Best OptimalWork Podcasts (2025)

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277. Dynamics of Vitality II: Valleys and Vortexes 36:22

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2d ago36:22

36:22

#277: In this conversation, Sharif and Kevin delve deeper into the dynamics of human growth and why progress often feels nonlinear. Drawing from chaos theory, they explore the idea of “valleys” and “vortexes” of anxiety, depression, and addiction—and how a single loving, willing action in the present moment can reverse even the strongest downward m…

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S3E7: Rewiring Anxiety: OptimalWork with Aviva Lund 40:19

2d ago40:19

40:19

In this life changing episode, I talk with Aviva who used to work with OptimalWork, where she worked alongside Harvard psychiatrist Dr. Kevin Majeres. She shares simple neuroscience tools for managing anxiety, improving focus, and building resilience. We cover: The difference between psychology and neuroscience How to turn anxiety into useful energ…

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276. Dynamics of Vitality I: Tipping Points 29:19

9d ago29:19

29:19

#276: In this conversation, Sharif Younes and Dr. Kevin Majeres introduce the idea of “strange attractors” as a framework for understanding why people can abruptly shift between vitality and states like anxiety, depression, or addiction. Drawing from chaos theory, Kevin explains how meaning, effort, and attention can lock into recognizable behavior…

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275. Engines of Enthusiasm III: Attention and the Cortex 27:33

16d ago27:33

27:33

#275: In this episode, Sharif and Kevin explore how the cortex and attention form the capstone of motivation and enthusiasm. Together, they trace how meaning (the septum), willingness (the striatum), and focused presence (the cortex) work in harmony to create clarity, silence, and smoothness: the hallmarks of deep attention and flow. Kevin explains…

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S3E6: Mom Truths: Good Grief Momma Podcast with Allie Emmons 35:46

17d ago35:46

35:46

In this heartfelt and honest episode of Diary of a Dreamer, I sit down with Allie, co-host of Good Grief Momma Podcast, to talk about the realities of motherhood, marriage, and modern comparison culture. Together, we explore how social media has magnified the pressure to “do it all” from parenting and homeschooling to maintaining the perfect home a…

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274. Engines of Enthusiasm II: Effort and the Striatum 29:55

23d ago29:55

29:55

#274: In this follow-up to their discussion on meaning and the septum, Sharif and Kevin turn to the striatum—the brain’s engine of effort and challenge. Kevin explains how our willingness to act depends on dopamine, and how love, purpose, and embracing discomfort transform drudgery into freedom and flow. They contrast this neuroscience-based approa…

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273. Engines of Enthusiasm I: Motivation and the Septum 33:54

1M ago33:54

33:54

#273: In this conversation, Sharif Younes and Dr. Kevin Majeres explore the brain’s septum—the hidden center where love, meaning, and motivation converge. Kevin explains how “septal resonance” connects our sense of purpose to our relationships, and how practices like sincerity, gratitude, and loving-kindness can reawaken zeal in our daily work. Tog…

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S3E5: Creating Calm: Whole Person Organizing with Eryn Beechem 34:31

1M ago34:31

34:31

In this episode of Diary of a Dreamer, I sit down with Eryn Beechem, founder of Whole Person Organizing, LLC, to explore how understanding your brain and embracing your unique strengths can turn everyday chaos into calm. Eryn shares her journey from discovering her ADHD diagnosis to launching a business that helps others organize their homes and li…

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BONUS ~ Everlasting Dreams: Sunny's Gourmet Products with Sunny Kaminski 44:13

1M ago44:13

44:13

In this special bonus episode, I sit down with my friend and fellow small business owner, Sunny Kaminski. She owns Sunny's Gourmet Products. Her products are staples in my home, and her business journey is a source of inspiration for me! Sunny has been in business for 30 years, and is expanding her business through her website, CookUnity, and 2Kore…

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272. Understanding Depression VI: Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science 32:30

