What if facing mortality could unlock the secret to living fully? My guest Alua Arthur, a death doula and author of Briefly Perfectly Human: Making an Authentic Life by Getting Real About the End, knows firsthand how confronting death can transform how we live. In this thought-provoking episode, we dive into taboo topics like grief, loss, and our cultural avoidance of mortality. Alua shares insights from her deeply personal journey of embracing end-of-life experiences, leading to more...

Are you ready to break free from codependent patterns and create authentic connection? Mark Groves and Kylie McBeath share transformative insights from their new book, Liberated Love: Release Codependent Patterns and Create the Love You Desire on how to heal attachment wounds, set boundaries, and communicate openly to find freedom in your relationships. Learn why we conform to societal expectations, how to tap into your body's wisdom, and steps for becoming interdependent without losing...

Struggling to focus and finish what matters most? Learn how to build momentum and transform your identity from idea generator to accomplished doer on this episode with Charlie Gilkey, author of Start Finishing: How to Go From Idea to Done. Discover why we fail to be productive, then rewire your brain, schedule, and actions to see beyond distractions. Implement "focus blocks" during peak energy times. Make conscious choices to displace low-value activities. Finish a small number of important...

What does it take to leave behind the safety of a corporate career to wholeheartedly pursue your creative passions? In this inspiring conversation, poet Joy Sullivan pulls back the curtain on her journey from accomplished marketing professional to full-time artist and author of the new poetry collection Instructions for Traveling West. She busts myths that you have to starve, suffer, or lose it all to follow your dreams, revealing how she built her portfolio career through courage,...

Beloved author Anne Lamott joins us to share profound wisdom and insights from her seven decades of living, loving, and learning. In her latest book Somehow: Thoughts on Love, she compiles a lifetime of lessons on compassion, community, and the inner life to help us endure life's turbulence. Anne reflects on the power of vulnerability, finding your true self, and becoming an unlikely elder. She explores unforgettable metaphors like doors, hinges, and minus tides. With her trademark wit and...

What if leaning into grief could lead to profound personal growth? My guest Claire Bidwell Smith, therapist and author of Conscious Grieving: A Transformative Approach to Healing from Loss, shares how engaging with your pain fully can uncover meaning and purpose. We discuss the gift hidden within life’s losses, how to healthily process complicated grief, the importance of rituals and community, continuing bonds with the deceased, and more. Claire explains how grief transformed her life after...

Jen Sincero went from being broke and depressed to a #1 New York Times bestselling author with You Are a Badass and You Are a Badass at Making Money. Vivian Tu escaped Wall Street to build a viral online finance empire and now author of the new book, Rich AF: The Winning Money Mindset That Will Change Your Life. These two powerhouse women share their incredible journeys and hard-won wisdom on how ordinary people can achieve extraordinary success. Jen and Vivian get vulnerable about...

Can generosity go viral? TED curator Chris Anderson believes it can in our hyperconnected world. In his new book Infectious Generosity: The Ultimate Idea Worth Spreading, Chris explores how small acts of kindness can ripple out in surprising ways. Learn how to tap into the asymmetric power of generosity, fight online negativity with delight, and share stories that light up human emotions. Chris and host Jonathan Fields discuss how practicing courage, creativity and authenticity can help...

Are you struggling to keep up in a world of dizzying change? My guest Morgan Housel offers a surprising solution: focus on timeless truths. In his book Same As Ever: A Guide to What Never Changes, Morgan reveals how embracing enduring aspects of human nature can be our guide. We discuss how masterful storytelling moves hearts more than facts, how to balance uncertainty with possibility, and why there’s no formula for “the good life” except the one you design yourself. Join us for a...

Feeling overwhelmed and defeated by stress? It doesn’t have to be that way. In this episode, UCLA psychologist and author of Stress Resets: How to Soothe Your Body and Mind in Minutes, Dr. Jenny Taitz shares how reframing your mindset transforms your relationship with stress and anxiety. Discover science-backed techniques to shift thought patterns, regulate emotions, and tap into inner resilience—allowing you to thrive while pursuing a meaningful life, not just survive. Whether it’s parent...

Neuroscientist and addiction expert Dr. Judson Brewer unveils a practical, evidence-based approach to transforming your relationship with anxiety. Learn how to "unwind" worry and fear by understanding the habit loop of anxiety, applying mindfulness tools, and accessing your brain's innate wisdom. Discover why anxiety persists and how retraining your brain can create more ease and joy, drawing from Jud's research and bestselling book, Unwinding Anxiety: New Science Shows How to Break the...

What fuels your biggest dreams? How do you set goals that light you up instead of burn you out? New York Times bestselling author Jon Acuff reveals how to ditch external pressures and re-center your goals around joy. Jon explains why starting with a "fun goal" builds confidence for bigger dreams, and how to stay motivated by tapping into creative flow states. Learn how to define success on your own terms through Jon's unique 3-step methodology from his new book All It Takes Is A Goal: The...

