The Ambition Lab

Whiz
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The Ambition Lab is where ambition gets honest. Most people are building something. A business, a career, a family, a body, a life that actually means something. But nobody tells you the real cost of that kind of building — the sacrifices, the identity shifts, the seasons where everything feels like it is moving backwards before it moves forward.

  1. 1d ago

    Even Monks Meditate Together

    We often think personal growth is something we have to figure out on our own. We work on ourselves, try to manage our struggles, and celebrate independence. But what if becoming a stronger, healthier version of ourselves has just as much to do with the people around us as it does with the work we do alone? On this episode of The Ambition Lab, I sit down with Dr. Maria Van Der Maaten, sociologist, community development practitioner, and author, to explore the role community plays in our personal growth, well-being, and ability to navigate life's challenges. The title of this episode raises a simple but powerful question: if even monks meditate together, why do so many of us believe we must face our struggles alone? We explore how our environment shapes who we become, what healthy communities provide that individual effort sometimes cannot, and why being surrounded by people doesn't always mean feeling genuinely connected. Maria also helps us examine the difference between independence and interdependence, and how the quality of our relationships can influence the way we experience life. But building meaningful connections isn't always easy. It takes time, effort, vulnerability, and a willingness to show up for others even when life gets busy. We discuss what it means to create spaces where people can speak honestly about their struggles, feel supported without judgment, and find the courage to ask for help. This conversation also turns the question inward: what happens when the person who supports everyone else needs support themselves? In This Episode: - Why personal growth doesn't have to happen in isolation - How our communities and environments influence who we become - The difference between independence and interdependence - Why you can feel lonely even when surrounded by people - How shared experiences and meaningful relationships support well-being - Building communities where people feel safe enough to be vulnerable - The importance of listening without immediately trying to fix everything - The time, effort, and vulnerability required to build lasting connections - How to begin creating a stronger sense of community - What to remember when you're struggling and don't know how to ask for help About Dr. Maria Van Der Maaten Dr. Maria Van Der Maaten is a sociologist, community development practitioner, and author whose work explores the connections between community, human relationships, and well-being. Her perspective invites us to look beyond individual achievement and consider how the people around us help shape our lives. Connect with Dr. Maria Van Der Maaten: - Official Website: https://mariavdm.com - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariavandermaaten/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maria.vandermaaten/ Book: Even Monks Meditate Together — ask Maria through her website or social profiles for publication and availability updates. If you've been trying to handle everything yourself, this conversation is an invitation to reconsider what strength really means. Asking for help doesn't make you less capable, and supporting others doesn't mean you must always have everything figured out. Sometimes, growth begins with one honest conversation, one act of kindness, or the decision to let someone else stand beside you. A Question to Take With You: Who helps you become a better version of yourself, and are you creating that same space for someone else? Listen, reflect, and share this episode with someone who might need the reminder that they don't have to figure everything out alone. The Ambition Lab — honest conversations about ambition, purpose, growth, and the choices that shape our lives. Growth may be personal, but that doesn't mean it has to be lonely.

