Spark Something New
What would it look like to be in love with your life? What would it take to live as you to show up as your full and authentic self? What would you need in order to find rest? It would take a spark of something new! Something to help you think differently, act differently, build relationships differently, and lead differently. You'll find that spark here, on the Spark Something New Podcast!
Spark Something New
Episode 17: Getting Uncomfortable with A.J. Merlino
On this episode, I chat with the super cool Dr. A.J. Merlino, Executive Director of Learning Innovation & Workforce Solutions at Thinking Through AI. A.J.'s got an impressive background in professional music, endurance athletics, and higher education.
We dive deep into getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. Need a blueprint? A.J.'s got you covered: reframe failure, don't take things personally, stay curious, appreciate your growth, and find your flow state. It's a fascinating convo about pushing limits and celebrating the messy journey of learning and growth.
Tune in to discover actionable steps to thrive through discomfort and continuously spark something new in your life.
00:30 Meet A.J. Merlino
01:57 Embracing Uncomfortability
04:05 The Power of Community and Practice
07:02 Navigating Cultural Expectations
10:43 Addicted to Achievement or Challenge?
13:03 Learning from Failures
18:15 The Role of Social Media and Community
26:36 Embracing Curiosity and Individuality
27:07 Reflecting on Personal Growth
28:38 Reframing Failure and Embracing Challenges
32:37 Finding Your Flow State
41:41 The Importance of Wandering in Career Paths
46:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
EPISODE RESOURCES:
- Connect with A.J. Merlino on LinkedIn
- Learn more about Thinking Through AI
Connect with Katie on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also get free resources to help you on your purpose journey at www.lightecho.co.