Unleashing YOUR Great Work

In this episode of Unleashing Your Great Work, Amanda sits down with Alice Draper, founder of Hustling Writers and host of the award-winning podcast My Rejection Story. Alice is on a mission to make publicity accessible by helping creators and entrepreneurs build what she calls rejection resilience. Alice shares her personal story of caregiving during the pandemic, facing loss, and discovering that life becomes richer when we stop self-rejecting. She explains how rejection shows up in our brains as real pain, why building a “rejection muscle” is essential, and how community makes the process of visibility more sustainable. You’ll learn: rejection resilience If you’ve been holding back from pitching, posting, or putting yourself out there, this conversation will give you both courage and concrete strategies. RESOURCES: Download the first chapter of Great Work Free: http://greatworkfreechapter.com Connect with Alice on LinkedIn! https://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-m-draper/ Connect with Alice on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/alicedraper/ Alice’s pitch templates: http://hustlingwriters.com/template My Rejection Story podcast: https://pod.link/1765721680 BIO: Alice is the founder of the podcast booking company, Hustling Writers and the host of the award-winning podcast "My Rejection Story". She is on a mission to make publicity accessible by reframing rejection. Alice has secured her clients on countless podcasts, including most of the top 0.5% shows. Some of her favorite things include strong coffee, affordable travel hacks, and deep connections. She detests small talk, waking up early, and unnecessary jargon.

In this inspiring conversation, Amanda sits down with Ha Nguyen, a global storyteller, entrepreneur, and Chief Growth Officer at Leaders Square. Ha shares his remarkable journey from growing up in rural Vietnam to studying in the United States, returning home against all advice, and building a life dedicated to connection, wisdom, and impact. In this episode, they explore: Hello Newness Along the way, Ha tells moving stories about his family, his commitment to legacy, and a special book project that led to building a small church in his mother’s childhood village, with the help of a moonwalker. If you’ve ever wondered how to transform curiosity into action and impact, this episode will leave you ready to start. RESOURCES: Download the first chapter of Great Work Free: https://www.amandacrowell.com/free-chapter Connect with Ha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nguyennoiha/ Ha's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGrowthInsights Leaders Create Leaders: https://www.leaderscreate.com/ BIO: Ha Nguyen is a storyteller, entrepreneur, husband, and father of three, fueled by a deep desire to make a difference. He believes the most powerful change begins within, a conviction that has guided his work and inspired him to explore paths he never imagined. Through his global platform, Ha has interviewed more than 1,100 extraordinary leaders, from astronauts and Nobel Prize winners to Fortune 500 executives and Holocaust survivors, gathering insights that illuminate what it means to live with courage, purpose, and impact. Today, he shares those lessons to help others discover their own Great Work.

In this solo episode, Dr. Amanda Crowell pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to move from lone wolf to collaborative creator. Born of her own struggles—and the behind-the-scenes story of writing Chapter 7 of the second edition of Great Work—this episode explores the three biggest mindset shifts Amanda had to make in order to collaborate without losing herself. You’ll hear how she learned to: Plus, Amanda shares the story of the Great Work book’s near-total rewrite, why perfectionism delays good collaboration, and how to spot the moment when real magic starts to unfold. Links & Resources: Buy Great Work or the Great Work Journal: amandacrowell.com/book-shop Snag the Lone Wolf's reflection guide: https://www.amandacrowell.com/blog/the-lone-wolfs-guide-to-collaboration-a-practical-guide-for-people-whod-really-rather-do-it-all-themselves Listen to the OG pisode about collaboration: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/great-work-is-done-in-community-encore-uygw070/id1586648710?i=1000612293955

