Best Zack Arnold Podcasts (2025)

1
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 56:02

5d ago56:02

56:02

What 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…

1
Why the Pursuit of Success Is Making Us All Miserable (and How to Flip the Script) | with Jackson Kerchis 1:08:37

6d ago1:08:37

1:08:37

What 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…

1
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

14d ago1:20:54

1:20:54

What 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…

1
Why the Relentless Pursuit of Optimization Is a Journey to Nowhere | with Zack Arnold 1:29:22

13d ago1:29:22

1:29:22

Are 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…

1
I wasn't afraid of losing my paycheck nearly as much as losing myself. (3 of 3) 7:55

21d ago7:55

7:55

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, 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 …

1
I sold my soul for a paycheck. It led me to my purpose instead. (2 of 3) 7:22

22d ago7:22

7:22

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, 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…

1
The existential crisis that destroyed me, then changed my life. (1 of 3) 7:28

20d ago7:28

7:28

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, 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…

1
Coming Soon: The Zack Arnold Podcast 1:33

2M ago1:33

1:33

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…

1
How to Pivot, Adapt, and Keep Going (Your Creative Career Isn't Over) | with Lydia Hurlbut 1:24:32

2M ago1:24:32

1:24:32

Want 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…

1
From Setback to Comeback: Finding Strength in the Hardest Moments | with Bevin Farrand 1:25:15

2M ago1:25:15

1:25:15

Want 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 …

1
How to Keep Moving Forwards After You've Lost Everything | with Christina Rasmussen 1:20:59

2M ago1:20:59

1:20:59

Want 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…

1
How to Thrive As an Introverted Creative (In a World Designed For Extroverts) | with Jennifer Kahnweiler 1:08:44

3M ago1:08:44

1:08:44

Want 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 …

1
Navigating the Messy Middle of a Career Pivot | with Sandy Zimmerman 1:20:34

3M ago1:20:34

1:20:34

Want 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…

1
[Case Study] From the FBI to Hollywood: Anatomy of An Unlikely Career Pivot | with Kathy Robinson 1:20:27

3M ago1:20:27

1:20:27

Want 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…

1
[CASE STUDY] How to Diversify Your Creative Skills and Experience to Build Multiple Income Streams | with Krysia Szyszlo 1:22:20

4M ago1:22:20

1:22:20

Want 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…

1
How to Approach Difficult Conversations In Polarizing Times | with Justin Jones-Fosu 1:14:42

4M ago1:14:42

1:14:42

Want 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…

1
Unemployed? Burned Out? Or Both? How to Manage a Career Break | with Laura Nguyen 1:16:12

4M ago1:16:12

1:16:12

Want 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…

1
The Dumpster Fire of 2024, Predictions for 2025, and The Future of Creativity | with Zack Arnold 1:24:43

4M ago1:24:43

1:24:43

Want 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 For this special kickoff episode of the new year, we’re flipping the script: I, Zack Arnold, the usual host of Optimize Yourself, step into the g…

1
The eight words that shape my approach to life (especially when the sh*t hits the fan) 8:09

4M ago8:09

8:09

Today’s mini-episode is the latest edition of my Case of the Mondays newsletter, a free newsletter I send out exclusively to my subscribers every Monday morning with my latest thoughts, strategies, and tips for better managing the crazy balancing act between work & life. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather design a career where I’m excited about…

1
We survived til '25. Now what?! 8:04

5M ago8:04

8:04

Today’s mini-episode is the latest edition of my Case of the Mondays newsletter, a free newsletter I send out exclusively to my subscribers every Monday morning with my latest thoughts, strategies, and tips for better managing the crazy balancing act between work & life. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather design a career where I’m excited about…

1
Optimize Yourself Fall 2024 Hiatus 1:50

5M ago1:50

1:50

Since May of 2014 I’ve done my best to release a brand new long form conversation on a weekly basis, and between my original show Fitness In Post and now Optimize Yourself, I’ve now released just short of 400 episodes. But eventually this thing called life gets in the way. And I had to make the difficult choice to pause recording new interviews for…

