The Zack Arnold Podcast

Eddy Roche is a serial entrepreneur and fitness instructor on a mission to make the world a fitter, healthier, and happier place. He has created not just one but two highly successful businesses - one being the largest outdoor fitness community in Los Angeles, and the other being the largest organic whole food delivery service in Los Angeles. But plot twist…despite his outward confidence, Eddie almost didn’t pursue either of these opportunities because he was overwhelmed by both judgment from his peers and also a debilitating case of imposter syndrome. (Yes, even people with 8-packs have imposter syndrome.)As Eddy previously felt - and many of us currently feel - it can be downright terrifying when making a major change in your life because we can be seen by our peers as a “beginner.” But as Eddie will discuss today, no matter how big we want to succeed, we all have to start small - which also means being willing to be perceived as small. Whether you're looking to make a major lifestyle change by getting in shape, you want to start a business, or you’re pursuing a more authentic and fulfilling career path, Eddy will inspire you to take the most important step: Just getting started.I have no doubt that Eddy’s immense amount of positivity and as he calls it, “irrational optimism” will motivate you to take the first small steps towards something much bigger in your life. By letting go of your fear and embracing your “Beginner’s Mind”, there is an entirely new world waiting for you where you can move beyond worrying about how others judge you and experience the joy of living more authentically.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn:The importance of shelving overplanning (another form of procrastinating) and just getting startedOne simple mindset you can embrace that will make fitness a regular component of your life (even if you hate it)Why you should create an enjoyable fitness lifestyle rather than rely on short term programs just to ‘get fit’Eddy’s top 3 recommendations if you are ready to start your fitness journey (whether it’s for the first or 12th time)What Eddy changed that made his current businesses so successful when his previous 10+ had failedThe one piece of advice Eddy has for his younger self that applies to anyone starting a businessWhy you should focus more on passion than ‘reinventing the wheel’How to move beyond caring what others think and start creating success in ways that are meaningful to youKEY TAKEAWAY: It’s not about how you compare (people care far less than we think), it’s about how much effort you put in towards your authentic self, passions and personal goalsKEY TAKEAWAY: It doesn’t matter what stage of life you are in, it is always possible to start over and create a new lifeUseful Resources Mentioned:How to Reverse Depression, Anxiety, and ADD at the Genetic Level | with Dr. Ben LynchUnderstanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression | with Dr. Edison de MelloDMN8Continue to Listen & LearnHow to Overcome Doubting Yourself When You Know You’re Meant For More | with Sandy Zimmerman, ANWDefining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony HortonStop Waiting For Permission to Make Sh*t Happen | with Mark GanttManaging Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan KrossHow to Reinvent Yourself at Any Age (And Become Badass) | with Scott MorganGuest Bio: Eddy Roche Eddy Roche is an entrepreneur on a mission to make the world a fitter, healthier and happier place.He created two businesses - one being the largest outdoor fitness community in Los Angeles and the other being the largest organic whole food delivery service in Los Angeles.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zackarnold/exclusive-content

Steven Sashen is the co-founder and CEO of Xero Shoes. He is a serial entrepreneur who has never had a job he didn't create, a former professional stand up comic, an award-winning screenwriter, and to top it all off…a masters All-American sprinter (in fact he is one of the fastest men over 60 in the country). If Steven’s bio hasn’t done it already, listening to our conversation for all of 5 seconds will quickly convince you as it did me that Steven is quite possibly the most interesting man in the world (not to be confused with the Dos Equis man, of course).You’d be hard pressed to find anyone with a more unique list of professional achievements than Steven, but what is even more interesting is the fact that if you were to ask him about the most important mindset required to be successful, his response would be, “There is none” because he attributes 90% of his success to luck, and the remaining 10% to luck as well (yeah, we talk a lot about “The L word”). If you’re interested in stepping beyond your fears and insecurities in an effort to better embrace the inevitable roadblocks and failures that you’ll encounter along your journey, you’ll find Stephen’s approaches to life, health, success, and business absolutely fascinating.Despite today’s conversation having a good deal to do with Steven’s current mission of upending the footwear industry and exposing “Big Shoe” for the perpetuated lie that more is always better (spoiler alrt: Minimalist footwear is the way to go), one wonderful side effect of our chat is that Steven is showing us all how we can redefine success, failure, love, and life. I can’t wait for you to listen to this interview, as I have no doubt it will provide you with the tools to move more assuredly towards your own, more authentic version of success, no matter what that looks like to you.