What if ending homelessness wasn't actually that complicated? Amy King, co-founder of Pallet, isn't just building a social enterprise; she's proving you can tackle massive societal problems while building a profitable business that attracts serious investors.  

 **Ready to love your Mondays? Buy 'Work That's Worth It' now - Amazon, B&N, Bookshop.org. OR, need more convincing? Get the first chapters FREE here.** 
 
In this episode, she breaks down why most world-changing ideas never get off the ground (hint: people make them too complicated), reveals her "sphere of influence" strategy for turning big dreams into actionable plans, and shares how she built a powerhouse team of mentors.  

 Amy's approach to visionary thinking combined with grounded strategy will completely shift how you think about your own 90,000 hours and what's actually possible when you find your one word to guide your career. 

Ever feel frustrated watching friends chase high-paying jobs while ignoring meaningful impact? You're not alone. In this candid solo episode, I tackle the question that keeps coming up at every speaking event: "How do I convince my peers to prioritize purpose over just salary?"
 
**Ready to love your Mondays? Buy 'Work That's Worth It' now - Amazon, B&N, Bookshop.org. OR, need more convincing? Get the first chapters FREE here.** 
 
Drawing from a powerful conversation at Stanford and my three-phase judgment framework, I'll reveal why trying to change others' career choices is actually counterproductive—and I will share what actually works. 
 
If you've ever wondered whether you should speak up about friends' career choices or just focus on your own path, this episode will completely shift your perspective. 

Resources:

Poly Market
OECD Research
The OpED Project
LinkedIn
Instagram

From caddying for golfers at age 12 to managing a 1,000-person team at Citi Bike and now co-founding a climate-focused venture capital fund, Laura Fox's career journey exemplifies what's possible when curiosity drives your decisions instead of fear.

 **Ready to love your Mondays? Buy 'Work That's Worth It' now - Amazon, B&N, Bookshop.org. OR, need more convincing? Get the first chapters FREE here.**

 In this captivating conversation, Laura shares how she transformed Citi Bike into a +$100M business while making sustainable transportation accessible to millions, before pivoting to invest in groundbreaking climate solutions for urban environments. 

Drawing wisdom from her grandmother's appreciation for life's small wonders, Laura reveals why the "forest path" approach to career building—following your interests rather than a straight line—has allowed her to make both meaningful impact and financial success throughout her journey. 

Whether you're considering business school, wondering how to evaluate career pivots, or curious about the climate tech investment landscape, Laura's refreshing perspective on embracing challenges will inspire you to approach your own 90,000 hours with renewed purpose.

Key points:

• Laura Fox is co-founder and managing partner of a venture capital fund focusing on the intersection of cities and climate, targeting early-stage B2B companies in mobility, logistics, buildings, energy, waste, water, and adaptation.
• Her non-linear career path has included working at Morningstar, museums in Qatar, urban strategy in Bangladesh, NYU business school, Boston Consulting Group, Sidewalk Labs (Google subsidiary), and as general manager of Citi Bike at Lyft.
• Laura attributes her success to curiosity and a willingness to embrace challenges rather than following a straight career path.
• Her grandmother was a significant influence, teaching her to appreciate both big-picture thinking and small everyday details, fostering a lifelong beginner's mindset.
• Working as a golf caddy for seven summers taught Laura valuable skills in connecting with people from different backgrounds and learning through asking questions.
• At Citi Bike, Laura grew it from a $30 million to $120+ million revenue business, making it the 20th largest transportation service in the US.
• When evaluating companies to invest in, Laura focuses on businesses solving real problems with significant impact potential, like Ryzm (climate risk mapping for infrastructure) and Public Grid (reducing utility costs for renters).
• Understanding customer pain points is crucial - at Citi Bike, environmental benefits ranked low (#15) compared to immediate benefits like saving time, money, and improving physical/mental health.
• Laura advises that starting a VC fund is best later in career when you have financial buffer and relevant experience to provide value beyond funding.

Resources:

• NYU Stern
• Boston Consulting Group 
• http://www.sidewalklabs.com/
• City Bike (Lyft)
• Climate Tech VC Resources
• Ted Talk

Are you chasing your purpose, or just a paycheck? Elspeth Jones had it all — a lucrative law career, financial stability, and a future that looked perfect on paper. Until one day, she started to question the true value of her work.

