Best Spark Endeavors Inc Podcasts (2025)

1
From Hacker to Security Pioneer & Community Leader in Michigan w/ Dug Song, Co-Founder & fmr CEO, Duo Security 55:46

8d ago55:46

55:46

In this episode of Outsider Inc., host Ian Hathaway interviews Dug Song, co-founder of Duo Security, which sold to Cisco for $2.35B in 2018. Dug shares his unconventional journey from latchkey kid and hacker to leading one of Michigan’s biggest tech exits — and building a culture-first cybersecurity company grounded in empathy, usability, and trust…

1
How to Embrace the 'In-Between' Space After Shedding an Old Identity | Laura Gassner Otting 31:16

10d ago31:16

31:16

Have you ever felt like the very identity that defined you was becoming a straightjacket? That the career path, role, or persona you'd so carefully crafted suddenly felt constraining rather than purposeful? If so, you've likely experienced the disorienting - yet potentially catalyzing - transition I'm exploring with my guest today. I’m joined by La…

1
How to Prioritize Fun and Still Get Brilliant Work Done | Bree Groff 1:06:13

16d ago1:06:13

1:06:13

Have you ever found yourself dreading Monday, counting down the hours until Friday? And wondering, when did work get so devoid of joy and fun? When did we start sacrificing playfulness and authentic connection at the altar of professionalism? And is that really giving anyone, including your employer, what they want and need? Today, we're cracking o…

1
Give First, Mentorship, and Startup Communities w/ Brad Feld, Co-Founder of Foundry & Techstars 1:12:29

22d ago1:12:29

1:12:29

In this episode of Outsider Inc., host Ian Hathaway interviews Brad Feld, a prominent figure in venture capital and entrepreneurship. The conversation explores Feld's 'Give First' philosophy, which centers on helping others without expecting immediate returns, thereby fostering stronger communities and relationships. Feld discusses the importance o…

1
How to Cultivate Sustainable Ambition in Life and Work | Kathy Oneto 26:08

23d ago26:08

26:08

Have you ever felt like your ambition was unsustainable? That drive to achieve and succeed was slowly draining you, leaving you unfulfilled despite your accomplishments? What if there was a way to align your ambitions with your deepest motivations and capacity for a lifetime of thriving? Today, we're turning our attention to the concept of sustaina…

1
How to Burn Bright Without Burning Out | Daisy Auger-Domínguez 41:41

1M ago41:41

41:41

Ever felt the crushing weight of burnout slowly snuffing out your spark? That bone-deep exhaustion that leaves you questioning if this is really the path for you? Imagine a world where you can thrive without feeling endlessly drained, where purpose and joy intertwine in beautiful harmony. Today, we're embarking on a profound exploration of burnout …

1
The Outsider Who Sparked New York’s Tech Ecosystem and Backed Multiple Billion Dollar Outcomes w/ Kevin O’Connor, Co-Founder of DoubleClick, fmr CEO of Graphiq, and Founder & GP at ScOp Venture Capital ... 44:43

1M ago44:43

44:43

In this episode of Outsider, Inc., host Ian Hathaway interviews Kevin O'Connor, co-founder of DoubleClick, former CEO of Graphiq, and Founder and General Partner at ScOp Venture Capital. Kevin shares insights from his remarkable career, starting from his early curiosity in electronics to forego a career as a research scientist and instead spearhead…

1
How to Playfully "Date" Potential Careers and Callings | Charlie Gilkey 36:43

1M ago36:43

36:43

Have you ever felt stuck pursuing a path that didn't truly resonate with you? A career, creative endeavor or major life change that you committed to fully, told the world it’s what you were doing, and who you were now…only to realize it wasn't what you really wanted? Today, we're going to explore a more forgiving approach - one that allows you to e…

1
How to Optimize Your Brain and Transform the Way You Work | Dr. Mithu Storoni 1:05:24

1M ago1:05:24

1:05:24

Are you tired of feeling drained and unfocused at work? Do you wish you could harness your brain’s full creative potential without sacrificing productivity? In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Mithu Storoni, a neuroscience researcher and ophthalmic surgeon, reveals revolutionary insights from her book Hyperefficient: Optimize Your Brain to …