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn:Why the minimalistic nature of Xero shoes both prevents and heals injury better than the most popular (and expensive) athletic shoesWhy we desperately need to redefine success and stop expecting more money to equal both more happiness and less problemsWhy Steven says it’s not necessary (or even a good idea) to follow your passionHow to stop letting the fear of the unknown, failure, and losing your identity get in the way of reaching your goalsThe steps you can take to advocate for yourself and gain the respect you deserve in a calm wayWhat makes Steven so fearless in the face of both success or failureUseful Resources Mentioned:Xeroshoes.comSteven Sashen IMDbThe Science Behind Depression and Anxiety | with Dr. D and Dr. Michael MarkContinue to Listen & LearnThe Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace TashjianOn the Vital Importance of "Being Nice" | with Jesse Averna, ACEStop Waiting For Permission to Make Sh*t Happen | with Mark GanttRedefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara TorresRamit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life’Guest Bio: Steven Sashen Steven Sashen is a serial entrepreneur who has never had a job, a former professional stand up comic and award-winning screenwriter, and a competitive sprinter -- one of the fastest men over 55 in the country (maybe the fastest 60+ Jew in the world!). He and his wife, Lena Phoenix, co-founded the footwear company Xero Shoes, creating "a MOVEMENT movement" which has helped hundreds of thousands of people Live Life Feet First with happy, healthy, strong feet in addictively comfortable footwear. Steven and Lena also appeared on Shark Tank, where they turned down a $400,000 offer from Kevin O'Leary.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zackarnold/exclusive-content

Peter Ramsey is a Director, Producer, and Storyboard Artist known as the first black director to direct a big budget animated film with Dreamworks’ Rise of the Guardians and the first black director to win the Academy Award in animation for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. But what is even more inspiring than Peter’s career achievements, however, is that he’s simultaneously working at the top levels of the industry while also maintaining the reputation of being “a nice guy,” proving that you can become successful BECAUSE you treat people with respect, not despite doing so.In this conversation Peter and I discuss his circuitous route from being a storyboard artist to becoming an Oscar-winning director. Despite growing up in South Central Los Angeles, Peter felt like he was a million miles from Hollywood and never even considered it a realistic career path. Yet with the proper beginner’s mindset (which he maintains to this day), a blue collar work ethic, and the uncanny ability to surround himself with mentors such as Steven Spielberg, John Singleton, Ron Howard, Robert Zemeckis, and Francis Ford Coppola, (just to name a small few), Peter was able to carve his own unique path while providing value to others along the way.No matter your creative career ambitions and the obstacles standing between you and your goals, Peter’s inspiring story and infectious optimism will motivate you to push past your own limits and design your dream career. Beyond game-changing (yet practical) advice on how to get out of your own way on your path towards success, Peter also shares outstanding advice about how we can further diversify Hollywood and allow anyone regardless of race, gender, or disability to have their voices and life experiences heard.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn:How you can stand out in the industry and get great jobs without having to know it all - or even pretend like you doHow you can build authentic relationships with top tier mentors (Steven Spielberg was just one mentor Peter worked with because of this)The number one killer of creativity…is this the source of your creative blocks?How to keep moving forward towards your dream job with optimism even if you feel like your career has been filled with more setbacks than successHow to stop letting imposter syndrome keep you from enjoying your job and advancing your career with confidence (and it’s not ‘getting rid’ of imposter syndrome…)The one step we can ALL take to better diversify the voices and creatives in Hollywood…have you done it yet?Continue to Listen & LearnOn the Vital Importance of "Being Nice" | with Jesse Averna, ACEOn the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi ArmaganianBreaking Into (and Making It) In the Industry as People of Color | with Mirra Watkins, Ariel Brown, and Isaiah CaryHow to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin RexachHow to Be So Thorough You Can’t Be Denied | with James Wilcox, ACEGuest Bio: Peter Ramsey Peter Ramsey began his career as a storyboard artist on a number of feature films such as Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Boyz n the Hood, Minority Report, and Fight Club. He entered the world of feature animation, directing Dreamworks Animation’s Rise of the Guardians in 2012 and as a co-director on Sony Pictures Animation’s Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse in 2018, which won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.Currently Peter is developing both live action and animated projects. His latest as director is the Netflix miniseries Lost Ollie.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zackarnold/exclusive-content

