You’re checking all the boxes—career, income, productivity—but something still feels off. In this episode, we explore resilience mapping, a powerful framework for realigning your work and life with what truly matters. Guest expert Genevieve Skory unpacks how to prepare for life’s inevitable challenges by grounding yourself in your core values—so you can face obstacles without losing your way. Whether you’re feeling burned out, disconnected from your purpose, or just stuck in a cycle of chasing the next achievement, this conversation will show you how to build sustainable success rooted in meaning, not just momentum. Learn how to bounce back stronger, enjoy the process, and create a more purpose-driven life—starting today.

00:00 Introduction to Resilience
01:30 Meet Genevieve
01:49 Defining Resilience and Resilience Mapping
05:20 The Importance of Values in Resilience Mapping
06:31 Steps to Effective Resilience Mapping
12:06 The Role of Goal Setting and Daily Reflection
14:33 Real-Life Applications and Success Stories
25:23 Final Thoughts

Connect with Genevieve

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In this episode, Anthony Craiker sits down with Alan Lazaros, CEO and co-host of the Top 100 podcast Next Level University, to explore how adversity can fuel a purpose-driven life. Alan shares his journey from personal tragedy to professional success, offering career coaching insights on how to build resilience, create work-life balance, and align your skills with your calling. Whether you're seeking meaningful work, longing for deeper fulfillment, or simply tired of chasing success without purpose, this conversation will give you the tools and mindset shifts needed to achieve health, wealth, love, and a meaningful life.

00:00 Intro
00:36 Overcoming Adversity
11:25 Career Success & Financial Growth
13:04 Turning Point
17:02 Mentorship & Realizations
18:12 Balancing Fulfillment & Success
19:29 Aligning Skills with Market Needs
26:40 Journey of Friendship and Collaboration

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About Alan Lazaros:

At age 2, Alan's father passed away in a car accident. At age 26, after getting into a nearly fatal car accident himself, he questioned everything he was doing in life. He questioned who he was and the choices he was making. At an all-time low, he learned the hard way that external success is empty when it's not aligned with who we really are and who we really aspire to be. Filled with pain, regret, and confusion, Alan searched for answers and finally found what he'd been missing: Holistic Self-Improvement. After that, he dug DEEP into every podcast, course, Ted Talk, and book he could get his hands on.

This process not only transformed Alan and his entire life, but it also helped him muster the courage to trade in an unfulfilling career for a deeply meaningful calling he was proud to go ALL IN on. Today, Alan is grateful to lead a global team of 17 individuals as the Founder and CEO of Next Level University, a Global Top 100 Self-Improvement Podcast that helps people reach their own unique potential in more than 175 countries. As a Coach, Trainer, and Podcaster, Alan believes in a heart-driven but NO BS approach to achieving both external success AND internal fulfillment, helping others get to the Next Level of their life, love, health, and wealth.

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Check out Alan's business coaching: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/business-consulting/

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Feeling overwhelmed by change or stuck in grief? You’re not alone, and you don’t have to stay there. In this inspiring episode, Laura Bratton shares her powerful story of losing her sight as a child and learning to navigate life with grit, purpose, and deep gratitude. If you're struggling to move forward, searching for resilience, or craving meaning in the middle of life’s hardest moments, Laura’s journey will show you that healing and hope are possible—one choice at a time.

00:00 Intro
01:11 Meet Laura Bratton
02:24 Childhood Diagnosis
06:26 Teenage Realization
10:52 College and Career
12:22 Grit and Gratitude
21:50 Developing Resilience
27:12 Final Thoughts

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About Laura Bratton:

At the age of nine, Laura was diagnosed with an eye disease and faced the difficult reality that she would become blind. Over the next ten years she experienced the traumatic transition of adjusting to life without sight. She is the author of the book, Harnessing Courage. Laura founded Ubi Global, which is an organization that provides speaking and coaching to empower all people to overcome challenges and obstacles with grit and gratitude.

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For More Info about Laura's speaking and coaching, check out: https://www.laurabratton.com/

Purchase Laura's book: Harnessing Courage: Overcoming Adversity with Grit and Gratitude

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Most people struggle to consistently prioritize their health, ending up discouraged over their perceived failures. In this episode, bestselling author and health coach, Esther Avant, teaches listeners how to better focus on their health through self-compassion and small, sustainable steps. She addresses common challenges such as overcoming perfectionism, struggling with consistency, dealing with stress eating, and finding motivation to exercise. Listeners will learn practical strategies to make lasting improvements that not only contribute to better health and wellbeing, but to a more meaningful life.