In this electrifying episode of Unleashing Your Great Work, we’re joined by Shantel Love—award-winning VP of Customer Success, keynote speaker, and author of Promote Your Damn Self. From near homelessness to managing over a billion dollars in her career, Shantel shares her powerful story of reinvention, resilience, and rising to the top. Learn how personal branding is more than a buzzword—it’s a path to economic justice and generational wealth. Shantel’s insights will leave you inspired to own your value and advocate for your greatness. Key Topics Covered: BIO From being near homeless to managing over a billion-dollars in her career—plot twist: this isn't a Netflix series, it's Shantel Love's actual life story. As an award winning, Global VP of Customer Success and the first Black Woman VP in her division's history, she's living proof that shattering glass ceilings makes for excellent cardio. Author of the game-changing career and personal branding book, Promote Your D@mn Self, Shantel transforms boardrooms and ballrooms with her electrifying keynotes. While others perfect their elevator pitch, she's busy teaching professionals how to own the entire building. Her secret sauce? Turning professional roadblocks into launching pads with a signature blend of sharp insights, authentic leadership, and refreshingly real talk. When she's not managing global teams or dropping wisdom on stage, Shantel serves on the board of Elevate Diversity and Girlz Who Sell and champions diversity as an executive sponsor of a Black Employee Resource Group. Her mission? Creating corporate ladders with wheelchair ramps, elevators, and escalators—because everyone deserves access to the top. Through strategic mentorship and speaking engagements, Shantel equips professionals with more than inspiration—she hands them the tools to rewrite their career stories and build an empire on their own terms. LINKS Website: ShantelLove.com Book: Promote Your D@mn Self: The 3 Personal Branding Mistakes to Avoid That Nearly Destroyed My Career Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/shantellove

Episode Title: [Choose from suggestions below] Guest: Dr. Gina Cox — Organizational psychologist, executive coach, and author of Leading Inclusion. Summary: Dr. Gina Cox returns to explore the power of respect in transforming workplaces and society. In this candid and timely conversation, Gina shares her Respect Ethos Framework, explains how respect fuels innovation, and reflects on how societal shifts have redefined her “great work.” Whether you're a leader, collaborator, or change-seeker, this episode will inspire and challenge you to think deeper about how we human. In this episode, we discuss: BIO For over 20 years, Dr. Gena Cox, an organizational psychologist, executive coach, and thought leader, has guided business leaders in building psychologically healthy cultures. Gena’s R-E-S-P-E-C-T Ethos™ framework helps leaders grow profitable businesses, enhance their leadership impact, and break down barriers to employee collaboration and innovation. Gena is named to the prestigious Thinkers50 Global Top 50 Coaches list and has earned many awards as the author of Leading Inclusion. She writes about the intersection of psychology and leadership for top-tier media, including Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Forbes. Gena earned her PhD in I/O Psychology from the University of South Florida. LINKS Opt-In: 25 Ways Anyone Can Help Build A Culture of Respect - https://www.genacox.com/25ways My POV & research page: https://genacox.com/respect/ Latest Forbes article about respect: https://www.forbes.com/sites/genacox/2025/05/06/7-ways-to-win-respect-as-a-power-advantage-when-stakes-are-high/ Connect with Gena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genacox/

Guest: Julie Ellis, award-winning entrepreneur, author of Big Gorgeous Goals, and podcast host of Figure 8 Summary: Julie Ellis returns to Unleashing Your Great Work for a lively and insightful conversation about building businesses, setting Big Gorgeous Goals, the necessity of collaboration, and how trusting others is essential to growing your great work. Julie shares her journey from co-founding Mabel's Labels to launching her own coaching and authoring career, emphasizing why solopreneurs must overcome lone-wolf tendencies to truly thrive. Amanda and Julie explore how leaders evolve, the tough lessons of delegation, and how peer support can be a game-changer. Topics Discussed: Big Gorgeous Goals BIO Julie Ellis is an author, keynote speaker and leadership coach to corporate leaders and scaling Entrepreneurs. Julie provides her unique experience and expertise to her coaching clients, gained through 25 years of working first in the corporate world, and then as a leading Canadian entrepreneur. She is a co-founder of award-winning Mabel’s Labels, one of Canada’s greatest small business success stories. Julie’s book, Big Gorgeous Goals is written for women entrepreneurs who want to step out of the small box they find themselves in and set world domination in their sights. In discussion with over a dozen women entrepreneurs, Julie explores their stories of why and how they have achieved great things in their lives and careers, and pairs that knowledge with her own stories of how she built, grew, and sold her business to a giant in her industry. LINKS Website: www.biggorgeousgoals.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-ellis/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/thejulieellis www.instagram.com/biggorgeousgoals

Podcast Show Notes Episode Title: The Neuroscience of Collaboration & Great Work with Dr. Catherine Franssen Guest: Dr. Catherine Franssen – Neuroscientist, Educator, and Advocate for Preventative Mental Health Episode Summary: In this transformative conversation, Dr. Catherine Franssen joins the podcast to discuss the science behind stress, connection, and collaboration. Drawing on her background in neurobiology and decades of research, Catherine shares why building a "wolf pack" is not only beneficial but essential for mental resilience and peak performance. From oxytocin and mirror neurons to the myth of the lone genius, this episode is a must-listen for anyone striving to do meaningful, impactful work without burning out. Topics Covered: Resources Mentioned: franssenstrategies.com LINKS https://www.franssenstrategies.com/ BIO Dr. Catherine Franssen is passionate about teaching high achievers how to use practical strategies, backed by science, to improve productivity, performance, and well-being. She received her Ph.D. in neurobiology from the University of Chicago and has thrived at multiple universities over the past two decades. Her collaborative research over the past two decades has appeared in prestigious academic journals as well as popular media outlets. Her areas of expertise include stress management, mental health, and neurodiversity.

