The Virtual Campfire's Podcast

Neuroaesthetics unlocks the science behind why beauty, art, and design move us, shaping our emotions and everyday experiences. Dr. Anjan Chatterjee, founding director of the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics, takes us through the pivotal moments that shaped his career and the birth of this groundbreaking field, from the rise of fMRI to the leap of faith that led to creating a center dedicated to aesthetics and the brain. He breaks down how people, places, and things influence our sense of joy, wonder, and meaning, and explores the role of neuroaesthetics in everything from art and architecture to healthcare and technology.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.ipurposepartners.com/podcast

If you want your team to achieve optimal performance, you need to go beyond logic and speak to their hearts. Tony Martignetti is joined by bestselling author and global speaker Mark Crowley, who talks about the invaluable impact of heart-based leadership. He explains how he explored science-based data to emphasize how leaders should take care of their team’s well-being to unlock better productivity and dynamics. Mark also discusses why it is essential to include real-life experiences when writing books and how to turn your biggest challenges into your most powerful motivations.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.ipurposepartners.com/podcast

Human connection isn’t just nice to have at work—it’s essential for thriving organizations and healthier communities. Moe Carrick, work futurist, cultural architect, and best-selling author, unpacks why fostering genuine relationships in the workplace activates talent, boosts engagement, and radiates beyond office walls. Drawing from her diverse experiences—from guiding leaders through crises to balancing career demands with personal life—Moe reveals how empathy, meaningful dialogue, and a reimagined approach to performance reviews can transform organizational culture.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.ipurposepartners.com/podcast

Uncertainty is not a barrier, but a profound catalyst for growth and self-discovery. This episode features Melanie Marshall, an accomplished speaker, coach, and filmmaker, who brings over two decades of experience reporting from war zones and natural disasters for BBC News. Melanie shares her extraordinary journey, from chasing childhood dreams of travel to navigating intense, high-stakes environments. She candidly reveals how she consistently found hope and optimism amidst chaos, developing an extraordinary resilience. Melanie offers compelling insights into recognizing inner strength and embracing unforeseen challenges as pivotal opportunities for growth. Discover how her powerful experiences have fueled her current mission: empowering individuals to not just survive, but truly thrive, even in the most uncertain of times. Her stories will inspire you to lean into your own "accidental bravery" and "deliberate optimism."Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.ipurposepartners.com/podcast

Stand out anywhere you go and let others see you by setting an unforgettable presence at all times. Corporate keynote speaker Lorraine Lee is here to share how you can do this and create a lasting impact to the people around you. Joining Tony Martignetti, she looks back on her inspiring journey from traditional journalism to corporate to explain what it takes to make yourself unforgettable through genuine interactions and authenticity. Lorraine also talks about the power of creating your very own career brand, the right way to build your network, and turning imposter syndrome to your advantage.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.ipurposepartners.com/podcast

Real change can only happen in workplaces if people speak up and intervene whenever something bad is going on. This is the core attitude embraced by Mita Mallick, best-selling author and corporate changemaker. In this conversation with Tony Martignetti, she shares how growing up with racial hate and stereotypes shaped her into a courageous and resilient woman who stands up to all forms of wrongdoings, inequality, and disrespect. Mita also talks about her journey to becoming an author who writes books about building healthier and more progressive workplaces in today’s world obsessed with toxic positivity, patriarchy, and micromanaging.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.ipurposepartners.com/podcast

What does it take to stay ambitious without burning out? In this warm and insightful conversation, Kathy Oneto—author of Sustainable Ambition and host of the podcast of the same name—joins Tony Martignetti to explore the flashpoints that shaped her journey and her philosophy. From swimming the length of a pool as a kid to working in high-powered roles in New York, Kathy shares how her curiosity, courage, and conscious risk-taking led her to redefine success on her own terms. Together, they dive into what sustainable ambition really means, how to honor different life stages, and why ambition doesn’t have to be all-consuming to be meaningful.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.ipurposepartners.com/podcast

Although making friends is not necessarily one of the top priorities in leadership, everyone within the team must be able to genuinely relate and connect with their leaders. Author and keynote speaker Rachel DeAlto joins Tony Martignetti to discuss how to lead effectively through relatability. She explains how teams work better when authenticity, common understanding, and constant learning are at the center of the entire dynamic. Rachel also shares valuable leadership and career lessons from her eye-opening journey from law, television, to thought leadership.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.ipurposepartners.com/podcast

Rich Sheridan discovered his purpose and passion in the software industry by combining his genuine desire to serve others and his expertise in technology. In this conversation with Tony Martignetti, he looks back at the story of building Menlo Innovations and how their custom software development helps solve not just people’s tech issues but their everyday challenges as well. Rich also shares valuable insights about what it takes to end the “ship it” mentality, the importance of fostering pride in the workplace, and how to change the world by changing yourself first.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.ipurposepartners.com/podcast

What if slowing down and looking carefully could transform how we lead, connect, and collaborate? In this deep and reflective episode, museum educator and Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) expert Dabney Hailey shares how structured observation and shared dialogue can spark insight across fields—from classrooms and galleries to corporate teams and healthcare settings. Drawing from her years facilitating art-based inquiry, Dabney explores how listening, uncertainty, and slowing down can deepen our understanding of each other, shift group dynamics, and make meaning in more human ways.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.ipurposepartners.com/podcast