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

How do you move through failure without getting stuck in it?

In this solo episode, I’m getting real about something we all face—but rarely talk about honestly: failure and disappointment.

I share some personal stories and walk you through a 3-step framework to help you process setbacks in a way that actually supports your growth. We’ll talk about why it’s so important to feel your feelings (not bulldoze through them), how to reframe the meaning you assign to failure, and what it looks like to step into your agency—because failure doesn’t define you, your choices do.

If you’ve been feeling stuck or discouraged, this episode will invigorate you to move forward -- that's a promise!

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 the incredible Denise Brown to talk about reinvention, personal satisfaction, and what it really means for women to define success on their own terms. Denise’s journey—from doctor to CEO to author—is a powerful example of how curiosity, flexibility, and the courage to ask for help can open unexpected doors.

We dive into the core message of her new book, Thriving After Leaving: A Guide to Finding Yourself After Walking Away from a Job, Relationship, or Life Path, which challenges the idea that success is about checking society’s boxes. Instead, she encourages women to prioritize what actually matters to them. Along the way, Denise shares the lessons she’s learned from big career shifts, the power of making choices (without chasing perfection), and why no one has to do it all alone.

If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re on the right path or felt pressure to live up to someone else’s definition of success, this conversation will remind you that you get to decide what ‘having it all’ really looks like.

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

For more about Denise and her work:
https://www.denisesbrownmd.com/

Buy a copy of Denise's book: The Fairy God Doctor's Guide to the Good Life
https://a.co/d/emGD9Ce

How do you embrace change instead of resisting it?

In this episode, I share a personal story about a lost painting, a keynote speech, and an unexpected lesson in reinvention. Change is constant, but how we respond to it determines whether we grow or stay stuck.

I dive into the mindset shifts that help us navigate uncertainty—focusing on possibilities instead of obstacles, taking action even when we don’t have all the answers, and recognizing discomfort as a natural part of growth. Because clarity doesn’t come from overthinking—it comes from doing.

If you’re facing change (or resisting it), this episode will help you reframe uncertainty and step into your own power to reinvent.

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

What if failure wasn’t something to fear, but a doorway to learning and growth?

In this episode, I sit down with Harvard professor and best-selling author Amy Edmondson to explore the surprising upside of failure, inspired by her new book, Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well. Amy shares her concept of “intelligent failure”—a thoughtful approach to trying new things where, even if the outcome isn’t perfect, the lessons are invaluable. Together, we dive into the power of self-compassion, why leaders’ responses to mistakes are so important, and how recognizing our shared imperfections can create stronger connections.

If you’ve ever felt held back by imposter syndrome or the fear of “getting it wrong,” this conversation will help you see failure in a whole new way, embracing it with courage and curiosity.

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

For more about Amy and her work:
https://amycedmondson.com/

Buy a copy of Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTZT9CXV?ref_=k4w_oembed_ZuYsBlo5SXfmKm&tag=kpembed-20&linkCode=kpe

In this episode, I chat with Sreenath Reddy to dive deep into the world of entrepreneurship, reinvention, and the personal journey of self-discovery. We explore his experiences growing up in India, the challenges he faced starting a business in the U.S., and how cultural influences shape entrepreneurial paths. Together, we discuss how true reinvention isn’t about becoming someone new but about uncovering and sharing your authentic self with the world.

Sreenath opens up about the mental shifts required to succeed in business, the importance of aligning personal values with business decisions, and why visibility is crucial for career progression.

Whether you’re navigating your own entrepreneurial path or in the process of self-reinvention, this conversation is filled with insights on adaptability, introspection, and leading with authenticity. Plus, we touch on how public speaking and social presence can be a joyful, rewarding experience when approached as a conversation.

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


For more about Sreenath:

www.intentwise.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sreenathkreddy