Sparks of Gratitude

By Randy Sparks

Biweekly episodes. Gratitude saves lives, let it save yours. Ignite the fire of positive change with the Sparks of Gratitude.

Randy Sparks hosts this podcast with interviews from amazi

... more

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about Sparks of Gratitude:

How many episodes does Sparks of Gratitude have?

The podcast currently has 62 episodes available.

Sparks of Gratitude episodes:

June 10, 2024 22. Spirit of Adventure, Hope, and Doing the Work - Nicholas Coleman
Send us a text
Our guest today is Nicholas Coleman, an artist who captures the spirit of adventure primarily focusing on the heritage and romance of the American West. His work emphasizes the key elements of a good story: scene, structure, event, and plot. Every intentional brush stroke builds a story that evokes the common narrative of struggle, fortitude, and resiliency through both characters and characterization. Much of this is a result of his upbringing under his father, famed Western American artist Michael Coleman.

Nicholas shares that visiting art-filled spaces ignites inspiration, whether from a beautifully captured landscape or a masterful piece that feels effortlessly natural. Inspiration often stems from admired figures, past and present, who motivate us to push through the hardest part: the work itself. This drive combines personal agency with circumstantial luck, showcasing the remarkable achievements people can attain. He also shares despite hardships, maintaining vision and quality in art brings fulfillment and a sense of service to others, reminding us that our struggles build resilience and perspective.

Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFYJpy3OfFBfxi8pA4Dg5nw

Follow Nicholas Coleman:
https://www.nicholascolemanart.com/
https://www.instagram.com/nicholascolemanart/?hl=en

Chapter:
00:00 - Intro
03:00 - Inspired by his father Michael Coleman
06:42 - How his father impact on his life
11:44 - The magic and romance American West and Native American art
15:46 - The western landscape - a canvas for great art
18:01 - Who inspires Nicholas Coleman: People who do the work
22:18 - Being an artist is being willing to do the work
28:44 - The hard parts of being an artist - inspiration, rejection, opportunity
37:35 - What story is Nicholas Coleman's art telling - Hope
45:23 - What it's like to let a painting go
46:59 - When a painting takes someone somewhere and makes them feel something
49:08 - What gratitude means to Nicholas Coleman
51:07 - The best memories come from hard experiences
Follow Sparks of Gratitude:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparksofgratitude/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sparksofgratitude
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sparksofgratitude
Website: https://www.sparksofgratitude.com

Do you know someone who we should have on the show? Email us:
[email protected]
...more
57min
June 03, 2024 21. Tacos and Transformation: How Mexico Changed My Life - Scott Porter
Send us a text
Scott Porter's passion is infectious. He's on a lifelong quest he calls the search for the perfect taco. But it's much deeper than that. The taco is a simple metaphor for all things wonderful about a positive and welcoming human experience.

Scott is a lifelong entrepreneur, executive consultant, and brand experience strategist. He's completely obsessed with tacos and churros. He is a consultant, speaker, podcaster, and leader of taco tours masterminds in Mexico City to help leaders humanize their brand experiences with Vitamin T. On top of all of this, he delivers deep-fried happiness to churro lovers everywhere as the founder and owner-operator of the gourmet churro experience business, San Diablo Artisan Churros.

Scott has been the executive director of two nursing homes and a home health agency; co-founded Surf Air, the first all-you-can-fly membership airline; co-founded and launched the game of Reverse Charades; co-founded an international nonprofit organization called Singular Humanitarian; and been a management consultant with Gartner (formerly CEB), InsideOut Development and General Assembly.

Scott shares the power of shared experiences, symbolized by moments like enjoying tacos together, which forge deep connections. Emphasizing a growth mindset, the discussion highlights how negative experiences, such as betrayal and heartbreak, pave the way for personal growth and beautiful future opportunities. The episode explores the purpose of life, emphasizing continuous learning, love, and meaningful human interaction. It underscores the importance of creating joyful, memorable moments and the principle of giving and doing good. Ultimately, it is about fostering relationships and understanding that true courage stems from facing and overcoming fear.

