We often treat joy as an afterthought or a luxury saved for the weekend. But with workplace anxiety rising and in a recent study, 80% of employees reporting toxic work cultures, the absence of joy is costing us our health, our performance, and our connection with others. My guest this week, Jenn Whitmer, author of Joyosity: How to Cultivate Intense Happiness in Work and Life, shares why joy isn't just a fleeting, surface-level emotion, but a deeply rooted strategy that can transform your leadership, lower stress, and boost productivity by 31%. In this episode, we dive deep into the science of joy, how to navigate toxic environments without losing your mind, and practical ways to design your daily rhythms so that your future self thanks you. In This Episode, You Will Learn The 3-part framework that defines true joy: feeling fortunate, belonging, and connecting to purpose. Why cultivating joy at work increases individual productivity by 31%. How implementing the "Joy Ratio" can help reduce toil to under 10% of your day. Simple somatic tools like "Name, Rate, Find" to process negative emotions before taking them home to your family. How to shift from rigid control to open-ended curiosity using the "Tell Me More" framework. Plus much more… What We Discuss: 00:00 - Episode Opener and Introduction to the Podcast - Jenn Whitmer 00:53 - Defining Real Joy 03:27 - Rooted Joy Not Perks 05:25 - The Cost Of No Joy 07:36 - Joy Versus Happiness 10:30 - Joy Ratio Framework 13:46 - Discipline And Rhythms 20:26 - Joyosity Explorer Map 23:23 - Values And Permission 26:31 - Surviving Toxic Workplaces 30:58 - Containing Stress At Home 37:01 - Emotions And The Bird Story 39:14 - Bird Fight Release 40:41 - Stress Cycle Tools 44:29 - Workplace Limits 46:29 - Handling Complaints 50:48 - Redirecting Venting 54:12 - Questions and Tone 55:10 - Job Crafting Joy 58:44 - Weighty vs Easy Wins 01:06:48 - Curiosity and Story 01:10:29 - Beyond Toxic Positivity 01:12:20 - Clumsy Kid Optimism 01:13:29 - Strengths Become Shadows 01:14:20 - Bridge Moment Wakeup 01:16:22 - Positivity With Reality 01:17:41 - Patterns In Leadership 01:19:59 - Personality And Enneagram 01:21:33 - Change Your Mindset 01:22:14 - Choices And Agency 01:23:30 - Adaptation In Workplaces 01:24:20 - AI And Human Purpose 01:26:09 - Timeless Skillsets 01:26:42 - Rapid Fire - Your Edge 01:27:51 - Belief In Your Worth 01:30:37 - Boss Night Ritual 01:32:17 - Dinner Table Connection 01:36:14 - Tech Free Meals 01:39:07 - Kairos Time Rhythms 01:43:04 - Where To Find Jenn Follow & Connect With Jenn:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennwhitmer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenn_whitmer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennwhitmerspeaks/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jenn_whitmer TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jenn_whitmer Website: https://jennwhitmer.com Follow Cameron: Instagram: https://instagram.com/cameronatlas YouTube: https://youtube.com/cameronatlas Facebook: https://facebook.com/cameronatlas LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/cameronatlas  Newsletter Sign Up: https://cameronatlas.com/newsletter Book Cameron to Speak: https://cameronatlas.com/speaking

The parallels between leadership and elite athletics run deep. Both environments demand relentless discipline, rapid adaptability, clear feedback loops, and the ability to execute under intense pressure. Today’s guest, Jon Calvin, operates at the intersection of both worlds. As the CEO of a $100 million healthcare organization, Jon leads high-performance teams through complex, highly regulated landscapes. Off the clock, he's an accomplished endurance athlete who has completed three full-distance Ironmans, five marathons, four half-Ironmans, and competitive HYROX races. In this conversation, Jon breaks down his approach to implementing the daily habits that build unshakeable mental toughness, how he develops high performance teams with a culture of radical ownership, and what it truly takes to hold yourself to a higher standard and execute with discipline when nobody else is watching. In This Episode, You Will Learn The parallels between endurance sports and high-stakes executive leadership. The exact weekly and quarterly rhythm Jon uses to execute OKRs across the executive team of a $100M organization. How Jon navigated a high-pressure corporate turnaround when the company was near bankruptcy. Practical self-talk and reference-point strategies to push through extreme mental and physical discomfort. The non-negotiable sleep, recovery, and habit-tracking routines required to sustain long-term peak performance. Plus much more… What We Discuss: 00:00 - Episode Opener and Introduction to the Podcast - Jon Calvin  00:56 - Sports To Business Parallels  02:32 - Measuring Success With OKRs  06:27 - Accountability Culture  12:04 - Tough Conversations Fast  13:07 - Small Tweaks Vs Transformations  17:16 - Mental Toughness Defined  20:45 - Habits For Hard Days  27:21 - Self Talk And Reference Points  39:20 - Handling Extreme Pressure  45:30 - Turnaround Confidence  46:01 - Hard Choices Restructure  47:11 - Prioritize Under Pressure  48:27 - Lessons Communication Cash  50:00 - Aging Recovery Upgrades  52:26 - Sleep Routine Deep Dive  54:32 - Eight Sleep Explained  59:16 - Team Culture Wellbeing  01:04 - Future Plans Health Why  01:07 - Balance Habits Audits  01:15 - Leading Through Uncertainty  01:21 - Urgency Systems Cadence  01:22 - Rapid Fire - Your Edge  01:28 - Where To Connect And Sign Off Follow & Connect With Jon:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondcalvin/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonc05/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jcalvin05 Lone Star Circle of Care - Website: https://lonestarcares.org/ Leander Athletic Club - Website: https://leanderathleticclub.com/   Follow Cameron: Instagram: https://instagram.com/cameronatlas YouTube: https://youtube.com/cameronatlas Facebook: https://facebook.com/cameronatlas LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/cameronatlas  Newsletter Sign Up: https://cameronatlas.com/newsletter Book Cameron to Speak: https://cameronatlas.com/speaking

How do you go from having a really good story to tell, to actually getting it out into the world? This week's guest is Emily Best, the founder and CEO of Seed&Spark. Seed&Spark is the number one crowdfunding platform in the world for storytellers, having raised more than $95 million and funded thousands of projects to make entertainment more diverse, inclusive, connected, and essential. We dive deep into why stories are fundamental to who we are as human beings, and how the art of deep listening creates radical belonging. Emily shares how independent creators can bypass traditional gatekeepers, what it takes to design a life aligned with your highest purpose, and how to cultivate hope as an active daily discipline when facing massive industry shifts. Whether you are an artist, entrepreneur, or leader looking to share your mission with clarity and conviction, this conversation will challenge you to reflect on the stories you tell and the life you choose to live. In This Episode, You Will Learn Why empathy and profound care are the core ingredients of unforgettable storytelling. How crowdfunding serves as an act of community care rather than just a transaction for capital. Why stories are meant to be experienced collectively rather than consumed in isolated digital silos. The critical questions every entrepreneur and creator must ask to design a life aligned with their values. Why convenience culture is driving social isolation and how to build authentic local community networks. How to cultivate hope as a daily discipline during uncertain and challenging times. Plus much more… What We Discuss: 0:00:00 - Episode Opener and Introduction to the Podcast - Emily Best 0:01:03 - Why Stories Matter 0:02:47 - Seed&Spark Origin Story 0:05:38 - Funding Wins and Trends 0:09:38 - What Makes Great Stories 0:12:16 - Getting Your Work Out There 0:13:57 - Designing Your Life 0:19:10 - Meaning Making and Grief 0:26:12 - Community vs Convenience 0:29:38 - AI Costs and Community 0:32:56 - Processing Stories Together 0:35:27 - Stories Need Shared Moments 0:36:21 - Streaming Silos And Lost Conversation 0:37:06 - Raised By Writers So What Matters 0:39:01 - Sailboat Workshops Listening Power 0:40:59 - Community Funded First Film 0:44:12 - Lean Startup To Seed And Spark 0:48:23 - Mutual Aid Versus Convenience 0:51:11 - Tools And How They Are Used 0:58:39 - Interdependence And Solidarity House 1:00:31 - Seed And Spark Stories Of Joy 1:01:46 - Rapid Fire - Your Edge 1:06:48 - Where To Connect And Sign Off Follow Emily:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-best-0663964/ Instagram - Seed&Spark: https://www.instagram.com/seedandspark/ Instagram - (m)otherboard: https://www.instagram.com/m.otherboard/ Instagram - mrjesusai: https://www.instagram.com/mrjesusai/ Website: https://seedandspark.com/   Follow Cameron: Instagram: https://instagram.com/cameronatlas YouTube: https://youtube.com/cameronatlas Facebook: https://facebook.com/cameronatlas LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/cameronatlas  Newsletter Sign Up: https://cameronatlas.com/newsletter Book Cameron to Speak: https://cameronatlas.com/speaking

A NASA study revealed that 98% of five-year-olds test at the genius level for creativity, yet only 2% of adults retain that capability. Creativity isn't something we lose naturally, it's trained out of us. How then, do we prepare our kids for a future that is bound to look very different to how things are today? In this episode of The Edge of Possible, visionary entrepreneur, CEO of Pok Pok, TIME 100 Most Influential Company recipient, and Inc. Female Founder 500 honoree Melissa Cash breaks down how to tap into childlike imagination and cultivate resilience. From translating Montessori principles into digital tools for young kids to navigating the friction of leadership and venture capital fundraising, Melissa shares a masterclass in harnessing the power of imaginative thinking for our kids, our teams, and ourselves. In This Episode, You Will Learn Why process over product is the ultimate key to preserving lifelong creative genius. How to use healthy friction and "risky play" to build true resilience in children and adults. Why moving fast on decisions beats spending months striving for perfection. Practical tools like "thinking out loud" to teach emotional intelligence without scolding. How to design corporate cultures and onboarding around deep psychological safety and vulnerability. Plus much more… What We Discuss: 00:00 Episode Opener and Introduction to the Podcast - Melissa Cash  00:57 Meet Melissa and Pok Pok  02:25 Process Over Product  05:35 Timeless Skills in AI Age  06:49 Montessori Inspired Play  09:20 Independence and Risky Play  11:06 Friction Fuels Growth  18:57 Parenting Tools That Teach  32:25 Emotional Intelligence at Work  37:44 Hiring for Humans and Safety  39:13 Anything Goes Brainstorms  40:54 Fast Decisions Over Perfection  44:04 EOS Example and Decision Criteria  45:23 Rethinking Onboarding and Values  46:13 Micro Adjustments for Thinkers  53:27 Two Way Culture Fit Hiring  01:02:04 Testing Candidates Under Pressure  01:06:30 Pok Pok Play Philosophy  01:07:24 Inside the Pok Pok Toys 01:11:50 Layered Open Play  01:12:52 Age Range Sweet Spot  01:13:51 Neurodiversity Design  01:18:06 Playtesting With Kids  01:20:12 Non Addictive Business  01:23:43 Values First Monetization  01:25:38 Female Founder Fundraising  01:33:25 Rapid Fire - Your Edge  01:40:05 Where To Find Melissa & Pok Pok Follow Melissa:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-cash/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@studiopokpok Website: http://www.playpokpok.com Follow Cameron: Instagram: https://instagram.com/cameronatlas YouTube: https://youtube.com/cameronatlas Facebook: https://facebook.com/cameronatlas LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/cameronatlas  Newsletter Sign Up: https://cameronatlas.com/newsletter Book Cameron to Speak: https://cameronatlas.com/speaking

We live in an era where technology evolves at such a rapid pace, often leaving us feeling disconnected from ourselves and those around us. But rather than isolating us, technology needs to be designed in a way that enables us to achieve what previously felt impossible. My guest this week, Martin Rabaglia, is an award-winning creative technologist, strategist, and CEO of Genosha. His work bridges emerging technology and deep human emotion, creating world-class immersive experiences for global brands like Disney, Pixar, Nike, Intel, and Pepsi. In this powerful conversation, Martin shares how we can shift our relationship with technology so that machines serve humanity rather than dominate it, how to design experiences that trigger genuine emotion, and why nurturing curiosity is the ultimate key to continuous innovation. In This Episode, You Will Learn Why the primary purpose of technology must be to serve human potential rather than capture attention. How to design brand experiences and stories that evoke deep, lasting emotional responses. How artists and creators are utilizing AI to preserve heritage, challenge algorithms, and express personal vision. The power of curiosity as a daily discipline and why investing in unstructured time drives breakthroughs. How to lead a 100% remote company and successfully implement unconventional strategies that build the company culture. Plus much more… What We Discuss: 0:00:00 - Episode Opener and Introduction to the Podcast - Martin Rabaglia 0:01:06 - Immersive Brand Lessons 0:04:42 - Designing For Emotion 0:06:04 - Maradona AI Tribute 0:10:46 - Pepsi Challenge AI 0:15:05 - Tech Serving Humanity 0:18:55 - Artists Using AI 0:22:50 - Agency And Loneliness 0:26:43 - Curiosity As Practice 0:33:00 - Cooking And Rituals 0:36:09 - Blocks And Breakthroughs 0:38:48 - From Idea To Execution 0:43:10 - Why Teams Matter 0:44:39 - Tech Fears and Autopilot 0:48:30 - AI as Thinking Partner 0:52:33 - Transparency and Dark Patterns 0:56:31 - Tech Plus Real Life Balance 1:01:07 - Machines Serve Humans 1:03:24 - Leading Remote Culture 1:06:26 - Rituals - Four Day Week 1:10:24 - Hope, Fun and Standards 1:14:06 - Rapid Fire - Your Edge 1:18:50 - Where To Connect And Sign Off Follow Martin:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-nahuel-rabaglia-54b2a99/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinchoforever/ Website: http://genosha.com Follow Cameron: Instagram: https://instagram.com/cameronatlas YouTube: https://youtube.com/cameronatlas Facebook: https://facebook.com/cameronatlas LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/cameronatlas  Newsletter Sign Up: https://cameronatlas.com/newsletter Book Cameron to Speak: https://cameronatlas.com/speaking