“You have to learn to take pride in being the first one to say no.”- LisaLisa Robison CCE, is a camera assistant turned award-winning editor best known for her work on "Loudermilk," "My Life Without Me," "The L Word" and "Firefly Lane,” and most recently she edited the Tribeca feature, "American Dreamer.” Even more impressive than her credits, however, is Lisa’s story of growth and perseverance in the face of massive adversity.While we will each have our own unique paths to success, you'd be hard-pressed to find a story more unique or inspiring than Lisa’s. While it’s certainly rare to make the transition from the camera department into post-production, what is even more amazing is that this transition was because of a near-death experience that Lisa shares candidly in today’s conversation. Not only has Lisa persevered through extremely difficult times, she has come out of each experience with a greater understanding of who she is. What really inspired me from this conversation above all else was Lisa really recognizing the true cost of being a ‘people pleaser’ and over committing to too many projects her entire career and how she can set better boundaries in her career going forwards.If you find yourself making the same mistakes over and over (particularly when it comes to burnout and overcommitting to too many projects), or if you feel as if you’ve been ‘paying your dues’ far longer than you anticipated, this conversation is for you. You’ll not only learn how to better determine your non-negotiables in order to set yourself up for more sustainable success (and less burnout), but you’ll also learn that success is never lost at the placement of your boundaries. In fact, setting boundaries is in fact where your success will most likely begin.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn:The story of Lisa’s near death experience and how that was the transitional point between her career as an aspiring Camera Operator to an EditorThe mindset it takes to push past the limiting beliefs of others and not adopt them as your ownHow to handle the identity shift that occurs after a sudden career change (whether it was planned or not)The mindset and steps it took for Lisa to make her shift into the Editor’s chair, and STAY thereA simple way you not only stand out, but advance your career on any show you are working onKEY TAKEAWAY: We all have times in our career when we are overworking simply for the sake of not letting ourselves and other people down. This is normal, but it doesn’t mean it’s the it needs to beThe deeper reason to why you might be people pleasing, even to your own detrimentWhat signals you can look out for within yourself (and others) that mean you’re headed towards burnoutWhat actually leads to burnout and outbursts, and what you can do about itKEY TAKEAWAY: If you want to prevent burnout, you have to develop the skill of saying ‘NO’ to protect your boundaries around proper workload expectationsThe importance of determining (and sticking to) your non-negotiables when it comes to your job so that you can maximize creativity and lessen the amount of time you’re ‘surviving’KEY TAKEAWAY: Harsh deadlines and extreme working hours keep happening because people keep saying, “Yes.” We have to learn the only way the industry changes, is with us sticking to our non-negotiablesThe ONE thing to ask yourself when you’re deciding whether or not you should work for free (and yes, sometimes it’s okay to work for free)Useful Resources Mentioned:The Four Tendencies’ (aka ‘The Matrix’ For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen RubinDear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.Lisarobisoneditor.comLisa Robison: IMDb@lisarobison100 • Instagram photos and videosContinue to Listen & LearnDear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel LevyHollywood On the Record: What’s REALLY Happening On Set? | with Shay’La Banks and Nickolaus BrownMaking It In Hollywood as a "Creative" (What They Don't Teach You In Film School) | with Norman HollynMichelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2)Leveraging Your Skills to Get Hired (When You Don’t Have the Experience) | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt1)How to Keep Working As An Editor (After You’ve Made the Transition From AE) | with Susan Vaill, ACEOn the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi ArmaganianChasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACEGuest Bio: Lisa Robison Lisa Robison has been in the film industry since 1987. At the start of her career, Lisa worked as a camera assistant for 7 years. “Little Women” (Winona Ryder, Christian Bale & Susan Sarandon), “Short Time” (Dabney Coleman) & “Gold Diggers” (Christina Ricci and Anna Chlumsky) are a few of the many productions she assisted on. In 1995, she changed careers and started working in Post Production. She was very fortunate to get her first editing job in 1998 and has been editing since. Fierce determination & strong work ethic as an editor has bestowed Lisa with 17 nominations and 11 awards. She is particularly proud of her work on "Firefly Lane” Seasons 1 & 2 (Netflix), “My Life Without Me”(Sony Classics), “The L Word” Seasons 1-5(Showtime), Loudermilk Season 2 & 3 (Amazon Prime),“Unspeakable” (CBC Limited Series, R.L. Stine’s "The Haunting Hour” Seasons 1-3(Discovery Family), and “Continuum" Seasons 2&3 (Syfy). Lisa is a member of IATSE 891, A.C.F.C., Canadian Cinema Editors, Vancouver Post Alliance, Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zackarnold/exclusive-content