🔔 Subscribe for more great content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFYJpy3OfFBfxi8pA4Dg5nw

Follow Scott Porter:
https://forevervitamint.com/
https://sandiablochurros.com/
https://www.instagram.com/scottcporter/
https://www.instagram.com/sandiablochurros/

Listen to this episode on the go:
🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sparks-of-gratitude/id1725414927
🟢 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ddtJyRwhdAxj2Eh2oj4NA

Chapter:

00:00 - Intro
04:17 - God Sent Me to Mexico and it Changed Me
08:40 - Mexican Food - Masterclass in Brand Experience
14:20 - Tacos: Metaphor for the Experience Economy
18:04 - Transformative Energy of Latin America
20:58 - Following What Calls to You
24:07 - Check out this Dr. Paul Jenkins Podcast: https://youtu.be/ddD2033jm2c
26:50 - What I Learned From Betrayal
33:46 - The Two Most Important Days of Your Life
35:05 - My Father's Death - Facing Mortality Taught Me About Life
41:33 - San Diablo Artisan Churros - Creating an Experience
46:24 - Lucha Libre - I'm a Luchador
48:36 - The Taco Tour Mastermind
52:15 - Scott Porter's Daily Practices
Follow Sparks of Gratitude:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparksofgratitude/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sparksofgratitude
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sparksofgratitude
Website: https://www.sparksofgratitude.com

Do you know someone who we should have on the show? Email us:
[email protected]
...more
1h 1min
May 27, 2024 20. The Apostle of Appreciation - Leading with Gratitude - Chester Elton
Send us a text
Chester Elton is our guest today. He along with his partner Adrian Gostick have been called the “Apostles of Appreciation,” the "Deacons of Danke Schön," the "Ministers of Motivation," the "High Priests of Praise," the "Guru of Gratitude" and the "Dalai Lamas of Workplace Traumas."

Their works in business leadership and culture have impacted millions of people over the past two decades. In his provocative, inspiring, and always-entertaining speeches, the #1 bestselling leadership author provides real solutions to leaders looking to manage change, drive innovation, and lead a multi-generational workforce. Elton’s work is supported by research with more than 1 million working adults, revealing the proven secrets behind high-performance cultures and teams.

Chester shares the power of gratitude in transforming lives. The importance of kindness and forgiveness, and the impact of small acts of kindness—because everyone is fighting their own battle. Discover how to incorporate gratitude rituals into your life, from movement and meditation to daily reflections, and see how these practices can lift you out of loneliness and negativity. Whether you're seeking ways to heal your anxiety, manage your mental health, or simply improve your relationships, this podcast offers practical advice and heartfelt stories to inspire you. Remember, your voice matters, and by embracing gratitude, you can change your life for the better.

🔔 Subscribe for more great content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFYJpy3OfFBfxi8pA4Dg5nw

Follow Chester's Elton:
https://chesterelton.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chesterelton/
https://thecultureworks.com/
https://litvideobooks.com/anxiety-at-work

Also Mentioned:
https://thepowerofkind.org/

Listen to this episode on the go:
🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sparks-of-gratitude/id1725414927
🟢 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ddtJyRwhdAxj2Eh2oj4NA

Chapter:

00:00 - Intro
01:50 - One Kind Act a Day
06:44 - Kindness makes Gratitude Actionable
08:13 - Chester's Nicknames
09:14 - Adrian Gostick - Business Partner and Best Friend
14:08 - “The Gratitude Habit" - a 90-day journal to a more grateful life
16:23 - Benefits of a Gratitude Journal
22:54 - Two Letters Exercise: Letter of Gratitude to Past Self and to Future Self
24:22 - Who inspires Chester Elton
30:42 - "Leading with Gratitude" - Does Gratitude Belong in Workplace?
35:43 - “A Thousand Ways to Recognize Your Employees”
37:58 - You're rarely a hero in your own town
43:36 - “Anxiety at Work”
Follow Sparks of Gratitude:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparksofgratitude/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sparksofgratitude
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sparksofgratitude
Website: https://www.sparksofgratitude.com

Do you know someone who we should have on the show? Email us:
[email protected]
...more
47min
May 20, 2024 19. The Unconquerable Leader - Mastering the Internal and External Game - Nathan Tanner
Send us a text
Executive Coach, author, father, friend, and amazing human. Nathan Tanner recently published "The Unconquerable Leader" and shares personal experiences gained from years of experience working for Door Dash, Neighbor, LinkedIN, and more, as well as being a husband and father. He works with exceptional leaders and love helping them lead effectively and live intentionally. He's also the author of "Not Your Parents’ Workplace", and regularly writes for Forbes, Inc., and Fast Company and on LinkedIN.

