Hi I'm Zack, and the purpose of my work is to help you find meaning and purpose in yours (without burning out...or selling your creative soul). If you've built your entire career around your creativity like I have, you may be asking the same question I am: Is there a future for us “creatives,” Or is it game over? I can't promise that I know what the future brings, but I do promise few are more dedicated to helping you find the answers than I am. You're in the right place if: You live to crea ...
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Navigating the Future of Entertainment | with Zack Arnold
1:05:29
1:05:29
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1:05:29Ever feel like your creative career is becoming an uphill battle you’re no longer sure you can win? Budgets are tighter, opportunities are fewer, and AI is rewriting the rules. But this isn’t a conversation about giving up. Debby and I focus on how to adapt with intention, and why now is the time to design your next move, not just react to change. …
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From Five Emmys to Trader Joe’s: The Realities of Working In Hollywood In 2025 | with Mark Keefer
1:10:08
1:10:08
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1:10:08What happens when your creative career no longer pays the bills—but you’re still called to create? In this episode, I talk with award-winning editor Mark Keefer, whose nearly 30-year career spans Disney, Netflix, and Warner Bros. A simple LinkedIn selfie in a Trader Joe’s uniform went viral after he shared he'd taken his first non-creative job in d…
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What It Really Takes For Creatives to Become Successful Content Creators | with Sven Pape
1:20:56
1:20:56
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1:20:56How do you build a creative career that lasts when everything keeps changing? In this episode, I talk with Sven Pape—professional editor, filmmaker, and the creator of This Guy Edits, one of the most respected YouTube channels on storytelling and the creative process. With over 500k subscribers, Sven has seen firsthand how the creative industry is …
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On Vulnerability and the Courageous Act of Creating From a Place of Truth | with Allison Sweet Grant
1:22:36
1:22:36
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1:22:36What if creativity isn’t just self-expression, but a way to heal and connect? In this episode, I talk with Allison Sweet Grant, an author, former psychiatric nurse practitioner, and mother of three who brings deep honesty and courage to her storytelling. Her debut novel I Am the Cage wasn’t written to launch a career but to process overwhelming tra…
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Mastering the Art of Doing Scary (and Often Hilarious) Shit | with Paul Beckman
1:13:39
1:13:39
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1:13:39Ever feel stuck between playing it safe and going all in on your dream? In this episode, I talk with filmmaker, actor, and real-life action hero Paul Beckman—whose story is equal parts hilarious, outrageous, and deeply inspiring. From sneaking into the World Series VIP section to facing cancer with grit and the mantra “This too shall pass,” Paul sh…
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Turning Adversity Into Opportunity and Suffering Into Purpose (a Superhero’s Perspective) | with Aaron Welty
1:24:03
1:24:03
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1:24:03What if the way you see your struggles is the key to overcoming them? In this episode, I talk with motivational speaker and all-around awesome human Aaron Welty—moderator of the Council of Nerds film series, former Two Geek Soup co-host, and Senior Legislative Assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives. Born with cerebral palsy, Aaron brings a …
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How We are “Wired to Create”, What It Means to Be a “Creative”, and How We Can Leverage Our Unique Gifts | with Scott Barry Kaufman
56:14
56:14
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56:14What if your greatest creative strength is the part of you that never quite fit in? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, psychology professor at Columbia University and host of The Psychology Podcast, to explore why creativity isn’t a rare talent but a way of being—one that thrives when we embrace what makes us different. We discus…
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Hey there, it's Zack. And for today's mini episode, I'd like to share with you an audio reading of a recent article that I wrote on Substack titled, Are we becoming Generation Xtinct?. If you enjoy this article and you're interested in reading more about navigating significant life transitions, finding meaning in your creative work, and what it mea…
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Why the Pursuit of Success Is Making Us All Miserable (and How to Flip the Script) | with Jackson Kerchis
1:08:37
1:08:37
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1:08:37What if happiness wasn’t the reward for success but instead the foundation for it? Jackson Kerchis is here to share the science and psychology of happiness—not as an abstract, feel-good concept, but as a practical tool for navigating uncertainty, overcoming career challenges, and unlocking creativity. From the neuroscience behind gratitude and mind…
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Why Optimization Isn’t the Answer (and How to Make the Most of the Four Thousand Weeks We Have) | with Oliver Burkeman
1:20:54
1:20:54
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1:20:54What if striving for more is actually giving you… less? In this episode, Zack sits down with bestselling author Oliver Burkeman—known for Four Thousand Weeks and Meditations for Mortals—to unpack the trap of productivity and the illusion of the perfect to-do list. Together, they explore why the constant chase for achievement might be keeping us fro…
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Why the Relentless Pursuit of Optimization Is a Journey to Nowhere | with Zack Arnold
1:29:22
1:29:22
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1:29:22Are you stuck in the messy middle of life, wondering who you’re becoming on the other side? In this episode, the mic turns inward as today’s guest—well, it’s me, Zack Arnold —and I’m opening up about the newly rebranded Zack Arnold Podcast. Along with my podcast producer and fellow coach Debby Germino, we discuss why the changes go far beyond a new…
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I wasn't afraid of losing my paycheck nearly as much as losing myself. (3 of 3)
7:55
7:55
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7:55Hey there, it's Zack. And for today's mini episode, I'd like to share with you an audio reading of a recent article that I wrote on Substack titled, I wasn't afraid of losing my paycheck nearly as much as losing myself. If you enjoy this article and you're interested in reading more about navigating significant life transitions, finding meaning in …
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I sold my soul for a paycheck. It led me to my purpose instead. (2 of 3)
7:22
7:22
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7:22Hey there, it's Zack. And for today's mini episode, I'd like to share with you an audio reading of a recent article that I wrote on Substack titled, I sold my soul for a paycheck. It led me to my purpose instead. If you enjoy this article and you're interested in reading more about navigating significant life transitions, finding meaning in your cr…
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The existential crisis that destroyed me, then changed my life. (1 of 3)
7:28
7:28
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7:28Hey there, it's Zack. And for today's mini episode, I'd like to share with you an audio reading of a recent article that I wrote on Substack titled, The existential crisis that destroyed me and then changed my life. If you enjoyed this article and you're interested in reading more about navigating significant life transitions, finding meaning in yo…
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Procrastinating? You're not lazy. You're probably just afraid.