1
Bootstrapping to Exit, First Principles Thinking, Product Simplicity, and Mentoring the Next Generation w/ Jason Seats, Co-Founder of Slicehost & fmr CIO of Techstars 59:03

2M ago59:03

59:03

On this episode of Outsider Inc., host Ian Hathaway sits down with Jason Seats, Co-Founder of Slicehost, former Chief Investment Officer of Techstars, and a pioneer in the startup and cloud computing worlds. Jason details his journey from co-founding the game-changing cloud infrastructure company, Slicehost, to mentoring and investing in early-stag…

1
How to Develop the 7 Traits of Emotional Fitness | Dr. Emily Anhalt 39:10

2M ago39:10

39:10

Ever felt like your emotions were running the show? One moment you're mindfully present, the next hijacked by anxiety over the future or paralyzed by regrets of the past. If this resonates, you're not alone. But what if there was a way to cultivate profound emotional fitness - the ability to embrace the full range of your feelings while navigating …

1
How to Stay Creatively Relevant in the Age of AI | Mitch Joel 34:47

2M ago34:47

34:47

My guest today is Mitch Joel, a marketing visionary who has been at the forefront of exploring how generative AI can enhance rather than replace human creativity. When brands like Google, Starbucks, and GE want to leverage technology to connect with consumers, they call Mitch. He's the Co-Founder of ThinkersOne, and his books like "Six Pixels of Se…

1
Disrupting the Status Quo & Building Global Entrepreneurial Ecosystems w/ Linda Rottenberg, Co-Founder & CEO, Endeavor 57:06

2M ago57:06

57:06

On this episode of Outsider Inc., host Ian Hathaway interviews Linda Rottenberg, co-founder and CEO of Endeavor, the global organization supporting high-impact entrepreneurs in emerging markets. Linda shares her unique insights on the benefits of chaos over stability for entrepreneurship, her journey from an unlikely start in Latin America to creat…

1
From Chief Technology Officer to Solopreneur 37:39

2M ago37:39

37:39

Today’s Career Transformation Story features a trailblazer's journey from the apex of the corporate tech world to embracing the path of the solopreneur coach. It's a tale of reclaiming autonomy and giving voice to one's innermost callings. My guest today is Christian Röpke, who spent over a decade rising through AI leadership roles like Head of AI …

1
The 2-year Experiment That’s Quietly Changing My Life | The 2×20 Project™ Update 1:50:25

2M ago1:50:25

1:50:25

Learn more about working with Jonathan to craft your 2×20 Project™. A few months ago, I introduced my personal 2×20 Project™ – taking two years to intentionally design my ideal life for the next twenty. If you missed that powerful first discussion, you’ll want to start there. Now, I’m back with an unfiltered update. What if you could take two years…

1
From Central Missouri Hackathon to $5B Automation Platform w/ Wade Foster, Co-Founder & CEO, Zapier 50:40

3M ago50:40

50:40

In this episode of Outsider Inc., host Ian Hathaway sits down with Wade Foster, co-founder and CEO of Zapier, an automation platform valued at $5 billion. Wade discusses his unique path to success, starting from a typical middle-class environment in Missouri, leveraging lessons from early marketing roles, and winning a local hackathon with his init…

1
How to Turn Life’s Big Decisions into Tiny Experiments | Anne-Laure 1:03:51

3M ago1:03:51

1:03:51

What if you could transform uncertainty from a source of anxiety into fuel for discovery? That’s the invitation former Google executive turned neuroscientist Anne-Laure Le Cunff extends in this illuminating conversation about living life as a series of tiny experiments. Drawing from her own journey – from prestigious tech career to startup founder …

1
How to Transform Yourself From Job Seeker to Job Shopper | Madeline Mann 35:35

3M ago35:35

35:35

Have you ever felt like the traditional job search process just isn't working for you? That sending out resume after resume into a black hole, praying for any response, is a soul-crushing cycle of rejection and disappointment? If so, you’re not alone. What if there was a way to rethink the job hunt? That’s where we're heading in today’s Sparked Hot…

1
From Startup to IPO: Building a FinTech Giant in Charlotte w/ Michael Praeger, Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO, AvidXchange 45:51

3M ago45:51

45:51

In this episode of Outsider Inc., host Ian Hathaway interviews Michael Prager, co-founder and CEO of AvidXchange. Michael shares his entrepreneurial journey from founding early ventures to building AvidXchange into a leader in FinTech, processing $200 billion in annual payments. He discusses the importance of starting small, focusing on solving spe…

1
From Design Consultant to Culture Strategist 41:48

3M ago41:48

41:48

In today’s Career Transformation Story, we're diving deep into one woman's incredible career transition from elite design consultant to launching her own business helping impact-driven organizations tackle their biggest challenges. My guest today is Kat Thackray, founder of a cutting-edge consultancy, People Equals Purpose, focused on transforming …

1
How to Craft Your “Life Strategy” | Seth Godin 1:06:13

3M ago1:06:13

1:06:13

Turns out strategy isn’t just for business, it’s for life. And that’s what we’re diving into with an old friend today, Seth Godin. Seth is an author, entrepreneur, and teacher who has spent decades helping people find clarity and take purposeful action. In his latest book This Is Strategy: Make Better Plans, Seth challenges us to abandon outdated s…

1
Scaling Companies & Leveraging Community in Indianapolis w/ Scott Dorsey, Co-Founder & CEO, ExactTarget; Managing Partner, High Alpha 57:35

4M ago57:35

57:35

On this inaugural episode of Outsider Inc., host Ian Hathaway talks with Scott Dorsey, co-founder and former CEO of ExactTarget. Scott shares his journey from founding ExactTarget in 2000, through its $2.5 billion acquisition by Salesforce in 2013, to his current efforts in fostering entrepreneurship in Indianapolis via HighAlpha. Their discussion …

1
How to Separate Passion from Pressure 41:46

4M ago41:46

41:46

Can social conditioning, past experiences, and external pressure affect the way we explore figuring out our Sparketype? Or, for that matter, any metric we might look to, as a way to help figure out what drives us? And how do we turn down the volume on social conditioning and perceived expectations, determine what our “truest truths” really are, and…

1
From FinTech Exec to Sexologist & Author 35:52

4M ago35:52

35:52

In today’s Career Transformation Story, we meet Lea Holzfurtner, a clinical sexologist, author, and reality TV host based in Berlin. Lea spent seven years ascending the ranks in financial services and martech companies, earning an MBA along the way. Yet, a lifelong fascination with the intricacies of human sexuality refused to be ignored. Through y…

1
Outsider Inc. Trailer 3:27

4M ago3:27

3:27

Introducing Outsider Inc., the podcast that dives into the untold stories of visionary leaders from unexpected places and backgrounds who broke the mold of tech entrepreneurship to build generation-defining companies. In each episode, host Ian Hathaway facilitates a conversation that reveals how founders turned early setbacks into stepping stones, …

1
How to Rediscover Purpose Beyond Ambition | Jenn Romolini 45:55

4M ago45:55

45:55

Ambition is such a loaded word. It’s often associated with a relentless drive to succeed, trampling over others as you scrap your way to the top, ignoring your wellbeing, relationships, and any sense of groundedness, meaning, peace or joy along the way. It’s what helps you achieve success, we’re told. But, what it that was not only wrong, but it al…

1
How to Seek out Aligned & Anti-Burnout Roles 33:42

4M ago33:42

33:42

Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training. Differentiate yourself as a certified professional with a powerful command of the Sparketype® body of knowledge, professional-level tools, processes, engagement formats, and strategies, while equipping yourself to guide individuals, groups and teams thro…

1
From Engineer to Culture Consultant & Founder 33:26

5M ago33:26

33:26

In today’s Career Transformation Story, we uncover a profound journey of reclaiming one's creative spark and finding fulfillment through empowering others. It's a tale that takes us from the technical realms of aerospace engineering to the "social engineering" of company culture. My guest today is Adam Kolozetti, co-founder of Enta Solutions - a co…

1
How to Have Powerful & Productive Virtual Conversations | Andrew Brodsky 44:29

5M ago44:29

44:29

Ever feel like the rise of virtual communication has turned your workdays into a jumble of endless emails, frantic messages, and back-to-back video calls? One minute you're on a Zoom wrangling meeting attendees, the next you're desperately trying to craft the perfect Slack message before your manager thinks you've gone AWOL? If so, you’re not alone…