Nathan shares the power of a positive mindset and clear vision. It emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with the right people and distancing from toxic influences to foster authentic growth. He shares that change is acknowledged as difficult but necessary for personal development. By letting go of old versions of ourselves and embracing personal accountability, we can move away from resentment and selfishness towards a more fulfilling and purposeful life.

Follow Nathan's Tanner:

https://nathantanner.net/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathantanner?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Buy The Book: The Unconquerable Leader: Mastering the Internal and External Game
https://a.co/d/1lFq0DS

Chapter:

00:00 - Intro
02:12 - Book “The Unconquerable Leader”
02:43 - Panic Attack, A Wake Up Call to Change
07:24 - How Nathan showed differently, Internally and Externally
09:19 - The power of the stories that we tell ourselves
12:43 - Daily Reminders - Create Your Identity
17:47 - Importance of setting a vision (and a confession from Randy)
23:58 - Who to surround yourself with. And removing toxic people
25:42 - Toxic Authenticity and Authentic Growth
27:10 - Ownership and Personal Responsibility
33:02 - Counting your blessings: 30-day gratitude challenge
39:37 - Meaningful Connection
40:52 - Effective Communication - Radical Candor Framework by Kim Scott
Follow Sparks of Gratitude:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparksofgratitude/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sparksofgratitude
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sparksofgratitude
Website: https://www.sparksofgratitude.com

Do you know someone who we should have on the show? Email us:
[email protected]
...more
47min
May 13, 2024 18. Power Couple Habits for Long Healthy Life - Mind, Body, and Spirit - Dr. Scott Noorda
Send us a text
Dr. Scott Noorda, D.O. is an osteopathic physician, Founder & CEO of Resolve Medical, Creator of the Brainlift Neuroprotective Program, and Co-Author of Power Couple Habits. He specializes in longevity and living a long healthy life and preventing cognitive decline. His father died of Alzheimer’s disease and from that experience Dr. Noorda has dedicated himself to finding a better way to treat patients using a wholistic approach.

Dr. Noorda shares that every small change counts in our journey of care and healing. Understanding and listening to patients creates a profound impact and allows him to know what each individual patient needs, rather than a systematized approach of prescribing a pill for every ill.

With his wife Amy, Dr. Noorda studied habit science and various ways to allow the body to heal itself beyond traditional medicine, they wrote a book called “Power Couple Habits” to help people life longer, live healthier, and help each ither to donit. Healing doesn't always require medication; gratitude and positivity are powerful remedies. Starting and ending each day with gratitude uplifts the spirit. A smile brightens our brain's interpretation of positivity.

🔔 Subscribe for more great content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFYJpy3OfFBfxi8pA4Dg5nw

Follow Dr. Noorda:

https://www.instagram.com/dr.scottnoorda?igsh=MTY2ZXRvd292Y2Ixcg==

https://resolveutah.com/

Watch on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/seNfHJGAvGw?si=fjOmwMe7pcCaSYqw

Chapter:
00:00 - Intro
01:50 - Who is Dr. Scott Noorda?
06:54 - “The End of Alzheimer's” Dr. Del Bredison
12:47 - Amy and Scott Noorda working together to encourage each other
15:13 - “Power Couple Habits” and about the Brainlift Neuroprotective Program
21:43 - What is patient experience with Resolve Medical and Dr. Noorda Comprehensive evaluations
26:45 - Fealing heard, “The greatest medical visit she ever had”
28:46 - Functional medicine vs Traditional medicine
33:25 - Wholistic medicine, Mind, Body, Spirit.
37:09 - Benefits of a daily gratitude practice. Change neural connections in brain.
39:21 - The Brain Lift starts with Mindset (gratitude and positivity)
42:00 - Top 3 habits: Improve telationship with Food, Exercise, and People

Follow Sparks of Gratitude:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparksofgratitude/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sparksofgratitude
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sparksofgratitude
Website: https://www.sparksofgratitude.com

Do you know someone who we should have on the show? Email us:
[email protected]
...more
52min
May 06, 2024 17. You Get What You See, and You See What You Seek. Gratitude and Crucial Conversations- Al Switzler
Send us a text
Al Switzler has an amazing life story. In his own words he is “the illegitimate son of a teenage orphan named Jones who has no living relatives.”

With every excuse to not amount to anything he defied it all and shares his gratitude for the wonderful people who helped him learn and believe in possibilities.

