Aligning Work with Purpose: A Conversation with Tina Bagwell

What if the problem isn’t workload, but identity? We sit down with coach and HR leader Tina Bagwell to explore how many of us let a single role—the job—define who we are, and why that narrow frame leads to exhaustion, disengagement, and a loss of joy. Tina’s journey starts in Okinawa, where simple rituals, community, and omotenashi left a lasting imprint that later shaped her approach to leadership, culture, and coaching.

Across global teams, Tina uses the Ikigai‑9 assessment and the seven needs identified by Dr. Mieko Kamiya to help people reconnect with what truly matters: resonance, belonging, self‑actualization, and everyday life satisfaction. She shares how Millennials and Gen Z are rejecting linear careers, opting instead for rolefulness—the healthy balance of many roles across work and life. We dig into why “return‑to‑office equals engagement” is a false promise, how boards miss the human core of culture, and why simple behaviors like greetings, real conversations, and gratitude are powerful levers for trust. You’ll hear how women leaders are reframing caretaking and career, reclaiming self‑care as a valid role, and finding presence both at home and at work.

Tina reframes ikigai from a buzzword to a daily practice: checking in with the seven needs during morning coffee, a walk, or a shared meal. If even one need is met, the day carries meaning. We connect this to the creator economy, where younger workers value autonomy and making things that reflect their voice—music, products, code, stories—while using technology as a tool, not a master. The conversation moves from Okinawa to boardrooms to everyday rituals, showing how remembrance, not reinvention, can transform careers and cultures.

If you’re craving purpose, balance, and a more human way to work, this conversation offers practical ideas and language you can use today—whether you lead teams or lead your own life. Enjoyed this one? Follow, share with a friend, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.