In this episode, I sit down with the endlessly curious NYT best-selling author AJ Jacobs, the self-proclaimed “human guinea pig,” to explore the transformative power of life experiments. Together, we dive into how gratitude, curiosity, and a willingness to step outside of our comfort zones can open doors to personal growth and deeper understanding.

AJ shares his journey of living biblically for a year, unpacking the surprising lessons he learned about morality, gratitude, and the human experience. We also explore the delicate balance between ambition and appreciation, the brain’s natural resistance to change, and how breaking big challenges into small, manageable steps can create real momentum.

Throughout our conversation, AJ’s stories highlight the beauty of experimenting with life—whether it’s trying something absurd or simply approaching everyday interactions with intention and curiosity.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, struggled with self-doubt, or wondered how to make meaningful change, this episode is full of insights to inspire your next step—no matter how small.

Watch this and other episodes of the podcast on Nataly's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoi-XJT3UfouhAT0GkkayVw


➡️ Sign up for Nataly’s Spark emails:

https://www.natalykogan.com/email-sign-up

🌟 For more about Nataly and her work, including the REINVENT•ABILITY Accelerator, mentorship programs, books and speaking, please visit:

www.natalykogan.com

To learn more about AJ and his books, please visit: https://ajjacobs.com/

How do you cultivate hope when everything feels uncertain?

In this episode, I dive into the power of hope and why it’s not the same as blind optimism. Hope is a mental quality—one that can be nurtured and is essential for resilience and success, especially in challenging times.

Through the story of Apollo 13, I show how hope can fuel problem-solving and drive action, even when things seem impossible. I’ll walk you through actionable strategies for building hope—especially for leaders—highlighting the importance of setting meaningful goals, being willing to try different things, and taking consistent action.

If you’re feeling uncertain or stuck, this episode will reignite your sense of possibility and inspire you to take the next step.

Watch this and other episodes of the podcast on Nataly's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoi-XJT3UfouhAT0GkkayVw

➡️ Sign up for Nataly’s weekly email:

https://www.natalykogan.com/email-sign-up

🌟 For more about Nataly and her work, including the REINVENT•ABILITY Accelerator, mentorship programs, books and speaking, please visit:

www.natalykogan.com

In this episode, I sit down with Talia for a real, heartfelt conversation about something we all struggle with—talking about what we do in a way that feels alive and exciting. We dig into the societal norms and self-awareness hurdles that often hold us back from showing up fully in conversations. Talia introduces the "Three P's" framework (pain, problem, passion) to help bring more depth and aliveness to how we share our stories, and we talk about the importance of taking up space, owning your gifts, and being authentic in every interaction.

We also get into why asking deeper questions and leading with what truly moves you can transform how you connect with others. And yes, we touch on the power of pure enthusiasm—whether it’s about your work, your next big step, or, in Talia’s case, her upcoming wedding and a new podcast collab! This is the kind of honest, open-hearted chat that feels like you’re sitting down with a friend over coffee

Watch this and other episodes of the podcast on Nataly's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoi-XJT3UfouhAT0GkkayVw


➡️ Sign up for Nataly’s weekly email to be inspired to uncover your fullest, authentic self and create the life you're excited to wake up to!

https://www.natalykogan.com/email-sign-up

🌟 For more about Nataly and her work, including the REINVENT•ABILITY Accelerator, mentorship programs, books and speaking, please visit:

www.natalykogan.com


For more about Talia and her work:
https://visceralco.com