Ageism distorts how we view aging and harms us at every stage of life. My guest today, Ashton Applewhite, author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism, reveals where these stereotypes come from and how they seep into our minds. She explains powerful ways we can identify and challenge ageism in ourselves, our communities, and society. Ashton shares eye-opening facts that counteract myths about decline, along with steps to build a more age-inclusive world. If getting older fills you...

After an on-air panic attack, ABC anchor Dan Harris, author of the 10-year anniversary edition of "10% Happier,"  embarked on a quest to understand his lifelong anxiety. If you've ever experienced self-doubt, imposter syndrome, or a fear of coming undone, don't miss this uplifting conversation with Dan Harris on living more fully and freely. Harris traces generational roots back to a suicidal great-grandfather, realizing he could either be crushed by these demons or befriend them. This crisis...

What if being more mindful could lead to better health, happiness and fulfillment? Pioneering psychologist Ellen Langer reveals how on this week's episode. Known as the "mother of mindfulness," Ellen shares insights from over 45 years of research showing how our thoughts directly impact our physical and mental well-being. Learn simple yet profound tips to become more present, question assumptions and unlock healthier living. Ellen explains how mindfulness is about engaging actively with the...

Can memory improvement unlock a better life? Neuroscientist Charan Ranganath reveals how memory intertwines with happiness, relationships, creativity, and meaning. In his new book Why We Remember: Unlocking Memory's Power to Hold on to What Matters, Charan shares research on how memories form, the role of sleep, aging's effects, and practical ways to remember what matters. Learn how to harness your brain’s memory systems for personal growth and fulfillment. Discover techniques to preserve...

What if you could communicate effortlessly with anyone, instantly establishing trust and connection? According to Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Charles Duhigg, author of the new book Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection, the most compelling communicators don't possess any magical talents. They've simply mastered the hidden rules that govern how we connect through conversation. Learn techniques to identify the 3 types of exchanges occurring simultaneously in...

Want to cut cravings, boost energy, and take control of your health? Biochemist and bestselling author Jessie Inchauspé shares surprising hacks to steady your blood sugar in this fascinating conversation. Learn how timing sweets, pairing carbs with fat/protein, and starting your day without sugar can work wonders. Jessie busts myths around whole grains and fruit while translating complex science into simple, sustainable habits. Discover how to eat the foods you love in a healthier way from...

What if mattering could be the key to living your best life? Psychologist Dr. Isaac Prilleltensky joins us to unpack the profound human need for mattering. Isaac explains the two components of mattering—feeling valued and adding value. Discover how cultivating mattering through fairness, purpose, and small generous acts can transform health, happiness, work, and relationships. Learn why extremism rises when mattering is lacking, and how finding meaning by contributing to something bigger...

What if your closest friendships were just as significant as your marriage? My fascinating guest Rhaina Cohen, author of The Other Significant Others: Reimagining Life with Friendship at the Center, reveals compelling research on how profound platonic bonds can provide the same fulfillment and devotion as romantic ones. Tune in to hear Rhaina's eye-opening stories that reimagine social connection. We explore how to nurture deeper intimacy in friendships and move beyond limiting cultural...

After following in her activist parents' footsteps, Blair Imani reached her breaking point organizing protests in college. She shares how rediscovering spirituality helped her let go of toxic expectations and heal. Blair realized education was a more sustainable way for her to impact change as a historian and creator of the popular Smarter In Seconds educational video series. She discusses learning self-care, listening to your values when making decisions, and embracing practices like yoga...

Do you ever feel like you barely slept even after a full night in bed? You're not alone. Sleep expert Dr. Christopher Winter reveals the truth about the perception gap between how we think we're sleeping and reality. Discover science-backed techniques to get better rest, change your mindset around sleep, and stop obsessing over routines. Dr. Winter shares insights from his book The Sleep Solution and busts myths around optimal sleep needs. Learn how to ditch the anxiety around sleep and...

Sex educator Emily Nagoski reveals how to sustain passionate intimacy over the long haul with research from her groundbreaking new book, Come Together: The Science (and Art!) of Creating Lasting Sexual Connections. She explains why pleasure trumps desire, how stress impacts connection, and the importance of open communication about desires. Emily offers practical steps to invite more pleasure into relationships as bodies change, and rejects cultural grind in favor of ease. Her insights on...

This January Jumpstart episode explores how we can rediscover our deepest sense of belonging within. Zen priest Rev. angel Kyodo williams and spiritual leader Melissa Carter share how embracing all of ourselves allows us to fully inhabit our humanity. By returning to our inner wholeness through mindfulness, we can move through the world from a place of truth, connect authentically with others, and transform society. Episode Transcript You can find Rev. angel Kyodo williams at: Instagram |...