What if defiance wasn’t a flaw, but a skill? In this episode, Dr. Sunita Sah—physician, behavioural scientist, and author of Defy—shares how reclaiming agency and redefining what it means to say “no” can change the trajectory of our lives. Raised to equate goodness with compliance, Sunita’s journey is a powerful reminder that being agreeable often comes at a cost: to our integrity, our well-being, and our sense of self.

We explore the psychology behind why we say yes when we mean no, the invisible social pressures that shape our decisions, and why discomfort is a sign—not of weakness, but of wisdom. Sunita offers a practical five-stage framework for living in alignment with your values, and explains how simple tools like pausing before responding or speaking to yourself in the third person can help you make braver, truer choices.

This conversation is a compassionate guide for people-pleasers, quiet rebels, and anyone who has ever struggled to hold their ground. A bountiful life, as Sunita reveals, isn’t lived without tension—it’s one where that tension is honoured, examined, and transformed into something meaningful.

Episode Highlights

• Why defiance is essential to a meaningful life

• The difference between compliance, consent, and true defiance

• How to find and clarify your personal values

• The hidden social pressures behind people-pleasing and “yes” culture

• Five stages of ethical defiance (from tension to action)

“A bountiful life is driven by action, not by money.” — Pascal Wagner

What does it really mean to be financially free—and how do you know when you have enough? In this powerful conversation, Pascal Wagner shares his journey from startup founder to investor, unpacking the mindset, strategies, and personal challenges that shaped his relationship with money. From accumulating and managing $8.5 million in assets to caring for his mother after his father’s death, Pascal offers a grounded, honest look at wealth, responsibility, and growth.

His worldview is clear and unapologetic: clarity compounds. He doesn’t sugar-coat the emotional labour of responsibility or the discipline required to build something sustainable. What he offers is a model of financial literacy rooted in values, resilience, and focus. Not chasing the next big thing—but doing the small things right, over and over.

Instead of glorifying outcomes, Pascal brings it back to process. He’s not selling a dream—he’s offering a strategy. His story challenges us to ask: how do I want to live? And what kind of thinker do I need to become to get there?

🎯 Episode Highlights

• How Pascal generates $265K/year in passive income—and what it actually takes to get there

• What “enough” looks like when your goals keep shifting and your responsibilities grow

• Why financial freedom is built on focus, consistency, and letting go of the need to do it all yourself

• Pascal’s biggest lessons from managing his family’s inheritance after his father passed away

• The importance of community and mentorship in both wealth building and emotional resilience

• Real talk about diversification, asset allocation, and the danger of concentrating everything in one place

• A reframe of money as just one form of capital—alongside time, relationships, and learning

Guest Bio:

Pascal Wagner is a former venture capitalist turned passive investor who built a $250K+/year portfolio through 30+ investments. As a VC at Techstars, he deployed $150M into 300+ companies, where he learned how top financial institutions analyze deals, manage risk, and make smart investment decisions—skills he now uses to help others build wealth.

Today, he educates 200K+ investors monthly as a host on the Best Ever CRE Podcast network, sharing strategies to create six-figure passive income portfolios through real estate and alternative investments. His approach helps investors build a financial roadmap, evaluate deals, and access pre-vetted institutional-grade opportunities to accelerate their path to financial freedom.

Want to start building your own six-figure passive income portfolio? Get started at PassiveInvestingStarterKit.com

About Bountifull Podcast

The Bountifull Podcast explores how to live a more purposeful and fulfilling life by diving into the real stories of entrepreneurs, investors, and creatives. Host Sian Simpson connects with interesting people from diverse backgrounds to discuss personal growth, financial literacy, emotional resilience, and living with intention. Whether it’s learning about wealth-building strategies, finding balance in your life, or creating long-term sustainability, each episode offers actionable insights to help you build a more bountiful life. This week, Pascal Wagner shares his journey from startup founder to passive investor, offering wisdom on financial freedom, responsibility, and the power of focus.

https://bountifullworld.com/

What if the simplest acts of giving could transform your confidence, resilience, and sense of purpose? In this inspiring episode, resilience psychologist Dr Alia Bojilova shares why contribution—small acts of meaningful generosity—can profoundly shape our lives, communities, and well-being.

Drawing from her diverse background—from a childhood in post-communist Bulgaria to her distinguished career as an Army Officer and Lead Psychologist with the elite New Zealand Special Air Service (1NZSAS), and now as a global resilience expert—Alia redefines contribution not as grand gestures, but as everyday actions that connect us deeply to others and ourselves. She reveals how contribution boosts self-worth, builds genuine resilience, strengthens relationships, and guides us toward purpose and meaning.

Together, we explore the science behind why contribution matters, how even tiny gestures create powerful ripple effects, and how to integrate this practice into our daily lives. Alia reminds us that true abundance isn't about what we accumulate—it's about how generously we share our lives.

✨ Episode Highlights:

🌱 Contribution Builds Identity – Small acts of giving offer immediate emotional feedback that reinforces your sense of worth, capability, and agency.

✨ Excitement Is a Compass – Alia shares how fleeting moments of excitement have guided some of her most meaningful life decisions—and why listening to those sparks matters.

🌦️ We Are Somebody’s Weather – Our emotional state affects everyone around us. Alia explores how being intentional about your presence can shape relationships and environments.

⚖️ Equilibrium Is Essential – A bountiful life balances challenge and rest. Alia opens up about learning to say yes to pause, not just productivity.

🌀 Purpose Emerges Through Action – Purpose isn't something you need to define before you begin—it grows out of contribution, curiosity, and consistent engagement.

🧠 Awareness Fuels Resilience – Resilience starts with noticing how you feel and taking ownership of your state. Contribution is one of the most powerful tools for shifting it.

🧃 Scarcity Can Spark Creativity – Alia’s upbringing taught her that limitations can lead to resourcefulness, joy, and deep connection—not deprivation.

🤝 Contribution Creates Belonging – Belonging isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you generate through thoughtful action and care.

⏳ Busyness Isn’t the Goal – Alia invites us to question what we’re actually busy with, and whether those efforts align with meaning and joy.

🫶 Leadership Is Human, Not Heroic – Great leaders don’t perform—they notice, care, and contribute to the wellbeing of others in small, consistent ways.

🔍 Curiosity Is a Daily Practice – In every context, from military to family life, curiosity helps us challenge assumptions and uncover what really matters.

👶 Teach Contribution Through Doing – Alia’s daily practice with her son—doing something kind for someone else—offers a simple but powerful way to raise resilient, generous kids.