“Sometimes the only way you’re going to cure your burnout is to get away from what is burning you out.”- Anthony KlotzAnthony Klotz is an Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior at UCL School of Management in London who has made a career of studying resignations. Anthony’s research has been published on a multitude of high-profile platforms such as The Harvard Business Review, MIT Sloan Management Review and The Wall Street Journal (just to name a few). He instantly rose to stardom early in the pandemic for having coined the now ubiquitous term “The Great Resignation” to describe the mass exodus of workers across industries from jobs & careers that no longer suit them.When it all comes down to it, the pandemic has given all of us a giant dose of perspective, and in my conversation with Anthony we dig much deeper into how this perspective shift has caused so many to reevaluate the work they do and how they spend the majority of their waking hours. If your work no longer fulfills you - or even worse if your workplace is toxic - it often feels like quitting is the only way out. But quitting is not always necessarily the best option. As Anthony states, “There’s more to quitting than just the decision to leave.”If we decide to stay despite our shift in perspective, what changes can we make to improve our current job situation? If we decide to leave, how can we do so without burning bridges along the way? Especially in the freelance “gig economy” relationships are everything. In this candid and deep conversation, Anthony provides not only answers but also specific action steps you can take to help you decide if a job is worth sticking with or not, and if it is genuinely time to move on how you can do so without destroying valuable relationships along the way.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn:What the term “The Great Resignation” really means as defined Anthony, the expert that coined itHow both employees and management can embrace post pandemic changes in the workforce and move forward differently, rather than go back to what wasn’t workingWhat specific steps Entertainment Industry leaders can take to create a work environment that balances the previous ‘normal’ with the changes required by employees todayKEY TAKEAWAY: Organizations aren’t going to offer you exactly what you need. It’s up to you to first identify how you work best, and then be upfront with the organization about the changes you require to get thereHow to know when it’s time to leave your job and you’re not just having ‘a problem’ you need to get overThe first step to take if you think it’s time to leave your job (it’s not what you think)How you can make the job you have the job you want if you suffer from ‘the grass is greener’ syndromeHow to determine if a job opportunity is right for you by doing a ‘Cost/Benefit Analysis’KEY TAKEAWAY: If you want to avoid burnout, step one is setting proper expectations for yourself and your company during the interviewThe definition of ‘Quiet Quitting’ and when that is okay to do so...from an expertKEY TAKEAWAY: Quiet Quitting is a symptom of a much larger problem that an immense amount of people are unhappy with the levels to which they are workingHow to find a healthy balance between meeting your standard job requirements and going above and beyondKEY TAKEAWAY: Certain individuals want to go above and beyond in their careers, while others simply want a ‘transactional relationship.’ There needs to be an understanding that both are ok, but they should not be compensated equallyThe specific steps to take (and not take) in order to quit your job without burning a bridgeHow much notice you should actually be giving when you resign (you might need to forget the 2 week standard)Useful Resources Mentioned:The Original Quiet Quitting PostDear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.Continue to Listen & LearnThe Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace TashjianDear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel LevyDefining Your Own Version of Success & Overcoming the Loneliness of Being a Freelancer | with Michael BaumanHow to Transition From 'Technician' to 'Entrepreneur' | Community Q&A with Misha TenenbaumRedefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara TorresPromoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACEChasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACE[Case Study] Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Better Managing Your Time, And Making the Most of This Pandemic | with Ariel Fujita, Kristi Shimek, and Maxton WallerGuest Bio: Anthony KlotzDr. Anthony C. Klotz is an organizational psychologist who, stemming from his research on resignations, predicted a major pandemic-related labor shift and coined it the "Great Resignation" in an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek in May of 2021. He explained the reasons behind his prediction in an op-ed for NBC News later that month. Since then, his theory has been supported by months of record numbers of resignations in the United States and evidence that this shift is happening globally as well. Anthony has discussed The Great Resignation with multiple media outlets including CNN, CNBC, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, BBC, The Today Show, and NPR. In addition, Anthony has discussed his insights about navigating The Great Resignation and what it means for the future of work with executive teams at numerous Fortune 100 organizations.Anthony’s primary research involves investigating the different ways that employees resign and the causes and effects of different resignation styles, studying how and why employees balance their good deeds and bad deeds at work, and exploring how contact with the natural world affects employees. Anthony’s research has been published in Academy of Management Review, Academy of Management Journal, Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Management, and Personnel Psychology. His has also written for the Harvard Business Review, MIT Sloan Management Review and The Wall Street Journal.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zackarnold/exclusive-content