9:59
9:59
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9:59Hey there, it's Zack. And for today's mini episode, I'd like to share with you an audio reading of a recent article that I wrote on Substack titled, Procrastinating? You're not lazy. You're probably just afraid. If you enjoy this article and you're interested in reading more about navigating significant life transitions, finding meaning in your cre…
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If you’ve been following along the last several months, then you may already know I’ve decided that it’s time to retire the Optimize Yourself brand and usher in a new era. If you live to create, meaning your work isn't just a job but an expression of who you are... If you create to live, as in your livelihood depends on your creativity... And if yo…
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How to Pivot, Adapt, and Keep Going (Your Creative Career Isn't Over) | with Lydia Hurlbut
1:24:32
1:24:32
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1:24:32Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more? → Click here for your customized podcast playlist Ever feel like the ground beneath your career is shifting — like every step forward only leads to more uncertainty? Today, we're diving deep into…
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From Setback to Comeback: Finding Strength in the Hardest Moments | with Bevin Farrand
1:25:15
1:25:15
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1:25:15Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more? → Click here for your customized podcast playlist With everything that’s happened in the past few years—and the latest tragedies that have shaken the entertainment industry—it’s no surprise that …
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How to Keep Moving Forwards After You've Lost Everything | with Christina Rasmussen
1:20:59
1:20:59
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1:20:59Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more? → Click here for your customized podcast playlist The past two years have been relentless for creatives, and even in the first quarter of the year,, the losses keep piling up with no end in sight…
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How to Thrive As an Introverted Creative (In a World Designed For Extroverts) | with Jennifer Kahnweiler
1:08:44
1:08:44
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1:08:44Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more? → Click here for your customized podcast playlist My guest today is Jennifer Kahnweiler, a bestselling author, host of the Introvert Ally Podcast, and one of the leading experts on introverts at …
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Navigating the Messy Middle of a Career Pivot | with Sandy Zimmerman
1:20:34
1:20:34
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1:20:34Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more? → Click here for your customized podcast playlist A few years ago, Sandy Zimmerman came on the Zack Arnold podcast as a longtime Physical Education teacher and coach. During that conversation, sh…
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[Case Study] From the FBI to Hollywood: Anatomy of An Unlikely Career Pivot | with Kathy Robinson
1:20:27
1:20:27
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1:20:27Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more? → Click here for your customized podcast playlist In today's episode, I sit down with Kathy Robinson, a longtime member of the Optimizer community and one of my coaching students who has made a r…
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[CASE STUDY] How to Diversify Your Creative Skills and Experience to Build Multiple Income Streams | with Krysia Szyszlo
1:22:20
1:22:20
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1:22:20Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more? → Click here for your customized podcast playlist My guest today is Krysia Szyszlo, an Optimizer OG who has successfully diversified her career across multiple fields, including television editin…
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How to Approach Difficult Conversations In Polarizing Times | with Justin Jones-Fosu
1:14:42
1:14:42
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1:14:42Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more? → Click here for your customized podcast playlist My guest today is Justin Jones-Fosu, who is the CEO of Work. Meaningful., an organization dedicated to transforming corporate culture by fosterin…
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Unemployed? Burned Out? Or Both? How to Manage a Career Break | with Laura Nguyen
1:16:12
1:16:12
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1:16:12Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more? → Click here for your customized podcast playlist My guest today is Laura Nguyen, a burnout coach and author of Career Break Compass: Navigating Your Path to a Balanced Life Through Intentional T…
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