👤 About Dr. Alia Bojilova

Dr Alia Bojilova is a Registered Psychologist with a focus on organizational, team, and individual resilience, leadership, and curiosity. Her extensive career includes serving as an Army Officer and Lead Psychologist with the elite New Zealand Special Air Service (1NZSAS) and the Counter Terrorist Tactics Group. Her operational experience spans Afghanistan, Syria, Israel, the wider Middle East, East Timor, and the Solomon Islands. She was awarded the NZDF Meritorious Service Medal and the United Nations Commendation for her leadership through critical incidents in Syria. Alia is also the author of The Resilience Toolkit, providing practical tools for lasting resilience and well-being.

About the Bountifull:

The Bountifull Podcast explores how to live a more purposeful, resilient life. Host Sian Simpson connects with interesting people from diverse backgrounds to dive into personal growth, emotional wellness, and creativity.

“So much of what’s meaningful about science is the process of discovering something that nobody else knew.”

What can the universe teach us about being human? For astrophysicist and NASA program scientist Joshua Pepper, the answer lies in curiosity, contribution, and learning to sit with the unknown. In this episode of the Bountifull Podcast, we talk about exoplanets, randomness, and the emotional realities of life in science—from funding cycles and impostor syndrome to the joy of a good spreadsheet. Joshua reflects on the long arc of discovery, the privilege of asking big questions, and why we should make time to look up.

This is an episode about wonder and meaning, but also one about endurance. Because sometimes a bountiful life isn’t about answers—it’s about the people you meet, the questions that stay with you, and the quiet courage it takes to keep going.

✨ Episode Highlights

🌍 How Randomness Shapes Our Paths – From unplanned encounters to last-minute applications, Joshua talks about the role of luck, openness, and decision-making in his life and career.

🛰️ What a NASA Program Scientist Actually Does – A behind-the-scenes look at Joshua’s role supporting researchers, managing grants, and helping guide missions like KELT and LEAP.

🪐 Exoplanets, Time, and Big Questions – Why the search for planets beyond our solar system isn’t just scientific—it’s philosophical. Joshua explains what these distant worlds can teach us about scale, meaning, and hope.

💭 The Emotional Reality of Science – We talk about mental health in academia, impostor syndrome, and what it takes to stay committed to long-term research that may not be recognised for decades.

🧠 What Curiosity Feels Like – Joshua shares what lights him up about spreadsheets, problem-solving, and the joy of discovering something truly new.

⏳ Living on a Longer Timeline – Reflections on working in a field where timelines stretch across generations—and why it’s still worth it.

Guest Bio:
Dr. Joshua Pepper is a NASA Program Scientist and Associate Professor of Physics at Lehigh University. He supports several major space science initiatives, including the TESS mission (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite), the Exoplanet Exploration Program, and NASA’s Open-Source Science Initiative. Josh co-founded the Kilodegree Extremely Little Telescope (KELT) project, which has discovered more than two dozen exoplanets, and helped build the TESS Input Catalog guiding NASA’s search for new worlds. His work blends curiosity, discovery, and a deep commitment to exploring the universe through science.

About Bountifull Podcast

The Bountifull Podcast explores how to live a more purposeful and joyful life through meaningful conversations with interesting people from diverse backgrounds. This week, Joshua Pepper, a NASA Program Scientist and astrophysicist, joins us to explore the intersection of curiosity, discovery, and resilience. From exoplanets to impostor syndrome, Joshua reflects on the emotional realities of life in science, the endurance it takes to keep asking big questions, and why sometimes a bountiful life isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about embracing the unknown and continuing the journey. This episode reminds us that meaning can be found in the questions we ask, the people we meet, and the quiet courage it takes to keep going.

“I wanted more stuff that felt like it was mine.”

Zara Davidson’s life has been defined by excellence — elite basketballer, top of her class, and a rising force in AI. But behind the accolades is a story of transition, questioning, and quiet reinvention. In this episode, she opens up about the intensity of her athletic and corporate years, the quarter-life unraveling that followed, and the slow, tender process of rediscovering joy through Pilates, friendship, and shell-painting on the beach. Zara reminds us that identity isn’t fixed — it’s shaped, stretched, and sometimes surrendered.

Zara’s journey invites us to reimagine success not as achievement, but as ownership — of time, energy, and joy. She shows us that a bountiful life isn’t found in the grand gestures, but in the intentional details: planking in your living room, spotting bunnies on your morning walk, or making something with your hands just for the fun of it. Through her honesty and humour, she nudges us to let go of who we think we should be, and instead ask: What actually feels like mine?

🎧 Episode Highlights – Zara Davidson

• Redefining identity after high achievement Zara shares what it was like to step away from elite sport and a fast-paced tech career, and how she began to rediscover who she was beyond being “good” at things.

• From burnout to bunnies and Pilates She opens up about her quarter-life crisis, the slow process of creating space for joy, and how simple practices like outdoor walks and creative hobbies helped her reconnect with herself.

• “You never regret a swim.” Zara reflects on the healing power of nature, movement, and the outdoors — and why going for a swim is her go-to reset.

• Letting go of the ‘shoulds’ She discusses the pressure of external expectations, and how she’s learned to ask: “Do I want to do this, or do I just feel like I should?”

“There isn’t one rote path that you have to take to reach a goal... it’s okay to meander a little bit and live life and kind of explore.”

For Agnar Hall, the journey to NASA wasn’t linear—it was layered. In this episode, he opens up about stepping away from a PhD, working at Starbucks while healing from fibromyalgia, and embracing his identity as a transgender man. With gentle candour and sharp insight, Agnar talks about what it’s like to rewire your definition of success while still holding onto your dreams. We touch on space science, social dynamics, and the subtle bravery of taking the long way home.

There’s something deeply relieving about Agnar’s outlook. He offers a map that doesn’t require urgency or perfection, only honesty and small acts of momentum. His story reminds us that meaning doesn’t arrive fully formed—it’s built through slow pivots, quiet reckonings, and friendships that feel like gravity. If you’ve ever questioned the plan you were handed or felt behind in your own timeline, this conversation is a balm.

🎧 Episode Highlights 

• Growing up in Houston with a dream to study space from age two
• What a systems test engineer at NASA actually does
• Living with fibromyalgia while building a career in science
• Leaving a PhD program, working at Starbucks, and redefining “success”
• Exploring gender identity and transitioning during grad school
• The emotional weight of names, myth, and kindness
• Friendship, humour, and what really matters at the end of the day
• Why “titles” and urgency don’t define worth—and what does
• What the universe can teach us about being human
• The value of speaking up when you finally have the power to be heard

Guest Bio: 

Agnar Hall is a Systems Test Engineer at NASA and a cosmologist at heart. With a deep-rooted passion for the structure and origins of the universe, his research has spanned galaxy clusters, high-redshift gas structures, and feedback processes in distant galaxies. He holds a Master's degree from New Mexico State University and a B.A. in astronomy from the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he worked on both optical and X-ray observational studies. Agnar has contributed to research at institutions like LASP and NASA’s Johnson Space Center, and his current work involves testing the software systems that support human spaceflight.