1M ago32:30

32:30

#272: In this episode, Sharif and Kevin continue their exploration of depression, burnout, and low energy—this time uncovering a remarkable bridge between neuroscience and classical wisdom. Kevin reveals how adenosine’s “good tired” and “bad tired” states map directly onto Aquinas’ ideas of tristitia and acedia, showing that what medieval thinkers …

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271. Understanding Depression V: Good Tired and Good Energy 30:04

1M ago30:04

30:04

#271: In this episode, Kevin and Sharif explore one of the most elegant parallels in psychiatry — the deep connection between anxiety and depression. Kevin explains how panic disorder can be seen as a phobia of adrenaline, while depression mirrors it as a phobia of adenosine, the brain’s “tiredness” signal. Together, they explore how unwillingness …

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S3E4: Transforming Education: Braintree Academy with Lauren Bailey 36:38

2M ago36:38

36:38

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Lauren Bailey, a passionate and experienced special educator and administrator with 20 years in the field. Lauren has built innovative special education and virtual learning programs, all while raising six children in rural Indiana. She’s a Purdue Ph.D. student, Ball State master’s graduate, and now the Director at…

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270. Understanding Depression IV: The Root Cause 29:33

2M ago29:33

29:33

#270: In this episode, Kevin and Sharif explore a bold new way to understand depression—not as a simple chemical imbalance, but as what Kevin calls a “phobia of adenosine.” Drawing on neuroscience and behavioral psychology, Kevin explains how our brains rely on a natural rhythm of intensity and rest, and how losing that rhythm leads to burnout, let…

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269. Understanding Depression III: The Truth about Burnout 33:46

2M ago33:46

33:46

#269: Kevin and Sharif dive deep into the true biology and psychology of burnout — not as mere exhaustion, but as “bad tired on steroids.” Kevin explains how chronic threat mode floods the brain with cortisol, amplifying the “type two” tiredness that crushes motivation, focus, and connection. Together, they explore the three engines of vitality — m…

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S3E3: The Diary Unlocked: Pt. 3 53:47

2M ago53:47

53:47

In this third part of The Diary Unlocked series, my dear friend Kelly Bell and I continue the conversation. This time we walk through one of the most unexpected and challenging chapters of my life. From losing my dad to navigating new dreams, my body suddenly started to fail me. What began as exhaustion and coughing turned into months of doctors, c…

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268. Understanding Depression II: Good and Bad Tired 30:19

2M ago30:19

30:19

#268: Kevin and Sharif unpack why “good tired” and “bad tired” aren’t just degrees of fatigue but two distinct brain states tied to adenosine pathways—and how dopamine (and even caffeine) changes the experience. They translate cutting-edge neuroscience into practical steps you can test today: work from motives of love and service (to protect motiva…

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267. Understanding Depression I: The Role of Adenosine 29:59

2M ago29:59

29:59

#267: Kevin and Sharif explore how depression connects to “bad tired,” the draining fatigue that comes from poor sleep, chronic stress, or unfinished effort. At the center is one molecule — adenosine — which can make us feel either “good tired” (satisfied, fulfilled) or “bad tired” (blue, demotivated). Kevin unpacks how adenosine builds up in the b…

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S3E2: The Diary Unlocked: Pt. 2 51:20

2M ago51:20

51:20

In this second part of The Diary Unlocked series, my dear friend Kelly Bell continues to interview me turning the spotlight on some of the most pivotal years of my life. Together, we walk through my college journey: choosing Purdue, navigating toxic relationships, discovering my love for teaching, and ultimately facing one of the most devastating m…

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[Rebroadcast] Overcoming Anxiety I: Feel the Fear 32:46

3M ago32:46

32:46

#266: Overcoming anxiety occurs in three successive stages. In this first installment of a three episode series, we discuss stage one: confronting the trigger of anxiety head-on, embracing the fear. Over time, the trigger will habituate; as you challenge yourself, the fear you experience will gradually diminish. You can then develop a sense of dari…

