The Accomplishment Project

Apryl Zarate Schlueter

This is not your typical productivity podcast. The Accomplishment Project explores what it really takes to make real progress—with mindset, intention, and momentum at the core. I’m Apryl Schlueter, and I’m here to share honest stories, helpful tools, and candid conversations about navigating personal and professional goals amid life’s curveballs. We’ll unpack the emotional side of getting things done and create meaningful progress—without losing ourselves along the way. It’s part pep talk, part productivity, and a fresh take on what’s possible.

Episodes

  1. 31/12/2025

    Episode 5: A Better Way To Set Goals (No Hustle Required) [PANEL]

    In this Accomplishment Project panel episode, we explore a better way to set goals — one that doesn’t rely on hustle, pressure, or forcing outcomes. I’m joined by five members of the Accountability Success Circle, the long-running community that has served as the incubator for The Accomplishment Project. Each panelist brings a distinct lens shaped by leadership, creativity, parenting, entrepreneurship, and real-life seasons of change. Together, we talk honestly about why traditional goal-setting often falls apart, how accountability can be supportive instead of harsh, and why small, sustainable habits tend to matter more than grand plans or perfect systems. This conversation is grounded, human, and practical — focused on alignment, self-trust, and building goals that actually support your life. Meet the Panel This conversation features five members of the Accountability Success Circle, each bringing a different perspective on goals, habits, and accountability shaped by real life, work, and seasons of change: Terry Brown – Creative and social media professional whose art-forward goals emphasize sustainability and self-trustMike Mackrory – Software engineer and endurance athlete navigating major life transitions through steady, habit-driven goalsAlex Myers – Leadership development coach and former mental health professional focused on strengths-based, sustainable growthAnnie Sisson – Multi-passionate entrepreneur and storyteller centered on intentional living, creativity, and alignmentGary Ware – Co-Founder of the Accountability Success Circle, facilitator, and author of Playful Rebellion, exploring goals through play, identity, and mindset.All panelists have participated in GOAL30 challenges, annual planning retreats, or long-term accountability work within the community. Episode Timestamps 00:01 – Welcome + why this is the first-ever panel (“No Hustle Required”) 01:49 – Meet the panel + one word describing each person’s relationship with goals 03:48 – What most people overlook when setting goals 07:05 – What we should do less of (all-or-nothing, unrealistic systems, constant output) 11:15 – Redefining accountability as support, not pressure 14:40 – What kind of accountability doesn’t work 18:45 – Comparison, metrics, and why chasing numbers can backfire 24:40 – Habits, structures, and practices that help goals stick (including GOAL30) 34:00 – Why community changes everything 40:36 – Final mindset shifts when you feel overwhelmed + closing Reflection Prompts What’s one goal you might be approaching with pressure instead of curiosity? What small, sustainable habit could support that goal instead of overwhelming you? If you enjoyed this episode, please: Subscribe to the show⁠Visit The Accomplishment Project on Substack ⁠ Leave a quick comment or review Share this episode with someone who wants a healthier relationship with goals Resources ⁠Accountability Success Circle (Incubator for The Accomplishment Project)⁠

    45 min
  2. 23/12/2025

    Episode 4: Success That Didn't Feel Like Success (with Barb Wade)