He has impacted millions of people with his company and books including the New York Times best seller “Crucial Conversations” which he wrote with his partners Joseph Grenny and Ron McMillan.

Al shares the power of acknowledging the blessings in our lives, from the smallest pennies to the grandest gestures. Through journaling and reflection, we uncover the abundance that surrounds us, realizing that what we seek is often what we already possess. Discover how expressing gratitude through action enriches our lives and guards against the thief of comparison.
Follow Sparks of Gratitude:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparksofgratitude/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sparksofgratitude
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sparksofgratitude
Website: https://www.sparksofgratitude.com

Do you know someone who we should have on the show? Email us:
[email protected]
...more
44min
April 29, 2024 16. What's Your Relationship with CREATIVITY? - Lauren Spangler
Send us a text
Our guest today is a creativity coach, artist, musician, and strategist, she is Lauren Spangler. She nearly lost a child and learned how precious every moment, every heartbeat, and every breath really is. She discovered how creativity expresses gratitude and helped her unlock the power within herself to overcome anxieties of loss. Now Lauren helps aspiring artists build a fulfilling creative life without giving up financial stability. It's all about finding that sweet spot where artists can build wealth and their creative portfolio at the same time. She's a painter, writer, and musician who enjoys creative consistency, financial abundance, and lasting fulfillment.

Lauren shares art can create message that is provocative and in many different ways. She shares also the strategies and techniques to help people embrace their artistic identity and make time for creative pursuits in balance with the rest of life.

Follow Lauren Spangler:
https://www.laurenspangler.com/
https://www.instagram.com/laurenspangler?igsh=aWEzZWx3eTdqbXJu

Chapter:
00:00 - Intro
03:47 - Passion for art stifled, then reignited
08:15 - “Artist are professionals noticers” Austin Cleon
10:20 - Scary side of parenthood
13:26 - The moment of relief - gratitude unparalleled
15:08 - Postpartum anxiety
17:41 - How infound strength with child in NICU
22:28 - Episode 1: Dr. Paul Jenkins: https://youtu.be/ddD2033jm2c
24:23 - “A bird does not worry whether the branch will break because he trusts his wings”
27:22 - Creativity coaching
in a corporate setting
31:54 - Tips and strategies What’sypur relationship with creativity?
36:27 - Start in a place of pain
39:03 - The coaching process: (1) Where you are, (2) Set the vision, (3) Bridge that gap, (4) Roadmap

Follow Sparks of Gratitude:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparksofgratitude/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sparksofgratitude
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sparksofgratitude
Website: https://www.sparksofgratitude.com

Do you know someone who we should have on the show? Email us:
[email protected]
...more
47min
April 22, 2024 15. American Downhiller: Mental resilience, Sundance, and Gratitude - Steven Nyman
Send us a text
Steven Nyman is famous for speed and resilience. World Cup four time Olympian ski racer is a downhill specialist. Steven talks about being raised at Sundance Utah, winning the 2002 World Junior Championships in Tarvisio, Italy, and raced on the US Ski Team into his 40s. Steven talks about determination, mental resilience and gratitude through the hard days of competitive skiing and through injury and rehabilitation. If it weren't for some of his injuries, he wouldn't have met some of the people who helped him hone his mental toughness and find longevity. He also shares every turn on the slopes is a testament to hard work and appreciation for the mountain's embrace.

Outside of skiing, Steven is a husband and a father and works on a project called Fantasy Ski Racer, which aims to connect fans to the skiing world. He has also become a host for the Birds of Prey race in Beaver Creek and the U.S. Alpine Championships at Winter Park.

Chapter:
00:00 - Intro
03:03 - Sundance Ski Resort in Utah is a Special Place
07:32 - Competing in World Juniors
15:27 - Downhill Racer - Portrays the life of a professional ski racer
18:30 - Exploring towns fueled mental and physical resilience and gratitude
22:32 - American Downhiller Denim Vest Motivated Team
24:37 - What it's like in a World Cup Downhill Course
30:09 - Injuries, Recovery, Resilience, Lessons Learned,
33:34 - “The best luck comes from preparation”
35:15 - Craig Manning "The Fearless Mind"
36:33 - How his parents influenced in different and impactful ways
40:01 - Life after Downhill - Husband, Father
43:02 - What does gratitude mean to Steven Nyman?

