Good Life Project || Inspiration | Motivation | Happiness | Meaning | Success

Have you ever received criticism that left you confused and defensive, wondering what you could do better? How often have you felt personal attacks masquerading as helpful feedback? These experiences are all too common, leaving us questioning our self-worth and abilities.Today's episode explores how we can navigate criticism in a way that fosters growth instead of damage. Listen as we explore the psychological effects of criticism, debunk the myths surrounding it, and share strategies to make it a catalyst for positive change within your life and work.You can find the 1-page worksheet HERE.If you LOVED this episode:Be sure to check out our entire Summer Series, which you can find easily organized as a Spotify playlist as they are released each week.Check out our offerings & partners: My New Book SparkedMy New Podcast SPARKEDVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recent years have impacted our mental and physical health significantly. We are constantly faced with unsettling moments that leave a lasting impact, often unnoticed but affecting us all. The question is, how do we address this? My guest this week is renowned trauma researcher, psychiatrist, and author, Bessel van der Kolk, known for his New York Times bestseller, The Body Keeps the Score. In 1984, Bessel established one of the first centers in the US for traumatic stress research and treatment, pioneering the study of trauma's effects on the brain. His work gave rise to the Trauma Research Foundation, created new treatment models, studied neurofeedback and MDMA's effects, and facilitated numerous trainings across the nation.You can find Bessel at: Website | InstagramIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Ellen Hendrickson about social anxiety.Check out our offerings & partners: My New Book SparkedMy New Podcast SPARKED. To submit your “moment & question” fo

We all have those moments, maybe even days, months, years, some of us, maybe even decades of our lives where our minds just won't stop racing. We get caught up in this whirlwind of thoughts and anxieties, wary stories, just rehashing the past, forecasting the future, and all too often imagining these worst-case stories or scenarios and we just can't let them go.Yes, we are talking about overthinking, and today we are going to unravel this interesting, complicated, sometimes messy mental pattern and share with you a set of science-back strategies, a sort of an overthinking ultimate toolkit to help you stop overthinking and start taking action to become more present in your life. More focused on what matters, more engaged with those around you because you are not spinning those things in your head and just perpetuate, overthinking.And you may be surprised at just how much control you do have over this process and how powerful and fairly quick to implement some of the tools we'll share are. So that is where we'r

What turns an insult into inspiration? How can you transform struggle into meaning and purpose? Today we'll discover how one man did just that through what was, for him, and the many doubters around him, a very unlikely path.Martinus Evans had a tough childhood on the east side of Detroit. Football gave him hope, but an injury steered him towards a sedentary lifestyle. A harsh doctor's comment inspired him to embark on a transformative journey, one that would shockingly turn him from an overweight patient to a passionate runner. Defying stereotypes, he finished his first marathon and started the "Slow AF" movement after being mocked during a race. This brand fostered a worldwide community - the Slow AF Run Club. Now an international marathoner, he has collaborated with leading fitness brands like Adidas, Nike, and Oakley, and appeared on the cover of Runner's World magazine. His journey is encapsulated in his new book, Slow AF Run Club: The Ultimate Guide for Anyone Who Wants to Run. For Martinus, running has

We've all experienced that magical feeling of something we've longed for becoming real - a creative project finally coming together, a new relationship blossoming, achieving a health goal we never thought possible.But have you ever wondered how those seemingly "impossible" things actually happen? What mix of vision, persistence, luck and effort makes dreams into realities?In this illuminating exploration, we aim at one of today's most controversial and widely discussed phenomena: manifestation and the law of attraction. You'll learn surprising historical roots that stretch back centuries across cultures. You'll discover real psychological and physiological mechanisms that play a crucial role - and what actual research says about goal achievement and motivation.New possibilities emerge when we understand ourselves and the world more deeply. And through this wide-ranging yet practical discussion, you just may find a new way of thinking about - and actually making - the impossible possible in your own life.You'l

