Aaron and I discuss the “terrible privilege” of his disability and how rewriting your narrative helps push through life’s adversities.
How We are “Wired to Create”, What It Means to Be a “Creative”, and How We Can Leverage Our Unique Gifts | with Scott Barry Kaufman
Scott and I make the case that creativity is a way of being—one that thrives when we let go of the fear of judgment and embrace the parts of ourselves we’ve been told don’t fit the mold.
Why the Pursuit of Success Is Making Us All Miserable (and How to Flip the Script) | with Jackson Kerchis
Today Jackson and I are talking about the science and psychology of happiness and not as some abstract feel-good concept, but instead as a practical tool for navigating uncertainty and even unlocking your creativity.
Why Optimization Isn’t the Answer (and How to Make the Most of the Four Thousand Weeks We Have) | with Oliver Burkeman
Oliver and I dive deep into why chasing productivity is a trap, how to stop waiting for life to begin “someday,” and why there might be freedom in not only accepting that we’re never going to finish our to-do lists, but ultimately we’re going to die without having accomplished all of our goals.
Why the Relentless Pursuit of Optimization Is a Journey to Nowhere | with Zack Arnold
In today’s episode, my podcast producer and fellow coach Debby Germino and I peel back the curtain on why we decided to rebrand the show, what’s shifting behind the scenes, and what we’re hoping to create moving forward—not just for ourselves, but for you.
How to Pivot, Adapt, and Keep Going (Your Creative Career Isn’t Over) | with Lydia Hurlbut
Lydia and I explore how to manage the emotional toll of career shifts, identify the transferable skills you might be overlooking, and find your center amidst the uncertainty.
From Setback to Comeback: Finding Strength in the Hardest Moments | with Bevin Farrand
Bevin and I talk about what it really means to acknowledge grief and uncertainty, why toxic positivity can do more harm than good, and the first steps to take when you feel paralyzed by everything happening around you.
How to Thrive As an Introverted Creative (In a World Designed For Extroverts) | with Jennifer Kahnweiler
Jennifer reveals that success doesn’t have to come at the cost of changing who you are. We explore how introverts can thrive on their own terms, not by forcing themselves to be extroverted, but by fully embracing their strengths.
How to Approach Difficult Conversations In Polarizing Times | with Justin Jones-Fosu
Justin shares actionable strategies and mindset shifts from his book, offering a way to approach disagreements that prioritize respect, collaboration, and mutual understanding.
Unemployed? Burned Out? Or Both? How to Manage a Career Break | with Laura Nguyen
Laura and I delve into why even a lack of work can lead to burnout—how the uncertainty, panic, and self-doubt that follow job loss can weigh just as heavily as being overworked.
The Dumpster Fire of 2024, Predictions for 2025, and The Future of Creativity | with Zack Arnold
I, Zack Arnold, the usual host of Optimize Yourself, step into the guest seat to give you an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at what 2024 was like for me and my team.
How to Work with Challenging Colleagues Without Losing Your Mind (or your job) | with Amy Gallo
Amy explains why collaboration is essential and highlights the importance of developing the skill to get along with others to achieve our best work.
The Ugly Truth About Burnout (Even When You’re Unemployed), and How to Build Immunity From It | with Dr. Kandi Wiens
Dr. Wiens takes us deep into the psychology of burnout to gain an understanding of its root causes.
Breaking Through Your Upper Limits and Living In Your Zone of Genius | with Gay Hendricks
In our conversation, Gay and I talk about what he calls the Upper Limit Problem – a concept in which we ourselves tend to sabotage our own successes, preventing us from reaching our own full potential.
Find Your Creativity by Finding Your Why | with Dr. Mark Shrime
Dr. Shrime explains the power of solving your why so you can get unstuck and move onto the right path.