About Bountifull Podcast

The Bountifull Podcast explores the power of purpose, personal growth, and living with intention through real stories and actionable wisdom. Host Sian Simpson connects with interesting people from diverse backgrounds—from scientists and entrepreneurs to creatives and leaders—to dive into themes like identity, resilience, and the importance of embracing your unique path. This week, Agnar Hall, a NASA Systems Test Engineer, shares his remarkable journey of redefining success and building a life full of meaning through small steps and quiet courage. From battling fibromyalgia to transitioning during grad school, Agnar’s story reminds us that success doesn’t follow a straight line, and that purpose is often built through life’s twists and turns.

https://bountifullworld.com/

What do you build when the world around you wasn’t designed with you in mind? For Emma Bates, the answer was Diem - a social search engine and online community where women’s lived experiences are turned into collective knowledge and wisdom.

In this week’s episode of the Bountifull Podcast, we sit down with Emma to talk about entrepreneurship, building what you wish existed, the value of asking better questions, and why access to the right information - information that reflects who you are and what you need - can be life-changing.

We explore the power of community, information, and lived experience; how to thrive in a world that often isn’t designed for you; and how to build a business and a life on your own terms. For Emma, that’s meant dedicating her work to closing the gender information gap and making the internet a less lonely place for women and marginalised groups.

We also talk about what living a bountiful life means to Emma, why she avoids working weekends even while running a high-growth, funded startup, how she thinks about prioritisation, and how she’s working on healthier rhythms.

Episode Highlights

🔍 Redefining Search – Emma shares the vision behind Diem: a social search engine inspired by how women have exchanged knowledge for generations—through stories, shared experiences, and community.

🧠 Information That Reflects You – We explore how access to the right information—information that’s shaped by context, care, and lived experience—can empower better decisions and deeper connection.

🌍 Building What You Wish Existed – Emma talks about noticing a gap and turning it into a mission: designing a digital space that feels more human, inclusive, and aligned with everyday life.

The Importance of Real-World Search Contexts – Emma shares why traditional search engines often fail to deliver relevant answers, particularly for women’s lived experiences, and how Diem is designed to change that.

🤝 Community as a Superpower – From group chat energy to shared wisdom, we look at how Diem creates space for honesty, curiosity, and connection - especially around topics you'll find in a group chat but not on the internet.

Advice for Managing Pressure as a Founder – Emma talks about setting boundaries, like not working weekends, and prioritising mental health even while running a fast-paced, venture-backed startup.

✨ What Living a Bountiful Life Means to Emma – For Emma, a bountiful life means having the time and space to be present, enjoy what you’re doing, and not feel pulled in a million directions.

Guest Bio:

Emma Bates is the CEO and co-founder of Diem, a social search engine and platform focused on women and non-binary individuals, aiming to address the gender information gap. She is a marketer and community builder with experience in fast-growing consumer brands and a background in social media, blogging, and community management. Bates is a passionate advocate for gender equity and equality, with a mission to foster real connections and create inclusive online platforms that celebrate women and non-binary people. 

About the Bountifull Podcast:

The Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a fulfilling life, one conversation at a time. We have extraordinary guests from diverse backgrounds all contributing to our understanding of what it means to live a bountiful life.

"Food is a bridge. It's one of the few places where people let their guard down and are open to learning something new." — Adrian Miller

This week on the Bountifull Podcast, we sit down with Adrian Miller—lawyer, author, former White House advisor, and James Beard Award-winning soul food historian—for a rich conversation about how culture, history, and food shape our identity. From growing up in a religious Black household in Denver to carving out a path as a culinary historian, Adrian brings wisdom, wit, and warmth to a conversation that wrestles with hard truths and still finds joy.

We talk about safe spaces, historical erasure, and what it means to hold complexity without giving up on hope. Adrian shares how food can be a site of memory, resistance, celebration, and connection. If you've ever wondered how to honour culture without appropriating it, or how to talk about hard history with humility, this episode is full of insight—and soul.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

🍗 Food as a Cultural Connector – How sharing meals can open conversations about identity, history, and race—and why soul food is both misunderstood and deeply meaningful.

🏛️ Wrestling with Hard History – Adrian shares the realities of researching African American culinary history and why facing historical erasure is necessary to reclaim culture and pride.

✝️ Faith, Family, and Identity – The influence of growing up in a deeply religious Black household, and how church shaped Adrian’s worldview, community, and sense of purpose.

🎓 Becoming a Historian by Accident – From law school to the Clinton White House to writing cookbooks, Adrian talks about how a temporary job changed the direction of his life.

🍴 Cultural Appreciation vs. Appropriation – A thoughtful take on what it means to honour food traditions without erasing the people and stories behind them.

🛐 Creating Safe Spaces in Unlikely Places – How Adrian found belonging in political and spiritual communities, and why talking about race, faith, and food is essential even when it's uncomfortable.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Growing up in a religious Black household06:12 – Early experiences with race, identity, and fitting in11:55 – Soul food as a gateway to history and storytelling16:40 – Working in the Clinton White House and entering public policy23:05 – How he became a “Soul Food Scholar”30:08 – On writing about African American food culture36:21 – Cultural appropriation vs. appreciation42:18 – Faith, food, and finding safe spaces48:00 – What makes a bountiful life for Adrian

Guest Bio:

Adrian Miller is an award-winning food writer,recovering attorney, and certified barbecue judge.Adrian previously served as a White House specialassistant to President Bill Clinton, and as a seniorpolicy analyst for Colorado governor Bill Ritter Jr. He iscurrently the Executive Director of the ColoradoCouncil of Churches, and recently co-curated the“Proclaiming Colorado’s Black History” for the Museumof Boulder. Adrian lives in Denver, Colorado.

About Bountifull Podcast

The Bountifull Podcast explores how to live a joyful, purpose-driven life through real stories and actionable insights. Host Sian Simpson engages with interesting people from diverse backgrounds, including entrepreneurs, creatives, and experts, to discuss personal growth, emotional wellness, creativity, and the importance of connection. Whether it’s learning about culture, identity, or finding purpose, each episode offers practical wisdom and inspiration to help you live a more meaningful and bountiful life.

This week on the Bountifull Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, professor of psychology and neuroscience, and one of the world’s leading researchers on social connection. Julianne’s work has shaped global public health policy and sparked a deeper understanding of why our relationships matter—not just emotionally, but physically, cognitively, and even biologically.