Sex and relationship expert Vanessa Marin discusses the taboo nature of discussing sex and how it can lead to unmet needs and dissatisfaction in relationships. Her new book, Sex Talks: The Five Conversations That Will Transform Your Love Life, provides practical exercises and dialogue prompts to improve communication around intimacy, breaking down shame and stigma. Through open discussions on touchy subjects and setting rituals for intimacy, Marin believes couples can foster deeper connection, igniting intimacy and enhancing their love lives.Many people struggle to openly discuss sex due to shame and stigma.Open communication about sex and intimacy is important for a healthy relationship.Vanessa recommends five core conversations: acknowledgment, connection, desire, pleasure, and exploration.She provides practical methods to make these conversations easier.Rituals like makeout routines can create intimacy Understanding one's desires, boundaries, and pleasures enables satisfying communication.Giving positive f

We want to hear from YOU! Take our survey.Conflicts are inevitable in long-term relationships. But often we argue in ways that push our partners away instead of resolving issues.Dr. Stan Tatkin, a marriage and family therapist who has spent decades working with couples and training practitioners to improve communication in relationships believes there is a better way for partners to weather conflicts and emerge closer. His new book, In Each Other’s Care: A Guide to the Most Common Relationship Conflicts and How to Work Through Them offers strategies grounded in neurobiology and years of clinical experience.When disagreements arise, primal instincts trigger 'fight or flight', making us defend ourselves instead of understanding each other. But with awareness and new strategies, partners can shift this dynamic. As Stan says, we can learn to "work problems, not each other", regulate emotions, consider interests equally, and prioritize the relationship.We'll discuss Dr. Tatkin's approach f

We want to hear from YOU! Take our survey.Ever wish you had the courage to try something entirely new? To create something that didn’t exist before? Even if you’re already successful at your career, and you enjoy much of it? Sometimes we just feel this call to try on something new. That’s one of the big ideas we dive into with award-winning journalist and podcaster Manoush Zomorodi. • Manoush had success at NPR but later started her own company and podcast, showing it's never too late to try something new.• Manoush recommends side passions or "garden plots" that let you experiment freely, fueling your main work with energy and excitement.• We discuss the rapid impact of technology on identity, creativity and relationships, and how to harness change instead of just surviving it.• Manoush believes in laughing at life's absurdity, being proud of getting older, and taking action instead of waiting on others to live a good life.• The conversation covers big ideas, passions and perspec

We want to hear from YOU! Take our survey.Beyond money, what truly matters is meaning and purpose - feeling like your work and life make a difference. Studies show significance is key to satisfaction.Yet workplaces often keep us from these feelings. Seth Godin explores how to transform work into a source of fulfillment and purpose.Seth has inspired many through his insights on work culture, leadership and spreading ideas. His latest book, The Song of Significance serves as a manifesto for creating a more human-centric workplace.We discuss:Embracing change as the new normalReimagining the workplace to enroll, empower and trust everyoneHow the past few years have trained us to embrace changeThe importance of taking responsibility for meaningful workRediscovering the value of human connection at workThis is a must-listen for anyone seeking a more purpose-driven approach to work. Seth's book can help transform workplaces and create an environment where everyone can do their best work.You

Have you ever felt stuck in any part of your life? Trapped in a soul-sucking job, an unfulfilling relationship, a health, fitness or performance plateau, or a creative rut? What if there was a way to tap scientifically-validated principles to get unstuck, break free from the invisible forces holding you back and unleash your full potential? What if you could literally engineer breakthroughs? Turns out, you can.Adam Alter joins us to discuss his new book Anatomy of a Breakthrough: How to Get Unstuck When It Matters Most, which explores the often unavoidable experience of feeling stuck - whether it's a relationship, career, or health issue - and what we can do to turn stuckness into breakthrough. Adam shares strategies and mindset shifts to get unstuck and how simplifying and experimenting can ultimately help us make progress.Stuckness is an inevitable part of the human experience, especially for long-term goals that have a lull period in the middle. We become fixated on the end goal an

