Ximena Vengoechea, a user experience researcher and author renowned for her viral blog post on life audits, shares her transformative three-phase exercise for goal-setting. She reveals how simple tools like Post-Its can help crystallize your dreams into actionable steps. The conversation dives into celebrating small victories and the role of accountability in achieving goals. Ximena also emphasizes fostering a positive mindset and self-discovery as crucial elements on the path to personal growth.

Duncan Wardle, former Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney, shares his insights on unlocking creativity and innovation. He humorously recounts his journey from a coffee boy to leading Disney's creative vision. The conversation tackles how to overcome creative blocks, fostering a playful culture in organizations, and the power of bold questions to drive change. Wardle also discusses the importance of real-world observation over traditional focus groups for understanding consumer behavior, offering practical tips for reclaiming creativity and passion.

Dr. Janna Koretz, founder of Azimuth, specializes in mental health for high-pressure careers. She dives into the dangers of letting work define your identity and how it can impact mental well-being. Dr. Koretz emphasizes the need for 'protected thinking time' to foster creativity and self-reflection. She discusses the importance of identifying personal values and separating them from professional roles. This episode encourages a mindset shift, promoting a fulfilling life aligned with true aspirations while combating workaholism.

Caroline Miller, a leading positive psychology expert and author, dives into the science of goal setting. She dispels common myths and introduces two essential types of goals, emphasizing the importance of learning goals over performance goals. Discover the BRIDGE methodology, a structured approach to achieving ambitious objectives. Caroline also addresses challenges women face in goal setting and highlights the crucial link between happiness and success, offering practical tools for personal growth.

In a Thanksgiving message, the hosts express gratitude to their listeners while sharing insights on leveraging AI tools. They delve into how they've evolved their approach to using AI as collaborative intelligences rather than mere tools. Highlights include reflections on past discussions with thought leaders, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking. It's a festive reminder to appreciate resources that enhance our work lives.

Darren Chait, VP of Marketing at Calendly and co-founder of Hugo, dives into the world of meetings. He shares insights from Calendly’s recent research revealing that 81% want more meetings, but with a twist towards meaningful interactions. Discover the three types of meetings to keep and one to ditch. He also explores tech tools like Calendly and Loom to boost meeting efficiency and engagement while tackling the challenges of virtual meetings and the importance of inclusivity and collaboration.

Neel Doshi, co-founder of Vega Factor and co-author of 'Primed to Perform,' dives deep into the science of total motivation. He breaks down the six key motives that shape corporate culture and discusses how certain metrics can either foster or hinder motivation. Neel unveils the importance of focusing on positive motives like play and purpose while addressing the pitfalls of economic and emotional pressures. Additionally, he offers insights on how strong team cultures and genuine engagement can drive performance and sustainability in the workplace.

Dr. Manu Kapur, a world-renowned learning expert at ETH Zurich, discusses how designing for failure can enhance learning. He shares insights on why avoiding initial explanations fosters deeper understanding and the importance of engaging with challenging tasks. Kapur explains the four A's of productive failure: Activation, Awareness, Affect, and Assembly, and how they drive motivation. He also highlights the benefits of unstructured play in education, emphasizing that embracing failure is vital for personal growth and effective learning.

Sam Bennett, author and creativity specialist, discusses her 15-minute method that revolutionizes productivity. She reveals how much can truly be accomplished in just a quarter of an hour and shares strategies for overcoming overwhelm and procrastination. Through 'grumpy magic,' Bennett emphasizes that even when you're not feeling your best, short bursts of effort can lead to fulfillment. She encourages embracing imperfections and highlights the importance of consistent, manageable tasks for personal growth.

Jeremy Utley, Director of Executive Education at Stanford’s d.school, shares insights on maximizing generative AI in the workplace. He highlights the common mistake of treating AI solely as a tool rather than a collaborative partner. Jeremy discusses the advantages of ChatGPT, emphasizing the need for user engagement and iterative dialogue to enhance creativity. He explores practical applications in negotiation and how embracing diverse ideas can foster innovation. Plus, he offers actionable tips for boosting personal and professional growth through effective AI use.