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[Rebroadcast] How to Discipline Your Children While Deepening Your Bond with Them 28:46

3M ago28:46

28:46

#265: When a child does something wrong, your first instinct may be justice: to punish them. In this episode, we discuss “No-Drama Discipline,” by Daniel Siegal and Tina Bryson, exploring how to discipline children in a way that builds your bond with them and promotes their moral development. By connecting with your child, helping him or her gain i…

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S3E1: The Diary Unlocked: Pt. 1 53:55

3M ago53:55

53:55

In this special series of Diary of a Dreamer, my dear friend Kelly Bell turns the tables and interviews me on my own podcast. Together, we open up “The Diary Unlocked,” where I share parts of my story that shaped who I am today: growing up in small-town Indiana, the lessons from my family, and the resilience forged through life’s most difficult mom…

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[Rebroadcast] Unleash the Power of Dynorphins 29:23

3M ago29:23

29:23

#264: Difficult situations can feel intolerable. That intolerable feeling is produced by dynorphins and it makes us want to give up and abandon the difficulty we’re facing, whether it’s exercise, a difficult task, time in the sauna, or some small annoyance. But the more we embrace the dynorphin effect — the intolerable feeling — the more we develop…

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[Rebroadcast] How to Get Energy from Tiredness 27:53

3M ago27:53

27:53

#263: What do you do when you feel tired? Go back to sleep? Take a nap? Power through? In this episode, we discuss a number of approaches to overcoming tiredness, from tracking your levels of fatigue (not recommended) to changing up your diet. But the ultimate approach draws on all the principles of OptimalWork and will actually help you harness ti…

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[Rebroadcast] The Paradoxes of Mindfulness 34:20

4M ago34:20

34:20

#262: Mindfulness lies at the heart of OptimalWork’s approach. Living your highest ideals means being fully present, fully engaged with reality. Cultivating this habit is the work of mindfulness. But mindfulness rests on a set of apparent contradictions. Foremost among them is this: while mindfulness involves accepting reality as it is, it is often…

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S2E24 - Bold Moves: Level Up Now with Ashlee Hess 36:43

4M ago36:43

36:43

In this episode of Diary of a Dreamer, I sit down with Ashlee, owner of Splish Splash Salon and a fearless entrepreneur. We talk about leaving your comfort zone, growing a business, and learning to trust the slow process of growth. Ashlee shares her story of turning passion into action, and overcoming generational curses. Whether you're a beauty pr…

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[Rebroadcast] From Tolerance to Acceptance to Love 29:45

4M ago29:45

29:45

#261: The two fundamental ways you can relate to challenge are approach and avoidance. Typically, approach leads to a virtuous cycle: the challenge gets easier and more enjoyable over time as you grow in mastery. Avoidance, on the other hand, often leads to a vicious cycle of increasing difficulty and pain. In this episode we further break down app…

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[Rebroadcast] Should You Be Doing Therapy at Work? 33:55

4M ago33:55

33:55

#260: With rising rates of anxiety and depression, some have suggested that managers be trained to provide “mental-health first aid” to employees in distress. In this episode, we discuss the best ways managers can help employees thrive at work, how to help them grow, and how to balance the need to get results from their teams with the ideal of supp…

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Power Punch: Latina Legacy Rising with Suzana Rodriguez-Griffin 37:25

4M ago37:25

37:25

In this powerful episode of Diary of a Dreamer, we step into the ring, both literal and metaphorical, with Suzana Rodriguez-Griffin, a trailblazing Latina who’s rewriting the narrative of what it means to be a fighter. Suzana is not only the first professional Latina boxer from Indiana, but also a first-generation college graduate with a Master’s d…

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[Rebroadcast] How to Persuade Your Emotions 32:04

4M ago32:04

32:04

#259: What’s the best way to prevent distractions? Are prevention techniques — like website blockers — effective? In this episode, we discuss different strategies aimed at behavior change. We argue that the source of the most sustainable behavior change is to build self-mastery through right action. By doing this, you’ll be laying the foundations f…