In this inspiring episode of Unleashing Your Great Work, Dr. Amanda Krowl is joined once again by the brilliant AJ Harper — author, ghostwriter, teacher, and mastermind behind “Write a Must-Read.” Together, they dive deep into what it means to do truly great work, the power of creative collaboration, and the emotional resilience needed to keep going when the writing gets hard. AJ shares how her great work has evolved from ghostwriting bestselling books to empowering authors to finish (and flourish in) their own journeys. From writing sprints to trusting collaborators, to finding your voice in a noisy world, AJ brings wisdom, integrity, and serious inspiration. What You’ll Learn: stay in the game LINKS Learn more about AJ Harper, her book and her offerings: ajharper.com writeamustread.com AJ Harper's book: Write a Must-Read: Craft a Book That Changes Lives―Including Your Own BIO AJ Harper is an editor and publishing strategist who helps authors write transformational books that enable them to build readership, grow their brand, and make a significant impact on the world. As ghostwriter and as developmental editor, she has worked with hundreds of authors, from newbies to New York Times bestselling authors with millions of books sold. AJ teaches her method in Top Three Book Workshop and the Must-Read Editing Workshop. She is the Head Writing Coach for Heroic Public Speaking, the premier speaker training program created by Michael and Amy Port. She is writing partner to business author, Mike Michalowicz. Together they’ve written nine books, including Profit First. AJ is the author of Write a Must-Read: Craft a Book That Changes Lives--Including Your Own.

In this heartfelt and insightful episode, Amanda interviews visual storytelling expert John DeMato, who shares how his journey from behind the scenes of daytime television to behind the camera helped him discover and share his own great work. John specializes in photographing speakers, coaches, authors, and other experts—not just capturing what they look like but revealing who they truly are. We talk about: dances 📸 John also shares a powerful message: “It’s not about you—it’s about them.” 🧠 This episode is a masterclass in authenticity, storytelling, and showing up for your audience with heart. LINKS johndemato.com (newsletter signup is at the bottom of the page) BIO John DeMato is a visual storytelling expert who specializes in photographing experts—speakers, trainers, coaches, consultants, and authors—capturing a wealth of genuine moments and emotions that elevate their authority and credibility. John’s work helps his clients prove what they say by capturing them in genuine ways, creating a visual narrative that resonates with their audience. Through a combination of strategic planning and expert execution, John collaborates with his clients to build compelling image portfolios that demonstrate who they are, who they serve, and how they solve problems. He also empowers them to strategically implement these visual assets across their entire online presence, visually punctuating the sentiment behind every story they tell. A former talk television producer for NBC Universal’s Maury, John brings over 24 years of experience behind the camera, working with Hall of Fame speakers and emerging talents alike, helping them deliver their transformational message to the audiences that need to hear it most.

What if your money struggles aren’t a moral failure—but a systems problem? In this powerful episode of Unleashing Your Great Work, Amanda Crowell sits down with Anne Lester, retirement expert, author of Your Best Financial Life, and former Head of Retirement Solutions at JP Morgan. Anne is on a mission to remove shame from the conversation around money—and to help rising leaders take control of their financial futures. Drawing from her own story and decades of experience, she shares how our financial habits are often the result of wiring, not weakness, and offers practical tools to help you “move the door” and change your financial outcomes. Whether you're just starting your career, hitting your stride, or wondering if it’s too late to start saving—this episode is packed with wisdom that will change the way you think about money forever. 🔑 In this episode, you’ll learn: shame and fearbehavioral economicsset guardrailsMove the Doorreat Work 💡 Quotes to Remember: Links: AnneLester.com LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/savesmartwanne/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/savesmartwanne/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@savesmartwanne Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@savesmartwanne Facebook https://www.facebook.com/savesmartwanne

In this episode of Unleashing Your Great Work, Dr. Amanda Crowell takes us on her personal journey from going it alone to embracing collaboration as the key to success. She shares hard-earned lessons about the six levels of collaboration and how moving beyond solo work can unlock greater impact, creativity, and fulfillment. If you've ever hesitated to ask for help or believe you must do it all yourself, this episode is for you! What You'll Learn in This Episode: Great Work Resources & Mentions: Great Work: Do What Matters Most Without Sacrificing Everything Elselink)(Link)(Link)[Website][LinkedIn] Don't Forget to Subscribe & Review! If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a five-star review. It helps us reach more people who are ready to Unleash their Great Work!

