The Zack Arnold Podcast

For a long time now I’ve wanted to sit down and do an interview with my mother to ask her the big questions about life that we seldom (if ever) really discuss. So for this Mother’s Day, I decided it was time to prioritize this conversation, even if it meant having to suffer through the perils of recording on Zoom as opposed to chatting face-to-face.This episode is a very special and personal one that I recorded for me, not for social media shares, not for search engine optimization, and not to grow an email list. This one is for me. But my hope is that listening to today’s conversation inspires you to reach out to your parents (if you’re fortunate enough they are still alive), or your siblings, or those who helped shape the person you are today so you can have an honest conversation just like this one.This is the second of a 2 part interview where I’ve created a series of 20 specific questions I’m calling “20 Questions to Ask Your Mom On Mother’s Day” (which can of course be repurposed to suit your needs). These questions were inspired by a similar exercise from high performance coach Brendon Burchard in this Facebook post. Here is Part 1 of the interview if you haven't listened to it yet.If you’d like to use the same 10 questions I asked in the first part of this interview, here they are:YOUR FAMILYHow did you meet your spouse, when, and how did you know they were the one?Were you scared to become a parent?What is your proudest memory of being a parent?What three words would best describe your approach to being a parent?In regards to both their careers and life choices, what is the most important thing my children should focus on?YOUR LIFEWhat three words would you say best describe who you tried to be in life and how you want to be remembered?What were the three best decisions you’ve ever made?What are you most proud of in life?What message do you have for your spouse that you want her/him to always keep in mind about you and your relationship together?What are you most thankful for?Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeContinue to Listen & LearnEp150: 20 Questions to Ask Your Mom on Mother’s Day Pt1 | with Jane ArnoldEp108: 20 Questions to Ask Your Father on Father’s Day Pt1 | with Al ArnoldEp109: 20 Questions to Ask Your Father on Father’s Day Pt2 | with Al ArnoldParenting Resources for Creative ProfessionalsOur Generous Sponsors:Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet EvercastAs work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME.→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you.Guest Bio: From 1995 to 2015, Jane Arnold was a part-time instructor at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, Viterbo University, Wisconsin Bankers Association, Northcentral Technical College and Connected University Harper Collins Publishing. She was also a Macintosh expert at Wisconsin Public Radio.She graduated from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in 1971 and finished her masters in 1976. She was the founder and president of Wisconsin Council for Gifted and Talented from 1975-1978 and was also involved in various gifted programs until 1982. She was also a part of the Project HAPPE from 1974-1978.Aside from her career in education, Jane was also the Vice President of Bank One Wisconsin Trust Company. She was also active in the community, being involved in organizations such as the YWCA GREATER Milwaukee, Girl Scouts of Greater Milwaukee, University Lake School and Waukesha County Technical College.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/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

For a long time now I’ve wanted to sit down and do an interview with my mother to ask her the big questions about life that we seldom (if ever) really discuss. So for this Mother’s Day, I decided it was time to prioritize this conversation, even if it meant having to suffer through the perils of recording on Zoom as opposed to chatting face-to-face.This episode is a very special and personal one that I recorded for me, not for social media shares, not for search engine optimization, and not to grow an email list. This one is for me. But my hope is that listening to today’s conversation inspires you to reach out to your parents (if you’re fortunate enough they are still alive), or your siblings, or those who helped shape the person you are today so you can have an honest conversation just like this one.This is the first of a 2 part interview where I’ve created a series of 20 specific questions I’m calling “20 Questions to Ask Your Mom On Mother’s Day” (which can of course be repurposed to suit your needs). These questions were inspired by a similar exercise from high performance coach Brendon Burchard in this Facebook post.If you’d like to use the same 10 questions I asked in the first part of this interview, here they are:YOUR BACKGROUNDWhen were you born, where, and what memories come to mind when you think about growing up as a young child?What are the most formative memories or experiences you had as a child or teenager that led you to the person you have become today?What is the most important lesson you learned from your mom?What is the most important lesson you learned from your dad?If your parents were still alive today and could talk to my kids (their great-grandchildren), what would they want to share with them?YOUR CAREERWhat path did you begin on in life when you first became an adult and why?What career path (or paths) have you followed since then and why?What do (did) you love the most about your career?What makes you successful at what you do?What do you believe about yourself that has helped you endure difficult times, and what is the most difficult experience you remember teaching you this lesson?Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeContinue to Listen & LearnEp108: 20 Questions to Ask Your Father on Father’s Day Pt1 | with Al ArnoldEp109: 20 Questions to Ask Your Father on Father’s Day Pt2 | with Al ArnoldParenting Resources for Creative ProfessionalsOur Generous Sponsors:Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet EvercastAs work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME.→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you.Guest Bio: From 1995 to 2015, Jane Arnold was a part-time instructor at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, Viterbo University, Wisconsin Bankers Association, Northcentral Technical College and Connected University Harper Collins Publishing. She was also a Macintosh expert at Wisconsin Public Radio.She graduated from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in 1971 and finished her masters in 1976. She was the founder and president of Wisconsin Council for Gifted and Talented from 1975-1978 and was also involved in various gifted programs until 1982. She was also a part of the Project HAPPE from 1974-1978.Aside from her career in education, Jane was also the Vice President of Bank One Wisconsin Trust Company. She was also active in the community, being involved in organizations such as the YWCA GREATER Milwaukee, Girl Scouts of Greater Milwaukee, University Lake School and Waukesha County Technical College.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/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

If I were to ask you what your greatest asset is in producing quality creative work on a consistent daily basis, you would most likely say your computer, right? Despite technology being incredibly important for your work, ultimately it’s your brain that is responsible for every function you perform and how well you perform creatively depends on the overall health of your brain.Yet as a creative professional you most likely fuel yourself on a daily basis with caffeine and afternoon sugar rushes, you fend off brain fog and the inevitable afternoon nap, and you’ll deprive yourself of sleep for however long it takes to make your latest project perfect.But how is your modern lifestyle not only affecting your general health but also your brain health? And how much do you know about what your brain needs to function optimally? What if there were simple steps you could take to improve your brain function so that you have more consistent energy and more creativity throughout the day? What if there were easy ways to improve your mood, reduce stress, anxiety, burnout and even stave off degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's in the process?My guest today is Dr. Dave Jenkins, co-founder of The More Model. With experience in both the traditional medical fields as well as functional and integrative medicine, Dr. Jenkins specializes specifically in brain health and how we can optimize our brain function and fight back against the “diseases of modern civilization.” He shares with us some encouraging research being done in the field of brain health and cognitive performance and how you can take a proactive role in optimizing your brain power. This conversation will make it clear why paying attention to your brain health is vitally important to your career while giving you simple and practical ways to increase your creativity, productivity, and give you consistent energy to fuel your long days at your workstation (all while extending your life as well).Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:What sparked Dr. Jenkins interest in studying the brain and getting into functional and integrative medicine.The difference between integrative medicine and functional medicine.Alopathic medicine does not adequately train doctor's in diet and nutritionThe reputation of the Cleveland Clinic and how it's at the forefront of functional medicine.What is the MORE ModelAlzheimer's is the result of modern life.The research from UCLA doctor Dr. Dale Bredeson that explains why brain cells die and documents the reversal of Alzheimer's in it's early stages.Managing inflammation, coupled with mindfulness meditation and focus is a good recipe for improving brain health.Changing the priority of health is the first step to be take before a doctor canThe discovery of the glymphatic system and how it relates to your sleepHow bad sleep leads to brain fog and why.Melatonin is a hormone and what you need to understand before taking it.Bumping up nutrient density in your diet is excellent for brain healthThe special way to eat your broccoli sprouts to extract the most beneficial detox and brain boosting effects.The contributing factors that lead to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's that starts early in life and can be reversed if caught early.White bread is worse than sugar for the brain.The evidence that shows why movement is so crucial for brain health and longevity.The hippocampus is the first pat of the brain that is affected by Alzheimer's. You can grow this part of the brain with exercise.How you can get started creating habits that will improve your brain health. Useful Resources Mentioned:Dr. Dave Jenkin's WebsiteDr. Dale Bredesen says we CAN end Alzheimer's | The Dr. Gundry PodcastThe Food Pyramid: Its History, Purpose, and EffectivenessSitting is the New Smoking | Mayo Clinic ConnectEp30: How Regular Movement Makes You Smarter | with Dr. John RateyEp23: How Being Sedentary Is Damaging You (According to NASA) | with Dr. Joan