  2. 2d ago

    Watching TV with X-Ray Vision

    What if the shows you love could teach you more than how to be entertained? What if learning to notice the details behind a great scene could change the way you create, tell stories, and build something of your own? On this episode of The Ambition Lab, I sit down with Brittany Lewis, filmmaker, co-founder of Just Us Studio, and television analysis creator, who has built an audience of more than 18,000 followers by breaking down classic TV shows through the eyes of a filmmaker. Her journey gained significant attention when she posted an observation about an actor hitting their mark on Dawson's Creek. The post reached more than 400,000 people, revealing just how many viewers are fascinated by the craft behind their favorite shows. But Brittany's story goes beyond analyzing television. Alongside her husband, Stephen, she's building Just Us Studio, an independent production company focused on human storytelling, thoughtful filmmaking, and creating films with heart. In this conversation, we explore what makes certain stories stay with us for decades, why shows like Dawson's Creek and Gilmore Girls continue to resonate, and what viewers can learn by paying attention to the decisions behind the scenes. Brittany also shares how studying other filmmakers has influenced her own creative process, what she hopes to protect in an era of AI-generated content, and the realities of building an independent studio while growing an online audience. And, as always on The Ambition Lab, we look beyond the visible success to ask a deeper question: what does it actually cost to build something meaningful? In This Episode: - How one observation about Dawson's Creek reached hundreds of thousands of people - What aspiring filmmakers can learn by watching television more intentionally - Why certain stories and characters remain meaningful across generations - The creative decisions viewers rarely notice behind the scenes - How studying classic TV has shaped Brittany's approach to filmmaking - What it means to create films with heart and preserve the human side of storytelling - Building an independent production company with your partner - Balancing content creation, audience growth, and the deeper work of filmmaking - Common mistakes creators make when they prioritize trends over craft - Practical ways to develop your storytelling skills using films and shows you already love About Brittany Lewis Brittany Lewis is a filmmaker, writer, producer, and co-founder of Just Us Studio. Through her television analysis and filmmaking, she connects audiences with the creative decisions that make stories memorable while developing original films of her own. Connect with Brittany and Just Us Studio: - Personal Website: https://brittanylewisofficial.com/ - Just Us Studio Official Website: https://www.justusstudio.com/ - Brittany's Filmmaker Profile: https://www.justusstudio.com/brittanylewis - YouTube — Just Us Studio: https://www.youtube.com/@JustUsStudioCo - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanylewisofficial - FilmFreeway Profile: https://filmfreeway.com/BrittanyLewis - Podcast — The Whole Picture (Apple Podcasts): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-whole-picture/id1471981241 - Instagram: @BrittanyLewisOfficial - Email: info@justusstudio.com If you're an aspiring filmmaker, a content creator, or simply someone who loves a great story, this conversation is a reminder that inspiration can become a form of education when you pay closer attention. You don't always need expensive equipment, a big budget, or the perfect opportunity to begin. Sometimes, you can start by studying the work that moves you, understanding why it works, and using those lessons to develop your own creative voice. Because getting people to notice your work is one thing. Creating something worth returning to is another. Don't just consume the work you love. Study it, learn from it, and then create something of your own.

  3. 4d ago

    Change the Lens Before You Change the Behavior

    What if the key to changing a difficult situation isn't correcting someone else's behavior, but changing the way you understand it? In parenting, it's easy to focus on what a child is doing wrong. But what happens when we look beyond the behavior and begin asking what might be driving it? Could our assumptions, emotional triggers, and need for control be influencing the very conflicts we're trying to resolve? On this episode of The Ambition Lab, I sit down with Katherine Sellery, founder of the Conscious Parenting Revolution and a three time TEDx speaker, to explore how changing our perspective can transform the way we relate to our children and to the people around us. Katherine challenges conventional approaches to parenting by encouraging parents to look beyond surface level behavior and consider the emotions, beliefs, and unmet needs that may lie underneath. We explore the patterns of Retaliation, Rebellion, and Resistance, why power struggles can become so difficult to break, and how a parent's own childhood experiences and emotional triggers can shape their reactions. We also discuss the difference between connection and permissiveness, how to maintain boundaries without turning every disagreement into a battle for control, and why repairing a relationship after a difficult moment can matter more than trying to be a perfect parent. But this conversation goes beyond raising children. It's about self awareness, personal responsibility, and recognizing how the meaning we assign to a situation influences the way we respond. In This Episode: - What it means to change the lens before changing behavior - The hidden interpretations that influence how parents respond to children - Understanding Retaliation, Rebellion, and Resistance - Why attempts to enforce obedience can sometimes intensify conflict - How childhood experiences and emotional triggers affect parenting - Moving from control to connection while maintaining healthy boundaries - Letting go of perfectionism and learning to repair relationships - Practical ways to interrupt recurring arguments and power struggles - What conscious parenting can teach us about leadership and relationships About Katherine Sellery Katherine Sellery is the founder of the Conscious Parenting Revolution and a three-time TEDx speaker. Through her work, she encourages parents to look beyond behavior, develop greater emotional awareness, and build relationships grounded in understanding and connection. If you've ever reacted more strongly than you intended, struggled to understand someone's behavior, or found yourself repeating a pattern you promised to change, this conversation offers an opportunity to look inward before trying to change what's happening around you. Because meaningful change doesn't always begin with a different response from someone else. Sometimes, it begins when we're willing to question our own perspective. A Question to Take With You: Where in your life are you trying to change someone's behavior without first questioning the lens through which you're seeing the problem? Listen, reflect, and share this episode with someone who might benefit from a different perspective. The Ambition Lab honest conversations about ambition, purpose, growth, and the choices that shape who we become.

  4. 4d ago

    Truly Showing Up

    You can be productive, successful, and busy—and still feel disconnected from your own life. Marcy Axelrod has spent more than twenty years researching a question that challenges how we think about presence, performance, and personal fulfillment: what does it actually mean to show up for our lives? A bestselling author of How We Choose to Show Up, endorsed by Mel Robbins and winner of the Hayakawa Book Prize, Marcy is a two-time TEDx speaker, researcher, TV contributor, and visual artist. Her work draws on neuroscience, psychology, behavioral economics, and evolutionary biology, with applications in organizations including HP, SAP, and Cisco. In this episode of The Ambition Lab, Marcy explains the difference between simply showing up, truly showing up, and being what she calls “Barely There.” We explore why ambitious people can become so focused on productivity and achievement that they lose touch with the experience of actually living. Marcy shares her framework for understanding how society, situations, our sense of self, and the people around us influence the way we engage with the world. She also explains why she describes showing up as a “contact sport” something that requires active participation rather than passive presence. We discuss how these ideas apply to leadership, relationships, parenting, and business, as well as what Marcy has learned from more than two decades of research and real-world application. But we also turn the question inward. What happens when the person helping others understand presence realizes they're not always showing up fully themselves? And what does meaningful work cost the person doing it? In This Episode: - The difference between just showing up and truly showing up - What it means to be “Barely There” - Why ambitious people can become disconnected while pursuing success - How neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral economics inform Marcy's research - The Four S's and the forces that shape how we show up - Why presence is an active practice rather than a passive state - Applying the framework to leadership, business, and relationships - Lessons from working with organizations such as HP, SAP, and Cisco - The personal cost of building meaningful work - Practical ways to become more intentional about how you live and engage with others Connect with Marcy Axelrod: - Official Website: https://choosetoshowup.com - Book: How We Choose to Show Up If you're ambitious and constantly working toward the next goal, this conversation offers an opportunity to pause and examine not just what you're accomplishing, but how you're experiencing your life along the way. You don't necessarily need to add more to your schedule or push yourself harder. You may need to become more intentional about how you engage with the things that already matter. Ask yourself: Are you truly showing up for your life, or are you simply going through the motions? Listen, reflect, and share this episode with someone who could use the reminder. Because there's a difference between being there and being present. Don't just be there. Be present. Be intentional. Truly show up.

