The Art of Charm

chevron_right

Are You Chasing a Prize You Don’t Even Want? | Bree Groff

whatshot 35 snips

Dec 1, 2025

Guest

Bree Groff

Bree Groff, a transformation expert and author of "Today Was Fun," brings insight into navigating personal and organizational change. She discusses why people resist change and how psychological models can simplify transitions. Bree introduces the concept of micro-moves to foster momentum and emphasizes that playfulness and creativity can enhance workplace dynamics, especially in the face of AI advancements. With practical frameworks, she encourages listeners to reassess their career paths and prioritize fun, connection, and wellness at work.

01:04:47

forum

Ask episode

web_stories

AI Snips

view_agenda

Chapters

menu_book

Books

auto_awesome

Transcript

info_circle

Episode notes

insights

INSIGHT

Fun Drives Creative Competitive Advantage

Fun at work drives creativity which produces tangible value that protects jobs from automation.
Bree Groff argues creativity + fun is a competitive advantage in an AI world.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Childhood Model Of Enjoyable Work

Bree Groff grew up with parents who liked their work and remembered her mom saying, "I have the best days."
That upbringing shaped her belief that enjoyable work is possible and worth pursuing.

insights

INSIGHT

Pain Is Optional, Value Is Not

Pain is not a necessary sign of value; value creation, not suffering, earns pay.
Choose struggles that feel like a hard workout rather than feeling beaten down by work.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Bree's relationship with work and why she wrote the book

02:45 • 2min

chevron_right

Why success doesn't require pain

05:05 • 2min

chevron_right

AI changes what employers will value

07:20 • 3min

chevron_right

Shortcut thinking, retooling careers for AI

09:56 • 44sec

chevron_right

Fear, layoffs, and making work feel risky

10:40 • 1min

chevron_right

Creativity and fun as competitive advantage over AI

Fun builds connection and career durability

18:43 • 6min

chevron_right

Defending health and relationships against work's pull

24:25 • 4min

chevron_right

Overcoming addiction to busyness

28:13 • 4min

chevron_right

Values-first triage and mindful routines

31:54 • 4min

chevron_right

How leaders should declutter priorities

35:44 • 3min

chevron_right

Finding work that enlivens you

39:00 • 1min

chevron_right

Reconnecting health, rest, and performance

The costume of professionalism and its costs

45:58 • 5min

chevron_right

Ask yourself: do you want the prize you're chasing?

50:40 • 3min

chevron_right

Co-shovelers: how people make grunt work tolerable

54:00 • 5min

chevron_right

Small moves to bring fun back to work

• Mentioned in 13 episodes

Today Was Fun

Bree Groff

Bree Groff's "Today Was Fun" provides a refreshing perspective on how to reclaim joy and magic in our work lives. Drawing from her extensive consulting experience, Bree maps out seven rules designed to transform humdrum workdays into fulfilling experiences. The book challenges the notion that work must be devoid of joy, offering practical insights for creating more harmonious and human-centered workplaces. It encourages readers to bring their authentic selves to their professional lives, fostering creativity and camaraderie. Ultimately, "Today Was Fun" aims to reimagine work as a soulful pursuit to be savored rather than a sacrifice to be endured.

What if the reason change feels so hard is because you're using the wrong psychological model to navigate it? In this episode, AJ and Johnny sit down with transformation expert Bree Groff to break down the hidden mechanics of personal and organizational change. Bree reveals why people resist transitions, how to diagnose the real source of friction, and the counterintuitive moves that make change stick—whether you're shifting a habit, a relationship dynamic, or an entire team culture. You’ll learn simple, science-backed frameworks to reduce overwhelm, increase adaptability, and guide yourself (and others) through uncertainty with clarity and confidence.

[00:00:00] Why change feels emotionally threatening—not just logically difficult
[00:01:12] The 3-part model Bree uses to diagnose any transition
[00:03:05] How to spot the “real” resistance hidden beneath stated objections
[00:04:47] Why people cling to the familiar—even when it no longer works
[00:06:10] The psychology of endings and why they matter more than beginnings
[00:07:52] The power of micro-moves when big change feels impossible
[00:09:18] How to create momentum using Bree’s “change curve”
[00:10:41] What leaders get wrong when guiding people through transitions
[00:12:33] How to make change feel safe instead of overwhelming
[00:14:02] Bree’s practical steps to build a resilient, adaptable identity

A Word From Our Sponsors

Stop being over looked and unlock your X-Factor today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠unlockyourxfactor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The very qualities that make you exceptional in your field are working against you socially. Visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠artofcharm.com/intel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for a social intelligence assessment and discover exactly what's holding you back.

If you’ve put off organizing your finances, Monarch is for you. Use code CHARM at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monarch.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in your browser for half off your first year.

Indulge in affordable luxury with Quince. Upgrade your wardrobe today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/charm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and hassle-free returns.

Grow your way - with Headway! Get started at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠makeheadway.com/CHARM ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and use my code CHARM for 25% off.

Ready to turn your business idea into reality? Sign up for your $1/month trial at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠shopify.com/charm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Need to hire top talent—fast? Claim your $75 Sponsored Job Credit now at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Indeed.com/charm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

This year, skip breaking a sweat AND breaking the bank. Get your summer savings and shop premium wireless plans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/charm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Save more than fifty percent on term life insurance at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SELECTQUOTE.COM/CHARM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TODAY to get started

Curious about your influence level?

Get your Influence Index Score today!

Take this 60-second quiz to find out how your influence stacks up against top performers at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theartofcharm.com/influence⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Episode resources:

BreeGroff.com

Today Was Fun