SPARKED

*Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training, Next Training starts March 2024 *

When is it time to walk away from work? How do you know when that creative spark has faded? Have you ever felt torn between loyalty to a job, cause or team, and honoring your own well-being? 

In this conversation, we address those pivotal questions that arise when it feels like time for a change. We explore a set of inquiries and prompts to think about when deciding if a job, creative endeavor or passion project has run its course. 

In today’s episode we’re digging into:

• How do you know when it's time to quit something you once loved? 
• What are the signs your mind and body send when it's time for change?
• How do you walk away with integrity and care for the community you built?
• What are the hidden costs of staying somewhere that your spark has faded?
• How can you reinvigorate stagnant projects before deciding to quit?

SPARKED HOT TAKE WITH: 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. 

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.

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do we stay silent when we know things aren’t right? How can leaders spark truth-telling in turbulent times? 

And how can we foster environments that make it feel safer and worthwhile for people to voice opinions or issues?

Together we tackle why people don’t speak up more, the often devastating impact of staying quiet, both on ourselves and on others, and what we can do to change that. 

Shed explains why psychological safety alone isn’t enough. We also need courage, and to know our voice matters. He offers insights on changing culture, and reducing fear just enough, while raising the stakes, so people take the risk to contribute. 

In today’s episode we’re digging into:

• We dig into questions like, how do leaders reward truth-telling, even when it’s hard to hear?
• Why must inclusion of diverse views be centered?
• We discuss the behaviors that encourage participation at all levels. And how to have constructive dialogue, not just top-down criticism.
• Imagine work cultures where speaking up is welcomed, not just tolerated. Where complex issues are explored from all sides, with open-minded curiosity, not closed-minded certainty. 

And we’re in conversation with:

SPARKED BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Stephen ‘Shed’ Shedletzky | Website | Book

Speaker and author of “Speak-Up Culture: When Leaders Truly Listen, People Step Up”, Stephen Shedletzky. Stephen, or Shed, as most folks call him, is a leadership coach and advisor who helps leaders make it safe and worth it for people to speak up. Over the years, he’s taken on roles like Chief of Staff, Lead Igniter & Head of Brand Experience, Training & Development. He’s led a global team of speakers and facilitators, as well as hundreds of his own keynotes, workshops and team and leadership development programs. 

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 You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do we build a future of work that moves fast, makes amazing things happen, yet is more humane? One where care, wellbeing, and innovation coexist? 

In today’s episode, we dive into the often brutal state of workplace culture, how it celebrates pace and drive, but often at the cost of humanity and sustainability, and we talk about how we can continue to move fast and do big things, but also do it in a way that respects the person along the way. 

Anne offers insights on driving urgency while avoiding collateral damage to people.

In today’s episode we’re digging into:

• How can we innovate rapidly while avoiding collateral damage?
• What needs rebuilding to restore trust between employers and employees? 
• How can inclusion and diversity become true competitive edge?
• What makes storytelling essential when guiding teams through change?
• Why is recovery so crucial for organizations - just as for individuals?

And we’re in conversation with:

SPARKED BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Anne Morriss | Podcast | Book

Anne has spent 20 years building mission-driven enterprises and worked with organizations globally on leadership, culture, and change. She serves on nonprofit boards, co-hosts the Fixable podcast from the TED Audio Collective, and is the author of Move Fast and Fix Things: The Trusted Leader's Guide to Solving Hard Problems.

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 You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever struggled to find the right words when tensions run high? Wanted to stand up for what you believe in but risked fueling the fire? In divided times, how do we speak out thoughtfully, with intelligence, heart and nuance?

Today we’re exploring moving through polarizing moments with intention, in this episode we ask, What if there was a way to stand up for what you believe in, while still seeing the humanity in those you disagree with and also stepping into the conversation in a more intentional and responsive way, rather than reactive, misguided or harmful way? 

