.

On this episode, Katie dives dive deep into why 2025 has been HARD for so many of us. It's been "brutiful" (both brutal and beautiful) in many ways. She explores the different types of hard and why THIS hard is different, yet essential to living a meaningful and fulfilling life.

She also touches upon the concept of "grateful yearning" and why this calls us to choose our hard. Including how it conjures a fear that often keeps us stuck, much like a chained elephant. The only way to break free is to face the truth that is within us and untether ourselves from fear.

We hope this episode inspires you to choose the hard that leads to freedom and joy. And know that you are not alone in this journey. Choose your hard.

Connect with Katie on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also get free resources to help you on your purpose journey at www.katiesandoe.com.

Join Katie for a rich conversation with Jonathan Fields, a world-renowned thought leader and creator of the 'Good Life Project' and SPARKED body of work. Together, they explore profound themes such as the pursuit of a meaningful life, overcoming societal work norms, the importance of self-discovery, and finding joy through family and nature. 

Jonathan shares personal stories, the impact of pivotal life moments, insights on managing internal and external critics, and his innovative approach to life experiments aimed at continuous learning and growth. This episode is a deep dive into how to navigate life's uncertainties and cultivate a balanced, fulfilling life.

EPISODE RESOURCES

• Connect with Jonathan Fields on LinkedIn
• Explore the Good Life Project
• Access Jonathan's blog: Awake at the Wheel
• Explore the SPARKED body of work

Connect with Katie on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also get free resources to help you on your purpose journey at www.katiesandoe.com.

On this episode, Katie chats with the fabulous Dr. Liz Krider, a PhD chemist, speaker, and founder of KSA Catalyst. Liz is on a mission to help students discover their purpose through experiential learning, projects, and internships. They dive into how embracing life's uncertainties can lead to discovering your purpose.

Liz shares her journey of how her "experimental" and "experiential" approach to life, influenced by her Caltech background, can be applied to personal growth and community impact. They discuss inverted reasoning, tinkering with your life, and the importance of avoiding "what contributes to a miserable life" to find deeper fulfillment in your life and work.

Whether you're a student or a career professional, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical tips to inspire you to live with intention and purpose!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• Connect with Dr. Liz Krider on LinkedIn
• Learn more about KSA Catalyst and Passion Projects
• Transcript of Charlie Munger's 1986 Harvard Commencement Speech: "How to Guarantee a Life of Misery"

Connect with Katie on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also get free resources to help you on your purpose journey at www.katiesandoe.com.

On this episode, Katie welcomes Francine Apy, an adoptive mother and former HR executive. Francine shares her journey of adoption, her advocacy work, and the founding of her organization, SoulFilling, which supports adoptive families in reframing their stories. 

The discussion delves into the power of reclaiming and reframing your story and how that leads you to healing, connection, and living out your purpose. Francine also emphasizes the need for quiet reflection to receive a SPARK that might ignite a fire within you.

EPISODE RESOURCES

• Connect with Francine Apy on LinkedIn
• Learn more about SoulFilling
• Buy "Briana's Brave Day at School" Children's Book

Connect with Katie on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also get free resources to help you on your purpose journey at www.katiesandoe.com.

On this episode, Katie chats with Kristin Popp, Executive Vice President of Woodman's Food Market and President of the Women's Grocers of America. They dive deep into the concept of "kokorozashi", a Japanese term for personal mission, and explore how living with purpose can transform both your personal and professional life.

Kristin shares her journey of discovering and living her purpose, balancing a successful career with her commitment to championing women in the grocery industry and making a significant impact in her community. Tune in for insights on finding your own kokorozashi and living a more intentional, fulfilling life.

EPISODE RESOURCES

• Connect with Kristin Popp on LinkedIn
• Personal Strategy Screen Exercise (free download).
• Four Questions to Find Your Kokorozashi:
  • Who is the person that I want to be?
  • What is the life that I want to live?
  • What is the one thing about the world I would change?
  • What is my role in making that change happen?

Connect with Katie on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also get free resources to help you on your purpose journey at www.katiesandoe.com.

On this episode, Katie chats with Alex Langan, Chief Investment Officer at Langan Financial Group. Alex dishes on crucial money matters affecting everyone – from staggering statistics on how finances impact mental health to the fact that a majority of Americans lack adequate savings.

He emphasizes seeing money as a tool rather than the end goal, destigmatizing financial struggles, and provides actionable tips like tracking expenses and understanding necessary vs. discretionary spending. They also dive into reducing financial arguments in relationships and small steps for building a healthier financial future.

EPISODE RESOURCES

• Connect with Alex Langan on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Langan Financial
• Book Recommendation: "Rick Dad Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki
• Financial Management Tool Recommendation: Tiller

Connect with Katie on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also get free resources to help you on your purpose journey at www.katiesandoe.com.

In this episode, Katie chats with Haley Kunert, who shares her journey in finding purpose and how that transformed the way she views work and life. She also shares insights on how to SPARK young professionals (YPs) in the workplace.

They discuss the Sparketype Assessment as a tool that helps identify the type of work that lights people up. It's a fun, informative discussion on how to live in ways authentically to you to avoid burning out.

Tune in to be inspired and learn how to connect with YPs more deeply at work and in life!

EPISODE RESOURCES

• Connect with Haley Kunert on LinkedIn
• Access the FREE Sparketype Assessment

Connect with Katie on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also get free resources to help you on your purpose journey at www.katiesandoe.com.