  5. 6d ago

    The Stories That Shape Us

    What if the habits you're trying so hard to break aren't simply a failure of willpower, but patterns you haven't yet learned to understand? Jonathan McLernon knows what it means to struggle with change. A former Navy marine engineer and nanotechnology researcher, Jonathan survived a near-fatal assault and later faced PTSD, emotional eating, and destructive patterns that he couldn't overcome through force alone. He eventually lost more than 100 pounds, but his most significant transformation began when he stopped condemning his behavior and started asking why it was happening. Today, Jonathan is a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Master Health and Nutrition Coach, Certified Personal Trainer, Stress Management Coach, and creator of the NeuroQuit Method. In this episode of The Ambition Lab, Jonathan shares the personal experiences that shaped his approach to behavior change and explores why intelligent, motivated people can find themselves repeating patterns they genuinely want to break. We discuss the relationship between habits, emotions, and self-perception, why willpower alone may not be enough to sustain change, and how understanding the purpose a behavior serves can help people approach it differently. Jonathan also opens up about trauma, forgiveness, faith, and the importance of human connection in the process of personal transformation. Through his own journey and his work helping others, he offers a perspective that challenges the idea that struggling to change means something is fundamentally wrong with you. But compassion doesn't mean avoiding responsibility. It means being honest about your struggles without allowing shame to define you. In This Episode: - Jonathan's journey from trauma and emotional eating to personal transformation - Why forcing change doesn't always lead to lasting results - The neuroscience and psychology behind repeated behaviors - How self-judgment can affect the way we approach change - Understanding emotional eating and the needs behind our habits - The NeuroQuit Method and its approach to behavior change - Balancing self-compassion with personal responsibility - Forgiveness, faith, and finding a way forward after trauma - Why human connection matters when breaking destructive cycles - The hidden costs of personal transformation and helping others - Practical steps for understanding your patterns and beginning again Connect with Jonathan McLernon: - Freedom Nutrition Coaching: https://freedomnutritioncoach.com - NeuroQuit Method / Coaching: https://www.jonmclernon.com - Book a complimentary clarity call: https://calendly.com/coachjon/letschat - Podcast — Between The Before & After: https://www.betweenthebeforeandafter.com - Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/between-the-before-after-the-stories-that-shape-us/id1435974463 - YouTube: https://jonmclernon.link/YouTube - Instagram: @btba_podcast - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachjonm Ready to take the next step? If you're struggling with a habit you can't seem to break, stop treating every setback as proof that you've failed. Start by getting curious about the pattern, what triggers it, and what need it might be serving. To explore Jonathan's coaching and learn more about his approach, visit https://freedomnutritioncoach.com or book a complimentary clarity call: https://calendly.com/coachjon/letschat. Jonathan's story is a reminder that knowing what you want to change doesn't automatically mean knowing how to change it. Sometimes, progress begins when we stop asking what's wrong with us and start examining what's happening beneath the surface. Because lasting change may begin not with condemning ourselves, but with understanding ourselves. And here's a question to take with you: What if the next time you struggled with an old habit, you became curious about it instead of being ashamed of it?

  6. 6d ago

    The Borderless Self

    What if the biggest limitation isn't the border on a map, but the boundaries we've accepted for our own lives? Yoli Chisholm was born a refugee in Zambia to South African parents who were banned from their country for opposing Apartheid. After attending school in Kenya, she and her family arrived in Canada in 1984 to begin a new chapter. Years later, Yoli would rise from marketing coordinator to Chief Marketing Officer at Microsoft, building an international career across three continents and five countries. Her professional journey also includes companies such as eBay, Sprinklr, and Deriv. Today, she's an author, TEDx speaker, and Editor-in-Chief of BorderlessSelf.com. In this episode of The Ambition Lab, Yoli introduces the idea of The Borderless Self: a way of thinking about identity, career, and opportunity that isn't entirely defined by geography. We explore how growing up across countries shaped her adaptability, what working in different cultures taught her about leadership, and how global mobility can open new possibilities for career development and financial independence. Yoli also shares insights from her book, Crushing Corporate, including the concept of intrapreneurship creating value and pursuing entrepreneurial thinking within an existing organization rather than assuming the only path forward is to leave and start a business. But a borderless life isn't always as effortless as it looks. We discuss the emotional cost of constant adaptation, the complicated question of belonging, and the sacrifices that can remain hidden behind an impressive international career. Finally, Yoli offers practical advice for professionals considering a move abroad and explains how to begin exploring opportunities beyond their current environment. In This Episode: - Growing up as a refugee and arriving in Canada in 1984 - How international experiences shaped Yoli's career and leadership - What it means to become a Borderless Self - Global mobility, career opportunities, and financial independence - Rethinking the way we talk about immigration - Intrapreneurship and the lessons behind Crushing Corporate - Comparing career opportunities in Canada and the United States - The emotional cost of constant change and the search for belonging - Practical first steps for professionals considering a move abroad - Questioning the personal and professional boundaries that limit our choices Connect with Yoli Chisholm: - Website: https://BorderlessSelf.com - Book: Crushing Corporate Yoli's story isn't an argument that everyone needs to move countries. It's an invitation to question whether the life you're building is shaped by your own ambitions or by boundaries you've never stopped to examine. Because sometimes expanding your world begins with expanding your idea of what's possible. What boundary geographical, professional, or personal would you question if you believed more possibilities were available to you?

