Sustainable Ambition

Hosted by Kathy Oneto

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185

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Aug 2026

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About the show

How do you navigate the inevitable conflicts between work and life? Not just the daily schedules or mounting responsibilities, but the tensions between your ambition for your career and your ambition for life? How do you decide what to prioritize and what to let go of? How do you decide when to speed ahead and when to ease up? These aren’t questions of work-life balance or self-care. They’re questions we can answer when we get serious about intentionally designing a life with work that works for you. Join Kathy Oneto, executive and life-work coach and founder of Sustainable Ambition, for conversations with experts, authors, and friends to explore sticky questions around navigating ambitious careers while integrating life with work, practicing sustainable work practices, and building resilience. Most people assume that ambition and sustainability are mutually exclusive. Not so! Keep listening, and Kathy will make you a believer in Sustainable Ambition, too. — Follow or subscribe now. It’s absolutely free and that way you don’t miss an episode! For links to the ideas, resources, or people on the show, go to: sustainableambition.com/podcast Get more with Sustainable Ambition Forum, an exchange of ideas on you+life+work: SustainableAmbition.com/subscribe Get FREE Sustainable Ambition resources at: SustainableAmbition.com/resources

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60 recent

August 19, 2026Episode 18426 min

184. Why Choosing Your Work Feels So Hard

Discover your state of ambition. Take the quiz at: https://sustainableambition.com/quiz ****** We’re often given simple models for navigating work: follow your passion, find your purpose, do what you love. But the truth is, the world of work was never that simple to begin with. In this episode, I take a closer look at why navigating work can feel so hard, and importantly, why feeling that way doesn’t mean we’re doing it wrong. Drawing on recent conversations and my ongoing research about the history of work and economics, I explore the complexity of the systems we work within, the many things work means in our lives, and the trade-offs we inevitably have to make. The world of work will keep changing. We may not control the systems we operate within, but we do have agency in how we engage with them. Thanks for Listening! If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much! Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcast Learn more about my book Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work at : https://sustainableambition.com/books Get my book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4hESYMp Send me ideas for what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.com Sign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

August 5, 2026Episode 18349 min

183. Adam Russell on Building Better Humans in the Age of AI

Discover your state of ambition. Take the quiz at: https://sustainableambition.com/quiz ****** In the midst of rapid technological change and uncertainty about the future, how can we foster a position of agency and optimism about what comes next? My guest today, anthropologist and AI leader, Adam Russell, offers a key mindset shift that embraces exploration and invites us to actively shape the systems we work within. Rather than focusing on fear or replacement, Adam offers a thoughtful and hopeful perspective on how AI can help us rethink work, leadership, and the future. I left this conversation feeling more optimistic about the future. The path ahead of us may not be clear, but we have an opportunity to shape it together. Learn more about Adam Russell: Website: https://www.isi.edu/directory/adam-russell/ Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ai-nthropologist/ Thanks for Listening! If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much! Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcast Learn more about my book Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work at : https://sustainableambition.com/books Get my book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4hESYMp Send me ideas for what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.com Sign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

July 22, 2026Episode 18252 min

182. DJ DiDonna: How Sabbaticals Help Us Build Sustainable Lives

Discover your state of ambition. Take the quiz at: https://sustainableambition.com/quiz ****** I'm a believer in sabbaticals. But as glorious as they can be, they're also a lot like life: they rarely go exactly as planned. I have found that having a plan going into one can make all the difference: thinking about how you want to use the time, how you'll make choices, and how you'll move with whatever unfolds along the way. Which is why I’m excited to be in conversation today with DJ DiDonna about his experiences with and research on sabbaticals. We talk about why sabbaticals are critical for Sustainable Ambition, the sabbatical archetypes he identified in his research, and, of course, practical steps for planning one. Learn more about DJ DiDonna: Website: https://djdidonna.com/ Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/djdidonna/ Thanks for Listening! If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much! Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcast Learn more about my book Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work at : https://sustainableambition.com/books You can also get order links and pre-order bonuses! Get my book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4hESYMp Send me ideas for what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.com Sign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

July 8, 2026Episode 18123 min

181. What If Curiosity Matters More Than Certainty?

Discover your state of ambition. Take the quiz at: https://sustainableambition.com/quiz ****** Pauses can be powerful. There’s a Japanese concept called ma that translates literally as gap, space, or pause. In both art and life, it’s a strategic negative space that makes what comes next inevitable. During my break, I’ve been thinking a lot about the value of strategic pauses. And all the while, I’ve also needed to shift into execution mode and get certain things done. As I return to the podcast, I want to share what I’ve found about dancing between states of exploration and execution, frameworks that have helped me create context and shape for how I’m using my time, and the ideas and themes I’ll be exploring in upcoming episodes. Thanks for Listening! If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much! Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcast Learn more about my book Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work at : https://sustainableambition.com/books You can also get order links and pre-order bonuses! Get my book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4hESYMp Send me ideas for what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.com Sign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

March 18, 2026Episode 18030 min

180. Why Creating Space Is So Hard (Even When You Know You Need It)

Discover your state of ambition. Take the quiz at: https://sustainableambition.com/quiz ****** Most of us are pretty bad at creating space for ourselves. Yet we need space for rest, for metabolizing and connecting experiences and ideas, for making sense of things. Today, I talk about the gap between knowing we need space and actually creating it. And I’m sharing my own failures and stumbles in this area, what I’ve learned from them, and the new strategies I’m putting into place. As part of creating space for myself to process and look ahead, I’m putting the podcast on pause for a bit. But I do want to talk about why I’m doing that now, and what I’m already envisioning when I return in a couple of months. Thanks for Listening! If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much! Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcast Learn more about my book Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work at : https://sustainableambition.com/books You can also get order links and pre-order bonuses! Pre-order my book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4hESYMp Send me ideas for what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.com Sign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

