Best Zack Arnold Podcasts (2025)

1
I wasn't afraid of losing my paycheck nearly as much as losing myself. (3 of 3) 7:53

12h ago7:53

7:53

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) 7:19

1d ago7:19

7:19

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) 7:26

2d ago7:26

7:26

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

25d 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

1M 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

1M 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

2M 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

2M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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…

1
Hot Seat Friday: How to reach out cold to a gatekeeper and get a useful response 44:25

5M ago44:25

44:25

In this Hot Seat session, I sit down with community member David Spragg to tackle the challenge of reaching out cold to a gatekeeper. David wants to connect with a YouTuber known for creating high-quality documentary and travel content, who is now venturing into scripted filmmaking. Drawing on his experience in filmmaking, David hopes to offer his …

1
The future of Optimize Yourself (a painful lesson in branding) 10:42

5M ago10:42

10:42

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
Hot Seat Friday: How can I show employers I'm the right match even with a different experience? 58:15

5M ago58:15

58:15

In this Hot Seat session, longtime community member Tonianne Fleig tackles the challenge of pivoting from film into the brand and agency world. Although her recent years have been in film, Tonianne is confident in her skills and expertise—and now it’s about framing her experience to resonate with potential employers in a new space. Together, we dig…

1
Hot Seat Friday: Crafting a thoughtful follow-up when your first email goes unanswered 33:34

6M ago33:34

33:34

In this Hot Seat session, community member Mark Carr is looking to re-engage a valuable contact he reached out to a few months ago. Knowing the person was previously too busy to respond, Mark wants to follow up in a way that’s both respectful of their time and likely to get a response. Together, we break down the art of a well-crafted follow-up, ex…

1
Hot Seat Friday: Better managing your time and energy so you don't have to "steal" time 16:46

6M ago16:46

16:46

In this Hot Seat session, community member Leonardo Oliveira seeks guidance on refining his weekly planning. He often ends up not being able to finish everything he planned for the week and finds himself "stealing" time from other tasks to keep up. Together, we explore the mindset shifts and practical strategies that can help him better manage his …

1
Hot Seat Friday: Crafting a pitch deck that draws your audience in 33:52

6M ago33:52

33:52

In this Hot Seat session, community member Michael Addis brings his series pitch deck to the table. He wants to refine it so he can capture the interest of the executives. Together, we crawl into the brains of the busy decision-makers to understand how they process ideas, ensuring that he can convey his vision clearly and effectively giving Michael…

1
Hot Seat Friday: How do I answer the 'tell me about yourself' interview question? 47:14

7M ago47:14

47:14

In this Hot Seat session, I sit down with community member Tristan Felberg for a mock interview to help him craft a compelling response to the classic "tell me about yourself" question. We explore what interviewers are really looking for and how Tristan can shape his answer to draw them in, keeping the conversation flowing. We also dive into a key …

1
Hot Seat Friday: Identifying your 'one thing' and having enough runway to take a year off 15:50

7M ago15:50

15:50

In this hot seat session, I sit down with community member Kalika Sharma, whose work has kept her creatively fulfilled. But with so much happening at once, Kalika has lost sight of what her future looks like and how to prepare for it. Together, we take time to pause so she can paint a clearer picture of what it is that she really wants for her futu…

1
[CASE STUDY] Overcoming Procrastination and Getting Focused | with Moni Salazar 57:04

7M ago57:04

57:04

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 Moni Salazar is a Mexican assistant editor (and now editor) for feature films who has been KILLING IT since she moved to Los Angeles. In fact her…

1
Hot Seat Friday: How do I make a career pivot (while still making money along the way)? 34:02

7M ago34:02

34:02

In this hot seat session, community member Brett Williams tells his story of how he lost his creative job and is now working a temporary role to support his family. Brett is eager to return to the work he loves but faces the challenge of balancing that dream with providing for his loved ones. Together, we explore strategies to help him transition b…

1
[CASE STUDY] Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Better Managing Your Time, And Making the Most of This Pandemic | with Ariel Fujita, Kristi Shimek, and Maxton Waller 1:27:42

7M ago1:27:42

1:27:42

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 Having spoken to and worked with hundreds of people worldwide over the years, if there’s one constant to the ever-changing landscape of this age,…

1
Hot Seat Friday: I landed my dream job! Now, I need help to solve the problems that came with it. 34:41

7M ago34:41

34:41

In this hot seat session, community member Mitch Rosin shares how a single email landed him his next dream job. We dive into the strategy he honed during the industry's downtime, getting better at his outreach. We then analyze the email that got him an immediate response to uncover why it worked and how his consistent practice paid off. But with th…

1
[CASE STUDY] Navigating a Difficult Career Transition | with Sam Lavin 57:06

7M ago57:06

57:06

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 back, writer/director Sam Lavin came to me because she had never felt more scattered. Amidst unemployment and managing the pandemic s…

1
Hot Seat Friday: How do I make my website tell the right story and attract the right people? 1:17:10

8M ago1:17:10

1:17:10

In this hot seat session, community member Ted Husband wants to workshop his website if the layout is attractive enough to his target audience. Rather than focusing on layout alone, we dive into a strategy that shifts the spotlight onto his audience and make the website more about them. Together, we explore how to guide his target audience through …

1
[CASE STUDY] How to Make the Most of Slow Work Periods and Make a Career Pivot | with Malinda Zehner Guerra 1:08:33