VernikosContinue to Listen & LearnEp84: How to Use 'Intuitive Eating' To Change Your Relationship With Food | with Melissa CostelloEp136: Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACETired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On TrackEp118: Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ YearsEp55: How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James ClearEp132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-ShaharEp98: P90X Creator Tony Horton on Covid-19, Staying Healthy During Quarantine, Boosting Immunity, & MoreEp120: It’s Never Too Late to Get Stronger (and Become a Ninja) | with Ginny MacColl, ANWEp121: Breaking Down Impossible Obstacles to Make (Almost) Anything Achievable | with Jessie Graff, ANWEp06: Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony HortonEp68: How to Go From Couch to the (Spartan) Course | with Rose Wetzel, ANWEp60: Getting 1% Better Every Single Day | with Westley Silvestri, ANWOur Generous Sponsors:Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet EvercastAs work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME.→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you.Guest Bio: Dr. Dave Jenkins qualified from Otago University Medical School in New Zealand in 1982. His career included general practice when he had one of the largest rural practices in New Zealand. He is the founder of “The More Model” that helps clients reverse disease and achieve ultimate health and longevity. This includes a special interest in brain fog, cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s.He has already retired as a doctor (which means he is not currently practicing as nor registered as a doctor) to pursue education through senior lectureships at Auckland medical school, executive director for education for an Asian corporate health project and founding NGO SurfAid International where he currently works part time.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/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

In this episode, I give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, community member Joshua Brecht is trying to improve his health and fitness and establish the habit of working out consistently so he can be a more present and energetic father as well as have the energy necessary to keep building his business. Despite his good intentions, he’s having trouble finding motivation on a daily basis. Listen in as I help guide Joshua to some simple yet effective solutions to this very common problem we can all relate to. Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you! → Click here to let us know what you think of this format Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session? → Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship programSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

When editor Jim Page recently tweeted about getting fired for requesting a single mental health day, it caught a lot of people's attention. Depression, long work hours, and burnout are all too common in the entertainment industry. The gig economy and being a freelancer instills fear and insecurity in creative professionals leaving us feeling undervalued and pressured to outperform and outlast.Thread. Please RT.I'm scared to say this publically, but I feel I need to. Recently I was fired from a show on a major TV channel because I needed a day off for mental health reasons. I made the mistake of being honest, instead of pretending to have a physical sickness.— Jimstagram (@iamjimpage) March 17, 2021My own experience with burnout is what led me to start the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program so I could start to teach people to take positive steps towards healthier lifestyles and improved working conditions. After seeing Jim's tweet, I knew I had to have him on the show to talk about this important topic.Jim Page has been editing for 15 years in the UK cutting features, shorts, documentaries, and many other types of media. His work includes the feature "The Pugilist" which was nominated for the Michael Powell Award at the Edinburgh Film Festival, while short film "No More Wings" won best film at Tribeca, and "Hair Cut" was long listed for a BAFTA. Like many creatives, Jim is passionate about his work and takes pride in what he does. But the burden of the "The Passion Tax" often becomes too much to bear without sacrificing physical and mental well-being. Jim and I discuss ways in which creatives can take action on their own behalf and embrace the power of saying no.If you have ever felt like the long hours aren't worth the toll on your happiness and health, then this episode will inspire you to take control of your career and bring your life back into balance, not to mention helping you learn how to set boundaries or yourself, even if those boundaries might cost you a gig.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:Why Jim calls himself an Award Losing EditorThe Twitter post that went viral and got my attention.Jim's history of mental health problems since he was 14 years old.The division between above the line and below the line workers makes change for mental health issues impossible.Jim’s struggle with depression and how he got started in editing.The fear that comes from being a freelancer knowing you can easily be replaced.How to take responsibility of your own mental health.What happened when Jim learned to say no to jobs he didn’t feel passionate about.KEY TAKEAWAY: There’s no shame in saying no to a paycheck job but saying yes out of fear often leads to burnout and unhappiness.The lifestyle changes that Jim has made to improve his mental health.Ways that you can set yourself up for success in your career while balancing your mental health and lifestyle.How to clearly communicate your needs to potential employers so that expectations are set properly from the beginning.What's next for Jim. Useful Resources Mentioned:Jim's Twitter Post About Getting FiredI Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It.Ep141: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1Ep142: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2)Jim's Facebook PageJim's Instagram PageContinue to Listen & LearnEp113: The 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.Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel LevyEp136: Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACETired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On TrackHow Total Burnout Led to the Most Productive Year of My LifeHow to Overcome Post-Production BurnoutA Classic Case of Post-Production BurnoutStruggling to “Do” It All? Try “Being” First. (Three Strategies to Reclaim Your Time and Sanity When Working From Home)[CASE STUDY] Why I Said No to a Job (A Great One)…During a PandemicOur Generous Sponsors:Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet EvercastAs work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME.→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you.Guest Bio: Named a Berlinale Talent in 2021, and a BAFTA Crew Talent for 7 years running, Jim Page has 15 years of experience cutting features, shorts, documentaries. His work includes feature "The Pugilist" which was nominated for the Michael Powell Award at the Edinburgh Film Festival, whilst short "No More Wings" won best film at Tribeca, and"Hair Cut" was longlisted for a BAFTA. His work has drawn praise from David Fincher, Mark Romanek and David Yates amongst others. In addition to his cinematic work, he is also a respected editor of documentaries.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/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

In this episode, I give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, community member David Feinberg has had some huge wins and achieved some long-standing goals that he set when he began the Optimizer program over a year ago. Now he’s come up against the obvious question: What’s next? Does he use his momentum to keep striving towards even bigger and better goals, or does he take some time to adapt and enjoy the accomplishments he’s achieved? There’s no right answer to this question as it’s unique to each individual’s journey, but listen in to learn the questions that David must ask himself to determine the right next steps for him. Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you! → Click here to let us know what you think of this format Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session? → Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship programSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

You would think that being nominated for an Eddie Award for your first feature documentary credit would be a dream right? For David J. Turner, the editor of Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound it absolutely was...but making it the finish line of a grueling project that took years to complete came at a pretty steep price, not the least of which was ending up in the emergency room just weeks before picture lock.Which begs the question...what price are you ultimately willing to pay to hold whatever your version of a gold statue is?And more importantly, do you have to make that choice at all, or is there a better way to pursue your professional goals while maintaining some semblance of work-life balance?As a filmmaker and storyteller who wears multiple hats beyond editing such as composing, cinematic sound editing, sound design, and documentary filmmaking and shooting, David found himself under an immense amount of self-induced pressure to deliver on his very first big project. When he found my article, Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working he felt relieved that many others out there were feeling like he was - burned out, exhausted, and fed up with having to make the choice between health and success. At this point he was questioning whether he still wanted to be in the business at all anymore. Desperate to find a better way David decided to join my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program.In today’s candid discussion David I talk about the steps he took to slowly rebuild his health one “easy win” at a time, and then we dive into the deeper limiting beliefs that were holding David back from pursuing his next big project (not the least of which were perfectionism and imposter syndrome). And then we talk about the seismic mindset shift that David made that allowed him to go from thinking he wasn’t in a place to pursue difficult projects to literally applying for the opportunity to travel to the moon (no really...literally applying to fly to the moon). Learn how you too can apply the simple steps that David did to start building habits & routines that will set you up for success in both work and life.