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 Oosterbaan, two communication professionals who never stop zesting for more joy in their own lives!
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 stories and push beyond the boundaries of traditional journalism. She reveals the motivations behind focusing on women’s issues in war zones, especially her work in Afghanistan where she chronicled groundbreaking progress for women under Taliban rule.
She shares behind-the-scenes insights into her collaboration with renowned author Louise Penny on their innovative novel—a geopolitical thriller rooted in research and fueled by their journalistic integrity. You'll discover:
Melissa’s unique concept of being a “post-conflict journalist” focusing on the aftermath rather than just the news of war
How her journalism expertise informs her fictional storytelling and character development
The profound emotional evolution of her mother-daughter relationships amid global crises
Why fiction can sometimes reveal truths that straight reporting cannot—bridging the gap between facts and human experience
Get inspired by her journey of trauma, hope, and storytelling—because your stories have the power to change lives.
26 Jul 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 step into their potential.
We also explore:
How creativity can become a calling
The power of silence and self-discovery
Why telling the truth about your struggles creates connection
What Frederick Douglass can teach us today about purpose, freedom, and courage
If you’re looking for inspiration, perspective, and a reminder that joy is something we can choose to pursue, this conversation is for you.
13 Jul 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-body connection fans and anyone speaking in public… tune in for some surprising insights like:
Finding joy by saying “no” and savoring life’s micro moments
*How to avoid being a “mirrorless” leader by listening to others
*How to partner with AI even when it lacks taste & discernment
*Why the business of healthcare applies to everyone
It was a joy speaking with Shari and we loved hearing her journey of taking the leap into different unknowns – whether starting her own business or jumping into the creative enterprise of a rock opera on Benjamin Franklin, backed by The Who’s Sir Roger Daltrey.
#AI (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/ai) #HealthcareInnovation (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/healthcareinnovation) #PublicSpeaking (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/publicspeaking) #Leadership (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/leadership) #ZestForMorePodcast (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/zestformorepodcast) #America250 (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/america250) #Philadelphia250 (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/philadelphia250)
2 Jul 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 (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, engineers, and data scientists to break out of "introverted nerd" shell to command a room, listen better and tell unforgettable stories.
In this podcast, Chen shares why:
*AI can easily replicate or even exceed standard clinical knowledge (and sometimes empathy!)
*How human HCPs win when they align with Competence (judgment over facts), Communication (real influence), and Character (taking ultimate responsibility).
*He believes technology should be your tutor, not your shortcut.
*Magic can build a genuine, memorable connection with an audience.
Want to inject a little more wonder and zest into your professional life? Catch the full episode with Dr. Jonathan Chen here on our channel at youtube.com/@zestformore (http://youtube.com/@zestformore). You can also listen directly at
zestformore.com (http://zestformore.com).
#AI #HealthcareInnovation #TechnicalCommunication #Storytelling #PublicSpeaking
#Leadership #ZestForMorePodcast
2 Jul 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 limits, and focus on how it can enhance your biggest strategic goals.
Drop a 🚀 if you're curious about the future of work with AI!
#AILeadership #JoyAtWork #FutureOfWork #MentalHealthMatters #LeadershipInMotion
7 Apr 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 "lucky moments," embrace the tenacity needed for a major pivot, and find a deeper sense of zest by doing what you truly love.
7 Apr 2026
Desperately Alone At the Top: Why Leaders Need a Bridge to Joy, Not Just a Ladder
In this episode, seasoned leadership coach and former CEO Alison Godfrey explores the profound isolation often felt at the executive level and why the relentless climb up the corporate ladder can lead to a disconnect from one's true identity.
You’ll discover how to move beyond the "archaeology" of the past to build an architectural bridge toward your future, using self-regulation and body awareness to navigate high-pressure environments without losing your zest.
Coach Alison shares how to integrate your professional and personal worlds into one fulfilling life, proving that the ultimate goal of leadership isn't just a title—it’s finding the joy that makes getting out of bed every morning worthwhile.
7 Apr 2026
Questioning Presidents, Learning from Sons: Ben Feller on Finding Ultimate Perspective
In this episode, former Associated Press White House correspondent Ben Feller shares how he traded the high-pressure world of presidential reporting for a more grounded, fulfilling life as a strategic consultant and author. He explains how a simple question from his young son, Sam, inspired a children’s book and completely reframed his understanding of "big problems versus little problems" in both business and parenting. Through a candid discussion on vulnerability and identity, Ben offers seasoned professionals a roadmap for finding peace beyond the corporate grind and rediscovering joy in the moments that truly matter.
5 Apr 2026
Sensibility and Strategy: Discovering Joy through Jane Austen, the Law, and Legos
What does a well-respected lawyer have in common with a 19th-century novelist and a thousand-piece Lego set? As it turns out, quite a lot.
In this episode of Zest for More, hosts Alison Woo and Gwynne Oosterbaan sit down with Paul Savidge, a true "Renaissance man" who has spent his career navigating the complex world of healthcare law while simultaneously cultivating a rich "passion list."
If you’ve ever felt like your identity is too wrapped up in your job title, Paul’s story is a masterclass in how to build a life that is as strategically sound as it is joyful.
29 Mar 2026
Zest for More Podcast Trailer
Hosts Alison Woo and Gwynne Oosterbaan welcome listeners to Season One of the Zest for More: Finding Joy Beyond Your Job podcast. They provide an overview of some of the season's first set of guests.
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