**Ready to love your Mondays? Buy 'Work That's Worth It' now - Amazon, B&N, Bookshop.org. OR, need more convincing? Get the first chapters FREE here.**

In this episode, she shares why she finally walked away and how that pivotal decision led to alignment, growth, and real-world impact at ClientEarth. We discuss the common struggle of choosing between financial security and meaningful work, the risks of waiting too long to make a change, and the freedom that comes with purpose-driven work. 

Tune in to discover how meaning and success can still go hand in hand when you focus on the contribution you want to make in the world (versus the income you are chasing)!

Today's guest is Rebecca Van Bergen, founder of Nest, a nonprofit organization that champions the handworker economy and supports artisans around the world. 

**Ready to love your Mondays? Buy 'Work That's Worth It' now - Amazon, B&N, Bookshop.org. OR, need more convincing? Get the first chapters FREE here.**

Rebecca exemplifies what happens when someone takes an early leap into meaningful work, building a business that authentically reflects who she is. Twenty years ago, as a fresh social work graduate, Rebecca won a business plan competition that provided seed capital to start Nest. Rather than following a traditional career path, she immediately began creating a platform that helps women artisans build sustainable businesses across 123 countries. 

Recognized as a PBS Changemaker, World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, and Ashoka Fellow, Rebecca offers invaluable wisdom on building a purpose-driven enterprise that challenges traditional business models while creating economic opportunities for women worldwide.

Her story offers powerful insights into creating an enterprise aligned with your values and finding fulfillment through supporting others' creativity and economic independence.
 

Key points:

• Rebecca founded Nest after graduating with a social work degree, inspired by Muhammad Yunus winning the Nobel Peace Prize for microfinance in the same year.
• Rather than focusing solely on providing debt for women entrepreneurs, Nest creates supportive environments for craft enterprises through training and market access.
• Nest's Artisan Guild connects craft enterprises globally, with members in 123 countries and all 50 US states, providing e-learning and business development resources.
• Nest partners with major brands and retailers like Etsy, Target, Patagonia, and Williams-Sonoma to connect artisans with markets and ensure ethical sourcing.
• The Uplift Makers program with Etsy has helped bridge the digital divide for cultural communities, including Native makers, Gee's Bend quilters, and Gullah Geechee basket weavers.
• Nest developed a seal of ethical handcraft for globally produced artisanal items, ensuring fair pay and no child labor for home-based producers.
• Craft has historically been marginalized as "women's work" despite being a major income driver for women globally and providing flexible work options.
• The organization focuses on active listening to makers' needs and willingness to iterate programs based on feedback.
• As technology advances, consumer demand for handcrafted items has grown as people seek an antidote to digital life.
• Rebecca built her business skills through learning-by-doing and seeking mentors, maintaining a financially conservative approach to ensure sustainability.
• Nest runs a volunteer program connecting professionals with makers who need support in areas like web design, sales strategy, and logistics.
• Rebecca emphasizes the importance of building confidence to overcome imposter syndrome, which she reframes as "pioneer syndrome" when doing innovative work.

Summary: 

Our guest today, Evan Hacker, shares his fascinating journey from aspiring rapper to teaching English in China for eight years, then pivoting to software engineering before finding his sweet spot in book marketing with Book Thinkers. 

**Ready to love your Mondays? Buy 'Work That's Worth It' now - Amazon, B&N, Bookshop.org. OR, need more convincing? Get the first chapters FREE here.**

Through Evan's story of multiple career transitions, listeners gain insight into the value of self-reflection, the courage required to pivot from comfortable but unfulfilling roles, and how seemingly disconnected experiences can ultimately weave together into a cohesive career path. 

Evan's refreshing perspective that "life is long—too long to be stuck in something that's not making you happy" offers valuable wisdom for anyone navigating their own professional journey. 

Impact at work starts with intention. For today’s guest, that meant turning a personal low into a mission to lead with empathy.

**Ready to love your Mondays? Buy 'Work That's Worth It' now - Amazon, B&N, Bookshop.org. OR, need more convincing? Get the first chapters FREE here.**

Bernard Law is the co-founder of Kind Laundry, where he’s created a culture that values people and not just what they do. He shares the turning point in his career that nearly broke his confidence, but instead gave him the clarity he needed to build something better.

In this episode, you’ll hear how Bernard keeps purpose and his employees at the center of his work. Join us for a conversation on resilience, true success, and leadership that actually feels good!

Only for the bravest people! From Sydney's glamorous political scene to refugee camps in Palestine, Ann-Marie Wilcox’s journey shows what happens when you trust that nagging feeling of "I don't belong here." 

**Ready to love your Mondays? Buy 'Work That's Worth It' now - Amazon, B&N, Bookshop.org. OR, need more convincing? Get the first chapters FREE here.**

In this episode, she reveals how swapping plush waterfall-backed bars for remote villages fulfilled her deeper purpose and connected her with brave, determined colleagues who became her community. 

Fourteen years into her aid-work career, including stints in conflict zones and disaster areas worldwide, Ann-Marie offers practical guidance for those yearning to make a similar leap into humanitarian work. She offers the real stories and challenges, plus a roadmap for anyone wondering if they're brave enough to build a career like hers.
 
Keypoints:

• Transitioned from politics and journalism to humanitarian work in her early thirties when she felt misaligned with her values
• Made a bold move by relocating to Jerusalem to network and enter the humanitarian field after feeling she "didn't belong" in her privileged Sydney lifestyle
• Has worked for 14 years across multiple UN agencies and locations including UNRWA (Palestinian refugees), Doctors Without Borders, and Food and Agriculture Organization
• Worked in conflict zones and disaster areas including Pakistan, Nepal after the earthquake, Myanmar after floods, and Turkey after earthquakes
• Currently preparing for a one-year assignment in Afghanistan with the UN
• Emphasizes the need for flexibility, willingness to live in challenging conditions, and going "where the need is greatest"
• Leveraged transferable skills from her background in communications, media, and political judgment
• Values finding her "tribe" of like-minded individuals who are willing to make sacrifices to help others
• Notes the industry faces significant challenges with governments reducing foreign aid
• Acknowledges the emotional toll and security risks that can lead to PTSD and mental health challenges
   

Resources:

• www.theironbell.org

In this moving conversation, Martina Halloran reveals how leading Dr. Hauschka USA transcends typical corporate leadership.

**Ready to love your Mondays? Buy 'Work That's Worth It' now - Amazon, B&N, Bookshop.org. OR, need more convincing? Get the first chapters FREE here.**

From her childhood on the free lunch program to becoming CEO of a pioneering natural skincare brand, Martina shares how authentic leadership can create workplaces where people actually want to show up on Monday mornings. 

Martina explains how a foundation-owned company with "no shareholders, just stewards" operates differently—prioritizing sustainability, employee wellbeing, and social impact without sacrificing business success.

Martina's emotional reflection on creating opportunities for others who "don't fit" the traditional beauty industry mold demonstrates that the humans behind truly good products are often as inspiring as what they create.

This conversation will make you reconsider what work can be when aligned with deep personal values and genuine purpose—where every employee deserves a window overlooking nature and the dignity to breathe.

In this episode, I chat with Debbie Sterling—founder of GoldieBlox, Stanford-trained engineer, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Toy of the Year award winner, and TEDx speaker—for a powerful conversation on what it takes to own your strengths and quiet the inner (and outer) naysayers. 

**Ready to love your Mondays? Buy 'Work That's Worth It' now - Amazon, B&N, Bookshop.org. OR, need more convincing? Get the first chapters FREE here.**

Debbie shares how embracing the engineering mindset of rapid prototyping helped her turn a simple cardboard mockup into a million-unit bestseller that challenged gender stereotypes in STEM.

We dive into what it means to really know your strengths—not just having them, but leaning into them and learning how to share them with confidence.

And we explore how purpose, especially when it's personal, can fuel the courage to step into the unknown—no matter how daunting the dream may be. If you’ve ever second-guessed yourself or felt like your vision was bigger than your resources, this one’s for you.