March 4, 2026Episode 17953 min

179. Navigating Transitions and Inflection Points with Philip VanDusen (Ambition In-Between Series)

Discover your state of ambition. Take the quiz at: https://sustainableambition.com/quiz ****** We’re not always in control when or how inflection points happen, but we can learn to navigate transitions with more awareness and intention. Today I’m joined by my dear friend and repeat guest, Philip VanDusen, as part of my Ambition In-Between Series. We get real about listening for signals that we need change, allowing for completion and subtraction, the importance of recognizing that transitions often take longer than we think they will, and why you shouldn’t go through transitions alone. Learn more about Philip VanDusen: Website Brand•Muse Newsletter BONFIRE: Mastermind Community for Creative Pros Creative Professional Coaching Brand Design Masters Podcast Threads: @philipvandusen Facebook: @philipvandusen.agency YouTube: @philipvandusen Connect on LinkedIn Thanks for Listening! If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much! Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcast Learn more about my book Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work at : https://sustainableambition.com/books You can also get order links and pre-order bonuses! Pre-order my book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4hESYMp Send me ideas for what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.com Sign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

February 18, 2026Episode 17853 min

178. Rebecca Hinds: The Power of Intentional Work Design

Discover your state of ambition. Take the quiz at: https://sustainableambition.com/quiz ****** This month, I’m exploring sustainability through the lens of leadership and how we can focus our effort to make work better for ourselves and those around us. My guest today, Rebecca Hinds, is an expert on transforming the way we work to be more intentional, efficient, and effective. She urges us to resist functioning on autopilot and consider if our systems and environments are actually working for us and our teams. From how we run meetings, to how we collaborate, and even how we use AI, this episode invites you to invest in the design of how we work. Learn more about Rebecca Hinds: Website: https://www.rebeccahinds.com Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hinds/ Thanks for Listening! If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much! Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcast Learn more about my book Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work at : https://sustainableambition.com/books You can also get order links and pre-order bonuses! Pre-order my book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4hESYMp Send me ideas for what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.com Sign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

February 4, 2026Episode 17750 min

177. Margaret Andrews: Becoming the Leader Only You Can Be

Discover your state of ambition. Take the quiz at: https://sustainableambition.com/quiz ****** Leadership is hard right now. Maybe one of your intentions for this year is to grow as a leader. Maybe you’re questioning if you even want to be one. For those who choose to be leaders, it’s important to set our intentions so that we can focus our efforts on making work better for ourselves and those around us. In this conversation, Harvard Instructor and leadership expert Margaret Andrews and I discuss why self-leadership is vital to then leading others, how to intentionally and sustainably cultivate new practices and behaviors, and why good leadership doesn't come from following a formula or fitting yourself into a box. It’s about becoming the kind of leader only you can be. Learn more about Margaret Andrews: Website Connect on LinkedIn Thanks for Listening! If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much! Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcast Learn more about my book Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work at : https://sustainableambition.com/books You can also get order links and pre-order bonuses! Pre-order my book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4hESYMp Send me ideas for what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.com Sign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

January 21, 2026Episode 17622 min

176. The U-curve of Ambition: Finding Your Sustainable Zone

Discover your state of ambition. Take the quiz at: https://sustainableambition.com/quiz ****** Intentionally choosing where to put our time, energy, and attention is an essential part of Sustainable Ambition. Today, I’m introducing a concept and tool, the U-curve of ambition, that helps us get clear on our current stage and state when it comes to our ambitions. I find this reflection from my book, Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work, really useful at the start of the year. I invite you to join me in assessing where on the U-curve you are as we prioritize how we spend our time and energy in 2026. Thanks for Listening! If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much! Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcast Learn more about my book Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work at : https://sustainableambition.com/books You can also get order links and pre-order bonuses! Pre-order my book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4hESYMp Send me ideas for what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.com Sign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe

January 7, 2026Episode 17532 min

175. How to Move Forward: Lessons from Creativity (Ambition In-Between Series)

Discover your state of ambition. Take the quiz at: https://sustainableambition.com/quiz ****** Much as we often find ourselves asking “ what now” at the culmination of an ambition, the start of a new year is also a time when many of us wonder how best to move forward. For the third episode of our Ambition In-Between series, I want to build on what I’ve shared about the unexpected outcomes and mixed emotions that show up at the completion of a big ambition, and talk about how to move forward when we’re not totally certain what’s next. Over the last year, I’ve been thinking about ambition and growth in terms of the creative process, and I’ve come to believe that if we embrace growth as cyclical and nonlinear, we can unlock a more sustainable, joyful way to build our lives and grow over time. Thanks for Listening! If you liked this episode, please rate, review, and share the episode. Thank you so much! Get show notes for this episode at https://sustainableambition.com/podcast Learn more about my book Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work at : https://sustainableambition.com/books You can also get order links and pre-order bonuses! Pre-order my book on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4hESYMp Send me ideas for what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or a question that might be read and answered here on the show! Email me at podcast@SustainableAmbition.com Sign up for my curated bi-weekly Sustainable Ambition Forum newsletter at: https://sustainableambition.com/subscribe