Born in 1989 Ukraine with extensive physical challenges, missing bones and parts of limbs, muscle,s and organ tissue due to in-utero radiation poisoning from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, Oksana Masters was left to fend for herself in an orphanage. The world was stacked against her, and the conditions in the three orphanages she endured were, as she described, truly brutal. But, she refused to give up.Then, at age 7, she’d find herself adopted by a single, American mom, whose own years-long journey to bring Oksana home is its own astonishing story. The simple fact that she survived is remarkable. But, she didn’t just survive, once in her home, enduring multiple additional surgeries and amputations, her indomitable spirit refused to let anyone tell her what she could or could not do. And, nearly a decade later, she’d end up stunning not just her mom, and the local community, but the entire world, becoming the United States' most decorated winter Paralympic or Olympic athlete, taking home seventeen

What if you could transform your sleep in just seven days? What if the key to unlocking your best rest lies within a simple yet powerful prescription, tailored by one of the world's leading sleep experts? What if sleep didn’t have to be something you struggle with and, instead, could become a powerful and friendly ally? Well, that’s exactly where we’re heading into today’s conversation as we open your eyes to the wonders of sleep and help you finally experience the restorative snooze time you've been craving.My guest today is Dr. Aric Prather, a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco. In his new book, The Sleep Prescription: Seven Days to Unlocking Your Best Rest, Aric shares the powerful solutions he uses to help patients at his clinic achieve healing and restorative sleep. In this conversation, you'll discover things like:How your internal clock plays a crucial role in your sleep qualityThe importance of sleep transition and the activities that can hel

These last few years have tested our boundaries on nearly every level. Work, friendship, family, community, geography, politics, religion, social issues, love, and well-being. It’s like we’re being asked to draw lines, all day, every day. Question is, how? How do you create and uphold boundaries that are clear, healthy, and constructive, while also acknowledging the nuance, kindness, and understanding this moment demands? Well, my guest today, Nedra Glover Tawwab, can help. A licensed therapist and sought-after relationship expert, she has practiced relationship therapy for 12 years and is the founder and owner of the group therapy practice, Kaleidoscope Counseling. Every day she helps people create healthy relationships by teaching them how to implement boundaries. Her philosophy is that a lack of boundaries and assertiveness underlie most relationship issues, and her gift is helping people create healthy relationships with themselves and others. Nedra is also the author of the New York Times Bestsellin

Could Your Smartphone Be Destroying Your Focus? Have our attention spans, will power, mood and productivity just become hopelessly derailed for life? Answer is, it depends. What we do about our rapidly-diminishing attention and its effect on our work, lives, health, and relationships is mission-critical. In today's world, we're constantly bombarded by digital distractions. From emails and social media notifications to the constant buzzing of our smartphones, our attention spans are dwindling to an average of 46 seconds on a screen, before our attention flitters off to something or someone else. But what if the key to regaining control over your focus lies not only in your own habits but also in the way you interact with your devices? Our guest today is Gloria Mark whose new book, Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness and Productivity reveals surprising results from her decades of research into how technology affects our attention and how we can take control, not onl

You’ve heard about it everywhere, but what does AI have to do, if anything, with living a good life? With how you live and work and play? With the choices you get to make, and the choices that might be taken from you? With the ability to do more of what you love and less of everything else? And, beyond AI, what are some of the big levers to live by? The simple bits of wisdom that actually have a giant impact on everything from work to play, love to health and beyond? These are just some of the big questions and ideas I’m exploring with none other than truly visionary thinker, Kevin Kelly. Kevin has played a pivotal role in shaping the discourse around technology and its potential impact on society for decades. His latest book, Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I'd Known Earlier is an ideal companion for anyone seeking to navigate life with grace and creativity.In today's episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of emergent technologies, with a focus on AI, and get to some both exciting a