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[Rebroadcast] The True Value of Reframing 27:08

5M ago27:08

27:08

#258: Reframing is a practice that developed from cognitive behavioral therapy. It means discovering the opportunity present within a challenge. If you face a challenge that causes anxiety, distraction, or burnout, reframing can help you approach it more effectively. But reframing can do more. It will also help you harmonize the different parts of …

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Networking: Mastering Connections 24:59

5M ago24:59

24:59

In this episode, we’re reframing the way you think about networking. If it’s ever felt awkward, scary, or gross, this one’s for you. I’m sharing how I went from social anxiety to confidently building real relationships that helped grow my professional and personal life. You’ll learn how to connect with others in a way that feels natural and kind, w…

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[Rebroadcast] The Power of a Golden Hour 33:30

5M ago33:30

33:30

#257: At the heart of our approach is the practice of a Golden Hour: preparing your mind for a time of work, focusing on one thing, and setting a stop time in advance. Doing a Golden Hour brings the key practices of psychology into your hour of work, so you not only do your best work, but you also practice bringing your highest ideals into your act…

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[Rebroadcast] Why Embracing Shame Will Help You Thrive 28:55

5M ago28:55

28:55

#256: Shame is the emotion we feel when we fear that our failures or weaknesses will become known. This fear can lead us to pursue certain outcomes as defenses — money, success, prestige, etc. — or to shy away from challenges that will expose us. In this episode, we discuss how to experience and accept shame, and why doing so gives us a profound fr…

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Relationship Driven Business with Experienced Realtor Mary Cooper 38:46

5M ago38:46

38:46

In this episode of Diary of a Dreamer, I interview experienced realtor Mary Cooper to explore the powerful role of resilience, relationship building, and integrity in creating long-term success in real estate. Mary opens up about making the right choice when it’s not always clear, the importance of staying the course, and why putting people first i…

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[Rebroadcast] How to Stop Justifying Yourself 34:29

5M ago34:29

34:29

#255: When people experience cognitive dissonance — that is, a clash between one’s self-concept and reality — they will tend to favor their self-concept, and can rationalize this bias in a process of self-justification. This process can thwart meaningful personal growth. In this episode, we discuss self-justification, how to identify it and how to …

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[Rebroadcast] Why Venting Negative Emotions Only Makes Things Worse 33:59

5M ago33:59

33:59

#254: It’s a widespread belief that when experiencing negative emotions like anger or frustration, it’s helpful to vent them. In fact, this practice is counterproductive. Studies indicate that when people express negative emotions in this way, far from letting them out, they in fact get more of them. This result is confirmed by a consideration of t…

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Turn Your Book Into A Business 17:41

6M ago17:41

17:41

In this episode, I dive deep into the moment I realized that if I wanted to earn an income from my book series, I had to transform it into a diverse business. I share how turning your book into more than just a published work can unlock opportunities for steady revenue, growth, and long-term success. This episode is packed with practical advice for…

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[Rebroadcast] The Power of Agency 29:14

6M ago29:14

29:14

#253: In their 2019 book “The Power of Agency,” Paul Napper and Anthony Rao lay out their theory of growth and happiness, which centers on the concept of “agency.” In this episode, we compare their seven principles with OptimalWork’s approach, and show how ideals are essential to true agency. Find more at ⁠https://OptimalWork.com…

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[Rebroadcast] How to Conquer Procrastination 26:39

6M ago26:39

26:39

#252: Procrastination is something of a mystery. Its costs — decreased quality of work, fraying of bonds with others, increased negative emotions like stress, even negative health effects — are universally acknowledged. Yet procrastination persists — or, put precisely, people persist in procrastinating. In this episode, we discuss the primary cause…

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Innovation: Inspiring Your Inner Inventor with Marsha Tufft 47:14

6M ago47:14

47:14

In this episode of Diary of a Dreamer, I chat with Marsha Tufft, an engineer and award-winning author, about the power of letting kids make mistakes and take responsibility for their education. Marsha shares her mission to inspire the inner inventor in all of us—to get curious, embrace learning, and keep exploring! Learn more from Marsha at https:/…

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251. Optimal Parenting VII: Building Family Rituals 32:10

6M ago32:10

32:10

#251: In this episode, Sharif and Dr. Majeres continue their discussion of Optimal Parenting with another set of questions. They begin with the importance of connection during child meltdowns and the balance between emotional regulation and moral teaching. The final question sparks a long discussion of the importance of rituals in helping parents b…

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250. Optimal Parenting VI: Your Questions, Answered 26:11

6M ago26:11

26:11

#250: In this episode, Sharif Younes and Dr. Kevin Majeres field questions about parenting based on the previous episodes in the series. They address common concerns from parents, including how to rectify past mistakes, manage anxiety in children, and foster connections in large families. The conversation emphasizes that it's never too late to impr…

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249. Optimal Parenting V: Consistent Discipline 32:51

7M ago32:51

32:51

#249: In this episode, Sharif Younes and Dr. Kevin Majeres focus on the essential role of discipline in effective parenting. They discuss the challenges parents face in setting and enforcing limits, and the importance of establishing clear expectations and consistent routines. The conversation highlights how discipline, when rooted in connection an…

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The Author's Guide: Printing 26:18

7M ago26:18

26:18

The Author's Guide continues on Diary of a Dreamer! In this episode, we’re diving into your printing options. Whether you’re thinking about print-on-demand, offset printing, or something else entirely, choosing the right method for your book is crucial to both cost and distribution. I’ll walk you through the different options, the pros and cons, an…

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248. Optimal Parenting IV: Teaching Family Ideals with Consistency 32:28

7M ago32:28

32:28

#248: In this episode, Sharif Younes and Dr. Majeres discuss the third quality of Optimal Parenting: consistency. Regular routines, standards, and ideals—applied consistently—foster children's intrinsic motivation and emotional stability. The conversation also highlights the benefits of challenges and discomfort in family life, the role of best pra…

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247. Optimal Parenting III: How to Build Real Confidence 34:45

7M ago34:45

34:45

#247: In this episode, Sharif and Dr. Kevin Majeres delve into the second principle of Optimal Parenting: fostering and conveying confidence in your child’s ability to grow and thrive on challenge. They discuss the importance of skills and ideals, and practical strategies for parents, starting with real-life scenarios. The conversation highlights a…

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Connected Courses: Connecting Through Learning with Lisa Tussey 38:33

7M ago38:33

38:33

In this episode of Diary of a Dreamer, I sit down with Lisa Tussey, a homeschooling pioneer who started when it was illegal, and now empowers others to create online courses through her Summit First Framework. Tune in to hear her incredible journey and how she's helping people transform their expertise into impactful online courses! Check out Lisa’…

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The Author's Guide: Publishing 18:16

7M ago18:16

18:16

So, you’ve got a book idea—what’s next? In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most important decisions you'll make on your author journey: choosing your publishing route. Should you go traditional, self-publishing, or hybrid? I’ll walk you through the pros and cons of each option and explain why this choice is key to your book’s success. (A…

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246. Optimal Parenting II: The Power of Connection 27:25

7M ago27:25

27:25

#246: In this episode, Sharif and Dr. Kevin Majeres do a deep dive into the first principle of Optimal Parenting: the power of connection during challenging moments for children. They discuss the dynamics of dynorphin surges and how parents can help children navigate these emotional storms through bonding and validation. The conversation emphasizes…

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The Author's Guide: Step by Step 33:19

8M ago33:19

33:19

You may have a book idea. So, what next? How do you go from an idea to a book you can hold in your hands? I am the published author of The Little Shot book series and will walk you through each step to creating your book from ideation through building your team and basics of marketing your book. In episodes coming soon, I will also share your publi…