  7. 6d ago

    The Carpenter Was Never a Carpenter

    What if a familiar story changes when you look more closely at the words used to tell it? Dror Ben Ami, comparative literature scholar and author of The Vineyard and The Final Jubilee, challenges conventional ways of interpreting biblical texts, exploring how language, translation, and symbolism can shape our understanding of ancient stories. In this episode of The Ambition Lab, Dror shares his alternative interpretation of the familiar image of Jesus as a carpenter, proposing the plowman as a different way to understand the symbolism. We explore how words can take on new meanings across languages and generations, and how looking beyond traditional interpretations can open up new questions about the texts we think we know. We also examine the relationship between the Old and New Testaments, the symbolism of Moses and Aaron, and the influence of Maurice Nicoll on Dror’s approach to biblical interpretation. Beyond scripture, this conversation explores a deeper challenge: how do we question the beliefs we've inherited without simply replacing them with new assumptions? And how can we remain curious, examine evidence, and stay open to being wrong? In This Episode: - Why Dror questions the traditional interpretation of Jesus as a carpenter - The alternative symbolism of the plowman - What can be lost when ancient texts are translated - How the Old and New Testaments may illuminate one another - The deeper meaning Dror sees in the story of Moses, Aaron, and the rock - Biblical symbolism, human nature, and the inner life - The influence of Maurice Nicoll on Dror’s work - Why people resist questioning familiar beliefs - The ideas behind The Vineyard and The Final Jubilee - How to approach ancient texts with curiosity, critical thinking, and humility Books by Dror Ben Ami: - The Vineyard: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HH1GXZB1 - The Final Jubilee: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Dror_Ben_Ami_The_Final_Jubilee?id=8wYVEgAAQBAJ Connect with Dror Ben Ami: - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HA3f56zqb/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dror-ben-ami/ - Substack: https://substack.com/@drorbenami Whether you agree with Dror’s interpretations or approach them with questions, this conversation invites you to look more closely at the language, assumptions, and meanings behind familiar stories. Because sometimes, a new understanding begins when we're willing to look again at something we've always taken for granted. What is something you've always believed but never taken the time to examine for yourself?

  8. Oct 17

    The House Is Crumbling

    What happens when you realize the problem isn't just who's running the house, but how the house itself is built? Evan Jaqua has lived and worked in the United States, Japan, South America, and China. His experiences across cultures, international business, information technology, and aviation have shaped his perspective on politics and the incentives that influence how leaders behave. As founder of the Solutions Party, Evan believes meaningful political reform requires more than replacing one politician or party with another. His proposals include eliminating reelection for elected officials, changing how elections and political journalism operate, and pursuing economic reforms focused on energy, workforce development, and broader prosperity. In this episode of The Ambition Lab, Evan explains why he believes political incentives can undermine public service, how a one-term system might change the way politicians make decisions, and what it could take to reduce the influence of special interests. We also explore democracy, corruption, the role of journalism, America's economic future, and whether lessons from other countries can help reshape the way Americans think about their own political system. Beyond the policies and proposals, Evan reflects on the personal cost of challenging established institutions and what it means to build a political movement around ideas that question the status quo. Because changing the people in power may not be enough if the system continues rewarding the same behavior. In This Episode: - How living abroad changed Evan's perspective on American politics - Why he believes political incentives can distort public service - The Solutions Party's proposal for one term without reelection - Rethinking elections, campaign funding, and political journalism - The relationship between energy, workforce development, and prosperity - Reducing the influence of special interests - Democracy, corruption, and the challenges of institutional reform - Rethinking approaches to the war on drugs - The personal cost of building a political movement - Practical ways independent thinkers can become more informed and engaged Connect with Evan Jaqua: - Solutions Party: https://solutionsparty.org - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-jaqua-52a8b37 - PhobeHarmonix: http://www.phobeharmonix.com - The Emancipation: http://www.theemancipation.com Whether you agree with Evan's proposals or question their practicality, this conversation invites you to look beyond political personalities and examine the structures shaping their decisions. Don't just ask who's running the house. Ask how the house is designed.

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The Ambition Lab is where ambition gets honest. Most people are building something. A business, a career, a family, a body, a life that actually means something. But nobody tells you the real cost of that kind of building — the sacrifices, the identity shifts, the seasons where everything feels like it is moving backwards before it moves forward.

Information

  • Creator
    Whiz
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    157
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Whiz
  • Show Website
    The Ambition Lab