On this episode, we dive deep with Jill Paider—an award-winning photographer turned astrologer—who shares how astrology became her ultimate tool for self-mastery and creativity. If you’ve ever felt like something big was shifting in your life but couldn’t quite put it into words—this episode will give you a whole new perspective. Listen now and discover how to align with your true strengths. About Jill Paider: Jill Paider is an astrologer focused on self-mastery for creative entrepreneurs. She is an award-winning photographer, bestselling author, and founder of Gilliard Moshe, a publishing agency. @jillpaider www.jillpaiderastrologer.com www.jillpaider.com

Have you ever set a goal and then completely forgotten about it? Or worse—remembered it later and felt frustrated that you never followed through? That’s Goalnesia, and today we’re tackling it head-on. In this episode, we’ll explore: ✅ Why Goalnesia happens (and why it’s not just procrastination) ✅ Six powerful questions to uncover hidden mindset blocks ✅ How to break free from perfectionism and overwhelm ✅ The Three Goal Strategy for focusing on what truly matters ✅ How to use the Great Work Journal to stay on track Did you love this episode? Subscribe and Review the podcast and help other people find it, too.

Listen in as leadership coach Susan Eckstein tells us how to dismantle our armor and learn to live-- and work!-- more authentically. LEARN ABOUT SUSAN Susan Eckstein is an executive and leadership coach and group coaching facilitator. The foundation of her work is Unarmored Leadership™, a coaching model she created to help leaders dismantle their armor so they can lead without limitations. Susan is passionate about serving ambitious leaders who are armoring up and experiencing crises of confidence. Her coaching focuses on improving communication and executive presence, navigating ambiguity, and overcoming imposter syndrome. Susan is a certified Group Coaching HQ Master Coach, Facilitator of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® x Coaching, and Clear Beliefs Coach. With more than a decade of public relations experience, Susan has worked with senior-level executives in the medical, pharmaceutical, and financial industries. She is also a three-time Ironman competitor and former USA Triathlon certified coach who has coached hundreds of people to compete in their dream athletic events. CONNECT WITH SUSAN LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susaneckstein/ Website: www.unarmoredleadership.com Unarmored Leadership Quiz: https://056drajwooi.typeform.com/to/ymm9glfe

Take the time to reflect on 2025 in a manner guaranteed to make you feel grounded today and hopeful in 2025. Here are some links you might need: Grab the workbook!the Great Work Series!Try the Great Work Journals!

I don't know about you, but I've been fighting to keep myself focused on my Great Work in the past couple of weeks. Things seem to be moving at the speed of light out in the world, and I'm struggling to keep up. To bring myself back into myself, I used my 3B protocol to get myself back on track. The 3B protocol is a way to prioritize your jumbled, conflicting thoughts and worries. It involves identifying the Bright Spots, Broken Windows, and Black Holes in your thinking and then moving forward with clarity. 💡 Bright Spots are the areas where things are working. Your job is to lean into them and create even more success. 💔 Broken Windows require immediate attention. Avoiding them will inevitably cause more problems, so addressing them is our highest priority. ⚫ Black Holes, however, reveal where you pour your attention without discernible effect. Black Holes include endlessly relitigating decisions you’ve already made, analyzing past regrets, obsessing over future scenarios, and falling into the doom scroll of world events. Listen in for concrete strategies and heartfelt advice. Ready for more? Read my book and try the Great Work Journal for yourself! Info here: amandacrowell.com/great-work Want to discuss working together? Schedule a call: amandacrowell.com/coach-me