00:00 Self-Compassion & Health
01:55 Esther's Journey in Health & Fitness
04:02 Importance of Health for a Meaningful Life
06:01 Common Obstacles to Health & Wellness
09:14 Consistency vs. Perfectionism
10:39 Strategies for Enjoying Exercise
18:46 Stress & Emotional Eating
23:15 Success Stories
26:21 Final Thoughts

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About Esther Avant:

Esther is a health industry veteran with 20 years of experience, passionately guiding busy people to break through the barriers to better health. In her 20s, despite being a personal trainer and nutrition coach, she wrestled with an all-or-nothing approach—swinging between strict diets, over-exercising, and overeating, pouring energy into her health without seeing the results she felt she deserved. That struggle taught her the value of consistency and balance, a middle ground she now lives daily, juggling a business, family, and health goals while prioritizing mental, physical, and emotional well-being over the scale.

Through her work, Esther shares practical tools and new ways of thinking to help audiences focus on what matters, lean on those who can help, and take compassionate ownership of the process. Her audiences leave empowered and motivated to build sustainable habits that enhance every part of life. Esther is a keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, co-owner of MADE By ME Coaching, author of the bestselling book To Your Health: A Lifestyle of Health, Happiness, and Confidence, and host of the To Your Health podcast.

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Check out Esther's podcast: To Your Health

https://estheravant.com/

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In this episode of Fulfilling Work, Meaningful Life, host Anthony Craiker talks with Susan Hensley, a former HR executive and current executive coach, about the transformative and stress-reducing power of art journaling. Susan shares her personal journey of battling burnout during the pandemic and how adopting a creative practice helped her manage stress and find clarity in her life. The discussion delves into the science behind art journaling, the benefits of engaging the right brain through simple creative activities, and how creativity can help unlock rigid thought patterns, reduce stress, and enhance neuroplasticity. Susan also explains how anyone, regardless of artistic skill, can start art journaling and use other creative outlets to find purpose and joy. Listeners will learn practical insights about how to incorporate 10 minutes of playful creativity into their daily routines to achieve a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

00:00 Intro to Stress Reduction and Neuroplasticity
00:36 From Burnout to Creativity
01:52 Embracing Art Journaling
05:07 Understanding Art Journaling
13:07 The Science of Creativity and Stress Reduction
19:52 Susan's Book
26:08 Conclusion

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About Susan Hensley:

Susan Hensley is a transformational coach, speaker, and author dedicated to helping people navigate life’s transitions with joy, creativity, and resilience. With decades of experience as a corporate executive and leadership coach, Susan has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that come with major life changes. Drawing on her extensive background in HR, coaching, and journalism, Susan’s mission is to empower people to unlock their inner wisdom, creativity, and sense of play during times of uncertainty and change. Through workshops, speaking engagements, and one-on-one coaching, she guides clients to rediscover their authentic selves and infuse their lives with more color, meaning, and joy.

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Check out https://susan-hensley.com/ to get your FREE downloadable PDF for quick tips to get started with art journaling, purchase Susan's book, Art for Your Sanity: How Art Journaling Can Help You Manage Chaos and Unleash Joy, and sign up for her online course.

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In this week's episode of Fulfilling Work, Meaningful Life, host Anthony Craiker sits down with Lenny Richardson (aka Leviticus Rich). Lenny shares how his experience of getting kicked out of college and being unable to make rent led him to understand what it takes to create a flourishing life. Tapping into ancient wisdom, Lenny realized that one of the keys to having a productive and meaningful life is time management. This conversation will inspire you to pursue excellence and be intentional with your time in order to achieve your goals and flourish in life.

00:00 Introduction: Defining Your Future
00:46 Guest Introduction: Lenny Richardson's Journey
03:30 Lenny's College Struggles and Turning Point
10:45 Discovering Eudaimonia: The Path to a Flourishing Life
17:57 The Importance of Time Management
22:11 Practical Tips for Effective Time Management
28:29 Productivity Accelerator: Helping Others Succeed
31:55 Conclusion: Final Thoughts and Parting Wisdom

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About Lenny Richardson:

Lenny, also known as Leviticus Rich, is a dynamic force who has consistently shattered expectations and forged new paths. As one of the top podcasters in Northern Virginia, his show "Meeting VA" has become a platform for influential figures in the DMV area. In addition, Lenny is the head of business development at a leading medical laboratory franchise and the top productivity trainer in Northern VA, helping professionals unlock a "Better Lifestyle" through his comprehensive program, Productivity Accelerator.