When circumstances lead to strong disagreement, mixed with deep emotion, and a sense of urgency, people often feel an expectation to speak or act with immediacy, yet taking a stance, let alone a public stance, comes with certain very real risks and responsibilities. How do you determine the right course aligned with your values? 

In today’s episode we’re digging into:

• When is it right to speak out or stay silent amid turmoil? 
• How do you move forward thoughtfully when tensions run high?
• What’s the cost of reactionary and divisive actions?
• How do we maintain empathy and humanity in dehumanizing times?
• How do we speak our truths, advocate for a point-of-view, which also honors complexity, nuance, and humanity along the way?

And we’re in conversation with:

SPARKED BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Yvonne Ator | Website

Yvonne is the Founder of Thriving Physicians and Thriving Idealist, where she coaches heart-centered, mission-driven Physicians and other helping professionals who seek to make a positive impact in the world. 

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 You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever had a lightning bolt of inspiration, only to second-guess yourself when it's time to execute? 

I'm sure you can relate to staring at a blank page, realizing your brilliant idea feels muddled and unclear. In today's episode of Sparked, we explore why it's so hard to distill multidimensional concepts into singular big ideas. 

In today’s episode we’re digging into:

• Why do we resist narrowing down our visions? Is it an unrealistic attachment to complexity or fear that simplicity will dilute impact?  
• Do we lack the essential skills for effective distillation? If so, how can we cultivate them?
• How can we avoid recoiling from the meticulous work of shaping abstract ideas into concrete expressions? Are there mindset shifts that make the process feel more inviting?
• When is sticking to your original intricate vision important? And when is restraint and selectivity crucial to resonate with your audience? 
• How do we balance creative freedom with serving others when bringing ideas to life?

SPARKED HOT TAKE WITH: Cynthia Morris | Website

Cynthia is the founder of the Original Impulse creative studio and atelier and coaching program for writers, she’s also an author, workshop facilitator, trusted advisor and coach.

AND HOSTED BY: 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 You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if just 15 minutes could make or break your day? 

We all have habits and routines that seem to last only minutes, yet end up influencing how our entire day unfolds. Those small, seemingly innocuous things we do that unwittingly either prime us for productivity, happiness, and success - or leave us uncentered, unproductive, and adrift.

Things like mindless scrolling or other unfulfilling habits first thing in the morning. What if deleting those 15 minutes of distraction allowed you to show up more present and positive for the rest of the day? On the flipside, what if intentionally choosing how you spend your 15-minutes gave you the mental Reset you needed to tackle work at your best for hours after? 

In today’s episode we’re digging into:

• What are the small daily habits or practices that have an outsized impact on our productivity and wellbeing?
• How can we identify the 15-20 minutes each day that make or break how we feel and function?
• Should we focus on adding positive habits and routines or eliminating negative ones that sabotage us?
• How do our daily habits prime us emotionally and psychologically for the rest of the day?
• With remote work, what have we lost from the transition away from commuting time and how can we substitute new rituals?

And we’re in conversation with:

SPARKED BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Charlie Gilkey | Website

Charlie is a strategic advisor and executive coach, founder of the Productive Flourishing consultancy, and author of the multi-award-winning book, Start Finishing and his fantastic new book Team Habits, which is available now.

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 You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When was the last time life threw you a major curveball that upended your plans? 

Can you picture a time when you found yourself blindsided by disruptive events that derailed your goals and left you scrambling to adapt? If so, how did you handle it? Looking back, you wish you’d had the skills to approach it differently?

It’s an inevitable part of life, as we’ve been reminded in the past few years. We all face unexpected twists and turns that can leave us feeling anxious, angry, and adrift. But what if these curveballs also present opportunities to grow and evolve in powerful ways? 

In today’s episode we’re digging into:

• How do we prepare for unexpected disruptions and curveballs in life when we can't anticipate everything that might happen?
• When faced with an unforeseen challenge, how do we acknowledge and accept what's happening rather than wishing it away? 
• What mindset and practices allow us to adapt and respond flexibly when things don't go as planned?
• How can we manage difficult emotions that arise from disrupted expectations while still taking constructive action?
• What daily habits and skills, like mindfulness, build our "adaptability muscle" so we can navigate change and uncertainty?