“If you don’t have 1 minute to meditate, it’s time to evaluate what’s really going on.”- Cory MuscaraCory Muscara is a former monk, host of the Practicing Human podcast, and bestselling author of the book, Stop Missing Your Life. He has taught mindful leadership at Columbia University and is an instructor of Positive Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Oz named Cory as one of the nation’s leading experts in mindfulness (and rightfully so) as Cory’s meditations have been heard more than 25 million times in over 150 countries.If you’re stuck on the hamster wheel of dedicating your entire life to creative projects that inevitably lead to burnout while trying to chase a dream you are no longer even sure you want anymore, you might be surprised to learn how much cultivating mindfulness will help you build the intuition necessary to create (then follow) a path that makes more sense for you. As Cory will explain, mindfulness and meditation with the specific purpose of building your intuition (aka your “gut feelings”) is a crucial piece in the puzzle of designing your unique path, as well as more clearly understanding which opportunities to say ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to along the way.Whether you have never meditated before, you dabble here and there, or you are on your way to being an ordained monk yourself, Cory’s simple methods of connecting to your own intuition and developing the inner strength it takes to follow that intuition will undoubtedly have a positive impact on both your career, the quality of your working relationships, and your life.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn:The story of how Cory became an ordained monk…in his early 20’sHow meditation can help you handle overwhelming stress and emotionsThe difference between luck, coincidence, and the woo-woo factorKEY TAKEAWAY: Use your current inspirations to follow the work you should be doing, rather than sticking to a plan you made previously that isn’t working anymoreSimple exercises you can use to connect with your own intuition in order to better understand when to say ‘yes’ and when to say ‘no’How to tell the difference between fear that should stop you, and fear you should surrender toHow to create your own ‘guide’ that will help you connect with your intuition and find answers during difficile timesKEY TAKEAWAY: Don’t abandon logic and rational thinking (or your pros and cons list), but instead learn to use your intuition to gain further guidance after those stepsHow to build the courage to take action on your intuition (often the hardest part)How to handle negative emotions and your inner-criticThe beginning steps to take in order to gain the ability to maintain a calm presence during times of overwhelming thoughts, emotions and situationsHow to know when meditation is enough or if you also need to include the support of a therapistThe simple way to start meditating (and build the habit)How to stop thinking of meditation as just another “thing to do” if you’re a high achieverThe difference between happiness and fulfillmentUseful Resources Mentioned:corymuscara.comFacebook: Cory MuscaraInstagram: @corymuscaraTik Tok: @corymuscaraPracticing Human PodcastStop Missing Your Life: How to be Deeply Present in an Un-Present World - by Muscara, CoryHow to Rewrite Your Own Story | with Dr. Steven IsaacmanContinue to Listen & LearnManaging Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan KrossFOCUS: The Superpower of the 21st Century | with Cal NewportThe Zen-like Art of 'Getting Things Done' | with David AllenHow Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James ClearHow to Become ‘Indistractable’ | with Nir EyalRedefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara TorresPromoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACEHow Modern Society Is Damaging Your Brain (and the Simple Steps to Reverse It) | with Dr. Dave JenkinsHow to Use 'Intuitive Eating' To Change Your Relationship With Food | with Melissa CostelloDefining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony HortonGuest Bio: Cory Muscara Cory Muscara is a former monk, host of the Practicing Human podcast, and bestselling author of the book, Stop Missing Your Life. With over 500K followers across his social media channels, Cory has gained popularity for his down-to-earth, engaging, and accessible teachings on mindfulness, wellbeing, and mental health. He has taught Mindful leadership at Columbia University, is an instructor of Positive Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, and for the last ten years has offered mindfulness keynotes, workshops, and retreats around the world to companies like Bank of America, Prudential, Johnson & Johnson, Principal, Travelers, BlackRock, and more. Named by Dr. Oz as one of the nation’s leading experts in mindfulness, Cory’s meditations have been heard more than 25 million times in over 150 countries, and his goal is to share wisdom teachings in a practical and accessible way.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zackarnold/exclusive-content