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to have a magical way with words, effortlessly connecting with others, inspiring change, being able to share ideas in a way that seems to bypass defenses, be wildly persuasive and lead to action and impact? What IS it that lets them do it? In today's fund and surprising conversation with Jonah Berger, we delve into the fascinating world of language, persuasion, and ethics, and reveal the secrets to harnessing the power of what my guest calls “magic words” in your everyday life.Jonah is a world-renowned expert on natural language processing, change, word of mouth, influence, consumer behavior, and why things catch on. His latest book, Magic Words: What to Say to Get Your Way, provides a powerful toolkit and actionable techniques around the science of language and how you can use it to change minds, engage audiences, and drive action.In today’s conversation, we explore the incredible ways in which language can impact our lives, relationships, and influence, including:

Ever notice how, increasingly, spirituality, and especially, religion, have become these loaded terms? Let alone concepts. But, does that have to be the case? What might a new lens or approach on spirituality and faith look like? One steeped in openness, kindness, inclusivity, service, compassion and beyond? That is where we’re headed today in this deep and nuanced conversation with my guest, Rainn Wilson. Now, before you even ask, you may be wondering, “Isn’t he the three-time Emmy-nominated actor who portrayed Dwight Schrute on NBC's The Office?” And, the answer would be yes. But what you may not know is that Rainn has been traveling, examining, and deeply studying both his own Baha'i tradition, as well as nearly every other religious and spiritual tradition for more than 50 years. He is no stranger to deep, meaningful conversations. His latest book, Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution explores the harmony between personal transformation service and the future of religion and spirituality. An

Have you ever wondered what sets successful people apart, and how they stay motivated to achieve their goals? What if you could discover the secrets to maximizing your own motivation and achieving the success you desire? In today's podcast, we delve into the surprising science of motivation and accomplishment, uncovering powerful strategies to help you conquer challenges and propel yourself toward your dreams with my guest, Emily Balcetis.Emily is an Associate Professor of Psychology and the director of the New York University Social Perception Action and Motivation research lab. Described as a pioneer in the scientific investigation of behavioral science and motivation, she leads an international team of scholars, writers, artists, and advocates. Her research has uncovered previously unknown strategies that increase, sustain, and direct people's efforts to meet their goals. As a TED speaker and author of Clearer, Closer, Better: How Successful People See the World, she has become one of the most sought-after

I’m fascinated by the idea of snap decisions, how some can lead to amazing outcomes, and others can destroy lives. What you so often find is that nothing actually happens in a moment, there is no real snap, but rather a series of experiences leading up to it, often years in the making, were as much authors of the moment as the instance itself. And, sometimes, when those moments lead to something you’ll regret for a lifetime, you get to the next question - what is recoverable - redeemable - how do you make that happen, and who gets to write the story of your reclamation? This is the powerful thru line of my conversation with Shaka Senghor, New York Times bestselling author of Writing My Wrongs: Life, Death, and Redemption in an American Prison. He took another young man’s life at the age of 19, served the next two decades in prison, 7 in solitary, and through a series of awakenings, began to unwind the pieces of his life and begin the process of understanding, reassembling and eventually redemption. 

What if there was a secret pathway that could dramatically expand the level of joy, creativity, pleasure, and connection you experienced in life, no matter what was happening? Turns out, there is, and that path takes us through the land of our five senses, but in ways you never thought about or imagined. In today's captivating conversation with my dear friend, Gretchen Rubin, one of today’s most influential observers of happiness and human nature, we dive into the untapped potential of the 5 senses to dramatically enhance our lives. Gretchen reveals how engaging with our senses in novel, playful ways can bring us moments of joy, even during difficult times. You'll discover the essential role our senses play in connecting with ourselves and the world around us. We explore how tuning into these powerful tools can foster stronger relationships, increase creativity, pleasure and joy, and lead to more mindful, satisfying experiences, all based on her new book, Life in Five Senses: How Exploring the Senses Got