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:How David landed his dream gig on Making Waves.David's self-induced pressure on the job led to unhealthy work habits.Suffering from burnout, he came to me asking the question, "Do I really want to do this job anymore?"The story of how he ended up in the hospital at the end of the project with typhus.The paradox of unshakable focus: Is it a superpower or kryptonite?Managing the costs of trying to sprint a marathon.The first easy win that David tackled to recover from months of burnout.KEY TAKEAWAY: Small steps lead to big changes.How David has dealt with losing momentum on healthy habits and getting back on track.The lifestyle habits that boosted David's career and creativity.How a paint can project became a metaphor for David's perfectionism and limiting beliefs.Discovering the deeper psychological reasons that were getting David stuck.KNOWING YOURSELF BETTER QUESTION → What would you pursue if you could get rid of all expectations?David's skepticism about creating an ideal calendar turned into finding his own way to make time blocking work for him.How Trello became the one stop organizer for all David's to-do lists and tasks.Why it's necessary to go through Focus Yourself before pursuing networking.The confidence that David gained during the Optimizer program led to him reaching for the moon, LITERALLY.How shooting for the moon has shifted his perspective and made him excited to live his life again.David's advice to others who might be where he was before he started the program. Useful Resources Mentioned:Ep118: Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ YearsDear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t WorkingEp35: FOCUS: The Superpower of the 21st Century | with Cal NewportEp04: The Zen-like Art of 'Getting Things Done' | with David AllenJapanese billionaire seeks eight people to fly to Moon - BBC NewsContinue to Listen & LearnEp55: How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James ClearEp132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-ShaharEp75: The Four Tendencies’ (aka ‘The Matrix’ For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen RubinEp64: [CASE STUDY] Overcoming Burnout and Imposter Syndrome | with Chryss TerryEp47: The Ugly Side of Depression, Burnout, and Imposter Syndrome | with Gen MaloneEp117: Carol Littleton, ACE on The Secret to Surviving 40+ Years Working In HollywoodEp03: The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You’re Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric BarkerEp142: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2)I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It.Ep113: The 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.Our Generous Sponsors:Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet EvercastAs work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME.→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you.Guest Bio: David J. Turner is an ACE Eddie-nominated film editor, a Cinema Audio Society-winning sound mixer, and a 23 Telly Award-winning documentary director. From 2004 to 2008, he traveled around the world as a videographer based out of Minneapolis, MN - helping raise over $3 million for crisis response domestically and internationally, and garnering 23 Telly Awards for his documentaries. He went on to earn an MFA in Film & Television Production from the USC School of Cinematic Arts in 2011, and discovered a passion for film editing and sound design that led him to teach sound re-recording mixing at the USC School of Cinematic Arts and picture editing at the Los Angeles Film Studies Center. In 2013, he worked as a sound editor and Foley mixer on Fruitvale Station - the directorial debut of Black Panther director Ryan Coogler. He then embarked on a years-long journey as a film editor and production sound mixer on the documentary Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound. The film premiered in 2019 at the Cannes Film Festival, and David was nominated for an ACE Eddie award and won a Cinema Audio Society award for his sound mixing work. Currently, David is pursuing his lifelong passion for music composition, which he is building into a second career alongside his filmmaking.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/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

In this episode, I give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, community member Marcella Garcia is hoping to make some action plans for the obstacles she’s encountering with her goal of becoming a scripted television editor. Many of her obstacles are limiting beliefs that many of us encounter when making a career transition such as believing no one will hire us without experience even though we already have the necessary skills. Listen in as we uncover how Marcella can reframe her doubts and insecurities and leverage the skills she already has to build her confidence so she can convince the right people she’s the best fit for the job. Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you! → Click here to let us know what you think of this format Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session? → Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship programSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

When filmmaker Paul Del Vecchio reached out to me six months ago, he had a successful career as a high-end commercial editor, director of photography, and colorist. He had climbed to the top of the ladder in his corner of the world - the trouble was that he was at the top of the wrong ladder and didn’t want to be there anymore. How did he end up there like so many others do? Simple - Paul said yes to practically every opportunity that came his way his entire career, an answer driven largely out of fear. He found that every time he tried to pursue his true calling of writing and directing, he had nothing left to give his own projects because he gave all his mental, physical, and creative energy to other people’s projects. In fact, Paul struggled so much to get into the rhythm of writing again that he convinced himself he had run out of ideas.Here’s