If you're coming to this article unsure of whether or not you're experiencing actual burnout, I suggest starting with The 7 Red Flags That You Might Be Burned Out. If you've already read that article, then you are now familiar with The First Law of Holes:“When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.”Whether or not you're stuck at the bottom of a hole you dug for yourself or if someone helped you get there is now irrelevant. The reality is you can't get out by yourself. And furthermore if you simply accept that where you are stuck is just your new "normal," we're all inevitably headed towards believing that Severance is our only option to escape our jobs because what we're all experiencing right now is as far from normal as you can get.Below I have provided seven simple and practical steps to help you overcome burnout and slowly climb out of the hole, but before diving right into the steps I think it's important to understand what I believe to be the root cause of burnout. Without awareness of why we're all burned out in the first place, we are doomed to repeat the cycle. The Most Dangerous Word That Leads to BurnoutSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zackarnold/exclusive-content

Burnout is at epidemic proportions regardless of what you do for a living. And yes, I dare to use the word “epidemic” given we live in a frightening (almost) post-COVID reality because quite frankly, COVID has a lot to do with the fact that as many as 52% of people across a variety of different industries consider themselves burned out, and over 67% of those same people believe burnout is worse than before the pandemic.I argue, however, that the number of people currently burned out is far beyond 52% for one simple reason. As bestselling author and productivity expert Greg McKeown states:“There are two kinds of people in the world: Those who are burned out, and those who know they are burned out.”I venture to say the number of people actually experiencing burnout is much closer to 100% right now because we’re all just fucking over it.Nothing is what it used to be.All of our routines have changed.If you’re working from home, back to the office, or working ‘hybrid’, expectations are higher than ever, deadlines have somehow become even more intense, everything is more expensive (but we’re not getting paid more), and most importantly, we now possess something incredibly dangerous that will no longer allow us go back to our pre-pandemic reality: PERSPECTIVE.Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on where you stand in the “ignorance is bliss” debate), the pandemic allowed us to hit the reset button and experience - even for a brief moment - what is truly important to us (and how much of those things were missing from our lives before).Regardless of how much we’ve been enjoying our time at the dinner table, or putting our kids to bed, or being able to sleep, or not having to commute anymore (!!!), we’re all just expected to go back to “normal” (which wasn’t working at all, btw), because the megaglobocorporations around the world have decided enough is enough - it’s back to work in the office for you!*Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zackarnold/exclusive-content

“Work is just work…right?”For those uninitiated, here’s the simplest way to describe the nuanced brilliance that is the Emmy-nominated Apple+ Series Severance:Severance is Office Space meets 2001: A Space Odyssey meets…The Shining.It’s clearly a risky concept, hence why it probably took creator Dan Erickson and executive producer/director Ben Stiller years to receive a green light, but in hindsight it’s obviously a gamble that is paying off judging by the 14 Emmy nominations for its first season. If Severance continues to consistently be this engaging, riveting, and mind-bending with its original story & crisp writing, its on-point performances - and most importantly its crawl-into-your-brain-and-live-there-while-you-sleep tone - upon the series’ completion Severance will be in the same conversation as Breaking Bad. Yeah, I said it. (Bookmark it.)This, however, is where my Severance review both begins and ends. Because anyone who’s already seen the show knows how mind-blowing it is.I’m not here to write about how brilliant Severance is.I’m here to write about how terrifying Severance is.And I’m not talking about terrifying like jump scares, hallucinations, and bizarro dance sequences set to “defiant jazz.“ I’m talking terrifying like Severance belongs in the documentary category instead of psychological thriller.Many have already written about how Severance is one possible version of a dystopian workplace future.I’m here to argue that Severance is not only a dystopian portrait of our future…in many ways we’re already there.Because if we don't do something about the rampant epidemic of workplace burnout in our post-pandemic, severance is going to become our new version of "quiet quitting." First Things First…What Is ‘Severance?’» Continue Reading & ListeningSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zackarnold/exclusive-content