Nikki James Zellner is a content strategist who empowers all to use their personal experiences + authentic voices to express themselves, build their legacy brands, and change the world. A dual business owner with a background deeply rooted in community, marketing, and storytelling, she’s launched 15 lifestyle magazines, helped build the success of hundreds brands, and worked in front of and behind the scenes to share written and visual stories in a way that captivated audiences. She was awarded the 2022 Trailblazer of the Year award in the National Veteran and Military Spouse Entrepreneur Awards, and in her spare time, she fought the law for safer schools in Virginia…and won. Resources Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkijameszellner https://www.nikkijameszellner.com https://carbonmonoxideinschools.org About The Host: Dr. Amanda Crowell is a cognitive psychologist, speaker, author, and coach focused on changing our perspective on the world of work. It IS possible to do Great Work—the work that calls to you from the inside-- without sacrificing your health, happiness, and relationships. Amanda is the Author of the book, Great Work: Do What Matters Most Without Sacrificing Everything Else, and the creator of the Great Work Journals. Amanda's TEDx talk has received almost two million views and has been featured on TED's Ideas blog and Ted Shorts. Her ideas have also been featured on NPR, Al Jazeera, The Wall Street Journal, Quartz, and Thrive Global. Follow the podcast To get each new episode downloaded automatically, click the + to follow the podcast! Leave us a review Ratings and reviews mean everything to us. They help our podcast rank higher, which means more people will be inspired to unleash their Great Work! Your time to leave a review is greatly appreciated!

Obstacles DO NOT scare Sarah Wells. As a Silver Medalist in the Olympics, and runner-up in Season 7 of Canada’s “Amazing Race”, Sarah has become an expert of overcoming hurdles both literally and figuratively. The founder of the Believe Initiative, Sarah has used her story to help more than 125,000 people nationwide to understand the importance of believing in yourself and the power that comes with it. Resources Mentioned: Social Media: @SarahWells400mh www.sarahwells.ca www.believeinitiative.com Click here to get your own copy of Amanda's book, Great Work. About The Host: Dr. Amanda Crowell is a cognitive psychologist, speaker, author, and coach focused on changing our perspective on the world of work. It IS possible to do Great Work—the work that calls to you from the inside-- without sacrificing your health, happiness, and relationships. Amanda is the Author of the book, Great Work: Do What Matters Most Without Sacrificing Everything Else, and the creator of the Great Work Journals. Amanda's TEDx talk has received almost two million views and has been featured on TED's Ideas blog and Ted Shorts. Her ideas have also been featured on NPR, Al Jazeera, The Wall Street Journal, Quartz, and Thrive Global. Follow the podcast To get each new episode downloaded automatically, click the + to follow the podcast! Leave us a review Ratings and reviews mean everything to us. They help our podcast rank higher, which means more people will be inspired to unleash their Great Work! Your time to leave a review is greatly appreciated!

What better guest to kick it off the 3rd season of the podcast than with Jimmy Diresta, host of the hit Netflix series, “Making Fun”, and YouTube sensation. Jimmy is an artist, TV personality, video producer, and educator that describes his life-long passion as being a “maker”. Inspired by the works of Warhol, Picasso, Steven Tyler and Mariah Carey (to name a few), Jimmy always knew that a maker is what he was born to be. In this Season 3 premier episode, Jimmy takes us on his journey of where he began, where he plans to go, and how the unforeseen and unknown are the perfect places to find your inspiration.. Listen in to this week’s episode to learn more on how Jimmy earned his well deserved title, “The Godfather of Makers.” Resources Mentioned: Jimmy Diresta's YouTube Channel Click here to get your own copy of Amanda's book, Great Work. About The Host: Dr. Amanda Crowell is a cognitive psychologist, speaker, author, and coach focused on changing our perspective on the world of work. It IS possible to do Great Work—the work that calls to you from the inside-- without sacrificing your health, happiness, and relationships. Amanda is the Author of the book, Great Work: Do What Matters Most Without Sacrificing Everything Else, and the creator of the Great Work Journals. Amanda's TEDx talk has received almost two million views and has been featured on TED's Ideas blog and Ted Shorts. Her ideas have also been featured on NPR, Al Jazeera, The Wall Street Journal, Quartz, and Thrive Global. Follow the podcast To get each new episode downloaded automatically, click the + to follow the podcast! Leave us a review Ratings and reviews mean everything to us. They help our podcast rank higher, which means more people will be inspired to unleash their Great Work! Your time to leave a review is greatly appreciated!

Have you ever felt like you needed more? More money, more prestige, more status, and more accomplishment? In this week’s podcast episode Tara McMullin, the author of What Works: A Comprehensive Framework to Change the Way We Approach Goal-Setting, helps us peek behind the curtain. Listen in as she unpacks the programming creating this lack of satisfaction and gives us important clues about how to de-program ourselves. Tara will help us focus on being in process with ourselves instead of seeking ever more, ever more. Join Tara McMullin and Dr. Amanda Crowell as we discuss: