The Zack Arnold Podcast

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?→ Click here for your customized podcast playlistMy guest today is Dr. Kandi Wiens, Director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Masters in Medical Education Program and co-founder of Big Sky Leadership Labs. But what brought her to my attention is her book, Burnout Immunity, and her perspective on the subject.My conversation with Dr. Wiens starts deep and goes deeper with both of us admitting to feeling burned out right out of the gate. This isn’t two experts who have it all figured out spouting advice from the mountain top. This is a very real conversation talking about burnout from the trenches. Dr. Wiens takes us deep into the psychology of burnout to gain an understanding of its root causes. We explore why we tend to drive ourselves to burnout, even when we may be unemployed or underemployed. Dr. Wiens reveals how the term burnout is often overused and that sometimes, we might not be burned out at all. More importantly, Dr. Wiens and I talk about the strategies and tools you can use to develop burnout immunity so you can build resilience and heal your relationship with your work and live a more balanced, fulfilling life.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn:How Dr. Wiens personal experience led her from being a management consultant to studying burnoutHow past experiences affect how we deal with stress and also hold ourselves backWhat is Emotion Focus Coping and how we can shift away from it to taking 'control' of our stressThe root cause of burnout and why it's important to knowWhat drives us to burnout (without us realizing it)?Burnout versus Overextension and why it's important to know the differenceHow to know your degree of burnoutWhat are protective patterns when dealing with burnoutHow we can be burned out even without a jobWhat is Burnout Immunity and how to develop itHow to self-regulate and change your mindsetUseful Resources Mentioned:A Classic Case of Post-Production BurnoutI Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It.Are You Burned Out? Or Is It Something Else? Burnout Risk Assessment | Kandi WiensManaging & Alleviating Chronic Pain with…Creativity? | with Anna Holtzmankandiwiens.comContinue to Listen & LearnHow to Avoid Burnout and Live a More ‘Effortless’ Life | with Greg McKeownSeverance Is Not Only the Dystopian Future of Workplace Burnout…In Many Ways We’re Already There[CASE STUDY] From Total Burnout to Shooting for the Moon (Literally) | with David J. TurnerThe difference between exhaustion and burnout (and my dirty little secret)[CASE STUDY] Overcoming Burnout and Imposter Syndrome | with Chryss TerryThe Ugly Side of Depression, Burnout, and Imposter Syndrome | with Gen MaloneThe Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You’re Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric BarkerHow I burned out as a burnout coach (and then bounced back)So You’re Burned Out…Now What? [7 Ways to Climb Out of the Hole]7 Red Flags You Might Be Burned Out (Or You’re Headed There)Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael KammesUnderstanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression | with Dr. Edison de MelloGuest Bio: Dr. Kandi Wiens Kandi Wiens, EdD is the Director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Masters in Medical Education Program and the Penn Health Professions Education Certificate Program. As a sought-after international speaker, Dr. Wiens is co-founder and chief research officer of Big Sky Leadership Labs, where she leads and conducts evidence-based research on executive performance, emotional intelligence, burnout, and resilience. Her work has been prominently featured in the Harvard Business Review and in several Harvard Business Review Press books.A Senior Fellow at Penn, Dr. Wiens is Academic Director of the PennCLO Master’s Program and teaches various graduate-level and executive-format courses. She has designed and delivered over 2,000 leadership development programs focused on helping leaders build and leverage their emotional and social intelligence to amplify their positive impact and protect themselves from burnout.Dr. Wiens holds a doctorate from the Penn Chief Learning Officer executive doctoral program at the University of Pennsylvania, an M.B.A. from the University of Oregon, and a B.S. in business administration from Montana State University.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Psychologist Gay Hendricks discusses breaking through the Upper Limit Problem to reach the Genius Zone for personal growth. Strategies to overcome self-sabotage, embrace creativity, and live a more fulfilling life are explored. The importance of recognizing and overcoming self-imposed limitations, enhancing productivity, and navigating personal growth challenges are highlighted in the conversation.

Dr. Mark Shrime, a surgeon and author, discusses finding your purpose and living a fulfilling life. He highlights moral injury, decision-making paralysis, and aligning actions with passion. Dr. Shrime shares his origin story, epiphany moments, and the importance of living in alignment with your 'why'. The conversation touches on overcoming expectations, defining success, and the transformative power of finding purpose in your career.

Given the vast uncertainty in the job market over the last year, it can feel near impossible to both structure your time so you actually feel productive and also manage your finances so you have the confidence you’ll weather this storm.That’s why the Optimizer team & I have put together this Top 5 series the Creative’s Guide to Time & Financial Freedom. We have chosen my most relevant conversations with some of the world’s experts on both time & financial management to help you gain a little more control in a world that feels very out of control. These episodes are packed with actionable tips from brilliant minds who understand the unique challenges faced by freelancers and creatives, both inside and outside, of the entertainment industry. If you haven’t already, make sure to visit optimizeyourself.me/podcast to download your very own customized podcast playlist based on your goals.Without further adieu, here is the final part of this five-interview series with Silvia Inks. She’s the founder of SMI Financial Coaching where she helps people organize their finances so they can sleep easy at night and focus on the things they love instead of worrying about their money. You can find the original show notes for this interview at optimizeyourself.me/episode43.

Given the vast uncertainty in the job market over the last year, it can feel near impossible to both structure your time so you actually feel productive and also manage your finances so you have the confidence you’ll weather this storm.That’s why the Optimizer team & I have put together this Top 5 series the Creative’s Guide to Time & Financial Freedom. We have chosen my most relevant conversations with some of the world’s experts on both time & financial management to help you gain a little more control in a world that feels very out of control. These episodes are packed with actionable tips from brilliant minds who understand the unique challenges faced by freelancers and creatives, both inside and outside, of the entertainment industry. If you haven’t already, make sure to visit optimizeyourself.me/podcast to download your very own customized podcast playlist based on your goals.Without further adieu, here is the fourth part of this five interview series with financial expert, Mike Michalowicz. Mike is the author of Profit First, which is an essential guide to organizing your finances, especially if you are a freelancer in the gig economy. This conversation breaks down his financial system designed specifically for freelancers & entrepreneurs, and this is the same system I use to manage all of my money, both business and personal. It’s game changing stuff…You can find the original show notes for this interview at optimizeyourself.me/episode88.

Given the vast uncertainty in the job market over the last year, it can feel near impossible to both structure your time so you actually feel productive and also manage your finances so you have the confidence you’ll weather this storm.That’s why the Optimizer team & I have put together this Top 5 series the Creative’s Guide to Time & Financial Freedom. We have chosen my most relevant conversations with some of the world’s experts on both time & financial management to help you gain a little more control in a world that feels very out of control. These episodes are packed with actionable tips from brilliant minds who understand the unique challenges faced by freelancers and creatives, both inside and outside, of the entertainment industry. If you haven’t already, make sure to visit optimizeyourself.me/podcast to download your very own customized podcast playlist based on your goals.Without further adieu, here is the third part of this five interview series with author and productivity expert, Matt Sandrini. Matt and I discuss how you can invest your time just as you would invest your money and why the idea of work-life balance is a myth (and what you should aim for instead).You can find the original show notes for this interview at optimizeyourself.me/episode77.

Given the vast uncertainty in the job market over the last year, it can feel near impossible to both structure your time so you actually feel productive and also manage your finances so you have the confidence you’ll weather this storm.That’s why the Optimizer team & I have put together this Top 5 series the Creative’s Guide to Time & Financial Freedom. We have chosen my most relevant conversations with some of the world’s experts on both time & financial management to help you gain a little more control in a world that feels very out of control. These episodes are packed with actionable tips from brilliant minds who understand the unique challenges faced by freelancers and creatives, both inside and outside, of the entertainment industry. If you haven’t already, make sure to visit optimizeyourself.me/podcast to download your very own customized podcast playlist based on your goals.Without further adieu, here is the second part of this five-interview series with Laura Vanderkam who is the author of All the Money in the World: What the Happiest People Know About Wealth. Despite the book being ten years old, the information is timeless and this conversation will help you see the relationship between time, money, and happiness in a whole new way.The original show notes for this conversation can be found at optimizeyourself.me/episode241.