Follow Steven Nyman:
https://www.instagram.com/steven_nyman/?hl=en

Follow Sparks of Gratitude:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparksofgratitude/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sparksofgratitude
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sparksofgratitude
Website: https://www.sparksofgratitude.com

Do you know someone who we should have on the show? Email us:
[email protected]
...more
46min
April 15, 2024 14. Your Child is the Hero of Their Own Journey - Rethinking Childhood Education - Matt Clayton
Send us a text
Matt Clayton is an innovator in childhood education. He runs an independent school in Provo, Utah, and former Chief Operating Officer of Acton Academy, hailed by the US Education Secretary as a leading example of education innovation. Matt's background blends creative and technical fields, in music, economics, and finance. He studied internationally as a teenager, graduating as valedictorian of the American School of Buenos Aires. While in college, he was a researcher and author at Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen’s think tank.

Matt is fueled by creating the power of technology to unlock human potential. He founded Slope School and believes that it is the most nurturing, deep-learning, student-centered learning environment in the world, and thrilled to share it with intentional families in the community. Isomg he framework of the Hero’s Journey, as describedby Joseph Campbell, the school helps students realize that they are the hero of their own journey and that they are capable.

Chapter:

00:00 - Intro
01:30 - How Matt Found a Career in Childhood Education
08:06 - Students are called Heroes
08:44 - The Hero’s Journey Framework to find identity and purpose in the world - Everyone has a unique contribution
14:23 - Designing a school that facilitates love of learning, character growth, and personal identity in students
19:31 - How Socratic Discussion teaches young students to think
26:32 - Students can learn, do hard things, and figure things out
28:16 - Constant upward spiral, reinventing yourself, becoming greater
31:05 - Young people’s ability for introspection on progress
33:18 - Character Call-outs and
35:49 - Peace Talks. Framework for confronting a conflict, honesty and accountability
Follow Sparks of Gratitude:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparksofgratitude/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sparksofgratitude
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sparksofgratitude
Website: https://www.sparksofgratitude.com

Do you know someone who we should have on the show? Email us:
[email protected]
...more
45min
April 08, 2024 13. One Kind Act a Day - Take the Kindness Pledge - Curtis Bennett
Send us a text
Our guest today is the Executive Director of One Kind Act a Day - a nonprofit organization changing the world one kind act at a time. Curtis shares that small acts of kindness, when done by many, can lead to significant change. At the heart of this vision is the idea that kindness has the power to change our lives and literally the world for the better.

Against the odds, Curtis rose above a challenging life. His father left his family, left them destitute, and his is family had a history of depression. With so much seemingly working against him, Curtis had two things working in his favor: 1. Kind people gifing him opportunities and mentoring him even as a child, and 2. A mindset of determination that he would choose to be happy.

Take the Kindness Pledge:
https://thepowerofkind.org/

Chapter:
00:00 - Intro
02:02 - Every day I get to spread kindness
04:20 - Creation of “One Kind Act a Day” by Khosrow Semnani
08:34 - People are starving for kindness
09:12 - Benefits of a kindness initiative - Predictable Results
10:16 - Tailor made kindness initiative for your organization
14:37 - Matilda: We are revolting children - Revolt against bad with good
15:56 - Successes of One Kind Act a Day initiatives - 41,000 acts of kindness in 22 days
20:10 - How Curtis Bennet joined One Kind Act a Day
23:41 - Defying the odds From father leaving family to kind people lifting him up.
26:57 - “I will never do to my child what my father did to me”
29:50 - First job at the age of 9 - Started paying rent at age 12
34:08 - "Idealize the real, and realize the ideal"
36:45 - Check the Lee Brower Podcast: https://youtu.be/Tc1fOQrH6j0
38:13 - "I'm not a perfect father, but I'm perfectly committed to being a father"
40:45 - Check the Dr. Paul Jenkins Podcast: https://youtu.be/ddD2033jm2c
42:47 - How can we spread kindness?
47:14 - What does gratitude mean to Curtis Bennett

Follow Sparks of Gratitude:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparksofgratitude/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sparksofgratitude
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sparksofgratitude
Website: https://www.sparksofgratitude.com

Do you know someone who we should have on the show? Email us:
[email protected]
...more
50min

FAQs about Sparks of Gratitude:

How many episodes does Sparks of Gratitude have?

The podcast currently has 62 episodes available.