a Slack message that Paul sent me recently after working through his many fears and obstacles in my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program:Not bad for a guy who was burned out and “out of ideas.”So how did Paul become an absolute productivity ninja? We talk all about the strategies he implemented in todays episode including:Alleviating his financial fears of not being able to afford saying no to the wrong jobs (which was total BS he was making up in his head)Implementing a system of external accountability and financial management to have confidence he could turn down the wrong projects and focus on the right onesBuilding in new daily habits to help reignite his creativity that would inspire him to go back to writing again (a habit he had all but given up on).Paul’s ideas are now abundant and he's no longer "busy" doing everyone else's work, but rather he's productive and focused on his own work. Paul is here today to candidly and honestly share his story and tell you in his own words the steps he took to turn his career around and rediscover his own creative flow so if you’re stuck in a similar place you too can get back on track.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:How Paul's obliger tendency led to him climbing to the top of the wrong ladder.The key mindsets Paul implemented to begin making changes in his life.The film contest that Paul won but didn't bring the opportunities he hoped for.How Paul began to create his own opportunities.Paul’s reaction to his own words played back to him about how stuck he was 6 months ago.Paul admits to skepticism in the beginning of the program but decided to trust the process and see what happens.KEY TAKEAWAY:  The smallest of steps lead to big changes.How Paul uses accountability to keep himself writing and working towards his goals.The finance system that allowed him to let go of his fear and feel confident about saying no to jobs he didn't want to do.KEY TAKEAWAY: Saying yes to something means saying no to many other things such as time, freedom and creativity.Paul was terrified of beginning the outreach process in the Advanced Networking program.Paul shares the secret to not feeling like you are bothering people when you reach out to them.Paul describes his experience of writing, sending, and getting a response to his first outreach email.KEY TAKEAWAY:  Make your outreach emails easy to respond to by asking if you can ask a question.What Paul learned from a connecting with a director via cold outreach.Why asking for advice is not the best way to get the most valuable information from people.Paul reflects on the changes and progress he's made over the last 6 months of being in the Optimizer community.Paul's advice for anyone wanting to make a change in their life. Useful Resources Mentioned:Myspace - WikipediaTrelloEp75: The Four Tendencies' (aka 'The Matrix' For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen RubinContinue to Listen & LearnEp144: Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara TorresEp55: How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James ClearEp132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-ShaharEp105: Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life’Ep86: How to Become ‘Indistractable’ | with Nir Eyal[CASE STUDY] Why I Said No to a Job (A Great One)…During a PandemicEp119: [Case Study] Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Better Managing Your Time, And Making the Most of This Pandemic | with Ariel Fujita, Kristi Shimek, and Maxton WallerWant a Response to Your Cold Emails? Then Every Message MUST Do These 5 Things (optimizeyourself.me)The 5 Most Common Mistakes You're Making With Your Cold Emails (and How to Fix Them) (optimizeyourself.me)How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best)Our Generous Sponsors:Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet EvercastAs work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME.→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you.Guest Bio: Paul Del Vecchio is a Promo & Commercial Editor, Colorist, and DP in NYC who has done work for companies like NBCUniversal, Nickelodeon, USA Networks, TNT, Conde Nast, and Viacom on brands such as Furious 7, The Hunger Games, Mr. Robot, Crimson Peak, Hennessy, Michael Kors, Vogue, GQ, Vanity Fair, Bon Appetit, and more.As a Director, his film, "The Final Day," was hand picked by legendary filmmaker George Romero and The Weinstein Company as the Grand Prize Winner in the "Diary of the Dead" contest. The film is in the special features of the "Diary of the Dead" Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital Release.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/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

In this episode, I give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, community member Paul Del Vecchio is looking for help in preparing for a zoom meeting with a new connection he established through cold outreach. He wants to make sure he provides value to this person while also making it clear how this person can help him in his own journey. Listen in to hear the advice I give and how Paul can ensure this is a fruitful conversation for everyone involved that could potentially lead to longer term mentorship...and if he plays his card right, maybe even his dream job someday! Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you! → Click here to let us know what you think of this format Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session? → Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship programSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content