Given the vast uncertainty in the job market over the last year, it can feel near impossible to both structure your time so you actually feel productive and also manage your finances so you have the confidence you’ll weather this storm.That’s why the Optimizer team & I have put together this Top 5 series the Creative’s Guide to Time & Financial Freedom. We have chosen my most relevant conversations with some of the world’s experts on both time & financial management to help you gain a little more control in a world that feels very out of control. These episodes are packed with actionable tips from brilliant minds who understand the unique challenges faced by freelancers and creatives, both inside and outside, of the entertainment industry.If you haven’t already, make sure to visit optimizeyourself.me/podcast to download your very own customized podcast playlist based on your goals.Without further adieu, here is episode one of my five-part interview series with Ramit Sethi, founder of I Will Teach You to Be Rich, and author of the New York Times bestseller of the same name. In this conversation, Ramit, who is also my business mentor, delivers a slew of actionable steps you can take to design a richer life for yourself far beyond the spreadsheet.The original show notes for this conversation can be found at optimizeyourself.me/episode105.

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?→ Click here for your customized podcast playlistMy guest today is composer and music editor Shie Rozow whose lifelong passion for music and storytelling led him to work on over 150 feature films including The Flash, The Lost City, Guardians of the Galaxy and Hustle & Flow. Shie has earned 17 Golden Reel Award Nominations, winning for his work on Chicago (as assistant music editor), IMAX: Deep Sea, and Wu Tang: An American Saga along with 4 Telly Awards for his scores to Matt and Maya, Lost Time, One Day You’ll Go Blind, and Body Language: Bill Shannon.But here's the thing: Shie's journey isn't your typical award-winning musician, child prodigy story. In fact, Shie shares that he couldn't even read music when he applied to music school. You’ll learn how his passion and determination have allowed him to grow and thrive as a creative professional despite the ups and downs of the volatile entertainment industry. Shie has discovered how to diversify his skills, interests, and passions in order to make himself irreplaceable.In addition to diversifying his skills, Shie has made it a point to build meaningful, genuine relationships. He generously shares the strategies he uses to maintain them and these are some of the best warm outreach strategies I’ve ever heard!Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn:How Shie got a scholarship at Berklee College of Music despite his 'not-so-good' application & auditionHow college prepares you for the real world according to ShieWhy Shie said 'yes' to so many different things throughout his careerThe importance of diversifying your skills both in and outside of workHow to be irreplaceable by AI based on Shie's years of industry experienceKEY TAKEAWAY: How to respond to rejections without the negative impactWhy building relationships is way better than networkingThe BEST WARM outreach strategies I’ve ever heard!Why Shie never landed a job from cold outreachWhy Shie wrote a book about music primarily for filmmakers (not just musicians)Useful Resources Mentioned:EditFest 2023: Exploring the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Art of EditingOpenAI’s SORAShie Rozow's Books (enter the coupon code 'Optimize' at checkout for $5 off)Continue to Listen & LearnThe Creative’s Guide to Understanding AI and Leveraging AI to Build Workflows & Optimize Your Creativity | with Rob HowardBuilding a Career Beyond Your Job Title, Strategically Crafting Your Story, and Diversifying Your Career Portfolio | with Jeff BartschHow to Become Resilient In the Face of Change (and Manage an Identity Crisis) | with Brad StulbergRedefining Your Career Path in a Post Generational Society | with Mauro GuillénHow to Future-Proof Your Creative Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger Than Your Résumé | with Christina WallaceIs Artificial Intelligence Coming for Your Job? Maybe…and Here’s How to Prepare | with Michael KammesHow to Be an Irreplaceable Creative in the Emerging World of Artificial Intelligence | with Srinivas RaoWhat Creativity Is, How It Works, and the Laws to Learning It | with Joey CofoneThe Science of Storytelling, Why We Need Stories, and How to Rewrite Our Own | with Will StorrUsing the Hero’s Journey to Write Better Stories (and Live a Better Life) | with Chris VoglerThe Craft of Film Composing (And Working with Composers) | with Joseph TrapaneseMake Yourself Memorable: How to Leave an Impression, Build Your Network, & Get Hired | with Carole KirschnerGuest Bio: Shie Rozow  Composer and music editor Shie Rozow (pronounced Shy ro-zov) has taken a different path than most leading him to work on over 150 feature films including major international blockbusters like The Flash, The Lost City, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Hustle & Flow.Armed with over 25 years of industry experience and driven by his lifelong passion for music and storytelling, Shie has earned 17 Golden Reel Award Nominations, winning for his work on Chicago (as assistant music editor), IMAX: Deep Sea, and Wu Tang: An American Saga along with 4 Telly Awards for his scores to Matt and Maya, Lost Time, One Day You’ll Go Blind, and Body Language: Bill Shannon. He brings his inexhaustible talent and natural ear for music to every story, weaving a rich musical narrative that compliments the filmmaker’s vision and unlocks new layers of depth.Equally skilled working in film, TV, and video games, Shie has contributed his talent on hundreds of hours of TV including Desperate Housewives, Arrow, and The CW’s Stargirl, along with Amazon’s anthology series Welcome to the Blumhouse and Shudder’s Creepshow. In addition, he has also worked on music for Disney theme parks and Cirque du Soleil. Shie also composes concert music, which has been performed from coast to coast, releasing his first album Musical Fantasy in 2016. His first book Preparing for Scoring Sessions was published in March 2023 and is now required reading at Berklee College of Music’s Film Scoring program. His second book Every Note Tells a Story was published in October 2023 and has won the Pencraft Award for Literary Excellence.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?→ Click here for your customized podcast playlistIf you're a creative professional in the entertainment industry, you are probably feeling pretty discouraged by the lack of jobs popping up this year. At Optimize Yourself, we like to focus on the things we can control and set goals that we are empowered to achieve.While we can't control what jobs are out there or whether they are offered to us, we can put ourselves in positions where we will be the first to hear of jobs when they pop up. This involves building relationships with people.That's why today, I'm sharing this episode from the archives with editor and assistant editor Scott Davis, who, back in 2018, made a big move from New York to Los Angeles with zero contacts or connections. The strategies he used apply the same today as they did back then. I hope you find this useful and actionable so you can let go of what you can't control and take action on what you can control.→ Click here to see the original published episodeWant to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn:Scott’s ‘origin story’ from New York to Hollywood with no connections and ‘no idea what to do’ (sound familiar?)The terrifying feeling of trying to get into this ‘fortress of opportunity’ in Hollywood where the only way in seems to be from people inside who are working & too busy to help you.The dilemma of just 'finding the next gig to pay the bills' vs. ‘playing the long game’ to pursue the career path you really want.The counter-intuitive shift in focus that makes that effectively eliminates that so-called ’dilemma’. (Listen for this key takeaway!)Why there’s no more important skill than networking in this industry and the step-by-step path to networking for introverts.Discover the ’secrets’ to “cold emailing” / “cold outreach” and how Scott boosted his response rate from 5% to 75%.The REAL goal of sending an outreach email. (HINT: It sounds so easy it couldn’t possibly work.)How to ‘crawl inside the brain’ of the person you send an outreach email to and see it from their perspective.How to get people to OPEN your approach email and why doing a few minutes of research goes a LONG way.Why the idea of “nobody wants to help me” is just wrong and right way to tap into people’s natural tendency to WANT share their wisdom & experience with you.Connecting the dots: Scott’s story of turning rejections into opportunities.What it really means to “lead with value” and the power of ‘validation’.The momentum that builds when you invest in building relationships over time.Useful Resources Mentioned:Get The Insider’s Guide to Writing Great Amazing Outreach EmailsThe Optimizer Coaching & Mentorship ProgramContinue to Listen & LearnEp244: [CASE STUDY] How Marc Wiltshire Optimized His Cold Outreach Strategies (and Expanded His Network) to Land His Dream JobEp204: [CASE STUDY] How to Make Your Dream Project a Reality | with Matt Allen and Matthew GentileEp192: [CASE STUDY] How a Single Outreach Email Led to a Dream Job at Marvel | with Matthew FarrugiaEp172: [CASE STUDY] Landing Your Dream Job Isn’t About “Luck,” It’s About Strategy | with Fabian Corrado & Nick TowleWant a Response to Your Cold Emails? Then Every Message MUST Do These 5 ThingsWhy Writing Cold Emails Is the Most Important ‘Soft Skill’ You Must Master (Especially If You’re An Introvert)The 5 Most Common Mistakes You’re Making With Your Cold Emails (and How to Fix Them)Ep184: Networking (the Right Way), Mentorship, and Connecting with ‘Experts’ | with Troy Takaki, ACEGuest Bio: Scott DavisJ. Scott Davis is an editor, assistant editor, outdoorsman, hopeless introvert and constant seeker of knowledge."I lived and worked in NYC for over 10 years working with some of the greatest documentarians on some really great films like: “Makers: The Women Who Make America”, “Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies”, “Wagner’s Dream” and “Outside the Bubble”. In the fall of 2018 I headed west to Los Angeles to escape bad weather, lack of sunlight, and 5th floor walk ups. The lifestyle change is glorious but the true joy is I am now pursuing a long held dream of working in scripted features and series."Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).