    In this Accomplishment Story episode, we look back on the journey of executive coach and speaker Barb Wade, whose career spans Hollywood acting, studio leadership, and more than 25 years of transformational coaching. From early achievement pressure and a breakout acting role on Saved by the Bell, to running a department at DreamWorks, to realizing that external success wasn’t delivering internal fulfillment, Barb shares what it looked like to give herself permission to change course without making herself wrong. We dig into imposter syndrome, redefining success, the realities behind six- and seven-figure coaching businesses, and one of Barb’s most powerful frameworks: focusing on what’s on your side of the street and letting go of what isn’t. It’s a grounded, honest conversation about accomplishment from the inside out. Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome + What Is an Accomplishment Story?01:33 – Why Barb’s Story Matters02:06 – Barb’s Work Today: Coaching, Leadership, and Empowerment03:03 – Growing Up a High Achiever04:46 – Theater Dreams, College, and Choosing a “Fallback”06:02 – Moving to Hollywood and Going All In06:36 – Landing a Breakout Acting Role08:20 – Life as a Working Actor (Including Saved by the Bell)09:27 – Leaving Acting for the Other Side of the Camera10:59 – A Decade in the Studio System11:30 – Imposter Syndrome and Anxiety Behind the Scenes13:10 – Discovering Self-Worth Beyond Achievement15:15 – Returning to School and Finding Coaching17:16 – Leaving Hollywood for Good18:41 – Early Coaching Challenges and Income Uncertainty21:03 – Parenthood and Designing a Sustainable Career22:23 – The 2008 Financial Crisis and a Major Pivot26:43 – The Truth About Six- and Seven-Figure Coaching30:16 – Burnout, Alignment, and Returning to Core Work31:19 – Parenting, Special Needs, and Business Boundaries33:14 – Looking Ahead Without Over-Planning35:46 – Rethinking Prestige, Money, and Quality of Life39:39 – Defining Accomplishment: “Your Side of the Street”42:41 – Icing on the Cake vs. What Really Matters43:52 – Where to Find Barb + Closing Reflections Connect with Barb Barb’s website: barbwade.com Reflection Prompts Where in your life might external success be masking what you actually need or want?What’s one thing on your side of the street you can acknowledge yourself for today? If you enjoyed this episode, please: Subscribe to the show Visit The Accomplishment Project Website (Substack) Leave a quick comment or review Share this episode with someone questioning what “success” really means Resources 🎬 Saved by the Bell clip featuring Barb Wade (YouTube)Accountability Success Circle⁠ (Incubator for The Accomplishment Project)

    44 min
  3. 05/11/2025

    Episode 3: Stepping Onto The Next Stage (with Fawn Arnold)

    In this Accomplishment Tracker episode, we follow singer, actress, and educator Fawn Arnold as she steps onto a new kind of stage: public speaking. From a career pivot sparked by injury to building one of the first online singing schools in the German-speaking world, Fawn is now translating decades of stage experience into talks and workshops on trust, performance, and leadership. We dig into preparation vs. perfection, the power of micro-reps, tailoring a message for a competence-first culture, and how staying ready lets “luck” matter. Episode Timestamps 00:00 – What’s an Accomplishment Tracker? 01:26 – How We Met + Why Fawn’s Here 02:53 – From Dancer to Singer to Teacher 05:36 – Why Public Speaking Now? 06:06 – TEDx Spark + Accountability to Act 07:30 – Speaking Repititions in Disguise 08:47 – Performance, Trust, and “Influence” 11:04 – Landing the First Gigs 12:32 – Designing a Speech-Workshop Hybrid 15:06 – Tailoring for a Competence-First Culture 16:52 – The Summer Juggle 20:12 – The Surprise Mini-Gig 21:19 – Be Ready When Luck Knocks 22:05 – Prep Like a Pro 25:28 – Perfectionism, Language, and Learning Out Loud 27:08 – Introversion & Energy Management 31:04 – What’s Next After the Gig 36:24 – Iterating in the Wild 37:20 – Naming the Venture: “Next Stage” 38:15 – Where to Follow Fawn 40:04 – Owning Mistakes & Using Feedback 42:45 – Closing Reflections & What’s Ahead Connect with Fawn: Fawn’s website: fawnarnold.com Singen ohne Angst Belt Like a Pro Fawn on Instagram: @beltlikeapro Fawn on Facebook (Singen ohne Angst) Fawn on YouTube (Singen ohne Angst channel) Reflection Prompt: Where in your life could you trade perfection for preparation and incremental progress? What one small step can you do this week to move your “next stage” forward? If you enjoyed this episode, please: Subscribe to the show or ⁠⁠The Accomplishment Project Website (Substack)⁠ Leave a quick comment or review Share this episode with someone who’s navigating a career pivot Resources: People School (Science of People, Vanessa Van Edwards)Jonathan Tilley TEDx Accountability Success Circle (Sponsor of The Accomplishment Project)