Together, we explore the science behind connection—why it matters, what it’s made of, and how loneliness, isolation, and friendship shape our lives in ways we often overlook. We talk about the health risks of loneliness (yes, they’re real), why it’s hard to make friends as an adult, and how to assess and strengthen your own relationships using her concentric circles activity. This episode is both thoughtful and practical—a reminder that social connection isn’t a luxury, it’s a cornerstone of a full, rich, bountiful life.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

🌐 The State of Global Connection – Why nearly a quarter of people around the world report feeling lonely, and what the data tells us about connection trends.

🧠 How Loneliness Affects the Brain and Body – The physiological stress response of isolation and the links between loneliness, inflammation, and early mortality.

📊 Loneliness and Health Risks – The research behind Julianne’s groundbreaking meta-analyses on how social isolation and living alone can increase the risk of early death.

🔄 The Bi-Directional Loop Between Depression and Isolation – Why loneliness and depression feed each other, and how to break the cycle.

🧩 Redefining Social Connection – Julianne’s three-part framework: structure, function, and quality—and why having one close friend isn’t always enough.

📍 How to Map Your Relationships – A simple concentric circles activity to assess your support network and identify areas for growth or repair.

🤝 Why Connection Takes Work (and That’s Okay) – The science behind building and maintaining friendships—and why consistency matters more than charisma.

🏛️ The Bigger Picture – How workplaces, policies, and communities can either support or sabotage our ability to connect—and what we can all do about it.

About this episode:

Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad shares why social connection isn’t just nice to have—it’s a biological necessity. From mapping your own relationships to understanding the health risks of loneliness, this episode is a practical and powerful look at how connection shapes a bountiful life.

Guest Bio

Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad is a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University, and director of the Social Connection & Health Lab. Her groundbreaking research on social connection has been pivotal in shifting global understanding of loneliness and isolation—from emotional experiences to urgent public health issues.

Julianne served as the lead scientific editor for the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation, and advises organisations from the World Health Organization to the U.S. Congress. With more than two decades of research and advocacy, she’s become one of the most influential voices on how relationships shape our health, well-being, and society.

About the Bountifull Podcast:

The Bountifull Podcast explores how to live a more joyful, purpose-driven life through real stories and actionable wisdom. Host Sian Simpson engages with thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and creatives to dive into topics like personal growth, emotional wellness, creativity, and living with intention. Whether it’s learning about the science of social connection, the importance of self-discovery, or the power of resilience, each episode offers practical tools and inspiration to help you create a bountiful life.

This week on the Bountifull Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Kristin Francis, psychiatrist, educator, and passionate advocate for brain health. In this honest and practical conversation, we explore the spectrum of mental health—from depression and anxiety to resilience and wellness—and how we can begin to understand our brains with more clarity, compassion, and curiosity.

Kristin offers a powerful reframe: our brains are organs, just like our hearts or livers. And yet we treat them with shame instead of support. Together we talk about what depression actually is, how to recognise when we or someone we love might be struggling, and why healing is possible—with the right help, evidence-based treatments, and a little bit of hope.

From the science of gratitude to the simple power of going outside, this episode is a reminder that small actions can make a big difference—and that no one needs to walk through it alone.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

🧠 Mental Health Is Brain Health – Why we need to treat the brain like any other organ, and how stigma is holding us back from healing.

📉 Understanding Depression – How to distinguish between difficult seasons and clinical depression, and when to seek support.

🔬 What’s Really Going On in the Brain – The neuroscience behind mood disorders, neurotransmitters, and why depression isn’t a life sentence.

🗣️ Why Shame Doesn’t Help – How secrecy and silence make things worse, and why starting the conversation is often the first step toward healing.

🧰 Practical Tools to Cope and Recover – From medication to motivation, Kristin shares science-backed strategies that help shift the brain toward wellness.

🌿 The Power of Small Behaviours – Why going outside, connecting with others, and choosing helpful actions can start to change how you feel.

💛 The Science of Gratitude – What actually happens in your body when you practise gratitude, and why it improves mental, emotional, and physical health.

📓 Four Easy Gratitude Practices – Simple ways to build appreciation into your daily life—no guru mindset or journaling marathons required.

Guest Bio

Dr. Kristin Francis is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at the University of Utah’s Huntsman Mental Health Institute. Board certified in both Adult Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, she has trained at the Mayo Clinic and spent her career supporting individuals and families through some of their hardest moments.

Kristin specialises in treating depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and other psychiatric conditions using family-based, evidence-informed approaches. She’s also a passionate educator and speaker, known for making mental health approachable, actionable, and hopeful. Through her work, she advocates for reducing stigma and helping people understand that brain health is just health—and that recovery is possible.

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Hey friends, Welcome to Season Three of the Bountifull Podcast. This season, we’ve got eleven incredible episodes that help us explore what it means to live a bountiful life—through themes like contribution, depression, gratitude, culture and identity, entrepreneurship, passive income, social connection, exercise, and even capitalism.

My goal, as always, is to bring you conversations with extraordinary people from all walks of life, who share real stories and practical wisdom. And honestly, I think you’re going to love these guests as much as I did recording with them.

Over the last few seasons, a few core themes have started to emerge: contribution beyond ourselves leads to greater fulfillment and happiness, joy is a choice, and we need to learn how to thrive within the systems we’re in—even when they challenge our values. That last one is exactly what we’re exploring in today’s episode.

We’re kicking off with a conversation on how to live a bountiful life in a capitalist world. Because like it or not, this is the system we’re in—and understanding how to navigate it is key to building a more joyful and sustainable life.

Thanks for being part of the Bountifull community. I’m so excited to dive into this new season with you.

#Podcast #PersonalGrowth #podcastlife #joyfulliving #spotify #gratitudeattitude #inspiration 

This week on the Bountifull Podcast, we’re joined by Dirk Philipsen, Duke professor, economic historian, and one of the world’s leading thinkers on capitalism and well-being. In a world where burnout, inequality, and the pressure to grow at all costs feel ever-present, this conversation gives voice to so many of the questions we quietly carry—but don’t always have the words for.

Together, we explore what capitalism really is—beyond just markets and money—and how it subtly shapes our relationships, our work, our sense of self, and our definition of success. Dirk offers a thoughtful, grounded lens on how we got here, why the system demands constant growth, and how we can begin to imagine and live into something more bountiful.

If you’ve ever felt worn down by the grind or wondered whether there’s another way to measure meaning, this episode offers radical hope, practical insight, and a reminder that a better future is possible—even within the system we live in now.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

📚 What Capitalism Actually Is – Dirk breaks down the origins of capitalism, why it depends on endless growth, and how it became the dominant system shaping our world.

🧠 How Capitalism Impacts Well-Being – From loneliness to burnout to housing insecurity, Dirk explains the subtle and not-so-subtle ways our economic system affects our health and relationships.