8M ago1:08:33

1:08:33

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 Today's guest is Malinda Zehner Guerra who is an Emmy nominated film and TV editor. She is also a long time Optimizer OG since the pre-pandemic d…

1
Hot Seat Friday: How do I figure out what my unique skill set is that makes me stand out to potential employers? 29:03

8M ago29:03

29:03

In this hot seat session, community member Debra Weinstein is looking for guidance on how to better define her unique value and stand out in her career search. While she’s been making progress with the Design Your Dream Career course, she's hit a roadblock in identifying what sets her apart—why people turn to her and what unique skills she offers. …

1
The Art of the Pivot: Going From Freelancer to Entrepreneur | with Nick Milo 1:25:35

8M ago1:25:35

1:25:35

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 Today's guest is Nick Milo, a long-time Optimizer OG who’s transitioned from the entertainment industry to the realm of Personal Knowledge Manage…

1
TOP 5: Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross 1:15:56

8M ago1:15:56

1:15:56

We know that the life of a creative professional comes with passion and excitement and it also comes with challenges and uncertainties. When hard times hit, it’s important to have strategies, mindsets, and game plans in place to keep your creative juices flowing and your passion and excitement pumping. For the next five weeks, we are releasing our …

1
TOP 5: How to Future-Proof Your Creative Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger Than Your Résumé | with Christina Wallace 1:17:23

8M ago1:17:23

1:17:23

We know that the life of a creative professional comes with passion and excitement and it also comes with challenges and uncertainties. When hard times hit, it’s important to have strategies, mindsets, and game plans in place to keep your creative juices flowing and your passion and excitement pumping. For the next five weeks, we are releasing our …

1
TOP 5: Chase Jarvis On Building Your Network of ‘A-Gamers,’ Designing the Life You Want, and Fulfilling Your ‘Creative Calling’ 50:02

9M ago50:02

50:02

We know that the life of a creative professional comes with passion and excitement and it also comes with challenges and uncertainties. When hard times hit, it’s important to have strategies, mindsets, and game plans in place to keep your creative juices flowing and your passion and excitement pumping. For the next five weeks, we are releasing our …

1
TOP 5: How to Become Resilient In the Face of Change (and Manage an Identity Crisis) | with Brad Stulberg 1:06:22

9M ago1:06:22

1:06:22

We know that the life of a creative professional comes with passion and excitement and it also comes with challenges and uncertainties. When hard times hit, it’s important to have strategies, mindsets, and game plans in place to keep your creative juices flowing and your passion and excitement pumping. For the next five weeks, we are releasing our …

1
TOP 5: What Creativity Is, How It Works, and the Laws to Learning It | with Joey Cofone 1:24:45

9M ago1:24:45

1:24:45

We know that the life of a creative professional comes with passion and excitement and it also comes with challenges and uncertainties. When hard times hit, it’s important to have strategies, mindsets, and game plans in place to keep your creative juices flowing and your passion and excitement pumping. For the next five weeks, we are releasing our …

1
How to Work with Challenging Colleagues Without Losing Your Mind (or your job) | with Amy Gallo 1:23:20

9M ago1:23:20

1:23:20

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 Amy Gallo who is a workplace expert and cohost of Harvard Business Review's Women at Work podcast. Amy is also an author and sp…

1
Meetings Don't Have to Suck: Learn a Better Way to Create and Collaborate | with Dr. Steven Rogelberg 58:21

9M ago58:21

58:21

My guest today is Dr. Steven Rogelberg who is an organizational psychologist and author of the new book, Glad We Met: The Art and Science of 1:1 Meetings, and according to Adam Grant, Dr. Rogelberg "knows more about how to improve meetings than anyone on earth." He has helped a number of leading organizations including Google, Facebook, Amazon, Pfi…

1
How to Build Collaborative Cultures & Fix Toxic Creative Environments | with Chris Deaver 1:21:28

10M ago1:21:28

1:21:28

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 Today's guest is Chris Deaver, the co-founder of BraveCore, a leadership consultancy dedicated to helping leaders embrace creativity and empoweri…

1
Overcoming Communication Fears for Introverted Creatives | with Bridget Sampson 1:10:27

10M ago1:10:27

1:10:27

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 My guest today is Bridget Sampson who is an author, leadership coach, and the founder and CEO of Sampson Coaching and Consulting. She is also a p…

1
From Information Overload to Getting Better at Anything by Finding the Right Mentors | with Scott Young 1:21:25

10M ago1:21:25

1:21:25

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 Scott Young is the bestselling author of the book Ultralearning which we covered extensively in his first appearance on this show. Today we dive …

1
How to Be a Multi-Hyphenate Creative and be the CEO of Your Creative Career | with Nelson Paredez Parks 1:12:15

10M ago1:12:15

1:12:15

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 My guest today is Nelson Paredez-Parks who is a Hollywood talent manager, entrepreneur, and a life & business coach. Nelson has been helping acto…

1
Overcoming the Grief of "Invisible Losses" (Including Losing Your Job), and Getting Out of "Survival Mode" | with Christina Rasmussen 1:37:49

11M ago1:37:49

1:37:49

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 Christina Rasmussen who is an acclaimed grief educator and counselor. She is the bestselling author of Second Firsts, Where Did…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Zack Arnold Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen