What's on Your Bookshelf?

In this episode of What’s on Your Bookshelf, Sam Powell and Denise Russo conclude their journey through Marie Kondo’s The Joy at Work by exploring what happens after the tidying is done.

This final conversation is about more than organizing desks, inboxes, and calendars. It’s about creating space — space for clarity, purpose, joy, and the life you actually want to build.

In this episode we discuss:

* Why tidying is ultimately a process of self-discovery, not just organization.

* How creating space allows you to better understand what brings you joy — and what no longer serves you.

* The difference between eliminating things from your life and simply giving them a new place within it.

* Why leading by example is often the most powerful way to inspire change in others.

* How clarity around purpose, motivation, and contribution can transform both your work and your life.

One Big Takeaway

The goal of tidying isn’t emptiness.

The goal is creating enough space to clearly see what matters most.

Why This Episode Matters

Many people think clutter is the problem.

But often the real problem is a lack of space:

Space to think.Space to reflect.Space to choose.Space to grow.

And sometimes creating that space changes everything.

A Question to Consider

If you removed the noise for a moment...

What would become more obvious about the life, work, or future you truly want?

Why We Loved This Book

What started as a conversation about tidying desks, emails, meetings, and workspaces became something much deeper:

* A conversation about purpose.

* A conversation about leadership.

* A conversation about becoming more intentional with how we live and work every day.

Coming Next

Next week, Sam and Denise introduce the next book in the series and begin a new conversation about growth, leadership, and what comes after clarity.

📖 Buy the book and come along on the adventure with us.

We’re so excited you’re here and would love to hear from you.

How to reach us:

Denise: LinkedIn | Substack | School of Thoughts LinkedIn Sam: LinkedIn | Substack | LeadtheGame’s Locker Room | Website

Subscribe and Review on Apple and Spotify.Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

In this episode of What’s on Your Bookshelf, Sam Powell and Denise Russo explore tidying teams — and why creating more joy at work isn’t about having fewer people, but about building healthier, more purposeful teams.

This conversation goes beyond org charts and job titles to examine purpose, engagement, trust, growth, and the role leaders play in helping people thrive.

In this episode we discuss:

* Why the goal of “tidying a team” should be creating an environment where people can experience more joy at work.

* How a lack of purpose creates confusion, disengagement, and messy teams.

* Three powerful questions every team should ask:

* How do we contribute to the organization’s goals?

* What useful ideas are we generating?

* What do we enjoy about being part of this team?

* Why leaders need to get curious about the people on their teams instead of assuming they know what everyone brings to the table.

* How to recognize when someone has outgrown a role, a team, or an organization — and why that isn’t always a failure.

One Big Takeaway

Teams become messy when people lose connection to purpose.

When people understand why their work matters, engagement, trust, and energy tend to follow.

Why This Episode Matters

A lot of people assume disengaged employees are lazy.

More often, they’re disconnected.

Disconnected from purpose.Disconnected from growth.Disconnected from the impact of their work.

And leaders have a responsibility to notice the difference.

A Question to Consider

If you asked every person on your team:

“How does your work make a difference?”

Would they know the answer?

Coming Next

Next week, Sam and Denise discuss how to share the magic of tidying and how the lessons from this journey can create more joy not only for you, but for the people around you as well.

📖 Buy the book and come along on the adventure with us.

We’re so excited you’re here and would love to hear from you.

How to reach us:

Denise: LinkedIn | Substack | School of Thoughts LinkedIn Sam: LinkedIn | Substack | LeadtheGame’s Career Locker Room | Website

Subscribe and Review on Apple and Spotify.Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

In this episode of What’s on Your Bookshelf, Sam Powell and Denise Russo continue through Marie Kondo’s The Joy at Work with a conversation about a topic almost everyone complains about: Meetings.

From calendars packed with unnecessary invites to meetings that could have been emails, this episode explores how to make meetings more purposeful, productive, and maybe even a little more joyful.

In this episode we discuss:

* Why meeting satisfaction has a bigger impact on overall job satisfaction than many people realize.

* How to evaluate every meeting through a simple question: Does this need to exist?

* The importance of agendas, clear objectives, and communicating the purpose of a meeting before it starts.

* Why attendees have more influence than they think — including asking better questions, preparing in advance, and speaking up when they have something valuable to contribute.

* Practical rules for better meetings: show up prepared, listen fully, put away distractions, encourage participation, and respect people’s time.

One Big Takeaway

Most meetings aren’t frustrating because they exist.

They’re frustrating because nobody stopped to ask what they’re supposed to accomplish.

Why This Episode Matters

Every meeting costs something:

Time.Attention.Energy.Focus.

The question isn’t whether you have meetings.

The question is whether your meetings are worth the cost.

A Question to Consider

Look at your calendar for next week.

Which meetings move work forward...

and which ones are simply taking up space?

Coming Next

In the next episode, Sam and Denise continue exploring how to create more joy at work by tackling another area where clutter quietly steals our time, attention, and effectiveness.

📖 Buy the book and come along on the adventure with us.

We’re so excited you’re here and would love to hear from you.

How to reach us:

Denise: LinkedIn | Substack | School of Thoughts LinkedIn Sam: LinkedIn | Substack | LeadtheGame’s Career Locker Room | Website

Subscribe and Review on Apple and Spotify.Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Episode Highlights

In this episode of What’s on Your Bookshelf, Sam Powell and Denise Russo continue through Marie Kondo’s The Joy at Work with a conversation about tidying your network — and why the quality of your relationships matters far more than the quantity.

In a world obsessed with followers, connections, and online visibility, this chapter challenges us to ask a different question:

Who are the people that truly belong in your life and work?

In this episode we discuss:

* Why a smaller network of meaningful relationships often creates more value than thousands of surface-level connections.

* The difference between real relationships and loose associations.

* How to identify the people who help advance your vision, support your growth, and genuinely spark joy.

* Why mentorship, coaching, friendship, and professional relationships all play different roles in a healthy network.

* How social media, AI, and digital communication can create the illusion of connection without the depth of real relationships.

One Big Takeaway

Your network isn’t measured by how many people know your name.

It’s measured by how many meaningful relationships you’re intentionally building.

Why This Episode Matters

Most people spend their time collecting contacts.

Very few spend their time cultivating connections.

The difference can shape your career, your opportunities, and your overall happiness at work.

Coming Next

Next week, Sam and Denise tackle another workplace challenge: tidying your meetings — and how to reclaim time, attention, and productivity from calendars that have become overcrowded.

A question to consider while listening:

If you looked at your professional network today, who would make the “keep” list — and who are you investing time in simply out of habit?

📖 Buy the book and come along on the adventure with us.

We’re so excited you’re here and would love to hear from you.

How to reach us:

Denise: LinkedIn | Substack | School of Thoughts LinkedIn Sam: LinkedIn | Substack | LeadtheGame’s Career Locker Room | Website

Subscribe and Review on Apple and Spotify.Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

In this episode of What’s on Your Bookshelf, Sam Powell and Denise Russo continue through Marie Kondo’s The Joy at Work with a conversation about tidying decisions — and why decision fatigue quietly drains our energy, clarity, and leadership.

In this episode we discuss:

* Why we make thousands of decisions every day — and how that mental load adds up.

* How to separate decisions into high-stakes, medium-stakes, and low-stakes categories.

* Why some decisions should be made quickly, delegated, or pre-decided.

* How too many options can create decision paralysis instead of freedom.

* Why “good enough” is often enough to help you move forward.

One Big Takeaway

Not every decision deserves the same amount of your energy.

Some need wisdom.Some need speed.Some need to get off your plate.

Why This Episode Matters

If you feel mentally tired before the day is even over, your workload might not be the only issue.

Your decisions may be cluttered.

And clearing them creates more room for better leadership, better work, and better peace.

Coming Next

Next week, Sam and Denise talk about tidying your network — and how the people around you shape your energy, opportunities, and joy at work.

📖 Buy the book and come along on the adventure with us.

We’re so excited you’re here and would love to hear from you.

How to reach us:

Denise: LinkedIn | Substack | School of Thoughts LinkedIn Sam: LinkedIn | Substack | LeadtheGame’s Career Locker Room | Website

Subscribe and Review on Apple and Spotify.Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

In this episode of What’s on Your Bookshelf, Sam Powell and Denise Russo continue through Marie Kondo’s The Joy at Work with a conversation about one of our most precious resources: time.

This chapter is all about tidying your schedule, your tasks, and the way work quietly takes over your life.

In this episode we discuss:

* Why saying yes to everything can slowly drain your focus, energy, and joy.

* How unproductive meetings create real cost — not just in dollars, but in attention and momentum.

* The difference between urgent tasks and important work — and why urgent tasks often win.

* Why multitasking and switch-tasking can quietly wreck your productivity.

* How to look at your calendar and ask: Is my work trending toward joy?

One Big Takeaway

Tidying your time isn’t just about doing less.

It’s about making room for the work, people, and priorities that actually matter.

Why This Episode Matters

If your calendar is packed but your work feels empty, this episode is your timeout.

Because every yes costs something.

And your time is too valuable to spend on things that don’t deserve it.

Coming Next

Next week, Sam and Denise dig into tidying decisions — how to make clearer choices when work, life, and leadership feel cluttered.

📖 Buy the book and come along on the adventure with us.

We’re so excited you’re here and would love to hear from you.

How to reach us:

Denise: LinkedIn | Substack | School of Thoughts LinkedIn Sam: LinkedIn | Substack | LeadtheGame’s Career Locker Room | Website

Subscribe and Review on Apple and Spotify.Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

In this episode of What’s on Your Bookshelf, Sam Powell and Denise Russo tackle one of the most overwhelming areas of modern work: digital clutter.

From overflowing inboxes to endless notifications, this conversation explores how our devices may be quietly draining our focus, energy, and performance.

In this episode we discuss:

* Why digital clutter (emails, files, apps) creates constant distraction and hidden stress.

* How to decide what to keep using three simple filters:

* Do I need this for future work?

* Will this inspire or inform me?

* Does it bring any sense of value or joy?

* The reality that more storage isn’t a solution — it’s often just avoiding the decision to clean things up.

* Why notifications, emails, and messaging tools can interrupt deep work and lower performance.

* How intentional boundaries (filters, rules, turning off notifications) can help you take back control of your time and attention.

One Big Takeaway

Digital clutter isn’t just sitting in your inbox.

It’s sitting in your attention — pulling you away from the work that actually matters.

Why This Episode Matters

If your day feels scattered, reactive, or constantly interrupted…

there’s a good chance your digital environment is part of the problem.

This episode gives you a simple starting point:

Filter. Delete. Simplify. Reclaim your focus.

Coming Next

In the next episode, Sam and Denise take it one level deeper — exploring how to declutter your time and focus on what actually deserves your energy.

📖 Buy the book and come along on the adventure with us.

We’re so excited you’re here and would love to hear from you.

How to reach us:

Denise: LinkedIn | Substack | School of Thoughts LinkedIn Sam: LinkedIn | Substack | LeadtheGame’s Career Locker Room | Website

Subscribe and Review on Apple and Spotify.Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

In this episode of What’s on Your Bookshelf, Sam Powell and Denise Russo continue through Marie Kondo’s The Joy at Work with a practical conversation about tidying your physical workspace — and why your desk may be affecting more than your productivity.

In this episode we discuss:

* Why clearing your workspace can help clear your mind — especially when work already feels chaotic.

* How to tidy by category, not one random item at a time.

* Why decluttering often brings up deeper questions about money, guilt, identity, and sunk costs.

* The role of gratitude in letting things go instead of treating tidying like a cold purge.

* How the things we keep can reveal our values, priorities, and next version of ourselves.

One Big Takeaway

Tidying your workspace isn’t really about having a prettier desk.

It’s about deciding what still belongs in the life and work you’re trying to build.

Why This Episode Matters

If your desk, office, or job search space feels cluttered, this episode gives you a practical place to start:

Sort by category. Decide with intention. Let go with gratitude.

Coming Next

Next week, Sam and Denise move from physical clutter to digital clutter — including emails, files, and the inboxes that quietly run our lives.

📖 Buy the book and come along on the adventure with us.

We’re so excited you’re here and would love to hear from you.

How to reach us:

Denise: LinkedIn | Substack | School of Thoughts LinkedIn Sam: LinkedIn | Substack | LeadtheGame’s Career Locker Room | Website

Subscribe and Review on Apple and Spotify.Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

In this episode of What’s on Your Bookshelf, Sam Powell and Denise Russo continue their conversation on Marie Kondo’s The Joy at Work by digging into a question almost everybody knows too well:

Why do we keep falling back into clutter — even after we clean things up?

This episode moves beyond tidying as a task and gets into the deeper mindset, identity, and work-life vision needed to actually sustain change.

In this episode we discuss:

* Why clutter isn’t just about mess — it’s often a sign of unclear priorities, unclear identity, or an unclear vision for how you want to work.

* The powerful link between mindset and maintenance — and why people who stay organized usually start with a clear picture of the life and work style they want.

* How to visualize your ideal work life in practical detail, including your environment, schedule, energy, and daily rhythms.

* Marie Kondo’s three categories of workplace joy:

* things that directly spark joy

* things that provide functional joy

* things that lead to future joy

* Why tidying is not really about throwing things away — it’s about keeping what supports your best self and removing what gets in the way.

One Big Takeaway

You don’t stay organized just because you cleaned up once.

You stay organized because you got clear on who you want to be and what kind of work life actually supports that version of you.

Why This Episode Matters

This one gets to the real game:

Not just how to tidy.But how to stop rebuilding the same mess.

Because clutter usually comes back when your systems don’t match your life.

Coming Next

In the next episode, Sam and Denise get into the practical step-by-step process of tidying — how to sort, what to keep, and how to create a workspace that actually works for you.

📖 Buy the book and come along on the adventure with us.

We’re so excited you’re here and would love to hear from you.

How to reach us:

Denise: LinkedIn | Substack | School of Thoughts LinkedIn Sam: LinkedIn | Substack | LeadtheGame’s Career Locker Room | Website

Subscribe and Review on Apple and Spotify.Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

In this episode of What’s on Your Bookshelf, Sam Powell and Denise Russo begin their journey through Marie Kondo’s The Joy at Work and explore how clutter at work affects more than just your desk — it impacts your stress, focus, energy, and even your sense of purpose.

This conversation is about more than tidying. It’s about creating a work life that feels lighter, calmer, and more intentional.

In this episode we discuss:

* Why physical clutter at work creates mental clutter too — and how it quietly drains productivity, motivation, and peace.

* The surprising connection between messy environments, higher stress, and rising cortisol levels.

* How clutter shows up in more than your office — including emails, meetings, papers, and unfinished decisions.

* Why creating a tidy, intentional workspace can improve not just performance, but also confidence, self-esteem, and clarity.

* A deeper reframe on tidying: it’s not just about neatness — it’s about discovering what kind of work style actually supports the life you want.

One Big Takeaway

A cluttered workspace doesn’t just slow your work.

It can quietly shape your stress, your attention, and the way you feel about your life.

Sometimes the first leadership move is simpler than we think:

Clear the space.

Why This Episode Matters

If work has felt heavy lately, this episode offers a different question:

What if the problem isn’t only the workload…but the clutter surrounding how you do it?

Coming Next

In the next episode, Sam and Denise dig into why people fall back into clutter — and what it takes to actually create a work environment that stays aligned with what matters most.

📖 Buy the book and come along on the adventure with us.

We’re so excited you’re here and would love to hear from you.

How to reach us:

Denise: LinkedIn | Substack | School of Thoughts LinkedIn Sam: LinkedIn | Substack | LeadtheGame’s Career Locker Room | Website

Subscribe and Review on Apple and Spotify.Subscribe to our YouTube channel.