💬 Why GDP Is a Terrible Measure of Success – A closer look at Dirk’s book The Little Big Number and why GDP rewards destruction but ignores care, joy, and community.

🌱 What It Means to Thrive – How we can move beyond survival and into dignity, security, and contribution—not just individually, but as a collective.

📊 Alternative Models and Practical Ideas – From 15-minute cities to public goods, Dirk shares real-world examples of systems that prioritise well-being over profit.

💛 How to Align Your Life with Your Values – Tips on redefining success, spending intentionally, and reconnecting with what really matters.

🌍 Radical Hope and the Possibility of a Post-Capitalist Future – Why abundance isn’t about having more—it’s about sharing more, caring more, and reimagining what we’re here for.
Guest Bio:

Dirk Philipsen teaches economic history at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy and the Duke History Department. He also serves as Senior Fellow at the Kenan Institute for Ethics, director of the Regenerative Futures Lab, and founding associate of the Wellbeing Economy Alliance.

Dirk’s work focuses on the intersection of history, economics, and ethics, with a passion for making complex ideas accessible. His book The Little Big Number critiques GDP as a measure of progress and explores how we can shift toward systems that prioritise people and planet. As a teacher, writer, and thought leader, Dirk is committed to helping us understand the structures we live in—and empowering us to imagine something better.

The Bountifull Podcasts explores what it means to live a bountiful life with extraordinary from diverse backgrounds one conversation at a time.

"You don’t have to believe in energy for it to affect you. You’ve walked into a room and felt tension. You’ve met people who drain you, and others who light you up. We are all picking up on energy, whether we realize it or not."

This week on the Bountifull Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Rick Leskowitz, a Harvard-affiliated psychiatrist, researcher, and expert in pain management, energy healing, and consciousness. With over 25 years of experience at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Rick has spent his career exploring the connection between mind, body, and energy—long before mainstream medicine began catching up.

In this episode, we dive into the #science of energy and its impact on our health, relationships, and collective well-being. Rick shares his research on phantom limb pain, group energy fields, and how our focus and intention influence both physical and emotional healing. We also explore why Western medicine has overlooked energy as a key part of #healing, and what happens when we begin to see ourselves as more than just physical bodies.

If you’ve ever wondered why some places "feel different," why some people leave you feeling drained while others lift you up, or how energy plays a role in our everyday lives, this episode offers a fascinating and practical perspective.

Episode Highlights:

💡 How Energy Shapes Our Everyday Interactions – Why we feel drained by some people and uplifted by others, and what this tells us about how energy works.

⚕️ What Phantom Limb Patients and Nature Reveal About the Body’s Energy Field – How people feel sensations in missing limbs, and what this teaches us about energy beyond the physical body, and our biofield.

🔬 Lessons from Meditation on the Mind-Body Connection – Rick’s personal insights on how meditation shapes awareness, regulates emotions, and supports healing.

📍 "There’s Something in the Air"—How Energy Exists Beyond the Body – Understanding why certain places feel different, how energy moves beyond our physical selves, and the idea of consciousness as a broader field.

🛠️ Practical Ways to Set Intentions and Shift Energy – How awareness, breathwork, and visualization can help you become more intentional about how you show up in the world.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to Dr. Rick Leskowitz and his work at the intersection of medicine and energy
04:12 – How Western medicine has overlooked energy in healing, and why that matters
07:20 – Understanding the biofield and the science behind phantom limb pain
12:45 – How emotions, trauma, and energy are linked in the body
18:30 – The mind-body connection: why meditation, hypnosis, and intention can influence healing
22:40 – Group energy in sports and society: how collective focus can shift outcomes
29:15 – The surprising findings of research on meditation, consciousness, and crime rates
35:50 – Why certain places feel different: exploring Earth energies and vibrational fields
42:10 – Simple ways to become more aware of your energy and the energy around you
48:30 – How to clear stuck energy and reset your focus for better well-being
56:15 – Reflections on what it means to live a bountiful life through greater energy awareness

Guest Bio:

Dr. Rick Leskowitz is a Harvard-affiliated psychiatrist, pain management specialist, and researcher who has spent over 25 years at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital studying the intersection of medicine, energy, and consciousness. His work explores how mind-body practices like meditation, hypnosis, and energy psychology influence healing, and he has extensively researched the biofield and phantom limb pain.

Rick has written multiple books, contributed to over 50 scientific publications, and produced the PBS documentary The Joy of Sox, which examines the impact of group energy on sports teams. His research challenges conventional medical thinking by bridging the gap between science and the unseen forces that shape human experience.

#mindfulness #meditation #energy

🌟"Most people can do anything, but a lot of people interpret that to mean they can do everything. And that’s just not true. You have to choose." 🌟

The startup world is filled with big dreams, bold bets, and the constant pressure to be right. But what if the secret to success isn’t about always getting it right, but learning how to be wrong?Rowan Simpson has spent decades at the heart of New Zealand’s most successful tech companies—Trade Me, Xero, Vend, and Timely—and his journey is a testament to the power of making mistakes, adapting, and building things that last.

In this episode, we talk aboutthe real startup journey—the messy, unpredictable, and often misunderstood reality of building great companies. Rowan shares his philosophy onfailure, investment, and decision-making, why he challenges the way we think about success, and how his book,How to Be Wrong, offers a fresh perspective on navigating uncertainty. Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or just someone figuring out whatenough looks like, this conversation is full of insights that will reshape the way you think about risk, ambition, and growth.

Episode Highlights:

💡The Myth of Doing It All: Why success isn’t about doingeverything, but about makingthe right choices.

🚀Behind the Scenes of New Zealand’s Biggest Startups: The untold stories from Trade Me, Xero, Vend, and Timely.

📉Failure as a Superpower: Why being wrong isn’t the problem—not learning from it is.

🏆What Really Makes a High-Performing Team: The crucial early hires that shape a company’s future.

💰Investment & Growth: The difference between a startup that thrives and one that stalls.

🎯Finding Enough: How Rowan defines success beyond financial gain and whybalance is harder than it sounds.