    44 min
  4. 30/09/2025

    Episode 2: Stop Forcing Progress. Get Curious Instead. (with Gary Ware)

    When you feel stuck, do you push harder—or get curious? In this episode In this Expert Topic episode of The Accomplishment Project, I’m joined by my friend and business partner Gary Ware (founder of Breakthrough Play and author of Playful Rebellion). We dig into how curiosity helps you overcome obstacles, reframe anxiety and overwhelm, and find momentum in your accomplishment journey. Our origin story: the "sliding into" DMs that kicked off a 10-year friendship and collaboration Curiosity vs. anxiety: openness, possibilities, and getting the prefrontal cortex back online Gary’s health/running story: shifting from all-or-nothing to small experiments A team exercise that exposes the multitasking myth and helps leaders delegate Simple curiosity prompts you can use today: What else could be true? What am I not seeing yet? What’s surprising me? A playful “curious questions” game that reveals insights from Filipino culture to musicals The closing reflection: Is the juice worth the squeeze? Episode Timestamps 00:00 The Story of Our Connection 05:42 Why Curiosity Matters 12:12 Curiosity vs. Anxiety 16:20 A Real-Life Curiosity Reframe 20:36 How to Practice Curiosity 22:10 Curiosity in Teams and Leadership 25:52 Creativity and Flow at Work 30:56 Improv as a Curiosity Gym 34:46 Curious Questions Game 40:56 Final Takeaway: Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze? About Gary Gary Ware is a facilitator, keynote speaker, and the founder of Breakthrough Play. He helps teams boost creativity, connection, and collaboration through play and improv. He’s also the author of Playful Rebellion. Connect with Gary: Breakthrough Play Instagram LinkedIn Book: Playful Rebellion Resources & Links The Accomplishment Project Website (Substack) Accountability Success Circle Bonus: Curious about the workshop that first connected Gary and me? Watch the webinar version here.

    44 min
  5. 02/09/2025

    Episode 1: This Is Not Your Typical Productivity Podcast

    Hi friends! I’m so excited you’re here for the very first episode of The Accomplishment Project! This project has been brewing behind the scenes for years, and today I’m sharing where it came from, what it’s about, and what you can expect going forward. 💡 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: How writing Finding Success in Balance pushed me to burnout Why productivity isn’t the full picture when it comes to accomplishment The role of stories, experiments, and emotional honesty in this project The four formats I’ll be exploring in future episodes A real-life look at why I decided to launch a podcast (finally) If you’ve ever questioned your definition of success or felt disconnected from traditional goal-setting advice, you’re in the right place. 📚 Books Referenced Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin Rejection Proof by Jia Jiang 🔗 Resources & Links 📘 Finding Success in Balance (by Apryl Zarate Schlueter) 🌐 The Accomplishment Project 🌐 Accountability Success Circle 🌐 The Cheerful Mind 🙏 A Note of Thanks This show is supported by the Accountability Success Circle — a small but mighty community where I’ve spent the past eight years testing ideas, finding support, and exploring what meaningful accomplishment really looks like. If you’re craving encouragement and structure around your goals, come join us. 💜 Want to Support the Show? If this episode resonated with you, here are a few ways to help: Subscribe on your favorite podcast app Share the episode with a friend or two Sign up at theaccomplishmentproject.com to get future updates and behind-the-scenes content Thanks so much for tuning in! And now that the first episode is out of the way, it's all on the up and up from here! 💜 Apryl

    29 min

About

This is not your typical productivity podcast. The Accomplishment Project explores what it really takes to make real progress—with mindset, intention, and momentum at the core. I’m Apryl Schlueter, and I’m here to share honest stories, helpful tools, and candid conversations about navigating personal and professional goals amid life’s curveballs. We’ll unpack the emotional side of getting things done and create meaningful progress—without losing ourselves along the way. It’s part pep talk, part productivity, and a fresh take on what’s possible.