1
To Succeed at Anything, Do This 1:06:32

5M ago1:06:32

1:06:32

Ever set an exciting goal that seemed life-changing, only to watch it fade away weeks later? In this episode, I share my proven ‘Success Scaffolding’ framework—a system I developed after diving deep into research on goal achievement and social psychology. This approach has helped me succeed in writing multiple books, launching companies, transformi…

1
From Corporate Leader to Professional Organizer 38:49

5M ago38:49

38:49

My guest today is Monica Parker, a former lawyer, leader and people developer in big companies who's now a professional organizer. Despite early success and prestige in her business career, Monica felt a persistent yearning for more meaningful, transformative work. Through profound life experiences like a near-death encounter, Monica summoned the c…

1
How to Move from Languishing to Flourishing | Corey Keyes 52:58

5M ago52:58

52:58

Have you ever felt that gnawing sense of emptiness? That void inside you that desperately needs to be filled? You keep pushing forward, throwing yourself into activity after activity, but something still feels...off. You're going through the motions, but not truly feeling alive. If this resonates, you're not alone. Millions are experiencing this st…

1
Redefining Defiance: The Power of Staying True to Your Values | Dr. Sunita Sah 44:57

6M ago44:57

44:57

Have you ever felt that inner tension, that little voice telling you something just doesn't feel right? That you're being asked to go along with something that conflicts with your values and who you truly want to be? If so, you're not alone. And my guest today, Dr. Sunita Sah, has spent decades studying this very phenomenon - the struggle between c…

1
Never Lead Alone: Unlocking Collective Genius Through Teamship | Keith Ferrazzi 34:59

6M ago34:59

34:59

What if you could ditch the outdated model of top-down leadership and instead create an environment where anyone can catalyze a collective vision? Where every voice is empowered to contribute their unique brilliance towards extraordinary outcomes? Today, we're rethinking what it truly means to lead in the modern age. My guest today, Keith Ferrazzi,…

1
How to Harness your Skills to have a Big Impact 29:04

6M ago29:04

29:04

In today's episode we're revisiting a listener question posed to Jonathan Fields and one of our rotating lineup of wise and kind mentors - the SPARKED Braintrust. SPARKED BRAINTRUST ADVISOR: Jadah Sellner | Website Jadah is a multi-time founder and CEO of Jadah Sellner Media, the co-creator of the Simple Green Smoothies social and business phenom, …

1
How Safety Sometimes Stops Us From Living (and what to do about it) | Chase Jarvis 40:58

6M ago40:58

40:58

So much of our lives is governed by the desire to feel safe. I get it. The world can feel like an unstable, scary place. Feeling physically and psychologically safe matters. To our mental and physical health. But, does that come a point where playing it too safe actually causes us harm? Makes our worlds, our relationships, experiences and lives sma…

1
How to Lead like You Mean It | Laysha Ward 36:38

7M ago36:38

36:38

What if you could approach your path with greater intentionality? Thoughtfully designing how you want to move through both work and life, leveraging your unique gifts to create maximum positive impact? In today's powerful discussion, we'll explore a whole-being framework for leading and living with profound meaning. One that begins by getting ancho…

1
How to Thrive in a Rapidly-Changing Work World | Gabriella Rosen Kellerman 54:19

7M ago54:19

54:19

How do you get through each day, let alone build a meaningful, connected and rewarding career when rapid-fire, constant change, groundlessness, unrelenting pace, overwhelm, and even workplace toxicity have become the norm? That’s where we’re headed with my guest today, Gabriella Rosen Kellerman. An author, entrepreneur, start-up executive, and Harv…

1
How to Unleash your Complexity Genius | Jennifer Garvey Berger 34:02

7M ago34:02

34:02

Imagine having the psychological fitness to embrace multiple contradictory perspectives. To navigate uncertainty without anxiety. To hold the tension of opposites and find innovative syntheses. That's exactly what we'll explore in this fascinating discussion - how to develop the "complexity fitness" to dance with the increasing complexities we all …