📖How to Be Wrong: The key takeaways from Rowan’s book and why every founder should embrace uncertainty.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to Rowan Simpson and his journey through New Zealand’s startup world
04:08 – What does living a bountiful life mean to Rowan? A fresh take on success andenoughness
07:20 – The startup myth: What people get wrong about success, failure, and overnight wins
13:33 – Trade Me’s early days and the lessons learned from scaling a high-growth company
18:03 – Why Rowan doesn’t call himself an "angel investor" and his philosophy on investing
24:50 – The reality of startup failure and the moments that almost broke now-famous companies
31:17 – The personal sacrifices behind high-growth ventures—finding the balance between work and life
39:47 – High-performing teams: What makes or breaks an early-stage startup?
45:03 – Money and meaning: How Rowan’s relationship with wealth has evolved
49:57 – The discontent that drives ambition—and whether the grass is really greener on the other side
58:25 – Founders get too much advice—how to filter the right guidance for you
1:05:43 – Final thoughts and where to find Rowan’s bookHow to Be Wrong

Guest Bio:

Rowan Simpson has been at the heart ofNew Zealand’s most successful technology companies, playing pivotal roles inTrade Me, Xero, Vend, and Timely. As anentrepreneur, investor, and advisor, he has witnessed first-hand how great companies are built—and how easily they can fail. Now, through hiswriting and investments, he’s helping shape the next generation of high-growth businesses. His book,How to Be Wrong, challenges the way we think aboutstartups, failure, and success, offering a refreshing and sometimes provocative take on what really matters.

📖Learn more about Rowan’s work and his book:
👉Website |How to Be Wrong |Buy the Book |LinkedIn

The Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through stories of wellbeing, resilience, connection and creativity. Bountifull emerged out of a simple yet profound desire to see more joy in the world.

Join the joy channel:

www.bountifullworld.com/subscribe/⁠#startup #decisionmaking #enough #podcast

🌟"I try to squeeze every last drop out of life that I can. If I could have two or three shots at it, I would. There’s just so much to explore." 🌟

Some people tiptoe through life—Lindsay Kaldon is not one of them. A NASA project manager, nuclear engineer, Air Force officer, pilot, and mother of four, she radiates energy and curiosity, always looking for the next frontier to push, the next challenge to tackle. From working on nuclear reactors that could power lunar and Martian bases to encouraging people of all ages to pursue their dreams, Lindsay embodies a life lived to the fullest.

In this episode, we talk about big dreams, bold risks, and the mindset that turns the impossible into reality. Lindsay shares her journey from Air Force missions to NASA’s cutting-edge space programs, why she believes it’snever too late to start something new, and how she stays focused, fearless, and endlessly excited about the future. Whether you’re chasing a big ambition or just need a reminder that life is for living, this episode will leave you inspired.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

🚀What it takes to power the Moon and beyond—Lindsay’s work on nuclear energy for space exploration.
💡The power of persistence—why she refuses to give up on her dream of becoming an astronaut.
🛩️Learning to fly at 41—why age should never stop you from pursuing your passions.
🔥Resilience, risk, and pushing boundaries—how growing up in the military shaped her mindset.
📖Why learning never stops—her advice for anyone who feels like it’s “too late” to start something new.
🔬The future of space exploration—how NASA is laying the groundwork for a lunar economy.

Detailed Timestamps:

00:00 – Meet Lindsay Kaldon: NASA project manager, nuclear engineer, and lifelong dreamer
04:12 – Growing up in a military family and learning to adapt to change
07:45 – Why it’snever too late to start something new—her advice for lifelong learning
10:30 – Becoming a pilot at 41 and why she still applies to be an astronaut
14:58 – The reality of working at NASA—what a day in her life looks like
20:40 – How nuclear energy will power the Moon and beyond
27:05 – The Artemis missions and why this generation is the “Artemis Generation”
33:14 – Overcoming fear and uncertainty—her approach to risk-taking
38:25 – The biggest misconceptions about nuclear energy and space reactors
44:30 – How NASA and the military are shaping the future of space travel
51:10 – What life has taught her about success, setbacks, and second chances
58:00 – The mantra that keeps her moving forward—what fuels her relentless optimism

Guest Bio:

Lindsay Kaldon is the Fission Surface Power Project Manager at NASA’s Glenn Research Center, leading efforts to develop nuclear reactors that will power future space missions. With over a decade of experience in military defense, nuclear engineering, and aerospace, her career spans roles in the U.S. Air Force, the Department of Defense, and now NASA. She holds degrees in electrical engineering, systems engineering, and nuclear engineering, and is also a Captain in the Air Force Reserves.

Beyond her work, Lindsay is a passionate advocate for STEM education, a private pilot, and a mother of four. Her infectious enthusiasm for life and learning makes her a true force of nature—one who believes that no dream is too big and no path is ever closed.

📖 Learn more about Lindsay’s work:
🔗NASA Glenn Research Center

The Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through stories of wellbeing, resilience, connection and creativity. Bountifull emerged out of a simple yet profound desire to see more joy in the world.

Join the joy channel:

www.bountifullworld.com/subscribe/⁠

#space #nasa #inspiration #aviation #dreambig #nevertoolate #podcastepisode #science #stem #womeninstem #nevergiveup #podcast #universe #engineering #moon

🌟 "I don’t think bountiful always has to mean money. It doesn’t always have to mean success in the world’s eyes. Bountiful to me is that my kids want to talk to me every day, that I have love in my life, and that I’m in a place where I don’t have to worry anymore." 🌟

What does it really mean to live a bountiful life? For Jessica Mogford, it’s not about status or wealth—it’s about resilience, love, and the small, everyday moments that make life meaningful. A mother of four, Jessica’s journey has been anything but conventional. From navigating a turbulent childhood to becoming a teen mom and later founding a maternity home for young mothers, she has turned hardship into purpose. In this episode, she shares the lessons she’s learned about forgiveness, independence, and the power of transparency in parenting and relationships. If you’ve ever faced adversity, questioned your own strength, or wondered how to rewrite your story, Jessica’s wisdom will stay with you long after this conversation ends.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

💛 What It Means to Live a Bountiful Life: Jessica shares why true abundance isn’t about money or status but about connection, love, and creating a life where you feel at peace.

🌿 Overcoming Hardship and Finding Strength: From losing her mother at 15 to navigating life as a teen mom, Jessica reflects on the resilience it took to rewrite her story.

🔄 Breaking the Cycle and Building a Future: How she moved away from a troubled environment to create a stable, loving home for her children.

💫 The Power of Forgiveness and Letting Go: Jessica opens up about healing from childhood trauma, making peace with the past, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

👩‍👧‍👦 Parenting with Honesty and Trust: Why transparency, respect, and unconditional love are the foundation of her approach to raising strong, independent kids.

🏠 Creating Hope for Young Mothers: The story behind Hope House, the maternity home she co-founded to support teen moms in need.

❤️ Finding Love Again and Blending Families: How reconnecting with her high school sweetheart brought a new perspective on love, trust, and second chances.

🌟 Life Lessons on Strength, Gratitude, and Living with Purpose: Jessica’s reflections on resilience, kindness, and embracing life’s challenges with an open heart.