SPARKED HOT TAKE WITH: Karen Wright | Website

Karen is the founder of Parachute Executive Coaching, acclaimed executive coach, advisor to senior leaders for more than two-decades, and the author of two great books, The Accidental Alpha Woman and The Complete Executive.

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 You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Find an Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores how to move beyond good intentions to create truly inclusive workplaces, featuring guest Mita Mallick who shares practical strategies for effective allyship and systemic change.

SPARKED HOT TAKE WITH: Mita Mallick | Reimagine Inclusion: Book

Mita is a corporate change-maker with a track record of transforming businesses and cultures. She is the Head of Inclusion, Equity, and Impact at Carta. Mallick is a regular contributor for Entrepreneur, and her writing has been published in Harvard Business Review, The New York Post, Cosmopolitan, and Business Insider, among others. She’s a co-host of the Brown Table Talks podcast and author of her new book, Reimagine Inclusion, which debunks 13 myths that hold us back from transforming our workplaces. She delivers powerful storytelling combined with practical and hands-on ways for us to be more inclusive leaders. 

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.

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Find an Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’ve all seen it and maybe even experienced it, the high pressure workload of starting your own business. The long hours, extreme stress and rollercoaster of highs and lows. Enduring these realities is almost celebrated in the entrepreneurial world and rarely questioned, when in any other setting they would be cause for alarm.  

So why do entrepreneurs feel such pressure to hide their struggles and not be open about the challenges they are facing? In contrast, what if being a successful entrepreneur didn't mean suffering in silence?  

In today’s episode of Sparked, we’re joined by special guest, Yael Benjamin, for a raw look at powerful new research around the mental health struggles plaguing the business founder community. 

In today’s episode we’re digging into:

• Questioning the assumptions about startup life having to be a nonstop, lonely thrill ride
• Asking if a culture shift within the venture capital and business world create more space for founders to be human? 
• Are there lessons from the self-care regimens of pro athletes that could build resilience for entrepreneurs?
• What would it take to transform entrepreneurial stress into strength? 
• How can we reconnect founders to purpose and possibility, despite the emotional rollercoaster of uncertainty?
• The reality and humanity behind heady business metrics and million-dollar valuations

And we’re in conversation with:

SPARKED HOT TAKE WITH: Yael Benjamin | Website

Yael is the founder of Startup Snapshot, a data-sharing platform for the startup ecosystem. She is passionate about leveraging data to generate transparency in the venture industry, providing founders with the insights, benchmarks and data points they need to accelerate their ventures forward. Over the past 6 months, Yael has focused on researching the toll of entrepreneurship on the founder’s mental health and well-being, working to normalize this long taboo topic. The research has been featured in Forbes, Crunchbase, Inc and other leading news publications.

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 You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Find an Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Morning routines. There is just soooo much mythology around them. Some of it’s true and valuable. But a whole lot of it is also just plain wrong. And, it can lead us to think we have to adopt a certain approach to starting our days that is universally helpful for every person. Life just doesn’t work that way.

So, today we’re taking on the topic of morning routines, and there are going to be some big surprises, provocative ideas, and a healthy dose of mythbusting. And, then, we’ll be sharing a more well-rounded, inviting “anyone can do this” approach. And, it even starts with a challenge - how about we stop calling these morning routines? Why? Well, we dive into that and so many other valuable and actionable tips about how best to start your day in today’s SPARKED Hot Take episode. 

In today’s episode we’re in conversation with:

SPARKED BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Charlie Gilkey | Website

Charlie is a strategic advisor and executive coach, founder of the Productive Flourishing consultancy, and author of the multi-award-winning book, Start Finishing and his fantastic new book Team Habits, which is available now.

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 You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Find an Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.