Lenny is also a published author and has been featured on numerous podcasts and publications. He is passionate about helping others achieve a better lifestyle through building what he refers to as the Pillars of Eudaimonia.

Connect with Lenny:

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Learn about Lenny's Productivity Accelerator here.

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https://fulfillingworkmeaningfullife.com/

In today's episode of Fulfilling Work, Meaningful Life with Anthony Craiker, we're diving deep into the art and science of career networking with professional speaker and author Michael Morgan. Michael has built a thriving career across multiple Fortune 100 companies — including J.P. Morgan, Chevron, Amazon, and Netskope — thanks to the strategic use of genuine professional relationships.

Drawing from his new book, The Power of Networking, Michael shares real-world strategies to help you build a meaningful network that not only lands you job opportunities but also fuels long-term career development and personal growth.

If you're looking for practical networking tips, whether you're launching your career, changing industries, or aiming for senior leadership, this episode is packed with insights to help you find meaningful work, build authentic professional relationships, and navigate your career journey with confidence.

00:00 Building Genuine Connections
00:31 Introduction to the Guest: Michael Morgan
01:56 Michael's Career Journey and Networking Success
04:21 The Power of Networking: Real-Life Examples
11:03 Dos and Don'ts of Effective Networking
18:53 Networking in a Remote Work Environment
21:04 Finding Meaning Through Networking
26:55 Final Thoughts and Parting Wisdom

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About Michael Morgan:

Michael Morgan obtained his BS from Penn State University and his MBA from Carnegie Mellon University. Coupled with his educational background, he has over 15 years of work experience across companies such as Amazon, Walmart, J.P. Morgan Chase, and Chevron. His ability to build and maintain his network throughout his educational and career journey has been fruitful in his success. He has a passion for teaching and inspiring others to achieve their goals, which has led him to write his new book "The Power of Networking".

Connect with Michael:

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To book Michael for speaking engagements, purchase his book, join his email list for content, and download free resources check out: https://michaelvmorgan.com/

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In this episode of Fulfilling Work, Meaningful Life, host Anthony Craiker chats with Shannon Russell, former TV producer turned successful entrepreneur and career coach. Shannon shares her journey from the high-paced entertainment industry to establishing her own franchise and coaching business, Second Act Success Coaching. The conversation delves into the challenges and triumphs of transitioning careers, especially for those seeking more purpose and freedom. Shannon offers practical advice on how to navigate career changes, emphasizing the importance of financial planning, leveraging existing skills, and overcoming perfectionism. She also highlights inspiring stories from her coaching clients and shares the personal meaning she's found in her second act career. This episode is a must-listen for anyone contemplating a significant career shift or looking to find greater fulfillment in their professional lives.

00:00 Intro Clip

00:39 Meet Shannon Russell: From TV Producer to Entrepreneur

02:31 The Tipping Point: Transitioning Careers

03:20 Starting a Franchise Business

04:39 Skills Transfer from Entertainment to Entrepreneurship

05:43 Challenges in Entrepreneurship

06:55 Launching a Coaching Business

08:04 Women and Career Transitions

10:27 Tips for Career Transition

15:22 Balancing Finances and Planning Your Exit

19:54 Identifying Transferable Skills

21:45 Reflections and Final Thoughts

25:36 Conclusion

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About Shannon Russell:

Shannon Russell is a Career Transition and Business Coach, an Exit Strategy Expert, and the CEO of Second Act Success® Coaching. Shannon spent over 16 years as a Television Producer before she decided to stop producing shows for others and start "producing" her own life. Shannon pivoted her career from the entertainment industry to entrepreneurship, and she now empowers women to leave unfulfilling careers and build joyful, purpose-driven businesses that allow them to live their best lives in their "second act." Shannon is the author of Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life , and she hosts the Second Act Success Career Podcast.

Connect with Shannon:

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CHECK OUT SHANNON'S FREE RESOURCES FOR LISTENERS!

PRE-ORDER SHANNON'S BOOK

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