Detailed Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to Jessica Mogford and her journey of resilience, motherhood, and overcoming hardship.
03:20 – What it means to live a bountiful life and why Jessica believes it’s about connection, not money.
07:15 – Growing up in a turbulent home and navigating childhood trauma.
13:40 – Losing her mother at 15 and the impact of sudden loss on her path forward.
18:10 – Becoming a teen mom at 16 and the challenges of raising a child with little support.
24:45 – How Jessica built a life of stability, moved away from her past, and broke the cycle of hardship.
30:20 – The creation of Hope House and her passion for helping young mothers find support.
35:10 – The power of forgiveness, letting go of resentment, and healing from the past.
40:25 – Parenting with transparency and why honesty is key to building trust with children.
44:30 – Finding love again, blending families, and learning to trust after hardship.
50:00 – Life lessons on resilience, gratitude, and embracing joy in everyday moments.

Guest Bio:

Jessica Mogford is a hospitality and real estate professional with over a decade of experience in creating exceptional service experiences. As Manager at Lyric Works, she is dedicated to fostering environments where collaboration and community thrive.

The Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through stories of wellbeing, resilience, connection and creativity. Bountifull emerged out of a simple yet profound desire to see more joy in the world.

Join the joy channel:

www.bountifullworld.com/subscribe/⁠ #adversity #hardship #podcast #selfcare #wellbeing

🌟 “Belonging isn’t something you achieve; it’s something you discover within yourself and nurture in the communities around you.” 🌟

This week on the Bountifull Podcast, I sit down with David Spinks, community builder, coach, and author of The Business of Belonging, to explore the intricate interplay of community, belonging, and self-discovery. From his journey of building CMX, a global community of over 20,000 professionals, to stepping back and rediscovering his own “enoughness,” David shares his wisdom on why true belonging starts from within.

If you’ve ever struggled with chasing external validation, wondered how to create meaningful connections, or felt the tension between ambition and alignment, this episode offers deeply personal insights and practical lessons for creating a more fulfilling life.

For the community managers, facilitators, and builders among you, this episode is a must-listen. David and I unpack what it really means to build thriving communities, starting with the idea that communities are complex, emergent systems—not something to control or predict, but something to nurture. We explore how to create the container for what people are yearning for and how, when done right, community will naturally fill that space. We also discuss the concept of community member fit, the value of running experiments to learn and adapt, and why conscious, intentional leadership is so critical—especially during transitions.

Episode Highlights:

🌱 The Journey to Enoughness: David shares his personal struggles with anxiety, burnout, and the constant chase for external success—and how he found a new path.

🌟 What Belonging Really Means: Insights on the difference between fitting in and true belonging, both in personal life and community spaces.

🛠️ Practical Tools for Inner Work: From meditation and coaching to breathwork and nature, David offers practical ways to uncover your own sense of enoughness.

🌍 Building and Nurturing Community: Lessons from leading CMX on how communities thrive when rooted in connection and purpose.

💡 Balancing Ambition and Well-Being: Why aligning your actions with your values creates lasting success and joy.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to David Spinks and his journey as a community builder.

05:15 – Defining belonging: What it is and why it matters.

10:30 – The difference between enoughness and chasing success.

18:20 – Tools and practices David used to reconnect with himself.

25:00 – The role of community in personal and professional growth.

32:45 – How to build healthier, more aligned relationships with work and life.

40:10 – Reflections on resilience, family, and the meaning of a bountiful life.

47:30 – Final thoughts on discovering enoughness and nurturing belonging.

About David Spinks:

David Spinks is a coach, writer, and community builder dedicated to helping people navigate life’s transitions and uncover their own sense of enoughness. As the co-founder of CMX, he created a global network of over 20,000 community professionals, which was later acquired. David is the author of The Business of Belonging, a comprehensive guide on building thriving communities.

After stepping back from his leadership role, David embarked on a personal journey to find balance and meaning in his life, overcoming burnout, anxiety, and personal challenges along the way. Today, he supports individuals in aligning their actions with their values through coaching, writing, and speaking. When he’s not working, you can find David exploring the woods, meditating, reading, or enjoying time with his wife, parents, and children.

https://davidspinks.com/ The Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through stories of wellbeing, resilience, connection and creativity. Bountifull emerged out of a simple yet profound desire to see more joy in the world. ⁠https://www.bountifullworld.com/subscribe/⁠ #joy #podcast #enough #community #belonging #selfcare #selflove #wellbeing

🌟 “Money touches every part of our lives—it’s not just numbers. It’s emotional, personal, and deeply connected to our values.” 🌟

Money shapes so much of our lives, from the decisions we make daily to the conversations we have (or avoid) with our loved ones—and even the internal dialogue we have with ourselves. For many of us, it’s tied to ingrained habits, childhood experiences, and relationship dynamics that influence how we spend, save, and plan for the future.

This week on the Bountifull Podcast, I sit down with Bari Tessler, financial therapist and author of The Art of Money, to explore how we can better understand and transform our money stories. Bari shares practical tools for recognizing the emotional patterns tied to money, tips for having more open and productive conversations with your partner, and how to align your financial decisions with your values. She also dives into healing financial shame and developing a new, empowering money identity.

If you’ve ever felt tension around money, struggled with financial shame, avoided debt discussions, or wondered how to create a healthier relationship with money—for yourself or as a couple—this episode is packed with grounded, actionable advice to help you move forward.

Episode Highlights:

🌱 Understanding Your Money Story: Bari explains how early life experiences and cultural influences shape your relationship with money.

🧠 Money and Emotions: Exploring the emotional side of finances and why financial shame often holds us back.

🛠️ The Art of Money Framework: Bari introduces her three-step process: Money Healing, Money Practices, and Money Maps.

🌟 Values and Spending: How to align your financial decisions with your deepest values for a more meaningful life.

🛠️ Practical Tools for Financial Clarity: From body-based practices to budgeting techniques, Bari offers actionable steps to build confidence with money.

✨ The Role of Money in Living Bountifully: Why understanding and improving your financial life contributes to overall abundance and fulfillment.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to Bari Tessler and her journey to financial therapy.
04:30 – The origins of your money story and its lasting impact.
10:15 – Why financial shame is so common—and how to begin addressing it.
18:40 – Bari’s three-step Art of Money Framework: Money Healing, Money Practices, Money Maps.
27:10 – Aligning spending with values: What does financial alignment look like?
34:20 – Tools for financial clarity: Budgeting, tracking, and mindfulness techniques.
42:05 – The connection between money, emotional well-being, and living a bountiful life.
50:00 – Final reflections and Bari’s advice for transforming your financial journey.

