Welcome to Zest for More: Finding Joy Beyond Your Job!
Zest for More: Finding Joy Beyond Your Job

Zest for More: Finding Joy Beyond Your Job

This podcast is for anyone who’s wondered if there is more than work, and how to begin to define yourself when you’re not working. How do you make the time and space to find joy, beyond your job? And, finally, how to conquer the fear that stops us in our tracks. Hosted by Alison Woo and Gwynne Ooste...

Unlocking Resilience and Purpose: How a Veteran Journalist Found her Joy Through Writing Fiction
Zest for More: Finding Joy Beyond Your Job
Unlocking Resilience and Purpose: How a Veteran Journalist Found her Joy Through Writing Fiction

Recent Episodes

July 27, 2026

Unlocking Resilience and Purpose: How a Veteran Journalist Found her Joy Through Writing Fiction

Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back — it’s about transforming trauma into powerful storytelling that can change the world. In our latest episode, award-winning journalist, advocate and author Mellissa Fung shares the extraordinary journey from life-threatening hostage situations in Afghanistan to co-writing The Last Mandarin, a New York Times bestselling novel inspired by global issues. Discover how her experiences navigating danger and grief fuel her passion to shed light on forgotten st
July 26, 2026

Why Joy Finds Us: Darius Wallace on Acting, Meditation, and Finding Your Voice

In this episode of Zest for More, we talk with actor, writer, and speaker Darius Wallace about the unexpected path that led him from a shy, struggling kid in Flint, Michigan to powerful stage performances as Frederick Douglass. Darius shares how theater gave him confidence, how meditation helped him discover his voice, and why honesty, vulnerability, and joy are essential parts of a meaningful life. He also reflects on using his acting and coaching work to help others find their own voice and st
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July 12, 2026

Finding Joy by Saying Yes to the Unknown

In our latest Zest for More podcast episode, we chat with @ Shari Rosen, a health + wellness devotee, event designer extraordinaire and the accidental producer of a new musical, “Sound of America,” timed to celebrate the 250th in Philadelphia. She shares how she found joy after burnout, why she thrives in event planning and healthcare, and how her life-long love of theatre inspires her to craft moments on stage to foster connection. This is a ‘must-watch’ for all communicators out there, mind-
July 1, 2026

The Stanford Doctor Using Magic to Humanize AI

Need a little magic in your life? In this Zest for More episode, we sat down with @Dr. Jonathan Chen who lives at the intersection of medicine, technology and . .. drum roll: magic. By day, Chen is the Stanford Director for Medical Education and AI, shaping how future physicians integrate tech with medicine. By night (and on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jonc101x), he’s a master magician. But magic is not just entertainment for Jonathan; it works as a deliberate framework to coach doctors,
July 1, 2026

Is AI a Technology or a Leadership Challenge?

Best-selling author @Charlene Li encourages leaders to see AI as a tool to amplify human qualities like curiosity, empathy, and joy—not just efficiency. In our latest Zest for More podcast, we delve into Li’s newest book, “Winning with AI” she highlights how AI can free us from boring tasks, giving us more time for creativity and meaningful work. Imagine your team thriving, not just surviving, because technology is taking care of the mundane. The key? Think long-term, be honest about AI's limi
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April 7, 2026

Food, Farm, and Family: How to Cultivate a Life of Pure Joy

In this episode, we sit down with former Gourmet magazine chef Ian Knauer to explore his inspiring transition from a high-stress Wall Street career to how he and his wife are creating a soulful, slower pace of life at the Roots to River Farm. Ian shares how he and his family transformed a sudden career setback into a flourishing community hub centered on sustainable farming, world-class cooking classes, and the simple joy of a shared meal. Listeners will discover how to recognize your own "luc