Matthew Farrugia is an assistant editor in Hollywood who’s recent two projects are both so high profile and high security, I can’t name them yet (Hint: They’re for Apple+ and Marvel). What’s crazy is that despite his young age (and more impressively his extremely short amount of time in the industry) Matthew went from working in a paint store to landing his dream job working for Marvel in just short of 2 years.TWO. YEARS. After becoming a student of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program, Matthew quickly learned the fundamental mistakes he was making with his cold outreach that were leading to zero success. Let’s just say once he learned how to become a networking ninja the game totally changed for him.Whether you’ve been in the industry for 2 years or 20, you’ve most likely experienced the frustrating bridge between where you are now and where you want to be next. And inevitably you won’t bridge that gap alone - you’ll either need a mentor, an advocate, or ideally both. If you’re tired of writing cold outreach emails that don’t get responses - or at least useful ones - this conversation will illuminate what it is specifically that you might be getting wrong, and more importantly how to do outreach the right way.My interview with Matthew will cover the exact cold outreach email networking steps he learned in the Optimizer program that took him from working in a paint store to, as he calls it, “working jobs he thought would be his endgame.” (pun intended Marvel fans) You’ll learn what a great outreach message should consist of, how to write a great follow up message, and you’ll also learn the key mindset shifts it takes to turn your ‘failures’ into wins and make the most out of every moment in your career.Want to Build The Dream Network That Leads to Your Dream Job?→ Click here to Learn the Way of the Networking Ninja Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:How Matthew went from working in a paint store to working for Marvel…in 2 yearsThe number one tool Matthew used to rapidly advance his careerKEY TAKEAWAY: Having a strong skill set is not enough to land you your dream job. You have to learn to properly network so that people know you (and your skill set) even exist.The number one mistake people make when they networkKEY TAKEAWAY: You want to network with people who are working the job you want to be doing nextThe Philosophy Matthew lives by that directly led to his success despite any setbacks along the wayHow ‘career anxiety’ doesn’t ever leave, but how and why it can lessen over timeWhat Matthew found out he was doing wrong when it came to networking, and what changes he made led to him landing him his dream jobExactly what you should be including in your outreach emails in order to get a response (and therefore useful guidance, mentor, or job)KEY TAKEAWAY: People WANT to help you, so the more clear, detailed, and authentic you are in your outreach emails, the more likely you are to get a responseWhat quality you should have that makes you more hireable than others (even if they have a higher skill set)What you can do at work that makes you stand out above the restKEY TAKEAWAY: If you’re not where you want to be in your career (yet), don’t be hard on yourself. Building a career takes time and patience, but with the right networking skill set IT. WILL. HAPPEN. Just don’t give up before you see the results :)Useful Resources Mentioned:Matthew’s Facebook pageMarvelContinue to Listen & LearnMaking It In Hollywood as a "Creative" (What They Don't Teach You In Film School) | with Norman HollynMichelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2)Leveraging Your Skills to Get Hired (When You Don’t Have the Experience) | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt1)The “Playbook” For Building a Successful Career in Scripted TV | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt2)On the Vital Importance of "Being Nice" | with Jesse Averna, ACEHow to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best)How to Go From Cold Contact to Your Ideal Mentor In Seven Simple StepsIMDbPro for Networking: The 10 Features That Will Take Your Outreach to a New LevelGuest Bio: Matthew Farrugia Matthew Farrugia is the son of a single mother, he has never been afraid of trying, falling down, and getting back up. To quote his grandfather; "where there is a will, there is a way." He grew to love editing from mentorship of his high school video communications teacher, Mrs. Spatt who pushed him to pursue a career in editing. After high school, Matthew went to a small film school in San Diego, where he learned the value of networking and how it can lead him to his goals. He used to go to LA to start attending meetups while living in San Diego, all of this without having a car.Once he moved to LA, it took a year of working at a paint store and constantly networking to get his foot in the door, often times the door slammed on his foot. But each one drove him to learn more, network more, and understand what it takes not just to survive but to thrive. In his first ever Post PA position on an indie feature, the assistant editor told him "If I have a choice between someone who knows Avid but is a complete d*ck and someone who doesn't know jack but is fun to be around, I am going with the second guy every time. I can teach you how to be an assistant editor. I can't teach you how not to be a d*ck" and this saying was the golden rule Matthew has lived by. He still hasn't accomplished all of his goals but for only working in the industry for 3 years, he has made incredible progress.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zackarnold/exclusive-content