About Bari Tessler:

Bari Tessler, M.A., is a Financial Therapist, author, and the founder of The Art of Money, a year-long financial therapy program that has guided thousands of students worldwide. With a background in somatic psychology and financial education, Bari specializes in helping people transform their relationship with money through a compassionate and practical approach. Her work has been featured in major outlets like Oprah.com, Inc.com, and MindBodyGreen. Bari is the author of the best-selling book The Art of Money: A Life-Changing Guide to Financial Happiness. She lives in Boulder, Colorado, with her husband, son, and their many cats.

https://baritessler.com/

The Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through stories of wellbeing, resilience, connection and creativity. Bountifull emerged out of a simple yet profound desire to see more joy in the world.

Join our community and opt in to joy, positivity, serenity and abundance https://www.bountifullworld.com/subscribe/

#joy #podcast #motivation #life #inspiration #education #happylife #selfimprovement #money #finance #financialindependence #freedom #healing

🌟 “If you want to live a happy life, don’t focus on finding your own happiness—focus on serving others, and you’ll wake up one day and realize you’re happy.” 🌟

This week on the Bountifull Podcast, we’re joined by Adam Wardel, a lawyer, leader, father, and self-described work-in-progress who lives (quite literally) in Bountiful, Utah. In this refreshingly practical conversation, Adam talks about the value of asking for what you want, balancing life’s many demands, and choosing service over self-focus. As we kick off the new year, this episode offers a timely reminder to show up intentionally and take small steps toward a more meaningful, bountiful life.

Episode Highlights

🌟 The Power of Asking: Adam shares how asking for what you want—whether at work or in life—can lead to unexpected opportunities.

🛠️ Balancing It All: Insights on managing career, marriage, parenting, and personal growth without dropping the ball.

🌱 Organized Chaos: Adam’s perspective on embracing life’s struggles and why joy often comes from showing up intentionally, even when it’s hard.

💡 Service Over Self-Focus: Why prioritizing the happiness of others ultimately leads to your own fulfillment.

🏡 Breaking Roles and Expectations: A practical look at redefining family roles and making decisions that serve the household as a whole.

✨ Living a Bountiful Life: How Adam integrates purpose, patience, and faith into his daily choices.

Detailed Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction to Adam Wardel and his take on a bountiful life.
03:45 – Adam’s upbringing, career as a lawyer, and shift to in-house roles.
08:07 – Living in Bountiful, Utah, and the role of service in finding happiness.
16:17 – Adam’s views on pushing his kids to embrace independence and uncertainty.
20:45 – The power of asking for what you want—and saying yes to opportunities.
25:12 – Practical tips for remote work and creating flexibility in a demanding career.
37:12 – Balancing family and career: setting expectations and calendaring life.
42:13 – Redefining family roles: transparency, honesty, and doing what works for your household.
47:19 – Final reflections: faith, service, and being intentional about happiness.

Guest Bio

Adam Wardel is a Fractional General Counsel, Board Member and World traveller. He's held senior legal roles in numerous businesses across the United States often building the legal team from the ground up, he has also led multiple acquisitions. With over a decade of experience across law, technology, and banking, Adam has become a trusted advisor to businesses navigating growth and risk. Beyond his impressive career, Adam’s greatest joy comes from his family and serving others. He splits his time between Bountiful, Utah, and Paris, France, embracing a life of intentionality, adventure, and “organized chaos.”

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamwardel/

The Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through stories of wellbeing, resilience, connection and creativity. Bountifull emerged out of a simple yet profound desire to see more joy in the world.

Join our community and opt in to joy, positivity, serenity and abundance https://www.bountifullworld.com/subscribe/

#joy #podcast #motivation #life #inspiration #education #happylife #selfimprovement

🌟 “Purpose needs to be actionable, aligned, and authentic. It’s not about lofty ideas; it’s about how you live on a Wednesday afternoon.” 🌟

In this episode of the Bountifull Podcast, I sit down with Nell Derick Debevoise, speaker, coach, and best-selling author, to explore the often-overwhelming concept of purpose and how we can make it practical, grounded, and actionable. Whether you’ve found your purpose or are still navigating through uncertainty, Nell offers frameworks, wisdom, and encouragement to help you clarify your “why” and embrace a fulfilling life.

Episode Highlights:

🌱 Depressurizing Purpose: Nell shares how purpose doesn’t need to be a grand, lofty idea—it’s about aligning small, meaningful actions to who you are and what matters most.

🛠️ The Three A’s of Purpose: Purpose should be Actionable, Aligned, and Authentic—focused on what you can realistically contribute and what makes you come alive.

✨ Purpose and Contribution: Nell discusses the difference between purpose and contribution, showing how small, intentional actions add up to a life of meaning and fulfillment.

🎯 The One-Eight-Billionth Concept: A powerful framework that encourages you to focus on your unique contribution to the world, no matter how small it seems.

🌿 Practical Tools to Find Purpose: Discover Nell’s step-by-step process for getting mindful, observing your life, and identifying where you feel most alive.

💡 Redefining Burnout: Nell explores how burnout often comes from misalignment or trying to take on someone else’s “one-eight-billionth” of the world’s problems.

Detailed Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: Purpose as actionable, aligned, and authentic.

02:05 – Nell’s upbringing and how her personal experience shaped her understanding of opportunity and purpose.

08:23 – What it means to live a bountiful life: growth, curiosity, and self-discovery.

18:25 – Practical tools: how to find purpose through small actions and observation.

20:49 – The Six Spheres of Impact: mapping your contributions in life’s key areas.

27:04 – Navigating constraints: purpose doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful.

29:54 – Why purpose needs a rewrite: debunking myths and misconceptions.

33:40 – Aligning personal purpose with organizational goals—finding meaning at work.

40:48 – The difference between purpose and contribution: taking ownership of your “one-eight-billionth.”

46:47 – The pitfalls of purpose: inaction, misalignment, and authenticity traps.

53:23 – Burnout and boundaries: how to dissect burnout and realign your purpose.

59:51 – Quickfire round: from underrated vegetables to life lessons and advice.

Guest Bio:

Nell Derick Debevoise is a speaker, coach, facilitator, and international best-selling author dedicated to helping individuals and organizations align their purpose with actionable impact. As the founder of the Purposeful Growth Institute and partner at PurposeFused, Nell brings practical wisdom to a topic that can often feel elusive. Her frameworks empower people to clarify their values, embrace contribution, and live authentically. With a rich background spanning four continents, a degree from Harvard, and decades of experience, Nell’s insights offer a refreshing, down-to-earth approach to discovering and living your purpose.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nellderickdebevoise/

The Bountifull Podcast explores what it means to live a bountiful life through stories of wellbeing, resilience, connection and creativity. Bountifull emerged out of a simple yet profound desire to see more joy in the world.

Join our community and opt in to joy, positivity, serenity and abundance https://www.bountifullworld.com/subscribe/