1
Hot Seat Friday: Bouncing Back: Navigating Life After Being Fired 25:33

4M ago25:33

25:33

In this Hot Seat session, long-time community member Sam Lavin opens up about an unexpected and deeply challenging moment in her career: being fired for the first time. The experience shook her confidence and left her scrambling to address the immediate financial strain. Feeling scattered and unsure of her next steps, Sam and I worked together to u…

1
Hot Seat Friday: How to Reconnect When the Conversation Has Gone Quiet 21:21

5M ago21:21

21:21

In this Hot Seat session, I sit down with community member Saarang Vinodh, who’s navigating a delicate challenge: reconnecting with a producer he had previously reached out to. Their last conversation seemed to close the door on potential mentorship, but now Saarang’s goals have shifted, and he’s confident this producer could help. The question is,…

1
Hot Seat Friday: Trimming down and streamlining your resume to clearly tell your story 36:05

5M ago36:05

36:05

In this Hot Seat session, I sit down with community member Brett Williams to help him refine his resume and align it with his career goals. Brett is targeting broadcast promos and marketing agencies but finds himself grappling with a resume that's overflowing with information. While he has a good sense of which experiences to emphasize, he's unsure…

1
Hot Seat Friday: Identifying the right relationships to build to help you achieve your goal 15:42

5M ago15:42

15:42

In this Hot Seat session, community member Stephen Lehman opens up about his goal to edit narrative projects consistently while working as a film teacher. Stephen is trying to navigate the challenges in building the right connections to make this vision a reality. Together, we explore the types of relationships he should focus on and develop strate…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Zack Arnold Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
The Zack Arnold Podcast

Zack Arnold

1
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 56:02

1
Why the Pursuit of Success Is Making Us All Miserable (and How to Flip the Script) | with Jackson Kerchis 1:08:37

1
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
Why the Relentless Pursuit of Optimization Is a Journey to Nowhere | with Zack Arnold 1:29:22

1
I wasn't afraid of losing my paycheck nearly as much as losing myself. (3 of 3) 7:55

1
I sold my soul for a paycheck. It led me to my purpose instead. (2 of 3) 7:22

1
The existential crisis that destroyed me, then changed my life. (1 of 3) 7:28

1
Coming Soon: The Zack Arnold Podcast 1:33

1
How to Pivot, Adapt, and Keep Going (Your Creative Career Isn't Over) | with Lydia Hurlbut 1:24:32

1
From Setback to Comeback: Finding Strength in the Hardest Moments | with Bevin Farrand 1:25:15

1
How to Keep Moving Forwards After You've Lost Everything | with Christina Rasmussen 1:20:59

1
How to Thrive As an Introverted Creative (In a World Designed For Extroverts) | with Jennifer Kahnweiler 1:08:44

1
Navigating the Messy Middle of a Career Pivot | with Sandy Zimmerman 1:20:34

1
[Case Study] From the FBI to Hollywood: Anatomy of An Unlikely Career Pivot | with Kathy Robinson 1:20:27

1
[CASE STUDY] How to Diversify Your Creative Skills and Experience to Build Multiple Income Streams | with Krysia Szyszlo 1:22:20

1
How to Approach Difficult Conversations In Polarizing Times | with Justin Jones-Fosu 1:14:42

1
Unemployed? Burned Out? Or Both? How to Manage a Career Break | with Laura Nguyen 1:16:12

1
The Dumpster Fire of 2024, Predictions for 2025, and The Future of Creativity | with Zack Arnold 1:24:43

1
The eight words that shape my approach to life (especially when the sh*t hits the fan) 8:09

1
We survived til '25. Now what?! 8:04

1
Optimize Yourself Fall 2024 Hiatus 1:50

1
Hot Seat Friday: Bouncing Back: Navigating Life After Being Fired 25:33

1
Hot Seat Friday: How to Reconnect When the Conversation Has Gone Quiet 21:21

1
Hot Seat Friday: Trimming down and streamlining your resume to clearly tell your story 36:05

1
Hot Seat Friday: Identifying the right relationships to build to help you achieve your goal 15:42

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