1
From Nonprofit Leader to Wellbeing Consultant 36:00

7M ago36:00

36:00

Today you’ll meet Kim Fabian. Despite her early success and drive in the nonprofit sector, Kim found herself drained by the relentless demands of her role. Driven by a desire to escape the intense pressure and sense of misalignment she experienced, she made the decision to leave her role and embark on a journey of self-discovery, realigning her wor…

1
How (and Why) to Bring Play into Work 38:39

8M ago38:39

38:39

In today's episode of SPARKED, I'm joined by Shelly Adele Bliss, one of our fabulous Spark Endeavors team members. Together we're diving into this often-overlooked catalyst for unshackling your zest for work and life. Because you deserve more than just clock-punching - you deserve work that lets you play and thrive. We'll explore the core elements …

1
From Project Management Consultant to Career Transformation Specialist 34:17

8M ago34:17

34:17

Today's career transformation story features, Navid Ladha, who is now a thriving nonprofit consultant and career coach. As a Primary Sparketype, Advisor with an Essentialist shadow, Navid was drawn to roles allowing him to guide others through personal growth while creating systems that added clarity to his and his client’s pursuits. And if you’d l…

1
What to Do in the Next 2 Years to Set Up Your Next 20 | The 2×20 Project™ 1:02:38

8M ago1:02:38

1:02:38

Have you ever felt like you were drifting through life, unsure if the path you’re on is truly aligned with who you are and what you want? Even for someone like me, who has dedicated his life to exploring meaning, purpose, and how to craft a life you truly love, I recently found myself at a crossroads wondering – is the way I’m feeling today, especi…

1
From Competitive Dancer to Learning and Development Leader 34:55

8M ago34:55

34:55

Today's career transformation story is an inspiring example of how to courageously pivot when the work you once loved no longer aligns with your deepest drives. Kayla Archer's journey began with an all-consuming obsession for competitive ballroom dancing. But the intense singular focus and lack of boundaries eventually led to a challenging environm…

1
From Toy Designer to Writing Educator and Founder 39:01

8M ago39:01

39:01

In today's career transformation story, you’ll meet Gabriela Pereira, who transitioned from her dream job as a toy designer to founding DIY MFA, an educational company for writers, after leaving her initial career due to health concerns, ultimately realizing she could fulfill her maker passion in a new field. Gabriela Pereira, is the founder of DIY…

1
How To Be Resilient At Work 46:05

9M ago46:05

46:05

Ever feel like the rug got pulled out from under you at work? A project imploded, a promotion evaporated, or your role did a 180 you never saw coming? If those punches to the gut sound familiar, you know how quickly setbacks can shake your confidence and derail your drive. But what if you could bounce back stronger from those inevitable career curv…

1
How to Finish More of the Projects That You Start 31:38

9M ago31:38

31:38

"How do you finish more of the projects that you start or do you need to complete everything?" This week on the SPARKED podcast, we invited a listener to share what’s going on in their work & life, then pose a specific question to Jonathan Fields and a rotating lineup of wise and kind mentors - the SPARKED Braintrust. In today’s episode we’re in co…

1
From overworked attorney to personal finance consultant 34:52

9M ago34:52

34:52

Today, we're exploring one woman's journey from being a lawyer to a personal finance consultant. My guest today is Hannah Bell, who stepped off the conventional law career track despite external pressures to stay the course. While practicing law, a profound internal shift occurred listening to personal finance podcasts during long commutes. It was …

1
From Corporate HR Manager to Career Discovery Coach 36:00

9M ago36:00

36:00

Have you ever felt like you were following a predetermined path in your career, only to realize it was leading you somewhere you didn't want to go? That relentless pull toward something deeper, something more purposeful, became impossible to ignore? If so, then this installment in our career transformation stories series will resonate. It's the sto…

1
How to Overcome Work-Induced Overwhelm | Brigid Schulte 39:04

10M ago39:04

39:04

Is the way we work slowly killing us? Brigid Schulte, author of "Overwhelmed: How to Work Less, Accomplish More, and Finally Start Living," peels back the toxic hustle culture corroding our health and relationships. In this candid discussion, Schulte shares eye-opening research on the work stressors driving burnout epidemics and offers a path to re…

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Spark Endeavors Inc Podcasts

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